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The Challenge
A fun and fresh romantic comedy debut about food, family, and finding love when you least expect it.
Melanie Harper has everything she ever wanted—a loving husband, an adorable son, and a career she is passionate about. However, the perfect life she created all comes to an end after the revelation of her husband’s infidelity. Nothing could have prepared her for the heartache.
Now, months after the ordeal, Melanie has healed and is ready to move on with her life. Coincidentally, her best friend Brie has just completed a weight-loss challenge, and as promised to her for making weight, Melanie is now obligated to take the challenge herself.
The objective is simple: lose twenty pounds in a matter of seven weeks. Unfortunately, what ensues within the coming weeks isn’t a walk in the park for this newly single mother-of-one as she struggles with the new lifestyle—eating healthy and staying active. The workout is tedious—pushups, pullups, planks. The food is boring—brown rice, ground turkey, Brussel sprouts. The idea of giving up has crossed her mind; quitting would end her misery. However, with the help of a certain trainer and the support from others around her, including her vivacious mother, Melanie has never felt more encouraged to finish the challenge. In the process, she learns to appreciate everything the program has to offer and discovers that when life takes a detour, the outcome can be just as desirable. All she must do is tackle the twists and turns along the way.
Melanie Harper has everything she ever wanted—a loving husband, an adorable son, and a career she is passionate about. However, the perfect life she created all comes to an end after the revelation of her husband’s infidelity. Nothing could have prepared her for the heartache.
Now, months after the ordeal, Melanie has healed and is ready to move on with her life. Coincidentally, her best friend Brie has just completed a weight-loss challenge, and as promised to her for making weight, Melanie is now obligated to take the challenge herself.
The objective is simple: lose twenty pounds in a matter of seven weeks. Unfortunately, what ensues within the coming weeks isn’t a walk in the park for this newly single mother-of-one as she struggles with the new lifestyle—eating healthy and staying active. The workout is tedious—pushups, pullups, planks. The food is boring—brown rice, ground turkey, Brussel sprouts. The idea of giving up has crossed her mind; quitting would end her misery. However, with the help of a certain trainer and the support from others around her, including her vivacious mother, Melanie has never felt more encouraged to finish the challenge. In the process, she learns to appreciate everything the program has to offer and discovers that when life takes a detour, the outcome can be just as desirable. All she must do is tackle the twists and turns along the way.
- GenresRomance
492 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2020
4 people are currently reading
2100 people want to read
About the author
K.T. Sun
2 books28 followersK. T. Sun is a contemporary romance author who writes feel-good stories with a lively atmosphere. Her characters are inspired by actual friends and family who aren’t afraid to speak their minds. She currently lives in Northern California with her supportive best friend and husband. The Challenge is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 2, 2020
Hi Readers,
The Challenge is on KU (kindle unlimited) so click below, read it for free, and enjoy!
The Challenge
The Challenge is on KU (kindle unlimited) so click below, read it for free, and enjoy!
The Challenge
August 10, 2020
Great Incentive
I think this book may have been written about me or anyone that has issues with food and/or weight! I was totally feeling the crazy healthy eating and the working out until you can't stand! I've been there and find myself still doing that! With that said, this book was totally relatable. I want to be Melanie's friend so that we can support each other. I liked James' backstory and the fact that he used to carry some excess weight as well and could understand what the challenge was all about to be a true supportive coach. I adored Max, her son, hated the ex-husband, and wished there was a little more detail on the fun neighbor (or maybe I wish I had a neighbor like that!!). I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was believable, engaging, and overall a fun easy read.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I think this book may have been written about me or anyone that has issues with food and/or weight! I was totally feeling the crazy healthy eating and the working out until you can't stand! I've been there and find myself still doing that! With that said, this book was totally relatable. I want to be Melanie's friend so that we can support each other. I liked James' backstory and the fact that he used to carry some excess weight as well and could understand what the challenge was all about to be a true supportive coach. I adored Max, her son, hated the ex-husband, and wished there was a little more detail on the fun neighbor (or maybe I wish I had a neighbor like that!!). I really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It was believable, engaging, and overall a fun easy read.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
August 30, 2020
This book took hold of my heart immediately. I’m not a thin woman, in fact I’m a plus sized chic. I have been thin at times but have struggled with my weight a lot of my life. Especially after I gave birth to my two boys, it became increasingly hard to shed the baby weight which then just became regular weight.
So Melanie’s struggle with some extra pounds after motherhood really hit me with a lot of feelings.
Melanie is coerced to take The Fit 20 Challenge after Brie her bestie loses an amazing amount of weight on the program. The driving factor is that each member has to put up $500 and lose their own specified weight within 7 weeks. If they don’t lose the weight they lose their 500 bucks and if they are still not at a healthy BMI they move onto the next round and again have to lose another specified amount etc.
Melanie loves food and flavors in all forms. Junk food, home cooked food, ethnic food, any kind of food. So this is going to be tough. In the beginning James, one of Melanie’s hot as hell Fit 20 coaches seems to be a positive to all this and an extremely nice guy. Until one day after Melanie has a bad day and he over hears her throw the mother of all fits and bash the program as well as the other members James decides to make it his personal mission to put her through the toughest of all Challenge experiences. Will Melanie give up or will she reach her goal and beat The Challenge?
I found this to be refreshing and funny and K.T. Sun’s writing style really sucks you in. Melanie has a sarcastic type of humor that I adore in my MC’s. I was giggling hysterically over many of the events but especially over the egg throwing scene. There is just such a realness to the story that felt like I could be watching a friend or family members life events.
I did feel James character was a little underdeveloped. And I could have used a little less gym time and maybe even a little shorter story.
But overall I was cheering Melanie on with lots of laughs and at times a little heartache throughout this delightful read.
I’m excited to see what future books K.T. Sun will create, if The Challenge is any indication she has a bright future as burgeoning author.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊.𝐓. 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲.
So Melanie’s struggle with some extra pounds after motherhood really hit me with a lot of feelings.
Melanie is coerced to take The Fit 20 Challenge after Brie her bestie loses an amazing amount of weight on the program. The driving factor is that each member has to put up $500 and lose their own specified weight within 7 weeks. If they don’t lose the weight they lose their 500 bucks and if they are still not at a healthy BMI they move onto the next round and again have to lose another specified amount etc.
Melanie loves food and flavors in all forms. Junk food, home cooked food, ethnic food, any kind of food. So this is going to be tough. In the beginning James, one of Melanie’s hot as hell Fit 20 coaches seems to be a positive to all this and an extremely nice guy. Until one day after Melanie has a bad day and he over hears her throw the mother of all fits and bash the program as well as the other members James decides to make it his personal mission to put her through the toughest of all Challenge experiences. Will Melanie give up or will she reach her goal and beat The Challenge?
I found this to be refreshing and funny and K.T. Sun’s writing style really sucks you in. Melanie has a sarcastic type of humor that I adore in my MC’s. I was giggling hysterically over many of the events but especially over the egg throwing scene. There is just such a realness to the story that felt like I could be watching a friend or family members life events.
I did feel James character was a little underdeveloped. And I could have used a little less gym time and maybe even a little shorter story.
But overall I was cheering Melanie on with lots of laughs and at times a little heartache throughout this delightful read.
I’m excited to see what future books K.T. Sun will create, if The Challenge is any indication she has a bright future as burgeoning author.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊.𝐓. 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐄𝐂𝐨𝐩𝐲.
Want to read
July 7, 2020Thanks for making me a lucky winner of this book through the First Reads program, and I look forward to reading and reviewing.
July 11, 2020
I won an ARC through a giveaway.
Melanie isn’t just a foodie, she’s also an emotional eater, especially now that she’s newly-single. Melanie also finds excuses to eat. For instance, she’s up at odd hours, due to her son’s irregular sleeping schedule. Warm milk is a sleeping aid, so she might as well add in a mix of three sugary cereals. She uses food as a crutch and as a result, she has put on some weight.
I thought that this book was realistic in how it portrayed trying to lose weight. After beginning the program, Melanie is discouraged that she had worked so hard and the weight isn’t falling off like she expected it would. She can’t help comparing herself to others. I appreciated how, at the end, Melanie acknowledged that managing her weight doesn’t involve just losing weight, but also maintaining the weight loss.
The romance was sweet and I like that it didn’t happen instantly, given Melanie’s insecurities and recent divorce. James is caring, though strict, and knows when Melanie needs some tough love. He doesn’t let her make excuses.
I think there was a mistake when Melanie is describing her daily calorie intake. She states that her intake should be between “twelve to fourteen hundred grams,” but I believe the unit should be calories here. Other than that, I only spotted a minor grammatical error.
There were some predictable moments, and times when I wish Melanie would have stood up for herself more, but overall, this was an easy read and I enjoyed following Melanie on her weight loss journey. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
Melanie isn’t just a foodie, she’s also an emotional eater, especially now that she’s newly-single. Melanie also finds excuses to eat. For instance, she’s up at odd hours, due to her son’s irregular sleeping schedule. Warm milk is a sleeping aid, so she might as well add in a mix of three sugary cereals. She uses food as a crutch and as a result, she has put on some weight.
I thought that this book was realistic in how it portrayed trying to lose weight. After beginning the program, Melanie is discouraged that she had worked so hard and the weight isn’t falling off like she expected it would. She can’t help comparing herself to others. I appreciated how, at the end, Melanie acknowledged that managing her weight doesn’t involve just losing weight, but also maintaining the weight loss.
The romance was sweet and I like that it didn’t happen instantly, given Melanie’s insecurities and recent divorce. James is caring, though strict, and knows when Melanie needs some tough love. He doesn’t let her make excuses.
I think there was a mistake when Melanie is describing her daily calorie intake. She states that her intake should be between “twelve to fourteen hundred grams,” but I believe the unit should be calories here. Other than that, I only spotted a minor grammatical error.
There were some predictable moments, and times when I wish Melanie would have stood up for herself more, but overall, this was an easy read and I enjoyed following Melanie on her weight loss journey. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.
July 17, 2020
I won this book as an ARC from a Goodreads giveaway.
Melanie is me and I am she! Melanie is a foodie, a bit of an emotional eater and wants that romance. Recently single the food cravings take over.
This book was better than I thought it would be and I was pleasantly surprised with every page.
Melanie is me and I am she! Melanie is a foodie, a bit of an emotional eater and wants that romance. Recently single the food cravings take over.
This book was better than I thought it would be and I was pleasantly surprised with every page.
September 5, 2024
Several parts of this book were problematic. Not being able to say “vagina” or “pussy” but being able to talk about erections. Calling women exotic, or immediately asking someone you just met if they are mixed race - not acceptable. And the way food was approached in the book was not healthy, it was borderline eating disorder territory. The love interest was authoritarian - the whole time I was thinking Stockholm Syndrome.
July 16, 2020
I won a Kindle version of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. It's probably odd to start a review off by saying "it was better than I thought it would be," but it's true. The characters of Brie, Mel, and Max I felt were developed pretty well. I wish that Fay could've been used more, at times she just seemed "there" just to be there. A number of scenes I felt were very high school like and at other times I felt like Mel was a complete push-over & should've stood up for herself more. I'd probably give this 3.5 strong stars, but due to some LOL moments it's worthy of 4 rounded up stars for Goodreads.
November 5, 2020
This book is a wonderful story. Melanie's life has fallen apart. Her marriage ended due to infidelity and she has gained weight using food for comfort. Her best friend convinces her to take part in a challenge to lose 20 pounds in 7 weeks.
A lot of people can sympathize with Melanie. But maybe doing the hard thing can have unexpected rewards. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. You will find yourself rooting for Melanie in her quest to move on from the past.
Thank you to #goodreads and @KTSun for a copy of this book.
A lot of people can sympathize with Melanie. But maybe doing the hard thing can have unexpected rewards. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it. You will find yourself rooting for Melanie in her quest to move on from the past.
Thank you to #goodreads and @KTSun for a copy of this book.
July 22, 2020
Cute story overall. I could of done with a little less description of every single exercise and workout - I started to just skim those parts. But a cute quick read.
I read the kindle edition (so that might have been the issue) but it jumped between scenes without any kind of break or separation - got confusing sometimes.
I read the kindle edition (so that might have been the issue) but it jumped between scenes without any kind of break or separation - got confusing sometimes.
July 28, 2020
Meet Melanie. She’s sassy and sweet, but also going through some things. She joins a weight-loss group as a catalyst to get her life back in order. Does she do it? You’ll have to read it to find out. Don’t forget the towel, cause it’s going to make you sweat. I give it 3.5⭐️s.
February 2, 2022
I enjoyed this! It was predictable but fun and easy to read.
September 6, 2020
Received an ARC through a giveaway on Goodreads.
Due to my own experience with the challenge of weight loss and getting healthy, I tend to be a bit critical of books about same, but I really enjoyed The Challenge. The struggle of the main character and her friends with weight loss and their support of each other through the journey was very relatable to me.
This book is told in single first person point of view by Melanie, who describes herself as a real “foodie” and except for the occasional McDonald’s gaff, I would agree. She and BFF Brie loved to try new restaurants and a variety of cuisines. Melanie was also an emotional eater who had recently been through some serious personal struggles. When we join the story, Brie has already completed the first round of The Challenge and though Melanie has not exactly been supportive of her goals, Brie has continued to cajol Melanie into joining her for round two.
I admit I was not terribly encouraged when I started the book. Melanie’s negativity and failure to support Brie were a bit of a turn off. In addition, it may have hit a peeve of mine as I used to work for a divorce lawyer and engaging in arguments in front of children, no matter the age is a no-no. However, once I settled into this read, I found it very motivating. James had a great backstory and related to Melanie in ways that I did not expect. Melanie found the inner strength to pull herself out of all the negativity. I found her journey to self-realization to be very motivating.
Recommended for readers who need a little motivation to start a healthy journey of their own or stick with their own, OR enjoy reading about characters finding the inner strength to embark on a healthy lifestyle and of course a little romance too!
Due to my own experience with the challenge of weight loss and getting healthy, I tend to be a bit critical of books about same, but I really enjoyed The Challenge. The struggle of the main character and her friends with weight loss and their support of each other through the journey was very relatable to me.
This book is told in single first person point of view by Melanie, who describes herself as a real “foodie” and except for the occasional McDonald’s gaff, I would agree. She and BFF Brie loved to try new restaurants and a variety of cuisines. Melanie was also an emotional eater who had recently been through some serious personal struggles. When we join the story, Brie has already completed the first round of The Challenge and though Melanie has not exactly been supportive of her goals, Brie has continued to cajol Melanie into joining her for round two.
I admit I was not terribly encouraged when I started the book. Melanie’s negativity and failure to support Brie were a bit of a turn off. In addition, it may have hit a peeve of mine as I used to work for a divorce lawyer and engaging in arguments in front of children, no matter the age is a no-no. However, once I settled into this read, I found it very motivating. James had a great backstory and related to Melanie in ways that I did not expect. Melanie found the inner strength to pull herself out of all the negativity. I found her journey to self-realization to be very motivating.
Recommended for readers who need a little motivation to start a healthy journey of their own or stick with their own, OR enjoy reading about characters finding the inner strength to embark on a healthy lifestyle and of course a little romance too!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews