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silvani's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I didn't enjoy this book. The pacing was odd and there was a lot of flashbacks to the main character's trauma surrounding fatphobia and ED. I felt that the relationships were rushed as well, the main character immediately trusted the romantic interest despite having very little reason to do so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Murder, and Sexual content
imzadi481's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I know I say this all the time, but I feel like it's important for you to know: I never read the synopsis of a book. Judging by the cover, I was expecting some kind of chick-lit or full-on romance novel. It turned out to be part chick-lit, part mystery.
What starts as a story about a fat (don't come for me; I'm fat and I don't think it's a dirty word!) influencer who reconnects with an old friend while also meeting a new man, turns into a cheesy mystery. Cheesy, but fun. I couldn't really take this story seriously, but I didn't see it as a negative. It kept me hooked and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The narrator, Danielle MacDonald, was really good.
Make sure to check trigger warnings, especially about fatphobia and fat-shaming.
What starts as a story about a fat (don't come for me; I'm fat and I don't think it's a dirty word!) influencer who reconnects with an old friend while also meeting a new man, turns into a cheesy mystery. Cheesy, but fun. I couldn't really take this story seriously, but I didn't see it as a negative. It kept me hooked and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The narrator, Danielle MacDonald, was really good.
Make sure to check trigger warnings, especially about fatphobia and fat-shaming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
jcstokes95's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I have been in a bit of a (self-imposed) slump lately, so after finishing up my book about tree bark and one of all immoral characters I was really looking for an easy, buzzy read. This was definitely that. I was not expecting the sudden twist into a whodunnit and mysteries are not really my forte. But Weiner keeps things pretty breezy throughout. Daphne is likable enough and her feelings towards Drue are incredibly relatable as a former fat sidekick myself. I also really enjoy the complex friendships here. Dashi is sometimes mean -spirited and cruel while Daphne often abandons her. But their relationship is clearly more solid than Daphne and Drue's. It sets up the two friendships as great foils to each other and shows how much respect matter in friendship, even if you are different from one another.
My major complaints about this book are honestly that same things that made me enjoy it after a reading slump. It's incredibly low stakes. Even with a murder, it feels like we aren't really living in a world with consequences The characters lack any real depth, even Drue, who it feels like we're supposed to think had "more than meets the eye" to her, is a bit flat. The love interest is...the worst love interest I've read all year. He has no personality and I was kind of hoping in the end they'd go their separate ways. I was way more interested in Daphne than him. In fact, I was way more interested in his mother's story than his. I think he certainly brought down my enjoyment of the book.
The other thing that brought down my enjoyment was the final showdown with our perp. Like murder is wrong and insane. But also I felt bad for them? Which was weird. And a little annoyed that Daphne was making odd comparisons. I don't know. A strange scene entirely.
What I really like about the book, is that it answers the questions 'Do bitches deserve justice?' with a resounding yes. And I really liked that part of it. Much has been written about the kind of woman who gets justice and Drue seems like the type many would argue not to fight for, but Daphne does. It kind of reminds me of the idea that a lot of woman are against slut-shaming until it's someone they don't like. And Daphne's line in the sand here is that every person deserves justice and respect. Which is a moral I enjoyed.
My major complaints about this book are honestly that same things that made me enjoy it after a reading slump. It's incredibly low stakes. Even with a murder, it feels like we aren't really living in a world with consequences The characters lack any real depth, even Drue, who it feels like we're supposed to think had "more than meets the eye" to her, is a bit flat. The love interest is...the worst love interest I've read all year. He has no personality and I was kind of hoping in the end they'd go their separate ways. I was way more interested in Daphne than him. In fact, I was way more interested in his mother's story than his. I think he certainly brought down my enjoyment of the book.
The other thing that brought down my enjoyment was the final showdown with our perp. Like murder is wrong and insane. But also I felt bad for them? Which was weird. And a little annoyed that Daphne was making odd comparisons. I don't know. A strange scene entirely.
What I really like about the book, is that it answers the questions 'Do bitches deserve justice?' with a resounding yes. And I really liked that part of it. Much has been written about the kind of woman who gets justice and Drue seems like the type many would argue not to fight for, but Daphne does. It kind of reminds me of the idea that a lot of woman are against slut-shaming until it's someone they don't like. And Daphne's line in the sand here is that every person deserves justice and respect. Which is a moral I enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Fatphobia
livcbrown's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Murder, and Death
shoffman1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Toxic friendship
sheasweat's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Fatphobia, and Murder
Minor: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse
internationalreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Murder, Mental illness, Infidelity, Grief, and Fatphobia
tammitammo's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
BUR HUBUR social media is bad, rich people have it SO hard and gosh, aren’t women fickle?
This book just had so much going on, and whilst I’ll be the first to admit I generally prefer books where nothing happens, I’ll try to be objective and just complain about the gaping plot holes.
This book was at its best when describing how we women learn to weaponise our bodies from childhood. I wish everyone would read that segment in essay form.
If you’re looking for a beach read with drama, romance & mystery -then fair enough. Unfortunately, November is emo Autumn sad time. Perhaps I just read it in the wrong season.
This book just had so much going on, and whilst I’ll be the first to admit I generally prefer books where nothing happens, I’ll try to be objective and just complain about the gaping plot holes.
This book was at its best when describing how we women learn to weaponise our bodies from childhood. I wish everyone would read that segment in essay form.
If you’re looking for a beach read with drama, romance & mystery -then fair enough. Unfortunately, November is emo Autumn sad time. Perhaps I just read it in the wrong season.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Abandonment, and Fatphobia
bookedupchick's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
“In space nobody could hear you scream, on the internet nobody could tell if you were lying”
This is a thriller disguised as a beach read rom/com. Body positivity, friendships, social media, and a murder mystery are intermixed within this book. It was entertaining and a fun summer read.
Part of the time is spent on Cape Cod and it brought back some nostalgic moments for me. I am from the Cape, so every location that was mentioned I could see vividly ♡ those parts reminded me of home.
Read This If You Like ⤵️
🐚 Murder Mysteries
🐚 Body Image Struggles
🐚 Female Friendship
🐚 Seaside Escape
🐚 Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
This is a thriller disguised as a beach read rom/com. Body positivity, friendships, social media, and a murder mystery are intermixed within this book. It was entertaining and a fun summer read.
Part of the time is spent on Cape Cod and it brought back some nostalgic moments for me. I am from the Cape, so every location that was mentioned I could see vividly ♡ those parts reminded me of home.
Read This If You Like ⤵️
🐚 Murder Mysteries
🐚 Body Image Struggles
🐚 Female Friendship
🐚 Seaside Escape
🐚 Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Murder
readergonewilde's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Murder, Self harm, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship