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dadzpeach's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the third(?) time to read this and I actually enjoyed it the most this time around. Maybe because I listened to it this time? Anywho. I respect Bea’s final decision more this time, before I felt like it was a big cop out for the author…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Transphobia
meridith_bex's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Abandonment, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
crystalisreading's review
challenging
emotional
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't watch enough reality TV to know if this plot was plausible or not. I questioned that a lot though. I know all marginalized groups are entitled to wish fulfillment romances, but it was hard to believe in at lot of this. also I didn't really like any of the major characters, and didn't really buy the primary romance. two minor couples were cute though, and fat rep is always good. I just wish i had found this more enjoyable than I did. I much preferred On the Plus Side by Jenny Howe, for a reality TV show fat romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Alcohol, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Grief, Abandonment, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexual content and Acephobia/Arophobia
pandapuffs's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual content and Xenophobia
Minor: Infidelity
macaronsandmermaids's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
eggata's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gathering full thoughts !!
edit:
I was going to lay out all my thoughts on this book but I have so many and honestly, most reviews I've read sum it up very well! I went into this book expecting body positivity and a plus size character starring in a fun rom-com with some drama. Maybe it was naive of me but I wasn't expecting this book to be as triggering as it was in terms of fatphobia and negative self image; it was honestly a bit tiring. Otherwise the premise was fun but I didn't really love context of the romances (maybe I'm just not a reality tv person aha) and some of the narrative felt weird! Overall, not a huge fan rip.
edit:
I was going to lay out all my thoughts on this book but I have so many and honestly, most reviews I've read sum it up very well! I went into this book expecting body positivity and a plus size character starring in a fun rom-com with some drama. Maybe it was naive of me but I wasn't expecting this book to be as triggering as it was in terms of fatphobia and negative self image; it was honestly a bit tiring. Otherwise the premise was fun but I didn't really love context of the romances (maybe I'm just not a reality tv person aha) and some of the narrative felt weird! Overall, not a huge fan rip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
zombiewilhelm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
Y'all, this book. I could not put this book down. I think I stayed up until 2 am on Friday because I was so invested in Bea and her journey. The ups and downs of reality TV dating was wild.
The format is interesting. Mixed in with the storytelling are text conversations, slack channel conversations, podcast transcripts, e-mails, blog posts, etc. I thought this was going to bother me when I first saw it, but it adds to the reality TV storyline.
There are several great characters in this book, but I think my favorite is Bea's stepfather Bob. He's too pure for this world and he's just so adorable in how much he cares about Bea.
Things I didn't like: This book is on a bunch of lists of body-positive books and I think I was hoping that Bea would have had a stronger self-image than she did. She does a good job putting up a strong front, but she gets whiny throughout and is constantly thinking that none of the men could want her. I was hoping she'd live up to her convictions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia