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Here I Am
An honest, uplifting story about learning to live in the body you're born with.
When seventeen-year-old Marcella Boucher asks Lou Duncan to her high school's "reverse prom" she expects a few snickers. After all, no one else knows that outside school the star football player has a thing for the girl everyone calls Moocella. However, she could never have anticipated the splashy aftermath of her very public display of affection. Or how it would send her to the edge of despair. But life has a way of putting exactly what, and who, you need in front of you at the right time...you just need to be brave enough to accept them.
When seventeen-year-old Marcella Boucher asks Lou Duncan to her high school's "reverse prom" she expects a few snickers. After all, no one else knows that outside school the star football player has a thing for the girl everyone calls Moocella. However, she could never have anticipated the splashy aftermath of her very public display of affection. Or how it would send her to the edge of despair. But life has a way of putting exactly what, and who, you need in front of you at the right time...you just need to be brave enough to accept them.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published June 20, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 8, 2024
I loved a lot of things about this book. When I got it I thought it would just be another teen learns to love their body kind of book. There was that, but there was a lot more than I was expecting.
I loved how developed the characters are in this book. We only get to know Marcella as the book goes on and that's okay. She has flaws and as the book goes on she learns to over come them and deal with the people around her.
I loved how problems in the book are just presented and dealt with. I'm so tired of books that have everyone getting closure for every little thing. As this book progresses, Marcella over comes problems and doesn't really get hung up on the past. There are a few problems that take a while to over come, but when they do she is able to show growth as a person.
There is a toxic relationship in here, but I respected how the author used it. The characters know it's not a great relationship but keep falling back into it as the book goes on. It didn't have the crazy passion of a CW show, but felt more grounded.
In the end, I think my favorite thing about the book is this is so much better that "big" girl book or a "tall" girl book. The kinds of books where the character has one defining feature and once they learn to love it then everything is great. This is a book where the main character has flaws and problems, yes some of them are weight related, but not everything depends on her learning to love herself or dropping a few pounds.
I loved how developed the characters are in this book. We only get to know Marcella as the book goes on and that's okay. She has flaws and as the book goes on she learns to over come them and deal with the people around her.
I loved how problems in the book are just presented and dealt with. I'm so tired of books that have everyone getting closure for every little thing. As this book progresses, Marcella over comes problems and doesn't really get hung up on the past. There are a few problems that take a while to over come, but when they do she is able to show growth as a person.
There is a toxic relationship in here, but I respected how the author used it. The characters know it's not a great relationship but keep falling back into it as the book goes on. It didn't have the crazy passion of a CW show, but felt more grounded.
In the end, I think my favorite thing about the book is this is so much better that "big" girl book or a "tall" girl book. The kinds of books where the character has one defining feature and once they learn to love it then everything is great. This is a book where the main character has flaws and problems, yes some of them are weight related, but not everything depends on her learning to love herself or dropping a few pounds.
March 23, 2025
Realistic growth in a messy protagonist who was lovable and relatable.
January 25, 2024
Well I had a whole nice review written out but goodreads crashed and I lost it so now y’all are getting a simplified version. :(
I wish there had been more weightlifting in this story. I loved the book for the themes of finding and accepting oneself, and found family. But the main reason I picked it up was for the “MC finds weightlifting and grows to love her strong body” aspect, and it ended up being such a small point in the story. I like how the Hive is presented as this awesome women’s gym and the people there are such a community, I just wish Celly had spent more time there and less getting pulled back in by Lou.
I wish there had been more weightlifting in this story. I loved the book for the themes of finding and accepting oneself, and found family. But the main reason I picked it up was for the “MC finds weightlifting and grows to love her strong body” aspect, and it ended up being such a small point in the story. I like how the Hive is presented as this awesome women’s gym and the people there are such a community, I just wish Celly had spent more time there and less getting pulled back in by Lou.
August 17, 2024
Now this was a book that brought me closer to that indescribable feeling I chase when reading fiction. I related to the main character a bit, maybe that’s why, but the hero was my quintessential fav: present with the heroine and willing to try new things along side her. I ended this book wishing them the happiest time together
September 25, 2024
I expected to relate to Celly, but not so deeply as I actually did. This book is such an honest portrayal of BED and learning you are strong, when the world has only ever told you to shrink yourself.
I wish there was more about Celly powerlifting, but I really appreciate how thoroughly the author covered the complexities of Celly’s life.
I wish there was more about Celly powerlifting, but I really appreciate how thoroughly the author covered the complexities of Celly’s life.
January 20, 2025
CW: attempted suicide - body shaming - eating disorders
I absolutely loved this. There was a whole lot going on but it was all handled so well, and it made it be more real because people and issues are never one-dimensional.
Loved the representation of a variety of eating disorders, mental health services, and more.
I absolutely loved this. There was a whole lot going on but it was all handled so well, and it made it be more real because people and issues are never one-dimensional.
Loved the representation of a variety of eating disorders, mental health services, and more.
August 31, 2024
Great book about learning to love yourself and learning to trust the right people.
November 6, 2024
This book was a solid read. Easy to get into, relatable characters and a decent plot. But WTF if the ending! That was absolutely trash and makes me so mad
January 17, 2024
It’s all coming down on Celly during her senior year - she weighs over 300 pounds, popular boy Lou calls Celly to fool around but won’t publicly acknowledge her, there’s bullying at school. At a horrible high school event where girls publicly invite boys to Backward Prom, Lou humiliates Celly and she is close to hanging herself before she realizes that she does not want to die. Grimes is helpfully blunt and straightforward about suicidal ideation and eating disorders, and does not sugar-coat Celly’s journey to mental and physical acceptance. Celly is a vivid, engaging character surrounded by believably flawed family members, classmates, mental health professional, and friends. EARC from Edelweiss.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews