Good Luck With That by Kristan Higgins Narrator: Xe Sands, Lori Gardner, Suzy Jackson
Published by Recorded Books on August 7, 2018
Genres: Fiction
Length: 15 hours, 21 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble
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.
Read It, Rate It and Record
A short review to update challenges
If you have ever had a problem with body image, eating issues or felt like you weren’t attractive enough, you will understand. If you haven’t, Good Luck With That is a great book for learning to understand the feelings of others.
The characters and plot here are raw and real. There is such an authentic feel to the issues. These stories of the three young women who met at “fat” camp as teens through their personal growth into their 30s are heartbreaking and intense and ultimately, a triumph.
The women have the struggles with their weight, how that affects their family life, careers and relationships. While there are romantic relationships, this is more fiction than a romance genre. It kills me how they are shamed and disrespected at times, just for their weight, when they are so smart and amazing. It isn’t just kids or teens, adults are crappy too. I believe while it may be hard to read at times, it is an important issue to take time to consider. Understanding may allow more compassion and empathy.
Narration:
Xe Sands is a joy and one of my favorite narrators. I have not listened to Lori Gardner or Suzy Jackson previously. Each narrator did the chapters from one of the three women’s point of view. Each handled her part well. I listened at a comfortable 1.25x speed. The performance drew a range of emotions; I laughed and cried and worried for these women.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Xe Sands
Award-winning narrator known for credible characterizations and an intimate delivery with more than a decade of experience bringing stories to life through narration, performance, and visual art. I believe an authentic performance demands authentic connection to the text and subtext.
About Kristan Higgins
Kristan fell in love with romance at the age of 13, when she stole her grandmother’s copy of Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss. Much of her adolescence was spent mentally rewriting the end of Gone With the Wind. After a career in public relations and advertising, she started writing fiction when her children graced her life with simultaneous afternoon naps. She is the author of seven romantic comedies and absolutely loves her job. Mom of two great kids, wife of a heroic firefighter and owner of a very cute mutt, Kristan lives in Connecticut.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Library-Love
- BTB 2019
- COYER WINTER
This is such an important book and your review nails it, Anne! I loved ut?
Thank you! I don’t read much women’s fiction but this is an important honest view into a rarely examined topic.
This sounds like an insightful and thoughtful read, glad you enjoyed it.
Exactly, insightful and thoughtful. It was well worth reading.
Is this the book that got soooo much controversy over fat-shaming? I just recall when it happened, but the book wasn’t on my radar. Anyhow, so glad you really loved it! And I agree – Xe is amazing! Nice review!
I don’t remember the controversy part but it might be. There are people in here who are brutal and rude, which honestly is realistic. Some people are jerks. I thought it was an important and engaging story. With great narration.
I really need to read this one, Anne! It’s been on my shelf for a long time! Wonderful review and great to know about that narrator!
You should! This seems right in your typical read and it is an important read.
Great review. I have enjoyed this author. It sounds like this is a must listen.
I think so. It’s an important topic and very well handled.