Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins – Review & Giveaway

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / BAM / Book Depository / iTunes

Description:
Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends ever since they met at a weight-loss camp as teens. When Emerson tragically passes away, she leaves one final wish for her best friends: to conquer the fears they still carry as adults.

For each of them, that means something different. For Marley, it’s coming to terms with the survivor’s guilt she’s carried around since her twin sister’s death, which has left her blind to the real chance for romance in her life. For Georgia, it’s about learning to stop trying to live up to her mother’s and brother’s ridiculous standards, and learning to accept the love her ex-husband has tried to give her.

But as Marley and Georgia grow stronger, the real meaning of Emerson’s dying wish becomes truly clear: more than anything, she wanted her friends to love themselves.

Review:

Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins is a standalone novel.   I have read Higgins before and have always enjoyed reading her books.  Good Luck with That is a different type of story, which I did enjoy parts of it, but I did have mixed feelings.  The subject is somewhat of a taboo, revolving around body shaming and eating disorders.

Georgia, Marley and Emerson met as teenagers at a camp for those with weight issues; they had a common bond and became best friends.  The story switches to the present, 35 years later, and Emerson contacts the girls to visit her in the hospital.  Both Georgia and Marley are shocked at how Emerson looks, since they have not seen her in 5 years or so, and now she is grossly overweight (350 lbs or more). Emerson knows she is dying, as her organs are beginning to fail, and gives her friends an envelope that has instructions that she implores them to read and follow after her death. Both Georgia and Marley grieve their friend’s death, and feel guilty that they didn’t check on her.

The story is in the POV of Georgia and Marley, as well as Emerson’s thoughts (from a diary). The sheet that Emerson put in the envelope was a list they made as teenagers, of what they would do when they were Skinny, and both Georgia and Marley will attempt to reach some of those goals. 

Georgia is a former successful lawyer, who is now a nursery school teacher; and Marley is a personal chef (delivers food to clients).  They have remained best friends, and help each other with family and weight/eating disorders.   Marley is a bit overweight, but she has come to terms to feel comfortable in her skin.  She is active, and loves her family, but still feels the pain of losing her twin (4 years old) that her parents can’t move past. 

Georgia is thin now, especially since she has an ulcer. Her issues are with her family; a mother who looks anorexia and pushes her to lose weight; a nasty belligerent brother, who always puts her down; and a nephew she loves who tried to commit suicide.  She was married to a great guy, who was a restaurateur, and he treated her like a queen; but because she hated herself and her body, she couldn’t accept his devotion as true.  Eventually they divorced.  But as Georgia begins to come to terms with herself, and with Marley’s wonderful healthy cooking, she realizes she lost the man of her dreams.

I really liked Georgia and Marley, as well as Mason (the nephew) and Rafe, Georgia’s ex.   At first I wasn’t sure about Will (a loner who never leaves the house, and one of Marley’s clients), but once he fell in love with Marley, it was great to watch him overcome his own issue of PSTD.

My mixed feelings are how difficult it was to read at some points, especially with the POV of Emerson.  It was sad, depressing and uncomfortable to see how their insecurities dictated their lives; how they were rudely treated by some others to the point of being offensive.   Early on I wasn’t sure if I would continue to read this book, but I am glad I did finish it.  It was an emotional and difficult read at times, and at the same time heartwarming to see the friendship bond between Georgia and Marley; and the family dynamics for both of them. 

Good Luck with That had two wonderful characters in Georgia & Marley and that this story was about friendship, family, love, relationships, self-confidence and acceptance.  Kristan Higgins writing was very good, as she also created sweet vulnerable characters that were great. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

Kristan’s publisher is offering a paper copy of GOOD LUCK WITH THAT to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page (at the top of your computer).

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please follow Kristan Higgins on Facebook.

4. Please like Penguin Random House on Facebook

5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

6. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

7. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

8. Giveaway open to USA only

9. Giveaway runs from August 7 to 11, 2018