Sweet by Emmy Laybourne

Sweet (Sweet #1)

by Emmy Laybourne*People would kill to be thin.*

Solu’s luxurious celebrity-filled “Cruise to Lose” is billed as “the biggest cruise since the Titanic,” and if the new diet sweetener works as promised—dropping five percent of a person’s body weight in just days—it really could be the answer to the world’s obesity problem. But Laurel is starting to regret accepting her friend Viv’s invitation. She’s already completely embarrassed herself in front of celebrity host, Tom Forelli (otherwise known as the hottest guy ever!) and she’s too seasick to even try the sweetener. And that’s before Viv and all the other passengers start acting really strange.

*But will they die for it, too?*

Tom Forelli knows that he should be grateful for this job and the opportunity to shed his childhood “Baby Tom-Tom” image. His publicists have even set up a ‘romance’ with a sexy reality star. But as things on the ship start to get a bit wild, he finds himself drawn to a different girl. And when his celebrity hosting gig turns into an expose on the shocking side effects of Solu, it’s Laurel that he’s determined to save.

Emmy Laybourne, author of the Monument 14 trilogy, takes readers on a dream vacation that goes first comically, then tragically, then horrifyingly, wrong.

 

I received a review copy from readingteen.net

The cruise is a highly televised media event, leading up to the days of the official release of  Solu to the world. The new Hollywood types, reality stars, singers and a handful of normal citizens are on this highly talked about cruise to try the new diet sweetener and be part of the excitement.

Tom (Baby Tom Tom) is going through a period in his career in which he is looking for a bit of a change. He wants to make more of the decisions in his future career opportunities. All of this cruise has been planned for him, what to wear say, do and love. When Laurel unexpectedly enters his life she inspires him to make his own decisions starting now.

Laurel is a timid girl with strong convictions. She was talked into accompanying her best friend Viv on the cruise, but ends up getting sea sick and having a hard time being adventurous. Tom brings her out of her shell and inspires her to open up more and become more outgoing.

When the unveiling of Solu finally begins it's a huge hit. The backers of the product and the consumers are so impressed with the results the possibilities are boundless. Some of the first clues the reader gets is the feeling of addiction the consumers begin to feel and the fact that all the workers on the boat have been forbidden to take Solu.

I found this story to be light and cute with a message about obsession. It's different from  Emmy Laybourne's other books and perfect for a summer beach read. A quick read that's pretty fast paced. As the whole story takes place on board the cruise there is not a lot to explore, but it still maintains the atmosphere of a travel adventure. It's very entertaining with a fun plot twist and comical humor.