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The Lighter Side of Large
What happens when an overweight single mother finds out her ex-husband is getting married to her gorgeous sister in nine months? She orders a double mocacchino and plots her revenge. Isabella "Bella" White plans to lose weight, get a career, and find the perfect man in time for the wedding, but proving there's more to her than fat is a heavyweight task. When she's kicked out of a clothing store because of her size, her crusade against weight discrimination kick starts a career but creates problems for the new man in her life who's got skinny issues. And why does her ex secretly want her back? Through disastrous dates and weight-loss surgery gone wrong, Bella gets more than she bargains for as she discovers The Lighter Side of Large. Bella is online! Read her blog at http: //www.thelightersideoflarge.com. You can also find her on Facebook and keep up with her and her eclectic group of friends in real time as they continue their adventures beyond the pages of this book. Facebook.com/IssyBwhite
390 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2012
48 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Becky Siame
3 books15 followersBecky Siame (1978) was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but grew up in Australia, and returned to New Zealand in 2005 where she is currently enjoying the picturesque scenery and down to earth culture of her homeland. Although her biological roots are African Zimbabwean/New Zealand, She was adopted into a 'white' New Zealand family and is the youngest of the family with three elder siblings. She is also the proud mother of 2 children and is currently home-schooling them whilst she works as a Author/Motivational Speaker/Web Developer from home. Her entrepreneurial accomplishments have been featured on prime time tv news programs 'A Current Affair' and 'Campbell Live', and also in prominent national newspapers in Australia and New Zealand.
Currently living in Nelson, NZ, her first book "The Lighter Side of Large" was a labour of love. Becky draws inspiration from her own experiences as an overweight, bi-racial woman caught between two cultures, along with a cheating spouse and a near-death experience with lap band surgery.
Betrayal, rejection, failed dieting, complicated family relationships, and the shame associated with being overweight are some of the themes explored.
From abandoned single mom to a author, public speaker and business entrepreneur, Becky Siame learned to accept herself and her main passion in life is to help other women do the same.
Currently living in Nelson, NZ, her first book "The Lighter Side of Large" was a labour of love. Becky draws inspiration from her own experiences as an overweight, bi-racial woman caught between two cultures, along with a cheating spouse and a near-death experience with lap band surgery.
Betrayal, rejection, failed dieting, complicated family relationships, and the shame associated with being overweight are some of the themes explored.
From abandoned single mom to a author, public speaker and business entrepreneur, Becky Siame learned to accept herself and her main passion in life is to help other women do the same.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 19, 2013
Summer read:
Interesting read with some points hitting home for myself personally as a fat woman. Had to convert the kgs to pounds to understand how much she weighs. Tackles the taboo subject of weight discrimination and the desire of people to be seen for who they are instead of what they look like. Good job. But at the same time: people see what you present to them and if you're dressing like a slob, then they'll see a slob. Even if you're overweight/obese, if you're dressed well and take care with your appearance, people are going to see a person who gives a damn about how they're presenting themselves to society. This is why people choose a different way of dressing, or doing their hair, or how they do their make up. Why we have so many styles of people expressing themselves from rainbow colored hair to goth to prep to sporty to grunge.
Fantasy aspect of rich, good looking guy who loves her just the way she is. A guy could yes, but then you make him a super rich dude who hangs out with a pretentious set he can't stand for business reasons? I think I would've been happier with a normal guy, with a normal job, who can see beyond the layers of fat. Still, I understand this would sell better.
Also touches base with weightloss surgery (with severe complications!) and then her visit to a plastic surgeon. I hope people pay attention to that visit with the surgeon. They make money off of you; they are going to tell you EVERYTHING on your body that could be "improved." Things you were happy about or didn't think about, they will make you doubt yourself so they can make more money.
I liked the overall message: to the fat women - learn to love yourself, accept your flaws, and your attitude can help you change. If you're unhealthy, diet and exercise to change your lifestyle. Losing weight is a journey, not an overnight solution. And as you get smaller, you have to accept that you are no longer that big person either and it's a mental journey, too!
Interesting read with some points hitting home for myself personally as a fat woman. Had to convert the kgs to pounds to understand how much she weighs. Tackles the taboo subject of weight discrimination and the desire of people to be seen for who they are instead of what they look like. Good job. But at the same time: people see what you present to them and if you're dressing like a slob, then they'll see a slob. Even if you're overweight/obese, if you're dressed well and take care with your appearance, people are going to see a person who gives a damn about how they're presenting themselves to society. This is why people choose a different way of dressing, or doing their hair, or how they do their make up. Why we have so many styles of people expressing themselves from rainbow colored hair to goth to prep to sporty to grunge.
Fantasy aspect of rich, good looking guy who loves her just the way she is. A guy could yes, but then you make him a super rich dude who hangs out with a pretentious set he can't stand for business reasons? I think I would've been happier with a normal guy, with a normal job, who can see beyond the layers of fat. Still, I understand this would sell better.
Also touches base with weightloss surgery (with severe complications!) and then her visit to a plastic surgeon. I hope people pay attention to that visit with the surgeon. They make money off of you; they are going to tell you EVERYTHING on your body that could be "improved." Things you were happy about or didn't think about, they will make you doubt yourself so they can make more money.
I liked the overall message: to the fat women - learn to love yourself, accept your flaws, and your attitude can help you change. If you're unhealthy, diet and exercise to change your lifestyle. Losing weight is a journey, not an overnight solution. And as you get smaller, you have to accept that you are no longer that big person either and it's a mental journey, too!
April 15, 2014
Okay... I really wanted to love this book. But I don't like when the main character of a story is made into a scapegoat. I do believe that we are responsible for our actions and cannot blame others for our mistakes but... sometimes life does screw you over. In this story the main character is dealing with an ex who cheats on her and leaves her... for her half sister! Yet, this sister gets to curse her out and point out all of her flaws.... Um? I need for the main character to beat her sister up before I'll feel better. This is just one example of many within the book. With that said, I can admit it was a well written book with lots of laughs and even a little plot twist involving some of the smaller characters.
August 3, 2012
OMG, I wanted to throttle the main character! She was the most self-depreciating (and not in a funny way), low self-esteem, self-sabotaging person I've ever read! I get that she has issues because of her weight and maybe this is a true read on how some obese people are, but I swear I wanted to smack the shit out of her! I did enjoy the story, but I wished she had gotten a hold of herself earlier in the book!
September 12, 2014
Bella has to be one of the most aggrivating protagonists ever written. She constantly puts herself in situations which are clearly detrimental to her character. I was--more than once--reminded of a every poor schmuck character Ben Stiller has ever played.
I'm pretty sure I kept reading just to see if she would begin self loving instead of self destoying. Spoiler alert--it doesn't happen until the last few pages.
The fact that I finished the book earns it an extra star.
I'm pretty sure I kept reading just to see if she would begin self loving instead of self destoying. Spoiler alert--it doesn't happen until the last few pages.
The fact that I finished the book earns it an extra star.
June 7, 2012
I really enjoyed "The Ligher Side of Large" Once I got into it. I couldnt put it down. It was very well written and I'm recommending it to everyone. Would love to read more about Bella & Jae and Tiresa & Mika.
July 27, 2012
The author really understands the thoughts and life of large people. She is able to portray the emotions through realistic characters. But this book is a fun read, too--it's not all about being down in the dumps because you're fat. I think it's encouraging and enjoyable for anyone to read.
October 29, 2022
1/2-
Years ago I used to like to read books about heavier women because I found them to be inspiring, but that is no longer the case; now I find them to just be sad.
Bella White is a single Mom who’s life is crap. She decides being thinner will make everything better, but learns that happiness doesn’t come from the outside.
My personal opinion is Bella White is a miserable person who can’t find the happy in her life.
This book could have the tagline of “When your life is only the extremes” because reading it was like watching a ping pong game between “My life is great!” and “My life sucks!”.
I was surprised to read in the author’s note that Becky Siame considered this book to be “Reality Fiction” because she took real life scenarios and enhanced them to make them more fictitious, thus making a novel out of real life. I guess that explains the extreme situations Bella found herself in, because I have a hard time believing most of these scenarios can all happen to one person and that someone’s life is only filled with extreme highs and extreme lows with no in between.
I didn’t feel any sympathy for Bella; I found the situations she experienced to be far too over the top and the majority of characters were hard to like.
The moral of this far fetched story comes at the very end of the book, but because it’s buried under so much drama it gets lost.
Each chapter starts with a small excerpt from Bella’s blog, and contains a link so if you are reading on an e-reader you can actually view the blog post- which is a sub post on Ms. Siame’s blog (because Reality Fiction). The excerpts were full of platitudes that had absolutely nothing to do with the chapter and seemed to serve no purpose.
I loved that this took place in New Zealand and that it featured Samoan people, but I hated that the Samoan words that were sprinkled throughout the book (and there were quite a few) weren’t well defined. There is a glossary at the end, but that wasn’t helpful while reading and I found myself guessing what the words and phrases meant.
If I was a believer in putting books down I would have put this one down after the second chapter.
Years ago I used to like to read books about heavier women because I found them to be inspiring, but that is no longer the case; now I find them to just be sad.
Bella White is a single Mom who’s life is crap. She decides being thinner will make everything better, but learns that happiness doesn’t come from the outside.
My personal opinion is Bella White is a miserable person who can’t find the happy in her life.
This book could have the tagline of “When your life is only the extremes” because reading it was like watching a ping pong game between “My life is great!” and “My life sucks!”.
I was surprised to read in the author’s note that Becky Siame considered this book to be “Reality Fiction” because she took real life scenarios and enhanced them to make them more fictitious, thus making a novel out of real life. I guess that explains the extreme situations Bella found herself in, because I have a hard time believing most of these scenarios can all happen to one person and that someone’s life is only filled with extreme highs and extreme lows with no in between.
I didn’t feel any sympathy for Bella; I found the situations she experienced to be far too over the top and the majority of characters were hard to like.
The moral of this far fetched story comes at the very end of the book, but because it’s buried under so much drama it gets lost.
Each chapter starts with a small excerpt from Bella’s blog, and contains a link so if you are reading on an e-reader you can actually view the blog post- which is a sub post on Ms. Siame’s blog (because Reality Fiction). The excerpts were full of platitudes that had absolutely nothing to do with the chapter and seemed to serve no purpose.
I loved that this took place in New Zealand and that it featured Samoan people, but I hated that the Samoan words that were sprinkled throughout the book (and there were quite a few) weren’t well defined. There is a glossary at the end, but that wasn’t helpful while reading and I found myself guessing what the words and phrases meant.
If I was a believer in putting books down I would have put this one down after the second chapter.
October 21, 2022
The Lighter Side of Large by Becky Siame - 4 stars
This is a book I "bought" on the Kindle for free. Normally, romantic comedy is not my thing, but I did enjoy this story. Bella White is fat, and she is living a life she despises - her ex-husband is marrying her sister, she is made fun of in the car pool land, and online dating ends with disaster.
Bella decides to have gastric bypass surgery, and her adventures - figuring out who she is and who is important to her as she perfects her body - are fun. This was a slow start, but I couldn't stop reading until the end. There was some decent character development, and I liked Bella's off-beat friends.
This is a book I "bought" on the Kindle for free. Normally, romantic comedy is not my thing, but I did enjoy this story. Bella White is fat, and she is living a life she despises - her ex-husband is marrying her sister, she is made fun of in the car pool land, and online dating ends with disaster.
Bella decides to have gastric bypass surgery, and her adventures - figuring out who she is and who is important to her as she perfects her body - are fun. This was a slow start, but I couldn't stop reading until the end. There was some decent character development, and I liked Bella's off-beat friends.
August 7, 2025
This was an emotional rollercoaster read. I laughed; cried; empathised; got angry - not just for Bella but at Bella as she became one of the very people she supposedly most despised. I cheered when, as Cat so eloquently put it "She finally got it" and Bella realised that the acceptance of her friends and family, which she already had in spades, was more important than fickle World acceptance.
If we want people to respect us, then we need first to respect ourselves. We also need to hold fast to, and be there for, those people in our lives who accept us, warts and all, because they are true friends.
If we want people to respect us, then we need first to respect ourselves. We also need to hold fast to, and be there for, those people in our lives who accept us, warts and all, because they are true friends.
June 9, 2017
Good read
I have this book four stars because i really enjoyed it mostly. I could relation to her weight issues but her going on about losing her husband was a bit annoying, but on the whole this is a good read.
I have this book four stars because i really enjoyed it mostly. I could relation to her weight issues but her going on about losing her husband was a bit annoying, but on the whole this is a good read.
September 16, 2018
Great reminder to love ourselves
Funny and we'll written. Made me laugh and cry. Great reminder to love myself even when I'm not perfect enough for the modern world view, I am perfect just the way I am.
Funny and we'll written. Made me laugh and cry. Great reminder to love myself even when I'm not perfect enough for the modern world view, I am perfect just the way I am.
September 10, 2017
Ok
Good story but a lot of slow moments. I did get emotional a few times. I didn't like that we did not know the reason why Jae did not come clean.
Good story but a lot of slow moments. I did get emotional a few times. I didn't like that we did not know the reason why Jae did not come clean.
December 15, 2019
I loved the body-positive message of self-acceptance.
March 15, 2025
Excellent Read!
December 12, 2013
"We cover up our obesity by making ourselves indispensable. If we make ourselves needed, then we wont be rejected. Right?"
But inspite of making herself indispensable, Bella is rejected! Her husband leaves her for her sister and now they are getting married in nine months time, leaving Bella to look after her two children and save and scrape every penny in order to make ends meet!
As if all this is not enough, everyone seems just too
happy and excited about the upcoming marriage urging her to attend and seem uncaring of her own feelings about all of this.
So what is Bella supposed to do?
Just sit back and watch her cheating husband and her back stabbing sister get married while her own world has crumbled?
Or should she take revenge and do something about this situation?
Bella is at crossroads and feels pressured and neglected by her family. So after much discussion and a heavy dose of inspiration and threats from her friends, Bella decides to lose weight and attend the wedding with a gorgeous man to take her revenge and prove that she is not the "fat cow" her husband had termed her and she most definitely has moved on with her life!
As Bella's adventure starts, there are many happy, funny, sad, depressing moments in her life with heart breaks, encounters most embarrassing and men most gorgeous!
I loved and totally enjoyed reading The Lighter Side of Large. The first thing that attracted me to pick up and read this book was the title and the cover both of which are pretty innovative and different. Then the author goes ahead and displays her creativity when she takes a boring and dull life of a fat woman and makes it highly adventurous and very interesting. The whole initiative of adding quotes from Bella's blog in the beginning of every chapter in the book was a completely new experience and very enjoyable. These witty quotes enhanced the appeal of the book.
"How wonderful to have a magic mirror which allows you to see what you want to see, so that even with bulges, rolls and size 22 trousers, you ARE the fairest of them all."- FROM BELLA'S BLOG
"You wont accomplish anything through doubt, but you will succeed if you believe in yourself."- FROM BELLA'S BLOG
Kudos to the author! :)
The characters are real like with no artificiality. I loved Bella's friends who are each as different from the other and yet they all complement each other as a group. Bella's father totally endeared himself to me. He is kind, understanding and although somewhat blinded in his love for his estranged step daughter, he totally understands and supports Bella. The chemistry between Jae and Bella is sensuous sometimes and easily shifts to friendship at the other. I completely hated Bella's grandmother who according to me just didn't care enough about her and is totally concerned about what others will say, always pestering and forcing Bella to attend the wedding with no sensitivity towards her grief and unhappiness.
I could empathize with Bella who is fat and often ridiculed and laughed at by people. No one makes an effort to know the real her, even her husband throws her out of her own home because she has grown fat and he has fallen in love with her sister!
"Why cant men see what a great person I am? Why cant they see past the fat to the real me?"
"I came to the realization that no one loves me and no one will ever love me. So what did I have to live for? More disastrous dates? More ill-conceived advice from well- meaning friends? Demands from family to make nice and not rock the boat? I think of Abe and Fi, my pride and joys, the cutest, most rambunctious and lovable children a woman could ever have. Will they miss me? Will they remember me in a few years after Tiresa becomes their stepmum and showers them with everything I cant afford?"
I loved the book which I felt contains just the right mix of inspiration, example setting about how one can achieve anything if he tries enough and tells a story of a woman thrown at a disadvantage from all sides but who emerged as the winner when she decided to take control of her life. But I also felt that more should have happened to teach Bella's husband a lesson who is disloyal and takes advantage of people for his own gain.
Other than this, The Lighter Side of Large is a sweet book which will make you laugh and also cry along with Bella as she stumbles and then again gets up to finally make for herself and her children a better life.
"When you let go and move on, you discover something amazing: there is so much more to life than what you previously thought."
A must read book and highly recommended. I give The Lighter Side of Large a 4.5 out of 5. Cute and fun adventures of a fat woman as she "hits and trials" to get a perfect life!
This review is also available on my blog http://njkinny.blogspot.in
But inspite of making herself indispensable, Bella is rejected! Her husband leaves her for her sister and now they are getting married in nine months time, leaving Bella to look after her two children and save and scrape every penny in order to make ends meet!
As if all this is not enough, everyone seems just too
happy and excited about the upcoming marriage urging her to attend and seem uncaring of her own feelings about all of this.
So what is Bella supposed to do?
Just sit back and watch her cheating husband and her back stabbing sister get married while her own world has crumbled?
Or should she take revenge and do something about this situation?
Bella is at crossroads and feels pressured and neglected by her family. So after much discussion and a heavy dose of inspiration and threats from her friends, Bella decides to lose weight and attend the wedding with a gorgeous man to take her revenge and prove that she is not the "fat cow" her husband had termed her and she most definitely has moved on with her life!
As Bella's adventure starts, there are many happy, funny, sad, depressing moments in her life with heart breaks, encounters most embarrassing and men most gorgeous!
I loved and totally enjoyed reading The Lighter Side of Large. The first thing that attracted me to pick up and read this book was the title and the cover both of which are pretty innovative and different. Then the author goes ahead and displays her creativity when she takes a boring and dull life of a fat woman and makes it highly adventurous and very interesting. The whole initiative of adding quotes from Bella's blog in the beginning of every chapter in the book was a completely new experience and very enjoyable. These witty quotes enhanced the appeal of the book.
"How wonderful to have a magic mirror which allows you to see what you want to see, so that even with bulges, rolls and size 22 trousers, you ARE the fairest of them all."- FROM BELLA'S BLOG
"You wont accomplish anything through doubt, but you will succeed if you believe in yourself."- FROM BELLA'S BLOG
Kudos to the author! :)
The characters are real like with no artificiality. I loved Bella's friends who are each as different from the other and yet they all complement each other as a group. Bella's father totally endeared himself to me. He is kind, understanding and although somewhat blinded in his love for his estranged step daughter, he totally understands and supports Bella. The chemistry between Jae and Bella is sensuous sometimes and easily shifts to friendship at the other. I completely hated Bella's grandmother who according to me just didn't care enough about her and is totally concerned about what others will say, always pestering and forcing Bella to attend the wedding with no sensitivity towards her grief and unhappiness.
I could empathize with Bella who is fat and often ridiculed and laughed at by people. No one makes an effort to know the real her, even her husband throws her out of her own home because she has grown fat and he has fallen in love with her sister!
"Why cant men see what a great person I am? Why cant they see past the fat to the real me?"
"I came to the realization that no one loves me and no one will ever love me. So what did I have to live for? More disastrous dates? More ill-conceived advice from well- meaning friends? Demands from family to make nice and not rock the boat? I think of Abe and Fi, my pride and joys, the cutest, most rambunctious and lovable children a woman could ever have. Will they miss me? Will they remember me in a few years after Tiresa becomes their stepmum and showers them with everything I cant afford?"
I loved the book which I felt contains just the right mix of inspiration, example setting about how one can achieve anything if he tries enough and tells a story of a woman thrown at a disadvantage from all sides but who emerged as the winner when she decided to take control of her life. But I also felt that more should have happened to teach Bella's husband a lesson who is disloyal and takes advantage of people for his own gain.
Other than this, The Lighter Side of Large is a sweet book which will make you laugh and also cry along with Bella as she stumbles and then again gets up to finally make for herself and her children a better life.
"When you let go and move on, you discover something amazing: there is so much more to life than what you previously thought."
A must read book and highly recommended. I give The Lighter Side of Large a 4.5 out of 5. Cute and fun adventures of a fat woman as she "hits and trials" to get a perfect life!
This review is also available on my blog http://njkinny.blogspot.in
February 18, 2016
Isabella has always had a problem with her weight. In fact, her husband dumps her for her much thinner sister because of it.
"Make your life count by taking charge."--words that provoke Bella into bringing a date to her sister's wedding to prove that she is much better off. But finding a date is not so easy when you're 126 kg.
"Why can't men see what a great person I am? Why can't they see past the fat to the real me?" (51)
For once in her life, the woman is on a mission to lose weight. That along with a list of other goals, some a bit too optimistic if you ask me.
Story illustrates the true horrors of online dating. But I'm glad she found Jae, who appreciated her for the person she was right from the start.
"Life is so unfair and tragedy strikes indiscriminately, but if you keep getting back up when knocked down, you win in the end." (247)
And she does start to see a difference in herself. Pretty soon though, vanity takes over. It's true: People are never happy and always want more. When does the desire to change one's self ever stop? Why is it never enough? I kind of thought that Bella went overboard with all the fat discrimination stuff, so much that it became daunting.
Ultimately, this is a taxing road to weight loss. This is the female version of Fatso--both comical and endearing.
A light-hearted and compassionate story about self-reflection, self-domination, and self-love. Most of all, it is an inspiration to accept yourself as you are.
"Make your life count by taking charge."--words that provoke Bella into bringing a date to her sister's wedding to prove that she is much better off. But finding a date is not so easy when you're 126 kg.
"Why can't men see what a great person I am? Why can't they see past the fat to the real me?" (51)
For once in her life, the woman is on a mission to lose weight. That along with a list of other goals, some a bit too optimistic if you ask me.
Story illustrates the true horrors of online dating. But I'm glad she found Jae, who appreciated her for the person she was right from the start.
"Life is so unfair and tragedy strikes indiscriminately, but if you keep getting back up when knocked down, you win in the end." (247)
And she does start to see a difference in herself. Pretty soon though, vanity takes over. It's true: People are never happy and always want more. When does the desire to change one's self ever stop? Why is it never enough? I kind of thought that Bella went overboard with all the fat discrimination stuff, so much that it became daunting.
Ultimately, this is a taxing road to weight loss. This is the female version of Fatso--both comical and endearing.
A light-hearted and compassionate story about self-reflection, self-domination, and self-love. Most of all, it is an inspiration to accept yourself as you are.
May 27, 2015
Bella’s life is a soap opera: her skinny sister is marrying Bella’s ex-husband, who kicked her out when their youngest was only two weeks old; her pants split in front of her son’s grade school and he got into a fight over it and her dad’s cancer is back again. But things begin to look up when she makes a run to the grocery store in a wrinkled t-shirt and sweats.
Anyway, that’s when Bella meets her Prince Charming, Jae, in the produce section. The romance quickly progresses from oranges and avocadoes to four-wheelers and bungee jumping. Theirs is a spicy yet respectful courtship, the exact opposite of Bella’s ex, who plays both sisters to absolute madness and almost costs Bella her new love more than once.
But that’s not all that’s going on in this smoking hot read that will wrap you around its little finger. Somewhere amid all the confusion that is her life, Bella’s personal character grows in fits and starts and cycles back around before finding her inner peace at last. Five stars, no question, and definitely reading again.
Anyway, that’s when Bella meets her Prince Charming, Jae, in the produce section. The romance quickly progresses from oranges and avocadoes to four-wheelers and bungee jumping. Theirs is a spicy yet respectful courtship, the exact opposite of Bella’s ex, who plays both sisters to absolute madness and almost costs Bella her new love more than once.
But that’s not all that’s going on in this smoking hot read that will wrap you around its little finger. Somewhere amid all the confusion that is her life, Bella’s personal character grows in fits and starts and cycles back around before finding her inner peace at last. Five stars, no question, and definitely reading again.
December 11, 2012
I don't typically read romance novels and I probably shouldn't have stuck with this one - it took me months for me to finish it. I read it because a) it was free to download and read on my Kindle; 2) the main character wasn't lovely and perfect. In fact, in addition to her being overweight, she proves to be self-centered and insecure for a large portion of the book, while still magically being attractive to several members of the opposite sex. That seemed unlikely, but, OK, I'll suspend my reality. It is just a book, after all. However, in the end she finally realizes that she has been a self-centered jerk and everything is resolved so the story can end happily. While there were some really interesting side issues in the story, this wasn't a great read for me and I couldn't recommend it, even if you are a fan of the romance genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2013
Well done!!! A fun, easy read. The story of an extremely overweight woman (can totally relate), who can't see past all the "Wrongs" done to her, decides to find some self-respect and begins the process of taking back her own life and lose weight. But to what cost... She continues to live the life a victim, and with her new body and new life, she continues to only see what’s happening to her. She does see who she is hurting in the process. Will she ever be able to love herself, find her confidence in the person inside, and stop playing the part of the victim?
Mix in a loony bunch of friends (I love them), some sexy men, and a lot of courage... and Wow!! What a Great Read!!!
Highly recommend, especially if you can relate to be overweight, and bumping into stuff. :-)
-Happy Reading
Frankie
Mix in a loony bunch of friends (I love them), some sexy men, and a lot of courage... and Wow!! What a Great Read!!!
Highly recommend, especially if you can relate to be overweight, and bumping into stuff. :-)
-Happy Reading
Frankie
May 6, 2013
Another free book from Pixel of Ink...I thought I could relate to this story because it's a story of a large gal who through struggles and dieting and exercise and lap band surgery, learns to love again...a man, and herself.
BUT, the story hip hops so much, I got exhausted trying to keep up. 1 minute she's happy, the next her life is crumbling. She's bi-polar I swear. She's got 2 children, who are rarely mentioned in the story, except for point of reference (taking the *kids* to school I stopped and binged on a case of Ben & Jerry's) and her ridiculous attempts at finding a man, left me wondering how she ever managed to have children in the first place. She has no job, accepts no money from her ex husband in the form of support, yet has regular "gal-Pal time" at the local coffee shop. Bottom line, this story lacks, is totally unbelieveable, unrelatable. Waste of time.
BUT, the story hip hops so much, I got exhausted trying to keep up. 1 minute she's happy, the next her life is crumbling. She's bi-polar I swear. She's got 2 children, who are rarely mentioned in the story, except for point of reference (taking the *kids* to school I stopped and binged on a case of Ben & Jerry's) and her ridiculous attempts at finding a man, left me wondering how she ever managed to have children in the first place. She has no job, accepts no money from her ex husband in the form of support, yet has regular "gal-Pal time" at the local coffee shop. Bottom line, this story lacks, is totally unbelieveable, unrelatable. Waste of time.
September 9, 2015
What an enjoyable summer-type read this book was!
The story follows Bella, an overweight, miserable woman whose sister is about to marry her ex-husband in less than 9 months. And her crazy family all thinks that Bella should be perfectly ok with it! Bella decides that she is sick and tired of being fat and putting up with everyone's crap. She embarks on a plan to transform her life. Through the book we watch Bella transform and grow, not only physically but mentally as well. She has very decisive ups and downs, and is a character we can empathize with. I definitely was rooting for her to come out on top.
This was a very good first novel, and I hope we will be reading more about Bella and her adventures in the future.
The story follows Bella, an overweight, miserable woman whose sister is about to marry her ex-husband in less than 9 months. And her crazy family all thinks that Bella should be perfectly ok with it! Bella decides that she is sick and tired of being fat and putting up with everyone's crap. She embarks on a plan to transform her life. Through the book we watch Bella transform and grow, not only physically but mentally as well. She has very decisive ups and downs, and is a character we can empathize with. I definitely was rooting for her to come out on top.
This was a very good first novel, and I hope we will be reading more about Bella and her adventures in the future.
October 6, 2012
Really fun read. I loved that it takes place in Nelson, NZ my adopted home town, and that I even know the real AmandaE clothes shop depicted in the novel. Made me vividly realise how physically and emotionally difficult life is for the extremely obese. Her description of the lap band surgery and the near deadly aftermath was frightening. I would have liked more details of what Bella went through after the surgery. Just had references to Bella sipping her protein shakes and losing huge amounts of weight, but it almost made it sound easy and I'm sure it's not. Overall, I really liked the characters and the story and I'm looking forward to reading more from Becky Siame in the future.
April 14, 2013
Loved this book about Bella, a single mum with a very likeable personality. When things go wrong and her ex and sister decide to marry (and invite her to their wedding), Bella decides to change her life around. She’s determined to lose weight, find a job and a man. She joins an online dating site and gets thrown out of a clothes store because she’s too large to fit into any of their clothes. She meets a man who loves her the way she is but this doesn’t stop her from fighting the cause against weight discrimination.
An enjoyable read if you’re looking for something a little different, with lots of laughs along the way.
An enjoyable read if you’re looking for something a little different, with lots of laughs along the way.
May 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I felt the author did a good job investing you in Bella's character. I found myself mad at her just as her friends were during her stupid phases. The only problem I had with this book was the amount of time dedicated to specific parts. Whenever I thought it was almost over, it was only maybe halfway finished. That was great, because I didn't want the novel to end. However, the resolution comes in less than 30 pages. For a 300+ page book, that certainly sold it short. The quick resolution was just a bit too fast for me. Besides that, this was a great distraction from grad school obligations. If you want cute, quirky, and funny- check it out!
October 17, 2013
This was a very good book and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters are well developed and the story is engaging. Though a lot of the book is humorous, it deals with very real and serious issues: marital expectations, infidelity, divorce, homelessness/hopelessness, issues of being multicultural, ethics, etc.
I appreciate how Siame wrote the ending of the story; though it might not have been entirely "fairytale", it was very realistic. It makes one wonder about the sister and her motivations.
I look forward to her next book on Cat and her son. Her writing of this character is brilliant and shows very mature insight into people. The first three chapters are available online.
I appreciate how Siame wrote the ending of the story; though it might not have been entirely "fairytale", it was very realistic. It makes one wonder about the sister and her motivations.
I look forward to her next book on Cat and her son. Her writing of this character is brilliant and shows very mature insight into people. The first three chapters are available online.
September 7, 2012
This is a good story that will make you smile, laugh, feel sad and maybe even angry at times but it has a message that is timely and true - love yourself and stop looking for others to make you feel complete. Most of the characters in this book have issues such as low self esteem or low self worth. And if we pause and look at our friends, family and coworkers we will find someone who reminds us of one or more of these characters.
September 10, 2012
First of all, TONS of typos. The main character started likable but I got really tired of her whining over and over. Then she became downright unlikable and I was just pissed at her (but that was kind of the point). With that being said, some very very good prospective from a very obese person's point of view and the discrimination that they face. Liked the book but wouldn't read it again and am not sure I would be compelled to read more from this author.
September 10, 2012
I liked some of the angst and emotion that was captured. I didn't like the choppiness of the timeline - some back and forth that was confusing. The main character was SO down on herself that it was kinda painful. I know that was the point and was not unrealistic, but it did make it hard to read at first.
I am glad that I stuck with it. Interested to see how the author would do with a different topic.
I am glad that I stuck with it. Interested to see how the author would do with a different topic.
June 20, 2014
Fat girl gets thin
The fat girl gets thin but in the process forgets about family and friends. In the end she comes to realize what is really important. The book is funny at times. While it brings out some important things about obesity, The author gets downright preachy at times. Some story lines are not carried through. Her dad breaks his neck in an accident and is on chemo for cancer. That story line seems to just drop mid book.
The fat girl gets thin but in the process forgets about family and friends. In the end she comes to realize what is really important. The book is funny at times. While it brings out some important things about obesity, The author gets downright preachy at times. Some story lines are not carried through. Her dad breaks his neck in an accident and is on chemo for cancer. That story line seems to just drop mid book.
January 30, 2015
This was a good story about learning to love yourself for who you are and how you were made. It dives into the sensitive subject of weight; the good and bad that goes along with it. Often times people become obsessed with looks alone, especially in a society were it is the main focus. The main character finds that there are also struggles trying to have the perfect body just as there are being heavy and how you can lose your sense of self in the desire to fit what society deems "perfect."
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