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garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really liked the representation in this book, and the lesson/message at the end. But I had a tough time connecting with the characters. I'm the polar opposite of a gym bro, and a lot of it takes place in a gym, so maybe that's why?
IDK they both seemed to be pretty flat characters too, like they were interested in working out and doing their jobs and not much else. As an introvert (which, they are both supposed to be homebody types) I can say that we still have plenty of interests that we don't have to leave the house for!
IDK they both seemed to be pretty flat characters too, like they were interested in working out and doing their jobs and not much else. As an introvert (which, they are both supposed to be homebody types) I can say that we still have plenty of interests that we don't have to leave the house for!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Racism
irenemayblack's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
blurb:
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
- he falls first & harder
- strong female lead
- golden retriever boy
- curvy, half asian girl
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Cancer, and Racism
beca_reads's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was so refreshing to read, and really looked into the fitness industry specifically online. We follow Crystal who is a curvy fitstagrammer sharing her story online. She then meets Scott at the gym one day, and they constantly wind each other up. Things get complicated when she arrives to her grandmother's engagement to find that her grandmother's finance's grandson is no other than Scott. They both fall hard for each other, and spend all of their time together, until Crystal announces to her followers that she is dating him. She receives a lot of hateful comments and direct messages, and causes tension within the relationship. The book really explores Crystals relationship with exercise, her body, and her mentality to the fitness industry.
The book does a wonderful job of looking at the fitness industry, and how set it is on portraying a certain image. This book delved into the nuances of body positivity and the true effects of it. All of the characters were well fleshed out, and its very hard to not love Crystal and Scott.
The book does a wonderful job of looking at the fitness industry, and how set it is on portraying a certain image. This book delved into the nuances of body positivity and the true effects of it. All of the characters were well fleshed out, and its very hard to not love Crystal and Scott.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Cursing, and Sexual content
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