Scan barcode
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
I enjoyed it well enough. Bumped up the score a tad for the good body positivity/HAES attitude throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Abandonment, Fatphobia, and Medical content
moodyromancereader's review against another edition
3.25
This novel is about Britta, an assistant at a lifestyle website with hopes of becoming a writer. To secure a spot as a writer, she decides to collaborate with her coworker. Both choose a fitness app to write about. Brittany selects the FitMe app based on their focus on their client's health, not just physical appearance. Britta is assigned to Wes, who is her coach and co-owner of the FitMe app.
Britta and Wes begin to message one another on the app, and their romance begins to blossom. But there are obstacles, such as he does not know she is writing an article about her experience, and she does not know he is the co-owner.
What I appreciate about Britta is her honesty, vulnerability, and her body positivity. While she is training with a personal trainer, she makes sure to let everyone know her fitness goals are her own.
I appreciate how the author addresses the stigmas, addictions, and disorders in this novel. I enjoy books that can provide social commentary on real issues, and the author did this with much care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Eating disorder
caitlinscamera's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, and Drug abuse
itsinthewords's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Denise Williams delivers a very thoughtful portrayal of entering the fitness world as a fat woman, and looks at the way society views exercise as a weight-loss tool rather than as something that can feel good for a person. Britta faces many judgmental folks who make all kinds of assumptions about her and her exercise journey, but I was very impressed with how gently Williams treats this topic. Britta never once feels she needs to lose weight or prove herself to anyone, and the fatphobia she encounters is always from someone we know is not worthy of her. Williams always seems to know how to treat darker subjects with a tenderness that makes it feel like she is holding your hand through it when things get rough. I never once felt overwhelmed or like I needed to tap out. I could just enjoy these characters!
There is some lying by omission in this, and sometimes that is not something I can handle. Even so, I still really really loved this book! The characters felt humanly flawed, with anxieties and fears I recognized, and I felt like the HEA was deeply earned by both MCs. They had their own issues to sort out outside of their relationship in order to make it work, and I deeply appreciate when an author does that for us!
There is some lying by omission in this, and sometimes that is not something I can handle. Even so, I still really really loved this book! The characters felt humanly flawed, with anxieties and fears I recognized, and I felt like the HEA was deeply earned by both MCs. They had their own issues to sort out outside of their relationship in order to make it work, and I deeply appreciate when an author does that for us!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Fatphobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug abuse
Hidden identity, lying by omissioncaitlinemccann's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, and Drug use
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Rating: 5/5 stars
Britta begins a writing project about a fitness app called FitMi—only to unexpectedly fall for her coach (and FitMi CEO) Wes.
Let me start off this review by saying I am a fat woman (and to be clear, “fat” is a descriptor and has nothing to do with my value—owning that the word fat describes me is not me being derogatory about myself in *any* way). And while I absolutely read and love romance novels about people of all sizes and body types, I have to be honest: reading a book where a beautiful and unapologetically fat woman who loves her body not only gets the true love and the HEA but gets it WITH THE HOT MUSCLY FIT GUY?????? This is the book I never knew I always needed and I loved it SO MUCH.
Wes was everything a book boyfriend should be—sweet, caring, supportive, and absolutely in awe of his brilliant beautiful woman without ever batting an eye at her body type. Britta was confident, brave, and owned her (extremely relatable) baggage surrounding her weight. Their story was adorable and swoony and slow-burn and perfect. Honestly I don’t think I have any complaints at all except that it’s over and I never want to stop reading about these two.
To Denise Williams: thank you, SO MUCH, for writing this one.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: only one bed; he-falls-first; workplace-ish romance
CW: fatphobia/body shaming; addiction/overdose; some misogyny/sexism; eating disorders/body image struggles
Britta begins a writing project about a fitness app called FitMi—only to unexpectedly fall for her coach (and FitMi CEO) Wes.
Let me start off this review by saying I am a fat woman (and to be clear, “fat” is a descriptor and has nothing to do with my value—owning that the word fat describes me is not me being derogatory about myself in *any* way). And while I absolutely read and love romance novels about people of all sizes and body types, I have to be honest: reading a book where a beautiful and unapologetically fat woman who loves her body not only gets the true love and the HEA but gets it WITH THE HOT MUSCLY FIT GUY?????? This is the book I never knew I always needed and I loved it SO MUCH.
Wes was everything a book boyfriend should be—sweet, caring, supportive, and absolutely in awe of his brilliant beautiful woman without ever batting an eye at her body type. Britta was confident, brave, and owned her (extremely relatable) baggage surrounding her weight. Their story was adorable and swoony and slow-burn and perfect. Honestly I don’t think I have any complaints at all except that it’s over and I never want to stop reading about these two.
To Denise Williams: thank you, SO MUCH, for writing this one.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: only one bed; he-falls-first; workplace-ish romance
CW: fatphobia/body shaming; addiction/overdose; some misogyny/sexism; eating disorders/body image struggles
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Fatphobia, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Misogyny and Body horror
ariana_m's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
5.0
I loved this book so much! This book radiated comfort vibes. It's a romcom that also tackles very serious topics. I think it was balanced out well. I loved Wes and Britta so much. Their dynamic is so cute. The banter between the two of them was so nice. The slow burn between them was everything. It's a friends to lovers/forced proximity/workplace romance. I didn't even realize this book was friends to lovers until I was almost done lol. It wasn't boring at all. The overall plot of the story was really good too. I loved seeing other characters from previous books. I also loved how every single character's role had significance. In my opinion there weren't really any "side characters" because each character added and contributed to the plot. The literal only complaint I have is that I own the physical book and the font size was a bit too small lol. Overall I loved this book so much. This is can definitely fall into the category of comfort books. I don't know how to describe it but it felt like a comfort read. I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Medical content, Eating disorder, Drug abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body shaming
rwalker101's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, and Alcoholism
britreads's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
This was a beautiful romance novel with excellent fat representation. As a fellow fat person, I loved Britta's realistic relationship with her body, how some days she felt good about herself and other days she focused on her body's 'flaws.' As someone trying to develop a healthier relationship to fitness and food, I also enjoyed how Britta's confidence and her views on fitness changed as the story progressed. And I loved that Britta actually referred to herself as FAT! Fat is not a bad word and I love that this book didn't make it seem like she had to rely on euphemisms to describe her body. I really think there should be more books like this that gives fat characters a chance to explore their relationships with their bodies, how they eat and exercise.
And Britta and Wes' relationship was so beautiful. Wes was attracted to Britta and didn't try to change her. He was always so ready to defend her, even when she wasn't around.
The side characters were also great. Some of the side characters in Wes' POVs blended together a bit for me. I really can't tell his gym buddies apart.
As much as I loved this book, the culprit behind the third-act break/conflict was glaringly obvious. Thankfully the mystery didn't last too long.
This is the type of romance novel that I love! I checked out the audiobook from my library, but I may splurge and buy a physical copy to add to my personal library!
And Britta and Wes' relationship was so beautiful. Wes was attracted to Britta and didn't try to change her. He was always so ready to defend her, even when she wasn't around.
The side characters were also great. Some of the side characters in Wes' POVs blended together a bit for me. I really can't tell his gym buddies apart.
As much as I loved this book, the culprit behind the third-act break/conflict was glaringly obvious. Thankfully the mystery didn't last too long.
This is the type of romance novel that I love! I checked out the audiobook from my library, but I may splurge and buy a physical copy to add to my personal library!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Fatphobia, and Eating disorder
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
brimclala's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Drug abuse