Not at all what I had expected, but still a fun read. I ended up really enjoying the characters and loved their friendship and the lessons they learned throughout life.

Bestselling author, Kristan Higgins' new novel, GOOD LUCK WITH THAT (Berkley) is a story of compassion and insight. Higgins' tackles issues every woman faces: body image and self-acceptance.

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

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

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

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT is an emotional roller coaster worth the ride. Grab your BFF and share some Merlot.

An emotional journey of friendship, self-awareness and finding the ideal way to just be YOU! Through a roller coaster of emotions, Kristan Higgins takes us on a journey of three women who met and became the best of friends just before they all embarked on that all encompassing journey of starting college and starting a life on their own. They stayed in touch through the years and even as life's ups and downs took them further apart, they all held the others dear to their heart and knew one day they'd do that dream get together again. Only the end comes way too soon for one of them, and it leaves the other two reeling and finding comfort in the friendship they shared. The story brings forth a beautiful message of not judging a book by it's cover, and to truly attempt to see people for who they really are, not through an obscured view of what's acceptable ... even yourself!

Emerson, Georgia and Marley met and instantly clicked at weight-loss camp the summer before they were starting college. Georgia and Marley settled closer together, so they stayed in better contact, but Emerson was further away and brought into the loop when possible. Now in their thirties, Georgia and Marley are saddened to be called to Emerson's side as she wanted to secure a promise from them on her deathbed ... she wanted them to complete the list of dreams they compiled as teens.

Georgia loved and lost early in life because she failed to see the worth she gave to life and her relationships. An ever unpleasant family dynamic between an impossible to please mother and a judgement brother made for a warped view of love, family and self-worth. When a second chance at happiness crosses her path, will she be able to see a brighter future for herself in time to jump out and hold on?

Marley has spent her life living on the edge of guilt because she still has a life that she feels like the twin sister she lost at the age of four just might have deserved more than her. She comes across as the most confident of the three, but part of her doesn't live for herself, and doesn't allow herself to be treated the way she deserves. When faced with the possibility of love, will she be able to overcome her demons and believe she deserves it?

I loved this book. A serious subject matter presented in a humorous and heartbreaking way. Following the journey of three friends and fat camp survivors, Higgins share a story of self discovery, friendship, self love.

A fun read, the characters were quite believable and the story flowed. Marley and Georgia’s issue with weight are a timely topic as women everywhere struggle with self-image. A good book for book discussions.

I struggled a bit with this review. That's unusual for me. Perhaps it's because the subject matter of Good Luck with That is a bit personal with me. I've always been a "curvy" girl, which allowed me to feel the pain Emerson, Marley and Georgia delt with. Too much pain. The kind that made me put this book down numerous times.

Kristan Higgins brought to light the numerous emotional as well as physical problems associated with body image, and the struggles each of the ladies delt with.

Emerson, Marley and Georgia met at a weight loss summer camp as young teenagers, but their friendshiip and comraderie continued throughout their adult lives. Each of them had their own demons to battle regarding their weight, and although Emerson lost her battle, she left a note to Marley and Georgia after her death that contained a list the girls had written many years ago. A list of things they would accomplish once they were skinny.Things like holding hands with a boy in public, buying clothes at a regular store, or have a stranger buy you a drink. It was up to Marley and Georgia to complete the list.

Although quite emotional at times, you know, that gut wrenching "emotional", this story was very well written and brought out so many issues that overweight individuals must endure. And the humor! I found myself laughing out loud at times! That's why trying to rate this book is so difficult. For the character development, storyline and writing, I would give it 5 out of 5 stars. But because I had a difficult time staying with the story and had to put it down so many times, I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. So to be fair, let's say 4 1/2.

I loved this story of two women learning to accept and love their bodies and themselves and learning to be happy in a world that always seemed to go against them due to their weight. Despite the chick lit cover, this story had a lot of depth and I fell for the characters, insecurities and all. I routed for them from start to finish.

3.5 stars
Good Luck With That is Kristan Higgins first crossover book from her best-selling contemporary romances to woman’s fiction. It was my first Higgin’s book.

Taking on obesity, body image, friendship, death, survival guilt, society’s view on weight, parenting and budding relationships was tackled in a raw and real way. That is what I liked about this book. It made the reader consider judgments we carry about others and those we carry every time we look in our own mirror. It’s so easy for a person to give me a compliment and immediately I’ll follow up with something that’s negative about me. Sadly, we’ve been conditioned to accept society’s expectations of beauty. This has been ingrained since early childhood.

There are a lot controversial issues brought up in this book. Most will pull at your heartstrings and cause a plethora of emotions to bubble to the surface. I enjoyed most of them. In my opinion however, there were just too many subplots and hot button topics woven through that left some unfinished and others wrapped up too quickly. This novel could’ve been pared down a ton. Honestly, I skimmed Emerson’s pages and her purported version of herself. Finally, I thought the cover art was well done as it in no way influenced what the story would be about. I did see a cover of another version (shown below) that has three women walking; all of them thin to average size. I hope that one gets canned. The authenticity and sincerity of this book must be transferred to the cover if the cover has a representation of three friends.

I’m willing to try another book by Higgins that falls into women’s fiction, with hopes of a more succinct storyline.

This is a wonderful story about body positivity, obesity, and friendship. I can see how this will be a controversial book, and may be triggering for some, but Higgins weaves stories centered around deep rooted body issues with messages of strength and self-worth. I'm glad that this book exists to show a different perspective, that of plus sized women.

Another winner from women’s fiction author Kristan Higgins. Here she examines the lives of three women who met years ago at fat camp. When one of the women dies from complications from being morbidly obese, the other two examine the impact of their weight on their lives and vow to make positive changes.

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.

Wow. Just wow! Ms Higgins has written a book about obesity and self-love that every woman should read. Sure it is about the world and how being overweight is viewed but the focus is on how you view yourself. Self-love or self-loathing, it’s your pick.

Georgia and Marley are wonderful characters who every one can identify with. They each have issues but they deal with them in very different ways.

This book isn’t easy to read at times. It can be a bit self-reflective and make you pause examining your own insecurities and issues with food.

Ms. Higgins was very careful with this subject matter but she was honest but not brutal.

Trust me and grab this one; immediately!

This book was really hard to get through, as someone who is sensitive to the topic of weight and weight loss. Basically every page mentions weight or losing weight in some way, and that's a lot to take in! That said, it is very well-written and a very moving story.

Wow. Wow wow wow. Kristan Higgins does it and does it again, but this might be her most honest, powerful, real book yet. The story of three overweight girls—who range from chunky to morbidly obese—and their relationships with themselves, each other, and the world is just so raw and heartwrenching and painfully authentic and beautiful and sad and inspiring and just everything. Each character is well-drawn and realistic, and it's impossible not to care about them and root for them; Higgins really has a special gift for writing an engaging story. The three women also speak for every woman, in a way. If you're a woman, especially an overweight woman, you will definitely feel this book. If you're a man or don't struggle with your weight, you might find some empathy for those who do or be reminded of another issue that makes you feel the same. No matter who you are though, this book is for you. It reminds us that every person is a person, no matter what they look like on the outside and no matter how they're projecting their internal scars to the world. Going to go ahead and say this might be the best book of the year.

I've been MIA lately. I haven't blogged in over a month. What have I been doing with my time? Oh, nothing big. Just examining my life. NBD.
This has been quite a year. Many blessings have come my way. Things that I have prayed for have come to pass. But all change, even the most exciting, positive change, is change. And sometimes it makes you re-examine your life and who you thought you were.

So, in this middle of my own soul searching, I began reading Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins. Emerson, Georgia and Marley became friends during a yearly fat camp. Marley and Georgia have stayed close, even becoming roommates, Emerson has stayed in her family home, even after her mother died.

Emerson has a weigh problem. A true problem, and she copes by staying in her house, even employing a sour faced cousin that doesn't treat her very well. But she is excited to suddenly find herself a boyfriend, even if her cousin doesn't approve.

Emerson's physical health becomes impacted by her new boyfriend - I won't give any spoilers. Marley and Georgia are struggling with the guilt that they may not have made enough time for Emerson, along with worrying about what is missing in their own lives. Although they have both been professionally successful, they are still struggling with self esteem and the impact that it has on their romantic lives.

I've read several Kristan Higgins books, and they've all been good, but this one was a little more serious than I expected. But it was eye opening, and made me look closer at my own life.

Current Goodreads Rating 4.22

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?

This is my second Kristan Higgins novel. While I didn't like it as much as Now That You Mention It, it was still a solid read. I had previously thought Kristan Higgins was chick lit, but her last book proved me wrong. There was depth in this novel as well. There's some romance but heavier subject matter well. I love Higgins' humor that she brings to this novel as well. The book centers on the lives of three friends who met at weight loss camp as teenagers; Grace, Marley, and Emerson. Marley and Grace live in the same town so naturally they become close, while Emerson lives far away so they lose touch. Later as they reunite as adults, it is shock to find out that Emerson has became morbidly obese, and she is dying. I have heard some controversy surrounding this book labeling it as fat-shaming. I did not feel this way at all. I felt Higgins handled this subject matter in a delicate matter, and I believe this is something she has struggled with. I would definitely recommend this book as well as any of Kristan Higgins' other books.

Ahh, why did I wait so long to read this! I should have known I'd end up loving this book. The way Georgia and Marley felt about their bodies resonates so much with how I feel about myself. The letters from Emerson pretty much ripped my heart out but they also gave me insight on what it feels like to have such a severe addiction. I loved this book and I can't wait to recommend it to my library patrons.

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.

Women's Fiction with a Little Romance. Standalone.
4.5 Stars
*While my reviews are spoiler-free if you don't want to know more about the book, after the first 2 paragraphs skip down to likes and dislikes and the Down & Dirty review. This review is longer than most because I address the controversy surrounding this book*

Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins is one of the most relatable books I have ever read. If I hadn’t read a few reviews from women who were triggered by the book (more on that later), I would say that I think every woman should read this book. But mostly, this is for the woman who hates herself. This is for the woman who has so many self-depreciating thoughts in her head she can’t make it stop. This is for the woman who fat-shames herself. This is for the woman who buys a brownie and says it’s for her son because she is embarrassed to eat it. This is for the woman who is always saying “I’ll do it when I lose the weight”. This is for anyone that has friends or family that struggle with weight.
Before I make this whole review about me, you can read my thoughts from 4 years ago. Sadly, they haven’t changed, but this book helped me on the path to acceptance. Read my post I HATE MY BODY on Starting On Monday. Let me make this clear. Good Luck With That is about three women who obsess about their weight in different ways. I get it. I totally relate. My weight is never not in the forefront of my mind, but it’s not enough to stop my eating.

Emerson, Marley, and Georgia became best friends in fat camp. They stayed friendly over the years, especially Marley and Georgia because they lived close together. They gradually lost touch with Emerson as she didn’t want them knowing how heavy she was getting. In fact, she got so heavy she could no longer leave her home or care for herself. Her weight was killing her and her organs were shutting down when her friends got the call to come and say goodbye. Their shock at seeing how big Emerson got did get kind of graphic, and while some may say it was fat shaming, Emerson was 600 pounds and DYING FROM IT. This scared the shit out of me, and you can bet I am back on Weight Watchers today!

"I really am sorry for being this way. I can’t even look in the mirror anymore. I hate myself. I hate my fatness. I hate being so weak."

If you are 500+ pounds, you may be triggered and hurt by the descriptions, but that is kind of the point of this book. It’s BRUTALLY HONEST. She had a DEADLY ADDICTION. If you describe a crack addict as having no teeth, so skinny that bones were showing, stringy hair with bald patches, nobody would be screaming about it.

On her deathbed, Emerson gave Georgia and Marley a letter to be opened after her death. It contained the list they made in camp.
“Let’s make a list when we get back,” Emerson said. “All the things we’ll do when we’re not fat anymore. Things we can’t even dream of now.”
“We can dream,” Georgia said, pulling on the oars. The boat slid forward, and Marley trailed a hand in the water. “Nothing wrong with dreams.”
“A list sounds like fun,” Marley said. “It’ll motivate us to lose weight. We can call each other when we cross stuff off.”

The list included things like go running in tight clothes and a sports bra, get a piggyback from a guy, eat dessert in public, tuck in a shirt and shop at a store for regular people (I’m sure this triggered people, like we aren’t regular? But sadly we aren’t. We can’t shop in the mainstream stores.) They are silly things a kid would write, but things these women in their mid-thirties have yet to accomplish.

"Emerson had done us a favor with that list. She totally had. Kicking our asses from the great beyond, like any true friend."

Readers were able to experience all three women’s POV (and the audio was done with three fabulous narrators). Throughout the book, we get Emerson’s sad story through her writing in a journal to “Other Emerson” — the person she would be if she were thin. I thought this was so heartbreaking, but I think it was REAL. I often imagine what I’d be like if I wasn’t fat.

"Other Emerson could be friends with someone like me—someone who gets stared at every time she leaves the house. Someone who’s judged and found disgusting every single day. Someone who weighs three times what she should. She would see the real me, not just the fat. She wouldn’t see the fat at all. She’d see the funny, kind, sweet person I know I am but no one else tries to see. My mom did, of course, but she’s gone now. Georgia and Marley, they do, too."

Georgia was very relatable to me. Her mother is obsessed with her weight and is downright cruel about it, and her brother is the meanest asshole on the planet. (My family isn’t cruel, but they are obsessed about my weight.) Luckily her brother has a son, Mason, who Georgia is like a mother to. I LOVED Mason and his whole storyline. We can all learn from him. Georgia’s insecurities and self-loathing drove her away from her wonderful ex-husband, but she never fell out of love with him.

"I should’ve trusted him when he said he loved me. I should’ve heard that instead of the ugly echoes from my past."

Marley is probably the most OK with her weight. She is a personal chef from a loving, Italian family, but she lost her twin at 4 years old and has been filling that void her whole life. Some of those scenes brought me to tears. She eats healthy and exercises, but she is just a big girl. She wants to be loved but sadly seems to get used for drunken sex instead, until she meets the right one. (I still think she settled. She deserved better).

The list helped them heal and accept themselves. I cried so much as they healed! Happy tears, emotional tears, and tears for myself. My goodness, I am SO HORRIBLE to myself! I related to every terrible self-depreciating thing these women said. The healing part of this book was just that—knowing there are other people who feel this, knowing I'm not alone with these morbid thoughts. This book was not politically correct, it was REAL. It was RELATABLE. At times it was a little dark and disturbing. Some things were hard to read, but they are nothing I haven’t thought myself.

Most books I read with plus-sized characters have the woman losing the weight to find happiness in the end or they are super-confident. Years ago, I read a book about a plus-sized woman who wore leather and sequins. She loved her curves. While I wish I could be like that, I never was. When I stated in my review that I couldn’t relate to the character, I was scolded by the author for not loving myself enough (funny, she has since lost about 150 pounds). In Good Luck With That, I enjoyed finally reading about women that get it. Women that understand people who judge our weight against others, that we hide and lie about food, that we don’t want to go to an event to be the fattest there, that we are uncomfortable walking into a regular sized store like they are going to kick us out, that we don’t want to eat dessert in public because of other’s judgement.

Likes:

•I felt like the author was in my head. She said things I didn’t know other people felt.
•It was honest and real, not politically correct.
•The supportive friendship between the women. #Friendshipgoals
•I identified so much with all three women.
•The two romantic storylines. I liked having a little romance thrown in, but the love between friends and family was much more prominent.
•Mason. I love that boy!
•It was long and felt like an epic journey.
•It made me realize how horribly I speak to myself.
•I saw the Dr. today for a problem that has been worrying me for a long time because of this book.
•Pulled out every emotion, so much I had to pull over while driving because the tears were blinding me.

Dislikes:

•Marley’s frustration with Will.
•The romance part was a little unsatisfying.
•Counseling needed to have a MUCH larger part in this book.
•Emerson was a little like a caricature of a fat girl, and I can see where some of the controversy comes from if you really pick it apart.
•There were lines that seem like generalizations of all fat people, but to me, it seemed like the character’s thoughts, not the author’s. I bring them up here because there are some people that were hurt by this. ie: "These were the things thin girls got to do, things that were out of reach for us fatties."

The Controversy:
I posted in a group about how much I was LOVING Good Luck With That and how relatable the characters were. In response, someone posted a pretty scathing DNF review. I don’t normally read reviews before I write mine. At that time, I hadn’t even finished the book yet. But I stupidly clicked and read it. For a bit, it influenced my opinion. I was listening to the book after and seeing where people could be offended instead of relating to it. But that influence didn’t last long as I was won back over by this insightful story. Here’s the thing. If you are super sensitive, insulted or triggered by weight stuff, this book isn’t for you. If you are a woman who puts herself down and doesn’t live life to the fullest because of self-hatred and shame, this book will be right up your alley.

The Down & Dirty:
Good Luck With That was an emotional read that was also one of the most relatable books I have ever read. The women’s growth from self-hatred to self-acceptance wasn’t easy to read at times, but at times it was also funny, heartwarming and empowering. I think Kristan Higgins had a lot of guts to write this story. It felt so good to read a story about fat girls that wasn’t sugar-coated, and Kristan's sharp insight into each woman's psyche was what made it so fantastic. She pointed out how much the judgments from other people affect us, but more so how our own judgment of ourselves and others can cause so much pain. Good Luck With That changed my thinking in general and made me realize how horrible I am to myself, and hopefully helped me on my journey to self-acceptance. I hope it lasts!

Rating: 4.5 Stars