Lessons in Laughing Out Loud
Willow Briar (known as Will) is thirty-six-years old, five feet two, and a size eighteen. Now that she’s divorced, Will’s social life revolves around her job—working for her demanding talent agent boss Victoria Kincade—and her best friend Daniel Fayre, a successful fashion photographer for whom she harbors a secret crush.
An identical twin, Will has struggled with her self-esteem for years—particularly when she looks at her slim, married, happy sister. One day she finds her luck suddenly turning around after buying a fabulous pair of vintage shoes that make her feel slimmer, taller, and sexier. These shoes seem to have a secret history, and Will starts to wonder if they are a little bit magic.
Little does she know not even a magic eight ball could predict the shocking turn her life is about to take or that the courage she needs to confront her deep-seated issues will require more than a fashion makeover—it will take a life makeover. Armed with newfound confidence to begin her journey, Will finds the courage to face the dark family secrets of her past—and claim the future meant for her.
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Book details:
- Gallery Books |
- 384 pages |
- ISBN 9781451606416 |
- March 2012
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Introduction
Willow Briars is a thirty-nine-year-old divorcee who works at a high-powered London talent agency. Overweight, divorced, and carrying a terrible secret from her childhood, she spends most of her evenings alone eating snacks in front of the TV or on yet another unsuccessful blind date. Willow’s only true confidantes are her slim identical twin sister, Holly, and her best friend and secret crush, Daniel Fayre.
Running errands one afternoon, Willow comes across a tiny antique shop with a pair of the most beautiful shoes she’s ever seen displayed in the window. The shoes make her feel slimmer, taller, sexier. When her life begins to change in ways she never anticipated, Will figures the shoes have a little magic power. Suddenly, Willow, the former loner, has a house full of people to look after and a whole new set of problems to work out. With the help of her newfound confidence and her new friends, Willow finds the courage to face the dark secrets of her past—and claim the future.
Topics & Questions for Discussion
1. What might explain why Willow’s new shoes seem to give her power? Have you ever had a piece of clothing or another item that seemed to give you a special boost of confidence or inner strength?
2. How is Willow’s past slowly revealed in the earlier parts of the novel? When did you start to realize that something terrible had happened to her?
3. Discuss the see more

