I found the characters and their struggles empathetic, but overall I found the plot difficult to relate to. I frequently struggled to engage with the story in a way that compelled me to keep reading, so it took longer than usual for me to finish reading this book.

Honestly, this was a difficult book at times for a reader who has struggled with her weight most of her adult life. What started out as extremely uncomfortable portrayal of characters undergoing abuse, both self-inflicted and dished out by others, turned into a real self-awareness by different characters and a realistic discussion on the challenges of "dieting". Anyone undergoing the struggle will probably relate to one of Meyer's characters.

This story are different than Meyers 'other books that I read, which told the stories of women victimized by men.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you have ever been a slave to the scale or the Monday morning do-over to lose the weight that will miraculously solve all of your problems, this book is for you. The self-loathing and the feeling of being invisible regardless of your size is aptly depicted in this book.

The story centers around Alice and Daphne who believe their stay at a weight-loss facility for a month will be the answer to the countless attempts to shed the weight. What they discover is a boot camp that humiliates them, which only heightens their low self-esteem. Alice and Daphne are fed-up after they learn that they are being filmed and decide to take matters into their own hands. They turn the tables on their "captors" and leave. But now they are a thinner version of themselves and the adjustment has become a myriad of emotions including the way they see themselves and how their friends and family see them.

This story had so many relatable moments from choosing a dress for the special occasion to the intimacy with a spouse and how these moments get ruined by the shame that has been reinforced each time we look in a mirror. I found some of the content difficult to endure but sometimes truth is hard.

I wanted to like this book. It sounded like one ready to tackle some tough issues. But that became the problem - it felt like it took. on the worlds problems and the message was hard to find. I did enjoy the characters and wished there had been a bit more development.

A few women sign up for a Biggest Loser-style reality TV show, and quickly realize that the focus is not going to be on their personal transformation but on how weak and lazy they are to begin with. The ladies their power back with an impressive take-down of the schmucky producers. I was a fan of the hopeful transformations on the Biggest Loser, and this book takes it to a darker place, but with some interesting commentary on our obsession with size and appearance.

I was looking forward to reading this book as I thought it would be one that I could really relate it. I had a hard time getting into the story, which is rough to say since the beginning of the book was stronger than the end. I did like that it portrayed both strong and brave women, and believe many women reader's can relate to this topic.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book.

I definitely enjoyed this book. Light-hearted, interesting, and a fun read.
I thought the character development was done very well.

I liked the premise behind this book and the message. I had a hard time getting into the book. There are many lengths women go to lose weight. I felt more could have been expanded on. I also don’t know what the outcome was of them with the Waisted program.

A refreshing look at a difficult topics. Randy Susan Meyers is a fantastic author who doesn't shy away from confronting controversial topics head on.

DNF. I struggled to connect with the writing style. It was not a book for me. I still recommend checking it out.

This was a good idea with poor execution. The author tried taking on a lot of social issues with strong women taking the charge. However, I never really engaged with the characters. I couldn't relate to any of them. I was appalled by what they went through at the mansion but that seemed such a tiny part of the overall picture of what brought them there in the first place.

This was such a fun book to read. The storyline was easy and interesting to read. I really enjoyed the voice of the main character!

I received a complimentary copy on NetGalley and did some speed reading versus a complete reading. Nevertheless the plight of the fat women who attempt to lose weight fast at a fat farm was so heartrending that I will never look at a fat woman the same way. Parts of the plot are unbelievable as the women are manipulated into more and more humiliation and degradation to show the extent of their misery and self-loathing, but the overall premise rang true. The details of the writing didn’t work: I couldn’t keep the women straight, and their individual stories were not compelling, but there’s something really wrong with the way these women see themselves. While it’s tempting to dismiss the book as overly dramatic and contrived, it causes real discomfort, which must mean something.

Alice and Daphne have never met before, but they have one thing in common. They struggle with their weight. Alice met her husband when she was the thinnest she has ever been, many years and one child later, she feels that her marriage may be in jeopardy if she doesn't do something to lose weight. Daphne may be the married mother of teenagers, but she feels the weight of her mother's constant scrutiny. Every piece of clothing she wears, every bite of food she consumes, her mother is there keeping Daphne's self-esteem down and her self-doubt high.

These women, and others said yes to an opportunity that would take them away from their family for thirty days. They agree to travel to Vermont in order to learn the tools necessary to change their lives, thinking that it would be a spa-like experience with training and exercise for body, mind, and soul. What they get instead is an experience that is cruel, demeaning, and grueling to the point of life-threatening. And it was all caught on camera for the documentary, Waisted. But the weight is falling off of them in ways that it never has before. But is risking their lives worth it for being thin?

I think Waisted is one of the best books about weight issues that I have read. Randy Susan Meyers tackles the topic with such care and insight that I found myself saying things like, "Damn right." or nodding in agreement. The observations so astute, like acknowledging that women who struggle their weight have a PHD in everything from carbs to calories. I can tell you the calorie count for everything from my favorite hot drink (70 Calories) to my favorite slice of pepperoni pizza from Dominos (300). It was like Randy Susan Meyers had a front row seat to my thoughts for the last thirty years of my life. Her words are just not insightful about the women at the heart of this story, but it is really a social commentary about society judges a woman's worth based on her weight. These women ended up in a good place, both physically and mentally. But the same cannot be said for all women who struggle with their weight. Daphne and Alice ended up at peace with their weight, but the same cannot be said for all women who struggle with their weight.

Bottom Line - Waisted is an insightful book about two women who will do anything to lose weight. Waisted is more than just that, though. It is a book about perseverance and resiliency and determination. All qualities of strong women.
Details:
Waisted by Randy Susan Meyers
On Facebook
Pages: 288
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: 5.21.19
Buy it Here!
Thank you Netgalley for the book in exchange for a review.

I had some issues with this book. I didn't like the characters. At. All. I didn't love the writing style. I wanted to, but I just couldn't. I almost DNF this book, but I kept at it. I felt there was a bit of fat shaming happening and I just couldn't be on board with that. I don't know. I couldn't get into this book and I don't think I'd suggest this one as a read to those I know. The cover hooked me, but the writing style just did nothing for me.

This book was a twisted look into the mind of anyone who has tried and failed to lose weight. Really insightful view of how women treat their bodies, often putting themselves in jeopardy to reach a certain size.

If you, like me, are disgusted by our society’s obsession with all things diet, weight loss and body image, Waisted is a fun riff on extreme weight loss reality television. This novel reminded me of my experience of both The Book of Essie and The Favorite Sister; if you enjoyed either of those, you should definitely give Waisted a try!

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Alice and Daphne have struggled with weight all their lives. Alice's husband has admitted that he doesn't find her attractive at her size. Daphne is the only overweight person in her family, and her mother constantly criticizes Daphne's weight in an attempt to get her to change. At the end of their ropes, Alice, Daphne, and five other women each make the decision to be part of the <i>Waisted</i> documentary. The pamphlet promises, “Respect. Health. Mindfulness. We believe by bringing these values to the forefront, women will have the opportunity to choose exactly who they want to be for just the right reason.” What really awaits these women is an unrelenting barrage of being shamed and trainers seeing how far they are willing to humiliate themselves in the attempt to become thin.

The organization of the story could have used some work. I feel like the message of the story didn't come through as clearly as it could have, and at times, the characters seemed to come across as caricatures rather than real people. Also, it was hard to remember at times whether chapter I was reading was from Alice or from Daphne; they did not have distinct voices. The premise was interesting but not well executed.

Very well written, she connects in a manner that not many others can. I appreciate the subject manner and I felt it was executed in a realistic and empathetic way.

Fun book to read. The characters were relatable and believable and the story was intriguing. I enjoyed following where the story went and found the main character very likable and interesting and real.