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alisarae's review against another edition
5.0
I was blown away by how good this was!! So smart and really cute. The final 4 guys were all amazing characters, so it kept me in suspense. I love Bea, her cool style, and her body positivity. Also, there was some surprise ace rep, who would have guessed?
lost_inabook's review against another edition
3.5
The writing style, plot twists and media format was such a fun read and although I liked Bea, the guy she ends up with is bland and every other character was predictable and forgettable.
levesc17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
4.5
I really enjoyed this book, but I wish there had been more of an epilogue showing the romantic couple together for longer. But, the romantic couple isn’t the main point of this book… it’s more about the heroine’s journey to understanding herself and her own fears.
rebkidder's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
reyca's review against another edition
2.0
I was on a waitlist for this book for months, and I had high hopes for it.
Well. It was somewhat realistic, I suppose. The protagonist is “medium fat,” so maybe around size 20-22. Not even that large in real life, but definitely considered too fat to be famous. The mean comments by internet strangers were a given, and necessary for the plot, but ouch. The reactions by the contestants in “The Bachelor” copycat show were awful, but I can’t say that’s unrealistic. So I definitely believed the whole life of the protagonist.
What I really hated though was the relationship with Asher, the dude she ended up with. He joined the show because his 9-year-old son filled out his application. His singular trauma was watching his ex-wife mack on another dude in front of him. So he joins a show where multiple men compete for one woman? They have A Moment, and she’s supposed to immediately cut off any chances with the other contestants. She doesn’t, so he has a tantrum. What a dick.
Jefferson may have been a little too true to life, and he made Bea question absolutely everything about herself and her relationships. Again, not unrealistic, but ugh. I just wanted a happy ending for a fat main character.
Most contemporary female fiction that includes romance contain skinny main characters. I can enjoy those, but I was really looking forward to a story with a fat protagonist that is happy with her life and herself and finds someone to be happy with her. I needed that kind of hope. This was not that book.
Well. It was somewhat realistic, I suppose. The protagonist is “medium fat,” so maybe around size 20-22. Not even that large in real life, but definitely considered too fat to be famous. The mean comments by internet strangers were a given, and necessary for the plot, but ouch. The reactions by the contestants in “The Bachelor” copycat show were awful, but I can’t say that’s unrealistic. So I definitely believed the whole life of the protagonist.
What I really hated though was the relationship with Asher, the dude she ended up with. He joined the show because his 9-year-old son filled out his application. His singular trauma was watching his ex-wife mack on another dude in front of him. So he joins a show where multiple men compete for one woman? They have A Moment, and she’s supposed to immediately cut off any chances with the other contestants. She doesn’t, so he has a tantrum. What a dick.
Jefferson may have been a little too true to life, and he made Bea question absolutely everything about herself and her relationships. Again, not unrealistic, but ugh. I just wanted a happy ending for a fat main character.
Most contemporary female fiction that includes romance contain skinny main characters. I can enjoy those, but I was really looking forward to a story with a fat protagonist that is happy with her life and herself and finds someone to be happy with her. I needed that kind of hope. This was not that book.
kirahaynes's review against another edition
3.0
I need a book of just Colin and Beth omg
I feel like the premise was good but the execution fell flat. I thought I could handle the fat phobia but it really got to me, especially because I think bea is actually smaller than me.
I wish the book had ended when she was lonely but enjoying her life as single. I didn’t like Asher coming back
I feel like the premise was good but the execution fell flat. I thought I could handle the fat phobia but it really got to me, especially because I think bea is actually smaller than me.
I wish the book had ended when she was lonely but enjoying her life as single. I didn’t like Asher coming back
dani_doobiedoo's review against another edition
4.0
I was so entertained omg
Not sure how good this book was in terms of tackling fatphobia and fat acceptance/positivity (?) I dunno.
I liked Bea, Marin, and Allison. Lauren just reminded me of what Ashley Norton on yt said about production never being on your side if you're the lead in these shows (or anyone in front of the camera for that matter) and I've never seen the bachelor so i get all my info from her recaps
In terms of the men - I liked the final five. My only thing is that I think because there were so many characters, I didn't really connect with them on anything more than a surface level, but this was still a fun audiobook to listen to
Not sure how good this book was in terms of tackling fatphobia and fat acceptance/positivity (?) I dunno.
I liked Bea, Marin, and Allison. Lauren just reminded me of what Ashley Norton on yt said about production never being on your side if you're the lead in these shows (or anyone in front of the camera for that matter) and I've never seen the bachelor so i get all my info from her recaps
In terms of the men - I liked the final five. My only thing is that I think because there were so many characters, I didn't really connect with them on anything more than a surface level, but this was still a fun audiobook to listen to
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
4.0
Bea, a plus sized fashion blogger, tears apart a reality dating show, Main Squeeze, on her page. She becomes the next Main Squeeze.
I loved the many methods this author used to narrate this story- podcast transcripts, online chat groups, media posts, text messages as well as third person narrative. It flowed very well and kept me entertained and desperate to read more.
I loved the many methods this author used to narrate this story- podcast transcripts, online chat groups, media posts, text messages as well as third person narrative. It flowed very well and kept me entertained and desperate to read more.
elledyer's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okaaaay. It basically read out like a season of The Bachelor/Bachelorette with a few more twists and drama so if you’re into that then this is the book for you.