Fat

Labels, Book 1

By: Sara Wylde

Narrated by: Hollie Jackson

"You're pretty, for a fat girl."

That's nothing Claire Howard hasn't heard before, and there's part of her that doesn't care, that thinks it's okay to love herself just the way she is. Then there's that other voice in her head, the one that plays on a constant loop that gets louder whenever people scrutinize her dinner order, snicker when she needs a belt extender on a plane, and outright laugh when they see her with her the kind of man they don't think fat girls deserve. It reminds her that existing while fat is the worst thing in the world. It's worse than being ignorant, bigoted or cruel-at least according to society's standards. Even when she has the attentions of two men who are the embodiment of fantasy.

But it's not their love that matters, it's her own. Fat is a brand that's been seared into every aspect of her life-even her heart. Can Claire love herself enough to reach past the labels for her own happiness?

©2014 Saranna DeWylde (P)2014 Saranna DeWylde

Nice new adult romance

There are a lot of things about this book to like: the narration is well executed, the story is interesting, and the characters are sympathetic and interesting. It's also sexy and fun, which doesn't hurt.

Claire is a beautiful young woman who is fat, which I loved. Unlike many 'plus size' heroines who are a size 14, she's truly fat at a size 26. That right there was enough to catch my attention! I've been a very large plus size woman all of my life, and finding a really big heroine is nearly impossible. So, I liked this aspect of the book. I also like the use of the word 'fat'. (Words are just words, and they only hurt if you let them hurt. I AM fat, it describes me, and I don't take it personally unless it's intended as a slur. I have learned to own it, and Claire seems to have as well.) There are many positive messages about female body types in this story, and that's nice, too.

Claire stays healthy, but her weight is what it is, so she's decided to create a line of clothing for plus size women. She has a male roommate who is a stripper, and through him has become acquainted with several others. She's in love with her roomie, but he encourages her to date another of his dancer friends who has been asking her out for a long time. She decides to accept a date with him, and ends up liking the other guy quite a bit. But, the roomie gets jealous and thereby hangs the tale!

The three of them get caught up in some drama, but while all of that is happening Claire begins to seriously question what she really wants out of life. Does her identity need to be defined through the man in her life, or can she just love herself and be fulfilled? She reevaluates some childhood issues, looks hard at current friendships and relationships, thinks about her future, and makes some hard choices.

There's a lot of inner dialogue in this book, but I didn't find it boring. Claire is remarkably intelligent, and not histrionic at all. She examines the developments in her life with a clear focus, and she won't let herself be railroaded. I found myself liking her a great deal, and I wish I'd had her fortitude 35 years ago!

This was a very enjoyable story, and I especially recommend it to women with body image issues. While it's not in the least preachy, there are some valuable lessons to be learned from Claire's journey, and there's lots of sexy fun for the reader along the way.

one of the best books I've read in a long time

the realness of the characters in this book just touched me. The writer really tapped into the labels that people are trapped in today and how those labels can eat away at a person this book was wonderful

Beautiful insightful

The story line really nails the insecurities that not only us fat women feel, but that most women feel. we are all worried about something until we aren't.

The 2 guys were simplistically drawn but they weren't really the focus of the story.

As always, Hollie's narration is fabulous.

Me sorprendió

Inicialmente pensé que era otra historia de romance fácil, chica enamorada de chico; chico secretamente enamorado de chica. Que equivocada estaba. Es una historia de autodescubrimiento, de reconocer las cosas buenas y las malas, de entender que, aveces, lo que uno desea no es lo que uno necesita, y del poder que concedemos a las etiquetas.

fantastjc!

perfectly written book! So relevant to real life and all the human insecurities and labels we slap on ourselves and others! Great for the soul! Hoping to enjoy more like this from Sara Wylde