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cebales's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Lauren is a burned out therapist who is ready for a break before she figures out her next career step. Alex is a popular TV star who never thinks before he acts. When Alex gets into trouble yet again, Lauren is assigned to "babysit" him to keep him out of the press. As they spend more and more time together, their professional relationship turns into a personal one.
The good: The story was told from a dual POV, which is my favorite form of storytelling. I really related to Lauren's story of being super burned out at her job, and was so glad this book showed her ending up with a job that made her happy and not giving up her career for a man. I thought Alex and Lauren were generally cute together. I loved the road trip they took together up the California coast! That has always been a bucket list item of mine.
The bad: If it was mentioned one time that Lauren was short, round, bird-like, and not conventionally pretty, then it was mentioned 1000 times. I assume the author was trying to show that Alex loved her for who she was and not what she looked like, but by the end of the book, it ended up feeling like the opposite. Alex's impulsivity was incredibly annoying - you are almost 40 years old. ACT LIKE IT. And if Lauren and Alex could communicate like adults, then things would have been a lot easier.
I read this book because there were pieces of this relationship in the first book in the series (Spoiler Alert) and I really wanted to see what their story was. But this book wasn't my favorite, and I don't think I'd read it again. If you really enjoyed Spoiler Alert, I think you'd like this one!
The good: The story was told from a dual POV, which is my favorite form of storytelling. I really related to Lauren's story of being super burned out at her job, and was so glad this book showed her ending up with a job that made her happy and not giving up her career for a man. I thought Alex and Lauren were generally cute together. I loved the road trip they took together up the California coast! That has always been a bucket list item of mine.
The bad: If it was mentioned one time that Lauren was short, round, bird-like, and not conventionally pretty, then it was mentioned 1000 times. I assume the author was trying to show that Alex loved her for who she was and not what she looked like, but by the end of the book, it ended up feeling like the opposite. Alex's impulsivity was incredibly annoying - you are almost 40 years old. ACT LIKE IT. And if Lauren and Alex could communicate like adults, then things would have been a lot easier.
I read this book because there were pieces of this relationship in the first book in the series (Spoiler Alert) and I really wanted to see what their story was. But this book wasn't my favorite, and I don't think I'd read it again. If you really enjoyed Spoiler Alert, I think you'd like this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse
kickitupanotch7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Domestic abuse
kingsnail's review against another edition
lighthearted
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Alex’s adhd is so similar to mine! It was written about really well and explained it in ways I’ve never been able to.
All in all, this was entertaining and a lot of fun. They were both annoying at times but them jumping to conclusions made sense with their characters. I loved that Ren had a personality and that she existed beyond being fat— I was really worried going into it that her fatness would be the main focus or that she would hate herself because of it.
All in all, this was entertaining and a lot of fun. They were both annoying at times but them jumping to conclusions made sense with their characters. I loved that Ren had a personality and that she existed beyond being fat— I was really worried going into it that her fatness would be the main focus or that she would hate herself because of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Grief
bwoo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Medical content
Minor: Self harm
edietz22's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Medical content, and Alcohol
tippoliti's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Fatphobia
frantic_vampire's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was such a lovely read. I love both Lauren and Alex to the moon and back. They met each other on some of their worst days and helped build each other back up through banter and flirting and simply getting to know who the other was. I really appreciated that we had the representation of Lauren being burnt out from a job that she loved and the dread of trying to figure out what’s next. I also really appreciated the ADHD rep we got in Alex. It was just so nice to see them dealing with their issues together and finding solutions that worked for them. I think this is one of those books that will stick with me for a while. It’s getting a solid five stars and it might be my favorite of the series so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Misogyny and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Domestic abuse and Vomit
booknerdery's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Fatphobia
imskylow's review against another edition
These are the kinds of plus size books that I, a plus size person, cannot stand. The first book in the series was fine but this book introduced themes and feelings of shame that I absolutly hate. I think this needs to stand as a reminder that "representation is not acceptance". This book features a self-conscious FMC who doesn't believe she should be cared for or adored by a movie actor because of her size and the way that she looks. Not only that, but even when she does allow him to show her affection she is constantly spiraling and considering if her being with him is healthy for his career or if he's going to end up losing his entire life because he feels the need to defend her.
<img src="https://tenor.com/view/jackie-b-sigh-gif-22841640".
Look, I get it. I understand. I too probably would be questioning everything if a handsome, funny, straight-sized man started absolutely hitting on me, but I don't want to read these books just like how I, as a bisexual woman, am tired of reading about LGBTQ+ novels that are only about hiding, getting outed and coming out. I know this exists and I know this is real life but I don't read fiction to experience the darkness in my brain. I read it to escape. All I'm asking is for are books that feature plus size individuals and all the daily difficulties that come with it, WITHOUT the shame and the need for external validation. I feel like we've had enough of those books. Heck, the characters can even be frustrated with the world and how it works! But I'm tired of people hating themselves.
<img src="https://tenor.com/view/jackie-b-sigh-gif-22841640".
Look, I get it. I understand. I too probably would be questioning everything if a handsome, funny, straight-sized man started absolutely hitting on me, but I don't want to read these books just like how I, as a bisexual woman, am tired of reading about LGBTQ+ novels that are only about hiding, getting outed and coming out. I know this exists and I know this is real life but I don't read fiction to experience the darkness in my brain. I read it to escape. All I'm asking is for are books that feature plus size individuals and all the daily difficulties that come with it, WITHOUT the shame and the need for external validation. I feel like we've had enough of those books. Heck, the characters can even be frustrated with the world and how it works! But I'm tired of people hating themselves.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
kira20's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Physical abuse