Today's guests: Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus
Why we love them: Hello, Nanny Diaries anyone?
Their latest: Over You
The scoop on it: When seventeen-year-old Max Scott got her heart broken she didn't just sit at home sobbing into her ice cream and obsessing over her ex, Hugo's, latest Facebook postings. Well, actually she did. But she also decided that no girl should have to be tortured like that, so she read through all the psych books, Oprah transcripts, and historical precedents she could get her hands on and came up with a foolproof program to get over being dumped.
These days, Max is the go-to guru for heartbroken high-school girls all over NYC. But when Hugo shows up in her neighborhood, suddenly Max is so busy trying to avoid her own ex that she isn't able to help anyone else with theirs. As Hugo invades her life all over again, Max's carefully controlled world starts to unravel. With her clients' hearts hanging in the balance, Max will have to do the seemingly impossible: get over her ex once and for all.
Our thoughts: Loved. Who hasn't had her heart stepped on, crushed and then thrown away? I think we all wish we could've hired someone to help us get over him. (Liz definitely could've used some assistance--more than once-- when Lisa was bawling over some jerk while clad in her fattest of fat pants!)
Giveaway:FIVE copies! Just leave a comment and be entered to win. We'll select the winners after 3PM PST on Tuesday, October 2nd.
Fun fact: Ever wondered where they write their books? Check out their workspace.
Where you can read more about Emma & Nicola: Facebook, Twitter and their website.
CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS..EMMA & NICOLA'S TOP 5 READS FOR THE HEARTBROKEN
We’re so happy to be back—did you guys have a great summer? Did you miss us? No, you’re not having déjà vu. Yes, we did just have a novel, Between You And Me, out in June, but we have another book out! Over You is the story of Max Scott, a seventeen year-old breakup coach who can get any girl over any guy in four weeks or less. And she’ll keep you from texting a picture of your boobs to your ex while she’s at it. She is our fantasy ideal of who would be standing over you at the moment of impact, handing you chocolate and a stiff something, disabling your Twitter, and directing all your phone calls to his number into her inbox.
And, what’s even cooler is that Estee Lauder has made an Over You Look, available exclusively at Nordstrom nation-wide. We will be visiting a different store every weekend. Check out our website (www.emmaandnicola.com) to see when we’ll be in your area and come say hi and tell us your worst break-up story. We’ve been there and that’s why we invented Max!
XO, Nicola & Emma
Okay, here are our Top Five Books to Read When You’ve Been Dumped:
1. Heartburn by Nora Ephron is a classic for so many reasons. Not only is it charming, funny and peppered with mouth-watering recipes, this novel—which we consider the original Chic Lit—was made into an amazing film starring a young Meryl Streep, with a killer soundtrack by Carly Simon. It delivers one of the most accurate portrayals of how the female brain works through the misery of a slow-kill rejection as the protagonist realizes that she can take control back by letting go and moving on. Entertaining and comforting!
2. It Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies is her endearingly honest book about the four months in her life between having what she thought was the perfect marriage and being legally separated. She beautifully narrates the shocking experience with such humor you feel like you’re sitting across from a friend you love, hearing her catch you up on the break-up to end all break-ups. Even though you know where the story is going it’s a total page-turner.
3. Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach. This isn’t a novel. But it can transform your relationship with suffering. Tara lived in a Buddhist monastery for years until she had an epiphany and left. She became a PhD in psychology and then she merged her Buddhist scholarship with her knowledge of how the brain works and holds trauma. The combination is a unique—and radical—worldview.
4. A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford is an awesomely juicy read. An oldy but goody about a woman who works as a maid for a grand aristocratic family. She has an affair with the son, gets pregnant and he disavows her and the child. She is left destitute in post-war London. But he grossly underestimates her and by the end of her life she owns his ass. If you love Downton Abbey (and who doesn’t?) you will LOVE this.
5. No list like this would be complete without Eat Pray Love. If you are that one person on the planet who hasn’t read it yet treat yourself.
Thanks, Emma & Nicola! xoxo,
L&L