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41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Favorite Romance!!!, May 19, 2005
This review is from: He Loves Lucy (Mass Market Paperback)
I cannot ever remember enjoying a "romantic novel" more than "He Loves Lucy." (This is rather strange because although I thought "Public Displays of Affection," - also by Susan Donovan, was well-written, I loathed the entire premise of this earlier novel - although I'm far from being a conservative.) When I read the concept behind Donovan's new book, I decided to take a chance and ordered it from Amazon.
"He Loves Lucy" details Lucy Cunningham's year long weight program in the spotlight. Each month she weighs herself on television as part of an ad campaign for a local gym. Her goal is to lose up to 100 lbs. for which she and her personal trainer, Theo, will each receive $1000 for every pound she loses. This money will enable Lucy to start up her own advertising/public relations firm and it will allow Theo the means to return to medical school.
I LOVED everything about this book! Everything from Lucy's near- fatal ingestion of a Milk Dud upon meeting her hunky trainer, to the glimpses into her food diary and funny affirmations, to pizza man Luigi being in the second row during her weigh-in, to her "motivational tool" to lose the last of her weight.
I am sure that one of the reasons that I enjoyed this book so much is that I totally identified with Lucy as I was about 40 lbs. overweight at her age. I went on a strict diet and exercise program (although not on television!) and people were amazed at the transformation. My life truly changed. I especially thought it insightful that the nearly universal typecasting of overweight women as "fat, lazy, slobs" and beautiful women as "superficial, conceited, airheads" was included. Usually the truth can only be found on an individual basis.
As usual, Susan Donovan's characters are witty and often hilarious. Her plots are creative and fresh. An exceptional and touching romance that should prove to be especially inspiring to anyone with a few pounds to lose.
This would be a GREAT movie!
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Beautiful People, December 30, 2005
This review is from: He Loves Lucy (Mass Market Paperback)
Thirty-year-old marketing executive Lucy Cunningham has come up with a brilliant campaign for Palm Club, the hottest fitness club in Miami. Cashing in on the reality television craze, she arranges for an obese person to be assigned a personal trainer at Palm Club. For every pound this individual loses in the next year, they receive a thousand dollars and so does the trainer. The catch-the candidate and the trainers progress will be followed on Wake Up Miami, a popular morning television show.
Lucy's boss bullies her into being the candidate. Her boss is incompetent, oppressive, and verbally abusive, but the job market keeps his employees from quitting. At first she refuses, but upon further consideration realizes she could use the 100 grand (yep, she needs to lose a hundred pounds) to start her own firm. Now she is determined to succeed. When Lucy enters the club for the first time-surrounded by the beautiful, thin, famous people of Miami-she wants to drown herself in Milk Duds. In steps thirty-two-year-old Theo Redmond, trainer extraordinaire, who soon puts her at ease. As time passes, she learns he is much more than a pretty face and excellent kisser.
Three years ago, Theo Redmond's parents were killed in a boating accident, resulting in Theo dropping out of medical school to raise his little brother, a child who happens to have Down's Syndrome. With the money he can raise by helping Lucy lose the weight, he plans to return to medical school. He soon finds that Lucy's eating and exercise habits aren't the only things packing the weight on her. Lucy's fight, sense of humor, intelligence and, yes, beauty tie Theo in knots. His past pains and present time constraints make him hesitant about having a relationship with her, but the love he feels for her won't allow him to walk away.
If you are in a bad mood, having an awful day, or just need a good laugh, read HE LOVES LUCY. Susan Donavan's comical writing style was fun without making fun. I enjoyed reading about a successful, intelligent, beautiful heroine who didn't fit into the size six package society's beauty standards seem to be found in. When I began reading, I worried that Ms. Donavan would hedge on the sexual tension-let's say that I was pleasantly surprised. For a well-rounded, entertaining romance, pick up a copy of HE LOVES LUCY.
Reviewed by Deatri King-Bey
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another homerun for Donovan, September 19, 2005
This review is from: He Loves Lucy (Mass Market Paperback)
Susan Donovan is always a must-read author, and with her latest, "He Loves Lucy," she continues the string of excellent romances that keep her fans coming back for more.
Ad-exec Lucy Cunningham signs on as the guinea pig for a health club - she has to lose 100 pounds within a year with the help of a trainer. To give her more incentive, both she and the trainer will receive $1000 per lost pound. She could use the money to start her own agency; Theo Redmond, her trainer can use the money to return to medical school.
The first meeting is priceless - let's just say who thought that walking and eating Milk Duds could be a fatal act. As Lucy and Theo spend more time together working out and getting to know each other, they start to develop feelings for each other. As she starts to lose pounds, they both find they are losing their hearts. But both have been burned by love, and neither is sure if they are ready to enter the ring again.
Interspersed with funny food diary entries (and hysterical affirmations), the story is both humorous and endearing. While not nearly as steamy as Donovan's previous novels, the poignant relationship between the two keeps your attention glued.
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