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thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
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: Sexual content, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Ableism, 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: Cursing, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
the emotional abuse is about the characters’ relationship with their parents. one is much more major than the other.kerttuli's review against another edition
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: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
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: Bullying, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
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: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Body shaming
beki___'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol
rachelmichelson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Will come back to give a proper review. stick with this book, it's worth the ending .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Ableism
bites_of_books's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Gosh this book was so fun! It took me back to my high school days when I dove deep into reading fanfiction.
April and Marcus were not perfect and that's the point, they really want to be loved for who they are and not have to pretend or excuse themselves from participating in life! From fat shaming issues to dyslexia, we get to see how people can be allies and also models for good communication between friends, family, and romantic partners. I also loved the setting of boundaries when it was necessary.
I'll be looking for more of Dade's works in the future for sure!
April and Marcus were not perfect and that's the point, they really want to be loved for who they are and not have to pretend or excuse themselves from participating in life! From fat shaming issues to dyslexia, we get to see how people can be allies and also models for good communication between friends, family, and romantic partners. I also loved the setting of boundaries when it was necessary.
I'll be looking for more of Dade's works in the future for sure!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
victorianbsilva's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Gaslighting, Bullying, Sexual content, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Bullying
elizakay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse