Nate’s pretty close to perfect – he takes Cat rock climbing when he discovers that it makes her feel strong and becomes a great chef after he learns that the perfect pesto sauce makes her swoon. Cat starts to feel like her old self again - confident and beautiful - as long as Nate's around. Even when he discourages her from entering the Real Woman Project, a design competition for plus-sized apparel, she reasons that he's just trying to prevent old body image wounds from splitting wide open again. But when Cat goes home with Nate for Thanksgiving, she discovers something shocking from his recent past that proves that he hasn’t always been so encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. Cat has no idea what to think, but she does know one thing - this might destroy their relationship before it's even had a chance to get off the ground.
Before Cat can figure out whether the real Nate is the sensitive, adoring guy she fell in love with, or an undercover asshole, she'll have to finally feel comfortable in her own skin - even if it means leaving him forever.
My Review:
It's hard for me to articulate how I feel about this book. It's an interesting blend of being a really important "issue" book about body image and new adult, full with graphic descriptions of sex. I must say that I've never read a contemporary "issue" book like this one and the message is SO important. As someone who hasn't (and sometimes still isn't) comfortable in her own skin, this book was very real, and often painful to read because I knew all too well what Cat was feeling and how self-conscious you can be even when others don't see you that way.
For any woman who's ever needed reassurance that she's beautiful no matter how her body looks, this is a great book. The problem, of course, is that the younger audience (teens) will miss this message because the book simply is not appropriate for them. The characters are college juniors, doing things college kids do - like sleeping together on the first date. There is also profanity sprinkled throughout.
My only other criticism is that I would have liked to see Cat's metamorphosis unfold a little more at the end of the book. I don't feel like you can decide to love your body purely out of spite for someone else. That may be the catalyst, but the full level of insecurity wouldn't disappear that quickly IMO.
Otherwise, I really did enjoy reading the novel and it reminded me of the beauty in all women regardless of body shape. Plus, the steamy scenes were smoking hot. :) This book is appropriate for 17+ woman who enjoy romance novels, but also want some depth to their plots.
For any woman who's ever needed reassurance that she's beautiful no matter how her body looks, this is a great book. The problem, of course, is that the younger audience (teens) will miss this message because the book simply is not appropriate for them. The characters are college juniors, doing things college kids do - like sleeping together on the first date. There is also profanity sprinkled throughout.
My only other criticism is that I would have liked to see Cat's metamorphosis unfold a little more at the end of the book. I don't feel like you can decide to love your body purely out of spite for someone else. That may be the catalyst, but the full level of insecurity wouldn't disappear that quickly IMO.
Otherwise, I really did enjoy reading the novel and it reminded me of the beauty in all women regardless of body shape. Plus, the steamy scenes were smoking hot. :) This book is appropriate for 17+ woman who enjoy romance novels, but also want some depth to their plots.
Author Bio:
Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she's not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and
girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.
10 comments:
It sounds like a really good book and the kind of thing I would like, but I don't like graphic sex scenes. I really wish NA was less graphic, Gayle Foreman style ;).
I'm not really into sex scenes, but like I've been telling others I really like that this is about accepting who you are. I still can't wait to read it! Thanks for the review (-:
I tend to prefer books that don't give graphic details during sex scenes. Maybe I'm just too YA. ;)
Good premise. I just wrote a story about a male model, so this one hits home. The weight issues will be something that lots and lots of folks will relate to. Good luck!
This book sounds interesting and I do like NA. I don't mind graphic details (if it's too graphic, you could always just skip over it) and I agree that this issue is particularly important. I know a lot of teens suffer from it (I did) and a lot of college girls do too. Thanks for the review and giveaway :)
Hi Jessie! Thank you SO MUCH for this awesome review, and your hospitality today! And commenters, for your enthusiasm and support. I'm so honored to be here. <3
xoxox
Aless
Your welcome, Aless! Thanks for allowing my little blog to take part in your tour!
The book sounds interesting with characters many people might identify with.
Congratulations, Aless. Best of luck to you.
This is definitely an important subject. Body image has been studied forever; it's a plague of our humanity. I'm glad you mention the mature nature of the book. Hmm... I'll have to think about this one. But one thing I can say: that's an interesting cover.
Wow, this is such an interesting concept and I'm really intrigued by the secret Nate is keeping.
Post a Comment
I love hearing your thoughts! Thanks for dropping by.