Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - One to Watch

Reviews tagging 'Fatphobia'

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

286 reviews

tankytoon's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

When I picked up this book, I thought having a Plus-size MC would make me identify with the character more, but I was wrong. Expecting a book about body-positivity, I encountered instead a lot of cruel and hurtful comments that repeatedly stabbed me in the chest. Worst is Bea internalizing all these negativity as justification that she really has no other romantic prospect aside from douchebags who string her along.

For all her talk on her blog that she is above all the trolls, Bea succumbs to the slightest provocation when she joins a reality TV show supposedly to champion body diversity. Bea listens to the advice of an executive producer whose main concern is the ratings for her network, yet she discards the well-meaning words of her long-time best friend.

Bea comes off as a hypocrite with a holier-than-thou attitude, who likes to lay fault on others rather on herself for the bad decisions that she makes.

Like how she slept with Luc even after confessing her feelings for Asher, and expects Asher not to be mad about it.

I understand that she has to pretend to like each constant equally, especially towards the end when few candidates are left to keep up the show's suspense, but she did not have to go through it if she didn't want to. Especially if it's behind close doors where nobody would be the wiser.

I thought the conclusion would be the saving grace

where she rejected all the suitors and chose herself, and honestly, I would rather she end up with no one and be happy being single.

, but the contrived ending where everything is forgiven wasn't enough to convince me that the relationship she ultimately chose will last.

The book has a few faults, mainly that Bea's weight is the main character of the story, and is at the forefront of every chapter. It's like an insistent salesman telling you repeatedly that your car has two doors. I realize that Bea is a fashion blogger, hence the many references to trendy designers and the latest style are necessary, but I find myself detached when the author describes all the outfits. I was as bored as reading a long grocery list.

The only reason I persevered with this book is to make sure that Bea does not end up with the one she's wasted waiting her whole life for. The hope that she finally opens her eyes and see that whatever her size maybe, Bea does not deserve to be trampled on.

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lucyatoz's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.0

One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London is a quirky take on reality tv shows where impossibly beautiful people vie to be the chosen one...but what if the person doing the choosing was a stylish plus sized fashion blogger, who has sworn off men altogether since their heart was broken?

This book pulled me in, I can tell you! It had just the right balance of romance with real life struggles, to tug at the heartstrings. I really felt for Bea as she navigates meeting 25 men on the reality show, Main Squeeze, narrowing them down to just her chosen 3, all the while wondering if the man of her dreams has dashed her chance at her own happily ever after.

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sefrahudman's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

This book was so good! It was funny and had me laughing out loud so many times. It pulled all the heart strings and made me miss when I used to watch the Bachelor. Only complaint was there was a bit more swearing than I wanted, but over super entertaining book!

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katewylie7's review against another edition

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This book is supposed to normalise bigger bodies and show that having a plus size FMC dies not have to be unusual.
However I found that not only is the FMC the furthest thing from body neutral, but the author has used that as a plot point and really is the main storyline of the book.
It is filled with damaging, hurtful stereotypes and out of date thinking that could be very damaging to anyone reading this who has not had experience with this subject.

An interesting premise for a book but sadly, poorly executed.

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booksandgore's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

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bleaksalad's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-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

3.5

One To Watch at its core is a fun read with a great message. Bea is a plus size girl who carves space for herself in an industry that has only ever wanted conventionally pretty, skinny women. Does it sometimes feel like overkill with her thinking that every problem she encounters is because she’s plus size? Yes, but us plus size girlies know that is in fact our realistic thought process. That being said, some of the moments where she was being ridiculed for her size or her thinking she isn’t worthy of love because of her size came off as sounding scripted.

My favorite part was truly the structure of the book. Having interviews, text chains, news articles, etc dispersed throughout was a really creative way to tell the story. Each chapter being an episode of the show was also a cute touch that made it felt like I really was watching reality TV. Now, I’ve never seen an episode of the Bachelor/Bachelorette in my life so I’m sure some of the nuance was lost on me here, but I can see how the format would be entertaining.

Overall, One To Watch is a lighthearted, fun read for anyone looking for a quick romance with a creative format and character diversity.

Also fuck Ray <3

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