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oliviabriscoe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Sexual content
womanwill's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Fatphobia and Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content
laurenparham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
kettleen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Sexual content and Death of parent
spearly's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
“You said yes because you knew some people would object?”
“I wanted to prove that I had every right to be here,” Bea answered. “That I could star in a show about love just like any other woman."
One to Watch follows fashion-blogger Bea, as she is thrust into the public eye as the first plus-size woman to star in Main Squeeze, a reality show akin to The Bachelorette.
This was a nice read. Stayman-London has a way of crafting a very atmospheric, romantic story without getting too technical. For obvious reasons, this reminded me a lot of MTV's Unreal, only sweeter and more satisfying. Still, it's important to mention the obviously heavy themes of fat phobia, fat-shaming, online harassment (including rape and death threats), misogyny, and a very uncomfortable sequence where be a talks about being assaulted in high school.
I loved trying to guess who of Bea's suitors were ~there for the right reasons~. I made a few wrong calls, a few right calls, and Stayman-London definitely threw me at the end there, but it was hella enjoyable!
More important that the romantic side plots, I loved the way Bea came into her own through the story. Even in the beginning, as a body-positive fashion blogger, readers still got a sense of her deeply-rooted insecurities, of how she never allowed herself to be vulnerable, of how she never believed anyone could be attracted to her because it was easier to believe no-one wanted her than to open herself up to being hurt. And yet, despite these insecurities, she was always strong in her convictions, steadfast in ignoring the haters, and, after some trepidation, eager to show the world that being plus-sized doesn't mean you can't get your fairytale ending.
Her journey throughout the show, while yes, was dramatic and luscious to read about, became less about the romance for me and more about the way Bea began to see herself as she started trusted the guys. And, gosh, did she have a good bunch at the end there. Mostly.
I will say...
But I do understand all the glowing reviews and high star ratings from my mutuals! Definitely worth the read.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual content
kry_yang's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Homophobia and Rape
jbellomy's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Grief
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I struggled with the fact that there were only 4 female characters, and one becomes the villain... why do we keep needing storylines like this? But I think my biggest issue is that none of these characters felt fully developed to me. Even the main characters. And there wasn't really any character growth? I think I just had higher expectations for this book that weren't met... which is okay!
It has some fantastic moments. If you are a fan of any of the Bachelor- type shows, definitely recommend reading this one. It felt exactly like when I used to watch a season when I was younger!
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexual content