Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
This book had my stomach tied up in knots, so in my world, that means it did its job. So much of this book was difficult to read, which proves to me that Jessica Knoll adequately charcterized the trauma suffered by the main character. It may not have been a feel-good read, but it was an important one.
The most interesting part of this was the development (or lack thereof) of the "lucky girl". In my book group (the reason I read this book), some readers were frustrated by the shallow and insipid personality of TifAni. But a handful of us recognized that for what it was... victims of trauma are oftentimes emotionally stunted at the age they were when they suffered said trauma. And Ani was no different. However, the reader got to witness Ani coming to terms with the psychological impact from the events in her youth and grow from a vapid, materialistic label whore to the person she was originally meant to be before privileged young men stole her innocence.
This is not a book to read if you're looking for something light or uplifting. It's also not recommended for those who have sexual assault triggers. And as someone who lives in Newtown, CT, I will admit that parts of this book were painful for me to read. But I strongly urge those who are just put off by the "downer" nature of this book to push through. As I always remind my husband, "If someone else had to experience X horrible thing... the very least I can do is have to think about it."
Synopsis:
The instant "New York Times" bestseller and the perfect page-turner to start your summer ("People," Book of the Week), "Luckiest Girl Alive" is about secrets and lies and whether or not the truth can really set you free.
Loved "Gone Girl"? "Luckiest Girl Alive" is just as addicting ("Good Housekeeping)." As a teenager at the prestigious Bradley School, Ani FaNelli endured a shocking, public humiliation that left her desperate to reinvent herself. Now, with a glamorous job, expensive wardrobe, and handsome blue blood fiance, she's "this close" to living the perfect life she's worked so hard to achieve. But Ani has a secret. Her perfect life is a perfect lie.
There's something else buried in her past that still haunts her, something private and painful that threatens to bubble to the surface and ruin everything. The question remains: will breaking her silence destroy all that she has worked for or, will it, at long last, set Ani free? With a singular voice and twists you won t see coming, "Luckiest Girl Alive" is completely unputdownable until its final pages ("Entertainment Weekly").