Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - Good Luck with That: A heartfelt and emotional story from the bestselling author of TikTok sensation Pack up the Moon

I really enjoy Kristan Higgin's books, but they usually make me cry, so I put this read off for a long while. This one was poignant and funny, but It didn't make me cry. What it did do was make me really think about those who struggle with body image and weight. As women, we all struggle to a point with those issues, but I'm talking about significant struggles here. It was really thought-provoking and insightful with funny moments scattered throughout. It also deals with people who are hurtful with their words/emotionally abusive, in case that's a trigger for you.

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zasou_reads's review against another edition

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3.5

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emilydoucette's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

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scruffycat's review against another edition

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Fat shaming book that is disguised as body positive. Within the first few pages I started to feel queasy and it got worse from there.

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zoe_sass's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this book almost a month ago and I keep coming back to it in my mind. The characters are loveable and real, and their growth is enjoyable to read. I laughed and cried reading this book, and I really can’t wait to read other books by Kristan Higgins

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waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is a all-too-acfurate deep dive into issues women face every day: body image, beauty standards, and self-worth. The story is about three friends who meet at fat camp the summer they turn 18 before jumping fifteen years into the future. All the women are struggling, but Emerson, we discover, is suffering the most. In the first chapter, we learn that Emerson has died due to extreme obesity. Her dying wish is that her friends, Marley and Georgia, complete a bucket list that they all wrote that one glorious summer.

The rest of the novel alternates between Marley and Georgia, and includes a few of Emerson's journal entries. The women go on a journey of self-acceptance and self-discovery. They learn how to cope with trauma and heart break. They learn how to take responsibility and when to realize that the blame isn't entirely on them. They seek balance, and, through trial and error, eventually find it.

The book is realistic, and often painful. You really feel for the characters, even when you don't agree with them. I knew I was hooked when I found myself talking back to the page and giving my advice as if they could hear me, as if they were my friends.

Though the book has some pretty heavy themes--pun not intended--it ultimately leaves the reader feeling hopeful and happy for the two women.

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