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The Anti-Heroes

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Two best friends, stalled and dissatisfied, change the course of their lives in a wildly funny novel about facing your fears―to the extreme―by New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster.

Once upon a time, Dr. Emily Nichols―the academic kind, not the physician kind―was an eco-crusader who was shot with water cannons, hunted by poachers, and chased by a bulldozer. Now? Action Emily lives in a bland condo with gray walls and teaches disengaged students at a university alongside a risk-allergic boyfriend, asking herself every day: How did I get here?

Then one afternoon Emily and her best friend, people-pleasing real estate agent Liv Bennett, witness an attempted robbery at their local coffee shop that is foiled by a yoga mom wielding a baby stroller. Their hero attributes her bravery to a mysterious class called Fearless, Inc. Its enigmatic and dizzyingly muscular instructor, Zeus, is now fully committed to helping Emily and Liv overcome their fears, too―one thrilling self-help lesson at a time.

Along with a ragtag group of other wimps, Emily and Liv must embrace the passionately unconventional methods of the leader to harness their powers, gain a bracing new perspective on life, act on their impulses, and be the no-holds-barred anti-heroes of their dreams.

8 pages, Audible Audio

First published October 1, 2024

4198 people are currently reading
8860 people want to read

About the author

Jen Lancaster

30 books4,494 followers
Jen 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.

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5 stars
1,931 (24%)
4 stars
2,755 (35%)
3 stars
2,256 (29%)
2 stars
621 (8%)
1 star
180 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 563 reviews
Profile Image for Jessica.
591 reviews52 followers
September 5, 2024
One of the worst books I’ve read all year. This reads like a mean girl Gen X author is simply punching down on Millennials and especially on Gen Z. Weirdly feels like there is a lot of self-insertion as well. The two FMCs are in their early thirties and do not talk or act like it. None of the secondary Gen Z characters act like any real human being I have ever interacted with in real life. It’s almost like the author watched a bunch of TikToks and assumed that’s how young people actually talk all the time in real life situations…like to their professor.

If you want to read a book with caricatures delivering terrible dialogue, this is the book for you though. Truly difficult to power through it. The author does not seem like a girl’s girl. Honestly, seems like a pick me. There’s a whole section where she’s making fun of a young woman for liking makeup, essentially. “I’m surprised at how much makeup she manages to apply before class. I literally rolled out of bed as an undergrad, some days not even changing out of my pajama bottoms. What time does she get up to paint all those contoured lines and angles on her face, let alone whatever she does to make her lashes long enough to touch her eyebrows? There’s a degree of commitment I should appreciate here, misguided though it is.”

The FMC, Emily, also somehow only has $68,000 in student debt with a relatively new doctorate which I just don’t buy. Assuming the average cost of a Ph.D program is like $40K a year AND she had probably already gotten loans from undergrad? Most people take YEARS to complete their Ph.D too!

ALSO, as a huge Swiftie, the Taylor Swift tie ins felt so cheap. Very much giving, “Well, The Eras Tour is happening right now…how can I be part of that?” If it was done better or if the author hadn’t written a book where one of the main characters is mean AF…maybe. Also, ALSO, this isn’t funny. As someone who speaks sarcasm fluently and has a dry sense of humor…no.
Profile Image for Emma Nelson.
16 reviews
September 23, 2024
I’m shocked I read this whole book. I was really hoping that the characters would confront their internalized misogyny or act like a real human being but unfortunately it does not get better. Amazon please give me better first reads options I can’t do this again
Profile Image for Chrissie.
1,058 reviews95 followers
September 8, 2024
I read nearly half the book after it downloaded. I didn't pick it up for the rest of the evening, which told me something.

I have been unwell for a few days, but I picked up where I had left off, and soon realised that this book was not for me at the moment.

It's me, not the book! It is not badly written, but I felt that I would have to suspend belief a little too much - and I get very serious when I'm ill 🙁
Profile Image for Shaun T.
51 reviews
September 22, 2024
It seems that many people didn't get the humor of this book from their reviews, and that is a shame! This was a very fun read, and I couldn't get enough of it. The characters are over-the-top, the situations are hilarious and the overall story feels like you're reading the script to a Netflix comedy series. This is a fun one. I wish more people felt the same!
168 reviews2 followers
June 12, 2024
Do you feel stuck in your life? Are you a people pleaser and feel like a doormat? Do you want to get over your fear and have a more fulfilling life? Well, Emily and Liv do and this book is their story on how they are stuck in the hamster-wheel that is everyday life and they can't figure out how to get out. One day just takes the next and the next and so on.



Emily Nichols is a university professor who is teaching environmental science, a subject she was so involved with, protesting and standing on up for the Amazon, chaining herself to trees for days in protest. It is still her passion, but a past tragedy dealt her a hard blow and current living circumstances as sucked the spark out of her.

Olivia 'Liv' Bennett lives in a house with her hypochondriac mother and older sister and her twins, and her family exploits her to a painful degree and her employers and coworkers are even worse. She has her dream job but her living situation and workplace has worn her down.

Both women are stuck and they acknowledge a change is needed, but they don't know how to break the vicious cycle that is their daily life. It is toe curlingly relatable, so when they join Fearless, Inc. I cheered them on, along with the other misfits in their group, each with their own impediment tripping them up in life. They come from all walks of life, and they all have one relatable fear holding them back, so if you can't relate to Emily or Liv, you can likely relate to one of the others.



Following the journey of self-improvement of our everyday heroines is intriguing and the challenges are hilarious. To get out of a slump something big and uncomfortable needs to happen, to push the boundaries needed to create the momentum to make the changes they need in life. I may have seal clapped applauded a few times when this group of strangers came together and faced their fears by building each other up.



I loved the pop culture references that peppered the story! Some might have gone over my head but having Liv quoting Encanto when she mentions not talking about cousin Bruno made me involuntarily laugh out loud.

Despite it being a lighthearted story of breaking the mold and becoming a better you, the story still tackled the heavy subject of climate change, seen and experienced through Emily's POV. Fear itself is also an intrinsic part of the story. Zeus, their teacher, tells Emily something really thought provoking.

"Fear is self-perpetuating, and it's the biggest problem we face as a society. Fear is why we hide behind our cameras instead of acting when we see something bad going on. Fear is why so many are sheep instead of sheepdogs. The wolves thrive on fear. They cultivate it. Fear is why we don't know our neighbours. Fear is what closes us off from outsiders. Fear keeps us stuck, keeps us crouched behind the couch in the dark. Fear keeps us isolated and alone. And the pandemic? That took our collective fear to an entirely new level."

If that's not something to think about, I don't know what is. It is definitely something I will be remembering long after I've read this book.



4 stars

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Angie Miale.
1,104 reviews146 followers
May 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book! I was so excited to see one of my favorite authors with a new book coming out. I have been a huge fan of Jen Lancaster, Bitter is the new black is one of my all-time favorite non-Harry Potter books. I feel like Jen Lancaster‘s memoirs peaked with the first one and then when she started to write fiction, those books just got better and better. Well, friends, this is the best Jen Lancaster fiction novel yet!

She writes dialogue so well, and I love when she combines a rag tag team of characters all fighting towards a common goal. I don’t want to give away too much beyond that, but some of the lines had me laughing out loud. This story follows two friends, one of whom is a realtor and the other is an environmental studies professor at Northwestern. Side note: All of Jen Lancaster‘s books are such a love letter to Chicago. It is so hard to write dialogue well, in a way that is funny, and she is just a master of it. As a bonus, I learned a lot about climate change while reading this book through the impassioned narrative of one of our main characters. Man, you guys, most of you don’t even remember when Jen Lancaster used to be an Alex P Keaton Republican. a Reagan Republican. In some books that are mostly funny, the characters tend to be quirky, but one dimensional. That is not the case here. The characterization is great over the course of the book.

Really enjoyable! Yay!
360 reviews
October 4, 2024
Yes? No? Maybe?

no. no. no.

I rarely write actual reviews.

I have been a huge fan of Jen Lancaster for decades!
I read everything she writes, they are always fast, funny and lighthearted.

This was rough.

I follow her on socials and recognize her humor in this book. however. It reads like she had urban dictionary on open on her 2nd screen to make sure she was using every word or phrase deemed cool at the moment, which is used on repeat and not always in the right way....it sounds so forced. As do the "clever" names of some of the characters. D-Money? really?
It is so dissapointing. Forced lingo. Obvious nods to politically correct topics. The whole book...so forced.
Which is a shame. Because she is a RIOT!
Now, there were a few funny lines, for real. had to laugh.
But, I am not sure I could even tell you what the story was about.
I drudged my way to the end even though i just wanted it to be over.

I miss the days of Bitter is the New Black. So effortlessly clever!

Sorry Jen. I can only give it 2 stars. I can't recommend it. But I will always love your first big books, and I still think you are so funny---pearls and all!


Profile Image for Kasee Baldwin.
311 reviews57 followers
September 1, 2024
TBH, this book is kind of ridiculous. But it still manages to be a hilarious read and a fun homage for Swifties.

Best friends Emily and Liv are stalled and dissatisfied in their lives, and after experiencing a harrowing attempted robbery, they decide to change their lives and embrace fearlessness. Literally. They join a mysterious group called Fearless, Inc. and begin engaging in training that helps them — and their new ragtag group — overcome their fears, one thrilling (and unconventional) self-help lesson at a time.

Emily and Liv must embrace the passionately unconventional methods of the leader to harness their powers, gain a bracing new perspective on life, act on their impulses, and be the no-holds-barred anti-heroes of their dreams.

THE ANTI-HEROES is a fast read, and really kind of silly. But I did LOVE this cast of characters, and found myself gleefully laughing through the whole thing. It was also a touching reminder to embrace courage and honor your true self. It’s not too late. <3

On the other hand, I’m a huge Swiftie, but the overt references were a little too much for me. It got cringey. It also lacks a certain emotional depth, but overall, a quick, heartwarming and funny read.

Thanks to Little A and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE ANTI-HEROES is out 10/1/24.
Profile Image for Stroop.
1,108 reviews35 followers
July 8, 2024
A zany story about two best friends stuck in respective ruts. After witnessing an attempted robbery, Emily and Liv sign up for a class promising to help them become their best selves. The premise intrigued me and the opening chapters were funny and promising but, overall, I found the story and characterizations to be a bit too quirky and I wasn't sure what to make of the ending. I think readers up for a quick, cheeky read about self-discovery and learning to stand up for yourself will enjoy.

Thank you to Little A and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
Profile Image for Shari.
125 reviews15 followers
September 18, 2024
I can’t do it anymore. I got to page 99 & it feels like the author is trying so hard to write this book. I think it’s filled with a lot of cliches and phrases that would be ‘cool.’ The storyline seemed like it would have potential but the execution was very poor & lackluster. It grabbed my attention for a second when I hung in for the first twist but after that it just fell very flat
Profile Image for Sasha Rivers.
140 reviews2 followers
September 21, 2024
so corny I don't know where to begin. high levels of millennial cringe. two insufferable main characters who, spoiler alert, magically become their best selves by the end of the book! bad writing, silly plot, pulp fiction.
Profile Image for Kat Long.
94 reviews4 followers
September 28, 2024
I am aware that all of my Goodreads reviews are starting to sound the same. You literally can’t make me stop tho. So without further ado….. FIVE STARS! LIGHTHEARTED AND FUN! A GROUP OF ODDBALL STRANGERS BECOME UNLIKELY FRIENDS! EVERYONE FACES THEIR FEARS! GIRL POWER!
Profile Image for Kate.
70 reviews
September 13, 2024
This was a fun read going along with the two ladies Liv and Emily, and how they changed their perspectives as the book progressed. I love how the author threw in cute nerdy things too, like the cat , Chairman Meow. It also was educational for me about passion for global care. I didn't know a lot of things about chocolate and rainforests. How cool that the author makes you care about what her character does. My blue bin was completely filled in the paper area, so I had put juice cartons in the normal trash. After Emily's speech, I dug them out, they can wait. Thank you Ms. Lancaster for giving me something that was a joy to read!
Profile Image for Natalie  H.
3,796 reviews30 followers
September 9, 2024
September 2024
Kindle edition
Amazon September first reads pick

The beginning was painful for both Liv and Emily. Liv being a people pleaser unable to say no, dealing with work colleagues that don't care about sexual harassment. Emily dealing with student excuses, ghosts of the past and Miles with his spiders. After the coffee shop things got going. I wasn't expecting Vishnu, B-money or Michael but they were fun characters and I liked how they grew together.

The reject task was harsh, felt sorry for Vishnu. Also WTF Jay. There were funny moments that caught be off guard Best bit was Michael and the whistle helping Liv out, along with the vase incident. Zeus had an almost supernatural sense to him, which was a little confusing. The epilogue did not help. There were some truly annoying people in this book. It was a fun one but went OTT on Taylor Swift. Still not sure about the kidnap test though. Clowns. Ick.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cheyenne.
207 reviews1 follower
September 7, 2024
For the love of god I am BEGGING editors to run young people slang through a group of Gen Z. Someone who is a Hailey Bieber Stan would not say “I love this lipgloss, no cap.” 💀

Other than that this book was…fine. 2.5/5.
Profile Image for Amanda Roy .
46 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2024
This was a cute book and fun read. Especially if you, like me, are a Swiftie!! I loved the overarching theme that we can all be our own hero. I enjoyed each character making small changes that grew to allow larger personal development. And I loved the friendship of Emily and Liv.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
8 reviews
September 3, 2024
I tried to read it. It is so bad. Every character is an exaggerated stereotype. Was this supposed to be a parody of something? I made it to 30% and then just couldn’t take anymore.
Profile Image for Lauren.
76 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2024
One of the worst books I’ve ever read. I really need to become an author if people are making money on this crap!!! Emily was the most unlikeable character. I hated her from the beginning when she was upset that her cat was an influencer. It didn’t make sense that her Gen Z students wouldn’t care about the environment as Gen Z seems to be the most engaged with making environmental changes. Liv was very dumb. The dialogue didn’t flow. The Taylor Swift references just seemed forced. Zero stars, do not recommend.
Profile Image for Destiny.
116 reviews
February 26, 2025
Very endearing, made me giggle and gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling :)
273 reviews3 followers
October 17, 2024
It has been a long time since I read a Jen Lancaster book, but I genuinely enjoyed this. The environmental science professor gave a speech, and to be honest, it was one of the best arguments about global warming I’ve ever heard. That alone warrants notice.
Profile Image for Dana Sullivan.
717 reviews20 followers
September 13, 2024
"What if we’re all so afraid of being challenged that we’re trying to find bogus reasons to quit?"

This is one of the best Kindle First books I've read in a long time. My friend accurately described this as giving "Anxious People" vibes (which is another book we both highly enjoyed). This is a cute and funny story (literally, I laughed out loud multiple times) with an overarching message of living your life and taking chances.

*The only thing I didn't like was the epilogue -- I liked the idea behind it (considering the character's thoughts on Zeus' background the whole time) but the thing about the group selfie threw me off. I read it multiple times -- Someone explain it to me!

Looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
Profile Image for Melanie Johnson.
765 reviews31 followers
June 28, 2024
Emily and Liv are best friends from college who are stuck in their lives as as adults. Emily, a college professor, is living a boring life compared to her former life as an environmental activist. Liv is a realtor who lets her clients walk all over her. They go to a coffee shop, where they are talking about how they used to live fearlessly, when suddenly the shop is robbed. Everyone in the coffee shop are thrown together in this life or death situation and become fast friends. Through this they learn what they’re made of and how they can get back to being the fearless people they used to be.
Profile Image for Tonya.
585 reviews133 followers
March 21, 2025
wonderful read

Lighthearted novel with an edge that touches deep down into that part of us that really relates to the characters. I mean, who wouldn’t?
Also, low key want all the characters as my friends in real life now. Clean writing, well developed
characters and character development.
Profile Image for mantha_.
166 reviews2 followers
May 13, 2024
I can’t think of another book that made me laugh out loud so consistently.

** I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **
10 reviews
September 4, 2024
Anti-Heroes

I can’t put my finger on it but it was not enjoyable and a struggle to finish. There were some good quotes about facing your fears …
6 reviews
September 10, 2024
a feel good read

I really liked the light hearted feeling of this book. Very quick read with a fun mystery feel to it. Wish I could find more books that has this theme.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 563 reviews

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