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Drop Dead Gorgeous
This “funny and touching” (Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author) fish-out-of-water tale from New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gibson explores what happens when a small-town Texas girl swaps bodies with a filthy rich socialite.
On her way from singing in church to hooking up with a Tinder date, Brittany Lynn Snider crashes her momma’s minivan, and her life is changed forever. One moment she’s texting HotGuyNate, and the next she’s at a hospital in El Paso watching doctors operate on her near-lifeless body. If that wasn’t bad enough, she finds herself trapped in the Limbo Lounge where patients await their fate, playing cards and watching reruns of 7th Heaven and Heaven Help Us .
When a shimmering portal appears, it pulls Brittany upward toward heaven—until the lounge’s resident bully, a wealthy socialite named Edie, leaps through first and steals Brittany’s place. Brittany now has a second chance at life on Earth, but with a she must inhabit Edie’s body.
Waking up as Edie in a mental facility where doctors try to cure her alleged retrograde amnesia, Brittany resumes a life of privilege in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Yet even as she basks in luxury and reconnects with Edie’s old flame, Brittany plans to return to her old life in Texas. But when things don’t go according to her plan, she must ask Who is Brittany Lynn Snider, and what does she want now?
And where’s Edie? Did she manage to make it past the pearly gates?
“Laugh-out-loud funny with quirky characters and heartfelt moments, Drop Dead Gorgeous is a little slice of heaven” (Elizabeth Thompson, author of Lost in Paris ).
On her way from singing in church to hooking up with a Tinder date, Brittany Lynn Snider crashes her momma’s minivan, and her life is changed forever. One moment she’s texting HotGuyNate, and the next she’s at a hospital in El Paso watching doctors operate on her near-lifeless body. If that wasn’t bad enough, she finds herself trapped in the Limbo Lounge where patients await their fate, playing cards and watching reruns of 7th Heaven and Heaven Help Us .
When a shimmering portal appears, it pulls Brittany upward toward heaven—until the lounge’s resident bully, a wealthy socialite named Edie, leaps through first and steals Brittany’s place. Brittany now has a second chance at life on Earth, but with a she must inhabit Edie’s body.
Waking up as Edie in a mental facility where doctors try to cure her alleged retrograde amnesia, Brittany resumes a life of privilege in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Yet even as she basks in luxury and reconnects with Edie’s old flame, Brittany plans to return to her old life in Texas. But when things don’t go according to her plan, she must ask Who is Brittany Lynn Snider, and what does she want now?
And where’s Edie? Did she manage to make it past the pearly gates?
“Laugh-out-loud funny with quirky characters and heartfelt moments, Drop Dead Gorgeous is a little slice of heaven” (Elizabeth Thompson, author of Lost in Paris ).
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 19, 2022
158 people are currently reading
11694 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Gibson
68 books5,352 followersRachel Gibson is a New York times and USAToday bestselling author of 22 books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
October 21, 2021
Absolutely entertaining, smart, hilarious supernatural comedy/ romcom/ chic lit/ women’s fiction( definitely a genre blender) guarantees you quality time even though it gets a little bit slow after the promising and exciting start of the story!
I read a few previous romcoms of the author and after a little later it is so good to read brand new work of hers.
I was so impressed by the surprising, well executed start of the story. The character building of Brittany was well- developed and easy to connect with. I was drawn to her adventure: after having a tragic car accident and finding herself stranded at the Limbo Lounge await her fate with the other victims who play cards, watching reruns of 7th Heaven and Heaven Help Us. ( it’s only tolerable to be trapped there if they provide me reruns of Good Place)
Poor Brittany’s reserved place in heaven is unfairly taken by bully, spoiled, wealthy socialite Edie who thinks first come first serve rule also works at the heaven portal.
There is good news that Brittany finally earns her second chance at the earth but bad news is she’s gonna send there back inside Edie’s body.
Can you imagine to wake up in another, so much unlikable person’s body who is your characteristically polar opposite and take over her life?
Maybe second chance of her life won’t be so bad! She can build a new life in Texas and especially she starts to get attracted by charming Oliver ( even though their insta love is doomed to fail) But as soon as she starts to love another person’s life, she also starts thinking who was Brittany, what was her life’s purpose?
The story’s execution took a little bumpy road in the middle but conclusion was still satisfying. It was great fun, soft, popcorn, feel-good! I especially recommend to Ms. Gibson’s fans!
So many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I read a few previous romcoms of the author and after a little later it is so good to read brand new work of hers.
I was so impressed by the surprising, well executed start of the story. The character building of Brittany was well- developed and easy to connect with. I was drawn to her adventure: after having a tragic car accident and finding herself stranded at the Limbo Lounge await her fate with the other victims who play cards, watching reruns of 7th Heaven and Heaven Help Us. ( it’s only tolerable to be trapped there if they provide me reruns of Good Place)
Poor Brittany’s reserved place in heaven is unfairly taken by bully, spoiled, wealthy socialite Edie who thinks first come first serve rule also works at the heaven portal.
There is good news that Brittany finally earns her second chance at the earth but bad news is she’s gonna send there back inside Edie’s body.
Can you imagine to wake up in another, so much unlikable person’s body who is your characteristically polar opposite and take over her life?
Maybe second chance of her life won’t be so bad! She can build a new life in Texas and especially she starts to get attracted by charming Oliver ( even though their insta love is doomed to fail) But as soon as she starts to love another person’s life, she also starts thinking who was Brittany, what was her life’s purpose?
The story’s execution took a little bumpy road in the middle but conclusion was still satisfying. It was great fun, soft, popcorn, feel-good! I especially recommend to Ms. Gibson’s fans!
So many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
March 2, 2022
Very funny, fun women’s fiction/romance.
Brittany Lynn Snider is on her way to meet a Tinder date when she crashes her mother’s minivan and wakes up in a place called the Limbo Lounge. There, she meets other people waiting to make the transition to the ever-after, but right now, she’s looking at her nearly lifeless body and wondering if she’ll live or die.
When her mortal body does in fact die, a devious socialite named Edie snatches her chance to move beyond (as if the all-knowing couldn’t figure this out). This gives Brittany the opportunity to go back to earth in the body of a wealthy, skinny woman. She doesn’t know how she’ll do it, but eventually she’ll figure out a way to leave Michigan and befriend her mother back in small-town Texas in this new body.
Naturally, waking up in completely new circumstances takes some adjusting to. Though I have nothing in common with either Brittany or Edie, the fish-out-of-water feeling is familiar to us all, and Gibson navigates this deftly.
Even though this is a book about lives being taken too soon, it’s never sad or maudlin. It’s an uplifting story of what makes us who we are regardless of physical appearance or financial circumstance.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES APRIL 19, 2022.
Brittany Lynn Snider is on her way to meet a Tinder date when she crashes her mother’s minivan and wakes up in a place called the Limbo Lounge. There, she meets other people waiting to make the transition to the ever-after, but right now, she’s looking at her nearly lifeless body and wondering if she’ll live or die.
When her mortal body does in fact die, a devious socialite named Edie snatches her chance to move beyond (as if the all-knowing couldn’t figure this out). This gives Brittany the opportunity to go back to earth in the body of a wealthy, skinny woman. She doesn’t know how she’ll do it, but eventually she’ll figure out a way to leave Michigan and befriend her mother back in small-town Texas in this new body.
Naturally, waking up in completely new circumstances takes some adjusting to. Though I have nothing in common with either Brittany or Edie, the fish-out-of-water feeling is familiar to us all, and Gibson navigates this deftly.
Even though this is a book about lives being taken too soon, it’s never sad or maudlin. It’s an uplifting story of what makes us who we are regardless of physical appearance or financial circumstance.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES APRIL 19, 2022.
July 25, 2025
Note: I received a free copy of this book. In exchange here is my honest review.
The premise of this book is so intriguing. 🤔 It sucked me in from the get-go! 😃 The characters were entertaining and I enjoyed the story itself much more than I thought I would. 👍
The premise of this book is so intriguing. 🤔 It sucked me in from the get-go! 😃 The characters were entertaining and I enjoyed the story itself much more than I thought I would. 👍
did-not-finish
June 14, 2022DNF @ 13%: Just very much not a book for me. Meh!
April 6, 2022
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I just can't imagine that St. Peter would make this kind of mistake and I'm pretty sure if he had been guarding the Pearly Gates this would not have happened. I was all in for the first 20% of the book. Unique Plot - Check; Interesting Character - Check; Humorous - Check. Then it all went downhill really, really fast and I found myself wondering how Brittany could be so stubborn and stupid as to not realize what a gift she was given. Fortunately, the last 20% was really good, but the middle? Totally forgettable. If you liked "How Lulu Lost Her Mind" you will probably like this one. For me, I'll stick with reading her old stuff from now on. Chick-Lit is just not my thing.
Brittany Lynn Snider worked a minimum wage job; she is overweight and has terrible taste in men. In short - she's a loser, but a loser who loves her momma, Texas, Country Music, God and Baby Jesus very much. She has a smash up, a mix up and ends up having her passage to heaven stolen from her by Edie Chatsworth-Jones, a suicidal heiress. But as compensation she is given the amazing body of Edie who stole her trip to heaven. All Brittany has to do is pretend to be Edie by faking amnesia. Oh, and living with the mess of a life Edie left behind, which was Brittany's biggest problem. The rich really are different and everyone was very leery of Edie; she wasn't a nice person. Brittany just wanted the money and a one-way ticket back to Texas and her old life. It took her way to long to wise up to the new rules her new life came with. Oh, things didn't work out for Edie quite as she planned either. 3 1/2-Stars
I just can't imagine that St. Peter would make this kind of mistake and I'm pretty sure if he had been guarding the Pearly Gates this would not have happened. I was all in for the first 20% of the book. Unique Plot - Check; Interesting Character - Check; Humorous - Check. Then it all went downhill really, really fast and I found myself wondering how Brittany could be so stubborn and stupid as to not realize what a gift she was given. Fortunately, the last 20% was really good, but the middle? Totally forgettable. If you liked "How Lulu Lost Her Mind" you will probably like this one. For me, I'll stick with reading her old stuff from now on. Chick-Lit is just not my thing.
Brittany Lynn Snider worked a minimum wage job; she is overweight and has terrible taste in men. In short - she's a loser, but a loser who loves her momma, Texas, Country Music, God and Baby Jesus very much. She has a smash up, a mix up and ends up having her passage to heaven stolen from her by Edie Chatsworth-Jones, a suicidal heiress. But as compensation she is given the amazing body of Edie who stole her trip to heaven. All Brittany has to do is pretend to be Edie by faking amnesia. Oh, and living with the mess of a life Edie left behind, which was Brittany's biggest problem. The rich really are different and everyone was very leery of Edie; she wasn't a nice person. Brittany just wanted the money and a one-way ticket back to Texas and her old life. It took her way to long to wise up to the new rules her new life came with. Oh, things didn't work out for Edie quite as she planned either. 3 1/2-Stars
September 17, 2021
Soooo much potential, not enough follow through.
I was intrigued by this book from the beginning. However much I wanted to love it though, it kept slowing down… and down… and then…. whaaat? It got weird.
The concept behind the book was great. I liked that it started with our MC actually dying. (This is not a spoiler if you read the book description.) the first 1/2 of the book continues on enjoyable. However, the romance between our MC, Brittany, and Oliver starts out fun and intriguing but then its just… over. Glazed over.
Edie, the one she changes bodies with, stays in the picture too and it never makes sense to me as to why.
All-in-all, it was ok. I would not read it again, but don’t hate that I read it. If that makes any sense.
I was intrigued by this book from the beginning. However much I wanted to love it though, it kept slowing down… and down… and then…. whaaat? It got weird.
The concept behind the book was great. I liked that it started with our MC actually dying. (This is not a spoiler if you read the book description.) the first 1/2 of the book continues on enjoyable. However, the romance between our MC, Brittany, and Oliver starts out fun and intriguing but then its just… over. Glazed over.
Edie, the one she changes bodies with, stays in the picture too and it never makes sense to me as to why.
All-in-all, it was ok. I would not read it again, but don’t hate that I read it. If that makes any sense.
April 17, 2022
Review coming soon.
May 4, 2022
warm pastel DECEIVING covers - one trillion
me - zero
this turned out to be a lot of darker then I thought... and I kind of wish we didn't get a romance sub plot
me - zero
this turned out to be a lot of darker then I thought... and I kind of wish we didn't get a romance sub plot
April 21, 2022
A Goodreads giveaway win! Thank you Goodreads!
I like a plot driven book with a few twists and this book had it! Brittany Lynn Snider is a likable Texan, (not a LOSER like another reviewer wrote), that I was rootin’ for the whole time. It has some sad moments but funny ones as well. Love the setting as I'm very familiar with El Paso and Marfa. There is some romance but readers might be expecting more. All in all, a great story about life, family and making lemonade out of lemons. 4.5 stars!
I like a plot driven book with a few twists and this book had it! Brittany Lynn Snider is a likable Texan, (not a LOSER like another reviewer wrote), that I was rootin’ for the whole time. It has some sad moments but funny ones as well. Love the setting as I'm very familiar with El Paso and Marfa. There is some romance but readers might be expecting more. All in all, a great story about life, family and making lemonade out of lemons. 4.5 stars!
Read
March 16, 2022I DNF’d this book at 25%. The main characters entire personality is that she’s a good Christian girl from Texas, gag me. No hate to religious people it’s just not for me and not what I want to spend my time reading. If religion in a book doesn’t bother you, honestly you might like this. The premise seems fun I’ll give it that but the church talk is a hard no for me.
May 25, 2022
Yikes! It's almost difficult to write a book worth only 1-out-of-5 stars in my eyes. The book follows the perspective of a Christian, Texan young woman who was killed on her way to meet up with a hot Tinder date. No spoilers here, this (along with the entirety of meaningful events) is all outlined on the back of the book.
Unoriginal and uneventful(!)
The whole 'die and have an out-of-body experience in an afterlife purgatory' is honestly super played out. If you're going to attempt it, at least add something new besides "Limbo Lounge" full of a strange group of forgettable characters that for some reason kept being brought up despite their complete irrelevance to the plot. Brittany Lynn spends about 80 pages there before taking over the body of a richy-rich mean girl named Edie. For the next 200-pages or so, she just...does nothing.
Zero likable (or remotely memorable) characters
Like I mentioned above, there are actually a ton of characters in this story, but only two of them matter at all. The author feels compelled to not only name and give background to everybody (even though they have no value) but also give them two or three versions of their names each, so even if they do resurface, you have no idea who they are. Really, really happy we spent a dozen pages talking about Brittany's "best friend" Lida who literally is not in the story. At all.
Super problematic
If the actual plot wasn't bad enough, the book is actually super problematic in the ways it portrays southern culture, Christianity, fat-phobia, ageism, gender issues/anti-feminism, and a myriad of other stereotypes. I’m not sure there’s a single type of person who could read this without being offended in one way or another. Avoid at all costs!
Unoriginal and uneventful(!)
The whole 'die and have an out-of-body experience in an afterlife purgatory' is honestly super played out. If you're going to attempt it, at least add something new besides "Limbo Lounge" full of a strange group of forgettable characters that for some reason kept being brought up despite their complete irrelevance to the plot. Brittany Lynn spends about 80 pages there before taking over the body of a richy-rich mean girl named Edie. For the next 200-pages or so, she just...does nothing.
Zero likable (or remotely memorable) characters
Like I mentioned above, there are actually a ton of characters in this story, but only two of them matter at all. The author feels compelled to not only name and give background to everybody (even though they have no value) but also give them two or three versions of their names each, so even if they do resurface, you have no idea who they are. Really, really happy we spent a dozen pages talking about Brittany's "best friend" Lida who literally is not in the story. At all.
Super problematic
If the actual plot wasn't bad enough, the book is actually super problematic in the ways it portrays southern culture, Christianity, fat-phobia, ageism, gender issues/anti-feminism, and a myriad of other stereotypes. I’m not sure there’s a single type of person who could read this without being offended in one way or another. Avoid at all costs!
April 25, 2022
Three and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭒
Drop Dead Gorgeous by Rachel Gibson is a story about a woman who has to switch bodies with another woman who took her place in heaven. It’s light and easy to read, with a pleasant and satisfying ending.
Brittany Lynn Snider crashes her mother’s minivan on her way to a tinder date and ends up in a coma in the hospital. While there she finds herself in a form of a waiting room, filled with souls who are either waiting to wake from a coma or head up to heaven. While in the “waiting room” she meets Edie, a rich young socialite, who tries to trick Brittany into swapping places. When Brittany’s body eventually gives up and she dies, instead of going to heaven, Edie jumps into her spot and goes to heaven instead of Brittany. Now, she can’t go to heaven, so her choice is to stay in the Limbo Lounge or take Edie’s place in the world as Edie’s body is getting better. Can Brittney survive in a different body in a completely different world than what she was used to?
I did enjoy this book overall. It started fast, and I was getting into it, and then it dragged for a bit while Brittney was in the Limbo Lounge. I knew she was going to trade places with Edie, but it took forever until Brittney started to live her new life. Once she moved in with Edie’s parents, the book picked up and I enjoyed it a bit more.
The humor was good at times, but also over the top and a bit cheesy at times. I got a bit tired of Brittany’s Texas slang and sayings after a while. Also, there is a religious element in the book, which I don’t mind usually. But, I thought it was portrayed as silly and somewhat simplistic. The “limbo lounge” where people wait to go to heaven was full of mostly silly characters that were somewhat stereotypical and not very interesting.
However, once Brittney started over in Edie’s world, the book was much more interesting and I enjoyed Brittney’s character growth as she tried to navigate the world of the rich and famous!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Drop Dead Gorgeous by Rachel Gibson is a story about a woman who has to switch bodies with another woman who took her place in heaven. It’s light and easy to read, with a pleasant and satisfying ending.
Brittany Lynn Snider crashes her mother’s minivan on her way to a tinder date and ends up in a coma in the hospital. While there she finds herself in a form of a waiting room, filled with souls who are either waiting to wake from a coma or head up to heaven. While in the “waiting room” she meets Edie, a rich young socialite, who tries to trick Brittany into swapping places. When Brittany’s body eventually gives up and she dies, instead of going to heaven, Edie jumps into her spot and goes to heaven instead of Brittany. Now, she can’t go to heaven, so her choice is to stay in the Limbo Lounge or take Edie’s place in the world as Edie’s body is getting better. Can Brittney survive in a different body in a completely different world than what she was used to?
I did enjoy this book overall. It started fast, and I was getting into it, and then it dragged for a bit while Brittney was in the Limbo Lounge. I knew she was going to trade places with Edie, but it took forever until Brittney started to live her new life. Once she moved in with Edie’s parents, the book picked up and I enjoyed it a bit more.
The humor was good at times, but also over the top and a bit cheesy at times. I got a bit tired of Brittany’s Texas slang and sayings after a while. Also, there is a religious element in the book, which I don’t mind usually. But, I thought it was portrayed as silly and somewhat simplistic. The “limbo lounge” where people wait to go to heaven was full of mostly silly characters that were somewhat stereotypical and not very interesting.
However, once Brittney started over in Edie’s world, the book was much more interesting and I enjoyed Brittney’s character growth as she tried to navigate the world of the rich and famous!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 15, 2022
Magical, endearing, and thoroughly entertaining, Drop Dead Gorgeous soars with heartfelt humor and a beautiful, larger-than-life story of self discovery that captures the imagination.
April 9, 2022
Drop Dead Gorgeous is a remarkably funny, poignant, upliftingly unique book about death!
Brittany Lynn Snider, bless her heart is a young hairdresser from a small town in Texas. She works at her mother’s hair shop and enjoys BBQ, coloring her hair and boys. But after Church one day, she lies to her mother and takes her mom’s minivan on a road trip to meet a Tinder date. Oops…she dies on the way. But she wakes up in the hospital to not only see her body on life support, but a cast of characters who are in the same boat as she is…. waiting to figure out if they will live or die. There are rules in this warped world which must be followed. There is a waiting room for them where they are able to watch movies or television shows such as 7th Heaven over and over again.
While there she meets a young beautiful woman who not only looks like a model but looks like a pretty wealthy model to boot. Her name is Edie, and she seems to have bandages wrapped around her wrist and is tied down to her bed. Hmm… Edie befriends Brittany Lynn and tries to bribe her. If Brittany Lynn gets to go to Heaven, if she lets Edie go instead, she will pay her nicely for the favor. But Brittany Lynn decides to put her fate in the higher power’s hands.
So, when it looks like Brittany Lynn’s time has come to go to Heaven, she embraces it, but sneaky Edie decides to push her out of the way and is able to jump ahead. But what Edie doesn’t realize is God always has a plan. While Edie is being dealt with upstairs, Brittany Lynn is given a choice to return to a body, but not her own, Edie’s. You see Edie jumped into Brittany Lynn’s body! Edie’s is up for grabs.
Brittany Lynn decides to be put into Edie’s comatose body, thinking when she wakes up, she can explain to everyone what happened. But that’s not what transpires. She realizes she has to pretend she is Edie, for the rest of her life, and if she thought Edie was nasty for the short time she knew her, well, nothing could possibly prepare her for Edie’s life!
When she awakes, she fakes amnesia so no one will question why she can’t remember anyone or anything of Edie’s life. She discovers Edie was not very liked, even by her own immediate family. Quite frankly with her attitude, she is surprised even her faithful dog liked her, even though the dog does not seem to care for Brittany Lynn one bit. As she begins to maneuver the rich life of a not so nice person, all she can really think about is getting back home and trying to make her parents see she is not dead but just looks different.
But there is one person Brittany Lynn seems to have her eye on. Someone who Edie hated and had not spoken to in years. What on earth is she going to do? How does she learn to live in this gorgeous body in a penthouse filled with incredible clothes and shoes yet tame the Edie beast? She just wants her real mom, considering Edie’s mom and dad possibly left their feelings at the mansion door years ago when it came to Edie’s antics.
But then Brittany Lynn has an idea. Will it work? Can she sway her parents into seeing who she really is? Does she even know who she is anymore? Edie’s family certainly doesn’t know or understand this Edie. All she can do is try to change Edie which is easier said than done!
As for the real Edie? Well, you’ll just have to read the story to find out what happened to her!
The story is filled with laughs, soul-searching and love. What an incredible uplifting story about such a sad topic.
Thank you to #Goodreads #GalleryBooks #RachelGibson #DropDeadGorgeous for the advanced copy.
Brittany Lynn Snider, bless her heart is a young hairdresser from a small town in Texas. She works at her mother’s hair shop and enjoys BBQ, coloring her hair and boys. But after Church one day, she lies to her mother and takes her mom’s minivan on a road trip to meet a Tinder date. Oops…she dies on the way. But she wakes up in the hospital to not only see her body on life support, but a cast of characters who are in the same boat as she is…. waiting to figure out if they will live or die. There are rules in this warped world which must be followed. There is a waiting room for them where they are able to watch movies or television shows such as 7th Heaven over and over again.
While there she meets a young beautiful woman who not only looks like a model but looks like a pretty wealthy model to boot. Her name is Edie, and she seems to have bandages wrapped around her wrist and is tied down to her bed. Hmm… Edie befriends Brittany Lynn and tries to bribe her. If Brittany Lynn gets to go to Heaven, if she lets Edie go instead, she will pay her nicely for the favor. But Brittany Lynn decides to put her fate in the higher power’s hands.
So, when it looks like Brittany Lynn’s time has come to go to Heaven, she embraces it, but sneaky Edie decides to push her out of the way and is able to jump ahead. But what Edie doesn’t realize is God always has a plan. While Edie is being dealt with upstairs, Brittany Lynn is given a choice to return to a body, but not her own, Edie’s. You see Edie jumped into Brittany Lynn’s body! Edie’s is up for grabs.
Brittany Lynn decides to be put into Edie’s comatose body, thinking when she wakes up, she can explain to everyone what happened. But that’s not what transpires. She realizes she has to pretend she is Edie, for the rest of her life, and if she thought Edie was nasty for the short time she knew her, well, nothing could possibly prepare her for Edie’s life!
When she awakes, she fakes amnesia so no one will question why she can’t remember anyone or anything of Edie’s life. She discovers Edie was not very liked, even by her own immediate family. Quite frankly with her attitude, she is surprised even her faithful dog liked her, even though the dog does not seem to care for Brittany Lynn one bit. As she begins to maneuver the rich life of a not so nice person, all she can really think about is getting back home and trying to make her parents see she is not dead but just looks different.
But there is one person Brittany Lynn seems to have her eye on. Someone who Edie hated and had not spoken to in years. What on earth is she going to do? How does she learn to live in this gorgeous body in a penthouse filled with incredible clothes and shoes yet tame the Edie beast? She just wants her real mom, considering Edie’s mom and dad possibly left their feelings at the mansion door years ago when it came to Edie’s antics.
But then Brittany Lynn has an idea. Will it work? Can she sway her parents into seeing who she really is? Does she even know who she is anymore? Edie’s family certainly doesn’t know or understand this Edie. All she can do is try to change Edie which is easier said than done!
As for the real Edie? Well, you’ll just have to read the story to find out what happened to her!
The story is filled with laughs, soul-searching and love. What an incredible uplifting story about such a sad topic.
Thank you to #Goodreads #GalleryBooks #RachelGibson #DropDeadGorgeous for the advanced copy.
February 22, 2022
This book was one of the most riveting books I have read in a while. When you read the synopsis, it might seem that this may be a depressing book. However, I didn't find this to be depressing at all. Sad, yes, for sure, but also quite humorous in spots.
The idea of dying and then being sent back to earth but in someone else's body and life was just astonishing to me. But in an excellent way.
Brittany/Edie's character was very well fleshed and more profound than you could have expected. If I had to try to get everyone to believe I had amnesia and could most likely never see my living family again, well, I don't think I could do it and stay sane. However, Ms.Gisbson writes this book so realistically that I found myself playing the 'what if game' while reading. Yes, I admit that you have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit, but with all the garbage happening in real life nowadays, I found balancing between believing and not believing was easier to do than I thought.
This is the perfect book to curl up with in front of a roaring fire or to curl up with on a hot sandy beach.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster, the author, and Edelweiss.
The idea of dying and then being sent back to earth but in someone else's body and life was just astonishing to me. But in an excellent way.
Brittany/Edie's character was very well fleshed and more profound than you could have expected. If I had to try to get everyone to believe I had amnesia and could most likely never see my living family again, well, I don't think I could do it and stay sane. However, Ms.Gisbson writes this book so realistically that I found myself playing the 'what if game' while reading. Yes, I admit that you have to suspend your disbelief quite a bit, but with all the garbage happening in real life nowadays, I found balancing between believing and not believing was easier to do than I thought.
This is the perfect book to curl up with in front of a roaring fire or to curl up with on a hot sandy beach.
*ARC supplied by the publisher Gallery Books/Simon & Schuster, the author, and Edelweiss.
April 29, 2022
Yes, it’s utterly ridiculous. But then again, it’s also quite fun.
May 1, 2022
The plot is very similar to Drop Dead Diva. The characters are less compelling and the plot is barely there, so it's less enjoyable.
The concept was really good, but that's all I liked.
The concept was really good, but that's all I liked.
December 20, 2024
I really wanted to love this book, honestly. But it was SO fatphobic. As someone who was made fun of for her weight her entire life... this one just bothered me. There was so much potential but it wasn't used right. A young, Texan girl gets killed because she texts and drives, and now she has to deal with a kind of body swap event. The plot? Sounds cool. Sure, the bad decision sucked but there was a lot of interesting ways this book could have gone. Did there need to be constant insults towards every female character in this book that made me wonder if this was written by a man? No. Did it need to seem to be very anti-woman and just want to call every girl fat? No.
I all around just didn't like it. I didn't connect with the characters and I couldn't feel for them. It was really hard for me to finish reading it, but I did. I did it. I likely won't be picking up another Rachel Gibson book for a long while, but I'll give her another chance in the future. This book though... not the one for me.
One out of five stars.
I all around just didn't like it. I didn't connect with the characters and I couldn't feel for them. It was really hard for me to finish reading it, but I did. I did it. I likely won't be picking up another Rachel Gibson book for a long while, but I'll give her another chance in the future. This book though... not the one for me.
One out of five stars.
May 10, 2022
The last couple chapters was easily a 4 1/2 star book for me but it was just pretty slow towards the beginning and I had trouble getting into it. I’ve never said this about a book before but I think I would really love it as a movie more than I actually liked reading it? I did enjoy the concept and I would say if you are wanting a pallet cleanser book this could be a decent one! I don’t think it was a waste of my time but also not one that I will think to recommend to people… 🤷🏽♀️
May 9, 2022
I needed a fun read after a few heavier books and this one nailed it! The characters were quite endearing to me, especially Brittany Lynn our MC, and Oliver. I even enjoyed where the author took our not so endearing Edie, who stole Brittany Lynns spot in heaven making this Freaky Fridayesque tale unravel.
This is a feel good story without being contrived or cheesy.
Thank you to the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a feel good story without being contrived or cheesy.
Thank you to the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 10, 2022
This definitely isn't your typical Rachel Gibson romance (or romance in general). I honestly couldn't put it down. I was drawn into the Brittany/Edie story (while also not really caring about the Edie/Brittany story).
When I first saw this book, I knew it was an auto read. I love Rachel Gibson's books. When I first read the blurb, I was reminded of Drop Dead Diva
While it was the same premise, it was an interesting take on it. Most of the book is Brittany/Edie discovering her new life and trying to figure out where she fits into it. She obviously has none of Edie's memories, so she's trying to navigate a life where everyone knows her but she has no knowledge of them.
With this being a Rachel Gibson book, you'd automatically expect a romance to be a part of it (even a big part of it)....and that wasn't the case. There is a very small romance in the book, but it doesn't really pick up until well into the book, and nothing happens (even a kiss) until close to 75% of the book. The romance is very much a background element in this book. I'm not complaining about that either. I thoroughly enjoyed this books. Yeah, I do wish the romance had been a little more pronounced but not so much that it hindered my enjoyment of the story.
When I first saw this book, I knew it was an auto read. I love Rachel Gibson's books. When I first read the blurb, I was reminded of Drop Dead Diva
While it was the same premise, it was an interesting take on it. Most of the book is Brittany/Edie discovering her new life and trying to figure out where she fits into it. She obviously has none of Edie's memories, so she's trying to navigate a life where everyone knows her but she has no knowledge of them.
With this being a Rachel Gibson book, you'd automatically expect a romance to be a part of it (even a big part of it)....and that wasn't the case. There is a very small romance in the book, but it doesn't really pick up until well into the book, and nothing happens (even a kiss) until close to 75% of the book. The romance is very much a background element in this book. I'm not complaining about that either. I thoroughly enjoyed this books. Yeah, I do wish the romance had been a little more pronounced but not so much that it hindered my enjoyment of the story.
May 9, 2022
I love a good Texan girl - glitter, big hair, over the top... When I read the premise, I was all in! Take an early death of this Tean girl, and put her in someone else's body - sound like fun!
Well, unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. But let's start with the good.
The premise was awesome and the story was good.
The writing style was good - it was clear, concise and I could picture it all.
Now for the not-so-good.
It felt like it took literally half the book to start the body switch. The beginning of the book was just slow to get going. I kept thinking "any time now".
I also did not really connect to the main character. I wanted to, but felt like something was missing - that special "it" factor that you makes me love a character and a book.
Overall, I did fnish the book, whicih is a plus. I am infamous for not finishing a book when it doens't hold my attention - I mean, there are so many books out there, why waste time. However, would I recommend it to my friends? Unfortunately not.
I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which (obviously) did not impact my review.
Well, unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. But let's start with the good.
The premise was awesome and the story was good.
The writing style was good - it was clear, concise and I could picture it all.
Now for the not-so-good.
It felt like it took literally half the book to start the body switch. The beginning of the book was just slow to get going. I kept thinking "any time now".
I also did not really connect to the main character. I wanted to, but felt like something was missing - that special "it" factor that you makes me love a character and a book.
Overall, I did fnish the book, whicih is a plus. I am infamous for not finishing a book when it doens't hold my attention - I mean, there are so many books out there, why waste time. However, would I recommend it to my friends? Unfortunately not.
I do want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC which (obviously) did not impact my review.
June 2, 2022
Literally this book was so boring. Not only was it a complete rip off of the plot from Drop Dead Diva (to be fair I’m not sure if the show was based on this book or if the book came before the show, but I doubt either are true). The two main characters were horrible - complete WASP and a complete bitch. I listened to this on audiobook at double speed and it still took me nearly 3 weeks to finish because I hated it so much.
I’m glad this is someone else’s cup of tea and I’m also glad this is not my cup of tea.
I’m glad this is someone else’s cup of tea and I’m also glad this is not my cup of tea.
May 14, 2022
I am officially done with this author and her outdated bullshit perspective. DNF at I don't even remember but maybe 10%. Good God at the fat shaming.
Read
June 24, 2022BOOK REVIEW: Drop Dead Gorgeous by Rachel Gibson
2022 Publication Date: April 19
♡ DNF ♡
T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW: Occasionally, I rate a book as "♡ DNF ♡" representing a book that I “did not finish.” Meaning the book was not a perfect match for me at this time and I am optimistically re-shelving the book for another read at a later date.
Just like a good bottle of wine, sometimes a good book needs a little aging for my reading palate... Or needs to be paired with the right season in my life.
And I don't want an author's hard work in creating their book to be diminished by simply the "luck of the draw" in when I am picking up this book to read... and where I am in my head, heart and soul in being able to connect with the book at that time.
All of my book reviews are focused on positive feedback. It is my opinion that every book is the perfect match for the right reader. When I am not that person, I opt to remain supportive of the author’s work and intention to connect with their book’s ideal audience. This is how we roll here at This Is My Everybody!
And in making this decision, it is my sincere wish to encourage that reader who is a perfect match for the book to still consider adding this book to their reading list.
Circling back to that good bottle of wine once again... Though my preferred glass of wine might be red for today... I can promise you that it could easily change to white tomorrow!
Always wishing you a happy reading journey...
And always with my full support and gratitude for every author's work... Thank you for making our world a literary world filled with great adventures... ✨😎✨
Pages: 332
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Fish Out Of Water Romance
Time Period: Present Day
Location: El Paso (Texas) | Grosse Pointe (Michigan)
--------------------
All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-...
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
// COME ON OVER & SAY HELLO!...
Website: https://thisismyeverybody.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisIsMyEve...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thisismyeve...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismyeve...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismyever...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/t_everybody
And let's be friends here on Goodreads too!... ✨😎✨
2022 Publication Date: April 19
♡ DNF ♡
T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW: Occasionally, I rate a book as "♡ DNF ♡" representing a book that I “did not finish.” Meaning the book was not a perfect match for me at this time and I am optimistically re-shelving the book for another read at a later date.
Just like a good bottle of wine, sometimes a good book needs a little aging for my reading palate... Or needs to be paired with the right season in my life.
And I don't want an author's hard work in creating their book to be diminished by simply the "luck of the draw" in when I am picking up this book to read... and where I am in my head, heart and soul in being able to connect with the book at that time.
All of my book reviews are focused on positive feedback. It is my opinion that every book is the perfect match for the right reader. When I am not that person, I opt to remain supportive of the author’s work and intention to connect with their book’s ideal audience. This is how we roll here at This Is My Everybody!
And in making this decision, it is my sincere wish to encourage that reader who is a perfect match for the book to still consider adding this book to their reading list.
Circling back to that good bottle of wine once again... Though my preferred glass of wine might be red for today... I can promise you that it could easily change to white tomorrow!
Always wishing you a happy reading journey...
And always with my full support and gratitude for every author's work... Thank you for making our world a literary world filled with great adventures... ✨😎✨
Pages: 332
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Fish Out Of Water Romance
Time Period: Present Day
Location: El Paso (Texas) | Grosse Pointe (Michigan)
--------------------
All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-...
♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.
// COME ON OVER & SAY HELLO!...
Website: https://thisismyeverybody.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisIsMyEve...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thisismyeve...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisismyeve...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thisismyever...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/t_everybody
And let's be friends here on Goodreads too!... ✨😎✨
May 19, 2022
3.75 stars
I didn't adore it, but this variation on Heaven Can Wait was a fun read.
I didn't adore it, but this variation on Heaven Can Wait was a fun read.
May 1, 2022
What an interesting book, definitely different than I was expecting! Thank you to Gallery Books for the advance copy to read and review, I'll be sharing my full review over at Under the Covers Book Blog for pub day!
February 27, 2022
A humorous read about an altered life. Brittany has to make a choice and live with the consequences. The dialogue was funny, in a slap dash Texas way. It was tinged with Sadness because she couldn’t go back to who she had been after she made the choice.
Some parts were convoluted, especially in the Limbo Lounge and I did get a bit lost.
Thanks to Gallery Books and Edelweiss for the advance read.
Some parts were convoluted, especially in the Limbo Lounge and I did get a bit lost.
Thanks to Gallery Books and Edelweiss for the advance read.
June 16, 2022
Nope. No way. Nah. Uh-uh. Fugghedaboutit! WTF?! GTFO! Ya gotta be kidding me? Get back! Not sure how many more ways I can tell readers to not even attempt this hot steaming pile of mess.
Not cute.
Not funny.
Not sexy.
Not likable.
No point.
No resolution.
Serious issues poorly handled.
Kinda disrespectful.
Stupid.
There are not enough pejorative words or phrases to let someone know how bad this book was. It is almost as if Ms. Gibson was at a girl's night out in someone's house. Drop dead drunk and decided to put it out to the collective on what she should write next?.......... Well girl, this was not it.
*
*
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SPOILERS AHEAD
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*
*
This book revolves around it's main character who dies and is placed in a holding area for Heaven depending on her earthly outcomes (dead, survives, paralyzed, etc.). Based on your outcome you could go back into the body you were given. Instead she dies but her ascendancy into heaven is literally hijacked by another holding area patron who is as selfish as they come; wealthy and a bitter animal who took her own life. So tptb decide to give our main character a second chance at life in the body of the woman who hijacked her glitter road ride to the everlasting.
What follows is the most ridiculously boring, depressing and head scratching story with not a single character that is likable, interesting or full of life. The part that I found disrespectful is how faith and belief along with suicide and depression are treated in this book. So many people lose loved ones in horrible ways or in the most natural of ways and to think that purgatory may be filled with people who should be on a slip-n-slide to hell but are instead biding time to redeem themselves post mortem was too much for me. As was the Publisher's Clearing House gag (the writer's version of GoFundMe I guess where in the real world predators prey) and the let's write about suicide and depression but not delve into this crisis in a way that is uplifting. Let's just keep shoveling shit on these important present day issues. These episodes just rubbed me the wrong way. Especially given this stupid Pandemic and how people have lost loved ones to Covid and we read stories about final goodbyes being done by iPad because the virus prevented close contact; 10 year old's killing themselves due to bullying, white nationalism that is violent, Ron "fucking asshole" DeSantis and his Don't Say Gay bullshit and other marginalizing laws against the people in his State that is nothing but Red Meat to the other wacky asshats who believe that shit. Given allllllll that, this book hit the notes all wrong.
Ugh. So just don't. I think this author could have done so much better. The Pandemic has not given some authors inspiration. It just shows many are just as depressed, angry and aimless as the rest of the masses.
Not cute.
Not funny.
Not sexy.
Not likable.
No point.
No resolution.
Serious issues poorly handled.
Kinda disrespectful.
Stupid.
There are not enough pejorative words or phrases to let someone know how bad this book was. It is almost as if Ms. Gibson was at a girl's night out in someone's house. Drop dead drunk and decided to put it out to the collective on what she should write next?.......... Well girl, this was not it.
*
*
*
SPOILERS AHEAD
*
*
*
This book revolves around it's main character who dies and is placed in a holding area for Heaven depending on her earthly outcomes (dead, survives, paralyzed, etc.). Based on your outcome you could go back into the body you were given. Instead she dies but her ascendancy into heaven is literally hijacked by another holding area patron who is as selfish as they come; wealthy and a bitter animal who took her own life. So tptb decide to give our main character a second chance at life in the body of the woman who hijacked her glitter road ride to the everlasting.
What follows is the most ridiculously boring, depressing and head scratching story with not a single character that is likable, interesting or full of life. The part that I found disrespectful is how faith and belief along with suicide and depression are treated in this book. So many people lose loved ones in horrible ways or in the most natural of ways and to think that purgatory may be filled with people who should be on a slip-n-slide to hell but are instead biding time to redeem themselves post mortem was too much for me. As was the Publisher's Clearing House gag (the writer's version of GoFundMe I guess where in the real world predators prey) and the let's write about suicide and depression but not delve into this crisis in a way that is uplifting. Let's just keep shoveling shit on these important present day issues. These episodes just rubbed me the wrong way. Especially given this stupid Pandemic and how people have lost loved ones to Covid and we read stories about final goodbyes being done by iPad because the virus prevented close contact; 10 year old's killing themselves due to bullying, white nationalism that is violent, Ron "fucking asshole" DeSantis and his Don't Say Gay bullshit and other marginalizing laws against the people in his State that is nothing but Red Meat to the other wacky asshats who believe that shit. Given allllllll that, this book hit the notes all wrong.
Ugh. So just don't. I think this author could have done so much better. The Pandemic has not given some authors inspiration. It just shows many are just as depressed, angry and aimless as the rest of the masses.
June 18, 2023
I agree with most of the other 2/3 star reviews here.
The premise of the book instantly drew me in and it's been one I've been awaiting for release, so I went in with excitement.
The concept is certainly interesting enough and even as someone who's not at all religious, I didn't find this offensive or too over the top preachy. The other good things I can say is that the 2 main characters are interesting. I actually quite liked that Eddie (*the real Eddie*) was prickly and a 'mean girl' type. I think it made for a nice contrast to the sweet as 'Sunshine' real Brittany. The whole switching bodies trope isn't exactly new but Rachel Gibson I think, put her own unique spin on it, which is kudos to her in not making it feel like a complete cliche and totally predictable. The humour and writing style also I enjoyed and is definitely in line with Gibson's other books.
Now....onto the issues I had with this book and why I felt so disappointed by it.
As others have said, I also felt the pacing of the book was totally off. The beginning dragged on for far too long and just when we get into the meat of the story which is where the excitement is (i.e. after the switcharoo into the other body), it goes by far too fast. Some of the time jumps I admit are necessary (like when ) however, some made me go 'come on!'. It totally made us miss the interesting part with the Brittany in Eddie's body (this was in the synopsis of the book) live as Eddie. The end too was far too quick! I was expecting more and it suddenly cut off. Now, I don't know if Rachel Gibson just got bored or writing or decided she'd hit her word count, but the story was left unfinished.
Also the secondary characters were all very underdeveloped. There was a lot of just being told things to the character rather than events showing it. ). Eddie's mother and father characters too I though could do with more interactions and development.
Final thoughts: All I could think after finishing this book is that this has to be incomplete or some sort of part 1. It's frustrating how the execution of a good idea was poorly done and only gave glimpses at what I was hoping for. Personally, I wouldn't read this again and I wouldn't recommend you read it either. Not unless you've lowered your expectations significantly.
The premise of the book instantly drew me in and it's been one I've been awaiting for release, so I went in with excitement.
The concept is certainly interesting enough and even as someone who's not at all religious, I didn't find this offensive or too over the top preachy. The other good things I can say is that the 2 main characters are interesting. I actually quite liked that Eddie (*the real Eddie*) was prickly and a 'mean girl' type. I think it made for a nice contrast to the sweet as 'Sunshine' real Brittany. The whole switching bodies trope isn't exactly new but Rachel Gibson I think, put her own unique spin on it, which is kudos to her in not making it feel like a complete cliche and totally predictable. The humour and writing style also I enjoyed and is definitely in line with Gibson's other books.
Now....onto the issues I had with this book and why I felt so disappointed by it.
As others have said, I also felt the pacing of the book was totally off. The beginning dragged on for far too long and just when we get into the meat of the story which is where the excitement is (i.e. after the switcharoo into the other body), it goes by far too fast. Some of the time jumps I admit are necessary (like when ) however, some made me go 'come on!'. It totally made us miss the interesting part with the Brittany in Eddie's body (this was in the synopsis of the book) live as Eddie. The end too was far too quick! I was expecting more and it suddenly cut off. Now, I don't know if Rachel Gibson just got bored or writing or decided she'd hit her word count, but the story was left unfinished.
Also the secondary characters were all very underdeveloped. There was a lot of just being told things to the character rather than events showing it. ). Eddie's mother and father characters too I though could do with more interactions and development.
Final thoughts: All I could think after finishing this book is that this has to be incomplete or some sort of part 1. It's frustrating how the execution of a good idea was poorly done and only gave glimpses at what I was hoping for. Personally, I wouldn't read this again and I wouldn't recommend you read it either. Not unless you've lowered your expectations significantly.
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