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peachani's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Classism
Minor: Eating disorder and Alcohol
marybsimp's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
I don’t know what I expected from this book. I know it’s somewhat popular, but I never saw it on my FYP/Tiktok or anything. I honestly got it because it’s a cartoon cover and was on sale on Audible. But I was blown away! I loved it. I have not seen a plus size FMC represented like this. So many times, the FMC loses weight or hates herself. While body image is a primary factor in this story, it’s done so well. I don’t know if Olivia Dade is plus size herself, but either way, it is portrayed so well. Everything is discussed great. Additionally, I love that there is representation of dyslexia and it isn’t treated like something is wrong or the person is sick. It’s just part of who they are. Some people in the book look down on this person, but I am so glad that the author intentionally avoids and insists that this is not a diminishing factor of a person but just part of who they are. Plus I love the fanfiction of it all! I love that there are small snippets of fanfiction that reflect the current happenings of the scene/part of the book as well. It is third person which took a minute of getting used to, but I still loved it all in all. I think I would’ve given 5 whole stars if it was first person, but that’s pretty much the only flaw I saw.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Emotional abuse
citymouse's review against another edition
2.5
No time before my books are due back to the library
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Ableism, and Bullying
sam_maree's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
A happy ending romance, a definite comfort read. Plus size women with confidence and shy handsome actor. Lovable and funny story and characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Cursing, Bullying, Body shaming, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Emotional abuse
bethanycrowepowell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
This tropelicious romance marries fandom escapism with intensely felt angst in a sweet (if well-spiced) fast read.
I am a fan of Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters books, and found a great companion to them in this series, launched by our fabulous fat cosplaying heroine April and dyslexic fake-Hollywood-himbo secret fic-writer Marcus. I enjoyed the fact that even while trope-aware some of the turns in their relationship that are so clearly mapped out by good drama writing were delivered on fully. I'm a sucker for alter egos as romantic rivals, and the angst of having kept a big secret (of the alter ego) was on point.
Good fun, with neat representation that grappled with real world issues in a nuanced way.
I am a fan of Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters books, and found a great companion to them in this series, launched by our fabulous fat cosplaying heroine April and dyslexic fake-Hollywood-himbo secret fic-writer Marcus. I enjoyed the fact that even while trope-aware some of the turns in their relationship that are so clearly mapped out by good drama writing were delivered on fully. I'm a sucker for alter egos as romantic rivals, and the angst of having kept a big secret (of the alter ego) was on point.
Good fun, with neat representation that grappled with real world issues in a nuanced way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Body shaming
Our heroine knows she's taking a risk posting her cosplay, but it's never treated as foregone conclusion that she gets online hate for it. She grapples with parental body shaming from a standpoint of having worked hard to accept herself but having to draw boundaries to protect herself. Her partner is always affirming, and she confronts folks in her fandom about fatphobic tropes in their writing to mostly positive responses. This series represents different levels of comfort and acceptance of bodies and neurodiversity, which I appreciate, and while Marcus and April both deal with unaccepting parents, other protagonists deal with different kinds of emotional baggage. I love when an author is thoughtful on a level of their body of work, not just at a book level.merlesstorys's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly, I had big hopes, especially because of April.
But this book was mediocre, if even. The characters were alright and though their storylines were okay, the spark did not reach me.
This is 1) because of the obvious use of Gods if the Gates as a carbon copy of GoT when it comes to fan response. 2), the implementation of librettos and fictional fanfics were not so nicely done (at least in the German translation, which I read).
In general, the characters felt kinda flat with the premise and the "plot twist" at the end also being implemented lazily to say the least.
But this book was mediocre, if even. The characters were alright and though their storylines were okay, the spark did not reach me.
This is 1) because of the obvious use of Gods if the Gates as a carbon copy of GoT when it comes to fan response. 2), the implementation of librettos and fictional fanfics were not so nicely done (at least in the German translation, which I read).
In general, the characters felt kinda flat with the premise and the "plot twist" at the end also being implemented lazily to say the least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Ableism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
dancinglemur17's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Bullying
marylinaris's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
For the most part this was a fun book. I genuinely enjoyed reading it for the most part, even though that is much harder to put into words than the things I didn’t enjoy. So here we go with things that bothered me:
We get it. You hated the end of Game of Thrones. Get over it! - While I really liked other parts of the book that explored fandom culture, this book was so obviously inspired by one particular show, it’s show runners and it’s fandom that I just got deeply irritated over the blatant similarities and the author basically venting their frustration about the show through this book. I probably would’ve liked that more, if it had been a little more tongue-in-cheek and less of the over the top, incompetent, mustache-twirling villain energy it gave instead.
Is it weird that a book that heavily involves fandom and fanfics reads a little like a fanfic as well? No. What is weird that this book works under some of the same assumptions about celebrities, that 13-year-old fanfic authors also work under. Marcus and April basically spend the first half of the book being stalked and photographed by professional paparazzi and random bystanders alike. All of it to a frankly unbelievable degree, for the level of fame that Marcus supposedly has. The book also started out with a random reporter being able to bother actors practically on set?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, and Bullying
kawooreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am trying more and more to read literary romance. The genre has not really appealed to me because (for me) people falling in love is often cringy and awkward and stories don't typically present any real challenge deeper than a puddle. I like a little romance in my story versus a little story in the romance, does that make sense? However, this story, *spoiler* is quite good. It's basically the story of Jon Snow, or rather Kit Harrington, (or maybe Jaime Lannister aka Nikolaj Coster-Waldau if going by looks) falling unexpectedly into a romance with a super fan. I loved April's character. I related to her in many ways as a plus-sized woman, especially in my early adulthood where I grappled with my inner saboteur and questioned whether I deserved love. It also tickled the core memory of being young and having crushes on famous people and dreaming "what if" we met and fell in love? I was delighted to read about April's passion in cosplay, and her spicy fan-fiction writing talent. I also thought the book's bedroom scenes were well-written. This is a story about not assuming you know people based on their appearance or by a character they may play, whether on-screen or off. There is also dyslexia representation. Content warnings would include body-shaming, negative aspects of diet culture, and toxic parental relationships, but I think the author does a great job in using this content to develop strong characters who are able to transcend some of their own triggers. I enjoyed this author's writing style and will be looking to check out her other books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship