Good Luck with That

What would you do if you woke up one day and realized that you’d missed out on the best things in life just because you were too scared to truly live? Good Luck With That follows Georgia and Marley as they struggle with the loss of their dear friend Emerson and what she asks of them on her death bed. They promise her they’ll fulfill her wishes, though neither is fully prepared for all that entails.

For Georgia, body image has been a central theme throughout her life, as much a part of her identity as her name. She punishes herself for the extra weight she carries, even drives the man she loves away because she doesn’t love herself enough to believe she deserves his devotion.

‘Step by step, I had ruined the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me, ground it into the dirt because losing him was easier than living with the fear of losing him.’

When Georgia finally gets to experience the world at her ideal size, she realizes it’s not at all what she envisioned.

Marley has a job she loves, an incredible family, and she’s mostly happy in the skin she’s in, but there’s a sadness about her that’s visible only to those who look deep enough. One of her clients, a man she first mistakes for a possible serial killer, has been through more than his fair share of loss and can sense her sorrow even if she doesn’t outwardly show it. He, more than anyone else, gives her permission to be herself.

While Georgia and Marley make good on their promise to Emerson, they soon learn the greater purpose of their pursuit to achieve all the things their teenage selves dreamed of: It’s not about looking a certain way, it’s about loving yourself the way you are and not letting life pass you by. But the beauty of this book is more than the personal journey the two women go through in discovering this lesson; it’s the impact they make on other people’s lives along the way.

I loved the humor in this book, and the way the author managed to get so deep into their viewpoints. Their internal and external battles are ones familiar to most every woman, which makes this book extraordinarily relatable. The type of book that sticks with you long after you put it down and has the ability to change the lives of those reading it.

‘It wasn’t about tucking in shirts and piggyback rides. It was about not letting your weight define you, and not letting it decide when you could be the person you wanted to be.’

Good Luck With That is a lesson in kindness, acceptance, and self-worth. I’m so glad I read this book, and I hope every woman gives herself this gift.

Emerson, Marley and Georgia met at weight camp when they were teenagers. All struggle with their weight, but are determined to be skinny some day.

Emerson is the most overweight of the three friends. Her mother’s way of supporting her daughter is to continue to overfeed her.

Georgia’s perpetually dieting, plastic surgery-sculpted mother is not supportive. Instead of trying to understand her daughter’s problems she continues to find fault and criticize her for her weight.

Georgia’s brother, Hunter spends his time planning ways to be cruel to his sister. He never misses a chance to insult and embarrass her. His teenage son, Mason, is another victim of Hunter’s constant criticism. They make most dysfunctional families look like ideal families.

When she meets and marries the man of her dreams, Georgia cannot get past her feelings of unworthiness. How could anyone love somebody who looks like her?

Marley had a twin sister who suffered from “failure to thrive” and lost her battle for life at age four. Her mother and father have never stopped grieving. Marley feels guilty for having been the twin who lived.

All three women try to compensate for their feelings of inadequacy by eating.

Good Luck With That is a book that touched my heart. Ms. Higgins has managed to run the gamut of emotions with this book. I found myself laughing one moment and crying the next. If you only read one Women’s Fiction book this year, Good Luck With That should be the one.

Wow! This book touched home for me in so many ways. Your self perception doesn't always have to do with the number on the scale. It has to do with what you see in the mirror when you look at yourself. I've always struggled with my weight & I can tell you that even when I've lost weight, I still see the same overweight girl in the mirror. I think that Kristan Higgins has done an excellent job starting a dialogue regarding the issues of weight & self esteem. She brings her warm & witty writing style to women's fiction & writes with honesty & depth. I found this an extremely emotional book to read & found it extremely realistic. I do feel society has pushed unreasonable & unattainable body images. Society has also become very rude & judgmental in interactions with anyone not "conforming" to the standard. I applaud Kristan Higgins for her bravery in attempting this topic & for her brutal honesty on it.

I don't care if you are not a reader. I don't care if you are not fat. This book will change your life and the way you look at yourself forever. Read it and then loan it or gift it to every female you know over the age of 12. This isn't a book to read for entertainment. It's a life lesson.

The characters constant fat shaming themselves was more than I could take. Wouldn't want someone leaning toward eating disorders to read this. Just depressing and for some reason could not send book back for a refund. What a waste of money.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Jeanie

This year’s must-read is a remarkable, unique relationship novel that few could write with sensitivity and raw vulnerability as this author has. She shares the good or bad feelings women may have about our appearance, and how we often choose friends based on appearance rather than similar interests. These three friends from summer weight-loss camp days are defined so well, I almost felt as if I know them, or that they know me, how I think and feel.

Emerson, Marley, and Georgia met at weight loss camp the summer before they turned 18. They enjoyed each other’s company. Nobody called them fat or other unflattering names. And that last day at camp, all three girls could look back at with fond memories as one of the very best days ever.

Marley is now a personal chef, who cooks and delivers unique, balanced meals to many regular clients, and small events on request. Her weight is still a barrier for many people, especially men, but she is happy with most of her life. She goes to yoga and runs. She comes from a beautiful Italian family in which love is experienced around the dinner table at her parents’ home. She has always felt acutely the loss of her twin sister, Frankie, who died when they were four. Frankie was a much smaller baby who never could get to a size normal for her age. She was sick all the time. Marley thrived, and was always a bit larger than average. Marley rents an apartment from one of the three besties, Georgia. Georgia purchased a townhouse, and Marley’s apartment has a commercial kitchen in it.

Georgia’s family is very different. Divorced for many years, her mother never worked, thanks to an inheritance from her family. She always criticized Georgia for her weight. The only good thing coming from her brother is his son, Mason. Georgia’s stepmother is only a few years older than her, and she has two delightfully fun stepsisters. Georgia worked as an attorney for only a short time, and now is a preschool teacher. She loves teaching, doing only pro bono legal work. She is divorced from the love of her life, Rafael, and hasn’t seen him for five years.

Georgia and Marley get a call that Emerson is in the hospital and wants to see them. Before she dies, far too young, she gives them the list they had made as teens that best day ever, of things to do when they were slender, with a plea that they would fulfill their wishes. What follows next, and the journal Emerson wrote to “Other Emerson”, her future skinny self, will break your heart and put it back together with healing, laughter, and understanding for others.

The characters are incredibly well defined. I appreciate Georgia, Marley, and Emerson. Whether one has had a weight challenge, or a huge weight challenge, or anything else one dislikes themselves for, a reader might see herself in these beautiful ladies. I did. I get it. The insight into the those who have endured the loneliness and bullying of being “different” is reflected so real that one could see these ladies as their best friends…if one isn’t so preoccupied with their own appearance that they hang with the mean girls of the crowd.

If one is looking for a light and happy novel, Good Luck with That doesn’t start out that way. At first it was so real that I had a hard time continuing, as kids can be cruel, and so can adults. The biggest challenge for Marley and Georgia is to make peace with who they are and go forward – and there are surprising twists and turns for each of them. Keep at least one box of tissues handy, as there may be many tears mingled in with the laughter of watching the ladies try to meet some of those teenage – and adult – goals. Some of the moments I enjoyed were those in celebration of who Marley and Georgia are in their respective families and relationships. This is a novel that should be read by women of all ages, including young or new adults, While the novel has some very poignant, painful times, it is worth working through those to see what is possible. Happiness, peace, and yes, even victory are celebrated amidst many LOL scenes. I highly recommend this year’s must-read!

A sad truth. The reason I chose that title for this review? Because I have read all of the reviews and the negative reviews have a resounding theme. These readers have been reading Kristan Higgins for quite a while. They have read all of her be-u-timous Romance novels. Those Romances are assuredly special. They sparkle with charm and humor and relatable characters. I can't think of a Kristan Higgins character who wasn't endearingly flawed. That is, in my opinion, what makes her one of my Very Favorite Romance authors. The HEA in her Romance books always follows a wonderful ride with a wonderful cast of characters. WE ALL LOVE THE HOLLAND FAMILY!!! AND LEVI. WE ESPECIALLY LOVE LEVI! ;)

In 2016, this author dipped her toe into a new genre, that being Women's Fiction. The very first book was If You Only Knew, followed by On Second Thought and Now That You Mention It. All of these books are connected, set in the same small town in Maine. Having read all of her previous books (Romance), I was anxious to read something different...this Kristan Higgins Women's Fiction. I was so anxious that I chose it (If You Only Knew) as our book selection for my book club. Most of the women in our club had also read many of Kristan's Romance novels. We were all in agreement that her books are a curious blend of hilarious and heart-warming. Fast forward to the actual meeting. The majority of the women were disappointed with this different kind of Kristan Higgins book. They started off with negative comments about the serious and somewhat depressing tone of that story. However...the more we discussed the characters and the storyline, the more clearly it was revealed that they did appreciate those characters and they did relate (on varying levels) to the storyline. Oh! And yes, there was the signature Higgins humor. Also, there were the brilliantly crafted relationships within families that we had found in her Romance novels. We wound up having one of our most meaningful conversations at this meeting. There was a newfound solidarity.

For me, it was a very natural segue for Kristan Higgins to move into Women's Fiction. This genre allows the author to go more boldly into the complicated relationships within families and friendships AND with ourselves. This genre is a perfect setting for the realities that we all face in life. Realities that can be equal parts crazy-amazing and gut-wrenchingly difficult. You know, good old reality. It is stupendously awesome that Kristan Higgins has built these stories with the same type of characters that we have come to expect from her. They are all real and funny and smart and (again, I know) relatable. There is only a tiny thread of romance within these Women's Fiction novels because...you know, there is romance in real life. It's just not the main theme in this series.

Good Luck With That. By now, you have read the synopsis and you know that this story deals with the very real challenge these three women face(d) in a world that celebrates being Fit and Strong and Resilient and Similar. Emerson, Marley, and Georgia were all overweight. Each woman had a story that was written from their perspective. They had scars that had shaped the way they saw the world and their relationships with everyone in that world, be they family member or friend or complete strangers. There was Emerson, spending her life trying to be invisible, yet desperately wishing for connection...Eating and wishing and eating and wishing. Georgia, having grown to womanhood believing that she was unlovable, unworthy of respect...always PROVING PROVING PROVING. Marley, who had a deep sadness that was shared by everyone in her family; but, she was very happy with her body, thank you very much...she just really wanted to be able to make everyone be happy (a slippery slope, that). These stories made me cry A LOT. There is no escaping the anguish in a story about someone who has been bullied and judged and left on the sidelines. There is something so very important about reading an honest depiction of what that feels like. This book is important to all of the women who struggle with their weight. It is a validation. This book is also important to ALL WOMEN. Women who have been led to believe that they must be extra. Extra resilient, extra beautiful, extra smart, extra nice, extra forgiving, extra extRA EXTRA!. What. Ever. Marley's sister, Eva, totally had this figured out.

We all have scars. Some of those scars are visible, while others are transformed into a shield with which we protect ourselves. We protect ourselves from a repeat of what caused the scar, sure we do. We also protect our image of being strong and well. The unfortunate side effect of shields is that they create a barrier between ourselves and perhaps some wonderful possibilities. What resounded with me, after reading this book, was the "walk in the skin" of these different women. Kristan Higgins has a strong gift in creating characters who are so dimensional, they become real people as you read the book. You get inside their heads and you understand what is in their hearts. That was definitely the case with Emerson, Marley, and Georgia. I loved this book that made me cry and laugh and cry and THINK.

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.

First, I have to tell you fellow readers that I love Kristan Higgins! and I have never rated one of her books below a four. If you follow her on Facebook or read her blog, you know how funny she is; you know she let's it all hang out; you know she is famous for her pj-wearing, make-up free, hair-not combed selfies! I would love for her to be my friend.
"Good Luck with That" is her latest novel. I didn't not like it, but I didn't love it either. And I think that is on me. I think we all have self esteem issues for any number of reasons and perhaps reading this book brought up some of my old ones for me. We have three main characters, and several secondary ones, who are suffering. For the main characters, Emerson, Georgia and Marley, the issue is self-esteem due to their weight. A hard subject for anyone to deal with. It was hard to read about. I don't want to give anything away by going into detail, but there is a healing that takes place. In part because they try to do things that they have in the past felt forbidden to do. You know - 'normal' things. In part because they finally get to a place where they can stand up for themselves and speak their minds. It takes courage and they find it. But it takes a tragedy to start them on this path. Some old dreams are lost, but better ones are found. My hope is that you enjoy the book, perhaps take something personal away with you at the end of it. I'm thinking that in a few days, my rating may change.

I have so much book love for this story. There are some books that strike just the right chord, have that fling with your emotions, let's you see a world that you never imagined, that just can't be put down, because they are that good and Good Luck with That was one of those books for me.

Connections that one makes in life are so important. The way we look at ourselves, our self love and acceptance can flow from family, friends, acquaintances, but mainly it needs to flow from ourselves. Meet Georgia, Marley, and Emerson, three young girls who meet at a camp for fat people. They are linked together by more then their weight, for they are friends, there for one another, battling the way in which society sees fat people, trying to find their way in a world that makes them invisible. The girls, grown to womanhood, have experienced a ton of emotions that set them and us on an emotional roller coaster ride. One minute we are laughing, loving the characters and the secondary characters, (well maybe a two of them not so much) and the next we are crying along with them as they struggle with the mirror, with the perceptions of others, with the embarrassment of being overweight. Their body is their enemy and society too, is their attacker. They try to lose the weight and yet as one of them succumbs to her idea that this is just what she deserves, the other two battle and struggle to accept what they are, where their life is going, and a society that sees them as gross. They diet, they purge, they exercise and yet the demons still chase them and seem to ruin any success they have in love relationships. To never have been kissed, to be ignored, to never date in a world where they are hit in the face with an ideal they can never achieve is both sorrowful and bitter.

From the very first page, this book entraps you in their world. It makes you see hear and feel what it is like being overweight in a society that values the stick thin, not caring at all about how others who are not thin feel when they are made fun of, not included, and ever so ashamed. Kristin Higgins hit the reader with hard facts and feelings. She climbs inside along with you to feel, to see, to be an overweight person. She makes her characters real, her characters funny, her characters sad, and as we walk through their lives we stand beside them with our feelings so very close to the surface.

So, I encourage all of you to read this book. It will make you never look at an overweight person in the same way. It will allow you to feel their pain, to understand their emotions, to know that within each person there is such goodness waiting to come out if only one can break through the barriers of stereotyping and being fed an image generated upon a society dedicated to being thin. Well done Ms Higgins, very well done.....

I had no idea when I picked this book up that it was such a controversial read. While I do feel that this book isn’t for everyone, I will tell you that this book is honest. This book is real. This story deals with some deep issues and insecurities. So even though it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, I’m glad I picked this story up. I’m glad I gave it chance.

I want to start off by saying that this type of story is a departure for me. I don’t usually read a lot of women’s fiction. I’m a huge romance fan, but there was just something about this synopsis that grabbed me and made me want to pick up this book. Good Luck with That is a story about 3 friends who met at fat camp when they were younger. When one of the girls, Emerson dies tragically, she leaves her besties with one last wish. Her last wish if for them to complete the “when I get skinny” list they made as kids and finally conquer their fears. This list for Marley & Georgia isn’t easy. They will be forced to really look into themselves and see the truths that they have ignored. It will force them to open their eyes and see the possibles. It will force them to see the amazing women they are and learn to love themselves again….

Like I said, this story is not for everyone and everyone is not going to like it. It will be hit for some and a miss for others. For me, I thought the story was very real and honest. There was some darkness to it and at times, it wasn’t easy to read. However, I loved the honesty of the characters and seeing them come to terms with their insecurities. I loved seeing Marley & Georgia grow and transform as the story went on. I was intrigued by these two woman and was curious how their story was going to end.

Good Luck with That is an a story about loss and self-discovery. It is a story of acceptance and hope. It is a story of finding yourself and coming to terms with your true self. It is a story of friendship with a dash of romance to keep this romance lover happy. Overall, I thought this book was well written and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins is a controversial woman's novel dealing with body image and self-acceptance. Recommended, but highly for fans of Chick Lit and romance novels.

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends ever since they met at a weight-loss camp as teens. When Emerson dies from complications due to her weight she leaves her best friends an envelope with a note. The note is actually a list they made at their last year of fat camp. The list is title "Thing's We'll Do When We're Skinny" and consists of: go running in tight clothes and a sports bra; get a piggyback-ride from a guy; be in a photo shoot; eat dessert in public; tuck in a shirt; shop at a store for regular people; have a cute guy buy you a drink; meet a guys parents; tell off people who had a problem with you being fat. Georgia and Marley decide to tackle the list and along with dealing with their poor self-image, they also tackle other, deeper issues. Marley has had survivor's guilt ever since her twin sister died when they were four. Georgia has dealt with a hyper-critical mother and a critical angry brother. The two need to tackle these concerns along with other complicated relationship issues.

The narrative alternates between chapters told from the first person point of view of Georgia, Marley, and Emerson (through excerpts from her journals). They are in their very early 30's now and the list was written when I originally thought they were probably around 13, but later the book said 18. Okay, like many reviewers I've never been the skinny perfect girl these women dream about, but I would have never written such a list at 18, fat thighs and big butt or not. Why would these women follow a list they made as teens as if it is important and life changing?

It must also be said that I didn't know about the controversy surround this novel until after I read it. If I had known that the bulk of the novel would consist of so much weight-based insecurity and recalling fat-shaming events, I would have skipped reading it for review. The blurb does not focus so much on their weight issues, which likely isn't all that bad for Marley and not at all for Georgia. Why even make weight and fat shaming the focus when the root of everything was from much deeper emotional issues? This is also very much Chick Lit and these two women are somehow incomplete without a man. Yeah, it's normal to want a relationship with other people, but get mentally healthy, accept yourself, and make a life for yourself. (The men in this novel are not worth the trouble, by the way. With Marley's brother and Georgia's nephew being the exceptions, none of the rest of them are worth the consideration or any concentrated effort anyway.)

It became very clear early on that this was not the novel for me, which begs the question: Why did I keep reading it? Admittedly, I did have to soldier through during several parts of the novel. At a hefty 480 pages, some editing might have been in order. The quality of the writing is quite good, which helped me get through the parts that annoyed me. For its flaws, Good Luck with That is an interesting book and does handle with compassion and insight the fat/body shaming women go through. (Men too, by-the-way, which was never mentioned.) The characters are portrayed as real people and their emotions and insecurities are presented as heartfelt and authentic. She does give her characters emotional growth and there is closure to the plot points at the end. It is a solid 3.5, rounded up for the right reader, down for me. (I should have followed my personal rule to avoid [most] Chick Lit and Romance novels, but I did enjoy another one of Higgins's novels and wanted to give her another try.)

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Penguin Random House

4.5/5 stars

Apparently this book is a bit controversial. It's about a very important subject that a lot of women deal with: weight and body issues.

I found this book to be emotional and moving. And some of it might be a bit hard to read. But it felt real.

This book has romance, but that is only a part of the story. I would categorize this book as Women's Fiction, with one of the main focuses being on the friendship between the two lead characters. Marley and Georgia are best friends. And their friendship was amazing and wonderful and I loved it.

There are two main narrators in this book Marley and Georgia (both 34 years old). There are also some diary entries from the past (Emerson). These three women met when they were 17 at a weight-loss camp.

Now in the present something has happened to Emerson, Marley is a chef and Georgia is a pre-school teacher.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved both Marley and Georgia's chapters. The only part that I did not love was when we got Emerson's diary entries. I think that I would have preferred the book without them. It was definitely nice though to see characters that weren't a size zero.

I really liked Marley and Georgia so much, especially their romances and their families. Both of these aspects added so much to the story. I adored Georgia's nephew and despised her brother.

This book will really make you feel a lot. If you've ever had any type of weight issues it will make you relate to these characters. And if haven't struggled then it will make you more compassionate to the struggles so many people face everyday.

Good Luck With That was such a fun, funny and enjoyable read. However, it was also serious and dealt with important issues. I really enjoyed it!

I was emotionally moved while reading Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins. While reading this story I felt the story not only told the story of her characters but also described a scenario that affects most girls and women, of all ages, as they obsess with their appearance and the pressure of unrealistic expectations by societal, and possibly family, expectations. I was cheering on these friends who were supportive of each other, accepted each other flaws and all, and compassionate about each other’s struggle.

Technology, air brushing, and the media have altered how one can or should appear, along with the expectation of what body image is normal. Women need to take back the fight, embrace themselves, and love themselves for who they are. It shouldn’t matter what others think but what they think of themselves. This book is a reminder that we need to love ourselves, just the way we are.

Ms. Higgins wrote an amazing and emotional story that is not to be missed. In typical Higgins fashion, mixed with the teary emotional portion are humorous situations that brought out laughs and smiles. I struggled putting this book down, turning page after page, not letting go until I turned the last page. I highly recommend this amazing book to other readers.

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends since they were teens. They met at Camp Copperbrook, a weight-loss camp. They've stayed close ever since, so when Emerson passes away, Georgia and Marley are distraught. Emerson asks her friends to complete a list they made at camp, forcing both Georgia and Marley to confront some long-held fears. Marley still feels guilty since her twin sister, Frankie, died when they were four. And Georgia, has been scarred by the exacting conditions--especially about weight--passed on by her mother and brother. And she's hurt after the ending of her marriage. But Georgia and Marley are determined to complete the items on the list, for Emerson, even if it means getting past their comfort zone and learning to love themselves just as they are.

I'll be honest. I wasn't sure I'd like this one in the beginning. The tell-it-like-it-is weight talk is jarring at first, so are Marley's many, many references to her dead twin. I was confused about who was talking, eventually having to make myself a little cheat sheet to keep Georgia and Marley and their various family members/histories straight. But, pretty quickly, this book grew on me, and became a very powerful, very heartbreaking, very realistic, and very lovely read.

This isn't an easy-to-read book. It's starkly realistic and tells it like it is. Weight, life, reality, friendship, parenting, and more. It's tough to read and touches on the insecurities we all have deep inside ourselves, plus how cruel the world can be to those it deems "different." It made me very sad at times.

Luckily, the novel is also infused with Higgins' trademark humor. The woman can write a darn funny scene and even with the serious topics she covers here, there are plenty of funny times and warmth throughout this novel. She can make piggyback rides humorous. And running! Marley and Georgia become real people throughout the course of this novel, and so much of their friendship is witty and hilarious. I really grew to love them.

The book is also powerful in so many ways. Yes, it can be powerfully sad and heartbreaking at times, but it's also just powerfully well-done. I really think this is a book everyone should read, especially parents or anyone who spends time around teens. Georgia's teenage nephew, Mason, quickly became one of my favorite characters. His storyline has nothing to do with weight, but everything to do with self-acceptance, and I totally adored him.

There's so much going on in this book. The power of friendship. Struggling with weight and loving yourself. And the idea of, What happens when we get everything we want and we still aren't happy? So much resonated with me. The book will make you laugh. It will make you cry. Parts of it are predictable, but in the total Higgins fashion of exactly the way you want them to be.

Overall, this book was nothing like what I expected, but that's totally OK. It's really a powerful, tough, emotional read, but completely worth it. By the end, I was completely immersed in the characters' lives and the story. I found it to be heartbreaking and beautiful, and I certainly recommend it. 4 stars.

I liked this book. It is not the typical Kristan Higgins books that I have read though so it was a little different. Although it was sadder than I thought it would be.
It was about 3 friends Emerson, Georgia, and Marley who met at an overweight camp when they were teens. We see life from their point of view and their struggles. I was able to keep up pretty well. There was only 1 time there was a switch of people’s perspectives that I had to re-read to figure out who was speaking.
We do find out Emerson’s weight and see how things went downhill for her and those who were accomplices in the problem. For Georgia and Marley we see how their lives change when they start thinking more positive and care less about what others think of them and more about their own self-worth.
Georgia was a lawyer turned Preschool teacher. Her mother and her brother are horrible and always make her feel bad about her weight. So once she found love she did not believe that he could really love her for her the way she looked and the way she was. Plus she hated herself so bad at that point she sabotaged everything. Her dog Admiral and her nephew Mason were the best things in her life. Her dad was a good support person when she was an adult.
Marley is a chef in a loving family. She never was fully comfortable with her weight but out of the 3 she was the most confident. I really liked the characters based on their personalities they sounded like they would be fun to be around.
Emerson ended up working at a call center which according to her made her feel like she had a purpose. We only see Emerson's thoughts because she passes away in the beginning of the book. She was a sweet person that tried to be nice to everyone she met.
Despite the Death of Emerson I really liked the ending because everyone loved themselves more. They were not as hard on themselves. They started living instead of hiding.
I know I related to the book because of my own self-image issues, a lot that are due to weight. Now I know people may think it’s funny for me to have such issues because I was underweight until I was 30 and it is not the same as being overweight. But I literally looked like if a strong wind blew I would fall over and break. And people did not fail to mention that to me all the time. I have had people who automatically thought I was anorexic or would just tell me I should eat I must be hungry, that I had to have had a eating disorder. People teased me a lot. Although I never did get to the totally hating myself part like a couple of the characters did in the book, the meaning is relatable. Some days it is hard to be in my own skin. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. I had many days where I wished I could gain weight and be a normal size.
I got this for free to read in exchange for an honest opinion from First to read. The opinions in this review are 100% my own.

I picked up this book because I was in desperate need of a Women’s Fiction book that was actually a Women’s Fiction book. Oftentimes, Romance authors who try to write Women’s Fiction just end up writing another Contemporary Romance and try to pass it as something different. However, I was thrilled when I started this book and discovered that it truly is written as a Women’s Fiction novel.

Now, I didn’t realize this when I read this book, but there is a lot of controversy surrounding this release. A lot of other early reviewers were bashing this book and author because they claim the book has fat-shaming and fatphobia in it. They view it as disgusting and offensive and although I can admit that there is fat-shaming in it, it’s usually done by other characters towards the heroines of this novel to evoke sympathy and emotion.

This book surrounds around three girls who are overweight and are undergoing some serious health and self-esteem issues. For me, it was this topic that made this book more of a Women’s Fiction novel rather than a traditional Romance. We see how these girls go through everyday life struggling with their weight and the negative stereotypes that come with it.

If I’m being totally honest here, this book was hard to read and it wasn’t because the writing was bad or anything like that. It’s because of all the emotions in it. By the end of chapter two, I was bawling already. But the story also contains a lot of charm and humor as well. This is, I realize, the unique thing about Higgins’ writing; she can make you laugh and cry in the same book.

This must’ve been a really hard book to write because of its sensitive subject matter. Some people will definitely find it offensive, but this is a topic that doesn’t often get any attention because most authors would be afraid to tackle it. So in a way, I commend the author for even having the guts to write it. Because despite all the bad things that happen to the heroines simply because of how they look, this is, at the end, a story of self-acceptance. Everyone fights their own battles and in order to show a character’s development and growth, both the good AND the bad need to be showcased to create a full story. The emotional journey of finding happiness and self-worth is what makes this story uplifting instead of shameful.

So, those are my two cents on this topic. I enjoyed the book and the rollercoaster emotions. But if you think you might find this to be a sensitive topic for you, I would skip it.

This is a sweet, funny, thoughtful, and emotional book. It deals with a very sensitive topic for a lot of people: our weight. There's no doubt in my mind that some people will think this book isn't sensitive enough, and may not find it a pleasant read. Having never personally struggled with trying to lose weight, it gave me some new perspectives. I know that some people won't find this book accurate for their personal story, but I appreciated looking at things from a different perspective and thought it gave me a better understanding of what many women deal with.

This book is the story of three good friends: Emerson, Georgia, and Marley. They're very different people, but they have two things in common. They have each struggled with their weight, and they love each other. They met as teenagers, and while they haven't always been able to spend significant amount of time together since, they have kept their connection to each other. They're now in their mid-thirties, and Emerson has come to the end of her life. Her struggles with her weight escalated over the years, and eventually led to health complications that will kill her. Georgia and Marley hadn't seen their old friend in some time, but they rush to her side when she calls them.

Emerson leaves them something behind... a list they made as teenagers, "Things to Do When We're Skinny". As silly as it may seem to them now, especially at first, the list is made up of things they desperately wanted to experience as teenagers. Emerson wants them to complete it. For the rest of the story, we follow Georgia and Marley as they grant their friend's last wish and deal with their own issues and heartaches. We also get to know Emerson better through journal entries, which are especially poignant and heartbreaking because we know how it ends for her.

By the end, I had fallen in love with each character for different reasons. I'm not ashamed to say this book made me cry several times, it's an incredibly emotional read! I would say it's absolutely worth a look and I really appreciated it. 4.5 stars from me.

Elisha from Berkley Publishing kindly sent me an ARC of this book to read and review. This in no way affects my opinion.

Higgins is a relatively new author to me and has brought humor and emotion to each book I’ve read. Good Luck with That is no exception, capturing my heart from the beginning.

Emerson, Georgia, and Marley have been best friends 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. 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.

Let’s go ahead and talk about the elephant in the room. There is a good deal of controversary surrounding this book, which I heard about half way through my reading. Higgins tackles weight and image in Good Luck with That. If you’ve struggled with your weight and how you look, raise your hand. I imagine there are lots of hands raised out there. I get where those that are upset are coming from, but I thought what Higgins wrote was real life. Are you telling me you’ve never silently (or maybe even out loud) judged a larger person? If we’re being honest, we’ve all done it. Doesn’t make it right because most times we don’t know anything about that person’s life.

For me, this book was not about fat shaming and what the characters looked like on the outside but who they were on the inside. Each character struggles with being put down because of their weight. It’s not an easy journey for either Georgia or Marley, but the beauty of the story comes when they can put that aside. Yes, Higgins speaks a lot about their weight, but it’s central to the story and the growth of the characters throughout. What they were trying to do for Emerson was beautiful and there were some funny and heart felt moments along the way.

I really enjoyed this book. Please don’t let the negativity surrounding it stop you from reading it. Read each word yourself and let them make you a better person. And if you read every word and hate this book, then you’re entitled to your opinion. This review is mine.

Thank you Berkley Publishing/Penguin Random House for the advanced copy, which I won via a Goodreads giveaway.

This is the story of three friends: Emerson Duval, Georgia Sloan and Marley DeFelice. They met at a weight loss camp when they were 17-years old and forged a bond that continued into adulthood. Each woman deals with their body in different ways, all seemingly tied to issues stemming from some form of childhood trauma or body shaming by those who should have loved and nurtured them.

The stories were fascinating as each of the women presented separate insights into the issues surrounding being overweight. We begin with Emerson whose morbid obesity becomes her downfall and we get her story through her journal entries. Despite her own obsession with her weight, we get to know her ideals, hopes and dreams through those entries. She challenges Marley and Georgia to do those things now on a list they created at the camp that outlines all the things they would do when they became “skinny.”

As Marley and Georgia take on the list, they’re forced to confront issues holding them back and keeping them from being their authentic selves. Sometimes the situations were heartbreaking but what resounds so loudly and clearly are the essence of these women. The author gets it right in each circumstance as I’ve either lived some part of their history or lived with someone who grappled with weight.

I found the story brilliant and brave as the author speaks from her own personal experience. You have to read the entire story (some of the critics have cherry picked passages and made assumptions) to truly get the power and triumph of these women. I didn’t grow up with weight issues, but grappled with them as an adult because of the body shaming I experienced in my youth. The negative dialogue in your own head can be even more destructive than others, which only compounds the problem.

This is an important and time relevant story. I’m glad Higgins chose to write it.

(FYI, this story is loosely connected to If You Only Knew & On Second Thought as they are set in Cambry-on-Hudson, New York.)

I received an advance copy from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review

Thank you to Penguin Publishing Group for providing an advance reader copy via Edelweiss.

People who have struggled with weight will surely connect with this story. Three teenage girls befriend each other at a summer camp for overweight kids. Together, they create a bucket list of things they hope to one day achieve. The items on this list were things that only thin girls could comfortably accomplish, such as getting a piggy back ride from a cute guy, eating dessert in public, and tucking in your shirt. Emerson, Marley and Georgia maintained their friendship throughout the years, although Emerson lived much farther away and couldn't be physically close. That's why Marley and Georgia were utterly devastated when they got the call that Emerson was on her deathbed. How they wished they had known just how morbidly obese Emerson had become, which ultimately led to her death. It was too late to offer any help to their beloved friend, who used her last bit of strength to direct them to an envelope at her side in the hospital bed. "Promise you'll do it," Emerson whispered. Georgia took the envelope from Emerson's grip which had "To be opened after my funeral" written across the front. Its contents were the bucket list the three girls composed so many years ago.

The book alternates between the lives of Georgia and Marley, who now share a town house with apartments on separate floors. Marley is a chef who has her own business preparing meals and delivering them to clients. Her twin sister Frankie died at the age of four, failing to thrive while Marley bloomed. Marley carries the burden of guilt that she survived...with extra weight and strength...while her sister withered away. Even so, Marley remains outwardly bubbly, fun and optimistic, mostly at peace with her current weight. She loves food, but has learned to make healthy meals, which Georgia has also benefited from. If only firefighter Camden would treat her as a steady girlfriend he could be proud of, instead of infrequent hookups...usually after too much drinking. Was Camden too embarrassed that Marley was slightly overweight to present her as his actual girlfriend?

Georgia managed to have gotten the thinnest of the three friends, but still lacks confidence. This inability to love herself ate away at her marriage to Rafe, the love of her life. Being constantly body shamed by her rail-thin and plastic surgery obsessed mother "Big Kitty" hadn't helped any. Georgia left her career as a Yale educated lawyer four years ago to become a nursery school teacher at an elite school. Will Georgia ever find that nirvana zone with her weight, and will she ever find her way back to Rafe?

People who have weight issues will find themselves in this book; the harsh judgements, disregard, the self-inflicted pain caused by food addiction. I've never read a fictional book on this important topic, and it was handled with both poignancy and humor in this well-written offering.

*4-4.5 stars = very good!

I would say this book touches just about every heartstring. Have the tissues handy! The main theme is about weight issues and self-loathing and how other people judge those who are seen as overweight. But it is also about friendship, love and family, about stepping out of one's comfort zone to truly live life fully--no matter one's size, shape or looks.

Three young girls, Emerson, Georgia and Marley, meet at a summer weight-loss camp for teens and become fast friends. Fast-forward 15 years and find the women gathered at Emerson's hospital bed. She now weighs 600 pounds and is dying with all of her organs shutting down from the strain but she has an envelope she wants to give her friends to read after her death. Inside is the list they all wrote their final summer at the camp with all the things they'd like to do WHEN they were thin, WHEN their life would finally begin.

Georgia and Marley decide they will try to honor their friend by doing those things now, not waiting to be the perfect size. And guess what? This begins to change their lives.

According to news reports, most Americans have health issues caused by overeating, lack of exercise and poor food choices but what are the underlying reasons behind this? This story examines several: such as ethnic family eating habits, grief, mental, physical and sexual abuse, criticism, emotional-eating, loneliness and even why some might enable unhealthy eating.

This story is told with such humor and warmth that I didn't even mind that it is chic-lit and a bit of a romance to boot. I just loved these people! I even had a few aha moments and shed a few tears. Maybe the ending was a little too 'feel good' to be realistic but what the heck, the romantic in me enjoyed it immensely. :)

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with a paper arc of this enjoyable book in exchange for my honest review. I look forward to reading more of Kristan Higgins' work.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for granting my request to read Good Luck With That.

I’ve dealt with weight issues most of my life. More like body image issues when I come to think of it. Having grown up in the sixties and seventies I wished I could look like the girls on tv sitcoms (Brady Bunch, Partridge Family, etc). Those girls were slim and had long straight center-parted hair and I was average shape with dark naturally curly hair that had a mind of its own. I remember the day the female freshman PE teacher weighed us and measured our height. I was 5’6 and weighed 120 lbs. I felt huge – so much taller and bigger than my classmates. Talk about poor self-image, huh? So that’s what I brought with me when I read Good Luck With That.

Kristan Higgins is on my trusted favorite authors list – meaning I’ll read whatever she writes. But this one was a tough read for me. It hit so close to home on a few levels. Not exactly though – because my mother wasn’t as purposely hurtful as Georgia’s. No, my mom was well-meaning and thought she offered positive encouragement.

So this novel is about three friends who met at a camp for overweight teenage girls. They formed a bond that carried over into adulthood. As often happens after college they met less often and kind of lost track of one friend, Emerson, because she lived hours away. Sadly, their last time to meet is when she’s dying.

After Emerson’s funeral Marley and Georgia open an envelope containing the list they compiled at camp when they were seventeen. It’s a list of things they’ll do when they are skinny. Emerson has requested they do the things on the list. And that leads them to examining their relationship with food, men, family, etc.

Good Luck With That is written in Higgins’ usual warm, emotional style. Her characters’ families drew laughs and winces from me. I loved seeing Georgia and Marley take control of their issues and discover how empowering that control can be. Filled with (mostly) delightful and endearing secondary characters I have to say this novel grew on me. What started as a book I had to put down a few times in the beginning due to certain scenes and topics, I finished the second half in a few hours. I’m glad I had the chance to read it. I think it would be a good selection for book groups – and there’s a reader’s guide at the end.

Wow what a journey that read was. I am a little stuck on how to write my review without giving the story away too much. Be prepared to be emotionally challenged with this book, Ms Higgins will really make you dig deep and think about the internal thoughts and feelings of her characters. Is it all warm and fuzzy, absolutely not! Will it give you something to think about, absolutely.

Friends since bonding as teens at weight-loss camp, these three ladies have continued to all have their own battles. They have kept in contact for the past 16 plus years. Emerson falls ill and Georgia and Marley are called to her side and asked by her to follow her dying wishes. Dealing with her death and working on the list of wishes she has left them with takes then on the hard journey of really understanding themselves and choosing self love first.

Georgia is a preschool teacher who loves to interact with her students. She has taken a long path to get there studying hard and becoming a lawyer only to change her mind and her career path years later. Divorced from her one true love and realizing that it was her issues and problems that forced them apart. She has the biggest heart and is so thoughtful of others.

Marley has a love for food and cooking but coming from a big Italian family that is understandable. A successful chef, running her own business who takes advantage of everyone’s busy lives. She focuses on healthy cooking. The loss of her twin at a super young age has left her feeling a little lost and undeserving.

Can these women learn that they are beautiful in their own way? Can they learn to move beyond the thoughts and perceptions of others and live their lives to the fullest? Will Emerson’s wish help them love themselves and find their paths to happily ever after?

Thank you to Ms Higgins and the publishing team for thinking this was a story worth telling. Will it be for everyone no. Please make that decision for yourself and not just take the words of others as to the validity of the means behind the story.

4.5 Stars for this sensitive, compassionate and emotional read on body image, eating disorders, self-worth and ultimately self-love and acceptance.

For me, Kristan Higgin's Good Luck with That was an emotional read. Georgia, Marley & Emerson met at Camp Cooperbrook in their teens. This wasn't your typical summer camp - it was a weight loss camp. These three friends struggled with their weight throughout their lives and all the physical and emotional issues that go with that.

Higgins did not shy away from difficult topics here. She tackled body image, eating disorders, obesity and was honest and frank about the mental and physical health issues that play a role in them. Each of these women battled her own "demons" so to speak as they struggled with their weight. It was difficult not to identify with them in some way. I don't know anyone who hasn't looked in the mirror at some point and was plagued by insecurities, self-doubt and a litany of self-criticism.

The bulk of the book involves Marley and Georgia in the wake of Emerson's death due to obesity related health issues. Through Emerson's journal entries we get a peek at how she ended up morbidly obese and it was heart wrenching. It was too late for Emerson to make changes in her life, but she didn't want the same ending for her two best friends. So on her deathbed, Emerson gives Marley and Georgia a letter to be read after her funeral. Enclosed is a "Things We'll Do When We're Skinny" list they made during their final summer at Camp Cooperbrook. Emerson's dying wish is that her friends promise to complete this list. Why? They didn't see the point but because they had made a promise, they agree to try to see it through.

The list ends up being a life changing experience for Marley and Georgia. As they cross of items, they face fears, make peace with their pasts, learn to trust and love themselves and ultimately find that ever elusive feeling of self-acceptance.

For a book that was definitely emotionally heavy in what it covered, it left me feeling both positive and hopeful. Thank you Kristin Higgins for writing and sharing this compelling and emotional read.

Good Luck With That – Kristan Higgins

I was fortunate to receive this novel as an Advance Reader Copy, in exchange for an objective review.

Emerson, Marley & Georgia are three kids who meet at a summer camp for obese children and they become lifelong friends. Flash forward to the present – Georgia & Marley share a two story home (Georgia rents from her close friend), and Emerson lives a couple of hours away. While Georgia and Marley have successful careers and a close relationship, Emerson has drifted away a bit, seemingly happy in her career, and a relationship of her own.

Then the two get a call, summoning them to Emerson’s death bed, where the are shocked to see that she’s become a very morbidly obese woman, who’s health issues and imminent death are all related to her size. She leaves them a letter to be read after her death, and within the letter is a list that the three girls had created as kids. And she challenges Georgia and Marley to fulfill each task on the list.

The story is told from the perspective of both surviving women, and through excerpts from the late Emerson’s journals, as they each reveal their struggles with obesity, wanting to be thin, family issues, fitting in, discrimination, acceptance and love.

I initially had a hard time getting involved in this story, because – like most women – I could totally see myself and my own struggles in these characters. As the story progresses, and the personalities of each character emerge, I found the book hard to put down, and shed more than a few tears at the heartbreak and then love found within its pages. A very realistic and yet heartwarming read!!

Within the first 20 pages I knew I was already emotionally invested in the story. Georgia, Emerson, and Marley met at a weight loss camp as teenagers and sixteen years later Emerson has passed away but left the women with a final request. She wanted them to complete the tasks they had written on their list of fears from the summer they spent at camp. This is a story of learning to accept and love yourself.

While the premise of a dying friend asking their loved ones to go out and live their lives to the fullest isn't exactly a new idea, I do like how it was done in this book. While most of the story was focused on Georgia and Marley, I thought some of the most touching and heartbreaking moments of the book were the diary entries of Emerson which gave you a sense of everything that led to her death. I also really enjoyed how Georgia's teenage nephew felt like the fourth member of the group as he dealt with feelings of not belonging.

A minor criticism I have is I just wish the author wouldn't have played it so safe. Towards the end I thought she was setting it up so not everything was wrapped up so neatly which in my opinion would have given it a more realistic feel. This is totally a minority opinion though as most people will have no problem with how everything ended.

Overall, a wonderful read and the type of book you can't wait to share with a friend. Have the tissues ready because there are quite a few emotional moments.

I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Kristan Higgins is one of my favorite authors. In fact, she was my gateway back into contemporary romance after a long hiatus. I’d asked a friend, Eileen, who she would recommend, and she pointed me in the direction of the first book in the Blue Heron series, entitled The Best Man.

I have a few authors whose books I purchase without ever reading the summary ahead of time, because I trust them. Kristan Higgins is one of those authors. I have enjoyed every book I’ve read of hers, and have followed her hilarious blog. She is real and funny and doesn’t take herself too seriously. She seems like the kind of person I would want as a friend.

Her writing is funny and sexy and moving. She can make you laugh one sentence and cry the next. She can make you laugh WHILE you’re crying. And as her new book demonstrates, she can also make you think.

“Good Luck with That” deals with the topic of body image and self-acceptance. It is the story of three friends who have all struggled with their weight to one extent or another. As a reader, we see from the outside how each of them deals with family members, friends, and even strangers commenting on their size, shaming them about their weight, making snide remarks about their food choices. I have to imagine that many readers of this book have experienced some of what Marley or Georgia or Emerson went through. It wasn’t always easy to read, but it helped me see things from a different perspective, and isn’t that what good literature is supposed to do?

I really believe every single person should read this book. On the surface, this book may seem to be about women's weight issues and their self-esteem tied to their weight, but the real power of the book is in teaching empathy towards others and acceptance. Empathy towards others, whether because of their weight issues (underweight isn't excluded), their family problems, mental health issues or the millions of other problems that the individual people of the world have--acceptance of people just the way they are.
In Good Luck with That, Ms. Higgins tackles the lives of three friends who are all overweight to different degrees. She throws light on their inability to accept themselves as they are, but also their inability to accept love as they are (how could anyone possibly love them?). Judgement comes not only from strangers, but also coworkers and family members. I'm very happy to say that she threw in a scrawny teenager that has his own issues of not measuring up, being judged, ridiculed and not being accepted. I was that kid growing up and it wasn't a cake walk, either.
I really wasn't sure how Ms. Higgins was going to bring a satisfactory end to this book, but she did. There was no magic wand waving. The resolutions came with much angst for some, but they did come... after enduring pain and dealing with themselves and others in an honest way. I will always treasure this book and read it often when I need a refresher course in humanity. Thank you, Ms. Higgins!

Body image, weight, self-confidence, eating disorders…is there a woman alive who hasn’t dealt with these issues on some level? If not with herself, then with a family member or friend?

In this story, three teens, Emerson, Marley, and Georgia, meet at “fat camp” as teenagers and remain lifelong friends. The following is not a spoiler as it happens in the first pages: Now in their 30s, Emerson tragically dies from the effects of morbid obesity and asks her two friends to fulfill the bucket list they wrote as teens of things to do when they are “skinny”.

As I read, I was invested in the lives of these women, their struggles, their emotions, and their growth. The fat- shaming, the discrimination, and the lack of self-confidence was heartbreaking and difficult to read. It was hard to read the thoughts of women who have a negative self-talk tape running constantly in their minds, but more importantly, it made me think about how it would be to actually live this way every single day of your life. But the friendship between the women was heartwarming and the message of self-love and self-acceptance is one women of any weight can identify with.

What didn’t I like?

1. Why is the mother of anyone with an eating disorder, whether it’s anorexia, bulimia or binge eating, often portrayed as controlling, demanding, and critical? Guess what? Some girls have loving, close relationships with their mothers yet still have body dysmorphia and issues surrounding food. Can we please ditch the old-school thinking that is a damaging, hurtful stereotype?

2. At 480 pages the book was simply too long and some of the side stories didn’t appeal to me

But I liked the overall message. This is a sensitive examination of women, weight, body image, and self-acceptance that I think any woman can identify with on some level.

Are the criticisms of the book from those who stirred up the controversy valid? I suggest you grab a copy, read it, and decide for yourself.

• Recommended for fans of chick-lit that deals with heavy subjects

• I received a physical ARC of this book from Berkely publishing as well as an electronic copy from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

A highly sensitive theme dealing with weight issues and struggles.

An emotional journey of three friends ( Emerson, Georgia, and Marley) who have struggled with their weight and how it has affected their self-esteem. The friends have had to deal with many detestable attitudes about how society views people who are over weight.  It truly made me sad to read about the hostility that some people directed towards the women merely because of their size.

The girls met as teenagers at a weight loss camp and continued their close bond into adulthood. Emerson tragically dies from complications due to her weight and the other two friends are left feeling devastated (this was heart-breaking to read about).  They agree to re-evaluate some goals in their lives and begin a journey of making some changes. We learn more about Emerson through her diaries after her death and really get a peek at the years before her death. She describes in a letter how she wants her two friends to be happy and healthy in life.

I do understand this is a difficult subject, but I liked the friendship that the three woman shared and the moments of tenderness and humor that the author included. There are many people who struggle with self-acceptance and it can be a huge road block to happiness.  In the end, it is a story of love, acceptance, friendship and a reminder to treat others with respect.

Thanks to the publisher for providing my Arc.

Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins

I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this. A bit too close to home.
But like all books by this author, the characters, dialog and writing were intense and wonderfully enthralling.
I loved it. Cringed a few times in self identification but wish for the self-acceptance that Georgia and Marley both achieve.

Emotionally intense for anyone who has struggled with their weight and self body image. So many true statements that you don’t want to admit to.
Food as an addiction. It’s not like you can stop, right? So then you must deal with the reasons and the emotional while still feeding the addiction.
And a bit profound in the end.

“ that’s what the list was about. The chance to get it right. It wasn’t about tucking in shirts and piggyback rides. It was about not letting your weight define you, and not letting that decide when you could be the person you wanted to be. She wanted us to stop waiting, and start living, the way she never got to, not totally.
In the most innocent way, our 18-year-old selves had written a map to loving ourselves. The only thing wrong had been the title. It shouldn’t have been “Things to do when were skinny.” It should’ve just been “Things to do.”
Excerpt from Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins

I received a copy of this book from the publisher at a Reader conference.

Georgia, Marley, and Emerson meet at fat camp when they are kids and remain close friends for the rest of their lives.

They form a "list" of things that they would like to accomplish. Even after death, the "list" is requested to be completed by the two ladies who have lost a friend.

The story is told in alternating voices, which I happen to like. You get a deeper look into their lives, their individual stories.

Most everyone has an issue with something about themselves that they don't like. Body image issues do not just happen to heavier people. This book gives people a glimpse into what it is like to be a woman with some of those issues. There are three women in this book, each with a different body type.

This book brought out all the emotions. Sadness, anger, laughter and love. You truly get a feel for the characters and what they are each going through and who they have as a true support system. It also shows the different type of men who can use or love a woman who is not what some decide as "perfect."

There are plenty of relationships in this book, I especially loved Mason!! He has his own "list" to work through. I was rooting for him throughout the entire story.

Plenty of romance, family dysfunction, understanding, acceptance and love. I did enjoy this book and look forward to more from Kristan Higgins.

Good Luck With That was an emotional story of three women, Emerson, Georgia and Marley, who’ve dealt with body image and weight issues all their lives. The death of Emerson shakes Georgia and Marley up and brings their issues into sharp focus. It forces them to take a hard look who they are, how they view themselves and how their perception of self has impacted their relationships. Their story was emotional but interspersed with humor that balanced some of the hard realities featured.

Most women, this woman included, have had to deal with self-image issues. Doesn’t matter your size, it seems like even if your somewhat average or even on the skinny side of average, there’s always some amount of weight you’d like to lose. I remember over the years always thinking I needed to lose weight and I’ll look back at photos from that time now and think, “Wow, I was super skinny!”. Crazy, right?

Kristan Higgins captured the real feelings that women deal with on a daily basis when it comes to body image. Good Luck With That was open and honest, a story that will suck you in. And, yes, there’s a romance for both women which of course made me happy! Marley and Georgia’s journeys were at times painful, but overall it was a feel-good story filled with love.

It's taken me a couple of days to find the words to talk about this book. I have looked at other reviews for this story and saw one reviewer call it toxic. I can't for the life of me understand why. Good Luck With That takes a long and hard look at food addiction. Would the reviewer say a story about drug addiction is toxic? Alcoholism? Gambling? But because it's about food addiction it is called a fat-shaming book. I have to emphatically say no to that concept.

Good Luck With That is about three women who have fought weight issues their entire lives. Unfortunately one, Emerson, loses her battle and the other two, Georgia and Marley honor Emerson by not waiting to be skinny to live their lives. I won't go into detail about the plot, there are plenty of reviews that do. Good Luck with that is an exceptional piece of brave and heartfelt writing that takes an honest look at how all women are treated everyday. Notice I didn't say overweight women. Women are constantly held to an impossible standard by magazines and social media that air brush thighs and whiten teeth and thicken hair until you would have to be a Goddess to achieve what is considered beauty. And we are told that we are fat because we don't look like a Victoria Secret's model.

I have been overweight most of my adult life. My weight problems started with prescription steroids for skin allergies and two for one bacon, egg, and cheese biscuits for breakfast every morning on my way to work. I am of an age where healthy eating was considered three squares a day. Way too late I realized the benefits of healthy eating. I used food as a reward for good things and a consolation for when bad things happened. I have also been reminded constantly about my size, especially by my mother. "I bought you a pair of pants. I hope they're big enough."

I realize I will never be 125 pounds again. I will always have a belly. Did you know belly fat is caused by stress? And I used to be stressed out because of my belly fat. So I quit looking to be skinny. I looked to be healthy. I cut out processed sugars and I don't miss them. I eat everything I want in moderation. I exercise because I want to live a long time because I have people I love and things I want to do. I quit waiting for the day I suddenly woke up skinny and got rid of all those out of date clothes I was hoping to wear again some day.

Good Luck With That had me saying yes! to Marley's journey and oh Honey to Georgia's journey. It made me so very sad for Emerson because I know there are so many people out there just like her. It makes me want to take all the college freshmen girls who agonize over thigh gap and bumps on their noses and say sweetie, you are wonderful just the way you are. Love yourself and love will come to you.

Good Luck With That is a timely book that every woman needs to read. It's a book about loving yourself and embracing life before life gets away from you. It's a story that makes you look deep inside and decide what should be important.

Good Luck With That is a brave piece of writing by Kristan Higgins. It's also laugh out loud funny. Just wait until you get to the talent show scene! Kristan Higgins constantly proves that she is one of the best women's fiction writers out there. She's hit a grand slam with this one. I highly recommend this and expect Good Luck With That a to be a must read for years to come.

Writing: 4 Plot: 3 Characters: 5

Full of typical Higgins hilarity, this book differs from her other books (and yes, I have read them all), in one critical way - the three main characters are all women who self-identify as “fat”.

Georgia, Marley, and Emerson meet at fat camp when they are kids and remain close friends for the rest of their lives. The story opens when Georgia and Marley, who live close to each other in New York, are called to the Emerson’s death bed in Delaware. The tale is told in alternating voices, with Emerson’s story emerging through her journals as she writes to “the other Emerson”, who is thin and leading the life she meant to lead.

I have never had weight issues and confess to being someone who has never considered what it is like to be fat, but after reading this I feel like I know a lot more about body image issues, practical issues for the morbidly obese, and the impact of weight gain on many different kinds of interactions. Higgins has managed to embed a lot of serious issues in a book that remains, light, funny, and uplifting. Plenty of romance, relationships of all kinds, fun work choices (where does she keep coming up with these delicious jobs?) and trademark Higgins humor, it’s another “can’t put it down” title.

Three girls, Emerson, Georgia, and Marley, meet and develop a lifelong friendship while attending a weight loss camp in their teens. Now in their thirties, Emerson passes away due to complications from obesity and leaves behind a “to do” list for her friends. Many ideas for the list were created years ago at camp and they contain inspirational goals to accomplish after they become skinny.

Neither Georgia or Marley have ever been thin but they want to honor their friend’s memory. Georgia lives with regret over her behavior during a failed marriage. She has always lived with the notion that her size is something that makes her unlovable. Marley had a twin sister who passed away when she was four years old. She carries the burden of guilt over her sister who was the weaker, frailer twin. As both work through the list, they end up addressing their past and the type of relationships that they will accept in the future.

“Good Luck With That” is a glimpse into how body image can play a role in one’s outlook. It can weaken confidence and handicap relationships if friends and family can't provide support. This story was a unique way of addressing a common issue for women.

I had to sit with this review for a bit after reading Good Luck With That, and the more I thought about the novel, the more my appreciation and understanding grew. I am a fan of Kristan Higgins' romances and especially like the humor with which she writes. Good Luck With That is concentrated on 3 very complex characters. The three central characters are deeply layered in so many ways, including physically. Yes, GLWT addresses the issue of weight and body image gently and with respect. There is romance, but it is definitely a side plot not the main focus. GLWT was a slow read for me, as Ms. Higgins uncovered more and more of the characters and made me care more about each, the pace seemed to pick up. Is there humor, yes there is, however I never felt I was laughing at the characters rather with them. Kristan's book didnt make me cry, it allowed me to cry, and I thank her for the opportunity. It's a book about friendship as much as it is overcoming obstacles, and I am really glad I read it. While Good Luck With That is not typical Higgins fare, I would place it in the category of Women's Literary Fiction and as such, would recommend it to readers and to book discussion groups.

Kristan Higgins posted a blog late last night announcing the release of her latest book, Good Luck with That. She explained some reasons she wrote it and described the book a little. And Kristan ended with this, “I hope GOOD LUCK WITH THAT breaks your heart and puts it back together, stronger than ever, full of resolve to take care of yourself in every way that counts. I hope you love this book, ugly-face cry while reading it, laugh out loud while reading it and close it at the end with a glow in your soul because you felt it all the way down to your bone marrow. I hope that with all my heart.” This is what she wanted to do for us – her readers who struggle each and every day, who have struggled for years, just like Emerson, Marley and Georgia. Well, this amazing, fantastic, terrific, marvelous, pick one glowing adjective book does that. It does all of that. She has succeeded 100, no, 1000 per cent. With this blog, she has written her own book review!

When I finished reading my advanced copy of GOOD LUCK WITH THAT a couple of nights ago, before she posted her blog, this is what I posted on FB: “Dinner was a little late tonight because I could not put down my ARC of GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!  I see that Kristan has put 'laugh - cry - laugh again' at the top of this web page. That is exactly what you'll do when you read this book. Have the tissues ready and be prepared to laugh out loud. And to have your heart feel so full it will nearly burst. Can you tell I loved this book? Yay, Kristan!” She hit the nail right on the head, didn’t she? Success!

All of Kristan Higgins’ books are fabulous, with well-developed, smooth-flowing plots and strong characters that make you laugh and cry, but I think this book is the one that must have been in her for years, crying and pushing to get out. She tells the story of Emerson, Marley, and Georgia from their perspectives, and that works perfectly. The story is full of complex characters, a multi-layered, interwoven plot, with so much happening in the lives of lots all the characters, not just these three women. The bad characters are so bad you want to shake them. And the good characters are so good you just want to say, “Come here, honey,” and hold them.

Marley’s family is strong and wonderful, but even with their love and support, which she doesn’t doubt for a second, her weight still defines her, makes her see limitations and a reality that may or may not be there. Georgia’s family is so-so. Or let’s just say that many of them are her biggest fans, but a couple of them are so & so’s, hateful and hurtful. The bad seeds in her family have made her doubt and second guess and always expect the worse, to believe she’s never going to be deserving or good enough. And there’s Emerson. It’s not a spoiler to say that Emerson dies early in the book, although I couldn’t believe I was full-on crying in Chapter 2, especially after just learning that Other Emerson’s boyfriend is Idris Elba (and why am I not surprised at that??). Emerson’s story is heart-breaking. We are sad and sorry for her right from the start. But as the book continues, we learn how strong she really was. And wish we could have known her. Could know all three of them. But maybe we do – they are us, aren’t they?

I want to be best friends with all these women. I want to hang out with someone like Georgia, who thinks about Beck, “His skin color was Gollumesque.” Now there’s a mental picture that won’t be leaving soon, will it? And her reaction when meeting Rafael, “What if I went into a fugue state and humped his leg?” Another mental picture that won’t leave you soon, but you sure won’t be thinking of Gollum. Or Marley, who reflected, “Camden attracted women like a rotting corpse attracted flies.”

I loved this book. I want to start from the beginning and read it straight through again. And I might as well, because I keep re-reading “the good parts” which really amounts to the same thing. It’s all good parts.

Thanks to Goodreads for giving me an advanced copy of Good Luck with That, and to Kristan Higgins for writing. Never stop. I was not required to write a review, and all opinions are my own. Now please excuse me, I’m going to check off some items on my “When We’ll Do When We’re Skinny” list.

I don’t care who you are, you need to read this book. Georgia, Marley, and Emerson maybe fictional characters, but they have a lot to teach us.
The focus here may be primarily weight and body image issues, but the over arching messages of acceptance and self love are important for everyone to hear.
Personally, I related most to Marley. I could see little bits of myself in her and cheered for her when she fully embraced her own value and started putting herself first.
I could also see myself a little bit in Georgia and was incredibly proud of the way she embraced her emotional evolution.
Ms Higgins took these two characters and the shake up of losing their friend to craft a powerful narrative about how to stop treading water and truly start living.
Incredibly well written,Good Luck With That is an emotional book - that made me cry a couple of times. Emerson’s journals showed a heartbreaking view of her life while Marley and Georgia dealt with their own issues. Ms Higgins is an author whose work I pick up expecting to enjoy it. This fits the style I anticipate from her and takes it up a notch in terms of emotional impact.

I was enormously moved by the three main characters in this book — women who met at a camp for overweight teens and continue to struggle with their weight, in different ways, as they move into adulthood. There’s Georgia, a lawyer-turned-preschool-teacher who still sees herself as fat despite having lost weight; Marley, a chef and business owner who remains overweight despite her healthy lifestyle; and Emerson, who — having been abused as a child and manipulated by a cruel boyfriend — finds so much comfort in food that she becomes morbidly obese. Lurking in the shadows is Other Emerson, a fictional alter-ego who represents everything the real Emerson wishes she can someday be. I will admit that sometimes the book frustrated me, particularly when the author seemed to offer simplistic explanations to tie the characters’ overeating to childhood traumas. That seemed a little too “pat” to me, as did the ending, which I thought wrapped everything up a little too neatly. But still, what I was mostly left with after reading this book was a profound, new, and very affecting understanding of what it feels like to be a fat person in our society — judged, shamed and disregarded. I’m very grateful to the author for writing this book. It truly changed me — and isn’t that one of the most wonderful things that a work of literature can do?

I love romance novels, but when one of your favorite romance novelists writes a book that isn't a romance, I hesitated to read. Especially knowing the subject matter. I picked up the book anyways because hey IT IS Kristan Higgins! As with any Higgins novel, she writes with humor, heart and compassion. Struggling with body/weight issues, I could understand some of the emotions and thoughts that the women had. Even at my thinnest, my mom would say, "I'm going on a diet, want a salad?" Although she was never as harsh as Georgia's mother or brother. Then a diagnosis of endometriosis and a medication that made me blow up like a balloon, the ability to lose weight was difficult. Until I met my husband. He chose me for me. Then I lost weight and he gained it! I would never completely be able to understand a person like Emerson, so lost that food was her only comfort. However, Marley and Georgia, we could have been friends! A novel discussing a topic such as body image with success, grace and kindness, could only have been written by Kristan Higgins. Bravo Miss Higgins.
P.S. Thanks for the touch of romance, Idris (swoon) and piggybacking rabbits!

The problem with getting the newest release by one of your favorite authors is that you’re so excited to read it, you gobble it up in a matter of days (…or maybe…hours) and then you have to wait another year to read a new book by that author! (psst…Kristan Higgins, could you write faster?!)

I read Good Luck With That, Kristan Higgins’ August 2018 release, last Saturday. Kristan takes her usual approach—humor and grace—and addresses a subject most of us women tend to sweep under a rug: self-love. And it’s not always because we’re too busy with our professional lives or even that we’re so committed to our families that we don’t have the time to care for ourselves. Rather, it’s that we’re much too hard on ourselves and terribly unforgiving of ourselves when we fail to be perfect in every way.

Sweet and happy, always charming Marley and responsible, sensible, Georgia, are by their own descriptions, fat. Their friend, Emerson, describes herself as morbidly obese. Marley seems to have accepted her body type. She eats healthy, and she exercises. However, the more we read about her, the more we see how unhappy she is with herself and that she wants more in her life. Marley wants love and a family, but first she must discover her own worth. Georgia had that love once, but after a lifetime of fighting her weight and fighting her own battle with feeling unworthy of love, she didn’t trust love to be enough. Georgia has lost weight, and she’s finally seeing positive changes in her life. But maybe those changes aren’t enough to bring the happiness she’s searching for.

And Emerson…Marley and Georgia’s friend from fat camp when they were kids…Emerson loses her battle with weight and health, and her story is told mostly through her journal entries, where she writes to an alter ego, a beautiful, slender, successful woman she calls Other Emerson. Emerson’s journal entries are sweet and tender and sad.

Whether it’s weight or body type or social anxiety/awkwardness, it seems that a lot of women—and men (Marley’s client, Will Harding, is proof that self-love and acceptance are important for everyone) struggle to love themselves and to expect love and respect from others just as they are. As someone who has struggled with weight issues and someone who has lost weight and feels good and loves life, I identified with Marley and Georgia…and as good as I feel, there are still days when I struggle to love myself and feel comfortable in my own skin. Good Luck With That is at times fun, funny, and yet still painfully uncomfortable to read. I laughed—as always—and I cried as I do with every Kristan Higgins novel I read.

I’m carrying it—the novel and lessons learned in reading it—inside. And I’m trying to remember to be more kind, to others and myself.

To be perfectly honest, this is not the kind of book that I usually like to read. When I saw that it was next on my list, I almost decided to skip it and read something else. I am SO glad that I didn’t, however, because I really, REALLY liked this book! Kristan Higgins has written an excellent story that explores family, friendships, life’s hardships, and body image, but never sounds preachy or like she’s lecturing. The characters of Marley and Georgia are infinitely likeable, but have foibles; they’re not perfect, and their imperfections are what make them real and relatable. The use of Emerson’s voice is well-done and melds nicely with “current” actions of the other two. Secondary characters are also nicely fleshed out and nobody is superfluous. It’s not often that a book makes me feel the emotions of the characters, but there were times when I literally laughed out loud with them, and times when I teared up (Spoiler alert: watch for the track meet!). What I liked most, however, was that I could name a person I know who closely matched just about every character in this story. A gifted writer creates “real people” characters, and Ms. Higgins did just that. I highly recommend this book! Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

“True peace was rare when you were fat. When you were fat, you wore armor to protect and deflect.”

Georgia, Marley, and Emerson are three friends who meet while attending Camp Copperbrook during their teen years. In reality the camp for teens and tweens with weight issues offered all three a welcome respite from their real lives. The book follows the girls into their young adulthood with back flashes into their earlier years.

Even into adulthood, the girls had a tendency to deal with weight issues and they struggled with body image concerns and feelings of self-worth. The novel delves deep into the lives of Georgia, former attorney and current pre-school teacher; Marley, personal chef with a home delivery food business; and Emerson, call center operator. The plot revolves around their life choices and decisions, many made due to the influence of their weight.

The book is an emotional read. The novel has offended many and started a great many discussions out there in the virtual world prior to its release date. I chose to see many of the good themes in the book; friendship, the true definition of family, and the real definition of self-worth. Read the book for yourself and formulate your own opinion.

This ARC copy was received from Penguin Random House and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own

Loved This Book! I’m a Huge fan of Kristan Higgins, and expected I would love this book. What I didn’t anticipate was how deeply this book would touch my heart. This is a story about three women who have been best friends since their teen years, when they met at a weight loss camp. We get to know Emerson, Georgia and Marley in present time, but sadly one of them dies tragically early and alone. The two remaining friends are left to grieve and deal with the scars from growing up feeling less than....beautiful, skinny, loved, and valued. They are successful, but don’t see how amazing and beautiful they are for who they have become. Georgia and Marley learn a lot about themselves and grow emotionally as they deal with their grief. They learn how to forgive the family and friends who have hurt them over the years. This book makes you laugh, cry and feel. I think a lot of us had some less than happy moments in our lives where we wished we looked better, or skinnier or felt more accepted or loved. I know for me this book touched those feelings. I had the pleasure of listening to the audible book and loved it! This book was narrated by Xe Sands, Lori Gardner and Suzy Jackson. They are all amazing and did a fabulous job! To Kristan, this was a beautiful book and I will be recommending it to everyone I know! Thank you for writing this book!

Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins

August 2018
Berkeley Publishing

I received this digital ARC from NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

Three teenage girls bond during summers spent at Camp Copperbrook, a weight loss camp for teens. Emerson, Marley, and Georgia find it exhausting trying to be invisible. Life as a fat woman isn’t easy, in fact, it is down right cruel. Over the years, the trio manage their weight issues very differently in their quest for “thinness.” A major theme in this book revolves around bullying and judging people based on their appearance or practices. While fat shaming is the most prominent issue, it gradually becomes apparent that other characters experience the same feelings of shame and guilt.

After a tragedy occurs, the women begin to reevaluate their past which revolved around their weight. They begin a road to self discovery that empowers them to make changes they only dreamed possible.

This is a book that makes you think, cry, cringe and chuckle - not in that order. The chapters about Emerson, written in her diary to her imaginary Other Emerson alter ego, are heart-breaking and very difficult to read. But if you keep reading, you will discover many good reasons to like this book. Especially if you are drawn to less-than-perfect relationships between and amongst daughters and parents, siblings, spouses/ex-spouses, extended families, new boyfriends (both hits and misses) and best friends. Couched in a family-based rom com, this book delves into very serious body image issues and does not shy away from the tough parts, including death. Yet the end has you rooting for just about everybody - lots of likable folks. I do wish that some of the male characters were a bit more two-dimensional. No one is that good or that rotten to the core; most people are a mix, on any given day. The only one who actually changes is Will (not a spoiler alert!) and that is a good thing.

This book took my breath away. I cried and laughed all through this book. I know it was about weight but to me it was about dealing with my health issues. It could be any topic you need it to be. I felt so sad that Emerson, Georgia, and Marley had to go through all this. I had a feeling that Emerson had an experienced something heart wrenching for her to let herself go. I think I am close to Marley and may some of Georgia personalities. I joke to keep the sadness down and hide a lot of angst. I think Georgia and Marley had a lot of guilt about not being there for Emerson. It wasn’t their fault and it wasn’t Emerson’s fault. They all had pain they hidden from each other. I think whenever they finally realize they are not perfect, they begin to enjoy the body and life they were given. It took me awhile to review this book because I was going through an emotional time myself. This book not only lift me up, but made me reevaluate myself and my life. I hope this book enlighten everyone it did me.

Three girls, Emerson, Georgia, and Marley meet at a weight loss summer camp. The girls bond. They all have different stories, but they have one thing in common; their weight and that life can be difficult.

Emerson on her deathbed challenges her two best friends; complete the list that they created together, the last summer they were together at camp. Not an easy task for girls who have struggled with being fat and all the insecurities that have shaped them. Georgia, a lawyer and now a pre-school teacher. Marley, a personal chef. Georgia and Marley are close and have a strong relationship that encompasses Emerson.

I was not ready for the emotional roller coaster that this book presented, but I honestly couldn't stop reading it! I cried as much as I laughed and I learned some lessons along the way.

This is a book that shows real life, real struggles, real redemption, and love.
Kristan Higgins has written a fabulous story, don't pass this book up!

Kristan Higgins takes on a controversial topic with her signature heart and humor. Another winner! I'm floored by the bad reviews I've seen. Especially by those who have not read, or not finished it. Emerson was heartbreaking. And Marley and Georgia we're totally relatable. I related and found myself somewhere between Marley and Georgia. I felt so bad for the way Georgia's mom and brother treated her. I wanted to deck them. And the way Georgia's brother, Hunter, treated his own son? Despicable. I wanted to slap him. It was sad her Step Mom treated her better than her own mother. I loved her Dad, and wanted Admiral.
I loved the entire DeFlice family. Marley's family. And I fell in love with Dante and Louis. I wanted to hug Will. His back story will break your heart. I wanted to hug Mason too. I fell in love with Georgia's ex husband, Rafe. What a sweetheart.
As usual with a Kristan Higgins book, I found myself not wanting to put it down. I loved!.

It is rare that a book moves me to tears and makes me laugh while I am still on the same page.

This treasure of a book offers honest and raw insight into what goes on in the minds, lives, and friendships of women who have struggled with their weight and/or body image. There is something so powerfully true and deep and real about these characters' voices that is difficult to define.

While I thought this book was brilliant, parts of it can be a gut-punch, especially if you have ever been or are overweight. The grief on the pages can be so palpable, and the women's experiences laden with pain and loss, but the journey is also beautiful and full of empowerment.

However, I would like to caution anyone with an eating disorder that this book might be triggering. It details specific weights, clothing sizes, and calorie counts. There is discussion about binging and purging, as well as the use of laxatives and weight-loss drugs. If you decide to read this book—which will hold a special place in my heart for a very long time—please be aware of this.

Even so, I thought this was one of the most brilliantly poignant books I have read in a very long time.

I never post reviews on my blog about books that I have bought. But I am making an exception for this book.
First book that I have ever read by Higgins, I just had to have something to read and picked it up at the grocery store having no idea what I was getting into.
I sat down when I got home opened it up and read it until the very last page. I did NOT cook or clean that evening!
Friendship, loving your self just like you are. This book had a message ALL women need to read. Self image, loving yourself just as you are! Powerful, fun, fabulous, unforgettable read!
I will tell you this is a five star book two times!
I HIGHLY recommend this book.
I want to giveaway a copy to one of my faithful followers and I will also send you a $25 the store gift card to get another one of Higgins books!

Thank you, Kristan Higgins, for writing this beautiful book. I laughed, cried... and cried a great deal more. My mom died from cancer four years ago. She battled serious weight issues from her 50's until her death at 85. I had no idea the pain she was in with her obesity. She was "Emerson" trying to paste on that "I'm fine!" beautiful face but living a body shaming hell that I wasn't aware of... until reading this book. I am now facing and healing my own body shaming habits, thanks to these fictional "gal-pals."

My saddest moment those last weeks with my mom was when she was being weighed one last time at the nursing home. (The lift was too painful for her so I put a halt to anymore weighing.) The cancer had eaten away her body, but she was so happy that she whispered to me, "At least I reached my goal weight!" I thought she was playing our silly game of "finding the good things about dying of cancer," (eat what you want!!) but now I see that she really meant this deep down in her soul.

Dear God - the body shaming of this society kills more people and their happiness than I ever knew. Thank you, Kristan HIggins, for shining a light on this issue. I, for one, am committed to loving my body, no matter what.

Thank you, Mom, for all that you continue to teach me via your 85 years on this planet. I see you now free of the self-loathing that you lived with. Fly free with the angels.

I wish I could give more than 5 stars. I think I felt every emotion possible while reading this book. If I had to sum it up, I would say everyone has issues and we’re all just trying to work them out. Unfortunately, when your issues have a physical manifestation, people can see it, and can judge and/or bully you for it.

Emerson, Georgia and Marley are three women who met at a weight-loss camp as teenagers. Their journeys through life are different after, but they remain friends. When Emerson dies from complications due to morbid obesity, she leaves Georgia & Marley the “things we’ll do when we’re skinny” list they made at camp, and makes them promise to do everything on the list.

They make good on their promise, except they aren’t going to wait until they’re a size 2. Life is for the living. Georgia & Marley complete the list, and then some. Kristan Higgins is an awesome writer with great humor and emotion in every line.

It's been awhile since I've read a book that I've been able to rate 5 star across the board, so it came as a welcome surprise to read this book ahead of time. This has such a great message to women that you don't have to be anything but what you are. In a world where everyone is pushing us to be supermom, super employees and super daughters - it's okay to be normal! It's actually embraced. This hit me square in the eyes and made me really want to give a copy to every woman in my family. As soon as I knew the author would be at RWA in Denver and I was in Book Bonanza - I bought this book to have signed to have put in my collection and then I bought 10 more for family and friends!! It really is worth it.

Kristan Higgins has harnessed the frustration, fear & desire I feel as a plus size woman and put it all in this book. I found it incredibly honest and real to me. Right down to the secrets I keep. The ones where I judge myself against other women. Am I smaller than her or bigger than her. I saw myself way too much on page after page of this book. And I too felt there were moments when I really hated seeing myself in this book. But, because of this - I couldn't finish the book. I jumped to the end and saw how things finished for everybody. I know life is real and sometimes hurt. I use books as an escape and for me, this was more of a reality check than an escape.
But, with that said - it was written very well. Very much up to Kristan Higgins standard. Many will enjoy this book. It was just to close to home for me. Kristan is a favorite of mine and I can't wait for her next book!!

As someone who has been on and off diets for decades, ever since I was 8, I found Kristan Higgin's' "Good Luck with That" an incredibly realistic picture of how weight affects self image and life choices. There were moments when the book brought me to tears and others where I smiled. I thought there were strong plot lines around both the friends and family dynamics and I rooted for Georgia and Marley to find their HEA. Seriously one of the best books I've read this year. This is one book that belongs on everyone's TBR shelf.
I received an advance reader copy from Berkley via Lorelei's Lit Lair.

I am not a verified buyer because I received an Advanced Reading Copy to read and review. I also bought my own e-reader copy, so getting a free copy does not bias my review, I think. Gave this 5 stars because it goes above and beyond the usually great stories that Kristan Higgins writes. Besides being filled with the wonderful, real characters and her trademark humor, this novel hits hard on all emotional levels (positive and negative). In fact, be warned that the first few chapters are darn near heartbreaking as Higgins masterfully portrays the pain felt by a woman who is morbidly obese, including the fat shaming that any of us who are not "runway perfect" have endured to varying degrees. I suspect this includes almost ALL women in America! And we are harder on ourselves than even the meanest of bullies out there. But by the end of this fabulous read, you walk away with new insights and new hope, as two best friends answer the wake up call and challenge issued by their deceased friend. Self-love and self-acceptance are possible, no matter what size and shape you reside in. Believe it. Just be sure to have plenty of tissues at hand as you read.

This book has a lot of pain in it, but there is also joy. I loved all 3 characters and became invested in their journeys right from the prologue. Did I wish things had ended differently for Emerson? Well, of course. But her story, in her own words, was gut-wrenching and powerful and made this a book I will never forget.

This is a difficult book to take in places and I was definitely tearing up frequently. That said, I just couldn't put it down and read it compulsively, ignoring my chores and work.

Higgins is hilarious and poignant and this book hits its mark. I loved it

Good Luck With That is an excellent read. It grabs you from the get go as you meet Emerson, Georgia and Marley as teens and that hook is set firmly as we bear silent witness to their struggle coming to grips with Emerson’s wish for Georgia & Marley.

As you would expect from Kristan Higgins, the writing is excellent! One of the best features I find in a KH book is the fact that I can be laughing out loud on one page then tearing up and crying three pages later. She heartwarmingly and realistically depicts her characters and makes them someone you would want to be friends with. Especially these women. Their vulnerability and struggle to find self-acceptance is something we can all relate to. I mean who among us hasn’t judges ourselves harshly for the way our pants fit or the stupid gaffe we made meeting someone new or not being _________ enough. This book is for all of us who aren’t _________ enough. It's a little reminder to offer ourselves some grace and kindness and when we meet someone, try to remember she is probably thinking she isn't _______ enough sometimes too!

This is a beautiful story of three friends and their journey of dealing with being overweight. Each friend has their unique battles and they’re all at different places in their journeys. The tragedy of losing Emerson really forces the friends to evaluate what’s important in life. Each character is so amazing and strong and complex. The friendship between Georgia and Marley is the definition of friend goals. They understand each other like no one else can. This book has some hilarious moments, but it also has really deep serious moments. It’s a perfect balance of light and dark. I wasn’t ready for the story to end, Even though the story concluded beautifully, I found myself wanting to follow them on more adventures!

"Good Luck with That" contains a wealth of insights, character growth, and emotions. Written for romance readers, women's fiction readers, and mainstream readers, it's head and shoulders above many of the novels published today. I fell in love with the three main protagonists as they lived challenging and full lives and learned about themselves and how others treat them. This is not a boo-hoo-feel-sorry-for-me-story, though. It's a tale of how we can gain strength, wisdom, and friendship by facing life and plunging in. I hope Higgins is touted to the skies.

Finally someone wrote a book with characters dealing with food addiction/body image issues/obesity! As a woman who has ALWAYS struggled with my weight and body image, Good Luck With That resonated very deeply. Good Luck With That is the story of 3 young girls that meet at fat camp and their struggles as they grow up and become adults. Struggles with eating, relationships and dealing with the "skinny world". There were times I laughed out loud and some that brought me to tears. To anyone that has struggled with weight and body images, this is a must read!

"Good Luck With That" was a book I'll never forget. It was different from all the other KH books I've read and I've read them ALL(which I recommend all of you to do because they're great). This book was wonderful in a different way and I truely wasn't sure I was going to like it due to the subject matter. How can you write a romance novel on a difficult subject like morbid obesity? Kristan Higgins can. She did it with compassion and pure honesty that at times made me question my own behavior. It brought up such true reflection on body image for all three characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those who've struggled with obesity not living a full life because they somehow felt they weren't deserving. I cheered for their bravery, I cried for E, and I hoped for a brighter future for all. Do not miss this book.

A first time reader for this author, and am pretty sure at this particular time it was a mistake reading this particular book. Found it way to sad and I pushed through but for me it didn't get better, and not sure how much was my issues and not the writers. It just got sappy.
So the writing style: good. And knows how to develop characters.
With that in mind, I am going to judge on writing style and characters and give it a 4 stars, with plans in the future to revisit, when my frame of mind is at a healthier place!

This is a book about three fat friends. Don’t get mad at me. That’s how they describe themselves. Emerson, Marley and Georgia actually met at a weight-loss camp as a teenagers. As the book begins though, tragically, Emerson is dying. But before she passes away she begs her friends to promise her that they will conquer a special list they’d made together as teenagers. Things We’ll Do When We’re Skinny. And so begins an emotional journey for Marley and Georgia toward self-acceptance and true love.
Whatever your relationship with your body and self-image, this book is going to pick at scabs and force you to examine your own wounds and body-insecurities. And I hate that for us. I hate that a story about women trying to stop hating their bodies is such a universally relatable female experience.
BUT! Don’t despair. By the end of this book I predict you will feel lifted up and inspired to treat yourself with more kindness and demand what you deserve from life. If you’re anything like me then you’re probably going to cry. Good Luck with That is a life affirming story on so many levels. Friendship. Romantic love. Self-love. The romance element didn’t disappoint but I would absolutely recommend this to readers who don’t typically read romance.

I will definitely be reading more from Kristan Higgins.

As usual, Kristin has hit it out of the ballpark. The story had me laughing, snorting, and crying. Not all at the same time, fortunately. Our childhood issues follow us throughout our lives if we cannot face them and resolve them. Emerson's untimely death pushes Georgia and Marley to take a hard look at their own problems and do something positive about them. How many of us have started off with "when I lose some weight I'm going to. . ."? Don't postpone life until the ideal conditions are in place. It's never going to be perfect!

This was an incredibly well written and realistic look at what it is to navigate the world as a woman who is “not slim.” So many times as I read this book, felt that Kristan Higgins had somehow hacked my nonexistent diaries because every word from these chatacters’ mouths was real and true. The road was difficult for them, and because I identified so closely, when they hurt, I hurt, too. But, the last chapters? So worth the journey. Loved every word and highly recommend to everyone.

Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins is a poignant yet uplifting novel of friendship, love and healing.

Georgia Sloane, Marley DeFelice and Emerson Duval met one another at a weightloss camp when they were teens. Now in their mid-thirties, they remain close friends and when Emerson passes away, her last request is that Marley and Georgia complete the list of activities they compiled their last year at the camp. Despite their discomfort with some of the items on the activities, they agree they need to honor their friend’s wish. Once they have completed the list, will Georgia and Marley have made progress in coming to terms with how being overweight has affected many aspects of their lives?

Georgia is a former lawyer turned nursery school teacher whose marriage failed due to her unresolved issues with her weight. Throughout her childhood, both her mother and brother frequently disparaged her appearance which still continues to some degree in the present. Cowed by their remarks and dismissive attitude, Georgia has never confronted them on their verbal and emotional abuse. Despite her recent weight loss following a family emergency, Georgia’s perception of herself remains skewed and she cannot “see” herself as anything other than overweight and unworthy. When her ex-husband Rafe Santiago re-enters her life due to his niece becoming one of her students, Georgia is finally forced to confront how her body issues and lack of self-worth led to the self-destructive end of her marriage to a man who at one time worshiped her.

Marley has made peace with the fact that she will never be skinny. She lives a very healthy lifestyle and she has a positive relationship with food. Her family is warm, loving and gregarious but the loss of Marley’s twin sister has left an indelible mark on her and the rest of the brood. Despite her happy and upbeat personality, Marley does not have much of a romantic history. In fact, for the past five years, she has been pining after a man whose treatment of her is absolutely abysmal. Yet, Marley is willing to settle for him because no one else has taken an interest in her. During the course of the book, Marley traverses the emotional minefield of dealing with the loss of her twin while at the same time realizing she deserves more than being some man’s occasional booty call.

Emerson’s part of the storyline is revealed through a series of diary entries. Not gonna lie, these passages are incredibly difficult to read because her self-loathing just pours off the pages. Emerson’s relationship with food is incredibly toxic and her relationship with a co-worker is just tragic. Her food addiction leads her to become morbidly obese and this shame results in her distancing herself from Georgia and Sloane. In the end, Emerson’s last request to Marley and Georgia has a much deeper meaning than just crossing items off of a list.

Good Luck with That is an incredibly heartfelt and emotional novel that inspires both laughter and tears. Georgia and Marley’s close friendship is quite endearing and their love and support for each other is unconditional. Kristan Higgins deftly handles tough subject matter in a forthright manner and provides an insightful and thought provoking novel that realistically portrays women’s struggles with weight, self-acceptance and body image. An extremely well-written and meaningful novel that made me laugh, cry and give serious consideration to the issues Marley, Georgia and Emerson have struggled with throughout their lives.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

A difficult book to read, despite the author’s use of humor to lighten the mood, the story starts with three friends who meet at “fat camp”. We fast forward to the women they have become and get a glimpse into their lives which are complicated by the realities and emotions underlying their weight issues. I was surprised to read some reviews when I finished the book, claiming fat shaming. I don’t understand that criticism; in fact I think Higgins was spot on with how she described the angst of being overweight. A relatable read for me, and recommended.

I LOVE Kristan Higgins! I've read all of her books, and while it would be hard to pick an absolute favorite, this book is in the top three. I read this book in one day! The characters were so relatable, I felt as though I was visiting friends!

I myself have never struggled with my weight, but as a mother of a child with weight issues, the book taught me some things that I was not aware of, such as how my own views on weight might be affecting my teenage daughter.

3 young teens meet one summer at "fat camp" and become close friends. They make a bucket list of the things they want to do when they are thin. Kristan Higgins tackles the serious issue of body image and leads us through the lives of these three young women with humor and heart. She had me cheering one minute and grabbing a tissue the next. Full of laughs and love this is a big hearted book that I can't recommend highly enough.

I just finished Good Luck With That and I wanted to say THANK YOU, Kristan! I’ve been dealing with weight issues for most of my life, and have lost quite a bit of weight over the last few years because of hard work (and it’s a struggle to keep at it every day). Everyone says I look great, but inside I’m still the fat girl. I look in the mirror and still see her.

This book really spoke to me because of these issues. Marley and Georgia are both amazing women who managed to learn to love themselves the way they are and find love in the process!! An amazing book and I highly recommend it to everyone!!

Good Luck with That is one of the most powerful books I’ve read in a long time. It is sweet and sad and empowering. It touches on a subject we all deal with to some degree and encourages us to do what we can to learn not to judge ourselves and others so harshly and just maybe learn to love and accept ourselves flaws and all. I encourage everyone to read this.

This book severely ripped my heart out. It was real and honest and sad and funny. I bawled through a good 70% of it, and I'm not a pretty crier. In fact, I finished it and I look horrendous...thanks Kristan! The journals were killer, I cried a lot with the them. The interactions, the insight was so spot on it was more like reading a memoir.

Another amazing book by Kristan Higgins, and this one hit close to home with me, as I’m sure it will with many others. It’s about three close friends who all have weight issues, and are dealing with them, either physically or mentally. They stress about it and it affects their lives in different, sometimes drastic, ways.

The friends resolve the issues each in their own way. So insightful as to how they learn to accept, and love, themselves and let others in to love them. I loved this book. It is so relevant now…

C-Jay McCann

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the author in return for an honest review.

Absolutely wonderful as usual Kristen books typically have me laughing so hard that I may sometimes feel like I’m my pee on myself however this one was very heartfelt brought back some heart memories of myself and my challenges would wait and how I understand and deal with it. Enjoyed every page, some were harder to read than others. A must read

3.5 - 3.75 out of 5 stars. I've noticed that the book has received some negative reviews because some readers have been triggered by the story, but that was not my experiece with the book. As a plus-size woman, I enjoyed reading a book about other plus-size women. It does address some sensitive topics about weight... If that triggers you, then you may want to pass on this book.

Kristan Higgins, thank you. Thank you for writing one of the most important books ever written, for writing this year’s best book, and one of the best books ever written. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT is told in first person from the point of view of three overweight women, one being Emerson’s diary. Anyone of us who has ever struggled with their weight will recognise themselves at some point; those who have not will have known someone who has, even if only celebrities; others will have made fun of those “unsightly fatties”, and this book is for every one of us. The latter might find a way to understand that it’s not about not having willpower, about being weak, about being a lesser human being; that those who do not correspond to one’s “ideal standards” might deserve better than scorn and derision, and being bullied. Before writing my review, I read some other readers’ thoughts, and I was appalled that some reviewers saw GOOD LUCK WITH THAT as a book about silly women obsessing over food; I would suggest they have a second – objective – look at the book and try to understand, if only why that’s the way they feel about the characters and the issues.

Kristan Higgins writes with extraordinary compassion, sensitivity, honesty, and insight about a subject that might be our society’s most disturbing taboo – fat women – without glossing over the facts. The author paints a picture of excruciating, painful clarity of what it is to be fat, to “think” fat, and Ms. Higgins has, in Emerson, Marley, and Georgia – and Mason – created unforgettable characters, so genuine that I identified with each of them in turns. There are the happy moments and heartbreaking ones, the challenges, the pain, the shame, the hope, the rage, the despair, the small and great triumphs. I gasped, utterly shocked, when I “saw” my own late mother in a few places. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT is not cute and funny; it is a very serious book, very heavy, and so very dark at the beginning, but slowly rays of light start slipping between those black clouds and soon that oppressive, crushing darkness lifts little by little. There are some moments of dazzling humour, as well as some shattering ones that had me crying so much it hurt. I hurt for those women, for myself, for you who have suffered this kind of pain. Yes, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT is about obesity, but it also concerns anyone who feels the need to become invisible in a judgemental society that basically denies them the right to live a normal life because they are “different”.

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT might not be the book you want to read “right now”; you do need to be in the right frame of mind to get lost in it, but I sincerely believe that everyone should read it eventually. Come to it with an open mind, with an open heart, and let those characters speak to you. If you read only one book this year, if you read only one book in your life, make it GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, because it’s a book that really matters. Live. Be. Now.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As this story begins, these three girls, Marley, Georgia and Emerson, whose friendship was formed at Camp Copperbrook – a camp where girls from the ages of eleven to eighteen went for weight loss – are about to “age out” of this camp. This is their last day at camp, but not the last of their friendship.

”That’s the problem with perfect moments. They end.
Though no one would say it, all three girls knew things would never be quite the same again.”

Soon they will be busy with their own lives. College, jobs, life. Marley and Georgia end up sharing a place to live in Cambry-on-Hudson, a short ride from Manhattan that oozes charm. Emerson, on the other hand, lives in Delaware, and doesn’t like to travel, so they haven’t spent as much time with all of them together.

And then Marley and Georgia are standing next to Emerson, and she’s lying in a hospital bed, making them promise they will do … something, and they agree, even though they aren’t sure what they are agreeing to do. They are handed an envelope, which is to be opened after her funeral. A list they made that last day at camp, “Things We’ll Do When We’re Skinny.”

Georgia, a former lawyer who is now a preschool teacher, is the daughter of a woman who is always cruelly critical of her weight, her clothing, in essence – her. Her brother is just as bad, but she puts up with him because she loves his son. Marley, who runs her own catering business, is a chef, creating delicious and nutritious meals, which are delivered to the homes of her customers. Marley still suffers from the loss of her twin sister, who died when she was four. They each have their own issues, still, with their weight, and with how others treat them because of their weight. The judgment, the looks, the comments.

Through Emerson’s diary, Emerson tells her story, as well, and we learn about the last years of her life leading up to her death.

Everyone has their own issues, their own internal dialogue about what they hate or fear, what they wish they looked like – or what they think they look like, a quick judgment on someone just walking by, even. An obsession over size or shape or anything that began as a way of being motivating can become damaging. And not everyone has the same ideas about an ideal “shape,” which change as often as fashion.

Higgins’ story, to me, is another story that exemplifies the trend of “Up Lit” with its ultimate message being one of empathy rather than denigration, a promotion of understanding rather than shaming, a message of kindness, on our connection as human beings rather than how we appear to others. A sensitive topic handled with gentle humour, love and charm.

Friendship. Love. Family. Relationships. Forgiveness. Life.

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Penguin Random House

I knew when I picked up Good Luck With That it would be a compelling and emotional read, and I was right. Kristan Higgins has taken the sensitive topics of being overweight, body image, and eating disorder and handled it with humor and grace. I couldn’t have loved it more than I did!

Georgia, Marley, and Emerson meet when they are young girls at a weight loss summer camp and have been friends their entire lives. During their last year at camp, they make a list of “what if’s”- all the things that they would do if they lost weight and were thin. Years later when Emerson contacts Georgia and Marley, they learn she is on her deathbed because she’s become morbidly obese and her organs are shutting down. The two are guilt-ridden that they didn’t stay in better contact with Emerson since maybe they could have helped her when she needed them but she instead was ashamed of how overweight she had become. Now nothing can be done to save her, so Emerson gives them the list they made at Camp Copperbrook and asks them as her dying wish to fulfill everything they dreamed of doing…of course the two agree.

The list they made when they were younger is of things they thought only thin girls could do, like eat dessert in public, tuck their shirt in, hold hands with a cute guy, get a piggyback ride from a guy, shop for clothes at a store for regular people, etc. While this might seem like simple things, when you are overweight or looked at as fat or called fat like they were by other characters in the book, some of those acts are just daunting.

However, this list sends Georgia and Marley on a journey of self-discovery; they have to face what they’ve been emotionally hiding from and accept themselves the way they are so they can truly love themselves. Their journey together of self-discovery was while painful and sad at times is at the core a tale of an uplifting and heartwarming friendship.

This is not an easy read at all. It is painful and emotional and heartbreaking. I cried and empathized with the characters on so many levels, and I think anyone who has suffered body image issues or had weight issues will relate to the characters criticizing themselves for not being perfect and being flawed. We live in a society that seems to expect women to be thin and perfect, so it is very hard not to feel as if you have to live up to that expectation, and for me, this book felt deeply personal.

Reading Good Luck With That could not have come at a better time in my life since I have been dealing with my own issues of lack of self-confidence and dislike towards my own body since I’ve gained 30 lbs in the past 8 months due to medications such as daily steroids and others that I’ve been taking for chronic health conditions. Although they help with my symptoms, the side effects of the weight gain have been miserable. Having to buy new clothes in a larger size when I’d been the same size for decades made me feel like my body had failed me or that I was less than “perfect” somehow. I felt like I was being looked at differently and have very consciously tried to hide my larger and changed body from those around me all summer, especially if I’ve been in a bathing suit, shorts, or summer dresses because I’ve felt like everyone was looking at me differently than they had in the past.

After reading this book, I came to the realization that it was absolutely ridiculous for me to impose expectations on myself that I can’t control right now! If I want to live and be healthy, I have to take meds that have these weight gain side effects. Life, living life, and enjoying every minute that I have to live is more important than worrying about the fact that I’ve put on some weight. And hearing my husband still tell me after 25 years (and weight gain) that I’m beautiful or my kids tell me I’m pretty is all the affirmation that I need to know that I’m exactly the way I need to be right now. We all need to stop being so hard on our bodies and just love ourselves the way we are…and thank you so much, Kristan Higgins, for this book and making me realize that!

I would be remiss in my review not to say how terrible I think it is the amount of negative criticism Good Luck With That has received by people who have either not read the book or have not read it in its entirety. I have no idea how you can criticize a book that you’ve never read! Writing a review based on the synopsis or quotes that have been published online or Twitter is no basis for a fair, unbiased, or honest review of the book. And while I understand that people have many triggers, believe me, I have several that are extremely bothersome to me, I still cannot wrap my head around reviewing something you haven’t read. I also don’t understand the personal attacks on Higgins that have said she doesn’t know what it’s like to be fat and not dealt with these issues when she has in interviews said she has struggled with her weight, which was the inspiration for this book.

This is not a book to fat shame or make fun of overweight people, and I encourage everyone to read this book and just ignore any negative reviews you might have read because you need to read the book for yourself and then decide.

This is definitely my favorite Higgins book yet, and I think she was brave to write about this topic knowing that it would receive the backlash that it did. Well deserving of 5 stars!

**Thank you Edelweiss and Berkley Books for an ARC to read in exchange for my fair and honest review.**

Kristan Higgins is one of my favorite authors and her skills in writing are without question. She has most recently been writing Women’s Fiction so fans of Ms. Higgins romantic comedies will have to adjust to a very different tone. This book tells the story of three young women: Emerson, Georgia, and Marley, who met at a youth camp for overweight kids and formed a lifelong bond. Two of the main characters in this story live in a small upstate New York town which is the same setting for some of Ms. Higgins’s other books in this genre. Emerson’s part of the story is told from the perspective of diaries after her demise.

After Emerson passes away at a young age from being morbidly obese, Georgia and Marley reevaluate their sense of self endeavoring to follow a bequest of sorts from Emerson. Their whole lives have been circumscribed by their body images, and also in Marley’s case, guilt over a twin sister who died in childhood. While these women have successful professional careers, their personal relationships are sadly lacking. Georgia had a chance at happiness with the love of her life, but her own private demons shattered that relationship. Marley’s big Italian family loves her, but her mother’s morbid insistence on forever grieving over the lost child makes her question whether she deserves happiness. Georgia and Marley set about on this quest to go beyond self-imposed strictures and do things way out of their comfort zone regardless of others’ opinions in order to honor their lost friend.

In some ways this book is one big pain fest making it a very challenging book to review. Ms. Higgins makes some very salient points about weight loss, body shaming, and our culture’s treatment of those, especially women, with weight issues. One of her obvious goals is to remind women that we are more than what other people think of us. Those with less than perfect figures in a culture of model thinness being the ideal are discriminated against while sufferring ill treatment from society that is demoralizing and harmful. Women of all shapes and sizes are hurt from body image problems real and imaged. I expect this book will create quite a bit of conversation on these issues.

This one was a real hit with me. I found it painfully sad, yet hopeful and joyous (much like life). In no way can I relate to being morbidly obese, nor how someone would let themselves get to that point, but how it happens was so well described by the author, through her characters' thoughts and revelations. Three teenaged girls meet at "fat" camp one summer. Together, they don't have to worry about their weight, or what others might be thinking or saying about them. They can just "be." They can float in the water and act just like any other teenaged girls would act if away at camp for the summer. They form a lifelong and binding friendship. Now, those girls are women in their thirties. Emerson is dying. She is not just overweight, she is nearly 500 lbs. Her friends have done so much better. Sure, they may have dealt with too much weight, or lost and regained it many times, but they are not morbidly obese and in danger of dying anytime soon. Still, they can't form good relationships with men because they don't really love themselves, despite being well educated, pretty, and talented. One went to Yale Law School, but prefers teaching pre-school. Another is a chef who cooks at home and delivers to people who can afford her high prices. Emerson lives far from the other two, who live in a townhouse together, one upstairs, one downstairs. There is a great cast of additional characters, some from their families, some through work, and some who will become love interests. There is romance, achingly beautiful romance, and there is loss and heartache. I loved this book and Kristan Higgins' great ability to teach us things we might not have known, to make us think, feel, and really come to know her characters, inside and out.

Good Luck with That touched my heart in a way that no other book has. Kristan Higgins most definitely researched the subject of weight issues. Her story of Marley, Emerson, and Georgia shed honest and poignant moments from all points on the self image spectrum and relationship webs. Her characters are real, flawed, lovable, and make you feel all emotions that real people in your life make you feel-happiness, sadness, pity, hope, love, vulnerability, appreciation, anger, joy, anxiety, fear, etc., etc., etc. If you have to pick only one of KH's books, pick this one. You won't regret it! (But then you'll have to buy all 17 others, because they're all great reads!)

This book really hit home for me! I have been overweight my whole life & have used food as a reward/comfort in good times & bad. I am amazed at how well Kristan Higgins accurately portrayed the psychological & physical issues of someone who battled with weight & dieting. I loved the relationships in this book & how she got to the heart of each characters lives. Again, Kristan Higgins incorporated humor & love to offset the dramatic topic without distracting you from the seriousness of the storyline. I laughed, cried & identified with the characters, making this an enjoyable book to read!!

Wow! It truly is a heartwarming contemporary read!
I laughed out loud at the comedy and got incredibly emotional at the obstacles the girls faced in this book.
It leaves you with that moral you think about for years to come. I thoroughly enjoyed the journeys that these girls went through, their lives were not easy, to say the least. Some people struggle with their weight every single day of their lives. This book reflects those struggles and indicates how you can do daily activities without feeling you can not do them. It is about caring what people think that you are not able to do what you want to, therefore, you must accept yourself as who you are, and be able to do whatever you please with the body YOU like. Emerson allowed Georgia and Marley to lead their lives confidently after her death, and the list of things to do "when they're skinny" helped the two develop their lives and relationships tremendously. One thing I truly adored about this book was how the significant-other relationships turned out for Georgia and Marley. I enjoyed it. Some quotes I adored:
" Food in the mouth goes a long way to ease the ache in the heart."
"Breathe in love, breathe out hate."
" It was about not letting your weight define you, and not letting it decide when you could be the person you wanted to be. She'd wanted us to stop waiting, and start living.."
"If he can't love you when you're big and beautiful, baby, he can't love you period."

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT by Kristan Higgins is a thoughtful and moving story of friendship, family, love, and self-acceptance. Told with raw honesty and empathy, it explores the painful struggles of three women, Emerson, Marley and Georgia who battle against obesity and their resulting issues with self-esteem and confidence. The three meet at a “fat camp” when they are teenagers and their strong bond endures throughout the passing years. When Emerson dies from complications of morbid obesity, Georgia and Marley embark on a life-changing journey to fulfill some of the hopes and dreams they all shared when they first met at camp. Their journey is relayed in alternating chapters from Georgia’s and Marley’s points of view with some of Emerson’s letters to her imaginary skinny self in between. I have to say that some parts of the book were extremely hard to read, especially Emerson’s letters. That said, I was totally invested in the story and I appreciated the heartfelt and compelling way the author dealt with the difficult topic of body image and self-worth. I found myself rooting for these memorable characters and celebrating their breakthroughs. This poignant story made me both laugh and cry and I know it will stay with me a long time.

Thank you thank you Kristan Higgins for writing this book! I know these women. I know Georgia, Emerson, and Marley and all their fears and insecurities. This isn't going to be for everyone. Higgins has crawled inside the head of fat girls and put down on paper a lot of things we keep unsaid, even to ourselves. Emerson's death, so tragic, leads Marley and Georgia to think about their own lives when they are given her final wish- that they fulfill a bucket list of sorts they wrote as teens. Make no mistake, these are privileged women in so many ways- Georgia is a Yale Law grad from an unhappy but wealthy family and Marley is a chef from a happy (if also sad) family. None of them are hurting for money but they are hurting for love, both from others and from themselves. Throw in Mason, Georgia's nephew, and Will, and well, you've got a great big well of emotion as everyone works through their issues. You'll love Cherish, and there are a few laugh out loud scenes- the bunny and the bar room both made me LOL. Thanks to edelweiss for the ARC. This is one I might have missed had I not had the ARC and I would have missed a wonderful book that made me both cringe and cry happy tears. Can't recommend more highly.

Kristin Higgins is one of my favorite authors. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book. So much of the book is focused on weight issues and several characters are over-the-top nasty. I did like the friendship between Marley and Georgia but overall the book was depressing.

I was almost afraid to read this book because of all the hype and negative comments. I am so glad someone was able to write about this important issue with humour and warmth. I am glad it was Kristin Higgins who wrote it! I am so very glad I read it!

Loved the deep and lasting friendship of these characters. Girlfriends are so important in life. With all the ups and downs, they can depend on each other. I laughed and I cried. I hated for the book to end. Another outstanding book by one of my favorite authors!

This book had me at the dedication: "This one is for all of us who've cried when looking in a mirror. Here's to never doing that again." The book centers around two best friends who met as teens at a fat camp. Now in their 30s they have to come to grips with the death of a third friend who just died. The three had made a list that last summer at camp, "Things to do when we are skinny," and their friend's dying wish was for them to do everything on the list. This book reveals the prejudice against overweight people that is so prevalent but ignored in our society. It brings a lot of emotions forward as Georgia and Marley work on the list, their relationships with their family and the men in their lives. It really resonated with me, and will for anyone with any kind of self-image issue. Interspersed are letters Emerson, the friend who died, wrote to her imagined skinny self that will break your heart. There is a happy ending for these women, but not necessarily a skinny one. But one of self-acceptance, which is the most important thing.

I Loved this book! The compassion it shows, the humor, the bonds between family and friends were so raw and real. Excellently written. I feel better about myself and imagine I will be more understanding of others because of reading this book.

Emerson, Marley and Georgia have been fast friends ever since they met at summer camp. Camp Copperbrook is a place where overweight young girls are sent to lose weight. On their last day at camp they decide to make a list of all the things they will do when they’re skinny. Jump forward sixteen years, and Marley and Georgia are summoned to Emerson’s death bed.
Wow! I was blown away by this story. The author tackles a difficult subject - obesity - and does it very, very well. She covers it all from fat shaming and eating disorders to job discrimination and poor self-esteem. I laughed and I cried and I fell in love with the characters. It was awesome seeing them take their power back and blossom into the incredible women they are. Not only is it a really good story, but I think after reading it people will look at the obese with more understanding and compassion. This highly entertaining book has it all; friendship, romance and family drama. Give it a try, I know you’ll love it as much as I did.

I loved this book! 3 over weight teenagers that met at fat camp,and stayed friends for life. I was able to relate to this book since I had spent 30 years of my adult life being fat. Everyone should read this book for an insight to what it is like to be different than everyone else! Kristen I think this was your best book ever!

Three young girls, three friends who accept one another for who they are. But as they grow older, they have a hard time accepting themselves. They aren't happy in their lives and they mistakenly think things will be better once [insert the issue that is troubling each of them].

Good Luck with That is a very thought provoking story about how we view ourselves and our lives, and how we need to accept ourselves as we are and move forward with our lives. Don't put things off until...... it's too late. Be happy the way you are.

This was a very emotional book for me, and yes, there were some tears shed. I think this book will touch a nerve for almost everyone—because aren't most of us constantly striving for that 'perfect' whatever in our lives?

I love these lines—this is the way we should all feel and live. 'It shouldn't have been 'Things to Do When We're Skinny.' It should've just been 'Things to Do.' Such wonderful words to live by.

A book by Kristan Higgins is always a delight and this one is no exception! I cried, I laughed until I cried! I actually had to lay this book down and full belly laugh! I woke my sleeping husband! Don't miss this fabulous book!

This book should belong to skinny and fat PEOPLE who feel like they don't fit in, aren't good enough, or just plain failures because they don't look/act like everyone (or at least the most important ones in their lives) thinks they should. By page 17 I was in tears and it took me several days to read what most times would only have taken two. I had to stop to stop the tears; I had to stop to think about what was happening in the book; and finally, I had to stop, several times, to reassess myself, my life style, my body image (and where it came from), and my life.
I've read a lot of Kristin Higgins and other authors' books but I've never ever been as affected by any book as I am by Good Luck With That. This book was written with heart and soul, never judging or berating, just plain truth. It is a book I will keep forever, refer to often, and love forever! I received an ARC of this book so here's my honest opinion.

I just finished reading Good Luck With That and I'm still crying, but I laughed a lot too. No one writes the heart and soul of characters like Kristan Higgins. I adore this book and would give it more than five stars if I could.

I have read every single book that Higgins has ever written... every one. This book takes us into slightly heavier material than usual but it doesn’t mean that the material is necessarily unwelcome. Higgins goes deep on body and self-esteem issues that most of us have combatted at one time or another. It strikes a nerve, I won’t lie. But there is still plenty of Higgins’ trademark wit, humor, and realism. This may not be your usual breezy beach read but don’t pass it up!!

Georgia, Marley and Emerson met at a weight loss camp in their teens. Now years later Emerson has contacted them, she is dying. She has literally eaten herself to death. Emerson leaves them an envelope to be opened after her death. Inside is a list they made while at camp. It’s a list of things they will do when they are thin. Georgia and Marley decide to honor Emerson’s wishes and complete the list.

This is a story about 3 women. There are diary entries from Emerson throughout the book. Georgia and Marley have had trouble all their life with body image. It has led to some poor choices. This book is about them learning to love themselves as they are and learning to stand up for themselves. There are some heartbreaking moments in the book. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Good Luck with That is engaging, emotional, and tackles issues that everyone can relate to. Kristan Higgins develops complicated and very real characters in Emerson, Marley, and Georgia who become best friends while at a weight-loss camp in high school. In a mix of the past and present in their own perspectives, you get to know these women who continue to struggle with their body, their weight, and accepting that they deserve happiness and love for who they are. I found myself cheering on Georgia and Marley with every success and step forward and rooting for them with every challenge they faced. There is a strong and varied cast of secondary characters along with enough surprises to ensure you can't put this down. This is a book I'll definitely be recommending to friends and family.

I couldn't put this story down. The characters were developed fully and feel real, although much wittier than most mortals. Very profound thoughts and feelings written down. So glad they have a happy ending.

Good Luck with That was a hard novel for me to read, but I absolutely loved it. Georgia, Marley, and Emerson met as teenagers at a weight loss camp and immediately became friends. Over the years, Emerson dropped out of their lives as she became more ashamed of her weight. When she is dying, she asks Georgia and Marley to come see her and leave them with a list they'd created- things to do when they were skinny. The novel alternates between Georgia and Marley and is interspersed with journal entries from Emerson. Kristan Higgins took a chance with this book, writing about weight issues, and it resonates. She has become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.

Loved this book. I received a copy through a contest on Facebook. I could see myself in this book and am willing to bet a lot of others will see themselves or at least parts of themselves. To me it’s a story about love for each other and acceptance of yourself. The main characters are Marley, Georgia, and Emerson, but the, shall we say, secondary characters have stories of their own to tell. Loved the telling of the stories, didn’t love all the characters, because they just weren’t likable. Just as in real life, some you like and some you don’t. Georgia and Marley have a best friend relationship that I think any of us would love to have with someone. I loved their interactions. I hope you check this book out. I think it’s worth your time.

A heartbreaking and uplifting ride of sorrow, love, self-discovery, acceptance, denial, and everything else along the continuum of life and death. Sometimes difficult to read because of the subject matters that Higgins addresses, she digs deep to take the reader through the intertwined lives of three women who have known each other since childhood.

A masterful story of endearing friendships, love, loss, and growth, Higgins gives each woman their own stories, often intertwining, in alternate chapters. This is a story of the good, the bad, the ugly, and the happily-ever-afters. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT is a long, involved story, but I guarantee when you reach the end, you will have smiled and laughed and cried and smiled some more.

I received a Galley prior to publication with the understanding I would give a well-balanced and honest review.

All the stars and all the feels for this phenomenal book. For anyone who’s ever second guessed their appearance, wondered if they were passed over for something (a date, a job, anything) because of something physical, dealt with family issues and more, there will be so many things you can relate to in the stories of Emerson, Marley and Georgia. This book is so well written about a subject that could have easily been controversial and offensive but I think the themes in these pages will resonate with every reader, fat or thin, short or tall, happy or sad.

I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Wow! What a difficult topic to cover, but Kristan Higgins handled it beautifully. I think in a society where a size 10 is considered a plus size, it's easy for even healthy women to start believing they are fat. I loved getting to know Marley, Will, Rafe and Georgia (and even Emerson, through her journals) and hope to see them again. It was nice to "catch up" with Rachel and Jenny and Leo, as well! I highly recommend this book. It think she gave great insight into what woman who are overweight think about themselves and how society treats them. I am fortunate to have received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher through a Goodreads.com Giveaway.

Good Luck With That / B077CNXY2B

[Trigger Warning: Fat Hatred, Eating Disorders]

I want to say upfront I did not finish (DNF) this book. There are 39 chapters and a prologue, so 40 chapters total. I read the first 7 chapters, 2 chapters in the middle, and the last 4 chapters--13 chapters total I read, or almost a third of the book. I also heavily skimmed the parts I didn't read. I was looking, as close as I could, for something that would make this book stop being hurtful. In the beginning, in the middle, and in the ending, I only found more hurt.

This book is being advertised as "body positive" and it maybe is... for a certain type of body. This book makes the case that the line of what is a socially unacceptable weight should be moved upwards a bit; that girls who shop at plus size clothing stores can still be pretty and sexy. But there's a hard line in place between what is acceptable "normal-fat" (a term the protagonists Georgia and Marley use to distinguish themselves from from their dead friend Emerson) and what is "too far gone" fat. Fatness at higher numbers is stigmatized heavily, and called "grotesque" in text.

I want to make a point about numbers here: the book is very careful never to give weights for Georgia and Marley, though we can guess at their sizes based on the clothing shops they visit and how they describe their bodies. Emerson, the dead friend and cautionary tale, is not provided that courtesy; we learn actual numbers for her weight at the start of her diary and then later near the end. The narrative very clearly considers these numbers too much, too big, too unhealthy, and pushes the idea that such numbers will lead to loneliness and death. This is NOT a novel which is accepting to fat people in the higher ranges, and I found that very hurtful as a fat person myself.

Some trigger warnings need to apply to this book. Weight is given for Emerson, along with her blood pressure and various other vitals. Calorie counts for food are given in multiple places. There are careless, casual, and almost callous mentions of eating disorders; characters will drop anorexia ("Every fat girl starves herself at one point or another. ") or bulimia ("Once upon a time, I hadn't been above sticking my finger down my throat.") into the text without warning. I am a surviving bulimic, and that quote occurs in chapter 5, which drove some of my choice to DNF. One of the middle chapters I read was a very disturbing and (in my mind) entirely unnecessary scene of Emerson binge-eating pizza while crying. This is not plot relevant (Emerson is, at this point, long dead), except to show how Emerson became fat--which is only "plot" if you think fatness needs a driving reason behind it.

The plot: Emerson dies and asks her two childhood friends to fulfill a "When We're Skinny" bucket list they once put together in fat camp (which is portrayed as a lovely, idealized summer camp where fat girls go to make friends). Much of the bucket list no longer applies (for example, Georgia was married to a hot guy so she's nailed the "Hold hands with a cute guy in public" entry), but Georgia and Marley realize they're unhappy and haven't been living their best lives because they're so obsessed with losing weight. They decide to stop being unhappy and eventually do so--though we are reassured at points that they're still exercising. Marley runs, kickboxes, and does Zumba and yoga. She's also curvy and has proportional breasts, so we can be assured she's a Good Fatty and not a Bad Fatty. Georgia is not actually fat, as best I can tell and to her own admission in points of the narrative; she used to be fat and believes that past has indelibly marked her ("Once a fat girl, always a fat girl."). This means that the fattest girl in the book (Emerson) dies as an impetus for her two thinner friends to live their best, most joyful lives.

Spoilers: Marley marries a guy who is one of her clients (she's a personal chef) whose declaration of love reveals he abused his position as a client to gratify his desire to see her (he would deliberately take a long time writing her check and fuss over checking each meal, so she would stay in his house longer with him); he asks Marley during an episode of TLC's stigmatizing "My 600-Pound Life" television show (which is mentioned at least 3 times in text and all the characters seem to watch) whether *she* will ever weigh 600 pounds. I think we're supposed to like him in spite of all this; I do not. Georgia's love interest is her ex-husband, to whom she confesses that she broke their marriage with her eating disorders and weight obsession, but she's decided to not do that anymore. If she receives any counseling for the serious illness that disordered eating is, I could not find any mention of it. Emerson is a (Dead) Bad Fatty, so her love interest is a "Feeder": a man who fetishizes fat people and gets off on watching us eat.

A word about Emerson: she dies in Chapter 2 to kick off the plot. What we see of her throughout the book are in diary entries she wrote in the four years prior to her death. These are lavish scenes of the hatred she experiences as a fat person, but these scenes also attempt to show her spiraling into deeper, badder weight. These diary entries feel like cautionary tales--"don't do this or bad things will happen!"--and were deeply triggering for me as a fat person. I do think the author feels compassion that Emerson is treated badly by society, but any compassion here sits alongside a very strong insistence that fatness is a choice she is making, and that her choices are bad. Emerson obsesses in her diary entries over a thin version of herself, an "Other Emerson", and how much better her thin life would be than her fat life. Her last entry before dying is a love letter to "Other Emerson", apologizing that Emerson couldn't be her. This was profoundly disturbing to me as a fat reader, and a big reason why I had to stop.

I do not think this book would be safe for *anyone* who identifies with Emerson or is in one of the higher fat ranges, and I would urge anyone of ANY size who has eating disorders to not read this.

NOTE: This review is based on a free Advance Review Copy of this book.

~ Ana Mardoll

This book is a must read for everyone who has looked in the mirror and not like what they have seen. It is about learning to love yourself first and being a better person. It makes you cry and laugh and learn to be accepting of yourself and others!

This is the first review I have ever done but this book had me laughing and crying from the beginning to the end. Kristan Higgins managed to cover a subject that impacts a majority of women, our daily lives and relationships with humor and love and every emotion you can experience. If you can't tell LOVED this book!!!!!

As a longtime reader of Kristan Higgins, I’ve always admired her ability to create authentic characters. Kristan has a gift for capturing first person point of view. Realistic, well drawn, layered storytelling is a testament to her strength as a writer. Shifting from contemporary romance to women’s fiction has allowed deeper issues to be explored. Always thought provoking and maintaining a sense of relatability. After reading GOOD LUCK WITH THAT, I began to reflect about the book. The issue of weight plays a central theme, but the author uses it as a vehicle to get to a bigger message. As individuals we choose what to think about ourselves. Often we’re our harshest critics. Shaped by baggage, burdens and hardship. Ultimately, our skewed perceptions become our reality. One quote that really resonated with me was “She wanted us to stop waiting, and start living.” My takeaway from this book is that true happiness lies within us. This novel would be an excellent pick for book clubs. It inspires self-reflection and would make for a great discussion. A list of questions are included. Thank you again to Penguin Random House for a complimentary advanced reading copy.

An incredible and sad story of ultimate failure, second chances and self acceptance. Filled with friendship, family both warm and cold. Fascinating subject, almost felt too personal. It made me squirm, cry, laugh and cheer! A well written tale. I will be thinking about this book for a very long time. Great for book clubs, discussion is almost needed in the end.

Anyone who has ever struggled with their weight and other self-esteem issues will relate to this heart-wrenching and heartwarming book. Kristan weaves a tale that spans over many years and illustrates the ongoing struggles with love, care, and her trademark humor. Grab the tissues and buckle up for this important story!

For the first time I couldn't continue or finish one of Kristan's books. I usually love everything by her. As someone who has fought weight and self image all my life, it hit too close to home. I read to take me away from myself. Of course, it was well written, but the subject matter and how the girls saw themselves killed my enthusiasm. I didn't even care about the HEAs.

I had never read anything by this author before and I doubt I’ll be reading anything by her in the future. The book was full of clichés, two-dimensional characters, and predictable plot elements. Several characters were so completely nasty for no apparent reason that they hardly seemed human. The two main characters, Georgia and Marley, narrated alternating chapters in the first person but sounded so alike I often had to check back to see who was talking. They both kept using the expression “stink-eye” but one kept crossing herself and the other didn’t so that was a clue.

Emerson, who dies of fatness at the beginning of the book, could have been a more interesting character but her life was just used as a cautionary tale and her chapters were written in the same matter-of-fact wiseguy style as those of the other two. The message of the book seemed to be attempting to make the point that being fat was okay—as long as you weren’t TOO fat (Emerson was TOO fat)—and as long as you went to the gym and “ate healthy”. The characters kind of swam through the story, experiencing and taking note of various forms of discrimination against fat people, but the message seemed to be if you just exercise, wear good clothes, stop criticizing yourself, and find a man with nice eyes who is a good kisser, all will be well.

I thought this book might have something useful and interesting to say about the whole issue of the disconnect between how fat people are viewed by society and how they view themselves but it just glided by complicated subjects (sexual abuse, eating disorders, bullying, etc) with about as much insight and finesse as “Shallow Hal”.

To be fair, I did not finish the book. I purchased as an audible and when I got to Marley, I just couldn’t finish. The narrator was so off point, I couldn’t finish. I was adjusting the volume throughout and she spoke so fast I couldn’t relax and enjoy the story. So disappointed.