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Member Reviews

Thanks to NetGalley (Edelweiss) and Publisher for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily. I thought this quote from the author was on point: “Sunny is a necessary hero in today’s world where women are told they need to look a certain way to find love or success.”

I was absolutely on board with this book! Portraying a female character who is heavier than the cookie cutter heroines we normally read is a great way to show body positivity and being comfortable in one’s own skin. It’s something to cheer about. Another positive is that the main character is in her mid-30s and divorced. Normally, someone that age has had a series of breakups and is closed off to love, but that’s not the case here.

This is the type of book that is the perfect beach read/summer novel. Narrated by Yael Rizowy, I thought they did an excellent job and would definitely listen to something of theirs again,

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This was a really entertaining book, with a great message about body positivity. The story was relatable. I enjoyed the characters.
I listened to the audiobook, and I thought the narrator did a great job.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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I wanted to like this more than I did.
First off, there were several good things about this book. It was very positive and uplifting for different body types, ages, and basically being a strong, independent woman which is always a win. It was also cute and sexy and funny. It was enjoyable.
However, I think a lot of the wording/ dialogue tried to be too “relatable” or “modern” perhaps, and it came off as a bit cringy and hard to get behind. Also, it felt like too much happened too easily. Whether it was business or love, it seemed like the only actual problems the mfc ran into were of her own making. Everything else felt like it was no problem when maybe more depth should have been brought into it.
Overall though, I didn’t enjoy this enough. I think others could too.

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First of all I want to thank NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for the approval of this audiobook! Hands down one of the best, lighthearted romcom books I’ve read! This one made me feel heart happy & as someone that struggled with plus sizes for years (due to medicines) I understand every single body issue the author mentions & that’s why I love this book….it’s completely RELATABLE!! The narrator blew this one out of the park too l! She did a FANTASTIC job voicing all the characters & it truly kept me engaged every minute! I normally like to have a physical book to follow along while listening so I can actually understand what’s going on but with this narrator & story I didn’t need one! I do plan on ordering this book when it releases next month! If you like plus size romance with lots of LOL moments then buy/ listen to this book!

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I have mixed feelings regarding this women's fiction/contemporary romance mash-up debut from influencer Katie Sturino.

Of course I liked the general theme of body positivity, or as Sturino calls it, 'body acceptance' (perhaps a little less upbeat term than 'positivity?'). However, she makes a big deal about Sunny's size 12/14 body. Yes, I know that in the world of Bergdorf Goodman, this is extra large+, but I suspect that in the real world it's a bit smaller than the average American woman. And honestly, I found it rude to read a woman's constant ranting about being size 14 rather than her usual 12. I know it's an issue for her, but I think the author was being a bit tone-deaf when it never occurred to her that are larger (and much larger) women struggling as well. Who actually might consider size 12 to be an ideal size.

In many ways this is a body positive (acceptance?) modern version of <i>Sex and the City</i>. And unfortunately I was never a fan. It's just sooooo bougie. And it feels like Sunny slid into multiple successes without a lot of struggle. She has two successful businesses and a NYC/Chelsea apartment at age 35. And her 2nd business launched within <i>weeks</i> of her dreaming it up. How realistic is that?

Then there's the love triangle. I'm generally not a fan of them, and this one is particularly bad because of the way Sunny treats Dennis.

Yeah, I guess it all comes down to the fact that I didn't like Sunny, and it generally doesn't work for a romance when the FMC is unlikeable.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

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Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook.

Sunny Greene thinks her life can't have anymore down moments--she's recently divorced and is facing the prospect of going solo to her younger brother's wedding--when she has a meltdown in the dressing room at Bergdorfs because she can't find any plus size swimwear that fits her. This moment sets her on a path to change her life, starting with dipping her toe back into the dating pool and eventually starting her own plus-size swimwear line, in addition to running her successful PR company. Can Sunny keep all the plates spinning? Can she find her happily ever after?

This book was such a delight. I'm sure it's a good page read, but the narrator made Sunny's voice really pop and kept me wanting to listen to "just one more chapter." I loved the message of body acceptance/neutrality that the book presents and seeing how Sunny finds her way. This will be a great beach/vacation read.

Sunny Side Up is out June 24, 2025.

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Sunny is new divorcee and the struggle to find swimwear for her newly larger body send her into a spiral in a department store. However it also send her on a fantastic trajectory.

The custom suit she works with her tailor to create prompts her friends to encourage her to develop a swim line for all bodies, but especially plus sized bodies. And so a new journey begins.

At the same time she decides to jump back into dating to get her groove back and after one fantastic hook up she finds two men she can't quite decide between. We all know that's going to blow up, right?

In my opinion, Sunny is one of those characters to majorly has her ish together professionally but can't quite get it here personally. Part of that is the little voice in her head. I haaaated some of the dating/relationship decisions she made in this book, but I liked her friendships, drive, creativity, and confidence - and, hey, eventually she gets it right.

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I just loved listening to Sunny’s story!! This is a heartfelt and moving story about a woman finding her confidence and happiness after heartbreak. Sunny felt so real, raw and relatable in so many ways. She’s fierce, funny, bold, girl boss. She is embarking on a journey of starting an all inclusive clothing line and also blogging her journey of self-love.

The audiobook is narrated by Yael Rizowy. She brought Sunny’s character to life! Yael’s narration was so perfect and she had so many various voices for the characters in the story. It was so engaging and entertaining. It was easy to follow and listen to the story. Add this to your summer TBR!

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I recently had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook of Sunny Side Up by Kate Sturino, and I found it to be an enjoyable and engaging experience. The narration by Yael Rizowy was a pleasant surprise. Although I wasn't familiar with her work before, I found her voice to be clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along with the story. Rizowy's delivery added a nice rhythm to the narrative, enhancing the overall experience.

One of the standout aspects of Sunny Side Up is its relatability. Sturino addresses the challenges faced by plus-size individuals, particularly in situations like swimsuit shopping, which many can identify with. Her candid and humorous approach to these topics made me laugh out loud at times, as she skillfully blends humor with heartfelt moments.

However, some parts -especially those involving her dating experiences with a few different men, felt quite predictable and easy to figure out. While these moments were entertaining, they followed a familiar pattern and most readers will probably figure out how things are going to go.

Overall, Sunny Side Up is a light and fun book to listen to, making it a nice change of pace for me since I typically read a lot of mystery and thrillers. It was refreshing to dive into a narrative filled with humor and warmth. If you're looking for an audiobook that combines laughs with relatable experiences, this one is definitely worth a listen!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for my advanced listening copy of this book in exchange for my honest review - It was a welcome change of pace for me and I would give this a solid 3 1/2 stars rounded up.

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Thank you Net Galley for the early arc!! The story follows Sunny a plus size business woman and body positivite influencer who just got a divorce. She then tries to navigate a dating life and build a business for bathing suits for plus sized women. I think the book tried too hard and many aspects came across as forced and obvious. I knew where the story would end in the first few chapters. There really weren’t many surprises other than I think she would have been smarter about the men she chose to date. I just found the way she thought it was okay to date so many men seemed like she was more desperate as she was clearly looking for love. I did enjoy her friends. I gave it a 3 star on Good Reads. Entertaining enough but not sure if I’d race to recommend the book.

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Sunny Side Up is a heartfelt, empowering journey of a woman reclaiming her confidence, identity, and joy after heartbreak. Sunny’s divorce left her feeling invisible—trapped in a body she no longer recognized and unsure how to move forward in a world that prizes perfection. But this book doesn’t dwell in the hurt. It’s about the healing.

What makes Sunny’s story shine is its authenticity. Her struggles with body image and self-worth are raw and relatable, but so is her growth. The way she stumbles through post-divorce dating, often hilariously and sometimes painfully, adds real texture to her transformation.

The turning point comes when Sunny channels her insecurities into something bold and beautiful: a body positivity blog and a size-inclusive swimsuit line. These aren’t just plot points—they’re a reflection of the book’s deeper message: that every body is worthy of celebration, confidence, and love.

With heart, humor, and a healthy dose of self-discovery, Sunny Side Up is a feel-good, root-for-her kind of read. It reminds us that healing isn’t always linear, but it’s always worth it—and that loving yourself might just be the bravest love story of all.

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Plus size divorcee Sunny is learning how to navigate life after divorce. She wrestles with feeling of adequacy and being enough, which I think all women can relate to. We saw Sunny work to find her true self and acceptance of that self.

Along the way Sunny is dating two completely opposite men. I loved Mr. Postman. He made me grin with his cute banter and sweet ways.

I listened to an advanced audio copy of this book thanks to Net Galley and the publisher, and I really enjoyed it!

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Thank you for the ACR of the audio book to Net Galley and McMillan Audio. I loved the narration of this story, the narrator has a gift for doing multiple voices and making the story come to life. Sunny is a relatable character, she's facing life single again, and not quite sure how to navigate it all. It was a wonderful rom-com even if the ending was a bit predictable. I enjoyed the way the author celebrated female friendships and what they mean to each other.

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this was so different and easy to pickup and listen to!! i really enjoyed it, and was very happy that i got the opportunity to listen to it early!!

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A heart warming, funny rom-com that empowers women and body positivity! Follow Sunny on her ups and downs of divorce, dating and single again in her mid thirties, and learning to love and appreciate her body just the way is. It’s a refreshing read because it’s relatable for so many!

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The narration of this audiobook is outstanding. Yael Rizowy masterfully brought both male and female characters, and their accents to life. Very well done!

This novel covered a multitude of topics such as body acceptance, dating after a heartbreaking divorce, female friendships, running a business and self acceptance and did it well. Often humorous, I enjoyed this audiobook more than I expected to.

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A strong and successful female lead that is willing and able to kick ass on her own but also WANTS to find love... yes please. I love a good common rom comm but I tell you, my heart sure does love the twists that came with #sunnysideup. deadbeat ex. successful businesswoman (might I even call her a ....#megababe) main character that stands on messages that so many of us could afford to hear. yes please. A fun first book for #KatieSturino

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Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
I really loved Sunny’s character—she’s funny, kind, and refreshingly real. From the very beginning, I was drawn to her boldness and warmth. I especially admired her mission throughout the book: to reclaim her voice and stand confidently in her truth, even when it would have been easier to shrink herself or go with the flow. She’s the kind of protagonist you root for and want to be friends with in real life.

I listened to the audiobook version and absolutely loved the narrator. She brought Sunny to life in such an engaging and heartfelt way—it felt like I was hearing the story from a close friend. Her performance added another layer of warmth and personality that made the experience even more enjoyable.

The story follows Sunny as she navigates a major life upheaval, stepping into a new chapter that challenges her in unexpected ways. Set against a vibrant backdrop and sprinkled with witty dialogue, self-discovery, and empowering moments, the book carries strong themes of self-worth, friendship, and learning to live unapologetically.

That said, I did find the plot a bit predictable. Don’t get me wrong—I’m glad things unfolded the way they did, and it definitely left me with that cozy, feel-good satisfaction. But if you’re someone looking for a twisty or mind-blowing storyline, this isn’t that kind of read. It’s more of a comforting journey than a rollercoaster—but sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

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Ok, so I upped this a half-star from the initial rating to a 4.5 because I just loved the message. This book follows Sunny Greene after her divorce. She has gained some weight and is trying on some swimsuits in Bergdorf Goodman's, and nothing fits. Embarrassed, angry, and annoyed, she leaves and orders several not-cute suits online. Showing up to her divorce in a swimsuit that she and her designer friend crafted from an uglier swimsuit. This whole scenario inspired her to not only start a size-inclusive clothing line, but to start blogging/newslettering her journey of self-love and finding a date to her brother's wedding. Sunny goes through a few men before narrowing her sights down to two, neither of whom knows about the other, or the newsletter that has gone viral and is even on the news. During all of this, she is learning to love herself and opening herself up to fall in love again.

What I love about this is the journey to learning to love oneself, all while helping others love themselves too. The whole making an inclusive swimsuit line is kind of a stepping stone to get to where she needs to be. I know that some people aren't going to like how much Sunny talks about her weight and the interactions that she has because of her weight; however, as a plus-size person most of my adult life, I can relate to Sunny. Even though my weight loss and the in-between body insecurity were a real thing that held me back, whether I was a size 6 or a size 18. So to have a character in a rom-com voicing some exact things I've thought over the years. Even now, when I'm not considered overweight, it is always in my head. Seeing Sunny learn to love herself and realizing that it was not her body that was an issue was nice to read. I also enjoyed the journey that she had in love. I feel like, though there is a romance aspect ( and a few mildly spicy scenes), this book is more one of self-love with a side of romance. It is a great, uplifting book, with a lot of heart, and a good message, oh, and some nice romance!

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I DNF this book at 35%, I can see where it was going and I wasn't interested in continuing. I did like the audiobook, and Yael Rizowy's narration. I had trouble with the focus on her size and her obsession with fashion (which I understand now is part of the plot). I can see others liking this book, it just wasn't for me. Thank you for the opportunity to listen to this ALC.

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