This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
Three women. Maddie, Jess and Lauren. None of them know one another, but they come together, united, at a local Fatbusters class. They all want to lose weight for very different reasons. Maddie has been humiliated at a sports day race for mums. Lauren has been comfort eating since her chap cheated on her and Jess wants to slim down for her wedding dress.
Throughout Lucy Diamond's Sweet Temptation, these three women bond through their local Fatbuster class. Yes each of them is struggling with their weight, but they are also struggling with other aspects of their lives. I'm sure many female readers have nodded sagely or laughed uproariously as they noticed similarities between themselves and the characters in this book.
The women, after joining Fatbusters, and for want of a better cliché, go on a journey and rediscover themselves. Relationships are sorted out, careers are organised, family secrets are revealed – all in addition to losing those unwanted pounds. And it hasn't been easy. Husbands are obsessed with takeaways and ice cream when temptations are trying to be avoided. Relationships come to an end and there is loss. It is hard in these moments for the women not to reach for the biscuit tin.
The following banner is an affiliate one. That means Writing Tips Oasis receive a small % of the sale if you purchase The Novel Factory, but at no extra cost to you:
But what keeps them going isn't the class. It is friendship. A friendship that makes you believe you can do anything with good buddies on your side.
In the book, the strawberries are served dipped in chocolate by one of the partners of the three women. I'm not going to tell you which one though because of spoilers. But the strawberries, and the meal that comes before it – a warm winter salad of chicken, walnut and goat's cheese followed by roasted pecan salmon – signifies how far these women, and this one particular woman, has come. Not just in her healthy choices of food, but in bonding with her most important friend – her partner.
This must be one of the easiest recipes I've ever written. Just two ingredients!
But you can also make the entire meal. Here you will find a beetroot salad with soft goat's cheese and walnuts. You could add chicken instead of the beetroot (or as well as).
And here you can find a Baked Salmon with a Roasted Pecan Crust.
For the strawberries.
Ingredients
Strawberries
Dark chocolate of your choice
Method
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave or in a bowl over hot water (don't let the bowl touch the water).
- Once melted, dip in the strawberries.
- You could either serve straight away or allow them to cool in the fridge.
And that, my friends, is that. Enjoy in a healthy yet delicious way.