Scan barcode
theespressoedition's review against another edition
I have a feeling that this would've eventually gone in a really positive direction, but I struggle a LOT with reading about body shaming, negative body imagery, and verbal abuse. So, this was one that I had to give up at the 35% mark. I'm sure it's a great pick for others, but it just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Fatphobia
daja's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.25
Starting this book was such a treat! This book follows Savvy Sheldon, a plus size Black woman who is freshly out of a bad relationship. Because of this, she goes on a journey of improving her life romantically, health-wise and career-wise.
The beginning of the story started so strong from me, especially the first chapter. Savvy's ex had the audacity to say certain things to her and I was so here for her revenge glow-up (I know it wasn't the healthiest way to go about being on a diet, I was here for the potential scene of pettiness). However, that quickly lost its glamour. Savvy is pretty insecure about her weight and has low self-esteem. I knew this was going to be a focus for her character growth because it was a major motivation for her to get healthy. However, after a certain point, I started to get annoyed with Savvy's insecurity. Even 70% into the story, it felt like she was still super insecure and not really learning to love herself. She was doing all of these tennis lessons and yoga sessions but it didn't feel like her self-esteem was improving. Others had to point out to her that she was growing and becoming healthier. It wasn't until the very end that she really saw her own beauty. Also, the glow-up really only felt superficial. I didn't really see her do the internal work to improve her self-esteem. It was mainly the male love interest, her friends and her working out that made up her growth arc and I think that's why the entire character arc didn't work for me. Her entire glow-up wasn't the healthiest way to go about trying to get healthy either.
I didn't hate Savvy's character, though. I really loved that she loved how to cook. The food descriptions sounded so good! And I really liked how caring she was of other people. I also really enjoyed the friend groups of each of the love interests. They were so funny and I loved how supportive they were. Spencer, the love interest, wasn't really that interesting. He was a contractor who worked on her house and had a dog but honestly, I don't think he felt like a real person to me. To me, this is because most of the book felt more like a women's fiction novel than a romance. Most of the book focused on Savvy and her trying to grow. Like I mentioned before, a lot of that was her yoga sessions and tennis lessons. Those scenes felt very repetitive to me and I wish that it would have focused on building the romance between Savvy and Spencer. Spencer almost fell for her instantly and I couldn't really see why he liked her. I know he was attracted to her but there was nothing else I really got from it.
Overall, it was an okay read. It probably should have been marketed as a women's fiction novel. Also, if it engaged in more about Savvy's life outside of the fitness aspects, I probably would have enjoyed it more.
The beginning of the story started so strong from me, especially the first chapter. Savvy's ex had the audacity to say certain things to her and I was so here for her revenge glow-up (I know it wasn't the healthiest way to go about being on a diet, I was here for the potential scene of pettiness). However, that quickly lost its glamour. Savvy is pretty insecure about her weight and has low self-esteem. I knew this was going to be a focus for her character growth because it was a major motivation for her to get healthy. However, after a certain point, I started to get annoyed with Savvy's insecurity. Even 70% into the story, it felt like she was still super insecure and not really learning to love herself. She was doing all of these tennis lessons and yoga sessions but it didn't feel like her self-esteem was improving. Others had to point out to her that she was growing and becoming healthier. It wasn't until the very end that she really saw her own beauty. Also, the glow-up really only felt superficial. I didn't really see her do the internal work to improve her self-esteem. It was mainly the male love interest, her friends and her working out that made up her growth arc and I think that's why the entire character arc didn't work for me. Her entire glow-up wasn't the healthiest way to go about trying to get healthy either.
I didn't hate Savvy's character, though. I really loved that she loved how to cook. The food descriptions sounded so good! And I really liked how caring she was of other people. I also really enjoyed the friend groups of each of the love interests. They were so funny and I loved how supportive they were. Spencer, the love interest, wasn't really that interesting. He was a contractor who worked on her house and had a dog but honestly, I don't think he felt like a real person to me. To me, this is because most of the book felt more like a women's fiction novel than a romance. Most of the book focused on Savvy and her trying to grow. Like I mentioned before, a lot of that was her yoga sessions and tennis lessons. Those scenes felt very repetitive to me and I wish that it would have focused on building the romance between Savvy and Spencer. Spencer almost fell for her instantly and I couldn't really see why he liked her. I know he was attracted to her but there was nothing else I really got from it.
Overall, it was an okay read. It probably should have been marketed as a women's fiction novel. Also, if it engaged in more about Savvy's life outside of the fitness aspects, I probably would have enjoyed it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault
kellyskubic's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship and Fire/Fire injury
shereadytoread's review against another edition
inspiring
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
3.5
This was a fun read but gets repetitive at times due to the fitness scenes. I think that could have been better spent on more romance based scenes or general character building.
I also thought there would be a bigger payoff with the ex who continues to appear but that is tossed aside at some point.
I really enjoyed the food aspects, as well as the family and friendship dynamics. Saavy herself I felt wasn’t the most striking MC and the larger friend group and family connections I found more interested than her specifically.
I also thought there would be a bigger payoff with the ex who continues to appear but that is tossed aside at some point.
I really enjoyed the food aspects, as well as the family and friendship dynamics. Saavy herself I felt wasn’t the most striking MC and the larger friend group and family connections I found more interested than her specifically.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Toxic relationship
brttny_anne's review against another edition
I am trying to have a healthier relationship with food without shame or negativity. This did not have that this is diet culture porn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Emotional abuse
livetgjennomb_ker's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Savvy Sheldon is unfortunately not my cup of tea.
Her lack of confidence and both the internalised and external fatphobia she faces is ridiculous; and as such she came across as grating as opposed to charming.
I liked her friends, though.
🌶️/5
Her lack of confidence and both the internalised and external fatphobia she faces is ridiculous; and as such she came across as grating as opposed to charming.
I liked her friends, though.
🌶️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Emotional abuse
kayleigh_reads_romance's review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
fromtheshelf's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Fatphobia
levesc17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
3.75
Foodies will love this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
ericalane's review against another edition
I have this tagged as fat rep, and wasn’t surprised to see the fatphobia cw’s, because I thought it was something dealt with in a more positive light. But, that’s not the case. The constant working out/meal prepping/“cheat meals”…it was too much. DNFing for now. May try to finish, but this was difficult to get through.
It’s one thing to go through a breakup and have a “revenge makeover” but the revenge bod into immediate intense working out? It doesn’t read as fat rep, imo. It’s more fitspo.
It’s one thing to go through a breakup and have a “revenge makeover” but the revenge bod into immediate intense working out? It doesn’t read as fat rep, imo. It’s more fitspo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia