💋💋💋💋💋
One to Watch
Kate Stayman-London
Narrated by Kristen Sieh
12 hours
Published July 2020 by Penguin Random House Audio
*This post contains affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you purchase the book through this link.
Oh my, my, my. This book gave me sighs of happiness at the end. This entire book filled me with so many emotions that I have just fallen in love with this story. I laughed, I cried (several times), I got angry and characters and found some characters that I would like to have as best friends.
A plus-sized fashion blogger, Bea, is invited to be the lead in a bachelorette-style TV Show where she is paired with twenty or so men who will all compete for the ultimate prize – her affection and her hand in marriage. Or will they? Will having a plus-size leading lady be a good fit for all? I’ll tell you right now – the answer is no.
This book doesn’t shy away from characters who are total jerks, who fat-shame women and who are basically dumb-neanderthals. Oof, some of the comments hurled at Bea are really hard to hear, especially since we probably all know people in real life who fat-shame women.
The book also doesn’t shy away from discussing the realities of being overweight in a world that celebrates skinny. The challenges in finding clothes that fit, find self-confidence, finding a partner who appreciates curves and finding true happiness and self-acceptance.
The dating game show is a fun setting for this story and I had flashbacks of watching the first season of The Bachelorette and became totally engrossed in this book. I couldn’t wait to get back to the story to see what would happen on the next episode (chapter).
Beyond the romantic dates and fabulous locations though, this story is about a woman who seeks to find acceptance, not from a man but from herself. And as is the case in most romantic stories, knowing who you can trust and who you can’t, is an important theme as well. Loved, loved, loved this book!
The narrator for the audiobook did a fantastic job and I look forward to hearing her on more books in the future!
Vicki S.
This sounds like something I’d love. Thanks for the review!