Twisted Sisters

by Jen Lancaster

Let’s cut to the chase: Lancaster’s third novel is a dud. The first one was good, the second one was dumb, and this, her latest, is horrid.

Briefly: Reagan Bishop is a PhD in psychology. This accomplishment alone separates her from the rest of her South Side family. She obsesses about her health, her home, and her boyfriend. To the point of being a pain in the ass.

But she has attained a respectable level of success. She is currently one of the experts on I Need a Push, the pop psychology breakout hit on cable television. She’s helping others change their behaviors, and she’s doing it on TV.

When a real network picks up the show, Reagan is super-excited. More money and considerably more exposure for the narcissistic TV shrink. But the reality of reality television soon catches up with Reagan. Can she continue her successful treatment of patients under the constraints of the network? And how successful is she really anyway? Time and television will tell.

This is a real clunker. A silly plot device, an annoying main character, and totally unbelievable family relationships stain this dud.

A word (or two) of advice for Ms. Lancaster: stick to the memoir. It works for you. 

4/20/14