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In Need of Therapy
Lending a sympathetic ear and dispensing sage words of advice is all part of the job for psychologist Pilar Alvarez, and she’s everything a good therapist should be: warm, compassionate, supportive. She listens, she cares, and she has all the answers, but how’s the woman everyone turns to in their hour of need supposed to cope when her own life starts to fall apart?
While working hard to make a success of her recently-opened practice in trendy South Beach, Pilar must also find time to cater to the demands of her boisterous Cuban family, which includes younger sister Izzy, an unemployed, navel-pierced wild child who can't stay out of trouble, and their mother, a beauty queen turned drama queen who’s equally obsessed with her fading looks and getting Pilar married before it’s “too late.” Although she’d like to oblige her mother and make a permanent love connection, Pilar’s romantic prospects look grim. Her cheating ex, who swears that he’s reformed, is stalking her. A hunky, but strictly off-limits, patient with bad-boy appeal and intimacy issues is making passes. And the sexy shrink in the suite across the hall has a gold band on his left ring finger.
When a series of personal and professional disasters lead Pilar into the arms of one of her unsuitable suitors, she's left shaken, confused, and full of self-doubt. With time running out, she must make sense of her feelings and learn to trust herself again so that she can save her business, her family, and most importantly, her heart.
While working hard to make a success of her recently-opened practice in trendy South Beach, Pilar must also find time to cater to the demands of her boisterous Cuban family, which includes younger sister Izzy, an unemployed, navel-pierced wild child who can't stay out of trouble, and their mother, a beauty queen turned drama queen who’s equally obsessed with her fading looks and getting Pilar married before it’s “too late.” Although she’d like to oblige her mother and make a permanent love connection, Pilar’s romantic prospects look grim. Her cheating ex, who swears that he’s reformed, is stalking her. A hunky, but strictly off-limits, patient with bad-boy appeal and intimacy issues is making passes. And the sexy shrink in the suite across the hall has a gold band on his left ring finger.
When a series of personal and professional disasters lead Pilar into the arms of one of her unsuitable suitors, she's left shaken, confused, and full of self-doubt. With time running out, she must make sense of her feelings and learn to trust herself again so that she can save her business, her family, and most importantly, her heart.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 19, 2012
32 people are currently reading
608 people want to read
About the author
Tracie Banister
7 books468 followersAn avid reader and writer, Tracie Banister has been scribbling stories since she was a child, most of them featuring feisty heroines with complicated love lives like her favorite fictional protagonist Scarlett O'Hara. Her work was first seen on the stage of her elementary school, where her 4th grade class performed an original holiday play that she penned (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she, also, starred in and tried to direct the production.) Her dreams of authorial success were put on the backburner when she reached adulthood and discovered that she needed a "real" job in order to pay her bills. Her career as personal assistant to a local entrepreneur lasted for 12 years. When it ended, Tracie decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. Her debut novel, the Hollywood-themed BLAME IT ON THE FAME, was released in January, 2012. And she's following that up with the fun summer read, IN NEED OF THERAPY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
October 23, 2017
After thoroughly enjoying Tracie Banister’s two most recent novels, I knew I had to add this one to my TBR. Pilar immediately drew me into her life, as she was so easy to sympathize with. She had a lot going on between her family drama and career stress. I loved the psychology parts, such as when she was coming up with new ideas for her patients to try.
Being an avid reader, I was able to figure out where one aspect of the story was going, but Tracie still kept me guessing and I wasn’t 100% confident in my prediction. She also threw in a lot of surprises throughout, which made the story even more entertaining!
There were a lot of funny parts and I had an enjoyable time reading it. Tracie is a talented writer and I can’t wait her novel about Izzy to come out soon!
My dream movie cast:
Pilar: Gabrielle Ruiz
Victor: Juan Pablo Di Pace (I just kept picturing him whenever Victor said "Mi Amor" and it stuck.)
Mitch: Kellan Lutz
Ford: Luke Evans
Izzy: Makenzie Vega
Sara: Talulah Riley
Luisa (Mama): Rosie Perez
Ana: Floriana Lima
Being an avid reader, I was able to figure out where one aspect of the story was going, but Tracie still kept me guessing and I wasn’t 100% confident in my prediction. She also threw in a lot of surprises throughout, which made the story even more entertaining!
There were a lot of funny parts and I had an enjoyable time reading it. Tracie is a talented writer and I can’t wait her novel about Izzy to come out soon!
My dream movie cast:
Pilar: Gabrielle Ruiz
Victor: Juan Pablo Di Pace (I just kept picturing him whenever Victor said "Mi Amor" and it stuck.)
Mitch: Kellan Lutz
Ford: Luke Evans
Izzy: Makenzie Vega
Sara: Talulah Riley
Luisa (Mama): Rosie Perez
Ana: Floriana Lima
March 3, 2020
~ The Best Therapy is a Good Book ~
In 2020, my one and only New Year resolution was to spice up my reading material. I promised myself to add more diversity. I have a tendency to fall back on my comfort genre — historical fiction. HF is my go-to genre, but I end up missing so many great reads. For instance, classics are high on my list. I used to enjoy checking them off my TBR. Now, I'm collecting classics more than I'm actually reading them. So, here we are at the beginning of March. I can honestly say that for once in my life I've 100% stuck to a resolution. No diets for me. Blah. Turns out, I can nail book resolutions. My Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge is skipping along nicely and brimming with an assortment of genres. I've even joined a Cozy Mystery challenge. (Fun, btw!) Now, about this book...
I met Tracie on Twitter. At first, I had no idea she was even an author. We connected during tweets and I enjoyed her banter. After a couple of chatty convos, I'm like, WHO is this funny Tracie? You know the drill — stalk a person's profile and you find out what makes them unique. After discovering Tracie was an author (some of my favorite peeps), I hurried over to Goodreads. Melissa Amster, a popular blogger I trust with book recommendations, had wonderful things to write about Banister. I added ALL Tracie's books to my shelves. Still, I resisted. Why? Because of my habit to stay in the reading safe zone. I continued chatting with Banister on Twitter. Tracie and I shared our book likes and discussed our faves. Of course she told me about her books, but she never, ever forced them on me. In fact, she was so darn humble about it. I liked this about her. No pressure to read her books. Just an online friendship. I finally sent her a friend request on Goodreads. That was several years ago. It took me this long to pick up my first Tracie Banister book. Agh. I've wasted too much time. I've gotta say, I WAS In Need of Therapy. Life has been chaotic lately. This was the perrrrfect book to unwind with. Pour yourself a glass of chilled wine. Banister's characters are witty and real. I fell hard for her leading lady, Pilar Alvarez. Pilar is a fiery, Latino psychologist in need of her own therapy. It's all very comical. Banister writes with humor I can appreciate it. Nothing feels forced. I had the best time with this story. It's a delicious romcom; kinda like that therapy you get from a girl's night out. Good fun!
I'm off to find another book by Tracie Banister.
In 2020, my one and only New Year resolution was to spice up my reading material. I promised myself to add more diversity. I have a tendency to fall back on my comfort genre — historical fiction. HF is my go-to genre, but I end up missing so many great reads. For instance, classics are high on my list. I used to enjoy checking them off my TBR. Now, I'm collecting classics more than I'm actually reading them. So, here we are at the beginning of March. I can honestly say that for once in my life I've 100% stuck to a resolution. No diets for me. Blah. Turns out, I can nail book resolutions. My Goodreads 2020 Reading Challenge is skipping along nicely and brimming with an assortment of genres. I've even joined a Cozy Mystery challenge. (Fun, btw!) Now, about this book...
I met Tracie on Twitter. At first, I had no idea she was even an author. We connected during tweets and I enjoyed her banter. After a couple of chatty convos, I'm like, WHO is this funny Tracie? You know the drill — stalk a person's profile and you find out what makes them unique. After discovering Tracie was an author (some of my favorite peeps), I hurried over to Goodreads. Melissa Amster, a popular blogger I trust with book recommendations, had wonderful things to write about Banister. I added ALL Tracie's books to my shelves. Still, I resisted. Why? Because of my habit to stay in the reading safe zone. I continued chatting with Banister on Twitter. Tracie and I shared our book likes and discussed our faves. Of course she told me about her books, but she never, ever forced them on me. In fact, she was so darn humble about it. I liked this about her. No pressure to read her books. Just an online friendship. I finally sent her a friend request on Goodreads. That was several years ago. It took me this long to pick up my first Tracie Banister book. Agh. I've wasted too much time. I've gotta say, I WAS In Need of Therapy. Life has been chaotic lately. This was the perrrrfect book to unwind with. Pour yourself a glass of chilled wine. Banister's characters are witty and real. I fell hard for her leading lady, Pilar Alvarez. Pilar is a fiery, Latino psychologist in need of her own therapy. It's all very comical. Banister writes with humor I can appreciate it. Nothing feels forced. I had the best time with this story. It's a delicious romcom; kinda like that therapy you get from a girl's night out. Good fun!
I'm off to find another book by Tracie Banister.
July 26, 2012
I asked the author if I could write an independent review of this book, and was provided with an Advance Review Copy.
How glad was I! What a superb read. I've been meaning to read the author's first book, Blame It on the Fame (and I will), but I hadn't quite had time yet. So when I found out In Need of Therapy was launching soon, I was keen to be the first to get my mitts on it. There were so many things that appealed to me about this book. First it's set in Miami and South Florida, where I have spent a fair bit of time, even though I'm Scottish. So I could totally envisage the Art Deco buildings of Ocean Drive, plus the Cuban neighbourhoods, as I had visited Calle Ocho and Little Havana. I also speak Spanish, and I like books which are peppered with little bits of other languages. Ms Banister's portrayal of the Latina family dynamic was hysterical and I thought very on-point. Pilar's over the top mother with her histrionics had me in stitches, particularly at her birthday party. I had never read a chick-lit novel about a therapist before, so that was novel for me. I think this is maybe because in the UK, we don't undergo as much therapy as in the US. But I really enjoyed this aspect and I guess the author researched it in great detail, as Pilar really seemed to know what she was talking about. I loved Pilar - she was so ditzy in many ways, but very professional and obviously cared greatly for her clients, sometimes really going above and beyond. Pilar's two love interests were superbly drawn. The smarmy Victor made me want to puke and I totally fell in love with Ford! The sub-plot with the errant male client was also fantastically well described and a little gem of an extra. I could have killed Pilar's sister - she was so selfish and only out for herself. Pilar herself would do anything for anyone, as was seen in the lengths she went to to be a good friend, sister and daughter and was taken advantage by many as a result. There were many twists and turns in this excellent chick-lit tale and plenty of laughs. The bunny boiler female client would have had me running for cover if I were a bloke. The little romantic twist near the end had me laughing out loud.
I don't read so much pure chick-lit any more, but if the author writes another like this, I will happily do so. A laugh a minute read.
How glad was I! What a superb read. I've been meaning to read the author's first book, Blame It on the Fame (and I will), but I hadn't quite had time yet. So when I found out In Need of Therapy was launching soon, I was keen to be the first to get my mitts on it. There were so many things that appealed to me about this book. First it's set in Miami and South Florida, where I have spent a fair bit of time, even though I'm Scottish. So I could totally envisage the Art Deco buildings of Ocean Drive, plus the Cuban neighbourhoods, as I had visited Calle Ocho and Little Havana. I also speak Spanish, and I like books which are peppered with little bits of other languages. Ms Banister's portrayal of the Latina family dynamic was hysterical and I thought very on-point. Pilar's over the top mother with her histrionics had me in stitches, particularly at her birthday party. I had never read a chick-lit novel about a therapist before, so that was novel for me. I think this is maybe because in the UK, we don't undergo as much therapy as in the US. But I really enjoyed this aspect and I guess the author researched it in great detail, as Pilar really seemed to know what she was talking about. I loved Pilar - she was so ditzy in many ways, but very professional and obviously cared greatly for her clients, sometimes really going above and beyond. Pilar's two love interests were superbly drawn. The smarmy Victor made me want to puke and I totally fell in love with Ford! The sub-plot with the errant male client was also fantastically well described and a little gem of an extra. I could have killed Pilar's sister - she was so selfish and only out for herself. Pilar herself would do anything for anyone, as was seen in the lengths she went to to be a good friend, sister and daughter and was taken advantage by many as a result. There were many twists and turns in this excellent chick-lit tale and plenty of laughs. The bunny boiler female client would have had me running for cover if I were a bloke. The little romantic twist near the end had me laughing out loud.
I don't read so much pure chick-lit any more, but if the author writes another like this, I will happily do so. A laugh a minute read.
May 20, 2013
Miami’s South Beach is famous for its star studded clubs and lavish beaches. Guys and girls with the perfect tan and even more perfect bodies. People with endless supplies of money driving around in the newest “It” car. But not everyone’s life is perfect. And for those people there is Pilar Alvarez. Pilar is a psychologist who recently opened up her own practice in South Beach. Hoping to help others with her professional advice and sympathetic ear, while dealing with her own issues isn’t going to be easy. Although Pilar comes from a wealthy Cuban family, she’s determined to make it on her own and without the financial assistance from her father. But when her monthly rent gets increased by $1000 can she do it on her own or will she be forced to ask for help?
While dealing with the everyday struggles of being a new business owner, Pilar also has to put up with her family’s constant demands. Her younger sister Izzy is currently unemployed, getting herself in all sorts of trouble and leaving Pilar to bail her out … literally! Then there’s Pilar’s mother who is convinced that Pilar let the perfect man walk out of her life when she broke up with her two timing boyfriend, Victor. But that doesn’t stop her from trying to fix Pilar up with other men and attempt to get her married off before she turns the old age of 30!
Although Pilar is use to giving out the advice, she’s having to get some as well. With the help of her best friend, Sara, to help her along the way and her new found friendship with Dr. Fordham, the psychiatrist who moved into the office next door, Pilar’s future is looking bright. But will she find the love that she so desires and the man that her mom will be happy for her to marry? Or will Pilar be the one In Need Of Therapy? Come join Pilar, her family and friends on a hilarious adventure in love and life.
In Need of Therapy is author Tracie Banister’s sophomore novel. It is everything that I think chick lit should be. It’s a fun read about a smart, successful woman dealing with everyday struggles of juggling work, family and personal relationships while still trying to keep her sanity. It has humor thrown in and is just the perfect book to read. I really enjoyed this book and how the heroine was portrayed as a smart, strong woman. I felt I could relate to how her family was and the close bond she shared with her best friend. I would definitely recommend this book to others. With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect book to toss into your beach bag and read by the water.
While dealing with the everyday struggles of being a new business owner, Pilar also has to put up with her family’s constant demands. Her younger sister Izzy is currently unemployed, getting herself in all sorts of trouble and leaving Pilar to bail her out … literally! Then there’s Pilar’s mother who is convinced that Pilar let the perfect man walk out of her life when she broke up with her two timing boyfriend, Victor. But that doesn’t stop her from trying to fix Pilar up with other men and attempt to get her married off before she turns the old age of 30!
Although Pilar is use to giving out the advice, she’s having to get some as well. With the help of her best friend, Sara, to help her along the way and her new found friendship with Dr. Fordham, the psychiatrist who moved into the office next door, Pilar’s future is looking bright. But will she find the love that she so desires and the man that her mom will be happy for her to marry? Or will Pilar be the one In Need Of Therapy? Come join Pilar, her family and friends on a hilarious adventure in love and life.
In Need of Therapy is author Tracie Banister’s sophomore novel. It is everything that I think chick lit should be. It’s a fun read about a smart, successful woman dealing with everyday struggles of juggling work, family and personal relationships while still trying to keep her sanity. It has humor thrown in and is just the perfect book to read. I really enjoyed this book and how the heroine was portrayed as a smart, strong woman. I felt I could relate to how her family was and the close bond she shared with her best friend. I would definitely recommend this book to others. With summer just around the corner, it’s the perfect book to toss into your beach bag and read by the water.
September 1, 2014
Banister immediately grabbed my attention and kept it! A fast paced, fun, quick read (perfect for the beach or pool). I was barely able to put the book down. I immediately fell in love with Pilar and her crazy family. Especially her mother!!! All her characters, main or supporting, were brilliantly portrayed. All were fully developed with such great and unique personalities…
As a chick lit lover, of course I enjoyed the love aspect. But the part of the story that really grabbed my attention was the therapy sessions. They totally added to the story and really kept the reader on her toes.
I have to admit initially I found the usage of small spanish expressions a bit annoying, as I don't understand the language at all. However, as I got to the middle of the book, like Nate looking for his two new words a day, I came to enjoy these little gems. By the time I closed the book I felt like I learned a little spanish while enjoying a terrific book. win, win!
As a chick lit lover, of course I enjoyed the love aspect. But the part of the story that really grabbed my attention was the therapy sessions. They totally added to the story and really kept the reader on her toes.
I have to admit initially I found the usage of small spanish expressions a bit annoying, as I don't understand the language at all. However, as I got to the middle of the book, like Nate looking for his two new words a day, I came to enjoy these little gems. By the time I closed the book I felt like I learned a little spanish while enjoying a terrific book. win, win!
September 5, 2014
First off this book needs to be made into a movie. The characters are so fully developed, so many fantastic lines. Almost each page I was laughing out loud! I loved experiencing the Miami environment and the culture of Pilar's family.
There were several big surprises in this story, I won't spoil it-you'll need to read for yourself and you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend this book if you want to enjoy a engaging story filled with sexy guys, laugh out loud moments, Miami beach, and a heart-warming tale!
There were several big surprises in this story, I won't spoil it-you'll need to read for yourself and you won't be disappointed. I highly recommend this book if you want to enjoy a engaging story filled with sexy guys, laugh out loud moments, Miami beach, and a heart-warming tale!
September 12, 2013
A great story that was an absolute riot to read. Many, Many, Many laugh out loud moments through out. Tracie's "Blame it on the Fame" is wonderful and is a tough act to follow, but in my opinion "In need of Therapy" moves the bar even higher. Tracie is very talented I am betting that the entertainment value of her next novel surpasses the achievements of her first two successes.
August 6, 2018
This was such a cute story! I immediately fell in love with the Alvarez family. The story revolves around Pilar, a pschologist, and her quest to keep her practice afloat while also handling her difficult sister, Izzy, her parents, and finding love. I loved getting to know some of her patients and her psychiatrist friend, Dr. Ford. This story has some suspense, love and twists. No spoilers, but I love a happy ending! I hope there are many more stories about the Alvarez family to come from Tracie Banister.
September 11, 2012
Loved this book! :)
January 18, 2019
'In Need of Therapy' was the first book I picked up in 2019. I'd had it on my kindle app for quite some time and I was looking for a fun read to start the year off on a happy note. One of the main themes in this novel is the importance of communication and realizing that things aren't always as they seem.
I love everything Tracie Banister writes and this is one more example of why that's true. If you're looking for a fun summery read with fun, chaos, and a dash of romance then this is the book for you. This book is also followed by a fun novel called 'Izzy As Is' and I highly recommend you read both of them!
I love everything Tracie Banister writes and this is one more example of why that's true. If you're looking for a fun summery read with fun, chaos, and a dash of romance then this is the book for you. This book is also followed by a fun novel called 'Izzy As Is' and I highly recommend you read both of them!
January 25, 2013
I got this book for free from the Author in exchange of an honest review.
I don't know if I can stop gushing over this book long enough to write a decent review but here it is! Of course when Tracie came to me to read and review her book I couldn't pass up on the chance. Not only was the premise promising but it has been a while since I last read an awesome chick-lit and was a little starved.
In Need of Therapy was exactly the book I needed to fix this craving need. Pilar Alvarez is a new psychologist and she is everything her patients need, warm, compassionate and supportive. Pilar is also strong, independent and very sassy. So as Pilar struggles to keep her new practice together her own life slowly starts to crumble apart, answering to the demands of her younger sister who has a wild child streak in her and her beauty queen/drama queen mother who is not only obsessed with her own fading looks but getting Pilar married off before she becomes a 'Spinster'.
Pilar's choice in the love department look grim, with her ex-boyfriend Victor who cheated on her and now is swearing that he is a brand new man that missed out on their love, is also now stalking her. A bad-boy patient who keeps making passes and a new hunky psychiatrist next door that has her heart beating fast but also wears a nice big gold wedding ring.
Pilar's journey was fun, witty and craft. Tracie Banister does an amazing job with making the story flow, entertaining and full of parts that made me giggle and kept me going! I loved Pilar she was an amazing character and so was her array of colorful patients and people around her. I couldn't stop laughing when her mother set her up on a disastrous blind with a man who was very much concerned about what her body fat is and getting her a trainer – talk about a date from hell! She obviously cares for her patients, as throughout the book she went out several times out of her way to help them. Even if she was a bit of a push over when it came to her sister Izzy and the pile of trouble that she literally dumped on Pilar's front door.
Victor, Sara, and Pilar's mother were all funny characters. I loved Sara and her spunky dialogs, she was a woman on a mission and she'd derail everyone in her way to get her way, every time she popped into the book she was not disappointing! Victor and his stalking tendencies and the way he kept popping in had me giggling as well, his outcome nearly had me falling out of my seat!
Yet you cannot help but root for Pilar, in hopes that her practice makes it, in hopes that she would find a way to deal with her mother that keeps pushing her into marriage. In hopes that instead of finding all kinds of Mr.Wrongs she would finally find that mister right. Her friendship with Ford the married Psychiatrist was heartwarming, and I couldn't help but root for the both of them! Delightful entertaining read that is surely now one of my favorites. I cannot wait to see more from this sweet author.
I don't know if I can stop gushing over this book long enough to write a decent review but here it is! Of course when Tracie came to me to read and review her book I couldn't pass up on the chance. Not only was the premise promising but it has been a while since I last read an awesome chick-lit and was a little starved.
In Need of Therapy was exactly the book I needed to fix this craving need. Pilar Alvarez is a new psychologist and she is everything her patients need, warm, compassionate and supportive. Pilar is also strong, independent and very sassy. So as Pilar struggles to keep her new practice together her own life slowly starts to crumble apart, answering to the demands of her younger sister who has a wild child streak in her and her beauty queen/drama queen mother who is not only obsessed with her own fading looks but getting Pilar married off before she becomes a 'Spinster'.
Pilar's choice in the love department look grim, with her ex-boyfriend Victor who cheated on her and now is swearing that he is a brand new man that missed out on their love, is also now stalking her. A bad-boy patient who keeps making passes and a new hunky psychiatrist next door that has her heart beating fast but also wears a nice big gold wedding ring.
Pilar's journey was fun, witty and craft. Tracie Banister does an amazing job with making the story flow, entertaining and full of parts that made me giggle and kept me going! I loved Pilar she was an amazing character and so was her array of colorful patients and people around her. I couldn't stop laughing when her mother set her up on a disastrous blind with a man who was very much concerned about what her body fat is and getting her a trainer – talk about a date from hell! She obviously cares for her patients, as throughout the book she went out several times out of her way to help them. Even if she was a bit of a push over when it came to her sister Izzy and the pile of trouble that she literally dumped on Pilar's front door.
Victor, Sara, and Pilar's mother were all funny characters. I loved Sara and her spunky dialogs, she was a woman on a mission and she'd derail everyone in her way to get her way, every time she popped into the book she was not disappointing! Victor and his stalking tendencies and the way he kept popping in had me giggling as well, his outcome nearly had me falling out of my seat!
Yet you cannot help but root for Pilar, in hopes that her practice makes it, in hopes that she would find a way to deal with her mother that keeps pushing her into marriage. In hopes that instead of finding all kinds of Mr.Wrongs she would finally find that mister right. Her friendship with Ford the married Psychiatrist was heartwarming, and I couldn't help but root for the both of them! Delightful entertaining read that is surely now one of my favorites. I cannot wait to see more from this sweet author.
March 3, 2013
Pilar Alvarez is a psychologist and she has just opened her brand new office. She struggles with very different characters of patients. On one side, there are her patients, on the other, her lunatic family. Her mother is former beauty queen, and every day drama queen, who wants to see her daughters married with bunch of children. Ana, the oldest sister, is married and has three children, and Izzy, the youngest, is the rebel in the family. What’s missing in Pilar’s life is a good and decent man. There are men, like her ex Victor, who was cheating on her, a gorgeous patient Mitch Buchannon, and a colleague next door, Ford, who is married. On the top of it, her mother is setting up her friends’ sons. There is also her best friend Sara who designs swimwear.
It’s a perfect summer read (I know, I know, it’s not summer yet). Entertaining, humorous, easy-to-read. I really enjoyed Pilar’s story and her every-day adventures on work and at home. With a family like that, no wonder that she became a psychologist. There are plenty of comic characters and I loved them all.
Pilar’s mom was one and only. I liked her most.
“It’s your sister!” My mother blinked back tears and placed a hand tipped with red acrylic nails over her heart.
“Ana?” I started to panic.
“No, Isidora.”
My stomach sank. With my younger sister’s penchant for calamity, anything was possible. She could have wrapped her car around a tree or run off with some Mambo instructor who’d knocked her up. “What happened?”
Mama’s lips quivered with barely restrained emotion, and I wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders. “She hung up on me!”
I dropped my arm and gave her an incredulous look. “That’s it! You called me over here and scared me half to death because Izzy hung up on you?” Ladies and gentlemen, my mother, the drama queen.”
Like every mother, she likes the best for her daughters, in her very own way.
“You’re almost 30, Pilar. How many days do you think you have left?”
The plot is settled in Miami and Pilar comes from Cuban family, so I learned couple of Spanish words. I really liked the choice for the main character being a member of a different ethnicity group. It stands out of the crowd in a positive and unique way. Even, it was predictable (almost every chick lit story is) I loved the story . I made me laugh so many times. It’s a story definitely worth for recommendation. If you want funny, cute, easy-to-read story to relax, this is definitely a book for you.
It’s a perfect summer read (I know, I know, it’s not summer yet). Entertaining, humorous, easy-to-read. I really enjoyed Pilar’s story and her every-day adventures on work and at home. With a family like that, no wonder that she became a psychologist. There are plenty of comic characters and I loved them all.
Pilar’s mom was one and only. I liked her most.
“It’s your sister!” My mother blinked back tears and placed a hand tipped with red acrylic nails over her heart.
“Ana?” I started to panic.
“No, Isidora.”
My stomach sank. With my younger sister’s penchant for calamity, anything was possible. She could have wrapped her car around a tree or run off with some Mambo instructor who’d knocked her up. “What happened?”
Mama’s lips quivered with barely restrained emotion, and I wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders. “She hung up on me!”
I dropped my arm and gave her an incredulous look. “That’s it! You called me over here and scared me half to death because Izzy hung up on you?” Ladies and gentlemen, my mother, the drama queen.”
Like every mother, she likes the best for her daughters, in her very own way.
“You’re almost 30, Pilar. How many days do you think you have left?”
The plot is settled in Miami and Pilar comes from Cuban family, so I learned couple of Spanish words. I really liked the choice for the main character being a member of a different ethnicity group. It stands out of the crowd in a positive and unique way. Even, it was predictable (almost every chick lit story is) I loved the story . I made me laugh so many times. It’s a story definitely worth for recommendation. If you want funny, cute, easy-to-read story to relax, this is definitely a book for you.
October 21, 2012
Tracy wrote an entertaining story around a psychologist with a host of characters ranging from normal to bizarre. The protagonist, Dr. Pilar Alverez, has very full days balancing an ex-boyfriend/Casanova, a surfer dude/actor who fancies himself in love with her, a young teenage girl who is certain she wants breasts, and a drop dead gorgeous man who opens up a psychiatry office across the hall.
"‘I’ll have a chocolate Banana martini.’ Sarah was a self-admitted chocoholic who had to have it in some form or another at every meal (yes, even breakfast.) I”d actually seen the woman melt Hershey’s Kisses in with her scrambled eggs."
And, that is only at work. The story line was fast-paced and entertaining. Even with a large supporting cast – the large Cuban family, the patients, and boyfriends – the story was easy to follow. The book has more than its share of laugh-out-loud moments, which made for an enjoyable read.
"My diagnosis: Mitch Buchanan did not suffer from sexual compulsion or addiction; he was a man whore. I knew the breed well, having encountered many of its kind in the course of my dating career. As a rule, they were physically attractive, extremely self-assured, and had very little emotional depth."
From a technical side, I found very few grammatical errors, the characters were extremely believable and lovable, and the story-line was interesting. The book had a good, but simple, fast moving plot that they author brought closure to. There really wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book, and I think anyone loving a good romance with a little humor mixed in will love this book.
"Mama's lips quivered with barely restrained emotion, and I wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders. ‘She hung up on me!” I dropped my arm and gave her an incredulous look. ‘ That's it! You called me over here and scared me half to death because Issy hung up on you?” ladies and gentlemen, my mother, the drama queen."
“There are no strings attached…” “So, now you’re trying to talk me out of taking this relationship to the next level?” ‘Hell no….then we have to be on the same page…” “Okay,” I agreed, “what page are you on?” ‘I’m on the page where the male protagonist takes the heroine by the shoulders, stares deeply into her…”
September 28, 2012
Tracie Banister continues to be one of my favorite new authors with her latest offering, In Need of Therapy.
In Need of Therapy is a laugh out loud story about a fun and somewhat unconventional leading lady. She is sassy and independent, and I loved her from the get go.
Pilar's profession alone sets her apart from others in the chick lit genre. She is a therapist, and that role offers plenty of humor and good natured eye rolling. By including us in her mental analysis or her patients, It was easy to feel an instant connection with Pilar. It was like she was sharing a juicy secret with us every time she secretly thought about how ridiculous some of her patients are. I always figured shrinks thought that way.
The supporting cast, from her meddling mother to leech of a little sister, offered additional humor, which kept me entertained. Throw in some juicy (in a good and bad way -- I'm looking at you, Victor) men, and you have a great ensemble to keep the story moving. And it moved fast.
And when you all read the book can we talk about Ford? Swoon. This is the second male lead named Ford that I have read and adored. There must be something to that name.
The book is witty and charming, just like the author's tweets. While we're on that note, follow Tracie on Twitter. She offers excellent commentary on books, Hollywood and more. Now that Dancing With the Stars is in progress, she's become my go-to source for recaps in 140 characters or less.
Banister continues to show her growth as an author. While carrying the humor and charm that was present in Blame it on the Fame, this is a fresh story, from the plot to the writing format. Her books make me proud to call her one of my online writer friends. Keep up the great work, Tracie.
Originally posted at www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
In Need of Therapy is a laugh out loud story about a fun and somewhat unconventional leading lady. She is sassy and independent, and I loved her from the get go.
Pilar's profession alone sets her apart from others in the chick lit genre. She is a therapist, and that role offers plenty of humor and good natured eye rolling. By including us in her mental analysis or her patients, It was easy to feel an instant connection with Pilar. It was like she was sharing a juicy secret with us every time she secretly thought about how ridiculous some of her patients are. I always figured shrinks thought that way.
The supporting cast, from her meddling mother to leech of a little sister, offered additional humor, which kept me entertained. Throw in some juicy (in a good and bad way -- I'm looking at you, Victor) men, and you have a great ensemble to keep the story moving. And it moved fast.
And when you all read the book can we talk about Ford? Swoon. This is the second male lead named Ford that I have read and adored. There must be something to that name.
The book is witty and charming, just like the author's tweets. While we're on that note, follow Tracie on Twitter. She offers excellent commentary on books, Hollywood and more. Now that Dancing With the Stars is in progress, she's become my go-to source for recaps in 140 characters or less.
Banister continues to show her growth as an author. While carrying the humor and charm that was present in Blame it on the Fame, this is a fresh story, from the plot to the writing format. Her books make me proud to call her one of my online writer friends. Keep up the great work, Tracie.
Originally posted at www.change-the-word.blogspot.com.
September 14, 2012
In Need of Therapy is a wonderful read. I finished it in a couple of days. The characters were fantastic, especially Pilar, who was the kind of heroine I'd want to be friends with. I enjoyed and related to her struggle of how to balance her need for an independent lifestyle amidst a whirlwind of modern dating. Victor's antics had me laughing out loud. And I fell in love with Mitch the moment he walked onto the page. This is not my usual genre, but Tracie Banister has an incredible voice. She weaves a compelling story with believable situations, quirky/lovable characters and, most of all, an intelligent heroine. I found myself nodding along with Pilar every time she struggled to figure out how to do the right thing. She is a kind, compassionate, sympathetic herione who always puts everyone before herself but manages to find her happily ever after in the end. I really liked that. Lastly, I loved the Latina element of the story. I really enjoyed learning more about the Cuban/Miami culture through a fun read that swept me right up into this warm, vibrant community from the very first chapter. I loved Tracie's first book, Blame It on the Fame, and this second one was just a good. I'm looking forward to her third.
March 25, 2013
I have now read both of Tracie Banister's books: "Blame it on the Fame" and "In Need of Therapy," and I can honestly say she is one of my favorite writers. Banister is brilliant at creating believable, multi-layered and hilarious characters who you either love or hate. Reading about them is always a pleasure. "In Need of Therapy" transports you to the gorgeous setting of Miami, and I loved feeling like I was on a sandy beach when in fact it was freezing cold outside.
The characters in this book are fantastic, and I had to savor every word of their stories because I never wanted the book to end. I adored Pilar and her crazy, close knit family (I'm still laughing at the things that came out of Mama's mouth), her determined ex Victor, BFF Sara and the amazing characters of Ford and Nate. The quirky clients and hysterical dates that Pilar went on added the perfect amount of humor to a laugh out loud funny book.
I can't say enough good things about "In Need of Therapy," and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, smart and entertaining read. Tracie Banister is an excellent writer.
The characters in this book are fantastic, and I had to savor every word of their stories because I never wanted the book to end. I adored Pilar and her crazy, close knit family (I'm still laughing at the things that came out of Mama's mouth), her determined ex Victor, BFF Sara and the amazing characters of Ford and Nate. The quirky clients and hysterical dates that Pilar went on added the perfect amount of humor to a laugh out loud funny book.
I can't say enough good things about "In Need of Therapy," and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, smart and entertaining read. Tracie Banister is an excellent writer.
February 27, 2013
Very much enjoyed this fun, light, and humor-packed story of a pre-thirty girl's search for love. The cast of characters provide a colorful backdrop to the saga of trusting (although not always insightful) Pilar, as she tries to build her practice, get her nagging mother to back-off as a match-maker, and juggle an array of men who aren't quite the right fits--or so we think. Loved the Latin flair and Miami setting of this hard-to-stop-reading novel, and can't wait to see what else the author comes up with. Highly recommend!
January 2, 2015
This is a classic chick lit, rom com story, full of humor, warmth, and fun. The heroine is both real and thoroughly relatable and the hero is mysterious heart throb material - just as he should be. The storyline moves along at a clipping pace, with fun and interesting characters and situations thrown in to keep you turing the page. A thoroughly enjoyable light read I'd recommend to anyone who loves a feel good story.
September 30, 2012
Loved it! Loved Pilar and her family!
March 7, 2013
Take this book off your TBR (to be read) pile and start reading. In addition to a great storyline, three story elements really stood out to me:
(1) Expertly drawn likable characters; (2) a competent, stable psychologist as main character; and (3) Cuban-American characters in a South Beach, Florida setting.
While reading In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister, I was amazed by the “likeability” of not just her main character (Pilar Alvarez), but each of her characters – from her trouble-making, destructive sister, Izzy, to her opinionated mother, even her persistent ex-boyfriend Victor who pops in on Pilar at the worse possible times. The one character who may not be likeable by the end of the story is certainly lovable during the story.
Why are likeable characters important? Why mention this, specifically, in a book review?
Here’s a little something unknown to most readers: Many writers struggle with creating the elusive “likeable” character, especially at the beginning of a book when the writer is trying to hook a reader with a compelling story conflict. The prevailing fear is that the reader will abandon the book if the main character (and to a lesser extent, the secondary characters) are not “likeable”. But then, how do you show a character in distress at the beginning of a conflict and how do you signal that character growth is possible during the unraveling of story events? Don’t our characters need to start somewhere and isn’t that somewhere less-than-desirable when compared to the happy ending? On the one hand, you want to write a character that is flawed, so that he/she can grow while on their personal journey, but those flaws must be written in such a way that doesn’t turn-off the reader. It’s very difficult. As a writer, you almost want to attach a note to the reader at the opening of the book which reads (this example has nothing to do with In Need of Therapy): I know she is foolish and irresponsible. I know he is controlling and critical at times. But this is the beginning of their stories. Please be patient and read. Find out what happens to them as they learn from their mistakes. Don’t ditch ‘em before the story gets off the ground!
Because Banister’s characters are so likeable the result is a book that is endearing. If it were on the big screen, the story would feel good the way a Meg Ryan or Hugh Grant chick flick feels good. And it’s “clean” and pretty wholesome compared to many titles in the genre. I would let my high school daughter read this book because while there are steamy scenes, they are handled in a manner that is suitable to a wide audience.
Pilar Alvarez is a skilled psychologist which makes her an incredibly competent and reliable first-person point-of-view narrator. So often, we read books because we want to experience the impossible struggles of a less-than-perfect character. In fact, the chick lit genre is filled with this archetype. We fell in love with Jane Austen’s Emma because she constantly tripped over herself through her words and actions until we were certain she’d never find her way into Darcy’s arms. Not so with Pilar. I read Pilar feeling she had it more together than I do, which turned the tables on me, the reader. Of course, she has many obstacles and tangles to unravel in her life, but it is utterly refreshing to read a main character that provides excellent therapy to her patients and insightful advice to her family members. During passages of dialogue with her patients, you’ll find Pilar to be downright brilliant and dead-on. Pilar has problems that need fixing, but she’s not a silly, hapless character that solves the world’s problems through clever hijinks and near misses. Quite the opposite. She is thoughtful and careful in her decisions and gives the readers every indication that while she wobbles a bit during the story, she is a character that is overall very steady, with both feet placed firmly on the ground. I respect that in a main character.
For my third point, in addition to this being a book with endearing, likeable characters (a difficult task for any writer), and with a stable and competent main character (very refreshing), my third point is this: Pilar Alvarez is Cuban, her family is Cuban (loving, funny, animated and very close) and the book is set in South Beach, Florida, where the Cuban community is prominent. Pilar feels enormous cultural pressure from her Cuban family to get married. Here’s a passage from her mother, who is bandage-wrapped and a bit drugged after a facelift:
“You turned down his proposal? You said ‘no’ to that 5-Carat ring? Are you estupido? Dios mio, where did I go wrong?” She raised her hands to the heavens. “How could I have raised a daughter who has so little sense, a daughter who spits on the holy sacrament of marriage?”
(Fast forward a few paragraphs…)
Since my mother was incapable of moving any facial muscles, she just glared at me. “And your father thinks you’re the sweet one.”
When Pilar meets Nate, the five-year-old son of the “sexy shrink across the hall” they form a bond when Pilar begins teaching him Spanish words, which is really sweet, because the vocabulary they use is the kind that would be important in the life of a five-year-old, words like guante de beisbol, which means baseball mitt. (I know I’m missing an accent mark on the ‘e’ in beisbol but I can’t figure out how to fix that and I apologize if the meaning of the words have now changed from baseball mitt into something horrible or something that may cause a rift between countries. Dang that formatting.) Pilar tells Nate she’s Cuban, Chilean, and American. That her sisters and she like to call themselves ‘Cubchilicans’. I absolutely love this about Tracie Banister’s book because so many books in the chick lit genre are set in London or New York (or similar) and are decidedly American, Australian, Canadian, British, or Irish. (Countries placed in alphabetical order – for reasons of diplomacy, of course.)
Now, I’m just little ole me and what do I know, but I think a big fat agent or a big fat editor at a big fat publishing house ought to consider not just the likeable characters and strong main character but the Cuban underpinnings in Banister’s book because I think there’s a potentially (huge!) market for readership. Right now, industry insiders seem to be watching “new adult” fiction (‘new adult’ loosely described as post-adolescent, college-age, early career characters and storyline) but I think the time has come for a close look at a Latino Chick Lit sub-genre with In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister has a headlining book. Her characters are so likeable, both book and movie audiences will love them. Find a Cuban-American Megan Ryan to play the part of the stable and refreshingly competent Pilar Alvarez, and you’ve got yourself a winning book-to-movie combination!
Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest book review. This book review and many more first appeared on my "Chick Lit Chit Chat" blog URL: julievalerie.com
(1) Expertly drawn likable characters; (2) a competent, stable psychologist as main character; and (3) Cuban-American characters in a South Beach, Florida setting.
While reading In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister, I was amazed by the “likeability” of not just her main character (Pilar Alvarez), but each of her characters – from her trouble-making, destructive sister, Izzy, to her opinionated mother, even her persistent ex-boyfriend Victor who pops in on Pilar at the worse possible times. The one character who may not be likeable by the end of the story is certainly lovable during the story.
Why are likeable characters important? Why mention this, specifically, in a book review?
Here’s a little something unknown to most readers: Many writers struggle with creating the elusive “likeable” character, especially at the beginning of a book when the writer is trying to hook a reader with a compelling story conflict. The prevailing fear is that the reader will abandon the book if the main character (and to a lesser extent, the secondary characters) are not “likeable”. But then, how do you show a character in distress at the beginning of a conflict and how do you signal that character growth is possible during the unraveling of story events? Don’t our characters need to start somewhere and isn’t that somewhere less-than-desirable when compared to the happy ending? On the one hand, you want to write a character that is flawed, so that he/she can grow while on their personal journey, but those flaws must be written in such a way that doesn’t turn-off the reader. It’s very difficult. As a writer, you almost want to attach a note to the reader at the opening of the book which reads (this example has nothing to do with In Need of Therapy): I know she is foolish and irresponsible. I know he is controlling and critical at times. But this is the beginning of their stories. Please be patient and read. Find out what happens to them as they learn from their mistakes. Don’t ditch ‘em before the story gets off the ground!
Because Banister’s characters are so likeable the result is a book that is endearing. If it were on the big screen, the story would feel good the way a Meg Ryan or Hugh Grant chick flick feels good. And it’s “clean” and pretty wholesome compared to many titles in the genre. I would let my high school daughter read this book because while there are steamy scenes, they are handled in a manner that is suitable to a wide audience.
Pilar Alvarez is a skilled psychologist which makes her an incredibly competent and reliable first-person point-of-view narrator. So often, we read books because we want to experience the impossible struggles of a less-than-perfect character. In fact, the chick lit genre is filled with this archetype. We fell in love with Jane Austen’s Emma because she constantly tripped over herself through her words and actions until we were certain she’d never find her way into Darcy’s arms. Not so with Pilar. I read Pilar feeling she had it more together than I do, which turned the tables on me, the reader. Of course, she has many obstacles and tangles to unravel in her life, but it is utterly refreshing to read a main character that provides excellent therapy to her patients and insightful advice to her family members. During passages of dialogue with her patients, you’ll find Pilar to be downright brilliant and dead-on. Pilar has problems that need fixing, but she’s not a silly, hapless character that solves the world’s problems through clever hijinks and near misses. Quite the opposite. She is thoughtful and careful in her decisions and gives the readers every indication that while she wobbles a bit during the story, she is a character that is overall very steady, with both feet placed firmly on the ground. I respect that in a main character.
For my third point, in addition to this being a book with endearing, likeable characters (a difficult task for any writer), and with a stable and competent main character (very refreshing), my third point is this: Pilar Alvarez is Cuban, her family is Cuban (loving, funny, animated and very close) and the book is set in South Beach, Florida, where the Cuban community is prominent. Pilar feels enormous cultural pressure from her Cuban family to get married. Here’s a passage from her mother, who is bandage-wrapped and a bit drugged after a facelift:
“You turned down his proposal? You said ‘no’ to that 5-Carat ring? Are you estupido? Dios mio, where did I go wrong?” She raised her hands to the heavens. “How could I have raised a daughter who has so little sense, a daughter who spits on the holy sacrament of marriage?”
(Fast forward a few paragraphs…)
Since my mother was incapable of moving any facial muscles, she just glared at me. “And your father thinks you’re the sweet one.”
When Pilar meets Nate, the five-year-old son of the “sexy shrink across the hall” they form a bond when Pilar begins teaching him Spanish words, which is really sweet, because the vocabulary they use is the kind that would be important in the life of a five-year-old, words like guante de beisbol, which means baseball mitt. (I know I’m missing an accent mark on the ‘e’ in beisbol but I can’t figure out how to fix that and I apologize if the meaning of the words have now changed from baseball mitt into something horrible or something that may cause a rift between countries. Dang that formatting.) Pilar tells Nate she’s Cuban, Chilean, and American. That her sisters and she like to call themselves ‘Cubchilicans’. I absolutely love this about Tracie Banister’s book because so many books in the chick lit genre are set in London or New York (or similar) and are decidedly American, Australian, Canadian, British, or Irish. (Countries placed in alphabetical order – for reasons of diplomacy, of course.)
Now, I’m just little ole me and what do I know, but I think a big fat agent or a big fat editor at a big fat publishing house ought to consider not just the likeable characters and strong main character but the Cuban underpinnings in Banister’s book because I think there’s a potentially (huge!) market for readership. Right now, industry insiders seem to be watching “new adult” fiction (‘new adult’ loosely described as post-adolescent, college-age, early career characters and storyline) but I think the time has come for a close look at a Latino Chick Lit sub-genre with In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister has a headlining book. Her characters are so likeable, both book and movie audiences will love them. Find a Cuban-American Megan Ryan to play the part of the stable and refreshingly competent Pilar Alvarez, and you’ve got yourself a winning book-to-movie combination!
Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest book review. This book review and many more first appeared on my "Chick Lit Chit Chat" blog URL: julievalerie.com
August 22, 2013
Review posted by http://Chicklitpad.blogspot.com
....Can never go wrong with a book on therapy sessions for the therapist.
Two consecutive weeks, I have had to review a book about the lead undergoing some therapy. Either administering it or being on the receiving end. It's my first time of such reviewing coincidence bloggers experience not everyday. And it makes things so easier when you enjoyed the previous title.
This book was chicklit I haven't experienced before. A bit surprised the lead was Latina. So scared she might be too feisty (you know these Latinas) for this number. But I found this Pilar an interesting character to read about-and oh so easy to fall for.
I was picturing this book as Jane Sigalof's Confessions Of An Agony Aunt in the making, from the blurb. But I had to admit, I had fun reading this book than I did the former which I had to put down for over year and pick up when I landed the boring job after high-school (No kidding. And it was another book I had stolen from a friend.)
So Pilar, a psychoanalyst, who's just began her practice and is in dire need of making a name for herself, has to deal with distraction in the form of irresistible men. At least majority are irresistible. She's among three sisters with an overbearing mother who doesn't look a day past fifty (but is in fact more than 365 days past the age).
She has to deal with her mother who's frequent rants over phone are primarily to get her to ditch her career-driven attitude and get married to a man as rich as her dad. Honoring the mum, Worst Matchmaker Of The Year award, she constantly sets Pilar on the most horrible dates (once with a too short and bulky guy who spent the time chatting calories and giving away healthy-living tips complete with workout routines and a strict advice to go on a diet from anything white. A rather informative date, I have to admit.). There's also Sara, the fashion designer friend who introduces Pilar to the guy who'd turn up as her second most horrible date.
Just when Pilar is having enough problems with her ex Victor [who I found irritating and wouldn't ever disappear with his equally bugging grandiose gestures (reminding me I will never have that much to make the proposal of my dreams with a skywriter and all) and his cheating stunts with LEIGHTON MEESTER (I hate the lucky dude)!!], dealing with the spoilt brat of her sister who is a roomie and has a fascination for bad boys on either side of law (the offender and the defender), a super-hot patient with the whole ragged looks going on for him professes his undying love for her-a shocker because he is being treated for man-whoriness and commitment issues.
Meanwhile, there's the good-looking guy she shares an office hallway with being sweet and caring. And married. Or so Pilar thinks seeing the big gold band on his finger. The two have very platonic lunch dates (Yeah, Banister makes us believe there's such), and though Pilar has the hots for this guy who has a son and might have the highest rating on Cosmo's stud meter (unlike me) she's mindful of a housewife that might get scorned. Or rather, an OR nurse (from son's info) who might hand out unsterilized instruments to the surgeon.
But when Izzy goes to Jail, and her mum keeps up with her threats of cardiac arrest if she doesn't get married, and Sara is losing her creative edge, and she finds out one of her patient is a phoney, and Victor wouldn't just leave, and another teenage patient isn't quitting her request for a boob job, and she receives her rent billing that might send her practice under, and-against all her morals-shares a kiss with the daddy stud, her world crumbles as she loses control of what she formally thought she had a grip on-her personal and professional life.
But the excitement doesn't end there. There's a fashion show where Pilar gets to show off her Latina curves in a swimsuit. More than sweet!
I loved that this book was set in South Beach. A very huge Fan of Vanessa Williams and the show myself, I could picture the luxurious clubs, bars and restaurants Tracie Banister took us through. My personal fav, Victor's choices of restaurants-good food with sexually inspired surroundings. The beachy, fast-paced and trendy setting made this book exciting.
I took a personal interest in the sessions of different patients with hilarious diagnoses. My all-time patient I always looked forward to her next session had to be the Lori, the patient with too-clingy issues who commences the first chapter winning a lot of laughs from me.
Drawing nearer to the (dreaded) end, you still don't know who Mr. Right might be and you keep guessing till it gets obvious at a point with you exclaiming "Gee, how come I never figured it out?"
There are lots of OMG moments in this chicklit number, most are hilarious.
It was fun knowing all that happened to the patients who were making a progress in their respectively treatments towards the end. Some ended up with the wrong characters in a white wedding and others did pretty well.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is having a hard time packing for a beach vacation or anyone being bored staying indoors and stuck with a boring job (like mine). Or you could just pick it if you are the genre's fan.
But please, please, please. You are not to take too much of Pilar's advice. For a therapist taking her boyfriend to a wedding was a pretty unsmart move. But all fears are put aside discovering they were opting for the traditional vows themselves.
....Can never go wrong with a book on therapy sessions for the therapist.
Two consecutive weeks, I have had to review a book about the lead undergoing some therapy. Either administering it or being on the receiving end. It's my first time of such reviewing coincidence bloggers experience not everyday. And it makes things so easier when you enjoyed the previous title.
This book was chicklit I haven't experienced before. A bit surprised the lead was Latina. So scared she might be too feisty (you know these Latinas) for this number. But I found this Pilar an interesting character to read about-and oh so easy to fall for.
I was picturing this book as Jane Sigalof's Confessions Of An Agony Aunt in the making, from the blurb. But I had to admit, I had fun reading this book than I did the former which I had to put down for over year and pick up when I landed the boring job after high-school (No kidding. And it was another book I had stolen from a friend.)
So Pilar, a psychoanalyst, who's just began her practice and is in dire need of making a name for herself, has to deal with distraction in the form of irresistible men. At least majority are irresistible. She's among three sisters with an overbearing mother who doesn't look a day past fifty (but is in fact more than 365 days past the age).
She has to deal with her mother who's frequent rants over phone are primarily to get her to ditch her career-driven attitude and get married to a man as rich as her dad. Honoring the mum, Worst Matchmaker Of The Year award, she constantly sets Pilar on the most horrible dates (once with a too short and bulky guy who spent the time chatting calories and giving away healthy-living tips complete with workout routines and a strict advice to go on a diet from anything white. A rather informative date, I have to admit.). There's also Sara, the fashion designer friend who introduces Pilar to the guy who'd turn up as her second most horrible date.
Just when Pilar is having enough problems with her ex Victor [who I found irritating and wouldn't ever disappear with his equally bugging grandiose gestures (reminding me I will never have that much to make the proposal of my dreams with a skywriter and all) and his cheating stunts with LEIGHTON MEESTER (I hate the lucky dude)!!], dealing with the spoilt brat of her sister who is a roomie and has a fascination for bad boys on either side of law (the offender and the defender), a super-hot patient with the whole ragged looks going on for him professes his undying love for her-a shocker because he is being treated for man-whoriness and commitment issues.
Meanwhile, there's the good-looking guy she shares an office hallway with being sweet and caring. And married. Or so Pilar thinks seeing the big gold band on his finger. The two have very platonic lunch dates (Yeah, Banister makes us believe there's such), and though Pilar has the hots for this guy who has a son and might have the highest rating on Cosmo's stud meter (unlike me) she's mindful of a housewife that might get scorned. Or rather, an OR nurse (from son's info) who might hand out unsterilized instruments to the surgeon.
But when Izzy goes to Jail, and her mum keeps up with her threats of cardiac arrest if she doesn't get married, and Sara is losing her creative edge, and she finds out one of her patient is a phoney, and Victor wouldn't just leave, and another teenage patient isn't quitting her request for a boob job, and she receives her rent billing that might send her practice under, and-against all her morals-shares a kiss with the daddy stud, her world crumbles as she loses control of what she formally thought she had a grip on-her personal and professional life.
But the excitement doesn't end there. There's a fashion show where Pilar gets to show off her Latina curves in a swimsuit. More than sweet!
I loved that this book was set in South Beach. A very huge Fan of Vanessa Williams and the show myself, I could picture the luxurious clubs, bars and restaurants Tracie Banister took us through. My personal fav, Victor's choices of restaurants-good food with sexually inspired surroundings. The beachy, fast-paced and trendy setting made this book exciting.
I took a personal interest in the sessions of different patients with hilarious diagnoses. My all-time patient I always looked forward to her next session had to be the Lori, the patient with too-clingy issues who commences the first chapter winning a lot of laughs from me.
Drawing nearer to the (dreaded) end, you still don't know who Mr. Right might be and you keep guessing till it gets obvious at a point with you exclaiming "Gee, how come I never figured it out?"
There are lots of OMG moments in this chicklit number, most are hilarious.
It was fun knowing all that happened to the patients who were making a progress in their respectively treatments towards the end. Some ended up with the wrong characters in a white wedding and others did pretty well.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is having a hard time packing for a beach vacation or anyone being bored staying indoors and stuck with a boring job (like mine). Or you could just pick it if you are the genre's fan.
But please, please, please. You are not to take too much of Pilar's advice. For a therapist taking her boyfriend to a wedding was a pretty unsmart move. But all fears are put aside discovering they were opting for the traditional vows themselves.
January 15, 2018
What a fun and enjoyable read! This was a great insight to the dramas and perils of the life of a therapist. I enjoyed that the book was set in Miami so I could relate to the different references being I live in Florida and have visited Miami. The book offers a great read for the weekend and smooth writing!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2018
Entertainment at it's finest. Funny, sexy, with a HEA
I loved this book, great portrayal of a latino/ latina's family dynamic. This book a many laugh out loud moments. This book is on my read again list. And I am looking forward to reading more by Me Banister
I loved this book, great portrayal of a latino/ latina's family dynamic. This book a many laugh out loud moments. This book is on my read again list. And I am looking forward to reading more by Me Banister
June 22, 2019
I absolutely loved this so much! Pilar was so fun to root for the whole time. Her insane family was funny and over the top without driving you too crazy. There are plenty of other authors who overwrite the crazy family angle and it just becomes too much. Not Tracie Banister though, she knew exactly how to write them in. I related to her family so hard with the opinionated bickering aunts and dramatic younger sister. Pilar being the voice of reason in her family and her mom constantly harping on her about her too big of vocabulary were all too real for me personally so I absolutely loved her character.
February 17, 2019
A terrifically funny, sweet, and romantic story featuring a cast of zany-yet-loveable characters! I could not put this book down.
June 28, 2021
Really cute story with likeable characters. A perfect summer read!
November 17, 2012
While I don't normally gravitate to chick lit (mainly because I prefer a solid romance in my reads), this book surprised me by keeping me genuinely entertained. In Need of Therapy is a fun, light read with a sweet and subtle romance that blossoms in the background, and Tracie Banister's writing was definitely impressive!
Pilar is struggling in pretty much every facet of her life; trying to keep her newly opened therapy practice afloat, dealing with her overbearing mother and a rather obsessive ex, and straining to find the patience to deal with two sisters that would drive anyone mad. Add to that some major complications with the few patients she has to work with, and she's frazzled to the end of her rope. With a little support from her best gal pal Sara and the down-to-earth new hottie married psychiatrist Ford who opened an office across the hall, Pilar does her best to keep her game face on when it seems like the universe is just out to get her.
I have to say, if I had a family like Pilar's, they'd be lucky I didn't disown them!! There were definitely times where I wanted to strangle them for putting her through so much torment, while others had me laughing out loud (her mother's birthday party was hysterical)! The worse culprit was her live-in lazy sister Izzy, who seemed to enjoy being a mooch more than trying to do anything for herself. You know the type, expecting everyone to solve their problems and never showing any appreciation?? But Pilar was the dutiful sister and was always there to help her looney mother and conflict-inducing sisters even at her own expense, despite her growing financial woes. I got nervous FOR her at times, wondering how she'd ever find a way to keep her practice and cover the multitude of issues that kept coming her way, but I loved that Pilar was such a tough cookie with the help of her knight in shining armor Ford. He won me over from the start despite that ring on his finger!
There were several memorable characters in this story, from Pilar's wacky patients to my personal favorite, her puppy-love ex Victor. This guy was just determined to prove his love to her, and the lengths he goes to were downright hilarious. Yes, he's clueless, unfaithful, and a stalker no matter how you look at it, but somehow he was still an endearing character. Pilar's uncertainty about Victor and the feelings for Ford that keep surfacing made them quite an entertaining threesome, but it left her kind of blowing in the wind. I was definitely relieved when she started making decisions for herself based on more than just instinct and saw beyond what people wanted her to see.
Tracie Banister kept me thoroughly entertained with this story, and her writing style is perfectly suited for this genre. I definitely recommend this to fans who prefer the softer side of women's fiction!
Pilar is struggling in pretty much every facet of her life; trying to keep her newly opened therapy practice afloat, dealing with her overbearing mother and a rather obsessive ex, and straining to find the patience to deal with two sisters that would drive anyone mad. Add to that some major complications with the few patients she has to work with, and she's frazzled to the end of her rope. With a little support from her best gal pal Sara and the down-to-earth new hottie married psychiatrist Ford who opened an office across the hall, Pilar does her best to keep her game face on when it seems like the universe is just out to get her.
I have to say, if I had a family like Pilar's, they'd be lucky I didn't disown them!! There were definitely times where I wanted to strangle them for putting her through so much torment, while others had me laughing out loud (her mother's birthday party was hysterical)! The worse culprit was her live-in lazy sister Izzy, who seemed to enjoy being a mooch more than trying to do anything for herself. You know the type, expecting everyone to solve their problems and never showing any appreciation?? But Pilar was the dutiful sister and was always there to help her looney mother and conflict-inducing sisters even at her own expense, despite her growing financial woes. I got nervous FOR her at times, wondering how she'd ever find a way to keep her practice and cover the multitude of issues that kept coming her way, but I loved that Pilar was such a tough cookie with the help of her knight in shining armor Ford. He won me over from the start despite that ring on his finger!
There were several memorable characters in this story, from Pilar's wacky patients to my personal favorite, her puppy-love ex Victor. This guy was just determined to prove his love to her, and the lengths he goes to were downright hilarious. Yes, he's clueless, unfaithful, and a stalker no matter how you look at it, but somehow he was still an endearing character. Pilar's uncertainty about Victor and the feelings for Ford that keep surfacing made them quite an entertaining threesome, but it left her kind of blowing in the wind. I was definitely relieved when she started making decisions for herself based on more than just instinct and saw beyond what people wanted her to see.
Tracie Banister kept me thoroughly entertained with this story, and her writing style is perfectly suited for this genre. I definitely recommend this to fans who prefer the softer side of women's fiction!
September 4, 2012
Book Review: In Need of Therapy
The best way to describe Tracie Banister’s chicklit novel, In Need of Therapy is cute. Cute, cute, cute! This book was just simply cute.
I am an extremely busy person right now, (as is everyone in the world), but my point is, I rarely find time to read anymore, opting to work on my new novel at night instead of curling up with a good book. That said, what reader doesn’t enjoy a dose of “cute??” which is why I liked In Need of Therapy so much. It was just one of those books that relaxes you, because you’re getting someone else’s drama, the drama of loveable, beautiful, but understated Pilar, a 30 year old psychologist whose issues aren’t anything deeper than a typical 30 year old trying to get her life together, make it in the professional world, and of course, meet Prince Charming.
The thing for me that made In Need of Therapy so adorable, were all of the supporting characters. You’ve got Pilar’s dramatic, mom, who’s always fishing for compliments and who is obsessed with getting her daughter married off before it’s too late. Then there’s Pilar’s younger sister, Izzy, probably my favorite character in the book. This girl was just laugh out loud funny. And you’ve got the old boyfriend, Victor, who disgusted me. Just pitiful. And then there’s Sara, Pilar’s best friend, a bathing suit designer trying to make it in the competitive fashion world. Supportive to the end, everyone needs a friend like Sara. I think my favorite characters were Pilar’s nutty patients, particularly Mitch, whose story has a twist I didn’t expect.
Although a highly predictable book, (but what chicklit book isn’t predictable? ) the way Banister executed the ending was really romantic, sweet and satisfying. I don’t want to spoil it, but a certain character does something so outstanding, and in a selfless fashion, that it will surely make a reader feel like there really are princes out there. Let’s face it. We all want to be rescued, even the most ambitious, career-oriented woman. The message I got was that it’s okay to be independent and successful, AND to let a man take care of you.
On a side note, I really enjoyed that this story took place in Miami, and that the characters were mostly Latino. It was nice to read about an ethnicity I’m not too familiar with, not to mention, very funny to realize that no matter what ethnicity, a couple things are the same for everyone: moms wanting their girls to get married, and girls all looking for Mr. Right!
If you want cute, In Need of Therapy is for you. Don’t expect deep and thought provoking and a life altering takeaway. Just expect to smile and be touched and feel warm and fuzzy. Oh, and you will laugh, too. In other words, have a dose of cute!
The best way to describe Tracie Banister’s chicklit novel, In Need of Therapy is cute. Cute, cute, cute! This book was just simply cute.
I am an extremely busy person right now, (as is everyone in the world), but my point is, I rarely find time to read anymore, opting to work on my new novel at night instead of curling up with a good book. That said, what reader doesn’t enjoy a dose of “cute??” which is why I liked In Need of Therapy so much. It was just one of those books that relaxes you, because you’re getting someone else’s drama, the drama of loveable, beautiful, but understated Pilar, a 30 year old psychologist whose issues aren’t anything deeper than a typical 30 year old trying to get her life together, make it in the professional world, and of course, meet Prince Charming.
The thing for me that made In Need of Therapy so adorable, were all of the supporting characters. You’ve got Pilar’s dramatic, mom, who’s always fishing for compliments and who is obsessed with getting her daughter married off before it’s too late. Then there’s Pilar’s younger sister, Izzy, probably my favorite character in the book. This girl was just laugh out loud funny. And you’ve got the old boyfriend, Victor, who disgusted me. Just pitiful. And then there’s Sara, Pilar’s best friend, a bathing suit designer trying to make it in the competitive fashion world. Supportive to the end, everyone needs a friend like Sara. I think my favorite characters were Pilar’s nutty patients, particularly Mitch, whose story has a twist I didn’t expect.
Although a highly predictable book, (but what chicklit book isn’t predictable? ) the way Banister executed the ending was really romantic, sweet and satisfying. I don’t want to spoil it, but a certain character does something so outstanding, and in a selfless fashion, that it will surely make a reader feel like there really are princes out there. Let’s face it. We all want to be rescued, even the most ambitious, career-oriented woman. The message I got was that it’s okay to be independent and successful, AND to let a man take care of you.
On a side note, I really enjoyed that this story took place in Miami, and that the characters were mostly Latino. It was nice to read about an ethnicity I’m not too familiar with, not to mention, very funny to realize that no matter what ethnicity, a couple things are the same for everyone: moms wanting their girls to get married, and girls all looking for Mr. Right!
If you want cute, In Need of Therapy is for you. Don’t expect deep and thought provoking and a life altering takeaway. Just expect to smile and be touched and feel warm and fuzzy. Oh, and you will laugh, too. In other words, have a dose of cute!
November 20, 2012
Review and author interview posted on Kindles & Wine
I was super excited to read this book. I love mixing Spanish in with my English when I talk (Spanish was one of my majors!), my name was Pilar in middle/high school Spanish class, AND I love reading about warm weather locales when it’s chilly out. Frankly, I think the official summary doesn’t live up to what the book delivers. Usually it’s the other way around, right??
I breezed through this chick-lit novel about a young psychologist, Pilar. She might have the craziest family I’ve ever read about (btw, they’re Cuban) – and her friends are super eccentric too. Her mom is a hoot, dramatizing even the smallest event. Pilar has two sisters, one of whom lives with her, and you could say she’s not the most responsible adult and ends up in a few unexpected situations. Pilar’s BFF is a fashion designer (and I adored her character, Sara), and filling out the characters is an ex-boyfriend-turned-pseudo-stalker.
Pilar is struggling to make her psychology practice successful (her dad loaned her the seed money for the property she rents), when a hotty-boom-balotty psychiatrist moves in down the hall. He’s cute, he’s smart, he’s great with kids (he has a young kid that’s cuter than a baby chipmunk)…and…he has a ring on his finger. Dang it!! Well, that doesn’t stop a guy and gal from becoming just friends, right?
I don’t want to give too much away about the plot because there were definitely multiple plot twists I didn’t see coming – and they were usually LLOL’able (that’s Literally Laugh Out Loud – you heard it here first). I loved the way some of the chapters start with Pilar’s “notes” about her patients. I thought the humor was very well done, and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next in Pilar’s life. Will she find love and will her practice stay open? Will her younger sister stay out of trouble? How DOES one get rid of the ex-boyfriend who doesn’t understand the word “break-up”? Read this book!
Bottom Line
Fantastic entry into the chick-lit genre; In Need of Therapy is everything a chick-lit book should be.
Rating: Strong A-
Review copy courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review
I was super excited to read this book. I love mixing Spanish in with my English when I talk (Spanish was one of my majors!), my name was Pilar in middle/high school Spanish class, AND I love reading about warm weather locales when it’s chilly out. Frankly, I think the official summary doesn’t live up to what the book delivers. Usually it’s the other way around, right??
I breezed through this chick-lit novel about a young psychologist, Pilar. She might have the craziest family I’ve ever read about (btw, they’re Cuban) – and her friends are super eccentric too. Her mom is a hoot, dramatizing even the smallest event. Pilar has two sisters, one of whom lives with her, and you could say she’s not the most responsible adult and ends up in a few unexpected situations. Pilar’s BFF is a fashion designer (and I adored her character, Sara), and filling out the characters is an ex-boyfriend-turned-pseudo-stalker.
Pilar is struggling to make her psychology practice successful (her dad loaned her the seed money for the property she rents), when a hotty-boom-balotty psychiatrist moves in down the hall. He’s cute, he’s smart, he’s great with kids (he has a young kid that’s cuter than a baby chipmunk)…and…he has a ring on his finger. Dang it!! Well, that doesn’t stop a guy and gal from becoming just friends, right?
I don’t want to give too much away about the plot because there were definitely multiple plot twists I didn’t see coming – and they were usually LLOL’able (that’s Literally Laugh Out Loud – you heard it here first). I loved the way some of the chapters start with Pilar’s “notes” about her patients. I thought the humor was very well done, and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen next in Pilar’s life. Will she find love and will her practice stay open? Will her younger sister stay out of trouble? How DOES one get rid of the ex-boyfriend who doesn’t understand the word “break-up”? Read this book!
Bottom Line
Fantastic entry into the chick-lit genre; In Need of Therapy is everything a chick-lit book should be.
Rating: Strong A-
Review copy courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review
December 21, 2012
In Need of Therapy was such a fun and entertaining story of Dr. Pilar Alvarez, a young psychologist in South Beach who is trying to fix others' problems while dealing with many of her own. Her many relationships (family, friends, patients, etc.) always seem to complicate Pilar's life. She wants nothing more than to help those around her but there are several obstacles that keep getting in her way.
"Ethics don't buy a girl jewelry, or give her multiple Os."
For starters, Pilar has a quite a handful of an ex boyfriend. Victor, a wannabe Rico Suave, can't seem to accept the fact that Pilar broke up with him and continually tries to weasel his way back into her life. While Victor was a very comedic character, he was very creepy to me. I couldn't help but envision him as some flashy jewelry wearing sleaze-ball that hit on anything resembling a female.
Then there is Pilar's family, with each of it's dynamic members. First of all there is Izzy, her unemployed live-in little sister. Izzy is always getting into trouble and needing Pilar, the peacemaking middle sister, to bail her out and be a buffer between her and their parents. Pilar's father is the silent type that is there to dole out the cash and keep her mother happy. Pilar's mother is very much the opposite of her father. Instead, she is an overly emotional and dramatic fixture in Pilar's life that continuous meddles in every aspect that she can.
"Even your cousin Sancha managed to find a man by the time she was your age, and she's got that lazy eye and a laugh that makes her sound like a donkey!"
On top of ex boyfriend and family drama, Pilar's career keeps complicating her life as well. Not only are some of her "crazy" patients working their way into her personal life, but Pilar has to deal with a new colleague. Ford is a very attractive and truly generous psychiatrist. However, he is off limits and has the ring to prove it.
All of these circumstance lead In Need of Therapy to be an enjoyable read. There were a few parts that didn't hold my attention as well as others. But overall, this was a very cute 4 star story that I would recommend to anyone looking for a humorous and relatable read.
"He looks into her big, beautiful, hazel eyes and tells her that he hopes she can forgive him for being an emotional coward... and he can't imagine going another day without hearing one of her amusing anecdotes about her family, or seeing her eyes light up with excitement over a plate of polenta fries..."
"Ethics don't buy a girl jewelry, or give her multiple Os."
For starters, Pilar has a quite a handful of an ex boyfriend. Victor, a wannabe Rico Suave, can't seem to accept the fact that Pilar broke up with him and continually tries to weasel his way back into her life. While Victor was a very comedic character, he was very creepy to me. I couldn't help but envision him as some flashy jewelry wearing sleaze-ball that hit on anything resembling a female.
Then there is Pilar's family, with each of it's dynamic members. First of all there is Izzy, her unemployed live-in little sister. Izzy is always getting into trouble and needing Pilar, the peacemaking middle sister, to bail her out and be a buffer between her and their parents. Pilar's father is the silent type that is there to dole out the cash and keep her mother happy. Pilar's mother is very much the opposite of her father. Instead, she is an overly emotional and dramatic fixture in Pilar's life that continuous meddles in every aspect that she can.
"Even your cousin Sancha managed to find a man by the time she was your age, and she's got that lazy eye and a laugh that makes her sound like a donkey!"
On top of ex boyfriend and family drama, Pilar's career keeps complicating her life as well. Not only are some of her "crazy" patients working their way into her personal life, but Pilar has to deal with a new colleague. Ford is a very attractive and truly generous psychiatrist. However, he is off limits and has the ring to prove it.
All of these circumstance lead In Need of Therapy to be an enjoyable read. There were a few parts that didn't hold my attention as well as others. But overall, this was a very cute 4 star story that I would recommend to anyone looking for a humorous and relatable read.
"He looks into her big, beautiful, hazel eyes and tells her that he hopes she can forgive him for being an emotional coward... and he can't imagine going another day without hearing one of her amusing anecdotes about her family, or seeing her eyes light up with excitement over a plate of polenta fries..."
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