Good Luck With That: A Novel

by Kristan Higgins

One of Purewow’s “Best Beach Reads of Summer 2018”
Winner for Best Book of 2018 of the Fresh Fiction Awards!

New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins is beloved for her heartfelt novels filled with humor and wisdom. Now, she tackles an issue every woman deals with: 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.

A novel of compassion and insight, Good Luck With That tells the story of two women who learn to embrace themselves just the way they are.

• ISBN10: 1683249399
• ISBN13: 9781683249399
• Publish Date: 28 November 2018 (first published 7 August 2018)
• Publish Status: Withdrawn
• Imprint: Center Point
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Hardcover (Library Binding)
• Pages: 655
• Language: English

Reviews

[Berls]

For anyone who has ever dealt with weight issues or has cared for someone who has them (hint: probably includes you) this book is incredibly relevant. It's simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, as you get a glimpse of three women who formed a friendship one summer as teens at fat camp that bonded them forever. Kristan Higgins shines a remarkably vulnerable and honest light into each of their unique journeys.

At the outset of Good Luck with That Emmerson passes away because her body can no longer sustain her weight. Though she is gone, we are able to see her tragic story through the pages of a journal she penned to "Other Emmerson" her imaginary alter-ego who isn't fat. She also leaves her two best friends with a challenge - to complete the list they had written together that summer of all the things they would do when they were finally thin.

The tragic loss of Emmerson along with their promise to complete the list empowers Marley and Georgia to face some of their own demons related to their bodies and obstacles to living their lives as their authentic selves. I found their very unique issues stemming from childhood trauma and body shaming a brilliant way to shine a light on some of the problems in the way our society treats women and their bodies.

I found this book incredibly insightful (as someone who has dealt with weight/body issues my entire life) and enjoyed watching Marley and Georgia's journey towards claiming their power. I cannot recommend it enough!

[Lorelei's Lit Lair]

“Do you know just how beautiful you are? Yes, you reading this. You’re beautiful inside and out. Your spirit and energy is where your beauty comes from. You're kind, smart, generous and unique. You’re loved for all those reasons and more. Your beauty radiates from within. That’s what truly matters. You are perfect. Love yourself just the way you are. The world is a happier and better place because of you.”
These words came to me the morning after reading Good Luck With That. I woke up wanting to share these sentiments on social media, but I saved it first as part of my review. When a story can move me enough to want to share these thoughts with the world, well, I say it's a book that genuinely made a big impression on me. Powerful feelings and message, don't you think?
The day I finished reading the the story, I had the biggest smile while hugging the book and my heart was filled with joy for the happy ending! YES!!! *Fist-pump!* Just like with all of Kristan Higgins’s books.
Good Luck With That is an emotional journey filled with friendships, family drama, tears of sorrow and laughter, but most importantly Love. Love and acceptance of ourselves, and of others for who they are.
Ms. Higgins brings to the pages the challenges, not only of self image and eating disorders, but also PTSD, coping with the loss of loved ones, health related issues and difficult relationships. I felt a lot of empathy towards many characters and listening to each one’s point of view was heartbreaking at times, and laugh out loud hilarious in others, only like Kristan Higgins can do it. Honest and enlightening.
Good Luck With That delivers a message for us to consider or reflect on how words we use to show our “love”, can either have a positive or negative affect on our loved ones, and it's also a story about self- acceptance. One of the best books I’ve read this year. Powerful. Brilliantly written. Everyone should read it.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me by the publisher.

[Stephanie]

This review was originally posted on Once Upon a ChapterI received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.



I don't even know where to start my review of Good Luck with That by Kristan Higgins. If you've been a follower of Once Upon a Chapter you'll know that I adore Kristan Higgins and everything I've ever read of her's. Good Luck with That takes the cake. It is on my top 5 ever (forget just 2018) and may very well become a yearly re-read.

Good Luck with That confronts a major fear for most people: body image; primarily with obesity. Higgins touches on all types of body image issues though. As much as I was anticipating this book, I was also kind of scared. I don't think I would have trusted any other woman to take me on this journey. At my highest I've weighed 310 pounds. I read things in this book that I've experienced. I want to be crystal clear I felt like I was reading about myself. I never once felt fat-shamed. I felt like I was talking to someone who got it.

Being brutally honest here I could have been Emerson. There comes a point where you have to decide if the food is worth what you are putting your body through physically. I was lucky enough that I could step back from that and I had family who supported me. I identify with Marley the most as far as body type/size. I am a bigger woman with minimal health issues. I also love to cook. Probably not enough to make it my job though.

What I need people to understand is that Good Luck with That is about learning to love the person you are and not the person you hope you may be someday. I get teary-eyed reading some of these reviews because there are SO many of us who need this book. The dedication of this book: "This one is for all of us who've cried when looking in the mirror. Here's to never doing that again.". That's a powerful statement. No matter our shape or size I think we've all had one of those moments, yes?

Reading this book was tough.I stuck with it because I trusted Higgins to pull me through. She absolutely did and I'll be all the more a loyal fan because this book was an experience. I can only hope you will be brave enough to pick up this book. My best advice: be brave. It was absolutely worth it.

[Linda]

Good Luck With That follows Marley and Georgia - and partly Emerson, as they grow up, become adults, and struggle with life, and their weigh - after meeting at fat-camp the summer they turned 18.
There is so much heartache in this novel, and so many insecurities I could completely relate to.
Full review to come.