Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Spoiler Alert

I thought this book was so cute. It’s still my favorite in the series thus far (as of writing this on 10/25/22). I think Marcus is just so likeable, and I couldn’t help but root for him at every single turn. I do wish that the book had less of a focus on the fatphobia April faced, but I also understand that that’s the reality of life for fat people, especially those that present feminine. Definitely recommend if you are a part of online fandom and fan fiction, or if you want a sweet romance with fat and disabled rep

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sam_maree's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

A happy ending romance, a definite comfort read. Plus size women with confidence and shy handsome actor. Lovable and funny story and characters.

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vaguely_pink's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

2.75

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alindeman's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is a lovely, super original, romance novel. The premise is fun and exciting, the characters lovable and their growth commendable, and the romance adorable. The fat representation in this book is so well done. True to life examples of fatphobia and it’s effects on fat people, without being too sad or self deprecating. I especially appreciate the notion that even people who love you can hurt you with their fatphobia. I really really liked that the issues surrounding fatness in this book had nothing to do with being fat, April loved herself and was confident, and everything to do with the people who perpetuate fatphobia. A great insight for non-fat people on what it’s like to live as a fat person in our society. There are hardly ANY books about fat main characters let alone ones where the character is portrayed in a confident and loving light and gets a happy ending. And then there’s also Marcus’ disability and the ensuing ableism surrounding his life and how the effect of his parents’ ableism towards him as a child followed him in adulthood. And again the focus here was not on any “deficit” of his, but of the cruelty of his parents’ ableism. I am both fat and disabled myself so I loved the representation given to these topics in the book. They were handled gracefully and added SO much extra depth to the book, characters, and their relationship with each other. I also loved to see them setting boundaries with their parents. Calling out bigotry is hard, and even harder when it’s your family perpetuating it. I am a firm believer that blood is not thicker than whatever and fuck anyone that treats you like shit! Tho I really do wish the ending went into more detail of the parent child relationships and what the parents were doing to repair the harm they caused. Also was disappointed we got no info on Alex’s fate, tho I hear there’s another book for him! Other things I didn’t necessarily love were the fics and script snippets inserted. I just didn’t feel like they added much to the story; if they provided more character insight then perhaps it would have made sense but as it stands I don’t think they add much to the story.
Overall a very fun and spicy romance with important and powerful social commentary.

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becausebrenna's review

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emotional funny fast-paced

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

4.25

Absolutely loved the entire book. It makes me so happy to read a romance book with a fat mc. Also enjoyed the fandom themes

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merlesstorys's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

Honestly, I had big hopes, especially because of April.

But this book was mediocre, if even. The characters were alright and though their storylines were okay, the spark did not reach me.

This is 1) because of the obvious use of Gods if the Gates as a carbon copy of GoT when it comes to fan response. 2), the implementation of librettos and fictional fanfics were not so nicely done (at least in the German translation, which I read).
In general, the characters felt kinda flat with the premise and the "plot twist" at the end also being implemented lazily to say the least.

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maggies's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

I can't believe I slept on this book...possibly because I'm not a fanfic writer or reader, but maybe I should be! Such a refreshing story, with characters who actually have and enforce boundaries, communicate effectively (no ridiculous miscommunications here!), and understand the benefit of therapy. I could swoon, it was so lovely. Fair warning though: the writing style read, by my untrained eye, like fanfic itself. I didn't mind it so much in this context, but I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it in any other book that wasn't so heavy on fandom/fanfic plot. The very end was also a bit out of left-field for me, given

there had previously been no references to Little Red Riding Hood, and then all of a sudden they're role-playing as Grandma and the Wolf???

Weird but not worth docking a star lol

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dancinglemur17's review against another edition

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funny relaxing 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

3.75

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