The Favorite Sister

I read this for a book club where we rate our books from 1 to 5; 5 being the best. I was the only one who gave it a 3 and everyone teases me to this day as the only one who liked this book. I thought the beginning was slow wasn’t excited about reading it but as it hit maybe halfway through I started thinking how this could be a TV movie or 6 episode limited series billed as dark comedy if they filmed and cast it correctly. I mean the scene at the lunch on the cliffs had me laughing out loud when I thought of how it could be done as some really dark slapstick. No one else appreciated my humor but they did say that may have been what the author had in mind all along. Not so much of a book but a chance at a TV gig. Who knows. Can’t say I would recommend this book but if you have a strange mind like mine and can see the dark humor, get past the first quarter to third of the book and delve into the dark side….maybe.

The Favorite Sister is a contemporary tale about ambition, greed, pop culture, the "five minutes of fame" so many Americans seek and the lengths to which they will go to achieve it. Spoiler alert: NONE of the main characters is particularly likable or sympathetic which is part of the point. Knoll takes readers into the world of a reality television series patterned after Bravo's Real Housewives franchise, spotlighting casting maneuvers and machinations, ratings gimmicks, and infighting among the cast members. The story is a droll commentary on relationships between women, feminism, romance, friendship, assumptions, and, of course, "reality" programming. At the outset, Knoll reveals that one of the main characters has died and the book appears, at first blush, to be a murder mystery. Ultimately, however, it is much more. It would be an excellent choice for book clubs because there are many themes and plot points worthy of discussion.
(Thanks to Net Galley for the Advance Reader's Copy of the book.)

Very disappointing. Surprisingly sexist and anti-feminist, which I found annoying. The characters were unlikeable, which can be a good thing if they're compelling enough, which these characters weren't. Insanely petty drama, contrived conflicts, and also, very confusing. Saw every 'twist' coming. This book was a pain to get through, and I wish I'd given up.

I think my main problem was that the book promised a complex relationship between two sisters, but that relationship and its complications ended up being background noise for a cheap cheating storyline and catty drama between brett and the other girls on her show.