Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by vrstal
Jam Packed by R.J. Moray
5.0
Jam Packed is an absolutely amazing new read from Moray. It is sweet, sentimental, and spicy. It earned every star, 5/5, for not only how well written it was but for the wonderful storytelling that pulled at my heart strings.
I am a fat trans, gay man who also has ADHD and I felt wholly connected to Sammy and his inner dialogue. I highlighted paragraphs that made me tear up and cry because I felt them *that* deeply, a shared connection and fear, that I felt so seen in. That was 20 different highlights in total.
—
“I’m fat”, Sammy said. It was true. Neither of them could deny it. Axel smiled. He stroked Sammy’s belly. “Yeah. Fat and gorgeous.”
—
YES!! This is what I’m talking about. Fat is not a dirty word. It just is. There was so many good moments here where Sammy’s size is not downplayed or ignored, but part of his beauty because he is beautiful and fat, and Axel likes that. Their relationship was sweet and while I’m not the biggest fan of ‘will-they-won’t-they’, in this story it felt genuine and authentic how their relationship developed. I know some people might think some of the dating situations Sammy described previously seem realistic but from another fat person: yeah. That is realistic. People will shame you with no care because fatphobia is celebrated.
The plot around Carson and Sammy was interesting and I won’t spoil it here, but I liked that it was more a grey issue than an obvious route one could have taken. I also loved Meghan and Jasmin, love lesbian moms, and if there was ever to be another book I would love to read about Simon finding his 24/7 discipline dynamic with another sweet chubby boy. The scene with him comforting Sammy was heartwarming and enjoyable. He seemed like a really great guy. Axel’s father and the way he talked to him about love and marriage was perfect. The touch of realism, but even Sammy’s optimism was oh-so-contagious.
I loved the way the epilogue went for Axel and Sammy as well, because it was just so *them*. I could read another book with them for sure but it was also just right how it was written. IDK. I love everything about this book. I would marry this book.
Thank you, Robin, for writing this. You made a fat boy like me feel seen, and that love is out there. Maybe I won’t find an Axel but I can always dream!
**I received an ARC in exchange for a review, all opinions are honest and my own.**
I am a fat trans, gay man who also has ADHD and I felt wholly connected to Sammy and his inner dialogue. I highlighted paragraphs that made me tear up and cry because I felt them *that* deeply, a shared connection and fear, that I felt so seen in. That was 20 different highlights in total.
—
“I’m fat”, Sammy said. It was true. Neither of them could deny it. Axel smiled. He stroked Sammy’s belly. “Yeah. Fat and gorgeous.”
—
YES!! This is what I’m talking about. Fat is not a dirty word. It just is. There was so many good moments here where Sammy’s size is not downplayed or ignored, but part of his beauty because he is beautiful and fat, and Axel likes that. Their relationship was sweet and while I’m not the biggest fan of ‘will-they-won’t-they’, in this story it felt genuine and authentic how their relationship developed. I know some people might think some of the dating situations Sammy described previously seem realistic but from another fat person: yeah. That is realistic. People will shame you with no care because fatphobia is celebrated.
The plot around Carson and Sammy was interesting and I won’t spoil it here, but I liked that it was more a grey issue than an obvious route one could have taken. I also loved Meghan and Jasmin, love lesbian moms, and if there was ever to be another book I would love to read about Simon finding his 24/7 discipline dynamic with another sweet chubby boy. The scene with him comforting Sammy was heartwarming and enjoyable. He seemed like a really great guy. Axel’s father and the way he talked to him about love and marriage was perfect. The touch of realism, but even Sammy’s optimism was oh-so-contagious.
I loved the way the epilogue went for Axel and Sammy as well, because it was just so *them*. I could read another book with them for sure but it was also just right how it was written. IDK. I love everything about this book. I would marry this book.
Thank you, Robin, for writing this. You made a fat boy like me feel seen, and that love is out there. Maybe I won’t find an Axel but I can always dream!
**I received an ARC in exchange for a review, all opinions are honest and my own.**