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The Curvy Girls Club #4
Curvy Girls Can't Date Bad Boys
An arranged marriage and a bad boy who breaks all of the rules…
My father’s been planning my wedding day for longer than I have. Since I turned seventeen, he’s sent me on date after date with people from the film industry–producers, directors, actors… I’ve dated–and turned down–them all.
But Ryde Alexander is the worst. He’s vapid, self-obsessed, and it doesn’t help that his sister is evil in a pair of Louboutin heels. Too bad he’s the one my dad is determined to send me down the aisle with the day I turn eighteen.
My only escape is a food delivery boy and a motorcycle my dad would have a heart attack if I got on. But I don’t care. I need to get away, and Ronan is more than happy to take me.
But this forbidden getaway driver is starting to mean more to me than the man I’m supposed to marry.
The only problem is, I may not have a choice.
Zara’s story in The Curvy Girl Club is the emotional, exciting read you have been waiting for! Who wouldn’t want to be whisked away on the back of Ronan Moretti’s motorcycle and have the adventure of a lifetime? Start reading Curvy Girls Can’t Date Bad Boys today and begin falling in love.
My father’s been planning my wedding day for longer than I have. Since I turned seventeen, he’s sent me on date after date with people from the film industry–producers, directors, actors… I’ve dated–and turned down–them all.
But Ryde Alexander is the worst. He’s vapid, self-obsessed, and it doesn’t help that his sister is evil in a pair of Louboutin heels. Too bad he’s the one my dad is determined to send me down the aisle with the day I turn eighteen.
My only escape is a food delivery boy and a motorcycle my dad would have a heart attack if I got on. But I don’t care. I need to get away, and Ronan is more than happy to take me.
But this forbidden getaway driver is starting to mean more to me than the man I’m supposed to marry.
The only problem is, I may not have a choice.
Zara’s story in The Curvy Girl Club is the emotional, exciting read you have been waiting for! Who wouldn’t want to be whisked away on the back of Ronan Moretti’s motorcycle and have the adventure of a lifetime? Start reading Curvy Girls Can’t Date Bad Boys today and begin falling in love.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 20, 2020
866 people are currently reading
3986 people want to read
About the author
Kelsie Stelting
48 books1,715 followersKelsie Stelting is a body positive romance author who writes love stories with strong characters, deep feelings, and happy endings.
She currently lives in Colorado. You can often find her writing, spending time with family, and soaking up too much sun wherever she can find it.
Visit www.kelsiestelting.com to get a free story and sign up for her readers' group!
She currently lives in Colorado. You can often find her writing, spending time with family, and soaking up too much sun wherever she can find it.
Visit www.kelsiestelting.com to get a free story and sign up for her readers' group!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
January 2, 2022
Black shirt and muscles? Check. Tattoos and a motorcycle? Check. Bad boy with a heart of gold? CHECK! Seriously, did Kelsie Stelting go inside my 17-year-old mind to create Ronan??? Because that is the only logical explanation I see for this character being 100% my type 10+ years ago....(yeah, it's definitely been longer than that so let's just move on...)
What I liked about this book:
1. Oh my god, I love Zara! That scene in the limo where she just went OFF on Ryde for his tasteless accusations? Queen status!!! Overall, Zara is just a bad*ss. She gave up everything to be free and rule her own life!
2. Ronan, Ronan, Ronan. You are so far my favorite Curvy Girl boyfriend, and that's probably, ok it's completely, related to the fact that you were 100% my type in high school....and college....and general life. You were her knight in shining armor too!!! Aww, so cute. Oh, and you quote Dickinson?!?!? What a dreamboat.
3. I was SUPER glad we finally got some more understanding/closure on the Dulce Periculum stuff that has permeated all these books. I hate an unsolved mystery.
4. READ THE BONUS CHAPTER!!! Seriously, it's from Ronan's POV and it makes you feel a bit better about some of the choices he made during their "breakup".
5. I loved that one of the girls finally took that leap!!! GET IT GIRL!
What I didn't like about this book:
1. Umm, I'm sorry, are we supposed to feel bad for Merritt now? Just because she refrained from being an evil b*tch for like 30 seconds doesn't mean I'm sold.
2. Ronan, I know you were hurt, upset, and confused babe, but after what she gave you, why are you not at least listening a bit better? Good thing your make-up game is strong!
4 bad boy stars!
What I liked about this book:
1. Oh my god, I love Zara! That scene in the limo where she just went OFF on Ryde for his tasteless accusations? Queen status!!! Overall, Zara is just a bad*ss. She gave up everything to be free and rule her own life!
2. Ronan, Ronan, Ronan. You are so far my favorite Curvy Girl boyfriend, and that's probably, ok it's completely, related to the fact that you were 100% my type in high school....and college....and general life. You were her knight in shining armor too!!! Aww, so cute. Oh, and you quote Dickinson?!?!? What a dreamboat.
3. I was SUPER glad we finally got some more understanding/closure on the Dulce Periculum stuff that has permeated all these books. I hate an unsolved mystery.
4. READ THE BONUS CHAPTER!!! Seriously, it's from Ronan's POV and it makes you feel a bit better about some of the choices he made during their "breakup".
5. I loved that one of the girls finally took that leap!!! GET IT GIRL!
What I didn't like about this book:
1. Umm, I'm sorry, are we supposed to feel bad for Merritt now? Just because she refrained from being an evil b*tch for like 30 seconds doesn't mean I'm sold.
2. Ronan, I know you were hurt, upset, and confused babe, but after what she gave you, why are you not at least listening a bit better? Good thing your make-up game is strong!
4 bad boy stars!
November 11, 2020
While this book wasn't my favorite in the Curvy Girl Club series, I still enjoyed it.
I liked getting to know Zara in this book. She was always the feisty and confident one of the group so it was nice to get into her mind and see a different side of her. I think maybe her character surprised me the most out of the 4 we've read about so far. She was much more daring and a consistent risk-taker, which I didn't expect.
Ronan was also a good character to get to know. He felt different than the other love interests and had a lot of spunk, which made things fun. There was even that little surprise that presented itself about him and made certain events in other books more fun.
I think my biggest problem with this book was that we didn't really get an introduction to the love interest until like a 1/4 of the way through the book. The problem/conflict of the story was presented, but I still didn't know how it would conflict with her romance because we'd only briefly met him like once.
Along the same lines, the pacing was a little too slow for me. A lot of the book dragged along, which is something that almost immediately turns me off of a book. I was happy that I love this series and knew that I wanted to keep going with the book.
Overall, I wasn't entranced by this book, but there were still many parts that I enjoyed. As usual, the body positivity was very inspiring and uplifting. I can't wait to read the concluding book of this series!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I liked getting to know Zara in this book. She was always the feisty and confident one of the group so it was nice to get into her mind and see a different side of her. I think maybe her character surprised me the most out of the 4 we've read about so far. She was much more daring and a consistent risk-taker, which I didn't expect.
Ronan was also a good character to get to know. He felt different than the other love interests and had a lot of spunk, which made things fun. There was even that little surprise that presented itself about him and made certain events in other books more fun.
I think my biggest problem with this book was that we didn't really get an introduction to the love interest until like a 1/4 of the way through the book. The problem/conflict of the story was presented, but I still didn't know how it would conflict with her romance because we'd only briefly met him like once.
Along the same lines, the pacing was a little too slow for me. A lot of the book dragged along, which is something that almost immediately turns me off of a book. I was happy that I love this series and knew that I wanted to keep going with the book.
Overall, I wasn't entranced by this book, but there were still many parts that I enjoyed. As usual, the body positivity was very inspiring and uplifting. I can't wait to read the concluding book of this series!
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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April 28, 2022
This series just gets better and better! I enjoyed this book and found the theme of listening to your heart and believing that you deserve to be treated with love and respect a very inspiring theme that women of all ages should hear. I'm looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this series!
March 2, 2021
Out of all the characters in this series, Zara was definitely my favourite one of the group.
She is so confident and assured of herself and of what she wants. On the outside it’s like she is happy and loves a good life since she doesn’t let her size determine who she is and how she should act.
But really on the inside, she is broken and lost and determine to have her say in an arranged marriage.
Which is why I loved this book. Zara was a very realistic girl with real problems and real dreams. She showed us that even if all the money of the world, money cannot buy love or happiness or family. Zara is caught between doing what is right and accepting the arrange marriage to a multi-millionaire actor that her father has chosen and following her heart and marrying for true love, a true love that her father once had with her mother before she passed away.
Once she meets Ronan, Zara has a choice, to be the dutiful daughter or let herself be carried away to an adventure with Ronan, who may seem bad boy rep but instead has a heart of gold in him.
I loved Zara’s and Ronan’s love story, it was beautiful to witness and see it blossom. Even through all the troubles they go through, it is wonderful to see that true love exists and even through trials and problems, they can still believe in one another to support and love each other.
Fell in love and I cannot wait to how this club will end in Callie’s and Carson’s story!
She is so confident and assured of herself and of what she wants. On the outside it’s like she is happy and loves a good life since she doesn’t let her size determine who she is and how she should act.
But really on the inside, she is broken and lost and determine to have her say in an arranged marriage.
Which is why I loved this book. Zara was a very realistic girl with real problems and real dreams. She showed us that even if all the money of the world, money cannot buy love or happiness or family. Zara is caught between doing what is right and accepting the arrange marriage to a multi-millionaire actor that her father has chosen and following her heart and marrying for true love, a true love that her father once had with her mother before she passed away.
Once she meets Ronan, Zara has a choice, to be the dutiful daughter or let herself be carried away to an adventure with Ronan, who may seem bad boy rep but instead has a heart of gold in him.
I loved Zara’s and Ronan’s love story, it was beautiful to witness and see it blossom. Even through all the troubles they go through, it is wonderful to see that true love exists and even through trials and problems, they can still believe in one another to support and love each other.
Fell in love and I cannot wait to how this club will end in Callie’s and Carson’s story!
June 14, 2022
Spoilers ugghh why
I'm disappointed because I began to care for the characters and the author let me down. Big time. Spoilers.....
I hate fact that the MC is apologizing for no reason at all when that man left her alone after knowing that her dad kicked her out and had no ride no money and nowhere else to go. She had to go to prison and apologize in public to be forgiven. and he blocked her!!! And for what? Because she didn't tell him abt an arranged marriage? It made no sense and that guy is just not cool. Why the lead girl is apologizing when the lead male messed up? and her gift was to join a bunch of delinquent club on the brink of getting arrested? And how did the cops get their clues of where the group is going to be? and why would the police talk abt it around teens when they suspected teens behind the vandalism in the first place? So many plot holes.
I'm disappointed because I began to care for the characters and the author let me down. Big time. Spoilers.....
I hate fact that the MC is apologizing for no reason at all when that man left her alone after knowing that her dad kicked her out and had no ride no money and nowhere else to go. She had to go to prison and apologize in public to be forgiven. and he blocked her!!! And for what? Because she didn't tell him abt an arranged marriage? It made no sense and that guy is just not cool. Why the lead girl is apologizing when the lead male messed up? and her gift was to join a bunch of delinquent club on the brink of getting arrested? And how did the cops get their clues of where the group is going to be? and why would the police talk abt it around teens when they suspected teens behind the vandalism in the first place? So many plot holes.
March 17, 2024
3 stars ✨
I’ve got an issue with a part of this book and I’ll have to update this review soon
I’ve got an issue with a part of this book and I’ll have to update this review soon
January 7, 2021
Love isn’t something you find. It’s something you create.
“Almost all of my friends have boyfriends. They are funny, they enjoy time together, they share secrets that no one else knows or understands. It’s almost like an exclusive club of two, that no one can get into, and once you’re in, you’re in. You want to explore and discover and learn and enjoy as much as you possibly can, because everyone’s always reminding you how ephemeral it is, even though it feels like it will last forever.”
Excited for the beginning, careless how it ends.
“Your value doesn’t come from the people around you. Don’t let anyone convince you that you don’t have magic all your own. Acknowledge it. Embrace it.”
Love will always lead me in the right direction. You are my true north.
I enjoyed this book. Ronan was a different character from the other guys in the series. We didn’t know much about him. He was an outsider because he didn’t go to school with the other characters. Zara is feisty, and confident. As the story continued on, she became more daring, a consistent risk-taker, she took her life back into her own hands. Just like the other books in the series, this one was very positive, inspiring and uplifting about body image. 4 stars.
“Almost all of my friends have boyfriends. They are funny, they enjoy time together, they share secrets that no one else knows or understands. It’s almost like an exclusive club of two, that no one can get into, and once you’re in, you’re in. You want to explore and discover and learn and enjoy as much as you possibly can, because everyone’s always reminding you how ephemeral it is, even though it feels like it will last forever.”
Excited for the beginning, careless how it ends.
“Your value doesn’t come from the people around you. Don’t let anyone convince you that you don’t have magic all your own. Acknowledge it. Embrace it.”
Love will always lead me in the right direction. You are my true north.
I enjoyed this book. Ronan was a different character from the other guys in the series. We didn’t know much about him. He was an outsider because he didn’t go to school with the other characters. Zara is feisty, and confident. As the story continued on, she became more daring, a consistent risk-taker, she took her life back into her own hands. Just like the other books in the series, this one was very positive, inspiring and uplifting about body image. 4 stars.
June 29, 2021
As always I am enjoying this series.
This couple I didn’t see coming actually and I liked loved that.
Zara is arranged to be married to a movie star, a genuine movie star and she tries she really does but she can’t. She can’t stand him Ryde he is self-absorbed and not to mention he has devils own sister who she goes to school with.
Zara just wants to make her own choices. In comes Ronan on a motorcycle not exactly what Zara was thinking but love and attraction have other plans.
I loved Ronan he sticks up for those who can’t. His life isn’t rainbows and flowers. And when he sees Zara he can’t help what he feels either.
Their love story will have you oooing and aweing, then being frustrated but it is so worth the ride.
I liked the narration a lot actually I think the narrator did a great job with accents as well.
This couple I didn’t see coming actually and I liked loved that.
Zara is arranged to be married to a movie star, a genuine movie star and she tries she really does but she can’t. She can’t stand him Ryde he is self-absorbed and not to mention he has devils own sister who she goes to school with.
Zara just wants to make her own choices. In comes Ronan on a motorcycle not exactly what Zara was thinking but love and attraction have other plans.
I loved Ronan he sticks up for those who can’t. His life isn’t rainbows and flowers. And when he sees Zara he can’t help what he feels either.
Their love story will have you oooing and aweing, then being frustrated but it is so worth the ride.
I liked the narration a lot actually I think the narrator did a great job with accents as well.
June 22, 2021
Find all my reviews: https://jaynikkibelthoughts.wordpress...
I noticed Zara's story isn't as long as the others. But it didn't need to be. It was perfect the way it was.
Zara's father is keeping the Indian tradition of arranged marriages. He sets her up with Ryde Alexander. (Yes, he is as obnoxious as his name sounds.) Zara doesn't like Ryde and the more time she spends with him, the more she really is against the marriage. Then she meets Ronan. Who introduces her to the life she has always wanted to live.
While there is no sex in this it is insinuated. I like Zara and Ronan together. Totally cute. I like their story. But the next story is the one I have been wanting to get to!
I noticed Zara's story isn't as long as the others. But it didn't need to be. It was perfect the way it was.
Zara's father is keeping the Indian tradition of arranged marriages. He sets her up with Ryde Alexander. (Yes, he is as obnoxious as his name sounds.) Zara doesn't like Ryde and the more time she spends with him, the more she really is against the marriage. Then she meets Ronan. Who introduces her to the life she has always wanted to live.
While there is no sex in this it is insinuated. I like Zara and Ronan together. Totally cute. I like their story. But the next story is the one I have been wanting to get to!
July 11, 2025
4.5⭐️
As a reader, insta-love is one of my least favorite tropes, so this romance was a little difficult for me to get into. Quite honestly speaking, Ronan, the love interest, was only a “bad boy” because he drove a motorcycle and had tattoos. When Zara and Ronan first met, they almost immediately went on a date and fell in love. Because of this, their romance was sweet but a little unbelievable, so this was not my favorite in this series. That being said, I always like a good book with a strong protagonist who can stand up for herself. This was still a very good book that was hard for me to put down.
As a reader, insta-love is one of my least favorite tropes, so this romance was a little difficult for me to get into. Quite honestly speaking, Ronan, the love interest, was only a “bad boy” because he drove a motorcycle and had tattoos. When Zara and Ronan first met, they almost immediately went on a date and fell in love. Because of this, their romance was sweet but a little unbelievable, so this was not my favorite in this series. That being said, I always like a good book with a strong protagonist who can stand up for herself. This was still a very good book that was hard for me to put down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
I am ride or die for Zara and Ronan have my heart forever. My heart broke for both of them in their stories and I love that even though they got a little spicy (closed door) it was out of a pure love that came from them sharing their stories with each other. I love this book!!! Definitely my number one favorite.
January 27, 2024
Zara is such an incredible character. She’s strong and knows what she wants and she’s also the one hyping up her friends. I loved seeing her story unfold. I read the series out of order so this was my last book of the friend group & I want more. Give me the Netflix show already! Would love to see these characters and Emerson Academy come to life.
March 29, 2021
I loved it! I have been excited to read Zara's book from the start! In my opinion it was the best one in the whole series so far.
January 2, 2025
The perfect way to show it’s what’s on the inside that counts. 💜
November 16, 2020
Finally, Zara & Ronan's story is here! Even though I love this whole series, the last book has been my favorite so far 💞
Zara has always been the rich confidant one of the group & has helped the other girls when needed.
Zara wants to find love like how are best friends have. Her father is set in his ways to find an arranged marriage for his daughter but things aren't always what they seem.
How does Zara convince her father let her find true love? Will it be the movie star Ryder or the bad Ronan?
Zara has always been the rich confidant one of the group & has helped the other girls when needed.
Zara wants to find love like how are best friends have. Her father is set in his ways to find an arranged marriage for his daughter but things aren't always what they seem.
How does Zara convince her father let her find true love? Will it be the movie star Ryder or the bad Ronan?
December 2, 2025
was bro even really that bad? LOVED her dad's character development.
November 18, 2020
4th book in the curvy girls series. Honestly this one wasn’t my favorite out of the series but I still enjoyed it. I felt that it dragged on a little in the beginning but my favorite parts had to be with Ronan.
I really liked Zara though and couldn’t imagine what that would be like. She handled it the best way she knew how but it didn’t exactly go the way she hoped it would. I was shocked to find out what the actual reason was behind this arranged marriage. I felt so bad for her but thankfully she has some really great friends. I love that they all show up now even in the fourth book and you find out even more about some of them.
Ronan had a terrible childhood and left home at an early age. It was interesting to see where he lived and who he lived with. He was a great guy though and was always there for Zara when she needed him.
The character development towards the end was great for a few different characters. I was almost crying towards the end though because of Zara’s mom and how things were changing.
It will be interesting to see everyone in the last book and finally get Callies story!!
I really liked Zara though and couldn’t imagine what that would be like. She handled it the best way she knew how but it didn’t exactly go the way she hoped it would. I was shocked to find out what the actual reason was behind this arranged marriage. I felt so bad for her but thankfully she has some really great friends. I love that they all show up now even in the fourth book and you find out even more about some of them.
Ronan had a terrible childhood and left home at an early age. It was interesting to see where he lived and who he lived with. He was a great guy though and was always there for Zara when she needed him.
The character development towards the end was great for a few different characters. I was almost crying towards the end though because of Zara’s mom and how things were changing.
It will be interesting to see everyone in the last book and finally get Callies story!!
dnf
May 23, 2021I think I am done with this series. I was excited to read Zara's story, but it got boring. It was just endless complaining about her dad's plans with no follow through. . . until she met Ryde. I can't stand insta-love and this book was all about it. And suddenly, this boy that she barely knew inspired her to stand up to her father. Don't get me wrong, I'm really glad she stood up to him, but I hate that it took a BOY for her to do it. I marked this as a DNF, but I did skim through until the end just because I was curious. The arranged marriage part of the story ended VERY quickly and she forgave her dad for his actions too soon. I didn't even fully understand them. It didn't seem to be a cultural thing after all. Also, Zara said at the beginning of the book that she couldn't help her wealth any more than she could help the color of her skin. I rolled my eyes at this so hard. The last book I DNF'd involved one of the girls (I don't even remember which one) ranting and raving about her love interest's wealth as though being rich meant they were an awful person. Hypocritical, much? So yeah, not a fan of this author or this series.
November 23, 2020
“This is so high,” I said. “How do you do it?” Ronan shrugged, completely unfazed. “To enjoy the fall, you have to jump.”
To start this book is only getting rounded up to 3 stars because of Ronan
So I stumbled upon this series recently and read the first three books back to back, and have been waiting for this one because 1) Zara is amazing and 2) bad boys intrigue me more than cowboys, sorry not sorry.
And I have to say... this book felt so rushed.
The plot was rushed, the romance was rushed, I did not connect with these characters in any way, shape or form. Which was a bummer, because they had soo much potential. I finished it just thinking... huh. In fact, I actually considered just putting it down in the middle and moving on to something else.
Not sure if I'll come back for the last book but we'll see how I'm feeling when it comes out.
To start this book is only getting rounded up to 3 stars because of Ronan
So I stumbled upon this series recently and read the first three books back to back, and have been waiting for this one because 1) Zara is amazing and 2) bad boys intrigue me more than cowboys, sorry not sorry.
And I have to say... this book felt so rushed.
The plot was rushed, the romance was rushed, I did not connect with these characters in any way, shape or form. Which was a bummer, because they had soo much potential. I finished it just thinking... huh. In fact, I actually considered just putting it down in the middle and moving on to something else.
Not sure if I'll come back for the last book but we'll see how I'm feeling when it comes out.
November 16, 2020
Curvy Girl's Can't Date Bad Boys is book 4 in the Curvy Girl series. Kelsie Stelting has another amazing book. Zara wants to marry for love while her dad, who is from India, plans for an arranged marriage. The movie star, Ryde Alexander, is not who Zara has in mind. When Zara leaves a Hollywood party early without Ryde. Zara runs into bad boy Ronan. What follows is pure curvy girl craziness. Ms. Stelting's characters are so realistic and authentic. The pace is fast and the story so interesting that I could hardly put it down. All of the Curvy Girl's are clean and such fun. I can't wait for the next book! Although this is a stand alone book, I have read the stories in order and the characters carry over from one book to the next. I received an ARC for my honest review.
December 30, 2022
Fat girls aren't ugly
We get it. But why do they all have to end up with Ken dolls, most of hoom are rich to ridiculously wealthy?
I think you miss the point of body size doesn't matter when every single male has washboard abs and perfect hair.
And the point that where you live doesn't determine your value as a human get a bit washed put when every single couple is set for life before they even get done with school. Not one of them has to worry about how to pay the rent or buy dinner ever again by the end of their story.
We get it. But why do they all have to end up with Ken dolls, most of hoom are rich to ridiculously wealthy?
I think you miss the point of body size doesn't matter when every single male has washboard abs and perfect hair.
And the point that where you live doesn't determine your value as a human get a bit washed put when every single couple is set for life before they even get done with school. Not one of them has to worry about how to pay the rent or buy dinner ever again by the end of their story.
November 13, 2023
I should start reading synopses before picking up books to read/listen to. This book is probably everyones cup of tea, except mine. I don't like secrets kept in storylines, I don't like quick forgiveness without communicating and I'm not a fan of underage romances no matter how fade-to-black the moments may be.
February 11, 2022
Rated
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
4 Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read
August 4, 2024
My favorite in the series so far
May 31, 2024
This was a DNF for me I tried to push threw it but just couldn't..
October 26, 2023
My kindle was attached to my moms account. These are my highlights you don’t wanna read these
Chapter 8
Highlight(pink) - Page 50 · Location 485
“Daddy, I deserve the chance to have that kind of love. I deserve to have someone who loves me like the moon loves the stars, always shining for each other.”
Chapter 12
Highlight(pink) - Page 84 · Location 769
Ryde took in the motorcycle, then looked back at me. “You have to be kidding. Your father would never approve of that. Come back inside.” The way Ryde said the words, like he was in charge of me, irked me worse than anything he’d said all evening. “Give me the helmet,” I said to the guy as I stepped onto the asphalt. A pleased smile crossed his face, and he reached into the back of his bike to pass me a black helmet. “Zara,” Ryde said from the sidewalk in disbelief. “Come on. This is crazy.”
Chapter 13
Highlight(pink) - Page 96 · Location 878
“Will I see you again?” I asked. “Only if you want to.” A flicker of hope flashed across his eyes. I nodded and got a pen from my clutch. I wrote my number on the inside of his palm,
Highlight(pink) - Page 96 · Location 880
and when I finished, he held my hand in his. “I’ll call you,” he promised, his voice rough.
Chapter 14
Highlight(pink) - Page 99 · Location 904
message from a number I didn’t know waited for me, and I hurried to open it. Ronan: Acribus initiis, incurioso fine.
Highlight(pink) - Page 99 · Location 905
thought back to my ninth-grade Latin lessons and the phrases we had to remember. It brought a smile to my lips. Excited for the beginning, careless how it ends.
Chapter 17
Highlight(pink) - Page 117 · Location 1048
“It's nice to see you face to face,” I said. His lips lifted in an effortless smirk. “I didn't mind having your arms around me either.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 117 · Location 1052
don't know,” he answered honestly. He splayed his fingers on the table and then curled them under. “When I saw you the first time, I knew I had to know you.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 119 · Location 1064
My heart warmed, lightened, as I let go of something that had haunted me for years. How had someone I hardly knew seen through me so quickly? How had he healed my cracks? It unnerved me, unsettled me. But I couldn't stay away.
Chapter 18
Highlight(orange) - Page 125 · Location 1117
So much rage and disgust built in my body, it was hard to keep from shaking. Roy Taylor didn’t present as the kind of guy who did despicable things like that to their children and spouses, but here he was, one of the wealthiest and most well-liked people in Brentwood, and he used his power to abuse his stepson. I didn't miss the fact that all the burns were where they would be covered by an Academy’s long-sleeve uniform.
Chapter 21
Highlight(pink) - Page 148 · Location 1311
“And for the record, you're the only woman who's ever been ‘whisked away’ on the back of my motorcycle.”
Chapter 22
Highlight(pink) - Page 149 · Location 1316
Ronan: Good morning, beautiful.
Highlight(pink) - Page 154 · Location 1358
“Zara Bhatta.” He reached out and tipped my chin up, and the combination of the way he looked at me and the full use of my name had me spinning. “Your value doesn’t come from the people around you. Don’t let anyone convince you that you don’t have a magic all your own. Acknowledge it. Embrace it.”
Chapter 24
Highlight(pink) - Page 172 · Location 1515
He grinned up with me. “Sometimes all it takes is a new perspective.” I had one all right, and Ronan had given it to me.
Chapter 26
Highlight(pink) - Page 184 · Location 1613
I wanted him to continue exploring, continue claiming all of me as all of his. Because after this kiss, I knew there was going to be no one else. No one had ever made my skin come alive, like my nervous system was attuned to only him. And there was no way you could walk away from a fire and settle for a candle. Because that was what Ronan was. Beautiful, dangerous, and full of heat.
Chapter 27
Highlight(yellow) - Page 189 · Location 1652
“It's not about Ronan, not really. He just showed me what I’d be missing out on if I committed to Ryde. I'm going to tell him that I don't want to get married after graduation. And that I want to choose the person I marry—if I ever do get married.” I took a breath and continued. “I'm tired of always having to live according to this arranged marriage nonsense, like having a husband is life’s purpose.
Chapter 30
Highlight(yellow) - Page 215 · Location 1877
His steady breaths and the rhythm of his heart sounded against my cheek. It was like he was an ocean all his own, and I paced myself to his waves. Slowly, I could feel my shoulders loosening, my breath slowing, and the pain in my heartbeats easing. The weight of what I’d walked away from settled over me, but with Ronan, I could carry it. With him, I felt like I could do anything. Be anything.
Highlight(pink) - Page 216 · Location 1886
He turned me and laid me back on the blanket, kissing my lips, the wetness on my cheeks, the corners of my jaw and the tender hollows of my neck.
Highlight(pink) - Page 218 · Location 1901
Ronan had me. Heart, body, and soul.
Chapter 31
Highlight(pink) - Page 223 · Location 1949
The moisture built up in my eyes. I had a whole room, a whole closet, and all that I owned was sitting in Jordan’s car. “Nothing,” I said finally. I wiped at my eyes. “But can I say goodbye?” “Of course,” she said, her voice breaking. “I'll be out in a few minutes.”
Chapter 34
Highlight(pink) - Page 242 · Location 2118
Callie immediately wrapped me in a hug, then stepped back. “We thought you might need to be around family.” That did it. That word. I collapsed on the couch, and my friends surrounded me with their love, with their warmth. With each of them holding me together, I had the support I needed to fall apart.
Chapter 35
Highlight(pink) - Page 250 · Location 2186
Loving him made her free, but the cost of being together was anything but.
Chapter 36
Highlight(pink) - Page 255 · Location 2226
She scanned the poem, putting her hand to her heart. “He wrote this? For you?” My lips trembled as I nodded. She looked up from the words. “He loves you.”
Chapter 38
Highlight(pink) - Page 275 · Location 2394
Some people believed in soulmate, singular. I didn’t. These people around the table, they were my soulmates, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I needed them now more than ever.
Chapter 39
Highlight(pink) - Page 281 · Location 2450
My phone vibrated, and my heart leapt. Had Ronan seen my message? Had he replied? Message failed to send. I tried again and receiving the same notification. I wiped at my eyes and blinked back tears. Rory rubbed my back, but that just made it worse.
Chapter 47
Highlight(pink) - Page 338 · Location 2911
Rory: Happy birthday, Zara! I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you as a friend, and I can’t wait to give you your present! Jordan: HBD! Secretly wishing you still lived with me so I could have filled your room with balloons or something this morning. Love you, girl. Ginger: Have you bought any lottery tickets yet today??? Hope you find a winner! ;) But seriously, I stinking love you. I never would have been able to find my happily ever after without you telling me I deserved one. I hope you know how amazing you are and that you will ALWAYS deserve the best–today and every day of the year! Callie: Happy birthday!! I can’t believe the school year is almost over and that we only became friends this year. I almost wish we could go back to freshman year and do it all over again so I could have you by my side. I love having you as a friend. If there’s anything you need at all today, let me know! Love celebrating you! Tears spilled over my cheeks as I read each message, one after another, filled with so much love and hope. These girls were
Highlight(pink) - Page 338 · Location 2919
my people, my soulmates, and they saw me through the mess, even when I couldn’t see it myself. My mom would have loved them—I could only imagine the slumber parties we would have had with Mom making special tea and plenty of pastries to pig out on. It had been years since I’d been to Mom’s grave, but after getting ready, I went to the store and got flowers and drove to Emerson Cemetery. The tree-lined drive brought back painful memories, but I kept driving and parked at the space closest to her grave.
Chapter 48
Highlight(blue) - Page 345 · Location 2968
My eyes widened. “So I get to decide? No questions asked?” “When you want to get married, if you want to get married, I will support you.” Relief washed over my entire body,
Chapter 49
Highlight(blue) - Page 354 · Location 3044
Ronan stood several feet away, dressed in dark jeans and a loose-fitting T-shirt. His hair was longer, curling around his ears.
Highlight(blue) - Page 354 · Location 3045
And his eyes... they captivated me just as much as they always had. He was every bit as perfect as I remembered him, and it literally made my chest ache.
Highlight(pink) - Page 357 · Location 3067
held my breath, scared to even dream of what this meant. “You told me we were over?” His eyes softened, and he tilted his head so we were eye level. “No one ever said I was smart.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 359 · Location 3089
He smiled wide and then placed that smile against mine. I loved it when we were so happy, we couldn’t kiss without grinning against each other.
Chapter 50
Highlight(pink) - Page 360 · Location 3094
“Why have a party? How could it get any better than this?” His smile absolutely consumed me. It was warm, light, perfect. “I hope you say that every day we're together.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 367 · Location 3155
He shrugged. “That's too bad, because I was really looking forward to climbing up the ladder behind you.” My mouth fell open, and my stomach heated, thinking about the innuendo behind his words. “Is that so?”
Chapter 51
Highlight(pink) - Page 371 · Location 3190
Immediately, Ronan started chuckling from where he hung upside down from a branch of the tree. His hair swung loosely around his head in curls, and he looked way too pleased with himself.
Highlight(pink) - Page 372 · Location 3197
“You sat next to him?” “Oh yeah, Papa Bhatta loves me.” “It is so weird that you call him that.” He laughed as he pulled back and shrugged. “Papa Bhatta doesn't seem to mind.”
Epilogue
Highlight(pink) - Page 377 · Location 3238
have a feeling that Zara and Ronan are more like an eternal flame than a quick strike of lightning.” I tended to agree. The way that they looked at each other, all that they were willing to give up for each other, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. My parents had been married my entire life, and they had such a quiet, content love that the kind of passion Zara and Ronan shared seemed so far off limits.
Highlight(pink) - Page 379 · Location 3255
He looked at Zara as he said, “Love will always lead me in the right direction. You are my true north.”
Chapter 8
Highlight(pink) - Page 50 · Location 485
“Daddy, I deserve the chance to have that kind of love. I deserve to have someone who loves me like the moon loves the stars, always shining for each other.”
Chapter 12
Highlight(pink) - Page 84 · Location 769
Ryde took in the motorcycle, then looked back at me. “You have to be kidding. Your father would never approve of that. Come back inside.” The way Ryde said the words, like he was in charge of me, irked me worse than anything he’d said all evening. “Give me the helmet,” I said to the guy as I stepped onto the asphalt. A pleased smile crossed his face, and he reached into the back of his bike to pass me a black helmet. “Zara,” Ryde said from the sidewalk in disbelief. “Come on. This is crazy.”
Chapter 13
Highlight(pink) - Page 96 · Location 878
“Will I see you again?” I asked. “Only if you want to.” A flicker of hope flashed across his eyes. I nodded and got a pen from my clutch. I wrote my number on the inside of his palm,
Highlight(pink) - Page 96 · Location 880
and when I finished, he held my hand in his. “I’ll call you,” he promised, his voice rough.
Chapter 14
Highlight(pink) - Page 99 · Location 904
message from a number I didn’t know waited for me, and I hurried to open it. Ronan: Acribus initiis, incurioso fine.
Highlight(pink) - Page 99 · Location 905
thought back to my ninth-grade Latin lessons and the phrases we had to remember. It brought a smile to my lips. Excited for the beginning, careless how it ends.
Chapter 17
Highlight(pink) - Page 117 · Location 1048
“It's nice to see you face to face,” I said. His lips lifted in an effortless smirk. “I didn't mind having your arms around me either.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 117 · Location 1052
don't know,” he answered honestly. He splayed his fingers on the table and then curled them under. “When I saw you the first time, I knew I had to know you.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 119 · Location 1064
My heart warmed, lightened, as I let go of something that had haunted me for years. How had someone I hardly knew seen through me so quickly? How had he healed my cracks? It unnerved me, unsettled me. But I couldn't stay away.
Chapter 18
Highlight(orange) - Page 125 · Location 1117
So much rage and disgust built in my body, it was hard to keep from shaking. Roy Taylor didn’t present as the kind of guy who did despicable things like that to their children and spouses, but here he was, one of the wealthiest and most well-liked people in Brentwood, and he used his power to abuse his stepson. I didn't miss the fact that all the burns were where they would be covered by an Academy’s long-sleeve uniform.
Chapter 21
Highlight(pink) - Page 148 · Location 1311
“And for the record, you're the only woman who's ever been ‘whisked away’ on the back of my motorcycle.”
Chapter 22
Highlight(pink) - Page 149 · Location 1316
Ronan: Good morning, beautiful.
Highlight(pink) - Page 154 · Location 1358
“Zara Bhatta.” He reached out and tipped my chin up, and the combination of the way he looked at me and the full use of my name had me spinning. “Your value doesn’t come from the people around you. Don’t let anyone convince you that you don’t have a magic all your own. Acknowledge it. Embrace it.”
Chapter 24
Highlight(pink) - Page 172 · Location 1515
He grinned up with me. “Sometimes all it takes is a new perspective.” I had one all right, and Ronan had given it to me.
Chapter 26
Highlight(pink) - Page 184 · Location 1613
I wanted him to continue exploring, continue claiming all of me as all of his. Because after this kiss, I knew there was going to be no one else. No one had ever made my skin come alive, like my nervous system was attuned to only him. And there was no way you could walk away from a fire and settle for a candle. Because that was what Ronan was. Beautiful, dangerous, and full of heat.
Chapter 27
Highlight(yellow) - Page 189 · Location 1652
“It's not about Ronan, not really. He just showed me what I’d be missing out on if I committed to Ryde. I'm going to tell him that I don't want to get married after graduation. And that I want to choose the person I marry—if I ever do get married.” I took a breath and continued. “I'm tired of always having to live according to this arranged marriage nonsense, like having a husband is life’s purpose.
Chapter 30
Highlight(yellow) - Page 215 · Location 1877
His steady breaths and the rhythm of his heart sounded against my cheek. It was like he was an ocean all his own, and I paced myself to his waves. Slowly, I could feel my shoulders loosening, my breath slowing, and the pain in my heartbeats easing. The weight of what I’d walked away from settled over me, but with Ronan, I could carry it. With him, I felt like I could do anything. Be anything.
Highlight(pink) - Page 216 · Location 1886
He turned me and laid me back on the blanket, kissing my lips, the wetness on my cheeks, the corners of my jaw and the tender hollows of my neck.
Highlight(pink) - Page 218 · Location 1901
Ronan had me. Heart, body, and soul.
Chapter 31
Highlight(pink) - Page 223 · Location 1949
The moisture built up in my eyes. I had a whole room, a whole closet, and all that I owned was sitting in Jordan’s car. “Nothing,” I said finally. I wiped at my eyes. “But can I say goodbye?” “Of course,” she said, her voice breaking. “I'll be out in a few minutes.”
Chapter 34
Highlight(pink) - Page 242 · Location 2118
Callie immediately wrapped me in a hug, then stepped back. “We thought you might need to be around family.” That did it. That word. I collapsed on the couch, and my friends surrounded me with their love, with their warmth. With each of them holding me together, I had the support I needed to fall apart.
Chapter 35
Highlight(pink) - Page 250 · Location 2186
Loving him made her free, but the cost of being together was anything but.
Chapter 36
Highlight(pink) - Page 255 · Location 2226
She scanned the poem, putting her hand to her heart. “He wrote this? For you?” My lips trembled as I nodded. She looked up from the words. “He loves you.”
Chapter 38
Highlight(pink) - Page 275 · Location 2394
Some people believed in soulmate, singular. I didn’t. These people around the table, they were my soulmates, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I needed them now more than ever.
Chapter 39
Highlight(pink) - Page 281 · Location 2450
My phone vibrated, and my heart leapt. Had Ronan seen my message? Had he replied? Message failed to send. I tried again and receiving the same notification. I wiped at my eyes and blinked back tears. Rory rubbed my back, but that just made it worse.
Chapter 47
Highlight(pink) - Page 338 · Location 2911
Rory: Happy birthday, Zara! I can’t tell you how happy I am to have you as a friend, and I can’t wait to give you your present! Jordan: HBD! Secretly wishing you still lived with me so I could have filled your room with balloons or something this morning. Love you, girl. Ginger: Have you bought any lottery tickets yet today??? Hope you find a winner! ;) But seriously, I stinking love you. I never would have been able to find my happily ever after without you telling me I deserved one. I hope you know how amazing you are and that you will ALWAYS deserve the best–today and every day of the year! Callie: Happy birthday!! I can’t believe the school year is almost over and that we only became friends this year. I almost wish we could go back to freshman year and do it all over again so I could have you by my side. I love having you as a friend. If there’s anything you need at all today, let me know! Love celebrating you! Tears spilled over my cheeks as I read each message, one after another, filled with so much love and hope. These girls were
Highlight(pink) - Page 338 · Location 2919
my people, my soulmates, and they saw me through the mess, even when I couldn’t see it myself. My mom would have loved them—I could only imagine the slumber parties we would have had with Mom making special tea and plenty of pastries to pig out on. It had been years since I’d been to Mom’s grave, but after getting ready, I went to the store and got flowers and drove to Emerson Cemetery. The tree-lined drive brought back painful memories, but I kept driving and parked at the space closest to her grave.
Chapter 48
Highlight(blue) - Page 345 · Location 2968
My eyes widened. “So I get to decide? No questions asked?” “When you want to get married, if you want to get married, I will support you.” Relief washed over my entire body,
Chapter 49
Highlight(blue) - Page 354 · Location 3044
Ronan stood several feet away, dressed in dark jeans and a loose-fitting T-shirt. His hair was longer, curling around his ears.
Highlight(blue) - Page 354 · Location 3045
And his eyes... they captivated me just as much as they always had. He was every bit as perfect as I remembered him, and it literally made my chest ache.
Highlight(pink) - Page 357 · Location 3067
held my breath, scared to even dream of what this meant. “You told me we were over?” His eyes softened, and he tilted his head so we were eye level. “No one ever said I was smart.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 359 · Location 3089
He smiled wide and then placed that smile against mine. I loved it when we were so happy, we couldn’t kiss without grinning against each other.
Chapter 50
Highlight(pink) - Page 360 · Location 3094
“Why have a party? How could it get any better than this?” His smile absolutely consumed me. It was warm, light, perfect. “I hope you say that every day we're together.”
Highlight(pink) - Page 367 · Location 3155
He shrugged. “That's too bad, because I was really looking forward to climbing up the ladder behind you.” My mouth fell open, and my stomach heated, thinking about the innuendo behind his words. “Is that so?”
Chapter 51
Highlight(pink) - Page 371 · Location 3190
Immediately, Ronan started chuckling from where he hung upside down from a branch of the tree. His hair swung loosely around his head in curls, and he looked way too pleased with himself.
Highlight(pink) - Page 372 · Location 3197
“You sat next to him?” “Oh yeah, Papa Bhatta loves me.” “It is so weird that you call him that.” He laughed as he pulled back and shrugged. “Papa Bhatta doesn't seem to mind.”
Epilogue
Highlight(pink) - Page 377 · Location 3238
have a feeling that Zara and Ronan are more like an eternal flame than a quick strike of lightning.” I tended to agree. The way that they looked at each other, all that they were willing to give up for each other, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. My parents had been married my entire life, and they had such a quiet, content love that the kind of passion Zara and Ronan shared seemed so far off limits.
Highlight(pink) - Page 379 · Location 3255
He looked at Zara as he said, “Love will always lead me in the right direction. You are my true north.”
August 17, 2023
I really liked how in this book Zara was very confident. Unlike in all my other books where the girl is this beautiful girl who doesn’t know she’s beautiful and is very self-conscious. Zara knew that she was this beautiful girl even though she wasn’t the model skinny girl that Society likes to see. Why can’t curvy girls be put up in the beauty standard because when we talk about someone who is beautiful, our mind immediately goes to people who look model thin and have slim faces, but there are some very beautiful people out there who are not thin, they are curvy and gorgeous. This book really gave me a looked into the other side of how people think about curvy women. It kind of made me cry a little because growing up as a teenager I was always put down for being bigger than everyone else and you know I was healthy. It wasn’t like I was going home and eating 10 top Ramen packs at night. I was healthy. And I exercised but I guess it didn’t make a difference to those people who would put me down. That’s what I love about this book was that Zara was this confident girl who didn’t take crap from anyone about her weight. When Ryde told her that she should lose some weight, she was right there with her slap to the face. As an adult in her early 20s now I still face the self consciousness from my weight even though I know I’m healthy and that I take care of myself. This book gave me back my sense of self worth a bit. The reason I gave it three stars was because even though Zara was this amazing person who persevered through all of the chocolate just drop the book and even though I love her relationship with Ronan, it felt very fast paced with me. I know it wasn’t a slow burn book, but they kinda just talked for two seconds in the beginning, and then laid all their secrets to bare to each other. I mean personally, I wouldn’t share my darkest secret with someone after only knowing them for a couple of days. And I understand it’s a book was set over a couple of months but still, it felt really fast paced because a lot of those weeks was spent with Zara and Ronan apart. I mean I get the thrill of her, jumping on his bike without knowing him, but still, it really did feel fast-paced to me. And I’m not saying, I don’t like Ronan as a character because I did he had very good backstory, and I like that he was in the ducle periculum but like she knew Zara, for maybe two weeks before he told her that he was in the DP. I understand that you need to share your life with a person that you want to spend it with, but how do you know after two weeks? I’m not judging over here I’m just trying to understand the situation. But that is the reason I gave it a three star rating was because it felt very fast paced and you don’t really get to learn about her friends in this book either. I know all the other books have her friends in it and how their relationships get started but I didn’t really want to learn about their relationships in this book I wanted to learn about their friendship, and even though you get to see some of it when they help her out when her dad kicks her out and everything it just felt like it was on the back burner. Like you could tell that the friendship meant so much to her and that her friends would do almost anything for her and be honest with her, even when she doesn’t like the answer but like I said, it felt like all of her friendships were on the back burner, even when she was talking to them. So that’s why I gave it three stars. I really did like the book. I will probably read it again because Zara is probably now one of my favorite book characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2025
TW: abus, harcèlement, relation mineur/ majeur, mariage forcé
J’aime beaucoup cette série que j’ai découvert un peu par hasard qui est très body positive et aborde pas mal de thèmes différents, importants et actuels. J’avais hâte de découvrir l’histoire de Zara un personnage qui a beaucoup de caractère et qui a des choses à dire. Zara vit seule avec son père depuis la mort de sa mère et selon leur culture, Zara doit avoir un mariage arrangé pour son père, ce qui apporte souvent des bénéfices à la famille. Zara s’est toujours plus ou moins pliée aux règles imposées par son père, mais depuis qu’elle a vu ses amies tombées amoureuse et former des couples sérieux, elle a envie d’avoir la même chose. Seulement elle est actuellement en couple avec Ryde Alexander, l’étoile montante d’Hollywood avec qui elle est censée se marier. Mais Ryde est imbuvable et centré sur lui-même et il se trouve être le frère de Meritt, la fille qui harcèle Zara et ses amies sur leurs poides depuis des années. Zara veut fuir tout ça et ce mariage dont elle ne veut pas. Elle aimerait également sortir de son cocon protégée et très privilégié, ce dont elle a conscience. Alors quand elle fait la connaissance de Ronan, un garçon aux allures de Bad Boy qui vit la vie comme il l’entend et se moque des conventions elle est fortement attirée par lui. Une relation forte se crée entre eux mais Zara n’est pas complètement honnête avec Ronan. Car elle sait au fond d’elle qu’elle n’a peut-être pas tant le choix que ça dans sa vie peu importe les illusions qu’elle se crée…
Je dois dire que j’ai eu du mal avec ce tome. Non pas à cause de l’histoire et des personnages qui sont intéressants mais à cause des thématiques abordées et des situations que cela crée. Je sais que le mariage arrangée est une pratique culturelle dans de nombreux pays mais ce qui me pose vraiment problème ici c’est que Zara est mineure et qu’elle fréquente depuis ses quinze ans des hommes choisis par son père qui sont beaucoup plus vieux qu’elle et je trouve cela extrêmement problématique de dépeindre des relations entre une mineure et un majeur dans une romance à destination d’un public adolescent. D’autant plus que ces relations sont forcées, ce qui pour moi est d’autant plus grave. Et cela n’est jamais vraiment soulevé comme étant un problème. Certes le fait que Zara n’ait pas son mot à dire concernant son mariage est pointé du doigt (et encore pas tant que ça et de façon assez soft à mon sens alors que c’est le coeur du problème de ce roman) mais pour le reste on a l’impression que c’est une situation banale… Et quand le père de Zara est confronté à ce qu’il fait, je trouve qu’il n’y a aucune répercussion. D’ailleurs sa réaction face à certaines actions de sa fille est absolument inadmissible et je n’ai pas aimé ce personnage. On a beau avoir tenté de lui donner un background touchant pour moi cela n’excuse en rien ce qu’il fait subir à Zara…
J’ai également eu un problème avec la thématique du harcèlement et de Merritt qui est un thème central depuis le premier tome. Merritt a des propos et un comportement inadmissible depuis le début et pourtant je n’ai pas l’impression qu’elle fasse face aux conséquences de ses actions. Il reste un tome centré sur Zara et ses amies où j’espère qu’il lui arrivera quelque chose sinon cela renvoie pour moi le message que le harcèlement et la grossophobie ne sont pas si grave et que l’on peut s’en sortir sans trop de problèmes…
Pour ce qui est des personnages. J’ai plutôt apprécié Zara qui veut tout faire pour sortir de sa prison dorée et qui a un regard assez ouvert sur sa situation, comprenant très bien qu’elle vient d’un milieu extrêmement privilégié. Elle ne juge d’ailleurs pas du tout Ronan et sa situation personnelle qui est à l’opposé de celle de Zara. Zara est aussi une amie attentive et protectrice, un point que j’ai beaucoup aimé.
Concernant Ronan c’est un personnage intéressant avec un background difficile mais qui se bat pour s’en sortir du mieux qu’il peut. Il est extrêmement loyal et ne supporte pas le mensonge. Il est très protecteur et adorable avec Zara. Par contre, pour le coup je trouve qu’on ne le voit que très peu alors que c’est l’un des protagonistes, et tout comme pour Zara, ce qu’il subit reste totalement impuni et sans conséquences ce que je trouve absolument anormal.
Enfin pour ce qui est de la trame elle est intéressante avec du potentiel et c’est un plaisir de retrouver les amies de Zara et voir ce qu’elles deviennnent, malgré tout les choses ne vont pas jusqu’au bout et c’est vraiment dommage. J’ai donc refermé ce roman avec un sentiment d’injustice plutôt qu’autre chose et c’est ce qui m’a déçu…
J’ai quand même envie de lire l’histoire de Callie, la dernière du groupe d’amie dont on n’a pas encore suivie les déboires et je pense que j’aurai moins de mal avec cette histoire puiqsu’on part sur un trope best friends to lovers, un trope que j’adore en général donc j’ai hâte de voir ce que ça donne. J’espère retrouver l’atmosphère des premiers tomes avec le côté body positive très fort ainsi que l’emporwement qu’il y avait car c’est ce qui m’avait vraiment plu dans cette série.
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J’aime beaucoup cette série que j’ai découvert un peu par hasard qui est très body positive et aborde pas mal de thèmes différents, importants et actuels. J’avais hâte de découvrir l’histoire de Zara un personnage qui a beaucoup de caractère et qui a des choses à dire. Zara vit seule avec son père depuis la mort de sa mère et selon leur culture, Zara doit avoir un mariage arrangé pour son père, ce qui apporte souvent des bénéfices à la famille. Zara s’est toujours plus ou moins pliée aux règles imposées par son père, mais depuis qu’elle a vu ses amies tombées amoureuse et former des couples sérieux, elle a envie d’avoir la même chose. Seulement elle est actuellement en couple avec Ryde Alexander, l’étoile montante d’Hollywood avec qui elle est censée se marier. Mais Ryde est imbuvable et centré sur lui-même et il se trouve être le frère de Meritt, la fille qui harcèle Zara et ses amies sur leurs poides depuis des années. Zara veut fuir tout ça et ce mariage dont elle ne veut pas. Elle aimerait également sortir de son cocon protégée et très privilégié, ce dont elle a conscience. Alors quand elle fait la connaissance de Ronan, un garçon aux allures de Bad Boy qui vit la vie comme il l’entend et se moque des conventions elle est fortement attirée par lui. Une relation forte se crée entre eux mais Zara n’est pas complètement honnête avec Ronan. Car elle sait au fond d’elle qu’elle n’a peut-être pas tant le choix que ça dans sa vie peu importe les illusions qu’elle se crée…
Je dois dire que j’ai eu du mal avec ce tome. Non pas à cause de l’histoire et des personnages qui sont intéressants mais à cause des thématiques abordées et des situations que cela crée. Je sais que le mariage arrangée est une pratique culturelle dans de nombreux pays mais ce qui me pose vraiment problème ici c’est que Zara est mineure et qu’elle fréquente depuis ses quinze ans des hommes choisis par son père qui sont beaucoup plus vieux qu’elle et je trouve cela extrêmement problématique de dépeindre des relations entre une mineure et un majeur dans une romance à destination d’un public adolescent. D’autant plus que ces relations sont forcées, ce qui pour moi est d’autant plus grave. Et cela n’est jamais vraiment soulevé comme étant un problème. Certes le fait que Zara n’ait pas son mot à dire concernant son mariage est pointé du doigt (et encore pas tant que ça et de façon assez soft à mon sens alors que c’est le coeur du problème de ce roman) mais pour le reste on a l’impression que c’est une situation banale… Et quand le père de Zara est confronté à ce qu’il fait, je trouve qu’il n’y a aucune répercussion. D’ailleurs sa réaction face à certaines actions de sa fille est absolument inadmissible et je n’ai pas aimé ce personnage. On a beau avoir tenté de lui donner un background touchant pour moi cela n’excuse en rien ce qu’il fait subir à Zara…
J’ai également eu un problème avec la thématique du harcèlement et de Merritt qui est un thème central depuis le premier tome. Merritt a des propos et un comportement inadmissible depuis le début et pourtant je n’ai pas l’impression qu’elle fasse face aux conséquences de ses actions. Il reste un tome centré sur Zara et ses amies où j’espère qu’il lui arrivera quelque chose sinon cela renvoie pour moi le message que le harcèlement et la grossophobie ne sont pas si grave et que l’on peut s’en sortir sans trop de problèmes…
Pour ce qui est des personnages. J’ai plutôt apprécié Zara qui veut tout faire pour sortir de sa prison dorée et qui a un regard assez ouvert sur sa situation, comprenant très bien qu’elle vient d’un milieu extrêmement privilégié. Elle ne juge d’ailleurs pas du tout Ronan et sa situation personnelle qui est à l’opposé de celle de Zara. Zara est aussi une amie attentive et protectrice, un point que j’ai beaucoup aimé.
Concernant Ronan c’est un personnage intéressant avec un background difficile mais qui se bat pour s’en sortir du mieux qu’il peut. Il est extrêmement loyal et ne supporte pas le mensonge. Il est très protecteur et adorable avec Zara. Par contre, pour le coup je trouve qu’on ne le voit que très peu alors que c’est l’un des protagonistes, et tout comme pour Zara, ce qu’il subit reste totalement impuni et sans conséquences ce que je trouve absolument anormal.
Enfin pour ce qui est de la trame elle est intéressante avec du potentiel et c’est un plaisir de retrouver les amies de Zara et voir ce qu’elles deviennnent, malgré tout les choses ne vont pas jusqu’au bout et c’est vraiment dommage. J’ai donc refermé ce roman avec un sentiment d’injustice plutôt qu’autre chose et c’est ce qui m’a déçu…
J’ai quand même envie de lire l’histoire de Callie, la dernière du groupe d’amie dont on n’a pas encore suivie les déboires et je pense que j’aurai moins de mal avec cette histoire puiqsu’on part sur un trope best friends to lovers, un trope que j’adore en général donc j’ai hâte de voir ce que ça donne. J’espère retrouver l’atmosphère des premiers tomes avec le côté body positive très fort ainsi que l’emporwement qu’il y avait car c’est ce qui m’avait vraiment plu dans cette série.
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February 8, 2025
Book 4. Zara’s father forces his 17 year old daughter to date a 20 year old man as a precursor to their arranged marriage. This is after we see her forced to date other men in the other girls’ books, and I do mean ‘men’. Eugh. One of them was 30. EUGH.
Zara and Ryde have public dates minimum once a week to make sure they are seen; as apparently it’s a good business opportunity for Zara’s dad for his underage daughter to be seen dating a famous actor. No no no. Zara’s dad treats her like a possession to barter away to get further in his career, framing it as their Indian culture, but frankly the way that it’s done to her is disgusting. A thirty year old man????? NO. Of the men Zara is paired with, she describes as things like old, boring, ugly, bald, full of themselves. Does her father have no concept of a suitable match? No wonder she goes running for the “bad boy” and his motorcycle. I’m genuinely disgusted by Zara’s father as the explanation of his actions makes zero sense. Plus, she immediately forgives him. That’s not on.
Furthermore, I hate that Zara has no ambition or semblance of a personality. Her whole character revolves around the arranged marriage. She literally has no interests and is so boring and vanilla (hypocrite who constantly calls Ryde vanilla) that the only reason I knew whose book it was, was because of the arranged marriage. The only thing I liked about Zara was that she wasn’t constantly slipping in fat comments in her monologues like the previous three did.
Also hated that Zara and *love interest* (I have literally already forgotten his name) had sex. I thought this was supposed to resemble empowering literature for young women, so the main character does the do with a guy she met like a week ago with no protection and no consequences???? Yeah, great role model… Like I can ignore the terrible writing and manufactured romances and plot lines to a certain degree when the message of the story is something I agree with. The book where Zara is completely nothing until a boy comes along and then her whole existence revolves around said boy is one of the worst undertones I’ve spotted in a novel.
I’m stopping the series here because my library has run out of the books; it’s almost a shame though, as I think the only plausible relationship is Callie and Carson as they have known each other for longer than a week. Apparently the series keeps going too so it seems like there are more additions to the Curvy Girls Club when the OGs are away at college.
Zara and Ryde have public dates minimum once a week to make sure they are seen; as apparently it’s a good business opportunity for Zara’s dad for his underage daughter to be seen dating a famous actor. No no no. Zara’s dad treats her like a possession to barter away to get further in his career, framing it as their Indian culture, but frankly the way that it’s done to her is disgusting. A thirty year old man????? NO. Of the men Zara is paired with, she describes as things like old, boring, ugly, bald, full of themselves. Does her father have no concept of a suitable match? No wonder she goes running for the “bad boy” and his motorcycle. I’m genuinely disgusted by Zara’s father as the explanation of his actions makes zero sense. Plus, she immediately forgives him. That’s not on.
Furthermore, I hate that Zara has no ambition or semblance of a personality. Her whole character revolves around the arranged marriage. She literally has no interests and is so boring and vanilla (hypocrite who constantly calls Ryde vanilla) that the only reason I knew whose book it was, was because of the arranged marriage. The only thing I liked about Zara was that she wasn’t constantly slipping in fat comments in her monologues like the previous three did.
Also hated that Zara and *love interest* (I have literally already forgotten his name) had sex. I thought this was supposed to resemble empowering literature for young women, so the main character does the do with a guy she met like a week ago with no protection and no consequences???? Yeah, great role model… Like I can ignore the terrible writing and manufactured romances and plot lines to a certain degree when the message of the story is something I agree with. The book where Zara is completely nothing until a boy comes along and then her whole existence revolves around said boy is one of the worst undertones I’ve spotted in a novel.
I’m stopping the series here because my library has run out of the books; it’s almost a shame though, as I think the only plausible relationship is Callie and Carson as they have known each other for longer than a week. Apparently the series keeps going too so it seems like there are more additions to the Curvy Girls Club when the OGs are away at college.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2021
This book made me fall in love, tore me apart, frustrated me, made me swoon, and, by the end, fixed everything. Ahh.
I didn't like Ryde much at all. (My phone tried to autocorrect his name to Rude. It knows.) Then again, I mean, it's not as if he was a character you were meant to like. I still don't like Merritt, but I feel like she kind of took it down a notch here. I mean, with Curvy Girls Can't Date Quarterbacks, well, she was just horrendous. As much as I loved that book, by the end, I'd had QUITE enough of her. But she's not that present much, anyways, so maybe that's why she's more bearable. And she actually showed emotion, wow. Moving on.
I really liked Zara. I wanted to be her friend and drink tea with her, hang out with Beth, play dress-up in her closet, and hug her at many points. I like how each girl in the club has a distinct and realistic personality. And, though their weight/body shape can sometimes be points of insecurity, and an aspect generally (the books wouldn't have their titles without it), it's not all-consuming. There's so many working parts to them. They feel so genuine.
I loved Ronan. I mean, what wasn't there to love? A guy with a tough exterior that's really a motorcycle-riding softie through and through that loves poetry... <3
Zara's dad, through most of the book, was passable at best. As bearable as a "guy who wants his daughter to marry some obnoxious rich dude that is older than her as soon as she turns 18 because, um, tradition!!!!!!!* can be. But, I appreciated that he understood his faults by the end and expressed true love and respect for his daughter. Really trying to learn to be the best dad possible. That was sweet.
The media's hounding of Zara was, of course, frustrating at times, however I did find it at least interesting to read. Nothing like anything I've read before.
Overall, I really liked this! :D
I didn't like Ryde much at all. (My phone tried to autocorrect his name to Rude. It knows.) Then again, I mean, it's not as if he was a character you were meant to like. I still don't like Merritt, but I feel like she kind of took it down a notch here. I mean, with Curvy Girls Can't Date Quarterbacks, well, she was just horrendous. As much as I loved that book, by the end, I'd had QUITE enough of her. But she's not that present much, anyways, so maybe that's why she's more bearable. And she actually showed emotion, wow. Moving on.
I really liked Zara. I wanted to be her friend and drink tea with her, hang out with Beth, play dress-up in her closet, and hug her at many points. I like how each girl in the club has a distinct and realistic personality. And, though their weight/body shape can sometimes be points of insecurity, and an aspect generally (the books wouldn't have their titles without it), it's not all-consuming. There's so many working parts to them. They feel so genuine.
I loved Ronan. I mean, what wasn't there to love? A guy with a tough exterior that's really a motorcycle-riding softie through and through that loves poetry... <3
Zara's dad, through most of the book, was passable at best. As bearable as a "guy who wants his daughter to marry some obnoxious rich dude that is older than her as soon as she turns 18 because, um, tradition!!!!!!!* can be. But, I appreciated that he understood his faults by the end and expressed true love and respect for his daughter. Really trying to learn to be the best dad possible. That was sweet.
The media's hounding of Zara was, of course, frustrating at times, however I did find it at least interesting to read. Nothing like anything I've read before.
Overall, I really liked this! :D
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