Review of "Luckiest Girl Alive: A Novel of Suspense" by Jessica Knoll

Ani FaNelli seems to have the perfect life. At the age of 28, Ani (pronounced AH-nee) is an editor at 'The Women's Magazine';



 has a closet full of designer clothes, shoes, and handbags; lives in an expensive Manhattan apartment; 



and is engaged to blue-blood Wall Street financier Luke Harrison. 



As the story opens Ani is preparing for her wedding, a time-consuming endeavor that involves choosing invitations; lining up a calligrapher; selecting bridesmaids dresses; creating a gift registry; cake tasting; food tasting; picking a florist; deciding on a photographer; planning a honeymoon; and so on. Ani's wedding gown is from a high-end boutique - not that 'wedding gown factory' Kleinfeld's - and she's chosen a retooled old bank for the nuptials....a venue that hasn't been 'overdone.'



Ani comes across as a snobby bitch. She judges people by their clothes; makes derogatory remarks about her colleagues; and flashes her huge emerald engagement ring at every opportunity.....to garner envy and deference.



Ani is nasty to waitstaff in restaurants, and - at one point - purposely nudges a black ink pen against a co-workers white pants, to create a stain that looks like 'varicose veins.'

At this point I wondered why I was reading this book, since it seemed to be chick lit about a mean gal - who changed her name from TifAni to Ani - and manipulated a rich man into marrying her.

That's not the case. The story is really about Ani's troubled past and dark secrets.

Ani, born TifAni FaNelli, grew up in a middle-class Pennsylvania family, the only child of a loving mother and distant father. After a pot-smoking incident got TifAni expelled from Catholic school, her parents enrolled her in an elite Philadelphia high school called 'The Bradley School.'



In an effort to be popular at Bradley, 14-year-old TifAni tried to be friends with the 'it girls', Hilary and Olivia.....and the soccer boys Dean, Peyton, and Teddy. TifAni also bonded with fellow new student Liam and a gay boy named Arthur, who befriended her on the very first day of school.



High school can be socially challenging in the best of circumstances, and Bradley was a REALLY rough place, with exceptionally entitled kids. TifAni learned this from stories about Ben - a former student who tried to commit suicide AND from her own experiences. To say more would be a spoiler.

Years have passed since TifAni graduated from Bradley, and the school is now slated to be the subject of a documentary. Moreover, Ani is scheduled to be interviewed for the film, shortly before the wedding. Ani is nervy about being in the production, and wants to appear attractive, skinny, composed, successful, and proudly engaged.

The story alternates between the present and the past. In the present, Ani goes to work; plans her wedding; dines with her best friend Nell; visits her mother; goes out with Luke; does the Bradley interview; etc.



Though Ani seems to 'have it all', she's neurotic; has trouble sleeping; is constantly slimming (to be rail thin for the interview and wedding); and questions some of her choices.

In the past, TifAni shops for clothes with her mother; goes to school; eats in the cafeteria; attends parties; 



joins the cross-country team;



becomes friendly with her teacher/coach; hangs out at Arthur's house; and so on. During this time TifAni has unfortunate experiences that cause lasting consequences. These ordeals may explain Ani's 'quirks' as an adult, but it doesn't excuse them - and I wouldn't want to hang out with her. 

The story starts out slowly but picks up the pace when it begins to focus on the past. I found the book compelling, but the story is troubling and might be a trigger for sensitive persons. In any case, the narrative is relevant to today's teens, their parents, and society at large.....and the book is well worth reading.

There are interesting interviews with the author - Jessica Knoll - online.....but I strongly suggest you don't read them until you finish the book. Also, Reese Witherspoon has optioned the book for a movie, in case that affects your reading plans.


Author Jessica Knoll

Rating: 3.5 stars