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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
3.5 stars
Things I enjoyed:
• Crystal and Scott were cute together.
• Pretty good coverage on being curvy and a gym-lover.
• The spicy scenes (what can I say I’m basic)
Things I didn’t enjoy:
• The pacing was a little off, with the beginning feeling slow and then a big time jump.
• The third act breakup annoyed me a lot and although I understood where she was coming from, I was annoyed that Crystal denounced the terms ‘body-positivity’ and ‘self love’.
• For a book that has a strong theme of ‘all body types are beautiful’, Scott being muscular was really sexualised and it felt like that was the only reason he was deemed good looking. I just think a little more emphasis on all bodies being beautiful instead of just women’s would have made the book better.
Things I enjoyed:
• Crystal and Scott were cute together.
• Pretty good coverage on being curvy and a gym-lover.
• The spicy scenes (what can I say I’m basic)
Things I didn’t enjoy:
• The pacing was a little off, with the beginning feeling slow and then a big time jump.
• The third act breakup annoyed me a lot and although I understood where she was coming from, I was annoyed that Crystal denounced the terms ‘body-positivity’ and ‘self love’.
• For a book that has a strong theme of ‘all body types are beautiful’, Scott being muscular was really sexualised and it felt like that was the only reason he was deemed good looking. I just think a little more emphasis on all bodies being beautiful instead of just women’s would have made the book better.
Here's the honest truth: I wasn't sure I'd keep going after reading the first few pages. Scott seemed like kind of a d**k. But pretty quickly, things righted themselves and there was a cute twist and I started shipping Crystal and Scott. I also really liked Crystal's strength and the glimpses into her life on social media. The big crisis at the end wasn't my favorite, but I didn't hate it. Overall, it was sweet book with two solid leads.
i really enjoyed this - loved the FMC and her own journey. and i liked the glimpses of the MMC’s internal working. i wish this was a dual pov to learn more from scott’s perspective. overall entertaining and hit the mark.
3.5 ⭐️
3.5 ⭐️
- enemies to lovers
- plus size + asian representation
- self love
- quick, easy read
- plus size + asian representation
- self love
- quick, easy read
Another binge-able romcom that was super fun to read. There were a lot of important topics in this book like self-acceptance and learning how to love yourself. But also understanding that it’s okay if there are times when loving yourself is hard.
I really enjoyed this, there were plenty of laughs and it was such a fast read. A fitness influencer and her gym nemesis made for a fun story. Some of the arguments seemed a little silly, but they were thankfully resolved quickly. That’s something I appreciate, even if an argument feels unnecessary, if it’s taken care of quickly I don’t mind. Plus Scott, the hottie firefighter, made everything way better.
I really loved the self-acceptance message in this book and can’t wait for more from Amy Lea!
I really enjoyed this, there were plenty of laughs and it was such a fast read. A fitness influencer and her gym nemesis made for a fun story. Some of the arguments seemed a little silly, but they were thankfully resolved quickly. That’s something I appreciate, even if an argument feels unnecessary, if it’s taken care of quickly I don’t mind. Plus Scott, the hottie firefighter, made everything way better.
I really loved the self-acceptance message in this book and can’t wait for more from Amy Lea!
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MISS GIRL....
THIS BOOK>
I AM IN LOVE
Ok let's actually get down to business. Crystal Chen is a curvy fitness influencer who built her career by breaking down gym stereotypes (go her) and after going through her recent breakup, is done with men. She has to stamina for them, and instead finds solace in the gym. She really loves this one squat rack, so it's such a shame with firefighter and new smug gym patron Scott Ritchie keeps stealing it. They start getting into competitive battles for gym domination, but they also have a lot of chemistry and tension...but that last thing that they expect is running into each other at their grandparent's engagement party.
(They aren't actually related by blood, obviously. The grandparents are old and each of their individual spouses has unfortunately died out, and they are happily getting married. )
Continuing, Scott and Crystal start spending more time with each other in the lead-up to their grandparent's wedding. They bond and are happy, and maybe their are soulmates, but mean people online make her question their relationship...Who knows if they fall in love.
Well, spoilers, but also no...they fall in love.
The whole concept of the grandparent's marriage thing was kind of awkward the entire time since doesn't that mean they are related, but as addressed, they aren't actually. It was just weird..
It didn't really matter though in the long shot because of Crystal and Scott's undeniable chemistry. Like omggggg. I hate slow burn now. Officially taking a break from slow burn forever because of this book.
Lastly, I loved how this book broke down stereotypes. Crystal's whole story and platform really was about this, and seeing this book address it felt really fresh. I really enjoyed this, if you couldn't already tell.
MISS GIRL....
THIS BOOK>
I AM IN LOVE
Ok let's actually get down to business. Crystal Chen is a curvy fitness influencer who built her career by breaking down gym stereotypes (go her) and after going through her recent breakup, is done with men. She has to stamina for them, and instead finds solace in the gym. She really loves this one squat rack, so it's such a shame with firefighter and new smug gym patron Scott Ritchie keeps stealing it. They start getting into competitive battles for gym domination, but they also have a lot of chemistry and tension...but that last thing that they expect is running into each other at their grandparent's engagement party.
(They aren't actually related by blood, obviously. The grandparents are old and each of their individual spouses has unfortunately died out, and they are happily getting married. )
Continuing, Scott and Crystal start spending more time with each other in the lead-up to their grandparent's wedding. They bond and are happy, and maybe their are soulmates, but mean people online make her question their relationship...Who knows if they fall in love.
Well, spoilers, but also no...they fall in love.
The whole concept of the grandparent's marriage thing was kind of awkward the entire time since doesn't that mean they are related, but as addressed, they aren't actually. It was just weird..
It didn't really matter though in the long shot because of Crystal and Scott's undeniable chemistry. Like omggggg. I hate slow burn now. Officially taking a break from slow burn forever because of this book.
Lastly, I loved how this book broke down stereotypes. Crystal's whole story and platform really was about this, and seeing this book address it felt really fresh. I really enjoyed this, if you couldn't already tell.
2.5 rounded up because I'm feeling kind and courteous today
I liked the concept of this book - fat fitness influencer meets hot guy at gym
I was not so obsessed with the execution.
Specifically, the word "fat" is only used negatively in this book - fat-phobic, fat-shaming, "the fat friend", etc. Otherwise the MC just refers to herself as "curvy" which I mean, it's in her instagram name so it's not like a huge deal, especially considering that's how some people choose to refer to themselves. But it just felt like a step back in the movement that the word "fat" never really got owned in this book. The MC's instagram account is all about accepting and loving yourself but it either felt to me like she couldn't really accept that she was fat, or else she viewed being "curvy" as a step above being fat and like better than fat girls. It's obviously not the end of the world but I just wasn't feeling it.
I did however like the fact that by the end of the novel the MC chose to change her movement from body positivity to more of a body neutral one; I'm not with the body positive shit, this is my one body and I accept it and am grateful for it and how it functions and gets me through the day yadda yadda but also it's literally just a body and I'm not wasting energy on being in love with it
The romance was relatively well developed, like they spent a good amount of time together and really got to know each other. But the obstacles were kind of dumb, their dating pasts were sort of dumb, and the big breakup scene was relatively dumb. The sex scenes were pretty hot tho so I feel like there's definitely potential with this author's writing, as odd as it sounds, to improve when she's not writing about something so close to her heart.
Minus point for the love interest's dog being named Albus Doodledore, half a point for the love interest responding "hell no" when asked if he was an HP fan and saying he just kept the dog's shelter name to not confuse him. Would have been happier if he said WHY he wasn't an HP fan (author being a piece of shit trash), would have been happiest if they just skirted the HP reference altogether.
Family connections and friendships were apparent enough in this book, like there was enough going on that it felt fleshed out. I just got bored of hearing about the LI's ~forest green~ eyes and his abs like shut up girl seriously
Book 2 is about this MC's bookstagramming skinny sister and this LI's best friend so mayhaps it will be better I do not want any more fat content from this author
I liked the concept of this book - fat fitness influencer meets hot guy at gym
I was not so obsessed with the execution.
Specifically, the word "fat" is only used negatively in this book - fat-phobic, fat-shaming, "the fat friend", etc. Otherwise the MC just refers to herself as "curvy" which I mean, it's in her instagram name so it's not like a huge deal, especially considering that's how some people choose to refer to themselves. But it just felt like a step back in the movement that the word "fat" never really got owned in this book. The MC's instagram account is all about accepting and loving yourself but it either felt to me like she couldn't really accept that she was fat, or else she viewed being "curvy" as a step above being fat and like better than fat girls. It's obviously not the end of the world but I just wasn't feeling it.
I did however like the fact that by the end of the novel the MC chose to change her movement from body positivity to more of a body neutral one; I'm not with the body positive shit, this is my one body and I accept it and am grateful for it and how it functions and gets me through the day yadda yadda but also it's literally just a body and I'm not wasting energy on being in love with it
The romance was relatively well developed, like they spent a good amount of time together and really got to know each other. But the obstacles were kind of dumb, their dating pasts were sort of dumb, and the big breakup scene was relatively dumb. The sex scenes were pretty hot tho so I feel like there's definitely potential with this author's writing, as odd as it sounds, to improve when she's not writing about something so close to her heart.
Minus point for the love interest's dog being named Albus Doodledore, half a point for the love interest responding "hell no" when asked if he was an HP fan and saying he just kept the dog's shelter name to not confuse him. Would have been happier if he said WHY he wasn't an HP fan (author being a piece of shit trash), would have been happiest if they just skirted the HP reference altogether.
Family connections and friendships were apparent enough in this book, like there was enough going on that it felt fleshed out. I just got bored of hearing about the LI's ~forest green~ eyes and his abs like shut up girl seriously
Book 2 is about this MC's bookstagramming skinny sister and this LI's best friend so mayhaps it will be better I do not want any more fat content from this author
Reading books about working out counts as exercise, I'm pretty sure.
If it doesn't, do not tell me otherwise. This is all I have.
Prepare yourselves, because this is going to sound familiar. I wish I knew anything about exercise, so that I could make a comparison that would be on theme. But then again, I don't really, because to know about exercise implies doing it, and that sounds horrible.
So, anyway, here it is, what has become basically my catchphrase:
My least favorite part of this romance novel was the romance.
I honestly loved these characters and their family (yes, family singular, their grandparents get married in what is a very normal and not at all uncomfortable and insane thing, apparently), and the body positivity plot, but I didn't care about the actual reason we all found ourselves gathered here like at all.
I don't think Crystal (our protagonist, an Instagram influencer) and Scott (our love interest, a firefighter) ARE that compatible. They are constantly doing stuff like calling each other boring, and not enjoying time they spend together, and also not really spending time together in general. Or if they are, we do not see it!
If I want to get into pacing things and sound smart (or as smart as it's currently possible for me to sound), instead of just saying the love story Wasn't For Me like usual: The first kiss came really early and I felt there were unresolved trust issues.
Also, a love interest whose tragic backstory is being kinda bullied one time in middle school...no.
Especially if his girlfriend is being doxxed and ruthlessly mocked on Instagram by hundreds of people, and he's like "this is the same as that one time 20 years ago."
Classic men stuff.
Bottom line: Can we get more contemporaries with like...100% family, 0% romance? Maybe that's what I need.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
------------
reading books by asian authors for aapi month!
book 1: kim jiyoung, born 1982
book 2: siren queen
book 3: the heart principle
book 4: n.p.
book 5: the hole
book 6: set on you
If it doesn't, do not tell me otherwise. This is all I have.
Prepare yourselves, because this is going to sound familiar. I wish I knew anything about exercise, so that I could make a comparison that would be on theme. But then again, I don't really, because to know about exercise implies doing it, and that sounds horrible.
So, anyway, here it is, what has become basically my catchphrase:
My least favorite part of this romance novel was the romance.
I honestly loved these characters and their family (yes, family singular, their grandparents get married in what is a very normal and not at all uncomfortable and insane thing, apparently), and the body positivity plot, but I didn't care about the actual reason we all found ourselves gathered here like at all.
I don't think Crystal (our protagonist, an Instagram influencer) and Scott (our love interest, a firefighter) ARE that compatible. They are constantly doing stuff like calling each other boring, and not enjoying time they spend together, and also not really spending time together in general. Or if they are, we do not see it!
If I want to get into pacing things and sound smart (or as smart as it's currently possible for me to sound), instead of just saying the love story Wasn't For Me like usual: The first kiss came really early and I felt there were unresolved trust issues.
Also, a love interest whose tragic backstory is being kinda bullied one time in middle school...no.
Especially if his girlfriend is being doxxed and ruthlessly mocked on Instagram by hundreds of people, and he's like "this is the same as that one time 20 years ago."
Classic men stuff.
Bottom line: Can we get more contemporaries with like...100% family, 0% romance? Maybe that's what I need.
(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
------------
reading books by asian authors for aapi month!
book 1: kim jiyoung, born 1982
book 2: siren queen
book 3: the heart principle
book 4: n.p.
book 5: the hole
book 6: set on you
Loved the idea, loved the representation, Scott was an angel..... but I couldn't stand Crystal and I really tried. Scott was seriously just trying to be a supportive partner. This is the first book I almost DNF at 75%. I really tried to keep giving Crystal a chance.
