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pagesand_polish's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
One to Watch centers on Bea Schumacher, a plus-sized fashion blogger who becomes the lead on a reality dating show similar to The Bachelorette. Though Bea is skeptical about finding love on a show she doesn’t fully believe in, her journey challenges stereotypes and opens her heart in unexpected ways.
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. While I’m not the biggest fan of shows like The Bachelorette, I do give in to the guilty pleasure now and then, and this book captured that feeling perfectly. Bea as a main character was a breath of fresh air—her struggles with body image felt real and relatable, making it so easy to root for her throughout the story. It was refreshing to see a plus-sized protagonist in the spotlight, and I appreciated how the book addressed her insecurities with both honesty and care. I also enjoyed getting to know the men vying for Bea’s heart, which added an extra layer of fun to the experience.
I absolutely loved the setting of this book. While I’m not the biggest fan of shows like The Bachelorette, I do give in to the guilty pleasure now and then, and this book captured that feeling perfectly. Bea as a main character was a breath of fresh air—her struggles with body image felt real and relatable, making it so easy to root for her throughout the story. It was refreshing to see a plus-sized protagonist in the spotlight, and I appreciated how the book addressed her insecurities with both honesty and care. I also enjoyed getting to know the men vying for Bea’s heart, which added an extra layer of fun to the experience.
emmabheid's review against another edition
3.0
I was gonna say this was a fun romcom, but it really wasn't that fun. The main character seemed sad, confused, and frustrated most of the book so it wasn't heartwarming the majority of the time. It def had a message for people to hear, but I didn't love being in this character's head. The ending was good tho.
shannon_white1099's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
winemakerssister's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this so much that I listened to it a 2nd time before returning it to the library.
I'm not a fan of The Bachelor (although I love the day-after commentary on SBTB), but like everyone else in the modern world, I know how the franchise works. After writing a scathing review of Main Squeeze (The Bachelor look-alike) regarding its lack of body size diversity, plus-size blogger Bea is invited to be their next contestant. But it's not just her size that makes her different from other contestants, she isn't sure she's really looking for love.
As much as she loves her outside shape (as a body-positive influencer), inside Bea is still unsure about herself and how she's treated by the world. And she's smart to worry about that - a number of men on the show are downright mean to her. Through the show she struggles with this, learning more and more about herself along the way.
Cover: Okay. I have a gut feeling that it could've been better.
Narrator: Wow. Kristen Sieh was exceptional!
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: I think Bea might be a Gryffindor and the hero is most definitely a Ravenclaw.
Themes: reality TV, body image, family
I'm not a fan of The Bachelor (although I love the day-after commentary on SBTB), but like everyone else in the modern world, I know how the franchise works. After writing a scathing review of Main Squeeze (The Bachelor look-alike) regarding its lack of body size diversity, plus-size blogger Bea is invited to be their next contestant. But it's not just her size that makes her different from other contestants, she isn't sure she's really looking for love.
As much as she loves her outside shape (as a body-positive influencer), inside Bea is still unsure about herself and how she's treated by the world. And she's smart to worry about that - a number of men on the show are downright mean to her. Through the show she struggles with this, learning more and more about herself along the way.
Cover: Okay. I have a gut feeling that it could've been better.
Narrator: Wow. Kristen Sieh was exceptional!
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: I think Bea might be a Gryffindor and the hero is most definitely a Ravenclaw.
Themes: reality TV, body image, family
inke410's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Would have rated higher but I didn't fully support the ending
befthhh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
5.0
Wow this book made me feel a lot of emotions! Bea is such a rich, complex, lovable character. It was great to see desire and love for a fat main character presented in several different ways.
msharlotbronte's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
A main character whose only flaw is that she isn’t confident and whose only personality trait is that she’s plus sized. Lost me the second she disregarded Asher’s genuine request to let him go if she was unsure about being a parent- I believe the quote was something akin to “Bea wasn’t sure if she was ready to be a mother, but she knew she wasn’t ready to say goodbye to this man.” Absolutely not, nope. Children are people, not romance pawns.
kaseywylie's review against another edition
4.0
Like 3.75! This is super cute. If you’ve enjoyed watching the bachelor/bachelorette, this is for you.
What I loved:
✨ body positivity
✨ the drama
✨ actual raw emotion
✨ I actually cried????? Who am I?
What I didn’t like:
✨ book felt longer than it needed to be
✨ some parts were fairly boring so I felt myself just trying to get through those
In summary, this is a fun quick read! To those that pave the way for a more inclusive world, I see you and thank you
What I loved:
✨ body positivity
✨ the drama
✨ actual raw emotion
✨ I actually cried????? Who am I?
What I didn’t like:
✨ book felt longer than it needed to be
✨ some parts were fairly boring so I felt myself just trying to get through those
In summary, this is a fun quick read! To those that pave the way for a more inclusive world, I see you and thank you