The Best of Enemies
By Jen Lancaster
ISBN-13: 978-0451471093
Author’s Website: http://www.jenlancaster.com/
Review brought to you by OBS staff member Andra
Synopsis:
Bridesmaids meets The In-Laws in a novel told from the alternating perspectives of two women who define the term frenemies—from New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster.
Jacqueline Jordan knows conflict. A fearless journalist, she’s spent the past decade embedded in the world’s hot spots, writing about the fall of nations and the rise of despots. But if you were to inquire about who topped Jack’s enemy list, she’d not hesitate to answer: Kitty Carricoe.
Kitty reigns supreme over the world of carpools and minivans. A SAHM, she spends her days caring for her dentist husband and three towheaded children, running the PTA, and hiding vegetables in deceptively delicious packed lunches.
Kitty and Jack haven’t a single thing in common—except for Sarabeth Chandler, their mutual bestie. Sarabeth and Jack can be tomboys with the best of them, while Sarabeth can get her girly-girl on with Kitty. In fact, the three of them were college friends until the notorious frat party incident, when Jack accidentally hooked up with Kitty’s boyfriend…
Yet both women drop everything and rush to Sarabeth’s side when they get the call that her fabulously wealthy husband has perished in a suspicious plane crash. To solve the mystery surrounding his death, Jack and Kitty must bury the hatchet and hit the road for a trip that just may bring them together—if it doesn’t kill them first.
Review:
From the beginning I felt that the book was kind of frivolous and hard to get into. The back and forth with the chapters did not work so well in the electronic format for me this time. AND…The actual conflict is not spelled out until about 40% through the book….so I was confused for the beginning portion. The present / past and not so recent past continuum was confusing. Luckily for this reader, once I was past this …the book and my enjoyment level increased exponentially….whew….so I persevered and quite enjoyed the book in the end.
I enjoyed the interactions between Jackie and Kitty – Whitney University, Central Illinois October 1994 – when the girls were getting ready for rush. The story about the blue pantyhose (when Jackie dressed as a smurfette for Halloween) and how it is affecting Jackie’s ability to be comfortable wearing nylons now is priceless.
“I can’t put my finger on how or why, but I feel like this exchange has somehow brought up to a new level in our relationship, and that makes me so happy. Despite how we differ, Jackie’s awesome and I want us to be friends forever. And very soon, sorority sisters.”
‘Nairgate’ did have me chuckling. And the chocolate fountain incident had me in stitches. The ensuing antics to get back at each other was quite humorous, until Jackie went too far (sleeping with Kitty’s boyfriend. That is when the friendship developed the big divide.
Nana Baba is wise “All’s I’m saying is sometimes you have to forgive your enemies.” Is it so true that nana’s always give sage advice!
When Kitty and Jackie start working together to solve the mystery of Trip’s death I really liked how they interacted. “Our tentative truce holds while we compare notes and form our plan of attack.” Slowly they were able to realize their friendship was precious and get back to what they were about as friends all those years ago. While the mystery was somewhat predictable, there were a few moments that were a surprise. While this read got off to a rocky start for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the story once I reached the half way mark. The humor in the book was what saved it for me.
