Book Review - Adorable Fat Girl and the Mysterious Invitation by Bernice Bloom

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Amazon UK

Title: Adorable Fat Girl and the Mysterious Invitation

Author: Bernice Bloom

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 12th November 2018

Rating: 5 Stars

BOOK NINE in the series - Mary Brown receives an invitation to a funeral. But she has absolutely no idea who the deceased is. She’s told that he invited her on his deathbed, and he’s very keen for her to attend, so she heads off to a dilapidated old farm house in a remote part of Wales. When she gets there she discovers that only five other people have been invited to the funeral. None of them know who he is either.

NO ONE GOING TO THIS FUNERAL HAS EVER HEARD OF THE DECEASED. WHAT IS GOING ON??
Then they are told that they have 20 hours to work out why they have been invited in order to inherit a million pounds..

Who is this guy and why are they there? And what of the ghostly goings on in the ancient old building?
Featuring Mary Brown, star of the Adorable Fat Girl series of books, in her greatest adventure yet.

I'm so happy that earlier this year I discovered this fabulous series, as this latest instalment is fabulous. 

This is one of the most unlikely mystery circumstances I have come across. I loved it. 

Let's face its its not often you get six people all invited to a funeral, where none of them has ever heard of the deceased, nor to do they know of their connection to him or each other.  Much less given 24 hours to try and work it out, while put up in a hotel in the depths of Wales! 

But that is exactly what happens in this book and Mary is one of the chosen ones.   Interlinked with the chapters about this motley group of strangers, we get a far more serious story, that is told in short instalments - and even that it takes a long while to get any sort of connection to what is happening. 

I found the sections in the past fascinating, and also at times a bit harrowing as just what went on, but it also sounded quite realistic and clearly had been researched.  

There are many funny moments and Mary is still as food obsessed as ever. But yet this can easily be read as s standalone, there are nods to some of the other books but even the ones I hadn't read I didn't feel it was an issue.   

This is just one mad cap 24 hours in Wales with an interesting mystery and a bit of a surprise too.  And based on the the notes at the end of the book, there will be more from all the others invited to the funeral with Mary in a future book which I can't wait to read! 

Thank you to Bernice Bloom for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Book Review - Cruise with an Adorable Fat Girl by Bernice Bloom

Amazon UK

Title: Cruise with an Adorable Fat Girl

Author: Bernice Bloom

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self Published

Publication Date: 4th December 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Mary Brown - our full-figured heroine - is off on a cruise. It's the trip of a lifetime...featuring eat-all-you-can buffets and a trek through Europe with a 96-year-old widower called Frank and a flamboyant Spanish dancer called Juan Pedro in attendance. Then there's the desperately handsome captain, the appearance of an ex-boyfriend on the ship, the time she's mistaken for a Hollywood film star in Lisbon and tonnes of clothes shopping all over Europe.

Madcap, wacky, with a surprising story within a story, this is a piece of pure escapism that is absolutely wonderful.   As a massive cruise fan, as well as a rather full figured lady, I just knew I had to read this. 

Ok, so I clearly differ from Mary Brown in one way, I don't eat everything in sight at a buffet, but I've also never had the series of adventures she had had from just one cruise. 

The cast of characters in this are great and I especially loved the Spanish dancer Juan Pedro who adds an extra level of energy to the book.  

However it is Frank's story that will stay with me,  who is on the cruise purely to lay some wartime ghosts to rest, and Mary hears all about the story over a series of evenings, but I will leave you to find that out for yourselves. 

This is the fourth of the books in this series that I have read and I am very eager to buy the rest and start reading them as its pure genius.  This was a standalone story, and really is an enjoyable way to get a snapshot of a cruise holiday with someone who gets herself into some rather unusual situations.   Highly recommend this. 

Thanks to Bernice Bloom for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 

Book Review - Diary of an Adorable Fat Girl: The Complete Edition by Bernice Bloom

Amazon UK 

Title: Diary of an Adorable Fat Girl: The Complete Edition

Author: Bernice Bloom

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Author supplied copy

Publisher: Self published

Publication Date: 16th May 2017

Rating: 5 Stars

Mary Brown is funny, gorgeous and bonkers. She's also about six stone overweight. When she realises she can't cross her legs, has trouble bending over to tie her shoelaces without wheezing like an elderly chain-smoker, and discovers that even her hands and feet look fat, it's time to take action. But what action? She's tried every diet under the sun.
This is the hysterical story of what happens when Mary joins 'Fat Club' where she meets a cast of funny characters and one particular man who catches her eye.
The story is laugh-out-loud funny and will resonate with anyone who has dieted, tried to keep up with any sort of exercise programme or spent 10 minutes in a changing room trying to extricate herself from a way too-small garment that she ambitiously tried on and is now completely stuck in.

Bernice Bloom is the big, new name in comedy writing...this is the first full-length novel after her series of laugh-out-loud mini books.

Believe it or not Mary Brown really is an adorable fat girl. and this book is utterly hilarious. Its not just a barrel of laughs though, it does touch on some real issues, and I think if you are overweight enough to be considering going to a fat club then some of the help that Mary is given may actually help you too. 

I did spend a some of the book thinking, wow I'm overweight but thankfully I'm not quite as large as Mary. Not the nicest or most charitable thing to think. But a the same time I could identify with a large number of her feelings and situations she found herself in. 

Originally this was split into three mini stories, but having read it as one whole book I think it works better like this, as I now have a great grounding on the character of Mary.  The first book focuses on Mary's first course at "fat club" and its where she meets some fabulous new people who will be come her friends. 

The second book is hilarious, and I loved the trip to Amsterdam where a large amount of cake was eaten, with amusing consequences, and a drunken night out leads to a rather expensive problem.   Then the third book is more to do with Mary, her fledgling relationship and we finally hear the triggers for her over eating. 

When put together it creates one memorable book with so many relatable to and realistic characters. Mary Brown is just wonderful, and I challenge you to read this and not be amused by the book. I am so looking forward to reading more of the Adorable Fat Girl series, and anything else that Bernice Bloom writes. 

Anyone that is able to write about a larger woman and make her into a superstar, real, with faults,  a lovely sense of humour, and generally all around lovely person.  I have loved every moment that I was reading this book and I'm also really rooting for Mary that she will triumph in the battle against overeating. 

Thank you to Bernice Bloom for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.