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gigisa's review against another edition
5.0
I have to write a review for this book! I have to let the author know how great this story is. In the beginning, I thought it would be fat shaming, but it's the opposite. So many beautiful messages in this book. I will re-read this again. I wish every girl had a Rhodes in her life. He wasn't the reason for her changes, but he was the support that makes herself change. It all about believing in own self. I am in a book slump now, because I don't want to read another good book now I want to keep this one alive in my mind for awhile. Simply beautiful!
steffiejeanreads's review against another edition
5.0
At first I wasn’t sure about this book. Not sure if I wanted to read the weight loss journey parts. But I’m so glad I did. This book was fantastic. Loved the back and forth. Loved all the sweet jesters from Rhodes. Even though he didn’t think he was good enough. The ending. That twist! Wow!!
niques_books's review against another edition
5.0
Sometimes you pick up a book, and you just know you are going to love it. It is not just about the cover, or the author, it is a feeling you get. Then you start reading, and fall into the book, and nothing else matters around you. I found it with this book. Positively Loved It!
Natalie is a girl of privilege, her step-dad's name is all over the town, because he basically owns most of it. You would think this is every teens dream. And maybe it was before the summer started, but in a few short weeks, Nat gets hit with some hurtful truths. Her boyfriend Mason of two years ends their relationship as school breaks out for senior year. Two days later, he is now with a new girl who resembles a mean Barbie. Nat then decides that Mason may have dumped her because of her weight, but she is going to do something about it for her own well being, and if she wins him back in the meantime, then a bonus! What she doesn't count on is her new Personal Trainer, Rhodes! He was the bad boy at school when she was a junior and he a senior.
Over the summer, Rhodes works Nat, or who he likes to call "Bug" into a sweat and she finds a whole load of confidence as well. She likes to think that she has helped Rhodes too with his self worth. They embark on a friendship that neither saw coming and one they have to fight hard to keep. Not everyone is happy with this couple, and things from Rhodes' pass come back to haunt them both.
There were some twists in this book that I didn't see coming, and it made it very interesting indeed. But mostly I loved it for its romantic tale. Highly recommend it to all.
Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.
Natalie is a girl of privilege, her step-dad's name is all over the town, because he basically owns most of it. You would think this is every teens dream. And maybe it was before the summer started, but in a few short weeks, Nat gets hit with some hurtful truths. Her boyfriend Mason of two years ends their relationship as school breaks out for senior year. Two days later, he is now with a new girl who resembles a mean Barbie. Nat then decides that Mason may have dumped her because of her weight, but she is going to do something about it for her own well being, and if she wins him back in the meantime, then a bonus! What she doesn't count on is her new Personal Trainer, Rhodes! He was the bad boy at school when she was a junior and he a senior.
Over the summer, Rhodes works Nat, or who he likes to call "Bug" into a sweat and she finds a whole load of confidence as well. She likes to think that she has helped Rhodes too with his self worth. They embark on a friendship that neither saw coming and one they have to fight hard to keep. Not everyone is happy with this couple, and things from Rhodes' pass come back to haunt them both.
There were some twists in this book that I didn't see coming, and it made it very interesting indeed. But mostly I loved it for its romantic tale. Highly recommend it to all.
Reviewed for JoandIsaLoveBooksBlog.
allietrademarked's review against another edition
5.0
Kandi is a new author to me, and I am so excited that I got to read this story, it was amazing. I mean with a cover like that- I am a total cover snob, and the blurb, I just knew I would love it. And I did! This story was well written and intriguing to a point I didn’t want to put it down!
Natalie is the main character and she has just graduated high school. She had a boyfriend for the last two years, and he just broke up with her, just like that. And now she’s unsure what she wants to do. She does know that she wants to make a change, a positive change in her life, and so she decides to get a personal trainer. The trainer happens to be a guy that went to her high school, Rhodes.
Rhodes was the loner in school- it seemed like he was always in trouble, but something about him has changed, and he has become a trainer. When he sees Natalie, he knows there is something about her, so he helps her- or tries to help her start to believe in herself. They end up developing a friendship, because they are comfortable around each other.
I loved Natalie, a character I could really relate to, especially when it comes to weight and self-esteem and believing in myself. She was my favorite character in the story. Rhodes has many unseen scars so it was hard to love him at first, but by the end, I was totally a Rhodes fan. This is a great and beautiful story, well written and just totally moved me. 5 stars!!
Natalie is the main character and she has just graduated high school. She had a boyfriend for the last two years, and he just broke up with her, just like that. And now she’s unsure what she wants to do. She does know that she wants to make a change, a positive change in her life, and so she decides to get a personal trainer. The trainer happens to be a guy that went to her high school, Rhodes.
Rhodes was the loner in school- it seemed like he was always in trouble, but something about him has changed, and he has become a trainer. When he sees Natalie, he knows there is something about her, so he helps her- or tries to help her start to believe in herself. They end up developing a friendship, because they are comfortable around each other.
I loved Natalie, a character I could really relate to, especially when it comes to weight and self-esteem and believing in myself. She was my favorite character in the story. Rhodes has many unseen scars so it was hard to love him at first, but by the end, I was totally a Rhodes fan. This is a great and beautiful story, well written and just totally moved me. 5 stars!!
mkarisma's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the first half of the book but didn't not love the second half. I wanted to like it so much more and kept waiting for something to happen and when it did it was so near to the end and it felt rushed. But, the first half was relatable and I didn't want to stop reading but then I got bored and couldn't wait for the ending. But still a good read overall.
adultbooksrmyjam's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this story. It had feels and a great meaning. Loved Natalie! I love the cover too!
caniac_bar's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not so sure about this. I guess it was more 3.5
My issues were that Natalie's weight really wasn't an issue. A size 14 isn't fat. Then the fat shaming and the ZERO rebuke of it. Everyone stood around and let it happen. Mason needed a punch in the head.
I get that Rhodes had his issues and he knew Natalie "before" and helped her transform herself, but.... his angst was all wrong in the end. I mean REALLY she's (sister) been hiding for 3 yrs letting her brother think she's dead. Letting him prostitute himself out to help pay a PI she KNEW was bad was corrupt and lying to him.
It could have had a great strong message behind it all and it didn't.
My issues were that Natalie's weight really wasn't an issue. A size 14 isn't fat. Then the fat shaming and the ZERO rebuke of it. Everyone stood around and let it happen. Mason needed a punch in the head.
I get that Rhodes had his issues and he knew Natalie "before" and helped her transform herself, but.... his angst was all wrong in the end. I mean REALLY she's (sister) been hiding for 3 yrs letting her brother think she's dead. Letting him prostitute himself out to help pay a PI she KNEW was bad was corrupt and lying to him.
It could have had a great strong message behind it all and it didn't.
caraddishreads's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this on audiobook and this is also my first book of Kandi's. While the writing was good, I think I was bored of Nat's journey with trying to lose weight and falling for her personal trainer. I did like the latter part of the story and wasn't expecting the underlining mystery. I'm willing to still try some of Kandi's other work it's just that I didn't like this one fully.
mypileofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't totally sure about this book at first, simply because it was about a girl who just finished high school and I was thinking, being 29 that I wouldn't relate. Well I was wrong and this book totally gutted me. Everything Natalie felt I felt. Every time Rhodes walked away or tried to hide his feelings, I could feel my stomach drop right along with Natalie's. Natalie and Rhodes are amazing. I loved this book and I couldn't put it down. This was my first Kandi Steiner book and it definitely won't be my last!