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otherashley's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
A sweetener that makes people lose weight...and go crazy.
This would be a really fun beach/vacation read.
So this was a really strange book. It was a super fast read, you could easily read this in one sitting. We alternate POV's between Laurel, the overweight yet comfortable with herself girl tagging along on the trip with her friend Viv, and Tom a once overweight child star hosting the cruise. Laurel and Tom don't end up trying the sweetener. Chaos ensues.
I enjoyed this book but it didn't really wow me. I'd definitely recommend this for a fun, nonsensical read.
*I won a copy of this book from the Goodreads giveaway program*
A sweetener that makes people lose weight...and go crazy.
This would be a really fun beach/vacation read.
So this was a really strange book. It was a super fast read, you could easily read this in one sitting. We alternate POV's between Laurel, the overweight yet comfortable with herself girl tagging along on the trip with her friend Viv, and Tom a once overweight child star hosting the cruise. Laurel and Tom don't end up trying the sweetener. Chaos ensues.
I enjoyed this book but it didn't really wow me. I'd definitely recommend this for a fun, nonsensical read.
*I won a copy of this book from the Goodreads giveaway program*
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
5.0
[a:Emmy Laybourne|5241601|Emmy Laybourne|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1427295566p2/5241601.jpg] does not disappoint and she does NOT let you down. Know that if you are reaching for one of her books, it's going to be good!
A new series about a sugar substitute called Solu, it's supposed to NOT only sweeten everything and not add any added bad stuff, it's also supposed to make you skinny.
I know...I know, trust me. We all wish this was real. But, the horror of the side affects are truly frightening. And I love that Emmy Laybourne did not shy away from truly making this gory and horrid. It's not zombies or vampires or any other paranormal thing
It's truly humans at their ugliest. I can't wait for the next one.
A new series about a sugar substitute called Solu, it's supposed to NOT only sweeten everything and not add any added bad stuff, it's also supposed to make you skinny.
I know...I know, trust me. We all wish this was real. But, the horror of the side affects are truly frightening. And I love that Emmy Laybourne did not shy away from truly making this gory and horrid. It's not zombies or vampires or any other paranormal thing
It's truly humans at their ugliest. I can't wait for the next one.
rennegade's review against another edition
4.0
This was an entertaining book. The very basic premise is one of those things that seems like it could happen. A sweetener has been invented that helps people lose a large percentage of their body fat. It's like that episode of Doctor Who - the fat just walks away!
Of course, it wouldn't be book worthy if everything worked, so shit goes down. I've read two books in a row now that involved normal teens mingling with the rich and famous. As someone who enjoys celebrity gossip, I like reading about the dynamic.
I rolled my eyes a bit at the insta-love and the big reveal at the end, but overall I enjoyed this book. It appears that it is going to be a series (since it is listed as #1 on Goodreads), and I sort of wish it wasn't. The ending was open and ominous, but I liked that. I don't really care to read more about this universe. Not everything needs to be a series.
Overall, though, good read!
Of course, it wouldn't be book worthy if everything worked, so shit goes down. I've read two books in a row now that involved normal teens mingling with the rich and famous. As someone who enjoys celebrity gossip, I like reading about the dynamic.
I rolled my eyes a bit at the insta-love and the big reveal at the end, but overall I enjoyed this book. It appears that it is going to be a series (since it is listed as #1 on Goodreads), and I sort of wish it wasn't. The ending was open and ominous, but I liked that. I don't really care to read more about this universe. Not everything needs to be a series.
Overall, though, good read!
poorashleu's review against another edition
2.0
Originally posted here
This book was…interesting. Essentially I went in knowing nothing about it which often works in the favor of the reader, and this book was no difference. Sweet is two from two points of view. We have Tom, the child star who is now an adult and fairly sick of being said child star and Laurel, the average girl who just wants to survive high school. While this sounds like a typical love story it’s anything but that. Taking place over seven days on a boat, the reader is taken a long a journey of what happens when one is addicted to getting thin.
One of the downfalls of knowing nothing going into this book is that I really had no idea what the book was about. I was fascinated to find out that this book, over seven days takes place on a cruise ship where everyone is dedicated to getting thin. Yes. That’s in. They are taking this new sweetener that promises to drop the pounds. Unfortunately, there is a problem with the diet sweetener, Solu, it doesn’t know how to make people stop. It makes people addicted to it, but they don’t know when to stop. They begin to waste away because they are so addicted to it and do unimaginable things because they are addicted to it.
It’s not a pretty picture and Laybourne does not hide away from the ugly parts of being a celebrity, being an addict, or being okay with how you look when no one else does. While I found it to be a fascinating look on humanity it was a bit too weird for me as a reader. I didn’t mind how much happened in a short period of time in the novel, but it began to get a bit graphic and gore-y and got to the point I had to suspend reality to believe what was going on. This book was an interesting mixture of contemporary and science fiction, which isn’t bad, just wasn’t what I was ultimately expecting.
This book was…interesting. Essentially I went in knowing nothing about it which often works in the favor of the reader, and this book was no difference. Sweet is two from two points of view. We have Tom, the child star who is now an adult and fairly sick of being said child star and Laurel, the average girl who just wants to survive high school. While this sounds like a typical love story it’s anything but that. Taking place over seven days on a boat, the reader is taken a long a journey of what happens when one is addicted to getting thin.
One of the downfalls of knowing nothing going into this book is that I really had no idea what the book was about. I was fascinated to find out that this book, over seven days takes place on a cruise ship where everyone is dedicated to getting thin. Yes. That’s in. They are taking this new sweetener that promises to drop the pounds. Unfortunately, there is a problem with the diet sweetener, Solu, it doesn’t know how to make people stop. It makes people addicted to it, but they don’t know when to stop. They begin to waste away because they are so addicted to it and do unimaginable things because they are addicted to it.
It’s not a pretty picture and Laybourne does not hide away from the ugly parts of being a celebrity, being an addict, or being okay with how you look when no one else does. While I found it to be a fascinating look on humanity it was a bit too weird for me as a reader. I didn’t mind how much happened in a short period of time in the novel, but it began to get a bit graphic and gore-y and got to the point I had to suspend reality to believe what was going on. This book was an interesting mixture of contemporary and science fiction, which isn’t bad, just wasn’t what I was ultimately expecting.
madhatter360's review against another edition
5.0
I started and finished this book in one day. When I got to the end I was disappointed, not because it was a bad ending (it was great) but because I thought I had more book to read (my edition has a sample chapter from one of Laybourne's other books).
I don't know if I want a sequel to this book. On the one hand, the last line perfectly sets up that there is more story to tell (part of why I was surprised to realize I had reached the end). On the other hand, it's sort of fun being able to imagine the different ways the story could continue.
Also, since the first book was in the confined space of a cruise ship it made sense for Laurel and Tom to be the protagonists in the crux of the action. A sequel would have a wider setting and it would stretch credibility to have them in a major role.
I don't know if I want a sequel to this book. On the one hand, the last line perfectly sets up that there is more story to tell (part of why I was surprised to realize I had reached the end). On the other hand, it's sort of fun being able to imagine the different ways the story could continue.
Also, since the first book was in the confined space of a cruise ship it made sense for Laurel and Tom to be the protagonists in the crux of the action. A sequel would have a wider setting and it would stretch credibility to have them in a major role.
roseybot's review against another edition
1.0
Oh god, I hate this book so much. It's full of sexism, racism, and fat-phobia. Oh and agism. The whole these presented itself as a body positive book but then shamed every single person in it. The villain was labeled "insane" and his motivations were stupid and beyond pointless. The whole thing was awful. I literally skimmed the last 20% because I couldn't handle it anymore. It was just gross the whole way through. The characters were paper cut outs, the writing too bland, the narrator's voices too similar. This was a fucking wreck.
First book I'm giving one star to, but I would very much like to give it 0 stars it was so terrible.
First book I'm giving one star to, but I would very much like to give it 0 stars it was so terrible.
vineeel's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
queathy12's review against another edition
5.0
Enjoyed that the ending wasn't a dead giveaway...hoping for a sequel!
lorathelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I'm going to be honest here and say this book was a bit of a let down. It didn't really pick up with action and the meat of the plot (i.e. crazy zombie/vampire/addicts attacking everyone on the cruise) until almost halfway through.
That said, once it going I really enjoyed it. Yes...the writing wasn't awesome and was a little stilted, but it read really really fast. I think teens will EAT THIS UP so in that respect I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 2.
That said, once it going I really enjoyed it. Yes...the writing wasn't awesome and was a little stilted, but it read really really fast. I think teens will EAT THIS UP so in that respect I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 2.