Emily Charlton's once successful image consulting business has been floundering for the past several months, all thanks to an unscrupulous competitor. When Emily sees that that former model Karolina Hartwell's life has suddenly come crashing down, Emily sees just the opportunity to get her business back on its feet. Luckily, one of Emily's friends, Miriam Kagan, knows Karolina personally. Emily needs only to channel some of what Miranda Priestly taught her not so long ago.

Emily was my favorite character in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, possibly because I saw the movie first and Emily Blunt made an indelible impression on me. Needless to say, I grabbed WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS as quickly as I could, and I was not disappointed. To my surprise, except for a few minor details, WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS stands perfectly on its own. There was however one thing that seriously bothered me, and I can't even fathom how it made it as far to the advanced review copy. There is a situation of highly dubious consensual sex, if not outright non consensual sex. Worst of all, the offence is committed by one of the lead female protagonists, and it has no bearing whatsoever on the story as a whole. While this is comprised of only a few lines, I found it extremely offensive. Such an act posed by a female does not make it "more okay" than from the part of a male character. Hopefully, those few distasteful lines will have been removed before publication or at least in subsequent editions. I was able to get over it, but I can't forget nor forgive that I read it.

Apart from that unfortunate faux pas, WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS is a terrific read. I was pleased that Emily hasn't mellowed one bit: she is still as abrasive, as unforgiving, and obsessed with fashion and her figure as she ever was. She is stuck in a suburbia she despises, and Lauren Weisberger paints a decidedly colorful picture of the suburbs. I loved all three female protagonists, but Karolina was by far my favorite: she is a splendid, complex character for whom I was cheering every step of the way. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS is more than a caustic look at suburbia and appearances, it is in fact a great mystery novel with a surprisingly solid story. I was hoping that everything would turn out alright for everyone, but I hadn't the foggiest idea how it would happen.

Readers hoping for a healthy dose of Miranda Priestly however might be left wanting. Although the Devil herself plays a pivotal role in the outcome, she appears only very briefly. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LULULEMONS is very entertaining, very clever, with some of the most brilliant dialogues around, and in my opinion, should be this summer's beach read.

Book Summary

HE SET HER UP. THEY’LL BRING HIM DOWN.

Welcome to Greenwich, Connecticut, where the lawns and the women are perfectly manicured, the Tito’s and sodas are extra strong, and everyone has something to say about the infamous new neighbor.

Let’s be clear: Emily Charlton does not do the suburbs. After leaving Miranda Priestly, she’s been working in Hollywood as an image consultant to the stars, but recently, Emily’s lost a few clients. She’s hopeless with social media. The new guard is nipping at her heels. She needs a big opportunity, and she needs it now.

When Karolina Hartwell, a gorgeous former supermodel, is arrested for a DUI, her fall from grace is merciless. Her senator-husband leaves her, her Beltway friends disappear, and the tabloids pounce.

In Karolina, Emily finds her comeback opportunity. But she quickly learns Greenwich is a world apart and that this comeback needs a team approach.

So it is that Emily, the scorned Karolina, and their mutual friend Miriam, a powerful attorney turned stay-at- home suburban mom, band together to not only navigate the social land mines of suburban Greenwich but win back the hearts of the American public. Along the way, an indispensable ally emerges in one Miranda Priestly.

With her signature wit, Lauren Weisberger offers an alluring look into a sexy, over-the-top world—and proves it’s style and substance together that gets the job done.