I really enjoyed the story and the different takes and outlooks the author provided for the character. The pacing and development made the story grow in interest and constantly hold attention.

It feels like a real-life portrayal of what is it to be plus-sized in a culture that values certain looks above all else. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity.

I loved this book so much, I love the writing, the characters, the story. It was refreshing to read about characters who didn’t have the perfect body and don’t fit the ‘mold’ of so many books I’ve read. While I experienced a roller-coaster of emotions (and yes, I found myself crying and laughing at parts), this book was a feel-good book and I recommend it to anyone with an open mind! Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

This book will definitely speak to anyone who has ever felt inferior because of their size. It really makes me think of the whole "if I am too much, go find less." thing. I have a feeling that this will be one of those comfort books that I reach for when I need to remind myself that my size doesn't define my worth.

I think this would be a really great book for someone who is starting out in the film industry, or is a huge movie buff. However, as someone who doesn’t fall into those categories, I struggled to connect with this book and its characters. There are references to different positions within the film industry, actors, movies, etc. If someone isn’t as invested in those areas, it can be difficult to connect with the storyline. However, the highlights of the struggles onf the industry, the prejudices, hierarchies, and privileges it something that I think it is important to bring to light.

I will say, I loved the LGBTQIA+ representation in the book. One of the really great aspects Fleming covered is how sexuality is fluid, and attraction isn’t a binary.

I wish I had more to say about this book. I really do. I wanted to love it!

Overall, having a solid interest in film would make this book easier to connect with. The writing was good, and we love a curvy FMC. But, at the end of the day, I’m just not going to be telling everyone to read this book. I won’t be reviewing publicly, as I don’t want to detract from the traction this book and its author. I truly hope all the best and success!

I loved this book so very much! I felt it on such a personal level in so many ways and felt so seen. I also adored how this seamlessly fit into irl celebrity culture with all of the name drops. It made the stakes feel that much higher and made me root incredibly hard for Diana's success. The romance was so sweet and made me more than a little bit giddy. Bonus points for all of the side characters and adorable niblings. I would definitely love more stories from this cast!

I highly recommend this one for anyone who loves celebrity romance, body positivity, and queer stories. Can't wait to read more from Lauren Marie Fleming!

Thank you so much to Entangled and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a refreshing and empowering story that goes beyond romance. Diana Smith, a queer, plus-sized woman, is unapologetically herself as she navigates Hollywood’s harsh standards. After grief halts her film career, she ends up working at a high-end department store until a surprise invitation to a gala opens doors she never thought possible. Her connection with a famous action star forces her to confront societal expectations and pursue her dream. The book tackles important topics like sizism, body image, and Hollywood’s gender politics while keeping the humor alive. I loved the chemistry between the characters and Diana's journey of self-acceptance. It’s a heartfelt, fun read with meaningful social commentary.

BECAUSE FAT GIRL by Lauren Marie Fleming feels like the author "left it all on the floor" perhaps saying everything she wanted (needed) to say in case she didn't get the the chance again. Writing about a fat queer woman definitely seems like a perfect reason to fear not getting to write a second book. Hopefully Fleming will write and publish many more books. The author's voice is naturally funny; the humor comes from a specific lens, rather than feeling forced or merely situational. The main character Diana is well developed and the reason for her leaving Hollywood ties in perfectly to where we meet her at the beginning of the book, both in her job at the department store and her situation of living with her sister. The two main male characters are also well developed, which surprised me, yet I really appreciate it. The male character who seems the most stereotypical is one of the most complex characters and the way he's written is very satisfying. I didn't expect it and loved how the author subverted my expectations of the character. The group of elder lesbians were fantastic. I loved them so much; they were pitch perfect. They deserve their own spin-off book!

Diana's sister was a bit disappointing in how she was written. There is a bit of development for her, but it seemed designed to fit the story, not drawn from the actual character. What started as a strong, very interesting character became bland and one-note for a big percentage of the story. Aside from the lesbian elder group, most of the more minor characters were one-dimensional and blended together. I had a hard time remember who some of them were. That's the main complaint I have with the book.

The second complaint I had was that it seemed like there was far too much crammed into the story. But, like I mentioned, it also felt like the author was going to get everything she could into this book and not hold back.

Otherwise, BECAUSE FAT GIRL is a compelling read--I struggled to put it down at times. I look forward to reading what Lauren Marie Fleming writes next!

OMG I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Many thanks to Entangled and NetGalley for early access to this title. I loved the readalong that Entangled ran for this book, even though I was a bit behind. And I hope to read more of the author’s work - I really connected with their emphasis on positivity and kindness!
If you’ve ever felt “other,” in particular due to size and sexual preference, I think you will also love this book. It is full of body positivity and queer representation with a sprinkling of romcom movie quotes. Personally, I love movie quotes - from the “perfect date” answer in Miss Congeniality to the shopping “mistake” in Pretty Woman to Mean Girls’s “the limit does not exist” - movie quotes make me so happy, and I love when they are referenced in books, especially romcoms. To riff off a well-known quote from Love, Actually: I’m just a girl standing in front of bookstagram, asking them to read this book ASAP!
The plot of Because Fat Girl follows Diana, who has been seen as “too much,” as she is returning to the world of writing and directing inclusive movies that showcase diverse communities, after taking a long break due to personal reasons. She is not afraid to shake up the status quo, and it is not an easy path for her. She has been saving her money from her day job to invest in herself when she happens to meet a celebrity who wants to produce her work.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how it referenced Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy. I was obsessed with this movie for a solid chunk of my life, and considering the plot of Because Fat Girl, it is an epic addition to include it. Perhaps tonight I will rewatch it - while eating fries with cheese.
I loved the positive tone that Fleming set with this book. The ending seemed a little quick, but I had tears in my eyes as I finished reading, so kudos for bringing out *all the feels*.

This book is a love letter to being your true, authentic self and not settling for the boxes society places upon you. I would love any book with comments like “Fries before guys, always” and “Now let’s go do our good deed for the week and share our greatness with the world.” This book has a wonderful cast of characters who are dealing with their own insecurities but are still able to create a beautiful found family. While the topics in the book are difficult (self-harm, depression, body insecurity, abusive relationships), they are done in a way that doesn’t trivialize them. Diana isn’t perfect, but I found myself rooting for her happy ending and for her dreams to come true. I appreciated the way that being queer was portrayed in this book, as there was strong representation throughout the pages (I won’t go into more detail for fear of spoilers). Overall, this was a fun, quick read that is perfect for romance lovers!

This book has been one of my favorite reads of the year! The characters are lovable, the storyline is incredibly compelling, and the last few chapters made me cry in the best way. Huge bonus: celebration of queerness and active reflection on society's messaging are woven seamlessly throughout the story, making the story feel that much more real, heartfelt, and meaningful. Highly recommend!

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in only two days. The book is well-written and touches on subjects that should be talked about more. The female main character Diana identifies as fat and queer. She is a writer and filmmaker that tackles one obstacle after another to get her work funded and produced. I could relate to her struggle to achieve her dreams. It's so hard to see less talented people that are connected get breaks when you can't get one no matter how hard you work.

I also loved the male main character Drew. His patience with Diana was so sweet, even though I had a hard time believing any guy would be so patient. I confess that I don't know much about the inner workings of the homosexual community and how they treat bisexual people, but it was discouraging that anyone would be criticized or ostracized because of who they are attracted to. I was glad when Diana decided to do what she wanted to without allowing the prejudice of others to dictate her behavior. That took a lot of courage. I also loved how faithful Diana was to her best friend. It also takes courage to defend a friend and go to the mat for them.

The book ends with a fairy tale ending that seemed a bit out of place with the challenges and troubles the characters went through, but I'm not mad at it. I lived vicariously through Diana as all of her dreams came true.

This book has diverse characters, tackles tough issues, but still has humor and sweetness in it. If that interests you, I highly recommend you check this book out.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing. All opinions are my own.

This book was amazing!! Diana never gave up on her dreams, even when it seemed like everything was going wrong. She's such an inspiration to other fat girls who feel like they cannot aspire to occupy spaces that are typically only for thin, privileged girls/women. Her relationship with her sister was so raw and real, showing moments that anyone can relate to. I was so proud that they could share their feelings through complicated arguments and work towards a better relationship. All the characters were so well thought out, and I loved them. Drew and Diana slowly progressed from a friendship to something more, and Drew was so patient and communicative, which made the relationship much sweeter. This beautifully written story will make you laugh and cry. I recommend that everyone read this incredible story.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and Brittany Zimmerman for the arc copy. I'm so grateful that I was able to read this story.

I LOVED this book! Once I got started I only stopped because I had to work or was driving. What a funny (why yes, I did giggle aloud when I was by myself), lovely story! It must be made into a movie.

I was ALL IN with all of the character's told from Lauren's viewpoint within two chapters. And while the book did cover many serious and important topics, it wasn't in a way that stopped me from reading and taking in the story. Lauren beautifully weaves together narratives offering a glimpse into the world of otherwise ignored communities so it was educational in that way without being preachy or overpowering. Even though the characters have journeys I have not been on, they are relatable in some way to all of us.

Lauren wrote about connection and love and how it can flourish in the most unexpected ways. There's also fashion, fun, famous hot people, celebrity parties and a red carpet! It was truly refreshing to read. I had a smile when it ended and I didn't want it to end. Also, it's possible that is the best Epilogue I've read in a very long time! Thank you Lauren!

This book was not one that was on my radar for new releases prior to being introduced to it by Entangled Insiders. I was able to get a copy for their read along in the Facebook group. Initially I was drawn in by the title. As a plus size woman I always love to read a story centered around a plus size main character as they’re so infrequent.

Overall I would say I enjoyed this story. I have an interest in filmmaking as well, which made this a story that was up my alley. The plot centering around filmmaking kept my attention well throughout the book, and I ended up finishing it about a week before the read along ended, which stands out to me as I usually get behind in a read along.

Although the romance tended to take a backseat in this story, the romantic scenes became some of my favorite parts of the book. I actually found myself wishing there were more intimate scenes in this story, as they were very well written by the author. If I was to pick up another of their books, I would likely aim for one with more romance at the center.

There are some areas of improvement I would like to have seen in the book. Some of the humor/friendships in this book felt a little young adult to me. For example the quote “You’re fun as f*** and sexy as hell” came off as cringy to me. I couldn’t picture myself and a friend interacting in that way. I also found myself skimming some repetitive lines and dialogue here and there.

I did struggle to enjoy a lot of this book because it felt like I was being lectured. It felt very “in your face” rather than showing issues and allowing the reader to come to a conclusion on their own. It needed to enact more “show don’t tell”. I also didn’t love the ending/epilogue. While I could find it believable for the movie to be a success, I think winning so many awards was over exaggerated.

I feel fortunate to have received this book as part of the publisher's read-along. The story follows Diana, a queer plus-size personal shopper in a high-end Hollywood store for celebrities. She lives with her sister in the suburbs but dreams of becoming a writer, director, and actor. When Andy starts to pursue her, Diana tries to keep him in the friend zone, insisting she's only interested in women. As Chris and Drew invest in Diana's script for a film and they start working closer together, Diana begins to question her feelings for Drew and whether she, as a fat queer woman, can have a relationship with a hot movie star and be accepted in both Hollywood and queer societies.

This emotional self-discovery journey showed a lot of character development for Diana. She needed to learn to trust the people who love her and herself. It conveyed the message that being different and pursuing your dreams outside the norm is okay. I particularly enjoyed Drew's character and his determination to never give up on Diana.

Because Fat Girl by Lauren Marie Fleming was a really great story.
I could not put this book down! It’s so well written and the characters very engaging.
I just adored these characters.
I was so invested in this story, and just felt so sad when it ended!
I couldn't put it down, read it in less than a day.

Thank You NetGalley and Entangled: Amara for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

At first, I was worried that this book was about to fall victim to a queer woman just waiting for the right dick to straighten her out, but the author not only acknowledged this harmful idea but subverted it by having Diana expressly voice her worries about allowing herself the freedom to fall for Andy and losing her queer community in return.

I really appreciated that this story didn’t try to gloss over the fact that Diana, who identifies as a queer woman, fell for a cishet man, especially when the book is advertised as LGBTQ+. She was forced to examine how her own sexuality and preferences might have been impacted and influenced by her past and harmful comments made by queer people about queer people.

Something I was a bit turned off by was the fact that Diana so often preached about loving her body as it was, looking at it as a sign of how far she had come from self-hating and harm; yet her monologues were full of those same self-hating ideologies that I would think to be harmful for plus-sized readers.

Once she got past the idea of losing her community by being with Andy and examined her sexuality, she was still stuck on how their relationship would be portrayed in the media and belittle her while shining a redeeming, progressive light on Andy — mainly focusing on her weight and Andy’s lack of.

I did enjoy the book, and I respect what the author was attempting with this story, but it wasn’t spectacularly written or epiphanical by any means.

Thank you, netgalley and Entangled for this arc. All opinions are my own.

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️

A must read for curvy girls everywhere!!! Now many books make you fell seen but this hits so many targets for me! The writing was fun and easy to read!

Diana is surviving life dressing the stars. She helps one celebrity and gets an invite to a party’s. She meets child actor Drew. He starts to pursue her but Diana is queer and curvy preferring female company, right?!

The characters are amazing and the was so well thought out. And I leave the book with a life long mantra!

Because fat girl!!!