One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London has so many elements I love to read about including a reality television show, inclusivity, and fashion blogging. The main character is so lovable, and each of the side characters are adequately developed as well. What I especially enjoyed was the use of social media posts which make the events of the book seem so much more real. This book was so much fun to read, and it is just as heartfelt as it is entertaining.
Title: One to WatchPublisher: The Dial Press
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Publication Date: July 7, 2020
Rating:
Real love...as seen on TV
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 anti-fat 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, razor-sharp debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men--and herself--for a chance to live happily ever after.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
This book follows Bea, a plus-size fashion blogger, as she stars in a reality dating show after writing a post about the show’s lack of diversity online. It is filled with drama, glamour, and cute dates in fun locations. I adored the reality television concept, and the book does a great job highlighting toxic beauty standards in this industry and challenging them. I found this one to be a very entertaining read that also has an inspiring message, which is just what I had been looking for.
❀ Fantastic and Well-Developed Characters
Bea is such a fantastic character, and the side characters are also well-developed. Bea has such a charming personality, and I loved watching her regain her confidence and see that she is worthy of love. She has a fantastic voice, and it was great to see her using her platform to advocate for inclusivity and body positivity. I also really enjoyed how each of the men competing for her love on the show have their own backstories and struggles. I got to know each of them as the story progressed, and this made the reality show seem more believable.
❀ Interesting Format
The way the book is written is one of my favourite aspects. Bea is a fashion blogger, and there are fantastic descriptions of her outfits that make it easy to believe she is actually a fashion blogger. The use of multi-media to tell the story further adds to the realism. We get to see Bea’s blog posts as well as podcast transcripts, articles, and other media, and this makes the story so immersive. Seeing other characters talk about the show makes it feel like it actually exists, and this is something I would love to see more of.
❀ Inspiring and Adorable
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-Londonis a book that is both inspiring and adorable. I loved the reality show aspect, and the main character is easy to root for. I also found the use of social media posts to be very effective, and this makes the events of the story believable. I would recommend this one to those interested in reality TV, or to those looking for a cute read.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
There need to be more pluz-size characters like in this book. Sounds amazing!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Blog Tour: Diamond in the Rough — Review + Giveaway (INTL)
I totally agree! 🙂
This book sounds awesome! I am definitely going to check it out. Great review!
I hope that you love it as well! 🙂
This book does sound really good — I do have one question for you, though. Are there a ton of clothing descriptions? I don’t know why, but sometimes that’s a turn off in a book for me.
I don’t think that there were an excessive amount of clothing descriptions. I can see how that would be a turn off, though. 🙂
That one seems a one of a kind! Great review 🙂
Absolutely! Thanks, Sophie! 🙂
It sounds like there are so many good messages in this story!
For sure! I really enjoyed it. 🙂
Ooh I love books that tell stories in different formats, like blog posts, etc. I also really love books about bloggers. This one sounds super fun! Glad you liked it!!
-Lauren
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Read A Book, Win A Prize (Summer Reading Challenges for All Ages)
It was so much fun! 🙂
I too love stories told in ways different from the norm.And this sounds like one that would be a good movie.
Laura Thomas recently posted…Witch Hunt by Cate Conte ~ Spotlight and Giveaway
I would love to see this one picked up and mad into a movie! 🙂
I’ve wanted to read this one for awhile! I absolutely love the idea of using a unique format to tell the story, too!
Christine @ Captivated Reading recently posted…Monday Reads [16]
I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did! 🙂
Good review, this books sounds really awesome!
I’m not a fan of reality show stories but this one sounds interesting!
have never read that book, but the cover is so inviting
One to Watch sounds like a great romance, thanks for sharing your review and have a spectacular week!
This book sounds like a wonderful read. Thanks for the great review!