The Favorite Sister

Another good Jessica Knoll read. I'm a big fan of Luckiest Girl Alive and this one has similar whip smart internal narratives. Each of the successful women portrayed on the reality tv show are well developed so I could tell them apart and I could visualize them on their tv sets living out their made up tv drama. I'm no fan of reality tv so this is not my usual fodder- but toss in a dead body- a murdered dead body- and then I'm interested. I did not see the ending coming or the various secrets the women were hiding so in the domestic suspense category that's a definite win. Good read, mines some topics about the lengths we go to for success and fame and when it all backfires, who comes out looking good and who looks bad. It's all about who can spin it best. We live in a screwed up world.

[b:The Favorite Sister 45029561 The Favorite Sister Jessica Knoll https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555100882i/45029561.SY75.jpg 58765059]First of all, I really, really loved Luckiest Girl Alive. I know that book gets mixed reviews, but for me, it was wonderful.Anyhow, The Favorite Sister was a decent read. Mostly, I enjoy Knoll's writing style. It is honest and uninhibited, which I like. I mean - she's really not afraid to say anything. So, bravo! But, the story did not enthrall me in the same manner as her previous novel. While the ending was dynamite and there were so many quotable lines that resonated, I didn't like any of the characters and I wasn't rooting for anyone. This really made it hard to keep picking up the book - I just did not care what happened to these women. They were all so fake - it made me sad because the idea of sisterhood even on tv was an interesting enough concept. The whole story is ironic in that you have five women who are supposed to be model Millennials - women who are leading the pack and the face of feminism. But really, they are all hiding under a perceived successful facade, and in the end, it all comes down to jealousy over a man.So while spouts of strong Feministic views are thrown out all over the place, the overall message does not scream female empowerment like I had thought it would. All and all a three-star read. Not the best this year.

Probably 2.5. Disappointing and not as exciting as it should've been considering I love my reality TV!

1.5 stars. I feel quite icky after reading that. I thought this was supposed to be a ‘feminist novel' but honestly all it does is perpetuate the idea that women hate each other and need to tear each other down in order to succeed. The characters were awful and shallow, only concerned with their image and how skinny they are. I'm tempted to one star it because it made me so angry, but I did finish it. Just, no.

Very good book. The characters kept me engaged and all of the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put this one down!