Review: The Curvy Girls Club by Michelle Gorman

Pixie, Ellie, Katie and Jane have been best friends since meeting at Slimming Zone. Tired of being judged on the number of calories they consume, they decide to form a different kind of club. The fun evenings they spend together, not worrying about their size, make them happier than they’ve been for years!

But the club doesn’t stop real life from getting in the way and together the girls have to address some much bigger issues than just their weight…

Will Pixie ever be brave enough to leave her abusive husband Trevor? Can Jane ever regain her confidence and go back to work as a TV presenter? Will Katie always carry a torch for the office lothario? And what if Ellie lets her all-consuming jealousy destroy her relationship with ‘The One’?

Review: I really enjoyed this novel, I didn't read the blurb before going in because I know i enjoy books by this author and the Curvy Girl Club suggested that it is definitely a book for me. The premise behind it was all about accepting who we are and being happy with life as well as being inclusive to all of society, not just those who look like ourselves. A strong message and one which sometimes people shy away from and so I feel that it was very brave of Michelle Gorrman to tackle this subject, taking on the topic of being overweight and ,meeting it head on, using words like fat and chubby as well as overweight and curvy. These words are often considered taboo but i appreciate an author who is honest with me and it made the characters on the page feel more alive because they were referring to all their flaws and how they viewed themselves. 

As well as this big subject that this book tackles, it has a strong theme of friendship running throughout the novel. The girls in this book are all very realistic characters and I warmed to them. The narrator Katie is struggling to fit in at work and in society in general and find hope with her Friends. Jane has been struggling to loose the baby weight and has tried every faddy diet under the sun, something which is extremely relatable to a lot of people out there. Pixie is a real firecracker but she can't seem to practise what she preaches at home. I have to admit, I didn't find myself attached to Jane or Pixie as much as the other girls. Ellie was my favourite character, she is down to earth, sensible and accepting of who she is more than any of the others I think. She has a successful job and provides the voice of reason in many situations. 

Of course this is a romantic comedy kind of novel and so there are a couple of love interests for many of the girls and this is painted in a very realistic light as well, something which i appreciated too. You will definitely find yourself rooting for certain people over others. I loved the male character Rob, he was a little on the judgmental side but this just tied in well with the storyline and overall I think I could really get along with him.. 

There were some really funny bits in this book as well as some more poignant moments, overall it was just a really enjoyable read though with a bit of something for everyone. It pacey and therefore a fairly quick read, it challenges you to just the right level without being too much and had a very satisfying ending but relatistic at the same time. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely return to some of the other Michelle Gorman novels that are currently sitting on my Kindle!