Book Review: Luckiest Girl Alive

I recently re-read this book for the second time and it's so good that I knew I had to write a review on it. If you're a fan of Gone Girl or The Girl on the Train, this book is for you. It has humor, suspense, and the biggest story climax I think I've ever read. I read mine on Google Play, but you can certainly find it on Amazon or at your local library. Madames et monsieurs, I present to you: The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll.

Book Review: The Luckiest Girl Alive

One of the reasons I connect so well with this story is that the main character, Ani, and I grew up in kind of the same area (both suburbs of Philadelphia, mine was just in Jersey not PA). The way she describes her town growing up is exactly how mine was; new money that had to spend it all to show they were worth something. Ani, of course, gets out of this lifestyle and reinvents herself in New York City.

We are introduced to her just as she is planning her wedding to the handsome and rich Luke Harrison, all while maintaining a successful job as an editor for The Women's Magazine. She is the epitome of a "rich white bitch," but for some reason it works for her. She's worked very hard to be where she is and she's the type of girl who won't let anything get in her way of her dream lifestyle. And once you learn about her past, it's very clear why she's trying to leave her old life behind. Ani is also preparing for a big event before her wedding, the taping of a documentary about an event at her former high school. She can't wait to get in front of the cameras as her new self, but soon she learns it's hard to leave the past behind.

The book flips back and forth between past and present, the past being Ani's experience at the prestigious Bradley School, but back then she was known as TifAni. TifAni was a typical teen trying desperately to fit in at a new school, and the sharks of Bradley were happy to let her swim in the deep end. Some of the things that happened to TifAni are awful and heartbreaking, and you begin to understand her constant want to crush the image of TifAni and reinvent herself into Ani. But once we learn why the documentary starring Ani is happening, well, let's just say you won't be able to put the book down.

I found the ending very satisfying, and I admire Ani's tenacity and willpower. While there were a few parts of the story that didn't sit well with me, all in all I enjoyed the development of characters and the shocking truth that was revealed.



Rating: 4 out of 5 Crowns

August Favorites

I clearly was not expecting the summer to come to an end so soon since this post is coming out so late into the month by now (I got distracted...my b). It seems like just yesterday I was dreaming about the smells of cinnamon and clove and now fall is right around the corner. August was probably my favorite month of this summer. I walked in my first fashion show, dyed my hair blonde, and went to San Francisco for a much needed vacation. I picked up a few favorites along the way, and I can't wait to share them with you!

August Favorites

Beauty Favorites

OPI Can't Read Without My Lipstick- This is the perfect nail color for fall! We all know I'm a huge Breakfast at Tiffany's fan, and when the OPI collection came out last Christmas I snagged my favorites. This one is the perfect wine color I never knew I needed in my life. Your nails will look so good taking a picture of your first PSL...trust me.

DryBar Triple Sec 3-in-1- I first stumbled upon this spray back when I worked holiday at Sephora. I didn't have time to wash my hair, and one of my coworkers grabbed this spray and did a few spritzes while fluffing with her hand and OH MY GOD IT WAS LIKE I BECAME A GODDESS! It gave my hair body, reduced the oil at my scalp, and made my head smell amazing. This is the perfect product to keep in your gym bag, bathroom medicine cabinet, luggage, and basically everywhere OKAY!?

BareMinerals Gen Nude Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Slay- This lipstick is my PERFECT nude and I'm kind of obsessed with it. I first wore it in my fashion show and it's become a daily necessity. The lipstick itself is very smooth and creamy, and it lasts throughout my morning coffee. I should probably buy them in every color brb

Fashion Favorites

Wildfox Optical Glasses - I've had the same glasses for over 3 years and to this day still get compliments on them. Although my glitter frames are long gone from the Wildfox website, I recently picked up a new pair that scream Elizabeth Taylor and I can't wait to get my prescription filled. The thing I like about Wildfox is the price isn't bad for what you're getting, and you get a whole new variety than what you'd find at the eye doctor!

Food Favorites

Trader Joe's Breaded Eggplant Cutlets- There is nothing I love more than chicken parm except maybe eggplant parm (I like anything covered in mozz and marinara, honestly). My mom and I love to make our take on an eggplant/chicken parm casserole and it's SO good. I used to buy an eggplant and try to cut and bread it myself, but truth be told it was really hard to get it perfect. My pieces were too thick or too thin, the breading wouldn't stick, and if cooked too long it would turn to mush. But these cutlets from Trader Joe's...LIFE. SAVING. All you need to do is cook them a few minutes a side in olive oil and voilà! Hmm, I smell a new recipe post coming from this...

Smoked Salmon- One lox bagel from Einstein's and it's like I've had an epiphany. I've had smoked salmon for breakfast almost everyday for the past month. I put it on a half a bagel with cream cheese, cucumber slices, or just on the side with scrambled eggs. I know I don't have to go into detail about the amazing health benefits of eating salmon, just ask Victoria Beckham, but I swear I am more focused with fish in my belly to start my day. And can you say smoked salmon eggs benedict??

Music Favorites

Believer by Imagine Dragons- Imagine Dragons have came back with a vengeance. Their new album is so good and this song is my workout go-to. It's bad ass, it's powerful, it's just so damn good. Listen to this while you do bicep curls and I swear to God you will feel the difference.

Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift- Taylor Swift has officially lost her mind and it's amazing. All snake jokes aside, this song is oddly powerful and full of revenge and it just really speaks to me. My favorite line is "I don't trust nobody and nobody trusts me," because, let's be real, that is my life. Whether you like Taylor or not, you have to admit that the girl knows how to write a hit song. Hats off, Tay.

TV Favorites

Mad Men- I finally did it. I finished Mad Men. I laughed, I cried, but mostly I drooled over Don Draper. This is definitely one of my top 3 shows of all time and I only wish I had watched it when it was actually on air...just kidding binging it on Netflix was my greatest joy of the summer. But hey, AMC, can we get a quick TV movie? Set in the 80s? I need to see Roger Sterling in spandex. Thank you xoxo

The Bold Type- The Devil Wears Prada is one of those movies I always watch when it's on TV, partly because Miranda Priestly is #girlboss goals, but mostly because I love the idea of working for a magazine in New York City. The Bold Type is a new take on this concept, sans Andy and her shitty boyfriend DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE BIRTHDAY PARTY. The characters have started to grow on me, but I still feel like they are very immature and it makes me sad that my generation is depicted as being so entitled and whiny. Sometimes I want to slap the main characters, but for the most part I enjoy watching all the scenarios that my friends and I even have to go through.

Siesta Key- On a daily basis I think about how much I miss Laguna Beach and The Hills...and MTV truly blessed my life with their newest reality drama. I mean in the first episode a girl gets a broken nose from a fight...WHAT IS THERE NOT LOVE?! I like the fact that we are on another coast this time because, let's be real, that California lifestyle can get a teensy-bit old when you see it over and over again.




That's it for my favorites! For September, be on the lookout for a San Francisco trip guide, a new recipe, and whatever else strikes my fancy!