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Twisted Sisters
New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster is "as adept at fiction as she is at telling her own stories" (Publishers Weekly, starred review). And now in her new novel, reality gets an unreal makeover…
Reagan Bishop is a pusher. A licensed psychologist who stars on the Wendy Winsberg cable breakout show I Need a Push, Reagan helps participants become their best selves by urging them to overcome obstacles and change behaviors. An overachiever, Reagan is used to delivering results.
Despite her overwhelming professional success, Reagan never seems to earn her family’s respect. Her younger sister, Geri, is and always will be the Bishop family favorite. When a national network buys Reagan’s show, the pressures for unreasonably quick results and higher ratings mount. But Reagan’s a clinician, not a magician, and fears witnessing her own personal failings in prime time. (And seriously? Her family will never let her hear the end of it.) Desperate to make the show work and keep her family at bay, Reagan actually listens when the show’s New Age healer offers an unconventional solution…
Record Nielsen ratings follow. But when Reagan decides to use her newfound power to teach everyone a lesson about sibling rivalry, she’s the one who will be schooled…
Reagan Bishop is a pusher. A licensed psychologist who stars on the Wendy Winsberg cable breakout show I Need a Push, Reagan helps participants become their best selves by urging them to overcome obstacles and change behaviors. An overachiever, Reagan is used to delivering results.
Despite her overwhelming professional success, Reagan never seems to earn her family’s respect. Her younger sister, Geri, is and always will be the Bishop family favorite. When a national network buys Reagan’s show, the pressures for unreasonably quick results and higher ratings mount. But Reagan’s a clinician, not a magician, and fears witnessing her own personal failings in prime time. (And seriously? Her family will never let her hear the end of it.) Desperate to make the show work and keep her family at bay, Reagan actually listens when the show’s New Age healer offers an unconventional solution…
Record Nielsen ratings follow. But when Reagan decides to use her newfound power to teach everyone a lesson about sibling rivalry, she’s the one who will be schooled…
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2014
150 people are currently reading
4875 people want to read
About the author
Jen Lancaster
30 books4,493 followersJen Lancaster is the author of her own memoirs including: as Bitter is the New Black, Bright Lights, Big Ass, Such A Pretty Fat, Pretty in Plaid, My Fair Lazy, and the newest: Jeneration X.
She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.
She has also dabbled with fiction in her first book, If You Were Here.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 717 reviews
February 10, 2014
Even for a rabid Jen Lancaster fan like myself, this was not a good book. The plot was a retread of her last novel, Here I Go Again, and the main character was laughable. I could actually imagine Lancaster thinking to herself "I need to write a character that is not me. I don't run, so let's make her a runner. I didn't excel academically, so let's make her a PsyD. I do drink, so she'll be a teetotaler. I LOVE MTV's 'The Real World', so she'll be disdainful of reality television.." and on and on. Reagan Bishop is like the bizarro version of Lancaster, except that they are both essentially spoiled and self-centered. Which I liked, in the beginning Bitter is the New Black, because it highlighted how much she had learned about herself and how far she had come by the end of the memoir. In this book, there was no learning or personal growth. There was only magic jewelry and plot devices stolen from 1970's era YA fiction.
I wish Lancaster would revisit what it was about her earlier memoirs that made them so successful, and channel that energy into coming up with engaging characters and an original plot. I know she's capable of that kind of book, and I still hold onto the hope that she will write something worth reading in the future.
I wish Lancaster would revisit what it was about her earlier memoirs that made them so successful, and channel that energy into coming up with engaging characters and an original plot. I know she's capable of that kind of book, and I still hold onto the hope that she will write something worth reading in the future.
August 25, 2016
This book made me sad, and not because it was a sad topic. Jen Lancaster launched herself into my heart and my must read list with the release of Bitter Is The New Black. That book was epic. With each new memoir, I was first in line to get a copy, and devoured it. None really reached the heights of Bitter, but the first few were great and would leave me laughing so loud I had to be careful not to read them in public. I have practically forced friends to read her books, especially Bitter. But, with each new memoir, I felt a little less connected, and laughed a little less. Until the most recent “Martha” memoir, where I was like – who IS this person?
Then there were the novels. The first (If You Were Here) was ok – I felt like the fiction writer in her as not as fantastic as the memoir writer, but I am a sucker for all things John Hughes so I forgave a lot. The characters also did not seem to be a far departure from her and her IRL husband. The second novel left me confused – was this really the same person who wrote the very brilliant “Bitter”? Now, this latest novel.
Honestly – I doubt it would have ever been published had the author not already had a following, who were willing to buy anything she wrote, hoping to find that old spark, I was one of them. At least a dozen times, I was ready to stop reading “Twisted” – it was just that bad. Characters were flat and wholly unlikeable at the same time. The plot was unbelievable and not at all entertaining. The laugh out loud moments I have always enjoyed from her writing? Not one. The only reason this book as “one star” is because there were no options for less.
Not sure if I would say she should give up novels and stick to memoirs…..or if I think her best writing days are behind her (as the “Martha” book might indicate). I am sad. I used to LOVE reading anything and everything she wrote. Not sure what has happened….but it is bad.
Then there were the novels. The first (If You Were Here) was ok – I felt like the fiction writer in her as not as fantastic as the memoir writer, but I am a sucker for all things John Hughes so I forgave a lot. The characters also did not seem to be a far departure from her and her IRL husband. The second novel left me confused – was this really the same person who wrote the very brilliant “Bitter”? Now, this latest novel.
Honestly – I doubt it would have ever been published had the author not already had a following, who were willing to buy anything she wrote, hoping to find that old spark, I was one of them. At least a dozen times, I was ready to stop reading “Twisted” – it was just that bad. Characters were flat and wholly unlikeable at the same time. The plot was unbelievable and not at all entertaining. The laugh out loud moments I have always enjoyed from her writing? Not one. The only reason this book as “one star” is because there were no options for less.
Not sure if I would say she should give up novels and stick to memoirs…..or if I think her best writing days are behind her (as the “Martha” book might indicate). I am sad. I used to LOVE reading anything and everything she wrote. Not sure what has happened….but it is bad.
February 9, 2014
Reading this reminded me of a quote from an episode of Will & Grace, where Taye Diggs' character says: "If this isn't the theater showing 'Memoirs of a Geisha' then why are all of these people coming out going "eh"?"
Yup, that's all I could think about when I thought about writing this review. Eh. Eh. Eh.
There's no question in my mind that Jen Lancaster is a talented and funny writer when she is writing about her own life, though some of those tomes have gone astray as well. But when she tries to write fiction, it just always feels so forced.
This book follows Reagan Bishop, who is a psychologist on a reality TV show called I Need a Push. Reagan believes that her life is fairly perfect, other than missing out on Mr. Right. She looks down on her family, particularly her two sisters. One of her sisters is a SAHM mom to a passel of children, while her other sister is living in their parents' basement as she flits between beautician jobs.
That's as far as I'm going to go for recap, because it's all going to boil down to this:
1. There is nothing original in this book. Nothing. The TV show's original host is obviously based on Oprah. The celebrities that appear on the show are obviously based on people like Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, Britney Spears, etc.
2. Reagan, for much of the book, is a deplorable person. If you can't root for the main character, you don't have a hope of enjoyment in the book.
3. There's a very quick wrap-up at the end, which is actually where the book SHOULD have started. Reagan is likable at the end. Had the book started where she is given a reality check and then proceeded through her fixing of her relationships (which is wrapped up in about 2 pages), then it would have been redeemable.
I don't know Jen personally, of course, but I almost feel as though the fiction books are something she feels like she HAS to do in order to keep an audience. From reading her other books, it's clear that losing her job before her first memoir and the ensuing struggle was traumatic and left a mark. I get that. I think that she is pushed to write as much as possible now out of fear of going through that again. However, she's not remaining true to her own self, and that shows. You can feel the desperation in the fictional books. They desperately want you to like them and it's a total turn-off.
I do wish her success and I hope that there are more non-fiction entries coming.
Yup, that's all I could think about when I thought about writing this review. Eh. Eh. Eh.
There's no question in my mind that Jen Lancaster is a talented and funny writer when she is writing about her own life, though some of those tomes have gone astray as well. But when she tries to write fiction, it just always feels so forced.
This book follows Reagan Bishop, who is a psychologist on a reality TV show called I Need a Push. Reagan believes that her life is fairly perfect, other than missing out on Mr. Right. She looks down on her family, particularly her two sisters. One of her sisters is a SAHM mom to a passel of children, while her other sister is living in their parents' basement as she flits between beautician jobs.
That's as far as I'm going to go for recap, because it's all going to boil down to this:
1. There is nothing original in this book. Nothing. The TV show's original host is obviously based on Oprah. The celebrities that appear on the show are obviously based on people like Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Bynes, Britney Spears, etc.
2. Reagan, for much of the book, is a deplorable person. If you can't root for the main character, you don't have a hope of enjoyment in the book.
3. There's a very quick wrap-up at the end, which is actually where the book SHOULD have started. Reagan is likable at the end. Had the book started where she is given a reality check and then proceeded through her fixing of her relationships (which is wrapped up in about 2 pages), then it would have been redeemable.
I don't know Jen personally, of course, but I almost feel as though the fiction books are something she feels like she HAS to do in order to keep an audience. From reading her other books, it's clear that losing her job before her first memoir and the ensuing struggle was traumatic and left a mark. I get that. I think that she is pushed to write as much as possible now out of fear of going through that again. However, she's not remaining true to her own self, and that shows. You can feel the desperation in the fictional books. They desperately want you to like them and it's a total turn-off.
I do wish her success and I hope that there are more non-fiction entries coming.
March 1, 2014
I love Jen Lancaster. Unabashedly, unapologetically and in a totally clam-up & sweat-whenever-I-see-her-in-person kind of way, I just plain adore her. But this book? It's not good. Admittedly I'm not much of a fan of Jen's fiction. I wish she'd stick with her non-fiction snark, but this was by far the worst of her fictional works. It was tough to read because 1) Regan Bishop and most of her surrounding cast sucked and 2) the premise was over-the-top ridiculous. I read it and stuck with it solely because Jen wrote it. I won't be reading again nor will I be recommending to friends (or enemies for that matter). I'm not even sure it deserves a spot next to all my signed Jen Lancaster books. It was just THAT BAD. Sorry Jen, I still love you, but this was a swing and a miss.
December 1, 2013
Really disappointed in this book. Generally love this author, but this one was just not good. Very slow to start, pacing totally uneven, and the bizarre twists did nothing to advance the story. I didn't like the main character at all (I think that was supposed to be the point)but there was no lead in with her sisters so we could warm up to them more, I didn't like them either. There are some funny parts, Lancaster's humor is great no matter how much the plot is a stinker. And I'll keep reading her books in the future because I know this is unusual.
March 2, 2014
Oh Jen Lancaster, I'm so sorry for giving this book a horrid review. I love her blog/Facebook posts but I feel that this one was so far from her style.
I loved her earlier memoir-type books and I enjoyed the first one of her novels. The Martha book was lacking something for me, and this one was just insufferable. The highlight for me was a couple pages in when she referenced my high school (Maine South) because her books tend to take place in the Chicago area and suburbs. But this one was just horrible.
I had a hard time buying that this psychologist couldn't solve her own problems (hello, all the clues are there that you're being used as a booty call yet you keep making excuses). And it's like Lancaster wanted to make someone so unlike her (let's make her a runner who hates reality television). And the whole transform into someone else's body? I think I actually rolled my eyes at that one. I couldn't wait to skim through the last couple pages just to finish the book. Ugh, the entire book was just painful.
I loved her earlier memoir-type books and I enjoyed the first one of her novels. The Martha book was lacking something for me, and this one was just insufferable. The highlight for me was a couple pages in when she referenced my high school (Maine South) because her books tend to take place in the Chicago area and suburbs. But this one was just horrible.
I had a hard time buying that this psychologist couldn't solve her own problems (hello, all the clues are there that you're being used as a booty call yet you keep making excuses). And it's like Lancaster wanted to make someone so unlike her (let's make her a runner who hates reality television). And the whole transform into someone else's body? I think I actually rolled my eyes at that one. I couldn't wait to skim through the last couple pages just to finish the book. Ugh, the entire book was just painful.
February 11, 2014
I love Jen Lancaster and have read all of her books, but this one was a real bomb. Contrived and copied ideas abound throughout--she references her own work too much and the main characters job was a riff on an Oprah show/network. Plot jumped around so much that I truly thought my e book had eliminated chapters. One minute she's talking to the show producer about going network, the next the producer is fired? But it was never discussed! Also the boyfriend Sebastian--when in the book did their breakup occur?!? One minute they're dating then all of the sudden he's the ex. So confusing and disjointed. And I would have liked to read about those events! I also thought it was really stupid now everyone just believes her explanation about the body switching at the end. Obviously you had to suspend reality for much of the story, but that felt like a throw away. A book I really looked forward to turned into a very disappointing read.
January 23, 2014
Ah…the joys of sibling rivalry. There are many readers out there who have been the one to stand in the ever-expanding shadow of the ‘family favorite’ - the sister who seems to be accomplishing ‘SO much more than you are.’ This book not only offers the immense humor and sarcasm that will keep readers laughing over this particular situation, but also presents a real-life story when it comes to loving your sister, even while you’re dreaming of turning her on a spit above an open campfire in hell, and sitting in front of it with a bag of popcorn thoroughly enjoying the show.
In ‘Freaky Friday’ style, this tale follows Reagan Bishop; a highly intelligent, highly successful woman who has literally worked her butt off to become a celebrity psychologist on a very hot and happening television show. Reagan is a massive overachiever, and it’s paid off big time. Not only that, but the show is soon bought by a national network - which will make her even more successful. The only thing she has to worry about is how to get sky-high ratings on national TV.
Of course, it turns out that she could basically become ‘Queen of the World’, and her parents would still throw no respect her way. They actually spend too much time putting the spotlight on her younger sister, Geri, who is definitely not an overachiever…unless you call being a hairdresser who still lives with your parents an achievement.
Not only does the anger weigh on Reagan but the absolute confusion does, too. She has no idea, from her view, why everyone must basically ‘hang on their hooks’ until Geri arrives so she can always be coddled and appreciated. Add these emotions in with new responsibilities at work, and really bad advice given by a New Age healer, and you have a modern-day take on the ‘switch-er-oo’, where the underachiever and overachiever find out just how difficult it is to be them.
The mix of humor, family and love is rare in the literary world, but Lancaster has supplied it for many with her amazing books that keep you laughing until you cry, and make you see things in a whole new light. Bravo!
Erma Bombeck, humor goddess, is up there right now laughing and clapping for this incredible author! And you can’t get a better accolade than that!
In ‘Freaky Friday’ style, this tale follows Reagan Bishop; a highly intelligent, highly successful woman who has literally worked her butt off to become a celebrity psychologist on a very hot and happening television show. Reagan is a massive overachiever, and it’s paid off big time. Not only that, but the show is soon bought by a national network - which will make her even more successful. The only thing she has to worry about is how to get sky-high ratings on national TV.
Of course, it turns out that she could basically become ‘Queen of the World’, and her parents would still throw no respect her way. They actually spend too much time putting the spotlight on her younger sister, Geri, who is definitely not an overachiever…unless you call being a hairdresser who still lives with your parents an achievement.
Not only does the anger weigh on Reagan but the absolute confusion does, too. She has no idea, from her view, why everyone must basically ‘hang on their hooks’ until Geri arrives so she can always be coddled and appreciated. Add these emotions in with new responsibilities at work, and really bad advice given by a New Age healer, and you have a modern-day take on the ‘switch-er-oo’, where the underachiever and overachiever find out just how difficult it is to be them.
The mix of humor, family and love is rare in the literary world, but Lancaster has supplied it for many with her amazing books that keep you laughing until you cry, and make you see things in a whole new light. Bravo!
Erma Bombeck, humor goddess, is up there right now laughing and clapping for this incredible author! And you can’t get a better accolade than that!
November 18, 2014
God this book is awful. Fool me once with your terrible fiction, Jen Lancaster, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. The characters in this book are such thinly veiled copies of real people (both Jen herself as well as celebrities) that to call this fiction is an insult to real fiction writers. The premise is both stupid and ridiculous, and the characters - when not blatant copies of real people - are so absurd that they're just caricatures. Has Jen ever met a real person? After reading what she thinks is normal dialogue, I'm no longer sure. I realize that one relatively normal person can only write so many memoirs and maybe Jen has just tapped out her wellspring of non-fiction inspiration, but the solution here isn't to write fiction, that's for sure. There's no way this would have been published if she wasn't already an accomplished writer who had made a name for herself. Oh Jen, I used to love you.
The one great thing that I took away from this book is the pro-curves phrase, "mo booty, mo cutie." Which I will take with me forever.
The one great thing that I took away from this book is the pro-curves phrase, "mo booty, mo cutie." Which I will take with me forever.
February 5, 2014
Awkwardly written, with unnecessarily complex words and just not interesting. The main character is just plain disagreeable and unlike able. After struggling through 100 pages I just gave up. Will not be reading more from this author.
February 6, 2014
I'm giving up! Normally I enjoy Lancaster's books, but this one is just too much: the plot is predictable and every single character is insufferable
February 20, 2014
I would probably give this a 4.5, but I'm going 5, and here's why. I've read all 10 of Jen Lancaster's books, and have really watched her develop as an author. Her first several books were memoirs, and they were really funny, because they were a real account of her life, with her glorious snark at the forefront. Then it seemed like she ran out of memoirs/projects to write up, so she started writing fiction. Her first attempt at fiction (If You Were Here) frankly was just not that good. It was really her memoir style with some over-the-top stuff that made it no longer a memoir. And while her subsequent attempts at fiction have improved, they still really haven't hit the mark.
Here, Jen finally pulled off a fictional piece. The protagonist, for once, isn't Jen....she really stepped outside herself (much in the way her character ultimately does) to create a different perspective: a healthy-eating, skinny, practically liberal person. And while Reagan has some unlikeable qualities, she's not so unlikeable that we're not rooting for her at all. While I know there's debate among authors on the importance of creating characters whose experience is completely disparate from their authors, and while I don't expect (or want) Jen to write about starving children in concentration camps or wise seniors reflecting on their life and several generations of family...I do think her career will have more longevity if she is able to expand her repertoire. And, in channeling her last book (The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING; Or, Why I'm Never Getting All That Glitter Off of the Dog), that's a good thing.
Here, Jen finally pulled off a fictional piece. The protagonist, for once, isn't Jen....she really stepped outside herself (much in the way her character ultimately does) to create a different perspective: a healthy-eating, skinny, practically liberal person. And while Reagan has some unlikeable qualities, she's not so unlikeable that we're not rooting for her at all. While I know there's debate among authors on the importance of creating characters whose experience is completely disparate from their authors, and while I don't expect (or want) Jen to write about starving children in concentration camps or wise seniors reflecting on their life and several generations of family...I do think her career will have more longevity if she is able to expand her repertoire. And, in channeling her last book (The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING; Or, Why I'm Never Getting All That Glitter Off of the Dog), that's a good thing.
February 16, 2014
I am much more a fan of Jen Lancaster's memoirs than I am her fiction. I didn't really get into this book until almost the end when the main character realized how selfish she was being. Reagan Bishop is a TV psychologist who has spent her whole life trying to be perfect. She eats healthy, exercises, went to the right schools, and puts her job first, relishing being a semi-celebrity. Unfortunately, all of that has not made her popular with people, especially her family. She thinks her parents love her sisters more and refers to her youngest sister Geri as her nemesis. The show Reagan works for is sold to network TV and all her careful practices are put into question.
October 4, 2015
I'll give it 3.5 stars and should never read other reviews until after I'm finished. I think some of the reviews were snarky in themselves and maybe really didn't get the book. Personally I liked it. It was entertaining, snarky, what a first born thinks about the second and third was interesting. I found the "walk a mile in my shoes" scenario with sister to be thought provoking. Can you imagine putting yourself in someone else's body (whether for good or bad) and then come to the "ah-ha" moment where you finally understand that person. Yes, it was a little out there....but nothing wrong with that. The author didn't say this was a memoir...it's entertainment and that's what it did.
August 25, 2016
This was a DNF for me. I got about 10% in and wasn't enjoying this book whatsoever. I decided to take a look at some reviews here in GR to see if I just hadn't "gotten it" yet. I saw a bunch of 1 and 2 stars and knew it was time to cut bait. I may have given up too early but I doubt it. Sorry.
June 21, 2014
2.5 stars. And that, will likely be my last Jen Lancaster book.
April 4, 2014
Maybe 2.5 stars. Fiction is not her thing. Very disappointing. The main character isn't likeable at all. I spent most of the book wanting to punch her.
March 13, 2020
When I picked this up to read I expected it to be utterly forgettable.
My prediction was right—I finished it maybe two weeks ago and already many of the major plot points have faded.
What I DO remember is this: our main character is a whiny brat who thinks rainbows shine out of her own ass, and maybe 2/3 of the book is her bitching about nice people. The final third is her actually using the magic, but it was so abrupt and random that it just didn’t flow well. And frankly, it seemed very gimmicky.
It’s a fun fluff read without any real substance and the sort of thing I’ll have forgotten I’ve read completely after maybe six months.
My prediction was right—I finished it maybe two weeks ago and already many of the major plot points have faded.
What I DO remember is this: our main character is a whiny brat who thinks rainbows shine out of her own ass, and maybe 2/3 of the book is her bitching about nice people. The final third is her actually using the magic, but it was so abrupt and random that it just didn’t flow well. And frankly, it seemed very gimmicky.
It’s a fun fluff read without any real substance and the sort of thing I’ll have forgotten I’ve read completely after maybe six months.
March 1, 2022
So this book has the lowest average rating of any I've read and I have no idea why. It was funny and clever and heartfelt and I enjoyed it.
March 22, 2014
Sigh. I think I'm done with Jen Lancaster books. I don't like her essay books anymore at all but I held out hope for her fiction. Although I disliked her first, her second was really good so I had high hopes for this one. I even bought the ebook instead of getting it from the library because I've been a fan for so long and want to support her.
But this book is a mess. I suspect an unknown Jen Lancaster never could have gotten this published. She's said she purposefully made the protagonist unlikable to start so you go on her journey with her. But that growth came too little, too late, all rushed at the end. And in the most gross way possible. If a man was doing to a woman what Regan does to her clients and her sister the out cry would be insane.
Add to that this character speaking in Jen's voice, with the constant pop culture references (which will be dated within a year) and "X, I'm talking to you" to celebrities, a description of a five mile run which takes PAGES and gives a level of detail on Chicago streets that made me wonder if this was a travel guide in disguise and it's just off putting. She has the character read her own first book and talk about what a hack Lancaster is (without naming herself of course). It's trying to be clever self-deprecation but fails.
But the worst sin is that the title and plot make you think this is a book about sisters. But although Regan talks/thinks about her younger sister 80% of her waking hours, and her older sister a bit, neither of the sisters shows up until 78% in. And the other two sisters are normal people Regan hates for no reason. It's not Twister Sister, it's Egomanic Regan.
But this book is a mess. I suspect an unknown Jen Lancaster never could have gotten this published. She's said she purposefully made the protagonist unlikable to start so you go on her journey with her. But that growth came too little, too late, all rushed at the end. And in the most gross way possible. If a man was doing to a woman what Regan does to her clients and her sister the out cry would be insane.
Add to that this character speaking in Jen's voice, with the constant pop culture references (which will be dated within a year) and "X, I'm talking to you" to celebrities, a description of a five mile run which takes PAGES and gives a level of detail on Chicago streets that made me wonder if this was a travel guide in disguise and it's just off putting. She has the character read her own first book and talk about what a hack Lancaster is (without naming herself of course). It's trying to be clever self-deprecation but fails.
But the worst sin is that the title and plot make you think this is a book about sisters. But although Regan talks/thinks about her younger sister 80% of her waking hours, and her older sister a bit, neither of the sisters shows up until 78% in. And the other two sisters are normal people Regan hates for no reason. It's not Twister Sister, it's Egomanic Regan.
June 3, 2014
In a word: this book was bad. Every character was such a caricature that it was unpleasant. The story took way too long to get to where it was going, and it seemed like many important details were left out (I found myself muttering "WTH???" far too often). And while I enjoy losing myself in a little fantasy and have no problem suspending reality, this book crosses into unbelievable in all the wrong ways.
I think that "Twisted Sisters" could have been salvaged if Jen Lancaster had taken some time with character and plot development. If I had gotten to know any of the secondary characters, I might have given more of a crap about how this story ended up. And while the main character does develop, it doesn't happen until the end of the book. Too little, too late.
I wish (oh, how I wish) that Jen would return to her roots and write some more of her hilarious, snarky "I -swear-this-really-happened" memoirs. I'd like to go back in time, before she became all suburban and non-bitter, share a bottle of wine and just listen to her stories. We would laugh and snark and be total BFFs. Wit, sarcasm, reality...THAT is the Jen Lancaster that I fell in love with. Bad, contrived fiction? That, right there? That's the reason we may have to break up. I only gave this book two stars because I still have hope that our relationship can be salvaged. The ball is in her court.
I think that "Twisted Sisters" could have been salvaged if Jen Lancaster had taken some time with character and plot development. If I had gotten to know any of the secondary characters, I might have given more of a crap about how this story ended up. And while the main character does develop, it doesn't happen until the end of the book. Too little, too late.
I wish (oh, how I wish) that Jen would return to her roots and write some more of her hilarious, snarky "I -swear-this-really-happened" memoirs. I'd like to go back in time, before she became all suburban and non-bitter, share a bottle of wine and just listen to her stories. We would laugh and snark and be total BFFs. Wit, sarcasm, reality...THAT is the Jen Lancaster that I fell in love with. Bad, contrived fiction? That, right there? That's the reason we may have to break up. I only gave this book two stars because I still have hope that our relationship can be salvaged. The ball is in her court.
May 10, 2014
I have read several of Jen Lancaster's memoirs and I consider them to be some of the funniest books I have ever read. I recall one even making me snort out loud because I was laughing so hard. Fortunately I was in the privacy of my own bedroom at the time...but I digress. This was my first foray into Jen Lancaster's fiction. When I saw this book was on sale I grabbed it and as I was due to take a three hour train ride, figured it would be the perfect book to keep me entertained. Sadly, I was mistaken.
What I liked: I guess I liked Reagan's sister Geri and I really wished Lancaster had flipped back and forth between the two sisters instead of keeping the focus entirely on Reagan.
What I didn't like: Oh god, where to start? I didn't like Reagan at all. Most of this book was a chore to read because I found Reagan to be such an unlikable character. Then the plot twist was just ridiculous. Honestly, once the whole plot line of switching bodies was introduced I very nearly gave up and DNF it. But I powered on and I did end up kind of liking the end but I didn't find it overly satisfying and the whole book just felt extremely contrived,
I will probably go back and read The Tao of Martha and Jenneration X as those are the two memoirs by Jen Lancaster I haven't read yet...but I kind of doubt that I will go and read any more of her fiction.
What I liked: I guess I liked Reagan's sister Geri and I really wished Lancaster had flipped back and forth between the two sisters instead of keeping the focus entirely on Reagan.
What I didn't like: Oh god, where to start? I didn't like Reagan at all. Most of this book was a chore to read because I found Reagan to be such an unlikable character. Then the plot twist was just ridiculous. Honestly, once the whole plot line of switching bodies was introduced I very nearly gave up and DNF it. But I powered on and I did end up kind of liking the end but I didn't find it overly satisfying and the whole book just felt extremely contrived,
I will probably go back and read The Tao of Martha and Jenneration X as those are the two memoirs by Jen Lancaster I haven't read yet...but I kind of doubt that I will go and read any more of her fiction.
December 31, 2016
I was optimistic when I started reading the book. I have loved Jen Lancaster's snarky memoirs and have read most of her books. When I got to the end of chapter one, I quickly realized this was fiction, not a memoir, and liked it a little bit less. When I got to the end of the fifth chapter and the characters were really unbelievable and non-likable, I liked it a whole lot less. Around halfway through when the novel turned into a Freaky Friday situation and the main character, Reagan, literally was walking in the shoes of her psych patients for 20 minutes while her new age friend hypnotized them to boost tv ratings on a make-over tv show I almost quit reading. When Reagan swapped bodies for 2 weeks with her sister that she had always hated while her sister laid on her couch "sick," it was everything I could do not to throw the book in the garbage. When her sister and friend turned the tables on the Reagan and changed her life for the better, I did go to throw it away, but I was already finished. Stick to what you know and do well Jen Lancaster, and Jani, don't waste your time reading this book.
February 8, 2015
To be perfectly honest, I almost DNF this book as soon as I landed on page 20.
I’d also prove she’s not allergic to nuts. (That was my ham sandwich, damn it!) ~pg 20
Food allergies is nothing to play with, and you wouldn’t “prove” anything. This was the hardest thing to overcome to even try to read the rest of the book. If someone says they have a food allergy, you shouldn’t have to prove anything. But on the plus side at least at the end of the book she did use Epipen and went to the ER.
With a daughter who is anaphylatic to tree nuts, I wouldn’t want anyone wanting to “prove” her allergies. We have seen what happens, and it can be deadly.
On another hand, I did find this book hard to read. The characters seem to lack, can’t put my finger on what they lack, but the focus of the book just wasn’t my cup of tea, or coffee. Would I try this author again? Sure. I just couldn’t get into the main character of Reagan, she was so self-centered. Who loves anyone like that?
We're Jumpin' Books
I’d also prove she’s not allergic to nuts. (That was my ham sandwich, damn it!) ~pg 20
Food allergies is nothing to play with, and you wouldn’t “prove” anything. This was the hardest thing to overcome to even try to read the rest of the book. If someone says they have a food allergy, you shouldn’t have to prove anything. But on the plus side at least at the end of the book she did use Epipen and went to the ER.
With a daughter who is anaphylatic to tree nuts, I wouldn’t want anyone wanting to “prove” her allergies. We have seen what happens, and it can be deadly.
On another hand, I did find this book hard to read. The characters seem to lack, can’t put my finger on what they lack, but the focus of the book just wasn’t my cup of tea, or coffee. Would I try this author again? Sure. I just couldn’t get into the main character of Reagan, she was so self-centered. Who loves anyone like that?
We're Jumpin' Books
March 21, 2014
I've never read this author before, and don't think I'll be looking to read her again.
I didn't mind the first third of the book. The main character was annoying, but I LIKE complicated, prickly characters. I was ready for some gradual character growth, some insight, some progress. Instead I got a total mess. Out-of-the-blue body swapping, ridiculously cliched characters, totally unrealistic 'revelations', etc. I felt like I was reading the wish-fulfillment fantasy of an overweight teenage girl who hated her thin, smart sister and wanted to prove how evil she is. It was... weird, and a waste of my time.
Frustrating, because I was ready to love the unreliable narrator as an anti-hero, not as a penitent.
And the final twist is stupid and creepy and makes me wish I'd never bought the book. At least it was on sale...
I didn't mind the first third of the book. The main character was annoying, but I LIKE complicated, prickly characters. I was ready for some gradual character growth, some insight, some progress. Instead I got a total mess. Out-of-the-blue body swapping, ridiculously cliched characters, totally unrealistic 'revelations', etc. I felt like I was reading the wish-fulfillment fantasy of an overweight teenage girl who hated her thin, smart sister and wanted to prove how evil she is. It was... weird, and a waste of my time.
Frustrating, because I was ready to love the unreliable narrator as an anti-hero, not as a penitent.
And the final twist is stupid and creepy and makes me wish I'd never bought the book. At least it was on sale...
February 11, 2014
My experience of reading this (I got through about 100 pages before finally giving up), was of Bridget Jones meeting Bewitched. Snarky self absorbed, man obsessed person meets a witch. When I realized the second character was a witch I gave up. So it's possible something really amazing happens in the second half of the novel. And, if Bridget Jones and Bewitched appeals to you, this novel probably will too.
January 6, 2014
I received Twisted Sisters by Jen Lancaster from a Goodreads Giveaway.
This unusual story of warring sisters and the way they settle their differences is amusing and even has a bit of a twist towards the end. A fun, quick read and as always Lancaster is just like that girlfriend you love to hang out with.
This unusual story of warring sisters and the way they settle their differences is amusing and even has a bit of a twist towards the end. A fun, quick read and as always Lancaster is just like that girlfriend you love to hang out with.
February 25, 2014
I have to admit - I wasn't loving this book when I first started. The main character was SOOOO snarky, and maybe too much for me. True Jen Lancaster style, but felt totally over the top. I set it down and read a couple other books, and after picking this back up I'm glad I came back with a fresh perspective. It reminded me how much I really enjoy Jen Lancaster.
August 19, 2014
it's true I changed the rating from one to two stars, only because the story ended on a much better note than it began but it was frustrating getting to it. it was so trivial and the main character so so unlikeable I never thought I'd get through it, or even wanted to. but I plowed my way and got there. she did improve and so did the story. the end.
June 9, 2015
I love Jen Lancaster. This book, however, was terrible. The plot was insane, the characters were totally unlike able and I couldn't wait for it to be done (I'm a finisher). Stuck with writing about yourself, Jen!
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