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elisabethjoe's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
Minor: Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
100_pages_hr's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book was recommended to me because I like contemporary marriage of convenience. I think the person that recommended it missed the mark - but I'm not sorry I read it.
It was rather nice to read a plus sized female lead. There are too many size 0 females on covers of books and in movies and television. However, the reality television scene is definitely not my favorite and made it hard for me to love the book.
If you like reality television and are looking for more diversity in fiction though this is a good book.
It was rather nice to read a plus sized female lead. There are too many size 0 females on covers of books and in movies and television. However, the reality television scene is definitely not my favorite and made it hard for me to love the book.
If you like reality television and are looking for more diversity in fiction though this is a good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abortion, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
kelseyland's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It was very odd to read a book that's essentially skewering the Bachelor franchise, while still finding myself falling into the trap of that type of show, where all character development and narrative arcs are reduced to "Who will they choose??" But ultimately Stayman-London is able to subvert those tropes, while showing how addictive they are. The bullying and fatphobia that the main character experiences as the first fat Bachelorette is intense and extreme, and I wouldn't call this escapist literature, but her journey is definitely a compelling one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Infidelity, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Minor: Rape
fromjuliereads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can't really figure out my feelings on this book. I honestly think it is closer to a 3.5 rating for me.
I struggled with the fact that there were only 4 female characters, and one becomes the villain... why do we keep needing storylines like this? But I think my biggest issue is that none of these characters felt fully developed to me. Even the main characters. And there wasn't really any character growth? I think I just had higher expectations for this book that weren't met... which is okay!
It has some fantastic moments. If you are a fan of any of the Bachelor- type shows, definitely recommend reading this one. It felt exactly like when I used to watch a season when I was younger!
I struggled with the fact that there were only 4 female characters, and one becomes the villain... why do we keep needing storylines like this? But I think my biggest issue is that none of these characters felt fully developed to me. Even the main characters. And there wasn't really any character growth? I think I just had higher expectations for this book that weren't met... which is okay!
It has some fantastic moments. If you are a fan of any of the Bachelor- type shows, definitely recommend reading this one. It felt exactly like when I used to watch a season when I was younger!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexual content
samchase112's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This Bachelor-inspired romantic drama was a really interesting read, and a much-needed look into what it means to live as a fat woman in modern day. Stayman-London obviously did her research, for all aspects of her novel, and Bea was a fantastic, rootable character. My favorite part of the book was the social media reactions to what was going on in the show - honestly, it would have been so cool if that was the entire novel - because it made what was happening feel like a real production of the Bachelorette. The romance ended up sweet, but it was definitely rough going. I probably would not have picked this one up if I wasn't reading it for the Romancetheque Book Club, because I don't want all the drama, but I ended up enjoying it. While I didn't find myself itching to pick it up and find out what happened (the library due date got me to finish it so quickly) I was enjoyed myself and would definitely recommend this as a good, realistic-but-still-a-reality-show romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Body shaming
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Toxic relationship and Sexual assault
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