Bodybuilders for the BBW

by Sam Hall

I’ve sworn off dating for now, so how did I end up accidentally dating three hotties?

After a cruel breakup, my new year’s resolution is to put me first for once.
Somehow my fitness influencer sister thinks that includes getting me into the gym.
I walk right into a space filled with weights and exercise equipment
And them.

Rhys—the muscle bound personal trainer with a heart of gold.
Garrett—the nurse who fills his scrubs all too well
And Rhett—the hot firefighter with a secret

I tell myself it’s just harmless flirting, a little fun to distract me from the mess my ex left behind. But somehow, between protein shakes, late-night checkups, and the occasional very steamy rescue, I’ve got three incredible men vying for my attention.
This was supposed to be my time to focus on me. Instead, I’ve stumbled into something unexpected… something that feels dangerously close to love.
The problem? I can’t choose just one… and I’m not sure I want to.

Genres: Romance, Why Choose, Contemporary, Plus Size, Contemporary Romance, Adult, Ebooks

442 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2025

About the author

Australian author of paranormal RH novels

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Reviews

[Miyawakiss · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐

A very simple, straightforward read. 🌷 While the romance was definitely sweet and cute, the plot needed more work. My main issues are the conflicts and the FMC.

Because why is it his fault if an MMC works as a nurse at the ER of a big hospital and naturally will need to bail on plans occasionally in order to work? 🤦🏻‍♀️ Like when there's a big car crash? Or when his colleague's daughter had an emergency birth? Why are you comparing your flaky ex to this guy who's just dedicated to his job? 🙄 Anyone with friends or relatives who work as doctors or nurses know how demanding the hours and nature of work is.

Another MMC is a firefighter and again, not his fault if there is a big fire and he needs to rush off because hello, people are dying? 🤨 The FMC strikes me as selfish and self-centered. She was fine with their jobs and the arrangement until her bitchy sister had to bring it up. 😡 Sister is a bitch btw. The FMC misplaced her mistrust in her ex on these dedicated men who have demanding jobs. They're not bailing on her because they're not committed to her. 🤦🏻‍♀️ She gave her ex so much grace but couldn't even give these men half the grace she gave her ex.

It left a bitter taste in my mouth that all the MMCs left their jobs and uprooted their lives for her. 😔 Because god forbid the FMC leaves her job and uproots her life for a man (the FMC's sister actually points this out), so why is it romantic if it's the other way around? 🫤 I liked the happy ending but I wished it had been executed differently.

[Shawnee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea how I’m so much more upset than anyone else is on this book.
I enjoyed it until the last 90 pages. Then, I just couldn’t get past reality that would’ve been raining down.
So, let’s get this straight. We have three guys living together who can all afford to quit their jobs and sell their house. They do this to support their girlfriend’s dream of opening up a dog shelter (I don’t even know if those make a profit).
She moves out to her (rich) grandparent’s farm to live off of them, stay in their house (now also with her three men), take part of their farm to create previously mentioned dog shelter. Why didn’t she bring her soul-dog to the grandparents in the first place? She brings a very traumatized dog who magically has no issues interacting with the other puppies (where are the dogs?) that are in the shelter.
They’re not sued by the brat next-door neighbor that the dog did publicly threaten to attack (and he’s claiming attack). They’re not sued by the brat ex-boyfriend who got beat up in a bar. No one is going to discuss how it’s odd that the three guys found a very similar woman to their ex who is still hanging around?
The family was able to be fine with each other even though the mom and sister didn’t approve of the relationship and had valid points about giving up identity in relationships?

I need to shelve this book with my Lord of the Rings fantasy.

[Marvel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why choose is my jam, I've read some pretty lack luster versions of why choose and still trudged through with no hard feelings. However, this book is not one of them, Sam Hall really let me down. A self-centered female heroine disguised as an animal rescuer, she demands all the attention on her and her doggy soul mate who couldn't possibly live with her or near any other dogs due to its tragic past, but come end of book they're starting a dog rescue that they live at, because she guilted the guys to quit their jobs so they'll be at her beck and call? What about the poor doggy that can't be around other dogs? Did he suddenly get over his trauma?
She killed it for me, her reactions to the guys about the dog responding to outside events based on its past trauma, killed it for me - sure represent the dogs trauma, but dont make her a Karen about it.

[Sarah Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and fun. I loved the boys and Katie. I loved that they helped her follow her dreams and built the rescue.

Seeing them each build their own relationship with her and Bronson the Pittie was so sweet. I was so glad to see pitbull trauma representation, as I own one myself that has a lot of the same problems!

I love the Rhyes sold the gym, was thrilled to see Rhett put Dave in his place, and absolutely loved Garrett quiting his job because, honestly, they were taking advantage of him. I do hope he took the nursing job in the country, though. But I felt all of that wasn't really necessary, I feel like Katie was a bit dramatic at times. The whole point of having three boyfriends is that you'll always have someone. I dont think they should have ended their careers. It came across like she expected them to just never work and only be at her beck and call, which is just not realistic. Emergencies happen, and having been in a poly relationship, you have to learn to go with the flow. Rhett and Garrett had jobs that could result in being called away. She knew what they did, and if she couldn't handle that, she shouldn't have pursued it. It just did not feel fair to me.

The spice was nice and there, but it definitely wasn't as intense or detailed as you'd expect in a why choose. My biggest complaint is the spelling errors. It completely would take me out of the story. They spelled Garrett's name wrong nine times, which really started to irritate me. I feel like someone really needs to go back through and do some revisions.

🌶🌶🌶

[Kellyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars tops. Oh. My. God. I was so bored. As a plus size gal, this book irked me. She was so annoying, there is such a thing as too self-conscious, it shouldn’t take up 80% of the story. And don’t even get me started on the dog, why was the dog a bigger character than the FMC and THREE MMCs?? Honestly the dog was annoying, but I feel like some people might hate me for saying that, but sorry not sorry.

Honestly, I skimmed a lot and really regret reading this book.

[Cat H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2 stars.
This was a good time.
I did think a few times that Katie might’ve been overreacting just a tiny bit, but it did help the story along so…🤷🏻‍♀️
That ending was pretty dang satisfying, too.

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked it to start, but it was a bit much on the weight-related romantic trauma. I’m reading to get away from that stuff not read about someone who handles it worse than I do in real life.

The FMC drove me insane. She was VERY overdramatic in her responses to almost everything. As someone who grew up fat, her big “trauma” is kinda tame and doesn’t seem worth the constant entitled melodrama (always running away at the slightest thing, getting super pissy and obnoxious about the dog thing without giving anyone a chance to explain anything), there’s “setting boundaries,” and then there’s being judgemental, selfish, and entitled. Like it’s not that she isn’t allowed to feel these things, it’s that she feels justified and entitled in her excessive, mean, and insensitive reactions. And the men just let her treat them like this. It’s bizarre-o and honestly feels representative of this individualistic, conservative, “only my feelings matter,” pseudo-therapy bs everyone is slinging these days.

[BettyLovesBooks · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 60% as while it kicked off well, it became slow and repetitive. I found the FMC (and her sister) annoying; the only female character I liked was the sister’s plus size friend Natasha, who owned it! I realised too late that the FMC was written similarly to the plus size FMC in one of this author’s bear shifter books, that is one who was emotionally (and in this case, it seemed sexually, though that was never really addressed) abused and exploited by her former partner, yet stayed with him for ages for no obvious reason other than perhaps being grateful for the crumbs he offered and thinking she couldn’t get anyone else because of her size. I detest these, and, note to authors, they are not bopo representation (even if the new love interests appreciate her body). I also would’ve appreciated some more depth to the male characters. Oh and I found a few errors that should’ve been detected in proofreading.

[sinners reads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf 29% skimmed the rest.
wtf was that. Like genuinely. She acted like a full on baby and her sister is kind of a cunt wrapped in a skinny little bow. Also just idk wtf dude. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ those men deserve better and to have an understanding partner. They shouldn’t have to change or anything because of her trauma. Also the dogs issues just went away?? Idk man. Kinda shit book for all I care.

[Misty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't well-written, and I can't say I enjoyed it.

[જ⁀➴Charity ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It honestly felt like there wasn’t to much to say on this one. It was a good book. I am a sucker for the “if only you could see us through your eyes” but my favorite part of the book was the rescue dog! I did very much enjoy watching the female main character grow into finding love for herself and just being confident in her own body. It isn’t always about changing how you look. I love the message of simply “You are beautiful”

[Nidhi Bhatt · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - I should have loved this book. It’s my body type, I work at a dog shelter, and i love a good romance. So this was a no brainer. Unfortunately not all things turn out the way you hope. Loved the dog elements, but I just couldn’t connect with the love interests. They seemed over the top dialogue wise and they were underdeveloped personality wise. I also don’t love this idea where the BBW has men fawning over her for her entire life but she didn’t notice bc of her self esteem. Just takes me out of the story.

I gave it until 30% but then other books on my tbr started looking too enticing so I knew it was time to quit.

[S M Brooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review contains spoilers.


I wanted to like this book a lot. I like reverse harems, and I love plus-sized heroines. However, I had a hard time understanding why three hot, intelligent guys would want to stay with a woman who judged them harshly for not being able to stay with their rescue pup 24/7. Two of the three guys had very important, life-saving jobs - a firefighter and a nurse in the emergency department. Yet she got all butthurt because they occasionally got called in for emergencies? She's supposedly all compassionate for animals, yet she can't find any compassion or understanding for the men she is supposedly falling for? And then she puts up such a fuss about it that they all decide to quit their jobs. How does that make sense? And they're just going to live on this farm with her grandparents and convert it into a shelter that won't make any money. I get that the former gym owner got a nice chunk of change for his part of the business, but that money will go super fast since they don't really make money on an animal shelter. I just had a very difficult time liking this heroine and suspending reality enough to enjoy the ending.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a contemporary romance, and in my opinion, another big win! 4.5 ★

Katie has just gotten out of a mentally and emotionally bad situationship, and with the New Year's resolution of 'New year, new me' (yep, I've been there as well), she finally caves to her fitness influencer sister's demands to go to the gym with her.
And then... the fun begins as she meets her men, Rhys, Garrett, and Rhett, in different settings. Relationships aren't always sunshine and roses, however, and they all quickly realise that to make this relationship succeed, they need to put in the work.

Oh, and some other titbit of info: while you don't need to read the previous romance books by the author ("Borrowing My Bestie's Brothers" and "Set Me On Fire"), you'll get a bit more background information and see our group pop up here and there :)

What I love about the author's books is that the people feel authentic. They have issues and quirks just like all of us, they look real, plus size and all.
Some crave order and routine, some have a near-compulsive need to look after people, and all of that is okay. It's something about the characters we, as readers, realise over time, but it's never a main point of attention.
The main point is the budding relationship, not only the amazing (and sometimes hilarious) dates but also the things that go wrong, the adjustments they all need to make, and the (in)comprehension of their group dynamic by the people around them.

We really see and experience the journey they all went through. And yep, you'll get emotionally invested in no time, just saying :)

And then we didn't even mention one of the main characters in the story, Bronson! He is a traumatised dog who needs a lot of care and even more love and healing. He is so wonderful; I love him, and I absolutely love how the author wrote about his adoption and growth.
Of course, it also brings more attention to animal shelters and adoption, which I'm a big fan of (I adopted my two feline overlords through a cat shelter 12 years ago, and it was the best decision I've ever made).

Pacing and flow were good throughout. There was no dip or slowing down, just steady the whole way through. That (and the fact that I got emotionally invested) made it so I read it in one sitting without issue (I mean, who needs sleep anyway, right?).

The book is well written with no (noticeable to me) errors. There is a good amount of spice (not from the get-go, and never over the top, don't worry), I would rate it a 4 out of 5 peppers.
It is 492 pages long, spread over 71 chapters and a short epilogue, and told from multiple points of view.

This is set in Australia, so be aware that there may be unfamiliar words or words used in a different context. That said, I had no issue (even with English not being my primary language).

Maybe it's because Katie reminds me of myself, or perhaps it's just what I needed to read at that moment. In any case, recommended for everyone wanting to read a well-developed romance, with the good and the bad, amazing and authentic characters, and an absolutely lovely dog.

[Neusitas · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 / 10 ⭐️
Romántica Contemporánea / Curvy / Poliamor / Reverse Harem

Katie es una voluntaria en el refugio de animales de su ciudad y recepcionista en una clínica veterinaria. Este año, después de una ruptura dolorosa se ha propuesto empezar de cero y convertirse en una versión mejor de si misma, empezando por ir al gimnasio…
En el gimnasio conoce a Rhyss, en el refugio a Garrett y luego está Rhett un bombero excompañero de su exnovio…

Mira que me encantan los Reverse Harem, es un género que leo mucho, y este libro ha sido muyyy cutre.
Lo único bueno que podemos sacar del libro es toda la psicología canina que transmite la autora a través de la protagonista. Ha sido muy interesante saber que les pasa a los pobres perros que han sufrido un maltratato tan fuerte que han quedado traumados para toda la vida y no son aptos para la adopción (al menos por familias corrientes sin ninguna formación).
El mensaje que intenta transmitir este libro es que hasta que no te quieras a ti misma y pongas tus prioridades por encima de los demás no serás feliz.
Pero está muy mal llevado…
Y del spicy ni hablamos, es bastante malo.
La verdad es que es pasable pero no lo recomiendo.

[Catherine Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore Sam Hall, the way she writes is a breath of fresh air. The Aussie elements are perfection, as is the curvy FMC.
The banter is brilliant.
Love the craziness of the initial relationship, the previous traumatic relationship of the guys and the FMC really really pulls on your heart strings.
The characters have depth to them, they are so authentic.
Omg I can’t forget Bronson, who is the centre of the whole storyline, along with the animal shelter - loved this touch.
I consumed this book, I honestly couldn’t put it down until the very last word. It’s such an amazing contemporary RH romance.

[Jen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Sam Hall writes curvy girl love should be studied. She has figured out a way to capture insecurity AND confidence in a natural way. A woman can be both and Sam has figured that out beautifully. All of that to say, these three men sweep our FMC off her feet when she fought it so hard. She was in her “new year new me” era and healing from a real loser ex. These men came in when she least expected it and showed her she was desirable and worth loving and they put it all on the line for her. This book was amazing. Loved it! So excited to see our girl (and guys) get the HEA they deserved.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute and decent. There wasn’t enough character depth, so I was sometimes confused on which guy was being talked about, but it it was decent overall 3.5⭐️

[DarcieReadsALot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bodybuilders for the BBW started off so strong, I was squealing and kicking my feet. Each chance encounter the FMC had with each of the guys was just too good. I love all three of them: Rhys, Rhett, and Garrett, but maybe have an extra soft spot for Rhys! Bronson’s backstory is obviously heartbreaking and I adore the love and affection he shows to and receives from the group.



This story takes place in the same world of interconnected standalones as Borrowing My Bestie’s Brothers and Set Me On Fire. I always love a good cross-over/cameo! And we definitely got some different themes/tropes to make this one stand apart.



Despite being reminded on several occasions that the only way to make a poly relationship like this work is through mature, adult communication, I found that very little communication was actually had. The FMC just makes snap decisions that affect everyone with little regard for other responsibilities and commitments. I am all for powerful women knowing what they’re worth and not accepting anything less, but not expecting firefighters and nurses to have to bail on plans because of emergency situations is just naive and shortsighted. Maybe it triggered me a bit because I have a demanding job that often requires late or spontaneous work hours, but that doesn’t mean I love my friends and family any less just because I have to reschedule. I felt like the guys literally sacrificed everything for the FMC, where she used them to achieve her own dreams, which left me feeling less enthusiastic by the end.



The spice was decent - much less frequent than you would expect with three MMCs, but tastefully placed throughout the story and supported the evolution of the relationship, not just needlessly there for the sake of it. Overall, a good contemporary reverse harem romance with muscles for days and a heart-melting canine sidekick.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking cute

Really enjoyed reading this. Sam Hall always puts amazing energy into their books. I've enjoyed every single one from this collection of reverse harem books 🥰 can't wait for more!

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a contemporary romance focusing on FMC, Katie and her 3 men. It part of an interconnected standalone world where characters overlap but you do not need to read the previous installments to fully understand the current book.

Sam hall has the magic when it comes to writing plus sized women. Confidence and insecurity are two sides of the same coin and that comes through to well in her books.

Katie is in her new year new me, but it isn’t all about becoming a different person or shedding all the pounds, she is improving who she is in her character and health. Prioritizing her needs and desires.

Our men are in their own healing journey after being burned by an ex. I love that we see how this group is recovering, so many why choose have a group ready made looking for their women or it works round one, just not realistic at all. I love the dynamic of the men and their friendship.

Bronson, the highlight of the book. I love that he loves her so hard! As an animal lover you can hear his excitement it jumps off the page.

[Cathryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I told myself I wasn't going to dip into the Sam Hall well again and then I did it anyway. Her books just aren't for me. It's too bad that she's one of the few authors consistently writing why choose books with fat heroines.

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is, without hyperbole, the worst book I've ever had to suffer through

My girlfriend and I like to take turns reading trashy romance books at each other, and out of the whole fetid pile this one is far and away the most putrid.

Speaking as an actual bodybuilder, it's readily apparent that the author doesn't know how exercise works.

Speaking as a member of the human race who lives on planet earth, it's readily apparent the author doesn't understand basic interpersonal relations, or the workforce, or romance, or even what we have collectively decided is objective reality.

The main character, Katie, is written to be a perfect flower child, who everybody bends over backwards to impress and shower with praise, as they're all stunned by her doughey physique and lack of personality, the same way one would be wowed by an oleaginous slurry leaking from a garbage truck that someone threw a pair of yoga pants on top of. This swiftly attracts 3 different hunky boys, who at a moments notice swear fealty to her. The only people who *don't* think that Katie is perfect are immediately vilified by the story, and all swiftly rebuked.

What passes for a character arc is Katie realizing that she is, indeed, worth all of the love and praise she's been getting, and that her only mistake was not asking for *more* affection and time, up to and including having all three of her lovers quitting their jobs!

This is the most shallow, vapid fantasy I've ever had the displeasure of reading. In addition to being just plain badly written (take a shot every time someone shakes their head and you'll need a liver transplant before the end of chapter 4) the overall message borders on being actively harmful to anyone actually in its target demographic. The book seems to whisper "don't ever change. don't settle for anything less than complete devotion to you from everyone in your personal life, and don't be afraid to throw everything away to follow your dreams, no matter how idiotic they may be"

it's a recipe to remain mired in mediocrity, to which I say to the author "at least you're writing what you know.

[Destiny · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Katie is a curvy powerhouse with a tragic-to-nonexistent love life—until she meets not one, not two, but three beefcakes who just so happen to live together and—plot twist—they all want her. Without knowing the others are into her too. Shocker, I know. You’d expect some explosive drama, but nope—they’re actually down to share 😮‍💨 sign me all the way up.

Rhett’s been halfway in love with her for a while but kept his respectful distance. Rhys? One smoothie mishap and a towel later, and he’s smitten. And Garrett? He just wanted to adopt a cat, but one look at Katie and he walks out with adoption papers for a dog. Enter Bronson: the emotionally complex pit bull who honestly might be the real MVP and glue of this entire story.

The book starts strong. I was vibing. Katie meets each guy individually (and yes, Rhys is my favorite—he gives golden retriever energy wrapped in muscle). But for a book that preaches communication, it drops the ball hard. Katie makes some questionable solo decisions in the name of ✨independence✨ but forgets the group project rules, and it shows. Meanwhile, the guys are all in deeply committed relationships... with their jobs. Work-life balance? They’ve never heard of her.

Still, it’s a fun, low-angst ride. Did I know this was part of an interconnected standalone world? Not a clue. Will I be reading Set on Fire to live my 9-1-1 delulu fantasies? Absolutely.

Would I die for Bronson? Also yes.

💪 Beefy men with soft hearts
🐶 One traumatized pit bull who stole the damn show
💋 BBW queen accidentally dating three roommates
📉 Communication? We don’t know her, unfortunately
🌶️ Decent spice woven into the plot

[Booksfordays40 · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Ok. I struggled with the title of this review, as I am struggling with how to portray how I felt about the book. I didn’t hate it, not by any stretch. SH is a good writer, I can get into the story. But it feels that after the FMC has made the decision to give things a shot… things kind of got boring. There’s not a third act break up, just a bit of angst, that was quickly resolved, and then the book was done. We miss the real challenge resolution of her digging into and accepting this relationship, despite all the drama and challenges around it. I think that’s what the third act break up does for us. It allows our FMC or MMCs to really question everything, and realize beyond a doubt that they are better together than apart. I think a problem with some third act break ups is that people really hate the lack of communication part- so that many are like- if they just would have talked about it, it would have been fine. So the third act break up is forced a lot- so it has to be done right. I think taking the third act break up, without really replacing that journey is giving us a lackluster hero journey. A real turning point in their relationship. And so with this story, I felt like there was that lack of all-in despite everything kind of feel. I didn’t feel invested in them. I got bored. And in a contemporary RH book, without anything else interesting going on, that just make the book OK. SH does put a lot of depth into her characters, and some good side minions. So if you’re a fan of SH, you’ll like this one too. But it’s like a solid 3.8 for me, rounded up to a 4.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

MFC Katie confounded me. Some people easily attract people, while others don't. I get that it can be lonely, but Katie has a good relationship with family and a job she's content with. So why did she let her dickhead of an ex in? Better yet, why on Earth did she let him stay? To get a better understanding of how foul Dave is, you have to read Set Me on Fire, and maybe then you will understand my rage towards the git.


Now, Katie has three guys who've shown their interest, and she's not having it. Rhett (also in Set Me on Fire) is a silently brooding firefighter who has been making heart eyes at Katie for a while. Then there's Garrett, the nurse who knows how to connect people. Finally, there's Rhys, who is a co-owner of a gym and gives off big puppy energy. Gods, I loved him from the first moment I read his POV. All three are just dying for Katie to give them a chance. This was a slow burn, but there were a few interesting dates, including one at a pet store. What I really liked was that the situation with the guys was a little different from what Sam had written. It made an interesting plot point.


I don't know how Sam does it. I'm not one for contemporaries. If they don't involve the mafia, then usually I'm out. Somehow, Sam has done the impossible. I'm really enjoying her standalone contemporaries; she manages to keep me interested without a lot of drama, drama. Bodybuilders for the BBW is an enjoyable read. I would definitely look into it if you enjoy a plus-size MFC, adorable puppies, and guys who are willing to do anything to get her.

[Toni Hopley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curvy girl love stories? Sam Hall nails them.
The way she captures both the insecurities and quiet confidence of a plus-size woman? Chef’s kiss. Our leading lady is healing from a trash ex (we've all had one), and just when she’s deep in her “new year, new me” era, in walk three very HOT men who are basically walking green flags.

There is a gym owner, a nurse, and a firefighter – no, it's not the setup to a joke, it's just the dream team Katie didn’t know she needed. Add in a clumsy meet, a furry little scene-stealer named Bronson the dog, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for chaos, healing, and a whole lot of love.

Each guy is genuinely likable in his own way, and you can't help but root for Katie as she figures out how to let go and let herself be adored. The emotional beats are real, the steam is steamy, and the vibes are immaculate. Also, shoutout to Bronson, who acts as the doggy Cupid of the whole story.

"Bodybuilders for the BBW" is swoony, sweet, and exactly what you need when you want a romance that’s as heartwarming as it is hot. If you’re into found families, slow-burn chemistry, and a leading lady who finally realizes she’s the prize? This one’s for you. Loved it, laughed out loud, and might have sighed a few too many times over Rhys. No regrets. Can't wait for more from Sam Hall!

[Flora Jewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really thought I was going to like this one and maybe that's why I'm extra disappointed. I had a lot of issues with this book, but my biggest one was that the MMC all appear to be trying their hardest, but they apparently aren't supposed to ever disappoint her, even if it's literally life or death for someone else. She enjoys using Rhet's hyperfixation on all things firefighter as conversation fodder for their dates, but when he actually lives out this passion, it's a problem for her.

I also didn't care for the whole Natasha angle. It's weird to coach someone else through a relationship with guys you dated previously and never mention it to anyone until she's decided that the guys need to hear both how she helped their relationship and what a disappointment they are because they don't live lives that revolve 100% around one woman.

Just when I thought the FMC was going to see sense and realize that she was being over the top, her family and friends would push her even further.

The book before this one featured three firefighters who worked on the same squad/shift, and it never seemed to be a problem, so that made me understand this book even less. All of those boyfriends would regularly be unavailable at the exact same time. I don't understand why in this case suddenly it's a bad thing.

[Tularni Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic read from Sam Hall!
What is there not to love about Bodybuilders for the BBW!?

Katie; a FMC who is relatable, real, shares the insecurities, fears and feelings that many plus sized people (myself included!) feel.

Rhys, Rhett and Garrett, three hardworking and career driven men, who were not only strong, but sexy and emotionally available (I know emotionally available men sure are hot!), as our MMC’s, who make it their mission to show our FMC that she is sexy. She is Beautiful. She deserves to be worshipped. She is worthy of, and allowed to experience love. They will do anything to ensure that Katie is theirs. They aren’t just after one night of passion; but forever.

Sam Hall consistently grabs my heart and attention throughout every single page; making me laugh, kick my feet like a giddy school girl, and cry as I followed the heartwarming and heartbreaking story ofKatie, Rhys, Rhett and Garrett, as they navigate what life means to not only be hardworking adults in a relationship, but in a polycule relationship.
Everyone needs to read Bodybuilders for the BBW so you can experience the magical way that Sam Hall is able to create a story that is relatable and relevant to our everyday lives!

[Romantic Reader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a big Sam Hall fan. I like the majority of her work and was looking forward to this book. I like how there is a connection between:
Messing With My Brother's Best Friends (2024)
Borrowing My Bestie's Brothers (2024)
Set Me On Fire (2024)
Bodybuilders for the BBW (2025)
But this book was very disappointing. I started skimming it for several reasons. I didn't enjoy reading about her body trauma. I found Katie our FMC to be a wounded, self-obsessed, and needy character. But it was the book's ending that prompted me to give it a 1-star rating. Katie is a receptionist at a vet clinic. Between her and her sister's income, they didn't make enough money to move into a place where they could have a pet.

She meets three men who have solid careers. But they all leave their professions to prove to her that they love her. THAT DISGUSTS ME ON EVERY LEVEL! One shouldn't have to give up a career they love to go volunteer at a dog shelter.

The ex-Natasha kept saying it was all about communication. As an adult, they should have been able to develop boundaries and evolve together. Not three people leaving their professions to chase an insecure woman who wasn't committed to their relationship. A woman who didn't even attempt to make it work.