Came in expecting less with Wattpad, as the past few I have read have not been that great. But this one was good! The representation is fantastic and I thought the overall character development was good. There is a lot of trigger warnings, but overall, this was handled with care.

The story is about 17 year old lori who lives with her mom and autistic brother. She is suddenly uprooted from her art school, city lifestyle to beach life cape Town so her brother can attend a better school for his needs. On her first day of school she manages to make an enemy out of the most popular girl amber. While picking up her brother from school she finds out that the most popular guy at her school jake volunteers there once a week and also has a sister that attends the same school. As the story progresses so does her friendship with Jake and her search to see herself through New eyes..


This book was such an amazing story of a younger girl trying to find herself and her own beauty despite her size. As a plus size woman this took me right back to high school and all the feelings lori felt I had felt at one point and even still do.
I would recommend this book to women young and older who have ever felt out of place, bullied, or singled out. It teaches you a lot about finding yourself and knowing your worth no matter your size. And the romance is the icing on top.

Lori has just been uprooted from all of her friends in Johannesburg to live in Cape Town so her autistic brother can be at the best school in the country for him, and so her mother can escape her father's impending wedding to his mistress after a messy divorce. She adores her brother and is happy to have found a potential place to help him, but once she sets foot in the local high school she knows this will not be good. No one else looks like her, she is the only fat person on campus and even though her anxiety meds should be helping, and therapy does sometimes, she feels instantly out of place. When the hottest guy in school starts paying attention to her she freaks out even more thinking it's all a joke. Can she get over her inner bully and discover that she also deserves happiness in her life regardless of other people's choices for her life? Beautifully raw and moving, Lori's story is one of finding your voice when you feel powerless and believing you deserve all the happiness in the world regardless of what anyone else has to say.

I enjoyed reading Big Boned. I think it's important for girls of all shapes and sizes to see themselves as main characters. Lori is big girl who is struggling with her body. She hates the way she looks and she is struggling to fit in at her new school. I really enjoyed the characters in the book. I liked reading about Lori and see her grow. This book deals with a lot of important issues and will resinate with tons of people

A story that is much needed in our selfie obsessed world today. Sending out positive messages to teenagers is one of the magic powers book have, and this is no exception.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

It was an enjoyable read. A lovely book with depth.

Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes!
I loved Jo's writing here! So unique and good!
This YA, Romance will hook you from jump street!
The characters are so likable and real. I just loved everything about this amazing book
Thank you NetGalley, publisher and Author for this great ebook copy!

📚 "YOUR FEARS ARE STOPPING YOU FROM HAVING THE THINGS IN LIFE YOU WANT AND DESERVE" 📚

This. Book. Y’all. When I was sent it to review, I didn’t know how I was going to feel about it, honestly, however, I’m glad I gave it a chance because I found it very enjoyable. 😌

This YA contemporary romance tackles themes such as: anxiety, bullying and its effects, divorce, having a sibling on the spectrum and finding one’s voice in a one-size-fits-all world. Jo did a fantastic job of making Lori a relatable and likable character while crafting her just flawed enough to transform through an empowering character arc. 💪

What I really really liked about this novel was that it was set in South Africa - Cape Town to be more precise! I wouldn’t say I “loved” this read because had a very Hallmark-eque formula Wattpad books are starting to become known for, but it was an enjoyable read with some great quotes.

One thing I should mention is that some parts of the book felt disjointed and distant at random places, but I’m not going to judge that too harshly. This is an ARC that clearly still has some revisions to go through, and I’m hoping that the final edits fix some of that.

ALSO JAKE IS A PRECIOUS BEAN AND I MUST PROTECT HIM AT ALL COSTS.

If you want a book with an uplifting body-positive message and adorable romance, this one is for you. As Jo Watson’s first YA novel, I found it a promising debut and look forward to her other works in this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC! BIG BONED is slated to release in September of 2021!

#BigBoned
I loved the book. It's about scarifies, family, and finding your own voice in the world. The book shows that preconceptions aren't always true and we must look beyond our skin to find true self. A wonderful book for anyone who has never felt comfortable in the own body.

Big Boned is a really sweet story, and I think many teens will find Lori a very relatable character. Watching her find her voice and sense of self was extremely satisfying. I also appreciated that the story showed how having an autistic brother, Zac, affected Lori’s life, without making him a burden to her, or having her focus on fixing him.

4/5 ⭐️s

The way this book was everything I needed in YA books when I was a teen…

Lori has just moved from her art school to a new school where she feels judged for her weight and lack of athleticism. She befriends Jake, the most popular guy in school, when she discovers he volunteers at her brother’s school. As their friendship grows, Lori struggles to navigate life in a new town that brings into focus all of her insecurities.

Jo Watson, I think I love you. This book was so good! It felt like a 90’s teen flick with someone with my body as the lead. I’m definitely invested in future books!

What Worked:
Lori’s struggle with her body felt genuine without becoming too melancholy. She’s really relatable, and I loved her journey towards finding her voice for who she was instead of who she wished she was.

*slight spoiler*
Both Lori and Jake’s younger siblings are neurodivergent, and while I was concerned at first this would be used as a tool to garner sympathy for Lori, Watson actually developed the sibling’s bond into a beautiful and heartwarming relationship that I loved. This was by far my favorite part of the book.

Jake and Lori’s relationship was quintessential first love. Cute. So cute.

What Didn’t Work:
The ending. Not Lori’s ending, but how it’s written. I felt Watson strayed dangerously close to writing Lori as a “white savior”, and I thought it detracted from the nuance the story of her finding herself with art had created.

The literal last few lines of the story had me slightly confused. Are we getting a sequel? If so, I can see what Watson was doing here. Otherwise, it creates a weird new layer to Lori’s character that I’m not sure I love.

The plot itself seemed just a bit too long. There were a lot of plot lines being addressed, and I can see how it may take away from the overall experience of the read.

For me, however, I loved every single plot line. This read had me smiling, laughing, and crying at times. I can’t wait to buy this when it comes out!

Read This If You Love:
- First Love Tropes
- Real issues in a fantasy world
- Plus size MCs

*CONTENT WARNING*
Anxiety, Bullying, Depression

Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Lori has had a tough couple of years. Her parents have gone through a nasty divorce, her mom has become a woman she doesn’t recognize and she has become the primary caregiver to her Autistic you get brother. When her mom uproots the to Cape Town Lori’s inner bullies come to the surface and she is sure no one in this picture perfect community will accept her. That all changes when she begins to accept herself and not let those inner bullies call her fat and ugly, and the cute guy showing interest doesn’t hurt either. Intimately this is a book about finding yourself, living life for yourself and allowing you to take up all the space you need (literally and figuratively) to be happy. I loved the authors description of Zak, Lori’s differently abled son, and how strong their bond was. A great read!

I love reading Lori’s growth throughout the book through relatable language and a plot that’s often overlooked.
Through art, and the help of her therapist, Lori transforms her mindset to self-acceptance. She exhibits that beauty is truly starts from within.
Her story made me think of a quote from flights- “before helping others, put on your own mask.” Lori finally did that and I celebrated with her.

This was a wonderful journey into the battle most teen girls face to learn to love themselves. Realistically, our main character, Lorri, is full of self loathing and negativity towards her body. She adores her brother and rarely resents being his primary caretaker. Set in South Africa, yet a story for every girl in every corner of the world. The characters have depth to them, even the ones only mentioned in passing, and what could easily have become a grouping of cliches never manages to do so. The neurodiversity of her brother is portrayed accurately and lovingly. I will be highly recommending this book to all young women as well as those more senior of us who have yet to learn to love ourselves. Well done.

I would say I read this book in one sitting, but part of adulting is getting a reasonable amount of sleep to be productive the next day (so it was two sessions, and I was quite resentful to have to put the book down for something as mundane as sleep). Lori was me in high school (only way more talented, and a much nicer sibling). This book focuses on self-love, which I think is the hardest love to achieve. I wish EVERYONE could read this story. This story would help people struggling with weight anxieties, and help others understand the anxieties attached to being labeled "plus size". My favorite quote was probably the "You know, Amber, sometimes us fat girls do get the hot guys." This book is great for fans of Dumplin' or ABC Family's Huge. Another amazing part of the story is the focus on having a sibling with autism--making this one of the more unique YA books I've read this year.

As a big girl myself, I really resonated with this story. I felt that Lori's struggle to find her worth despite the number on the scales was honest and believable. Some might say that she was overly preoccupied with her size but, when you are a larger size, everything does have to go through that filter. Everything from how you sit to ensure you don't get pins and needles to under-boob sweat and shopping.
I loved her relationship with her gay friends back in Joburg as well as the growing friendship with Thembi someone who, despite appearances, also had her own problems.
It was a great way to point out that not even skinny people have perfect lives.
My favourite thing, though, was her relationship with her autistic brother and how she had almost lived her entire life around him. It was honest about her experiences with him and the lack of affection that she craved because of his diagnosis.
Her step into finding her own voice was a great tale to read and I had a hard time letting go of the story once it was done. Genuinely enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGallley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

I thought this novel was a sweet coming of age story. It wasn't too complicated or drawn out, and it didn't focus on the main character changing to become someone she wasn't or losing weight to fit in. Instead, it was about growth and acceptance.

Such a sweet book with many amazing messages.

This book is such an inspiration with many inspiring messages about self-love, determination, loving your body and how it's a work of art, being who you are and so much more. It was really nice to read and inspire you from what the character was going through as well. Having a plus size MC is very inspiring to witness, we all want to see someone like us in a book or movie and books like this are the best representation for that. There is also the commentary of autism and people that have autism or are on the autism spectrum. There are so many great messages in this book that I can't even name them all, but seeing them represented in a YA is very amazing to see and I'm glad I read this book.

Also, love the cover!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad books for the earc in return for an honest review.

Big Boned is an Own Voices YA book that has many wonderful messages about loving yourself and your body and embracing who you are. I love the representation of a larger character in YA fiction. The main characters brother also has autism and there is positive representation of those on the spectrum. Overall an uplifting read for all.

I LOVED this book. I thought it was lighthearted, but also made me incredibly emotional. Lori was a great main character and I enjoyed that she was a plus sized girl. It's incredibly important for people to see that representation in books and I resonated a lot with her and what she struggled with. I thought she was witty and so so funny. This was a really cute contemporary focusing on great friendships, healing and loving yourself and learning and understanding your own independence and value. I also thought Jo Watson did a fantastic job, not only with the plus sized representation, but with the mental health and disability rep as well. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has ever struggled with their confidence and knowing their worth. I think Lori's growth and development throughout the book was magnificent and I can't wait for other people to read her story.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review..

This is the story of Lori, a 17-year-old who finds herself living in a completely unknown world with her mother and autistic brother. After being suddenly uprooted from her art school, she moves from her comforting city life to the beaches of cape town in order for her brother to attend a school that will fit his needs. With a new home and new school, friends are hard to come by.... enemies are not. Lori quickly makes an enemy out of the most popular girl in school, Amber.
While picking up her brother from school, she is surprised to see that Jake, "the popular guy" chatting with her brother. Turns out he volunteers there, as well as having a sister that attends the school. This is the story of Lori learning to see herself through new eyes and experience life at its fullest... with a bit of romance and body positivity here and there....

It was a wonderful story about a younger girl stuck in a strange place trying her best to find herself and appreciate her own beauty despite her size. As a woman who has also struggled with her appearance, I hold this book so close to my heart. Its, unlike other 'body positive" books that simply tell the main character that she is beautiful. Lori realizes she's beautiful from herself, and I think that is just perfect. She struggled with herself just like any other girl would, and slowly worked towards healing then loving.
There was this part in the book that really hit me where the therapist, Vickie, asks Lori (don't quote me on this plz) 'who is saying that?" (as in who is saying these terrible things about you.) And Lori realized that no one had.. The hurtful words that she had been telling herself had never actually been said to her, and that was a huge moment of self-reflection (for Lori and me as well.) I realized that this was something I struggled with and I felt like the book was a reflection of my feelings and thoughts.
(Now moving onto the fewer self-reflection bits of the review aha)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It showed the struggled of not being a "body type," along with having a family member with a disability, and a neglectful mother in a simple and respectful way. There were heartful moments as well as humorous ones that made me want to know more and more...

Truly this is a quick read I recommend to everyone, definitely a book I would've wanted to read when I was younger.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an egalley for review. Wow, Big Boned by Jo Watson is the teen romance that has been missing from my life. Lori is a big a girl and yes, she is bullied terribly for it, but instead of every interaction being about her and her weight, we also get to see her art, her relationship with her parents and her relationship with her brother. Her brother is the neurodiverse character in the story and he is a joy, not a burden, which is also refreshing to read about. Interactions with mental health care providers are nurturing and supportive and the budding romance may or may not continue, but Lori’s healthier relationship with herself definitely will. So much drama, will a satisfying, realistic conclusion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I thought this was a wonderful coming of age story and I loved how it kept me at the edge of my seat with every page and chapter. The representation in this book is amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed this book. It was funny, romantic, and sentimental. Theis book made a personal connection with me. Firstly, the titled “Big Boned” capture my attention. We often hear ourselves or loved ones refer to one another with these tow words based on our physical feature. And since I can relate to it, I picked it up through NetGalley. I felt the author wrote this book for me or for people who are like me, but it is such an inspirational book that anyone can read. The author did a wonderful job in researching mental disease that are mentioned and the importance it is to understand them. The writing style is not that complicated It is easily to understand and easy to follow. The development of the protagonist was amazing, and I found myself cheering for her. Thank you for netGalley and Wattpad books for allowing me to read this book.

"The bullying hasn’t really stopped, has it? Except you’re the one bullying yourself this time."

Oof, I felt that quote. As someone who is fat, I was excited to read a book where the MC is someone I can relate to.
I WISH this book was around when I was in high school (a million years ago). This gives a REAL deep dive into Lori's life as a 17 year old trying to survive; her life isn't perfect, and that was refreshing to read..

Thanks to Wattpad + Netgalley for the e-ARC of BIG BONES by Jo Watson, expected pub date September 21, 2021. Obviously, all thoughts/feelings are my own.

I went into this one solely based on the cover and my expectations were exceeded. Big Boned is chock full of heart, emotion, and all the complexities life has to offer. Lori's story is a coming of age one that I am so glad was told and one I hope makes its way into so many others hearts.

Thanks to NetGalley for selecting me to read this book.

I LOVED this book...finished it in one sitting. I'm not going to lie; YA books about girls with body positivity issues are a guilty pleasure of mine. I was rooting for Lori the whole way, cheering for her every step of the way. It was reassuring to watch her struggle with her own 'inner bully', knowing that we all have that voice inside us that is filled with doubt and insecurities about ourselves.

My favourite quote - I am a work of art, My body is a masterpiece
I loved reading about Lori self-discovery of self-love. she has anxiety which has been developed from years of bullying. Lori has made a big move away from her school and her art center town
her brother is a big part of her life especially since he's been diagnosed with autism
She finds new friends, new ways to express herself, and self-love

Lori is dealing with a lot of changes - and she doesn't do well with change. the main point is she needs to learn no longer to bully herself in her head.

I just loved this story. I loved that Lori and Jake ended up together but her plans for Paris didn't change because of that cause life is ever-changing

Just a great coming of age story

This book will 100% make its way into our classroom library--my students would love it. Divorce, change, body image, and anxiety, growing up will all relate to my students. I know I would've loved this book growing up. For me at 31, it felt very YA, but the themes are definitely universal despite age.

This dive into the inner thoughts of a self conscious high school girl definitely took me back to my own days in high school, and made me take a look at my own inner critic now too. Lori Palmer is the new girl at Bay Water High, having recently moved to the area with her mother and her brother. Lori is artistic, and used to life at her old school surrounded by other artistic and creative students. But at her new school, it seems like everyone is picture perfect with magazine style and skinny, perfect bodies.

Lori immediately feels like she doesn’t fit in, and she struggles to feel comfortable. When she meets Jake, the popular jock, she finds herself drawn to him and the parts of him that other people don’t get to see. Because it turns out his life isn’t as picture perfect as it seems either. The story explores the ways that Lori struggles with her inner critic, the opinions of others, and her own crumbling relationship with her mother, as well as how the lives of those around her aren’t as perfect as they appear.

I liked how the story touched on themes of trauma, bullying, infidelity, violence against women, and learning to be comfortable in your own skin. The work that Lori does with her therapist offers a great metaphor that I will definitely think about long after closing the book. This is a great read for young adults and adults alike, and it will remind readers to ignore the cruel voices in their head and celebrate what makes them special.

Can I just say how hyped I am for this body positivity contemporary ya novel? I am halfway through it and loving it already! As someone who isn’t exactly a size 2 or fits into society norms I resonate with the MC so much and adore that this is not only an own voice novel but also a romance novel as well!

Review Locations
Goodreads: July 27, 2021
Storygraph: July 27, 2021
TikTok @meghanlew_: July 27, 2021

Okay this book was such a fun and quick read for me. I don’t know how to describe it but this book just makes me smile.

I have been fat for basically all my life and while I personally did not relate to the main characters struggles as a fat person, I know many fat people who do. So personally I think the fat rep was good. While I didn’t relate to all of the main characters struggles I still really felt for her and loved seeing her grow. Most people have a time in their life with they have to learn to love themselves.

I did like the romance aspect of it and I loved that it didn’t take over the main characters journey or self love.

Lastly the pacing was great I never felt like the writing lingered on one scene for to long. A lot of times when a book has a lot of self reflective moments they can drag on forever, but hat was not the case here. I also think the main characters path to self love was done well in the sense that it wasn’t a straight line and it didn’t happen instantly.

I wish I had this book when I was in middle/high school. I would have (secretly!) loved it, and it would've given me the representation I needed, as a kid who had disordered eating and pretty intense self-hatred. I really appreciated how authentic Lori's inner voice is, and while I know she came across as whiny and annoying sometimes, I mean.. yeah, that's kind of how it goes as a self-loathing teen, you know? They/we can be pretty whiny and annoying.

I also appreciated the representation of children/siblings with neurological differences. I think it was done well, and handled with care.

"We don't get Jake Jones-Evans - star water polo player, hottest guy at school - unless we're in the pages of some unrealistic YA book that totally throws social conventions out the window and sets itself in this totally made-up world where fat girls win and the guy looks past all her cellulite and sees the girl inside. We don't get that." This was followed by a great response from Lori's therapist, and then went into a slight detour about body positivity.. all of it felt very real and emotional, and the author should be proud to have been able to put these thoughts on paper in a way that could resonate so well.

That being said, I appreciate that Lori had a lot more on her journey than just the romance story arc. Reading about her coming into herself as a friend, sister, and artist was really heartwarming. This is definitely a book I would put in my middle school classroom library (if it didn't have the sexual content! in which case, I'd save it for high school at least - the main character is 17, so this age range is better suited for the book due to that content - otherwise, it'd be great for middle school too).

Lori Palmer’s life is upended after her parents divorce and her mom de idea to move them from Johannesburg to Capetown so her brother can attend a special school. Her brother is on the spectrum and her mom wanted the best schools and most advantages she could give him. Her mother’s motives weren’t all about her brother though. She also wanted a new start, a new career and a re-branding now that she was a single mom. No one considered Lori and how it would be for her to leave her art school and her friends.she had carved a niche out for herself and now she had to leave it all.

What made matters even worse they were moving to a place where the beach was king. And Lori hated the water, hated bathing suits and mostly hated her body.

Lori has to navigate all these issues and more as she starts school and a new life. Can she belong in a place where she feels so out of place?

This is the story of a girl trying to overcome all kinds of obstacles but the main one is the image she has of herself due to the constant bullying and belittling she has had to endure. It is a story of courage, self-acceptance and finding your own way even when the road blocks are many.
*I received this ARC from Metgalley in exchange for a fair review.

I loved the messages that this book contained: it is ok to be you, it is ok to not be skinny, you can love yourself no matter what you look like. I loved the protagonist's journey of coming to love herself. Highly recommend!

Lori Palmer has a lot on her plate - her parents are divorced, she spends a lot of time looking after her autistic brother, she had to move away from her hometown and her beloved art school. There's a lot going on in this novel but it's never heavy handed - body positivity, therapy, finding your voice, being part of a family, self-acceptance. Lori is relatable and lovable. I enjoyed the setting of South Africa which is something you don't see a lot.

This book follows Lori as she navigates a new school while suffering from anxiety and feeling insecure about her weight and not knowing how she could fit in to her new picture perfect surroundings.

I absolutely LOVED Lori as a character and enjoyed her complexity. She doesn’t always say the right things or make the best choice but she learns from it. It takes time for her to unlearn her inner “bully”and I appreciate the author taking her time with this aspect. There is WONDERFUL representation for what a healthy professional therapeutic relationship should look like. My favorite parts of the book were Vicki and Lori’s sessions. The book also portrays the complicated feelings of having a sibling on the spectrum and Zac was another fully fleshed out part of the story. One last notable character was Jake—who I thought was just the sweetest for Lori😌

I wish the plot was more streamlined—it felt like it was going a few different ways all at once. That’s the only reason this isn’t 5 stars but so close!

Thank you NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🌺

Wow!!! I loved this story and the many elements that make for a compelling narrative where I fully empathize with the main character. There are many topics covered well throughout this novel, which include: mental health and body image struggles, neuroatypical representation, and family trauma. I was not expected this YA story to have such depth and meaningful moments feature the main character and I was not disappointed.

Big Boned features a plus-size young artist and high school senior, Lori Palmer who moves from a bustling city to a small coastal town that is better equipped to take care of her autistic brother. Lori sacrifices her entire life for the betterment of her younger brother Zac, which I found very moving. I loved their relationship and how you can clearly feel how much she cares and loves her little brother.

While getting used to her new school environment Lori feels utterly alone, invisible, and undeniably different because of her appearance. She has struggled with her bigger appearance for a long time and has experienced bullying in the past. I thought Lori's depiction of body image and anxiety struggles was honestly and realistically depicted.

Lori's entire perspective changes when she realizes her classmate, Jake who is a handsome water polo athlete also has a younger sibling on the spectrum and is neuroatypical. Lori is able to intimately connect and share her private thoughts and experiences with another person who does not judge and is able to see all the beauty and grace she has to offer.

My favorite aspect of this story was seeing Lori's relationship with Jake progress and seeing how sweet and earnest their interactions were. Another fun aspect was seeing Lori's art grow and change as she became more comfortable with herself.

Overall, this story pleasantly surprised me and I think it is a relevant story because of the many issues it tackles in a realistic and relatable manner. I loved reading Lori's growth and was so proud of her.

Wattpad typically has this stigma of having bad/cringey books but this book certainly did not dissapoint. It was a loveable story with a loveable main character. I read this book in one sitting and absolutely adored it.

BIG BONED follows plus sized Lori Palmer as she navigates life in Clifton, away from her homeland of Joburg, where she quickly realises she is far different from the perfect, chiseled, tanned bodies attending her new highschool.

Although it can be called a romance, this book is SO MUCH MORE than that, it highlights a number of issues, such as body-shaming, anxiety, bullying, struggles of having an autistic family member, even flawed relationships with one's parents, which only make the story all the more realistic because being a teen never comes easy - insecurities, familial struggles, pressures regarding the future, you name it! We've all been there or in my case, still stuck there 😂. So personally I admired a flawed, messy YA protagonist.

One of the things I best liked, about Lori as a character, is that she feels a lot, which is acutely represented in the book. Lori often let's her emotions do the talking, when hurt, angry or in love, she lets her art run wild, which even got her media coverage and eventually led to her realising the power her voice/her art holds.

The romance aspect of this story was strong, Jake was cute but the star of the show's got to be Lori's relationship with her younger brother, even her growing friendship with Thembi and the guys from back home. Also props to her amazing therapist (she almost reminded me of Stormy rain, anyone else?) and her plant analogies which even made it to the cover.

The ending, albeit a bit abrupt & confusing, felt somewhat satisfactory, as in I'm proud of Lori for choosing her passions & ambitions over a guy and even her own brother.

My only issue with this book is that, the gradual process of going from hating your body to being comfortable with it was almost instantaneous, with regard to this story. I did appreciate that, the cute words from her little brother triggered Lori to stop seeing herself using a skewed lense, but... you don't really go from mentally bullying yourself to advocating for your body within the span of two chapters, now do you?
With that being said, as much as I enjoyed a YA voice from Watson, I much prefer her adult books, but will read, right about anything she publishes next.

A big thanks to Wattpad books & Netgalley for providing an advanced copy of this book, which I voluntarily read & reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Jo Watson & Wattpad for the opportunity to read this!

This book will be published on September 21st!

"Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear" - I needed this book in middle and high school and yes even as an adult. I do not think I highlighted as many quotes in a book as I had with this one.

This is a story about a high schooler Lori who is moved from her home in Johannesburg to Capetown. Lori had to start over in her senior year, going from an art school to a sports filled world at Bay Water High where surfing and bodyboarding were activities. She immediately felt like she stuck out like a sore thumb and tried her best to hide. Lori's mother moved her and her brother Zac to Capetown because Zac is on the spectrum and the best school was located there. Lori's parents are divorced after her dad was found having an affair with a much younger co worker. The whole divorce has caused a strain on her relationship with her parents. Lori is the maternal figure in Zac's life. While picking up Zac at his school, Lori spots the hot, popular boy from her school Jake with the kids at the school. Turns out he not only volunteers there once a week but his sister goes there and has become friends with Zac. In Lori's head, there is no way she can have a crush on Jake because guys like Jake doesn't end up with girls like her. It's so obvious as a reader to see how Jake feels about Lori, but Lori herself doesn't see them herself and denies that there is no way he could be into her. This voice is in her head is present throughout most of the book and many times I wanted to shake her.

Lori grows up so much over the course of this book and really comes into her own by the end. I am so very proud of the woman she had become.

This is my first book set in South Africa and I loved the references to the country. It sounds absolutely beautiful and now I need to see the bioluminescent waves in my lifetime.

I also loved how open the talk about mental health and seeing a therapist was in this book. Lori wasn't embarrassed at the idea of going and knows that it helps her and it did in fact help her.

As I said in the beginning, I needed this book growing up and even as an adult it is a reminder to love your body. Love what has provided so much for you over the years. Stop bullying yourself and giving in to the voices in your head. Also I need to start buying succulents.

A fun YA read that seamlessly weaves in more complex and important themes. This book has a plus size heroine and includes representation related to therapy, complex family dynamics, autism, body bias and bullying. Well written and evenly paced by an OWNVoices author. A great message for readers of all ages.

"These things are amazing, they're designed to survive and regrow, no matter how they've been broken." With my whole heart I wish this book had been around when I was growing up. I grew up in the toxic competitive dance environment where you were praised and complimented more the skinnier you were, which led to a lot of eating disorders, confidence issues. and overall me hating myself growing up and it is still something that has carried into adulthood for me. So I really appreciate this book, as similar to Lori there are times where I just hate my body. I think that this is something that is hard especially for a girl when we are in the generation where filters exist so there is a comparison to things that in reality aren't even real. The author hit the nail on the head with the issues this can have on a girls confidence and the negative toll it can take day to day. I adore the therapist, and Zac and thing they bring a lot of nurturing and substance to the story. I think that as females a lot of times we have this notion that the less space we take up the more feminine or attractive we are, so I am so glad that authors such as Jo are writing books that can help girls embrace their bodies even if that means embracing a body that is outside "societies standards" I truly enjoyed Big Boned and think that it is more than just a fun read.

BIG BONED is a book about finding your self-worth and realizing you don't need the opinions of others to validate you. I adored this book. Lori was a relatable character even if you don't consider yourself to be a "big" girl. Her parent's divorce is a big topic and so is her brother, Zac, who was diagnosed with Autism. I'm sure many people could see themselves in Lori - I know I could. My parents are also divorced and I understand how hard that can be for a young woman. Watson's quirky writing takes on the form of Netflix's NEVER HAVE I EVER and an old favorite LIZZIE MCGUIRE, which means girls and women my age would really enjoy this book.

My only concern is that the side-arch of Lori's accidental activism - when she uses her street paintings to make people pay attention - felt random? I understand why Lori did it; in those moments she felt she couldn't control what was happening and painting for her brings a sense of understanding and a way for her to work through her emotions. But that's not what the paintings ended up inspiring. Not to say what they were ultimately seen for - bringing awareness to gender-based crimes in South Africa - isn't something to talk about but it didn't feel like it fit in with the overall story. We don't know how Lori continued her activism once she got to her school in Paris.

Overall, a very funny and essential book for YA readers. Adults shouldn't sleep on this either.

This book was so sweet and wholesome! I genuinely enjoyed our main character and reading from a 'bigger' person's perspective. You don't often see that lately and it's pretty important in my opinion.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Big Boned follows Lori Palmer as she switches to a different high school for her Senior year. Leaving the open and accepting halls of her former arts high school is difficult, particularly for Lori, who's been bullied and scorned in the past for her weight. She knows the only way she'll make it through her last year is to blend in, but that's easier said than done. As Lori navigates her broken home, her future as an artist, friendships, and caring for her brother, we get to watch her finally find her voice.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It centers a lot on the concept of self-love, and about being your fullest self without allowing others to tear you down. We spend a lot of time with Lori while she's in her therapist's office, learning the difficult lesson of being kind to herself. I loved these moments, the way that her therapist gave Lori tools for being kinder to herself and talked her through her insecurities and into loving herself.

I also appreciated how this book wasn't just about a fat girl. It was also about autism, and ADHD, and divorce, and parenthood, and social justice, and the beauty in broken things. I came to the page with certain expectations, and the book far exceeded those expectations.

I think this book may be quite difficult for plus-sized readers in some parts. While Lori's story and struggles are relatable, she really is not kind to or accepting of herself for the bulk of the novel. She gets there, in the end, but the struggle to get there may be triggering for readers who have gone through similar experiences, whether saying/doing those things to themselves or being bullied using that particular language/those tactics. Lori has a lot of trauma, and Jo Watson doesn't hold back in being honest and genuine about that trauma.

YES. I have been waiting for something like this. I absolutely loved it and felt very seen as a plus sized woman.

Wow... When I picked up this book at first, I thought it was going to be a relatable story about a big girl in a skinny world. Turns out it was that plus so much more.

Lori is such a relatable character for me. I've had a lot of similar experiences to her and at some parts I felt like the author had seen a younger me, made her a red head and put her in South Africa instead of Scotland and told parts of my story.

I know there's a world of Lori's out there, and I think this book would be a great read for people who feel the way Lori does.

Lori has wonderful growth and character development and it felt really natural. Sometimes she took two steps back before she took a baby step forward, and that made her so believable as a character. The love she has for her brother (but also the fact that she can be honest about how his condition affects her) really shows what a lovely character she is.

I really enjoyed reading the development/detoriation between her and the other characters. I was hooked from page one!

The other issues raised in this book are poignant and tastefully represented. I applaud the author for the delicacy around the subject.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the YA book I wish I had read when I was a teenager! It's a really fantastic take on loving yourself, body positivity, and healthy relationships, as a teen. I also loved how the book normalized therapy. Even as the middle aged woman I currently am, I enjoyed the therapy sessions in the book, a good reminder to love ourselves first.
We all also know I have a soft spot for teenage romance, and this one is so cute! It's definitely written for the YA audience though, so don't expect anything more than that.
I highly recommend this book for teens, especially teens who are struggling with finding themselves, or dealing with body image issues.
I also want to add that teenage me would definitely have given 5⭐s!

Lori Palmer is the new girl at Bay Water High. She misses her old school―where her talent as an artist carried more weight than she does.So Lori decides that the only way to survive the rest of the year is to blend into the background, but when she ends up befriending the most popular (and hottest) guy at Bay Water High, Jake.

When old anxieties resurface, Lori uses her art as release and unknowingly ignites a movement. When the authorities start asking questions, Lori realizes that finding her voice might have gotten her into a world of trouble…but sometimes standing up for what you believe in is as important as standing up for yourself.

I really enjoyed this coming-of-age story. The romance was really cute too. However, this story focused more on Lori and her emotional journey on learning to love herself. This book touches on Lori's anxiety and also shows a new perspective of being the sibling of somebody on the spectrum. I also enjoyed reading about Lori's art as well. The characters were great and I enjoyed Lori's new friendship with Thembi and her relationship with Jake.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable and heartwarming read.