Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
Such a cute fun summer romance read! Abby lands the summer internship of her dreams working for a fashion boutique and unexpectedly finds herself falling in love with the other intern, who unfortunately is also her competition for the single available fall job that will result from the internship. Also, her bff's bf's bff (Jax) gets her to start trying and rating different burgers around the LA area with him. I want to try the Apple Pan so badly, I yelped it and it's a real place.
A little too cutesy and cheesy for my liking, but it was still a mostly enjoyable read. It almost seemed like Spalding had 2 book ideas and smushed them together -- the Abby/Jordi relationship and the Best Blank app adventures. Not that the Abby and Jax friendship seemed out of place in the book, but it had enough substance to it to be the A-plot.
At the halfway point:
It's a high school lesbian romcom. It's cute? It's also a bit painful to read. (I'm listening to this on audible, and the narrator makes everything sound more petty, so that might be part of it). Basically half of the text is descriptions of someone's physical appearance. The POV character is obsessed with fashion, so if this was done less I might think it was a good choice for narration, but it's so much that it takes me out of the story. The POV character also grew up in a painfully fatphobic household, and she believes she's less than because of her size, even though she runs a plus size fashion blog, and builds other fat girls up all of the time. Idk where the burger subplot is going, but it is weird that it's such a minor thing since it's in the title. I consider putting this book down every chapter, so if I leave this review as is, that's probably why.
End review:
The burger subplot is actually possibly the most realistic part of this book, and also sort of beautiful. Common sense solutions to problems suddenly abound. Communication is good. It’s a pretty solid romcom. I’m glad I finished it, but not quite glad that I started it.
It's a high school lesbian romcom. It's cute? It's also a bit painful to read. (I'm listening to this on audible, and the narrator makes everything sound more petty, so that might be part of it). Basically half of the text is descriptions of someone's physical appearance. The POV character is obsessed with fashion, so if this was done less I might think it was a good choice for narration, but it's so much that it takes me out of the story. The POV character also grew up in a painfully fatphobic household, and she believes she's less than because of her size, even though she runs a plus size fashion blog, and builds other fat girls up all of the time. Idk where the burger subplot is going, but it is weird that it's such a minor thing since it's in the title. I consider putting this book down every chapter, so if I leave this review as is, that's probably why.
End review:
The burger subplot is actually possibly the most realistic part of this book, and also sort of beautiful. Common sense solutions to problems suddenly abound. Communication is good. It’s a pretty solid romcom. I’m glad I finished it, but not quite glad that I started it.
*I received a DRC from edelweiss and the publisher. All opinions are my own.*
I was super excited to read a queer love story about a fat girl who is totally confident as a fat girl. And for the most part, that's what I got.
Abby is incredibly naive when it comes to love which I personally found pretty endearing because at 17, I was a damn idiot. At 34, I'm still a damn idiot if i'm being completely honest. Her group of friends are incredibly supportive of each other and always have each other's backs and no catty BS happened which always makes me very happy with female friendships.
The romance was not necessarily insta-love, but it was definitely insta-crush, for no apparent reason, at least on the page. But it was still like, REALLY adorable. So I got over it.
I think the burger plot line was kind of unnecessary, though I did really like Jax as a character, I just don't understand what that story-line added to the story.
The ending was incredibly rushed, and not totally satisfying.
All in all, though I do have my issues with this book, it was so wonderful to have a queer love story featuring a fat protagonist. There weren't incessant fat jokes made at her expense, which is always lovely. It's a very quick read, and I think a lovely addition to the world of fat rep in YA fiction.
I was super excited to read a queer love story about a fat girl who is totally confident as a fat girl. And for the most part, that's what I got.
Abby is incredibly naive when it comes to love which I personally found pretty endearing because at 17, I was a damn idiot. At 34, I'm still a damn idiot if i'm being completely honest. Her group of friends are incredibly supportive of each other and always have each other's backs and no catty BS happened which always makes me very happy with female friendships.
The romance was not necessarily insta-love, but it was definitely insta-crush, for no apparent reason, at least on the page. But it was still like, REALLY adorable. So I got over it.
I think the burger plot line was kind of unnecessary, though I did really like Jax as a character, I just don't understand what that story-line added to the story.
The ending was incredibly rushed, and not totally satisfying.
All in all, though I do have my issues with this book, it was so wonderful to have a queer love story featuring a fat protagonist. There weren't incessant fat jokes made at her expense, which is always lovely. It's a very quick read, and I think a lovely addition to the world of fat rep in YA fiction.
This book was super cute. A huge shout out to Sam @ Sleepy Sam Reads for reviewing it and making me aware that it exists! Thank you Sam, I would not have read this book without your review. Also, I REMEMBERED TO TAB PAGES! I HAVE QUOTES!
This book is about the summer between junior and senior years. (That’s the entirety of my very basic understanding of how the US school system works… Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior. Also, prom and homecoming are two different events that you need dresses for. All of this knowledge is gained from movies.) It’s also about first loves, friendships, family, fashion, learning about who you are and what you are willing to do, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, burgers. No, I am not joking.
Abby lands her dream internship at a local fashion boutique for the summer. One that could potentially end up giving her a part-time job at the end of the summer. She’s also coming to terms with the fact that her best friend, Maliah, is in a relationship with Trevor, and that means they hang out less. Also, Trevor’s best friend, Jax, wants Abby to eat burgers with him – for a PROJECT. (where do I sign up for these things?) Her sister is not coming home for the summer, and Abby’s mom is driving her up the wall. And, just in case that’s not enough for one summer, Abby has a crush on the girl who is competing with her on the internship.
I freely admit that this book made me cry. Not that it had super sad content or anything, but because I related to Abby on about 10 different levels (the same way I related to Molly from The Upside of Unrequited). There is not enough positive fat contemporary books out there. Or if there are, they are shamed into existence when they should be held up as shining examples of positive body image. I grew up fat. I was healthy though, I played sport – hell, I played representative sport for the city AND state I lived in. But I always felt like I wasn’t ‘pretty’ or ‘good’ enough, and when boys showed interest in me, I fobbed it off or thought I had to do more to make them like me. I found it hard to accept that they would like me for me. I hope that books like this one make it HUGE in mainstream so that teens out there that are like me don’t feel that way.
The relationship that Abby has with her mother reminds me so much of my own relationship with my mum when I was a teen. Hell, sometimes it reminds me of my relationship I have with her now! I know, and I think Abby knows too, that her mum just wants the best for her, and it might be true – sometimes thinner people have less adversity in their life. Of course she just wants her daughter to have an easier life. But sometimes kids just need their parents to see them for who they are, and love them unconditionally. Verbally.
Now that I’m done sobbing over my body-issues anxiety and relationship fears, can we take two seconds to appreciate Jax, Abby’s friend-in-law, who is a) the best comic relief in the world, and b) such a sweet little marshmallow underneath all the tough boy posturing and lacrosse-bro talk. Jax may have been my favourite thing in this whole book. (Don’t get me wrong, there’s so much else that is amazing, but Jax was just… words.)
There were heaps of gorgeous characters that I loved though – this is a very character-driven story. Abby is a sweet natured girl, as is Jordi, the love interest/competitor. Maggie, the fashion designer/store owner, is also hilarious (definitely the best adult in the book). Maggie is also delightfully real, and super supportive of both girls.
This book was super easy to read. (I did it in 3 days between packing and cleaning and all sorts of things!) It was a fun read too – the relationships, fears and conversation were all very relatable. The adults were just as messy as the teens, and it didn’t have that horrible ‘posturing’ type of speak that is sometimes given to teens. (When really, as if teens actually talk like that?!)
If you’re looking for a fun, summer contemporary read, this is the book you are looking for.
Until next time, happy reading 😊📚
This book is about the summer between junior and senior years. (That’s the entirety of my very basic understanding of how the US school system works… Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior, Senior. Also, prom and homecoming are two different events that you need dresses for. All of this knowledge is gained from movies.) It’s also about first loves, friendships, family, fashion, learning about who you are and what you are willing to do, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, burgers. No, I am not joking.
Abby lands her dream internship at a local fashion boutique for the summer. One that could potentially end up giving her a part-time job at the end of the summer. She’s also coming to terms with the fact that her best friend, Maliah, is in a relationship with Trevor, and that means they hang out less. Also, Trevor’s best friend, Jax, wants Abby to eat burgers with him – for a PROJECT. (where do I sign up for these things?) Her sister is not coming home for the summer, and Abby’s mom is driving her up the wall. And, just in case that’s not enough for one summer, Abby has a crush on the girl who is competing with her on the internship.
I freely admit that this book made me cry. Not that it had super sad content or anything, but because I related to Abby on about 10 different levels (the same way I related to Molly from The Upside of Unrequited). There is not enough positive fat contemporary books out there. Or if there are, they are shamed into existence when they should be held up as shining examples of positive body image. I grew up fat. I was healthy though, I played sport – hell, I played representative sport for the city AND state I lived in. But I always felt like I wasn’t ‘pretty’ or ‘good’ enough, and when boys showed interest in me, I fobbed it off or thought I had to do more to make them like me. I found it hard to accept that they would like me for me. I hope that books like this one make it HUGE in mainstream so that teens out there that are like me don’t feel that way.
… people – especially people on the internet – can be so mean when you’re fat. As if fat makes you stupid or dirty or irresponsible. As if fat makes you anything other than … fat.
The relationship that Abby has with her mother reminds me so much of my own relationship with my mum when I was a teen. Hell, sometimes it reminds me of my relationship I have with her now! I know, and I think Abby knows too, that her mum just wants the best for her, and it might be true – sometimes thinner people have less adversity in their life. Of course she just wants her daughter to have an easier life. But sometimes kids just need their parents to see them for who they are, and love them unconditionally. Verbally.
“Of course I love you,” Mom says.
“Well, then like me.”
Now that I’m done sobbing over my body-issues anxiety and relationship fears, can we take two seconds to appreciate Jax, Abby’s friend-in-law, who is a) the best comic relief in the world, and b) such a sweet little marshmallow underneath all the tough boy posturing and lacrosse-bro talk. Jax may have been my favourite thing in this whole book. (Don’t get me wrong, there’s so much else that is amazing, but Jax was just… words.)
“Why are boys so scared of girl feelings?” I ask.
“Abbs, I’m a feminist,” he says. “I’m equally scared of all feelings.”
There were heaps of gorgeous characters that I loved though – this is a very character-driven story. Abby is a sweet natured girl, as is Jordi, the love interest/competitor. Maggie, the fashion designer/store owner, is also hilarious (definitely the best adult in the book). Maggie is also delightfully real, and super supportive of both girls.
This book was super easy to read. (I did it in 3 days between packing and cleaning and all sorts of things!) It was a fun read too – the relationships, fears and conversation were all very relatable. The adults were just as messy as the teens, and it didn’t have that horrible ‘posturing’ type of speak that is sometimes given to teens. (When really, as if teens actually talk like that?!)
If you’re looking for a fun, summer contemporary read, this is the book you are looking for.
Until next time, happy reading 😊📚
5/5 Stars
I really loved this book. I listened to this on audiobook, and I'm so happy I did. It was the summer contemporary f/f romance I really wanted. Plus, Jordi is now my newest fictional crush. I loved her. I loved everyone in this book, and it was kind of predictable, but that's ok.
Something I really loved about this book was that Abby was plus-sized, and she loved herself. She didn't want to post stuff on social media, because she knows how cruel the world can be. I loved that she loves herself the way she is.
I really loved this book. I listened to this on audiobook, and I'm so happy I did. It was the summer contemporary f/f romance I really wanted. Plus, Jordi is now my newest fictional crush. I loved her. I loved everyone in this book, and it was kind of predictable, but that's ok.
Something I really loved about this book was that Abby was plus-sized, and she loved herself. She didn't want to post stuff on social media, because she knows how cruel the world can be. I loved that she loves herself the way she is.