Desperate Bride's Diet Club

Desperate #1

by Alison Sherlock

Violet Saunders is astounded when her boyfriend gets down on one knee and proposes. But at size 18-20, the thought of finding a wedding dress fills her with horror. What she needs is a miracle wedding day diet.So when a leaflet advertising a new diet club - New You! - that drops through her letterbox, it seems like her prayers have been answered. But the club is run by the terrifying Trudie, who secretly despises her fat clients, while pretending to encourage them. Things go from bad to worse; everyone just gets fatter on the horrible New You! drink shakes. At work, Violet's half-Italian boss - a man with a lively sense of humour - looks on in amazement and finally persuades her to take a break from New You! and lunch with him at his family's delicatessen. Inspired, she persuades her fellow dieters to form a new club, with secret weigh-ins at her house - while pretending to Trudie, of whom they are all petrified, that it is the New You! diet which is transforming them. Fabulous Italian recipes gradually begin to work their magic, but can Violet the duckling really become Violet the swan in time for her wedding

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Diets

426 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by Alison Sherlock, and if I didn't know that I'd think this was an author who'd be writing books for some time. I love books about clubs and friendship, so this had me hooked from page one because it had two of the best elements. I was rooting for violet to get rid of the horrible Sebastian but you'll have to read this to find out what she does. Loved this from start to finish. Cannot wait for The Desperate Wife’s Survival Plan out May 2013.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book

[Agi · Rating 4 out of 5]

So. This book started very slowly for me and I was a little confused with the thema and the way Sherlock was writing about obese people, it looked for me as if she didn't really had a good idea for the book, it was so dull and not inspiring and very, very sad. It started with a kick when our group of heroes decided to start a diet - group of their own. Although it is all veeeeeerrrry optimistic, and they all have such a strong will, I found it, from this moment, really interesting and I just couldn't wait to turn the page and see what's going to happen.
It is actually a book with a depth, Sherlock is writing about some very important issues, but she managed to give it a lightness, too.
So, forgetting about the beginning:), the book was good.

[Samantha Tonge · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page-turner, i could hardly put this book down. Whilst the characters start off as fairly unappealing, the author has a knack of making them tug your heartstrings, because of their personal circumstances, and before long they have become like good friends you are rooting for. A great read with mouthwatering descriptions of Italian food - and a very appealing hero!

[Doris Books]

Really enjoyed addictive read - easy to pick up and put down and so easy to identify with!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book from start to finish. From the outset I was cheering along shy and introverted Violet as she battled her dieting demons, and booing her husband-to-be Sebastian and his secret agenda. The author introduces a delightful cast of characters – all desperate to lose weight for varying reasons – and brought together at a diet club run by the hideous Trudie. Yes, she verges on caricature but her snide comments (both voiced and inside her head) were painfully believable. Yes, it's not hard to work out where it's going but it's deliciously good fun getting there. I don't believe this story claims that you can only be happy if you're thin. The message – for me – is being true to yourself and making the most of life. A fabulous, fun-filled (and calorie-free) read.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable book. I liked the main characters and thought they were well written, and it's surprising how their perspectives changed as they lost weight. I don't think it would be such a confidence booster in real life but who can say for sure without the experience, I mean typically you don't get over mental and emotional baggage that quickly. I'm honestly surprised by how long it took Violet to change her mind about Sebastian, I mean what makes a person so desperate they they'd stick with a guy like that just so they would have somebody? I liked how the book ended and we got to see Trudie get her comeuppance, she was a horrible person for someone who had her job.

[Pippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I get through quite a lot of books so am always keen to discover a new author, this is her debut novel and I loved it. It is about a group of people who for one reason or another have reached a turning point in their lives; unhappiness is often the cause of an unhealthy relationship with food, getting stuck in the cycle of eating because they are unhappy and then being unhappy because of their weight. No major plot surprises but a lovely story of how friendship and support is vital part of our physical and emotional wellbeing. I look forward to reading more by this writer.

[Paula Odd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book by Alison Sherlock that I've read, it certainly won't be the last. Quality, convincing characters that left me scrambling to turn the page to discover where their individual journeys would take them next.

The book charts the ups and downs of a group of people who are struggling with their weight loss and join one of the many diet clubs out there...they chart their varied success with laughter and tears and lots of twists and turns along the way. I wanted to take Nonna home with me!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book to the extent that I couldn't put it down but also didn't want it to end. I'm a huge fan of Alison Sherlock books and this one did not disappoint. Although it was a bit slow in the start and I did worry that there was an Alison Sherlock book that I wasn't going to like the story and the characters grew to the enjoyable read that I was used to from this author. Well worth the read.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of this author’s books for me. I was attracted to it as I was soon to be a bride and wanted to lose some weight.

I occasionally indulge in a bit of chick-lit and found this to be an enjoyable read. The main characters were very likeable and the story although a little predictable kept me turning the pages.

A light easy read and an author I would revisit.

[Pat Appleby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gentle read - loved it!

This was so much better than I thought it would be. If you have ever been on a diet you will emphasise with these ladies. I wasn’t expecting to - thought it would be usual twee nonsense - but I loved it. Read in one long sitting - says it all. Recommended

[Jacquie Soale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Loved It

This book had me hooked from the first page. I became so engrossed in Violet's life and its ups and downs, along with those of her dieting friends that I almost believed them to be real life people. Enjoyable, happy read. I didn't want this story to end. Grazie Molto

[Paula-Diane Lufflum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bride disappears

Violet is getting married and wants to be a slim bride, Lucy and Maggie are both unhappy with their weight, Edward wants to be fitter again after a disastrous Gp's visit. Kathy works in a charity shop which has seen better days. All want to lose weight and form their own club to do it. Ups, does, love and transformations. Wedding?

[Alice's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit slow, does not hooked me in as I don't have the passion to finish it but as time went on, it's really good in motivating me to become healthy as well. all of the recipes sounds good and makes me want to try them. poor violet having 'trauma' with his fiancée but thank god she got together with his got italian boss and got the life that she always wanted :)

[C Craig-Gilby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book... I wonder has she ever been fat? I think so...Proper page turner...her books are like being with afriend

I really enjoyed this book and love the writing style ..so easy to read but hard to put down

Can't Wait to read an other

[Trendy Dye]

I think this book was super good, I learnt so many new words and how to put them into sentences!! This was really engaging and they were short chapters so you thought you were getting somewhere in the book, I definitely recommend reading this book especially in iso xx

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Desperate Bride's Diet Club

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Full of clichés, predictable and unlikeable characters

I was really looking forward to reading this having just embarked on a diet. I was really disappointed. Full of clichés and silly storylines. I found the main character really unlikeable. Would not recommend.

[pat james · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of wonderful characters.

One of my favourite books, great story, true to a lot of people. Violet and her friends kept me rivited to the book. Thank goodness she dumped the awful finance for the handsome boss.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a nice, fun and easy read! The main characters are easy to love and root for, and even though the storylines are somewhat predictable, it was done so in a very nice way!

Added bonus, it gave me some extra motovation for my own weight-loss journey!

[Kylie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, does it offer anything new? No. But is it a light, entertaining read? Yes. Perfectly good, quick read when you don't want to go straight onto something more intense. It is very predictable, but also very sweet, and ultimately a nice story about friendship and support.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very light hearted and entertaining, and so true in many aspects of dieting.

[yvonne doolin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from start to finish. You can easily identify with the characters with there weight loss and there daily struggle. A great read.

[mrs teresa abba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

For anyone who's battled weigh issues
Uplifting and emotional
Relatable characters
Didn't want it to end , highly recommend .

[carol hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read

Couldn't put down. Related to story .Had me sitting reading well into the night. Would highly recommend this book had some great comedy lines that made me laugh.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put this book down

What a wonderful book ! Not just a love story, but a story of true life. So many colourful characters all blended together to make this rollercoaster of a book.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did

[Novella Semplici · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carino ma nulla di più. Scorrevole,ironico, garbato. Storia d'amore un po' banale e scontata, però. Un libro discreto da leggere senza troppo impegno.

[Samantha Dew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming g

Lovely story of people struggling with how they feel about themselves. Also their journey to being more positive and helping each other. Brilliantly written.

[DIANE THOMAS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends are the family we choose

A slow start ,but once the story Line got going, it was an enjoyable read. When friendship and support can change your existance