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A review by sandrareilly513
So Happy for You by Celia Laskey
3.0
Metaphors abound in this suspenseful tale of irony, selfishness, and self-righteousness.
Robin and Ellie became best friends at a time where they needed each other the most. Growing up can be difficult, so finding a friend who feels like a soulmate can be life-changing. But once attached at the hip, they drift apart as they go off to college and start down different life paths. Years later, when Ellie finds the man of her dreams, she asks Robin to put aside their differences and serve as her maid of honor. Robin, however, is uneasy about the prospect. Not only have they grown apart, but grad student Robin's doctoral thesis is on the negative impact marriage has on our culture. Deciding she can use this for her research, Robin reluctantly agrees -- and immediately regrets it. What began as a way to bridge their friendship and to get much-needed firsthand research on her thesis topic, Robin finds herself fighting for her life instead. Is she overreacting to each "near miss", or Ellie really out to kill Robin in an effort to bring good luck to her upcoming wedding?
Thoughts: Robin is not your typical unlikable character -- she doesn't drink (often) or do drugs, and she's clinically insane. But whether or not you agree with her POV, the way she tries to force her views on others makes her more than a bit annoying at times. However, the hypocrisy of Robin's judgement of others given her own strong opinions not only drives the plot forward but also led me to reflect on the way I express my views and how I view others who I disagree with. Laskey challenges readers who truly think about what they're reading to become introspective with her metaphors on life, culture, and what we deem "tradition", and it's been a while since a fiction book has forced me to self-reflect and really make me think; when Robin's therapist tells her most people don't connect their opinions with their self-identity, I had to sit and stare at the wall for a while. Also, having an undergrad degree in media communications, I liked how Laskey uses her main character to explain the history of wedding traditions that are tied to the economy and advertising. There are a lot of interesting cultural "easter eggs" throughout the story and that was honestly the most fun part of the plot for me. This book would be perfect for sociology and communications students, women who are caught up in the wedding "season", and anyone else who's a fan of cultural irony.
**Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this DRC in exchange for an honest review.**
Robin and Ellie became best friends at a time where they needed each other the most. Growing up can be difficult, so finding a friend who feels like a soulmate can be life-changing. But once attached at the hip, they drift apart as they go off to college and start down different life paths. Years later, when Ellie finds the man of her dreams, she asks Robin to put aside their differences and serve as her maid of honor. Robin, however, is uneasy about the prospect. Not only have they grown apart, but grad student Robin's doctoral thesis is on the negative impact marriage has on our culture. Deciding she can use this for her research, Robin reluctantly agrees -- and immediately regrets it. What began as a way to bridge their friendship and to get much-needed firsthand research on her thesis topic, Robin finds herself fighting for her life instead. Is she overreacting to each "near miss", or Ellie really out to kill Robin in an effort to bring good luck to her upcoming wedding?
Thoughts: Robin is not your typical unlikable character -- she doesn't drink (often) or do drugs, and she's clinically insane. But whether or not you agree with her POV, the way she tries to force her views on others makes her more than a bit annoying at times. However, the hypocrisy of Robin's judgement of others given her own strong opinions not only drives the plot forward but also led me to reflect on the way I express my views and how I view others who I disagree with. Laskey challenges readers who truly think about what they're reading to become introspective with her metaphors on life, culture, and what we deem "tradition", and it's been a while since a fiction book has forced me to self-reflect and really make me think; when Robin's therapist tells her most people don't connect their opinions with their self-identity, I had to sit and stare at the wall for a while. Also, having an undergrad degree in media communications, I liked how Laskey uses her main character to explain the history of wedding traditions that are tied to the economy and advertising. There are a lot of interesting cultural "easter eggs" throughout the story and that was honestly the most fun part of the plot for me. This book would be perfect for sociology and communications students, women who are caught up in the wedding "season", and anyone else who's a fan of cultural irony.
**Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this DRC in exchange for an honest review.**