What do you think?
Rate this book
Girl, Ultra-Processed
A searing look at diet culture and all its ugly consequences, from the talented writer of Influential.
Girls like Sydney don't get rejected, because girls like Sydney aren't real . . . when I'm Sydney my body doesn't matter. I'm wearing hers.
Saffron Saldana can't stop comparing herself to the other women in her life and she only feels good when she is catfishing boys online. She welcomes in the New Year wishing she was as desirable as her best friend Poppy or as confident as her SlimIt coach mother.
But when Saffron takes on an alter ego, Sydney, an impossibly beautiful AI-generated Instagram model, she finds she has control over how others perceive her for the first time in a long time, and she likes the power. Pretending to be Sydney seems like a bit of harmless fun, but suddenly Saffron finds she is in too deep, with no idea how to stop what she has set in motion.
Girl: Ultra-Processed explores what it is like to be a teenage girl in our current body-obsessed world while juggling family drama, friend dynamics, dating, betrayals and major life changes.
Girls like Sydney don't get rejected, because girls like Sydney aren't real . . . when I'm Sydney my body doesn't matter. I'm wearing hers.
Saffron Saldana can't stop comparing herself to the other women in her life and she only feels good when she is catfishing boys online. She welcomes in the New Year wishing she was as desirable as her best friend Poppy or as confident as her SlimIt coach mother.
But when Saffron takes on an alter ego, Sydney, an impossibly beautiful AI-generated Instagram model, she finds she has control over how others perceive her for the first time in a long time, and she likes the power. Pretending to be Sydney seems like a bit of harmless fun, but suddenly Saffron finds she is in too deep, with no idea how to stop what she has set in motion.
Girl: Ultra-Processed explores what it is like to be a teenage girl in our current body-obsessed world while juggling family drama, friend dynamics, dating, betrayals and major life changes.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2025
11 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 18, 2024
Student Saffron Saldana lacks confidence mostly due to her body image and resolves at a New Year’s Eve party to diet amongst other things so perhaps she can be as ‘ desirable ’ as her friend Poppy. She creates an alter ego, Sydney, a body confident AI generated Instagram model, her motives one of revenge catfishing mostly associated with Jack, her ex. This relevant YA novel focuses on a late teenage girl trying to navigate a body obsessed world while trying to juggle the ups and downs life throws at her and focuses on the dynamics of friendship, the world of dating, family issues as well as betrayal.
It’s fair to say I’m far removed from the target audience of this book and I’m surprised how much I enjoy it chiefly due to the engaging way that Amara Sage writes. With age came confidence in my own skin and not caring less what people think but I totally understand and worry about the pressure that women face especially by the toxicity of social media and society’s judgements especially over body size.
I really hope this book with its excellent message hits home and gives young women the freedom to be themselves. Who decided rake thin is a good look??
The novel feels authentic to me as it navigates many tricky waters. I like Saffron a lot she feels real and I enjoy her humour and attitude, I hope many teens and young adults will relate to her especially how she masks her insecurities and how she starts to overcome them. The dialogue is good some of it is very witty and makes me chuckle.
Overall, the novel asks relevant and pertinent questions, raising serious issues associated with the dieting industry and the pressures on the young. The friendships here are heartwarming and so very important. Go Saffron I say!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
It’s fair to say I’m far removed from the target audience of this book and I’m surprised how much I enjoy it chiefly due to the engaging way that Amara Sage writes. With age came confidence in my own skin and not caring less what people think but I totally understand and worry about the pressure that women face especially by the toxicity of social media and society’s judgements especially over body size.
I really hope this book with its excellent message hits home and gives young women the freedom to be themselves. Who decided rake thin is a good look??
The novel feels authentic to me as it navigates many tricky waters. I like Saffron a lot she feels real and I enjoy her humour and attitude, I hope many teens and young adults will relate to her especially how she masks her insecurities and how she starts to overcome them. The dialogue is good some of it is very witty and makes me chuckle.
Overall, the novel asks relevant and pertinent questions, raising serious issues associated with the dieting industry and the pressures on the young. The friendships here are heartwarming and so very important. Go Saffron I say!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Faber and Faber for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
January 27, 2025
This book hit and it hit hard. Accurately verbalized thoughts I’ve had my whole life. Captured the toxicity of social media and fake happiness. Totally body positive. Didn’t looooove the long chapters but that’s just a preference. 10/10 recommend for everyone
January 15, 2025
This was such a unique read, and its message is so powerful. Important.
I'll get the not amazing bit out of the way first, the way this book was put together, wasn't for me. Long chapters, minimal page breaks and somewhat confusing time jumps made it a little hard to stay immersed. And I found our protagonist a little naive and overly judgy.
Yes our protagonist goes through a lot of growth and self discovery, but I feel that doesn't take away from the earlier judginess it's still sitting with me.
This one is written in such a modern tone, with nods to current pop culture, medicine and science. Dating apps and social media. It feels real, authentic and now. It shows the importance of feeling your body, feeling your body is just right, trusting what it tells you it needs. Body positivity is so important and I think this is going to be an important read for so many readers, YA and adult.
Thankyou to NetGalley for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I'll get the not amazing bit out of the way first, the way this book was put together, wasn't for me. Long chapters, minimal page breaks and somewhat confusing time jumps made it a little hard to stay immersed. And I found our protagonist a little naive and overly judgy.
Yes our protagonist goes through a lot of growth and self discovery, but I feel that doesn't take away from the earlier judginess it's still sitting with me.
This one is written in such a modern tone, with nods to current pop culture, medicine and science. Dating apps and social media. It feels real, authentic and now. It shows the importance of feeling your body, feeling your body is just right, trusting what it tells you it needs. Body positivity is so important and I think this is going to be an important read for so many readers, YA and adult.
Thankyou to NetGalley for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 15, 2024
Published 16 January. This YA novel is a fun read that is all about body positivity and the diet culture. Saffron hates herself and her body. She has a mother who is the face of SlimIt and who pushed Saffron to always monitor her food intake. Add to this the culture of ultra thin ‘role-models’ on social media and on TV and Saff does not feel that she fits in, especially with the way that she was treated by her ex. So she creates a new persona for herself on a dating app - Sydney - where she can be the person that she has always wanted to be. But then Sydney’s presence threatens to undo everything that Saffron is starting to build because after starting uni and moving into a houseshare, she is finally moving away from the ‘must diet’ influence of her mother and beginning to find herself. There are dark parts of this but the message about everyone being perfect just as they are is an important one, as is the dangers of taking the dieting message too far as being thin isn’t always the answe either. There is a lot in here, not only about body image, but also a fantastic catfishing story and the value of having true friends. There is also a bit of romance. Saffron is relatable snd I can recognise my teenage anxieties about my own weight. Other characters - some are more rounded than others, but overall a fun read with an important message for teens.
May 3, 2025
This book broke me and put me back together all within 314 pages
When I picked this up I didn't realise until at least halfway through that it's by the same author of Influential, another book that I absolutely adore.
TW: Discussion of Diets / ED's / Ozempic as well as potential spoilers
This just felt so so real and relatable. As someone who has grown up around diets especially living in an all female household, waiting for my mum in the corner of her weightwatchers meetings at 7 to forcing myself to eat only grapefruit (ew) for a ridiculous diet trend I read about in a magazine at 11 and by 20 I had probably been on every diet plan/group possible, encouraged to try detox teas and meal replacements and every exercise class going. It only hit me when I made myself seriously ill that I had to change, but it was a long journey of ups and downs and falling back into many different habits and coping mechanisms. And I WISH I HAD THIS BOOK!!
Thankfully the world is becoming a lot more balanced with the body positivity movement and people speaking out about how you don't exist to lose weight which so many people have lost so much time of their life to. However with another spike in weight loss drugs becoming more readily available and "trendy" and certain celebrities bodies drastically changing, it can sometimes be easy to slip back into the way our minds have been programmed for years that "slim is in". But what's really in is accepting and listening to your body, moving to feel good and because you have the ability to do so not just to reach a calorie deficit.
And that's one of the many reasons I enjoyed this book! It is a reminder and probably also a first time message to some that your body is beautiful no matter what stage of life you're in. It's important to realise that our bodies change and everyone is different and we need to stop punishing ourselves and others for not looking a certain weigh and stop dictating our worth by numbers and measurements. And this book absolutely celebrates that whilst also still exploring and tackling those internalised worries that we experience.
Saff is a relatable and fully fleshed out character that I absolutely love who is joined by a brilliant cast of characters that are at different stages of their journey. For example Veronica who has already further through her journey of self love and acceptance and acts as a kind of mentor, and helps her change her algorithm to a more positive one (Also Veronica is just absolutely cool and I want to live on Wilder Street with them).
There's something about the way that Amara Sage writes that just speaks to my soul! The effortless way that all of these storylines happening are actually all connected and not always what they seem. And it's a reminder that everyone is going through something that you probably no nothing about (I'm nosy so getting to experience each reveal or plot twist was absolutely fantastic and had me hooked til the very end)
I know I've been rambling on but I also want to touch on the whole dating side of things because as a plus size girl (at least in my experience) this all felt so real and the truth that I didn't realise and am still working to come to terms with is that a lot of the restrictions I placed on myself when it came to dating were from self-doubts that I had internalised and left unattended and unchecked for years to grow and fester. And yes lot of external factors and negative experiences caused me to build my walls up even more, but it never should have got to that point. But growing up and finding your place in the world is so hard, and at the beginning Saff is a character who has experienced all of this now on the cusp of adulthood but with all of these views and expectations and limits about herself that are well overdue a challenge. Not only do we see some of her negative and very realistic dating experiences but we also see her come to terms with the fact that she does deserve love. I noted so many quotes but one that really stuck with me and made me cry was the simple yet impactful reminder that:
"...because life happens whether you're skinny or not. And I am worthy to be touched, to be loved."
Girl, Ultra-Processed is a deeply emotional yet joyous and hopeful read that brilliantly entwines storylines of a cast of characters with the main character Saff. It touches on many thought-provoking, important and very relevant topics including but not limited to:
- Weight and how it is perceived and experienced both internally and externally
- Body acceptance/self care
- Catfishing
- Mental Health
- Toxic and difficult relationships (familial, romantic, sexual and platonic)
- Use of AI images and ChatGPT
- Social media use (positive and negative)
- Medical weightloss
- Diet culture
- Dating in the online world
- Body shame (internal and external)
- Body joy
I feel so many people both younger and older could relate to and learn so much from all of the characters and the plot.
Personally this was just a really special one so excuse the rambling
When I picked this up I didn't realise until at least halfway through that it's by the same author of Influential, another book that I absolutely adore.
TW: Discussion of Diets / ED's / Ozempic as well as potential spoilers
This just felt so so real and relatable. As someone who has grown up around diets especially living in an all female household, waiting for my mum in the corner of her weightwatchers meetings at 7 to forcing myself to eat only grapefruit (ew) for a ridiculous diet trend I read about in a magazine at 11 and by 20 I had probably been on every diet plan/group possible, encouraged to try detox teas and meal replacements and every exercise class going. It only hit me when I made myself seriously ill that I had to change, but it was a long journey of ups and downs and falling back into many different habits and coping mechanisms. And I WISH I HAD THIS BOOK!!
Thankfully the world is becoming a lot more balanced with the body positivity movement and people speaking out about how you don't exist to lose weight which so many people have lost so much time of their life to. However with another spike in weight loss drugs becoming more readily available and "trendy" and certain celebrities bodies drastically changing, it can sometimes be easy to slip back into the way our minds have been programmed for years that "slim is in". But what's really in is accepting and listening to your body, moving to feel good and because you have the ability to do so not just to reach a calorie deficit.
And that's one of the many reasons I enjoyed this book! It is a reminder and probably also a first time message to some that your body is beautiful no matter what stage of life you're in. It's important to realise that our bodies change and everyone is different and we need to stop punishing ourselves and others for not looking a certain weigh and stop dictating our worth by numbers and measurements. And this book absolutely celebrates that whilst also still exploring and tackling those internalised worries that we experience.
Saff is a relatable and fully fleshed out character that I absolutely love who is joined by a brilliant cast of characters that are at different stages of their journey. For example Veronica who has already further through her journey of self love and acceptance and acts as a kind of mentor, and helps her change her algorithm to a more positive one (Also Veronica is just absolutely cool and I want to live on Wilder Street with them).
There's something about the way that Amara Sage writes that just speaks to my soul! The effortless way that all of these storylines happening are actually all connected and not always what they seem. And it's a reminder that everyone is going through something that you probably no nothing about (I'm nosy so getting to experience each reveal or plot twist was absolutely fantastic and had me hooked til the very end)
I know I've been rambling on but I also want to touch on the whole dating side of things because as a plus size girl (at least in my experience) this all felt so real and the truth that I didn't realise and am still working to come to terms with is that a lot of the restrictions I placed on myself when it came to dating were from self-doubts that I had internalised and left unattended and unchecked for years to grow and fester. And yes lot of external factors and negative experiences caused me to build my walls up even more, but it never should have got to that point. But growing up and finding your place in the world is so hard, and at the beginning Saff is a character who has experienced all of this now on the cusp of adulthood but with all of these views and expectations and limits about herself that are well overdue a challenge. Not only do we see some of her negative and very realistic dating experiences but we also see her come to terms with the fact that she does deserve love. I noted so many quotes but one that really stuck with me and made me cry was the simple yet impactful reminder that:
"...because life happens whether you're skinny or not. And I am worthy to be touched, to be loved."
Girl, Ultra-Processed is a deeply emotional yet joyous and hopeful read that brilliantly entwines storylines of a cast of characters with the main character Saff. It touches on many thought-provoking, important and very relevant topics including but not limited to:
- Weight and how it is perceived and experienced both internally and externally
- Body acceptance/self care
- Catfishing
- Mental Health
- Toxic and difficult relationships (familial, romantic, sexual and platonic)
- Use of AI images and ChatGPT
- Social media use (positive and negative)
- Medical weightloss
- Diet culture
- Dating in the online world
- Body shame (internal and external)
- Body joy
I feel so many people both younger and older could relate to and learn so much from all of the characters and the plot.
Personally this was just a really special one so excuse the rambling
January 14, 2025
5/5 stars
This was such a good book! I got sucked in in this self-discovery tale, and will definitely recommend it.
I really liked all the characters, they felt real and three-dimensional. The intrigue was so good, I didn't see it coming at all! And most of the characters broke my heart (Saff's mom :( and Freya :( :( ). I'm really glad I got to be a part of their story for a little while, and I'm rooting for all of them.
If I could give this book to 15 year-old me, I would. It resonated even with my 28-yo self so much, and the writing of Amara Sage really did something for me. And the cherry on top, it's funny as hell!
Also, more green flags boys in teenage romance pleaaaase.
The literal only bad side I have to this book is that there are no chapters. It's painful to read because you don't know when to stop.
This was such a good book! I got sucked in in this self-discovery tale, and will definitely recommend it.
I really liked all the characters, they felt real and three-dimensional. The intrigue was so good, I didn't see it coming at all! And most of the characters broke my heart (Saff's mom :( and Freya :( :( ). I'm really glad I got to be a part of their story for a little while, and I'm rooting for all of them.
If I could give this book to 15 year-old me, I would. It resonated even with my 28-yo self so much, and the writing of Amara Sage really did something for me. And the cherry on top, it's funny as hell!
Also, more green flags boys in teenage romance pleaaaase.
The literal only bad side I have to this book is that there are no chapters. It's painful to read because you don't know when to stop.
June 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and I completely empathised with the main character who is overweight and has zero confidence. She has a horrible relationship with her body and as a result with good. This is not helped by a mum who is obsessed with weight/dieting and being thin.
I definitely recommend this book, it was a good read
I definitely recommend this book, it was a good read
January 26, 2025
Review to come!
January 6, 2025
AMAZING EXCITING JAW DROPPING I LOVED IT
{Ad/gifted PR copy from the publisher}
{Ad/gifted PR copy from the publisher}
April 30, 2025
a solid 3.0
the story was interesting and easy to read while still being relatable and beautifully written. the ending felt rushed tho, and i feel like some stuff that happend at the end was quite the cliché.
the story was interesting and easy to read while still being relatable and beautifully written. the ending felt rushed tho, and i feel like some stuff that happend at the end was quite the cliché.
April 18, 2025
välil pitää lukee ya 😛😛😛
November 7, 2024
Saffron dislikes how she looks. She thinks she’s too fat and so she’s unlovable, forever doomed to be the extra, the one no one wants. After yet another bad encounter on a dating app, she creates a false persona, Sydney. Sydney, who is skinny and perfect and everything Saffron thought she wanted to be. But when she moves out, she begins to realise that maybe she can like who she is in her current body and maybe she is allowed to eat what she wants, instead of restricting herself to a crazy diet. Her life starts to look upwards, but then Sydney’s actions threaten to undo everything Saffron has built.
GAH. Just, simply put, GAH.
If I could shove this book into fifteen-year-old me’s face, I would. Hell, eighteen-year-old me. The me who thought I would only look pretty if the dress I wore hid my figure, even though I felt so horrible in dresses like that. I’d give it to nineteen-year-old me who found the perfect dress at New Look and finally started to get what it felt like to like how you look. This book is all of those emotions piled into one and amplified to one hundred. Coming to terms with your body and loving how you look isn’t easy and at twenty-one, I still haven’t figured it out. I have days where looking at pictures people have taken of me, and seeing a double chin—even a slight one—will send me into a fit. Days where I want to reactivate my gym membership and give it all I’ve got. But then there’s days where my boobs sit just right, when my hair is perfect, and I feel so pretty, it’s like nothing can stop me.
Saffron felt so real to me, like an echo to all of those thoughts and feelings I’ve had over the years, but paired with the thoughts necessary to make it all feel okay. To not panic when you notice those extra stretch marks after a particularly good few weeks. Or to not stress when the scales never say the same number twice. Her journey will feel personal to so many girls out there, of any age. And it’s so important to hear the message in this book, that you are good enough, even if there are rolls on your stomach or jiggly fat on your arms.
I loved how Saffron went back and forth sometimes, how she had good days and bad days, as this made me connect even more to her because I felt her despair in those bad days, and I felt her happiness in those good days. I love how she found people who looked like her because this allowed her to feel better about her body. I love how the people in her life were so supportive. I sped through the last fifty percent because I was so enticed by everything. I wanted to read on, to see where she was going to go, what she was going to do. It made me want to stand up and go stare at myself in the mirror, to tell myself that I am enough. We’re all enough. I love how she was also allowed to make mistakes and come back from them. I feel like a lot of people who don’t fit societies’ standard for how a girl should look stress so much about being perfect, never doing anything wrong for fear of someone using you against you. It feels as if the moment you give them something to be mad over, it’ll confirm their ugly thoughts that because you’re not skinny, you’re a bad person, a dirty person, a person not to be trusted. But Saffron made mistakes, and she owned up to them. She was allowed to fall and build herself back up and that felt so important and personal. It tells us that we’re allowed to not be so careful, we’re allowed to be who we want to be and learn as we go.
This book feels so important, something that should be shared because the message is something everyone will need to hear, at least once in their life. It’s a struggle every girl shares, no matter her size. I did truly love it, as I loved Sage’s debut. She seems to have a knack for pinpointing struggles that most of the population face and trying to deconstruct them to show people that you’re allowed to be exactly who you are.
Literally my only criticism is that I hated that there were no chapters. It’s so painful to read when you’re a person who likes to read chapter by chapter and the ‘chapters’ are fifty pages apart. Please add chapters next time or I fear I won’t get through the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
GAH. Just, simply put, GAH.
If I could shove this book into fifteen-year-old me’s face, I would. Hell, eighteen-year-old me. The me who thought I would only look pretty if the dress I wore hid my figure, even though I felt so horrible in dresses like that. I’d give it to nineteen-year-old me who found the perfect dress at New Look and finally started to get what it felt like to like how you look. This book is all of those emotions piled into one and amplified to one hundred. Coming to terms with your body and loving how you look isn’t easy and at twenty-one, I still haven’t figured it out. I have days where looking at pictures people have taken of me, and seeing a double chin—even a slight one—will send me into a fit. Days where I want to reactivate my gym membership and give it all I’ve got. But then there’s days where my boobs sit just right, when my hair is perfect, and I feel so pretty, it’s like nothing can stop me.
Saffron felt so real to me, like an echo to all of those thoughts and feelings I’ve had over the years, but paired with the thoughts necessary to make it all feel okay. To not panic when you notice those extra stretch marks after a particularly good few weeks. Or to not stress when the scales never say the same number twice. Her journey will feel personal to so many girls out there, of any age. And it’s so important to hear the message in this book, that you are good enough, even if there are rolls on your stomach or jiggly fat on your arms.
I loved how Saffron went back and forth sometimes, how she had good days and bad days, as this made me connect even more to her because I felt her despair in those bad days, and I felt her happiness in those good days. I love how she found people who looked like her because this allowed her to feel better about her body. I love how the people in her life were so supportive. I sped through the last fifty percent because I was so enticed by everything. I wanted to read on, to see where she was going to go, what she was going to do. It made me want to stand up and go stare at myself in the mirror, to tell myself that I am enough. We’re all enough. I love how she was also allowed to make mistakes and come back from them. I feel like a lot of people who don’t fit societies’ standard for how a girl should look stress so much about being perfect, never doing anything wrong for fear of someone using you against you. It feels as if the moment you give them something to be mad over, it’ll confirm their ugly thoughts that because you’re not skinny, you’re a bad person, a dirty person, a person not to be trusted. But Saffron made mistakes, and she owned up to them. She was allowed to fall and build herself back up and that felt so important and personal. It tells us that we’re allowed to not be so careful, we’re allowed to be who we want to be and learn as we go.
This book feels so important, something that should be shared because the message is something everyone will need to hear, at least once in their life. It’s a struggle every girl shares, no matter her size. I did truly love it, as I loved Sage’s debut. She seems to have a knack for pinpointing struggles that most of the population face and trying to deconstruct them to show people that you’re allowed to be exactly who you are.
Literally my only criticism is that I hated that there were no chapters. It’s so painful to read when you’re a person who likes to read chapter by chapter and the ‘chapters’ are fifty pages apart. Please add chapters next time or I fear I won’t get through the next book.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2025
A huge thank you to @Netgalley @FaberChildrens and @AmaraSageWrites for a gifted eBook
“Sometimes people just grow apart. People are either in your life for a reason or a season”
Trigger Warnings: Anorexia, fatphobia, catfishing, dieting, body dysmorphia, self-medicating and fat shaming
This was a book I was attracted to by its cover, a book offering plus size representation, and then the synopsis drew me in, this book follows 18yo Saffron as she navigates university, and her changing friendships and lifestyle. There are moments in this book that are personally triggering for me, as Saffron has a very difficult relationship with food, as well as body dysmorphia, and toxic relationships with other people who deem her worth on her body image and weight.
The book screams authenticity and relatability, as the amount of people on “fad diets” and literally causing harm to their bodies for that “socially acceptable look” is unreal, there is so much pressure – especially on young girls – from the media and society to look the right way, and I love that this book was singing body positivity to all shapes and sizes towards the end. This is definitely a book I feel all young girls should read, your worth should not be based on your body, and self-love is something everyone should have, Saffron is a hugely relatable character to me, and I found myself struggling, crying and rooting for her all throughout, and she is definitely someone I would have loved to have in my social circle!
I like that the author kept this book modern and with the times, I loved the various text chapters throughout, and felt that really lightened some of the heavier moments, and I like that the author included social media platforms such as Instagram, dating applications and AI. Without too many spoilers the subplot that runs throughout in which the creation of Sydney appears is heartbreaking, and just adds to the further proof that all these technological advances can have devastating effects on people’s self-esteem and relationships, but I do love the fact that Saffron’s character arc developed really well and she held herself accountable.
This book just feels like such a love letter to all the girls out there who base their worth on the weight. What I loved about this book is that whilst this follows a plot of Saffron learning to be happy in her own skin and a journey of self-love and self-discovery, the author is able to incorporate various different versions of body dysmorphia., all the female characters in this book all had their own version of body dysmorphia, and how impactful each type was, you had young girls who were self-medicating to be thin, Saff’s mum who throughout most of the book was coming across as toxic had her own issues with her food and diet as it was the only thing she could control – however she didn’t realise the impact this was having on the younger generations around her – remember some things are learned behaviours. Then there was Poppy who felt so uncomfortable in her own skin she had surgery, that then garnered her more attention that was completely unwanted and unnecessary. I love that the author did include body positive characters such as Veronica and Bliss, they were so refreshing, and proof that all it takes is to have yourself surrounded by positive people for you to learn to love yourself.
My only issue with this book and why it is not a five star, is that there should definitely be a trigger warning caption at the start, as there were a few times the book shocked me (I still cannot believe a size 16 is considered fat?!) and the fact that there are no chapters, it was difficult to keep a pace at times.
“Sometimes people just grow apart. People are either in your life for a reason or a season”
Trigger Warnings: Anorexia, fatphobia, catfishing, dieting, body dysmorphia, self-medicating and fat shaming
This was a book I was attracted to by its cover, a book offering plus size representation, and then the synopsis drew me in, this book follows 18yo Saffron as she navigates university, and her changing friendships and lifestyle. There are moments in this book that are personally triggering for me, as Saffron has a very difficult relationship with food, as well as body dysmorphia, and toxic relationships with other people who deem her worth on her body image and weight.
The book screams authenticity and relatability, as the amount of people on “fad diets” and literally causing harm to their bodies for that “socially acceptable look” is unreal, there is so much pressure – especially on young girls – from the media and society to look the right way, and I love that this book was singing body positivity to all shapes and sizes towards the end. This is definitely a book I feel all young girls should read, your worth should not be based on your body, and self-love is something everyone should have, Saffron is a hugely relatable character to me, and I found myself struggling, crying and rooting for her all throughout, and she is definitely someone I would have loved to have in my social circle!
I like that the author kept this book modern and with the times, I loved the various text chapters throughout, and felt that really lightened some of the heavier moments, and I like that the author included social media platforms such as Instagram, dating applications and AI. Without too many spoilers the subplot that runs throughout in which the creation of Sydney appears is heartbreaking, and just adds to the further proof that all these technological advances can have devastating effects on people’s self-esteem and relationships, but I do love the fact that Saffron’s character arc developed really well and she held herself accountable.
This book just feels like such a love letter to all the girls out there who base their worth on the weight. What I loved about this book is that whilst this follows a plot of Saffron learning to be happy in her own skin and a journey of self-love and self-discovery, the author is able to incorporate various different versions of body dysmorphia., all the female characters in this book all had their own version of body dysmorphia, and how impactful each type was, you had young girls who were self-medicating to be thin, Saff’s mum who throughout most of the book was coming across as toxic had her own issues with her food and diet as it was the only thing she could control – however she didn’t realise the impact this was having on the younger generations around her – remember some things are learned behaviours. Then there was Poppy who felt so uncomfortable in her own skin she had surgery, that then garnered her more attention that was completely unwanted and unnecessary. I love that the author did include body positive characters such as Veronica and Bliss, they were so refreshing, and proof that all it takes is to have yourself surrounded by positive people for you to learn to love yourself.
My only issue with this book and why it is not a five star, is that there should definitely be a trigger warning caption at the start, as there were a few times the book shocked me (I still cannot believe a size 16 is considered fat?!) and the fact that there are no chapters, it was difficult to keep a pace at times.
December 16, 2024
As a result of the image and body obsessed culture that surrounds her, including her diet coach mother, Saffron has grown up hating the body she lives in and by extension her entire self. To allow herself to exist in a way where people don’t judge her for her body, she has used AI to makeover her own pictures and generate a dating profile that she uses to chat to guys she feels would reject her if they knew what she actually looked like. As Saffron moves out of her family home and into a flat, she makes new friends and ultimately sets in motion the main plot of this book as she finds herself starting to fall in love with one of her new roommates and she’s forced to confront her body image issues and her other friendships and relationships that have been falling apart.
I’m of two minds about this book. On one hand, I think it does a good job of portraying the way society’s expectations about the ideal body type can worm their way into your brain and take hold, how despite being aware of how terrible diet culture is, it can be hard to actually remove yourself from it, and also how much effort and work it can take to unlearn these years of conditioning and love yourself. I’m glad there’s some body-positive YA out there. It’s certainly different than most of the YA I remember reading when I was younger. I also generally liked Saffron. I found her quite interesting and engaging as a narrator, although there were things that were brought up that felt like they could have used some more development (such as her dad having left and not speaking to her except to send her guilt money). But other than Saffron, none of the characters were fleshed out. I don’t think I could recall a single thing about any of them that isn’t just a very surface-level basic fact like that one of them plays basketball and another one takes dancersize classes. It made it a lot harder to understand why Saffron cared about any of these people, in particular Toby the love interest, because they had very minimal on-page personality. And ultimately the entire final third or so felt so cartoonish plot-wise that it was hard to take remotely seriously. I think by that point nearly ever character was being catfished, catfishing someone else, or both and then it’s just all wrapped up in a nice bow within a few pages without actually addressing any of the underlying problems in any depth.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the e-arc!
I’m of two minds about this book. On one hand, I think it does a good job of portraying the way society’s expectations about the ideal body type can worm their way into your brain and take hold, how despite being aware of how terrible diet culture is, it can be hard to actually remove yourself from it, and also how much effort and work it can take to unlearn these years of conditioning and love yourself. I’m glad there’s some body-positive YA out there. It’s certainly different than most of the YA I remember reading when I was younger. I also generally liked Saffron. I found her quite interesting and engaging as a narrator, although there were things that were brought up that felt like they could have used some more development (such as her dad having left and not speaking to her except to send her guilt money). But other than Saffron, none of the characters were fleshed out. I don’t think I could recall a single thing about any of them that isn’t just a very surface-level basic fact like that one of them plays basketball and another one takes dancersize classes. It made it a lot harder to understand why Saffron cared about any of these people, in particular Toby the love interest, because they had very minimal on-page personality. And ultimately the entire final third or so felt so cartoonish plot-wise that it was hard to take remotely seriously. I think by that point nearly ever character was being catfished, catfishing someone else, or both and then it’s just all wrapped up in a nice bow within a few pages without actually addressing any of the underlying problems in any depth.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the e-arc!
December 8, 2024
While I understand the premise of this book and the point it is trying to make, unfortunately this did not mesh with me in the way that I would have hoped.
From the first pages I was completely unimpressed and annoyed by main character Saffron who in short was very depressing. As I’ve said I understand that dealing with her body image and stressing about body positivity in the wake of such a online social media climate is the point of this and therefore would be very relatable to some, but for me it was too negative and depressing and basically just not any fun.
Despite her reasoning for doing so, I could not get behind saffron‘s catfishing of others, her jealousy of her friends who at the start were only trying to be nice to her. Her insecurities basically annoyed me more than they allowed me to feel sorry for her because they almost felt self-inflicted?
Other than the ridiculous ex who treated her terribly and the truly nameless strangers that treated her shit on the app, Saffron’s image of herself was purely based on everything she had been consuming and had there been more emphasis on her wanting to change this consumption earlier in the book then 60% I may have felt more positive about it.
I stopped reading at 78% when I found myself skimming to see if it was going to get any more positive. I didn’t like the representation on her mother, didn’t like the internal conflict. I didn’t like the constant self-deprecation and again to use the word depressing, but it was just so extremely negative that I just didn’t want tocontinue.
I understand as I said above that these feelings can be relatable to many people who are dealing with body images and I can only imagine what that is like for girls struggling but for myself who only wants to engage with things that are positive and don’t make me feel terrible about myself, this was not the right content for that. Some great quotes on social commentary and the effects of social media which i respect but i just wasnt enjoying it and i read to have fun and this just made me sad.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the arc. All opinions on my own
From the first pages I was completely unimpressed and annoyed by main character Saffron who in short was very depressing. As I’ve said I understand that dealing with her body image and stressing about body positivity in the wake of such a online social media climate is the point of this and therefore would be very relatable to some, but for me it was too negative and depressing and basically just not any fun.
Despite her reasoning for doing so, I could not get behind saffron‘s catfishing of others, her jealousy of her friends who at the start were only trying to be nice to her. Her insecurities basically annoyed me more than they allowed me to feel sorry for her because they almost felt self-inflicted?
Other than the ridiculous ex who treated her terribly and the truly nameless strangers that treated her shit on the app, Saffron’s image of herself was purely based on everything she had been consuming and had there been more emphasis on her wanting to change this consumption earlier in the book then 60% I may have felt more positive about it.
I stopped reading at 78% when I found myself skimming to see if it was going to get any more positive. I didn’t like the representation on her mother, didn’t like the internal conflict. I didn’t like the constant self-deprecation and again to use the word depressing, but it was just so extremely negative that I just didn’t want tocontinue.
I understand as I said above that these feelings can be relatable to many people who are dealing with body images and I can only imagine what that is like for girls struggling but for myself who only wants to engage with things that are positive and don’t make me feel terrible about myself, this was not the right content for that. Some great quotes on social commentary and the effects of social media which i respect but i just wasnt enjoying it and i read to have fun and this just made me sad.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the arc. All opinions on my own
January 3, 2025
4.5 stars
I absolutely LOVED this book. I initially requested the arc not really knowing what to expect but having been attracted to both the cover and the blurb on NetGalley. Little did I know just how insanely relatable and lovable Saffron was going to be.
Girl, Ultra-Processed is a YA contemporary novel all about insecurity, lack of self-confidence and it absolutely blows up diet culture and societal expectations. As a female who has always felt ‘fat’, Saffron’s character really resonated with me. The hours she spends with her social media feeds telling her she should be thin to be beautiful, that ‘fat’ girls shouldn’t wear certain clothes or that because she’s larger than others she simply *must* want to diet. I loved that this book explored all of these things but managed to ooze body positivity as we see Saffron grow and develop into a more confident version of her true self.
The storylines were all written so well and interwove seamlessly into the book: really cute romance (although I would have liked to see more of what happens next!), family ups and downs, the trials and tribulations of friendships and especially how they change when you leave school. There’s social media pressure, catfishing, disordered eating, jealousy, love, friendship and self-acceptance.
The characters are so well written that I truly adored Saffron, Veronica, Toby, Otis and little Rue whilst effortlessly disliking Jack. The way in which Saffron’s friendship with Veronica in particular developed and strengthened so naturally had me beaming. It was easy to relate to my own super natural friendships, those which develop simply because two people are meant to know one another and that’s what it felt like for those two.
I am so pleased that I picked up this book and will absolutely be encouraging as many people as possible to read it. Saffron is a character I’ll be thinking about for a long time and I’ll be taking some of the messages away into my own conscience too.
Thank you to Faber and Faber, Amara Sage and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I initially requested the arc not really knowing what to expect but having been attracted to both the cover and the blurb on NetGalley. Little did I know just how insanely relatable and lovable Saffron was going to be.
Girl, Ultra-Processed is a YA contemporary novel all about insecurity, lack of self-confidence and it absolutely blows up diet culture and societal expectations. As a female who has always felt ‘fat’, Saffron’s character really resonated with me. The hours she spends with her social media feeds telling her she should be thin to be beautiful, that ‘fat’ girls shouldn’t wear certain clothes or that because she’s larger than others she simply *must* want to diet. I loved that this book explored all of these things but managed to ooze body positivity as we see Saffron grow and develop into a more confident version of her true self.
The storylines were all written so well and interwove seamlessly into the book: really cute romance (although I would have liked to see more of what happens next!), family ups and downs, the trials and tribulations of friendships and especially how they change when you leave school. There’s social media pressure, catfishing, disordered eating, jealousy, love, friendship and self-acceptance.
The characters are so well written that I truly adored Saffron, Veronica, Toby, Otis and little Rue whilst effortlessly disliking Jack. The way in which Saffron’s friendship with Veronica in particular developed and strengthened so naturally had me beaming. It was easy to relate to my own super natural friendships, those which develop simply because two people are meant to know one another and that’s what it felt like for those two.
I am so pleased that I picked up this book and will absolutely be encouraging as many people as possible to read it. Saffron is a character I’ll be thinking about for a long time and I’ll be taking some of the messages away into my own conscience too.
Thank you to Faber and Faber, Amara Sage and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.
November 22, 2024
Raw, insightful and uplifting story about weight, dates and mates.
I don't mean to sound flippant there. This became quite dark at times, with almost every character having secrets/problems that made this very much a more intense YA read that adults will take a lot from as well.
Following the end of school, Saffron is now at her first year of Uni, on a course she didn't really choose, at home still to stay near friends and family. And constantly counting calories, measuring herself next to other women, hiding herself from in-person lectures and still obsessing over the boy who'd she slept with secretly at school, who refused to acknowledge her in public.
We can see that Saffron is unfortunately too typical of too many young people. Finally deciding to move out into a student shared flat, meeting both confident plus size young women and an instantly attractive male flatmate who seems to see past her bulges and curves, Saffron still can't gain the confidence to be herself, even on dating apps.
Alter-ago-ing up as the AI thin version of herself, Sydney, Saffron feels guilt as well as thrills as she talks to young men as this 'better' version. But with a slimming coach mum, a young impressionable niece and a collection of friends who just aren't there anymore as they move on with their lives, Saffron feels torn between the way she's been raised and encouraged to fit in, and accepting more than she's even felt she could about herself.
Not only was this a story about coming of age, the diet culture and young love, but there's a fantastic catfishing story here as Saffron/Sydney seek control and power over the gender that's hurt her... but which itself reveals some unexpected consequences.
Loved Saffron, despite and because of her insecurities. Loved Toby, the flatmate who cooks his way into the reader's heart. Loved Saff's family and what they represent for all of us. It's just a bold and open statement with great characters and an event greater message.
For ages 15 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
I don't mean to sound flippant there. This became quite dark at times, with almost every character having secrets/problems that made this very much a more intense YA read that adults will take a lot from as well.
Following the end of school, Saffron is now at her first year of Uni, on a course she didn't really choose, at home still to stay near friends and family. And constantly counting calories, measuring herself next to other women, hiding herself from in-person lectures and still obsessing over the boy who'd she slept with secretly at school, who refused to acknowledge her in public.
We can see that Saffron is unfortunately too typical of too many young people. Finally deciding to move out into a student shared flat, meeting both confident plus size young women and an instantly attractive male flatmate who seems to see past her bulges and curves, Saffron still can't gain the confidence to be herself, even on dating apps.
Alter-ago-ing up as the AI thin version of herself, Sydney, Saffron feels guilt as well as thrills as she talks to young men as this 'better' version. But with a slimming coach mum, a young impressionable niece and a collection of friends who just aren't there anymore as they move on with their lives, Saffron feels torn between the way she's been raised and encouraged to fit in, and accepting more than she's even felt she could about herself.
Not only was this a story about coming of age, the diet culture and young love, but there's a fantastic catfishing story here as Saffron/Sydney seek control and power over the gender that's hurt her... but which itself reveals some unexpected consequences.
Loved Saffron, despite and because of her insecurities. Loved Toby, the flatmate who cooks his way into the reader's heart. Loved Saff's family and what they represent for all of us. It's just a bold and open statement with great characters and an event greater message.
For ages 15 and above.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
January 3, 2025
"Girl, Ultra-Processed" by Amara Sage is a captivating and thought-provoking story that tackles the pressures of beauty standards, social media, and self-image. The book follows Saffron Saldana, a teenage girl who struggles with insecurities and constantly compares herself to others, including her best friend and her image-conscious mother. Her creation of Sydney, an impossibly beautiful AI-generated Instagram persona, offers her an escape and a sense of power but it quickly spirals out of control.
The story does an excellent job of showing how damaging diet culture and the obsession with perfection can be, especially for young women. Saffron’s journey feels real and raw, and her struggles are written in a way that is easy to connect with, even when her decisions become questionable. The dynamics between Saffron and the people in her life friends, family, and the boys she catfishes add depth to the story, making it about much more than just her alter ego.
The book shines in its portrayal of teenage emotions and the societal pressures that fuel them. The narrative makes you think about how much weight we place on appearance and the lengths people go to for acceptance. However, some parts of the story felt a bit rushed or over-the-top, which slightly took away from its otherwise strong message.
Overall, this book is a compelling read that provides an honest look at the challenges of growing up in a world obsessed with looks and likes. It’s an important and relatable book for teens and adults alike, with a message about the importance of self-acceptance.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
The story does an excellent job of showing how damaging diet culture and the obsession with perfection can be, especially for young women. Saffron’s journey feels real and raw, and her struggles are written in a way that is easy to connect with, even when her decisions become questionable. The dynamics between Saffron and the people in her life friends, family, and the boys she catfishes add depth to the story, making it about much more than just her alter ego.
The book shines in its portrayal of teenage emotions and the societal pressures that fuel them. The narrative makes you think about how much weight we place on appearance and the lengths people go to for acceptance. However, some parts of the story felt a bit rushed or over-the-top, which slightly took away from its otherwise strong message.
Overall, this book is a compelling read that provides an honest look at the challenges of growing up in a world obsessed with looks and likes. It’s an important and relatable book for teens and adults alike, with a message about the importance of self-acceptance.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
February 2, 2025
Girl, Ultra-Processed is a young adult novel which explores themes of weight, societal beauty expectations, friendship and social media.
In this book we follow Saffron just starting university in Bristol. She's ready for the new year and a new start and we go along with her as she navigates dating apps, moving out of home and the changing nature of her friendships.
I found Saffron to be a great protagonist because, while she is definitely flawed, she wants to do better and is open to learning something new.
The title took on a whole new meaning once I finished the book. The 'ultra-processed' of the title could be the image we present to the world, the diet foods/drugs we use, the thoughts we express online, literal filters we apply to everything on social media, I could go on and on.
I am, admittedly, a couple of decades older than the target audience for this book and am in no way declaring to be "down with the kids". However, I will say that in my later teens I would really have appreciated a book like this. Social media was just emerging at that time but the central issues that Saffron and her friends face still remain. There are still unrealistic expectations placed on young women to conform to impossible standards and we still have a way to go as a society to make the world a safe place for our young people to build their own identity and self confidence.
Girl Ultra-Processed offers another way of looking at things and I hope it finds its way into the hands of everyone who can benefit from its important messages.
My thanks to the publisher for the early digital copy.
In this book we follow Saffron just starting university in Bristol. She's ready for the new year and a new start and we go along with her as she navigates dating apps, moving out of home and the changing nature of her friendships.
I found Saffron to be a great protagonist because, while she is definitely flawed, she wants to do better and is open to learning something new.
The title took on a whole new meaning once I finished the book. The 'ultra-processed' of the title could be the image we present to the world, the diet foods/drugs we use, the thoughts we express online, literal filters we apply to everything on social media, I could go on and on.
I am, admittedly, a couple of decades older than the target audience for this book and am in no way declaring to be "down with the kids". However, I will say that in my later teens I would really have appreciated a book like this. Social media was just emerging at that time but the central issues that Saffron and her friends face still remain. There are still unrealistic expectations placed on young women to conform to impossible standards and we still have a way to go as a society to make the world a safe place for our young people to build their own identity and self confidence.
Girl Ultra-Processed offers another way of looking at things and I hope it finds its way into the hands of everyone who can benefit from its important messages.
My thanks to the publisher for the early digital copy.
February 7, 2025
Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
I'm thankful to Netgalley and Farbe and Farbe for the ARC of Girl, Ultra-Processed by Amara Sage.
This book is a gripping and painfully real look at the pressures of social media, diet culture, and the struggle to maintain an identity in an image-obsessed world. Right from the start, the novel draws you in with its sharp, engaging voice, making the protagonist’s struggles feel incredibly relatable. The teenage characters are well-written, their emotions and conflicts coming through naturally, without the need for over-explanation.
The book brilliantly captures the dangers of unhealthy coping mechanisms, the pressures of "heroin chic" aesthetics making a comeback, and the way external expectations—whether real or imagined—can seep into someone's self-perception. The theme of creating an alter-ego, and watching that spiral out of control, is especially fascinating, raising questions about authenticity and self-worth. How long can you fake happiness before you start believing the lie yourself?
Sage’s writing flows beautifully, with a rhythm that keeps you hooked as the protagonist's world starts to unravel. It’s an eye-opening, immersive read that doesn’t just highlight the toxicity of modern beauty standards but also the insidious, often unspoken ways they shape young minds. While I wasn’t able to finish it, what I read was powerful and engaging enough to leave a lasting impression.
A strong, thought-provoking novel with an important message
I'm thankful to Netgalley and Farbe and Farbe for the ARC of Girl, Ultra-Processed by Amara Sage.
This book is a gripping and painfully real look at the pressures of social media, diet culture, and the struggle to maintain an identity in an image-obsessed world. Right from the start, the novel draws you in with its sharp, engaging voice, making the protagonist’s struggles feel incredibly relatable. The teenage characters are well-written, their emotions and conflicts coming through naturally, without the need for over-explanation.
The book brilliantly captures the dangers of unhealthy coping mechanisms, the pressures of "heroin chic" aesthetics making a comeback, and the way external expectations—whether real or imagined—can seep into someone's self-perception. The theme of creating an alter-ego, and watching that spiral out of control, is especially fascinating, raising questions about authenticity and self-worth. How long can you fake happiness before you start believing the lie yourself?
Sage’s writing flows beautifully, with a rhythm that keeps you hooked as the protagonist's world starts to unravel. It’s an eye-opening, immersive read that doesn’t just highlight the toxicity of modern beauty standards but also the insidious, often unspoken ways they shape young minds. While I wasn’t able to finish it, what I read was powerful and engaging enough to leave a lasting impression.
A strong, thought-provoking novel with an important message
February 20, 2025
Girl: Ultra-Processed tells the story of Saffron Saldana, a teen who constantly strives to lose weight, believing that being thin will bring her happiness. Influenced by society and her diet-focused mother, Saffron battles with her self-image.
To escape, she creates Sydney, a perfect AI version of herself, gaining attention from boys online. But as her real and online lives intersect, Saffron must face the reality of hiding behind a façade, especially when a boy makes her question her self-worth and authenticity.
This heartfelt tale explores the struggles of growing up in a body-conscious world, touching on themes of family, friendship, love, and identity. As Saffron transitions to university life, she grapples with confidence issues, calorie counting, and a secret crush who ignores her publicly.
Through her journey, Saffron meets supportive flatmates who challenge her insecurities. The story serves as a powerful commentary on diet culture, young love, and self-acceptance, highlighting the clash between societal pressures and personal growth.
#ComingOfAge #BodyPositivity #SelfAcceptance #YoungAdultFiction #MentalHealth #Empowerment #LoveYourself
To escape, she creates Sydney, a perfect AI version of herself, gaining attention from boys online. But as her real and online lives intersect, Saffron must face the reality of hiding behind a façade, especially when a boy makes her question her self-worth and authenticity.
This heartfelt tale explores the struggles of growing up in a body-conscious world, touching on themes of family, friendship, love, and identity. As Saffron transitions to university life, she grapples with confidence issues, calorie counting, and a secret crush who ignores her publicly.
Through her journey, Saffron meets supportive flatmates who challenge her insecurities. The story serves as a powerful commentary on diet culture, young love, and self-acceptance, highlighting the clash between societal pressures and personal growth.
#ComingOfAge #BodyPositivity #SelfAcceptance #YoungAdultFiction #MentalHealth #Empowerment #LoveYourself
November 7, 2024
In Girl, Over-Processed, we follow Saffron, a girl trying to navigate life while struggling with body image issues and the beauty standards women face daily. I really loved her, she was an honest and funny main character whose character growth was inspiring to read! Her voice was refreshing and her experiences were all too relatable.
Sadly, she was the only character who was developed… like, at all. The others all felt like stereotypes (the cool best friend! The green flag floor mop- I mean boyfriend-! The mean bestie! The comic relief brother! The plot device… I mean niece!). I wish I would have felt anything for these characters but…
The plot itself was quite predictable and yet I didn’t dislike it. The very end of the book was downright lovely. Overall, three stars- it was a fun time and if you’re looking for a fun fiction book that tackles body positivity, diet culture, and self-love, I do recommend.
Thank you to NetGallery for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sadly, she was the only character who was developed… like, at all. The others all felt like stereotypes (the cool best friend! The green flag floor mop- I mean boyfriend-! The mean bestie! The comic relief brother! The plot device… I mean niece!). I wish I would have felt anything for these characters but…
The plot itself was quite predictable and yet I didn’t dislike it. The very end of the book was downright lovely. Overall, three stars- it was a fun time and if you’re looking for a fun fiction book that tackles body positivity, diet culture, and self-love, I do recommend.
Thank you to NetGallery for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2024
2.5*
I really wanted to adore this book as it's on a topic that I believe is incredible important in YA literature - body image. The discussions surrounding weight, dieting, and self-confidence I totally agreed with and it is so amazing to have a YA dedicated to this sensitive subject matter.
Yet aside from the major themes, the story itself was lacking for me. The characters seemed quite one-dimensional to me, as pointed out by Zoeslibrary in their review. Also the felt out-of-blue and not very grounded in reality? I struggled with the writing too at times due to the addition of quite modern phrases/slang that, whilst may be used online by teens, felt out of place written down.
However, I would still recommend this novel to teens and young adults as the messages put across could be really positive and productive for people to read about!
e-ARC received from NetGalley – thank you!
I really wanted to adore this book as it's on a topic that I believe is incredible important in YA literature - body image. The discussions surrounding weight, dieting, and self-confidence I totally agreed with and it is so amazing to have a YA dedicated to this sensitive subject matter.
Yet aside from the major themes, the story itself was lacking for me. The characters seemed quite one-dimensional to me, as pointed out by Zoeslibrary in their review. Also the felt out-of-blue and not very grounded in reality? I struggled with the writing too at times due to the addition of quite modern phrases/slang that, whilst may be used online by teens, felt out of place written down.
However, I would still recommend this novel to teens and young adults as the messages put across could be really positive and productive for people to read about!
e-ARC received from NetGalley – thank you!
November 22, 2024
Loved the main character, Saffron, as she was so real and relatable for me. It was refreshing to see her actually struggle back and forth in the book and I think a lot of women and girls will relate to that a lot. It’s not as straightforward as saying ‘I now accept my body just the way it is’ and all of a sudden insecurities and negative feelings towards yourself are fixed so it was good to show the main character going through it too. I also loved how Saffron grew and developed as a character throughout the book.
Some of the side characters were a little cliche and one dimensional but at the same time I understand how they fit into the story and I think they worked.
Overall, I really love this book! I think the message it conveys about everyone being perfect just the way they are is so important and so many people will benefit massively from reading this. It tackles such a big and common issue in society and that’s not easy, but it does it so so well.
Thanks NetGalley for the e-ARC!
Some of the side characters were a little cliche and one dimensional but at the same time I understand how they fit into the story and I think they worked.
Overall, I really love this book! I think the message it conveys about everyone being perfect just the way they are is so important and so many people will benefit massively from reading this. It tackles such a big and common issue in society and that’s not easy, but it does it so so well.
Thanks NetGalley for the e-ARC!
November 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and j would have loved to read something like this in my teens when I was struggling with bullying, body image and an eating disorder, I didn't talk about up until my 30s.
I am so glad teens in this time will have access to these stories. Hopefully, they will find it easier to love oneself.
I would have loved a bit more development on the side characters as they were quite plain and cliché, but they worked well in the story and played their roll nicely, so it is not a big complaint. Saffron story was all too relatable. Her experiences and thoughts do similar to mine's at that age and older. And, to be honest I also created a false persona on the Internet at that age, just to experience what it was not to be rejected, luckily I didn't hurt anyone, but I was hurt by someone doing the same and it hits hard.
So, in all, I enjoyed this book. It has a great message, the main character is really relatable, and the story and subplots are lovely.
I am so glad teens in this time will have access to these stories. Hopefully, they will find it easier to love oneself.
I would have loved a bit more development on the side characters as they were quite plain and cliché, but they worked well in the story and played their roll nicely, so it is not a big complaint. Saffron story was all too relatable. Her experiences and thoughts do similar to mine's at that age and older. And, to be honest I also created a false persona on the Internet at that age, just to experience what it was not to be rejected, luckily I didn't hurt anyone, but I was hurt by someone doing the same and it hits hard.
So, in all, I enjoyed this book. It has a great message, the main character is really relatable, and the story and subplots are lovely.
November 4, 2024
For a long time first year university student Saffron has hated her body, comparing herself to her slimmer and apparently happier friends and to her mum who is a spokesperson for Slimit. Her belief that people will not like her as she is has been reinforced by her experiences with online dating apps. As New Year rolls around, she resolves to re-join Slimit, lose weight and improve her social life by moving away from home and into a shared student house.
I loved this book. A whole melting pot of issues is explored; body image, toxic relationships, eating disorders, catfishing, the perils of online dating and the value of true friends. Can Saffron find herself in amongst all the things that are going on in her life? This is a very hopeful and life affirming read for a YA audience.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I loved this book. A whole melting pot of issues is explored; body image, toxic relationships, eating disorders, catfishing, the perils of online dating and the value of true friends. Can Saffron find herself in amongst all the things that are going on in her life? This is a very hopeful and life affirming read for a YA audience.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Read
April 19, 2025I loved this book so much! I related to Saffron’s struggles with appearance and trying to love her body, and really rooted for her journey throughout. It made me so happy to read about her making new friends (and a new love), all of whom supported her for her and didn’t expect her to change. It was a beautiful story with a powerful message, showing the dangers of toxic diet culture and how easily it can lead to desperation and/or disordered eating. I really loved seeing Saff come into her own and embrace her body, letting those around her know that it was okay to look the way she did because she was beautiful no matter what. The twists in the book had me GRIPPED and I couldn’t put the book down! Definitely an important read for teens and up, about the importance of loving yourself and not letting diet culture dictate your life or self worth.
December 15, 2024
2.5 stars
I think this book talks about extremely important topics in an accessible way that was overall engaging to read about. I wish I had read something like this back when I was in high school and college when I had some unhealthy eating habits.
I found some parts of the book a little slow and had to push through but it wasn’t too bad. And some things did feel a little triggering but that’s just being a woman in a society focused on thinness over health.
There were also multiple points in the book I felt were kind of random? I think maybe there were so many little sub plots that were moving the story along I’m not totally sure what the main plot was. But the topics in the book are just so important I couldn’t not read to the end
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
I think this book talks about extremely important topics in an accessible way that was overall engaging to read about. I wish I had read something like this back when I was in high school and college when I had some unhealthy eating habits.
I found some parts of the book a little slow and had to push through but it wasn’t too bad. And some things did feel a little triggering but that’s just being a woman in a society focused on thinness over health.
There were also multiple points in the book I felt were kind of random? I think maybe there were so many little sub plots that were moving the story along I’m not totally sure what the main plot was. But the topics in the book are just so important I couldn’t not read to the end
Thank you NetGalley for the arc
January 21, 2025
4Thank you Netgalley for giving me the privilege of reading and reviewing this book. All opinions are completely my own and in my own word.
A must read for any female feeling insecure about themselves. I'm a 40 year old caucasien woman who could relate to the theme and characters of this book, so I'm sure the youth will as well. Will go get Amara Sage' s debut novel as I'm sure I will like it as well
A must read for any female feeling insecure about themselves. I'm a 40 year old caucasien woman who could relate to the theme and characters of this book, so I'm sure the youth will as well. Will go get Amara Sage' s debut novel as I'm sure I will like it as well
dnf
January 4, 2025Unfortunately had to stop reading this book at the 26% mark. Being inside the head of someone who hates what they look like and projects that on to every one around them just was not for me. I get the book was probably trying to make a point but it missed the mark for me.
I don't want to read a book that makes me think Tony Ferguson Shakes are the answer.
I don't want to read a book that makes me think Tony Ferguson Shakes are the answer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews