Fat Chance

By: Nick Spalding

Narrated by: Heather Wilds, Napoleon Ryan

Meet Zoe and Greg Milton, a married couple who have let themselves go a bit.

Zoe was a stunner in her college days, but the intervening decades have added five stone, and removed most of her self-esteem. Greg's rugby-playing days are well and truly behind him, thanks to countless pints of beer and chicken curry.

When Elise, a radio DJ and Zoe's best friend, tells them about a new competition, it seems like the perfect opportunity to turn their lives around. Fat Chance will pit six hefty couples against one another to see who can collectively lose the most weight and walk away with a £50,000 prize.

So begins six months of abject misery, tears, and frustration—that just might turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to them - in another laugh-out-loud look at the way we live now from bestselling author Nick Spalding.

©2014 Nick Spalding (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Boy, can I relate

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, I think it was an excellent, well rounded story. It just wasn't my favorite one.

Would you recommend Fat Chance to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, I think this was a lighthearted read, that was nice to break up my normal listening. I enjoyed the book for the most part.

What about Heather Wilds and Napoleon Ryan ’s performance did you like?

I love having multiple narrators, I think it adds something extra

Could you see Fat Chance being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

If this was a TV show, it would be something like Mike & Molly. Granted, I've never seen the show, but I imagine something with a laugh track, or a live audience, that's doesn't get very good ratings, but has lots of slap-stick fat humor, and occasionally pulls at your heart strings.

Could not stop laughing

This was a deal of the day book a friend suggested I listen too (after only listening to the sample). After the first chapter I recommend the book to three gal-pals. After finishing the book, I made my husband turn off the TV one night and started the book all over again. I plan on gifting this story to a couple more friends. I will admit it took a while to get use to Napoleon's voice, but by Greg's second diary entry, there could be no other voice. :- ). The story is heart warming and very relatable to those who are well into their thirties, working 40+ hrs a week, and looking at the mirror wondering where their 25 year-old body went.

Semi-cute feel-good but some very awkward bits

Liked the first two hours or so but the middle was boring and hard to get through. too many awkward passages about the guy's penis, IMHO. some awkward sorta sex scenes. otherwise entertaining in some parts, clever and funny in small bits but overall not something I'd recommend. Maybe I'm just at a loss for this because I don't struggle with weight loss. it was alright, I finished it out of bordom mostly, I guess it was better than sitting in silence.

Hilarious must read.

Referred to me by a friend who warned me of the language. As Im not easily offended I jumped right in. I can tell you that I cried from laughing so hard. Delightful motivating read. Highly recommend.

Disappointing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. The story telling was long-winded. I don't think that the author has taken ibuprofen, had a blister, or returned anything to Amazon ever.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I haven't finished it yet, but I'm having a hard time wanting to.

Have you listened to any of Heather Wilds and Napoleon Ryan ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't.

Did Fat Chance inspire you to do anything?

Yes. I'm contemplating returning the book.

Great listen even if you aren't on a diet

Easy listening. Great humor. So easy to identify with the main characters. Reader drew me right in with his ability to interpret subtleties in the author's writing.

Laughed so hard I cried!

That pretty much says it all. Great ending. Great all the way through. My first read by nick Spalding and I am so so so happy I read it!! About 3/4 through it I called to my mom that she HAD to get it and listen to it. It was exactly what I needed as a laugh out loud fun and easy listen! Bravo!

Funny and strangely motivating

I might have just been in the mood for something quirky but I really enjoyed this book. It's kinda weight loss manual and sporting event combined. I both cringed and celebrated with the main characters.

Had A Good Laugh

Would you listen to Fat Chance again? Why?

I don't think I would. It was a funny story, but one time is enough.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fat Chance?

The very last scene at the end of the book. And the naked treadmill.

Which character – as performed by Heather Wilds and Napoleon Ryan – was your favorite?

I found the characters to be really unlikable at the beginning. So much so that I almost didn't continue reading the book. They both ended up growing on me. I identified with Zoe more but Greg was definitely my favorite out of the two.

Any additional comments?

There is a lot of vulgar language in this book. At times, it is a bit tough to get through as I think most times that vulgarity is unnecessary. But being a British book, I do realize that it might have seemed necessary for the story. All in all, I liked the story and kind of predicted the ending.

❤️

Extraordinary story. This novels reveals the real emotions that go along with weight loss, and the shame that people sometimes place on overweight individuals. Brilliantly woven together.