The Cinderella Pact

by Sarah Strohmeyer

Soon to be a Lifetime movie called "Lying to be Perfect" When Nola Devlin is turned down for her dream job because she's overweight, she decides to become thin-or, at least, pretend to be. The alter ego she creates-the thin, British, hip, and did we mention thin Belinda Apple-is a smashing success who is offered movie proposals, national television appearances and even dates...though no one's met her in person, of course. Then Nola takes Belinda a bit too far, and is forced to join "The Cinderella Pact" and drop the pounds. As the weight comes off, however, Nola's problems begin to mount. Watch a Video

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Adult Fiction, Humor

352 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2006

About the author

Sarah Strohmeyer is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of 18 novels for young adults and adults, including the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series, SMART GIRLS GET WHAT THEY WANT and THE CINDERELLA PACT, which became the Lifetime Movie, LYING TO BE PERFECT.
Her first mystery, BUBBLES UNBOUND, won the Agatha Award and Romantic TImes Award for Best First Mystery. THE SLEEPING BEAUTY PROPOSAL was nominated for a prestigious RITA™. Her books have been translated into German, French, Italian, Turkish, Taiwanese and a bunch of others.
BUBBLES REBOOTS - #7 in the Bubbles Yablonsky mystery series - will be published June 26th in Kindle, Nook and Kobo (pre-order now!) It is an homage to her dearly departed high-school friend, Josh Simon. So 10% of the profits will go to organizations he approved: The Cancer Research Institute & Planned Parenthood.

Reviews

[Jojo · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reads like an ad for Weight Watchers.

And it has that familiar chick lit plot where the main character gets herself into a ridiculous situation and lies and lies and lies to cover it up until the crushing weight of her stupid lies forces her to come clean. And then, well, not much happens and she gets the guy. This plot is so annoying! Especially when I'm supposed to believe that Nola is intelligent and talented when the complete stupidity of the situation she has gotten herself into makes her seem like a moron.

And the romantic interest is named Chip. Chip. The principal of my school when I was younger was named Chip; I do not want to picture him when the Chip in this book is supposed to be some Hottie McHotterson.

It's not a badly written book. I'm sure a lot of other people would enjoy it. But I don't like plots centered around endless lying, and I don't like people named Chip, and I'm uninterested in weight loss stories.

It just wasn't for me.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, to be fair, I really think this book deserves a 3.5 star rating. But since half stars aren't an option...

What I enjoyed:

This book is FUNNY! I loved Strohmeyer's wit and humor. I am not exaggerating when I say I found myself laughing out loud just about every other page, at least!

Very insightful into our relationship with food and weightloss. Especially poignant for me right now as I'm trying to lose the baby weight. Honest and well researched.

What I didn't enjoy:

Okay, I get it. modern Cinderella. The predictability of the plot didn't even bug me that much. I guess it was more the unlikelihood of a hot, successful, intelligent man falling for a 250+ lb woman. I hope I don't offend anyone with this, it is just my gut reaction to the characters. It isn't that I think she didn't deserve a great guy no matter her size, I just don't think it happens that way. No matter how witty and fun she is, I just think it isn't very likely. I'm not saying he has to be shallow and go for the gorgeous cheese-puffs-for-brains girls throwing themselves at his feet for his money. He can be intelligent enough to choose a girl with a personality who doesn't have to be a super model. I just don't think he would need to resort to the really overweight girl. Call me cynical. I think it is different when you fall in love with somebody and then they GAIN 70 pounds. I just don't think he would be attracted to her so quickly. I mean he asks her on a date the 2nd time they even see each other, before she has lost weight. Anyway, it just didn't feel very real. Maybe I'm just too jaded cuz of the fat issue...

The language and sexual references (no scenes, just kind of open appraisal of bodies and too much information from her friends about their sex lives--just kind of felt like I was overhearing a dirty joke sometimes) got pretty annoying. Really, I think Strohmeyer threw in those things to sound chic and hip, but I didn't think it helped her at all. It actually brought the book down an entire star in my mind. Be aware, there is an F-bomb.

There you have it. a fun entertaining read, I didn't want to put it down, but afterwards I didn't come away feeling too rewarded. Kind of annoyed, actually.

[Laurence R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have watched the movie adaptation of The Cinderella Pact about ten times over the past few years, so when I found out, only years after watching it for the first time, that there was a book, I knew I had to read it. As different as both versions can be, I think they're pretty much just as good, which doesn't happen often! Then again, the last time I watched the movie, I was probably 14, so maybe it's much worse than I remember it to be.

I already knew and loved (or hated) some of the characters from the movie, so I was happy to see that they were very similar to the ones in the book. Nola and her friends are amazing ladies and I was glad to see even more of their friendship when I read the book. I could understand their motives for getting healthier, because it's obvious how difficult their lives have become, not just because they can't get their favourite table at a restaurant. Seeing their journey through weight loss, especially Nola's, was very motivating. As I saw how much they struggled, I couldn't help but want to push myself more into everything I do.

The one point that I think is better in the movie than in the book is the romance. While I keep swooning whenever I watch the movie, the romance in the book just seems too quick and not deep enough. I couldn't see the chemistry between the characters and it only seemed like Nola "falling in love", instead of a love story. I was a bit disappointed, since it's one of my favourite parts of the movie. Also, Chip's character isn't very complex in the book, in my opinion, which didn't help the romance aspect.

Luckily, I found myself laughing just as much as I do whenever I watch the movie. Nola is a funny character to follow and her misfortunes made me laugh quite a bit. Because of that, it was the perfect summer book and I'm glad I finally picked it up.

I would recommend both the book and the movie, since they're both great!

[Lisa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★½ This was sooooooo much better than I thought it would be. I only read chick-lit occasionally, because I get tired of some of the clueless women so often depicted in the genre. That isn’t the case here. I found myself looking forward to squeezing it into my reading time. Glad my GR friends June and Hayley insisted this “new-to-me” author was worth checking out.

[Chantel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I believe that within every one of us is a woman of undiscovered beauty, a woman who is charming and talented and light of heart”
-Sarah Strohmeyer, The Cinderella Pact.


The Cinderella Pact is a comical and bright story with lots of heart. The cover and title really drew me to the story. But after I read the summary and intro, I practically snort-laughed in the library. I knew I was in for a good one and let me ya'll, I loved it!

Nola is a fun character that you can't help but like with plenty of witty/ quirky hurmor. This book takes you on a entertaining ride as Nola navigates her secret identity as Belinda Apple, an awful boss , weight-loss, and trying to become the woman she knows she is inside: strong and confident (her inner Cinderella). I love how the story like a modern-day "fairytale" in this high-fashion setting. Plus, there's a little romance sprinkled in there too.

I really enjoyed the close friendship that the author created between Nola, Deb and Nancy. I always love stories with strong friendships.

This was a book that I just found myself smiling and laughing out loud as I flipped through the pages. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author. :-)

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the story was about the "Cinderella Pact" that Nola and her two overweight best friends, Deb and Nancy, make. They decide to try for six months to lose weight. Their final attempt at a transformation to healthier lifestyles. Nola is a very likable character and I felt for her as she started her journey.
Then, there is Nola's job. Nobody but herself knows that she is actually the popular, British (and ironically, ethics) columnist, Belinda Apple, who she is also the editor to, for Sass! magazine. When the magazine's publisher catches on that Belinda may not be real, the lies start spilling even more frequently, and easily, from Nola.
During all of her work related dilemas and weight loss struggles, Nola meets Nigel Barnes another popular, British writer who is, according to the tabloids, dating Belinda. She also meets "Chip", Umm... I won't say anything about him.
I would like to add that this Cinderella story has the most unlikely fairy godmother. It was not who I was expecting at all!

**A little tidbit - Bubbles, from Sarah Strohmeyer's Bubbles Yablonsky series, makes a cameo appearance.**

[grafikerebru · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitabın puanları çok düşük ve evet içinde hiçbir kayda değer bir olay da yok. Fakat kitabı sevdim. Ya tam bu tarz okuma havamdaydım ya da kitapsızlık başıma vurdu! :D
Birkaç saçma sahnesini ve şu şişmanlama gereksizliğini konu dışı bırakırsak yer yer güldüren, hoş bir kitaptı.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it!

I don’t know what I was expecting but this wasn’t it but I really enjoyed it. I was a little worried that things might not work out but I was happy in the end. #readforkimberly

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The “Cinderella Pact” in this novel is a pact between three best friends, Nola, Nancy, and Deb. The pact is for them to drop off their extra poundage of fat and become thin and amazing and start a journey to a new “great” life. Meet, Nola Devlin, a frumpy, overweight, large, fat (so many choice words used throughout the book the describe Nola), editor at Sass! Magazine. Did I mention overlooked at her magazine as well? She actually applied to become a columnist for Sass! and was turned down. So, she wanted to prove a point. She made a factious person, Belinda Apple, using pretty much the same items on her resume, and submitted it. What happened? Belinda Apple was approved and received the position as a columnist for the magazine. (Of course, Belinda is gorgeous, with her red hair and pink cowboy boots that was in the picture she sent to Sass, a picture that was edited/photo cropped by Nola, a picture that is actually of Nola back in college when she wasn’t as large). As you can see though now Nola has two identities. That of herself, the overweight editor, and that of Belinda, a gorgeous columnist whom everyone adores when they read her columns, aka, Nola’s alter-ego..

The Cinderella Pact actually came from one of Belinda’s columns that Nola’s friends read. So, therefore, the journey begins to a new life, that of weight loss and high hopes.... Little did Nola know that she would fall in love a long the way.....

I absolutely LOVED this book. I loved the quirky/snarky writing the author used from Nola’s perspective when describing situations and such. The book also kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was in store for Nola as the book progressed. I felt sad for her at times due to the obstacles she had to face and I felt excitement for her at the end. All in all, I thought the author did a great job on the story and ending it well with a HEA!

ALSO, on a side note, if you've ever been overweight or have a love for food, you will appreciate this book. You see the different ways that the three women go about losing their weight and their battles and for once, how they all came out on top :).

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shockingly, I liked this book. At first, I thought it would be just another "Chick-Lit" book with self-loathing characters who whine about their problems. However I enjoyed Nola and her alter-ego Belinda Apple. Although there was some self-loathing on her part, in the end, she turned her life around. She started eating healthy, exercising, and even paid for her sister's dream wedding even after her sister thought so little of her. Her weight loss struggle seemed very realistic with the weight watchers specifics and the dietary guidelines. I also liked how each of the women lost weight in their own way because it mimics life. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Although the "Cinderella Pact" was initially about weight loss, the characters each had a life transformation. It was not just about losing the weight to adhere to some superficial standard, but it was more about loving yourself and finding what makes you happy. The weight loss empowered the members of the pact to stand up for their beliefs which allowed them to find happiness.

I thought the romance part of the book was interesting. I didn't expect that "Chip" wasn't the real Chip from IT. This twist added another fun element (along with Belinda Apple) to the book which kept me interested. Who is this mysterious Chip? I thought it was funny that Nola immediately thought he was a serial killer. The co-workers in the office, Nola's landlady and Nigel were lively secondary character whom also added some humor.

In the end the fairytale ending was semi-predictable, but I still enjoyed it. It seemed like all the characters came full circle. Nola became that confident Belinda Apple.

[Nikki Wilde · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say that I picked up this book in a bundle with a few other Sarah Strohmeyer books. I feel like I'm reading them backwards as they progressively seem to get worse.

I thought the plot of this book sounded interesting and it seemed to start off promising. What I've come to notice in each book though is that there's always a rich someone or other that makes all problems go away. Well, this is real life. That doesn't happen. It pretty much makes me feel uncomfortable and depressed in a way.

Nola, seemed really down on people compared to how she hated people treating her differently because of her size. Which actually feels pretty real. I think we all mostly stereotype people by just looking at them no matter who we are. That's why I think this book had so much promise. Unfortunately, it just fell apart.

Some parts that were funny at first seemed to be dragged out and beaten to death. For instance the nun part. Ok, funny to mention once but continuously mentioning it over and over is kind of sad and makes it not even remotely funny.

I found this novel long and boring. I was skipping parts just to get through it. Not to mention the ending in my opinion was terrible. I don't think there is any part of this novel that can be considered romance. That would require the characters to be in the same place more than three times.

This novel just didn't feel right to me at all. I'm glad that Nola set her life in the right direction it just wasn't very believable for me. I have one more book in the bundle I purchased and I'm hoping it better.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was up til the wee hours finishing this... *not* a book to read when one is hormonally unstable-- I went through six tissues in the last 30 pages or so. I think at big part of the reason I liked this book so much (and was bawling into multiple tissues) was that it hit so close to home-- my starting weight, when I joined Weight Watchers, was the same as the Nola's. I didn't realize when I started it that it was going to be "that kind of book"-- I was expecting light and ditzy chick-lit.

It *is* chick-lit: there's zaniness, and cattiness, and madcap plans, and gorgeous shoes, and female friendship issues, and a Prince Charming (possible several) dancing about in the wings. But at the core of the book is the serious, emotionally fraught issue of the three friends' weight: how it affects their social and professional lives, their self-perceptions, and what each ultimately chooses to do about it.

What impressed me was the realism of the book (Nola's zanier ideas aside)... as someone going through the process of weight loss herself, it was very clear to me that the author *has* been there. (And Jersey suburbia-- oh, my, GAWD!) Aside from a few minor quibbles (one of which the author apologizes for in the afterword), I thought the depiction of Nola and her friends and their final try at a "lifestyle change" was very true-to-life. Now, if only her Prince Charming were real....

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good beach read but nothing more. It's silly and the romance aspect is utterly ridiculous. If you're a fan of the cliche underdog story, this is for you. Far fetched .... Especially the constant weight comments to the main characters. It tries to be Bridget Jones but misses the mark.

[Bookworman · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh, just couldn’t get into it. DNF

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when it was first published, before my Goodreads days. I remember it as a fun and sweet read.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

"That's when I understood what it really means to lose weight. It's as though fat is a cloud of fog that surrounds your mountain of problems. Not until you drop the weight and clear the fog, will you know how high you've got to climb to get on top of them."

I loved this book. For anyone who has struggled with weight issues and all the socialogical and emotional issues that goes with it, this is a must read. I'm thinking of sending copies to friends -- because even if weight isn't your issue, the message about loving, accepting, respecting and taking care of yourself is incredibly positive. Nora, a fashion magazine editor, Deb, a homemaker, and Nancy, a high-powered attorney, are best freinds who've been weighty their whole lives. When Nola is turned down from dream job because she's overweight, she invents Belinda Apple, her British, thin, alter ego that quickly becomes the celebrity advice columnist that everyone knows but no one has met. Keeping the secret to herself, "Belinda" writes an advice column on weight loss. After reading Belinda's column, Deb and Nancy, spurred on by an incident of weight prejudice in a restaurant, talk Nola into joining with them, and making a Cinderella Pact: the friends make a pact to lose weight and return to the restaurant in six months. Each lady chooses a different method, but as the weight comes off, the problems begin to mount, with Belinda Apple being investigated by her magazine, Nola's sister asking Belinda to be the Maid of Honor, Rock Columnist Nigel determined to meet Belinda in person, and that cute guy who keeps coming around and then disappearing, Nola's hands are full. And Deb's and Nancy's lives take big turns, as each begins to understand how they got where they were....and figures out where they want to go.

[Thomas Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so this was not something that I would originally read, however I was trapped in my mothers house after a car accident and she had the book. I read it and it was absolutely wonderful, shocking since I am more of a sci-fi fan, but I digress. The Cinderella Pact is an inspiring and awesome book that tells people that if you want change in your life, if you want your happy ending, then you need to do something about, stand up for yourself, don't let food in all of its magnificent glory help you hide from being the you that you were meant to be.

[Amanda McGill · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute click lit novel. I really enjoyed the main character and her outgoing personality. However, this novel reminded me of the Shopaholic series (and not in a good way). The main character dug herself further and further in a hole, but there never seemed any consequences for her actions.

A quick read and could be an inspiring novel for those who want to lose weight.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever struggled with trying to lose weight this book is for you. This book was fantastic. It had great humor to it. It was so good that I could not put it down.

[Courtnay Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way this author write her books as if she is just having a conversation with a friend. she is very real in her writing and also very comical. i definitly enjoyed reading this

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story! 💜favorite Sarah Strohmeyer title

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny book, loved the humorous writing.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this chick lit. Light and cheesy and unbelievable in the best ways. With weight loss tips tucked into all the chapters as the main fat character transforms. A few unnecessary f-bombs detonate but besides that, it’s a very clean and fun read.

[Jinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here's a twist... I like the TV movie version better than the book! I saw the movie about a couple weeks ago on Lifetime Movie Network (titled Lying to be Perfect) and enjoyed it. Poppy Montgomery was wonderful as Nola Devlin/Belinda Apple. Her leading man, real husband Adam Kaufman as David Stanton Jr. wasn't bad either. A 21st century Cinderella fairy tale rendition ... instead of pitiful to princess, it's fat to skinny. Can we guess why that attracted me? Yeap, someone's been carrying an extra load or two *huge grin*, so I can certainly relate!

I'm not sure if I would have liked the book version better than the movie adaptation had I read the book first. I just really enjoyed the movie take on it. I would even venture to say it's just about completely different. The only thing that stayed the same was the plot ... fat lady takes on an alter ego to stay afloat in her career and in the process becomes skinny and ends up with a rich handsome man. Sexiest? Not exactly. Certainly if you go political on it, but then you'd lose the fun of a simple romance story. It's simply a chick flick/read.

Synopsis by Goodreads:

Nola Devlin has a secret identity. By day she is an overweight, frumpy, and overlooked editor at Sass! (the "celebrity magazine with an edge!"), but by night she slips behind her keyboard and into her alter-ego: Belinda Apple. Belinda is thin, gorgeous, British and the author of a trendy advice column- she is, in effect, the latest Carrie Bradshaw. Not even Nola's two best friends or her self-absorbed sister (who worships Belinda as the "sister she never had") know her secret.

When "Belinda" jots off a column about how easy it is to lose weight, Nola is shocked when her best friends take her own lies to heart and urge her to follow Belinda's weight loss program. Since Nola can't reveal herself as the real Belinda Apple, she bites the bullet and joins her friends in making the "Cinderella Pact"- a last ditch attempt to lose weight (again!) and transform their lives for good.

But as the pounds come off, things don't turn out the way the three friends expect. Their journey of self-discovery leads to the return of an old love and the unmasking of new problems. Meanwhile, Nola finds herself torn between two different men as she stomps out fires caused by her deception as Belinda Apple and falls in love with the man who just might be her prince - or the rat in coachman's clothing.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was surprisingly pretty thoughtful! I picked it up thinking it would do for some brain candy for a few hours, and it turned out to have quite a bit of heart to it. Nola is quite a woman! Being overweight and very conscious of it, mainly because of how others treat her because of it, she seems at first glance to be your typical damsel in distress type of character. But Nola can stand on her own two feet just fine! She most certainly has a backbone, it just takes some pushing to make it come out. But stress at work, worry for her friends, and finally just getting tired of always being looked down on, (plus a rather handsome man!) fire her up at the perfect moments.

She makes plenty of mistakes though, pretending to be someone she's not being one of them, but owns up to them by the end. She's also a very loyal friend. The friendship between Nola, Deb, and Nancy was a wonderful aspect of the book! No matter if they agree with the decisions each of them make or not, they are always right there regardless. Always supporting one another and cheering one another on. I love great friendships in stories and this group of women have a lovely one.

The weight issue is a sensitive one to approach, and Ms. Strohmeyer handles it delicately and nicely. There's no crude humor at the expense of the heavy people here. Instead, the overweight people have issues and reasons for their weight gain, and the story marks each persons journey to their respective discoveries. Because journey's they are. Each woman has to do some jogs here and there and also serious soul-searching to reach their epiphany. It's not an easy road for any of them. But once they reach their goal, you're so happy right along with them!

Of course, there's romance. But it actually is more of a background plotpoint. While it only takes center stage in bits and pieces, that doesn't mean it isn't sweet. Because who doesn't want somebody to show you that they love you because of who you are, not what you look like? Yes, it's a bit cliche, but still so fun! Because isn't that what we all dream about? ;) A relatively clean story filled with friendship, romance, exercise, and coming to know oneself better, this is a terrific way to spend a few hours!

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so positive and delightful that I'm going to put it as one of my new favorites. Nola Devlin's story is real and refreshing. I wished the movie , "Lying to be perfect", was more centered around the book. The movie was cute and that's why I ordered the book but turns out that the book is nothing like the movie, go figure. For one thing, "Chip" is nothing like the actor in the movie, which makes reading about him awkward. "Nola", though, is perfect. The actress that played her part was exactly what I thought "Nola" should have looked like, albeit the brown hair (from the book). I do have to say that the beginning of the movie was much like the book but the rest was pure Hollywood. So if you want to watch the movie I still say it pretty good just not exactly what the book was about.

For you readers out there. Try this book. The love story is genious, the mother/daughter/sister relationships are freakishly exact, and the weight loss battle is what most every woman battling obesity goes through. It's a 5 star book. Read it!!!

[Rebekkila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a happy surprise. I do like to read chick-lit but for me it is hard to find a book that isn't inane or a heroine who I can relate to. The Cinderella Pact was very funny with some great lines in it. Nola is a thirty-four year old single woman whose little sister is getting married. Everyone is treading lightly around her thinking she is secretly jealous, which she isn't. She also the most popular columnist at the magazine she works for as an editor. She didn't get the job because of her weight and secretly submitted an application as a British woman using the same answers she used on her own application and got the job. She and her two besties make a pact to lose weight and become healthier, one does the gastro bypass surgery, one can afford a personal trainer to come to her house daily and Nola does it the old-fashioned way.
I will be on the look out for more of Sarah Strohmeyer's books.

[Gigi Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, but I suppose it is not a book for everyone. However, I found it amusing and fun. I think I found it so, because I have been fighting the weight issues since my early forties, when the pounds started to add up. I became a Weight Watcher Lifetime member to many years to mention, so I can relate to all the references to Weight Watchers, which sometimes brought a smile to my face. Although, I never heard any of the leaders at any of our meetings, call out..."Have a dropout who's back."

"The Cinderella Pact" is three friends who decide to lose some weight in the next six months. However, they each choose their own way of trying to lose the weight. Deb, chooses Gastric Bypass Surgery, Nancy chooses a personal trainer to help her, and Nola chooses Weight Watchers.

This is a great book for anyone who would enjoy a light read filled with humor, light romance, and fun.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cinderella Pact

We are all Cinderellas, no matter what our size. This is what I, Nola Devlin, fervently believe.
I believe that within every one of us is a woman of undiscovered beauty, a woman who is charming and talented and light of heart. I believe that all we need is a fairy godmother to dust us off and bring out our potential and, while she’s at it, turn the rats in our lives into coachmen.
I don’t know about the glass slipper, though. That seems to me to be a design flaw

Love the opening lines!
This is my first read from Sarah Strohmayer and I really really love it. This book made me laugh non-stop. The plot was brilliantly funny, The charaters, despite their flaws, were endearring , especially Nola. She's the kind of girl friend that I would love to hanging outwith.


A Cinderella Pact is a funny, heartwarming, modern fairytale for everyone who root for the underdog :)

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up WAY past my bedtime engrossed in this novel about a thirty-something overweight magazine writer who gets turned down for a sweet job as an ethics columnist for Sass! magazine only to be hired when she resubmits her entire application as Belinda Apple, a woman with a hot body and fashionable pink cowboy boots.

Unfortunately, Belinda Apple's validity is eventually questioned and an investigative search begins to discover her true identity.

Meanwhile, overweight Nola makes "The Cinderella Pact" to shed weight with her two best friends, Nancy and Deb, who are also battling their own weight-induced demons.

I enjoyed the way Strohmeyer wove the two narratives--the work-related plot and the weight-management plot--and tied them together like a bow in the end.

I am going out right now to find The Sleeping Beauty Proposal!