“Being a big girl myself, there were so many things I could relate to while reading this story. I was mentally cheering Cady on from the start. She’s my hero! Being inside her head while reading the dual POV was a treat, and I don’t mean the chocolate. She kept me giggling nonstop at her witty remarks. She can dish more than ice cream, sass is on the menu as well. Gym or Chocolate? was a very … was a very entertaining read. But, what you might not be expecting is that it’s very inspirational as well. I might have actually shed a tear!”
ROSA SHARON, iScream Book Blog
“The laugh-out-loud feel-good story you’ve been waiting for!”
Career girl and radio host hotshot Cady Callahan has never met a chocolate she didn’t love. She has curves and doesn’t care.
She’s shocked when a raffle ticket bought to support a veterans charity means she’s won a year’s membership to Body Tech, an exclusive Manhattan gym, where all the top athletes train and all the A-list actors go to get in shape for their action roles. She’s also won a personal trainer in the shape of far too tantalizing Rick Roberts.
Rick is less impressed when Cady’s arrival leads to a media circus. The retired British rugby ace runs a serious training facility, and he definitely doesn’t have time for anyone who doesn’t want to work hard.
When curvy Cady challenges him to train her to run a marathon by the end of the year, it seems a solution to both their problems. If … when she drops out of training, his gym will go back to normal.
But Cady isn’t planning on losing the bet—she just wasn’t counting on any complications. And surly Rick is very complicated. And as tempting as the tastiest treat…
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Gah! This was fun, sexy, and all around such a great story! I couldn’t put it down and had to keep reading. The characters were so lovable and relatable and I found myself in love with them. Great read!
Well, I certainly don’t need to hit the gym now after the ab workout this book put me through. I laughed so hard my ribs hurt and I still haven’t caught my breath. I ADORE Cady! She’s my new spirit animal. By embracing her curves and putting rude people in their place, Cady’s cemented her status in my life as “the heroine I most want to be”. That she does it all with a snark I just can’t help but admire is simply icing on the cake. Rick has a lock on the strong silent type. He has a way of doing things and isn’t a happy camper when his routine gets messed with. Everything about Cady messes with his routine and it was the best soap opera ever to watch it all unfold. This is my first experience with this writing duo, but there’s no way it will be my last. I’m just going to have to wait until I can breathe properly again before I dive into any more of their work.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Hidden Gems Books.
This book had me laughing so hard! This was most definitely a thoroughly entertaining read! I loved Cady and her wild and sassy pers. Rick was pretty easy to like as well. I felt that overall, this book had a few great messages: you can be beautiful yet still be fugly and love yourself.
The only reason why I didn’t rate this book the full 5 stars was due to the last 5% of the book with the food. Just not for me. I didn’t feel like it helped Cady’s relationship with food in any way.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy that I received from Hidden Gems,
I have to start out by saying I adored everything about this book – the title hooked me from the start as it’s a question I’ve asked myself more than once. I just knew that the subject matter would resonate with me.
Cady Callahan feels like a kindred spirit. She goes through so many of the same dilemmas as I have (although I’m still waiting to meet my grumpy, yet hot, personal trainer!). Cady’s journey, both emotionally and physically, was like watching a caterpillar morph into a butterfly. She opened up her heart and put it all on the line in order to complete her unlikely challenge of running a marathon.
Rick Roberts is a grumpy Englishman in New York. He’s extremely successful in his business life, but his personal life is quiet and somewhat lonely, random Tinder hookups notwithstanding. Cady bowls into his life and turns it upside down, getting under his skin and worming her way into his closed off heart.
Seeing both of these characters grow throughout the course of the book is a joy to read. They both undergo major changes and when they finally get together, it’s delightfully dirty and hot.
I loved this book so much, I wish I could read it for the first time again. A really feel good romance with some interesting comments on body positivity, social media and self esteem.
J’ai deux romans écrits par Jane Harvey Berrick et Stuart Reardon en VO mais je n’ai pas encore eu le temps de les découvrir. Quand j’ai vu l’annonce pour cette comédie romantique, je savais que ce titre était fait pour moi car quand il s’agit de faire un choix entre manger du chocolat et aller à la gym, le choix est très vite fait me concernant. J’ai adoré cette comédie romantique qui m’a collé un sourire aux lèvres du début à la fin.
Cady Callahan est une jeune femme de 36 ans ( elle a presque mon âge donc je me suis encore plus identifiée à cette héroïne qui nous ressemble tant) . Elle est la présentatrice vedette d’une émission de radio qui cartonne. J’ai adoré son dynamisme et son aisance à s’exprimer sur divers sujets. Depuis sa plus tendre enfance, elle a été cataloguée comme obèse et elle sait se défendre et envoyer des piques quand nécessaire. Elle ne semble pas être blessée par les remarques qu’on peut lui faire et elle sait faire preuve de répondant. Lors d’un gala, son ennemi jurée Molly McKinney va se moquer ouvertement d’elle sur les réseaux sociaux car elle va remporter un an de training personnel avec Rick Roberts, le coach des stars. Après un énième affrontement , elle va accepter de suivre ce training pour courir un marathon à New York. Dès le début , on entend résonner à la fois le générique de Rocky mais aussi de Mission Impossible. Pour elle les donuts c’est la vie donc se retrouver dans une salle de sports est inédit.
Les scènes comiques vont s’enchaîner mais pas pour nous moquer de notre héroïne car elle forcera l’admiration. Ce ne sera pas une chose facile mais elle va tout mettre en oeuvre à ces séances de pure torture. Ce que j’ai adoré est le fait qu’on ne présente pas le sport comme la solution miracle pour perdre du poids mais plus comme un moyen de se sentir bien dans son corps et bien dans sa tête. Même si elle ne le montre pas forcément, certaines remarques peuvent être piquantes même si elle a atteint un âge où elle assume complètement ses rondeurs. Elle ne veut pas perdre du poids mais juste fermer le clapet de cette femme qui n’est que méchanceté et qui juge sur les apparences. Dans cette société où il faut être beau, mince et parfait, Cady dénote pour notre plus grand plaisir. J’ai adoré ce personnage car elle est dynamique, enjouée et apporte toujours de la bonne humeur. Elle est pleine d’auto dérision et il faudra dans certaines scènes.
Et puis elle va aussi tenir tête au séduisant Rick Roberts qui lui aussi sera un personnage intéressant. Il tient une salle de sport Body Tech et on sent qu’il est passionné par son métier . Même si les droits d’entrées sont incroyables , il sait aussi tendre la main vers ceux qui ne peuvent pas se payer ses services. Il connaît son métier et préparer Cady pour ce marathon sera un défi qu’il n’aura pas peur de relever. Même s’il évolue dans un monde où les apparences sont très importantes, il ne jugera jamais sévèrement notre héroïne . Bien évidemment, il ne va accepter facilement les méthodes de vie de Cady mais il saura s’adapter à la situation. Leur relation est des plus atypiques mais il est évidemment que le respect est bien présent.
On sent aussi que Rick est un personnage qui reste marqué par son passé et par la blessure qui a mis fin à sa carrière de rugby. Il avait des ambitions qu’il n’a jamais pu réaliser mais on le sent passionné par son métier. Contrairement à ce qu’on pourrait penser , il ne joue pas de son physique pour charmer la gente féminine et il est d’ailleurs assez malchanceux dans ce domaine. Harcelé par Rhonda Epstein, il pourra compter sur Cady pour l’aider à se débarrasser de cette femme plus qu’encombrante. J’ai adoré le dynamisme de son amitié avec Cady car il apprécie son humour et pour une fois il pourra discuter avec une femme qui ne le voit pas comme un objet. Quand la ligne entre la cliente , l’amie et l’éventuelle amante va devenir de plus en plus trouble, il pourrait prendre ses jambes à son cou et ne pas assumer sa mission jusqu’au bout.
Bref , j’ai adoré cette comédie romantique qui allie tout ce que je recherche dans ce genre de roman. On se régale des situations, des personnages , des rebondissements , des éléments de comédie mais aussi du réalisme que dégage les personnages que ce soit dans leur action ou dans leur paroles. J’ai aussi aimé le message qui se dégage de cette romance : soyons nous même et profitons de la vie tout en relevant des défis.
Gym or Chocolate is simply splendid! Jane Harvey-Berrick and Stuart Reardon prove once more just how beautifully they write together with this heartwarming romp featuring the extremely witty Cady Callahan and the brooding Rick Roberts. These two couldn’t be more different if they tried. Yet somehow, through the magic of this incredible duo’s words, Cady and Rick find themselves gradually drifting into a bit more than just a client/trainer relationship.
The loud-mouthed, zaftig radio host and the too sexy for his own good, ripped personal trainer. Thrown together for the sake of charity, their banter was off the charts hysterical! I couldn’t stop chuckling as Rick tries his damnedest to get Cady to put down her beloved lemon-glazed donuts and pick up some weights instead. But Cady is no wallflower and has a perfect comeback for every muttered sigh and shake of Rick’s gorgeous curls as she ups her game and decides to want to run in the NYC Marathon.
And then it really gets interesting!!! With scorned lovers and the very nasty Molly always around to provide a reason to try even harder, I was in awe of how Cady continually held her head high and said a huge eff you to those who thought she should be anything but who she was. She is the consummate role model for those who want to feel comfortable in their skin, even when the world says otherwise. I just love her.
There are the perfect secondary characters who keep our couple on track, and they provide more sharp humor that keeps this story light and lovely. This book is not the usual rom-com since there is much more than just the usual one-liners and silly situations. Instead we are treated to a tale full of a ton of heart and two flawed people who find love in the most unexpected of ways.
I couldn’t get enough of the formidable Cady and her sexy Rick as they navigate through a surprise friendship that becomes so much more. A few scenes had me smiling huge as they start falling without either of them noticing. The writing is flawless and full of charm and is sure to be a favorite for 2019.
I hope Harvey-Berrick and Reardon decide to give us a bit more of this crew. They are memorable and full of life. Gym or Chocolate? Thankfully we don’t have to choose and in the end, neither does our spectacular couple.
A breath of fresh air when everything seems to be the same old same old, I happily give Gym or Chocolate 5 huge stars!
I was lucky enough to read a ARC of this story. I couldn’t put it down and completely fell in love with Cady and Rick. I’ll admit that it didn’t happen right away, you have to get through some issues and deal with some social media bullies. Then the true magic shines through. Cady is a morning radio show host, # 1 in her time slot. Envied by several co-workers and pretty much bad mouthed by everyone because she’s not a size 2 or smaller. She is happy with herself and gets her own digs in with the negative people and comments.
Rick owns a gym and is totally into fitness. He’s offered a year membership plus himself as a personal trainer at a auction benefit for military veterans. He’s not happy at all when Cady is the winner. They may have had a bit of a run-in earlier. Lol’s. He makes the best of it but is secretly hoping that she will give the prize away. Little does he know that Cady isn’t one to back down from a challenge and now the real fun begins.
A wonderful story of hope, exercise, donuts will keep you laughing along as you keep reading about these great characters. Fantastic writing by Jane Harvey-Berrick and Stuart Reardon. This story just flows as it pulls you along for the ride. By the end you will find yourself wanting to run a marathon!!!
Reviewed on behalf of KindleFriendsForever
We are in for another treat from this fabulous duo Jane and Stuart. This book is not their usual genre sports romance but is a little bit more of a rom-com.
Cady Callahan, a famous radio host in New York City is not your average woman. She is a powerhouse in every aspect, a plus-size not only in the wardrobe department but also in personality. She grew up with issues regarding her weight, but she has learned to appreciate her worth and owns it. What I like about her is her bubbly personality, self-deprecating humour and can give as good as she gets, no holds barred for this lady. I would love for her to be my best friend if only she were real. When faced with a challenge it didn’t take her long to consider it and she grabbed it with both hands. What a character!
Rick Roberts is a Brit in US soil, personal fitness trainer to the stars and a former sportsman with a short-lived career who was bamboozled into taking on Cady as a client. He wasn’t prepared to deal with a larger than life persona like her.
This might look like a light-hearted tale at first but there is a powerful message within the story. The character that stands out the most in this book is Cady who is such an inspiration. She dealt with bullying and fat-shaming, she soared high above the antagonists and let them eat her doughnut dust. This is a slow-burn romance with only one smorgasbord of a sex scene that will make you hot and bothered but dang, it is all worth it, less is more they say. Rick’s character grows on you after the first quarter of the book and he becomes more than just a sex god, you also get to know his integrity and his dedication.
The secondary characters: Vin, Rick’s best friend who is a top male model and Cady’s best friend Grace, a solicitor make an interesting pair and I bet these two would make a hilarious partnership. I hope they get to have their story, too. Cady and Rick’s romance will make you laugh and cry happy tears; they will make you feel like you can take on the world and sign on to a gym membership. I highly recommend this book.
This is a light-hearted, fast paced, humorous romance story. It also has a bully aspect, and sticking it to them. Use that negative and turn it into a positive. 🙂 She is larger than life… not just her size, but her personality as well. After a bully of a girl made fun of her for winning a gym membership, she jokingly said she was going to run a marathon. (Which of course, everyone laughed at.) Just to prove them all wrong, she was determined to go through with it after all. Enter Mr. Personal Trainer. He dreaded training her as he felt it a waste of time if her heart wasn’t in it. But she proved him wrong too. Both characters are great in their own way. She loves herself, including her body, and doesn’t let people dictate how she should feel. She is loud and proud. She is always positive and doesn’t let her eating habits change to fit societies expectations. He is a broody miserable buggar. (Where she is loud, he is quiet.) After an injury killed his professional athletic career, his dreams and happiness diminished completely… including his marriage. Fitness and his gym were his life now and he wasn’t going to let anything (or anyone) destroy that, which is why he was reluctant to train her in the first place. Their banter was fabulous and she didn’t let him get away with his bad attitude. Not to mention lots of physical comedic accidents (mostly at his expense.) There are a few other outside influences that cause havoc on the two of them, and threaten everything they’ve worked for. As I mentioned, this is a fast paced story. It is easy to read. Alternates between POVs. It’s not exactly a clean read, but the sexual content is minimal… more talked about than actual action. It’s an all round fun read with a good moral boost.
*I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
Incredible journey reminding us all that we can do anything we set our minds to. Cady loves her life, she is a radio DJ and enjoys the connection she has with fans. The one thing she can’t stand are bullies and when she attends a charity function, she gets thrown right between the sites of Molly, who maintains the “fuglies” and chooses to pick on Cady for her weight. Next thing you know, she has won a gym membership and is now committed to running the New York city marathon. Rick doesn’t like to be in the public eye as he grows his gym. When the item he donates to charity ends up with Cady and a challenge is thrown, he dreads having to train her. Now, what Rick never expects is to meet a woman full of life that embraces her curves and maintains a very positive outlook. He has struggled after a career ending injury in Rugby and really is a grouch. These two unlikely people suddenly find themselves needing each other as allies when Molly throws down the gauntlet. Will they find a way for Cady to succeed? Or will their ‘differences’ keep them from success? I had a great time taking this journey with Cady as she maintained her belief and never gave up. It was awesome to experience Rick as Cady brings light into his dark world. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
Reviewed by Sharon Thérèse at KFF
Writing duo, Reardon and Harvey-Berrick have pulled out the stops and delivered a gem of a rom-com which had me in stitches and got me hooked from the first chapter. So, Gym or Chocolate? It’s the perfect title but in reality, not an easy choice to make if you’re lacking in willpower like me. I have to confess that as I read on, Cady Callahan with her extra pounds and sassy comebacks quickly became my kinda woman. And Rick Roberts, gym entrepreneur, trainer and owner of an elite fitness club certainly gave me food for thought. No pun intended, but who hasn’t had a sugar craving at one time or another and not felt guilty? There’s so much more to this delicious story than just getting hot and bothered and sweaty in the gym though.
“Baby steps, Rick. Baby steps— that’s what you told me and I’m sticking to it.”
Rick encourages us to take a look at our daily habits and what we’re doing wrong. He explains why we should look after ourselves and regardless of whatever handicap we may have, staying fit enhances our lifestyle and eating healthy food matters. Well, he got the latter part right ‘cause that’s something I make sure I do. However, this grouchy guy wiggled his way into my heart at the same pace as the book. Fast! I felt sorry for him on different levels. Firstly, he’s trying his utmost to keep his top-notch clientele satisfied, not doing what he really loves as an injury put a stop to his sports career and then Cady struts into personal space as big as life. She’s not what he bargained for, but seeing as she’d won the prize of a year’s membership to get her body in shape at Body Tech, he has little alternative but to get on with the job. The other reasons Rick saddened me I’d rather not mention but I’ll just say that his sensitivity melted my heart.
“And what is it with you and donuts? That is not the right thing to eat before a run. It’s probably the worst breakfast you could have!”
“Oh don’t worry, I ate a bar of chocolate earlier. I’m good.”
Cady frustrates the pants off Rick, and even though he won’t admit it, she’s a pleasant surprise and manages to make him smile. How could she not? She’s hilarious, adorable, generous of heart and spirit, and the fact that she showed me how headstrong she is when her downfall is lemon sugar-coated doughnuts, made me realise that anyone can make the best of a bad situation if they want to. I really liked how she took the bull by the horns and not just with her own hang-ups. Not one to hold her tongue, she prods Rick into confronting his issues head-on. Ooh, and he blushes, ladies! Rick is a tad naïve as far as the opposite sex is concerned and Cady being Cady either pulls his leg about it or tries to guide him in the right direction. I tell you, she’s the total package!
“… Sometimes he swaps his glare for a scowl. And then he frowns. I’m not sure if that means he’s moody or whether I irritate him,”
Rick and Cady are like chalk and cheese. She’s outgoing and boisterous, he’s out of his element when not training. Understandably, his words don’t flow nearly as easily as hers, so what do they have in common? Both of them are honest, hard-working and kind-hearted folk who gradually gain each other’s respect and build a special friendship. Innuendos intermingled with off the charts banter, chemistry that simmers until it reaches boiling point and a feel-good storyline result is the perfect end of summertime read. I adored how Rick was there for Cady when the going gets tough; yep, he’s a true Yorkshire gentleman I literally swooned over!
“Are you going to get yourself a sports bra now?”She glanced sideways and grinned at me. “No way! I’m having far too much fun watching your face—it takes my mind off what we’re actually doing.”
Of course, every good story needs a baddie or two and in that respect, the authors gave me a couple I’d have gladly strangled with my bare hands. The majority of the secondary characters are totally likeable. Rick’s best mate, Vin, had me in fits, swears like a trooper and dishes out dodgy advice like hotcakes and Grace, Cady’s bestie is lovely.
‘Was that an ab under the flab? I fingered my stomach tentatively. Could a person have just one ab? Didn’t they usually come in pairs, like a salt and pepper set?’
Written from a dual perspective in past is my fave narrative technique. You get to hear both sides of the story and listening to both Rick and Cady’s inner thoughts was a privilege. Gym or Chocolate? is a must-one-click I can’t recommend enough. Bravo Reardon and Harvey-Berrick!