Book Review: In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister

by - Friday, September 14, 2012

Title: In Need of Therapy
Author: Tracie Banister
Genre: Chick Lit
Form: Kindle Edition

Book Description ~ 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.

In Need of Therapy Book Review

“In Need of Therapy is a very entertaining read. The author was able to create a compelling set of characters that will indubitably make you want to continue reading, and hopefully, finish it in one sitting. The ending did not disappoint.”Ara @ My Book and My Coffee

As you know, I do accept review requests. In Need of Therapy was given to me by Tracie Banister herself in exchange for an honest review. Honest review coming up. ;)

I was really excited to read this book because I love Chick Lit and I have to admit that I love, love that cover! Don’t you just love that cover? Plus, after reading the book description, I know that I would want to know more about Pilar.

Let’s talk about the story. The story revolves around the main character, Pilar Alvarez, a psychologist, and a really good one already even though she’s just starting out. I love the plot. In this book, you will be introduced to a psychologist’s personal and professional struggles. It was really entertaining. I had the best time. 

I also love the pace of the story - just enough speed. It gives the readers the chance to get to know more characters which is important to complete the essence of the story and to understand the circumstances Pilar is faced with. It's definitely a fun, unique and enjoyable read. 

Pilar’s character is totally relatable even though I am not a psychologist. The author did an awesome job describing her. She’s not perfect but her attitude towards her career is really promising. In real life, if all psychologists had her characteristics, I think there will be less psych patients in the world. And I am not sure whether it’s a good thing or bad. :D 

Dr. Pilar Alvarez has a really fascinating family. Well, I find them really interesting. Her mom, her sisters, Ana and Izzy, and the rest of her relatives, they are amusing in their own way. I would think that just watching them at social gatherings (where they are all present) is better than watching cable.

Dr. Fordham or Ford. He is my favorite. I imagine him to be dreamy and yummy. He’s the perfect man, well, almost. But who cares? All I know is that he’s dreamy and yummy. Although, you know, I wanted to know more about his character. I wanted to get to know him better. Not because I am crushing on him, no, I won’t admit to that (my husband is reading all my reviews). :D I just thought that the details mentioned about him were not enough. I know that the story is supposed to be about Pilar, but you’ll know what I mean once you read the book. Don’t want to give out any spoilers. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll adore him, too. In the end, it confirmed my suspicion of this character.

I hated Victor. He is super annoying. Sadly, I had one ‘ex’ just like him in a way. Ego + 1 1/2 crazy = Never good. 

In all honesty, I really loved this book. It was well written, and as I’ve mentioned, the characters were really convincing. But for me, I was looking for the ‘spark’ factor. I mean, I know this is chick lit, and not a romance novel, but I believe, in general, that for a romantic relationship to be really effective, it should have a certain spark. The ‘spark’ that will glimmer and make you want to be in love with the whole idea of a couple being together, finally. I am not saying that I didn’t like the idea of Pilar and man-shall-remain-nameless being together - I actually wanted them to be together. I just thought that they didn't have the 'spark' that I was looking for. Again, that’s just from my point of view.

You’ll know more when you read the book. I still highly recommend this book for all you lovelies. For chick lit lovers out there, In Need of Therapy is surely a must-devour book for you.


About the Author:

Photo courtesy of TracieBanister.blogspot.com
An 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.

Tracie blogs about books and other fun stuff at http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/.
Twitter: @traciebanister

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12 Dazzling Comments

  1. Now that's what I call entertaining!
    I LOVE, ADORE the cover! Illustrations are really MY thing.
    It's always nice to take a break from paranormal and classics and read something light and fun like chick-lit.
    LOVED your review, Ara.
    Informative, clean, and honest.
    I will be adding this book to my already-full TBR list.
    Your constant reader,
    Soma...

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    Replies
    1. Hi Soma ;) Thank you for visiting :D Thank you, glad you liked the review. Cool. You'll enjoy it, for sure. :D

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  2. I totally agree with you..without the spark it is hard to invest emotionally in the couple!

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    1. Hi Alisa. :D Yes, I agree. I just thought that they lost the spark already. There was a spark waiting to glimmer but I felt that it took so long for them to be together. So when they finally did, the spark was a no show. But again, that's just from my point of view. :D

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  3. Hi:

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and entering the contest.

    I am an old follower of yours.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elizabeth ;) Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Wow, really? I thought I made sure that I followed all of my followers back.. So sorry I missed your blog.

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  4. Its a refreshing change from all the paranormal stuff. Nice review... My TBR pile has just grown :(

    DDS @ b00k r3vi3ws

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    1. Hello there, Debdatta :D Thanks so much for visiting my blog. Cool :D

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  5. Hi, Ara. I've added a link to this post on my blog. It's been nice visiting you today.
    Kindest Regards,
    Monica (http://www.monicaeuen.blogspot.com)

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    1. Hi Monica :D Awww. Thanks so much. Visiting your blog now. :D

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  6. Sounds fun. I don't read chic lit often but this one sounds nice. Fab review.

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    1. Hi Alexis :D Thanks for visiting. Yes, Tracie Banister's In Need of Therapy really is nice :D Very nice, actually :D

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