Review: 'The Curvy Girls Club' by Michele Gorman (2015)

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’?
The new year has already started with some great new book releases, including Michele Gorman’s latest novel, ‘The Curvy Girls Club’ which was released by Avon on the 15th of January. Thanks to the lovely people over at Notting Hill Press I received an early review copy which I couldn’t wait to read, especially since I am quite familiar with, and a fan of, Michele Gorman’s work. I read ‘Single in the City’ (click here to read my review) and ‘Perfect Girl’ (click here to read my review) last year and really enjoyed both of them. I had already heard numerous positive things about ‘The Curvy Girls Club’, so I looked forward to diving into this new read!   
After having spent a lot of time together at Slimming Zone, trying their best to lose weight, it is no wonder Katie, Pixie, Ellie and Jane have developed quite a close friendship with each other. Losing weight can be quite a challenge, so it’s great to have your friends next to you along the way. When Pixie decides she has had enough of constantly watching what she eats and counting calories, the four women start a new club; a club where they come together to do fun things instead of only focusing on their eating habits. The Curvy Girls Club is born and to their surprise, it becomes extremely popular rather quickly. While dealing with the success of the club and organising different kinds of events, the four women also have their own personal and romantic issues to deal with which results in quite a bit of pressure on their friendship…
Another great read from Michele Gorman! I have no doubt many readers will be able to relate to the four main characters in this novel: Katie, Pixie, Ellie and Jane. Not only because the topics of weight and being judged by your appearance have become such much-talked about subjects within our modern society, but because each of the women is dealing with her own issues as well. Pixie is having trouble with her abusive husband, Katie is searching for the right guy, Ellie needs to get her jealousy in check if she wants to stay together with her boyfriend, and Jane has to start believing in herself again which isn’t as easy as it sounds. I loved reading about all four women, their friendship and their individual struggles (even though I have to admit I wanted to jump into the novel occasionally to give Pixie a good slap!). The characters definitely complimented one another and their separate storylines connected to the main storyline in a convincing and entertaining way.
Michele Gorman's writing style is really comfortable to read, well-paced, and detailed; she’s a great storyteller and I didn’t want to put the book down. I don't really have anything to add to this review, except for the fact that I can't wait to see what Michele will treat us to next and I hope we will not have to wait too long! Overall, 'The Curvy Girls Club' is a simply stunning, relatable, warm-hearted novel about weight issues, friendship and finding happiness; a read which any chick lit fan will certainly enjoy!

Rating:8,5/10

  For more information about this book: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com / Goodreads   Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.