Small towns, long memories. Everyone in the exclusive summer resort of James Bay, Michigan remembers FATTY PATTY, the chubby little girl with the round face and wild red curls. All grown up now, Patty Perreault teaches at the same elementary school where the painful playground memories still taunt her. She hasn’t forgotten the cruel nickname—plus she still hasn’t lost those extra pounds. Convinced her weight is the biggest reason why she’s a four time loser in the semi-finals for Teacher of the Year, Patty resolves to make some changes in her body and her life.
Sam Curtis, an overweight accountant she meets at the community pool, swims into Patty’s life with romance on his mind. But as their friendship grows, Patty finds it hard to see beyond his extra pounds. She’s torn as Sam refuses to deal with his own overweight issues. Her heart tells her one thing, but her eyes see another. She’s not interested in an overweight boyfriend. When it comes to winning the Grand Prize in life and love, Patty has some hard lessons to learn. Will she be able to confront her fears about the kind of woman she yearns to be? Will she be able to put down the fork and give her heart a try? ~~ synopsis from Goodreads
My thoughts on Fatty Patty ~~
I love this cover! Doesn't that dessert look yummy? And all that beautiful red, curly hair? Okay ..... now on to my thoughts about the book.
I really liked this story for the fact that it's main character is not the svelt, blond, perky character we see in a lot of chick-lit novels. She is on the heavy side, with red, curly, sometimes out of control hair. She is not perfect. But who is?
Patty struggles with her weight the entire book, wanting to be 'good enough' to win the teaching award, to be 'good enough' to get the hot guy. Little does she know that a lot of people in her life already know she is 'good enough'. But I do have to say that there were times when I got a little irritated with Patty and the way she treated some of the people in her life, couldn't she see how much they cared about her?
But the bottom line is, Patty just wants to be happy. Isn't that what we all strive for? And she thinks losing 20 pounds will be the magic that will make her happy. Don't a lot of us think that or struggle with some other kind of change in our life, hoping that that little change will make all the difference?
Fatty Patty is a very well written, real story with a great message ~ you do not have to get to 'perfect' to find happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fatty Patty and I love the way Kathleen writes.
Whoo hooo ~ I just checked out Kathleen's web page and Fatty Patty is book #1 of The James Bay Novel Series! Book 2 is out already and 3 is scheduled for release sometime this year. I am going to have to get my hands on them. Thank you, Kathleen for writing such a great, real story. I am excited to read more!
Author Bio
Kathleen Irene Paterka fell in love with writing (and food) at a very young age. By the time she graduated high school, she’d completed her first manuscript and she weighed 300 lbs. Though the extra pounds have long since disappeared, Kathleen still carries the emotional scars of being a former fatty. FATTY PATTY was born from the cruel teasing she endured on the school playground. Kathleen is the author of numerous novels which embrace universal themes of home, family life and love, including the Women's Fiction series, "The James Bay Novels". Kathleen is the resident staff writer for Castle Farms, a world renowned castle listed on the National Historic Register, and co-author of the non-fiction book FOR THE LOVE OF A CASTLE, published in 2012. Having lived and studied abroad, Kathleen's educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from Central Michigan University. She and her husband live in the beautiful north country of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Kathleen loves hearing from readers.
Connect with Kathleen!
Buy the Book!
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Fatty Patty before August 27 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
I'm looking forward to the next one too!
ReplyDeleteSusan, I am so happy that you enjoyed Patty's story. It was difficult at times to write, because Patty - just like us all - is not a perfect person, or a perfect character. She definitely had a mind of her own!
ReplyDeleteThere are 4 novels in the James Bay series. HOME FIRES (#2) is available now. LOTTO LUCY and FOR I HAVE SINNED (#3 and #4) will be published in autumn. If you liked Sam Curtis, you'll definitely enjoy interacting with him in LOTTO LUCY.
Happy reading!
-Kathleen
I have not read this book- but I like that the main character is very real. I think the lessons in the book sound important and interesting. I definitely want a cupcake now!
ReplyDelete~Jess