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Fat Girls in LA #1
All About Vee
Veronica May ("Big Vee") is a bubbly, gorgeous, confident, eighteen-year-old theater actress from Chester, Arizona. She is also two hundred pounds. She puts off college, her life, and her questions about her mother's death twelve years earlier to care for her widowed father.
Then Daddy announces that he's going to remarry and Veronica feels replaced. She decides, then and there, it's time for Big Vee to shine! She escapes Arizona and follows in the footsteps of her mother, who was an aspiring actress, to Hollywood.
Between shifts with a cute co-worker at the local coffee bar, Vee auditions, falls in love, dumps a toxic friend, learns to deal with love and loss, and finally, finds her place in the spotlight.
310 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2008
3 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
About the author
C. Leigh Purtill
5 books54 followersI've lived in a lot of places and done a lot of things - much of which has informed my writing in some fashion. I love writing fish-out-of-water stories and books about characters who move to new places and try new things. I wish I could be as bold as Meg Shanley in LOVE, MEG and as fearless as Veronica May in ALL ABOUT VEE. I have other stories and other characters and hopefully, one day you will read about them too.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 27, 2008
Reviewed by Harmony for TeensReadToo.com
Veronica May, better known as Vee, has always been a daddy's girl. Now Daddy is remarrying and Veronica feels replaced, so she sets off to Hollywood, to follow her dreams of being an actress and to follow in her deceased mother's footsteps.
Vee moves in with her old best friend, who had graduated early to pursue her own acting dream, and with her advice, Vee begins taking yoga, acting classes, and starts working at the local coffee shop.
Of course, not everything goes as planned. With an unexpected romance, a backstabbing best friend, and all the drama that comes with being in Hollywood, Vee begins to wonder whether or not she'll ever make it in the acting world, especially when they're not exactly open to plus-sized actors.
ALL ABOUT VEE was, to use a single word, unexpected. I didn't realize there'd be so much depth in the novel, despite it's length. I figured it'd be something between GOSSIP GIRL and SECRETS OF MY HOLLYWOOD LIFE, but it was something so much better than that.
The characters were well-developed and relatable and the prose was well-written. You could really feel yourself being transported into the story and it was so easy to relate to Vee, as well as the other characters. The plot itself was original and not your average take on an up-and-coming actress. There was nothing about being rich or having the right look or anything you usually find in those types of novels. The romance was also very realistic and, though it was a bit predictable, I really did enjoy it.
I would definitely recommend ALL ABOUT VEE to everyone, especially if you have an interest in acting, Hollywood, or just want to read something fun.
Veronica May, better known as Vee, has always been a daddy's girl. Now Daddy is remarrying and Veronica feels replaced, so she sets off to Hollywood, to follow her dreams of being an actress and to follow in her deceased mother's footsteps.
Vee moves in with her old best friend, who had graduated early to pursue her own acting dream, and with her advice, Vee begins taking yoga, acting classes, and starts working at the local coffee shop.
Of course, not everything goes as planned. With an unexpected romance, a backstabbing best friend, and all the drama that comes with being in Hollywood, Vee begins to wonder whether or not she'll ever make it in the acting world, especially when they're not exactly open to plus-sized actors.
ALL ABOUT VEE was, to use a single word, unexpected. I didn't realize there'd be so much depth in the novel, despite it's length. I figured it'd be something between GOSSIP GIRL and SECRETS OF MY HOLLYWOOD LIFE, but it was something so much better than that.
The characters were well-developed and relatable and the prose was well-written. You could really feel yourself being transported into the story and it was so easy to relate to Vee, as well as the other characters. The plot itself was original and not your average take on an up-and-coming actress. There was nothing about being rich or having the right look or anything you usually find in those types of novels. The romance was also very realistic and, though it was a bit predictable, I really did enjoy it.
I would definitely recommend ALL ABOUT VEE to everyone, especially if you have an interest in acting, Hollywood, or just want to read something fun.
December 4, 2008
Veronica May took her final curtain call to thunderous applause by the Chester Community Theatre audience. The talented Veronica was a hit with the locals validating a part of her life in which she had some control. She lived in a single parent home with her father since her mother walked out on them years before.
Veronica, called Vee by her friends, felt the need to stay home and take care of her father. There was change in the wind though as her dad was engaged and marriage was imminent. Thoughts of her father’s new wife moving into the house were unsettling and Vee was getting a sense of not belonging. All of her doors in Chester seemed to be closing. The theatre director changed the play rotation and Veronica was out, and her part time job was no longer available.
Vee was a talented but over weight actress and while she would be starting out on the bottom rung of the Hollywood ladder she could compete with the best, and turn auditions into acting jobs. Her problems in Chester seemed to be growing. She couldn’t face another woman moving into her home and since she had decided to move anyway why not make the move to Hollywood.
Vee bunked in with an old friend and started the routine every new Hollywood actress goes through, photos and résumé’s, classes, applying for a part time job and making new friends.
Vee struggled with her career due to a lack of auditions; the bright side was that her waitress job provided friends and it also met her day-to-day needs. Weight was a nagging problem and caused some embarrassing moments. But her real difficulty was that a jealous friend was systematically sabotaging her chances to get called in for auditions. Veronica didn’t want to believe the worst in her deceitful friend and was equally naïve in the ways of cutthroat Hollywood.
Ms. Purtill uses patience’s in plot and character development as she walks the youngsters through the early stages of their potential acting careers.
Veronica needed only to give the career time for she had the one thing going for her that many in her neophyte ranks didn’t – Vee had talent.
Tom Barnes author of The Hurricane Hunters and Lost in the Bermuda Triangle.
June 15, 2008
This book was great! It was about a girl named Veronica, a passionate actress, and she is a part of a group of friends who call themselves the Vees. When Veronica finds out some bad news, she doesn't know how to handle it so she packs up and decides to move to LA. She has to deal with a friend who has changed a lot and people not treating her the same becasue she is not a small girl. There were a few unexpected twists, but they made the book more fun to read. I learned that people shouldn't be given roles based on looks. Also, I learned that a lot of unexpected things can happen when you work hard to do things you love.
August 5, 2008
I LOVED this book! It was totally amazing that someone who wasn't a twig could survive in LA! :)
May 29, 2020
Purtill uses some of the tools I employ in my own writing, which of course I liked. Characters have a stand-out physical feature or personality tic that prevents you from forgetting who they are by using association. Veronica’s tendency to use French phrases, however, became a bit much, though one could argue this tic had comedic effect, given the book’s set first in Arizona fifty miles from the Mexican border and then in L.A. The result: a slightly amateurish feel to the novel, but I found it utterly worth reading for its positive story of fat women and the realistic nature of a teen trying to navigate the world armed with her dreams.
Check out the complete review at Grab the Lapels.
Check out the complete review at Grab the Lapels.
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April 9, 2025Author MHC 88
June 13, 2012
I must admit, before I started ALL ABOUT VEE I believed I knew how the story would turn out. Naive young woman goes to Hollywood to make it big? Plus-sized girl tries to make it in an industry obsessed with too-thin girls? I expected a story that would feel good in the end, but until then I'd face the protagonist's lack of self-confidence and growing disillusionment. No, I don't hate that kind of book. It's simply a familiar trajectory and sometimes you long for something different.
Something different is what C. Leigh Purtill delivered. In the first chapter, she smacked down my prejudices. Veronica wasn't self-conscious about her weight. Oh, she knows she's 217 pounds. She also knows it doesn't matter onstage. Onstage she's a star. She's got arrogance and pride because she's talented, hard-working, and a budding star.
But while Vee has plenty of confidence in her professional life, she's less certain in her personal. She's fond of her father's long-time fiancee, May May, but she just can't bring herself to acknowledge her as a mother figure. It's the discovery of her mother Diana's letters to her father while she tried to make it as an actress that convinces Vee to make her move. She's seeking a connection with her mother just as much as she's seeking success.
She leaves the two Vees - Val and Virginia - in Chester, AZ, and joins the Vee - Vivian, who now goes by Reed - who already set out for Hollywood. It's beautiful, tiny Reed who lacks self-confidence, not Veronica. Of course, Veronica trusts her friend and misses how Reed knocks her down to build herself up. Luckily for Veronica, she makes some real friends. These real friends include Phillip, the cute coffee shop manager who encourages Veronica to remain true to her talent.
It's hard to watch Vee try to navigate Hollywood. She's learning a new medium, realizing that some of her stage training works against acting in front of a camera. She's also learning that some roles will never consider her, despite her skill. Others will consider her regardless of skill, to make her a sitcom's token slob. Despite this, Veronica remains refreshingly confident and optimistic to the end.
Purtill resolves Veronica's issues with her family equally well. Early on I realized that if Diana became famous, Veronica's life likely wouldn't exist. It's interesting to read Diana's letters and put the pieces of the past together. It's also interesting to see how they help Vee appreciate her father and May May, who she left rather callously in the beginning of the novel.
As for the love interest, I like Phillip. He knows how to appreciate personality, intelligence, and talent. He lets Veronica make her own decisions but offers her advice and opportunities. Plus, he encourages Vee to make coffee. She clearly can't make iced tea correctly if she thinks the secret is not boiling the water.
Something different is what C. Leigh Purtill delivered. In the first chapter, she smacked down my prejudices. Veronica wasn't self-conscious about her weight. Oh, she knows she's 217 pounds. She also knows it doesn't matter onstage. Onstage she's a star. She's got arrogance and pride because she's talented, hard-working, and a budding star.
But while Vee has plenty of confidence in her professional life, she's less certain in her personal. She's fond of her father's long-time fiancee, May May, but she just can't bring herself to acknowledge her as a mother figure. It's the discovery of her mother Diana's letters to her father while she tried to make it as an actress that convinces Vee to make her move. She's seeking a connection with her mother just as much as she's seeking success.
She leaves the two Vees - Val and Virginia - in Chester, AZ, and joins the Vee - Vivian, who now goes by Reed - who already set out for Hollywood. It's beautiful, tiny Reed who lacks self-confidence, not Veronica. Of course, Veronica trusts her friend and misses how Reed knocks her down to build herself up. Luckily for Veronica, she makes some real friends. These real friends include Phillip, the cute coffee shop manager who encourages Veronica to remain true to her talent.
It's hard to watch Vee try to navigate Hollywood. She's learning a new medium, realizing that some of her stage training works against acting in front of a camera. She's also learning that some roles will never consider her, despite her skill. Others will consider her regardless of skill, to make her a sitcom's token slob. Despite this, Veronica remains refreshingly confident and optimistic to the end.
Purtill resolves Veronica's issues with her family equally well. Early on I realized that if Diana became famous, Veronica's life likely wouldn't exist. It's interesting to read Diana's letters and put the pieces of the past together. It's also interesting to see how they help Vee appreciate her father and May May, who she left rather callously in the beginning of the novel.
As for the love interest, I like Phillip. He knows how to appreciate personality, intelligence, and talent. He lets Veronica make her own decisions but offers her advice and opportunities. Plus, he encourages Vee to make coffee. She clearly can't make iced tea correctly if she thinks the secret is not boiling the water.
March 14, 2012
Veronica is an outgoing, ambitious actress who leaves her small town theater for the big time world of Hollywood, where she’s in for a big shock. She’s gorgeous and talented, but she’s also overweight. In her hometown, she was well-known and well-loved, but in LA, looks count for everything, and Veronica’s weight is enough to keep her from getting jobs that she wants. She’s left behind great friends to follow in her late mother’s footsteps, pursue her dreams, and escape the wedding date set by her father and his long-time girlfriend, as well as her recent unemployment and the absence of any female roles in the upcoming play at her local theater.
Veronica goes to stay with an old friend in Hollywood, hoping for some support, but neither her friend Reed nor Hollywood is what Veronica optimistically expects them to be. Vee deals with some tough situations, but she’s not the sort of girl to give up easily or to let her self-esteem be permanently bashed by the starve-yourself culture of Hollywood. Veronica is a fantastic character, and I loved reading her story.
All About Vee is a must-read book for all young teenage girls, in my opinion, for the simple fact that Purtill illustrates how women who aren’t a size 0 are treated not only in LA and not only because they are striving to become actresses, but all across this country. She gives the weight epidemic that plagues so many young girls a story and luckily, Veronica does not change a thing about her weight throughout the book, which I was impressed with.
Through her time in LA, Veronica learns that those who you think are your friends can change and become people you don’t want to associate yourself with, that people can be brutal and backstabbing and to always remember who the people that love you are because those will be the people who want and help you to succeed in life.
C. Leigh Purtill does an awesome job of tackling the tough issue of body image and our culture’s idea of beautiful as unhealthily thin. Veronica is an awesome girl, someone I’d really like to know! The story in All About Vee is engaging, and the book is a pleasure to read, if not particularly remarkable in its writing style or anything more literary. It’s fun, it covers important issues, and you will never be disappointed that you read it.
Veronica goes to stay with an old friend in Hollywood, hoping for some support, but neither her friend Reed nor Hollywood is what Veronica optimistically expects them to be. Vee deals with some tough situations, but she’s not the sort of girl to give up easily or to let her self-esteem be permanently bashed by the starve-yourself culture of Hollywood. Veronica is a fantastic character, and I loved reading her story.
All About Vee is a must-read book for all young teenage girls, in my opinion, for the simple fact that Purtill illustrates how women who aren’t a size 0 are treated not only in LA and not only because they are striving to become actresses, but all across this country. She gives the weight epidemic that plagues so many young girls a story and luckily, Veronica does not change a thing about her weight throughout the book, which I was impressed with.
Through her time in LA, Veronica learns that those who you think are your friends can change and become people you don’t want to associate yourself with, that people can be brutal and backstabbing and to always remember who the people that love you are because those will be the people who want and help you to succeed in life.
C. Leigh Purtill does an awesome job of tackling the tough issue of body image and our culture’s idea of beautiful as unhealthily thin. Veronica is an awesome girl, someone I’d really like to know! The story in All About Vee is engaging, and the book is a pleasure to read, if not particularly remarkable in its writing style or anything more literary. It’s fun, it covers important issues, and you will never be disappointed that you read it.
April 9, 2009
Veronica May, nicknamed Vee, is the best plus-size actress that the small town of Chester, Arizona has ever seen. Actually, she’s the best actress out of Chester, ever. The sense of uprootedness she feels from her father’s upcoming remarriage drives Veronica to follow in the footsteps of her dead mother, Diana, and, more recently, her good friend Vivian Reed out to L.A. to make it big-time!
Vee isn’t prepared for the cutthroat atmosphere of Hollywood, however. Nobody wants to cast a “fat” girl, and people can say one thing and mean another, as she begins to realize, even Vivian—who goes by Reed now. At least her job at a local cool coffeeshop is going well. She’s making friends with her coworkers, and there might even be a developing romantic interest with her manager, Philip. But in a city that’s famous for its backstabbing and disappointments, can Veronica do what her mother couldn’t: overcome all obstacles and stay true to herself?
ALL ABOUT VEE is the quintessential feel-good read, with a great message and the perfect blend of romance and fun! Its greatest strength, of course, lies in its protagonist. Veronica keeps it real; her reactions, emotions, and actions are the genuine ones of that girl behind the counter who you just know will make a great friend. I was also appreciative of the fact that this book wasn’t completely about Vee trying to overcome her body image issues. Yes, it’s mentioned, as it rightfully should be—prejudiced judgments, unfortunately, still exist everywhere in all forms—but through it all Veronica remains true to herself. She is not easily broken by harsh words, and insteads picks herself up and looks forward to the future, where she’ll kick everyone else’s undeserving butts in auditions and make a name for herself out of her real talent. You’ll want to cheer for Veronica as she develops through this lovely little book!
Vee isn’t prepared for the cutthroat atmosphere of Hollywood, however. Nobody wants to cast a “fat” girl, and people can say one thing and mean another, as she begins to realize, even Vivian—who goes by Reed now. At least her job at a local cool coffeeshop is going well. She’s making friends with her coworkers, and there might even be a developing romantic interest with her manager, Philip. But in a city that’s famous for its backstabbing and disappointments, can Veronica do what her mother couldn’t: overcome all obstacles and stay true to herself?
ALL ABOUT VEE is the quintessential feel-good read, with a great message and the perfect blend of romance and fun! Its greatest strength, of course, lies in its protagonist. Veronica keeps it real; her reactions, emotions, and actions are the genuine ones of that girl behind the counter who you just know will make a great friend. I was also appreciative of the fact that this book wasn’t completely about Vee trying to overcome her body image issues. Yes, it’s mentioned, as it rightfully should be—prejudiced judgments, unfortunately, still exist everywhere in all forms—but through it all Veronica remains true to herself. She is not easily broken by harsh words, and insteads picks herself up and looks forward to the future, where she’ll kick everyone else’s undeserving butts in auditions and make a name for herself out of her real talent. You’ll want to cheer for Veronica as she develops through this lovely little book!
February 28, 2013
Sigh. Big sigh. I don't know what went wrong with this book, but I promise, it was doomed from the start. The writing is just too young for my tastes. Vee doesn't have any common sense, I mean she will believe anything someone tells her even if it goes against all logic. For example, her friend tells her she won't find any acting job postings online, only in the paper. Vee believes this. I'm sorry, are you an idiot? Everything is online, and you know this, so why would you believe this? The story is full of stupid things like this, and I just barely finished it and I am proud of that because this was a tough one.
August 18, 2014
A super cute fun story of a girl (not your typical size 0) tryin to make her mark in the size 0 world of LA...she feels like she is being boxed out everywhere so she turns to her "Friend" in LA only to find out that is the one she should have been watching all along!! I smelled a rat from the word go with that one! one can only hope if there are more installments of this series "Reed" will GET HERS!! I picked this book up at the Dollar Tree..WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE...they only reason I didnt 5 star it was cuz it kept shooting other languages (spanish mostlty) at me that I had to look up LMAO
January 20, 2026
[REVIEW]
*Trigger/content warning in this book for fatphobia*
I admire Purtill for not shying away from showing how women who aren’t size 0 are treated and portrayed in the film and TV industries. Despite the fat-shaming and bullying Vee faces, Vee doesn’t change who she is for anyone. And that is something you gotta admire about her! I especially loved that in the end, Vee didn’t get exactly what she originally wanted—but she got something different. Something I think Vee and readers alike can agree will make her a happier person.
*Trigger/content warning in this book for fatphobia*
I admire Purtill for not shying away from showing how women who aren’t size 0 are treated and portrayed in the film and TV industries. Despite the fat-shaming and bullying Vee faces, Vee doesn’t change who she is for anyone. And that is something you gotta admire about her! I especially loved that in the end, Vee didn’t get exactly what she originally wanted—but she got something different. Something I think Vee and readers alike can agree will make her a happier person.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
March 11, 2008Released April 2008
July 23, 2009
Purtill is two for two.
November 3, 2011
Stopped on pg. 24.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews