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ishouldbereading's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
3.75
I expected SO much from this book, I was so sure this will be a 5 star read. However, this book disappointed me greatly.
First off, they had so little chemistry I almost couldn't believe they should be in love. They had their moments, you could say, but it wasn't something to root for. But to be fair, Henry had zero chemistry with all the girls. Next up, Henry altogether. He was so flatly written, I still don't know who he is. He had no character traits and so many things about him didn't make sense. Especially his decision making, mainly in the end, made no sense.
Now the body positivity part. I really REALLY liked that nobody really cared about her being plus-sized (except Addison, I still want to know what she said) and she seemed confident in her body. I loved the part when she made her own dress and her comments in the show about being plus-sized. I especially loved that Henry didn't make the cheesy comments in most body-positivity books/movies and just seemed to not even realize it. But I feel like we didn't get that big of a respond from public. Yes, the audience loved her, but I wanted to know more. I know they didn't have phones in most of the book but they could add a little more audience reaction, tweets and just women appreciating her.
Now my probably biggest issue with this book: It felt like a copy of Selection. Most of the characters and plot was the same as in Selection. And let me tell you, I liked Selection more, it was better written. The participants were the same and yeah, it makes sense that they were similiar since they're both based on The Bachelor but these similiarities felt too similiar. Addison was a total copy of Celeste, Sarah Claire was Kriss, Anne was Marlee and so on and so on.
But the best part about this book was the retelling. The little details like her having blue dress and those shoes, midnight and all those cute references. It was such a good retelling and I loved that her stepmom wasn't evil. It felt natural and it's my favourite retelling so far.
First off, they had so little chemistry I almost couldn't believe they should be in love. They had their moments, you could say, but it wasn't something to root for. But to be fair, Henry had zero chemistry with all the girls. Next up, Henry altogether. He was so flatly written, I still don't know who he is. He had no character traits and so many things about him didn't make sense. Especially his decision making, mainly in the end, made no sense.
Now the body positivity part. I really REALLY liked that nobody really cared about her being plus-sized (except Addison, I still want to know what she said) and she seemed confident in her body. I loved the part when she made her own dress and her comments in the show about being plus-sized. I especially loved that Henry didn't make the cheesy comments in most body-positivity books/movies and just seemed to not even realize it. But I feel like we didn't get that big of a respond from public. Yes, the audience loved her, but I wanted to know more. I know they didn't have phones in most of the book but they could add a little more audience reaction, tweets and just women appreciating her.
Now my probably biggest issue with this book: It felt like a copy of Selection. Most of the characters and plot was the same as in Selection. And let me tell you, I liked Selection more, it was better written. The participants were the same and yeah, it makes sense that they were similiar since they're both based on The Bachelor but these similiarities felt too similiar. Addison was a total copy of Celeste, Sarah Claire was Kriss, Anne was Marlee and so on and so on.
But the best part about this book was the retelling. The little details like her having blue dress and those shoes, midnight and all those cute references. It was such a good retelling and I loved that her stepmom wasn't evil. It felt natural and it's my favourite retelling so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Car accident, and Sexual content
jasbeingjas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book was fun to read. I love Henry and Cindy. I forgot it was fade to black but that wasn't a huge deal for me personally. I was disappointed by the ending. I feel like I wanted more closure maybe. An epilogue probably would have made it so that I was more satisfied. Where the book ends, it was technically a happy ending but it just felt unfinished for me. And this book is on the shorter side from the other romances I've read recently so I think there was room for it without feeling like the story was dragging.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Death of parent
The MC has lost both of their parents at young ages and their passing or loss comes up throughout the book, but not in any gory or detailed way, but it is a grief she is dealing with.le3713's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Delightful take on Cinderella, with a Bachelor-inspired setting. Many aspects reminded me of One to Watch. I particularly loved the way that this book evoked, and then changed, the familiar Cinderella story. Henry and Cindy have one of my favorite meet cutes in recent memory. This was a quick read and lacked some of the depth of character and relationship development I look for in romance, but was still very enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident and Cancer
isbaileyreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Body shaming
saffyre's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Grief
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, and Chronic illness
kayladaila's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, Fatphobia, Grief, and Misogyny
celines_schemes'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? No
5.0
Such a fun read 🥺 A perfect pick me up for winter blues and Love Island cravings
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
whrohala's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! It was a fairly quick read once I say down and devoted a little time to it and it was a lovely HEA with just enough tension to keep the plot moving. Sometimes I can't stand tension for tensions sake in books.
The characters felt real and the author didn't shy away from tougher topics (or really any of the real-life crap that we all have to deal with that isn't "pretty").
I'll likely read again in the future.
The characters felt real and the author didn't shy away from tougher topics (or really any of the real-life crap that we all have to deal with that isn't "pretty").
I'll likely read again in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent
valeriabee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
The Good:
Swoon-worthy. Low-key forbidden romance 👀, but mostly just very secretive. Reality TV. A fat protagonist!! And she is desired! And it's not in spite of her size! I think what is really important to me is that while her size is brought up a lot - as it is an unavoidable aspect of her life in fashion and now shes being styled for a reality dating show - Cindy's size is never brought up romantically. Henry never comments on it and it's never the conversation between them. Is the fact that she's a plus-size protag relevant to the plot? Yes, absolutely. Is it relevant to the romance? Not in the slightest. I love that for them.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book, and the series it is kick-starting, is in official partnership with Disney. I dont whether "retelling" or "adaptation" is the most accurate word, but the book stays true to Cinderella without hitting you over the head with it. Or perhaps I simply became too immersed in this world Julie Murphy has created.
The Bad:
While I wasnt particularly upset by it, I do think people would be disappointed to find that it is not dual pov. The audience loves to see the love interesents thought process and watch them swoon over the protagonist.
The Ugly:
The ending. It resolved in the last ten pages and was giving me major anxiety that I would not get my Happily Ever After. I was stressed because it was prolonging the thing I wanted and it doesnt happen until the very very end. I need at least one more chapter, a few more pages, of the happily ever after. Give it to me slightly sooner. I understand the desire for the drama of it all but I'm impatient. Give me more.
Swoon-worthy. Low-key forbidden romance 👀, but mostly just very secretive. Reality TV. A fat protagonist!! And she is desired! And it's not in spite of her size! I think what is really important to me is that while her size is brought up a lot - as it is an unavoidable aspect of her life in fashion and now shes being styled for a reality dating show - Cindy's size is never brought up romantically. Henry never comments on it and it's never the conversation between them. Is the fact that she's a plus-size protag relevant to the plot? Yes, absolutely. Is it relevant to the romance? Not in the slightest. I love that for them.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book, and the series it is kick-starting, is in official partnership with Disney. I dont whether "retelling" or "adaptation" is the most accurate word, but the book stays true to Cinderella without hitting you over the head with it. Or perhaps I simply became too immersed in this world Julie Murphy has created.
The Bad:
While I wasnt particularly upset by it, I do think people would be disappointed to find that it is not dual pov. The audience loves to see the love interesents thought process and watch them swoon over the protagonist.
The Ugly:
The ending. It resolved in the last ten pages and was giving me major anxiety that I would not get my Happily Ever After. I was stressed because it was prolonging the thing I wanted and it doesnt happen until the very very end. I need at least one more chapter, a few more pages, of the happily ever after. Give it to me slightly sooner. I understand the desire for the drama of it all but I'm impatient. Give me more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Body shaming
readwithde's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was the perfect rom-com, and that's coming from someone who really dislikes Cinderella and Cinderella retellings.
The fast pace left little room for how "real" the narrative might be, but I liked that it focused on the "actiony" bits instead of a lot of commentary. While I think the book did a great job of showcasing problems with sizes in the fashion industry, as well as inclusivity in media, it felt very natural and past of what was happening.
I really liked Henry and Cindy, but they seemed not-quite three dimensional; I could honestly barely remember Cindy's name! I think that's what made it such a fun read, though: I could picture almost anyone going through this, including myself.
Overall, it was like a cookie skillet sundae: warm, gooey, a bit original but still pretty vague, yet comforting. And best if indulged quickly.
The fast pace left little room for how "real" the narrative might be, but I liked that it focused on the "actiony" bits instead of a lot of commentary. While I think the book did a great job of showcasing problems with sizes in the fashion industry, as well as inclusivity in media, it felt very natural and past of what was happening.
I really liked Henry and Cindy, but they seemed not-quite three dimensional; I could honestly barely remember Cindy's name! I think that's what made it such a fun read, though: I could picture almost anyone going through this, including myself.
Overall, it was like a cookie skillet sundae: warm, gooey, a bit original but still pretty vague, yet comforting. And best if indulged quickly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Car accident, Death of parent, and Sexual content