Recently divorced Sunny Greene is thirty-five, on a race to find a date for her brother’s wedding, and trying to find anything not revolting in the plus-size swimsuit section of Bergdorf Goodman. The description of this book says she’s at rock bottom, and in some ways she is, but she has great friends and a thriving PR business that she built from the ground up. She’s just nursing a broken heart and years of being in a relationship that probably wouldn’t be called healthy. Sunny gets back on the dating scene, ultimately juggling two very different men: Dennis, a sweet, down to earth mailman, and Ted, a business tycoon interested in investing in Sunny’s new plan for an inclusive swimsuit line.

This book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed Sunny’s journey to accepting her body. I especially appreciated her thoughts around not going into the “body positivity” sphere which often feels unrealistic and pandering. Instead, she tries to get to a place of feeling neutral about her body. It’s just a body. Her dating antics were also fun, although it was definitely one of those books where you’re yelling at the main character not to make certain mistakes you know she’s going to make. Sunny does so in a fun, mostly self-aware way so it felt realistic and definitely part of her learning curve. I do have a bit of an issue with books about plus size characters always ending up with attractive, super fit men. I’m not saying this shouldn’t be an option, but it seems to be the only acceptable option in fiction which feels counter to the body-acceptance mantra. Still, I enjoyed this one and think readers looking for a fun romcom will love Sunny’s antics.

Yael Rizowy narrates and does a phenomenal job brining Sunny to life. She brought so much spunk and humor to the narration that I felt like I was friends with Sunny from the very first chapter. I’d definitely recommend the audiobook!

BEACH WEAR BEACH READ

This fantastic novel is a beach read for the rest of us. Many women, no matter what their size, are unhappy with their shape. This novel has a main character who has always struggled with her weight but eventually embraces her embraces her zoftig, sensual self and helps other women be body neutral. Although romantic relationships are a large part of this novel, it is really a story about a woman's relationship with herself. While she may be searching for wedding date, she is really also learning to love herself.

Summer time means swim wear and for most women finding a comfortable, flattering suit can be a challenge. But for a plus sized woman it can feel like diving into the ocean with out a life preserver. This novel begins with newly divorced Sunny Greene literally stuck in the dressing room, trapped in a bathing suit that doesn't fit. sunny has hit rock bottom. Her marriage is over. Her exes comments about her plus sized body still constantly play in her mental soundtrack. And she has gained even more weight since the divorce. When Sunny can't find a bathing suit that makes her feel sexy instead of uncomfortable and embarrassed, she decides to launch a line of cute suits that is size inclusive. She relaunches her blog to spread a message of size acceptance to other women and she starts dating again. The story is a bit unrealistic. The time frame for the business launch is impossible. There are men out there who prefer real women with curves, but the idea that Sunny finds that many men to date in such a short time frame, also seems like a bit of poetic license. That said, I loved this story.

I requested an advance copy of this novel from the publisher because the main character is overweight. I didn't realize at the time that author, Katie Sturino is an entrepreneur and influencer who spreads a message of body acceptance. Women are surrounded by media that idolize an unrealistic figure and even small women are usually unhappy with their bodies. The author and the main character both teach women to accept their size and spend their energy on other things in life. Too many women buy in to the message that they need to change their body. when I was young, I watched my mother on the dieting yoyo and promised myself not to diet unless their was a medical need. Even when I was young and small, I was never a bikini model. Now, as an overweight senior citizen, I rock the grey and still find what fits and flatters. I loved reading about a character who dressed for success and dressed for her figure instead of trying to fit the mold. Read this book for the fun story, but absorb the message too.

Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino was a pretty good read. I liked the body positivity and the storyline of Sunny finding herself again after a divorce. I didn’t feel too connected to the characters and the romance fell kind of flat but overall I enjoyed the book. Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC!

While this book had some good parts to it, such as Sunny's approach to feeling better about herself, and the mailman, but I just couldn't get into it. Giving it three stars because although it wasn't for me, it might be for others.

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This felt so fun and refreshing to read. Everyone comparing it to a modern day Carrie Bradshaw is right. It feels lighthearted but tugs at your heartstrings all the same. Its a perfect blend of rom‑com sweetness and career hustle.
Loved the authors writing style and will definitely be reading more from her!

The was an empowering novel about loving yourself and your body. About owning who you are, accepting it and living your life on your own terms. It reminded me of early Jennifer Weiner novels; which are on my top list of books for all time.

Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This cute, women’s fiction read has been everywhere and for good reason too.

It was wholesome, relatable, funny, and fun. The cast of characters was great, and the main character made me laugh and relate often. She was a strong woman who only continued finding strength in her journey. The romance was entertaining, but it didn’t steal the show away from the empowering messaging. All in all, I had a great time with this one.

Fans of positive self-talk, journeys of finding oneself, and stories set in NYC will love this one.

Not a memorable book for me.

The story is a quick read. You root for Sunny. It gives Bridget Jones Diary vibes. I just couldn’t get into the book.

"My brain replaced anxious thoughts with angry ones. Anger felt so much better. Power! Fury! Rage! Screw those swimsuits. Screw those dressing rooms. And screw my asshole ex-husband."

"Like I don’t know who or what to trust." "That’s easy. Trust yourself."

"Inhaling deeply, I pivoted, like I always did."

The uplifting, often hilarious, yet very real Sunny Side Up, by body acceptance guru, debut author Katie Sturino, will leave you inspired and smiling like you just watched your favorite RomCom. I definitely got Working Girl vibes.

We meet 35 year old divorced Sunny trying on swimsuits for her vacation with her divorced besties. But her plus size body isn't fitting into her usual size. Her side boob fat is sticking out and her thighs feel like the circulation has been cut off to her lungs. It's a panic attack that leaves her reevaluating her life.

Rather than continue to feel overwhelmed with her weight, her divorce, and her panic attacks, she pivots and creates the Sonny swimsuit line.

Too bad she can't resolve finding a date for her brother's wedding. That is until Ted, the silver fox, invests in her clothing line. But wait, is that Dennis, the very adorable mailman, flirting with her. Then her ex says he wants her back. Looks like Sunny has choices. Will she trust herself to make the right one?

Voice actress Yael Rizowy is delightfully engaging as Sunny. Whether she's angry at the world bullying people about their weight, slowly accepting her worth or loving her dogs, Sophie and Blanche, yes they're the Golden Girls, she's full of vigor and charm.

Listening and reading this novel just made me happy. Sunny's Dad is my favorite with his cute Dad jokes. I love that Sunny learns life isn't always sunny side up so she pivots until she feels the sun again.

I received free copies of this book/audiobook from Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sunny Greene is an unforgettable character. Sturino has done an amazing job writing a novel that appeals to women of all sizes. Sunny Side Up is more than a romance novel. Sunny is a newly divorced woman who runs a successful fashion pr business. She has bonded with two other divorced women and they have planned a beach vacation together. Sunny is plus size and this leads her to panic when buying a new swimsuit for the trip. However, she designs her own suit which leads to a new company. Sunny doesn't get down on her self for long. There is a lot of romance in this novel, and the characters are all interesting. Sunny likes sex and men like Sunny! This is the prefect beach read which is almost as delightful as a great fitting swimsuit.

I literally just closed this book and am full of all the bubbly feelings, and really wanted to post this on pub day! Thank you to @celadonbooks for my #gifted copy. This is out in the world today!

☀️ This book opens with the most relatable scene ever— trying on swimsuits in a department store. Ugh, yuck. And it kept me saying, ‘Yes!’ through the rest of the novel.

☀️ Y’all know I’m here for all the books focused on positive body image and centered around bigger-bodied characters. And while body positivity is a great goal, I freaking LOVE @katiesturino’s ‘can we just think about other things instead?’ body acceptance point of view.

☀️ Yes, this focuses a lot on body talk in all the best ways but it also …
- has a love triangle
- talks about post-divorce dating
- shows the struggles of weeding through toxic men
- the importance of female friendship
- reads as a love note to NYC

☀️ Oh, and did I mention Sunny is just the best character? She’s taking on the world in a way we can all aspire to— running not one, but two start-ups she dreamed up all on her own. But, she’s also not perfect. Girl makes some messy decisions that had me asking questions but I just love the way this all wrapped up.

☀️ I could not ask for a better book to read in my SWIMSUIT at the pool or beach. Throw it in that bag this summer!

☀️ FYI for those who care: this does have a decent amount of spice and there is some joint smoking going on.

☀️ I didn’t know anything about Katie Sturino before reading this, but she certainly gained a fan. Welcome to the bookish world, Katie! Just another thing you’ve accomplished. 👏🏼

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC , opinions are my own.

This book seemed to have potential but for me it did not . I got half way through and wondered why I was reading it . Sunny is a plus sized woman working as a designer. She is trying to love herself for who she is , which is great , but she loves herself by doing self destructive things like sleeping with random men. I found it really odd and unhealthy the way she picked up the random construction worker, invites him to her home at 6am and immediately sleeps with him. No discussion of safe sex or who the guy even is. Overall I found this character unrelatable and not living a healthy life. This character and story needs a lot of work

This is a solid fiction debut from Katie Sturino. As a body-acceptance advocate, it's no surprise this book is full of body positivity. The MC is so funny and completely real. The author did a great job bringing her to life.

This book was so enjoyable, a great escape.

Sunny, 35, is frustrated as she tries on swimsuits. She is a large and tall woman who has always fought her weight. Sunny owns her own boutique PR fashion firm called Le Ballon Rogue. It is doing well and has grown significantly allowing her to have her dream place in Chelsea in New York City. After several years married, she finally divorced her husband who let her know that her size embarrassed him. Since her divorce, Sunny has had some dates that turned out to be duds, but she keeps trying.


Sunny and her two good friends Noor, a chef and Brooke, a stylist and mother of 3 are all planning a trip soon where they can soak up some sun. Since Sunny can’t find a swimsuit that fits her perfectly, she enlists the help of her tailor to help her rework a suit that turns out to fit her perfectly. This endeavor turns into a new line of swimwear that means another business for her.

Sunny hires an assistant named Avery who is worth her weight in gold. They put together a presentation to a backer for money to start a line of swimwear geared to the plus size woman. The brilliant speech Sunny gives Ted wins his endorsement that sends her and her company on a wonderfully new road with a terrific future.

Sunny has met two men, totally different, and isn’t sure which one is better for her. It isn’t until she nearly loses the perfect one that she realizes what is most important to her.

A totally delightful story that enforces for women that no matter what size they are, they too can have good choices of clothes to enjoy life. I loved it. Three cheers.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Sunny Side Up was a good book, not great. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. And I also wasn't super eager to get back to it when I put it down. But I would still say it was worth a read. I don't feel like I wasted my time. Body image is featured and I found some parts a bit unbelievable.

I love Katie Sturino and was so excited to get an early copy of her book! She is such an inspiration to my generation! I was so excited to read Sunny Side Up, Katie’s first novel. I loved her take on sharing divorce, something that’s not done much in romance novels. Thank you, Katie! I loved your book, can’t wait to recommend it l, and read what you write next! Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for an advance copy in exchange for my opinion.

This was a DNF for me - I liked the humor, but could do without the constant name-dropping and the content that required a trigger warning.

This was a fun read about finding your true self and not changing for anyone. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced read!

I was so excited when I saw the announcement that Katie Sturino was writing a fiction book! As a longtime fan/follower of her body acceptance social media (especially Supersize The Look), I knew it would be funny, relatable and full of empowering moments. Sunny Side Up was so delightful and I had such a hard time putting it down. The humor, the detailed outfit descriptions and the romance were all wonderful, but it was Sunny regaining her confidence, standing up for herself and refusing to be made to feel anything less than an absolute force was what really sold me. I especially enjoyed her friendships with Brooke and Noor and how supportive they all were of each other. Also, the in depth look at how the fashion industry can really exclude and completely ignore the plus size community was so well done. I know I’ve had a dressing room crying experience more than once in my life. I highly recommend this one for fans of NYC life, the fashion world and body acceptance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and alc.

Unfortunately, this book was not my cup of tea as I had a really hard time connecting with the main character. Perhaps on a different day I may enjoy this book better but for now, it is not for me. I am disapointed as I really wanted to like this one,,,