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Curve #1
Curvy Girl Summer
Bridget Jones’s Diary
meets Survival of the Thickest in Danielle Allen’s CURVY GIRL SUMMER, a smoking-hot, hilarious novel about the perils of online dating.
“There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.”
After a one-night stand with her clingy ex, Aaliyah James has an this ain’t it. She knows what she wants, and she’s ready to move past casual hookups, flings, and situationships.
But for her family, the clock is ticking—after all, she’s almost thirty. And when they imply that her personality (and her body) might be too big to land a man, she lets them know they’ve gone too far—and her (nonexistent) man loves her curves, thank you very much. Now, she has seven weeks to find the perfect boyfriend to rub in their faces at the big, fancy birthday celebration she’s been planning.
After her first blind date goes wrong, charming local bartender Ahmad Williamson consoles her with a drink and some playful banter. Aaliyah takes him up on his suggestion to use a dating app—but the more she sees of his warm, funny, and easygoing nature, the less she wants to check her DMs. Will her next swipe bring her closer to true love—or is her real match closer than she thinks?
A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books.
“There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.”
After a one-night stand with her clingy ex, Aaliyah James has an this ain’t it. She knows what she wants, and she’s ready to move past casual hookups, flings, and situationships.
But for her family, the clock is ticking—after all, she’s almost thirty. And when they imply that her personality (and her body) might be too big to land a man, she lets them know they’ve gone too far—and her (nonexistent) man loves her curves, thank you very much. Now, she has seven weeks to find the perfect boyfriend to rub in their faces at the big, fancy birthday celebration she’s been planning.
After her first blind date goes wrong, charming local bartender Ahmad Williamson consoles her with a drink and some playful banter. Aaliyah takes him up on his suggestion to use a dating app—but the more she sees of his warm, funny, and easygoing nature, the less she wants to check her DMs. Will her next swipe bring her closer to true love—or is her real match closer than she thinks?
A Macmillan Audio production from Bramble Books.
Audible Audio
First published June 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,267 reviews
June 25, 2024
4.5/5 ⭐️
- Wow wow wowwww!!! This book was so funny omg!! If you like Abby Jimenez type of banter, you’ll love this one. This book had me hooked from start to finish. I love how the fmc and mmc were constantly joking with each other and really building on their friendship. The love story felt so realistic!!
- There are so many important topics that this book touched on like how to navigate grief, learning to love yourself even when the world doesn’t, and having confidence in who you are/your decisions. I really hope that this book turns into a series because I fell in love with all the characters.
- This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it didn’t disappoint!! This book deserves all the hype. This book is a slow burn and I ate up every single minute of it. The tension has me sweatinggggggg!! Love love love!
- Wow wow wowwww!!! This book was so funny omg!! If you like Abby Jimenez type of banter, you’ll love this one. This book had me hooked from start to finish. I love how the fmc and mmc were constantly joking with each other and really building on their friendship. The love story felt so realistic!!
- There are so many important topics that this book touched on like how to navigate grief, learning to love yourself even when the world doesn’t, and having confidence in who you are/your decisions. I really hope that this book turns into a series because I fell in love with all the characters.
- This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and it didn’t disappoint!! This book deserves all the hype. This book is a slow burn and I ate up every single minute of it. The tension has me sweatinggggggg!! Love love love!
June 10, 2025
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
Narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan
DNF at 63% (7hr 52min into audiobook)
Okay... be so fr with me.
What did I just spend 7+ hours listening to??
I'm genuinely confused because the vibes I was promised (flirty, sexy, curvy-girl-celebration, healing friendships, swoony romance) were not the vibes I got. This was repetitive, emotionally exhausting, and honestly a little triggering. I wanted to love this. I wanted this to be a safe space for curvy girls like me. But this book... was not it.
✖️ The fatphobia???
We need to talk. Why is it still impossible to get a story about a fat/curvy woman where she’s not constantly shamed for it?? Like it’s not enough that her toxic family kept calling her too big and unlovable, but it’s sprinkled throughout from other characters too.
Sure, her friends were supportive—but even that felt like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. And how is this meant to be empowering when her entire plot revolves around proving she's dateable just to shut her family up?!
This book needed content warnings, full stop.
✖️ The romance (???) if we can call it that
This is supposed to be friends-to-lovers, right? Then why did the MMC (Ahmad) give ✨married man energy✨ until more than halfway through the book??
Like… girl just had a blind date minutes before the he is supposedly confessing things to her. It was all kinds of weird. And what even was their connection based on? He made "jokes" that were lowkey condescending and invalidating, nitpicked her taste in men, and just kept pushing her to open up when he was the one acting shady being emotionally manipulative. The fake ring. The jealousy. The ambiguous notes.
Their dynamic gave more confusion than chemistry.
I'm sorry but how is "you don’t know how much I appreciate you" the big turning point?! Say that to your barista or your dogwalker. Not the girl you supposedly want a relationship with.
✖️ That first chapter??? Unhinged.
Starting a book with a full-on, detail-heavy sex scene between the FMC and her ex was such a bad move. I’m not a prude, but how would y’all feel if a book opened with the MMC railing some other girl on page one??
It set the tone all wrong. I felt nothing but ick. It immediately put me off and honestly? I should’ve stopped there.
✖️ Repetitive doesn’t even begin to cover it
The same scene. Over and over.
Friday rolls around.
She has a bad date.
She trauma dumps to Ahmad.
He throws some flirty shade.
Repeat next Friday.
It was like being stuck in a loop.
Where was the growth? Where was the plot movement??
Final thoughts?
I feel like I was tricked into reading something marketed as empowering and romantic but actually felt deeply invalidating and frustrating.
Maybe I’m too young for this book.
Or maybe I just have standards.
DNF at 63%. Couldn’t force myself through another minute.
We deserve better stories. And fat girls deserve to be loved without having to earn it.
Narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan
DNF at 63% (7hr 52min into audiobook)
Okay... be so fr with me.
What did I just spend 7+ hours listening to??
I'm genuinely confused because the vibes I was promised (flirty, sexy, curvy-girl-celebration, healing friendships, swoony romance) were not the vibes I got. This was repetitive, emotionally exhausting, and honestly a little triggering. I wanted to love this. I wanted this to be a safe space for curvy girls like me. But this book... was not it.
✖️ The fatphobia???
We need to talk. Why is it still impossible to get a story about a fat/curvy woman where she’s not constantly shamed for it?? Like it’s not enough that her toxic family kept calling her too big and unlovable, but it’s sprinkled throughout from other characters too.
Sure, her friends were supportive—but even that felt like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. And how is this meant to be empowering when her entire plot revolves around proving she's dateable just to shut her family up?!
This book needed content warnings, full stop.
✖️ The romance (???) if we can call it that
This is supposed to be friends-to-lovers, right? Then why did the MMC (Ahmad) give ✨married man energy✨ until more than halfway through the book??
Like… girl just had a blind date minutes before the he is supposedly confessing things to her. It was all kinds of weird. And what even was their connection based on? He made "jokes" that were lowkey condescending and invalidating, nitpicked her taste in men, and just kept pushing her to open up when he was the one acting shady being emotionally manipulative. The fake ring. The jealousy. The ambiguous notes.
Their dynamic gave more confusion than chemistry.
I'm sorry but how is "you don’t know how much I appreciate you" the big turning point?! Say that to your barista or your dogwalker. Not the girl you supposedly want a relationship with.
✖️ That first chapter??? Unhinged.
Starting a book with a full-on, detail-heavy sex scene between the FMC and her ex was such a bad move. I’m not a prude, but how would y’all feel if a book opened with the MMC railing some other girl on page one??
It set the tone all wrong. I felt nothing but ick. It immediately put me off and honestly? I should’ve stopped there.
✖️ Repetitive doesn’t even begin to cover it
The same scene. Over and over.
Friday rolls around.
She has a bad date.
She trauma dumps to Ahmad.
He throws some flirty shade.
Repeat next Friday.
It was like being stuck in a loop.
Where was the growth? Where was the plot movement??
Final thoughts?
I feel like I was tricked into reading something marketed as empowering and romantic but actually felt deeply invalidating and frustrating.
Maybe I’m too young for this book.
Or maybe I just have standards.
DNF at 63%. Couldn’t force myself through another minute.
We deserve better stories. And fat girls deserve to be loved without having to earn it.
June 20, 2024
“Do you know how I know you can feel something between us? Because I can taste it” well shiiiiiiiii mkay Ahmad!!! Talk that big boy talk!!!
I know I referred to this book at the 25% mark as being the poster child for “if the dating pool had piss and trash in it” but chyyyyyy this was a landfill of trash 🍑 men and poor Aaliyah was sifting through it with a hazmat suit.
For the successful curvy plus sized beauty Aaliyah, dating hasn’t always been easy. If she wasn’t being called by her ex’s ex’s name during sex she was fighting off married men. Then when you add the pressure she’s getting from her family since the age of 30 is swiftly approaching sis was mf tied!! Aaliyah piled on added pressure when she assured her family that she would be bringing a date to her 30th birthday celebration and now the countdown is real.
After being set up on a blind date then stood up on that same date, Aaliyah was over it before it began. She hadn’t realized that the bartender Ahmad was silently observing her only for his silence to run out when he inserted himself into her quest to find love. He served as her wing man and a safe space to help Aaliyah navigate the dating world and even with a map and a gps, the journey was no easy one.
When I tell y’all I absolutely loved this book and everything it was about! Even though it could be labeled as a “slow burn”, it didn’t feel like one. The witty banter between Aaliyah and Ahmad was so natural and the chemistry was magnetic throughout. I honestly struggled between a 4 and 5 star rating but eventually rated the book a 4 only because I feel like the amazing narration of Wesleigh added to the fun of the story. Had I read the book I’m not sure how that would’ve affected things. This book is one that you definitely want on your TBR! It was such a fun, relatable summer read! 4.5 ✨
I know I referred to this book at the 25% mark as being the poster child for “if the dating pool had piss and trash in it” but chyyyyyy this was a landfill of trash 🍑 men and poor Aaliyah was sifting through it with a hazmat suit.
For the successful curvy plus sized beauty Aaliyah, dating hasn’t always been easy. If she wasn’t being called by her ex’s ex’s name during sex she was fighting off married men. Then when you add the pressure she’s getting from her family since the age of 30 is swiftly approaching sis was mf tied!! Aaliyah piled on added pressure when she assured her family that she would be bringing a date to her 30th birthday celebration and now the countdown is real.
After being set up on a blind date then stood up on that same date, Aaliyah was over it before it began. She hadn’t realized that the bartender Ahmad was silently observing her only for his silence to run out when he inserted himself into her quest to find love. He served as her wing man and a safe space to help Aaliyah navigate the dating world and even with a map and a gps, the journey was no easy one.
When I tell y’all I absolutely loved this book and everything it was about! Even though it could be labeled as a “slow burn”, it didn’t feel like one. The witty banter between Aaliyah and Ahmad was so natural and the chemistry was magnetic throughout. I honestly struggled between a 4 and 5 star rating but eventually rated the book a 4 only because I feel like the amazing narration of Wesleigh added to the fun of the story. Had I read the book I’m not sure how that would’ve affected things. This book is one that you definitely want on your TBR! It was such a fun, relatable summer read! 4.5 ✨
July 7, 2024
4.25⭐️ the pressure is on for Aaliyah to meet the love her life before her 30th birthday party which is a couple of weeks or she doesn't get her uncle's yatch lol.
I'm unsure what one has to do with the other BUT external pressure and personal will leads our baby girl to dive into the world of dating apps and first dates and all of its woes to find true love on a timer.
it's not much in a way of a typical summer read- no activities that give off sunny laid back summer vibes though everything is happening in summer. but there is enough crazy and funny to last the whole read and after. because what is summer without your two best friends, cocktails and a hot bartender who is a more fun version of a therapist 🌼🍹
I'm unsure what one has to do with the other BUT external pressure and personal will leads our baby girl to dive into the world of dating apps and first dates and all of its woes to find true love on a timer.
it's not much in a way of a typical summer read- no activities that give off sunny laid back summer vibes though everything is happening in summer. but there is enough crazy and funny to last the whole read and after. because what is summer without your two best friends, cocktails and a hot bartender who is a more fun version of a therapist 🌼🍹
July 2, 2024
Was the banter good yea but even for a “slow burn” which I think is a horrible description for what was going on…the book comprised of the same scene 5 or 6 different times. It’s clear the MMC isn’t married but for some reason we (Aaliyah) don’t find that out out until 200+ pages into the book…it was entirely too long for no real difference in the scenes…It’s Friday, Aaliyah has a date, Ahmad and Aaliyah have banter before date, date ends horrible, Aaliyah catches up with Jazz and Nina…OVER AND OVER FOR HUNDREDS OF PAGES
June 22, 2024
3.25🌟
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 & 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
💜friends to lovers
💜sloowww burn
💜black contemporary romance
💜confident plus size FMC
💜banter, tension and spice 🌶️
while there were parts I really loved the miscommunication dragged on a good portion of the book and had me wanting to scream at the characters. Overall I loved the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. The banter was hilarious and the tension…OH MY it was tight.
𝕋𝕣𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕤 & 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝔼𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
💜friends to lovers
💜sloowww burn
💜black contemporary romance
💜confident plus size FMC
💜banter, tension and spice 🌶️
while there were parts I really loved the miscommunication dragged on a good portion of the book and had me wanting to scream at the characters. Overall I loved the chemistry between the FMC and MMC. The banter was hilarious and the tension…OH MY it was tight.
August 20, 2024
PICK THIS BOOK UP NOW!!!!!!
Oh my gosh, I'm obsessed. This definitely has a slow start with the heroine choosing to date a new person each week in order to find a date to her birthday party. She goes to the same bar every time and strike up a friendship full of banter with the bartender. AND IT'S THEIR ROMANCE. Omg this was so angsty and I just loved it so so much. The tension!? The pining!? Obsessed. The moment they finally got together, I was literally kicking my fit and grinning like a fool. The romance was EVERYTHING and I just couldn't put this book down. You have to pick this up now!!!
Oh my gosh, I'm obsessed. This definitely has a slow start with the heroine choosing to date a new person each week in order to find a date to her birthday party. She goes to the same bar every time and strike up a friendship full of banter with the bartender. AND IT'S THEIR ROMANCE. Omg this was so angsty and I just loved it so so much. The tension!? The pining!? Obsessed. The moment they finally got together, I was literally kicking my fit and grinning like a fool. The romance was EVERYTHING and I just couldn't put this book down. You have to pick this up now!!!
July 24, 2024
This was a 3.5 for me.
While I did enjoy the book I felt like there could have been different choices made in the writing to make it more enjoyable. The opinion of Aaliyah's family, mainly her uncle, regarding her weight and how it could have possibly been preventing her from getting a boyfriend didn't really add much to the storyline in my opinion. I enjoyed the banter between her and Ahmad as friends but I felt like once he explained his situation to her the "friends zone" status between the two of them dragged on unnecessarily. If there had been more communication between them instead of the cat and mouse games or wondering how the other felt they could have moved past the friend zone faster.
I was disappointed that she didn't even have a talk with him after they crossed the friend line before she set off for her birthday party. I anticipated they were going to get together by the end of the book but the ending was kind of abrupt. Since the author spent so much time showing them as friends, I would have appreciated an epilogue or another chapter just to see them together as a couple. I just wanted a little bit more.
While I did enjoy the book I felt like there could have been different choices made in the writing to make it more enjoyable. The opinion of Aaliyah's family, mainly her uncle, regarding her weight and how it could have possibly been preventing her from getting a boyfriend didn't really add much to the storyline in my opinion. I enjoyed the banter between her and Ahmad as friends but I felt like once he explained his situation to her the "friends zone" status between the two of them dragged on unnecessarily. If there had been more communication between them instead of the cat and mouse games or wondering how the other felt they could have moved past the friend zone faster.
I was disappointed that she didn't even have a talk with him after they crossed the friend line before she set off for her birthday party. I anticipated they were going to get together by the end of the book but the ending was kind of abrupt. Since the author spent so much time showing them as friends, I would have appreciated an epilogue or another chapter just to see them together as a couple. I just wanted a little bit more.
May 6, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
Damn! I was not expecting this as a release from Bramble! Curvy Girl Summer is a very sexy contemporary romance with a plus size heroine that does an incredible job of tackling supposedly well-intentioned fatphobic comments from family members. And it is very clear Aaliyah is not hurting for interested men, just trying to find the right one. (also, this literally opens with an explicit sex scene, so you know what you're in for right away) I loved the slow-burn relationship in this book, and how well it balances humor with more serious themes.
Aaliyah is about to turn 30 and all she wants for her birthday is a serious boyfriend. When a blind date stands her up, she strikes up a conversation with the bartender Ahmad and he convinces her to try dating apps, with him keeping an eye out to make sure she's okay. So begins a string of dates that range from mediocre to terrible, all the while their friendship blossoms into something more. Here's the thing I'll say, and this is kind of a spoiler but I would have wanted to know going in. Ahmad wears a ring and tells customers he's happily married. Late in the book it comes out that he isn't, but Aaliyah thinks he is. Which makes for a couple of deeply uncomfortable scenes that feel like the start of cheating. I don't love how that was kept for so long, and that's the only thing that makes this less than a 5 star read. Because otherwise, I really loved their relationship, and the depth of the rest of the plot. I definitely recommend it, but you should go in knowing this is a plot device that is used. I need to read more from Danielle Allen! And the audio narration is excellent. The two voice actors are perfect for these characters.
I received an audio review copy of this book for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
Damn! I was not expecting this as a release from Bramble! Curvy Girl Summer is a very sexy contemporary romance with a plus size heroine that does an incredible job of tackling supposedly well-intentioned fatphobic comments from family members. And it is very clear Aaliyah is not hurting for interested men, just trying to find the right one. (also, this literally opens with an explicit sex scene, so you know what you're in for right away) I loved the slow-burn relationship in this book, and how well it balances humor with more serious themes.
Aaliyah is about to turn 30 and all she wants for her birthday is a serious boyfriend. When a blind date stands her up, she strikes up a conversation with the bartender Ahmad and he convinces her to try dating apps, with him keeping an eye out to make sure she's okay. So begins a string of dates that range from mediocre to terrible, all the while their friendship blossoms into something more. Here's the thing I'll say, and this is kind of a spoiler but I would have wanted to know going in. Ahmad wears a ring and tells customers he's happily married. Late in the book it comes out that he isn't, but Aaliyah thinks he is. Which makes for a couple of deeply uncomfortable scenes that feel like the start of cheating. I don't love how that was kept for so long, and that's the only thing that makes this less than a 5 star read. Because otherwise, I really loved their relationship, and the depth of the rest of the plot. I definitely recommend it, but you should go in knowing this is a plot device that is used. I need to read more from Danielle Allen! And the audio narration is excellent. The two voice actors are perfect for these characters.
I received an audio review copy of this book for review via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.
June 9, 2024
I loved these two so much. They were so cute together. Their bantering was top notch, chemistry was sizzling but the slow burn damn nearly killed me. I was screaming at every page for them to get together. So frustrating!! But the pay off was worth it in the end.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. It was sweet, spicy and hilarious. Highly recommended!!
Thanks to Danielle Allen, Bramble and Netgalley for the ARC!
Overall, this was a really enjoyable read. It was sweet, spicy and hilarious. Highly recommended!!
Thanks to Danielle Allen, Bramble and Netgalley for the ARC!
June 7, 2024
Y’all, I freaking LOVED this book.
It had banter, chemistry, a slow burn romance, steam…just all the things that make me swoon.
Aaliyah and Ahmad were incredible main characters. Their banter constantly had me laughing. I also loved that Ahmad provided Aaliyah a safe space to meet up with online dates, which she desperately needed with some of the mess she faced. I also loved that Ahmad kept Aaliyah grounded and challenged her views on what she was accepting in a dating partners versus what she deserved.
The one part of the book that really irritated me was Aaliyah’s fat phobic uncle who says some truly vile things. However, Aaliyah doesn’t put up with his nonsense embraces every part of her self.
If you’re looking for an unputdownable sexy romance, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to Bramble Romance and Macmillan Audio for providing a review copy.
It had banter, chemistry, a slow burn romance, steam…just all the things that make me swoon.
Aaliyah and Ahmad were incredible main characters. Their banter constantly had me laughing. I also loved that Ahmad provided Aaliyah a safe space to meet up with online dates, which she desperately needed with some of the mess she faced. I also loved that Ahmad kept Aaliyah grounded and challenged her views on what she was accepting in a dating partners versus what she deserved.
The one part of the book that really irritated me was Aaliyah’s fat phobic uncle who says some truly vile things. However, Aaliyah doesn’t put up with his nonsense embraces every part of her self.
If you’re looking for an unputdownable sexy romance, definitely pick this one up!
Thank you to Bramble Romance and Macmillan Audio for providing a review copy.
January 29, 2024
I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review
TLDR: It was four stars and then the book made me cry. That’s an automatic five stars for me. When authors are able to connect me to characters so completely that I can feel their emotions enough that I am crying with them….it is five stars. Period.
There’s so much I want to say about why I loved this book so much but I think a lot are spoilers. First things first. Danielle Allen had zero time for a slow burn. The first line and backs are getting blown out. I was so here for all of it. I loved reading a plus size woman that is extremely confident despite others around her with fatphobia. Aaliyah was for the most part a likable character. I wanted to shake her at the end because she was so far in her head. I wanted her to lay all her cards on the table so badly but I understood where the insecurity came from (SN: It wouldn’t have worked in the story if she just went for it). But y’all it’s official. Ahmad is my new story sneaky link. His vulnerability, intensity and heart felt so pure and so raw. I could go on and on about this book but it is just reaffirming what I learned last year while reading ten Danielle Allen books…. She is truly that girl and her pen is fire. She is going to be a force in the traditionally published romance space.
Now lemme go reread that scene in that room at the bar cuz baybeeeee…..Ahmad. That’s all I’m gonna say.
TLDR: It was four stars and then the book made me cry. That’s an automatic five stars for me. When authors are able to connect me to characters so completely that I can feel their emotions enough that I am crying with them….it is five stars. Period.
There’s so much I want to say about why I loved this book so much but I think a lot are spoilers. First things first. Danielle Allen had zero time for a slow burn. The first line and backs are getting blown out. I was so here for all of it. I loved reading a plus size woman that is extremely confident despite others around her with fatphobia. Aaliyah was for the most part a likable character. I wanted to shake her at the end because she was so far in her head. I wanted her to lay all her cards on the table so badly but I understood where the insecurity came from (SN: It wouldn’t have worked in the story if she just went for it). But y’all it’s official. Ahmad is my new story sneaky link. His vulnerability, intensity and heart felt so pure and so raw. I could go on and on about this book but it is just reaffirming what I learned last year while reading ten Danielle Allen books…. She is truly that girl and her pen is fire. She is going to be a force in the traditionally published romance space.
Now lemme go reread that scene in that room at the bar cuz baybeeeee…..Ahmad. That’s all I’m gonna say.
June 8, 2024
This was such a good romance, I had such a good time reading it. It had the perfect amount of romance, plot, steam, and fun moments in it. I read both the physical book and the audio and I enjoyed listening to the audiobook so so much. This book is in pov of the fmc Aaliyah whose 30th birthday is approaching and is trying to find a date after promising her nagging uncle that she would have one in time for her 30th birthday party. She meets Ahmad a bartender after her blind date doesn't show up and he suggests a dating app for her to use. She goes through so many dates with the men on the app and Ahmad who had quickly become her friend is the protective bartender ready to intervene when a date goes bad. This leads to the fun and crazy world of online dating weird men and attraction to Ahmad who has become a constant for her in all this craziness.
I loved Ahmad and Aaliyah so much, they had great banter and it was great to see their friendship build throughout the book. I really appreciate the plus-size rep and seeing what the fmc went through in society because of her body size. There was also the exploration of grief that both main characters went through that was touching and heartwarming. The romance was done really well and they have really steamy scenes as well. This is a perfect romance that was super cute and fun. Thank you Bramble for this arc for an honest review.
Read For:
- Black romance
- Plus size rep
- Online dating shenanigans
- Steamy scenes
- Good banter
I loved Ahmad and Aaliyah so much, they had great banter and it was great to see their friendship build throughout the book. I really appreciate the plus-size rep and seeing what the fmc went through in society because of her body size. There was also the exploration of grief that both main characters went through that was touching and heartwarming. The romance was done really well and they have really steamy scenes as well. This is a perfect romance that was super cute and fun. Thank you Bramble for this arc for an honest review.
Read For:
- Black romance
- Plus size rep
- Online dating shenanigans
- Steamy scenes
- Good banter
July 13, 2024
It makes me sad that I had to give this book a 2/5 but I’m learning that I need to be honest with myself when I’m rating these books.
Let me just say this. I feel like this book had so much potential but it just got repetitive for me and at the end it just fell short.
Like I’ve said before, one of my biggest book pet peeves is when I feel like there is no character development. The more I read the book the less I liked the main character, Alliyah. I feel like towards the last half of the book she projected a lot and made a lot of assumptions that didn’t allow her to grow when it came to Ahmad. We kept focusing on issues that could have been deaded a long time ago. She kept getting upset with him for not being truthful and forthcoming when she wasn’t even honest with herself. She literally did not effectively communicate her feelings, wants, and needs and got mad when he didn’t do the same.
I also feel like the book dragged on and on and on. The ending to me was random and felt rushed. An epilogue would have even sufficed.
Let me just say this. I feel like this book had so much potential but it just got repetitive for me and at the end it just fell short.
Like I’ve said before, one of my biggest book pet peeves is when I feel like there is no character development. The more I read the book the less I liked the main character, Alliyah. I feel like towards the last half of the book she projected a lot and made a lot of assumptions that didn’t allow her to grow when it came to Ahmad. We kept focusing on issues that could have been deaded a long time ago. She kept getting upset with him for not being truthful and forthcoming when she wasn’t even honest with herself. She literally did not effectively communicate her feelings, wants, and needs and got mad when he didn’t do the same.
I also feel like the book dragged on and on and on. The ending to me was random and felt rushed. An epilogue would have even sufficed.
October 24, 2024
Now this is how you do a slow burn! Filled with witty banter, sexual tension and character growth. I loved everything about this book.
September 17, 2024
I'm the first person to leave a one star review for this book and I think I'm losing my mind.
DID WE ALL READ THE SAME BOOK OR HAVE I READ IT ALL WRONG?
I want to preface this to say that I'm not giving this book a 1* rating becuase it was bad - honestly the writing was compelling and gripping. No I'm giving a 1* becuase this book is NOT a genuine love story and I don't know why the author and consequentialy readers too, are making it out to be that it is.
To put it bluntly, Ahmad has narcissistic traits and is straight up controlling and manipulative , and not in a "ooh that's spicy" sorta way but that he genuinely is a character that should be extremely disliked.
Here's why
- I know Ahmad and the FMC were meant to have this mean playful banter thing going on, but looking back at it, he was actually quite condescending. He nitpicked on her behaviours and then gave her shit for the type of guys she attracted, and even though yes the guys she went on dates with were assholes, Ahmad put her down for it each time through jokes as if she isn't a grown ass 29 year old women who can take responsibility for her own life choices. He never gave her the space to be confident in trusting herself, and the author didn't give the FMC space to have self-developement through the dates and learn about herself instead the FMC was chasing love.
- it kept bugging me how Ahmad repeatedly wanted the FMC to express her interest in him, when he gave the perception that he was married and literally called her one of the homies, like what was the poor girl meant to think. Like he shouldve stepped up and just threw the that stupid ring away and pursued her head on instead he sent an ambiguous note saying "you don't know how much I appreciate you" like yes that FMC was right - that man belongs to the streets!
- the cupboard/storage room scene is what tipped me off. First of all, that sardonic laugh or bark he did that was out of character and even the FMC didn't see this side of him before, yeah that was straight up unsettling. Like I genuinely thougt the author was going to pull a IEWU and do a turn of events, bc I was getting creeped out by his behaviour.
- "by any means necessary" why was this line repeated if it wasn't mean to sound a bit controlling and dark?? Bc it's sure not romantic! The FMC recognised that he acted out of jealousy like that was her gut feeling. What she failed to recognise is that it was sign of a dangerous male ego too.
- The audacity he had to waltz into her bday party and then interrogate her about her cold behaviour towards him, was the nail on the coffin that this man had Narcissistic traits. She said to him repeatedly that she didn't want to talk about that subject rn bc it was her birthday, but he kept pushing and overstepping the boundaries bc he's wormed his way into her life by giving her the safe space to feel vulnerable abt her dating life, so now he felt like he could be overbearing and disregard her feelings bc the emotional tether they both have with each other at this point.
Final point...SHE SHOULDVE ENDED UP WITH MARCUS!!
Marcus gave her space to be herself, he was assertive and noticed things abt her without being judgmental instead was simply observant and empathetic. He had that quiet masculine confidence and wasn't overbearing at all, but yet he gave clear signals that he was interested in her. He didn't steal her limelight on her bday at all, instead was very charming. I think there was room for the FMC to be physically attracted him too despite being off put by his supposed "baby face".
DID WE ALL READ THE SAME BOOK OR HAVE I READ IT ALL WRONG?
I want to preface this to say that I'm not giving this book a 1* rating becuase it was bad - honestly the writing was compelling and gripping. No I'm giving a 1* becuase this book is NOT a genuine love story and I don't know why the author and consequentialy readers too, are making it out to be that it is.
To put it bluntly, Ahmad has narcissistic traits and is straight up controlling and manipulative , and not in a "ooh that's spicy" sorta way but that he genuinely is a character that should be extremely disliked.
Here's why
- I know Ahmad and the FMC were meant to have this mean playful banter thing going on, but looking back at it, he was actually quite condescending. He nitpicked on her behaviours and then gave her shit for the type of guys she attracted, and even though yes the guys she went on dates with were assholes, Ahmad put her down for it each time through jokes as if she isn't a grown ass 29 year old women who can take responsibility for her own life choices. He never gave her the space to be confident in trusting herself, and the author didn't give the FMC space to have self-developement through the dates and learn about herself instead the FMC was chasing love.
- it kept bugging me how Ahmad repeatedly wanted the FMC to express her interest in him, when he gave the perception that he was married and literally called her one of the homies, like what was the poor girl meant to think. Like he shouldve stepped up and just threw the that stupid ring away and pursued her head on instead he sent an ambiguous note saying "you don't know how much I appreciate you" like yes that FMC was right - that man belongs to the streets!
- the cupboard/storage room scene is what tipped me off. First of all, that sardonic laugh or bark he did that was out of character and even the FMC didn't see this side of him before, yeah that was straight up unsettling. Like I genuinely thougt the author was going to pull a IEWU and do a turn of events, bc I was getting creeped out by his behaviour.
- "by any means necessary" why was this line repeated if it wasn't mean to sound a bit controlling and dark?? Bc it's sure not romantic! The FMC recognised that he acted out of jealousy like that was her gut feeling. What she failed to recognise is that it was sign of a dangerous male ego too.
- The audacity he had to waltz into her bday party and then interrogate her about her cold behaviour towards him, was the nail on the coffin that this man had Narcissistic traits. She said to him repeatedly that she didn't want to talk about that subject rn bc it was her birthday, but he kept pushing and overstepping the boundaries bc he's wormed his way into her life by giving her the safe space to feel vulnerable abt her dating life, so now he felt like he could be overbearing and disregard her feelings bc the emotional tether they both have with each other at this point.
Final point...SHE SHOULDVE ENDED UP WITH MARCUS!!
Marcus gave her space to be herself, he was assertive and noticed things abt her without being judgmental instead was simply observant and empathetic. He had that quiet masculine confidence and wasn't overbearing at all, but yet he gave clear signals that he was interested in her. He didn't steal her limelight on her bday at all, instead was very charming. I think there was room for the FMC to be physically attracted him too despite being off put by his supposed "baby face".
June 5, 2024
This was a fun, summer romance read (though not as romcom as my personal tastes run). And admittedly, the love interest did make me smile a few times with his corny sense of humor.
While there wasn't any real downtime, there were a lot of conversations and scenes that were nothing but phone-calls. Granted, it's not Fantasy so there aren't necessarily as many opportunities for action scenes, but it was still a little over my threshold. I need just a bit more action to happen that isn't just talking. (Imagine 20 & 30 year olds actually using their phones to make calls, though??? Maybe this was a Fantasy after all 🤔)
And I know you know the difference between a boat and a yacht (not just in initial purchase fees, but also to store and maintain it throughout the year), so I definitely feel like the wool was being pulled over my eyes for 99.999% of the book as the two really aren't comparable.
TW: grief and PTSD, mostly related to premature death of family members and romantic partners
Audiobook Notes:
I really thought the narrator did an excellent job. She was very lively and conversational in her tone, but had easily distinguishable voices for each character. Though I was thrown off in the first chapter when she pronounced "Roth" IRA with a hard 'o,' I didn't notice any other discrepancies.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an audio ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
While there wasn't any real downtime, there were a lot of conversations and scenes that were nothing but phone-calls. Granted, it's not Fantasy so there aren't necessarily as many opportunities for action scenes, but it was still a little over my threshold. I need just a bit more action to happen that isn't just talking. (Imagine 20 & 30 year olds actually using their phones to make calls, though??? Maybe this was a Fantasy after all 🤔)
And I know you know the difference between a boat and a yacht (not just in initial purchase fees, but also to store and maintain it throughout the year), so I definitely feel like the wool was being pulled over my eyes for 99.999% of the book as the two really aren't comparable.
TW: grief and PTSD, mostly related to premature death of family members and romantic partners
Audiobook Notes:
I really thought the narrator did an excellent job. She was very lively and conversational in her tone, but had easily distinguishable voices for each character. Though I was thrown off in the first chapter when she pronounced "Roth" IRA with a hard 'o,' I didn't notice any other discrepancies.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an audio ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 29, 2024
3.75⭐️ rounded up!
This was HILARIOUS 🤣
This was the perfect book to read while on vacation and I’m glad I chose it!
Aaliyah and Ahmad’s banter was top notch, they clowned each other every other page and I was here for it!
I loved the friendships in this one especially Nina-she was a fool😂
There were a few slow spots and more miscommunication than I would have preferred in this one but I still wanted to keep picking it up to see how it all panned out in the end.
The perfect summer/beach/pool read💚
This was HILARIOUS 🤣
This was the perfect book to read while on vacation and I’m glad I chose it!
Aaliyah and Ahmad’s banter was top notch, they clowned each other every other page and I was here for it!
I loved the friendships in this one especially Nina-she was a fool😂
There were a few slow spots and more miscommunication than I would have preferred in this one but I still wanted to keep picking it up to see how it all panned out in the end.
The perfect summer/beach/pool read💚
May 20, 2024
The Perfect PB&J
The story was a surreal love story about two people caught in a myriad of emotional turmoil and eventually finding a safe place to land with one another. The story is a purposeful slow burn. You will need this pace to grasp the depth and emotional facets involving the leading characters.
Aaliyah was nearing thirty when she decided to spin the block and meet with an ex for a little R&R…. Big mistake… That’s how this story begins with Aaliyah’s very intimate moment with an ex and the next thing she’s told she is fat and needs to find a man to marry and have a baby. Her sister Aniyah was the example. How 1950s of her family, especially, her rude Uncle Al.
During her spiral to prove her family wrong, Aaliyah embarked on a journey to find a date for her 30th birthday. The path took her to Ahmad’s family restaurant near Aaliyah’s home ,and the frequent blind dates to nowhere. The first time Aaliyah and Ahmad met I knew there was no way their immense chemistry could be overlooked. The way they bantered with one another made the story enjoyable. Their crude jokes were super sexy. No Spoilers … but, they fit together like peanut butter and jelly. AliAmad would eventually discover they were a perfect PB&J. This is a Must Read…
The story was a surreal love story about two people caught in a myriad of emotional turmoil and eventually finding a safe place to land with one another. The story is a purposeful slow burn. You will need this pace to grasp the depth and emotional facets involving the leading characters.
Aaliyah was nearing thirty when she decided to spin the block and meet with an ex for a little R&R…. Big mistake… That’s how this story begins with Aaliyah’s very intimate moment with an ex and the next thing she’s told she is fat and needs to find a man to marry and have a baby. Her sister Aniyah was the example. How 1950s of her family, especially, her rude Uncle Al.
During her spiral to prove her family wrong, Aaliyah embarked on a journey to find a date for her 30th birthday. The path took her to Ahmad’s family restaurant near Aaliyah’s home ,and the frequent blind dates to nowhere. The first time Aaliyah and Ahmad met I knew there was no way their immense chemistry could be overlooked. The way they bantered with one another made the story enjoyable. Their crude jokes were super sexy. No Spoilers … but, they fit together like peanut butter and jelly. AliAmad would eventually discover they were a perfect PB&J. This is a Must Read…
August 8, 2024
4.5 stars
This is the cutest book I’ve read in a while. I’m not plus sized by any means but the way I related to Aaliyah hit me read bad. Making 30 hits different when you had plans to be married by that age & her family wasn’t any better than mine pointing out her weight. 🙄
Aaliyah joins a dating app to find a date to her 30th birthday party with Ahmad (the bartender) as her wing man. I’m Ngl the friendship between them got on my nerves @ first & don’t get me started on the miss communication!!! This story did not feel like a slow burn at alllll.
Babbbyyyyy when the miss communication ended I had to fan myself 🥵🔥 Whewww Ahmad is that NXGGAAA. He could drive my car while I’m at work. Baeeee I LOVE YOU YOU MY EVERYTHING 🥹😭🤣
This is the cutest book I’ve read in a while. I’m not plus sized by any means but the way I related to Aaliyah hit me read bad. Making 30 hits different when you had plans to be married by that age & her family wasn’t any better than mine pointing out her weight. 🙄
Aaliyah joins a dating app to find a date to her 30th birthday party with Ahmad (the bartender) as her wing man. I’m Ngl the friendship between them got on my nerves @ first & don’t get me started on the miss communication!!! This story did not feel like a slow burn at alllll.
Babbbyyyyy when the miss communication ended I had to fan myself 🥵🔥 Whewww Ahmad is that NXGGAAA. He could drive my car while I’m at work. Baeeee I LOVE YOU YOU MY EVERYTHING 🥹😭🤣
June 9, 2024
Several people in this book could catch these hands… 🚬
June 29, 2024
wasn’t for me
I felt like I had to force myself to get thru this book . It was long and drawn out.
I felt like I had to force myself to get thru this book . It was long and drawn out.
July 3, 2024
It’s really a 2.5 for me but I’m rounding up because I support Black women and Black stories. I need to read what was edited out because there’s a lot with very little. Overall, i think she wasted her summer and the leading males were corny. This kind of banter didn’t work for me, what was really the deal with the yacht, and where did the 100 people at her party come from? Fwiw, I would read about Nina Ford.
January 25, 2025
Aaliyah x Ahmad
Take note, authors, this is how slow-burn romance should be done! Engaging, funny, descriptive, and oh-so captivating. I want to be Aaliyah! Everything about her exudes sexiness, confidence, and badassery. Her effortless friendship with Ahmad was so refreshing. The banter and laughter between them made the story even more compelling and enjoyable.
There were a few situations I wish had been handled differently, but overall, this was an incredible read.
S.N.
Aaliyah's uncle...in-fůĉƙịṅğ-sufferable, miserable prick. That's all.
Take note, authors, this is how slow-burn romance should be done! Engaging, funny, descriptive, and oh-so captivating. I want to be Aaliyah! Everything about her exudes sexiness, confidence, and badassery. Her effortless friendship with Ahmad was so refreshing. The banter and laughter between them made the story even more compelling and enjoyable.
There were a few situations I wish had been handled differently, but overall, this was an incredible read.
S.N.
Aaliyah's uncle...in-fůĉƙịṅğ-sufferable, miserable prick. That's all.
July 10, 2024
I LOVED Curvy Girl!!! The way I drank my wine and smiled throughout this entire book. I may not be a plus size woman but, I could relate to this book on so many levels. Cause, let me tell you, the dating pool is not for the weak. Aaliyah and Ahmad were perfection. I could go on and on about these two. Curvy Girl is definitely my second favorite book of 2024 and I plan to recommend this it to everybody. If you haven't read it, read it!
March 25, 2024
The slow burn, the tension, the banter and the chemistry between these two!! My god!
June 11, 2024
Happy pub day!! & thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this ARC <3
i don't even know where to start with this book!! i loved it so bad like when i say BOOK OF THE SUMMERRRRRR, i mean it. i've never described a book as sexy but this book is so sexy!! i am so obsessed with it. Aaliyah is intentionally dating, looking for a date for her birthday and then there's this one bartender... it was a SLOOWWWW BURNNNN and i usually hate those? but i really enjoyed this one. i think it's because she was dating throughout the whole book so the slow burn wasn't painful. it was a tiny bit painful at the end because Aaliyah was being soooo stubborn but it's cool! i loved their connection and their banter. a lot of books claim to be "humor" and they aren't that funny but this book had me chuckling all the time like it was genuinely funny. one of my favorite books ever i fear! please read thisss
i don't even know where to start with this book!! i loved it so bad like when i say BOOK OF THE SUMMERRRRRR, i mean it. i've never described a book as sexy but this book is so sexy!! i am so obsessed with it. Aaliyah is intentionally dating, looking for a date for her birthday and then there's this one bartender... it was a SLOOWWWW BURNNNN and i usually hate those? but i really enjoyed this one. i think it's because she was dating throughout the whole book so the slow burn wasn't painful. it was a tiny bit painful at the end because Aaliyah was being soooo stubborn but it's cool! i loved their connection and their banter. a lot of books claim to be "humor" and they aren't that funny but this book had me chuckling all the time like it was genuinely funny. one of my favorite books ever i fear! please read thisss
June 6, 2025
Edit: the more I think about it, the lower my rating for this book becomes. My initial rating was 3.75—and I had to gaslight myself into believing that. But I woke up today with a bit more sense.
Going to start with a Pro: I really liked the friendship foundation that they built. Sue me, I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers.
Now the Cons: Two of my biggest pet peeves in a book are (1) lack of communication and (2) a heated argument turning into a sexual moment. This had both. There were some other things I didn’t love, but those took a backseat to these two nuisances.
The book opens up with a sex scene, which—I’m not a prude. Trust, I’ve read it all. I just don’t appreciate seeing/reading you naked before I even know your name. What happened to “hello”?, “How are you?”, “My name is…”?
They had maybe 5 real conversations the entire book. The “friendship foundation” I’m referring to is Ahmad essentially pulling pigtails the entire time. The “banter” is him poking fun at her and then calling her pretty right after to ice the burn. Aaliyah’s entire family, except for her granma, annoyed the hell out of me. Pretty much every conversation between her and her family was some new rendition of “Aaliyah, you’re fat and you’re going to die alone.” I’ve heard you! At this point, I’M getting mad at Aaliyah for answering the phone and visiting her parents when it’s just going to be the same song and dance. Ahmad is actually a narcissist and also very manipulative.
And everyone kept saying how this book was so funny, but I didn’t laugh once. Smiled a few times, sure. But that’s it. All the jokes felt very forced and teetered on corny. Even that, I could forgive. But the fact that it took the second to last chapter for real conversation #5, just lost me real bad.
Every time he wants to talk, it’s “never mind.” Spare me! And if I read the word “nipple” one more time, I’m gonna end up on the six o’clock news. I’m tired.
Going to start with a Pro: I really liked the friendship foundation that they built. Sue me, I’m a sucker for friends-to-lovers.
Now the Cons: Two of my biggest pet peeves in a book are (1) lack of communication and (2) a heated argument turning into a sexual moment. This had both. There were some other things I didn’t love, but those took a backseat to these two nuisances.
The book opens up with a sex scene, which—I’m not a prude. Trust, I’ve read it all. I just don’t appreciate seeing/reading you naked before I even know your name. What happened to “hello”?, “How are you?”, “My name is…”?
They had maybe 5 real conversations the entire book. The “friendship foundation” I’m referring to is Ahmad essentially pulling pigtails the entire time. The “banter” is him poking fun at her and then calling her pretty right after to ice the burn. Aaliyah’s entire family, except for her granma, annoyed the hell out of me. Pretty much every conversation between her and her family was some new rendition of “Aaliyah, you’re fat and you’re going to die alone.” I’ve heard you! At this point, I’M getting mad at Aaliyah for answering the phone and visiting her parents when it’s just going to be the same song and dance. Ahmad is actually a narcissist and also very manipulative.
And everyone kept saying how this book was so funny, but I didn’t laugh once. Smiled a few times, sure. But that’s it. All the jokes felt very forced and teetered on corny. Even that, I could forgive. But the fact that it took the second to last chapter for real conversation #5, just lost me real bad.
Every time he wants to talk, it’s “never mind.” Spare me! And if I read the word “nipple” one more time, I’m gonna end up on the six o’clock news. I’m tired.
July 26, 2025
Yall.... I'm so glad I read this! I met Danielle Allen when I went to a signing for her and Ali Hazelwood in Austin. I immediately picked up this one and another one of hers, but I'm just now getting to read them. I'm so mad at myself for waiting this long! It was ALL the things yall! Spicy, wonderful, deep, relatable.... I'm obsessed. I related so much to the FMC. and whew yall... the MMC.... he's so wonderful, kind, caring, and ACTUALLY notices/remembers the small things you think guys aren't paying attention to. I'm in love with these two! The spice was 🥵🥵 but the deep connection and emotional maturity between these two, plus the hilarious banter.... was just top tier 🤌🏻
June 26, 2024
Another time I thought I am just to young to really relate to it. Also the book could have really existed without a romantic happy ending and would have been fine which I didn’t like. Also it was a slow burn which was fine but there was SO MUCH GODAMN MISCOMMUNICATION. LIEK FOR THE LOVE OF GOD JUST TALK. PLEASE. IT WAS MISCOMMUNICATION AFTER MISCOMMUNICATION AFTER MISCOMMUNICATION. I almost wanted it dnf at 91%. And all the decline was in like the last 20 percent. All this to say this book was not for me.
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