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Title: One to Watch
Author: Kate Stayman-London
Sub-genre: Contemporary (probably more women’s fiction than rom com)
This month has been a real struggle for me in terms of immersing myself in books. I’ve been having a really hard time getting into anything, my brain is just not into settling down right now. The anxiety is real and it’s making reading tough (which is just cruel on so many levels). But this is one of the reads from this month that really captivated my interest, so if nothing else, I’m thankful for the escape.
Bea is a plus-size fashion blogger. When she publishes a rant about the lack of diversity and inclusivity on a popular dating show, the producer of the show decides to make her the next bachelorette (let’s be real, the show is based on The Bachelor franchise and doesn’t really try to disguise it). Bea agrees, mostly because the producer assures her it’s all pretend and she doesn’t have to actually fall in love. Which is good, because Bea is still pretty in love with her best friend, who is engaged to another woman, despite having a one night stand with Bea. Bea is promised a size and race diverse group of suitors, but she finds only one man who is not perfectly fit. Once the cameras start rolling, Bea struggles to open herself up to her suitors, and many of her suitors are just assholes, making her clam up even further. But among a crowd of jerks, there are a couple of gems, and Bea eventually finds herself giving the process a chance. But a surprise last minute contestant throws a wrench in all of her plans. Despite not technically being a romance, this one does have an HEA and it was lovely.
Okay. So really, this book was written with me in mind because I am obsessed with reality TV and am a devoted Bachelor/ette fan. In addition, I’m a social media junkie, so I loved seeing all of Bea’s blogging and Instagramming stuff. Basically, this book hit on a bunch of things that I love anyway, and then made them all into a love story. I would have liked to have a little more time with Bea and her eventual partner, but given the whole premise of the book, of course she has to have different love interests along the way. I thought the way the book was written was so engaging (there are lots of Twitter convos and blog posts, and I love that shit in books) and Kate’s voice is fantastic. Honestly, this was just the book I needed and I was so happy to curl up in it during what was otherwise a pretty dismal month.
Overall Rating: 5 stars
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