A review by meggyroussel
Curves, Kisses and Chocolate Ice-Cream by Sue Watson

4.0

Curves, Kisses and Chocolate Ice Cream is all about sweetness. Sweetness and the right dose we need in our lives.

First, don't tell me the title didn't make you dream for a nice bottom in a bikini, a gorgeous lifeguard to rescue you on the beach, and a scrumptious freezing reward after a swim. This title screams yummy. But nothing comes without a price!

Trusting the publisher with my life... Well, here, with my reading list, I decided to give this book a try in the hope to give my brain a little break from playing the sleuth. My decision resulted in the discovery of a heart-warming, hilarious, and moving journey with relatable and colorful characters.

Dani is 39, back to her hometown, “curvy” and working in an ice-cream shop. But Dani is also a witty and an adorable character. I can't count the number of times one of her lines made me laugh out loud. I had to remind myself Dani was almost forty, as she felt more like twenty in her head! Dani is a delight to be around, no matter what size she wears. She has a big heart which is still bleeding from old wounds, and she has tried all the diets known to man (or sadly, to women)! Now, I was a little worried about not connecting with her because the book makes lots of room for her weight issue. This in itself is not a problem, but as a girl on the other side of the scale, being told I should not complain to be wearing a size XS or have to go to the kids department to find a skirt, I wondered if I could grasp the issues Dani was facing. I did not need to worry because the author skillfully and tactfully brought the subject in such a natural and easy way that I instantly felt for Dani, and I was by her side throughout the story!

In her task, Dani is helped by an array marvelous friends, a sexy trainer, and hindered by the weight of the past, trying to pull her back into her bad habits. I found it clever to learn snippets of Dani's life through her diets and the stories that went with them. As the story unfolded, both Dani and the reader are reminded there is more to a person than a number, and a list of failures.

So, Dani needs to lose weight. With ice cream in the title, you can guess it is not gonna be an easy task. There is no magic, there is actual work and sweat during the book, and more than this, a deeper analysis of the child within us that never leaves and sometimes needs attention for our grownup self to fully live. The reasons behind Dani's behavior with food was spot-on but did not feel cliché. The way it was presented to us moved me very much and I was relieved to see our gorgeous main character go through her share of struggles, doubts, tears, and bad days. Changing, growing, and learning is not easy, and I am happy the author did not choose the easy way to suddenly make Dani a Barbie.

Curves, Kisses and Chocolate Ice Cream has a delicious sound to it, but the core of this book is the fight so many of us are faced with. The measures society deem right, the models with perfect blond hair, the pressure women feel to be in the norm, with the scars of the past on top of everything. But Sue Watson mixes all those fabulous ingredients and turns what could be a painful ride to what is called “beautiful” from the hills of Hollywood into a wonderfully and sweaty journey through finding what is best for you, in every way. There is so much more to this book than food, weight, and carbs.

Sundaes, treadmills, laughs, best friends, sun, more sundaes, french fries, love in all its forms, and fun, this story will make you melt faster than a scorching day, and leave a fabulous taste of happiness in your mouth.

This unbiased review is my thank you to the publisher Bookouture for letting me be a part of this blog tour and providing me with a copy of this book!
My rating was rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads and Amazon.