What a fun book!! Perfect for summer.

The first chapter (honestly, the first page) is lowkey wild but I enjoyed the banter so much. The MFC is so funny.

I really enjoyed this easy read with sassy banter between Aaliyah and Ahmad that kept me curious about what would unfold between them. I loved the larger bodied representation and the way these two loved each other, especially once they work out one of their biggest stumbling blocks was very sweet.

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen is a delightful and empowering romantic comedy that celebrates body positivity and self-love. The novel follows Aaliyah, a plus-size woman navigating the treacherous world of online dating with humor and resilience. Allen's writing is witty, relatable, and unapologetically honest, capturing the highs and lows of modern dating with refreshing candor.

Aaliyah's journey is a rollercoaster of hilarious mishaps, cringe-worthy encounters, and heartwarming moments of self-discovery. Allen's portrayal of a confident, curvy protagonist is a much-needed breath of fresh air in a genre often dominated by unrealistic beauty standards.The novel tackles important themes of body image, self-acceptance, and the pursuit of happiness with a deft touch, never veering into preachy territory.

Overall, this is a delightful and empowering read that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with self-doubt or navigated the dating scene. Allen's sharp wit and relatable characters make this novel a standout in the romantic comedy genre, and a must-read for anyone seeking a fun, uplifting, and body-positive story.

A Must-Read for Fans of Romantic Comedies.

⭐️: 4/5
🌶️: 3.5/5
Format: 📱

It's a happy romance rom-com in the digital age and I'm here for it. This fits very happily in my category of spicy romance books with an HEA and an easy flow.

Aaliyah is thirty, flirty, and thriving, and my favorite part about her is that she doesn't "struggle." She is a plus size gal and she loves herself. So often, stories of plus size women focus on our struggle to find love, and we have to "overcome" our size, like it's something to conquer instead of a critical part of our identities. And Aaliyah is who I want to be. She owns herself, and loves herself.

The love story was steamy with lots of little angst moments, and the build-up was delicious. Was it particularly deep or complex? No. Did that impact my enjoyment at all? No. :)

Notable Quote:
"He was employed, but I didn't do long-distance relationships or date men in the military. I needed too much time an attention for that."
RELATABLE, GIRL.

I absolutely adored Aaliyah and Ahmad’s journey to love. Who better to help a girl find love than her actual soulmate? This is what I want for plus size characters! Aaliyah is confident and unapologetic in everything she does. She knows she deserves love and she never shies away from reaching for it. I can’t wait for book two I’m this series!

****TRIGGER WARNING: A LOT of bad language at the beginning of the book. A lot of fat phobia in the book ****

I was really interested in this from the synopsis, but between Bridget Jones and this there's really no comparison needed. I was SHOCKED by the amount of bad language in the first chapter. Why do some books include swear words when lovemaking is concerned? It's not necessary and I find it annoying and immature.

The lovemaking was extremely explicit and I felt thrust into it and even so uncomfortable I almost didn't continue. I did though, hoping that it would get better. There are some tough life situations with the loss of family members and I felt for Aayliah about her sister.

Her family was just unbearable when they were together. There were so many disagreements and there was a lot of judgement and comparison. I felt like Aayliah's family were so overbearing.

Fat phobia and weight is a big theme in the book.

The plot is repetitive and doesn't really go anywhere.

2 stars

Thanks to Danielle Allan and publisher for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing book from Danielle Allen. I typically do not gravitate towards the friends to lovers dynamic but this was just too perfect. I loved the personal journeys that Aaliyah and Ahmad went on and their character development throughout the book.

This book was incredibly funny. And I could not stop laughing at their banter along with their funny friends. Everyone needs a Nina in their life!

Admittedly, the beginning of this book threw me. It starts in hot and heavy and I wasn't expecting it, nor did I love it. However, once we got into the meat of the book, I found myself wanting to pick it back up any time I put it down.

Was this my favorite book? No. Would I recommend it? Yes.

This is a great book about the search for a relationship and finding out it has been right in front of you the whole time. Sometimes love comes when and where you least expect it and I really enjoyed watching the relationship unfold. I am curious about the second book in this series and will very likely check it out.

This book was amazing
4.5⭐️
I was looking for a good romance book and I found it. I had so much fun with this romance, it was funny and real it had me smiling and giggling. I loved all the characters except the uncle he pissed me off, unfortunately a lot of people experience body shaming and im glad it was talked about. I loved Aaliyah and was routing hard for her.
I'm glad I read it

I love this book. It’s everything I wanted and more. It’s fun, exciting and felt refreshing. I love the curvy girl representation, it makes me happy to see women shaped like me in books. Thank you for the early copy.

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen is an engaging, heartwarming, and empowering contemporary romance that will resonate with readers looking for a refreshing and body-positive story.

The novel follows Aaliyah James, a vibrant, plus-size woman navigating the ups and downs of love and self-worth as she approaches her thirtieth birthday. Tired of the typical blind dates and constant disappointment, Aaliyah decides to give online dating a shot. Along the way, she meets Ahmad Williamson, a charming bartender who encourages her to embrace her journey to love with open arms. As their connection deepens, Aaliyah finds herself learning not just about love, but also about self-acceptance and the importance of embracing who you are—flaws, curves, and all.

Danielle Allen has created a relatable and authentic protagonist in Aaliyah. Readers will quickly root for her, experiencing her moments of vulnerability, humor, and personal growth as she steps into her own power. The book touches on essential themes like body positivity, self-love, and the search for true love in a world that often prioritizes unrealistic beauty standards. Aaliyah’s journey is inspiring and refreshing, especially in a genre where plus-size women aren’t always the central focus.

The romance between Aaliyah and Ahmad is sweet, sincere, and undeniably steamy, without ever feeling forced. The chemistry between the two feels genuine, and their dynamic provides the perfect balance of lighthearted fun and emotional depth. Ahmad’s unwavering support and respect for Aaliyah are heartwarming, and their connection feels grounded and real.

What sets Curvy Girl Summer apart from other romance novels is its emphasis on self-discovery. Aaliyah’s transformation isn’t just about finding the right partner—it’s about falling in love with herself first. This message resonates deeply and will leave readers feeling empowered and hopeful.

Danielle Allen’s writing is witty, engaging, and full of humor, making this novel an easy, enjoyable read. The pacing is just right, and the book delivers a satisfying mix of romance, humor, and heart. Fans of body-positive romances and feel-good stories will undoubtedly fall in love with this book.

Verdict: Curvy Girl Summer is a delightful, heartfelt romance that will leave you smiling long after you finish reading. With its relatable protagonist, empowering themes, and steamy romance, it’s a perfect pick for anyone looking for a light yet meaningful read. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance who appreciate a story that celebrates love in all its forms.

If I were to compare Curvy Girl Summer to another book or movie, I’d say it shares a lot in common with the book The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and the movie Bridget Jones’s Diary. If you enjoyed those stories, you’ll likely appreciate Curvy Girl Summer, as it offers a fresh perspective on romance, self-love, and finding the perfect match while being unapologetically yourself.

CURVY GIRL SUMMER BY DANIELLE ALLEN IS AN AMAZING, HILARIOUS Rom com that everyone should put on their tbr!! I'm so grateful to have read this !

Loved this book! It was refreshing to read a FMC who was in tune with who she was and what she wanted, even if she took some time to figure out her “why”. Her family’s characters fell a bit flat, but her dates were hilarious! Great cozy romance with a heroine that you root for.

This was a smoking hot and fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed the day main character who was unapologetic. Such a great read!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

This is a steamy romance featuring a confident woman. Aaliyah is done with flings and situations hips and it doesn't help that her family remind her of her age and the rocking clock. So she makes it her mission to find a date before her 30th birthday But sometimes love is right in front of you. Very entertaining ,well written and a perfect weekend read.
.

Many say the dating scene is a scam and that dating apps are not helpful, this book gave some humor to dating. Aaliyah has a goal and while her reason isn't great, it was nice to see her go through her dating journey. Danielle Allen invoked many emotions with Aaliyah's family situation and her dating. I enjoyed the book and changed how I looked at dating

I loved this story. It was cute, sexy, and funny romance.

The MC was smart, curvy, confident and funny. It was great to see how she handled and mishandled all he blind dates.

This one has been on everyone's reading list...so enjoyable!

Ever since Aaliyah lost her sister five years ago, her parents have placed their unfulfilled expectations of becoming grandparents squarely on her shoulders. Approaching her 30th birthday without a boyfriend or husband, Aaliyah finds herself under scrutiny during her sister’s memorial dinner. Her uncle’s tactless comment about her weight only adds to her discomfort, but it also sparks a newfound determination within her.

Stepping out of her comfort zone, Aaliyah crosses paths with a charming bartender, Ahmad, who encourages her to try online dating, arranging her first dates at his bar. Supported by her loyal friends and very attractive Ahmad, Aaliyah dives into the dating scene with hope, only to endure a series of disappointing encounters.

As Aaliyah navigates the highs and lows of dating, her bond with Ahmad deepens beyond friendship, but she cannot do anything about it as Ahmad is married.

I loved Aaliyah and rooted for her from the beginning. She is independent, confident, and sexy. I admired Aaliyah's unwavering clarity about what she wants in life, standing up for herself and rejecting her dates if they are not respectful. It was amazing how she realized why she set a milestone of 30 and the way she communicated about It with her parent.

Ahmad, the bartender, is a compelling character whose struggle with trauma is poignant to witness. While his feelings for Aaliyah are palpable, I felt his perspective could have enriched the story further. His actions, like taking her to a concert, spoke volumes, yet his apology in the end didn't feel enough.

I thoroughly enjoyed the dynamics of Aaliyah’s dates, the banter between her and Ahmad, and her interactions with friends, all of which were wonderfully portrayed. Plus-size representation is well written. Author perfectly showed what a plus size women go through, comments people throw in name of compliments and how some even generalize them. The exploration of grief, trauma, and guilt added depth to the narrative.

The slow-burn chemistry between Ahmad and Aaliyah crackles with intensity, though I wished for more insight into Ahmad’s inner thoughts. I also feel his declaration of love somehow didn’t convince me in the end.

Overall, 'Curvy Girl Summer' is an enjoyable, engaging, and fun romance with a strong portrayal of plus-size identity.

Curvy Girl Summer is a delightful romp through Aaliyah’s chaotic journey through online dating (and how very very bad it can be)... which leads to her unexpected connection with Ahmad, who just might be her perfect match. It's packed with witty banter and sizzling chemistry, which alone would be worth a read. But watching Aaliyah handle fat phobic and well-meaning statements was the most perfect representation and everything I ever needed.

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen is a fun, empowering, and steamy romance that celebrates body positivity, self-love, and the joy of living unapologetically. The story follows a confident and curvy protagonist as she embarks on a summer adventure filled with laughter, friendship, and unexpected romance. Allen’s writing is engaging and full of heart, capturing both the heat of summer and the deeper emotions of personal growth and self-acceptance. With its relatable characters, sizzling chemistry, and uplifting message, this book is the perfect feel-good read for anyone looking for a romantic escape that leaves them smiling.