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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Personally, it's a 3 for me, but I didn't want to bring down the overall rating in some way because it's a good book. I just didn't enjoy how it's the plot/"fate" pushing the characters together instead of the characters themselves working for it in some way. I would've been more accepting of it if it actually had been some sort of fantasy or magical realism setting because then the characters would be actively working against a force of nature or something, but it's set in a realistic world, so I wasn't vibing with it; I prefer characters to have more agency.
Romance also developed too fast for me, largely again due to the "fate wants them together". I get that it's physical attraction at first, but that's way too fast and neither of them react with like "gross"; they instead go "THIS ONE" and that just doesn't feel believable to me. It feels more like they are in love or attracted to each other because the story is a romance novel and not because they are supposed to be believable characters.
That said, the dialogue is really snappy and fun. And even if the start of the romance didn't really hook me, I did think they had convincing bonding moments together (I just wish it wasn't so heavily interspersed with the story banging you on the head that "THEY'RE MEANT FOR EACH OTHER. FATE WILLS IT SO"). I really enjoyed the realistic depiction of fatphobia especially from family members (aka moms) and body positivity.
I said "it's complicated" for diversity because while we do have a fat female protagonist and a dyslexic male love interest where both of these aspects play a significant part in their personal insecurities and how they try to connect with other people, they are white. In fact, I think all the main characters and major side characters are. I guess you can argue that Shanna isn't and she's also a lesbian, but I don't think she's prominent in the story enough for her to be considered major.
Race also doesn't play any big role in anyone's background or experience with the world as being fat or dyslexic does, most likely because again all the major players are white. If you look at it harshly, it kind of treats whiteness as a default and non-factor in anything. If you look at it more gently, the author's staying in her lane? Not a major issue and doesn't affect the reading experience in any way, but it was something that kept popping up in my head as I got through it and got me thinking about how to answer the diversity question in the MC review section. BUT on the other hand, this is largely because Min's mom acts and talks exactly like mine about my weight, so I honestly kept imagining Min as Asian instead of white. So I guess this argues in the favor of the author's writing, that Min's still a very relatable character with relatable family tension regarding weight in a relatable fatphobic world.
Romance also developed too fast for me, largely again due to the "fate wants them together". I get that it's physical attraction at first, but that's way too fast and neither of them react with like "gross"; they instead go "THIS ONE" and that just doesn't feel believable to me. It feels more like they are in love or attracted to each other because the story is a romance novel and not because they are supposed to be believable characters.
That said, the dialogue is really snappy and fun. And even if the start of the romance didn't really hook me, I did think they had convincing bonding moments together (I just wish it wasn't so heavily interspersed with the story banging you on the head that "THEY'RE MEANT FOR EACH OTHER. FATE WILLS IT SO"). I really enjoyed the realistic depiction of fatphobia especially from family members (aka moms) and body positivity.
I said "it's complicated" for diversity because while we do have a fat female protagonist and a dyslexic male love interest where both of these aspects play a significant part in their personal insecurities and how they try to connect with other people, they are white. In fact, I think all the main characters and major side characters are. I guess you can argue that Shanna isn't and she's also a lesbian, but I don't think she's prominent in the story enough for her to be considered major.
Race also doesn't play any big role in anyone's background or experience with the world as being fat or dyslexic does, most likely because again all the major players are white. If you look at it harshly, it kind of treats whiteness as a default and non-factor in anything. If you look at it more gently, the author's staying in her lane? Not a major issue and doesn't affect the reading experience in any way, but it was something that kept popping up in my head as I got through it and got me thinking about how to answer the diversity question in the MC review section. BUT on the other hand, this is largely because Min's mom acts and talks exactly like mine about my weight, so I honestly kept imagining Min as Asian instead of white. So I guess this argues in the favor of the author's writing, that Min's still a very relatable character with relatable family tension regarding weight in a relatable fatphobic world.
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-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
Pretty sure I read this before too…
But it was cute
I feel like Min lost her awkwardness and I wanted her to stay quirky but it was cute!
But it was cute
I feel like Min lost her awkwardness and I wanted her to stay quirky but it was cute!
A re-read
I read this before and gave it a two. Yes it’s a typical story but the way it plays out is well written. Even though I read it once, I didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished it again. I’ve bumped it up because I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s cute, funny, has a strong heroine and an alpha male who isn’t another ass you hate. Even their friends are quality, developed characters. I even had that satisfying feeling you get when you eat a meal cooked at home and think that was restaurant quality though 85% of home cooks can make a good steak and potatoes.
I read this before and gave it a two. Yes it’s a typical story but the way it plays out is well written. Even though I read it once, I didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished it again. I’ve bumped it up because I don’t know what I was thinking. It’s cute, funny, has a strong heroine and an alpha male who isn’t another ass you hate. Even their friends are quality, developed characters. I even had that satisfying feeling you get when you eat a meal cooked at home and think that was restaurant quality though 85% of home cooks can make a good steak and potatoes.
I just re-read this book and it is still a great read! Strong female characters with sass!
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love this book! (I have read it at least 3 times.) It is Crusie at her best. Wonderful story, funny characters and lots of good food descriptions. Think of it at really good quality chick-lit.
the book starts of great. a cliche beginning but there is potential because of the energy of the characters. however, the same energy becomes too repetitive and grating. there is too many weird coincidences and while that is somehow the point of the story it doesn’t really make sense in a way. also, the scenes end abruptly too. the narration just looses itself in the middle somewhere and the early momentum gets lost due to the pacing.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gave up after I'd finished less than ten percent. Is there really nothing more important to a woman than whether she's fat? Really?