I was originally planning to read something else for this prompt, but a secret elf book swapper set me a copy of One to Watch, which was on my wishlist, and this was the absolute perfect fit for this prompt.

What it’s about?

Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers–and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television?

Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition–under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She’s in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful anti-fat beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That’s it.

But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She’s in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale.

What I think:

Bea is such an endearing character. As a plus-size woman, her weight has defined her since childhood. For too long, she allowed it to hold her back, but after a semester in Paris, she begins to explore the world of fashion and starts her own blog. One evening, after a few drinks with a friend, she writes a post about the lack of diversity and body types in Main Squeeze, a TV show similar to The Bachelor where a man tries to find love. The next morning the post has gone viral and clearly struck a cord with viewers.

Bea is invited to be the next Main Squeeze and break the show’s stereotypes. For a woman who used to hide in black tshirts this is ultimate test.

Bea is a complex character who demonstrates different facits of womanhood. She both embraces her body and is ashamed of it, she is confident and vulnerable. She is able to brush off people’s cruel comments but she also takes them to heart. She wants to find love but is also closed off and lacks trust.

When faced with a selection of men, she has to work out who genuinely cares for her and who is just going along with the show for their own selfish ends. It was clear from the beginning which if the men she should be with, but the male contestants have their own issues and insecurities.

I really liked the characters in this book as they were all interesting and well developed. The three leading male contenders that Bea dates are all complex in theory own right and have their own reasons for entering the show.

As romances go this both fun and thought-provoking. People’s attitudes to obesity, relationships, and to social media are all explored. This was a quick read for me. I was absolutely rooting for Bea and found her a really relatable character.