Twisted Sisters

By: Jen Lancaster
Publisher: NAL (New American Library)
Publication Date: February 2014
ISBN: 978-0-451-23965-5
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor 
Review Date: February 4, 2014

Ah...the joys of sibling rivalry. There are many readers out there who have been the one to stand in the ever-expanding shadow of the ‘family favorite’ - the sister who seems to be accomplishing ‘SO much more than you are.’ This book not only offers the immense humor and sarcasm that will keep readers laughing over this particular situation, but also presents a real-life story when it comes to loving your sister, even while you’re dreaming of turning her on a spit above an open campfire in hell, and sitting in front of it with a bag of popcorn thoroughly enjoying the show.

In Freaky Friday style, this tale follows Reagan Bishop; a highly intelligent, highly successful woman who has literally worked her butt off to become a celebrity psychologist on a very hot and happening television show. Reagan is a massive overachiever, and it’s paid off big time. Not only that, but the show is soon bought by a national network - which will make her even more successful. The only thing she has to worry about is how to get sky-high ratings on national TV.

Of course, it turns out that she could basically become ‘Queen of the World,’ and her parents would still throw no respect her way. They actually spend too much time putting the spotlight on her younger sister, Geri, who is definitely not an overachiever...unless you call being a hairdresser who still lives with her parents an achievement.

Not only does the anger weigh on Reagan but the absolute confusion does too. She has no idea, from her view, why everyone must basically ‘hang on their hooks’ until Geri arrives so she can always be coddled and appreciated. Add these emotions in with new responsibilities at work, and really bad advice given by a New Age healer, and you have a modern-day take on the ‘switch-er-oo,’ where the underachiever and overachiever find out just how difficult it is to be them.

The mix of humor, family and love is rare in the literary world, but Lancaster has supplied it for many with her amazing books that keep you laughing until you cry, and make you see things in a whole new light. Bravo!

Quill says: Erma Bombeck, humor goddess, is up there right now laughing and clapping for this incredible author! And you can’t get a better accolade than that!