Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book. Post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase, I may earn commission. Opinions shared are mine.

Have you ever read a book that made you physically ill?  I loved The Favorite Sister, but it also made me feel a bit sick inside to admit that I enjoyed this book.  

Here’s my  own watered down summary of the book….

Five women star in an NYC-based reality TV show called Goal Diggers.   In addition to being young, successful business women, the “characters” are diverse in several ways.  Differences in shape, size, color, lifestyles, and sexual preferences are represented in the show.  The show follows these women in their career ambitions, personal lives, and interactions with each other.

I don’t feel like I can relate to the Kardashians, and have never watched much reality TV anyway.  The Favorite Sister is different, though, because it normalizes these super-successful women.  Readers see behind-the-scenes moments between friends, enemies, and family.  We view their insecurities and witness their most vulnerable moments. It’s a bit like watching the Hunger Games meets The Real Housewives. 

Normally, books last about a day or two for me.  This one took several days to finish.  The writing is superb.  It’s obvious that Jessica Knoll is a very intelligent, quick-witted author.  There were so many pop culture mentions I had to Google — and I’m sure just as many went over my head.  In that respect, this book is very entertaining and fun to read.  There were laugh-out-loud moments and I actually gasped a couple of times.  Knoll didn’t hold back when it came to the vicious nature of her characters.  She showed exactly how ruthless they could be!  Thus, it took me longer to absorb the full impact of the story.  I could only stand it in small doses.

Since I was given an advance reader version, there were several typos.  Also, the ending seemed very abrupt.  I wasn’t exactly sure what I was supposed to understand from the final moments of the book.  Hopefully those things are worked out in the final copy.

The bloodlust of these frenemies truly hurt my heart.  Even if exaggerated, these emotions and unspoken thoughts are so painful to read.  I’ve been fortunate; I haven’t experienced negative atmosphere with coworkers.  The women I’ve worked closely with have been supportive, loving, and kind.  We’ve got each other’s backs!  My friends outside of work are the same way.  Thank goodness, y’all.  Such negativity, jealousy, and hostility turned my stomach.  I’m so sorry if any of you have to be around women like the ones in The Favorite Sister.

Later this summer, I’m going to spend four days with a few of my college besties.  Some of us haven’t seen each other for 20 years!  We’ve rented a house and will enjoy catching up.  As I read The Favorite Sister, I reflected on my memories of these ladies.  We made wonderful, lasting bonds.  Sure, we might have had some tension at times, but there’s always love in my heart for them.  I know they feel the same way.  Thank goodness for my friends — that they’re nothing like the women in The Favorite Sister!

Do you enjoy watching reality TV shows?