Barbara Avers watches her oldest and dearest friend, Sarajane, die of lung cancer while Sarajane's husband continues with his philandering with anything in a skirt. Sarajane had always been overweight while Barbara battled to keep her weight down with heavy smoking and with constant criticism from her husband, Franklin. As soon as Barbara gives up smoking, her weight and her craving for food increases dramatically so she joins various weight loss programs where she meets Kathlyn, a beautiful, very large black woman. They decide to partner up in an effort to bolster each other's resolve. With her carping, sarcastic and self absorbed husband encouraging their teenaged children to belittle their mother, Barbara's weight seesaws from near obesity to nearly right, but when she discovers her husband/s treachery, her revenge is swift and powerful and had me cheering her out loud.
Surprisingly good and definitely not chicklit. The main character's weight gain and her battles with it actually force her to face several issues in her life. This is not a 20-something looking for Mr. Right, but a mature, intelligent woman coming to terms with who she is and how the choice she has made have led her to this point.
if you've ever been on a diet, this books for you!
