Delivers just what you expect: 40 year old wealthy woman goes a little crazy trying to lose weight in upper crust Manhattan. Wacky characters and situations with some heartfelt midlife crisis scenes.

Enjoyable chick lit for slightly older women. ( )

I cannot wait for this book to be released so I can recommend it to everybody. This is a satirical, intelligent chick flick that was an absolute delight to read.

The world Sykes and Piazza creates is extraordinary because it could be happening. Is it happening? I don't know. It might be happening this very second. If not, it'll be happening in five years. Set in New York City, basically everyone is obsessed with fitness and strange health trends (eating clay?) The upper class especially has the money to pay for these trends.

The plot did get a little outrageous around the end, but I could believe it all. At no point did I stop and wonder if the book was still realistic. I enjoyed the absurdity and felt that it really lent itself to the ultimate message behind the book. The novelty of the concepts that arose was a lot of fun, too, and I will not be surprised to see gourmet broth shops opening soon.

Janey was a perfect character, someone I'd love to have be my best friend and confidant. She's extremely clever and knows how to work the general human psyche, but is bumbling through life and relationships just like the rest of us in the meantime. I found Beau to be an intriguing character and I liked what the authors did with him and the consistency that came through the book.

Though I was hesitant to read this as I'm not a fitness-y person at all, I found the overall theme to be a lot of fun and Janey's scepticism mirrored my own. Thankfully, the overall message of loving your body was not delivered in an over-the-top and cliché manner as I expected.

I was laughing out loud while reading this. I became completely absorbed and had so much fun. This felt like a mature version of the Gossip Girl books, but was literary enough that I'm okay admitting I read it. I'll even recommend it to my mum.

If you're looking for something light-hearted but also relevant or something that will make you laugh, I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ( )

This was delightful. It wasn't laugh out loud funny as described, but it was a good read, quick, and a definitely makes you think about what should really make you happy in life. ( )

Review:

There is nothing I like to read about more than fashion and fitness, so when I saw this title by these two awesome authors it was not a question of should I read this book but how soon can I get my hands on it! I laughed more during this story than any other book so far this year, what a fun book but the message about women's bodies is a good one. I just do not know where to begin with this book , there is so much that I liked. The main character Janey Sweet and note the last name Sweet, Janey is heir to a chocolate fortune, how perfect that her last name is Sweet! Janey is so smart and savvy but with a blind spot in regard to her best friend and business partner Beau, who I detested right away. I do think that Janey at the beginning of the book anyway is a bit of a people pleaser. Janey is blindside by Beau, when he tells her over coffee, to take a leave of absence from their business because she is not thin enough to be associated with their B brand of couture wedding dresses. Beau actually sends Janey the latest in fitness bands, the nerve of this guy! From this point on the hilarious journey into the world of fitness begins. One of my favorite side characters is Ivy, Janey's angry ex ballerina turned sought after spin instructor. Ivy, due to injury cannot continue as a ballerina and boy is she pissed!! The things that Ivy said in this book had me laughing. CJ , Janey's best friend from college, is ultra obsessed with fitness and weight loss, joins Janey on this venture into the over the top fitness fads and diets such as drinking clay, you heard it clay!! Then their is Free The Nipple Yoga! This really is a tongue in cheek satire of the uber wealthy NYC socialites and the lengths that they will go to to stay fit and thin. The more Ivy screamed and yelled profanity to her clients during her famous spin class Ivy became the most sought after spin instructor. Janey finally develops some backbone where Beau is concerned and the conclusion to the book is hilarious.

Final Thoughts:

Is the book over the top and a bit unrealistic ? Sure, but is it a fun and hilarious satire of the fitness industry and the socialite women of NYC that will do anything and follow ridiculous fitness trends and take abuse from fitness trainers and instructors to stay thin? You bet it is! I definitely had a great time reading this book and I hope that you will too.This review was originally posted on Cindy's Book Binge ( )

There are so many books about high powered women in Manhattan. I don't get them, I really don't. They seem to work so hard for something that I wouldn't want if it were handed to me. This book is the first one to admit that the life style is ridiculous, unhealthy, and basically unsustainable.

The second half was better, and I'm glad I stuck with it, but several times I came close to giving up. ( )