Task 7: Read a fat-positive romance

[Elspeth]

Regan wrote: "I'm sort of struggling in this category. I tend to get bored and/or frustrated with romance plots as often as not, and I would really like to avoid anything that could be described as "steamy" whic..."

Last year I read Size 12 Is Not Fat and this year I read the sequel Size 14 Is Not Fat Either

The first one is more of a romance than the 2nd - the main character is living with her ex-fiance's brother, who she is interested in. The romance is secondary to the mystery in the book (she ends up coming across a dead body in both books), but her relationships are a big part of the books.

[superawesomekt]

Regan wrote: "I'm sort of struggling in this category. I tend to get bored and/or frustrated with romance plots as often as not, and I would really like to avoid anything that could be described as "steamy" whic..."

So, this one is an older novel and so may not be wholly fat-positive all of the time, but the main character is definitely described as stout (and not beautiful) and she's *awesome.* It's called A Civil Contract and is a Regency romance by Georgette Heyer, who never wrote sexual content into her books. It's a very interesting insight into mercenary marriages (wealthy merchants marrying into the no longer affluent aristocracy), resulting class conflicts / culture clash, and the realistic and pragmatic romance that marriage can offer which I found a refreshing change from the highly romantic / idealized / sexualized romances that we come to expect. I have read it and reread it and can recommend it! Georgette Heyer was a snob, but she was meticulous in her research and her historical fiction is top-notch.

[Le Book Rat]

Regan wrote: "I'm sort of struggling in this category. I tend to get bored and/or frustrated with romance plots as often as not, and I would really like to avoid anything that could be described as "steamy" whic..."
I read Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera some time ago. Juliet Takes a Breath has a bit of romance, but it is definitely not the main focus of the novel. Instead, it features themes of family, identity, and racism + privilege.

[Dana]

Elspeth wrote: "Regan wrote: "I'm sort of struggling in this category. I tend to get bored and/or frustrated with romance plots as often as not, and I would really like to avoid anything that could be described as..."

I'm reading the second book now but I feel like the main character does a lot of body shaming of herself and judging other people's appearance in general so I'm not sure it is very positive. I'm still enjoying it as a quick light read but I would like her to be more accepting of her weight.

[Mandie]

Lauconn wrote: "The follow up to When Dimple Met Rishi, There's Something About Sweetie fits this prompt and it's completely delightful!"

My reddit Book Santa got me a slew of books to do the prompts for this year's Read Harder and she sent me this one. I just finished it and it has to be one of the most wholesome and adorably fantastic books that I've ever read.

[Whitney]

I read Grin and Beard It by Penny Reid for this one. Sienna is a plus size Latina comedy actress (I kept picturing a Latina version of Amy Schumer based on her humour) who falls for the rugged Tennessee Park Ranger, Jethro, while on set.

I really liked how this book is not only fat positive, but it normalizes being fat. With the exception of one or two outside characters, the fact that she is plus sized is not front and center. Sienna acknowledges that she is plus size, that she loves her body and she's proud of her body. Jethro only ever refers to her body as sexy. There is no "I don't normally go for that type of girl" or "I probably shouldn't eat this doughnut" talk. It was refreshing.

[Sherri]

I read Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. 3 stars. It's a mystery,romance,chick Lit.

[Nimisha]

I read One to Watch, but the protagonist (I was supposed to watch for), hated herself. Now I am confused whether this book qualifies or not.

[Octavia]

I read Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade, basically because I know nothing about this category and it was the only Book Riot recommendation that the public library actually had, so it won by default. I'm glad it did, because I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the sequel!

[Azuki]

I just finished reading Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, it's a quick easy read, w a Latina protagonist.