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sam_is_reading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexism
notsobinaryart's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Infidelity and Cursing
Minor: Fatphobia, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship
hannahgjenson's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
I enjoyed this book! It really helped me out of my reading slump. I love to hate watch the Bachelor/ette and other dating shows, so I enjoyed reading about what a more diverse version would look like and how it would still be complicated (but is still absolutely necessary). I thought it was really fun, but there were also some heart wrenching moments that were hard to read. My two main issues were that some of the characters did a couple that seemed out of character/random and that most of the twists and the ending were easily predictable, but that could also be because I know how these type of shows work since I watch a lot of them. I also liked how it was uniquely written, as it was not only told through third person POV but also uses podcast transcripts, social media comments, magazine articles, and other devices to tell the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexism
Moderate: Infidelity
lucyhargrave's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
reads2cope's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book repetitive and dull except for when it was triggering (infidelity, intense bullying, online harassment, and more) or unbelievable (the main character hurting/shaming other women while being portrayed as a feminist icon, the way some minority characters were written, the whole Morocco trip, and many of the podcast or fake articles)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
theespressoedition's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
5.0
YES YES YES! A thousand times yes! This is the contemporary romance I needed in my life.
I borrowed the audiobook of One to Watch from Libby on a total whim. It was available, so I got it. I had no clue it would turn into one of my favorite books ever! It was cute, had depth, wasn't enemies-to-lovers, and was filled with serious girl power!
From the very get-go, I was rooting for Bea. I wanted her to find herself more than I wanted her to find love, but of course, finding love wouldn't be so bad either. I'm not at all a fan of the Bachelor/Bachelorette shows or anything like them, but for some reason, reading about a show like that was totally fascinating to me. There was something about knowing the behind-the-scenes perspectives that really took it to another level.
I enjoyed how a decent amount of the book was written about the different episodes of the show. It was such fun to find myself drawn to certain contestants and wanting to see them succeed just as much as Bea.
While there were certain parts about the ending that frustrated me (namely Roy showing up - though it was to be expected at some point), all in all, I was satisfied with how things wrapped up. This is absolutely a book I could find myself reading again! So cute!
I borrowed the audiobook of One to Watch from Libby on a total whim. It was available, so I got it. I had no clue it would turn into one of my favorite books ever! It was cute, had depth, wasn't enemies-to-lovers, and was filled with serious girl power!
From the very get-go, I was rooting for Bea. I wanted her to find herself more than I wanted her to find love, but of course, finding love wouldn't be so bad either. I'm not at all a fan of the Bachelor/Bachelorette shows or anything like them, but for some reason, reading about a show like that was totally fascinating to me. There was something about knowing the behind-the-scenes perspectives that really took it to another level.
I enjoyed how a decent amount of the book was written about the different episodes of the show. It was such fun to find myself drawn to certain contestants and wanting to see them succeed just as much as Bea.
While there were certain parts about the ending that frustrated me (namely Roy showing up - though it was to be expected at some point), all in all, I was satisfied with how things wrapped up. This is absolutely a book I could find myself reading again! So cute!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Sexism
Minor: Eating disorder and Toxic relationship
laurenparham's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
spearly's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
TW: sexual assault, fatphobia, misogyny, infidelity
“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.
Sam was my fave, obviously. If he wasn't yours, then I think you need a re-read!! I was iffy about Luc from the beginning, but I truly felt he played the largest part in helping Bea on her journey to believing she was beautiful. Wyatt was wonderful, and I loved his friendship with Bea, the way he protected her until the very end. And Asher... well, let's just say I liked him fine. I could tell he was genuine. But if I were Bea, I doubt he'd have made it as far as he did.
I will say... I wish the story had ended with Bea on her own. The whole reconciliation with Asher was, yes, expected (it's still a romance, obviously), but unnecessary. I was more interested to see Bea maneuver through the world with everything she'd learned about herself because of the show. Honestly, I think the strongest ending would have been for Bea to be taking herself out on a date, and to catch the eye of stranger while Taylor Swift's Begin Again starts to play. I mean, if this was a movie. Idk. Maybe I just didn't really like Asher.
But I do understand all the glowing reviews and high star ratings from my mutuals! Definitely worth the read.
“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.
Content Warnings
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
supersandra's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
This is a tough book to rate.
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 timesbut I found the resolution satisfying . And while I really appreciated a fat protagonist, the specific situation she's put into in the book makes the whole book kind of a meta example of what the book is, I think, trying to say shouldn't happen; that someone shouldn't be notable because they are existing in the world as a fat woman, but rather that people should appreciate others for their whole self (of which fatness is one aspect but not the main one).
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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.kissievendor's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Easy 5 stars!
I normally don't watch reality TV, but I was so hooked. The characters and the conversations felt so real.
Also, I normally don't like mixed medium (tweets and podcast in between), but in this story it made sense, and it was done in a creative way to convey conversation as well as the emotional context.
Anyway, very addicting, perfect for a buddy read!
I normally don't watch reality TV, but I was so hooked. The characters and the conversations felt so real.
Also, I normally don't like mixed medium (tweets and podcast in between), but in this story it made sense, and it was done in a creative way to convey conversation as well as the emotional context.
Anyway, very addicting, perfect for a buddy read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Sexism