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A review by obscurepages
Cupcake by Cookie O'Gorman
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Okay, this is just classic romcom. One that I probably needed because I've been in a book slump for quite a bit!
Here's what I loved:
- the fat rep (I love the discussions in this book about being fat, e.g. how shopping is messy, how there are no fat princesses/not much fat MCs in the media, how fat people also eat healthy and are healthy but still disregarded, the small insecurity/doubt fat people still have despite being confident, these are all so important and so real/relatable, and I love that the author clearly showed that)
- mental health rep (not talked about a lot, but still I love that it was highlighted)
- the main plot didn't pit women against women! I love that the author showed camaraderie between Ariel and the other Court princesses, especially Lana. At first I thought they were going to be against each other, but I love how they sort of came together and understood each other at the end
- the romance. I have to admit there were some swoon-worthy stuff in here
- funny and light prose/writing style
What I didn't exactly like:
- they kept saying "fat-ist" in the book?! Just say fatphobic, please, it's really right there (sorry, this annoyed me lol)
- at times, I feel like the book is actually such a cliche, but I feel like that's exactly the mission of the author. Especially since Ariel herself likes romcom movies so much and is a sucker for these cliche/classics.
- Characterization. I've gotten to know Ariel and Rhys pretty well in the book, but I feel like the minor characters didn't shine that much.
Overall, Cupcake is such a fun book and I enjoyed reading it! If you're looking for a quick, romcom read with great fat rep, this is it!
Exact rating: 3.75/5
CW: fatphobia, mentions of eating disorder in the past, bullying (verbal, physical (on a flashback not on page)), mental illness, food/desserts
Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for sending over an ARC! (This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
Here's what I loved:
- the fat rep (I love the discussions in this book about being fat, e.g. how shopping is messy, how there are no fat princesses/not much fat MCs in the media, how fat people also eat healthy and are healthy but still disregarded, the small insecurity/doubt fat people still have despite being confident, these are all so important and so real/relatable, and I love that the author clearly showed that)
- mental health rep (not talked about a lot, but still I love that it was highlighted)
- the main plot didn't pit women against women! I love that the author showed camaraderie between Ariel and the other Court princesses, especially Lana. At first I thought they were going to be against each other, but I love how they sort of came together and understood each other at the end
- the romance. I have to admit there were some swoon-worthy stuff in here
- funny and light prose/writing style
What I didn't exactly like:
- they kept saying "fat-ist" in the book?! Just say fatphobic, please, it's really right there (sorry, this annoyed me lol)
- at times, I feel like the book is actually such a cliche, but I feel like that's exactly the mission of the author. Especially since Ariel herself likes romcom movies so much and is a sucker for these cliche/classics.
- Characterization. I've gotten to know Ariel and Rhys pretty well in the book, but I feel like the minor characters didn't shine that much.
Overall, Cupcake is such a fun book and I enjoyed reading it! If you're looking for a quick, romcom read with great fat rep, this is it!
Exact rating: 3.75/5
CW: fatphobia, mentions of eating disorder in the past, bullying (verbal, physical (on a flashback not on page)), mental illness, food/desserts
Thank you so much to Entangled Teen for sending over an ARC! (This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Minor: Mental illness
Food/desserts