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spearly's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
TW: sexual assault, fatphobia, misogyny, infidelity
“You said yes because you knew some people would object?”
“I wanted to prove that I had every right to be here,” Bea answered. “That I could star in a show about love just like any other woman."
One to Watch follows fashion-blogger Bea, as she is thrust into the public eye as the first plus-size woman to star in Main Squeeze, a reality show akin to The Bachelorette.
This was a nice read. Stayman-London has a way of crafting a very atmospheric, romantic story without getting too technical. For obvious reasons, this reminded me a lot of MTV's Unreal, only sweeter and more satisfying. Still, it's important to mention the obviously heavy themes of fat phobia, fat-shaming, online harassment (including rape and death threats), misogyny, and a very uncomfortable sequence where be a talks about being assaulted in high school.
I loved trying to guess who of Bea's suitors were ~there for the right reasons~. I made a few wrong calls, a few right calls, and Stayman-London definitely threw me at the end there, but it was hella enjoyable!
More important that the romantic side plots, I loved the way Bea came into her own through the story. Even in the beginning, as a body-positive fashion blogger, readers still got a sense of her deeply-rooted insecurities, of how she never allowed herself to be vulnerable, of how she never believed anyone could be attracted to her because it was easier to believe no-one wanted her than to open herself up to being hurt. And yet, despite these insecurities, she was always strong in her convictions, steadfast in ignoring the haters, and, after some trepidation, eager to show the world that being plus-sized doesn't mean you can't get your fairytale ending.
Her journey throughout the show, while yes, was dramatic and luscious to read about, became less about the romance for me and more about the way Bea began to see herself as she started trusted the guys. And, gosh, did she have a good bunch at the end there. Mostly.
Sam was my fave, obviously. If he wasn't yours, then I think you need a re-read!! I was iffy about Luc from the beginning, but I truly felt he played the largest part in helping Bea on her journey to believing she was beautiful. Wyatt was wonderful, and I loved his friendship with Bea, the way he protected her until the very end. And Asher... well, let's just say I liked him fine. I could tell he was genuine. But if I were Bea, I doubt he'd have made it as far as he did.
I will say... I wish the story had ended with Bea on her own. The whole reconciliation with Asher was, yes, expected (it's still a romance, obviously), but unnecessary. I was more interested to see Bea maneuver through the world with everything she'd learned about herself because of the show. Honestly, I think the strongest ending would have been for Bea to be taking herself out on a date, and to catch the eye of stranger while Taylor Swift's Begin Again starts to play. I mean, if this was a movie. Idk. Maybe I just didn't really like Asher.
But I do understand all the glowing reviews and high star ratings from my mutuals! Definitely worth the read.
“You said yes because you knew some people would object?”
“I wanted to prove that I had every right to be here,” Bea answered. “That I could star in a show about love just like any other woman."
One to Watch follows fashion-blogger Bea, as she is thrust into the public eye as the first plus-size woman to star in Main Squeeze, a reality show akin to The Bachelorette.
This was a nice read. Stayman-London has a way of crafting a very atmospheric, romantic story without getting too technical. For obvious reasons, this reminded me a lot of MTV's Unreal, only sweeter and more satisfying. Still, it's important to mention the obviously heavy themes of fat phobia, fat-shaming, online harassment (including rape and death threats), misogyny, and a very uncomfortable sequence where be a talks about being assaulted in high school.
I loved trying to guess who of Bea's suitors were ~there for the right reasons~. I made a few wrong calls, a few right calls, and Stayman-London definitely threw me at the end there, but it was hella enjoyable!
More important that the romantic side plots, I loved the way Bea came into her own through the story. Even in the beginning, as a body-positive fashion blogger, readers still got a sense of her deeply-rooted insecurities, of how she never allowed herself to be vulnerable, of how she never believed anyone could be attracted to her because it was easier to believe no-one wanted her than to open herself up to being hurt. And yet, despite these insecurities, she was always strong in her convictions, steadfast in ignoring the haters, and, after some trepidation, eager to show the world that being plus-sized doesn't mean you can't get your fairytale ending.
Her journey throughout the show, while yes, was dramatic and luscious to read about, became less about the romance for me and more about the way Bea began to see herself as she started trusted the guys. And, gosh, did she have a good bunch at the end there. Mostly.
I will say...
But I do understand all the glowing reviews and high star ratings from my mutuals! Definitely worth the read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual content
supersandra's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
This is a tough book to rate.
On the one hand, for the overall narrative of the book, I'd give maybe 3.5 or 4 stars. It's a little bit unbelievable at timesbut I found the resolution satisfying . And while I really appreciated a fat protagonist, the specific situation she's put into in the book makes the whole book kind of a meta example of what the book is, I think, trying to say shouldn't happen; that someone shouldn't be notable because they are existing in the world as a fat woman, but rather that people should appreciate others for their whole self (of which fatness is one aspect but not the main one).
On the other hand, as a fat woman, this book was REALLY HARD TO EXPERIENCE at times. If you're a fat person, especially a fat woman, and you're not in a good headspace to read very accurate depictions of the types of things that internet trolls and asshole men routinely say about and to fat women, I don't suggest this book, and I especially don't suggest it as an audiobook. The audiobook transitions from chapter to chapter were extra jarring in this regard. So for me that's what brings the score down. I'd probably rate this 2.5 stars, but I don't want to scare off folks who are in a good place to experience this book, as I think it has some really meaningful themes, especially for people who do not understand what it is like to live in the body of a fat woman.
On the one hand, for the overall narrative of the book, I'd give maybe 3.5 or 4 stars. It's a little bit unbelievable at times
On the other hand, as a fat woman, this book was REALLY HARD TO EXPERIENCE at times. If you're a fat person, especially a fat woman, and you're not in a good headspace to read very accurate depictions of the types of things that internet trolls and asshole men routinely say about and to fat women, I don't suggest this book, and I especially don't suggest it as an audiobook. The audiobook transitions from chapter to chapter were extra jarring in this regard. So for me that's what brings the score down. I'd probably rate this 2.5 stars, but I don't want to scare off folks who are in a good place to experience this book, as I think it has some really meaningful themes, especially for people who do not understand what it is like to live in the body of a fat woman.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexism
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse
Detailed online harassment and threats toward a fat woman, including rape threats/descriptions, comments that she will die from being fat or that she should just kill herself, etc.elisabethjoe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
cindyloufitz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
Minor: Sexual content
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was recommended to me because I like contemporary marriage of convenience. I think the person that recommended it missed the mark - but I'm not sorry I read it.
It was rather nice to read a plus sized female lead. There are too many size 0 females on covers of books and in movies and television. However, the reality television scene is definitely not my favorite and made it hard for me to love the book.
If you like reality television and are looking for more diversity in fiction though this is a good book.
It was rather nice to read a plus sized female lead. There are too many size 0 females on covers of books and in movies and television. However, the reality television scene is definitely not my favorite and made it hard for me to love the book.
If you like reality television and are looking for more diversity in fiction though this is a good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
paolina's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
Well that was such a fun read. I loved Bea and got super invested in her love life. I had a feeling I knew where the plot was going, but it had just enough little twists to keep me doubting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual content
megplant's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual content
vdyej's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Sexual content
nemaria's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia and Sexual content
kelseyland's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was very odd to read a book that's essentially skewering the Bachelor franchise, while still finding myself falling into the trap of that type of show, where all character development and narrative arcs are reduced to "Who will they choose??" But ultimately Stayman-London is able to subvert those tropes, while showing how addictive they are. The bullying and fatphobia that the main character experiences as the first fat Bachelorette is intense and extreme, and I wouldn't call this escapist literature, but her journey is definitely a compelling one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Minor: Rape