Sunnyside Up by Katie Sturino is one of those books that had me laughing out loud like I was on FaceTime with my best friend. (I listened to the audiobook!)

Sunny is funny, real, relatable, and the kind of character that makes you feel like she’s spilling the tea just for you.

I loved how this book tackled body image and self-worth in such an honest way. It explores what it’s like to not fit into the boxes society tries to shove us into, while still celebrating the fact that you’re already enough just as you are. It didn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but it also didn’t lose its warmth and charm.

“I want to be my the one. I’m sick of needing to be convinced by someone else that I’m worthy of love and affection.”

Okay, but the romance though? Dennis. That’s it. That’s the sentence. Yes to Dennis. A million times yes.

This book is bold, hilarious, heartfelt, and empowering, and easy read, and definitely one to add to your TBR!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley and Celadon Books for the audiobook arc!

Such a fun body-positive story that blends humor, vulnerability, and empowerment in a way that feels refreshingly real.

Sunny is a recently divorced, plus-size, ambitious woman, who finds herself in an unexpected situation at a designer department store that sparks both a professional journey and personal transformation.

This story is packed with hilarious moments and a colorful cast of characters. This book tackles confidence, identity, and relationships. I loved it!

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for providing me with this advance reader’s audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Sunny Side Up” is light hearted and will keep you laughing throughout while exploring deeper themes of body image, self-acceptance, grieving a relationship and finding a partner. The narration is spot on with delightful accents, intonations and voices that accentuate the reading experience.

Okay so in theory this is all about body positivity and loving the skin your in, but she’s so entitled it’s hard to take seriously. Also, how do all these amazing things happen at once? Idk I DNF’d pretty early on because even as a “plus-sized” women in size 12/14, I couldn’t vibe.

Read this for the female friendships and empowerment, and was so delighted. I loved this story and cannot believe this is a debut!

NetGalley Audiobook Review
What a wonderful novel from Katie Strurino. I recommend this to every single person out there because all of us can use a reminder to love our bodies-- embrace the size we wear and stop trying to "fix" a body that isn't broken.

Sunny Greene, our MFC, is 35, plus size, recently divorced anc struggling with something that many women struggle with- not being able to find a plus sized bathing suit in the department store that makes her feel comfortable and good about herself. So many of us out there can completely relate which makes this a pretty powerful read. Sunny does spend some time, initially, body shaming and playing the comparison game but something in her brain clicks and she basically decides that she is taking control of her body and her future. Taking control does NOT mean she is taking herself on a crash dieting or excessive exercise journey to change her appearance, she is going to EMBRACE her body and create a swimsuit that she, along with thousands of other women, can put on and feel proud of their body. Get. It. Girl.

I did not love the fact that Sunny was having multiple
"relationships" simultaneously with the men not knowing about one another. Kind of cringy and also took a little away from her awesomeness. It just wasn't working for me that we have this strong, amazing female character knowingly making decisions that were ultimately going to hurt someone.

Overall, this is a must read/listen. Great narration by Yael Rizowy! There's minimal spice, plenty of laugh out loud moments and real life feels. This will make a great summer read- you can absolutely binge this sitting by the pool or on the beach!

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillian Audio and Katie Sturino for this advanced review copy in return for my honest opinion!

Haha oh this book made me laugh and cheer in solidarity! Sonny newly divorced and trying to let the dating sense back in to her life is doing what we women hate! Shopping when you feel not yourself with the extra pounds we’re always made to feel bad for. While trying to start up her new business she is tackling the dating world where lines get crossed and realizations are made. She makes us feel good in our skin again. I laughed and felt proud this was a great read!

This book was not for me. I gave up at about the 25% mark. It had a good premise but I got bogged down with the amount of self fat shaming and could see the spice level going up - I peeked at other reviews and it does.

The reader was good but this isn't a story for me.

I appreciated that this story was really about how we can happy no matter what size we are, but I still didn’t love the characters. I don’t even know what it was, but they just weren’t likable to me.

The narration was good and it flowed really well. I liked the accents and everything as well.

I plan to share this title on my Instagram on Thursday, Jen 19th.

This story was real life messy, slight chaotic and 100% relatable.

I loved reading about a plus sized female, talking through her struggles with fashion (what woman can't relate?), and ultimately learning to love herself through every season. Sometimes we are our biggest critic, but it's often cultivated by those we keep company with. You see that throughout this story.

This book is filled with hilarious banter and balanced out by character growth shown through the struggles of body image, post-divorce dating life, and turning a hobby into a career.

If any of those topics interest you, I highly recommend picking this up or giving the audio a listen!

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillian Audio for the advanced listen!

Thank you NetGalley and Katie Sturino for trusting me to read and review this amazing, inspiring, uplifting book.

I’ve fluctuated with my weight a lot and it has really bothered my self esteem. The body positivity and Sunny’s strength and determination to embrace and flaunt what she had was so inspiring. I enjoyed the juicy newsletter and the way she handled herself through the good, bad and ugly times. I really enjoyed this book!

Sunny Side Up introduces a plus-sized, high-powered PR executive navigating life, love, and self-worth in the aftermath of a divorce. The novel aims to be empowering and body-positive, but much of Sunny’s journey feels emotionally shallow and often frustrating to witness.

Sunny seeks validation through external approval—especially from romantic and sexual attention—which at times seems to undercut the deeper message the book may be striving for. Her attraction patterns and dating behavior raise questions about authenticity, transparency, and how people from different socioeconomic backgrounds are portrayed and treated in relationships.

At its core, this is a story about a woman who struggles to know herself and what she truly wants. While some readers may see this as raw and relatable, others may find her choices self-sabotaging and difficult to sympathize with. The emotional growth is there, but it’s slow and, for some, might come too late to feel satisfying.

One of the standout elements of this experience was the audiobook narrator, Yael Rizowy, who delivers an engaging performance. Her dynamic use of accents—especially a distinctive New York voice for one of the central characters—adds depth and authenticity to the cast. Her narration elevated the overall experience and kept me engaged even when I was frustrated with the main character.

While Sunny Side Up brings up important issues around self-image, relationships, and empowerment, it sometimes muddles its message in surface-level choices and romantic entanglements that feel more reactive than reflective. That said, the fact that it stirs such strong emotions speaks to the power of the writing—even if my ultimate reaction was mixed.

Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This is my honest review.

Sunny Side Up is the perfect pick for a fun, easy summer read that still manages to hit on some meaningful themes. Katie Sturino does a fantastic job weaving body positivity and self-acceptance into a lighthearted romance, without falling into the tired trope of the main character needing to lose weight to find happiness. That in itself is refreshing and empowering.

The book explores body and weight image issues with honesty and care, while still keeping the tone upbeat and relatable. The romances are flirty, fun, and have just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting. It’s the kind of book you can fly through in a weekend, ideally while lounging by the pool or relaxing on vacation.

If you’re looking for a feel-good story with heart, humor, and a little heat, Sunny Side Up should be on your summer TBR.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book on audio. Sunny has hit her bottom, being in her mid-30s, divorced, and unable to find clothing that fits her figure. Rather than wallow, she decides to seize this moment in her life and learn to be happy and satisfied with all the positives that currently are in her life - including accepting and being happy with her body. She decides to get back into the dating scene, and she meets a variety of guys that she could envision something more with. At one point, she finds herself juggling three men, including her ex.

This is just an overall enjoyable, and yes, sunny, book. What a great message - we are who we are, let's embrace that fact and see what we can make from it. I loved the characters of Dennis and Ted; they were both written like actual people. Everything in this book was incredibly relatable, from the downfalls to the wins. And the audiobook narrator did a great job capturing all of the emotional and funny moments in the book, delivering for a a very quick read for me as I had a hard time stopping this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This storyline didn’t work for me. Readers who enjoyed Sex and the City may appreciate Sunny Side Up. I liked that the heroine is plus-sized, but her constant self-criticism made it difficult for me to connect with her. The first sex scene felt especially unrealistic given her body image issues, and it lacked any romantic chemistry. At 25% in, there’s still no real romance, which is disappointing since I turn to romances for that serotonin boost. However, readers interested in stories about divorcees living their best lives might find this book appealing.

This was such a fun and uplifting read! After a terrible day trying on swimsuits (we’ve all been there), Sunny hits her breaking point. Even though she runs a successful PR agency, she’s still not over her divorce—and she’s just over it. With her amazing group of friends, she decides to take control and starts a body-positive swimwear line.

She brings back her old newsletter, Sunny Side Up, and uses it to share all the ups, downs, and awkward (but hilarious) moments of dating and running a business as a plus-sized woman in a city obsessed with tiny sizes.

What I loved most is how real Sunny is—she’s figuring things out, making mistakes, and learning to truly love herself along the way. And of course, there’s a sweet little romance that pops up when she least expects it.

Such a great, feel-good summer read that’ll leave you smiling!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

Sunny Side Up is a pleasant audio book. It took a minute to become engaged with the listen, but once I did, I could not stop listening.

Sunny, a plus-sized woman and recent divorcee, is ready to get her groove back. Her goals include finding a plus-one to her brother's upcoming wedding and finally accepting her body. She joins some apps, meets some men, and excels in her career, reclaiming her blog that her no ex discouraged her from writing. Along the way, not only does she get some action, but so does her marble kitchen countertop.

Just when Sunny starts to groove, her ex, Zac, shows up out of the blue trying to rain on her parade.

This was a cute one. I was cheering for Sunny all the way to the plus sized section at Bergdorf. Sunny's gal pals were great as were the names of her pups. Lots of fun supporting characters, including her meddling parents.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillion Audio for the advance listen in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The narrator, Yael Rizowy, did an excellent job voicing the many characters.

Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino is an absolutely charming and heartfelt read that took me by surprise in the best way. While light and fun on the surface, it dives deep into body image, self-worth, and the often-cruel inner voice so many of us battle with daily. Katie Sturino handles these themes with honesty, humor, and grace, creating a story that feels both empowering and refreshingly real.

I adored following Sunny on her journey of self-discovery, confidence-building, and meaningful friendship. Watching her slowly come into her own felt so rewarding. And let’s talk about “Mr. Postman”—what a dreamy, down-to-earth love interest! I found myself falling for him right alongside Sunny.

My only small critique is that the ending felt a bit rushed, and I wish the wedding scene had played out a little differently—Sunny stealing the spotlight didn’t quite sit right with me. But even so, the book was well-executed overall and left me feeling inspired and uplifted. This is a feel-good read with heart, depth, and just the right amount of sparkle.

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 (Meh- not for me!)
Setting: New York City
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Women’s Fiction

Sunny Side Up by Katie Sturino had so much potential, but unfortunately, it missed the mark for me.

The premise is undeniably appealing — Sunny Greene, a 35-year-old plus-sized, recently divorced woman, trying to rebuild her life and confidence while navigating friendships, family drama, and the unpredictable world of dating. As someone who loves stories about self-acceptance and fresh starts, I was excited to dive in.

However, the execution didn’t live up to my expectations. While I appreciated Sunny’s journey toward body positivity and her determination to love herself, I found the book overly focused on sexual content. The frequent, often graphic, descriptions were unnecessary for the story and, frankly, pulled me out of the emotional moments I wanted to connect with. For readers who enjoy that level of spice, this might not be a problem — but for me, it detracted from the heart of Sunny’s story.

There were some bright spots: I enjoyed the friendship dynamics, the humor sprinkled throughout, and the refreshing message about confidence at any size. Dennis, the mailman, was a surprisingly sweet character, and I found myself rooting for him. But overall, the romance plotlines felt a little chaotic, and the ex-husband drama didn’t add much depth.

In the end, Sunny Side Up had the right ingredients — charm, humor, and a relatable heroine — but the heavy focus on sexual encounters made it less enjoyable for me. I wanted more substance, more emotional growth, and less heat. If you’re looking for a light, body-positive romance with a lot of steam, this might work for you — but if you prefer your rom-coms a little tamer, you might want to look elsewhere. #netgalley #sunnysideup #booked_this_weekend

I could have liked this story but was quickly exhausted and turned off by the MCs relentless discussion on how “fat” she is. It was tiring and annoying; it started to give me an ED. I tried to press on hoping she’d move on but no, when discussing bracelets she still had to talk about how her wrists were too fat for the bracelet - girl you need a therapist.