The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane
by Kelly Harms
ContemporaryAdded on January 13, 2026
Description
A debut novel about luck and love, and winning a sweepstakes, with a cast of characters who will charm readers from the very first pageThe HomeSweetHome Network has just announced this year's lucky winner of a brand-new, fully loaded dream home: Janine Brown of Cedar Falls, Iowa.For Janine "Janey" Brown, hearing her name called on the TV has the hallmarks of one of her aunt Midge's harebrained plans designed to bring Janey into a world outside the one she once shared with her fiancé. Janey, however, is reluctant to give up the safety and sanctity she finds in her tiny kitchen, submerging her anxiety and grief in the pursuit of the perfect pot-au-feu.Meanwhile, across town, Janine "Nean" Brown just knows that this house is her destiny. Good fortune took its sweet time showing up in her life, but better late than never. And now that it's here, the house promises an escape from the latest in her revolving door of crappy jobs and drunk boyfriends. This house will turn her into someone the world sees, instead of the bedraggled girl who others look past without a thought.Both Janine Browns head for Christmas Cove, Maine, to claim the prize they both rightfully think is theirs. When their lives and personalities intersect, however, they discover that more than just a million-dollar dream home awaits them at the water's edge. These three women (oh yes, Aunt Midge comes along for the ride!) arrive at their newfound mansion only to uncover what exactly it means to truly be "home."Filled with wit and charm, The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane is Kelly Harms's enchanting and heartfelt debut--a testament to the many, many ways love finds us, the power of a home-cooked meal, and just what it means to be lucky.
Reader Reviews
3.5 Stars. Very, very light...floating off to join the pages of those other undemanding, evanescent sweet escapes in books whose titles have mostly blurred together in a cloud of relaxation. That almost says it all about this novel, except that there is a dream house, lots of dream food, wretched women who transform into beauties, body beautiful boyfriends, good neighbours and lots of kindness. Excuse me, I'm so relaxed now I think I'll go take a nap.
3.5 stars. I call these light, easy books "palate cleansers". I read them after a tough book or series of books and when my brain just needs a break. This book is perfect for that. The characters are built up well, the storyline just engaging enough, predictable but not badly so. I recommend it if you want a holiday from thinking for awhile.
I read this book during a really tough time and it brought me such joy. I immediately ordered everything else Kelly Harms has written. This book is filled with such heart and humor. My favorite quote is “Walking a mile in another person’s shoes is nothing compared to cooking a meal in someone else’s kitchen.” My sister, mom, and I did a buddy read of this and we laughed and cried. I hope that you will enjoy it as much as we did.
