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Love Plus One
All her life, Jordi Hemphill was told that she needed to change to fit in and be accepted. She talked too much, laughed too loud, and most definitely, indisputably and inexcusably weighed too much. In fact, she wore her size-20+ clothes without so much as an apology. She didn’t care to fit in. She didn’t want to be beautiful. Instead, she wanted to wear her hair in funky colors, she itched for tattoos and piercings, and dreamed of a life much bigger than working at the local Burger Palace for minimum wage. She had been born with the voice of a superstar, and something inside her told her it was OK to dream big, even if she had to do it in secret.
On her eighteenth birthday, she takes every last cent she has and buys a one-way ticket for Los Angeles. She is sure her talent will get her noticed by those more open-minded to see it. Then and only then will she show all the naysayers in her hometown that she was a somebody no matter what they thought.
Unfortunately Los Angeles wasn't any more welcoming. Jordi didn't fit into their pop machine no matter how well she sang. Other pop princess had the "full package," whereas Jordi still needed to change if she wanted her dreams to come true. It took a plus-size TV producer to take a chance on her, casting her for a reality talent show called "Fierce," which put attitude and talent far above the traditional pop star image.
Thanks to Giovanni Carnevale, the lead singer of "Dreaming in Blue" and “Fierce’s” rock star judge, Jordi gets a chance to fight for her place on a national stage.
But will America embrace this alternative diva? Or will they too expect her to conform in order to be accepted... to be loved? Despite the acceptance of new friends and supporters, old ghosts continue to haunt Jordi on her new journey. It will take handsome fellow contestant, Jace Riga, to finally help expose and exorcise the demons that drive her self-destruction.
"Fierce" continues the story introduced in the Ginger Voight novel, "Mogul," where Jordi joins a hodge-podge of other contestants to battle for the championship that dares every single hopeful to live large, to be FIERCE.
Ginger Voight, the author of the best-selling "Groupie" series, brings fame once again to the forefront with her new adult story, "Fierce." The characters you grew to love in the "Groupie" trilogy and "Love Plus One" are back to help the incomparable Jordi Hemphill carve a place for herself as a pop princess despite the odds in this coming-of-age Rubenesque romance.
On her eighteenth birthday, she takes every last cent she has and buys a one-way ticket for Los Angeles. She is sure her talent will get her noticed by those more open-minded to see it. Then and only then will she show all the naysayers in her hometown that she was a somebody no matter what they thought.
Unfortunately Los Angeles wasn't any more welcoming. Jordi didn't fit into their pop machine no matter how well she sang. Other pop princess had the "full package," whereas Jordi still needed to change if she wanted her dreams to come true. It took a plus-size TV producer to take a chance on her, casting her for a reality talent show called "Fierce," which put attitude and talent far above the traditional pop star image.
Thanks to Giovanni Carnevale, the lead singer of "Dreaming in Blue" and “Fierce’s” rock star judge, Jordi gets a chance to fight for her place on a national stage.
But will America embrace this alternative diva? Or will they too expect her to conform in order to be accepted... to be loved? Despite the acceptance of new friends and supporters, old ghosts continue to haunt Jordi on her new journey. It will take handsome fellow contestant, Jace Riga, to finally help expose and exorcise the demons that drive her self-destruction.
"Fierce" continues the story introduced in the Ginger Voight novel, "Mogul," where Jordi joins a hodge-podge of other contestants to battle for the championship that dares every single hopeful to live large, to be FIERCE.
Ginger Voight, the author of the best-selling "Groupie" series, brings fame once again to the forefront with her new adult story, "Fierce." The characters you grew to love in the "Groupie" trilogy and "Love Plus One" are back to help the incomparable Jordi Hemphill carve a place for herself as a pop princess despite the odds in this coming-of-age Rubenesque romance.
265 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2011
34 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Ginger Voight
61 books709 followersGinger Voight is a screenwriter and bestselling author with over twenty published titles in fiction and nonfiction. She covers everything from travel to politics in nonfiction, as well as romance, paranormal, and dark, “ripped from the headlines” topics like Dirty Little Secrets.
Ginger discovered her love for writing in sixth grade, courtesy of a Halloween assignment. From then on, writing became a place of solace, reflection, and security. This was never more true than when she found herself homeless in L.A. at the age of nineteen. There, she wrote her first novel, longhand on notebook paper, while living out of her car.
In 1995, after she lost her nine-day-old son, she worked through her grief by writing the story that would eventually become The Fullerton Family Saga.
In 2011, she embarked on a new journey—to publish romance novels starring heroines who look more like the average American woman. These "Rubenesque" romances have developed a following thanks to her bestselling Groupie series. Other titles, such as the highly-rated New Adult series, Fierce, tap into the "reality-TV" preoccupation in American entertainment, which gives her contemporary stories a current, pop culture edge.
Known for writing gut-twisting angst, Ginger isn’t afraid to push the envelope with characters who are perfectly imperfect. Whether rich, poor, sweet, selfish, gay, straight, plus-size or svelte, her characters are beautifully flawed and three-dimensional. They populate her lavish fictional landscapes and teach us more about the real world in which we live simply through their interactions with each other. Ginger’s goal with every book is to give the reader a little bit more than they were expecting, told through stories they'll never forget.
Ginger discovered her love for writing in sixth grade, courtesy of a Halloween assignment. From then on, writing became a place of solace, reflection, and security. This was never more true than when she found herself homeless in L.A. at the age of nineteen. There, she wrote her first novel, longhand on notebook paper, while living out of her car.
In 1995, after she lost her nine-day-old son, she worked through her grief by writing the story that would eventually become The Fullerton Family Saga.
In 2011, she embarked on a new journey—to publish romance novels starring heroines who look more like the average American woman. These "Rubenesque" romances have developed a following thanks to her bestselling Groupie series. Other titles, such as the highly-rated New Adult series, Fierce, tap into the "reality-TV" preoccupation in American entertainment, which gives her contemporary stories a current, pop culture edge.
Known for writing gut-twisting angst, Ginger isn’t afraid to push the envelope with characters who are perfectly imperfect. Whether rich, poor, sweet, selfish, gay, straight, plus-size or svelte, her characters are beautifully flawed and three-dimensional. They populate her lavish fictional landscapes and teach us more about the real world in which we live simply through their interactions with each other. Ginger’s goal with every book is to give the reader a little bit more than they were expecting, told through stories they'll never forget.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 24, 2012
Wow!! I have not felt so emotionally drawn to story before. I guess that's because I am Shannon, in a sense. All those memories from growing up being the fat ugly girl (in my mind and the mean "sniggles" of others) surfaced in reading this story. I relate to so many of the issues she dealt with - it was like I was reading my story set on a different stage, different names, and without all the cameras.
I was laughing. and crying, no wait, sobbing at times! I feel as though something liberated me through this story. Can't really explain it except to say I LOVED this story!!!
Ginger Voight told an amazing story, and I am so glad I read it!!! Thank you!!!
I was laughing. and crying, no wait, sobbing at times! I feel as though something liberated me through this story. Can't really explain it except to say I LOVED this story!!!
Ginger Voight told an amazing story, and I am so glad I read it!!! Thank you!!!
May 22, 2011
Shannon McKenna, a talented writer hampered by overwhelming shyness and insecurities about her weight, is satisfied with her off-camera job as a production assistant for one of America's most powerful celebrities. But when an unexpected twist of fate and a dose of impeccable timing thrust her in front of the camera - and into the public eye - Shannon is suddenly plunging headfirst into reality TV and heart-first into reality. With her best friend Jake by her side, Shannon finds herself caught in a whirlwind of deception, revenge and love. Can a seemingly ordinary woman stand out in a sea of extraordinary beauties to capture the heart of the handsome bachelor?
Love Plus One isn't the average romance novel, in that it was written for the average American woman (i.e. one with a double digit dress size.) Shannon represents the woman many of us are: hardworking, talented, often overlooked, and sometimes even utterly and painfully invisible. The story within Love Plus One is one that scores of women will find familiar; we are often our own worst enemy when it comes to taking control of our destiny and pursuing our dreams, but even the enemy inside can be defeated.
Love Plus One is an entertaining novel, and one that I will likely read again. The ability to identify with the heroine drew me into the story, and the twists were compelling enough to keep me interested to the very last page.
Love Plus One isn't the average romance novel, in that it was written for the average American woman (i.e. one with a double digit dress size.) Shannon represents the woman many of us are: hardworking, talented, often overlooked, and sometimes even utterly and painfully invisible. The story within Love Plus One is one that scores of women will find familiar; we are often our own worst enemy when it comes to taking control of our destiny and pursuing our dreams, but even the enemy inside can be defeated.
Love Plus One is an entertaining novel, and one that I will likely read again. The ability to identify with the heroine drew me into the story, and the twists were compelling enough to keep me interested to the very last page.
August 30, 2012
3.5 stars
Shannon and Jake have been friends since 10th grade when he dated her sister Taylor. Jake and Taylor's relationship didn't work but Shannon and Jake stayed friends. Nothing ever happened between them because Shannon is a "bigger" girl and has low self-esteem, thinking she's not good enough for him. Fast forward about 10 years and Shannon is a PA to a television show that's looking for new ideas. Long story short, a show is created that is a mix of The Bachelor and The Mole, where a friend or family member poses as one of the contestants to get the inside scoop on the girls for the bachelor. Jake is chosen as the bachelor and Shannon is made the mole. It's pretty predictable what happens in this story but it was interesting how they presented it. The friendships Shannon makes in the house, the enemies, the situations she's put into. I really enjoyed Shannon's path to becoming a more self confident person. With Jorge the Make-Up Artist from the show's help, she sees what her true potential is. That the negative little voice in the back of her mind shouldn't be listened to. Add in the realization of her true feelings for Jake, a smitten cameraman and the "surprise" addition of her sister as a contestant and we have a story!!!!
The story was good, the ending? Not so much. I was left with a feeling of "That's it? That's the end?" I'll leave it at that. This was a "free" read on the internet; easy, fun and interesting take on a "romance" story.
Shannon and Jake have been friends since 10th grade when he dated her sister Taylor. Jake and Taylor's relationship didn't work but Shannon and Jake stayed friends. Nothing ever happened between them because Shannon is a "bigger" girl and has low self-esteem, thinking she's not good enough for him. Fast forward about 10 years and Shannon is a PA to a television show that's looking for new ideas. Long story short, a show is created that is a mix of The Bachelor and The Mole, where a friend or family member poses as one of the contestants to get the inside scoop on the girls for the bachelor. Jake is chosen as the bachelor and Shannon is made the mole. It's pretty predictable what happens in this story but it was interesting how they presented it. The friendships Shannon makes in the house, the enemies, the situations she's put into. I really enjoyed Shannon's path to becoming a more self confident person. With Jorge the Make-Up Artist from the show's help, she sees what her true potential is. That the negative little voice in the back of her mind shouldn't be listened to. Add in the realization of her true feelings for Jake, a smitten cameraman and the "surprise" addition of her sister as a contestant and we have a story!!!!
The story was good, the ending? Not so much. I was left with a feeling of "That's it? That's the end?" I'll leave it at that. This was a "free" read on the internet; easy, fun and interesting take on a "romance" story.
November 20, 2019
It's a sweet story about a woman struggling with self-esteem issues while falling for her best friend. While a little cheesy, I did like the story and identified with the heroine. I did struggle with the idea that she has such crippling self-esteem issues when she's only a size 14 (which is the average size for a woman), but it wasn't a big enough issue to keep me from enjoying it.
I will totally admit that the 4 stars I'm giving it has totally to do with the fact that it was a sweet book that swept me up in the story. The writing itself is utilitarian. It tells the story, but doesn't have any depth to it. The bulk of the side characters are mostly flat. But the heroine's character arc and her development from over-the-top shy to being assertive in her life is believable and endearing. The book itself is not a 4 star book, but the sweetness factor combined with her story made it a 4 star to me. I think it's a story that only those who can identify with the heroine could truly enjoy.
*As a side note, while it is a romance, it's totally clean. A few make-out scenes, but nothing graphic.
I will totally admit that the 4 stars I'm giving it has totally to do with the fact that it was a sweet book that swept me up in the story. The writing itself is utilitarian. It tells the story, but doesn't have any depth to it. The bulk of the side characters are mostly flat. But the heroine's character arc and her development from over-the-top shy to being assertive in her life is believable and endearing. The book itself is not a 4 star book, but the sweetness factor combined with her story made it a 4 star to me. I think it's a story that only those who can identify with the heroine could truly enjoy.
*As a side note, while it is a romance, it's totally clean. A few make-out scenes, but nothing graphic.
October 9, 2011
New author to me, and I loved her writing voice. Great read! I wll pick more of her books to read in the near future.
August 4, 2012
A little too much weeping from Shannon for my tastes. Too predictable and the characters were not interesting enough to make up for knowing the plot. Good quick read.
December 4, 2025
Weight has nothing to do with or can get in the way of true love!! That and not giving up on love are two very imoprtant lessons that I got from reading this book. Who would have thought that a book I just picked up to take my mind off things would actually be teaching me somethiing also? Very worth the read!!
January 2, 2017
Loved it
I really enjoy Ginger Voight's novels. Book 4 or 5 in the series has less drama and more heart wrenching moments. Now, I need a story about Jorge. Bring it on!
I really enjoy Ginger Voight's novels. Book 4 or 5 in the series has less drama and more heart wrenching moments. Now, I need a story about Jorge. Bring it on!
March 20, 2021
Shannon una palla totale!
January 2, 2013
This review has been crossposted from my blog at The Cosy Dragon . Please head there for more in-depth reviews by me, which appear on a timely schedule.
Shannon needs a bit of a push in the right direction to get her life moving onwards from the comfortable rut she has found herself in since she found her job working as a production assistant. She's full of good ideas for shows, but she's too shy to put herself out there. This time she will though, and she might find love where she didn't expect it.
So you like sitcoms, romances and reality TV shows, but can't find the time to watch them on TV? You could read this novel instead! Personally, I'd prefer this novel to any of the other dating shows out there.
This reminded me a bit of 'Farmer Wants a Wife', and the whole mole thing that Shan came up with for her idea isn't really that big a deal. The exposure of the nasty girls, but the realisation that most of them can be nice, is a good one. However, I felt the final three came from behind, and the third girl probably never had a chance.
This novel did a great job of non-erotic romance. A real refresher after what else I have been reading lately. Nothing more than a few darkened bedroom scenes and a purple boa!
A reminder to the 'real women' reading this novel. This is a US novel, so when they say size 12, that's a fair bit bigger than the Australian size 12. So that's to say, I'm pretty sure that that might be in the obese category, which I simply can't condone (particularly if it's a cookie fed weight, not a medication or health induced one). I didn't like Shan any less for this, and I though the fact that she started making herself fitter during the course of the show was great.
My complaint about this novel would be that the secondary characters are not fleshed out enough for my liking, which I suppose makes it a typical romance. I would have loved to hear more from Dixie, a bit more from Jorge and of course, a bit more from Shan's sister.
I wouldn't have said it was gripping, but in places it had me almost crying, and that's a mark of another good novel for me. I'm not sure I'd read it again now that I know how it ends, but if you're going to sit down and read this one (as I recommend you do), you'll want a nice glass of wine and 2-4 free hours as you travel with Shan.
I received this novel as part of the Goodreads: First Reads program, but this did not influence my honest review in any way.
Shannon needs a bit of a push in the right direction to get her life moving onwards from the comfortable rut she has found herself in since she found her job working as a production assistant. She's full of good ideas for shows, but she's too shy to put herself out there. This time she will though, and she might find love where she didn't expect it.
So you like sitcoms, romances and reality TV shows, but can't find the time to watch them on TV? You could read this novel instead! Personally, I'd prefer this novel to any of the other dating shows out there.
This reminded me a bit of 'Farmer Wants a Wife', and the whole mole thing that Shan came up with for her idea isn't really that big a deal. The exposure of the nasty girls, but the realisation that most of them can be nice, is a good one. However, I felt the final three came from behind, and the third girl probably never had a chance.
This novel did a great job of non-erotic romance. A real refresher after what else I have been reading lately. Nothing more than a few darkened bedroom scenes and a purple boa!
A reminder to the 'real women' reading this novel. This is a US novel, so when they say size 12, that's a fair bit bigger than the Australian size 12. So that's to say, I'm pretty sure that that might be in the obese category, which I simply can't condone (particularly if it's a cookie fed weight, not a medication or health induced one). I didn't like Shan any less for this, and I though the fact that she started making herself fitter during the course of the show was great.
My complaint about this novel would be that the secondary characters are not fleshed out enough for my liking, which I suppose makes it a typical romance. I would have loved to hear more from Dixie, a bit more from Jorge and of course, a bit more from Shan's sister.
I wouldn't have said it was gripping, but in places it had me almost crying, and that's a mark of another good novel for me. I'm not sure I'd read it again now that I know how it ends, but if you're going to sit down and read this one (as I recommend you do), you'll want a nice glass of wine and 2-4 free hours as you travel with Shan.
I received this novel as part of the Goodreads: First Reads program, but this did not influence my honest review in any way.
June 1, 2015
I liked it well enough. Shannon was sweet. Jake was almost as perfect as a guy can get. Shannon talking down on herself so much could be unbearable at times because the author was heavy-handed with it. I would have liked if the other characters were fleshed out more. Shannon,of course,was developed but the other characters not so much. I wish there was more interaction between Shannon and some of the other characters. There was clearly a bond between Shannon ans Dixie but not enough was there for them. I.would have loved more interaction between Shannon and her sister...I would have liked to know a bit more about her sister period,especially given the ending. Shannon made friends but they weren't memorable enough or utilized enough for me to even remember their names with the exception of one. And the ending...I wanted more. I felt like there were a few conversations that the reader should have had the opportunity to come to life on the page. There were so many little loose ends,not significant enough to ruin the story or take away from the ending,but just enough to be pique curiosity. The ending felt rushed and incomplete. I kept looking for an aftermath. Other than those things I did like the story. It was a quick read with equal parts angst and fluff.
January 30, 2015
A good story about a shy girl, Shannon who stays in the shadows because of her weight and of her rejections in the past. She has a long time friend, Jake, who has always had her back. They both end up on a reality dating show where Jake will choose a woman to marry and Shannon is a spy who feeds him information about what the girls are really like. I liked the book overall, the only thing I was disappointed in was how shy and shrinking Shannon was. She had absolutely no back bone at all and had she developed one earlier in the story I think I would have enjoyed it much more!
August 29, 2014
5++Stars!!! This story was one of a fairy tail that most "normal" girls hope for. It is a testament that the "underdog" can win in the end. Please make sure you understand that nothing is meant by these "catty" descriptions, I am SO happy how this book turned out!! Screw the the hype of how "we" should look, people are people, no matter what they look like. I loved this story of self perseverance!! You ARE what you allow yourself to be... No matter your size. We all struggle with that, no matter if you are thin or big. Kudos to Ginger for bringing this into the light!!
July 13, 2014
A good story about a shy girl, Shannon who stays in the shadows because of her weight and of her rejections in the past. She has a long time friend, Jake, who has always had her back. They both end up on a reality dating show where Jake will choose a woman to marry and Shannon is a spy who feeds him information about what the girls are really like. I liked the book overall, the only thing I was disappointed in was how shy and shrinking Shannon was. She had absolutely no back bone at all and had she developed one earlier in the story I think I would have enjoyed it much more!
January 30, 2013
I won this book from the Goodread's Giveaway and finally got around to reading it. It was really good, although there were some minor mistakes (name switches or a work like "too" as "tee"). However, the characters were really wonderfully done and easy to relate to. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a romance without too much smut.
March 16, 2015
I read one or two books written by ginger last year and fell in love with her writing. The writing is eloquently put together with raw emotion. You as a reader are right there with each character that you every emotion. Another perfect read
March 18, 2013
I liked it...didn't love it. I felt at parts the narrative just got to be too much and there wasnt enough actual character interaction so much as describing the scenes.
May 18, 2013
Cute and loving.
May 22, 2014
I give the story a 4 and the writing a 2. I didn't like the 3rd person narrative at all, but the story was so sweet and good I was able to get past it.
May 26, 2014
this is a good read. I was just let down on how much Shannon talked down on herself. I really wanted to see her find her strength earlier.
October 21, 2014
Read it in a day :)
August 29, 2015
Would of been 4 stars except for some editing errors that made me reread sections to figure out what was really going on. Other than that, I was totally absorbed into the story. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews