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le3713's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident and Cancer
itsmeyseniab's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
If you're looking for a fluffy, make-you-smile-from-ear-to-ear, butterflies-in-your-tummy romcom this is the one for you! AND it's a body-positive, Cinderella retelling (with a different family dynamic than we're used to seeing in the original)?! Set in a Bachelor/Bachelorette-esque television show?! With a confident, talented, and funny female lead who has goals beyond finding a partner?! This book is literal perfection and it's being shelved in my mind as a book to pick up whenever I'm feeling sad and need a little pick me up!
Moderate: Grief and Fatphobia
Minor: Infertility, Death of parent, Cancer, Car accident, and Miscarriage
marthabethanreads'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
The reality tv element was so fun and I could picture it all happening. I thought it was a great premise and I really enjoyed this element of the book.
The plus sized rep was SO brilliantly done in my opinion. I loved how Cindy was unapologetically herself and that she didn’t doubt whether the love interest was into her due to her weight. This never even came into their relationship and I really liked that. I also liked how she handled fatphobia and the issues around sizing in the fashion industry - it provided great insight and context without having a overly negative plot about her weight. She also had NO desire to lose weight or change who she was - let’s celebrate this more please! I love seeing people who are happy in their own skin and embracing who they are, and this was personally my favourite element of this great book.
Overall I really enjoyed it, despite not being super invested in the love story, and definitely recommend!
Moderate: Fatphobia and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
nbreezy17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Grief ran as an undercurrent of the plot and I think it was done so well. Julie Murphy really did a great job showing how one doesn't ever move on from grief, just learns to live with it, and how it can still sneak up on you and punch you in the gut when you least expect it. I LOVE that she subverted the whole "evil stepfamily" plotline that is typical of Cinderella stories because this is not always the case and it is so important to show that family isn't always blood.
This is a zero on the steam scale, for those who are wondering. But cute, nonetheless!
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Cancer and Car accident
saffyre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, and Chronic illness
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Cancer
readwithde's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The fast pace left little room for how "real" the narrative might be, but I liked that it focused on the "actiony" bits instead of a lot of commentary. While I think the book did a great job of showcasing problems with sizes in the fashion industry, as well as inclusivity in media, it felt very natural and past of what was happening.
I really liked Henry and Cindy, but they seemed not-quite three dimensional; I could honestly barely remember Cindy's name! I think that's what made it such a fun read, though: I could picture almost anyone going through this, including myself.
Overall, it was like a cookie skillet sundae: warm, gooey, a bit original but still pretty vague, yet comforting. And best if indulged quickly.
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, and Sexual content
aqtbenz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent and Cancer