At a Glance

Title: One to Watch

Author: Kate Stayman-London

Expected Publication: July 7, 2020 by Dial Press

Page: 432

Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction

Goodreads Rating: 4.24 out of 5

My Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis

My Thoughts

I had never watched The Bachelor until about 3 or 4 years ago. I think Arie was my first season. I’m not huge on reality TV shows and really I didn’t have cable once I got out of college. One of my best friends though loves The Bachelor and she finally wore me down to where I’d come watch it with her and a group of girls. I finally decided that even if I didn’t love The Bachelor it was a great excuse to simply drink wine on a Monday night with girl friends. Except I am now obsessed. How did that happen?!

One to Watch, is a iteration of The Bachelor and is told through various perspectives. Our main character and POV is from Bea. A Plus size blogger who is cast as the ‘Main Squeeze’ aka The Bachelorette in an effort to make the show more body positive. Going in with the attitude to simply promote her business, Bea never dreams she’d find love on the show.

When we first met Bea, even though she alludes confidence, she’s very aware and self conscience of her weight. Also having been on the heavier side, Bea uses fashion to give her the confidence to be a bada** business women. But love has alluded her and when her long time crush, Ray, finally sleeps with her than ghosts her, her love life has hit rock bottom. Then she’s asked to star on the reality TV show, Main Squeeze, where 24 Bachelors will fight to win her heart. But can Bea let her insecurities go in order to let love in or will she self-sabotage herself again in order to stay in her comfort zone.

I like Beau but when we first meet her even though she acts confidence, she let’s what other’s say really impact her. She also finds that she is unworthy of love just because she’s plus size. I really hated how much she hated on herself, but we do really see her grow through the book.  She also has a bit of a bad attitude when first going onto the show, constantly worried about people being fake or lying to her about their motives. While I can see where she’s coming from, you can’t expect to find love or friendship if you continuously think the worst of people.

Other than Bea’s POV, we also here the story through a weekly Podcast, which is totally the same way my girlfriends and I chat about The Bachelor every week. That along with text message and email dialogues peppered throughout the story, really make this book fast read.

I highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun rom-com read. This book may be a take on The Bachelor but it goes deeper than that by promoting body positivity and that what really matters is intentions and what’s on the inside.

This book comes out July 7th, get your copy pre-ordered HERE!

I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on One to Watch. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books. 

About the Author

Kate Stayman-London is a novelist, screenwriter, and political strategist. She served as lead digital writer for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has written for notable figures ranging from President Obama and Malala Yousafzai to Anna Wintour and Cher. When not writing or traveling, Kate can be found obsessively ranking Taylor Swift songs, laughing loudly with friends over really good bottles of wine, and of course, watching reality TV. She lives in Los Angeles.

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