'The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12' by Robin Gold

ISBN: 0452288126
Format: Paperback, 272pp
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Price:$13.00

The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 tells of the adventures of Delilah White, a producer for a television show called Domestic Bliss. She loves her job, has great friends, and is happy with her size 12 figure. Delilah seems to have everything going for her, even if she doesn’t have a boyfriend at the moment. Delilah knows that there is more to life than a size 2 waist and a hunky guy hanging on your every word.

When Delilah’s boss, Agnes, decides to move on, Delilah comes up for the big promotion. But so does her work friend Margo, and that is where it gets complicated. Margo is determined that she will get the top position and plans to ruin Delilah’s chances to get there. While what was once a friendship turns into a rivalry, the battle field moves from the office to a 4th of July bash in the mountains.

Delilah and Margo both accept Sofia’s invitation to spend the 4th in style at her parents' mountain home. Sofia’s family is well-off and they have a party planned to end all parties with all of her family in attendance, including her handsome cousin Jack. Sofia nudges Jack and Delilah in the general direction of each other and they instantly hit it off. But Margo is not going to let Delilah have a nice, relaxing weekend.

Margo is everything that Delilah is not, including being a complete and total psycho. But even though Delilah might be too nice to extend her claws her friend Sofia is not. Sofia catches Margo out in several of her lies to get to the top and the final confrontation is wonderfully hilarious. I laughed out loud as I turned pages and wished more than anything that I didn’t work in an office full of men so I could share the fun.

Delilah White is wonderful; she is one of the most realistic characters I have come across in the many ‘chick lit’ novels I have read. She is human with human strengths and weaknesses and when someone calls her fat you really feel it. And Jack? Well Jack is fantastic. Robin Gold has written a dream relationship with these two characters, the flutter of first love even with the flaws.

There is a good balance here, wonderful humor and a few heart-clenching moments, and everything is tied up nicely. The slap-stick comedy was light and often hilarious. I smiled, I laughed, I had a wonderful time reading this book. What are you doing this summer? You should be reading The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12.