Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - De olho nela

One to Watch is a plus-size romance exploring the diversity and filming of reality television dating shows. I really enjoyed this read and am surprised that I haven't seen many reviews and recommendations for it.

We follow Bea, a plus-size fashion blogger who drunkenly rants about the lack of body diversity withing the reality dating programme 'Main Sqeeze'. This rant gets a lot of publicity, meaning that she is invited to be the next 'main sqeeze' on the programme. She's glad for the opportunity but is still pining over her friend, she's adamant she won't find love, but is that all about to change?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found that it was very unique for a romance read. The characters are diverse in terms of race but also personality, with fantastically written and unique dialogue which shows the characters' personalities really well. Unfortunately, although there are discussions regarding sexuality, gender and gender non-conformity, all of the love interests are straight and cis, the majority of the men also being thin and muscular (though this is a discussion point within the book).

Dispersed throughout the text is an exploration into characters' texts and emails, as well as the media's response to the goings-on in the book. I found this really unique and interesting, really benefitting my immersion and experience of reading.

Although this is a fun romance, it was also quite difficult to read due to the constant fatphobia, from the cast, media and internalised fatphobia from Bea herself. A lot of the fatphobia was very realistic to what it can be like online. So it definitely wasn't the fluffy, easy-read romance I expected.

I loved the writing, characters and plot and would definitely recommend this book.

Content Warnings

laurenleigh's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

I didn’t want to put this one down! It’s a scenario where a plus-sized woman is cast as the Bachelorette (though it’s an alternate universe with a different show name of course). It has all the fun of watching dating show reality TV without the unnecessary side plots and over-hyped “most dramatic episode yet!” filler. I loved it so much, and I wish it was a real show! I would watch the hell out of that. It’s making me want to actually start paying for Hulu to watch The Golden Batchelor to bump up their numbers and convey that the world is ready for more diversity in reality TV.

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lottiebrooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

This book was a true page turner for me as a former bachelor watcher, and I love that it’s a novel idea that felt mostly realistic throughout, and had all the happy endings you want in a romance.

I totally understand (and enjoyed!) the author’s perspective that she gave the character, but for all the people who read this that aren’t plus size women, I wish the lead had been given a more well-rounded lifestyle that wasn’t just about loving food and being ashamed of herself.

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rayreyes's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.75

This book was fantastic. Definitely one I’ll read again!

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mjverrall's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

This is an easy read but is lacking a bit in substance. They also make being fat the majority of the main character’s personality and don’t give her as much depth as I’d like. It was a fun mindless read though if you are looking for something simple.

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justinewalker's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.0

This book in reality is a 4.5 but I gave it a 4 because it was extremely triggering as a plus sized woman who has had so many similar and more traumatizing experiences 🥺

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pandecanela's review against another edition

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Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

La verdad que no es mi lugar comentar sobre este libro. Aunque nadie está libre de sentir los efectos del gordoodio en nuestra sociedad, nunca lo experimenté en carne propia. Si hay gente que pueda encontrar comfort en este título me alegro mucho por elles, pero para los que estén pensando en darle una chance siento la necesidad de señalar que:
a) El libro está LLENO de gordoodio. De parte de los personajes secundarios y la protagonista (internalizada, hacia sí misma).
b) Sobre ese punto, la sinopsis describe a la protagonista como una mujer segura de sí misma o el adjetivo que prefieras. Esto no es cierto y, en cambio, se vuelve evidente muy rápido que Bea se odia a sí misma. Tipo, con ganas. Así que si ese no es el libro que estabas buscando (como yo), le daría un insta pass. Esto no se resuelve de forma significativa, lo que hubiera salvado el libro a mis ojos.
c) Otra cosa en la que no puedo comentar, pero he leído en varias reseñas que la representación racial es bastante cagada y solo voy a decir: no recordaba que la mitad de los pjs no eran blancos hasta que leí esas reseñas, so that kinda speaks for itself.
d) Al principio del libro la protagonista se acuesta con un hombre comprometido/casado (no recuerdo exactamente cuál. Seguí adelante diciéndome que no estaba ahí por ese tema y podía dejarlo pasar. El REGRET de no haber tomado eso como la red flag que era lol
e) El FEMINISMO BARATO BRO.
Nada, si quieren leerlo como un ejercicio de sentir la incomodidad por la que una persona gorda puede pasar en la sociedad (tipo, hablando de worst case scenario tras worst case scenario tras worst case scenario) ponele que va I guess. Si están buscando la novela emporedadora que intentan vender, tendría cuidado.

el .25 lo agregué solo porque hay un aroace character que no odié lol

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catsy2022's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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