Seven women set off to attend a weight loss camp, that will be documented on film. I enjoyed the beginning of the book. I liked the premise....I mean who can’t relate to weight gain and loss? But I didn’t love it by the end. It was just ok for me.

I thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. This author was new to me and I was not let down. It was a great story and very well written. It had alot of funny parts and I had a lot of fun reading it. The characters were easy to relate to and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I highly recommend this to everyone!!

My first impression of the book was really good, I could not put it down. Then the characters went to “fat camp” and my impression of the book changed, and I really didn’t enjoy reading the story. It was very harsh about what was happening to the ladies at the camp and sounded so abusive. At the end I read the acknowledgments, and then I understood why it was written the way it was. My impression of the book changed and I saw the reasons why the author wrote the way she did. I then enjoyed the book. The book I felt was realistic about a heavy person and now they feel about themselves and how they interpret how others feel about them,

When I read the summary for Randy Susan Meyers' new book Waisted, I imagined a sharp and witty satire about the struggles women go through to project a perfect image of themselves, which most often enough boils down to how they feel about their bodies. The addition of the "fat camp-reality show" hybrid was the sprinkles on my sundae - I was looking forward to relating to and laughing along with these women in their ambitious attempts to achieve a body that is "acceptable" to society. I soon learned, however, that Waisted is not the book I was expecting to read. Not even close.

The biggest issue I had with Waisted is that what drew me in - the weight loss reality show - is hardly a focus of the novel at all. It doesn't show up in any significant way until you are well into the novel and have already learned everything you could possibly ever want to know (and everything that you DIDN'T) about these characters' husbands, kids, and parents. This book is definitely more about what it means to be a "less than perfect" wife/mother/daughter than it is about a controversial weight loss documentary, and it is really unfortunate because these characters are just not interesting enough for readers to want to spend chapter after chapter after chapter reading their dull backstories.

Race also plays way too big a part in a novel that describes itself as being "provocative, wildly entertaining, and compelling." There is nothing "wildly entertaining" about having a character's race issues thrown in your face every couple of pages, especially when many of her points were not even valid. Waisted takes itself way too seriously and is in stark contrast to the way it was marketed - there is a definite disconnect between the novel we got and the novel we thought we were getting.

On the other hand, I didn't entirely dislike the book. Would I have picked it up had I known that the fat camp played such a small role in the book? No. But despite the misleading synopsis, I wasn't completely disengaged from the storyline - I just would have rather have had more realistic expectations going into it, especially since I chose to read it because I was in the mood for a funny book. I can state emphatically that a funny book is not what I got. Unless mommy issues, dismissive husbands, self-hate, & caustic race relations are your thing, you may choose to pass on this one.

Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit that, at first, I really didn't care for this book. Maybe it's because I've struggled with my weight most of my life. Maybe it was because I empathized with these women and didn't like the way they saw themselves and how other people treated them. And then to witness the humiliation and abuse that they went through at the weight loss program—it was just too much.

But I powered on because I love Randy's stories and I have read them all. I knew she wouldn't let me down. As the women work through the program and come out the other side—one way or another—it was uplifting to see what strong women who feel good about themselves can accomplish. This should be a life lesson for all of us, don't you think?

While I'll have to be honest and say that this is not my favorite book by this author, it is definitely one that all of us should read, if for no other reason than to learn to be more accepting and understanding of those who are different from us. And that you are good enough, just the way you are.

This book was an honest look at the struggles overweight women go through. We see the challenges the main characters go through in a "fat camp" setting. The coaches and trainers serving as how society sometimes perceives women and their weight. This book ties in a lot of real-life #metoo examples in which we see how women are objectified or just straight up harassed!

The setting also reminded me of Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty. One of the coaches takes an extreme measure to make sure that her "team" is the winnign team, aka loses the most weight.

Although at points, because of the many characters there were in the book, it was hard to keep track of everyone's story, I still greatly enjoyed this book. It was interesting to see how far people push/challenge themselves. Four stars!

Was a enjoyable read, would definitely read more from this author and will keep my eyes peeled for them.

by Randy Susan Meyers


Would you do anything to lose weight? A group of seven women decides to go to a weight loss camp for a documentary, and they get more than they bargain for.


I'll say right off the bat that this book was only so-so for me, which is the biggest reason why I'm so behind in posting this review (thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC). I put it away for awhile and felt better about finishing it after a break. Most of this is my fault--I thought it was going to be a funny book (not sure where I got that idea).


However, I didn't enjoy the story. Alice, one of the main characters, seemed very stuck in certain attributes. There was a lot of diversity in the story, which is great, but it also felt very forced, although it was probably the author's intention to show that women of all races may not feel good about how they look.


What I thought would be the meat of most of the story ended at just over halfway through the book. And the book focused on only two of the characters, and while that may have been a smart move on the part of the author due to the vast range of cultures, it left the story a little less exciting.


Overall, it's not a bad book. It just wasn't for me.

I anticipate this book to have very mixed reactions. Waisted is the story of seven women who go to a retreat in Vermont to learn how to accept themselves and heal in order to lose weight and be the size they are meant to be. However once they get there they very quickly learn the next seven weeks will not be what they expected.

That sounds like the premise of a horror book and for some it would be. The story focuses on Alice and Daphne. Alice is a mixed race woman in her mid thirties who grew up surrounded by unconditional love. After six years of marriage and weight gain she learns about this followup documentary from her documentarian husband and runs off to lose weight in order to get his love back. Daphne is mother of two teenagers and wife of a saintly husband, but she grew up the largest of her family with a mother always wanting her to diet.

This book is about how these women find their inner strength and learn that they are strong capable women no matter what they look like on the outside. While this is fiction I definitely feel like this is a motivational story that anyone can find something to take away.

<I>Waisted</I> was certainly not my favorite book of the summer. I started the book with high hopes. I felt a kinship with these women. They struggled with their weight for most of their lives and had reached a point where they needed help. I could definitely relate.

The marketing material for a month long retreat hit all the right buttons. I probably would have been intrigued by it too. Until they got to the mansion and realized they were thrust into their worst nightmares. Here is where the book lost me. The way these women were treated and spoken to were unbearable to me. I almost stopped reading at this point until I remembered there was a reality tv spin to the book and I am probably deep in the middle of it. So I stuck with it.

I followed these women as they fought for their independence against society, family expectations, and their own inner demons. I understood them but I was annoyed with them. I could relate but I tired of them. I think my disconnection with the book was the writing style. The chapters jumped between two main characters, and even by the end, I still had a hard time distinguishing which was which because I never made a true connection with either of them. I wanted to like <i>Waisted</i> because the story is so prevalent right now and these types of lessons are important to learn. But somewhere along the way it lost me and just couldn't reel me back in.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.*

I really enjoyed the start of this book. and related a lot to the characters. I felt that the first half in seclusion was rushed and once the characters were out of filming, the book slowed down. I really wanted to love this, but it wasn't there for me. Still, I enjoyed it overall and could relate to things the characters were struggling with. I wouldn't recommend this to someone who hasn't disliked their weight.

Any interesting idea and story, but difficult to read.
If you have issues with weight, or body image, I would advise you to avoid. The “trainers” in particular left a bad taste in my mouth. The ladies in the group had interesting stories.

Reminiscent of the American reality show, The Biggest Loser, WAISTED is a very revealing and touching story about women who constantly struggle with their weight, the extent to which they will go to lose weight, and how their obsession can overwhelmingly overshadow everything that is important in their lives—their marriage, children, family, work, relationships.

I highly recommend this read for anyone who has or knows someone who has a weight- and/or self-image issue, and I believe this story could be made into a successful TV movie.

I love a book where the women come together to make things happen, let alone a good old revenge story!
Daphne & Alice go off to a place of solitude to lose weight, after they’ve both gained weight for various reasons in their own lives. There they meet five other women, and find out that everything they do is being recorded for a documentary.
But, no one there is being kind to them. From the Dietitians to the filmmakers , It was as if they are in a war against these “others”, Until the ladies take matters into their own hands.
Being overweight myself, I found it a bit disturbing at times, I was cringing!
I was definitely rooting for Daphne, Alice and the rest of the women until the very end! You will too!

This book follow two women, Alice and Daphne, through their experiences with family members and outside influences that led them to undertake a drastic weight loss program. The way people treated them, including family members, was I’m sure a good representation of what extremely heavy women go through in a world where thin people are looked up to, and heavier ones are looked down at.

I did think the book would be funny, but it really isn’t; however, it does seem to be a honest look at how people who don’t fit into the ideals that other hold are treated, put down and made fun of.

Waisted poses an intriguing question: How far will women go to loose weight? This fictional tale tackles the popular conundrum of America society. When 7 women are chosen to attend a weight-loss retreat for an entire month, they will have to face their fears, aspirations, and even a potential conspiracy. Bodies are tested, friendships are forged, and families are changed in ways no one would have expected. Reminiscent of Running in Heels by Anna Maxted, fans of Jennifer Weiner novels may enjoy this captivating book.

I was fortunate to receive a free ARC of this book from Netgalley. The above thoughts, insights, or recommendations are my own meek musings.

DNF at 13%. I thought I would enjoy this book based on the premise, but unfortunately I didn’t find it too be well done. It felt very scattered - the beginning introduces a ton of characters without every laying a foundation. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, even Alice.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.

I'm keeping this review brief, because I simply think I was not the target audience for this book. I just found the female lead to be a bit bland and frustrating, and I had a hard time feeling motivated to pick this story back up after I'd put It down. This story I'm sure is one that many people will want and need to hear, so I don't want to discourage anyone from picking it up.

My Highly Caffeinated Thought: A thought-provoking story of the lives of two women and how they let their weight define them.

If nothing else, WAISTED shines a bright spotlight on how our culture perceives overweight people and what that can do to a person’s self-worth. The author beautifully crafted a story where the reader gets to meet two women who have struggled their size but also let it consume their lives.

What I love most about this book is the journey. Though I have to admit it did take me a few chapters to get into the book and embrace the story. The flow, as well as the pace, does pick up with the progression of the narrative. In the beginning, Alice, Daphne, and the cast of women who are laser-focused on losing weight seem to forget what good they have in their lives. It is when they are taking part in a weight loss competition/documentary and discover what they actually signed up for that they band together. Their path to revenge is a path to seeing who they really are. The gift of this book is the way the author truly gets inside the minds of her characters. She exposes their insecurities and vulnerabilities while still managing to push forward toward understanding.

If you are a fan of DIETLAND, this book is a lot less revolution and more reflective. However, both have compelling messages. People are not their size. If you are happy and healthy, then rock those curves. If you are naturally thin and can’t put on weight, then embrace that. Again, happy and healthy should be the goal, not a number on a chart someone created with the “ideal” body type in mind. We are all unique in who we are and should be more than the number on a scale.

While I was intrigued by the premise of this book, and perhaps a little unsure of what to expect, ultimately I struggled with this novel. It took me far longer than normal to finish and in the final few chapters, I felt I was just skimming it to finish.

Meyers attempts to cover a lot of social and cultural issues afflicting women in this book-- the social definition of beauty, the parameters of acceptable parenting of girls in our current social construct, how we view and value ourselves and how deeply that is informed by our upbringing. All good stuff. But it felt a bit forced after the women leave the "mansion" (weight loss ranch) and loses its luster amongst the characters-- who were, for me, not deeply distinct from each other and were difficult to tell apart as I read the book. I had to remind myself whether Alice was married to Clancy or Daphne to Sam and which husband was the arse who made his wife's obsession with her weight worse, or which husband loved his wife despite her self-loathing.

On balance, I'd say this was a good effort. Stylistically, I liked Meyers writing and the editing was well done. But the story droned on for too long, meandered without drawing me in, and ultimately wrapped up neatly in a bow. Not always the best solution. And there were things left unanswered-- whatever happened with their video expose of Waisted? Meyers spent so much time with the characters hand-wringing what the backlash would be and then never told us what happened (if anything).

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC! I'd certainly give Meyers another try. This one just didn't quite hit the mark for me.