Excellent book, love it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was unique in having a queer character that ultimately falls for a cis male. I've never read a book that had that kind of situation, so it was interesting to have that play out in the story. I felt like the end of the book was fairly easy to see coming. It is one part of the book that I felt was unrealistic. I enjoyed the characters and how well developed they were. Overall it was an enjoyable story.

We need more books like this especially given what happened this past election. This book is full of all the tidbits that will get us through the next four years. Find and fight for those who love and understand you just like Diana.

Thank you to Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

This is a book that draws you in slowly. Diana Smith is a plus sized person who dreams of making award winning movies. She was on the cusp at one point but plans were derailed. Now she works as a store stylist which includes clothing for celebrities. She gets an off hand invite to a celebrity A-listers party and there she meets Drew, a famous action star.

There is realistic depiction of fat phobia, bi erasure and other queer discriminations. There is the darker side of Hollywood too. But this is a woman’s journey to get her life back on track. Drew is a cinnamon roll character. He wants to help her make her movie. And he is so willing to let her lead and not take over. Diana doesn’t always make the choices I want. She keeps Drew in the friend zone and can be blunt with her sister and friends. She is a quivering mass of insecurities. But that just makes it all the better when she comes into herself. I confess I wasn’t expecting as complicated a novel from Entangled Publishing, especially as it is marketed as a romance.

I’d suggest it leans towards women’s fiction with the focus on Diana finding her confidence and voice. She doesn’t do it alone and has good core support and the luck of new influential backers. The title is bold and in your face. And so is Diana. The epilogue gives the HEA you want and leaves you feeling wonderfully satisfied. I also enjoyed following the read along with the Entangled Insiders Facebook group led by Brittany Zimmerman.

An important debut women's fiction/romance featuring a queer, fat aspiring filmmaker in Hollywood who finds herself becoming enmeshed in the life of a posh male celebrity who is interested in helping her produce her movie. This had AMAZING queer/trans rep and didn't shy away from the darker sides of celebrity. I liked that the author narrated the audiobook but found they read a little too quickly for comfort. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review. I'm excited to read what Lauren Marie Fleming writes next!

Really enjoyed this one. I loved the writing style, the characters, and the overall 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!

I thought this book was entertaining and there were some funny parts that I enjoyed. There was some good banter and I liked the side characters. I did like the overall premise of the story but I felt like something was missing.

What a great story about going after your life long dream. Such a moving book, I couldn't put it down. Without spoiling it, I just want to tell you to read it, and read it now for an inspiring story.

Short blurb: "Hollywood isn’t nice to women like Diana Smith, but that hasn’t stopped her from being unabashedly queer, plus-sized, and determined to make award-winning movies that showcase the diversity of her community. She was so close to her goal, appearing at festivals and gaining attention for her short films, when grief came and shattered Diana’s directorial dreams."

I don’t think this was for me. I struggled connecting to the MC and tried to appreciate all the diverse aspects designed within this character, but I just had a tough time with her.

We meet Diana Smith a plus size filmmaker who is know for being a little to much but she’s determined to make her way in a place that is unkind to women like her.
After taking a break due to personal reason she meet up with someone who wants to work with her and off she goes.
Diana’s journey is both hilarious and emotionally it will make you cry at times.
I loved the relationships, friendships and how the author handled some difficult topics that are addressed in this book
If you’re looking to read a story that is both entertaining and empowering and emotional this is a book for you . It reminds Us that everyone deserves respect and a HEA.
Overall a fun quick emotional read.
This book will resonate with anyone who has ever felt out of place at one time or another.
Thank you netgalley and entangledpublishing

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.

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!