Scan barcode
strickortreat's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
jswense's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Fatphobia and Bullying
cleo_wylde's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Body shaming
Moderate: Infidelity and Bullying
spearly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“You said yes because you knew some people would object?”
“I wanted to prove that I had every right to be here,” Bea answered. “That I could star in a show about love just like any other woman."
One to Watch follows fashion-blogger Bea, as she is thrust into the public eye as the first plus-size woman to star in Main Squeeze, a reality show akin to The Bachelorette.
This was a nice read. Stayman-London has a way of crafting a very atmospheric, romantic story without getting too technical. For obvious reasons, this reminded me a lot of MTV's Unreal, only sweeter and more satisfying. Still, it's important to mention the obviously heavy themes of fat phobia, fat-shaming, online harassment (including rape and death threats), misogyny, and a very uncomfortable sequence where be a talks about being assaulted in high school.
I loved trying to guess who of Bea's suitors were ~there for the right reasons~. I made a few wrong calls, a few right calls, and Stayman-London definitely threw me at the end there, but it was hella enjoyable!
More important that the romantic side plots, I loved the way Bea came into her own through the story. Even in the beginning, as a body-positive fashion blogger, readers still got a sense of her deeply-rooted insecurities, of how she never allowed herself to be vulnerable, of how she never believed anyone could be attracted to her because it was easier to believe no-one wanted her than to open herself up to being hurt. And yet, despite these insecurities, she was always strong in her convictions, steadfast in ignoring the haters, and, after some trepidation, eager to show the world that being plus-sized doesn't mean you can't get your fairytale ending.
Her journey throughout the show, while yes, was dramatic and luscious to read about, became less about the romance for me and more about the way Bea began to see herself as she started trusted the guys. And, gosh, did she have a good bunch at the end there. Mostly.
I will say...
But I do understand all the glowing reviews and high star ratings from my mutuals! Definitely worth the read.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual content
giulia_and_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, and Infidelity
supersandra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
On the one hand, for the overall narrative of the book, I'd give maybe 3.5 or 4 stars. It's a little bit unbelievable at times
On the other hand, as a fat woman, this book was REALLY HARD TO EXPERIENCE at times. If you're a fat person, especially a fat woman, and you're not in a good headspace to read very accurate depictions of the types of things that internet trolls and asshole men routinely say about and to fat women, I don't suggest this book, and I especially don't suggest it as an audiobook. The audiobook transitions from chapter to chapter were extra jarring in this regard. So for me that's what brings the score down. I'd probably rate this 2.5 stars, but I don't want to scare off folks who are in a good place to experience this book, as I think it has some really meaningful themes, especially for people who do not understand what it is like to live in the body of a fat woman.
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexism
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
Detailed online harassment and threats toward a fat woman, including rape threats/descriptions, comments that she will die from being fat or that she should just kill herself, etc.elisabethjoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
ontheoffbeat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
meg_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Bullying
becksreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Body shaming