I really wanted to love this one. I was SO excited for it, but it all just rang a bit false for me. It's a story about a woman trying to lose weight and be healthy, and I didn't love the romance angle as much as I thought I would. I would have really enjoyed the story to be more about her and relationship...maybe loving herself more than making others love her? She is so self-conscious and worried about what others think, and it would have been a wonderful journey to focus on that and her health. BUT this was a romance, and I get that. It just felt forced, and I didn't love it.

I do think there are going to be many readers that really enjoy this one!

A good enough story, my issue is that the book presents itself as being about health and self acceptance but I felt that all in all it was till a story about losing weight to get the guy.

We are introduced to Preslee who is a plus-sized woman who learns that she is pre-diabetic, so she begins a journey to lead towards better health. She joins a gym, who is owned by the sweet and handsome Adam. Right from the start he is attracted to her and so kind to her. One thing leads to another and a bet forms between Adam and his co-worker friend related to Adam becoming a personal trainer for Preslee. The reader gets to see how Preslee and Adam’s relationship grow as he helps her on her journey.

Whenever a bet is involved, you can pretty much predict what the conflict is going to turn into. Despite the predictability, the book was still an enjoyable read. The romance was very sweet (maybe even a little cheesy at times). There was a bit of love triangle included, and a little bit of spice. This story also explores on some complications that may exist within families, through both the perspectives of Adam and Preslee.

I did not really like the ending, but that is just my preference. Some readers may really like the ending. I however think it made the ending feel a bit rushed.

Overall, I score Out of the Blue a 3/5, and a 1/5 on my spice scale.

Thank you Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

**I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

TW; disordered eating, unhealthy habits, body image

I find that when it comes to self-image and plus-size rep, books are either a hit or miss. This book would land somewhere in the middle.

Although our MC was already in the gym before this guy, it seemed like a cover-up of sorts- where she started for herself but it really ended up being about the guy. There was a lot of self-pity, body image issues, and TON disordered eating. A lot of real issues seemed covered up by the fascination of a guy. And "if I could just get the guy" sort of thing. Wouldn't recommend it, especially if you're dealing with a lot of these issues mentioned, could be triggering for some.

I absolutely ate this book up! I read it in one sitting so that’s how much I liked it!
I loved the premise of the book. I think everyone can relate to trying to be healthier for health and everyone struggles through it one way or another.
I really liked how Preslee worked really hard with the workouts and didn’t quit. I really enjoyed reading how she did the mud run! I am now convinced I want to do one. Preslee has some struggles from her past and I liked reading how she opens up to others.
I am in love with Adam! I really liked how he thought Preslee was attractive from the beginning and thought curves were beautiful. ( As they should be! ) I especially liked his relationship with his brother Michael and his friend Kurt. I really liked reading how they played around with each other.
I wasn’t expecting steamy scenes those were amazing! I loved how much Adam tried to show Preslee how beautiful she was and how much he wanted her.
I realized after I read this book that this is the fourth book in a series. I have to say I think this is the first book I’ve read that was part of a series and could be read as a standalone completely!

Read if you like:
Dual POVs
Plus size/curvy heroine
Gym instructor romance
Steamy scenes

When I started chapter one, it didn't take long before Preslee got me rolling with laughter.

I love this book because it shows a strong, flawed woman who is confident in herself despite her flaws. A genuinely focused woman on being better for herself and not for anyone. That's a woman I love to cheer on because she's like me.

Then, Adam, I loved him from the beginning. A man who isn’t shy or ashamed of expressing his feelings is the perfect book boyfriend I need.

Alison Bliss did wonderfully well by writing complex topics smoothly — I mean, you’re able to understand every bit without cringing.

This was a cute book and an easy read. There were definitely parts that had me laughing out loud - like the “meet disaster” incident on the stair climber and Preslee’s initial impression of the mud run.

Preslee gets some bad news at her annual physical and is determined to take better control of her health. She signs up for the only gym in town, and her first visit is a nightmare. She decides to go live while on the stair climber, and instead of turning the phone off, she increases the speed and can’t keep up. Adam, the gym owner, comes to her rescue and the whole thing goes viral. Preslee hires Adam as her personal trainer, with a side benefit of making her crush jealous.

I enjoyed how body positive this book was, but it veered into the realm of being preachy at times. I also had a lot of issues with the conflict given the power imbalance between personal trainer and trainee. Those issues were too much to overcome the parts I liked which is why I landed on a 3 star rating.

Content warnings: diet culture, crash dieting, death of parent, adoption

Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

An enjoyable book regarding Preslee who needs to take control of her weight, but is a little self conscious of joining the gym, especially when she sees Adam, the drop dead gorgeous owner. Adam offers to train Preslee after he sees her vlog of her store while she is working out. Preslee is guarded as she doesn't believe someone that good looking is in her league.

I loved this story as it showed not everyone is shallow. I related to Preslee on many levels as I used to be extremely overweight. It is hard to get out of that mindset of how you look.

Yikes! As a plus sized woman, this didn’t hit. It is even more confusing due to the fact that the author had a personal inspiration for the book. So many real, hard to talk about subjects are breezed through and the heroine only comes into herself after she’s lost the weight.

I’m sorry but if you’re going to be writing about societal issues like weight and self-love, you need to do it right.

Also, I cringed a lot, so there’s that. Do with my review what you will. The story was cute I guess just beware!

This was the story of Preslee and Adam. Preslee found out she was prediabetic and started to try and get in shape. She goes to gym and thoroughly is embarrassed. She wants to lose weight but also likes to eat junk food. The gym owner saw the video and offered to help her. A friendship grew and
that deepened to something more. The characters were likeable and the story was fun to read

I got this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope!

I jumped all over this when I saw it touted as a body positive story with a plus size heroine, but that was NOT what this was. I have ZERO issue with a plus size person working to improve their health, I've read multiple books with that story line and loved them. However, this story was laden with toxic diet culture with emphasis on pounds lost, "crash diets, and losing weight to increase attractiveness. Sure, our heroine eventually finds her confidence and learns to love herself, but only after making herself smaller. Disordered eating, particularly binge eating, and depression are skimmed over as if they're nothing.

This had SO much potential to tell a great, empowering story, but it TOTALLY missed the mark.

I enjoyed reading Out of the Blue. As a nurse, let me just say I love a book whose central character decides to take control of their own health.  Preslee is carrying a few extra pounds and makes the decision to join a gym to shed a few pounds and to feel healthier.  Little did she know that she was about to change her life forever.

It takes a lot of courage to step in a gym if you never have before.  The fitness equipment can look intimidating, and it seems as though everyone  is staring at you.  The first time Preslee goes to the gym, she finds Adam and his staff to be very helpful.  But her lack of experience on the equipment soon catches up to her and finds the experience humiliating. She leaves the gym throwing her membership card in the trash and vowing never to return.

What Preslee doesn’t know is that the vlog she recorded for her antique shop while at the gym records longer than what she had thought.  The video becomes a bit of a local sensation which sets into motion a series of events.  Despite Preslee’s decision not to return to the gym, Adam persuades her to allow him to train her.

Preslee isn’t aware that Adam has just as much to gain from this relationship as she does.  In fact, I reserved my feelings for Adam in the beginning of this book.  But as his character begins to shine through I could see that he was a nice guy and a good fit for Preslee.

The story is told from the viewpoints of Preslee and Adam and this worked very well in developing these characters. I loved reading about Preslee’s transition into a stronger, more confident woman.  There are some very funny moments in this book, but Preslee’s character was the star of this book for me.  The author does a great job in developing this character, and creates a story that is both fun and inspiring.

This book just really did not work for me.

I appreciate that the focus for Preslee was to improve her health (pre diabetic) by joining a gym and improving her diet, but it also didn’t feel like that during parts of the story.

The story itself was very predictable, and at times made me cringe.

Alison Bliss does an outstanding job at writing characters to root for!
I have loved every book in this series and this one was no exception. The story was one I could get behind. She was wanting to get in shape for her health but the main objective was NOT to make her lose weight so she could land a man. The hero was attracted to her before she even started getting in shape.
I would have enjoyed a little more spice but HOLY MOLY the couple of scenes we got were so hot I had to go back and read them again. I hope this author is not done with this series! I need more!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Book Review
Out of the Blue by Alison Bliss

Trigger warnings: Tackles controversial topic of body positivity, body shaming, mental health, and eating disorders.

Bliss includes both male and female perspectives and notes the double standard in society surrounding weight. I appreciate how the subject of weight was introduced as a health concern and that the word “diet” was exchanged for a “healthy lifestyle”.
But….
The romance took a back seat to Preslee’s personal journey towards a healthy lifestyle. The fake girlfriend thing with an “out of your league”’guy is an expected trope with this theme. I was hoping for more depth to the secondary characters and setting- Something to draw me in further.

This was a quick read that easily drew me in.
A solid read with the potential for more.

This was an enjoyable read. This book is book 4 of the A Perfect Fit series but could be read as a standalone. This book is about Preslee who accidentally releases a vlog of her at the gym which people love and becomes a fake girlfriend in order to get a guy jealous. This book was very well written as it was about a plus sized heroine with positive themes of health and body image. Also the author left a note in the beginning of the book about where her inspiration came from and I like how there are bits of the author's own story in the book. I really enjoyed the writing style which was very vivid and easy going. I was instantly hooked from the first page with the way the writing style was. The pacing was very well done with a great plot structure. Overall the author's writing is very good in terms of the plot structure, pacing, conflicts, etc.

The main character in this book is Preslee. Honestly she isn't my favorite character due to her being a little too whiny and didn't really have much of a character development. Then there is the very hot Adam who is trying to get business and decides to help Preslee. Even though Preslee wasn't my favorite character, I did enjoy seeing these two develop their relationship throughout the novel. There weren't honestly any main side characters that came into play but mostly very minor side characters which I suspect are from books 1-3. The romance in this book is a fake relationship which I enjoyed seeing and I rate the steam level 2/5 level of steaminess.

The ending was well done with a happily ever after. It was a very well written novel but the only thing that fell low for me was the main character. Other than that I really enjoyed the story and will probably check out the past books in the series to meet the other characters. Plus who doesn't enjoy hot guys with abs like please. I recommend this book if you enjoy Take a Hint, Dani Brown and Olivia Dade's books.

OUT OF THE BLUE is a laugh-a-minute, rom-com about a woman's diet and fitness journey to good health after her doctor delivers the news she is pre-diabetic. Well for pretty Preslee Owens, who has never gone to a gym before, she's like Speedy Gonzales on fire, while keeping up with a stair climber's ever increasing pace. Plus, she posts a vlog for her dad's antique store while speedily stair stepping. To her humiliation the gym owner, Adonis Adam, rescues and flirts with her, with her phone taping everything and the post goes viral!

Turns out everyone in town and the whole world sees her post and viewers cheer her on! How humiliating! Now, Preslee goes back to the gym, head down. Then, hunkalicious Adam offers to be her personal trainer, so she can't back out now. Eye candy and exercise, what more can a girl ask for?

Preslee's weight loss and flexibility amp up her confidence levels. Plus, the increasing attention she gets from Adam makes her heart race. Turns out, Adam is smitten with the kitten in his gym who turns into a tiger from his rigorous workouts. Will insecure Preslee dig into her new inner confidence and go after what she wants?

I absolutely loved, OUT OF THE BLUE! Preslee's rigorous journey to good health and fitness, with a sexy gym trainer by her side, is my cup of tea! Hurray for Preslee, who stuck it out, even when things didn't always go as planned! She is my hero, with her plucky attitude, sticking to a strict diet, and exercising her way to a fitter, healthier body. Now, if I can only do the same as Preslee! Ha! This book is going on my keeper shelf as a personal guide that you can lose weight with lots of willpower and a plan. It just takes time and dedication. Preslee and Adam are possibly the best romantic, flirty couple in a long time. What a fun story filled with goofy bits, a fanciful romance and laughter. OUT OF THE BLUE is just like buttery popcorn, extremely delicious and a sticky good time!

**Thank you to Forever & Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review**

When I first read the description of the book, I knew this was a story I would really gravitate to. As someone who loves books with plus size leads, and as someone who has struggled with body acceptance, the main character Preslee really spoke to me.

I loved how the author showed both sides of the pendulum, from a curvier girl's perspective, as well as a scrawny guy's perspective, and how the story explored fad diets, fasting, and diet pills as a non-solution to the problem. However, the ending of the book didn't sit quite right with me. It really felt as though Preslee was only able to feel confident in herself once she "got the guy" and lost a few pounds, which only further's this negative discourse surrounding body image.

I'm still on the hunt for a romance book with a plus size lead that doesn't need to lose weight, and can find love and be happy just the way she is :)

This was a really cute book with a plus size heroine who falls for her personal trainer. I loved Preslee’s character and really connected with her. I could relate to her body consciousness and her intimidation at the gym. She and Adam complemented each other perfectly. Just a small complaint regarding Preslee’s clumsiness—it was funny, but also a little cringey at times. I prefer when these traits are handled a little more subtly, rather than feeling like you’re being hit over the head with reminders. While I did find the dieting culture a bit troublesome, I still enjoyed the book and consider it a fun read. Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date Feb 1

Out of the Blue is the fourth book in a series of companion novels by Alison Bliss. It is not required to have read the previous novels in order to understand what is going on. It follows new characters, but I imagine having read the previous books will given you some back story to the side characters in this book.

Preslee is an adorable klutz. I found her an endearing character and related a bit to her prediabetic diagnosis. She was a bit obsessive about the numerical scale number moving, rather than making changes

Alison Bliss does a great job writing the feeling a plus sized woman when they enter a space that doesn't typically welcome plus-sized women. She also did a good job of talking about the dangers of dieting that many women fall into, including crash dieting and I think that it was handled better than some books typically do.

I will admit, I did not want to like Adam. He seemed like a typical "jock", but really, he wasn't. He was a stand up guy. As a personal trainer he didn't seemed obsessed about the actual loss of weight (it was Preslee who measured success by this) but by feeling fitter and healthier and making changes to improve lifestyle. He was also a guy who loved a woman with curves, and let Preslee know it.

One of the things that I think this books didn't deal with as well as it could have was the reason for Preslee's weight gain initially (some emotional things that had happened) and her learning to cope with these things in a more positive way. It is alluded that she did learn to do that, but there is no exploration of this on page.

This book was a cute, spicy book, while being quite relavant to many readers. I will be checking out Alison Bliss' other books in this series as well! Thank you to NetGalley and the Forever Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are 100% mine.