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vaguely_pink's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Cursing, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Mental illness
Minor: Sexism, Abandonment, and Alcohol
emilywrayburn's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first third or maybe half was good. The smut was really good. Then the characters started really bugging me. This was going to get a lower rating from me but it redeemed itself a bit in the end when the characters actually acknowledged some of their flaws that were really bothering me.
Marcus was too perfect. April's characterisation was a bit inconsistent. I didn't entirely buy the romance. They just seemed to go from not particularly attracted to one another to super-duper attracted to one another in a very short amount of time, without anything to really suggest why. And Marcus held off on telling her about his fandom persona for so long.
I liked what the book did with themes of emotional abuse (and how you don't owe family anything just because they "love you") and fatphobia and dealing with that. Though Marcus' parents were so awful they felt like caricatures.
The scripts, excerpts from fanfics and scenes from previous fandom server chats somewhat served a purpose but only just.
I have never watched Game of Thrones so I didn't pick up the parallels between this book and GoT fandom, but it skeeves me out if this book in itself is a bit of an author self-insert fic with the serial numbers filed off? Too meta! And a bit weird. Even when I was involved with fandoms, I could never quite warm to real person fic.
Marcus was too perfect. April's characterisation was a bit inconsistent. I didn't entirely buy the romance. They just seemed to go from not particularly attracted to one another to super-duper attracted to one another in a very short amount of time, without anything to really suggest why. And Marcus held off on telling her about his fandom persona for so long.
I liked what the book did with themes of emotional abuse (and how you don't owe family anything just because they "love you") and fatphobia and dealing with that. Though Marcus' parents were so awful they felt like caricatures.
The scripts, excerpts from fanfics and scenes from previous fandom server chats somewhat served a purpose but only just.
I have never watched Game of Thrones so I didn't pick up the parallels between this book and GoT fandom, but it skeeves me out if this book in itself is a bit of an author self-insert fic with the serial numbers filed off? Too meta! And a bit weird. Even when I was involved with fandoms, I could never quite warm to real person fic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
bethanycrowepowell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This tropelicious romance marries fandom escapism with intensely felt angst in a sweet (if well-spiced) fast read.
I am a fan of Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters books, and found a great companion to them in this series, launched by our fabulous fat cosplaying heroine April and dyslexic fake-Hollywood-himbo secret fic-writer Marcus. I enjoyed the fact that even while trope-aware some of the turns in their relationship that are so clearly mapped out by good drama writing were delivered on fully. I'm a sucker for alter egos as romantic rivals, and the angst of having kept a big secret (of the alter ego) was on point.
Good fun, with neat representation that grappled with real world issues in a nuanced way.
I am a fan of Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters books, and found a great companion to them in this series, launched by our fabulous fat cosplaying heroine April and dyslexic fake-Hollywood-himbo secret fic-writer Marcus. I enjoyed the fact that even while trope-aware some of the turns in their relationship that are so clearly mapped out by good drama writing were delivered on fully. I'm a sucker for alter egos as romantic rivals, and the angst of having kept a big secret (of the alter ego) was on point.
Good fun, with neat representation that grappled with real world issues in a nuanced way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Our heroine knows she's taking a risk posting her cosplay, but it's never treated as foregone conclusion that she gets online hate for it. She grapples with parental body shaming from a standpoint of having worked hard to accept herself but having to draw boundaries to protect herself. Her partner is always affirming, and she confronts folks in her fandom about fatphobic tropes in their writing to mostly positive responses. This series represents different levels of comfort and acceptance of bodies and neurodiversity, which I appreciate, and while Marcus and April both deal with unaccepting parents, other protagonists deal with different kinds of emotional baggage. I love when an author is thoughtful on a level of their body of work, not just at a book level.maggies's review
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Stalking
nana629's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
thewildmageslibrary's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
5.0
Okay, I loved this book. It's nerdy and sexy and I don't even care that it's unrealistic - it's a fiction romance! I love the focus on fanfiction and uprooting fatphobia. I definitely need a physical copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexism
rensreading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
this was cringe. i’m a fangirl and fic writer myself but dear gods this was not that good.
i think it was just too dramatic for my tastes, mostly anyway. marcus’ biggest secrets are being a fic writer and being dyslexic. both main characters had skewed perceptions of themselves bc of their parents being shitty which made sense, considering their ages but jfc. it really made a big deal about nothing.
the fat rep was fine. i think this was more of in the realm of “im fat and thats my whole identity. fuck you.” which cool but most fat people don’t actually think about it like that. then again, most of the fat people i know and am constantly around are also bipoc so we have more issues to focus on other than our size. this story in particular i felt tried to be revolutionary about being fat but instead ended up being “woke” which isn’t a good thing. i’ve also noticed that the author has a running theme of a fat woman main character and a muscular/athletic man love interest. i would like to see 2 fat people as the main couple instead please.
all in all, this just wasn’t for me. honestly, it made me feel a lot like how white queers make my gay fat ass feel. not great and with a bad taste in my mouth.
i’ll give this 3 stars and that’s me being generous.
i think it was just too dramatic for my tastes, mostly anyway. marcus’ biggest secrets are being a fic writer and being dyslexic. both main characters had skewed perceptions of themselves bc of their parents being shitty which made sense, considering their ages but jfc. it really made a big deal about nothing.
the fat rep was fine. i think this was more of in the realm of “im fat and thats my whole identity. fuck you.” which cool but most fat people don’t actually think about it like that. then again, most of the fat people i know and am constantly around are also bipoc so we have more issues to focus on other than our size. this story in particular i felt tried to be revolutionary about being fat but instead ended up being “woke” which isn’t a good thing. i’ve also noticed that the author has a running theme of a fat woman main character and a muscular/athletic man love interest. i would like to see 2 fat people as the main couple instead please.
all in all, this just wasn’t for me. honestly, it made me feel a lot like how white queers make my gay fat ass feel. not great and with a bad taste in my mouth.
i’ll give this 3 stars and that’s me being generous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
the emotional abuse is about the characters’ relationship with their parents. one is much more major than the other.kerttuli's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
jmross10's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is a fanfic writers dream. I love the way it showcases the culture and brings people together, while also explaining WHY it’s a thing instead of treating it like a silly hobby to be ashamed of.
The love story is cute though much smuttier than I expected. It feels like the whole middle section of the book is just them hooking up. I’m not opposed to that but given the insecurities that Dade explores with her characters (body images / learning disability / familial acceptance), I personally wish there was more intimacy. It seemed like every time they said something vulnerable they were falling into bed immediately after.
The highlight of this book for me is definitely Marcus. The conversation around his dyslexia and how that impacted him really made me think. It’s an interesting subject that most people probably don’t consider because they don’t have those same struggles.
I’d love to say I felt as strongly about April and body image. Spoiler alert: I don’t. To me, it felt inconsistent. In the beginning she’s self aware and empowered. She knows how people feel about her weight but she doesn’t seem to be terribly bothered. By the end it feels like Marcus’ interest in her validates her beauty and desirability instead of the fact she’s capable, kind, and intelligent. It undermined what I thought the message was supposed to be and turned it into “well a hot actor wants me so….”.
Overall, I think it was a good book and I can see why it’s liked. It was just really hit/miss for me.
The love story is cute though much smuttier than I expected. It feels like the whole middle section of the book is just them hooking up. I’m not opposed to that but given the insecurities that Dade explores with her characters (body images / learning disability / familial acceptance), I personally wish there was more intimacy. It seemed like every time they said something vulnerable they were falling into bed immediately after.
The highlight of this book for me is definitely Marcus. The conversation around his dyslexia and how that impacted him really made me think. It’s an interesting subject that most people probably don’t consider because they don’t have those same struggles.
I’d love to say I felt as strongly about April and body image. Spoiler alert: I don’t. To me, it felt inconsistent. In the beginning she’s self aware and empowered. She knows how people feel about her weight but she doesn’t seem to be terribly bothered. By the end it feels like Marcus’ interest in her validates her beauty and desirability instead of the fact she’s capable, kind, and intelligent. It undermined what I thought the message was supposed to be and turned it into “well a hot actor wants me so….”.
Overall, I think it was a good book and I can see why it’s liked. It was just really hit/miss for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
brokenbodybitch's review against another edition
3.5
*DNF’ed at 87%*
The story itself isn’t bad it’s cute and fun and I love the fanfic aspects with the like dating a celebrity from the fandom thing it was super fun and she’s a perfectly good character; stands up for her self, funny, smart, interesting…
There’s a bunch of stuff I like and yeah I don’t love the way the chapters are broken up with the other things, it was fun but it didn’t seem like the best spots at times but that’s whatever it’s just me being picky but the two things I couldn’t stand were just so annoying I can’t get past it and I’m happy imagining the story ends here like he kept his fanfic identity from her for so fucking long and if they were in their 20’s this immaturity and terrible communication would be tolerable and like whatever but then he said he’s 39…. this is like high school level behaviour if this was YA to late 20’s then I’d be able to enjoy it, I think but for me at least, he’s not that much older then my dad (he’s 43, I think…) and if you are almost old enough to be my dad (I’m 20) and then hiding your identity and stuff in this way I don’t want to see you happy and I do wanna see her happy… so I almost dnf’ed at 84% when they broke up but at 87% when she started missing him I just started getting angry and I didn’t wanna see them back together 😂 So yeah it’s a perfectly good book if I think of them in their 20’s and I ignore past like 85%
The story itself isn’t bad it’s cute and fun and I love the fanfic aspects with the like dating a celebrity from the fandom thing it was super fun and she’s a perfectly good character; stands up for her self, funny, smart, interesting…
There’s a bunch of stuff I like and yeah I don’t love the way the chapters are broken up with the other things, it was fun but it didn’t seem like the best spots at times but that’s whatever it’s just me being picky but the two things I couldn’t stand were just so annoying I can’t get past it and I’m happy imagining the story ends here like he kept his fanfic identity from her for so fucking long and if they were in their 20’s this immaturity and terrible communication would be tolerable and like whatever but then he said he’s 39…. this is like high school level behaviour if this was YA to late 20’s then I’d be able to enjoy it, I think but for me at least, he’s not that much older then my dad (he’s 43, I think…) and if you are almost old enough to be my dad (I’m 20) and then hiding your identity and stuff in this way I don’t want to see you happy and I do wanna see her happy… so I almost dnf’ed at 84% when they broke up but at 87% when she started missing him I just started getting angry and I didn’t wanna see them back together 😂 So yeah it’s a perfectly good book if I think of them in their 20’s and I ignore past like 85%
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship