One to Watch

A Novel

By: Kate Stayman-London

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Real love . . . as seen on TV. A plus-size bachelorette brings a fresh look to a reality show in this razor-sharp, “divinely witty” (Entertainment Weekly) debut.

“Effortlessly fun and clever . . . I found the tension impeccable . . . and that made my reading experience incredibly propulsive. Read it in a day and a half.”—Emily Henry, #1 bestselling author of Beach Read and The People We Meet on Vacation

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time • NPR • Marie Claire • Mashable

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.

©2020 Kate Stayman-London (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Thoroughly charming”—Hillary Clinton

“[E]ffortlessly fun and clever . . . I found the tension impeccable . . . and that made my reading experience incredibly propulsive. Read it in a day and a half.”—Emily Henry, #1 bestselling author of Beach Read and People We Meet on Vacation

“One to Watch is a fundamentally entertaining and uplifting book. . . . A powerful imagining of how reality TV could look . . . Stayman-London dismantles stubborn and destructive ideas about plus-size women: Namely, that they can’t be fashionable, popular, or successful. [Bea is] complex in a way that fictional plus-size characters often aren’t. . . . As the title makes clear, One to Watch is a book to watch.”—O: The Oprah Magazine

Thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish

Kristen Sieh— I give you a standing ovation! Wonderful narration, truly. This was a delightful story matched perfectly with superb narration. I’ve returned several audibles due to distracting narrators, but this was a one woman show worth listening to. This audible made me into those crazy people who start talking to the screen at movie theaters— just that good. Kate Stayman-London— you take your reader/listener on a vivid rollercoaster ride of fun. I smiled the whole book through. Thank you both!

Take a chance, you’ll not regret it. Great book.

So cute. Great story

Outside of my norm. I prefer murder, thrillers, crime but it’s just the right amount of romance and was such a fun book

Love this story

Although I am not a reality TV fan, this story had me sucked in from the beginning. Well done.

happy Happy

what is the "perfect " couple...
This story was great and covered all sorts of things

Great book

Absolutely loved it! Couldn't stop listening to it. Full of twists and turns with the best end.

Possibly my new favorite book

My friend who recommended this book will be recommending all my books from now on. Definitely hit a home run with this one!

omg

the narrator killed it with the voices. she was amazing!!! the story itself was great. it was a light listen and it was funny and I definitely was rooting for that one person so glad!

Thank you from a plus sized woman

This book is literally the book I wanted to read when I was in my twenties (and I’m nearly 50). I’m so excited that my daughters be might not have to grow up with the same stigma, self-loathing, and societal shame I did. Thank you for this book.

Loved This Book

I really enjoyed this book: the format, Bea’s journey, the twists/turns of the show and the... realness of the comments/perceptions. In addition to the various forms of diversity.
I gasped out loud at many parts, had to stop reading at others because I just couldn’t believe it… But couldn’t resist going back.
Definitely recommend

Great narrator

I loved this story for its examination of every possible point of view there is regarding the female body. At times I did wish the main character wasn't so stuck in her own head but overall this was such a delightful book made even more delicious by the exquisite narration. I'm hooked on Kristen Sieh and will be listening to as many more of her narrations as possible!