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A review by alliemikennareads
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
Overall, I really enjoyed Fat Chance Charlie Vega! It took me a long time to settle in, but once I did I was very invested. The first 1/3 really dragged on, but it got better after the school dance and I enjoyed it from there!
I’m having a hard time with connecting to YA lately and with this one it’s because the voice does read extremely 16 year old at times. Sometimes I wanted to skim/just get through it, but I’m maybe outgrowing these types of stories, and that’s not a negative on the author - they’re not meant for me. This is perfect for teens and I think they’ll heavily relate.
What I liked:
- The dialogue feels realistic and not forced.
- I feel both Charlie and Amelia were round and well written characters that both have a clear arc and growth. I appreciate their friendship and its fullness and that at times they’re both in the wrong in a totally teenage way, but they also make up in a totally teenage way.
- I appreciate that Charlie isn’t perfect. She can sometimes be a self absorbed teenager but also sometimes has self awareness about her feelings and when she’s putting her emotions on her friend.
- A little predictable but still got me in the feels.
- I felt like the ending showed a lot of growth and wrapped up well. I liked how much this book was about friendship and self love and first love was really secondary.
- The pansexual rep!! The intersectionality!!
Overall, I’d recommend this to fans of YA that don’t mind a bit younger narrative voice.
I’m having a hard time with connecting to YA lately and with this one it’s because the voice does read extremely 16 year old at times. Sometimes I wanted to skim/just get through it, but I’m maybe outgrowing these types of stories, and that’s not a negative on the author - they’re not meant for me. This is perfect for teens and I think they’ll heavily relate.
What I liked:
- The dialogue feels realistic and not forced.
- I feel both Charlie and Amelia were round and well written characters that both have a clear arc and growth. I appreciate their friendship and its fullness and that at times they’re both in the wrong in a totally teenage way, but they also make up in a totally teenage way.
- I appreciate that Charlie isn’t perfect. She can sometimes be a self absorbed teenager but also sometimes has self awareness about her feelings and when she’s putting her emotions on her friend.
- A little predictable but still got me in the feels.
- I felt like the ending showed a lot of growth and wrapped up well. I liked how much this book was about friendship and self love and first love was really secondary.
- The pansexual rep!! The intersectionality!!
Overall, I’d recommend this to fans of YA that don’t mind a bit younger narrative voice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Additional TW: body shaming, difficult mother - daughter relationship, dieting