Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Fastest Way to Fall

Denise Williams delivers a very thoughtful portrayal of entering the fitness world as a fat woman, and looks at the way society views exercise as a weight-loss tool rather than as something that can feel good for a person. Britta faces many judgmental folks who make all kinds of assumptions about her and her exercise journey, but I was very impressed with how gently Williams treats this topic. Britta never once feels she needs to lose weight or prove herself to anyone, and the fatphobia she encounters is always from someone we know is not worthy of her. Williams always seems to know how to treat darker subjects with a tenderness that makes it feel like she is holding your hand through it when things get rough. I never once felt overwhelmed or like I needed to tap out. I could just enjoy these characters!

There is some lying by omission in this, and sometimes that is not something I can handle. Even so, I still really really loved this book! The characters felt humanly flawed, with anxieties and fears I recognized, and I felt like the HEA was deeply earned by both MCs. They had their own issues to sort out outside of their relationship in order to make it work, and I deeply appreciate when an author does that for us!

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caitlinemccann's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

3.0

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carbs666's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful slow-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? No

2.5

I feel like if you are into exercise you would enjoy this book a lot more than I did. For me, it was mid. The writing is good and the premise and source of conflict is classic, kind of a recipe for success, but I got extremely bored with the entire book and almost every conversation Britta has revolving around exercise, nutrition, and whether she will or won't lose weight. I also felt that Wes was a significantly more interesting and well-rounded character, even if all of his texture came from trauma. Also, you have to wait SO LONG for them to have sex and it is honestly not even worth it (imo). It wasn't that bad because I did finish it, and the authors project is clear to me, and I definitely respect it! I'm just not the niche audience for this one.

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kayleigh_reads_romance's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

This book was everything I wanted to to be and more even more than I needed! I will forever read everything that Denise Williams writes (and especially listen if Teddy Hamilton narrates!) The fat representation was great and even the 'weight loss' app, which I was a bit worried about if I am honest, was more about loving your body as it is and being healthier than just the numbers on a scale.

The side characters were good. I did find Britta's friends to be a bit one note, there were too many of them and they weren't fleshed out enough, but I loved Cord and Pearl!

Favourite parts:
-Teddy Hamilton!!! I would listen to this man read an appliance manual, he is that good!
-The fat rep, as a curvy girl myself I love being about to relate to a character
-The author puts trigger warnings at the beginning of the book!!! All authors need to do this!

Thoughts:

-Love everything Denise Williams writes!
-Not a huge fan of the thrird act break up but it works
-MMC is an attentive listener but doesn't always stand up for FMC when it comes to her being fat shamed, especially by his ex-girlfriend
-New book about Cord and Pearl coming late 2023! I love her! She doesn't put up with bulls***

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chronicallybookish's review

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emotional 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? It's complicated

4.75

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sarah_thebooknerd's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? No

5.0

5 ⭐️
1.5 🌶️

This is a book I never realized I needed.

Fat rep: amazing! I loved that this book shows a fat FMC who isn’t interested in losing weight but wants to feel good in her body in terms of exercise and food.

The slow burn was amazing and the build to the relationship was incredible. Wes is top tier book boyfriend material. The way he loved Britta was everything. Britta is funny and was so relatable to me and I felt so seen with this book and where I am at with my body image and wanting to move my body and all the questions you get as a plus sized person about what your weight loss goals are when you do love your body vs just exercising like everyone else. This quote is perfect.

“Like, if you're fat, exercise has to be this big statement instead of something you do like everyone else."

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lexa's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring

5.0

Ooof. I love a swoony romance that tackles hard topics, and Denise Williams does it so well. Definitely check the content warning and/or read the authors note at the beginning.

Bonus points for the epistolary element which I have a soft spot for (texts and emails).

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localpeachthief's review against another edition

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emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

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