First of all. I saw the controversary surrounding this book and that's like a siren call for me.



See I'm a bit a chunky girl and I saw all the outrage about fat shaming..etc. So I thought what the heck. I am gonna read it.

Oh and before we start. I review like I speak and not everyone is gonna like that so if I veer out of whatever is politically correct at this moment..sorry...not.

The book is about three women who meet as teenagers at a fancy fat camp. They all become friends and promise to stay in touch forevers. Because BFF's and all that.
Emerson doesn't live as close as the other two Georgia and Marley, so she doesn't stay as much in contact. Plus, she wants to lose more weight before she sees them again.

The horribly sad thing is...(not a spoiler-this happens early in the book) she ends up dying. She leaves a list that the three of them made back at camp about the 'bucket list' that they would all do when they were no longer fat. She wants the other two to complete the list.

Georgia is a former lawyer turned pre-school teacher. She grew up with a skinny WASPy mom and a ASSHOLE of a brother. She was constantly put down because of her weight and even feels like her father didn't fight for custody because of her weight. She ends up divorcing her husband because of her weight issues.

Marley is a personal chef with a big wonderful Italian family. She puts on that happy face at all times even when she hurts. She carries the guilt of her twin dying at a young age on her shoulders without even realizing it.

The book follows these two women through out their deciding on doing the list. At first I did think it was sorta fat shamey. Then I took a few minutes and realized that "You know what? This shit happens." I've fat shamed other overweight people. I can admit that. I'm fat and I've fat shamed my damn self...just like these women do in this book. Is that right? No BUT IT FRIGGING HAPPENS.

There are so many instances that I COULD relate too in these characters story that somewhere in the middle I felt like I knew both of them. I LOVED them both and sometimes I wanted to smack the snot out of them.
There are some instances where you cheer for them when they stand up for themselves and then my eyes had a piece of dirt in them at some parts of the story. The thing is I TOTALLY related to them.

Fat shame or cry outrage all you want. It HAPPENS. Now I'm old and could give two shits about what someone else thinks about my rolls now but as a younger woman I went through losing a ton of weight and still being that fat girl in my head.

Now for why I didn't five star this sucker. The whole love interest stuff. The hell no. The men in this book were supposed to be all wonderful and all that but I think they both probably needed throat punched a few times.

This is a total read it if you want book. If you don't want to then don't. It's a frigging book. I liked the heck out of it..and I'm a bitch.

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review

I heard this novel was fat shame-y, so I was on the fence about reading it. I am glad I read it for myself despite the bad reputation. While I didn't love some of the premises, it was nicely written and engaging.

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.

This branches out from the contemporary romance I know the author for, into the world of women's friendship (with a side of romance). The characters were very easy to relate to, and it was an emotional and satisfying story.

They became fast friends at a fat camp when they made plans to be thin and do things fat girls can't. But one of them does not have that much time...

Berkley and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It will be published August 7th.

When one of the three dies, she gives them copies of those long ago goals and asks them to complete them. She makes them promise.

While this is a good look at what you can do to yourself with old tapes of the past, it's also a look at what you can do if you make up your mind to just try. Try to set aside the past, create yourself a new future. What is, is. It's hard but it can be done.

They find themselves facing ghosts from the past, dealing with secrets they didn't know, and finding hope for a future they couldn't see before. Never give up. This is a story of hope and love.

"Life was kind and full of chances. Sometimes we didn't take them. Sometimes we hid our truth and acted out of fear. Sometimes we turned away and closed the door. But sometimes,  there were moments like this, when I was kissing the only man I had ever loved, and the snow fell gently around us like a blessing. Good luck, I imagined the universe saying kindly, infusing the phrase with gentleness and faith. Good luck with everything."

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.

This book could not have come at a better time in my life!

I knew the moment I read the dedication for this book that this was going to be one of my stellar reads "This one is for all of us who've cried when looking in the mirror. Here's to never doing that again."

I think most women can relate to feeling insecure with their body image at one point or another... and sadly on a daily basis some women feel this every day.

I cannot tell you how much I loved this book. Kristan Higgins continues to impress the hell out of me with her talent. This is such a beautifully written novel about love, friendship, strength, self-worth, and self acceptance. Wow... I was absolutely in awe with this book and am sad that it had to end.

I was so invested in the lives of Marley, Georgia, and Emerson. Higgins ever so beautifully intertwines some deep rooted issues of body image within these three characters but in the end what I loved the most was the strength and self worth/acceptance we see in the women.

I definitely can see how this will be a controversial book and some may not do well with this book. But, the message behind this one was so beautiful and truly left an impact on my heart. This message hit home to me right at the perfect time. I needed this!!

5 stellar stars!!!!

Thank you so much to Elisha and Berkley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest review.

Publication date: 8/7/18
Published to GR: 6/25/18

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 was a hard taboo subject, but what made it bearable was Georgia & Marley being wonderful characters, 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 were great.

Normally, I love everything that Kristan Higgins writes but sadly that is not the case with this one. Could she have added one more hot button social issue into this book....good grief...I wanted to get lost in the story, not have to wade through the social injustice, body shaming, sexual abuse, gay, plastic surgery obsessed, bullying.....and whatever else we can add to the pot...oh yeah, Women are better than men!!!!! I didn't hate it but I sure didn't love it. It was okay and I was completely happy when I finished it...that way I could move on to a better book.

An emotionally charged book. Has many aspects that are heartbreaking and heartwarming too. Really makes you think about your weight though, which shows how deeply Higgins writes. I normally read thrillers, but this was a great read. Will definitely be reading more of Higgins and recommend in Chapter Chatter Pub closer to release date!

Emerson, Georgi! And Marley met at a weight loss camp as teenagers and remain friends. When one of them dies, the other two must carry out her wishes and conquer their fears. Women, friendship and love.

A very sweet read. I had all those happy and sad emotions. I am so glad there were happy endings for two of the three friends.

I had a hard time with this book. While I was reading the book, I really liked Georgia and Marley's characters and I *loved* Georgia's character progression. However, I didn't feel that Marley had any sort of growth at all. *sad face*
That being said - the scene where Georgia met with her GP to discuss her stomach pain - THAT IS EXACTLY HOW US FAT PEOPLE ARE TREATED AT THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. I wish Ms Higgins would make that required reading for all physicians.

Three best friends, overweight since childhood, struggle with the death of one. I liked that the author did not specifically state what "overweight" meant for the characters as everyone has a different definition of what "being fat" means.

About The Book: Emerson, Georgia, and Marley became friends when they met at a weight loss camp when they were teenagers. Now they are nearly 35 and Georgia and Marley have not seen Emerson in years when they get a call to see her in the hospital. She knows she is dying and wants to see her friends one last time. The women, who are shocked at how ill Emerson is and how heavy she has become (600 pounds), feel guilty they did not stay in touch with their friend and wonder why she never reached out to them for help. After her funeral, they open an envelope left for them and are surprised to see the list of Things We'll Do When We're Skinny the three of them wrote together their last summer at camp. It had things like eat dessert in public, hold hands with a cute guy, shop at a store for regular people, etc.

Marley, a personal chef, who delivers home-cooked meals to clients, always comes across as happy, but is she really or is it an act she puts on for others? Georgia, a former lawyer, quit her job to teach preschool. Being overweight is unforgivable in her family, something her mother and brother constantly remind her. She was married briefly, but could not accept her husband loved her as she was and they divorced.

Marley and Georgie decide they will complete the list Emerson left them. Along the way they both learn a lot about themselves.

This book was really, really good. Yes, it was hard to read sometimes because I am someone who has struggled with her weight on and off since my teenage years. Like Georgia, even the times I have lost weight, I still struggled with my body image. Like Marley, I always come across as happy and cheerful even when I am unhappy on the inside. Then there's Emerson. Since she dies very early in the book, we get to know her through journals she wrote (That the other women end up with at the end of the book). These journal entries are mixed in throughout the book as she writes to "Other Emerson" the thin girl she feels is hidden inside her. She gives her pep talks. She also writes about her daily struggles as an overweight woman.

There has been a lot of criticism for this book because of the way Emerson is portrayed. The reader is never given weights for Marley and Georgia, but we know they both are plus sized. Emerson on the other hand, has her weights listed in different journal entries throughout the book, the doctor and a few characters blame her excessive weight for her death. Some early reviewers have even commented that the book "fat shames" because of how Emerson is portrayed and the fact that she had a "boyfriend" who took pleasure in bringing her food and seeing her get bigger and bigger.

I do agree with this to a point, but I think there is a bigger underlying message here. That message is about living life to the fullest regardless of your size and accepting yourself. Yes, Emerson weighed 600 pounds and died because of her excessive obesity, so do many real people, and I'm sure many of those people have been fat shamed. I can see how someone who is dealing with severe obesity like Emerson could be bothered by how she is portrayed. Even as a plus size woman who is nowhere near the size of Emerson, I was bothered by some of the story. I don't know what kind of research Kristan Higgins did while writing this book, but I will say it seems she did her homework. Yes, the story may be upsetting to some women, but it is just that, a story, a work of fiction. I think it's worth a read. It's definitely not a light-hearted chick lit book though.

Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley (Penguin Random House) for giving me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

This title, about 3 women who met as teenagers at fat camp, is so timely and moving. Georgia and Marley are forced to examine their relationships with food, family friends, and themselves when their long-time friend, Emerson, dies of complications from obesity. Emerson leaves them a list of things they should do to live life in her absence, and completing the list is nowhere near as simple as it seems.
I loved the flawed and real female characters. I also found myself pausing the story to reflect upon my own attitudes towards food and body image. I really related to the story of modern female self-image and all of the outside forces that affect one's inner life. I won't soon forget Georgia and Marley, and I might even be a little kinder to myself as a result of reading this book.

I will admit, part of the reason I was hoping for early access to this book was because I am a big fan of Kristin Higgins. She writes a great story. However, this book went above and beyond. It touched me. The story struck so many personal notes, and I feel like it will do the same to every single person who reads it. This story dealt with real issues, that all of us face everyday. It made me laugh. It also made me cry, and one point I put down my iPad and wept for several minutes. More importantly it gave me hope, reminded me that family and friendships are so important, and that people are strong and can do anything they set their minds too.

Emerson, Georgia and Marley are the best of friends (and reminded me to be grateful for my long time friends) but they all have struggles in life. They met at weight-loss camp as teens, and continued their friendship from there. They all struggled with body issues throughout the book, some more drastically than others. I am not afraid to admit that this is part of the story I can really relate too. But there is so much more, overcoming those issues to become happy with the lives that they lead and fighting for relationships with others. The family relationships are both hard and heartwarming at the same time. Of course, there is a happy and heartwarming ending, and that brought tears of joy and a smile to my face.

I loved it. Add it to your summer read list right now.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I think that most women will see themselves in this novel. Weight and self-image is such an issue in our culture.

Emerson broke my heart, Marley inspired me, and Georgia gave me hope.

This book was a compelling and hard to read at times (in a good way). I think every girl goes through body issues at one point in time or another, and this book so clearly brings those insecurities to the surface again and makes you rethink how you viewed yourself then and now. There are not a lot of books on being overweight that hit the issue so clearly and with clear understanding. I've already recommended this one to others.

I really enjoyed reading this book. All three girls had challenges to face, sometimes succeeding and frequently failing, making them very realistic. The story was well put together, moved along at a good pace. Very good read.