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chasingpages1's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Body shaming
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Alcohol, Death, Grief, and Medical content
mandaraffe's review
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
lisa_m's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
There are so many misunderstandings in this book. And such weird rules & situations. (Having a double date with your grandparents who are engaged being one of them.)
I did enjoy the discussion of body positivity, workout culture and online hate. And I do think it was handled fairly well. Most of the other aspects of the story weren't though. I just got really annoyed by both the main characters frequently. Not only do they constantly have misunderstandings, they also set weird rules for no reason. (like saying the we can't date until 2 months - while they absolutely are dating, since they are romantically involved and exclusive? They only don't kiss or have sex. Also the whole 'no touching rule made no sense to me even after it was explained).
I started reading this book because I am looking forward to reading Exes and O's. But when I started reading I just couldn't fully get into the story and once I put the book down I really did not want to pick it up again. I did eventually and I guess I'm glad I did? Now I already know Tara & Trevor and I do like them. So I truly hope I will like that book more than this one.
One thing that absolutely bothered me was that in the beginning of the book, the love interest was rude to the main character and she got really angry about it. But then in the end they try to change the whole narrative by saying that he was instantly in love with her the moment he saw her, and he just didn't know how to talk to her. Also there were so many times where I was like 'Oh so that's why they mentioned that before...' because absolutely any little detail comes back around to mean something.
And the relationship of the grandparents felt very weird and unneccesary to me. They already knew each other before. They would have gotten to know each other anyways. They didn't have any important moments during their grandparents wedding. All it did was that Crystal started doubting her grandmothers loyalty to her own grandfather (which never got resolved btw) and also we got some hugely uncomfortable moments like her going to a strip club with her grandmother and watching her get a lap dance? Eww I did not want to read that, sorry. Also when Scott then said he should have done that, so they could have seen a real fireman? Nooo! That was so weird!! That's your step grandma & your ?girlfriend's real grandma! Don't say that! And I don't understand what the author is trying to accomplish with the grandma anyways. She is very religious and oldfashioned, but at the same time bubbly & quirky and goes to a strip club to get a lap dance? And she is desperately trying to get her own granddaughter and her fiancées grandson in a relationship? Idk feels like plot convenience to me.. She is whatever the story needs her to be, but not a realtistic 3-dimensional character.
Btw I did not like Scott. I can't quite say why but he just made me so angry and I feel like Crystal was always the one to appologize and do the grand gestures even though he did wrong too and then he just adds a quick 'I'm sorry too' to her appology and all's well? Also again him being the "perfect man" (he is absolutely not perfect but they make it seem that way, as they do in a lot of rom coms unfortunately).
And I skipped all of the smut scenes because I really just wanted to finish the book quickly, so I cannot comment on that at all.
Conclusion: I felt like this book was all over the place and tried to do way to much. I didn't connect with the main characters and disliked a bunch of strange plotpoints.
I am going to read Exes and Oh's though and I hope I will like that one better.
I did enjoy the discussion of body positivity, workout culture and online hate. And I do think it was handled fairly well. Most of the other aspects of the story weren't though. I just got really annoyed by both the main characters frequently. Not only do they constantly have misunderstandings, they also set weird rules for no reason.
I started reading this book because I am looking forward to reading Exes and O's. But when I started reading I just couldn't fully get into the story and once I put the book down I really did not want to pick it up again. I did eventually and I guess I'm glad I did? Now I already know Tara & Trevor and I do like them. So I truly hope I will like that book more than this one.
One thing that absolutely bothered me was that in the beginning of the book, the love interest was rude to the main character and she got really angry about it. But then in the end they try to change the whole narrative by saying that he was instantly in love with her the moment he saw her, and he just didn't know how to talk to her. Also there were so many times where I was like 'Oh so that's why they mentioned that before...' because absolutely any little detail comes back around to mean something.
And the relationship of the grandparents felt very weird and unneccesary to me. They already knew each other before. They would have gotten to know each other anyways. They didn't have any important moments during their grandparents wedding. All it did was that Crystal started doubting her grandmothers loyalty to her own grandfather (which never got resolved btw) and also we got some hugely uncomfortable moments like her going to a strip club with her grandmother and watching her get a lap dance? Eww I did not want to read that, sorry.
Btw I did not like Scott. I can't quite say why but he just made me so angry and I feel like Crystal was always the one to appologize and do the grand gestures even though he did wrong too and then he just adds a quick 'I'm sorry too' to her appology and all's well? Also again him being the "perfect man" (he is absolutely not perfect but they make it seem that way, as they do in a lot of rom coms unfortunately).
And I skipped all of the smut scenes because I really just wanted to finish the book quickly, so I cannot comment on that at all.
Conclusion: I felt like this book was all over the place and tried to do way to much. I didn't connect with the main characters and disliked a bunch of strange plotpoints.
I am going to read Exes and Oh's though and I hope I will like that one better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Cancer, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
decklededgess's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
3.0
trigger warnings: sexual content, alcohol, sexual harassment, racist microaggressions, fatphobia, depression and anxiety, bullying
I can’t get over the fact that they get together while her grandma and his grandpa also get married….it’s giving Life With Derek.
Anywho
I thought the romance was fun. The chemistry between Crystal and Scott felt a little flat. There was a lot of telling me she has the hots for him and it didn’t feel authentic. On the flip side the initial meet gate was great. The animosity was palpable and I sincerely hated Scott a lot as well. Would have been nice if that level of tangible emotional tension carried through the book.
Crystal’s body positivity turned body acceptance journey was interesting. I appreciated the open conversation about how fat and curvy people are looked down on by outsiders to their relationship, how they’re constantly dealing with roadblocks with the fashion industry, the constant micro aggressions people sling, and on and on. It felt raw and honest when Crystal broke down due to the pressure of social media and I liked her growth past that point.
I felt at times that the author was skirting around the use of the word fat but that could also be because the author wanted to ensure she wasn’t stepping on toes of fat representation when this character is described as chubby/curvy. I’m an outsider on both counts considering i’m not fat, curvy, or chubby so first hand reviews would give you better opinions on that.
I never liked books that harp on health and exercise and actually spend time on that aspect of the story. It bores me to tears and this did not change my mind on that. I skimmed so much. Thankfully other parts of the story carried enough that I enjoyed reading what I did spend time on.
Overall, very meh but a solid debut so I look forward to Amy Lea’s second book.
I can’t get over the fact that they get together while her grandma and his grandpa also get married….it’s giving Life With Derek.
Anywho
I thought the romance was fun. The chemistry between Crystal and Scott felt a little flat. There was a lot of telling me she has the hots for him and it didn’t feel authentic. On the flip side the initial meet gate was great. The animosity was palpable and I sincerely hated Scott a lot as well. Would have been nice if that level of tangible emotional tension carried through the book.
Crystal’s body positivity turned body acceptance journey was interesting. I appreciated the open conversation about how fat and curvy people are looked down on by outsiders to their relationship, how they’re constantly dealing with roadblocks with the fashion industry, the constant micro aggressions people sling, and on and on. It felt raw and honest when Crystal broke down due to the pressure of social media and I liked her growth past that point.
I felt at times that the author was skirting around the use of the word fat but that could also be because the author wanted to ensure she wasn’t stepping on toes of fat representation when this character is described as chubby/curvy. I’m an outsider on both counts considering i’m not fat, curvy, or chubby so first hand reviews would give you better opinions on that.
I never liked books that harp on health and exercise and actually spend time on that aspect of the story. It bores me to tears and this did not change my mind on that. I skimmed so much. Thankfully other parts of the story carried enough that I enjoyed reading what I did spend time on.
Overall, very meh but a solid debut so I look forward to Amy Lea’s second book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, Medical content, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Alcohol, and Infidelity
inkdrinkers's review
funny
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
5.0
Lord, all I'm asking is for a man like Scott Richie.
I read this book cover to cover. When I started chapter one, I was in a CAR DEALERSHIP forcing myself to contain squeals of delight. That was the moment I knew this book would fly so far past five stars it would go into space territory.
Crystal Chen is a curvy fitstagrammer who is all about loving yourself and being kind to your body. When she happens to meet a mysterious stranger at her gym who steals her equipment (it was totally her's, who moves a cellphone and headphones off equipment???), she swears up and down he's her nemesis. Except he's a hot firefighter and she's got it BAD.
There is too much to say about this book. I loved Crystal and Scott, I loved the inclusion of Crystal's Instagram posts, and I loved how every member of her family reminded me of my own. The growth that Crystal undergoes punched me in the gut, without spoiling anything, it was something I needed to read - then go back and read again.
Scott's character was so refreshing for a romcom, I'm absolutely obsessed with how mature and kind he was. There wasn't a single moment in the book where I questioned him or his motives and that was such a welcome change from some of the walking red flag book boyfriends. He's the man you bring home to your mother and then who treats you to a nice sorbet because you're lactose intolerant. What a dream man tbh.
Amy Lea, please, for me and everyone else out there, never stop writing. You could publish recipes on how to make oatmeal and I'd absolutely devour them. I am so excited for Tara and Trevor's story, and even more excited about what comes afterwards. (And if I can make another shameless request, keep writing plus sized characters that make me feel so seen and so worthy of love.)
I read this book cover to cover. When I started chapter one, I was in a CAR DEALERSHIP forcing myself to contain squeals of delight. That was the moment I knew this book would fly so far past five stars it would go into space territory.
Crystal Chen is a curvy fitstagrammer who is all about loving yourself and being kind to your body. When she happens to meet a mysterious stranger at her gym who steals her equipment (it was totally her's, who moves a cellphone and headphones off equipment???), she swears up and down he's her nemesis. Except he's a hot firefighter and she's got it BAD.
There is too much to say about this book. I loved Crystal and Scott, I loved the inclusion of Crystal's Instagram posts, and I loved how every member of her family reminded me of my own. The growth that Crystal undergoes punched me in the gut, without spoiling anything, it was something I needed to read - then go back and read again.
Scott's character was so refreshing for a romcom, I'm absolutely obsessed with how mature and kind he was. There wasn't a single moment in the book where I questioned him or his motives and that was such a welcome change from some of the walking red flag book boyfriends. He's the man you bring home to your mother and then who treats you to a nice sorbet because you're lactose intolerant. What a dream man tbh.
Amy Lea, please, for me and everyone else out there, never stop writing. You could publish recipes on how to make oatmeal and I'd absolutely devour them. I am so excited for Tara and Trevor's story, and even more excited about what comes afterwards. (And if I can make another shameless request, keep writing plus sized characters that make me feel so seen and so worthy of love.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Bullying
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Minor: Medical content and Racism
thefatpaperback's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Bullying, Sexual content, Cancer, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, Grief, and Medical content
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