Member Reviews
A huge thank you to the publisher for the ARC!
*Note: this is an HONEST SPOILER FREE REVIEW*
---
"'I want everyone who doesn’t conform to mainstream beauty standards to know that they are worthy of an epic love story too. We all are.'"
My rating: 3.75 stars
---
If I could describe this book–"Set on You" by Amy Lea–in one word, I would say inspirational. Inspiring. A book that uplifts and acknowledges.
A rom-com full of pop culture references, hilarious side characters, a dimpled Chris Evans firefighter, and Asian (Chinese) representation, Set on You is adorable. It truly is. I mean we can’t ignore the banter and hot, hot, hot firemen. Someone please get me a Scott Landon Ritchie. And let’s not forget to mention that this is enemies to lovers *squeals*.
Now, this isn’t just a fluffy and hot romance book. I also applaud Amy Lea for bringing attention to such an important matter–societal beauty standards and the impact it has on those who are not conventionally pretty. Crystal Chen, the heroine, is a fitness influencer who focuses on body positivity and acceptance, especially for those who are curvy/plus size like herself. It is so easy to fall for society’s unrealistic standards, and I think Lea did a good job depicting such themes throughout the book. As well as the unseen sides of being an influencer today. I think Crystal’s journey with these themes is one of my favorite aspects of the book.
FULL REVIEW ON GOODREADS
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4501065676
Booktok: katsxlibrary
Bookstagram: day_dreamer394
Awesome messages of self-love and acceptance. I am now convinced that Scott is the new standard all men should strive for.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.
This was such a wonderful read! I related to Crystal in many different ways, and absolutely loved Scott as a love interest! I thought that the story was well-paced and even had a little bit of spice (which I enjoyed!). I cannot wait to read more from Amy Lea, she's definitely become an auto-buy author for me! Thank you Berkley for the e-copy!
Thank you, NetGalley, for approving me for an ARC of this book!
I knew I would love this book when I first requested it. As a curvy woman who loves going to the gym, I really resonated with the main character. Crystal was such a relatable character, even when she was confident, even when she wasn’t. I kind of fell in love with her by the first chapter. Scott felt like he was literally Chris Evans written into a book- and that’s not a complaint. Who doesn’t love Chris Evans?? He’s even described as the man himself multiple times. He was kind, affectionate, confident, so sure of himself. While also being unafraid to feel things, to express those feelings, and to admit weakness. They made such a cute couple, and their story was even cuter- In typical rom com fashion, this book had me laughing one second and saying “Aww” in the next. I was pleasantly surprised to find it had a little bit of spice! Amy Lea is a new auto-buy author for me! 🙌🏻
Slight spoiler: I’m hoping she continues this series on some of the side characters mentioned in this book.
It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.
3.5 stars rounding down as it wasn't a strong half a star.
Starting with the positive: I loved Crystal and her character and how she was comfortable in herself. I loved the body positivity and how we got glimpses into her plans, her fitstagram style, blogging, and positive friendships and collaborations. I love books with all this, and the fact that's he is half Irish (I'm Irish) and half Chinese gave us some cute and fun comparisons between the two family backgrounds. Also, her family, especially that grandma (who was having a time), was entertaining!
My problem was the love interest. And as this is a ROMANCE book, that affects my reading a lot. I 100% put it down to how he was introduced (and me, unfortunately, seeing a bullying comparison from my own life) because all I saw was an asshole, and it coloured him for me. That kiss, too, was way too fast when I still disliked him. Yes, towards the end, I kind of liked him, but by then, it was too late. I don't think this is the author or stories fault, just a personal dislike.
Set on You is a short rom-com about a plus size fitness influencer and a firefighter who looks like Chris Evans (a fact that was repeated multiple times throughout the book). While I did enjoy some aspects of the story, namely the adorable banter between the characters, I have to admit this book fell short for me. Crystal, our heroine, is introduced as a 27 year old fitness influencer, but she often acted far younger than her age. I found that she was extremely immature in her relationship with Scott, as well as in the way she dealt her "trolls". I debated putting this down several times during the first half of the book because I found the writing to be a bit more juvenile than what I was expecting. There were countless references to pop-culture, which I did not enjoy. I was also extremely uncomfortable with the "grand gesture" at the end of the book. Overall, the banter between the characters was great, and I really did like Scott's character, but this book fell below my expectations.
I'm not sure about my feelings on this one. It took me longer to read than any romcom should, but I just found the main character to be so infuriating. I liked the romance between her and Scott, but Crystal had such a chip on her shoulders that made it hard to read without despising her - she came off as just being an angry mean girl.
LOVED! Very cute romance that introduced a plus-sized woman who is confident in her own body and has created a platform around it. Loved the male love interest being a) a total simp and b) a Chris Evans look alike. So many cute moments, also accompanied by some spice. An amazing read that I couldn’t put down!
Content warnings: fatphobia, cyberbullying, and references to racism, fitness/ diet culture, and cancer
When I read the blurb of this book, I knew I was going to absolutely love this book. Biracial rep, fat rep, swoony worthy love interest and I read somewhere about the bathtub scene(oh my goodness, this was so hot and nice and beautiful and sexy)
Crystal is a curvy fitstagrammer and she enjoys gymming, so what happens when the 'rude' nemesis, Scott enters? What happens when they realise that they're grandparents(Crys' maternal grandmother and Scott's paternal grandpa) are getting married. One thing leads to another and they find themselves getting closer to each other.
The grumpy x sunshine trope was spot on. Scott is such a softie(he's scared of needles🥺) and I loved him, I loved everything about his character and yes I am biased but I don't care, even those cheesy cringey pick-up lines were amazing. Crystal's character arc was amazing, we see how she tackles body positivity and confronts her own belief, I really enjoyed the way she grows throughout the book, especially her growth because of the 'conflict'. I also love the grandparents, grandma had my heart, she was amazing and I enjoyed her conversations, her meddling nature quite a lot.
The chemistry between Scott and Crystal was too good, they were there for each other and Scott was such a nice love interest, he was caring, the banter between these two was hilarious, the tension, the first locker scene was fire. I will also not be able to eat clementines without thinking about them because those moments were so wholesome, and it was so adorable.
One thing that I really wished for was to have Scott's POV, I was very desperate to know his POV because his character was pretty and I would have enjoyed it quite a lot more(though I have enjoyed it but this would have been a cherry on the cake)
This books talks about quite a few themes and the most prominent one was 'self-love', something I've only recently started practicing and it discusses so many important topics that were very much needed and I commend Amy for bringing these topics in because to me they were not really overwhelming and very much needed.
This book is a light, fluffy and a fun read and I read it so fast, it shocked me. I love it. I'll think about these two quite often. I am all on board for reading any and every book that Amy writes in the future and as far as I know Mel and Tara will be getting a book of their own *screams*
I am absolutely in love with not only Scott and Crystal’s relationship development but them as individual characters! Crystal is smart, ambitious, shows the importance of self-love, and hilarious. Her humor made the enemies-to-lovers so perfect! I loved seeing Scott’s soft and true side eventually shine through. I truly enjoyed every character in this story.
Set on You is a fast paced, enemies-to-lovers that I never wanted to end. Easily one of my favorite reads this year (and I’ve read quite a few already)! With this being Amy Lea’s debut, I can not wait to see what she writes next.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely adored Set on You!! If you’re a fan of Ali Hazelwood’s books then you’re going to love Set on You. Full review will be up on pop-culturalist closer to release date.
I love a Canadian author, and I love a story that isn’t so obsessed with body positivity that it takes over what’s really happening.
This was probably my favourite read of January, and my first 5 star read of 2022. Very excited to see what else Amy Lea has planned!
A romance about a curvy heroine and a Chris Evans lookalike is my ideal book and Set on You completely exceeded my expectations. It was such a fun and addicting read and I already want to re-read it. Crystal is a fitness trainer with a large following on Instagram, and Scott is a fireman who steals Crystal’s bench press from her on his first day at the gym. This starts a rivalry between Scott and Crystal, until they are forced to make amends when they realize their grandparents are marrying each other. I loved the family dynamic and all of the side characters in this book, and there were so many great messages about self-love and body positivity. I could definitely see this becoming a popular on Booktok and I can’t wait to read more by this author!
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I love love loved Crystal's story! As a personal trainer and fitness instructor (not to mention Asian) and married to a fireman, I identified with Crystal so much. The battles in the gym with Scott, her love of training and her interactions with her clients were all so relatable to me. But even if I hadn't identified with her, I would still love Crystal and Scott's journey to finding themselves together. The side characters (their grandparents and friends) really contributed to the story and I highly recommend this book!
What a delightful rom-com debut from Amy Lea!
A fitness influencer who talks about self-acceptance and body image falls for a swoon-worthy firefighter over a squat rack??? Count me the fuck in! Lea's got such a fun writing style full of A+++ pop culture references, wise-cracking side characters, and nosy grandparents. (I grew up inhaling Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels! Love me a nose grandparent!!!!!)
I thiiiiink where things got a tad off-kilter for me was the romantic arc itself. As an avid gym-goer, I felt like Scott really was just a jerk at the beginning of the book, and I didn't love his actions being justified with the old-fashioned "if he's being mean to you, it's because he likes you!!!" line of thinking. Plus, it felt like this novel quickly leaned too heavily on random miscommunications on Crystal's part as opposed to enemies-to-lovers. I appreciated though that Lea was trying to show how Crystal's own insecurities were the biggest hindrance to her happiness, as opposed to anything Scott was actually doing. My opinion is just a personal preference for the trope!
I think Amy Lea's got a bright future in the genre, and you bet your ass I'm excited to see what comes next.
RITCHIE_SCOTTY7: There's something wrong with my phone.
CURVYFITNESSCRYSTAL: ??
RITCHIE_SCOTTY7: It doesn't have your number in it."
oh em gee!! Scott Landon Ritchie! Stone-cold fox. Cinnamon roll! Six-foot-two alpha male fireman. No words to properly encapsulate the kaleidoscope of feelings (FEELINGS) I have toward him and Amy Lea's debut novel!
Set on You will leave readers star-fishing on the floor with a million and one hearts bursting around their head. Readers will be swooning like a teenage girl at a 1D concert. (I speak from personal experience). I LOVED THIS. I am a sucker for pop-culture references. I feel that it makes the characters and situations more relatable. Like, hey, I love that show too! Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Lyssa Kay Adams. Lunge at that preorder button like a flying squirrel!
☝🏼Me to Set on You/Scott Ritchie.
Ps. Can we get one of those first responder calendars with Scott?
Note: see author’s note for possible sensitive topics.
💪🏼 READ IF YOU LIKE 💪🏼:
-nemesis to lovers
-mid 2000s pop culture references
-clementines
-Lizzo (shout out to Sisqo)
-grand gestures
-pick up lines & witty banter
-communicating in gifs
-Chris Evans firefighter hero channeling the spirit of Darth Vader
-strong, curvy, biracial Chinese heroine
-body positivity & self-love
-#IsThisAKissingBook: 18+ "His kiss is a revival. It's full of life..."
Thank you Berkley for an advanced copy!!
Pps. My only compliant (LOL- not a true complaint) is that this is Amy’s debut novel which means there’s no back list or anything else of Lea’s to binge. 😉 Crossing my fingers for MORE!! 🤞🏼Amy Lea has become an auto-buy author for me! 😘
🎶 Song: Cuz I Love you by Lizzo 🎶
What a absolutely charming + darling debut by Amy Lea! This enemies to friends to lovers romance made me SWOON. It was a lovely balance of all the feels and all the steam. Crystal is a personal trainer/fitness instagrammer who finds herself equally annoyed and attracted to the new guy at the gym who stole her favorite squat rack, Scott. Turns out Scott isn’t the cocky gym bro that he seems but a sweet firefighter with a golden doodle and a fear of needles. Crystal finds herself falling fast but is hesitant to put her heart out there again after her last relationship ended badly. I connected instantly with the characters and was so invested in their relationship. Their chemistry leapt off the page and I loved the sweet romantic thoughtfulness they showed each other. The supporting characters and storylines were also great additions to the overall story and the pacing was perfect. I laughed out loud several times.
I loved that themes of self acceptance, self care, and self love were explored along with thoughtful consideration of the body positivity movement. I truly appreciated the author’s note at the beginning as well. I cannot wait to read more love stories from this author!!
Thank you so much to Berkley Pub + Berkley Romance + Netgalley for my copy.
Steamy, fun, and accurate - Set On You is a realistic romance read that will cater to both romance junkies and fans of realistic representation of women alike.
I quite liked it actually, especially the message about the body positivity, self-love and self discovery it has provided. However, I can’t help but find the characters a bit flat and the beginning a tad bit slow. So, it’s a 3.5 star read for me.