SWEET

Sweet #1

by Emmy Laybourne

They'd kill to get thin.

“Simultaneously terrifying, hilarious, and action-packed, Sweet is a wild ride that holds up a warped mirror to our society. I loved it from the first line to the last.” ―Marie Lu, New York Times –bestselling author of Legend and The Young Elites

The luxurious celebrity cruise launching the trendy new diet sweetener Solu should be the vacation of a lifetime. But Laurel is starting to regret accepting her friend Viv's invitation. She's already completely embarrassed herself in front of celebrity host Tom Forelli-the hottest guy ever!-and she's too sick to even try the sweetener. And that's before Viv and all the other passengers start acting really strange.

Tom knows that he should be grateful for this job and the chance to shed his former-child-star image. His publicists have even set up a 'romance' with a sexy reality star. But as things on the ship start to get wild, he finds himself drawn to a different girl. And when the hosting gig turns into an expose on the shocking side effects of Solu, it's Laurel that he's determined to save.

Emmy Laybourne, author of the Monument 14 trilogy, takes readers on a dream vacation in Sweet that goes first comically, then tragically, then horrifyingly , wrong!

By Emmy

The Monument 14 Trilogy
Monument 14 (Book 1)
Monument 14: Sky on Fire (Book 2)
Monument 14: Savage Drift (Book 3)

Sweet

The Berserker series
Berserker (Book 1)
Ransacker (Book 2)

Praise for Sweet :

“Laybourne's fictional world highlights themes of friendship, the culture of celebrity, and addiction...A finely knit narrative in which romance pairs perfectly (somehow) with societal horror.” ―Jennifer Prince, Buncombe County Public Libraries, NC, School Library Journal

“Laybourne's masterful novel opens as a comical potential romance, becomes suspenseful, then horrific, and ends as a gripping action-adventure survival story sure to enthrall readers ... The book is recommended as required summer reading.” ― VOYA, Starred Review

“Combining mystery with a bit of romance and a peek into Hollywood's obsession with being thin, Laybourne creates an interesting commentary on society's addiction to weight loss and diets.” ― Booklist

“While maintaining an exciting, face-paced, terrifying narrative, Laybourne manages to weave in details that highlight friendship, the culture of celebrity and addiction.” ― Asheville Citizen-Times

“Laybourne delivers a candy-coated horror novel that alternates between increasingly violent scenes and Laurel and Tom's poignant romance.” ― Publishers Weekly

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Romance, Thriller, Contemporary, Science Fiction, Fiction

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2015

About the author

EMMY LAYBOURNE is a Young Adult novelist best known for her Monument 14 series, an internationally best-selling trilogy that has been translated into 9 languages. Her standalone book Sweet won a Junior Library Guild Award, was a YALSA Quick Pick and got a Perfect Ten rating from VOYA. Her latest books, Berserker, and Ransacker tell the story of a family of Norwegian teens with ancient Viking powers and are currently being adapted for television.

Emmy is a former character actress, and is occasionally recognized from her role as Mary Katherine Gallagher’s best friend in the movie “Superstar.” She lives outside New York with her husband, two kids, faithful dog and a flock of seven nifty chickens. Visit her online at www.EmmyLaybourne.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
www.facebook.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.twitter.com/EmmyLaybourne
www.instagram.com/EmmyLaybourne

Reviews

[Stacee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was delightfully creepy and an interesting look at get thin quick fixes.

I really enjoyed Laurel as an MC. It's so rare that we get to be in the head of a girl who is TRULY happy with the way she looks. And not because a guy validated her feelings. She's bright and snarky and even though she's a bit blind sided by Tom, he doesn't become her end all be all reason.

Being in Tom's head was also fantastic. It's quite a glaring light on how publicity works and with Emmy being in the business, I couldn't help but wonder how much of it was accurate. I enjoyed his struggle with abandoning his work ethic to get the girl, not to mention a boy who had to work to get those chiseled abs.

The character transformation was phenomenal {yes, I'm being vague on purpose} and the ending was perfect.

**Huge thanks to Macmillan and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**

**Extra squishy hugs to the ladies and Macmillan for sending me a physical arc**

[Danielle (Love at First Page) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just... can't even... what on earth?! O_O

I'm not going to take the time to properly review Sweet. It's just one of the most bizarre, unbelievable books I've ever read, and not in a good way. Weak characterization, weak writing, weak story... no, ridiculous story. I'm really wondering what in the world I just read. Nothing. Makes. Sense. There are practically vampires at the end, guys, VAMPIRES. Read the synopsis and get back to me on that one.

I understand what it was trying for, with the whole weight loss and loving your body thing, but no. Sweet is not realistic contemporary fiction and it isn't an engaging mystery-thriller either. It's a mess.

*Side eyes the book before tucking it out of sight.*

***Thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC***

[Giselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unsolicited Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher for review.

The new diet sweetener Solu is about to be launched but before it could be released to the world, Laurel and her best friend Viv has invited her to take a luxurious celebrity cruise where they will test out the sweetener first. Solu's goal is to make anyone who takes it, lose weight quickly and effortlessly. Then things start to turn for the worse, people start to get addicted to it. Together with TV host Tom, she must find a way to stop it from being released to the public before it gets worse.

I like how this opens up on a cruise-ship. It reminded me so much of my own vacation and I was so excited for Laurel and her friend to go on it. Things start out very normally and innocently and even though all the odd encounters with Tom felt too forced and staged, I thought it was cute they didn't fall in love instantly. Their romance was gradual and considering the mess that they end up in, wasn't too unbelievable like other YA romances in books. That ending just went crazy. I mean I couldn't even believe what I was reading, it was quite like a horror movie. You know those ones that start out so normally, only to have all the cast die by the end. Yikes. The reasoning behind Solu really didn't make any sense either. It was too convenient for me.

The writing flows well and I easily read this, but I think I lost the plot somewhere in the middle when things start going wrong. It felt like a zombie movie or video game at one point. I'm surprised the characters didn't end up with PTSD later. I'm not even sure if there's a sequel, but GoodReads says it's book one?

If I could describe this book, it'd be twisted. Twisty, turny and all sorts of gore, "Sweet" will have you wondering about why people want to lose weight so easily when the best way is to eat healthy and exercise.

RATING 2/5

QUOTES

"Maybe I'm happy the way I am! Maybe I don't want to feel what everyone's feeling." (103)

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Sweet by Emmy Laybourne
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: June 2, 2015
Rating: 3 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Emmy Laybourne, author of the Monument 14 trilogy, takes readers on a dream vacation that goes first comically, then tragically, then horrifyingly wrong!

The luxurious celebrity cruise launching the trendy new diet sweetener Solu should be the vacation of a lifetime. But Laurel is starting to regret accepting her friend Viv’s invitation. She's already completely embarrassed herself in front of celebrity host Tom Forelli—the hottest guy ever!—and she's too sick to even try the sweetener. And that's before Viv and all the other passengers start acting really strange.

Tom knows that he should be grateful for this job and the chance to shed his former-child-star image. His publicists have even set up a 'romance' with a sexy reality star. But as things on the ship start to get wild, he finds himself drawn to a different girl. And when the hosting gig turns into an expose on the shocking side effects of Solu, it's Laurel that he's determined to save.

What I Liked:

This book was... odd. Really strange. I don't think I've read a book like this. I've read Monument 14 - I think Laybourne is really great at creating worlds that are destroyed by horrifying disasters. In this case, it's a nutritional supplement - a sweetener - that drives people crazy.

Laurel is going on an expensive cruise with her rich friend, who wants to lose wait. Vivika's father is paying for them both. This cruise is sponsored by the makers of Solu, a new nutritional supplement that has not yet been released in the market. The people of the cruise will be the first to try it. Solu is designed to help people lose weight - no matter what you eat. It is put in the dessert. At first, it's totally working! People are losing weight rapidly, and celebrity teen star Tom Fiorelli has interviewed countless people on the cruise who love Solu. But things take a dark turn when people get addicted to Solu, and will do just about anything to get more. Laurel, Tom, and the few others that did not try the sweetener must figure out how to get off the cruise before it's too late.

This book was mad creepy. From the start, it had goosebumps. The funny thing is, this book didn't start on a dark tone. I would say that this book started on a comical, almost awkward tone. Laurel is a size fourteen and most of the people on the cruise are must smaller in size than she is - as well as most of them are minor celebrities. Laurel is totally comfortable in her body, but her friend Viv is not (hence why Viv is there - and she invited Laurel for the mortal support). So this book starts off really funny, but then gets dark and creepy. Laybourne did an excellent job with setting the tone.

I think I liked Laurel, throughout the entire book. I love that she is comfortable with her size and feels no need to slim down. At first, she doesn't take the Solu or desserts because she was seasick. But then she gets better and still doesn't want to take them - good for her! She sees everyone losing weight and yet, she still does not care about changing her image. You go, girl!

Tom is the other protagonist of the story. This book is written in first person, alternating points-of-view (between Laurel and Tom). Tom was a child celebrity, and wants to be the next Ryan Seacrest. Everyone knows him as "Baby Tom-Tom", but he wants to be known for more. He used to be super chubby, but with careful dieting and an insane amount of exercising, he is muscular and fit and refuses to try Solu. I liked Tom. He develops a lot as a character, from start to finish. At times throughout the book, he was a bit cowardly, but he grows a spine.

This book is well-written, in my opinion. I have no idea how in the world Laybourne came up with this idea, but good for her. The world-building is solid, with the setting taking place over seven days on the cruise. Seven days! Laybourne takes us through almost every minute of the seven days (it might have been six, actually), so it feels like an eternity passes. And there is a HUGE difference between day one and day six.

The plot is very interesting and very, very creepy. I was creeped out by a certain point, and then it just got even more creepy. I won't say anything specific, but this book gets really weird. The thing is, I could see it being plausible. I could see this happening in our world today, over drugs or marijuana or addictive substances. In this case, it's a nutritional supplement designed to help people lose weight almost instantly. The physiological reaction to this supplement is terrifying. The reasoning behind the creation and marketing of the supplement is equally as terrifying.

I want to say I liked this book... I couldn't stop reading, I had to know what would happen. But I'm not sure I enjoyed it. I'm a bit disturbed (which is probably what the author is going for), and I can't see myself reading this one again. But woah.

What I Did Not Like:

Like I said, this book is creepy. And I'm a bit disturbed. I think that's the effect the author is intending, but I just... some parts of this book made me gasp out loud. Creepy! Weird! Insane! Woah! I feel like this book is totally plausible in real life though! But... it's so hard to see and read.

I didn't quite like the romance. There IS romance! Laurel and Tom are a thing, even after only six days. Tom sees Laurel and thinks she is quite "real" and not like celebrities or famous girls he has been set up with in the past. Laurel has always had a crush on "Baby Tom-Tom", but it's the type of crush you have on Channing Tatum or Luke Evans. Anyway, I'm not sure if I like the romance - it was very fast and I'm not sure I understand the basis and foundation of the romance. And then, I feel like Laurel falls fast and deep too quickly - calling Tom her "boyfriend" within days. Did they ever discuss this? You can't just call a guy your boyfriend, no matter how you feel about him. Especially if he's a popular celebrity with an important public image or whatever. Everyone probably calls him their boyfriend. Anyway, I wasn't really feeling the romance.

The ending. Um. The ending. First, I would have liked more detail on Viv. I won't spoil anything but I'm not sure what happened to most of the passengers on the ship (maybe it just wasn't clear to me). Also, the ending is very inevitable and predictable - I couldn't see this novel ending any other way (then again, I'm not the author), but that doesn't mean I necessarily liked the ending.

Ugh. This book. I couldn't stop reading, but I don't know if I liked the book. It's a very well-written story! Just... probably not one for me. I'm a bit disturbed by the story. Again, probably the intended effect!

Would I Recommend It:

Um. Read at your own risk? There are a lot of reviews on Goodreads that are pretty furious about this book, and there are reviews on Goodreads that are really intrigued! I'm in the middle because while I recognize that this is a very well-written book, I don't think I enjoyed it. I have no idea, really, so it gets three stars, right in the middle. It's not a must-read book, but it is quite a... gripping novel. I'm glad I read it, I won't be able to stop thinking about it, but gosh, I don't think I could read it again! It's a standalone, and it wraps up well as a standalone. So there's that.

Rating:

3 stars. Laybourne's books are so raw and apocalyptic! Perhaps I'll be prepared for all kinds of disasters and crises, thanks to Laybourne and her strange books. This book is definitely going to stick around in my brain for a while - it's creepy and intriguing and a bit disturbing!

[Meredith (Trying to catch up!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

I found the premise of Sweet intriguing, but the outcome was bizarre.

17 year old Laurel Willard is offered the opportunity to go on all expense paid celebrity cruise and try out a new weight loss product, Solu. While Laurel, who is described as curvy, is happy with her body, her best friend Viv (and travel companion) is willing to do anything to lose weight. Former child star, Tom Fiorello is also on the cruise as a paid tv correspondent. Tom, who once had weight issues of his own, is now 19 with a chiseled body and stalled acting career. He is using the cruise to try and become the next Ryan Seacrest and revive his career. Tom and Laurel cross paths and begin a romance.

Laurel gets seasick and isn't initially able to try Solu. Once she recovers, she feels weary about the product and decides she isn't trying it, even though she notices the weight dropping from Viv and others on the cruise. Tom, who is on a strict diet and fitness regime, also avoids Solu. The decision to avoid the product ultimately saves Laurel and Tom's lives.

Overall, this was a strange book. The ending felt like it could have been an episode of True Blood. However, I liked the commentary that the author is making about body image and the lengths that people will go to lose weight.

I received a copy of this book from Goodreads and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Emery K · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Sweet is so suspenseful it keeps you on your toes and always has you guessing about what will happen next.The company solu made a sweetener that made you loose weight in a blink of an eye.They had a early release product party on a cruise ship and things were just fine until some of the passengers on the cruise started to act weird. I loved the book sweet I thought it was the perfect amount of scary and mystery all at the same time.If you like books that keep you guessing what's going to happen next then sweet is the book for you, also if you like the book When then you'll like this this book.

[Brittany S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initial Impressions 9/24/15: Oh that was fun! Very cult comedy, silly, gory. And the ending! I actually didn't expect it but I kind of loved it. Loved the little twists, Laurel and Tom were awesome, and I just love how fun Emmy's writing is. I thought this book was a lot of fun to read, very quick, very easy, and a hilarious and yet horrifying concept. I also really liked the little messages strewn throughout regarding appearance, valor, and respect. Very well done!
But, readers... Know what this book is. It's campy, it's silly, it's like a zombie movie. It's supposed to be a bit ridiculous but at the same time still has a message. It's not a contemporary romance (though there is a romance). It's not a mystery. It's basically fun horror and thriller. I went into this book expecting exactly what I read so I had a great time reading it! I feel pretty upset seeing people have terrible reactions to it because they didn't realize what they were getting themselves into...

Full review as originally posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 11/17/15: Emmy Laybourne has a great way of blending serious situations and a note of levity and that’s exactly what I was looking for when I picked up SWEET! I really enjoyed her apocalyptic/disaster trilogy (the Monument 14 books) and I was definitely in the mood for the tone of Emmy’s books when SWEET was next in the queue.

The thing that readers need to know about SWEET before starting is exactly what kind of book they’re picking up. I read several reviews on Goodreads after I was done with my read of the book (which I thoroughly enjoyed) to see that so many readers were disappointed because they were expecting a contemporary romance or a realistic fiction novel with serious issues. While SWEET does have a romance and it does address serious social and personal issues, the book really reads like a cult classics or a campy horror novel. You’re picking up a book about that has a feel of zombies crossed with vampires on a cruise ship… keep that in mind! I’d say SWEET really leans more toward horror or thriller more than anything if I had to classify it so while it does have a more serious side and some cute romantic moments, remember that this book will first and foremost turn your stomach!

That being said, this was exactly what I had expected from SWEET and it was so much fun to read! I don’t read a lot of horror or books with so much gore but the levity of it kept me interested and amused! SWEET was fun from start to finish. I loved that the book was an exaggeration of a bigger message on body image with some touches on addiction, respect, and valor. There’s a serious message underneath this cruise ship nightmare and I really enjoyed how that came across!

It was a bit more gory than I had expected but that doesn’t really turn me off! I have a much harder time watching gore than I do reading it so I wasn’t too bothered by how intensely the book turned. It added to that zombie/vampire feel which made me feel like I was watching a campy horror movie and that was actually a lot of fun! It’s not something I immediately run to but it reminded me a bit of Zombieland or Shaun of the Dead (except the people in SWEET weren’t exactly zombies… but think of that kind of feel)!

SWEET was funny, horrifying, and meaningful all at the same time. It was a super quick and fun read for me and if all of these things sound appealing to you, I’d definitely recommend it! I won’t tell you anything about it but I totally loved the ending and thought it was just perfect. I also loved that it expanded my reading horizons since this isn’t normally the kind of book I’d pick up. This is just another thing I love about young adult and YA authors — there really is no limit to what you can write and what genre gets published!

[Ashley Cruzen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A sweetener that makes people lose weight...and go crazy.
This would be a really fun beach/vacation read.

So this was a really strange book. It was a super fast read, you could easily read this in one sitting. We alternate POV's between Laurel, the overweight yet comfortable with herself girl tagging along on the trip with her friend Viv, and Tom a once overweight child star hosting the cruise. Laurel and Tom don't end up trying the sweetener. Chaos ensues.

I enjoyed this book but it didn't really wow me. I'd definitely recommend this for a fun, nonsensical read.

*I won a copy of this book from the Goodreads giveaway program*

[Nasty Lady MJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

To see review with gif click here.

This book is so bad. But it’s like I can’t help but continue reading had. It actually sort of reminds me of Sharknado. If Sharknado was a book.

And that’s the thing, I don’t really know if bad B movie works for a YA book. Half of the fun of those movies is actually seeing it, and having some of the physical gags allows poor characterizations to be ignored.

That being said, I think this book could’ve worked if some time was spent on characterization.

But it wasn’t. Characterization was completely ignored in favor of cheap insta love. Sure, we’re told how much these characters care for each other. But other than finding out that Baby Tom Tom turned Tom Stud is the hottest thing since Efron and that Laurel is smoking with all her curves-while all the rest of the boat is skinny ugly people.

Ugh.

Just ugh.

Look, I did appreciate that Laurel was a character who was happy with her weight and wasn’t stick thin, but I also felt like this book didn’t really embrace every sort of body type. There was a lot of skinny AND fat shaming here to the point where I wanted to gouge my eyes out with something.

Really, the only character who has a remotely good idea of what body image is Laurel. Even Tom, hot stud he supposedly is, seems to focus on his weight (through being a gym junkie). Yes, I get this book was about a weight loss cruise but it got a little jarring at time.

Though, the whole weight loss supplement turning everyone into pseudo zombies made the book sort of awesome. Maybe it’s because this part of the story reminded me of something that is annoying me on Facebook right now. Long story short, I have an obnoxious cousin who peddles a weight loss supplement on Facebook to the point where she makes false medical claims-I should note that my cousin does not have a MD let alone works in the medical community. The whole thing with the Solu sort of reminded me of that, except that Solu actually worked with it’s weight loss thing and then caused you to go crazy.

I can only hope that the pink drink my cousin constantly peddles does not do this.

It was still hilarious, though, watching this all pan out.

Hilarious, scary, and way over the top. This book honestly, turned into something else after it’s first half.

And I have to say, it’s over the top-ness was what made it because as I said lame under developed characters with an even lamer romance.

Which is a shame because ship-mance is suppose to be the best romance.

Just see Titanic if you don’t believe me.

Oh, wait, everybody died…

Never mind.

And everyone save for a few people almost died in this book too, so I guess it really couldn’t help itself that it wasn’t romance.

If there was one word I’d used to describe Sweet it would be shallow. I’ll admit I sort of enjoyed this one, but it wasn’t a good book. If I do read the sequel (yes, I said sequel this book is somehow getting one) I probably will be library-ing it. I really didn’t care for Laurel or Tom, but man the whole evil skinny zombies taking over on a cruise headed towards doom. It was a fun read (maybe).

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skinny is in and fat is out......

You find out from your friend their is a pill that can be a cure to obesity. All you have to do is go on a cruise and be a tester to see how much weight you lose. Your friend is excited and she wants you to come along and enjoy the cruise as well as the chance to lose the extra weight you have.

Only when you get on the cruise ship things don't go as planned. You realize the hottest guy who is the host is the man of your dreams. Then your best friend starts taking the medicine and starts acting weird. At first you think it is sea sickness just like you have but then you realize that it is more than that and need to find out what is happening to all the people who have taken this medicine.

Then you get a big surprise when the host comes to aide you. He has also realized that something is going on and it is not right and e is ready to expose what ever it is and who ever it is.

Will the passengers be saved in time.......

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO GOOD! A wonderful, knuckle biting, crazy thriller! LOVED it, even more than Monument 14! I def recommend it, if you like zombies/thrillers!

*side note* There aren't actual "zombies" in the story, they are all human...but they tend to start acting like zombies. I don't want to give it all away, but its FREAKY! ;)

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only good thing about this book was the foreshadowing ending. Very disappointed

[catherine ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 1.5

This is one of the weirdest books I've ever read. It was absolutely bizarre, but I'm not even sure if it was in a good or bad way.

Sweet follows Laurel on a cruise with her best friend. The cruise is designed around Solu, a new artificial sweetener that is advertised as a weight-loss supplement. As it so happens, Tom, Laurel's celebrity crush, is also on the cruise and - well, you can probably guess what's going to happen. But it's not over yet; something in the sweetener is making everybody act weird. When things get out of control, the only thing that Laurel and Tom can do is stick by each other and try to escape the hell that their cruise has turned into.

At first, I really liked the relationship dynamic between Tom and Laurel, but it did seem a bit cliché. You know, the celebrity and the shy underdog trope. After a while, I began to feel like I couldn't really understand the relationship between them anymore.

The writing style was pretty good. Nothing really stood out to me, but at the same time the book was interesting overall. I was able to finish it in less than an hour.

I also think that the characters were alright, but I wish they were more developed. This is definitely a very character-centric story and it seems as though the only people that really have depth to them were Tom and Laurel, our main characters.

It's been a few hours since I finish this book and I'm still not sure what to think. On one hand, I thought it was a bit predictable, but on the other the other, the writing made it so interesting and engaging that I couldn't stop turning the pages. One thing I know for certain, however, is that if you're going to read this book you might want to try doing it in private - otherwise everyone will start asking you why you're making such weird facial expressions.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread during my vacation, fabulous to read this one. Glad I took it with me. Same rating as first read.


This was an amazing book, though that ending. GAHHHHH. Also a warning, it is pretty gory and gruesome at parts, so if you are squeamish, then I would recommend you either skip the scenes or grab a less gory book.

But this book was epic, awesome and truly wow. It is told from the perspectives of two character. Tom, who is a celebrity, and then we have Laurel, a normal girl who got on the ship thanks to her best friends dad.

At first I was worried, Laurel was a pretty great girl, but Tom? Was he here for girls and money? For getting some attention. But not much later I found out that Tom is a fantastic character. He is sweet, caring and he kicks ass. He clearly can voice his opinion, he sticks to his plan, and unlike all the others doesn't take Solu. Instead he just follows what his trainer has said and eats normally, watching his meals and keeps exercising. I loved how strong he was, how he pushed through to help people out.

Laurel, ah, I love myself a girl who doesn't particularly care about dieting. She was a really likeable girl, though she could do without those boots and the clothing style. It just didn't feel like it matched with who she really was. Which turns out to be true. She was just hiding under all of her clothes. She is insecure, but she doesn't trust Solu, she is concerned about it, worried that it might be bad. Worried what it might do, and decides to just eat normally. Even if that means that people look at her strangely, even if that means that she is called Tubby by the weight people (rude much?). And hey, in the beginning she couldn't even eat anything due to her extreme seasickness (the poor thing, you are on a cruise and you are sicker than sick).
I also loved her dedication to her best friend Vivika. Even when things went wrong, even when she should have run away, she still cared for her friend, still tried to help her out. It was amazing. Not everyone would do the same as Laurel did in this book. She is an amazing friend.

From the start we know how Laurel and Tom will end up, and while it was clear from the beginning, I can still say that the way the author wrote it, how they got closer and closer to each other, was done really great and realistically. It wasn't OMG I have to kiss this guy, no it was slowly getting closer, of course they were drooling over each other (which at times tired me out to read about either Laurel or Tom and what they thought about each other, but it was also cute, so I can forgive them), but they still didn't instantly latch on to each other. When they finally did get together, it was so adorable, they make a great pair and I hope they will be able to stay together.

Vivika (what a name), she was a great character, and I kind of wish she had gotten a more main character role. We now had 2 characters who both didn't take Solu, but I would have liked to see Viv's descent to madness and addiction. I am sure it would have given just that extra oomph to the story had it been added. Now it was all seen through the eyes of those not addicted, it felt a bit one-sided. I would have loved to see how Viv went from a normal girl, wanting to diet, to a girl who can't stop taking Solu and will do anything to get it.

The story was amazing. The book is from 2 perspectives, but we also get days added to the mix. That way you could easily see how everything went down. How it all started off kind, nice, and just a fun cruise in general to doomsday and shit is hitting the fan.

Because shit is hitting the fan. As the days pass you can slowly see how everything is going from good to bad. People are thinning, people are getting their goals, but you can also see aggression, frustration and slowly addiction coming in. People aren't acting like their normal selves. From people who are partying and having a good time they are slowly turning to monsters who will not stop at anything to get even the littlest bit of Solu. Friends and family are breaking apart. People turn against each other. And a whole lot more, I won't say much more, but lets just say around the middle of the book it was getting really nasty, and with each page it got nastier and nastier, at times I was just squeezing the book because of the gory scenes and the stuff people did just to get a lick or a sniff of that Solu stuff. It was really horrific and creepy.
I loved how the author wrote those scenes though, and also the descent to madness. It was amazingly written and it just gave me goosebumps. The idea of being stuck on a ship, with people who will do anything, no matter what, to get Solu. The idea that you can't run, can't hide, can't flee, not just like that anyway. Going outside a room is dangerous, you really have to form a group or at least try to get more people together. It must be horrifying and scary. I can't imagine what I would do. I am not sure if I would be strong as some of the characters we meet in this book.

Oh, and I have to give extra points to a great side-character named Jaideep. Man, that guy was awesome!

I absolutely disliked the boss of Pipo/Solu. Dear Lord, that guy is the devil. I won't say much else, for the fear I might spoil stuff, but seriously, that dude is just *shivers* creepy as hell.

The book describes everything is great detail, I could just see me on the ship, I could just see the people and their wish to become thinner. I could just feel the adrenaline going through me when all shit hit the fan. I was just cheering for our main characters. I really love it when authors can describe their worlds so well, when a book will just pull you in and won't let you go until that last page.

The last few pages were fantastic, though the ending was sooooo frustrating. I was like, yay! They did this and that, now this and that will happen! And then instead that happened? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo. Will we ever find out what will happen now? Will Emmy Laybourne write another book? Or will we never know what is going to happen. Though we can guess, and it isn't pretty. That and something something that happened at the end/middle part were the only 2 pieces of the book I didn't like.

But, all in all, I would really highly recommend this book to everyone. This is an amazing book and I truly loved it. Emmy Laybourne did it again! Another book that deserves all the praise.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://wandering-world.skyrock.com/32...

SWEET, c'est une petite bombe. C'est une de ses lectures rares et absolument divines qui nous transportent grâce à leur rythme incroyable et leur atmosphère ultra addictive. Je pense que je tiens-là ma lecture angoissante et gore de l'été et de l'année 2016. Vraiment. SWEET résonne comme un véritablement changement d'air et j'ai adoré cela. Ici, pas d'histoire de maladies, de cancers, d'amours impossibles ou encore de créatures mystiques. Non, au contraire : une intrigue explosive et captivante au beau milieu de l'océan avec, comme principaux thèmes, la dépendance et la critique d'une société à la recherche du corps parfait sur fond d'horreur et de luxe. Mon dieu, que ce cocktail est grisant. Je pense que je n'aurais pas pu lire SWEET à un meilleur moment de l'année : sous le soleil, au bord de la piscine, totalement détendu et prêt à m'engager au cœur d'un voyage littéraire aussi asphyxiant qu'exaltant. Cette histoire est indéniablement un de mes coups de cœur de l'été grâce à son intrigue inédite et terriblement palpitante.

Pour commencer, et cela va sûrement paraître surprenant vu l'ambiance du roman, j'ai trouvé SWEET vraiment très, très drôle. En effet, l'héroïne principale, Laurel, est aussi charmante et intelligente qu'elle est hilarante et pleine de répartie et j'ai trouvé cela absolument génial. C'est jeune femme pleine de confiance en elle concernant certains domaines et bien plus réservée sur d'autres et cela lui confère une personnalité hyper attachante qui m'a énormément plu. Laurel ne se laisse pas marcher sur les pieds et est déterminée. Faire sa connaissance et passer du temps à ses côtés a été un véritable plaisir. De plus, le duo qu'elle forme avec sa meilleure amie, Viv, apporte encore une touche de dynamisme et d'humour à l'histoire. Les deux adolescentes s'adorent et leur amitié et parfaitement crédible d'un bout à l'autre du roman. Je me suis éclaté avec elles, tout simplement. Je ne trouve pas d'autres termes pour décrire ce que j'ai ressenti à part ceux-ci, quand j'y réfléchis. J'écris ces mots à leur sujet avec le sourire aux lèvres, élément déjà amplement suffisant pour me faire dire que ce sont des héroïnes que j'ai adoré. Laurel est incroyable, drôle et émouvante et elle me manque déjà énormément.

SWEET est, de plus, écrit du point de vue de Tom, jeune homme célèbre et brisé qui m'a entièrement convaincu également. J'ai beaucoup aimé pouvoir découvrir sa perspective sur les évènements qui prennent place à bord du paquebot et sur les effets du Solu sur ses voyageurs. Tom qui, en apparence, semble superficiel et hautain au possible s'avère, finalement, être un garçon hyper adorable et auquel je me suis vraiment attaché. Par ailleurs, sa relation avec Laurel évolue plutôt progressivement et m'a semblé assez logique bien que, peut-être, un peu trop rapide. Néanmoins, j'ai adoré l'équipe qu'ils formaient et le fait qu'on sente bien qu'ils étaient vraiment unis. Les héros créés par Emmy Laybourne sont tous vraiment épais et possèdent un caractère bien défini. Honnêtement, je ne trouve rien du tout à leur reprocher. SWEET est véritablement un récit sans aucun défaut.

Passons à l'intrigue, puisque c'est LE point qui m'a le plus renversé. Les choses commencent calmement, je dirais. Rien de bien impressionnant n'a lieu même si, dès le départ, on sent bien que le vent va rapidement tourner. Tout est trop parfait, trop lumineux, trop beau pour que la tendance ne s'inverse pas. Petit à petit, on s'aperçoit que des taches d'ombre apparaissent sur ce tableau parfait. Puis, sans que nous n'en ayons vraiment conscience, nous nous retrouvons au cœur d'un chaos à la fois électrisant et passionnant. Vraiment. SWEET est tellement, tellement saisissant. Les descriptions sont hyper visuelles, le climat est angoissant et terrifiant dans le meilleur des sens et le rythme ne fait qu'aller crescendo. D'ailleurs, l'écriture de l'auteure est très cinématographique. Certaines scènes sont si bien décrites (sans aucune longueur, en plus) que j'avais l'impression d'admirer une fresque. Je n'avais jamais ressenti ça jusqu'à présent. L'auteure parvient à rendre sans difficulté ce qu'elle a en tête et c'est extrêmement impressionnant. On ne fait pas que lire le roman, on EST dans le roman. Très vite, la terreur s'empare de nous. Plus les jours passent, plus les effets du Solu deviennent dévastateurs et Laurel va tout faire pour s'en sortir. Ses espoirs et ses peurs deviennent immédiatement les nôtres et, vraiment, j'ai trouvé cela grandiose. On est pris corps et âme par cette histoire. Les rebondissements s'enchaînent et les coups de théâtres qui s'entremêlent nous effraient autant qu'ils nous captivent. Il y a quelque chose de profondément malsain dans ce roman qui nous fait perdre la tête et nous pousse à en demander encore plus. J'ai dévoré SWEET en moins d'une journée tant son rythme, ses personnages et son écriture sont enthousiasmants et galvanisants au possible.

Jusqu'à la conclusion, l'allure ne diminue jamais. On a aussi bien le souffle coupé que le cœur qui bat la chamade. L'ambiance apocalyptique du navire nous enivre et nous emporte. Cependant, après un final sans défaut, j'ai trouvé l'ultime chapitre bien trop ouvert à mon goût. Même si tout est fait pour que nous sachions vers quoi l'avenir de Laurel et Tom tend à évoluer, je reconnais qu'en savoir plus n'aurait pas été de trop. Cette fin colle parfaitement à l'ambiance du récit mais reste – et c'est bien dommage – trop large et évasive à mes yeux. C'est le seul petit reproche que je pourrais faire à l'auteure bien que, avec seulement trois pages qui ne me conviennent pas sur la totalité de l'histoire, je ne pense pas être en mesure de me plaindre.

En résumé, SWEET est un livre que j'ai adoré. C'est frais, c'est prenant, c'est terrifiant, c'est dynamique : bref, tout ce que j'aime. Les héros que nous rencontrons m'ont tous complètement charmé, la plume de l'auteure est digne d'un scénario de cinéma et l'intrigue du récit et son évolution sont absolument époustouflantes. Malgré une fin un peu trop ouverte à mes yeux, SWEET est un gros coup de cœur car c'est un livre vraiment rafraîchissant et plein de nouveautés. Des romans comme celui-ci, je pense que je n'en aurai jamais assez. Une lecture étourdissante et éblouissante sur laquelle je vous conseille de vous jeter dès sa sortie en France !

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**Sweet is a new young adult thriller/horror novel by Emmy Laybourne. When I was finished with sweet, I assumed it was a standalone, but goodreads says it is the first in the Sweet series. Now I am even more intrigued by the book than I was when I finished it, because I cannot wait to see what the author is going to do next with the series. It is going to be freakin' insane.

I really enjoyed Sweet. The idea behind it is scary as all get out...because of how realistic it seems. Solu is a brand new sweetener that is also a weight loss supplement. To celebrate the launch of this innovative new product that is promised to change the weight loss game, Solu pairs up with a luxury cruise line- bringing in celebrities along with normal cruise goers to partake in a luxury weight loss cruise! I love the idea of that, but what happens next is straight out of a horror film. And I can even count this as a kind of zombie-adjacent book. (which you may know that I hardly ever read.) Because that is what these people seemed like to me, after a few days taking solu. I loved the idea behind the cruise taking a group weight and and after weight as a cruise theme. And the ship seemed first class, but everything else I want no part of. haha It made for a great read though! It was crazy seeing people trying to get more Solu. I thought it was brilliant the way Emmy Laybourne layered the undercurrent of addiction throughout Sweet.

Sweet is told in dual narrative between Tom and Laurel. Tom is the celebrity host of the cruise and Laurel is dragged along by her friend. Both Laurel and her friend can be called curvy, but Laurel's friend is obsessed with losing weight, and Laurel likes herself the way she is. I love how what a positive body image Laurel has of herself. And I really liked Tom's interactions with Laurel on this topic. Sweet was really interesting because on one hand, you had this crazy Solu epidemic, and on the other hand you have this really sweet budding romance between what seems to be an unlikely pair at first glance. The horror/thriller aspect of the book competed perfectly with the romance. It was a very entertaining pairing.

Sweet took me by total surprise. Once I started reading, and I got my first glimpse at what the solu was going to do, I didn't know how much I would end up enjoying Sweet. But I am so happy to say that this book surpassed all of my expectations. I really liked it and I want to read the short story prequel now. Not to mention that the ending, which I initially thought was a great ending to a standalone in this genre, now has me salivating for the next book.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs

[Elli W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet is a wonderful book about a 14 year old girl named Laurel who lives in Bay Area, California who is given a once in a lifetime opportunity when her friend Viv invites her to come with her on the Solu Cruise to Lose. Solu is a sweetener that helps lose weight quickly and efficiently. On the cruise, Laurel meets her childhood crush Tom Fiorelli. They both decided prior to the cruise that they would be not be taking any Solu, as Laurel didn't feel the need to lose weight and Tom didn't want to mess with his diet. The majority of people have been taking much more than the suggested amount of Solu. As people get legitimately crazy over Solu, Tom and Laurel grow suspicious. Once people began killing one another because if their need to have Solu, they must work together in order to survive. While reading this book, I felt very curious to see what was going to happen next. I recommend Sweet to anyone who doesn't get grossed out very easily.

[Ashley (Loves Books) · Rating 2 out of 5]

**A version of this review will post to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.**

I’m a little bit…uncertain? Mystified? Stunned? Perhaps even a little appalled? At what I just read. I mean…I’ve read Monument 14, and I’ve met Emmy a few times, so I thought I’d had a bit of a handle on her books and how she can be completely original and weird and make it work.

And Sweet was…completely original and weird and different but I’m just not sure it worked this time.

So much of this plot was unique. I loved the premise, I loved the idea of a cruise, and even though I’m very much against diet supplements, the concept of Sweet/Solu is wonderful and compelling and I totally, TOTALLY get the appeal. There was so much that could work for this book!

And then...it happened. At first I loved it, I love the almost social commentary and what you can interpret this as. I thought it was brilliant to have reactions, to have them all stuck on this cruise, I was so on board (PUNS!) with the impending destruction and terror and thrills. In a really twisted way, I was totally looking forward to the demise of Solu and the participants!

But…it was just weird. It got gory, and gross, and…I mean, it still definitely worked within the plot. It actually seems pretty logical, if you think about it. But it was just so strange and vile and desperate and it went down so fast, so quickly. And I don’t mean that as a sinking ship pun!

Sweet started out so strong, and I still really loved the beginning. And the middle. And the beginning of the end. Really, just the last 40 pages or so I was just kinda staring horrified at the pages and flipping back and forth trying to figure it out. I recommend it for the concept, for the commentary, for the idea of a childhood star coming into his own and a girl who was actually ok with being her size. That I can endorse.

Just maybe stop 40 pages from the end. That’s all.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read that I could not put down! It's hilarious and horrifying and I loved it!

Lauren, our MC, was a real down to earth and entirely relatable protagonist. And Tom, although a celebrity, also became a really great guy. I really connected to both of them!

I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see what Emmy comes up with next!!!

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars: A satirical horror story with some important messages.

Laurel nervously tugs her battered suitcase down the red carpet. She still can't believe that she, a nobody, is going on the "Cruise to Lose", a cruise for the rich and famous, centered around the new diet sweetener, Solu. Solu promises to melt pounds off within days. At first, Laurel is caught up in the glitz and glamour, and admittedly starstruck when she runs into her childhood crush, Tom Forelli. Tom is a former tv child star, who is trying to remake his image by being the celebrity spokesperson aboard the cruise. For their own reasons, neither Tom nor Laurel take the Solu. After two days, they notice some disturbing side effects. Is Solu really the cure all for obesity?
What I Liked:
*It is hard for me to put into words how I felt about this book. It is certainly not going to be a book for everyone, but I personally enjoyed this satirical look at a society that is obsessed with fame, glamour, wealth and excess, always looking for a quick, easy fix, and in this case the magic cure all is Solu. Solu is a miracle sweetener guaranteed to shed pounds in days. But when one takes the easy way out, catastrophic side effects occur. I enjoyed this funny and twisted tale of excess and gore. If you like dark, comedic horror, dive in.
*I loved all the social implications in this one. This starts out as a cruise that is billed as being bigger than the Titanic. So of course, all of the elite and wealthy and famous are on board to indulge in a week long cruise and to take the new miracle weight loss sweetener. The book begins as a satirical look at many of the ills in our society. Such as our insatiable appetites for gluttony, and our obsession with beauty, fame and fortune, and our willingness to achieve these societal ideals by any means possible despite the consequences, and then the disturbing consequences are revealed. An interesting story indeed.
*I was fascinated with the whole idea of Solu. A miracle sweetener that promises to help a person drop five percent of their body fat within a week by doing nothing more than ingesting the sweetener. Do you remember the modern day weight loss drug, Fen Phen, that everyone jumped on board to take, and the catastrophic health consequences that followed? This story is like that only much, much darker and twisted. I won't get into details as I don't want to spoil it, but *I will say that things start to spiral out of control quickly, and it gets dark and ugly. Think zombies on diet pills that are more addictive than street drugs.........I was horrified and fascinated at the same time. It was like a car accident that you couldn't look away from, and I actually liked it.
*The book is told with two first person narratives: Laurel and Tom. Laurel is your average American girl who is offered the trip of a lifetime when her friend brings her along. Laurel is a fish out of water among the wealthy and privileged, but she manages to hold her own and stay true to herself, I liked her outlook on the world, and I especially loved her ideas on body image. Tom is a former childhood star. Surprisingly, he isn't obnoxious or self centered, he is actually a down to earth guy, kind, compassionate and nice. I liked both Tom and Laurel.
*Despite the satirical tone and the blood and gore, this book does have some important messages to impart. I loved that the main character, Laurel, is just an average girl. She is a size fourteen, with curves and freckles. Yet she is comfortable in her own skin, and she is not ashamed of her body. How many seventeen years old can truly say they are satisfied with their body image? Over and over again, Laurel tries to tell her best friend that she is beautiful no matter what. I loved that. Take home message: You are beautiful as you are. Then there are the themes of gluttony and greed and addiction. After reading this, I took a step back and pondered over all the author had to say. I liked her messages.
And The Not So Much:
*The ending is chaotic and it moves at lightning speed. It culminates after a grand standing speech by the villain, explaining why and how. Then after the dust settles, there is an open ended/ cliffhanger finale. I don't think the author is planning on a sequel, but she certainly could write one after the way this book ended. It doesn't end nice and neatly.
*I wasn't a fan of the romance at all. Maybe I am growing more cynical, but YA romances seem to be lacking a bit of something lately. This one felt thrown together, contrived and hurried. The cruise is only six days, and that isn't nearly time enough to be declaring I love yous and all that, but that is what happens. I think the book would have been better without the romance. Basically, you get a nice dose of insta love.
*This book starts out light and funny, but then it takes a severe turn into the darkness. If you aren't a fan of horror and gore, you might want to steer clear of this one. I personally enjoyed the journey to the darker side.
*My best advice for enjoying this one is to set aside any expectations for the story to be even remotely realistic. This is an over the top satirical look at the ills of a gluttonous society looking for the next quick fix, until things go catastrophically wrong... insert dark, moody music....

Sweet was an addictive little book that reads much like a train wreck. This won't be a book for everyone, but I personally had fun with this dark, twisted and comedic story. If you want a book that exposes what happens when greed and laziness meet a quick fix, miracle diet sweetener, with disastrous and gory results, pick this one up.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Asheley T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Sweet by Emmy Laybourne begins, Laurel is boarding a cruise-til-you-lose ship to meet up with her BFF Viv. Viv is obsessed with the quick weight loss that is promised by the new diet supplement Solu, just like nearly everyone else on board the ship. Despite the fact that she does not feel the need to lose weight, Laurel has agreed to accompany Viv on this trip. Almost immediately after boarding, Laurel develops horrible nausea and becomes seasick. She is unable to hold any food or drink down, which means that she isn't taking in anything containing the Solu supplement. Viv is more than happy to eat her share plus Laurel's missed shares too - you know, so they won't go to waste. Not too long after beginning the supplement, Viv begins to act a little strange, and so do the rest of the people on board.

The common denominator among the people with the strange behavior is the diet supplement. Laurel becomes wary of it, which is no big deal to her because she never felt like she needed it anyway. She learns that there is another person on board that isn't taking the supplement: cruise host, Tom.

Tom is a former child-star. It is common knowledge that he was overweight when he was on television in his younger years. Since that time, though, he has had a great exercise routine that works along with a healthy diet and a personal trainer, and he looks and feels great. Like Laurel, Tom does not feel like he needs the assistance of Solu to keep his body weight in check. As the behavior of the other passengers becomes more and more strange (and dangerous) Tom and Laurel band together to support one another, then keep one another safe, then try to get help for themselves and others.

Also, they fall in love.

Things get really crazy.

Okay, so when I first started this book, I thought the pacing and the plot were interesting and I was invested. I liked the characters - the juxtaposition of Laurel and Viv, their friendship, their differences, all of that. They are opposites, which makes for interesting reading. I liked how Laurel handled herself even as she was a bit of a loner on board (aka comfortable with herself) compared to the rest of the passengers. I understood that she became seasick (plausible, right?) and I think that was a great reason to have her not partake of the Solu supplement. I liked that Viv was so eager to lose the extra weight that she took her own portions + Laurel's portions. These were things that I could easily visualize in my head as I read.

I also liked Tom and his story arc: the way his publicity team worked around him, the way he was told what to do vs. him making his own decisions. The one area he felt like he had some control was his exercise and diet, and I love the way that Tom maintained these things in a healthy way. I loved seeing Tom deal with how the public treated him because he was a celebrity child-star vs. the other celebrities on board the ship.

As Tom and Laurel began to cross paths, more than once, and then their relationship progressed fairly quickly - I had a little bit of trouble buying into that. I am not opposed to insta-attraction/insta-love and I've read/seen stories (like this one) where love-under-stress works, but in this case it did not feel like something organic and seamless to me. I liked Laurel and I liked Tom, but I didn't really care for them together as a couple. If I could have changed one thing about the story, I would probably wish for these two to work together as two passengers working toward the same goal rather than as love interests.

There is a place in the book where you have to press your "suspension of belief" button in order to proceed because things get a little crazy in the end. There are some big twists and turns, for one. And what happens is a little far-fetched - it pulls this story out of the YA-contemporary category. If you can suspend your beliefs: go for it, enjoy the ride, because it is fun to read a story like this every now and then. I think there is an underlying message here that the author is trying to make with the unhealthy dieting and fads, and I get it. I get it. It isn't preachy, though, so no worries there.

Conversely, I can see where readers could potentially dismiss this story because of the way it trends toward the end - I get that too, because it is a little bit out there. I think writing something like this is risky, though, and I love seeing an author take a chance like this - particularly when there is a positive message in there (here, the message being hidden in Tom's ability to diet and exercise successfully without fad diets/supplements).

Ultimately, Sweet by Emmy Laybourne is a quick read, one that kept me turning pages, and one that kept me guessing until literally the very last page. I was surprised more than once, and then I was surprised again at the end. I recommend this book for fans of fast-paced young adult stories that are action-driven and suspenseful.

See my full review HERE at Into the Hall of Books.

[Pixie/PageTurners Blog(Amber) C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one, was up all night reading.

Wow, I was not expecting a comedic horror story. It is definitely an edge of your seat, could not put down, up all night read. Wholly Molly, this book kept me guessing all night long. Just when I thought I had it figured out BAM, the story does a complete 180.

Sweet is told from two perspectives - Laurel and Tom's. Laurel is just an ordinary girl, who thought she was getting a awesome vacation when she accepted her best friend Viv's invitation to the hottest cruise of the summer. Laurel doesn't actually believe that she or her friend need to lose weight, but Viv is always trying to be just a few pounds lighter. Tom is a child star trying to get a break in serious acting - he has been failing, epiclly - so he is stuck hosting this cruise. For personal reasons, Tom and Laurel decided not to use the sweetener.

The cruise is "offering" the first taste of Solu, a dietary drug a week before it hits the markets. This cruise is huge publicity for the sweetener - in just 7 days you will see the transformations happening on TV. The sweetener seems to be doing the trick - people are eating whatever they want and the weight is just dropping off. Laurel and Tom start to notice weird things about the people using the sweetener - it seems to be addictive. At first the addiction is funny, but as the story progresses the side effects of Solu turn very dark. What once was a trip of a lifetime, soon turns into surviving in the middle of the open sea.

I cannot get too much into the affects of the sweetener, it would ruin the amazingness of the story - but I loved how it slowly progressed, getting darker and darker, while allowing for funny situations to break up all the "bad". I adored Laurel's positive body image and how she values her friendship with Viv. The ending left it open for a possible sequel - I really hope Emmy Laybourne decides to write one.

www.pageturnersblog.com

[Elle (ellexamines on TT & Substack) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This is just such a forgettable book.

Essentially the only pro is that I was so engrossed in this that I couldn't stop reading. Points for creepiness. Also, this actually might be the only book I've ever read where the main character is above a size five (or let's face it, zero) and doesn't lose the weight, which is super awesome. I loved Laurel's body confidence.

Unfortunately, body confidence was Laurel's only trait, and that's exactly how I felt about every other character in the book. The characters weren't fleshed out much. Laurel was at least a likable narrator, but her love interest, Tom, fell flat. As did their romantic plot. Viv and Shani are complete plot devices. There's no reason to get invested in this story.

This might have gotten a higher star rating for pure creepiness, if not for the writing style, which felt like something a fifth grader would write. This is by no means a criticism of the author, but this read entirely like middle-grade fiction. Laybourne's writing generally reads more middle-grade to me; she may be marketing to teens, but she's writing for kids.

[Ellis Haynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet is a fabulous book about teenagers Laurel and Vivika, and an adult named Tom. When a sweetener that helps you LOSE weight is developed and titled 'Solu', a very rich man invests in Solu and they have a seven day cruise for it! But a few days in they discover that Solu is actually very addictive and people start killing for it. And as Laurel and Tom start falling for each other, it's up to them to save the remaining crew and non-addict passengers! I really loved this book! I thought the concept was really interesting and it made me feel like I was enveloped in the story. Sometimes I had to just stop reading for a moment to reconnect with reality. I will definitely read some other Books by Emmy Laybourne. The only problem I had with this book was that it gets pretty smoochy at times. Overall this was a really solid book and I would definitely recommend it to people who like kind of darker concepts like this!

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I knew I had to have this book as soon as I read the synopsis months ago when I featured it for Waiting on Wednesday! Sweet sounds like a totally original YA horror at sea and I am a total sucker for ship horror stories (note: The Last Ship - not that great). Sweet definitely delivered on originality and horror, but it really did not WOW me like I'd hoped it would.


---Characters---
I'm going to be completely honest here. I finished reading this about two hours ago and I had already forgotten the main character's name. I had to look back at the synopsis. (Off to a bad start.)

Anyway, Laurel is the main character on this weight loss cruise. She really doesn't want to be there at all, what with all the rich and famous people (I mean, really, who would want to hang out with famous people? Amirite?!), but she was roped into it by her rich best friend, Viv. Unfortunately for all involved, Laurel is very prone to motion sickness (and I guess they don't have meds for that onboard... rich people don't get seasick), and is totally unable to eat for the first few days of their voyage. Because of this, she is unable to eat any of the mystical new sweetener, Solu (which is also what makes people lose weight).

Laurel is also the only overweight person on the entire ship who's totally cool with being overweight because she's perfect the way she is. While I'm all for people being happy and comfortable with their bodies, one thing (one thing) that bothered me about Laurel is how she constantly tells Viv not to lose weight because she's also perfect. Like I said, loving yourself is fine and dandy, but why try to dissuade someone who admits to a binge eating problem and really seems to want to better herself? It's fine to be happy with your body, but it's also fine to want to lose weight. So it kind of bugged me that Laurel was all over Viv (before Solu even happened) about staying the way she is. I almost got the feeling that Laurel wasn't actually as secure as she tried to act and wanted Viv to remain her size 12 twin...

She's also kind of a maniac. (But more on that later.)

Funny enough, there's a second person on board who refuses to eat Solu, but he's not seasick. Nope, he's a big hunk of MANLY MANESS (she tells us this like, a thousand times) and works out HARD in every other chapter (often until he pukes, which he tells us often). Tom is a former child star and now he's a TV host and Ryan Seacrest's competition. He also hates his job and has never spoken to a normal person who wasn't famous (apparently).

Obviously, Tom and Laurel must fall in love. Instantly. In the span of about three days (seriously, the day of the voyage is shown on every page). I didn't buy it. I didn't buy the romance at all. I swear on my honor that if I ever publish a book, there will be no instalove.


---Setting---
This was one of the better parts of Sweet, although even the cruise ship setting was a little lacking. (Having just come off a cruise myself, I have the idea of a luxury cruise ship pretty fresh in the ol' thinking cap.) The atrium of the ship was really richly described and I thought I would be in for similar world building (ship building?) throughout the book, but no such luck. While there were some brief descriptions of doors in hallways, I never got a great feel for any of the other locations. I was confused when a character was suddenly in another room within a stateroom because I didn't realize that particular stateroom was actually a suite with multiple rooms.

There was so much opportunity for vivid detail in Sweet! (It's a top of the line cruise ship!) But I could see the luxury at all.


---Plot---
Like I've already said, the plot was totally original, but maybe it was too original... The pace was breakneck, which I actually did enjoy a lot because it kept me turning pages and made this a really quick read! That being said, everything in the plot was underdeveloped. The symptoms of Solu were introduced way too quickly to be believable, for one thing. BUT I did enjoy the story. A lot. This was actually going to be a three star book for me (liked it). Then I hit maybe the last 30-40 pages and I just couldn't.

First of all, things just started getting ridiculous. Solu was terrifying enough before things started taking a zombie-vampire turn... my suspension of disbelief can only be taken so far.

And then near the end, when the whole cause behind things gets explained, I literally started ranting out loud in an empty room. I kid you not, the words "bull crap" actually came from my mouth as I started squinty-eyed at the page. Things are explained, but they make absolutely no sense at all. None. I'm a "why" person, and I asked, "but why?" probably 20 times (out loud).

And then there's Laurel (again). Remember when I said she was a maniac? She makes freaking idiot decisions.

Picture it: You're on a boat where people are losing their freaking minds and killing each other. This product (Solu) is about to be released to the general public. In three hours. Your options are:

A) get on a lifeboat, head for land (which could be maybe 6 hours away) with a huge group of people who can corroborate your story or
B) go back with your now-crippled boyfriend into the throng of psychos and BLOW UP THE FREAKING SHIP!

Option B, obviously. Right? (nobody?) Um... DUH. Not to mention, she blew up EVERY OTHER FREAKING PERSON ON THE SHIP! Seriously? WHAT THE HELL, LAUREL?! And guess what? Solu is still being released. Because your dumb self has been unconscious in a hospital for who knows how long because you BLEW YOURSELF UP YOU IDIOT!


---In Closing---
I haven't read anything else by Emmy Laybourne. Her Monument 14 series has been on my TBR list for so long and now I'm seriously reconsidering ever picking it up. And one last thing. Her writing. Notice the fifty thousand parenthesis throughout this review? That's basically the whole book. I guess it's not a huge deal, but it was annoying. I'm not giving this one star because I didn't completely hate it and one star is reserved for books I completely hate. This did have a unique premise and it was totally creepy and fast paced and I liked it okay. Until the end. And then it was dumb. Really though, this is more like a one-and-a-half star book, I just don't do halvesies on my blog. So take from that what you will, I guess.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at The Book Adventures.

Sweet is a weirdly awesome horror tale. It's both funny and unrealistic, and the author owns that campy tone, making for an all around enjoyable read.

Over the course of six days a celebrity-filled cruise will embark on a televised experiment. Passengers on the cruise ship have been invited to try Solu, a new dietary supplement that results in dramatic weight loss. With Solu you can eat whatever you want and still lose those persistent pounds. Naturally, this drug is not quite what it claims to be, and soon the addicted passengers are ready to do anything for their next fix. Among these passengers we have two very different teens, Laurel and Tom, both of whom do not take Solu. Laurel was convinced to go on the cruise because her best friend, Viv, wanted her to join in. While Laurel is a little overweight she's content with herself and isn't unhappy when seasickness forces her to miss out on Solu, especially when she starts to see the side affects. Tom is a former child actor turned famous TV host. Tom is capturing the journey of Solu for those back home. Due to a supportive personal trainer, Tom would rather continue on with his own fitness and eating regime that try Solu. So, now we have two teens that are in the fight of their lives while they battle the zombie-like passengers who are addicted to losing weight!

Okay, yes, the premise to this book is ridiculous, but the author carries it off with such aplomb that I couldn't stop reading. There are so many moments when the author pokes fun at pop culture, those who devour it, and those who live in it. Those nudge-nudge moments are fantastic and I think once you start picking up on those, Sweet becomes a much more serious read than you would initially think. Sweet is less about a horrific cruise and terrible nutritional supplements, and more a commentary on how people see themselves and how pop culture influences that perspective. So there is a serious side to Sweet, but mainly I liked it because it was funny and ironic and had a cute romance. So sue me, I'm not always up for serious deep thinking when reading.

The romance in Sweet is predictably between Laurel and Tom. Their relationship is surprisingly adorable and filled with moments of seriousness as they meditate on appearance and fame amidst the killing rampages. Laurel is bowled over by Tom's handsomeness, but is less impressed with his need to play to the camera. Tom, for his part, is enamored of Laurel's honesty and his persistent awkward courtship is adorable. Considering the ironic ridiculousness of the rest of the book, I was expecting the same of the romance, and I'm happy to say that this wasn't the case. The romance was sweet and lovely and offered a more serious element to the otherwise campy tale.

Sweet is a strange YA novel, but a really fun one. If you like irony and a campy tone, Sweet is a must read.

[Rustic Red Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Sweet read. Rating: 3.5 stars

So after the apocalyptic trilogy, Monument 14, let's join Tom and Lauren on a cruise of a lifetime.

It is told in two alternating POVs of the guitarist, Lauren, who is on board with, or because of, her best friend Vivian and the actor Tom. One thing I hated in this book is the chemistry between Tom and Lauren in become sweet because of that moment. But when not focusing on the romance between them, but on the "teamwork" they did throughout the book is really good.


The fat just walks away. #adipose #doctorwho

I guess between being a putting Solu on my food or a tablet that makes an Adipose, I'll go for the tablet. Plus the adipose is quite cute. Why? - You gotta read to find out (or read others' reviews or click on the spoiler). The people on the cruise will be getting packs of Solu (which is like a sugar where you could sprinkle it in any food). And they will be the first people to get it. And they could get rid the fat in your body in just a few weeks or even days. But what is the side effect?

MILD Spoilers incoming
So as the days passed by, the people who get Solu are becoming addicted to it and hoarding packs of it to take it or to sell it for an expensive price. So of course, the two main characters are not taking it, since they will become an unreliable narrator and this will end in a psychological-mystery novel. But the problem is a lot of people are getting addicted to it, including Lauren's friend, that they could smell it from miles away, ask for more dosage and even suck someone's blood tainted with Solu. As things get bad to worse, the main characters decided to ask help. And they will learn the horrifying truth behind it all. (Which is a little bit shallow, so that's another disappointment).


So this book tackles the one of the society problems. Too become slim. (while others, including me, wanted to be fat). Others suffers from anorexia or bulimia. And the execution in showing the side effects of taking (but not like what is stated in the book) is really horrifying. But I think it is better to just exercise and take a balanced meal, daily to maintain or to gain the body physique you want.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, after finishing this book I'm definitely a fan of this author. I guess I was before, but this book sealed it for me. I loved her Monument 14 trilogy, but could she follow it up with something just as readable and enjoyable? Boy oh boy, did she.

It's deliciously morbid and creepy, yet also hysterically funny. An over the top ridiculous comedy that takes a turn and becomes quite the tragedy, but still has plenty of laughs. I know that sounds weird and not at all like something I'd want to read. I mean, there's a lot or gore here folks, but you can't take it that seriously because like I said, it's way over the top. Think ultimate dream vacation that turns into your worst nightmare.

There is a serious message here about how obsessed people are with being thin, how they would do anything to be skinny, and how women who have perfectly healthy and strong bodies (read normal) are told how much better they would look if they could just lose some weight. Skinny anorexic models and actresses are seen as the ideal. If you don't look like them then you're fat. No wonder so many women suffer from negative body image and have eating disorders.

I loved that the alternating POV chapters were from the voices of two people who didn't buy into this latest diet craze or want anything to do with it. Seventeen year old Laurel gets talked into accompanying her best friend Viv, a girl who has been unhappy with her weight since preschool. Not that Laurel really wanted to go on a weight loss cruise; she's perfectly happy with her weight and her curves. But hey, it's a cruise and it's free. Viv's father is paying for everything. Celebrity host Tom is a former overweight child star who is now grown up and a total hottie. Their voices are the voices of reason and clear headed thinking, who are thinking and saying pretty much what all of us that are reading the book are thinking and saying. I loved that Laurel loved her body and didn't buy into the constant talk all around her telling her that she could stand to lose 10-20 pounds and should jump on the SOLU bandwagon like everyone else. Tom had his daily workout routine and healthy eating habits, habits that turned him into the lean, toned hottie that he was. These two could have taught all the unhappy diet crazed folks on the cruise healthy ways to eat, get in shape, and love their bodies. The cruise would have had a completely different different outcome if they had.

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review on The Candid Cover

Sweet is just one of those books that is a perfect read for a summer day. Readers will be swept into the world of the rich and famous to find out how far they will go to maintain their appearances. Set on a cruise ship, Sweet by Emmy Laybourne, has an amazing storyline that contains a powerful message which is incorporated throughout the whole book.

The setting of Sweet is so incredible. It is set on an elite cruise ship filled with celebrities and those rich enough to be the first to try a new weight-loss method before the rest of the world. I adore cruise ship books so much! Maybe it’s because I’m always dreaming of summer, but I think that books with this setting are always enjoyable. Laybourne creates an amazing picture for the reader that sets this dream in motion.

Sweet has such a unique concept. It is about a sweetener that is supposed to make consumers lose weight. It is one of those products that is appealing to those looking for a quick weight loss solution. The first to try the sweetener, Solu, are celebrities sent on a cruise to be testers. Then the product, Solu, short for “solution”, starts going all wrong. I have never, ever read a book even remotely similar to Sweet. It is very suspenseful and quite mysterious. Readers will have their minds blown as the puzzle is solved.

Laurel, the main character, is superbly written. She is so admirable in that she is fine with the way she looks, even if others think that she is overweight. Laurel doesn’t even have an interest in trying Solu. Emmy Laybourne is sending a really powerful message to readers: accept who you are and be comfortable in your own skin. Body image is a topic that is important to include in a young adult novel, as it is a time when many young women are increasingly self-conscious about their looks. I really enjoy and appreciate that Laurel is embracing herself.

Sweet is a book that will appeal to many readers. It is written in a way that will engage its readers to unravel a mystery, yet also satisfies the summer beach reader. It is a sweet summertime read!

[Marguerite (M) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, so that was weird.

Welcome to the Extravagance - whatever the name is in english. During the one-week cruise, you're gonna lose a 15th of your total weight. Because you know, skinny is hot, fat is weakness. Fat is ugly. Fat is bad. But we have the solution. A miracle sweetener who will transforms your silhouette in a week ! Solu is the future, try Solu now.

This is pretty much the blurb. But no, the author is not celebrating weight-loss neither insulting the fat. On the contrary.

I liked Laurel. Laurel is a size 46. US size 16 and UK size 18 (thank you Internet). Society sees her fat, but she doesn't. Sure, she's not confident and she's shy. But she likes her body the way it is, and it was admirable and i was envious of her. Because I don't. I'm not ugly, I'm not fat, but I'm very curvy and I don't fit in nowadays beauty's standards. You go shopping and the skirt size 42 you're trying is actually a size 38. The models in the magazines and the celebrities everyone admires are all skinny and pretty. But I'm not. And I will never be skinny because it doesn't run in the family. I don't accept my body, but Laurel does. And I really liked that part of her.

But I disliked everything else. I don't know if it was very badly translated or just poorly written, but the result is that it was like reading a book i wrote myself. And I don't write well. At all. It was pretty awful and it was hard to not skip pretty much all the book just to see the end. Good thing it was actually a very very quick read.

The story was original, I guess. I think it could have been great, but it was probably just badly executed. What I remember of the book : parties, parties, parties, teens who can have any alcoohol they want and the wtf end. There was a plot, but it was lost in the middle and just came back in the last few chapters. I don't even know how both leads came to like each other and I don't care. I don't know what happened at the end and I don't care. I don't know who are any of the characters and I don't care.
Yup, that sum up eveything I thought. I don't care. I didn't care. Too bad.