Review - The Very First Bite

The Very First Bite
By Cynthia Langston
Publisher: Cynthia Langston
Pub. Date: August 8, 2012
ISBN: 978-061565409
ASIN: B008Z4C1PU
Pages: 332
Buy Links: Paperback, Kindle
 
Review: 

Last year, I reviewed the well written Bicoastal Babe by Cynthia Langston and I was sent the author's newest novel last week free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed the author's first novel, so I was more than eager to start reading The Very First Bite. I know it sounds like the title of a vampire book, but there is no supernatural plot here.

Actually, the plot is very realistic involving a thirty-something-year-old Lanie Albers who is dreading, but somewhat looking forward to her upcoming fifteenth high school reunion, which is only ten weeks away. She can't fit into that old prom dress anymore as she has put on around twenty pounds extra weight and baggage over the years. She is not the kind of person who likes to exercise or diet, but she is desperate to try anything from extreme diets (Adkins, Nutrisystem, Organic, diet pills, etc), overcrowded gyms, to an at home yoga DVD.

Lanie's life isn't perfect as she has a dead-end job and a non-committing UPS driver boyfriend (Mark). She gets advice from her younger and thinner sister, Libby, and several friends, including the guy, Lance, who lives in her apartment building. Memories of the past keeping haunting her, mostly about her high school boyfriend, Chad, and her ex-best-friend, Candace, forcing her to fall off every diet she tries. Despite some setbacks, Lanie is determined to drop those twenty pounds so she can flaunt her new body at the reunion, but she might not have a date as things with Mark are quickly going down the toilet.

I have never laughed so hard while reading a book before, like I did with The Very First Bite. Even though I'm a male, I can completely relate to everything Lanie is going through as I'm about the same age, I've been trying to get into shape this year, and I'm dreading getting the invite to my high school reunion, but she has more courage than I have as I would never attend my reunion. There is some adult language throughout the novel, but each word is hilariously used for every situation Lanie finds herself in. Poor Lanie finds herself trying to use the fast and easy way to diet, which never works and she ends up wasting her money on fad products. I loved the part when she went to the checkout carrying the self-help books and the checker is someone went to high school with. The author did a wonderful job creating a realistic plot and a loveable character. I can easily see the book being made into a quirky comedy feature film. Overall, I enjoyed reading every word of The Very First Bite and I recommend it to other readers as you'll find yourself laughing all the way through it.

About the Author:

Cynthia Langston grew up in Wisconsin and graduated from Northwestern University. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she owns and operates a company that researches consumer trends and insights. This is her second novel.

Visit her website at www.cynthialangston.net or her FB page at www.facebook.com/CynthiaLangstonAuthor.