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A review by hannahb1533
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Okay so I really enjoyed this book. Mostly because I love the way it addressed being plus sized and the experiences and thoughts plus sized woman can have.
Let me also say I have NEVER watched a season of the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. I have a lot of friends who are VERY devoted so via social media I know enough to understand the nuances of how this book was set up. Bea’s initial thoughts on the show are why I have never watched it… this isn’t what real everyday people who have trouble dating look like!
If you aren’t plus sized or mid-sized you may have trouble enjoying the book because Bea’s thoughts may come off as whiny, but being someone with a lot of the same insecurities as Bea I thought “FINALLY a love story that GETS IT”
I thought Bea’s journey with the men was fun and funny, it makes you wonder how much of this type of stuff really happens on these shows behind the scenes.
Also shoutout to the asexual / aromantic representation in the book!
Now… for the one downside (that many people seem to share…
Spoiler
right from the jump of the book we see Bea sleep with and then get ditched by Ray. This is a running conflict for her throughout the book and Ray is quickly made a villain. Now, yes. Ray was wrong this time and many times before in his treatment of Bea… BUT … Bea girl, you cheated too! You KNEW that man was engaged! I just feel like, aside from Asher peacing out (which wasn’t even permanent) Bea never really had to feel consequences from choosing to sleep with an engaged man. Ray obviously had a lot to work through, but Bea needed to own her part in breaking up an engagement and her wrongdoing as well.
That is really my only point of contention with the book.
Overall this is a fun, funny, and reflective romcom that puts a body positive plus-does woman at the forefront and while I kinda of wish that Bea
Spoiler
didn’t end of with Asher so that she could continue to be a girl boss and meet someone else a bit more organically I can appreciate the choice to
Spoiler
have her end up with Ray and get an Insta family. Her interactions with Lucas were TOO CUTE for her to not stay in that life and Bea and Ashers insecurities work together in a way that balance them as a couple.
Let me also say I have NEVER watched a season of the Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise. I have a lot of friends who are VERY devoted so via social media I know enough to understand the nuances of how this book was set up. Bea’s initial thoughts on the show are why I have never watched it… this isn’t what real everyday people who have trouble dating look like!
If you aren’t plus sized or mid-sized you may have trouble enjoying the book because Bea’s thoughts may come off as whiny, but being someone with a lot of the same insecurities as Bea I thought “FINALLY a love story that GETS IT”
I thought Bea’s journey with the men was fun and funny, it makes you wonder how much of this type of stuff really happens on these shows behind the scenes.
Also shoutout to the asexual / aromantic representation in the book!
Now… for the one downside (that many people seem to share…
Spoiler
right from the jump of the book we see Bea sleep with and then get ditched by Ray. This is a running conflict for her throughout the book and Ray is quickly made a villain. Now, yes. Ray was wrong this time and many times before in his treatment of Bea… BUT … Bea girl, you cheated too! You KNEW that man was engaged! I just feel like, aside from Asher peacing out (which wasn’t even permanent) Bea never really had to feel consequences from choosing to sleep with an engaged man. Ray obviously had a lot to work through, but Bea needed to own her part in breaking up an engagement and her wrongdoing as well.
That is really my only point of contention with the book.
Overall this is a fun, funny, and reflective romcom that puts a body positive plus-does woman at the forefront and while I kinda of wish that Bea
Spoiler
didn’t end of with Asher so that she could continue to be a girl boss and meet someone else a bit more organically I can appreciate the choice to
Spoiler
have her end up with Ray and get an Insta family. Her interactions with Lucas were TOO CUTE for her to not stay in that life and Bea and Ashers insecurities work together in a way that balance them as a couple.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault