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.
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!
