I love, love, LOVE seeing plus size rep out in the world! As a plus sized reader myself, I think that it’s so important to see that representation out there, so I am so glad that this beautiful book exists 💙

This main character spoke to me as a person who has struggled with her weight for her entire life, and especially in high school, experienced a lot of self doubt. The angst was cringy but in the most relatable sense, and the romance was sweet if a level beyond realism.

TW: fatphobia, divorce, neglect, body dysmorphia, bullying, cheating, ableism and self-esteem.

So at the beginning of this book, I could FEEL the internalized misogyny from Lori and many of the girls, which I did not love, but I could understand why it was happening for Lori. When constantly judged over your weight and always being attacked for it, you are forced continually to be ready and on the defence (unfortunately, because people are freaking cruel), so it was a self perve thing.

However, I know this was all the setting for the story, and I enjoyed reading this book and the journey, the many trips within this book; standing up to her body image issues, taking care of herself mentally, standing up to her mum and calling out her dad, realizing she is more than what she thinks others see of her.
The therapy in this book was so good, and honestly, I will be borrowing some thoughts for myself!

I highly recommended this book of an artist taking on the dark sides of her world and painting things brighter for herself and others.

i did not appreciate this book as a plus sized person.. and usually im all for plus sized main characters but.. this is not the one in my opinion

This was a beautiful book. I absolutely loved the res presentation and real life feelings/ problems that Lori experienced.

3.5 stars!

This is absolutely the book I needed when I was in high school. So often fat girls and women are left out of the conversation when it comes to being seen as "beautiful" and getting their main character moment without being the butt of the joke. I thought this was so well written and I will absolutely be buying a physical copy for my personal collection!

COMING TO TERMS WITH AND LOVING YOUR BODY. Jo Watson did an incredible job of telling this story from a perspective that isn't always taken.

I don’t know how I felt about this book, the message was good of course, everyone is so obsessed with how they look and it’s just a little too much. All in all I liked it, I did feel connected to the main character and her struggles and I’d definitely recommend you give it a read!

Seeing your younger self in the pages of a book at first shocked me, and then drew me in until the very end. Big Boned was a book I read cover-to-cover in one sitting. Be prepared with a box of tissues. Self-acceptance is critical before you can give your heart to someone else. Watson's story is masterful, and left me wanting more.

I really wanted to love this book. I am constantly looking for more representation of bigger characters but I'm struggling to read ones where the character is somewhat self loathing.

In this climate and with my own self confidence issues I'm looking for more body positive books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly I don’t have an interest in reading this book anymore and I want to be more selective with what I request.

Purely from a writing standpoint, I struggled to get through the first few pages. Style feels immature and poorly edited, even though the author is a professional. I did flip through the rest of the book but the blocky prose persisted.

I’m glad that this story is being told, but it’s not one that impressed me.

I put the book down at 11%.

The main character has an autistic brother, and as someone who also has an autistic brother, I felt super uncomfortable with how the family dynamic was being written—it felt ableist.

Then I got to biphobia and I knew it was time to put this book down. It’s very rare for me to not finish a book (last time was like six years ago), but this book absolutely called for it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wattpad books for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

If adolescence wasn't already tough enough, Lori Palmer seems to be drowning in all the changes in her life. Her parents divorced, her mother is super focused on her career, her autistic brother has only Lori to calm him down, and she has to deal with moving to a brand new school where she doesn't feel that she fits in- because of her size. Set in South Africa, Jo Watson provides us with a realistic storyline and a character that I immediately fell in love with.

I loved the artistic influences that are weaved through the book and that it wasn't just some fluffy teen romance book. I am certainly intrigued to read other books by this author.


Goodreads review published 13/12/21
Publication Date 21/09/21

Want to cry and feel like there is a book written about you? Look no further! This work of art hit extremely close to home. As someone who struggles with my body on a daily basis and not being able to find a single thing about myself that I love, let alone like, this book opened my eyes to so much. Lori is dealing with so much at once that she feels incomparable to anyone. Watson did such a wonderful job with describing anxiety attacks and autism in such an exquisite way. I felt like I was reading my own life on the pages. I cannot wait to read more from this author

DNF

I really tried, but the MC is just so judgmental. I dreaded a single other person walking by or even being on the MC's mind because of just how toxic she was. Just a big nope from me.

I wanted to love it. Written by a fat autistic person? That is MY DREAM. But this just wasn't it for me.

Meet Lori Palmer, the newest addition to Bay Water High in Capetown, where all of the students radiate Lori’s idea of what it means to be beautiful: athletic, shiny hair and thin. She is an artist and is able to find beauty in everything around her – except herself. Lori has always struggled with accepting her body and loving the skin she’s in. After being maliciously bullied, Lori suffers from panic attacks and attends therapy to heal from the trauma her bullies have instilled in her.

She misses her life back in Johannesburg where everything seemed easier. She was in her element at art school when she had daily adventures with her two best friends and her parents were still together.

Now, her life has been turned upside down and nothing is the same. While her mother is too busy building a realty empire and reinventing herself, Lori is fulfilling the motherly role for her nine-year-old autistic brother, Zac. While picking him up from school one day, she meets Jake Jones-Evans, the water polo star athlete at BWH all the girls drool over. Their friendship slowly develops over playdates for Zac and Jake’s younger sister, Lisa. Through a series of miscommunicated text messages, nights spent at together at parties, and stargazing, their connection grows into something Lori never thought she deserved (or thought was possible).

As she begins to find her footing in her new town, Lori begins finding her voice as well. She starts a movement through her artwork, which gains the attention of the media, her community, and her mother. Lori grows into who she was meant to be all along.

“Big Boned” is an incredible journey we all go through at one point or another: learning to love who we are, finding our voices, embracing our hobbies, and learning to stand up for ourselves.

Watson gracefully represents neurodivergence, mental health, sexual orientation, race, and body diversity with a meaningful, yet not overwhelming approach.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for this ARC!

TWs: alcoholism, anxiety, panic attacks, bullying, divorce, fat shaming, infidelity, mental health, neurodivergence, underage drinking

Purely from a writing standpoint, I struggled to get through the first few pages. Style feels immature and poorly edited, even though the author is a professional. I did flip through the rest of the book but the blocky prose persisted.

I’m glad that this story is being told, but it’s not one that impressed me.

This book was an adorable read about the journey of self love and accepting love from others.
The main character, Jo, was personally relatable to how I felt about myself growing up (and honestly even still today). She dreamed the dreams that girls that don't fit the normal beauty standards don't dare to dream - because it won't come true. Only...maybe this time it can.
The side characters added a special sparkle to the story without distracting from the main character. Each of their additions proved their importance in our heroine's life, good or bad.
Her love interest, Jake, was about as perfect as can be and exactly what she needed at this time in her life. He was patient, caring and understanding.
Overall, it was a heartwarming book about relationships, friendships, heartache, insecurities, anxiety, love (of all types), and acceptance. A fantastic read that I will probably even read again one day.

The self loathing fat person is a tired trope, and not the representation needed in the current body positive clime. Society has moved on from this stereotype, and YA needs to catch up.