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

Book List for Winter 2016

I feel like every time I open an email from the Skimm or see an Instagram post, I am constantly jotting down a list of what books I need to read. This list has gotten insanely long, and I'm beginning to think I need to take a deep breath and calm down. My preferences for books vary, but anything funny or shocking is definitely at the top of my list. I'm going to share with you what's on my "To Read" list and what books I've already read THAT YOU NEED TO READ IMMEDIATELY!

Book List for Winter 2016

Book Recommendations

White Girl Problems by Babe Walker -- If you enjoy sarcastic books about ego-centric 21st century rich bitches, then this book is right up your alley. While I don't consider myself too self-centered (maybe), I feel like anyone can relate to Babe's emotions and relationships throughout this book. She may be privileged and spoiled rotten, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have feelings, too. Look -- this book is satire about moronic white privilege so if you can't take a joke then don't read it, okay?

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll -- OH MY GOD! This book was so good I finished it in a weekend. If Gone Girl is more your style of genre -- buy this book. Ani FaNelli seems to be the perfect woman living a glamorous life in NYC with her handsome fiancé. Ani is asked to be in a documentary about the Bradley School, her prestigious high school, and soon her life and lies start to unfold into SOMETHING SO SHOCKING I HONESTLY SCREAMED OUT LOUD! This book is so dark but so entertaining and if you have any good taste at all you'll love this book.

To Read List*

Nice is Just a Place in France by the Betches -- LOOK, MAYBE YOU’RE A NICE GIRL, but we’re guessing you’re more like us or you probably wouldn’t have picked up this book. Not that we have a problem with girls who are nice people. But being nice is just not the way to get what you want. And this book is about getting what you want. Not in like a finding happiness, giving back to the world, being grateful for what you have sort of way. But in a ruling your world, being the most desired, powerful badass in the room way, so you can come out on top of any situation: guys, career, friends, enemies, whatever. How does a betch make that happen?  Here are some highlights: 
DON’T BE EASY. 
DON’T BE POOR. 
DON’T BE UGLY. 
We didn’t come up with these life lessons. We’re just the ones who wrote it all down. This is not self-help. Self-help is for fat people and divorcées. This is how to deal with your problems when you have no problems. You’re welcome. [From reading reviews this book sounds similar to White Girl Problems in it's satirical humor. So again, if you don't take it with a grain of salt, don't read it.]

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are by Anne Berest -- From four stunning and accomplished French women -- at last -- a fresh and spirited take on what it really means to be a Parisienne: how they dress, entertain, have fun and attempt to behave themselves.
In short, frisky sections, these Parisian women give you their very original views on style, beauty, culture, attitude and men. The authors--Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas -- unmarried but attached, with children -- have been friends for years. Talented bohemian iconoclasts with careers in the worlds of music, film, fashion and publishing, they are untypically frank and outspoken as they debunk the myths about what it means to be a French woman today. Letting you in on their secrets and flaws, they also make fun of their complicated, often contradictory feelings and behavior. They admit to being snobs, a bit self-centered, unpredictable but not unreliable. Bossy and opinionated, they are also tender and romantic. 
You will be taken on a first date, to a party, to some favorite haunts in Paris, to the countryside, and to one of their dinners at home with recipes even you could do -- but to be out with them is to be in for some mischief and surprises. They will tell you how to be mysterious and sensual, look natural, make your boyfriend jealous, and how they feel about children, weddings and going to the gym. And they will share their address book in Paris for where to go: At the End of the Night, for A Birthday, for a Smart Date, A Hangover, for Vintage Finds and much more.

The Children Act by Ian McEwan -- Fiona Maye is a leading High Court judge who presides over cases in the family division. She is renowned for her fierce intelligence, exactitude, and sensitivity. But her professional success belies private sorrow and domestic strife. There is the lingering regret of her childlessness, and now her marriage of thirty years is in crisis. At the same time, she is called on to try an urgent case: Adam, a beautiful seventeen-year-old boy, is refusing for religious reasons the medical treatment that could save his life, and his devout parents echo his wishes. Time is running out. Should the secular court overrule sincerely expressed faith? In the course of reaching a decision, Fiona visits Adam in the hospital—an encounter that stirs long-buried feelings in her and powerful new emotions in the boy. Her judgment has momentous consequences for them both.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie -- "Ten . . ."

Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion off the Devon coast by a mysterious "U. N. Owen."

"Nine . . ."

At dinner a recorded message accuses each of them in turn of having a guilty secret, and by the end of the night one of the guests is dead.

"Eight . . ."
Stranded by a violent storm, and haunted by a nursery rhyme counting down one by one . . . as one by one . . . they begin to die.

"Seven . . ."
Which among them is the killer and will any of them survive?

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid -- At the age of twenty-nine, Hannah Martin still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She has lived in six different cities and held countless meaningless jobs since graduating college. On the heels of leaving yet another city, Hannah moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles and takes up residence in her best friend Gabby’s guestroom. Shortly after getting back to town, Hannah goes out to a bar one night with Gabby and meets up with her high school boyfriend, Ethan.
Just after midnight, Gabby asks Hannah if she’s ready to go. A moment later, Ethan offers to give her a ride later if she wants to stay. Hannah hesitates. What happens if she leaves with Gabby? What happens if she leaves with Ethan?
In concurrent storylines, Hannah lives out the effects of each decision. Quickly, these parallel universes develop into radically different stories with large-scale consequences for Hannah, as well as the people around her. As the two alternate realities run their course, Maybe in Another Life raises questions about fate and true love: Is anything meant to be? How much in our life is determined by chance? And perhaps, most compellingly: Is there such a thing as a soul mate?
Hannah believes there is. And, in both worlds, she believes she’s found him.

*I grabbed the descriptions of all these books from Amazon. Enjoy!



Let me know your recommendations in the comments below!


Until next time my loves x.