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kaleyamo's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism
brandie_abbie19's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Cancer and Racism
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
chi__'s review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
lucimoon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It has a YA vibe, the characters engage in sexual acts, keep that in mind if you want to share with your teenagers. It has a great message about loving yourself and body image.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
crystalisreading's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Infidelity, Racism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
witcheep's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book promises a gym romance of a social media influencer, and delivers just that. There's a lot of good communication on the love interest "gym-nemesis" Scott's part (really, he is written to be a perfect and respectful guy and even the nemesis thing isn't really any sort of animosity). However, the same can't be said about the FMC social media inföuencer Crystal, and this isn't much acknowledged until the end of the book. Even then the problems get swept under a rug by her grand gesture of a love declaration . If this communication issue was handled more, I'd have given the book a higher rating.
My least favorite part of the book is when the gym-nemesis stage is over and Chrystal and Scott actually get to know each other, Crystal thinks she should share the update with her followers. She thinks she owes them to share everything in her personal life with them and acts on that impulse. Crystal causes a personal crisis by posting a beach picture of herself with thenew boyfriend firefighter Scott and gets an unexpected amount of drama in the comments. She struggles mentally to deal with the amount of haters that come up. Scott tries to find multiple ways to tackle the situation with or for Crystal, but Crystal is laser-focused on wanting to solve it alone, causing the third-act breakup .
I was taken aback how not one character has a problem with Crystal uploading that picture without asking if Scott is okay with it (when she knew beforehand full well that he avoids having much of a social media presence), but then realized that the book takes place in the USA where the law is not as strict on a person's protection for their own image in the internet and publicity as I've become accustomed with my own life in Northern Europe. In any case, it would have been morally better if they had a conversation where they talked about if Scott was okay to be presented to Crystal's social media following of hundreds of thousands of people. Even without the influencer part that would be a good conversation to have regarding relationships. This conversation never really happens, though, and brings us back to my dislike of the lack of good communication on Crystal's part. She is a social media influencer and handels that aspect quite well, but not really the important conversations in her personal life.
My least favorite part of the book is when the gym-nemesis stage is over and Chrystal and Scott actually get to know each other, Crystal thinks she should share the update with her followers. She thinks she owes them to share everything in her personal life with them and acts on that impulse. Crystal causes a personal crisis by posting a beach picture of herself with the
I was taken aback how not one character has a problem with Crystal uploading that picture without asking if Scott is okay with it (when she knew beforehand full well that he avoids having much of a social media presence), but then realized that the book takes place in the USA where the law is not as strict on a person's protection for their own image in the internet and publicity as I've become accustomed with my own life in Northern Europe. In any case, it would have been morally better if they had a conversation where they talked about if Scott was okay to be presented to Crystal's social media following of hundreds of thousands of people. Even without the influencer part that would be a good conversation to have regarding relationships. This conversation never really happens, though, and brings us back to my dislike of the lack of good communication on Crystal's part. She is a social media influencer and handels that aspect quite well, but not really the important conversations in her personal life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Racism, and Sexual content
ayah_reads's review against another edition
lighthearted
3.0
I feel like this started off way better than when it ended 🤣😭
I enjoyed this one, very easy to read and blew through it. I liked the writing, the characters, their relationship, and the rep, overall it's a solid romcom.
My main issue is two things. 1) It lacked a substantial plot - literally the blurb is basically a plot summary of all the major beats of the story (which is such bad marketing rip 😭). 2) I felt like Crystal's overall arc and the book's message was a bit simplistic, it's not that I don't think it's a good message, but Crystal's development towards the end felt basic, I'd assumed that someone that's had her platform for 7 years would have already had these realistions?? Especially some of the things with racism and her conversation with her dad, like did she really think she was the only one to experience racism?? I think had there been a stronger plotline than this wouldn't have been as bad, but it's literally Crystal internal monologuing or having conversations with people that leads her to these simple realisations, it was too much tell not show for a growth arc and not enough depth to be meaningful generally.
I also wish her and Scott had stayed in the nemesis stage more, which yes I say because I'm enemies to lovers trash, but also I just can't with romcom couples saying I love you in less than three months like PLEASE.
Overall, enjoyed this and will probably pick up the second book in this companion series when I'm in the mood for a romcom.
I enjoyed this one, very easy to read and blew through it. I liked the writing, the characters, their relationship, and the rep, overall it's a solid romcom.
My main issue is two things. 1) It lacked a substantial plot - literally the blurb is basically a plot summary of all the major beats of the story (which is such bad marketing rip 😭). 2) I felt like Crystal's overall arc and the book's message was a bit simplistic, it's not that I don't think it's a good message, but Crystal's development towards the end felt basic, I'd assumed that someone that's had her platform for 7 years would have already had these realistions?? Especially some of the things with racism and her conversation with her dad, like did she really think she was the only one to experience racism?? I think had there been a stronger plotline than this wouldn't have been as bad, but it's literally Crystal internal monologuing or having conversations with people that leads her to these simple realisations, it was too much tell not show for a growth arc and not enough depth to be meaningful generally.
I also wish her and Scott had stayed in the nemesis stage more, which yes I say because I'm enemies to lovers trash, but also I just can't with romcom couples saying I love you in less than three months like PLEASE.
Overall, enjoyed this and will probably pick up the second book in this companion series when I'm in the mood for a romcom.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really liked the representation in this book, and the lesson/message at the end. But I had a tough time connecting with the characters. I'm the polar opposite of a gym bro, and a lot of it takes place in a gym, so maybe that's why?
IDK they both seemed to be pretty flat characters too, like they were interested in working out and doing their jobs and not much else. As an introvert (which, they are both supposed to be homebody types) I can say that we still have plenty of interests that we don't have to leave the house for!
IDK they both seemed to be pretty flat characters too, like they were interested in working out and doing their jobs and not much else. As an introvert (which, they are both supposed to be homebody types) I can say that we still have plenty of interests that we don't have to leave the house for!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Racism, Death of parent, and Alcohol
cruthe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer and Racism
irenemayblack's review
challenging
funny
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
4.25
blurb:
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
- he falls first & harder
- strong female lead
- golden retriever boy
- curvy, half asian girl
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Racism