What do you think?
Rate this book
Violet Ryan loves the delicious food she gets to eat on the reality shows she produces for The Food Channel. What she hates is her expanding waistline. Determined to drop the pounds, Violet hatches a plan to kick start a fitness regimen. But when her determination isn’t enough to get her through even one intense group class without breaking down into tears, she knows she needs a new approach and possibly a new trainer—one with a lighter touch.
Grant Gibson has always managed to mix business with pleasure, but now this trainer by day, and Dominant by night, is bored. Bored and lonely. Even though he owns one of L.A.’s hottest private gyms, his personal life is sorely lacking. After his last submissive tried to kidnap his dog and the contents of his bank account, he’s in no hurry to take a new lover under his wing. Not until the voluptuous Violet falls into his lap.
She may be wary of his unorthodox approach of using sexual gratification as a reward, but even before her initial weigh-in Violet can’t seem to stay away from the sexy fitness god. She may have to let Grant show her there’s more than one way to get in shape…
Grant Gibson has always managed to mix business with pleasure, but now this trainer by day, and Dominant by night, is bored. Bored and lonely. Even though he owns one of L.A.’s hottest private gyms, his personal life is sorely lacking. After his last submissive tried to kidnap his dog and the contents of his bank account, he’s in no hurry to take a new lover under his wing. Not until the voluptuous Violet falls into his lap.
She may be wary of his unorthodox approach of using sexual gratification as a reward, but even before her initial weigh-in Violet can’t seem to stay away from the sexy fitness god. She may have to let Grant show her there’s more than one way to get in shape…
160 pages, ebook
First published June 3, 2014
92 people are currently reading
1470 people want to read
About the author
Rebekah Weatherspoon
33 books2,978 followersAfter years of meddling in her friends’ love lives, Rebekah Weatherspoon turned to writing romance to get her fix. Raised in Southern New Hampshire, Rebekah Weatherspoon now lives in Southern California where she will remain forever because she hates moving.
Her BDSM romance At Her Feet won the Golden Crown Literary Award for erotic lesbian fiction. Her novella FIT (#1 in the FIT Trilogy) won the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotica Novella, SATED (#3 in the FIT Trilogy) was nominated for the the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Digital Erotic Romance and most recently SOUL TO KEEP VSS#3 won the 2017 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Erotica.
Her 2018 romantic comedy RAFE: A Buff Male Nanny received praise from both Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times. You can look for her most recent romantic comedy XENI : A Marriage of Inconvenience now, and a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, A COWBOY TO REMEMBER, late February 2020 from Kensington Books. In the meant time, you can find Rebekah and her books on twitter at @rdotspoon and her website www.rebekahweatherspoon.com,
Her BDSM romance At Her Feet won the Golden Crown Literary Award for erotic lesbian fiction. Her novella FIT (#1 in the FIT Trilogy) won the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Erotica Novella, SATED (#3 in the FIT Trilogy) was nominated for the the Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Digital Erotic Romance and most recently SOUL TO KEEP VSS#3 won the 2017 Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Erotica.
Her 2018 romantic comedy RAFE: A Buff Male Nanny received praise from both Entertainment Weekly and the New York Times. You can look for her most recent romantic comedy XENI : A Marriage of Inconvenience now, and a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, A COWBOY TO REMEMBER, late February 2020 from Kensington Books. In the meant time, you can find Rebekah and her books on twitter at @rdotspoon and her website www.rebekahweatherspoon.com,
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
February 19, 2019
TW: minor fat shaming
I was interested in picking up a book by Rebekah because I'm reading some of my most anticipated books by black authors for black history month, and this was one of her books available on Scribd. I jumped into it sorta blindly but within chapter one was already facetiming my friend SO excited about how relatable and sweet it was. I related so hard to being fat and hating working out and even before we were introduced to the love interest, this book had sold me.
This main character is Chinese and plus sized, but that only just begins the list of what I loved about her. She was assertive and unafraid to voice her opinion and ask questions. Also, she was absolutely hilarious and relatable. I super enjoyed reading her story and the dynamic she developed with Grant.
I'll be up front, I'm not a huuuge fan of BDSM stories because it's just not my cup of tea and I prefer more mutual power dynamics (again, nothing against dom/sub), but this book actually made it work because Grant was SO sweet and kind and attentive. Somehow this book made BDSM soft???? The only questionable part for me was how BDSM and personal training went hand in hand and why it was included as a package with working out when they could've just done it on the side outside of personal training, but different folks, different strokes.
My only other complain that's the reason I deducted a star is I wish this book would've been longer. It's practically novella sized, and even though I loved the conflict with Grant, with Violet's best friend, and even within Violet, I think this book could have been expanded to showcase more of it and flesh out the world and the love interest to be the fantastic book it definitely has the potential to be. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the story, but I was disappointed that some parts were glossed over and this seemed rushed at the end. But I'm also just horrendously selfish because I loved Grant and Violet together and wanted to see more, but still. I think this was a very strong book that you'd enjoy even if BDSM plots aren't your thing! Although I don't see myself reading any more books in this series because the BDSM/personal trainer dynamic isn't my fave, I still can't wait to read more from this author because she writes really strong, considerate, dynamic characters.
I was interested in picking up a book by Rebekah because I'm reading some of my most anticipated books by black authors for black history month, and this was one of her books available on Scribd. I jumped into it sorta blindly but within chapter one was already facetiming my friend SO excited about how relatable and sweet it was. I related so hard to being fat and hating working out and even before we were introduced to the love interest, this book had sold me.
This main character is Chinese and plus sized, but that only just begins the list of what I loved about her. She was assertive and unafraid to voice her opinion and ask questions. Also, she was absolutely hilarious and relatable. I super enjoyed reading her story and the dynamic she developed with Grant.
I'll be up front, I'm not a huuuge fan of BDSM stories because it's just not my cup of tea and I prefer more mutual power dynamics (again, nothing against dom/sub), but this book actually made it work because Grant was SO sweet and kind and attentive. Somehow this book made BDSM soft???? The only questionable part for me was how BDSM and personal training went hand in hand and why it was included as a package with working out when they could've just done it on the side outside of personal training, but different folks, different strokes.
My only other complain that's the reason I deducted a star is I wish this book would've been longer. It's practically novella sized, and even though I loved the conflict with Grant, with Violet's best friend, and even within Violet, I think this book could have been expanded to showcase more of it and flesh out the world and the love interest to be the fantastic book it definitely has the potential to be. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the story, but I was disappointed that some parts were glossed over and this seemed rushed at the end. But I'm also just horrendously selfish because I loved Grant and Violet together and wanted to see more, but still. I think this was a very strong book that you'd enjoy even if BDSM plots aren't your thing! Although I don't see myself reading any more books in this series because the BDSM/personal trainer dynamic isn't my fave, I still can't wait to read more from this author because she writes really strong, considerate, dynamic characters.
January 8, 2021
I was not expecting a book with a BDSM plot-line to be this... precious and wholesome?
I wish we had gotten more. These characters were genuinely great and well-developed enough for a novella. It really would’ve been interesting to delve deeper into their worlds and seeing it collide.
I wish we had gotten more. These characters were genuinely great and well-developed enough for a novella. It really would’ve been interesting to delve deeper into their worlds and seeing it collide.
Read
January 27, 2016I've had this on my Kindle for a while because I had it in my mind, with the chiselled abs on the cover, that it was going to be the kind of dark and serious regulated BDSM dungeon stuff I don't much go for. I was so wrong.
This book is delightful. The hero screws up his initial Dom type approach to the heroine in the most glorious fashion and her responses are so perfect that I was laughing aloud. Throughout he is kind and sensitive, and the kink is really just headgames and fun for two people to enjoy themselves. And the heroine! Tough, and vulnerable, and fat, properly fat, not the usual 'slightly over a size eight'. And it isn't the story of how she gets a size eight body either. She stays fat, just getting fitter and happier with it. You go, heroine.
It's a story about decent people being kind to other people and themselves, with plenty of tough underpinning about insecurity and loneliness to give if heft, and it was a joy to read. And there's two more in the series! /clicks/
This book is delightful. The hero screws up his initial Dom type approach to the heroine in the most glorious fashion and her responses are so perfect that I was laughing aloud. Throughout he is kind and sensitive, and the kink is really just headgames and fun for two people to enjoy themselves. And the heroine! Tough, and vulnerable, and fat, properly fat, not the usual 'slightly over a size eight'. And it isn't the story of how she gets a size eight body either. She stays fat, just getting fitter and happier with it. You go, heroine.
It's a story about decent people being kind to other people and themselves, with plenty of tough underpinning about insecurity and loneliness to give if heft, and it was a joy to read. And there's two more in the series! /clicks/
February 18, 2024
Grant was wildly outta pocket but I had a good time and so did Violet 😏
July 12, 2016
I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. But books with BDSM undertones are not for me. I don't even know why I read erotica. I love reading about relationship dynamics. I KNOW there's little relationship-building in erotica, but a part of me (foolishly) holds out hope I'll come across one that I like.
I came across this book on WOCinromance. It's about a plus-sized Chinese cooking show producer called Violet Ryan who decides she wants to loose some wait, so she's introduced to a private trainer called Grant Gibson. I liked Violet's character, she was adopted and grew up on the East Coast as the only Chinese kid in her school. This is a storyline I'd have loved to read more about. Alas, with only 80 pages, there was little time for elaboration. Violet was snarky and unapologetic and ambitious and loyal (I actually hate using that word, it reminds me too much of a golden retriever, but it fits).
EDIT: I'm weary Fit succumbed to the stereotype of Asian women as submissive. At one point Violet asks Grant:
Which he denied, but just because it's asked and denied, it doesn't mean it isn't true.
Grant was another story. In one instance he referred to Violet as "pet" *vomits* and then he showed his friend a picture she sent him ... I believe it was just a clothed mirror pic, but still, that's a no-go in my opinion. However, he was attentive, considerate, and patient - he purposefully didn't interrupt Violet when she was speaking, because he didn't want to put words in her mouth.
Violet and her best friend had a strange relationship that was equal parts catty and co-dependent. Again, I think the story was too short to get a good feel for the characters. That likely has more to do with my personal preference to reading about relationships, vs reading about multiple orgasms in the sex dungeon (it wasn't really a sex dungeon).
I came across this book on WOCinromance. It's about a plus-sized Chinese cooking show producer called Violet Ryan who decides she wants to loose some wait, so she's introduced to a private trainer called Grant Gibson. I liked Violet's character, she was adopted and grew up on the East Coast as the only Chinese kid in her school. This is a storyline I'd have loved to read more about. Alas, with only 80 pages, there was little time for elaboration. Violet was snarky and unapologetic and ambitious and loyal (I actually hate using that word, it reminds me too much of a golden retriever, but it fits).
EDIT: I'm weary Fit succumbed to the stereotype of Asian women as submissive. At one point Violet asks Grant:
“Do you have yellow fever? Do you only date Asian women?"
Which he denied, but just because it's asked and denied, it doesn't mean it isn't true.
Grant was another story. In one instance he referred to Violet as "pet" *vomits* and then he showed his friend a picture she sent him ... I believe it was just a clothed mirror pic, but still, that's a no-go in my opinion. However, he was attentive, considerate, and patient - he purposefully didn't interrupt Violet when she was speaking, because he didn't want to put words in her mouth.
Violet and her best friend had a strange relationship that was equal parts catty and co-dependent. Again, I think the story was too short to get a good feel for the characters. That likely has more to do with my personal preference to reading about relationships, vs reading about multiple orgasms in the sex dungeon (it wasn't really a sex dungeon).
Read
December 22, 2020A cute, quick romance. I wish we got to see more of their story but I’m happy with what we got. 😌
TW: Fat shaming
TW: Fat shaming
May 17, 2016
I have a list of things this book has that are absolutely perfect:
- Sex positive!!!
- Intelligent women
- Strong female characters
- Great dialogue (no over the top declarations of undying love- finally!)
- Middle class, hard working folks
- Friendships that are real: a bit codependent, loving, with strains, ups & downs
- Fat MC! Violet FTW!
- Diversity that's done so seamlessly I almost cried
- The first fitness class was hilarious, it's a perfect portrayal of how I feel going to those things
My only issues would be that although the ending managed to tied everything neatly, I still felt it was a bit rushed how the went from a few outings and dates to a serious relationship. And that while Grant was awesome, Weatherspoon's men tend to be a little on the über-alpha side that I don't particularly care for. Having his POV was fantastic, it helped with my misgivings a lot.
The first scene where the two MCs meet was priceless. Grant fucking up like that had me in hysterics. And Violet basically giving him the finger about it made my day.
- Sex positive!!!
- Intelligent women
- Strong female characters
- Great dialogue (no over the top declarations of undying love- finally!)
- Middle class, hard working folks
- Friendships that are real: a bit codependent, loving, with strains, ups & downs
- Fat MC! Violet FTW!
- Diversity that's done so seamlessly I almost cried
- The first fitness class was hilarious, it's a perfect portrayal of how I feel going to those things
My only issues would be that although the ending managed to tied everything neatly, I still felt it was a bit rushed how the went from a few outings and dates to a serious relationship. And that while Grant was awesome, Weatherspoon's men tend to be a little on the über-alpha side that I don't particularly care for. Having his POV was fantastic, it helped with my misgivings a lot.
The first scene where the two MCs meet was priceless. Grant fucking up like that had me in hysterics. And Violet basically giving him the finger about it made my day.
May 15, 2015
From a narrative perspective, I've always thought that a personal trainer would make an excellent romance dominant. I mean, you have this person whose job it is to push physical and mental limits while still knowing when to back off so no one gets hurt. The best ones have a certain style: part encouragement, part toughness and applying both appropriately. And if there's the potential for physical attraction, often just a little bit of innocuous flirting. Unfortunately, a lot of BDSM romance seems to regard the role of the dominant as being an asshole who is maybe even vaguely threatening. Not that there isn't a place for that kind of story, but it's a little frustrating to see the same basic character repeated in every book. Rebekah Weatherspoon's FIT trilogy takes a different approach, making for a fresh sort of read.
In FIT, the first of a linked trilogy that saw its last book released this week, personal trainer Grant Gibson takes on Violet Ryan as a client after Violet has a horrible experience in a group fitness class that reduces her to tears. Violet is a producer on a foodie reality show and between her job and her friend Faye encouraging her to make bad lifestyle decisions, she's put on a bit more weight than she's comfortable with. But the fitness instructor recommends Grant as a personal trainer, wisely thinking that he might have an approach that will suit her.
There are a lot of things to love about this book. First, Grant isn't your typical romance dominant. Sure, he's in charge in the bedroom, but he's got the kind of self-assurance that is actually sexy versus the overbearing bossiness that seems more common in these types of books. He's less about barking orders than he is about rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior in a way that's both welcome to Violet and believable to the reader. And the way he uses sexual rewards to motivate Violet is super fun to read.
Another thing I loved about this book is that it displays some self-awareness that this is actually an ethically questionable scenario. It's not one that I personally have a lot of resistance to, but it was nice to see the issue addressed of whether the games they're playing together are appropriate in light of their professional relationship. And that tension resolves in an interesting way too.
Finally, FIT doesn't shy away from the difficulties inherent in portraying a woman who wants to lose weight. I thought there was a really good balance between her reality and her desires--it's a story that can come off as fat-shaming, but the way it was handled really worked for me.
FIT is a good, short read. Save it for the treadmill at the gym! Just...don't get too distracted and hurt yourself. Cuz parts of it are pretty...um...distracting. Hot stuff! I recommend it.
For a recipe inspired by FIT, visit Cooking Up Romance: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201...
In FIT, the first of a linked trilogy that saw its last book released this week, personal trainer Grant Gibson takes on Violet Ryan as a client after Violet has a horrible experience in a group fitness class that reduces her to tears. Violet is a producer on a foodie reality show and between her job and her friend Faye encouraging her to make bad lifestyle decisions, she's put on a bit more weight than she's comfortable with. But the fitness instructor recommends Grant as a personal trainer, wisely thinking that he might have an approach that will suit her.
There are a lot of things to love about this book. First, Grant isn't your typical romance dominant. Sure, he's in charge in the bedroom, but he's got the kind of self-assurance that is actually sexy versus the overbearing bossiness that seems more common in these types of books. He's less about barking orders than he is about rewarding good behavior and punishing bad behavior in a way that's both welcome to Violet and believable to the reader. And the way he uses sexual rewards to motivate Violet is super fun to read.
Another thing I loved about this book is that it displays some self-awareness that this is actually an ethically questionable scenario. It's not one that I personally have a lot of resistance to, but it was nice to see the issue addressed of whether the games they're playing together are appropriate in light of their professional relationship. And that tension resolves in an interesting way too.
Finally, FIT doesn't shy away from the difficulties inherent in portraying a woman who wants to lose weight. I thought there was a really good balance between her reality and her desires--it's a story that can come off as fat-shaming, but the way it was handled really worked for me.
FIT is a good, short read. Save it for the treadmill at the gym! Just...don't get too distracted and hurt yourself. Cuz parts of it are pretty...um...distracting. Hot stuff! I recommend it.
For a recipe inspired by FIT, visit Cooking Up Romance: http://www.cooking-up-romance.com/201...
February 15, 2016
I absolutely loved this book. It was the first romance/erotica I'd read with BDSM in a while and I loved that the Dom and the Sub had such a romantic, sweet, and funny relationship. She was new to submission and he eased her into it, but unlike a lot of subs (in novels) she wasn't sexually inexperienced and she loved to talk back to him. The book was super hot and I am now starting the 2nd book in the FIT Trilogy and have already bought the third off the strength of the author's writing in the first one.
Rebekah Witherspoon's voice as author is both funny and current. She writes vivid characters and her main female characters are women I'd love to hang out (if they were real). She also knows how to write a sexy main male character and her sex scenes sizzle. Pick up Fit, you'll love it!
Rebekah Witherspoon's voice as author is both funny and current. She writes vivid characters and her main female characters are women I'd love to hang out (if they were real). She also knows how to write a sexy main male character and her sex scenes sizzle. Pick up Fit, you'll love it!
July 26, 2020
TOO SHORT😩😩😩
What I really look forward to when reading romance is to get totally attached with the character (when reading any other genres too tbh) and this was so short that I just couldn’t. Still, I think Fit is a great combination of sexy and wholesome and I really enjoyed my time!! it’s a 3.5/5 stars!!
What I really look forward to when reading romance is to get totally attached with the character (when reading any other genres too tbh) and this was so short that I just couldn’t. Still, I think Fit is a great combination of sexy and wholesome and I really enjoyed my time!! it’s a 3.5/5 stars!!
January 31, 2019
The perfect one-sitting read for an insomniac night.
The good:
- Yea for interracial relationships written by a Queer woman of color! Violet is Chinese-American and Grant is white.
- Violet is fat and is aiming to get fit, not skinny. She wants some of the weight to come off, of course, but being healthy comes first, not getting down to a certain dress size.
- Grant makes a big blunder when they first meet and the way Violet handles it is real and funny.
- Without getting spoilery, I like that Grant acknowledges that there are good and bad reasons to miss a workout. Once in a lifetime experience? Sure. Third girls' night out of the week? Maybe not.
- The BDSM is gentle and fun and full of consent. Yea happy D/s!
- I'm a fan of Weatherspoon's writing and I wasn't let down.
- The story fits the page length and there's even a small B-plot, which is a hard thing to do when the book is only 80 pages. It works out great.
The not-so-good:
- The beginning was info dumpy but soon forgiven.
I'm so glad I had this on my e-reader - time to pick up the next book in the series for my next insomniac emergency!
The good:
- Yea for interracial relationships written by a Queer woman of color! Violet is Chinese-American and Grant is white.
- Violet is fat and is aiming to get fit, not skinny. She wants some of the weight to come off, of course, but being healthy comes first, not getting down to a certain dress size.
- Grant makes a big blunder when they first meet and the way Violet handles it is real and funny.
- Without getting spoilery, I like that Grant acknowledges that there are good and bad reasons to miss a workout. Once in a lifetime experience? Sure. Third girls' night out of the week? Maybe not.
- The BDSM is gentle and fun and full of consent. Yea happy D/s!
- I'm a fan of Weatherspoon's writing and I wasn't let down.
- The story fits the page length and there's even a small B-plot, which is a hard thing to do when the book is only 80 pages. It works out great.
The not-so-good:
- The beginning was info dumpy but soon forgiven.
I'm so glad I had this on my e-reader - time to pick up the next book in the series for my next insomniac emergency!
Read
September 19, 2016Loved it! This book made me want to go to the gym, which is not my normal state of being, tbh. :) I knew this one would be dirty, and it is. Deliciously so. What I didn't expect was how funny it would be. I was cracking up while reading it, and THAT is a gift. Humor is hard to write. If you can work humor and hot sex in the same book? I am 100% sold. I'll be reading the rest of the trilogy, for sure.
July 3, 2016
Good...
Needed a good deal more development and less telling. Also needed greater immediacy for the sex scenes. There was too much reporting after the fact. Additionally, that HEA with the friend didn't fit with the characterisation nor the plot.
An author with good bones. I'm hoping she builds and improves.
Needed a good deal more development and less telling. Also needed greater immediacy for the sex scenes. There was too much reporting after the fact. Additionally, that HEA with the friend didn't fit with the characterisation nor the plot.
An author with good bones. I'm hoping she builds and improves.
October 23, 2017
I absolutely LOVE this entire series! This book is especially sweet, and the heroine is extremely likeable; I felt like we could be friends in real life. The hero is both a super-sexy dom and not a massive arsehole. Who knew those two qualities could exist?! I read this book a while ago, but I always come back to it.
August 29, 2014
A sexy dash of awesomesauce.
This short story had all the makings of what keeps me up reading for half the night (it's freaking 3:32 a.m. as I type this). It was equal parts titillating (its male protagonist was THE sexiest), funny, and sweet. Did I mention that this story is hella sexy? Ummm, yeah. It's got that down pat. But it also flowed so well, with descriptive words which painted a perfect picture in my mind's eye. I was captivated from the get-go and didn't put it down until I was 100% done.
I don't give 5-star reviews lightly; I'm actually quite stingy with them. But I really, really enjoyed this one and I'm already looking forward to reading the next story in this trilogy.
This short story had all the makings of what keeps me up reading for half the night (it's freaking 3:32 a.m. as I type this). It was equal parts titillating (its male protagonist was THE sexiest), funny, and sweet. Did I mention that this story is hella sexy? Ummm, yeah. It's got that down pat. But it also flowed so well, with descriptive words which painted a perfect picture in my mind's eye. I was captivated from the get-go and didn't put it down until I was 100% done.
I don't give 5-star reviews lightly; I'm actually quite stingy with them. But I really, really enjoyed this one and I'm already looking forward to reading the next story in this trilogy.
April 26, 2016
In giving up on this at 62%. it probably wouldn't take me long to read the rest because it's only short but I've just absolutely no desire to do so.
I'm afraid nothing about this is holding my attention. It's not badly written and I'm always appreciative of a book with a plus size, minority heroine that's trying to do something a bit different.
But, for me, right now, perhaps given the amount of very good erotica I've read, it feels painfully par for the course. I've read one book during the course of tying to finish this one and I've started another: it's time for me to accept the fate of 'Fit' as a DNF.
I'm afraid nothing about this is holding my attention. It's not badly written and I'm always appreciative of a book with a plus size, minority heroine that's trying to do something a bit different.
But, for me, right now, perhaps given the amount of very good erotica I've read, it feels painfully par for the course. I've read one book during the course of tying to finish this one and I've started another: it's time for me to accept the fate of 'Fit' as a DNF.
August 23, 2016
Thanks Sue for reccing me FIT. If you like light BDSM, a hot gym trainer, a Food Network producer heroine and lots of funny/sweet moments, I recommend you to pick up this book.
I loved everything about this book. Grant is definitely one of my favorite heroes to date and I love his relationship with Violet so much. Since th first meeting, I couldn't stop laughing and couldn't stop swooning because of the chemistry these two had!
I loved everything about this book. Grant is definitely one of my favorite heroes to date and I love his relationship with Violet so much. Since th first meeting, I couldn't stop laughing and couldn't stop swooning because of the chemistry these two had!
July 30, 2021
Mixed feelings. Pros first! Absolutely adorable couple. Violet is fantastic, and they're so sweet together. Also loved having a fat heroine.
Cons: I'm generally not a novella person, because I usually don't get the emotional depth I'm after, so I would've liked a full novel. The bigger drawback for me was the weight loss and healthy eating focus. It was frankly kind of triggering and took away from the joy of a fat heroine. She makes some peace with her body toward the end, but even then there's healthy food talk. I wouldn't, overall, say it's an incredibly fat-positive novel.
Cons: I'm generally not a novella person, because I usually don't get the emotional depth I'm after, so I would've liked a full novel. The bigger drawback for me was the weight loss and healthy eating focus. It was frankly kind of triggering and took away from the joy of a fat heroine. She makes some peace with her body toward the end, but even then there's healthy food talk. I wouldn't, overall, say it's an incredibly fat-positive novel.
October 27, 2019
Funnier than I antcipated - so one star for that.
Otherwise, just about okay. I wish my book-club would move away from the novella stints, I really can't connect to characters in 12 chapters. Especially when 4 chapters is just sex.
Also, half star for being the only book with BDSM that didn't make me want to cringe. Not sure then if it's realistic, but I'd rather this than 50 shades of no crap.
Otherwise, just about okay. I wish my book-club would move away from the novella stints, I really can't connect to characters in 12 chapters. Especially when 4 chapters is just sex.
Also, half star for being the only book with BDSM that didn't make me want to cringe. Not sure then if it's realistic, but I'd rather this than 50 shades of no crap.
December 11, 2018
Good not great.
I am very appreciative of all of the amazing aspects of this book: sex positivity, a strong, intelligent, fat, Asian female character, and no over-the-top, declarations of undying love. But as a whole story, it could have used more development. I understand it's very short, but it was heavy on the telling and not showing (especially on the sex scenes).
I am very appreciative of all of the amazing aspects of this book: sex positivity, a strong, intelligent, fat, Asian female character, and no over-the-top, declarations of undying love. But as a whole story, it could have used more development. I understand it's very short, but it was heavy on the telling and not showing (especially on the sex scenes).
March 2, 2022
Fit was a quick read featuring a romance between a woman looking to lose weight before production on her next show starts and the personal trainer she hires.
Violet Ryan enjoys her work as a producer for reality cooking shows on The Food Channel and the delicious food she gets to eat is a perk. That is until her weight starts to get out of control and Violet becomes determined to drop some of the pounds she's put on recently. But after her first high-intensity group class, Violet is ready to give up on her plan until the instructor recommends a personal trainer with a lighter touch. Grant Gibson owns one of the hottest private gyms in L.A. but his personal life is lacking. A Dominant in the bedroom, Grant hasn't had a submissive since his last relationship went all wrong. When Grant meets Violet, he's instantly smitten and offers her so much more than a workout.
Fit was actually a really great read that ultimately didn't work for me as it made me realize BDSM isn't for me, even a lighter version as shown in this book. Violet and Grant are phenomenal characters, she speaks her mind and is incredibly funny while he's an absolute sweetheart with a heart of gold. I loved the chemistry between these two and I enjoyed how at ease they were around each other. I liked that Violet didn't hold anything back and when she wanted something, she let Grant know it. The steamy scenes, while incredibly sexy, were where this book didn't work for me. Grant is all about control and while Violet likes that, I didn't enjoy it. Had the D/s elements not been part of this book, I easily would have given the book five stars. So this is definitely a case of it was me, not the book, and I wouldn't let my rating negatively impact your decision to pick up the book.
Overall Fit was a fantastic read that just didn't work for me as it alerted me to the fact I'm not a fan of BDSM elements in my romances. I would highly recommend the book though if that's something you like and I will definitely be checking out other books from the author.
Violet Ryan enjoys her work as a producer for reality cooking shows on The Food Channel and the delicious food she gets to eat is a perk. That is until her weight starts to get out of control and Violet becomes determined to drop some of the pounds she's put on recently. But after her first high-intensity group class, Violet is ready to give up on her plan until the instructor recommends a personal trainer with a lighter touch. Grant Gibson owns one of the hottest private gyms in L.A. but his personal life is lacking. A Dominant in the bedroom, Grant hasn't had a submissive since his last relationship went all wrong. When Grant meets Violet, he's instantly smitten and offers her so much more than a workout.
Fit was actually a really great read that ultimately didn't work for me as it made me realize BDSM isn't for me, even a lighter version as shown in this book. Violet and Grant are phenomenal characters, she speaks her mind and is incredibly funny while he's an absolute sweetheart with a heart of gold. I loved the chemistry between these two and I enjoyed how at ease they were around each other. I liked that Violet didn't hold anything back and when she wanted something, she let Grant know it. The steamy scenes, while incredibly sexy, were where this book didn't work for me. Grant is all about control and while Violet likes that, I didn't enjoy it. Had the D/s elements not been part of this book, I easily would have given the book five stars. So this is definitely a case of it was me, not the book, and I wouldn't let my rating negatively impact your decision to pick up the book.
Overall Fit was a fantastic read that just didn't work for me as it alerted me to the fact I'm not a fan of BDSM elements in my romances. I would highly recommend the book though if that's something you like and I will definitely be checking out other books from the author.
March 2, 2020
Really enjoyed this!!
January 23, 2016
FIT is book 1 in a trilogy written by new-to-me author Rebekah Weatherspooon. I've been following her on Twitter for a while now and admire her efforts to bring books written by or featuring WOC to the forefront. A while back she tweeted about this trilogy being 99c per book and I don't know how quickly I one-clicked after reading the blurbs but I can tell you it was fast!
After DNF-ing a book that just wasn't for me I wasn't sure what to read next until I was browsing through the ebooks on my TBR and this one just screamed at me to read it. And boy, am I glad I did. This book was refreshingly different in several aspects and I immediately clicked with the writing (style). The trilogy revolves around the owners of an L.A. gym and I can't wait to read the books of the other two as Grant definitely set the tone.
What I loved most of all about this book was the sarcastic humor. Humor when done well is a thing if beauty! And Rebekah Weatherspoon does humor really well. Combined with a level of BDSM that I'm totally comfortable with —as in no humiliation, slave stuff but a balance of power and trust— and the way I clicked with the writing it made reading this book an absolute pleasure.
I loved the main characters. And though I'm pretty hero-centric in my romance reading, this was one of those books where the heroine was my favorite. Violet is witty, mouthy and realistic. I just loved her look on life and the way she wanted to work on herself and embraced who she was at the same time.
Grant is the sweetest, most considerate Dom I've ever read and I don't really read the darker BDSM stuff. And yet Grant also has this intense vibe he gives of. It was a pretty powerful combination that really worked for me.
As for the secondary characters, I really liked Mando (Grant's business partner) and I'm certain one of the books in this trilogy will be his. Faye (Violet's BFF) I'm not so sure about. There was something about her I didn't like and I couldn't quite but my finger on the what or why. The author did redeem her somewhat but still I didn't like her for most of the book.
A small thing that also kept nagging me in the back of my mind was that it was unclear to me what made Violet change her mind about the BDSM/Grant's proposition when they just met. It felt like there was no real explanation for it. One minute she left, kind of shocked by it and the next she was calling him to say she'd do it.
But these were very small things and absolutely did not take away from my enjoyment of this first encounter with Weatherspoon's work and talent.
After DNF-ing a book that just wasn't for me I wasn't sure what to read next until I was browsing through the ebooks on my TBR and this one just screamed at me to read it. And boy, am I glad I did. This book was refreshingly different in several aspects and I immediately clicked with the writing (style). The trilogy revolves around the owners of an L.A. gym and I can't wait to read the books of the other two as Grant definitely set the tone.
What I loved most of all about this book was the sarcastic humor. Humor when done well is a thing if beauty! And Rebekah Weatherspoon does humor really well. Combined with a level of BDSM that I'm totally comfortable with —as in no humiliation, slave stuff but a balance of power and trust— and the way I clicked with the writing it made reading this book an absolute pleasure.
I loved the main characters. And though I'm pretty hero-centric in my romance reading, this was one of those books where the heroine was my favorite. Violet is witty, mouthy and realistic. I just loved her look on life and the way she wanted to work on herself and embraced who she was at the same time.
Grant is the sweetest, most considerate Dom I've ever read and I don't really read the darker BDSM stuff. And yet Grant also has this intense vibe he gives of. It was a pretty powerful combination that really worked for me.
As for the secondary characters, I really liked Mando (Grant's business partner) and I'm certain one of the books in this trilogy will be his. Faye (Violet's BFF) I'm not so sure about. There was something about her I didn't like and I couldn't quite but my finger on the what or why. The author did redeem her somewhat but still I didn't like her for most of the book.
A small thing that also kept nagging me in the back of my mind was that it was unclear to me what made Violet change her mind about the BDSM/Grant's proposition when they just met. It felt like there was no real explanation for it. One minute she left, kind of shocked by it and the next she was calling him to say she'd do it.
But these were very small things and absolutely did not take away from my enjoyment of this first encounter with Weatherspoon's work and talent.
April 10, 2016
I'm really liking this more-new-to-me author, and I'm so glad I found her books through the "not your usual romance novel" network on Twitter. She writes really and truly body positive, sex positive, multicultural without feeling forced, female friendly romances with actually sassy (and not annoyingly fake sassy), intelligent, sarcastic and fun female MCs. Their male counterparts are on the alpha side, but not that ugly and stalkerish alpha that predominates the romance genre. These are your kinder, gentler alphas; good guys with a dominant and very sexy streak. Sign me up!
I haven't had this much fun reading m-f romances in years. Her characters are DTF and have fun with it. There's no slut shaming, no trash talking, unless it's coming from their asshole best girl friend, who really needs to be taken down a peg or two. Or maybe they're coming at the MC with good intentions at heart. You'd have to wait and see. ;)
Edited to add: Her characters also speak in the way that people I know speak, and in a very natural and realistic way, using words that people actually use in real life. No over the top pronouncements and no romance novel euphemisms WHICH I LOVE. :hugging my ipad to my face and sighing happily:
The only beef I have with her works are their length. Give me at least 150 pages and then we're talking. The thing is, the author does a really good job wrapping up the stories in a way that doesn't seem overly rushed, which I love. I also love that her couples don't end up getting married or anything too crazy at the end. They get their happy ending but it's not unbelievable.
Very nice! These are the sorts of m-f romance I've been waiting to read for forever. Keep up the good work, Rebekah.
Signed,
A new fan
I haven't had this much fun reading m-f romances in years. Her characters are DTF and have fun with it. There's no slut shaming, no trash talking, unless it's coming from their asshole best girl friend, who really needs to be taken down a peg or two. Or maybe they're coming at the MC with good intentions at heart. You'd have to wait and see. ;)
Edited to add: Her characters also speak in the way that people I know speak, and in a very natural and realistic way, using words that people actually use in real life. No over the top pronouncements and no romance novel euphemisms WHICH I LOVE. :hugging my ipad to my face and sighing happily:
The only beef I have with her works are their length. Give me at least 150 pages and then we're talking. The thing is, the author does a really good job wrapping up the stories in a way that doesn't seem overly rushed, which I love. I also love that her couples don't end up getting married or anything too crazy at the end. They get their happy ending but it's not unbelievable.
Very nice! These are the sorts of m-f romance I've been waiting to read for forever. Keep up the good work, Rebekah.
Signed,
A new fan
September 6, 2016
Fit is exceedingly short, but worth it.
If you're a reluctant BDSM reader (as I am), I highly suggest reading this book. It is the best out there. I love the thoughtful, and boundaries restriction. There's respect and consent. The romance is super cute as well. I love that the protagonist is a fat Asian-American. We need more of that.
If you're a reluctant BDSM reader (as I am), I highly suggest reading this book. It is the best out there. I love the thoughtful, and boundaries restriction. There's respect and consent. The romance is super cute as well. I love that the protagonist is a fat Asian-American. We need more of that.
October 2, 2019
This had the emotional depth of paper dolls smooshing their faces together in a parody of a kiss. Nope.
January 23, 2019
Oh I liked this book.
Not ... into BDSM but it was pretty low key here (other than that bar(s) in his apartment but I guess I didn't think too hard on that/read that scene too carefully.)
... I also think they jump into the physicality like WHOA fast. Like WHOA - but obviously it works for them, so you know. Hooray for all involved parties.
It's a cute book (although ... >.> low key side eyeing the freckles because in so many American books Asian Americans have freckles but it's like ... they're really not that common?)
Oh man I would've figuratively killed to see a scene where Grant seduces/woos Violet by singing to her ... I actually liked that her cut her off because she was an asshole.
Because of Faye though >.< I haven't read that many Rebekah Weatherspoon books but I know in a few - I don't THINK all? Trying to think of all her books I've read ... but >.> there's that ASSHOLE toxic friend. And like ... Just the fact that Faye took her to that one exercise class was BEYOND an asshole move. AND THEN - KNOWING her friend wants to lose weight, pressuring her into getting fattening yogurt, drinking, pizza and shit...
No, a good friend is one who literally takes the pizza out of your hands as you're about to take a bite BECAUSE they want to support you in your weight loss journey when you tell them "please make sure to help me from myself." >.>
So that really pissed me off. Especially ... since Violet was like 😒 already - like at the point where you feel RELIEF when you're not with a person ... they're not a friend.
And it SUCKS. God it HURTS and it SUCKS - but come on.
[Maybe I'm especially raw since I think personally I'm at the "oh we're ... not friends anymore" stage in a relationship through no fault of my own that I can see/even imagine....] But that annoyed me. Granted I DID see the valid points - which Grant HAD been about to address but he didn't get to ... so I'm not like ENTIRELY down on Violet.
And then! When she does that one class -and Grant is still nice to her - but like nice professional - and she collapses :X ... I kinda wish he'd gone a LITTLE bit further/nicer when she recovered but ... yeah.
I really liked it. Had been very excited to read the others in the series but ... :X I read the blurbs and ... I dunno.
I can definitely see myself re-reading Fit though...
One quick minor thing; like... I couldn't quite picture Violet in my head. Is she... like - considering she wears the bodycon lace dress ... like I guess I pictured her as my size? I DON'T KNOW.
C
Not ... into BDSM but it was pretty low key here (other than that bar(s) in his apartment but I guess I didn't think too hard on that/read that scene too carefully.)
... I also think they jump into the physicality like WHOA fast. Like WHOA - but obviously it works for them, so you know. Hooray for all involved parties.
It's a cute book (although ... >.> low key side eyeing the freckles because in so many American books Asian Americans have freckles but it's like ... they're really not that common?)
Oh man I would've figuratively killed to see a scene where Grant seduces/woos Violet by singing to her ... I actually liked that her cut her off because she was an asshole.
Because of Faye though >.< I haven't read that many Rebekah Weatherspoon books but I know in a few - I don't THINK all? Trying to think of all her books I've read ... but >.> there's that ASSHOLE toxic friend. And like ... Just the fact that Faye took her to that one exercise class was BEYOND an asshole move. AND THEN - KNOWING her friend wants to lose weight, pressuring her into getting fattening yogurt, drinking, pizza and shit...
No, a good friend is one who literally takes the pizza out of your hands as you're about to take a bite BECAUSE they want to support you in your weight loss journey when you tell them "please make sure to help me from myself." >.>
So that really pissed me off. Especially ... since Violet was like 😒 already - like at the point where you feel RELIEF when you're not with a person ... they're not a friend.
And it SUCKS. God it HURTS and it SUCKS - but come on.
[Maybe I'm especially raw since I think personally I'm at the "oh we're ... not friends anymore" stage in a relationship through no fault of my own that I can see/even imagine....] But that annoyed me. Granted I DID see the valid points - which Grant HAD been about to address but he didn't get to ... so I'm not like ENTIRELY down on Violet.
And then! When she does that one class -and Grant is still nice to her - but like nice professional - and she collapses :X ... I kinda wish he'd gone a LITTLE bit further/nicer when she recovered but ... yeah.
I really liked it. Had been very excited to read the others in the series but ... :X I read the blurbs and ... I dunno.
I can definitely see myself re-reading Fit though...
One quick minor thing; like... I couldn't quite picture Violet in my head. Is she... like - considering she wears the bodycon lace dress ... like I guess I pictured her as my size? I DON'T KNOW.
C
December 26, 2018
i don't quite know what to think about this yet and am apprehensive talking about it because as someone who isn't fat, i am no doubt missing many nuances and points.
this is not a book in which the strong, beautiful, fat Asian woman is only found attractive or only finds love once she's lost weight. it is a book that has weight loss woven in its pages and the message that the extra pounds weren't good for her health without really examining this in the book itself - no explicit body positivity movement or something.
as a nitpick, at some point they're talking about how much you can know about someone from their social media and this comes up "Are they posting nonsense in the middle of the night, then complaining about having to be at work first thing in the morning, then having the balls to say they have no time to work out?" in a negative tone. and as someone who would post nonsense in the night due to sleep problems, disability and pain, you bet i complain if i have to get up when i'm still tired. the described action is not inherently negative or not taking care of yourself. i realise this is only a small part, but really didn't sit well with me.
i do appreciate the mention of invisible disabilities like partial hearing loss and epilepsy, because recognition is important and it makes me happy when those things are not forgotten.
no idea yet what to think about the relationship yet, and about bringing D/s up in an unprofessional way and about the friend and? i just don't know, though points for the phrase It was okay for her to be a little nervous, but there was no need for her to be afraid. which is one i should keep close to my heart
this is not a book in which the strong, beautiful, fat Asian woman is only found attractive or only finds love once she's lost weight. it is a book that has weight loss woven in its pages and the message that the extra pounds weren't good for her health without really examining this in the book itself - no explicit body positivity movement or something.
as a nitpick, at some point they're talking about how much you can know about someone from their social media and this comes up "Are they posting nonsense in the middle of the night, then complaining about having to be at work first thing in the morning, then having the balls to say they have no time to work out?" in a negative tone. and as someone who would post nonsense in the night due to sleep problems, disability and pain, you bet i complain if i have to get up when i'm still tired. the described action is not inherently negative or not taking care of yourself. i realise this is only a small part, but really didn't sit well with me.
i do appreciate the mention of invisible disabilities like partial hearing loss and epilepsy, because recognition is important and it makes me happy when those things are not forgotten.
no idea yet what to think about the relationship yet, and about bringing D/s up in an unprofessional way and about the friend and? i just don't know, though points for the phrase It was okay for her to be a little nervous, but there was no need for her to be afraid. which is one i should keep close to my heart
Read
August 31, 2021I want to make a note that I've decided not to rate this because I found this book incredibly triggering, and quite honestly wish I hadn't read it because of that. I really wouldn't recommend this one to anyone who has ever struggled with eating and/or exercise disorders. My review is likely a bit biased because of that, too. However, I am aware that this is a personal thing and know a lot of people who would enjoy this story and not be affected by it like I was, so I don't think it's really fair of me to rate it when I wouldn't really be rating it for the writing/story itself, but rather my own very personal reactions to sensitive content.
From a story side, I personally thought this was too rushed, and because of that I didn't feel their connection at all and kind of just didn't really care what happened? I think the story would've worked a lot better if it could've been fleshed out in a full length novel. While I wouldn't necessarily say the writing is bad, it's definitely not Rebekah's strongest work, and you can see how much her writing has improved over the years when you compare it to some of her other, more recent works.
Honestly, I don't really have much else to say, because my opinion of it was so clouded by how triggering it was to me. I think if the plot interests you/you've read and liked Rebekah's other works you might want to give this a try, but if you might be triggered by heavy discussions involving eating (including shaming herself for eating 'bad' foods, tracking her food intake, etc,), exercise, weight, appearance, etc., I would give it a miss.
From a story side, I personally thought this was too rushed, and because of that I didn't feel their connection at all and kind of just didn't really care what happened? I think the story would've worked a lot better if it could've been fleshed out in a full length novel. While I wouldn't necessarily say the writing is bad, it's definitely not Rebekah's strongest work, and you can see how much her writing has improved over the years when you compare it to some of her other, more recent works.
Honestly, I don't really have much else to say, because my opinion of it was so clouded by how triggering it was to me. I think if the plot interests you/you've read and liked Rebekah's other works you might want to give this a try, but if you might be triggered by heavy discussions involving eating (including shaming herself for eating 'bad' foods, tracking her food intake, etc,), exercise, weight, appearance, etc., I would give it a miss.
Read
January 22, 2025FIRST OF ALL thanks to KJ Charles' GUSHING reviews on the series from like. 2016. Otherwise I would have taken a look at the fitness journey aspect of this book and said NO THANK YOU. Second of all. This was A DELIGHT. It didn't do ANYTHING I assumed it would. The fitness aspect didn't squick me out. The main character is fat and the book doesn't shy away from that but she isn't berated constantly by the narrative, her friends, her trainer (and love interest, natch) or really herself that much. Like honestly almost zero toxicity. SPEAKING OF ZERO TOXICITY. The male lead's FRIENDSHIPS? ACTUALLY GOOD AND HEALTHY AND DIDN'T MAKE ME WANT TO DIE? And then the third act conflict was a really good mix of OH GOD WHY HAVE YOU DONE THIS and ACTUALLY REASONABLE CRITICISMS AND WOES, which I really enjoyed. Like I get it girl. I know you're wrong but I GET IT.
The one complaint I have is Violet's friend - the actual inciting incident for most of the conflict in this book - and how she was Violet's ONLY friend and continues to be her only friend. Like we only kind of resolved the issues therein. But it is a short book and I'd rather that not get fleshed out versus the main relationship not feeling full.
My god I wrote so much for such a small book idc idc idc I love this so much I'm going to INHALE the rest of the series
The one complaint I have is Violet's friend - the actual inciting incident for most of the conflict in this book - and how she was Violet's ONLY friend and continues to be her only friend. Like we only kind of resolved the issues therein. But it is a short book and I'd rather that not get fleshed out versus the main relationship not feeling full.
My god I wrote so much for such a small book idc idc idc I love this so much I'm going to INHALE the rest of the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews