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kateelissa's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Fatphobia
Moderate: Infidelity and Eating disorder
lavieboheme215's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
katsbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
“I don't believe in failure, because simply by saying you've failed, you've admitted you attempted. And anyone who attempts is not a failure."
“Being self-confident doesn't necessarily start inside. It starts with the rest of the world and leads back to you.”
This book. First of all, it was an objectively enjoyable read. It was a really quick read, lots of summer vibes but, frankly, lacked a lot of depth. When I read this novel the first time, I seemed to really enjoy it but rereading it now, I cringed so hard at the blantant fatphobia. The entire backstory of the main character is that her and her mom used to be fat until her mom started working at a gym and created her own fitness empire. Now the main character is pretty and thin but still working through the bullying she experienced during the "Fat Years." The fatphobia also shows up in the way the main character's aunt is portrayed. I'm all for a coming-of-age story but this one seemed unnecessarily predicated on the main character accepting that she was no longer fat and thus very pretty. Just yuck all around. I also felt like the romance was a bit forced. The love interest was 18 while the main character was 15. That may not seem like a huge age gap, and it's not... for grown adults. The difference in maturity level from 15 to 18 is huge so the love story kind of gave me the creeps. I really liked the side story of the two best friends, Morgan and Isabel. That could of have been a fun story, in and of itself. Ultimately, I don't think I'll be keeping this title.
“Being self-confident doesn't necessarily start inside. It starts with the rest of the world and leads back to you.”
This book. First of all, it was an objectively enjoyable read. It was a really quick read, lots of summer vibes but, frankly, lacked a lot of depth. When I read this novel the first time, I seemed to really enjoy it but rereading it now, I cringed so hard at the blantant fatphobia. The entire backstory of the main character is that her and her mom used to be fat until her mom started working at a gym and created her own fitness empire. Now the main character is pretty and thin but still working through the bullying she experienced during the "Fat Years." The fatphobia also shows up in the way the main character's aunt is portrayed. I'm all for a coming-of-age story but this one seemed unnecessarily predicated on the main character accepting that she was no longer fat and thus very pretty. Just yuck all around. I also felt like the romance was a bit forced. The love interest was 18 while the main character was 15. That may not seem like a huge age gap, and it's not... for grown adults. The difference in maturity level from 15 to 18 is huge so the love story kind of gave me the creeps. I really liked the side story of the two best friends, Morgan and Isabel. That could of have been a fun story, in and of itself. Ultimately, I don't think I'll be keeping this title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
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