“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…
more
“I didn’t stop to shower at the gym, I simply flagged down the first cab I saw since I couldn’t hail an ambulance, and fell inside. I told the driver that there’d be an extra tip if I was still alive at the end of the ride.”
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.
Rick might be sexy as sin, but he’s a grump too. When he donated the free membership and personal training at his gym, Body Tech, he wasn’t expecting the winner to be… her. His plan was to help the veteran’s charity while promoting his business. But, her obvious disregard for health and nutrition might not be the best advertisement for his gym. And to make matters worse, “She pressed all my buttons, pissed me off and made me laugh in the same sentence.”
As you can imagine, Gym or Chocolate? 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. There are also some awesome support characters that I’m hoping might get a book of their own. Especially the one that “every other word that came out of his mouth was ‘fook’, ‘fooking’ or ‘fooker’.” He had me laughing almost as much as Cady and I need more of him in my life. The line forms here…
Gym or Chocolate will literally have you laughing out loud! Cady is a girl after my own heart! She is not a size 2, yet she’s confident in herself and doesn’t let anyone make her feel bad. It might take Rick a while to figure out that Cady is more than her size, but when he finally does it might just be too late! There were so many funny moments in this book! Cady’s come backs to the mean girls were just bloody brilliant! Excellent read!
Characters = 4/5
Plot = 5/5
Romance = 4/5
Mystery = 1/5
Action = 2/5
Darkness = 0/5
Humor = 5/5
Stars = 5
Would I recommend this book = Yes
Would I read future books by this author = Yes
I have never laughed so hard. This was truly a breath of fresh air. I certainly needed it.
I loved Cady. I can relate to her for sure. I’ve been picked on when I was in the 200s like her and even when I lost a lot of weight. “Mean girls” really do exist and it sucks! I loved her attitude towards everything. My hero!
Rick was great too. A seriously strict individual. When Hurricane Cady comes into his life it all gets undone. He done good though in the end.
This is definitely an extremely slow burn. So buckle up and enjoy the laughs first. When everything is accomplished everything explodes. I’ve never been so turned on with sweets in my life!
I bought this book ‘Gym or chocolate’ when it came out but like so many other books that I bought, it landed on my TBR pile to read some day (being a slow reader makes that my TBR pile is sky high). But now that (the second book) ‘The world according to Vince’ is being released this month, I decided that now was a good time to read ‘Gym or chocolate’ before reading the story of Vince. And I’m so happy that I did.
‘Gym or Chocolate’ is a rom-com read and it certainly made me forget the outside world for a little bit. You got both POV’s in the story, Cady was a lovely character. She’s funny, friendly, independent, full of life and she loved to talk a lot (which made her perfect for her job). Rick was the total opposite of her, he’s silent, grumpy, a thinker and certainly not a talker! (The things that he said had me cringe now and then, he meant well but speaking was not his forte.) But he had a big and good heart. It was lovely to see their relationship go from strangers, to friends, to lovers. But be prepared, the story is a slow burn, you have to wait for the sex scene until the very end but what a sex scene! I will never look at desserts (and especially donuts) the same way!!! That’s for sure!
I didn’t mind that there weren’t much sex scenes in this story, because to be honest, I flew through the pages having so much fun that I didn’t even realized that I was almost at the end and hadn’t read a sex scene yet. From the beginning you could feel the chemistry between Cady and Rick but circumstances made that they didn’t act on it.
‘Gym or chocolate’ was co-written by Jane Harvey-Berrick and Stuart Reardon. This wasn’t the first book I read that they had written together (I have also read many books writing by Jane Harvey-Berrick alone) but still the vibe in this book felt a bit different than the previous books of them. This story was more funnier, I would almost say ‘crazier’ but I mean that in a very good way!
BUT this story was much more than just a rom-com story. These writers managed to intertwine some very sensitive and contemporary themes in between the laughter too. They did this in a very subtle and creative way and that made me love this book so much more.
Cady may have a lot of curves but she totally embraced them and I loved that about her. And her answers to people who shamed her about her body were creative and very interesting. I’m really grateful that the writers didn’t change her into a skinny girl at the end of the book. No, they let her have her curves and instead lay the focus on being healthy (with or without curves) by doing fitness and exercise. They brought that message in such a positive way that even I was getting motivated by it. Tinder was also a very interesting subject this book, the good and the bad sides of it. Another theme in this book was the power and the responsibility of social media. Unfortunatey, some people misuse social media for their own purpose or to hurt people with it. Something that happens a lot nowadays, sadly. The writers really did a wonderful job of using all these difficult and sensitive subjects in the story in a funny but thoughtful way. It certainly made me think and look differently at certain things and that is the power of writing, to entertain people but to also make them think.
Two other characters we met in this story were Grace (Cady’s best friend) and Vince (Rick’s best friend), they were very wonderful secondary characters and I’m looking forward to reading their story in the next book ‘The world according to Vince’. Because Vince is one fascinating character and I really want to know how he will change Gracie’s mind about him!
This story was so much fun to read! The characters were diverse and interesting, the situation believable, and the dialogue was quick and witty. Add in some serious attraction between the leads and you’ve got yourself one hell of a rom com!
Rick is super serious about his business, and about life. One of things I really liked about him was the fact that he wasn’t a player (outside of his former rugby days). Too often male characters run fast and lose, so to see something different on the page was so refreshing. Even before the accident that ended his career, he was in a serious/long term relationship. So nice to see an athlete who knows how to keep it in his protective cup.
And Cady was truly an every-woman character. Her struggles are struggles my fat friends have experienced. People who don’t know her spewing vitriol over social media is something that has occurred to some of the nicest women I know. Why? Simply because of their size. I loved that Cady refused the scale. I loved that she continued to enjoy her food. Health is not the size 0, and I really think that came across in the story. Yes, she lost a bit of weight, but it wasn’t her goal, it was simply a side effect of her new lifestyle.
I did think the situation with Rhonda simply disappeared instead of getting a proper conclusion, but the note to Molly at the end was gold! (This, however, was such a minor concern I almost feel bad for mentioning it.)
Even though this story is a slow burn kind of romance, it didn’t feel that way. In fact, it felt to me like an old Cary Grant movie. The banter, the situations, the characters. The absence of sex doesn’t detract from the story, in fact it only serves to build tension between the couple.
The connection between Rick and Cady was primarily intellectual at first. (Think Tracy and Hepburn.) That’s not to say he only became attracted to her once she began losing weight. No, he definitely noticed her … assets … before then. But I think when society is conditioned to view skinny as the standard for being appealing, some people may not even realise they’re attracted to fatter people at first. I think that’s partly what happened with Rick. His admiration for her “take no shit” attitude, even when it went against his beliefs, was clear from the start. (It was his blushing that gave him away for the rest.)
Would I have liked a little less embarrassment for Cady at the beginning? Of course. I’m not a fan of clumsy female characters because a) aren’t women humiliated enough in real life? and b) often times it gets dropped about halfway through the book. (Like somehow true love gives you better balance? I honestly don’t know.) But while there were a few moments that made me wince, here they felt different. Breaking wind while exercising? Who hasn’t done that. (Granted, not always in front of the sexy trainer, but still.) Losing toe nails because of the new running routine? Ouch, but it happens. Aching all over after the initial really intense workout? I seriously had trouble lifting a piece of paper once. (Aerobics with bar bells. Never again.) In this book I was reminded of the movie Desk Set wherein Katharine Hepburn’s character gets drunk at the Christmas party. Funny, but not malicious.
Cady and Rick worked well together. She got him to lighten up a bit, and kept him from sliding back into depression when things went wrong for him. He got her to be a little bit more focused on her health, and grounded her when she occasionally had doubts. Like any good relationship, they didn’t need the other person, but they did compliment each other when they were together. #RelationshipGoals
This book was tender, and sweet, and inspiring, and funny, and light-hearted, and fast paced, and overall just a joy to read. I hope this writing duo gives us more in this vein, as I think they really excel at this type of story telling. Highly recommend.
Cady Callahan had a daily radio show on New York mornings.
Very well resolved with her body, she has always suffered all kinds of bullying, including in the family, for being overweight. But her joy was contagious, and her quick responses managed to bring down many haters, until she met the social media celebrity Molly McKinney.
Cady attended a charity dinner for veterans. There, she was won a prize to be a member for one year of one of the most famous gyms in the city, Body Tech.
Despite going up on stage smiling, she knew she wouldn’t use that thing.
But on returning to the table next to the gym owner, former rugby player Rick Roberts, Cady was verbally assaulted by the sociality.
In an aggressive conversation, Cady accepted the challenge of a year from now, running the New York marathon, being coached by Rick himself.
To Cady’s dismay, she went to the gym daily to prepare for the big challenge.
The prize was not to win, but just to run, and she would use that experience to encourage other sedentary people like her, and still raise more money for veterans.
In a life full of sugar and junk, Cady would have to overcome the great obstinacy wall that was Rick.
Rick had been a great rugby player, until an accident with some surgeries took him out of the field.
Plunged into depression, his marriage ended and he had no perspective on life, until he decided to make his dream come true of having a gym to help other injured athletes recover.
Body Tech has become a symbol of seriousness in its area. Becoming a member of the academy cost more than $ 10,000, and he wouldn’t let his life’s work become a laughing stock for that smart girl.
Training Cady would be quite a challenge, but as they got together, he got to know another side of her.
She was funny, affectionate, concerned with the people she loved, she didn’t get attached to the guys she hang out with (she knew them through Tinder for just one night of sex) and she had great ideas.
And to tell the truth, she could have a sedentary life and be considered overweight, but her curves were to drive men crazy.
It was impossible for Rick not to notice all her “qualities”.
While they were training, they would have to deal with a crazy stalker, defamation on the internet and a passion that came without warning.
A really great funny story.
5 stars
It’s not a life or death choice! Actually, Cady proves you can have both!
I have to be 100% honest – I almost avoided this book because of the cover. I know! I know! Never judge a book by its cover! I always say that but sadly it happens all the time. It’s not Stuart. It just doesn’t click with me. I understand the choice and it works for the story but it almost caused me to pass on by. So now that I have dumped all over the cover, you are wondering how this review is really going to go!?! Admit it, you don’t trust me now!
Well, I have news for you. This book is a rockstar hiding behind its cover. It’s fun, snarky, and 100% honest. Stuart Reardon and Jane Harvey-Berrick don’t have to look like me or Cady, to have captured the mindset perfectly. Cady is a fighter. She fights her feelings, her hurt, and the mean b- I meant witches, of the world. In a society that thinks beauty is limited to a single digit pant size, anyone not fitting those measurements tends to be ridiculed, shamed, or treated like a disease. You see it in tv, in magazines, and everyday life. I love how strong Cady is and ache for her at the same time.
Reardon and Harvey-Berrick have a new fan. And not just because they proved I don’t need to make it gym or chocolate, but that I can have both. Maybe they will inspire you too. I am considering the evil running idea! Whoa! Are you on crack!?! I didn’t say NYC marathon, I said consider running! Baby steps!
Enjoy this romantic comedy and it’s energy boosting properties! Perhaps it will give you the boost your new years resolutions didn’t!
Chocolate, or lemon glazed donuts, any day for me please
As Gym or Chocolate? is the first book I have read by either Stuart Reardon or Jane Harvey-Berrick I was not sure what to expect, as you can just never tell with a “new to you” author. The book description looked like it could be fun, and who doesn’t like “chocolate”. But I am afraid to say that I did not really enjoy this book very much because of several reasons. But namely it was the body shaming of the lead character, Cady, that is at the top of the list. I realize that authors have their own ideas about things. But in this day and age I find this to be a bit much. I will say that I am not a BBW so I am not offend in relation to myself but I am still offend with this.
I skimmed some of the book, read other parts and ended up not finishing. So in the end I just could not connect with this book. But this is my opinion only and I know that others will really like it.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Title: Gym or Chocolate
Author: Jane Harvey-Berrick & Stuart Reardon
Publisher: Suart Reardon Publishing
Edition: Kindle
Amount of Pages: 317
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Contemporary
Favorite Quote: “I didn’t stop to shower at the gym, I simply flagged down the first cab I saw since I couldn’t hail an ambulance, and fell inside. I told the driver that there’d be an extra tip if I was still alive at the end of the ride.”
Date Read: 24-09-2019 – 25-09-2019
Review:
The title of this book really drew me in. It’s a great question, which has an easy answer… definitely chocolate. I wish I was one of those people that enjoys working out and gets a kick out of it. I am not. I’ll do it because I have to but that’s where it ends… now I’m lying I don’t do it, but I totally should because it’s good for me.
What is this book about:
This book is about sassy, plus size/curvy radio host Cady. At an charity event for soldiers, Cady wins a year of personal training by celebrity personal trainer Rick. Cady, at first wasn’t planning on doing this, she was going to give it away on her show. But when a mean girl made fun of her and blasted her all over social media, taking what Cady said about running a marathon out of context, she decides to show the skinny b*tich that fat people can be fit as well and actually can run a marathon.
Rick didn’t want to waste his time one someone that clearly didn’t want to be at his gym. But the more time he spends with Cady, the more he comes to admire her, care for her. Will Cady be able to run the marathon as she planned or will she cave and drop out.
What did I like about this book
I liked that Cady loves herself and how she looks and makes no excuses for it. She is a big girl and she loves it. But man I though my diet was bad, but Cady’s is terrible. I love that she loves food and doesn’t want to live her live eating kale and carrots and stuff. But man even I know that you don’t eat donuts before working out and expect not to get sick hahaah.
I loved the banter between Cady and Rick. Rick is a grumpy man but he can’t help but laugh at some of the stuff that comes out of Cady’s mouth.
The sex scene at the end got a bit weird for me at one point. It started out hot but then this one moment weirded me out.
Overall it was a funny quick read with a great meaning. Love comes in all sizes and there is nothing wrong with loving yourself regarding your size.
Rating:
3 I enjoyed it Stars
Falling for somebody who seems to be your total opposite? Gym or Chocolate? tells the funny and sometimes hilarious story of Cady and Rick, who each live in a different world when it comes to food and fitness. I love it.
Cady and Rick are very different people. Both are confident in their own skin, but they each have a different outlook on life. Cady is enjoying her life to the fullest. Yes, she knows she’s a big girl, but she has embraced her curves. And divine tasting food… And avoiding everything that’s remotely connected to exercising… Rick’s life on the other hand is all about control; a strict fitness regime and only eating healthy, nutritious food. Yes, Cady and Rick can’t be more different, but they also can’t deny they’re attracted to each other.
Like other books by this author duo, Gym or Chocolate? is a relaxed story with characters who act and talk realistically (most of the times). No flowery phrases, no internal quoting of Shakespeare, just normal people speak. Although it’s basically a simple story – opposites fall far each other but try to fight it for a while – the unfolding story holds your attention throughout the book. The story is told through Cady and Rick’s eyes, giving an insight in both thoughts and emotions. I love how they both change, but also stay true to themselves.
Gym or Chocolate? is a funny, romantic comedy. Reading the story brought a big smile on my face and caused the occasional eyeroll (in a good way!). Yes, there is a bit of needed drama (a smooth ride into the sunset would be a wee bit boring, right?), but nothing over the top or dramatic. I love Cady and Rick together; they are a perfect couple and bring out the best in each other.
I love Gym or Chocolate?, I give the story of Cady and Rick 4.5 stars.
I’m in love with Jane Harvey-Berrick’s writing and I really like her partnership with Stuart Reardon, but couldn’t imagine how much I would laugh during a Gym or Chocolate? reading. What should they call it Gym or Donuts? due to Cady’s great love for this candy. But I will start this review correctly …
Cady is a well-resolved woman who is very well in her radio broadcasting profession. She always fights with her weight, but now she doesn´t keep stressing about it and she’s enjoying her curvy silhouette.
Rick is a former rugby player who has been forced to look for a new profession after a very complicated injury that has taken him from the fields. He has struggled hard to achieve the success and fame of his gym and is not liking the way that the irreverent Cady enters in his life.
He takes it all very seriously in his life and sees no compromise on Cady who doesn’t like to follow his exercise routine and new diet, but she strives to follow what he asks. It all starts because she feels challenged to run to the New York Marathon after hearing a lot of jokes about winning an annual plan at Rick’s academy.
Even fighting the urge to give up, Rick and Cady are coming closer and revealing their suffering and joy. Gradually this training will prove much more interesting than they both imagined. Rick helps Cady realize how strong she is and how to have a healthier life, and Cady shows Rick how to enjoy life more in a balanced and fun way.
I’ve read a lot of Jane’s books and all the books she wrote with Stuart and I love to know this comedian strand of both. The book is a great comedy stuffed with hilarious moments full of others deliciously hot and some more charmingly romantic. This improbable couple won my heart.
Highlight for a wonderful scene involving a very sweet picnic in a room.
OMG!!!!! What was that ?! Great!
5/5 starry donuts for this book.
This was a wonderfully written book. It brings forth the truth of stigmas, cruelty, and social media’s influences. Cady is a radio host, who has a large following. She is overweight and she has made her peace with that. She enjoys food and nothing can stop her from living life to the fullest. That is until she wins a year membership to a highly rated gym. She plans on gifting it to someone that would use it, but social media troll makes fun of her and challenges that she couldn’t run a marathon. Cady, being a very self-confident individual takes the challenge. Rick will be her trainer. Rick thrives on health and treating your body like a temple, so he and Cady have many conflicts. I loved this book because it was funny, realistic, heartbreaking, and blunt. It doesn’t matter how successful you are, how kind you are, or how you help others, you will forever be judged by your appearances. If I had endured all the hateful words Cady dealt with I would be extremely depressed. She is a perfect example of what to do. Love yourself and do what works for you, not others. She’s sassy, loving, incorrigible, friendly, and vivacious for life. Don’t let other’s superficial, conniving thoughts pierce through your armor.
I was given a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book! This is the first collaboration between these authors I have read and immediately added their other books to my TBR, signed up for their newsletters and followed them on all platforms.
Cady Callahan is a big beautiful confident radio personality. At a charity event she wins a free year membership to Body Tech gym owned by Rick Roberts. Her station managers force her to do an interview on a TV show where fat-shaming Mean Girl Molly prods her to run the NYC marathon. Cady spends the next year training with Rick to do the marathon. In the process they fall for each other. After they finish the marathon they celebrate with one of the hottest love scenes since the movie 9 1/2 weeks. Highly recommend.
First read by this duo and a happy accident that I stubbles across.
Happy because this book was some seriously good reading, devoured in one go, I literally could not stop.
Happy because I howled with laughter at some of the situations and the banter between Rick and Cady.
Happy because I loved the story, the conflict and the chemistry.
Happy because I’m off to read more by this duo!
I’m hoping that vin and grace will have a story of their own….plus what did ever happen to the truffle??
What a delicious and fun book to read! As with all these authors’ books, there’s an angsty element included within the funny stuff and the evolving of the characters that just filled my soul. Also, the frequent mention of lemon-glazed donuts had me constantly salivating!
Cady Callahan is overweight and she doesn’t care. She survived school and the constant bullying from other students but eventually came to a place where she accepted herself, her body, her weight and her love of food, tons and tons of carbs and sugar. When she wins a free membership to an elite gym in Manhattan with famous retired rugby player Rick Roberts, she initially treated it as a joke and meant to gift the membership to someone who would appreciate it more. Then the infamous and despicable Molly McKinney (arch nemesis in Undefeated and Model Boyfriend) shamed and insulted Cady to such an extent that she decided to take on the challenge and get (gasp!) fit.
From here on, we’re taken on a rollercoaster ride of giggles and funs, with Cady reacting to all kinds of exertion, rejecting any kind of diet reform that Rick sugested, subjecting Rick to several accidents of the gassy and vomit kind, plus some head knocks. During this crazy and funny ride, events occur in Rick’s life that threaten to upend the life he has striven to achieve, and Cady is the friend who understands and gives him support. An unlikely friendship develops, the guy with a drive to keep fit and the girl with the drive to keep on eating. Eventually the New York Marathon is a possibility and we’re there to share in the fun of preparation.
Rick, like the author Stuart Reardon, suffered severe injuries during his professional rugby career that caused an early retirement. After many operations, physical therapy, depression over his career loss, and divorce, his gym is his life. He’s aloof and reticent, not given to sharing and his people skills are notably absent. Yet, Cady cuts through all those shields and gets to the guy behind, big heart and mushy interior.
There are other delightful friends included in the narrative, Vin and Grace, the besties, Cady’s family who also mock her body, and some work partners who hate her because she’s fat but successful. Also, there’s a psycho stalker and hateful Molly. Really, this book is a page-turner of entertainment and heartfelt emotions. I totally loved Cady’s metamorphosis from an overweight, lazy woman into a driven, fit woman. I was initially a little upset about the gluttony and cheered Cady on her journey to a more healthy lifestyle. It’s not about being trim, it’s about being healthy and treating your body with the respect it deserves. Great job!
I laughed my patootie off! I started and couldn’t put it down until I finished this fun read with serious issues such as fat shaming and the damage social media attacks can cause to reputations, business and maybe most of all someone’s self image and feelings. I love everything about Cady, the big gal that’s up for any challenge. She is just what you want in a heroine. Funny, smart, sexy, beautiful inside and out, but most of all a really nice human. When she meets the grouchy, hot hunk, gym owner Rick, it’s far from love at first sight. Their relationship starts out rather contentious but as he trains her to run the NYC marathon and they get to know each other a transformation takes place but not without lots of missteps and interference from some nasty media hos. I loved Cady’s response to the hate and her outstanding character and smarts shine through. I loved the grumpy, hardcore fitness trainer and hot Brit Rick. He’s got his demons but underneath he’s a standup guy and panty melting. Speaking of panty melting…the athlete turned model that is Rick’s friend Vin. He’s goofy, irreverent and hot! And then there’s Cady’s lovely friend Grace. The gals have a wonderful friendship much like Rick and Vin’s. Always supportive and there for each other. The interaction between Cady and Rick at the beginning had me in stitches and laughing so hard at Cady’s antics. The serious turn about half way that threw me a little and seemed to drag on a bit and didn’t shine the best light on my man Rick so I took off a half star much to my chagrin. It got a tad preachy at times. It got back on the right track quickly and I was laughing and tooting again at Cady’s hilarious behavior and Rick’s attempts at remaining stoic in the face of Cady and Vin’s tomfoolery. The focus on veterans was tremendous and near and dear to my heart as well as exercising/training being about health more than body image. The writing was terrific and this fast became one of my favorite rom-coms. I can’t wait for Vin and Grace’s story. This had a slow-build romance that culminated into a sexy, funny fook/food fest that had me laughing and swooning. There’s nothing like combining food with sexy times! The combination of English and American wordplay was fantastic and hilarious. I was so stoked to see the phrase ‘fair t’middlin’. It’s one of my favorite sayings inherited from my old Southern relatives and rarely if every hear it. This is my first read by these authors and I’ve already scooped up their other stories because I enjoyed this one so much and have to read more from these two fabulous authors. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
Hilarious
I loved this story and its characters. At first, I found them hilarious : Cady, in her will to not submit to the rules and to not lose weight and, in her verbal games when she’s attacked on her physique, and Rick, who to maintain a good image of his gym, should coach Cady because she won her place at a charity gala and that an instagrameuse, has attacked Cady on the internet, to the point that she can not give her gain to someone else.
Added to this is Rick’s problem with a stalker.
Another part is more serious about how overweight people are denigrated, sometimes being sidelined by other people who think they are superior. The story gives a very good romance, which is rather tender, but with an impressive fireworks at the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
This is a hard one for me to review. It was entertaining at times, implausible at others.
I liked that Cady owned who she was and really didn’t give a rat’s ass what anyone else thought about her- that was refreshing. I liked that she didn’t back down in the face of her detractors and haters. She was funny and witty, and larger than life.
But there came a point when I wanted, needed, her to let go of the doughnuts. I mean, I feel you Cady, I do, I love me some doughnuts. Yet I know if I wanted to fully commit to running a marathon in a year, I’d have to make some concessions, and one of those would be giving up eating doughnuts Every.Single.Day. The book should have really been titled Gym or Doughnuts?, as much as our heroine enjoyed them. And I’m not saying that to be snarky- that really was her sweet treat of choice.
And yes, I know it’s not all about the doughnuts.
I wanted to love this story, I really did. A plus-size heroine who loves her food and doesn’t care what people think about her, and who falls in love with her personal trainer? Yes, please! While it was an entertaining read, and I’m sure many will love it, unfortunately Gym or Chocolate? just didn’t resonate with me like I hoped. I never really felt the connection or attraction between Rick and Cady.
I really did appreciate that Cady stayed true to herself, and showed the world you didn’t need to be a size 0 to find love and be happy.
A funny read – and now I feel like I need to go to gym.
I loved the characters and Cady is my type of girl.
I loved every minute of this fun read and did not want to say goodbye to the characters when I got to the end. I felt an immediate connection with curvy Cady, kickass career girl and radio host and loved her dynamic with the other characters especially Rick, retired British rugby ace who runs a serious training facility in Manhattan. Mr. Reardon and Ms. Harvey-Berrick knocked my socks off with the seamless transition between Cady and Rick’s POV and their undeniable chemistry. This is a must-read for everyone who enjoys a laugh-out-loud feel good story. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. I enjoyed it so much, I purchased a copy for my keeper library.