Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Curves for Days

“Curves for Days” is a plus size romance novel that is so much more than a simple love story. Everyone has baggage; secrets, a past, things that haunt them and our main characters Rose and Angus are no different. But will the complexities of their secrets, past and insecurities be too much to keep them together?

I absolutely loved this book so much. I am thankful for the ARC from NetGalley and I even bought my own physical copy. I smiled so much throughout this book, laughed and cried. As a plus size woman it was amazing to read a romance novel where a character like me could be loved, just as she is.
The content warnings are on the authors website but she covers so many tough but much needed to be addressed topics elegantly and they are ones that many can relate to. Such an empowering and awareness bringing book, wrapped up in a curvy romance novel. Highly recommend!

Content Warnings

lololovesthings's review against another edition

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challenging lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

2.5 stars.

"Curves for Days" by Laura Moher contains a mix of good and bad. I appreciated the fat representation here, not just where the main female character, Rose, is concerned, but also for the main male character, Angus. Rose has a vast, incredible heart. She truly cares about other people, no questions asked. She is a real ray of sunshine, and I loved her as a character. Unfortunately, she is so down on herself and critical of every little thing, including her looks and her weight at times. It turned me off quite a bit. As a fat person, I understand that not every larger-bodied person has good self-esteem about themselves, but it felt like a "have your cake and eat it, too" situation on the part of the author. I also loved the small-town vibe of Galway. If only all small towns were as friendly and fat-accepting as Galway (minus the nasty, crusty, musty old diner bitty who fat-shames Rose every single time she sees her)! I think Rose and Angus have a fantastic start to their relationship. I enjoyed reading about their growing friendship-come-relationship as Angus comes out of his grumpy shell to help her fix up her house, and as Rose lets her guarded walls down to accept love and affection.

Apart from some slight spice, the main character's penchant for cursing, and some heavy trauma-dumping in the name of moving the plot, "Curves for Days" could pass for a young adult novel in the way that it is written. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it all feels a little juvenile and slow to unfold. Some of the dialogue in this book is really bad. I absolutely detested the third act and solidified my disdain for Angus as a main character. He is such a toxicly masculine, misogynistic character that it turned me off of him completely. It's not just one of those "brooding, possessive alpha male grump" types of books, it's cringeworthy and reductive and caveman-esque in the most derogatory way possible. The worst offense of all: there is a moment in the third act that made me mark this book down by an entire point. After Angus finds out Rose's secret, he spirals, questioning anything and everything about their relationship. At one point, he says, "For all I know, I'm the second worst s3x she's ever had." Now, this would be a bad/cringe statement anyway, BUT HE IS COMPARING HIMSELF TO ROSE'S R-PIST. THE WAY I GASPED IN HORROR. My jaw *literally* dropped when that line was said over the audiobook. I even backed it up to make sure I heard it right. How could a woman write such a potentially triggering line?! Angus *clearly* knows the difference between r-pe and s3x because he repeatedly condemns her r-pist's actions throughout the book... so there is no need for this line to exist. I have no doubt that before meeting Rose, Angus would sit in his work truck listening to Joe Rogan, Ben Shapiro, and Andrew Tate spew their garbage on his lunch breaks. He strikes me as the type.

Thank you to NetGalley, Laura Moher, and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.

Content Warnings

stephbeaudoin20's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Curves for Days by Laura Moher
Content warning, Rose the female main character was raped, aggressively bullied in high school, and contemplated suicide. She shares this part of her past with Angus on the page, in her voice. As a trauma survivor, it wasn't triggering for me, but please be gentle with yourself. Angus is a military veteran who had PTSD when he got out of the military, he counsels veterans, and he has a client who was sexually assaulted in the military. No descriptions take place on the page. I did not find this book triggering or violent, but take care.

Now that we have the formalities out of the way, I can tell you that I adored this book. Two broken people, healing each other, swoon!

Things I am here for:
Rose is a gorgeous curvy female main character who is NOT a doormat. She has spent time in the past trying to be invisible, but she blossoms in Galway.
Angus is so respectful, moves so slowly with Rose, builds her trust, and lets Rose be in control of their physical relationship. Swoony swoon swoon swoon.
The way Rose and Angus blossom together.
Weird or not weird babies.
Rose's stealth missions.
A fancy lingerie store that caters to ALL bodies.
Rose is so full of life! Her curiosity, passion for learning, making new friends and found family, I totally want to be her friend.
Miz Ames, demon, nemesis, or just a woman from another generation?
Throwing books in the pool that don't deserve to be read.
A grown woman not wanting kids, and her partner being absolutely fine with it!!!!!!!!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Content Warnings

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