Ms Beers has the knack of creating interesting plot and character which, while sticking to the romance formula, is never formulaic.

The Shape of You brings together a slightly grumpy personal trainer forced to take a class she doesn’t even agree with, bringing out her inherent prejudices, and a woman who has given up making her own decisions, to the point where her fiancé has booked her on a “Be Your Best Bride” fitness class. The overarching story arc follows the usual pattern, mutual dislike, attraction, will they won’t they and HEA, but the underlying themes are slightly different than usual.

Rebecca’s dislike for the class sets her up with an issue of professionalism, especially in the face of a woman who lets her fiancé tell her she needs to shape up, and she finds herself unusually biased against somebody who has given up managing her own life. Spencer isn’t even coasting along, she’s barely present in her own life, living what she thinks is expected of her, without even being conscious of the vacuity of her existence. Rebecca must overcome her issues and look beyond the surface of both the class and her students, while Spenser needs to wake up before she commits to something she isn’t even involved in.

And so Ms Beers brings us a complex set of characters, situations and personal decisions. One needs to face her preconceptions, one must face up to her abdication, and yet another needs to step up and acknowledge the truth of their situation. Some readers will dislike the infidelity, the lack of commitment to a relationship, a fiancé. But for me they reflect reality, a recognition that actually life is far more complex than the simple black and white we generally find in lesfic romances.

For me this is Ms Beers writing more mature characters and themes. As always she comes up with something slightly different, while producing excellently written personalities and plots, all polished with her usual style. IF the Puppy Love series was her light and fluffy, this is the complex grown up romance where people do things wrong, and lives don’t always work out.

As always, thank you NetGalley for the eARC. I know it has taken me awhile to finally read it but here I am with a review.

I usually go into books blind, or just completely forgot about the synopsis and that is exactly what happened to me with this book. I'm saying that it is a bad thing, it is always a good thing for me. I love going to into books blind and seeing it with fresh eyes. I personally enjoyed this book. It is far from ny usual reads because I usually don't read a lot of femalexfemale (or maybe because I seldom see any from other books).

At first I was disliking it because I really don't enjoy books with cheating but just like what I did with One Day in December, I pushed through and it was actually good. Cheating was there, yes but them getting together at the every end was not brought by cheating. It took them months to finally get together after the break up, which is good since they weren't hurting anyone with their happiness.

I also like the theme of staying healthy to avoid any sudden deaths or mishaps. Like you'll recover faster if you are fit and healthy compared if you weren't. That is such a good message and something that we should keep in mind.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Spencer is engaged to Marti but attracted to Rebecca. She is determined to save her relationship with Marti despite her feelings. Spencer and Rebecca are very likable characters. The storyline is pretty predictable, but that doesn’t keep it from being super sweet. This is not deep and meaningful, but it is an easy, feel good book.

I love Georgia Beers and she did not disappoint with this one. Though I read the book months ago, I am writing this after the Peloton Christmas add and I can't help but to compare Spencer's fiancee with the much-talked-about Peloton husband. Thankfully, Spencer met Rebecca and her life was altered for the better in more ways than one.

Just the book synopsis gives you a hint that it is going to touch a not-so-comfortable topic like infidelity, which I think the author handled very well, or as well as it could be handled in a romance novel I guess.

I really liked the story and the characters who felt like real people to me.

Another great book from Georgia Beers.

I usually love this author's books but I was pretty disappointed with this one, the story is generic, the characters are fade and hard to connect with.

I wasn't sure about the cheating storyline, but found myself pleasantly surprised with how it was handled.
If you're looking for a cute (but still steamy) f/f romance, definitely recommend giving this a go!

My personal shape isn’t the best, so I was initially hesitant in how I would respond to Georgia Beers The Shape of You, fearing an overly detailed explanation of exercise bike settings and yoga. Yet, within the first few pages I recognized that that was not going to be the case, as there are multiple references to fitness and a healthy life style but done with restraint so as not to offend those of us who may seldom, if ever, frequent a gym. This was coupled with an easy to follow writing style that gives a good picture of the surroundings as well as the characters throughout the book.

The story is told from the perspectives of Rebecca and Spencer, two characters that are likable and realistic. In some ways underachieving and laid back, Spencer is an excellent representation of those of us who have grown complacent in a relationship. Spencer’s behaviors are articulated in a rational way, not leaving the reader angry at her various life choices; she’s just a “meh” kind of person sometimes, which I think is great in being realistic. Rebecca shares the characteristics of being realistic as well, not as a “meh” person but as someone who has a wide range of emotions and tries to balance being health conscious with mindfulness that not everyone outside of the gym wants to hear about it.

There are some secondary characters that are developed quite well, which are then an excellent vehicle to show that the Spencer and Rebecca are mature women in their lives. My point being, both women have other things going on in their worlds and as women in their mid-30s, it would be unrealistic to think that they do not already have weekend plans, friends to hang out with, or family to be involved with at various times. Yet, there are some secondary characters that seem forced, with limited development, but still serve to provide the context of a world with non-romantic relationships and aspects of the everyday.

I absolutely liked this book, and it was nice in that it’s not entirely about sex romance. There is a resolution that I was not fully satisfied with, as it seemed to me a cop-out way to tie up some loose ends in the book, but, it worked enough so it didn’t tarnish my entire view of the story. The Shape of You was definitely a nice read that I didn’t feel compelled to finish in one sitting but that I enjoyed coming back to throughout the week.

My Kindle got wiped before I could finish it, but what I read in the first two chapters was excellent. Can't wait to track it down later.

As the book synopsis gives you a hint that it is going to touch a not-so-comfortable topic like infidelity, which I think the author handled very well, or as well as it could be handled in a romance novel I Suppose. the setting of the read. A fitness center where it is not so important to focus on losing weight but being healthy and feeling good about yourself. but how can you feel good about yourself when your husband to be is the one that signed you up for the class for brides to be?

Welcome to this book review !
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

OMG this was everything I’ve ever wanted an lgbt summer wedding romance. I’ve always loved wedding related romances, it’s one of my favourite things to encounter in books, there’s always drama and it usually always ends up well with your favourite character loving each other. This was no different, the romance was swoon worthy and the characters all felt so real. I loved every second of this read. While this was an however short read that left me with a lot of questions regarding their futures I loved the relationships, romantic and otherwise that were in the novel. If it had more “awwwn” moments it would’ve been perfect to me this was a solid 3.85/5 stars !!

I went in thinking that I would love this story and I definitely did! I loved the characters. Georgia Beers never disappoints and her stories are just delightful. I love the build up and I just can’t wait to read another one. She keeps me in love with love the whole time.

Cute. Good characterizations; happily no one was painted as an over-the-top, unbelievable monster. Everyone's humanity was preserved. This is exactly what I expected it to be - an enjoyable read about two girls that fall in love despite their circumstances.

Spencer doesn’t make decisions anymore. It’s easier and safer for her to let other people choose things for her. So she’s reluctant but compliant when her fiancée signs up for a “Be Your Best Bride” class at the gym.

Rebecca doesn’t want to lead the class; she cares about real fitness, not coaxing vapid image-obsessed women to go down a dress size. An additional irritant is the disturbingly passive Spencer, who seems to have no backbone at all.

Spencer’s scared of Rebecca, and Rebecca has little sympathy for Spencer. They meet only in a place that neither of them wants to be. It’s not the ideal start to romance, but feelings blossom nonetheless.

This is an atypical romance because one of the pair is in a relationship with someone else for most of the book. That’s not normally the way things are done, because it weakens the “one true love” aspect of the couple, and causes all sorts of messy problems with infidelity and so on. It’s not as easy to root for a protagonist who has betrayed somebody who, however much they aren’t right for her, deserves better treatment. Your moral scruples may be different, but I found it did slightly hamper my investment in the narrative.

Whether you view this separation from convention as a positive or not depends on what you’re looking for; The Shape of You isn’t really a fluffy read, but something more complex, without the edges smoothed off and everything packaged nicely for the Happily Ever After. Because of the timeframe of the book and Spencer’s arc, the focus is really more on the lead up to a relationship than the relationship itself; it’s one that will progress and deepen, but the book takes us to the start of that, not the end. It’s best to view The Shape of You as a book about a romance, rather than a romance in the general sense.

In keeping with being not-quite a romance, the narrative is not always fixed on the couple and their relationship. There’s a lot of back- and side-story explored her, giving the characters a better-rounded identity. We get to see their lives apart from each other, and how they relate to the world around them in more depth. They feel like real people going through something in the real world, and that’s a definite strength of the book.

In places, the author goes a little heavy on the subtext. I am all for subtext and metaphor being employed, but it can get a little much, and when subtext is laboured enough to become simple text then you lose the complexity in clumsiness. Any one of the metaphors would be fine on its own, but three symbolic links between Spencer’s inner life and outer world in a short space is a touch too much.

The Shape of You is best described as interesting more than fun. The characters are well-drawn and the situation is realistic and correspondingly messy. As an exploration of that, it’s quite compelling, but it’s not a passionate or feel-good love story. I enjoyed it, and was drawn in, but there wasn’t much of the emotional payoff that you want from a narrative, particularly a romance. Realism is just as valid an aim as escapism, but it does mean that the book simply ends more than climaxes. If you’re looking for a feel-good romance, this isn’t the one for you; if you want something quieter and more contemplative, it might meet your needs

Georgia Beers is a terrific storyteller and this book is a great example of how well she can write a lesfic romance. This story revolves around Marti a well-established lawyer who is engaged to Spencer. Without Spencer's knowledge Marti and rolls her in a class for brides wishing to Lose weight and look good in their wedding dress. Spencer dreads this idea. Spencer has issues of low self-esteem and feels that her body is OK for her. However, Marti has a different feeling and thinks Spencer is soft and flabby.
The class is taught by Rebecca who also dreads teaching the class as she has some preconceived ideas of the types of women who would be in the class. This sets up The structure for sparks to fly between Spencer and Rebecca. What Beers is so good at doing is writing a story that you clearly understand each woman's thoughts feelings and insight.
As the class moves on Spencer realizes that the other members of the class or not is dreadful as she initially thought. However she can't understand why Rebecca appears to be so hard on her. When Spencer confronts Rebecca about this sparks fly and end in a kiss to end all kisses. Both women know this relationship can go nowhere since Spencer is engaged to be married .
Both women are in pain and because of the way that beers writes a story you know exactly why each woman has the feelings that she has. There seems to be no resolution where these two can be together without causing pain to others and that something neither woman wants to engage in. But let's remember that this is a well written romance novel and Beers is not about to let her readers down. Get this book you won't be sorry you did.

This was actually a rather quirky and cute romcom but it also touched on some rather serious and relevant issues regarding body image and fat shaming.

I 100% loved Rebecca's character although she did get on my nerves sometimes with her mood swings.

Spencer for me was a bit of a toss up, she the book started I loved a humour and quirks and as the book progressed I found myself getting more and more angry at her for leading Rebecca on and not taking charge of her life and constantly placing the blame on the people around her.

Like all good romances there is a happy ending even if I do feel like pulling my hair out before we get there.

*4.2 stars

I enjoyed reading this unfriendly strangers to lovers romance with an edge. The world of spin classes and fitness club workouts is the setting and it’s the perfect venue to generate some heat (and sweat) between our two leading ladies.

Rebecca lets her anger at being forced to train a bunch of bridezillas jade her already low opinion of Spencer. Spencer is a pleaser and is reluctant to admit to herself that her relationship with Marti could be better. Getting railroaded into joining a fitness class showcases Spencer’s self esteem issues and sets her up as an easy target for Rebecca's wrath.

What made this a feel good read for me was watching the personal growth in both women as their relationship slowly develops, one sixty- second plank at a time. I liked watching Spencer’s confidence grow as she discovers all she is capable of achieving. Rebecca learns to appreciate the woman hidden under the meek exterior and warms to Spencer in response. I'm not saying there aren't bumps along the road and inappropriate behaviour does raise its ugly head but I felt the author presented enough evidence to make it clear that Spencer and Rebecca should be together.

A nice romance to curl up with on a rainy weekend and a bit of inspiration to jump out of my treadmill rut and try a spin class.

ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.

I absolutely loved this book. I literally read it in one day - I started it and could not put it down. Spencer and Rebecca had amazing chemistry, their scenes sizzled. The romance was well paced and entirely believable. Rebecca in particular was a very likeable character. Highly recommend this book. Very well written.

Spencer’s fiancée, Marti, signs her up for a bridal fitness class that focuses on being “the best body for your wedding.” Although she had previously thought that her body was beautiful, this action sends her spiralling into insecurity but she is eager to please her lover and future wife so she barrels through.

On the first day of her fitness class, Spencer meets Rebecca, a fitness trainer. Rebecca recognises parts of her mother in Spencer, her eagerness to please and inability to speak up for herself which creates conflict between the two.

I loved the way that fitness and body positivity were linked in the story. Due to the original instructor falling ill, Rebecca takes on the bridal fitness class and puts a healthy, body positivity spin on it. She chooses to focus on being healthy and fit than thin and fitting-into-your-wedding-dress.

The characters were a little difficult to differentiate. I spent most of the first chapters of the book trying to figure out who was who. Marti and Rebecca were unlikeable characters. Marti for her business-like indifference to Spencer and Rebecca for her quick judgment to Spencer.

From the beginning, Spencer and Marti’s relationship wasn’t visibly portrayed in a positive light. The few moments that occurred between the pages were always removed and lacking any emotional warmth. It was quite clear from the beginning that the two were heading for a breakdown. Their relationship suffered the usual ills that end a relationship; Marti working too hard, Marti not listening to Spencer.

Going into this I knew that some of the reviews mentioned about the lightness of the plot and I have to agree with that. However, I did enjoy it and really loved the story and the characters. Spencer and Rachel were both flawed and realistic. Beers did well with the characterisation and how the plot flowed. The story was done very well done and I would love to see what happened after the final decision that Rachel and Spencer make. The side characters were done really well and I really enjoyed Lucy and Rachel's paramedic date. A great cutesy romance.