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pages_with_panda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
Liked it! Cute, coming-of-age story (female main character is 17 (high-school age), romantic, humorous, heart-warming.
I would've loved to see a book like this when I was in high school.
(Just an FYI, the majority of this book is about Charlie being fat and it being a major plot point. It's not just a book with a fat character, which I know makes a difference to some people).
I liked how fleshed out all the characters were. They all had their own insecurities, personalities, stories and it was a very diverse cast of characters.
Charlie's growth was really cute and I'm glad she got to stand up for herself. Her relationship with Brian was really cute and I like the realistic portrayal between her and her mother - like not everything end nicely wrapped in a bow, but some small steps are progress.
The beginning was a bit hard to get through because of all the negativity, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Charlie really comes around and learned to love herself, stick up for herself, and prioritize her happiness.
Some quotes:
I would've loved to see a book like this when I was in high school.
(Just an FYI, the majority of this book is about Charlie being fat and it being a major plot point. It's not just a book with a fat character, which I know makes a difference to some people).
I liked how fleshed out all the characters were. They all had their own insecurities, personalities, stories and it was a very diverse cast of characters.
Charlie's growth was really cute and I'm glad she got to stand up for herself. Her relationship with Brian was really cute and I like the realistic portrayal between her and her mother - like not everything end nicely wrapped in a bow, but some small steps are progress.
The beginning was a bit hard to get through because of all the negativity, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Charlie really comes around and learned to love herself, stick up for herself, and prioritize her happiness.
Some quotes:
I believe that people can be healthy at any size. I think other fat girls are absolutely beautiful. But my mind struggles to bridge the gap between the two ideologies. (p. 25). Holiday House. Kindle Edition.
“I’m just over all these men! They want so much from you. Be beautiful but not too beautiful; thin but not too thin; feminine but not too feminine. On dates, it’s the same thing—talk, but not too much. Ask them questions about themselves, but not too many questions. I’m exhausted.” (p. 98). Holiday House. Kindle Edition.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Death of parent
eicart_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Wonderful book. Don't read the back cover copy first (it spoils something that happens at the 85% mark!)
Charlie Vega is a fat, Brown girl trying to shine in a world that does its best to make her feel less than. Sixteen, soon to be seventeen -- life is hard in so many ways. (I'm so glad I'm not a teenager!)
This book was difficult at times, watching Charlie deal with fatphobia and fat shaming, especially from her mom. Diet culture is so pervasive that even a mom who used to be fat still pushes that slim "ideal" on her daughter.
But this story is also filled with joy, growth, an amazing best friendship, and hope. I loved reading about Charlie's journey!
I wish I could have read this book when I was a fat teenager who had a complex, often difficult, relationship with my mother. I'm glad I read it now as an adult, and I'm happy it's out there for teens who will read it and feel seen and validated.
CW for fat shaming, fatphobia, diet culture, toxic/gaslighting dynamic with mother, past death of father.
I read half on audio, half in print. The audiobook narrator was good but didn't really use different voices for the different characters. I switched to print so I could finish more quickly for my book club deadline!
Charlie Vega is a fat, Brown girl trying to shine in a world that does its best to make her feel less than. Sixteen, soon to be seventeen -- life is hard in so many ways. (I'm so glad I'm not a teenager!)
This book was difficult at times, watching Charlie deal with fatphobia and fat shaming, especially from her mom. Diet culture is so pervasive that even a mom who used to be fat still pushes that slim "ideal" on her daughter.
But this story is also filled with joy, growth, an amazing best friendship, and hope. I loved reading about Charlie's journey!
I wish I could have read this book when I was a fat teenager who had a complex, often difficult, relationship with my mother. I'm glad I read it now as an adult, and I'm happy it's out there for teens who will read it and feel seen and validated.
CW for
I read half on audio, half in print. The audiobook narrator was good but didn't really use different voices for the different characters. I switched to print so I could finish more quickly for my book club deadline!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
cover2covertx's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that brought me back into the mind of my teenage self until this book. It’s funny, charming, heart breaking & real. I loved this so much ♥️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Genocide and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism
behindherpages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Eating disorder, Grief, and Death of parent
fatsss's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
My heart is fluttering. This was such a beautiful book 🥹
This managed to explore deep issues such as fatphobia, self doubt, dealing with body image, jealousy, friendship, and mother-daughter dynamics but was still a lovely, feel good read.
I love how the author subtlety but unequivocally included queer characters through the book.
I also love that we also get to see into the supporting characters lives and struggles too.
The romance was cute and fluffy. The friendship between Charlie and Amelia, even better.
Of course I loved that the main character is a writer and I enjoyed seeing her on her writing journey.
The character growth was 👌🏾
Great book. Totally recommend; it got me out of a slump.
This managed to explore deep issues such as fatphobia, self doubt, dealing with body image, jealousy, friendship, and mother-daughter dynamics but was still a lovely, feel good read.
I love how the author subtlety but unequivocally included queer characters through the book.
I also love that we also get to see into the supporting characters lives and struggles too.
The romance was cute and fluffy. The friendship between Charlie and Amelia, even better.
Of course I loved that the main character is a writer and I enjoyed seeing her on her writing journey.
The character growth was 👌🏾
Great book. Totally recommend; it got me out of a slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
nouriareads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
3,5⭐️ rounded up
I got an ARC of the French translation thanks to Netgalley France and Young Novel.
This was a lovely read! Between her best friend, her first reciprocal crush and her aspirations as a writer, Charlie gradually makes her way towards totally accepting her body. I identified with Charlie's inner conflict: although she's part of the movement encouraging fat women to love themselves and finds fat women beautiful, she's very critical of her own body. The book deals with friendship, first romantic relationships, mother-daughter relationships, being mixed-race (white and Latina), fatphobia and self-acceptance. The author's message is kind and clear and includes themes that are essential, especially in literature targeted to younger audiences.
The friendship between Charlie and Amelia is beautiful and I found the romance cute. I rolled my eyes a little at the conflicts because they were quite petty and dramatic, but for teens, they can make sense.
Charlie and her mother have had a complicated relationship since the death of her father, who was the guardian of the family’s stability and with whom she was closer. Since then, her mother has had an obsession with her own weight and tries to impose it on Charlie. I found their reconciliation quite frustrating because Charlie’s mother said horrible things to her and the surface discussion and lack of an apology paled compared to the resolution of the other conflicts.
I wish the summary didn't spoil the book.
Fat Chance Charlie Vega is a beautiful story about self-acceptance, especially when you don't fit into society's beauty standards. As a side note, the cover is gorgeous 😍
I got an ARC of the French translation thanks to Netgalley France and Young Novel.
This was a lovely read! Between her best friend, her first reciprocal crush and her aspirations as a writer, Charlie gradually makes her way towards totally accepting her body. I identified with Charlie's inner conflict: although she's part of the movement encouraging fat women to love themselves and finds fat women beautiful, she's very critical of her own body. The book deals with friendship, first romantic relationships, mother-daughter relationships, being mixed-race (white and Latina), fatphobia and self-acceptance. The author's message is kind and clear and includes themes that are essential, especially in literature targeted to younger audiences.
The friendship between Charlie and Amelia is beautiful and I found the romance cute. I rolled my eyes a little at the conflicts because they were quite petty and dramatic, but for teens, they can make sense.
Charlie and her mother have had a complicated relationship since the death of her father, who was the guardian of the family’s stability and with whom she was closer. Since then, her mother has had an obsession with her own weight and tries to impose it on Charlie. I found their reconciliation quite frustrating because Charlie’s mother said horrible things to her and the surface discussion and lack of an apology paled compared to the resolution of the other conflicts.
I wish the summary didn't spoil the book.
Fat Chance Charlie Vega is a beautiful story about self-acceptance, especially when you don't fit into society's beauty standards. As a side note, the cover is gorgeous 😍
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Death of parent
nafsaila's review against another edition
4.0
Charlie isn't afraid to accept that she is fat, but she doesn't think her mom ever will. Charlie is in high school, dealing with the typical stresses of classes, working part-time, and finding a date to the dance. When her dad was still alive, she felt like things were a lot easier. After he died things changed, especially between her and her mom.
Her best friend Amelia is loved by everyone, but Charlie says she doesn't mind sharing her with her other friends and wonderful family. Can Charlie get over their differences to maintain their life-long friendship?
Her best friend Amelia is loved by everyone, but Charlie says she doesn't mind sharing her with her other friends and wonderful family. Can Charlie get over their differences to maintain their life-long friendship?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-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
5.0
This is one of those rare gems of a book that just makes me feel so incredibly seen, and tugged at my heartstrings in the best ways. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is at its heart a romance, but the way Crystal Maldonado depicts friendships, and being a daughter to an emotionally abusive Mother is what captured my love for this book.
Charlie has come second place her whole life to her skinny and stunning best friend Amelia, boys talk to her just to get to Amelia, and even her Mother seems more focused on complimenting how skinny she is then noticing Charlie. As much as Charlie strives to be body positive and love herself, finding out her new boyfriend actually asked out Amelia first sends her spiraling, and brings up must needed conversations.
I have never read a more realistic depiction of a Mother/Daughter relationship, and it was so heart wrenching. (I cried like a baby reading this) I would have given the world to be exposed to this book as a child, there were absolutely zero stories about fat brown girls in the library when I was a kid, let alone imperfect Mothers. (No, seriously)
I was hoping Charlie's relationship with her Mom would be resolved, but the fact that it isn't just hits harder, and is more realistic than if she just stopped being an emotionally abusive narcissist. (The highs and lows of narcissism and body shaming really took me back to my childhood guys)
If you want to read this please check your content warnings first, especially if you have ever suffered from fatphobia, body shaming, or have general mommy issues.
A must read for anyone, this is a true gem.
Charlie has come second place her whole life to her skinny and stunning best friend Amelia, boys talk to her just to get to Amelia, and even her Mother seems more focused on complimenting how skinny she is then noticing Charlie. As much as Charlie strives to be body positive and love herself, finding out her new boyfriend actually asked out Amelia first sends her spiraling, and brings up must needed conversations.
I have never read a more realistic depiction of a Mother/Daughter relationship, and it was so heart wrenching. (I cried like a baby reading this) I would have given the world to be exposed to this book as a child, there were absolutely zero stories about fat brown girls in the library when I was a kid, let alone imperfect Mothers. (No, seriously)
I was hoping Charlie's relationship with her Mom would be resolved, but the fact that it isn't just hits harder, and is more realistic than if she just stopped being an emotionally abusive narcissist. (The highs and lows of narcissism and body shaming really took me back to my childhood guys)
If you want to read this please check your content warnings first, especially if you have ever suffered from fatphobia, body shaming, or have general mommy issues.
A must read for anyone, this is a true gem.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia and Death of parent
regent_ace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions.
Things I love about this book is I loved the conversation the book had for the most part of the struggles of being a plus sized woman/person and how many project that and/or internalized that fatphobia. It's not often that the topic is the main conversation of the book especially while exploring how that struggle personally affects Charlie's relationships with others. I also found Charlie and her friends (Amelia and Brian mostly) really fun characters for the first half of the book and I found both of their relationships to Charlie really fun to read. I enjoyed 75% percent of the book the most and felt that I was really seeing Charlie's growth as a character and her relationships with her best friend and crush getting good development.
However
I began to find myself less invested in Charlie as a character due to her suddenly becoming unlikable as a character after her relationship with Brian. She became increasingly self absorbed and kind of made her self worth tied directly to Brain which was a message I didn't like especially since before her relationship she was on a good journey to learning how to love herself and her body. I also found her fight with Amelia kind of confusing since it tried to frame only Amelia as the bad guy when Charlie was also at fault. I also felt like the whole breakup thing was completely unnecessary and felt that it was resolved wayyy too quickly which I found a common trend in the book.
We spent a lot of the early portion of the book seeing Charlie unhappy with her body but her growth and learning to love herself was put at a halt and than suddenly rushed towards the end which made me a little disappointed and left wanting more. Her relationship with her mother was complicated and toxic for many reasons but then suddenly after one discussion it was just completely patched up? It felt rushed.
Overall I liked this book a lot and found the overall message done well and important but the last third of the book and some of the pacing at the end fell flat for me
Things I love about this book is I loved the conversation the book had for the most part of the struggles of being a plus sized woman/person and how many project that and/or internalized that fatphobia. It's not often that the topic is the main conversation of the book especially while exploring how that struggle personally affects Charlie's relationships with others. I also found Charlie and her friends (Amelia and Brian mostly) really fun characters for the first half of the book and I found both of their relationships to Charlie really fun to read. I enjoyed 75% percent of the book the most and felt that I was really seeing Charlie's growth as a character and her relationships with her best friend and crush getting good development.
However
I began to find myself less invested in Charlie as a character due to her suddenly becoming unlikable as a character after her relationship with Brian. She became increasingly self absorbed and kind of made her self worth tied directly to Brain which was a message I didn't like especially since before her relationship she was on a good journey to learning how to love herself and her body. I also found her fight with Amelia kind of confusing since it tried to frame only Amelia as the bad guy when Charlie was also at fault. I also felt like the whole breakup thing was completely unnecessary and felt that it was resolved wayyy too quickly which I found a common trend in the book.
We spent a lot of the early portion of the book seeing Charlie unhappy with her body but her growth and learning to love herself was put at a halt and than suddenly rushed towards the end which made me a little disappointed and left wanting more. Her relationship with her mother was complicated and toxic for many reasons but then suddenly after one discussion it was just completely patched up? It felt rushed.
Overall I liked this book a lot and found the overall message done well and important but the last third of the book and some of the pacing at the end fell flat for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
sarabeardale's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.75
Super cute coming of age novel. Very relatable, and touching.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Death of parent