One to Watch
by Kate Stayman-Londo
narrated by Kristen Sieh
Published: 2020
Publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Paperback: 432
Rating: 5
Chick-lit | Goodreads | Website
First sentence(s):
The flea market at Clignancourt was at the far northern edge of the city, a few blocks past the final stop on the number 4 Métro, where the Parisian architecture are more simple, more—mundane a reminder that not all of the city was steeped in centuries of history and romance.
Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers—and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television?
Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition—under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She’s in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That’s it.
But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She’s in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale. In this joyful, wickedly observant debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men—and herself—for a chance to live happily ever after.
My two-bits:
Loved the behind-the-scenes of a reality tv show. The twist of having a plus-size contestant made this one intriguing.
Romance, beauty standards and following your heart made this a fun read.
* Listened to audiobook version.
* part of Summertime time (schedule)
