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.

Body issues and family secrets follow three friends from fat camp. Poignant and funny all at the same time.

There are certainly amazing, good, and rough parts of this book...I've struggled over the last week or so to figure out how to parse out the parts I loved versus the parts I wasn't on board with so I will do my best!

Amazing: Because let's start with positives...Emerson, Georgia and Marley meet at a camp for obese children and become friends--when Emerson dies of obesity related complications, she leaves a list for the other two to complete (from when they were kids) and the story follows their current lives. I cannot say how much I loved seeing the relationships play out in this story. They were very real, and more than that, I loved seeing two strong women lead the story without feeling pitted against one another or without feeling any sense of competition. Instead, they had families and complications and real struggles that allowed them to bond and support each other. It's rare to find that in a book nowadays. Also, I'd like to take the character of Mason out to lunch and love him rotten. I really found myself cheering on the characters, especially as they faced their adversaries.

The good: The storyline itself was really fun to see. The list wasn't crazy and unattainable and the author did a beautiful job of tying it into the existing plot without seeming like a far stretch. The author also did a beautiful job of bringing up the subtle differences in life as someone who is overweight versus a woman being skinny--it's almost like a privilege, and Kristan Higgans did beautifully in conveying that, particularly with Georgia's story.

The rough: I really struggled with the opening chapters of this story. I understand the purpose of mentioning fat and chubbiness and weight to make the reader understand what a heavy topic it is (no pun intended) for women and for these characters...but there was definitely a point where fat and weight were noted so often that I thought to myself, "This has to stop or I can't keep going." There was a certain level of disgust, not only with society but with the concept of being fat that came up in the first few chapters...and I don't know whether that was intentional, to give the story more impact down the road or whether it was just to set the stage.

Overall...the story was great. I may be careful who I recommend it to, though, because I think some of the points in it will only be understood by those who are overweight or criticized for their looks. I do love the relationships, and the story has stayed on my mind--partially because it makes me want to lose weight and partially because it's a great book for girlfriends to remember how much they love each other.

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.

I've only read one other Kristan Higgins book but I enjoyed so I thought I'd give this one a shot too. I wasn't disappointed. This book really hit home for me because I'm a plus size girl. Every thought that Marley or Georgia had I've also had. I've learned to accept myself as they also did. We've all found our happy endings.

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!

Laugh out loud funny.....and a story to bring you to tears. So many women (myself included) know all too well the feelings about body image shared in this book. I don't understand why other reviewers feel so strongly against this book, especially those who have not read it. Sometimes we feel as hopeless as Emerson, and at other times we can be more accepting of ourselves, even if others are not. In this day and age of public shaming through social media, this book may just give another perspective. Think about how you want to be treated in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.

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!

A little deeper and darker than many of Higgins' other titles (and this is coming from a fan). The protagonists' struggle with body image issues and social pressure to lose weight was relatable. I appreciated that not all characters decided that losing weight was the answer, and they still got a happy ending anyway.

Higgins goes a little darker than usual with Good Luck With That. She does not shy away from a very deep discussion of morbid obesity and the enduring friendship of Emerson, Georgia, and Marley. The problematic threesome reunite in a unique way after a death and the story uses the funeral to allow the others to find their inner selves. This was not my most favorite book by Higgins, but it was another solid outing by the author.

Although I cannot say this is a great novel, the author manages to explore what happens to women who grow up fat. The reader is taken through the lives of 3 women who suffer (one actually dies) from the results of years of being called fat and the self-perception that resulted.

The catalyst is the death of Emmerson, whose obesity has ballooned to epic proportions and sets the two friends into motion to reclaim their lives. Both Georgia and Marley have suffered under the excess weight they carry. They are continually shamed both by family and men for their weight. Their greatest punishment is their endless self-flagellation over their weight.

This is a fine book for women's studies seminars and reading groups. There are few issues that are larger in our society than that of fat, especially for women!

I was fortunate to attend an author event in her pre-pub tour for this book and received a signed copy! I have followed Kristan Higgins career since she began writing and have so enjoyed seeing her grow and flourish as an author of romance fiction, and now domestic fiction. I saw on twitter some people were really offended by the blurb that the publisher had given the book, and the comments to the author were just horrendous. I personally could relate to what the original blurb said, as someone who has lived with issues similar to the main characters. In this novel, three women meet at a weight loss camp as teenagers. They vow to lose the weight that's holding them back from enjoying life. Fast forward to the present, and one of the friends, Emerson, has become so morbidly obese that she later dies from complications related to her weight. She leaves a letter for her two friends, Marley and Georgia, challenging them to keep the promises they made to each other as teenagers. Just as in each novel I've read by this author, the characters carry the story. They are real, relatable, and the reader becomes invested in the outcomes of their lives. There is humor, pathos, and true emotional depth in this novel, and I hope that readers who need this story will find it. Another winner by Ms.Higgins!

Emerson, Georgia and Marley are three friends brought together as teens as they all battled to shed pounds at a weight-loss camp for kids. When Emerson passes away, she challenges her friends to live life to the fullest. Her challenge requires Georgia and Marley to do some self exploration and face their demons head on.

Good Luck with That

By Kristan Higgins

Pub date: Aug 8, 2018, 5 stars

#GoodLuckWithThat #NetGalley


About the third chapter, I asked myself why I continued to read such a depressing book. By the time I got to the fourth chapter, I was hooked! I am so glad that I continued to read this fabulous book. By the time I got to the end of the book, I kept saying; “don’t end” “don’t end”. I think this book will stay with me for years.

There are three main characters, Marley, Georgia and Emerson, Oh, there is also OE, Other Emerson. Emerson writes in her diary every day and it is “Dear Other Emerson”. She pours her heart out to OE and shares with her all the wrongs she has done or perceives to have done to herself. She knows that she is dying, she is over 600 pounds and it’s too late to save herself. Sounds depressing? But it’s not. It’s sad at times, downright laugh out loud funny, warm and full of love.

Marley, Georgia, and Emerson met at “Fat Camp”. Looking back each says that it was the only time they were really happy. Their last year there, they came up with a list of things they would do if they ever got thin. Not one item on the list was hard, all easy things for people who have a good sense of self would be able to do. Like, let a stranger buy you a drink, or have dessert in public. Shop in a regular store, not a store for fat people. Emerson kept the list and put it in an envelope to give to Marley and Georgia when they came to the hospital to see her. This is really where the real story begins. This is not a story about fat shaming but a story about self-discovery, acceptance, love, friendship, and family. There is so much going on in this book I would give it 10 stars if possible. Put it on your to be read list, request from your library, order from your favorite bookstore, it is so worth your time. We all can learn something from this wonderful book.

"This one is for all of us who've cried when looking in a mirror.  Here's to never doing that again."

Kristan Higgins masterfully weaves the stories of three women who arrive at a teen weight loss camp, each for a wholly different reason. Now, in their thirties, Marley, Georgia, and Emerson are followed by the same insecurities, affecting their careers, romantic relationships, and family dynamics. Emerson dies, leaving behind a copy of the "what we we’d do if we were skinny" list the ladies created when they were eighteen. From the grave, Emerson challenges her surviving friends to take specific chances, sending them on unforgettable journeys.

These beautiful characters contain shades of every woman…the small victories we celebrate in secrecy, the triumphs we question, and the tenderness that we deny for ourselves. Tackling Emerson’s list gives pause to examine the external pressures that make women, not who we are, but who we think we should be. Add another gem to Kristan Higgins tiara.

Kristin Higgins really hit the nail on the head with this title considering all the emphasis that is placed today on weight loss, healthy diets, exercise and women's figures. I saw myself throughout the book in the characters' opinions of themselves and the opinions of others towards them. This would be an excellent choice for women's book clubs.

I have loved every Kristan Higgins title, and each time I think I have found my favorite. This one is a strong contender. Thank you for writing so sensitively about this topic.

It took me several chapters to get into this story. It's relevant in today's body conscious environment, but it's good to see on the news and social media that the perception is changing toward everyone doesn't need to be a size 2. The three characters in this story meet at a camp for overweight children when they were young and remained friends. When Emerson dies due to complications from obesity she arranges for her two friends, Marley and Georgia to handle her estate and gives them a bucket list of things she hope they will accomplish that she couldn't. As Marley and Georgia take on the task they grow and accept their lives for what they are. I enjoy most of Kristan Higgin's books, this was not my favorite but many readers with enjoy the friendship and love the three women share. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.