I really want more books that have fat main characters who aren't ashamed of who they are, but this isn't the way to do it. I was kind of offended by the way BB talked. She was really judgy of the other people in her life, especially about their size. Instead of using things as teaching moments to show the assumptions people have about fat people, she was just rude and mean to them. Fat people not being believed at the doctor is very true, I know from first-hand experience, but I felt like the beginning of the book was just a big drama show instead of a teaching opportunity. BB was just not nice. Girls don't have to be nice to be strong or worthy of a story, but she wasn't giving out the attitude she wanted to receive.

Not to mention the fact that a previously able-bodied character has to use a wheelchair and it is treated like it's the end of the world.

The disability rep was abysmal and I didn't like the fat rep either.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Delacorte Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

This was cute and empowering. Bluebelle is forced to keep a food diary, as she is overweight and loves food too much. Such a small task ends up becoming an epiphany for her in her teenage life. I loved the confidence and self love messages throughout this novel. The only flaw I would say is that the plot doesn't really pick up until halfway through the novel.

Pros: The cover and title were eye catching and fun! I loved the plot. The idea that you are essentially going on an adventure with the MC through her food diary is a really great concept, and I loved that the story was told through that lens.

Cons: This is not necessarily what I would label body positive. The lines of thinking were very extreme, and I really feel like it could down people who have limited mobility. The message really killed it for me.

Overall I enjoyed this fun (and often funny) exploration of a young woman who (for once) is comfortable in her own skin. As someone who has always been overweight, I appreciated the efforts to accurately capture living a life where you're constantly assuming (sometimes correctly, sometimes not) that others are noting, judging, or remarking on your size. Similarly as someone who has recently begun to exercise but does so with concerns that such activities somehow negate my past plus-sized positivity, I appreciate that BB also struggles with this concern before arriving at the conclusion (that I have) that you can both be comfortable in a larger body while still maintaining it in a manner that will permit you to do the things you love (including eating). Often these stories either end with no change in approach to bodily self care or a complete rejection of previous weight and pleasures. Dockrill managed to steer a course through the middle while maintaining a pleasant and likeable protagonist.

Dockrill's My Boyfriend Is a Croissant is bound to evoke strong emotions in readers. Whether you love it or hate it, it's not a book that allows for a middle-ground opinion. On the one hand, there's a thread of body positivity and acceptance that is definitely needed in literature, especially YA. STOP READING NOW IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ A POTENTIAL SPOILER. IT'S A TINY ONE, BUT YOU'VE BEEN WARNED. It's important to the review to share this part. There's another thread of the story that could legitimately be viewed as ableist by readers as well. I do not believe it was the author's intent, but that does not negate the potential impact. So, there's both good and bad in the book. It's one I'd want for younger girls to read in conversation vs. independently.

Many thanks to NetGalley for sharing this book with me in exchange for an unbiased review.

I think that the body positive message behind this book was refreshing, but it just missed the mark for me and I found the overall execution of the novel to be lacking.

I found it very hard to relate to BB, and if I'm being completely honest she annoyed me.

I also didn't feel that very much really happens in this book and that the plot was lacking until about 60% into the book, and by then I was already just ready for the story to be over.