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1jessicabearx's review against another edition
3.0
“He’s so much better than any hope, dream, or fantasy I could conjure in my head. And he’s real.”
Hmm there were such sweet moments but overall it all felt a bit predictable and oddly paced. Not sure about the opinions of Crystal and Scott sometimes - the storyline was unrealistically over dramatic at points. However, the build up to the spice? The BATH SCENE hello… will be reading some scenes again haha
Hmm there were such sweet moments but overall it all felt a bit predictable and oddly paced. Not sure about the opinions of Crystal and Scott sometimes - the storyline was unrealistically over dramatic at points. However, the build up to the spice? The BATH SCENE hello… will be reading some scenes again haha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
chapters_and_pages's review against another edition
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
4.0
I love a good romance book and I really enjoyed this one!
Crystal is a fitness influencer, who has built her following on her message of self love and body positivity. Her happy place is the gym. Enter Scott, new gym patron and firefighter who routinely steals Crystal’s favourite workout equipment, and seems to get joy out of infuriating her. As sparks fly between the two, the last person Crystal expects Scott to be is the grandson of her grandmother’s new fiancé.
I really enjoyed this book! I love diverse main characters, and Crystal is a plus size woman of colour, and I really enjoyed how these facts affected her life and career. I liked Scott, however, I must admit, early on, he felt a little like a 12 year old boy who had a schoolboy crush on a girl and didn’t know how to talk to her so he decided to antagonise her instead. I’m not necessarily mad at it, but this is a 30 year old man we’re talking about, so…
I loved Grandma Flo! Her and Martin’s meddling and matchmaking in Scott and Crystal’s relationship was really amusing.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, it wasn’t an all time favourite but I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really liked the representation in this book, and the lesson/message at the end. But I had a tough time connecting with the characters. I'm the polar opposite of a gym bro, and a lot of it takes place in a gym, so maybe that's why?
IDK they both seemed to be pretty flat characters too, like they were interested in working out and doing their jobs and not much else. As an introvert (which, they are both supposed to be homebody types) I can say that we still have plenty of interests that we don't have to leave the house for!
IDK they both seemed to be pretty flat characters too, like they were interested in working out and doing their jobs and not much else. As an introvert (which, they are both supposed to be homebody types) I can say that we still have plenty of interests that we don't have to leave the house for!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Racism
cruthe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer and Racism
irenemayblack's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
blurb:
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
- he falls first & harder
- strong female lead
- golden retriever boy
- curvy, half asian girl
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Cancer, and Racism
hollydestefano'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
antidietleah's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism and Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy
alleamitchell's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this book was so light-hearted and ended perfectly, i’m so glad i chose to read it! i will definitely be reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
thenovelmaura'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? Yes
4.0
Everyone in my book club enjoyed this fun rom com about a curvy fitness influencer who fell for her gym nemesis! Crystal and Scott had cute banter, flirty gym competitions, and introvert-approved movie night dates. I always love a book set in Boston, and our group had a great time debating the likelihood of meeting a potential partner at a gym (my one friend claims you have the best chance of chatting someone up while stretching on a mat).
As someone who follows body positivity and body neutrality influencers, the tone of Crystal's posts and the trolls she dealt with on a daily basis felt very authentic. I understood her hesitation to share her relationship with her followers and her devastation when the post went viral for all the wrong reasons. There was a lot packed into this story as Crystal and Scott navigated family dynamics and social media shaming, all while learning to trust each other after being burned in previous relationships. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick romance read with a heart-warming message about fitness and body image!
As someone who follows body positivity and body neutrality influencers, the tone of Crystal's posts and the trolls she dealt with on a daily basis felt very authentic. I understood her hesitation to share her relationship with her followers and her devastation when the post went viral for all the wrong reasons. There was a lot packed into this story as Crystal and Scott navigated family dynamics and social media shaming, all while learning to trust each other after being burned in previous relationships. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick romance read with a heart-warming message about fitness and body image!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Cancer and Sexual content
faithratesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content