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Tracie Banister
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In Need of Therapy Kindle Edition

by Tracie Banister (Author), Jeff Okerstrom (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 297 ratings
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.
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  1. Print length
    326 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    November 16, 2013
  5. File size
    469 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

FINALIST in the 2013 Shirley You Jest! Book Awards "In Need of Therapy is Big Fat Greek Wedding type comedy only Cuban style!"-Forget the Housework, I'm Reading "Banister has done a great job in creating characters that her readers will absolutely relate to, connect with, and care about. If that's not the hallmark of a great writer, I don't know what is." -Readers' Favorite "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!!!"-Hilary Grossman, author of Plan Bea and Dangled Carat "...entertaining Chick Lit romp replete with hilariously bad dates, out of control clients and a drama queen mother, and spiced with details of Cuban-American culture and Miami life."-Shirley You Jest! Book Awards "Banister is a master at developing characters and weaving a seamless story. This was a delight to read from start to finish. I loved the feisty heroine as well as all her family members and supporting characters."-Anne Wagener, author of Borrow-A-Bridesmaid "Tracie has captured the essence of everything I love and expect from Chick Lit."-Rachel Kall, author of Love and Scandal series

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008N6Z36Y
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 16, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 469 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 326 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 297 ratings

About the author

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Tracie Banister

Tracie Banister

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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 she penned. (Like all good divas-in-the-making, she also starred in and tried to direct the production.)

Tracie’s 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, she decided to follow her bliss and dedicate herself to writing full-time. She is the proud winner of the 2017 Independent Press Award (Romantic Comedy) and a Bronze Medal in the 2017 Readers’ Favorite Awards (Chick Lit).

Although Tracie swore she’d never write a sequel to any of her books, the character of Izzy Alvarez, who first appeared in In Need of Therapy, would not be denied. Izzy As Is is Tracie’s fifth novel, and she hopes readers enjoy this return trip to Miami.

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

You can subscribe to her author newsletter, The Banister Buzz, here: http://eepurl.com/by0VAv

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
297 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book an entertaining read with well-developed characters and a beautiful Florida setting. Moreover, the plot features believable twists and turns, and customers appreciate its light-hearted tone and family dynamics. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its intelligent approach, with one customer noting how the author intertwines personal life with career.

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EnjoymentCharacter developmentReadabilityPlot twistsCharmHeartwarmingFamily dynamicsIntelligence
87 customers mention "Enjoyment"87 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and funny to read, with one customer particularly enjoying the epilogue.

"...Nothing feels forced. I had the best time with this story. It's a delicious rom-com; kinda like therapy you get from a girl's night out with your..." Read more

"...should have had a poem written about it, a kiss that started out sweet and tender, then quickly morphed into something so hot and passionate that it..." Read more

"...friend Sara, her patients, and her ex also add a lot of fun and flair to the plot, not to mention the two surprising twists near the end...." Read more

"...Ms. Banister is a good writer. I did have a few issues, however. I do believe that the character of Pilar had no business being a therapist...." Read more

49 customers mention "Character development"46 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, noting their unique personalities and lively portrayals, with one customer specifically mentioning the sweet boy character and another highlighting the inclusion of a Latina protagonist.

"...Pour yourself a glass of chilled wine. Banister's characters are witty and real. I fell hard for her leading lady, Pilar Alvarez...." Read more

"...is classic chick-lit and Tracie has created a world with enough well-developed characters, twists and turns, to keep you engaged until the last page...." Read more

"...Her family members are perfectly portrayed: the patient papá, the beauty-queen-turned-drama-queen mamá, and the pierced party-girl sister, just to..." Read more

"...A lively main female character and a great male one as well with Dr. Fordham. Oh and I loved adorable little Noah, he seemed like such a cute kid...." Read more

28 customers mention "Readability"28 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with one customer noting its vivid descriptions.

"...It has one of the cutest covers ever...." Read more

"...We were introduced to the lovely Pilar and her life and it was such a pleasure reading about her job, her sessions as a psychologist, her family and..." Read more

"...I love the depth of each novel. You'd be crazy not to buy it and add to your Tracie Banister collection!" Read more

"...against the backdrop of bold colors, hot sandy beaches, and cool Spanish architecture...." Read more

19 customers mention "Plot twists"15 positive4 negative

Customers enjoy the plot twists in the book, finding them believable and quirky, with one customer describing it as a hilarious love story.

"...Banister's characters are witty and real. I fell hard for her leading lady, Pilar Alvarez...." Read more

"...Tracie has created a world with enough well-developed characters, twists and turns, to keep you engaged until the last page...." Read more

"...Because it's fun. It's fiction. Take it at face value, instead of over-analyzing it, and you'll be rewarded with a carefree way to spend a few hours." Read more

"...The ending felt rushed to me, but then, the story had been told so there was no need to draw it out...." Read more

14 customers mention "Charm"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book charming, particularly appreciating its beautiful Florida setting and colorful imagery, with one customer noting how the text sparkles throughout.

"...2020 Reading Challenge is skipping along nicely and brimming with an assortment of genres. I've even joined a Cozy Mystery challenge. (Fun, btw!)..." Read more

"...INOT is classic chick-lit and Tracie has created a world with enough well-developed characters, twists and turns, to keep you engaged until the last..." Read more

"...Alvarez seems to have it all: She’s intelligent, compassionate and beautiful, and she has just opened her own psychology practice in sunny South..." Read more

"The fact that this book is set in beautiful Florida made this book so much more interesting than it already was and the story sounded great...." Read more

10 customers mention "Heartwarming"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, describing it as poignant and light-hearted, with one customer noting the sympathetic heroine and another mentioning the mysterious heartthrob hero.

"Dr. Pilar Alvarez seems to have it all: She’s intelligent, compassionate and beautiful, and she has just opened her own psychology practice in sunny..." Read more

"...And the antics from Pilar's mother had me in stitches, so dramatic and lovable. And when one of the nephews caught the couch on fire??..." Read more

"...If you're looking for a light-hearted, lazy weekend read, you'll fly right through "In Need of Therapy," you won't be disappointed...." Read more

"...She is a kind, compassionate, sympathetic herione who always puts everyone before herself but manages to find her happily ever after in the end...." Read more

7 customers mention "Family dynamics"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the family dynamics in the book, with one customer particularly appreciating the characterization of Pilar's family and another highlighting the Cuban mom character.

"...through a fun read that swept me right up into this warm, vibrant community from the very first chapter...." Read more

"...The characters in this book are extremely well developed and I love her family! There is nothing like a crazy ethnic family to spice things up...." Read more

"...I particularly loved the Cuban mom... I'm pretty sure I've met her in real life!..." Read more

"...Loved her quirky family and the trio of hot guys she could/did/should/shouldn't get involved with...." Read more

7 customers mention "Intelligence"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book intelligent, with one customer noting how the author consistently does her research, while another appreciates how she intertwines her personal life with her career.

"Dr. Pilar Alvarez seems to have it all: She’s intelligent, compassionate and beautiful, and she has just opened her own psychology practice in sunny..." Read more

"...of Therapy," and I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, smart and entertaining read. Tracie Banister is an excellent writer." Read more

"...She consistently does her research and delivers an enjoyable read. She is one to watch!" Read more

"...I also enjoyed the psychology with her patients. I love the Latino twist and where she fit into her family and the role she played...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Mary Eve
    5.0 out of 5 stars ~ The Best Therapy is a Good Book ~
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    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 also 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 rom-com; kinda like therapy you get from a girl's night out with your best girlfriends. Great fun!

    If you love this book, continue the series with Izzy As Is. I've only just started Book Two but already love it, possibly more than Pilar's story. The second book follows the youngest Alvarez sister, Izzy. I'm not kidding when I tell you that these Latino women are impossibly amusing. And, I have it on good authority that the oldest sister, Ana, will be sharing her story soon. Can't wait!
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  • writeoncindy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Tracie's kind of Therapy
    Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2013
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    IN NEED OF THERAPY? Of Course, you are! Aren't we all! Author, Tracie Banister has written a clever romantic comedy, IN NEED OF THERAPY (INOT) that will keep you entertained once you've opened your paperback, kindle or nook. It has one of the cutest covers ever. It's fresh, the colors just pop and having read it, I can tell you with certainty, you won't be disappointed!

    Miami psychologist, Pilar Alvarez could use a therapist herself with everything that's going on in her personal and professional life. She's twenty-nine, has an overbearing Cuban mother who fears she'll be a spinster if she doesn't marry before she's thirty, two annoying sisters, one of whom "borrows" her clothes and mooches off of her rent-free. And then there's the slimy borderline stalker-ex-boyfriend who won't take no for an answer, the escalating rent on her office space and at least one patient who doesn't respect boundaries.

    But before I continue writing about the novel's story-line, I want to share something about Tracie's ability to describe things that matter most in chick-lit - THE KISS! I nominate her for writing one of the best, if not the best kiss ever. If you're reading this, chances are you read a lot of chick-lit, perhaps you've already read INOT. If you haven't, I'm putting this at the top of my review so YOU WON'T MISS IT! I suggest you be on the look-out for this kiss because it is so yummy! You won't want to miss it! But I'm not going to SPOIL IT by telling you who it's between!

    "And is was a great kiss, an amazing kiss, a kiss that should have had a poem written about it, a kiss that started out sweet and tender, then quickly morphed into something so hot and passionate that it was almost primal."

    HELLO! Isn't that just delish? Now on to INOT.

    Pilar Alvarez is the kind of girl everyone wants to be friends with, but there are times you're going to want her to toughen up. She's the middle daughter of the Alvarez family - the peacemaker, and she lets people roll over her - even in business, people cross the line. She has a heart of gold and really wants to help her patients, but she's still learning, both professionally and personally. She struggles with work and enjoying the career she loves against the pressure of her Cuban/Chilean family who want her to follow traditional Latino values, get married, give up her career and start a family.

    INOT is classic chick-lit and Tracie has created a world with enough well-developed characters, twists and turns, to keep you engaged until the last page. Pilar is the kind of woman most can relate to, because she's just trying to do her best where she's at, no more, no less, and really, isn't that what we're all striving for?

    I live in Miami and appreciate how accurate Tracie is when referring to the Magic City. She lives in the Atlanta area and she places INOT in South Florida. I applaud her for making Miami look so wonderful!

    But back to kisses. Wait until readers meet a certain guy. That's all I'm saying.

    "I kissed Ford because I wanted to, because it felt good and somehow, natural, like his mouth was meant for mine."

    OMG! Let me repeat, you won't be disappointed.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • MF Miller
    5.0 out of 5 stars "In Need of Therapy" Will Cure Your Blues
    Reviewed in Canada on March 5, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This is the third Tracie Banister novel I've read and for sheer entertainment, it can't be topped. Pilar Alvarez is a young psychologist struggling to build up her clientele and hang onto her new office. Complicating things for Pilar are her outspoken Cuban family,outrageous stalker ex-boyfriend, a series of needy clients and a mounting pile of bills. When a new psychiatrist moves across the hall, Pilar welcomes his laid-back normalcy with relief--but turns out he too has a secret of his own.

    In spite of her skills in the field of psychology, we join Pilar madly scrambling throughout the novel to keep up with her clients, family and ex. Everything she tries to do right goes wrong. No good deed goes unpunished, and her baby sister really pushes her over the edge of a metaphorical cliff. Add to that escalating attention from her needy, besotted ex and a couple of clients who drive her to the edge of despair (including a handsome hunk with suspicious issues and a pile of money who she just can't suss up properly) and you wonder how Pilar is going to get herself out of this mess--and if she's ever going to wake up and get together with the real love of her life.

    The ending is fast-paced, hilarious and thoroughly satisfying; Pilar's love interest refreshing and likable; and if you want a (slightly voyeuristic) jaunt into the behind-the-scenes world at a psychologist's office, this novel delivers on every count.

    "In Need of Therapy" was a real treat; and I hope we see Pilar and her family again, one day.
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  • E
    5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining light read
    Reviewed in Australia on September 5, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Enjoyed this immensely, easy and light hearted. Great characters, a likable and relatable lead character. Good pace and great setting.
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  • B.R. Maycock
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nicely different!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 28, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister
    Jul
    19
    inneedoftherapy

    Note: Cover image leads to a universal amazon buy link.

    What they say: 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.

    The review:I had heard a lot of good things about this book, but was very nervous about reading it, because I know Ms Banister from social media, quite a big thing when you’re a blogger. She introduced me to and is one of the organisers of an amazing chick lit author and blogger group I’m a member of, and frankly I was terrified in case this wasn’t my cup of tea (a silly phrase for me to use in this case because I’m an anomaly, an irish person who doesn’t actually like tea!) Anyhoo, I needn’t have worried because I really enjoyed this and have in fact held off on reviewing because I wanted people to add it to their Summer reads list.

    We begin with a report on a patient, a girl who suffers from abandonment issues,and so looks to romantic partners for the love that she missed when growing up. These reports were repeated with a variety of patients throughout the book, and it was a satisfying little quirk that I hadn’t seen done before. The patients were a nice mix, some of who crossed over into her personal life and I enjoyed all of her sessions.

    In fact, all of the characters were chick lit perfection, Pilar, a Latina tower of strength, well educated and able to steer others in the right direction, yet feeling inadequate with herself and her family’s problems, Izzy, whose devil-may-care attitude and unconventional dress sense and choices in males flummoxed Pilar. Then there was the overly dramatic, extremely well-to-do mother whose english would lapse into Spanish when she just couldn’t take any drama presented to her, and her ex, Victor, a man on a mission to get her back, no matter what. I loved the banter between the family, with their wealth providing the perfect setting for dinner party battles. I also loved that the book wasn’t solely romance and am always a sucker for work issues that add to the pile on a lead’s plate and these were done brilliantly, with Pilar trying to figure out how to grow her business, which was floundering. This, coupled with the other main character, Ford, that provided a sounding board and a shoulder, was done very nicely. A special mention for the epilogue that tied things up perfectly. All in all a brilliantly witty, over the top, fun yet intelligent romantic comedy which ticked all the boxes for me. Definitely recommended for Summer and roll on a forthcoming sequel centred around her sister, Izzy. Can’t wait. (Phew).

    Rating: 4.5/5
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  • KT Walsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyed another book by Tracie Banister.
    Reviewed in Canada on November 24, 2016
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Really enjoyed another book by Tracie Banister. Witty and comical, I loved every page.
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  • India
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sizzling!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 15, 2013
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    Books don't normally make me laugh out loud but this one did - several times. In fact, it kept me chuckling for days afterwards, which is why it gets 4 1/2 stars from me! Set in sizzling Miami with a strong Latin American theme running through it, our heroine is Pilar Alvarez, a Psychologist. Her occupation alone makes for some comic moments as we meet the various people she is 'counselling' - some of them, such as Lori Bryant, hilarious. But then there's the supporting cast, Victor, the self-obsessed and self-deluded ex-boyfriend, he's nonetheless a great character. The star of the show though has to be Pilar's even more self-obsessed mother and it's from her we enjoy the greatest comic moments. Pilar is lovely, sensible, down-to-earth and with a great work ethic, a heroine to be proud of. Ford is the love interest, he works just across the hall from her and it's something of a slow-burn between them. Whether that burn sizzles or fizzles we are kept guessing until the end. A very enjoyable read with all the ingredients needed to be a first-rate chicklit - it's light it's funny and the location is hot. I also loved the Cuban food references throughout, so that adds educational to the list too!
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