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katsbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
“No, Beatrice, it's the hardest thing in the world. To have been that hurt, to feel that afraid, and to know that the only way you can be really, fully happy is to risk going through it all again.”
I really enjoyed the fat representation in this book. It's literally the reason I picked it up and, on that front, it didn't disappoint. I felt like I connected with the main character in a lot of ways. As someone who also navigates the world in a plus-size body, I found it refreshing to see the insecurities and fears that I've represented in a main character. That being said, it could also make it a little hard to read for me. Throughout the book, there are a lot of fatphobic comments and narratives. They are used to show the hateful things the main character goes through but some of them were incredibly triggering for me. I almost DNF'd the whole thing at one point because I had enough of a reaction to one of the "articles'' that were included as a response to Bea's announcement as the next "Main Squeeze." So if you are sensitive to explicit and derogatory fatphobia, please don't read this. I wish I would have seen a more sincere trigger warning for it before I dove in. While I didn't love experiencing the fatphobia, I did really love every clapback to it. It was so satisfying to hear someone say everything I wish I could in moments like those. Overall, this was a fun, flirty read with good commentary on the fatphobia in the media and fashion industries. My rating has more to do with that I've never been a huge fan of any kind of "The Bachelor"-esque TV. While this book was definitely entertaining, I realized that what I think I don't like about these types of shows is how a person can go from one date to another while all these people are vying for their love. Everytime I imagine myself in that kind of situation, I can't help but feel... I don't know, second-hand guilt? I've never been one to date more than one person even casually so I don't love the whole set-up. That being said, no shade to anyone that does. I definitely get the draw. My dating preferences are mine alone, obviously. If you're looking for something on the lighter, romantic side, this is a decent choice.
I really enjoyed the fat representation in this book. It's literally the reason I picked it up and, on that front, it didn't disappoint. I felt like I connected with the main character in a lot of ways. As someone who also navigates the world in a plus-size body, I found it refreshing to see the insecurities and fears that I've represented in a main character. That being said, it could also make it a little hard to read for me. Throughout the book, there are a lot of fatphobic comments and narratives. They are used to show the hateful things the main character goes through but some of them were incredibly triggering for me. I almost DNF'd the whole thing at one point because I had enough of a reaction to one of the "articles'' that were included as a response to Bea's announcement as the next "Main Squeeze." So if you are sensitive to explicit and derogatory fatphobia, please don't read this. I wish I would have seen a more sincere trigger warning for it before I dove in. While I didn't love experiencing the fatphobia, I did really love every clapback to it. It was so satisfying to hear someone say everything I wish I could in moments like those. Overall, this was a fun, flirty read with good commentary on the fatphobia in the media and fashion industries. My rating has more to do with that I've never been a huge fan of any kind of "The Bachelor"-esque TV. While this book was definitely entertaining, I realized that what I think I don't like about these types of shows is how a person can go from one date to another while all these people are vying for their love. Everytime I imagine myself in that kind of situation, I can't help but feel... I don't know, second-hand guilt? I've never been one to date more than one person even casually so I don't love the whole set-up. That being said, no shade to anyone that does. I definitely get the draw. My dating preferences are mine alone, obviously. If you're looking for something on the lighter, romantic side, this is a decent choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Alcohol, Body shaming, Misogyny, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment
meggiemeggie52's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment
While nothing is *graphic*, a big part of the book is that the plus-size MC has a history of being bullied and body shamed. The book itself isn't fatphobic, but characters in the book are. There's a brief attempt at sexual harassment/almost-assault, but MC stops it before it goes too far.sgonzo's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Body shaming
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
samlencioni's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
casey_sunshine's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, and Misogyny
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Abortion, Death of parent, and Death
kellyinbookland's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
lingoreads's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
jackiepreston's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Rape
outtoexist's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This. Was. Awful. I mean, really. First off, there is no reason a book about a fat chick being on the bachelorette needs to be more than 400 pages long. ESPECIALLY given that it is fade to black style - no spicy scenes here! Now for more specific complaints...
I feel like the main character calling out Gone With The Wind as her favorite romance novel is white bullshit bordering on a dog whistle. I mean, all I've ever heard about that book is how racist it is. Maybe that is generational, but this book is also SO heavy handed on gen Z phrases. You can't have it both ways.
In addition to the dog whistle, the race of individuals was exclusively mentioned when it mattered in a Diversity sense. This was partly due to the authors overarching difficulty describing ANYONE, at all. But it felt especially jarring when it came to people races not being mentioned at all until ideal moments for the white gaze.
I read 432 pages about a fat woman, and the whole book centered on her weight and her relationship with it, and I can not picture her. She was described as fat, obviously, but fat is not a body shape... She was described as wearing a belt for the "illusion of a waist" which gives a bit of an image... But beyond that? She was said to have dimpled thighs which MOST cis women do... And nothing else. I couldn't picture her body which was the MAIN POINT of the book!!
It was just overall not well written. It needed another pass from an editor. It was too long, WAY too long. There was a point where someone cut another person off, like interrupted them... In a chat room. Which is impossible, obviously.
For being a book about how fat women deserve to be on the bachelorette too (they do) she literally got dumped by EVERY MAN but one, who was the too-young puppy dog!
I've no clue how this book got so popular, it was painful to read and I walked away completely unsure of why I was supposed to care.
I feel like the main character calling out Gone With The Wind as her favorite romance novel is white bullshit bordering on a dog whistle. I mean, all I've ever heard about that book is how racist it is. Maybe that is generational, but this book is also SO heavy handed on gen Z phrases. You can't have it both ways.
In addition to the dog whistle, the race of individuals was exclusively mentioned when it mattered in a Diversity sense. This was partly due to the authors overarching difficulty describing ANYONE, at all. But it felt especially jarring when it came to people races not being mentioned at all until ideal moments for the white gaze.
I read 432 pages about a fat woman, and the whole book centered on her weight and her relationship with it, and I can not picture her. She was described as fat, obviously, but fat is not a body shape... She was described as wearing a belt for the "illusion of a waist" which gives a bit of an image... But beyond that? She was said to have dimpled thighs which MOST cis women do... And nothing else. I couldn't picture her body which was the MAIN POINT of the book!!
It was just overall not well written. It needed another pass from an editor. It was too long, WAY too long. There was a point where someone cut another person off, like interrupted them... In a chat room. Which is impossible, obviously.
For being a book about how fat women deserve to be on the bachelorette too (they do) she literally got dumped by EVERY MAN but one, who was the too-young puppy dog!
I've no clue how this book got so popular, it was painful to read and I walked away completely unsure of why I was supposed to care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
almoore5's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
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
3.75
While I loved the premise and found Bea and quite a few other characters to be totally lovable… phew it was rough to wade through all of her experiences because they echo so true to past ones. If you are a fat woman reading this book just be warned it had some difficult moments ❤️ Overall I was on the edge of my seat wondering who was genuine and who Bea would end up with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming