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thatsssorachael's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content
micaelamariem's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was so excited for this book. As someone who, though I’m not plus sized, struggled with body image and low self esteem my whole life, I was ecstatic at the idea of a badass plus sized women taking the reins to prove that bigger women are beautiful and deserving of love, too (just like any body type is!). What I got instead was a main character who was similarly full of self-hatred and constantly believing that no one could truly love her, despite constant evidence to the contrary.
Now, having been hurt in the past, I can totally understand Bea’s outlook and her journey to discovering self-love was in itself a beautiful theme. However, I don’t think this was how the book was advertised and it’s not something I was prepared for. I wanted, like I said, the unwavering confidence and body positivity to help inspire me in my own struggles. So I think part of the issue is just the book being different from my expectations and that influenced my enjoyment.
Plus, Bea was a bit insufferable at times. I get it was her journey to self love but each page being “he couldn’t possibly be attracted to someone like me” was so repetitive, boring, and annoying.
And I would have also loved more male body diversity in this. It felt a bit hateful to me that Bea’s first thought was “well a heavier man I could settle for” when all bodies are beautiful!!
I did love the creativity of adding in interviews, blogs, podcasts, and messages. It created a mixed media novel and if the novel was just told in these forms, that would’ve been super fun and I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more.
But as we have it, it was hard for me to get behind because it differed from my expectations and honestly, I didn’t like the MC. 🤷🏻♀️
Now, having been hurt in the past, I can totally understand Bea’s outlook and her journey to discovering self-love was in itself a beautiful theme. However, I don’t think this was how the book was advertised and it’s not something I was prepared for. I wanted, like I said, the unwavering confidence and body positivity to help inspire me in my own struggles. So I think part of the issue is just the book being different from my expectations and that influenced my enjoyment.
Plus, Bea was a bit insufferable at times. I get it was her journey to self love but each page being “he couldn’t possibly be attracted to someone like me” was so repetitive, boring, and annoying.
And I would have also loved more male body diversity in this. It felt a bit hateful to me that Bea’s first thought was “well a heavier man I could settle for” when all bodies are beautiful!!
I did love the creativity of adding in interviews, blogs, podcasts, and messages. It created a mixed media novel and if the novel was just told in these forms, that would’ve been super fun and I would’ve enjoyed it a lot more.
But as we have it, it was hard for me to get behind because it differed from my expectations and honestly, I didn’t like the MC. 🤷🏻♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Death of parent
infjkiki's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Bullying, and Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
leligavi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
2.0
I was listening to a new book podcast and she recommended this book and I couldn't help myself. The Bachelorette is like a guilty pleasure. But to have it in book form is EVEN better!
I did enjoy this book. However, there were a lot of things I didn't love about this book.
I will say however, that one of the main criticisms of this book is not one I agree with. I don't think that Bea was overly insecure or untrusting. I feel like her feelings were totally realistic and I really could empathize with her. I mean, that would be a hard situation to be in when you're dating 25 different "Adonis" type men and being plus-sized and hearing EVERYONE'S thoughts about it. And then on top of that, having to parse through your insecurities and inner thoughts. I mean, I could only imagine.
I did see who she ended up with from the beginning, but I liked it nonetheless.
I did enjoy this book. However, there were a lot of things I didn't love about this book.
I will say however, that one of the main criticisms of this book is not one I agree with. I don't think that Bea was overly insecure or untrusting. I feel like her feelings were totally realistic and I really could empathize with her. I mean, that would be a hard situation to be in when you're dating 25 different "Adonis" type men and being plus-sized and hearing EVERYONE'S thoughts about it. And then on top of that, having to parse through your insecurities and inner thoughts. I mean, I could only imagine.
I did see who she ended up with from the beginning, but I liked it nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Hate crime, Bullying, and Abandonment
Minor: Abortion
meridith_bex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Abandonment, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
crystalisreading's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't watch enough reality TV to know if this plot was plausible or not. I questioned that a lot though. I know all marginalized groups are entitled to wish fulfillment romances, but it was hard to believe in at lot of this. also I didn't really like any of the major characters, and didn't really buy the primary romance. two minor couples were cute though, and fat rep is always good. I just wish i had found this more enjoyable than I did. I much preferred On the Plus Side by Jenny Howe, for a reality TV show fat romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Alcohol, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Grief, Abandonment, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexual content and Acephobia/Arophobia
missmarshey's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
It was an easy book to read, however it was easy to see who the main character was going to end up with. Apart from the main character, there was little character development of any of the other characters and I found the main character hard to like.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
macaronsandmermaids's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
zombiewilhelm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
Y'all, this book. I could not put this book down. I think I stayed up until 2 am on Friday because I was so invested in Bea and her journey. The ups and downs of reality TV dating was wild.
The format is interesting. Mixed in with the storytelling are text conversations, slack channel conversations, podcast transcripts, e-mails, blog posts, etc. I thought this was going to bother me when I first saw it, but it adds to the reality TV storyline.
There are several great characters in this book, but I think my favorite is Bea's stepfather Bob. He's too pure for this world and he's just so adorable in how much he cares about Bea.
Things I didn't like: This book is on a bunch of lists of body-positive books and I think I was hoping that Bea would have had a stronger self-image than she did. She does a good job putting up a strong front, but she gets whiny throughout and is constantly thinking that none of the men could want her. I was hoping she'd live up to her convictions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
reneebethreads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Body shaming