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

"Dressed to the nines in the latest fashions, perched on painful but beautifully fashionable heels and looking sexy while turning heads, Gold’s heroine is a refreshing change."

Fractured Manhattan fairy tale complete with designer labels, name dropping and urban career sharks.

In the dog-eat-dog work of domestic arts television shows, Delilah White is an often recognized lady of helpful hints and producer of Domestic Bliss. Agnes Deville, executive producer, has decided to depart the show and thrusts Delilah and her friend and co-producer, Margo Hart, into contention for the coveted job.

Completely unaware and sweet-natured Delilah (unlike her Biblical namesake) is willing to let her work ethics and creativity do her talking. Margo prefers political maneuvering, backstabbing and manipulation in her single-minded drive to push Delilah out of the running. Everything comes to a head at the Trawlers’ Fourth of July pull out all the stops, keep the Cristal flowing party in Connecticut.

With a dash of romance, a pinch of intrigue and a whole lot of faux ‘fauxitos’, let the games begin.

What first proposes to be a plush and decadent weekend in Connecticut and moves quickly to spitting, snarling almost-cat fight turns into a raucous romp with a whimsical turn. In the wake of the Sex and the City’s clones with all the right clothes from all the right designers and model-thin heroines in Manolo Blahniks, The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 initially shapes up to be another cookie-cutter Manhattan label fest. There are the obligatory snide comments about weight and childhood name calling to live down, but it is nearly impossible not to like Delilah White. She eats real food and doesn’t need a trip to the bathroom before (or after) saying yes to gooey, luscious and decadent chocolate cake on a date with a sexy and handsome fella sporting the requisite six-pack abs. Dressed to the nines in the latest fashions, perched on painful but beautifully fashionable heels and looking sexy while turning heads, Gold’s heroine is a refreshing change.

The dialogue is quick and sharp and the ripostes witty and fun without resorting to camp (except in the person of gay fashionistas and British party planners). Gold uses all the tried and true romantic tools of the trade but Delilah’s story is not strictly romance. She could do just as well without a man–and has. The romance adds a hint of spice to an already wondrous concoction of character and personality and style. Gold’s endearingly charming Delilah is a much needed and welcome breath of fresh air.

Reviewer: J. M. Cornwell