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Mates, Dates #10
Mates, Dates, and Chocolate Cheats
“Hey listen, guys. I need you to tell me something and I want you to be really really honest…” “Sounds serious,” said Nesta. “It is. I want you to tell me, do you think I’ve put on weight?” Nesta, Lucy, and TJ looked at each other. “No,” said TJ after a moment too long. “Not really. Well, we all did a little on the school trip. So no more than the rest of us.”
Izzie has always been “curvy,” but since Christmas she has gained eight pounds, and nothing seems to fit anymore. In an attempt to lose weight, Izzie tries everything: one diet after another, a punishing exercise program, and every bit of conflicting advice anyone can give her.
Her constant worrying about her weight causes her to lose her confidence, and she stops appreciating the things in her life that are special—her supportive friends, the fact that she has been selected for a TV teen panel, and a cute boy at the TV studio who seems to like her just the way she is.
Izzie has always been “curvy,” but since Christmas she has gained eight pounds, and nothing seems to fit anymore. In an attempt to lose weight, Izzie tries everything: one diet after another, a punishing exercise program, and every bit of conflicting advice anyone can give her.
Her constant worrying about her weight causes her to lose her confidence, and she stops appreciating the things in her life that are special—her supportive friends, the fact that she has been selected for a TV teen panel, and a cute boy at the TV studio who seems to like her just the way she is.
209 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 25, 2005
19 people are currently reading
1013 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 25, 2017
Recently Izzie has gained weight and her clothes stopped fitting her. Feeling insecure with her body and looks, she decides to loose weight mixing magazine diets and basically not eating properly, then binge-eating, just to start the cycle over again. She also decides to join the gym while still starving herself with slim-shakes.
Don't be like Izzie. When you want to loose weight, you don't skip meals, you choose your food carefully, drink lots of water instead of sugared drinks. This book explains hows this works very well: how when you starve yourself, your body ends up sucking up more into the system and you gain even more weight in the end.
Izzie comes to learn this herself and takes on a healthy eating plan, which works surely and safely. She also gains some self-confidence back and learns that she's still beautiful how she is and that people aren't necessarily attracted to skinny perfect bodies. (but really, everyone has their type)
Don't be like Izzie. When you want to loose weight, you don't skip meals, you choose your food carefully, drink lots of water instead of sugared drinks. This book explains hows this works very well: how when you starve yourself, your body ends up sucking up more into the system and you gain even more weight in the end.
Izzie comes to learn this herself and takes on a healthy eating plan, which works surely and safely. She also gains some self-confidence back and learns that she's still beautiful how she is and that people aren't necessarily attracted to skinny perfect bodies. (but really, everyone has their type)
January 4, 2011
Well...
-Typical YA/tween lit
-Rather (if not to say VERY) unrealistic ending
-Somewhat unrealistic characters
-A lot of what I assume are references to previous books
-Kind of fun nonetheless.
In sum: Very quick read, if lacking in depth.
-Typical YA/tween lit
-Rather (if not to say VERY) unrealistic ending
-Somewhat unrealistic characters
-A lot of what I assume are references to previous books
-Kind of fun nonetheless.
In sum: Very quick read, if lacking in depth.
August 8, 2007
We're back to Izzie and back to super-preachy. Izzie's got curves, and as all curvy girls know, there's a fine line between curvy and fat and we often think we're on the fat side of that line when we're not. It's the problem of being curvy. So, Izzie thinks she's fat and is trying to lose weight and doing all the stupid things girls do to lose weight short of developing an eating disorder. At the same time, the girls are trying to be on a pilot for a TV show called "Teen Talk" or somesuch. And Izzie falls in love with someone who is so obviously gay, it's hilarious. But in the end, we all learn the lesson that not only is Izzie NOT fat, but even if she were, it's what's on the inside that counts and you can't lose weight overnight (sadly). Oh, and you can't date a gay guy.
March 27, 2018
Nice light read. Teenage girls are the same the world over and throughout time
November 2, 2018
2 stars.
Meh. Parts were funny but it was a bit dull. Was expecting a deeper level of dieting issues and a descent into an eating disorder which never happened.
Meh. Parts were funny but it was a bit dull. Was expecting a deeper level of dieting issues and a descent into an eating disorder which never happened.
February 2, 2024
Very good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2012
As always Cathy Hopkins wrote a wonderful addition to the Mates, Dates series. In this one, after just getting back from there tour of Italy, Izzie battles a weight problem. She goes on many fad diets and programs. I think its really important for young girls to read this because it really tells how managing weight can be hard and what are some of the wrong ways of going about loosing it.
October 21, 2020
So far this one has been my favourite & the most relatable of them all. 'WEIGHT GAIN!' Remember being told as a teen that it was all puppy fat & you looked fine as you were? All the faddy no good for you diets that you spend loads on & the only pounds you lost were out of your pocket? Thinking no boy will ever look at you if you're' fat'? This is that one! And even now speaking as a 49 year old woman I STILL have the 'wodge of podge' that Izzie hates!
But can now say that when you find the one, they see you for who you are not what you look like! ☺
Another fab, easy to read book, perfect for all ages.
But can now say that when you find the one, they see you for who you are not what you look like! ☺
Another fab, easy to read book, perfect for all ages.
September 11, 2019
Wow, aq juga pernah ngerasain gimana ngga enak-nya merasa lebih besar dr orang lain. Dalam ukuran baju, maksudnya. Benar2 menyiksa dan jadi ngga menikmati hidup. Kaya Izzie. Yg sebetulnya ngga cuma punya inner beauty tapi bisa nyanyi, menciptakan lagu and tau batasan. Aq belum senyaman ini dengan diri q sendiri waktu aq umur 15 tahun. Dan aq makin yakin klo seri ini bagus buat remaja2 jaman sekarang. Salut to Cathy Hopkins!
May 13, 2018
I really enjoyed these books when I was younger. I’ve definitely matured, and not sure I’d enjoy them too much now. But great for younger readers, say about 11-14? Silly and fun but you get to love the main characters
December 15, 2023
I’m definitely not the target audience for this book but I did find it to be a cute read. Something I would have love to read when I was in my Jacqueline Wilson eta. My only nitpick is that she had too many friends. I couldn’t distinguish Tj from Lucy from Nesta .. and I’m sure I’m missing one.
September 8, 2022
Good, but kinda preachy
May 11, 2025
i read this while i was working.
firstly, i think it's a nice read for younger girls. maybe around 13-14.
the characters in the story are that age except for some of the male crushes, in which case, they are 18/19. the fact that a 14 year old is snogging (which i do not know the meaning of) an 18 year old is a bit strange. but i digress, as perhaps there are actual 14 year olds snogging 18 year olds.
characters are ok. it's the typical trope of middle school girls. you have the pretty one that all boys stare at, the quirky one, and 2 other girls. it's very normal i think. except the 18 year old boyfriend/girlfriend thing. also, the quirky girl is a bit too quirky doing handstands in public. it has stuck with me in a bad way.
izzie's diet rampage and desire feels relatable maybe, especially since it's 'her vs the world'- ie people tell her not to starve, to lose weight in a healthy way etc. for any teen girl who reads this, she might incorporate the ideas into her way of thinking.
it's a very fast read. i had a laugh here and there. the usage of 'not' as a sarcastic comeback infuriated me after the 4th time. also, i do not think we should spread the 14 v 18 year old couple idea, especially to impressionable girls. it is not normal, and most likely not good.
at least, the ending was positive. it's the inside that counts, not the outside. it's a nice message.
i can't say much because i am not the target audience, but from the perspective of an adult (lol) it's 3 stars (as objective as i can)- i still left a review because i like writing reviews.
firstly, i think it's a nice read for younger girls. maybe around 13-14.
the characters in the story are that age except for some of the male crushes, in which case, they are 18/19. the fact that a 14 year old is snogging (which i do not know the meaning of) an 18 year old is a bit strange. but i digress, as perhaps there are actual 14 year olds snogging 18 year olds.
characters are ok. it's the typical trope of middle school girls. you have the pretty one that all boys stare at, the quirky one, and 2 other girls. it's very normal i think. except the 18 year old boyfriend/girlfriend thing. also, the quirky girl is a bit too quirky doing handstands in public. it has stuck with me in a bad way.
izzie's diet rampage and desire feels relatable maybe, especially since it's 'her vs the world'- ie people tell her not to starve, to lose weight in a healthy way etc. for any teen girl who reads this, she might incorporate the ideas into her way of thinking.
it's a very fast read. i had a laugh here and there. the usage of 'not' as a sarcastic comeback infuriated me after the 4th time. also, i do not think we should spread the 14 v 18 year old couple idea, especially to impressionable girls. it is not normal, and most likely not good.
at least, the ending was positive. it's the inside that counts, not the outside. it's a nice message.
i can't say much because i am not the target audience, but from the perspective of an adult (lol) it's 3 stars (as objective as i can)- i still left a review because i like writing reviews.
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November 1, 2009 I read Mates, Dates, and Chocolate Cheats as an IR book. This book was about Izzie thinking she is fat. Her friends think she has totally gone bonkers and she is just curvy, but that doesn't change Izzie's mind in the beginning. She begins to starve herself, but then she doesn't because she realizes it's unhealthy. Through out the book she struggles and will izzie finally realize she isn't fat.
I have a text-to-self connection. I can connect this to myself because i call myself fat sometimes. Everybody around me says I'm not but that still doesn't change my mind. I think i should start thinking like Izzie and start choosing healthy foods.
I give this book *****stars. I give this book 5 stars because it teaches whoever's reading it a lesson. If someone around you thinks your not fat you could take that. If your still not satisfied just eat healthier food. I recommend this book who likes the series plus could connect to it if you can, or take a good lesson.
I have a text-to-self connection. I can connect this to myself because i call myself fat sometimes. Everybody around me says I'm not but that still doesn't change my mind. I think i should start thinking like Izzie and start choosing healthy foods.
I give this book *****stars. I give this book 5 stars because it teaches whoever's reading it a lesson. If someone around you thinks your not fat you could take that. If your still not satisfied just eat healthier food. I recommend this book who likes the series plus could connect to it if you can, or take a good lesson.
December 29, 2016
Collective Review
I first read a couple of these books in 2006. I had a long bus trip and grabbed a couple of the series from a local bookstore. I had no idea they were part of a huge series. Over the years I had forgotten the names of the books but every now and then would try to find them. I finally found them this year from a Goodreads list. Yay!
I really enjoyed this series. I think the main reason is because the books were released in 2001 and the girls are 14. I was 13 in 2001 so can connect with a lot of the pop culture aspects mentioned throughout the series. Even though the series is based in England I still feel a sense of nostalgia while reading it.
I really love the girls and their friendship. I never had a close knit group of friends like this when I was younger so I liked reading about it. They are a bit too boy crazy for my liking but I really did love this series.
I first read a couple of these books in 2006. I had a long bus trip and grabbed a couple of the series from a local bookstore. I had no idea they were part of a huge series. Over the years I had forgotten the names of the books but every now and then would try to find them. I finally found them this year from a Goodreads list. Yay!
I really enjoyed this series. I think the main reason is because the books were released in 2001 and the girls are 14. I was 13 in 2001 so can connect with a lot of the pop culture aspects mentioned throughout the series. Even though the series is based in England I still feel a sense of nostalgia while reading it.
I really love the girls and their friendship. I never had a close knit group of friends like this when I was younger so I liked reading about it. They are a bit too boy crazy for my liking but I really did love this series.
August 12, 2011
This book is in the point of view of Izzie. She thinks that ever since she got back from Florence, she has gained a little weight. She tries EVERYTHING to try to loose a few pounds. When she hears about Teen talk she and her friends go and see what it's like. There she meets a guy names Gabriel and she really likes him... Until she finds out that he is gay. But in the end she realizes that someone likes her for who she really is..
I would recommend these books to everyone.. Im on my 5th one right now. Honestly I don't like to read, but these books are just so interesting that you can't put them down
I would recommend these books to everyone.. Im on my 5th one right now. Honestly I don't like to read, but these books are just so interesting that you can't put them down
November 14, 2015
I personally thought that this book was informing us girls. In the book a group of girls come back from a school trip from Italy. One of the girls, Izzie, thinks she has put on a little weight and becomes more and more self conscious about herself and her body. I like this book because the drastic measures izzie went through to "lose weight" were totally unnecessary. By the end, her friends do comfort her and let her know that she is not " fat or whatever she thought she was. I would recommend this book for teen girls, and for a great laugh.
April 27, 2008
i thought that it was a hilarious book that i've read so far. i think that now i like to read romance-comedy books because so far all of Cathy Hopkins's books are romance-comedy. This book talks about Izzie and she thinks that she is getting fatter and nothing is working out. Later she found out that it wasn't worth it and what is important is being herself and having confidence. Nothing is impossible!
May 3, 2016
Pretty average in regards to the Mates, Dates series. I am honestly getting rather tired of them. I guess I really have aged out... Also, I bet Izzie was at a perfectly average weight. Negative body image is still serious though. I have totally done the thing where you say this is your last bag of chips and then a few days later... This book just reminded me that I have a junk food addiction! Only two more books to go! 3/5
December 6, 2007
This was a really good book. I can always relate to one of the characters in the story. Izzie is trying to lose some weight she gained and tries a lot of unhealthy diets. They don't work out. Then she sings on a TV show she was picked for. It was a really good book.
December 16, 2010
I really love this book I want to read the whole collection this book is so intrasting it almost sound like if im reading about my life but im not this person that im reading about is very cool because me and her have to much in comin
March 28, 2016
In this book Izzie struggles with her body image after a school trip of indulging in some new foods. She compares her weight to other people, changes her eating habits, and even doesn't believe her friends.
February 9, 2014
Another good addition to this series. In this installment we follow Izzie around. It seemed to focus a lot on her weight issues. Definitely, something anyone can relate too. I wish it could have a little more realness to it. Other then that decent read.
November 5, 2019
Very funny and totally relatable. Especially for girls who are struggling with weight problems or who are insecure about how they look. This book tells you that no matter how you look people will like you and find you attractive.
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July 29, 2008This is another great book.This book is about a girl who went on a trip and came back home thinking she was overweight.
November 4, 2008
I just love the chocolate things!!!
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March 27, 2010F HOP md bk. 10
May 9, 2011
Very funny. A bit inappropriate because snogging the meaning isn't so appropriate but it depends on your age. Otherwise amazing book
May 11, 2011
Pretty creepy. But it was okay. Some parts were really funny.
July 28, 2011
an ok book with good morels for teens
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews