B as in Beauty

by Alberto Ferreras

Everyone in the world, it seems, is either prettier or thinner (or both) than Beauty Marie Zavala. And the only thing "B" resents more than her name is the way others judge her for the extra 40 pounds she can't lose. At least she has her career. Or did, until she overhears her boss criticizing her weight and devising a scheme to keep her from being promoted. Enter B's new tax accountant, a modern-day matchmaker determined to boost B's flagging self-esteem by introducing her to rich, successful men who will accept her for who she is. As B's confidence blossoms, so do her fantasies of revenge. But will B find true happiness or true disaster when she unwittingly falls for the one guy she shouldn't?

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Ebooks, Latinx, Adult Fiction

335 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2009

Reviews

[Alberto Ferreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.... but again.... I wrote it.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

B de Bella es un libro de esos en los que a medida que vas leyendo te vas sintiendo más y más identificada, no sé si tiene que ver que soy latina, no sé si es porque soy gordita o porque realmente sentí simpatía por la protagonista. Debo confesar que en un principio, al comenzar a leerlo, me sentí un poco insultada por como describía ser "gordita", pero ¡es totalmente cierto! La sociedad ha impuesto unos estándares muy altos casi dogmáticos, por no poderlos refutar, de que solo una persona "delgada" puede ser amada, querida, deseada, exitosa, triunfadora, entre otras cosas. Cuando es cuestión de actitud, como lo demuestra Bella en el libro, es un libro que toda mujer debería considerar leer, te recuerda que cada quien es hermoso a su manera. Su transformación fue como un renacer y quedé con ganas de saber más de ella. Definitivamente, mis respetos para Alberto Ferreras: de una historia tan sencilla sacó algo muy significativo y que dará valor a más de una. A lo mejor por ser tan emocional, como cualquier latino, es que me ha llegado tanto, pero podría leerlo muchas veces más. Está claro que es una lectura sencilla, sin mucha complicación.

[Journeywoman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was wonderful.

It's so unusual that a "chick-lit" story can put a smile on my face--instead of making me want to heave. B is a real woman, similar to the one I see in my mirror. Usually when you have a man writing a "woman's" book the tendency is to be patronizing. There was none of that here. This was a lovely read.

[J. Gonzalez- Blitz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Umm, so, let's see, a friend loaned this to me because the lead character is a Cuban girl in NYC. OK,but I think our similarities don't go much beyond an appreciation for malta and La Lupe, sorry. "B" is an overweight young woman who is unhappy with herself, her body, and her career, which is at a standstill due in part to the machinations of her prerequisite shrewish boss, who conspires to keep her from a promotion because of her weight. While studies have shown that weight-based discrimination does exist in the corporate world, every other incident meant to illustrate the unhappy state of her life reads like a cliched fat joke: her pants rip when she bends over, the alarm sounds when she gets on an elevator because she puts it over weight capacity, the last guy she had a romantic encounter with threw up when she got naked(ok, he was wasted, but still) and the current guy who starts a conversation with her at happy hour is only hoping she'll introduce him to her more slender and glamorous friend.Have we all gotten the point that she's "THE FAT GIRL" yet?
Enter a Russian madame who despite running a successful escort service, works at H&R Block for kicks. She specializes in a clientele with a preference for large women, and sees a gold mine in B. She convinces B to give being an escort a try, that there are lots of men out there who find women like her beautiful, so beautiful that they'll shell out outrageous scads of money for her to spend a few hours a night indulging their various fetishes involving plus-sized women.(in keeping with the cute, breezy tone of the book, no actual sex is expected of B, not even so much as a "happy ending".)One guy wants to play dress up with her in an abandoned warehouse, another wants her and two other women to sit on him and engage in "girl talk" while reading old movie star magazines. Goofy shit like that. Johns who want to beat the shit out of their prostitutes, or who ask intrusive questions about childhood molestation, or feel entitled to put them through a plethora of other degrading acts simply because they plunked down money don't exist in this world, no matter how many people I've heard recount encounters like this in reality. Instead, we're presented with sweet-natured johns who are simply painfully shy and quirky. That's all.
Oh, but I forgot, since being in the life is "empowering" now or something, B's confidence skyrockets through all this. She now loves herself and her body and ends up happily falling in love with one of the johns like "Pretty Woman" before her. Needless to say he's an extremely successful photographer with a fabulous penthouse because it's not really a fairy tale ending unless she marries up, right? Hooray for the positive size-acceptance narrative.
Except it's not really positive if you think about it. B's self-confidence stems not from an inner acceptance of herself, but from the fact that Madame has introduced her to men who find her desirable. And while wanting to be viewed as desirable is understandable and natural, I still question why it has to be within the dynamic of call girl and john? If the men like bigger women, why don't they just pursue bigger women as legitimate dates or girlfriends, rather than buying them for clandestine meetings in warehouses or what have you? It almost seems like the johns are still ashamed of their preferences. It also seems like they see her size as a weird kink than admiring it as part of her totality as a being. I'm not really involved in the size acceptance movement, so maybe there's another way of looking at it that I'm missing.But to me this isn't respect, sorry.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I really enjoyed meeting the author. He’s quite a character. His insights into the book gave me a greater appreciation.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!!! I read most of it in one sitting, just couldn't put it down.
As with some of the other reviews have said, I forgot the author was a guy because I could relate to her in so many ways (spot on with that whole corporate thing, by the way). I thought her character was so authentic because, we talk the same way...does that mean I sound like a guy? Meh, it's not the first time I've heard it, and I'll take that over a whiney chick anytime!
Yes, most women have issues with their bodies, and there are some that are happy with themselves now , but I don't know one that thinks they're always been perfect. The way she describes her body and how she gets over the "flaws" and starts embracing her size sounds just how a woman would come to that understanding (in my opinion).
B is a smart woman, so she's painfully aware of WHY she's stuck in her hum-drum life, and it makes you feel more for her. I liked B, I liked her co-workers, her new friends, I liked it all. I was cheering for B all the way!!! =)
It's not preachy, but you do come away with some good lessons, and hopefully it'll help not only your self-image, but also how you treat others. Since the first paragraph I've been recommending this book =)

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately knew I wanted to read this book when I watched the adorable trailer. Not only that hooked me, but also the name of the book, the cover - the fact that it was written from a female perspective, by a man! B, the main character is bursting with personality, humor and dignity. The storyline has that lovable kitsch factor. It summoned memories of the French film, Amélie. I had no idea what kind of journey the chapters would lead me to, but I excitedly followed along because of the fast, entertaining pacing. 3/4ths in, it really sunk in that this plot was so well-crafted and thought out to foster self-empowerment, not only in the chracters but the reader as well. I love the positive perspectives of how to handle negative people regarding revenge (!!!), the message of love, the message of not judging others. all of it. I felt like a total geek when I reached the end because I was alone in my hotel room (for work), and I literally clapped my hands when it was over, just like when you see a great movie. I have to say, this goes down as one of my all-time favorite books! Alberto Ferreras is a wonderful storyteller!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡OH MI DIOS! Que libro mas ideal, siento que no lo olvidare nunca, podría leerlo muchas veces y seguir queriéndolo, realmente siento que lo leeré mucha veces hasta que me aprenda cada parte. ¡Así es como deberíamos sentirnos todas! nada de perfección y presiones por ser lo que los demás desean de nosotros, solo ser seguras de nosotras, Quisiera volverme tan segura como lo hizo Bella.
Este libro lo recomendaría miles de veces, a todo el mundo, quiero ir ahora mismo y darle un gran abrazo y beso a este escritor. Sigo sorprendida... En todo este libro fue increíble, comedia, tristeza, romance y hasta ayuda ¡otro para mi lista de favoritos!.
concluiré con esta parte que me encanto (que quede claro ame TODO el libro):
Cada vez que oigo a un idiota en el gimnasio que dice que hay que "sufrir para ser bella" me dan ganas de darle un puntapié. ¿de que sirve ser bella si vives en la miseria y el sufrimiento? ser bella es mucho mas fácil de lo que creemos. Lo único que tienes que hacer es aprender a verte a través de los ojos de la gente que te quiere

[Bobbie Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

B as in Beauty
Written By: Alberto Ferreras
Published By: Grand Central Publishing a division of Hachette Book Group, 2009, First Edition, 352 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-0446697897

B as in Beauty is an unforgettable, touching story of one woman’s journey to find herself. I was quickly reeled into the story and I did not want to put the book down. This smoothly flowing novel has a refreshingly unique plot; it will take you on Beauty’s wild ride of self discovery, mild fetishism and self-empowerment. Though complex and extremely talented, Beauty also struggles with insecurities and a poor self image. More then anything, she wants to succeed in her job and receive the recognition that she deserves. Then one day, everything changes! Beauty’s life goes from...


**Please follow the link to read the whole review:
http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress....

[Andi S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Muy buen libro, creo que me ha enseñado más cosas de las que imaginaba. No puedo explicarlo, pero de alguna forma de sentí identificada con B, en especial con la parte del autoestima y en el sentido en que no se cree merecedora de la ‘felicidad’ es como si de alguna forma el autor a través de la protagonista estuviera comprendiendo muchos de los pensamientos que suelen rondar mi cabeza. Eso sí, odiaba las muchas veces que divagaba página tras página. Sin embargo, fue una historia que realmente disfruté. Sencilla, realista y con un toque de humor, ‘B de Bella’ es de ese tipo de historias que terminan dándote más de lo esperado.



Ser bella es mucho más fácil de lo que creemos. Lo único que tienes que hacer es aprender a verte a través de los ojos de la gente que te quiere....

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical fat girl narrative elements: self-deprecating, self-pitying, doormat female lead (named Beauty)
Typical romantic comedy elements: corporate job with a horrible boss in New York City with a best friend female confidant
Everything ultimately leads up to Beauty becoming a more assertive, confident and self-assured person with a rockin' boyfriend and a dream job.

Yet there are a couple of original things here:
-Beauty is Cuban-American (although this is only discussed occasionally in passing)
-Beauty's road to self-actualization is through being a "comfort giver"--as in a call girl without the sex. Haven't seen that in traditional chick lit. Ha!

Overall, not a bad read. Entertaining with a first person narrative by a woman that isn't afraid to swear. Nice.

[Linny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to think about this book. It is written in the first person, but from a woman's body and a man's viewpoint. I could swear that a man is saying all these things in man language and how a man would think a woman would think. It certainly is not from what I would consider the feminine view. I am trying to overlook this, since I know the author is male, but it is really hard for me to get around.

Addendum: I am sort of stalled on this book. I am really having problems with the viewpoint. I just can't imagine a woman talking like this. I am still going to try to finish reading the book, but it may take quite a while to get it done.

[Cassandra Carico · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous. There are so many good lessons for life in this one little volume!

I picked this book up not knowing anything about it, only that a couple of friends had read it and given it rave reviews. Now I know why they said so little about it; they did not want to ruin the many surprises held within, and neither do I. All I am going to say is that I loved this book, and wish I had an Aunt like Natasha....

[ayaaa__ · Rating 4 out of 5]

¡Me encanta! No tengo palabras para describir este libro, la forma de ser de B al principio me disgustaba ya que era muy mala consigo misma, el final me sorprendió gracias todo solo por ¡PAGAR LA RENTA!
Y conocer a la Madame, una mujer muy peculiar, y el final no te lo esperas. Sin duda le doy mis 4 estrellas 🌟 que se las merece. Esto me ha ayudado ya que al escoger el libro no me imaginaba lo que habría dentro de esas páginas! 😊

[Kellie (CurtisandKellie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book and journey! B is an incredible character and as a plus size girl myself, I understand where she is coming from. I loved the little surprise in there, not what I was expecting from this book at all. A very good book that I would definitely recommend to anyone.

[Aura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. I'm usually not into chick lit, but this was definitely an exception. The main character was funny, relatable, and her story was very moving. My only complaint was that it was predictable at times.

[Becky S · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a inspiring, enjoyable read that spoke out loud to me from every single page. I love the character and the story. I highly recommend this if you are a woman who has ever thought less of herself because of a flaw in her body...and who hasn't?

[Nailibeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Tengo un nuevo libro favorito! No soy muy buena con las palabras pero sólo quiero decir que AMÉ este libro y lo recomendaría 1000 veces. Es muy admirable el trabajo del señor Alberto Ferreras. Bella es una inspiración para mi.

[Aliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can get over the main character turning to a Madame to find the self-esteem she never had, then you will be in for a treat. The character, B is deliciously funny, witty and proudly Cuban.

[Margaret]

Fun, fast reading with a great underlying message: Love yourself as you are. Very enjoyable

[MJ Donson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!!! Loved it

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

B de Bella parece la típica novela chick-lit, cuya principal diferencia radica en la talla que usa la protagonista. Un envoltorio bonito con los mismos mensajes de siempre sobre la autoestima, el amor y la amistad. Y lo es, pero además es una lectura dinámica que no deja indiferente. Y, nunca está de más que te recuerden los mensajes de auto-aceptación, respeto y amor a una mismo, sobre todo en el mundo en que vivimos.

Alberto Ferreras es un guionista y eso se nota. Proporciona muchísima información del entorno y las acciones de los personajes. Su manera de escribir es bastante simple, con unas descripciones a veces muy minuciosas, otras superficiales y bastante parco en diálogos. Pero su fallo principal es que tiene la impulsiva necesidad de meter datos, recuerdos o anotaciones innecesarios, al principio de cada capítulo, para poder desarrollar lo que dice después. Que haga eso un par de veces no me molesta. Que lo haga todo el libro me irritó profundamente.
Los personajes son bastante planos y vacíos. Aparte de Bella, el resto tienen nombre por tener algo. Y solo algunos privilegiados tienen, además, un breve descripción física y psicológica. De la protagonista tampoco sabemos mucho, más allá de sus complejos y de su actitud ante la vida. Poco podemos sacar en claro de todos ellos.

La historia es, quizás, el mayor punto flaco de la novela. Lo digo por que, resulta bastante tópica y previsible. A saber, pobre chica acomplejada por su peso, con una vida de mierda, de repente conoce a alguien que le dice que vale mucho y su vida cambia. Y esto es, en líneas generales, la trama de B de Bella. Evidentemente hay algo más, pero no es lo suficientemente bueno como marcar la diferencia. Y el desenlace es lo mejor. Vamos que ni te lo esperas (sarcasmo Off)

En suma, B de Bella resulta una lectura fresca, dinámica y con ritmo que alegra y entretiene, pero que no muestra una perspectiva real de los problemas de la gente gorda, además de adolecer del fantástico "happy ending" típico de la comedia romántica hollywoodiense.

[Sharmila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because the typical tagline for people to love themselves is 'love the person you see in the mirror - flaws and all'

Hey it's great if you can do that, but most of us feel beautiful if someone else validates that feeling for us. I love how this book addressed that point. And also at the same time it made us realise 'what other people think of you is none of your business.

Hard to believe (in a good way 😊) a man wrote this book.

[Laura Coll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una lectura ligera, sin grandes aspiraciones, que cuenta con unos personajes interesantes y con muchos consejos sobre aceptarte a ti mismo. Eso sí, ciertas partes pecan de idealistas y poco creíbles, pero eso sí, cumple a la perfección su función de entretener.

Reseña completa: http://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot....

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I found the book confusing and frustrating because the character spewed every random thought in her brain. However, after a few chapters, the character focused more. I was entertained and I enjoyed going through the journey with the main character. Doesn't mean I agree with all the characters choices but overall I was amused with the twist and turns of the book.

[Karisa_Rahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me entretuvo bastante, me divertí leyéndola, me enterneció, me hizo reflexionar y me sentí identificada en algunos aspectos, no es la mejor historia, pero la disfrute bastante y no me lo esperaba por que comúnmente la lectura contemporánea no es lo mio.

[Nesby González · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encanto como esta historia se paso por el forro todos los cliches y sobre todo como me hizo sentir y empodrarme con sus palabras.

[Louiza Patsis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book about fast-paced life, body image for women, work, relationships, sex, and love

[Khanyisile Khoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most beautiful novel , it was the best I ever read 🔥

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and easy read