"Curvy Girl Summer" by Danielle Allen is an absolute delight! This fun, sizzling, and heartwarming novel blends humor and romance in a way that keeps you hooked from the first page. Imagine Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Survival of the Thickest, but with an even more relatable protagonist navigating the wild world of online dating.

Aaliyah is about to hit the big 3-0 and is determined to have a boyfriend by her birthday. After a blind date disaster, the charming local bartender Ahmad suggests she try her luck on a dating app. This kicks off a series of hilarious, cringeworthy, and sometimes touching dates, all while Ahmad keeps a protective eye on her.

What makes this book stand out is Aaliyah herself—she's confident, real, and relatable. Despite dealing with fatphobic comments from her family, she remains determined and self-assured. The friendship and eventual romance that blossoms between her and Ahmad are pure gold. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry electric, and their journey from friends to lovers feels genuine and earned.

The book also does a great job of addressing serious themes like body positivity and the perils of modern dating without losing its light-hearted, fun vibe. Plus, the representation is spot on, with Aaliyah’s experiences as a plus-size Black woman adding depth and authenticity to the story.

While the plot might have a few predictable moments, the execution is so engaging that you won’t mind. And yes, there are some steamy scenes, so be prepared!

Overall, "Curvy Girl Summer" is a must-read for anyone looking for a feel-good, romantic escape. It’s perfect for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy a mix of humor, heart, and a bit of heat. Danielle Allen has penned a winner that’s sure to make you laugh, swoon, and cheer for love.

Thanks to Bramble and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you so much to Colored Pages Tour and Bramble Books for the advance copy of this book!

This book will be published on June 11th,

The cover and title grabbed my attention right away. As a plus size woman, I try to read and promote books where there is a plus size character represented. And Aaliyah was such a great female protagonist!

"Just because a woman is fat doesn't mean she can't get a man. She just may not have found the man she wants. Automatically assuming that she doesn't have a man because she can't get one because of her weight is the problem."

Aaliyah's family has put so much pressure on her to not only be in a relationship but to marry and have a child by the time she turns 30. I honestly do not know how she held her ground but she did such a great job with her parents and her uncle (who truly was the villain in this story). She also has this shadow of older sister Aniyah who had everything right on paper. Aaliyah is constantly being compared and what I have learned as I am pushing 40 is that success comes in many ways. Unfortunately for the older generation, they only see success as one thing when in reality it's a multitudes of things. I just loved her love for herself and she knew what she wanted and was not going to settle.

The relationship Aaliyah has with her two girlfriends Jazmyn and Nina always made me laugh while reading. I love how honest they all were one another and the constant support they gave to each other. It loved the scenes when they would interact. The banter between the three and even when it would just be Aaliyah with one of the girls it always made me laugh. Here was one convo that made me laugh: "Deep down, I think you're a romantic." "Ew no. Romance is dead. I just want a handful of steady, reliable men to spend my time with."

The biggest relationship we see in this book is Aaliyah's relationship with Ahmad. He struck up this random friendship with Aaliyah after she went to his bar for her first blind date and we just got to see their relationship progress. Their banter was SO good and it felt like such a believable relationship between a bartender and a pateron. He was so sweet to Aaliyah and I loved the part when Ahmad took her out with his friends. When they finally do get together, it was so so hot! Allen really did an exceptional job with the spice.

I thought the pacing of the book for the most part was pretty good. The middle got to be a bit repetitive with the dates and having them fail. I was not familiar with Danielle's writing before but I will certainly be following her writing from now!

Just want to also give a heads up that there are fatphobia/antifat comments made in this book from the family members as well as tasteless men so please proceed with caution.

I will end on a quote that particularly struck a chord with me: "Being fat, existing in my body and not being ashamed of who I am and how I look was only an act of confidence to people who view me as if something was wrong with me."

4.5

Living in the shadow of someone else is a hard place to be… specially when it’s a sibling who did or does everything “right”. I connected with Aaliyah for so many reasons & the biggest being that she looks like me and posses a confidence about herself that should be studied. Danielle Allen did an amazing job of shooting down the stereotypes related to being a full figured woman… because honestly they are all bs. You couldn’t tell Aaliyah she wasn’t the shit and didnt deserve to be with someone who wanted her for who she was

This book was so much fun to read and listen to! Aaliyah let the expectations of her family and society get to her head to find the perfect man for her before her birthday. This book did a good job showing how other people’s opinions of your life choices can easily effect how you think and move in life if you let it. Being in my 30s, I could relate to wanting to have it all together by a certain time frame and it can get stressful but going with the flow and living your life unapologetically is soooo much better and what’s meant for you comes straight to you with ease. The body positivity and confidence was also excellent in this. Ahmad and Aaliyah were sweet.. loved how he started with friendship and genuinely only wanted the best for her. Also loved how her homegirls were always in her corner lift her up. I really would love a second book now to know more of what’s going on in Aaliyah’s life! I really enjoyed this read 😊!

A smart, sexy, read, Curvy Girl Summer is just the beach read you need to start your vacation off with a sizzle. Aaliyah is a successful professional whose family just can't let go of the idea of her settling down by age 30. Ahmad is the hot bartender who promises to watch her back through a series of first dates. Hmmm, what could go awry?

Before getting into my review, I wanted to share a few content warnings as this book deals with the loss of a sibling, the loss of a significant other, and the grief associated with that. If you’re sensitive to those topics, I’d steer clear of this book as it deals with that along with driving anxiety.

The book begins with our main character, Aaliyah hooking up with her ex and it becomes clear she made a mistake. Things get even worse when she overhears her family discussing how she’s going to be alone. Her uncle even threatens to withhold his gift for her if she shows up single to her birthday party.

Determined to avoid her mother’s matchmaking and uncle’s annoying attitude, she makes an online dating profile and goes on dates at the same bar. She eventually strikes up a friendship with the bartender, Ahmad. While he’s fine, she overhears that he’s married and it works to quell her crush until her dates end up getting worse and worse.

Eventually, Aaliyah can’t ignore her attraction to Ahmad as the two grow closer and closer. I don’t want to give away what happened with Ahmad but he isn’t actually married. As you might guess, things aren’t that easy and it honestly feels like a soap opera. I mean that in the most loving way because these two have everything happen and it makes for an entertaining and fast-paced read.

As much as I adored the relationship between Aaliyah and Ahmad, I wish she wouldn’t have been so quick to not trust him. They kept going back and forth and all I wanted to do was scream at them to actually talk. It felt like they were purposefully misunderstanding each other but sometimes, that’s how relationships go. Either way, it was still a fun and flirty romance that I know many will be adding to their beach bag.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc!

This book follows Aaliyah as she approaches her thirtieth birthday. She wants to find a boyfriend before her birthday. After being stood up by a co-worker's friend, a bartender, Ahmad, decides to help her on her journey. This book was so sexy. I am trying to have fun like Aaliyah. The book handles a lot of conversations about fatphobia and online dating very well. This book had me crying towards the end. I love Aaliyah so much. She was standing on business in this book BADDDDD. She is a sweetheart, and I was rooting for her so bad.



This is my first book by this author and I have plenty to explore with her backlist

Whew! What can I say? This book is GOOD. Aaliyah did frustrate me throughout the book. I think that was the hardest part to get through. The conclusions she always jumped through had me rolling my eyes. Ahmed ain’t deserve that. Speaking of Ahmed that man is HILARIOUS! More than once I was cackling. This was a good read.

This was a fun, banter-y, heartfelt book!

While the first sentence of the book starts off with a bang (I really want to make a pun here haha) and is spicy, the book tones the the spice down majorly and you instead get this FANTASTIC zinger type of bantering between Aaliyah and Ahmad. I loved their jokes and teasing each other because it’s very much the type of humor I have and do with friends and my boyfriend. He and I still talk to each other like that so it made me like them even more.

I felt the story kept you interested throughout the whole book. I think it helps because we see each of Aaliyah’s dates through the 7-ish weeks this book takes place and her interactions with Ahmad afterwards. Those interactions are really the center of the story while her sister’s death and family interactions are more supporting situations to making who she is.

I liked the discussion of trauma, her weight, and her standing up for herself against her family. More importantly, I liked how while this was a romance book, we had a good moment about it’s okay for a single woman to be enough. She doesn’t need anyone or anything to be more. Moment didn’t stick very long in the book, but it was at least there still.

Some people might have some issues with Ahmad or the first half of the book with Aaliyah’s interactions with Ahmad, but I knew from the beginning Ahmad was not being entirely open with Aaliyah so I didn’t have as many issues with it; however, there’s something to be said that it can be construed, a little, at being a little close to the line even if there’s no real issues (but Aaliyah doesn’t know that).

Really enjoyed this and I’m hoping the two BFFs will get their own books!

Thank you to Bramble for the ARC!

Thanks Bramble for the early access in exchange for an honest review!

When I started this book I struggle a little bit, but only because of the tense it was written in. I don’t commonly read past tense.
However, once I got used to it I couldn’t put it down. Literally finished this in under 48 hours because everytime I tried to put it down and do anything else I was back within 15 mins.
I love the confidence and humor of the FMC. She emanated a lot of things I always strive to be.
And the MMC? Hilarious as shit which has always been top of my list for finding the one 😉
And their banter with each other? It was so good, I laughed out loud so many times I lost count.
This was a cute little summer romance, and I think my favorite part was that they were my age which I don’t get often just on premise of the genres I prefer.
So if you’re looking for something fun and light hearted with good spice scenes and great jokes this is the book for you.

I will always stan the way Danielle Allen writes stories.

I LOVE a friends to lovers story as well, which was the surprising part of this book! These two meet at a bar while she waits for her blind date, he is the bar tender. After she is clearly ditched and they kinda make friends, he vows to help her with her dating life and meeting men for dates. Kinda to look out for her safety and give her tips.

What ends up happening is a deep bond that forms. Which leads to such charged sexual tension. I love how that unfolded.
Steamy scenes are always good if they are written by Danielle Allen.

I will say this book is HEAVY on fat phobia. If some readers are still working with explicit conversations about being fat in society then I would advise you skip. For the readers that stick around, especially thin ones... know that for a fat woman, this is our life. This is normal. Yeah, let that sink in. I hope it inspires some, to tackle those dangerous conversations, to help, defend, and be a true ally for bigger bodies.

3.5⭐️

I don’t know if this is in the tw, but there are some fatphobic comments said by both relatives and dates.

And yes, it’s a reality of living in this world as a bigger body, but please be aware of that before reading this book.

I love the banter between Aaliyah and Ahmad. I was laughing outright at the coffee shop where I was reading it.

Firstly I was obsessed by the front cover, it's nice to so a curvy woman on the front cover. Sometimes you see the book is about someone curvy/plus size but the artwork in the cover doesn't represent that. This cover did.

I enjoyed the plot to this story alot, it has emotional sections but some really funny parts where I was laughing loud. The dynamic between between Aaliyah and Ahmed was written so amazing. I loved the banter they shared when they would make jokes about each other.

The serious conversations I enjoyed as myself being plus size having been through some of the things Aaliyah has gone through with comments being made about weight and dating. It was written in such a way that it was so relatable.



I liked the story

This book was everything and MOREE! IT SPOKE TO MY SOUL in so many ways and was seriously the first book that has made me felt sooooo seen as a plus sized, black woman in 2024 , I CRIED A LOT (both happy and sad tears)! I just truly cannot put into words how much I liked this book and how this author has a forever fan in me now!! Also because of this book I now have my BOOK BOYFRIEND OF 2024!

Thank you to Bramble Romance for the review arc of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble, and Tor Publishing Group for this advanced copy! You can pick up Curvy Girl Summer on June 11, 2024.

From the opening scene of this book, I could tell it would be an absolutely phenomenal ride. The writing captured me, and the main character set up a fascinating dilemma from the get-go. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter, I found some moments to be triggering for me personally as a reader. I didn't expect these scenes to affect me so much, but I found myself unable to move forward with the book due to the fatphobia and family dynamics established. Given how these scenes set up the main conflict for the story, I felt it was better to put the book down. This is more of a not-for-me scenario than something inherently wrong with the book, and I know other readers will enjoy the plot setup and shenanigans that are sure to ensue.

I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed this book. It was spicy right from the start. The journey that Aaliyah goes on to find a man before her 30th birthday was hilarious and heartwarming. She has the help of Ahmad the bartender who forces his way into her love life. They both have their own traumas and reservations that lead them on a journey of figuring out what was right. I found myself screaming at my kindle while reading this like will you guys do it already?! Their relationship was adorable the way they would tease each other but at the same time speak to each other with so much respect and love. The only questions I have is what happened to Marcus?? He led her into the party and we never see her again. Sigh the whole story was worth every second for the office and bedroom scene. 10/10. Would love to see follow up stories for the 2 friends finding their love story.

“ What’s the worst that could happen?"
•

opening on a sizzling sex scene, Curvy Girl Summer is full of heat and humor.

Aaliyah is an almost-thirty-year-old plus-sized woman with too much pressure on her to find love. with the goal of finding a date to invite to her birthday bash in two months, she steps into the world of online dating. although it’s as messy as you can imagine, she does befriend Ahmad, the bartender at her go-to date location. Ahmad is full of wit and sarcasm, but he also has a soft side. he could be the perfect guy…but he’s married! what’s a girl to do when the only promising connection she’s made is with a married man that has more secrets than she realized?

while Curvy Girl Summer is a romantic HEA, it definitely hits with heavy topics like fat-shaming, death, the pressure of other people’s expectations, and mental health. the conversation around women and their bodies is so important. the body positivity Aaliyah has is enviable and a great reminder to women of all sizes that our bodies are beautiful. this book is raw and relatable as well as bright and hopeful.
•

this and that:
♡ banter
♡ befriending the bartender
♡ birthday bashes
♡ boss women
♡ concerts/music appreciation
♡ online dating
♡ open door spice
♡ plus size rep
♡ slow burn
♡ therapy
♡ tight-knit friendship groups (female and male)
♡ will-they-won’t-they
♡ yachts
•

triggers:
☞ death of a loved one
☞ familial pressures
☞ grief
☞ ptsd
☞ weight-shaming
—

thank you to Bramble Romance for the gifted copy of Curvy Girl Summer!

Overall: 4
Spice 2

This is the first book I've read by this author, and I definitely enjoyed it. I can't wait to read the rest of their books. Being a curvy girl, I connected with this book from the beginning. I too found the love my life by becoming friends with the least likely person and having a hard time accepting someone like them would want someone like me. We are slowly making the move away from skinny is the only that's beautiful, but it's hard to unlearn all the things. This book does a great job detailing going on details as a plus size person.

Let me say right now… THIS👏 BOOK👏 IS 👏FIRE!! I had so much fun reading Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen. Why, you ask? I'll give you five reasons to pick this up for your HOT GIRL SUMMER READ!

First off, Chemistry🔥 - Aaliyah and Ahmad are freaking beautiful, confident, and sexy as hell! Confidence turns me all the way ON, and I was here for it!

Next up, Angsty Slow Burn - I couldn't wait for those sexy looks, lip bites, and the will-they-or-won't-they moments to turn into more. The anticipation... Danielle delivered, and that spicy payoff? Let's just say my panties were definitely wet!

Thirdly, Character Development: Aaliyah and Ahmad's relationship developed so well, and the swoon was on point… It got me in my feelings, okay? Feeling all warm and fuzzy.🤗😍

And let's talk about how HILARIOUS this book is - the online dates and the one-liners had me LMAO in bed!😂😂 So much so that my partner said, "Please read in another room!" Hahaha…

Lastly, Girlfriend Circle - Let’s not forget about my favorite side characters, NINA and JAZZ. Can they be my new besties?! I hope Nina gets her own book because she had me dying with her sass… "I hope your date goes well! If you're feeling the effects of the drought, I won't judge you if you fu*k him." - Nina

I LOVED Curvy Girl Summer, its bringing 5-star energy and Danielle came through with the spice at a 4 chili pepper level!🌶 So if you're looking for a fun, spicy, swoony read, go pick it up when it's OUT in June 2024.🎉

Y'all, I played myself. I started reading this an hour before it was time for me to go to sleep. Guess who watched the sun rise while reading about Aaliyah getting her back blown out? That'd be me, and I have zero regrets. Though I’m not usually a fan of slow burns, Danielle's writing is a master class in building intense anticipation and emotional connections. Curvy Girl Summer perfectly captures natural chemistry and the organic development of attraction between characters.

If you're a fan of heroine's who know their self worth, you'll love Aaliyah. I love that she continued to stand up for herself, refusing to let negative opinions or stereotypes define her. Our leading man was the perfect blend of best friend and lover, balancing humor and authority effortlessly. When Jill Scott said “ If you CAN tell me what to do, you can tell me what to do but If you can't tell me what to do ...you CAN'T tell me what to do,” he is him. And that's displayed in the friendship and even more so as the relationship progresses.