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Curve #3
Big Girl Blitz
"Nothing is hotter and more fun than Danielle Allen’s writing."-- Ali Hazelwood
Because life’s too short, and mean girls ain’t sh…
Jazmyn Payne fled her hometown—and the fatphobes who made her life hell– the minute she graduated high school. Growing up, her haven was her Aunt Addison, and when her health takes a drastic turn, she insists that Jazz should spice up her life. Emphasis on spice.
But dating is the last thing Jazz had on her mind.
Until Lamar Anderson sits next to her at the local sports bar. He is sexy, fun, and refreshingly drama free. With him she's able to pretend that everything is alright. But as real life intrudes, Jazz has to decide if she can leave the past where it belongs…for a love that she deserves.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Because life’s too short, and mean girls ain’t sh…
Jazmyn Payne fled her hometown—and the fatphobes who made her life hell– the minute she graduated high school. Growing up, her haven was her Aunt Addison, and when her health takes a drastic turn, she insists that Jazz should spice up her life. Emphasis on spice.
But dating is the last thing Jazz had on her mind.
Until Lamar Anderson sits next to her at the local sports bar. He is sexy, fun, and refreshingly drama free. With him she's able to pretend that everything is alright. But as real life intrudes, Jazz has to decide if she can leave the past where it belongs…for a love that she deserves.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2026
1475 people are currently reading
8609 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 757 reviews
April 29, 2026
4/5
By chapter 4 I could already tell this was going to be one of my favorite books from the entire series. When Aunt Addison talked about intentionally finding joy, I knew she would be dropping gems. Now I feel like I should write a list of who I was and who I want to become! Loved the way Lamar did not play about her! Can’t tell you how many times I found myself laughing throughout this book too! The perfect balance in a romance.
By chapter 4 I could already tell this was going to be one of my favorite books from the entire series. When Aunt Addison talked about intentionally finding joy, I knew she would be dropping gems. Now I feel like I should write a list of who I was and who I want to become! Loved the way Lamar did not play about her! Can’t tell you how many times I found myself laughing throughout this book too! The perfect balance in a romance.
April 20, 2026
Overall the story was cute. When Jazz and Lamar meet they are both at a crossroad of sorts. Life has forced Jazz back into a town where she was bullied and doesn't have the best childhood memories, only to be breaking her heart even more in the present. Lamar is fighting for his dream, while actively working on plan b. These two have an insta connection, but due to Jazz's hesitancy and the situation with her Aunt Addie has her full attention. Well at minimum she's using it as an excuse. I liked Lamar, but his hesitancy to define their relationship or hell even respond to Jazz's attempts to name her feelings causes her to second guess herself. Despite his actions being very supportive, she needed to hear clearly from him and he just wouldn't verbalize anything. Although, Jazz was exhausting and her thoughts were overly repetitive I understood why she felt the way she did. Lamar's persona outside the bedroom didn't match inside and he got on my nerves too.
What carried the story for me? The relationship between her friends because they were fking hilarious. I found myself cackling whenever they were on the page. Aunt Addie, she was everything. The love and confidence she poured into Jazz was beautiful, even if Jazz had a hard time consistently applying those lessons. Aunt Addie's fearlessness and her ability to just LIVE, even when things were hard were the highlight of the story.
The book could have been shortened by removing some of Jazz's repetitive thoughts because there were too many times it just dragged. And if she said wait, wait, wait, what one more time 🥴
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and this one had potential and is still a cute story it just needed to be edited down.
What carried the story for me? The relationship between her friends because they were fking hilarious. I found myself cackling whenever they were on the page. Aunt Addie, she was everything. The love and confidence she poured into Jazz was beautiful, even if Jazz had a hard time consistently applying those lessons. Aunt Addie's fearlessness and her ability to just LIVE, even when things were hard were the highlight of the story.
The book could have been shortened by removing some of Jazz's repetitive thoughts because there were too many times it just dragged. And if she said wait, wait, wait, what one more time 🥴
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and this one had potential and is still a cute story it just needed to be edited down.
March 1, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed Big Girl Blitz! I think this was a great close to the Curve series.
Jazmyn and Lamar were so cute and felt so natural as they got to know each other through the friends while also yearning for each other as well. I think Danielle Allen has such a great way of showing why her characters actually like each other outside of their obvious sexual chemistry. The spicy scenes were spicy, but if there were none at all I would still believe in these characters love story. They bonded so well and got along great through their common interest of football. These characters were fun to read and I loved how they supported each other through their ups and downs. There were times when I got a little frustrated with Jazmyn, but only because I understood her concern for the situation that she was in. She had a lot going on her life and her past relationship made her hesitant for new ones, but it was nice to see her open up with Lamar over time. I was really happy for her as I continued to read. And Lamar's overwhelming support for her was so great to read. He was extremely understanding and lovable!
Thank you Bramble and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC!
Jazmyn and Lamar were so cute and felt so natural as they got to know each other through the friends while also yearning for each other as well. I think Danielle Allen has such a great way of showing why her characters actually like each other outside of their obvious sexual chemistry. The spicy scenes were spicy, but if there were none at all I would still believe in these characters love story. They bonded so well and got along great through their common interest of football. These characters were fun to read and I loved how they supported each other through their ups and downs. There were times when I got a little frustrated with Jazmyn, but only because I understood her concern for the situation that she was in. She had a lot going on her life and her past relationship made her hesitant for new ones, but it was nice to see her open up with Lamar over time. I was really happy for her as I continued to read. And Lamar's overwhelming support for her was so great to read. He was extremely understanding and lovable!
Thank you Bramble and Macmillan Audio for the ARC and ALC!
April 22, 2026
Jazz and Lamar! Phew, from their meet cute and onward, Lamar did not play about her and I loved when she finally got out of her head and recognized it. Aunt Addy dropped a lot of gems and advice, she was such a great influence for her to start living life to the fullest and be intentionally happy. I was so down for this book that I didn't devour it like usual--I savored it, for the flavor and the spice!
Also met the author 2 days before finishing this and rebought the whole Curvy series to get it signed and inscribed to me. I have never rebought a book I already had unless it was damaged, I refuse! But this was a special circumstance. So happy with this series from Aaliyah to Nina to Jazmyn. And those men who love them back.
Update: Just a quick thought, I wish we could've seen snippets of Jazz's book, whether a chapter or a few excerpts sprinkled here and there. Also, Wesleigh Siobahn did her thing with the narration, as usual.
Also met the author 2 days before finishing this and rebought the whole Curvy series to get it signed and inscribed to me. I have never rebought a book I already had unless it was damaged, I refuse! But this was a special circumstance. So happy with this series from Aaliyah to Nina to Jazmyn. And those men who love them back.
Update: Just a quick thought, I wish we could've seen snippets of Jazz's book, whether a chapter or a few excerpts sprinkled here and there. Also, Wesleigh Siobahn did her thing with the narration, as usual.
April 18, 2026
Overall this book is really cute and the story is heartfelt and touching. But I did find it very long and repetitive.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I just finished listening to Big Girl Blitz by Danielle Allen and honestly, this audiobook made me extremely emotional in the best way. It was a total five star experience for me. The narrators were beyond incredible. Their voices were vibrant, expressive, and made every scene feel so alive. I was especially moved by the main character’s journey with her aunt, which hit me so personally, and the way the book tackled her experiences being bullied in school felt so real and raw. I seriously couldn’t stop listening. The emotional moments had extra impact because of how well the narration was done, and the overall audio quality was just fantastic.
The story itself was just as amazing as the narration, blending humor, romance, and self-discovery in a way that made me root for the main character every step of the way. I truly need everyone I know to read this book. It’s the best romance I’ve read in a very long time, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Whether you’re an audiobook regular or new to Danielle Allen’s work, I can’t recommend Big Girl Blitz enough. It’s the kind of listen that sticks with you long after the final chapter.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
The story itself was just as amazing as the narration, blending humor, romance, and self-discovery in a way that made me root for the main character every step of the way. I truly need everyone I know to read this book. It’s the best romance I’ve read in a very long time, and I still can’t stop thinking about it. Whether you’re an audiobook regular or new to Danielle Allen’s work, I can’t recommend Big Girl Blitz enough. It’s the kind of listen that sticks with you long after the final chapter.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
April 26, 2026
This was my favorite book out of the series because it was so relatable and emotional! Did I cry multiple times? Sure did! Jazmyn had an uphill battle building her self confidence after leaving her hometown. Coming home to face her fears of rejection while caring for her dying aunt would have broke anyone! But during one of the darkest moments of her life, she found love (well love found her!)
April 28, 2026
4.25⭐️
There is a very specific emotional tension sitting at the centre of Big Girl Blitz. The question here is what happens when women have built real self-worth for themselves, but still live in a world determined to make their bodies, their joy, and their desirability public property? Danielle Allen has understood online-hate and the consequences perfectly well!
Because Jazmyn is not insecure in a simplistic way. This is not your formulaic big girl body-issue story. She knows she is smart, funny, sexy, kind, and fully capable of being wanted. But knowing your worth does not automatically make you immune to cruelty. Especially not when that cruelty is loud, communal, online, and aimed at big women who dare to be loved by men OTHER people think should be “out of their league.”
And that is where this book actually had its emotional grip on me!
Jazmyn’s arc is not only about learning that she is desirable. It is about learning to stop bracing for the punishment that can come with being desired publicly. That distinction matters. It not only has roots in her past, but also in present digital-world settings. The present online hate in this book did not feel like manufactured drama to me, because we see this all the time. The way people talk about women online is already horrific, but the way they talk about athletes’ wives and girlfriends can be especially disgusting (look at the Premiere League in the UK right now). Add fat phobia, misogyny, parasocial entitlement, and the collective delusion that people get to vote on who “deserves” a successful man, and suddenly Jazmyn’s fear makes perfect sense.
I did not always agree with how she handled that fear, but I understood where it came from.
Now, Jazmyn is compassionate almost to a fault. Her consideration for Lamar, his career, his reputation, his peace, his future — all of that is admirable. She is not trying to sabotage the relationship because she does not care. She is trying so hard to care correctly that she sometimes forgets to let the man actually participate in loving her. And that is where I spent several chapters mentally standing in the corner like: girl. Please. That man has been trying to love you out loud from day one. LET HIM.
Because Lamar? Lamar Anderson is very much the definition of acts of service as love language! And I liked that. A lot.
He is not perfect in some glossy, unrealistic way, but he is steady. He is attentive. He is direct. He shows up without making a performance out of showing up. He just wants her. He likes her mind, her humour, her football brain, her softness, her body, her stubbornness, her whole presence. He is proud of her in a way that feels easy to him, and that ease is exactly what makes Jazmyn’s fear hurt. He is not the problem. The world around them is.
Their early dynamic was probably my favourite part of the romance. The football banter, the immediate intellectual click, the way they fall into conversation before they fall into anything else — that worked for me. I believed the attraction because it was built through attention. Lamar does not just look at Jazmyn; he listens to her. He takes her seriously. He is into her competence, not merely her curves. And there is something very satisfying about a sports romance where the FMCs love of the sport is not treated as a quirky accessory but as part of her actual personality.
The other emotional anchor, of course, is Aunt Addy.
I loved the idea of the bucket list because it gave the book a deeper pulse beneath the romance. Aunt Addy’s storyline brings in raw grief, legacy, and that awful, clarifying moment when someone else’s mortality makes you look at your own life and realise how much you have been postponing. Her presence gives Jazmyn’s arc a sharper emotional context: stop managing your life from a place of fear, stop waiting for ideal conditions, stop acting like joy is something you can schedule for later! LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST…NOW!
I just wish the bucket list had been threaded through the book with a little more force. The idea is beautiful, and when it appears, it gives the story heart. But I wanted it to feel more structurally central, more present in Jazmyn’s emotional choices, more like an active pressure point rather than something the book sometimes remembers to return to. There was such a strong connection available between Aunt Addy’s push to live and Jazmyn’s struggle to let herself be publicly, messily, joyfully loved. I felt that connection, but I wanted the narrative to squeeze more out of it. But this is me being nitpicky.
My main frustration, though, was the communication conflict.
I understand why non-communication is part of the theme. Jazmyn’s silence is not random drama in my opinion…it comes from fear, protection, shame, pride, and a very real awareness of how cruel people can be. She thinks she is sparing Lamar. She thinks she is being careful. She thinks she is controlling the damage before the damage can control them. Emotionally, that makes sense.
But sometimes the issues between them felt exaggerated in a way that tested my patience. There were moments where one honest conversation, one clearer strategy, one “this is what I am afraid of and this is what I need from you” would have eased so much pain. And because Lamar had already shown himself to be emotionally present and willing to engage, the prolonged avoidance occasionally felt less like organic conflict and more like the plot needing them to suffer a bit longer. And maybe Lamar could have been a bit more open, too.
That is also where the book could have been a tick shorter for me. Not because I wanted it stripped of emotional complication, but because I wanted the complication to keep evolving instead of circling the same wound for quite as long.
Still, I liked this a lot. It understands that self-acceptance is not a magical shield. It understands that being loved well can still be frightening when you are used to the world treating your body as a public debate. Especially when you listen to this on audio, because WESLEIGH SIOBHAN IS THE QUEEN OF NARRATION! It's as simple as that!
There is a very specific emotional tension sitting at the centre of Big Girl Blitz. The question here is what happens when women have built real self-worth for themselves, but still live in a world determined to make their bodies, their joy, and their desirability public property? Danielle Allen has understood online-hate and the consequences perfectly well!
Because Jazmyn is not insecure in a simplistic way. This is not your formulaic big girl body-issue story. She knows she is smart, funny, sexy, kind, and fully capable of being wanted. But knowing your worth does not automatically make you immune to cruelty. Especially not when that cruelty is loud, communal, online, and aimed at big women who dare to be loved by men OTHER people think should be “out of their league.”
And that is where this book actually had its emotional grip on me!
Jazmyn’s arc is not only about learning that she is desirable. It is about learning to stop bracing for the punishment that can come with being desired publicly. That distinction matters. It not only has roots in her past, but also in present digital-world settings. The present online hate in this book did not feel like manufactured drama to me, because we see this all the time. The way people talk about women online is already horrific, but the way they talk about athletes’ wives and girlfriends can be especially disgusting (look at the Premiere League in the UK right now). Add fat phobia, misogyny, parasocial entitlement, and the collective delusion that people get to vote on who “deserves” a successful man, and suddenly Jazmyn’s fear makes perfect sense.
I did not always agree with how she handled that fear, but I understood where it came from.
Now, Jazmyn is compassionate almost to a fault. Her consideration for Lamar, his career, his reputation, his peace, his future — all of that is admirable. She is not trying to sabotage the relationship because she does not care. She is trying so hard to care correctly that she sometimes forgets to let the man actually participate in loving her. And that is where I spent several chapters mentally standing in the corner like: girl. Please. That man has been trying to love you out loud from day one. LET HIM.
Because Lamar? Lamar Anderson is very much the definition of acts of service as love language! And I liked that. A lot.
He is not perfect in some glossy, unrealistic way, but he is steady. He is attentive. He is direct. He shows up without making a performance out of showing up. He just wants her. He likes her mind, her humour, her football brain, her softness, her body, her stubbornness, her whole presence. He is proud of her in a way that feels easy to him, and that ease is exactly what makes Jazmyn’s fear hurt. He is not the problem. The world around them is.
Their early dynamic was probably my favourite part of the romance. The football banter, the immediate intellectual click, the way they fall into conversation before they fall into anything else — that worked for me. I believed the attraction because it was built through attention. Lamar does not just look at Jazmyn; he listens to her. He takes her seriously. He is into her competence, not merely her curves. And there is something very satisfying about a sports romance where the FMCs love of the sport is not treated as a quirky accessory but as part of her actual personality.
The other emotional anchor, of course, is Aunt Addy.
I loved the idea of the bucket list because it gave the book a deeper pulse beneath the romance. Aunt Addy’s storyline brings in raw grief, legacy, and that awful, clarifying moment when someone else’s mortality makes you look at your own life and realise how much you have been postponing. Her presence gives Jazmyn’s arc a sharper emotional context: stop managing your life from a place of fear, stop waiting for ideal conditions, stop acting like joy is something you can schedule for later! LIVE IT TO THE FULLEST…NOW!
I just wish the bucket list had been threaded through the book with a little more force. The idea is beautiful, and when it appears, it gives the story heart. But I wanted it to feel more structurally central, more present in Jazmyn’s emotional choices, more like an active pressure point rather than something the book sometimes remembers to return to. There was such a strong connection available between Aunt Addy’s push to live and Jazmyn’s struggle to let herself be publicly, messily, joyfully loved. I felt that connection, but I wanted the narrative to squeeze more out of it. But this is me being nitpicky.
My main frustration, though, was the communication conflict.
I understand why non-communication is part of the theme. Jazmyn’s silence is not random drama in my opinion…it comes from fear, protection, shame, pride, and a very real awareness of how cruel people can be. She thinks she is sparing Lamar. She thinks she is being careful. She thinks she is controlling the damage before the damage can control them. Emotionally, that makes sense.
But sometimes the issues between them felt exaggerated in a way that tested my patience. There were moments where one honest conversation, one clearer strategy, one “this is what I am afraid of and this is what I need from you” would have eased so much pain. And because Lamar had already shown himself to be emotionally present and willing to engage, the prolonged avoidance occasionally felt less like organic conflict and more like the plot needing them to suffer a bit longer. And maybe Lamar could have been a bit more open, too.
That is also where the book could have been a tick shorter for me. Not because I wanted it stripped of emotional complication, but because I wanted the complication to keep evolving instead of circling the same wound for quite as long.
Still, I liked this a lot. It understands that self-acceptance is not a magical shield. It understands that being loved well can still be frightening when you are used to the world treating your body as a public debate. Especially when you listen to this on audio, because WESLEIGH SIOBHAN IS THE QUEEN OF NARRATION! It's as simple as that!
April 18, 2026
Okayyyy listen… Danielle Allen really saved the BEST for last with Big Girl Blitz! I didn’t think anyone could touch Big Daddy Russ from Plus Size Player… but Lamar?? BABY. He’s the ONE, not the two 😂
Out of the three books, it definitely felt like the most emotional. Jaz’s aunt’s illness added a layer of depth that made this story hit a little different. But I loved watching Jaz spend her summer really living and meeting a man she didn’t even know she needed.
Danielle Allen truly writes some of the BEST romcoms, and specifically Black romcoms that feel authentic, joyful, and relatable. Because I kicked my feet, tears up, got… hot lol and legit laughed out loud probably 8 times!
BUT… because I gotta say it… the way people treated our girls throughout this series?? Had me ready to square up every time. Like… we fat shaming? Let alone at this big age?? Be serious. lol
Overall, this was such a strong final installment. I loved how all the stories overlapped and connected. I’m honestly gonna miss these women! Will definitely be doing rereads of all the audiobooks.
And I have to give flowers to Wesleigh Siobhan because WOW. Her narration was incredible as always. Her voice is so soothing, and her male voices?? Actually believable and NOT cringe (which is rare imo 👀). At this point, I’ll listen to anything she narrates. She’s the GOAT. Thank you Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the ALC💞
Out of the three books, it definitely felt like the most emotional. Jaz’s aunt’s illness added a layer of depth that made this story hit a little different. But I loved watching Jaz spend her summer really living and meeting a man she didn’t even know she needed.
Danielle Allen truly writes some of the BEST romcoms, and specifically Black romcoms that feel authentic, joyful, and relatable. Because I kicked my feet, tears up, got… hot lol and legit laughed out loud probably 8 times!
BUT… because I gotta say it… the way people treated our girls throughout this series?? Had me ready to square up every time. Like… we fat shaming? Let alone at this big age?? Be serious. lol
Overall, this was such a strong final installment. I loved how all the stories overlapped and connected. I’m honestly gonna miss these women! Will definitely be doing rereads of all the audiobooks.
And I have to give flowers to Wesleigh Siobhan because WOW. Her narration was incredible as always. Her voice is so soothing, and her male voices?? Actually believable and NOT cringe (which is rare imo 👀). At this point, I’ll listen to anything she narrates. She’s the GOAT. Thank you Macmillan Audio and Net Galley for the ALC💞
April 21, 2026
I wanted to be as obsessed with this one as I was with books 1&2 but it seemed really repetitive. Every few chapters it was almost the same breakdown. I loved this as a fiction book but felt like it fell flat for me as a romance.
3.5 on StoryGraph
3.5 on StoryGraph
April 16, 2026
4.5 Stars!
I struggled with if this should be a 4 or 5 star book. I went with 5 because it really was very good. Lamar was amazing! Jazmyn did kinda get on my nerves. Her compassion and consideration was admirable. She really was so sweet, but girl! That man was trying to love you out loud from day one. LET HIM! Lamar was the definition of, " If he wanted to, he would!" And I like that!! I loved Aunt Addie too. Real life be lifing real hard. Happy reading!
I struggled with if this should be a 4 or 5 star book. I went with 5 because it really was very good. Lamar was amazing! Jazmyn did kinda get on my nerves. Her compassion and consideration was admirable. She really was so sweet, but girl! That man was trying to love you out loud from day one. LET HIM! Lamar was the definition of, " If he wanted to, he would!" And I like that!! I loved Aunt Addie too. Real life be lifing real hard. Happy reading!
March 2, 2026
I loved this last installment of the series. Jazmyn and Lamar’s relationship was told so well. Becoming friends first before getting to the nitty gritty was appreciated. Did Jaz get on my nerves at some points? Absolutely but I’m glad she came around. Her and her aunt relationship was much appreciated too. Them being so close was a breath of fresh air. All the relationships in the book were told in the perfect way.
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC!
March 15, 2026
I thought I was going to love this one but eh!
The mental gymnastics they both, Jas and Lamar, took me through in the beginning then Jas, just went to advance gymnastics. I was screaming "UNHAND ME" by the end of the book. I wanted them to just have a fling and let it go.
Lamar telling Jas she can have anything she wants from him and not following through on it until he got fustrated cause of the whirlwind of their relationship, extra af.
I thought Jas was going to be confident and add to the group of friends of no nonsense friends but baby she fooled me. I understand that hardship she had growing up but baby I would have whooped them grown adults ssa again calling me Jummy at our big age. ( I did cackle though). But baby get off that ride. Her plight with being in a public relationship w Lamar or even just being in relationship with him period, just made it seem like she wasn't interested in relationship and that would have been okay.
There was alot to unpack here and I wish the confidence and lesson that her Aunt Addie provided her growing up more so shined through growing into her relationship with Lamar and having to be in the limelight with his career. Also, it seems every time they went to have a serious talk and actually confront their feeling there was an unnecessary spicy scene. I end up skipping like 2 cause they needed to focus on the real issue.
I did get the pleasure of listening to the ALC narrated by the goat Wesleigh Siobhan, no complaints whatsoever. Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley.
The mental gymnastics they both, Jas and Lamar, took me through in the beginning then Jas, just went to advance gymnastics. I was screaming "UNHAND ME" by the end of the book. I wanted them to just have a fling and let it go.
Lamar telling Jas she can have anything she wants from him and not following through on it until he got fustrated cause of the whirlwind of their relationship, extra af.
I thought Jas was going to be confident and add to the group of friends of no nonsense friends but baby she fooled me. I understand that hardship she had growing up but baby I would have whooped them grown adults ssa again calling me Jummy at our big age. ( I did cackle though). But baby get off that ride. Her plight with being in a public relationship w Lamar or even just being in relationship with him period, just made it seem like she wasn't interested in relationship and that would have been okay.
There was alot to unpack here and I wish the confidence and lesson that her Aunt Addie provided her growing up more so shined through growing into her relationship with Lamar and having to be in the limelight with his career. Also, it seems every time they went to have a serious talk and actually confront their feeling there was an unnecessary spicy scene. I end up skipping like 2 cause they needed to focus on the real issue.
I did get the pleasure of listening to the ALC narrated by the goat Wesleigh Siobhan, no complaints whatsoever. Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley.
April 12, 2026
Big Girl Blitz is the third and final book in the Curve series from Danielle Allen. I've loved each friend's story, but this was the book I was most excited for since I'm a football girlie. And Allen DID NOT disappoint!! Not only did she include such a beautiful and real relationship between Jazmyn and Lamar, but she upped the story with beautiful family love, girlfriends that showed up for each other, self love and discovery and an emotional journey of life that had me tearing up. This may have been my favorite of the three and I've enjoyed each one.
Out of the three girlfriend's stories, Jazmyn Payne's hit on a more emotional level for me. Her story was more of a slow burn, not only with her romantic relationship, but also with her familial relationship as well as Jaz getting to know herself. I loved the relationship that Jazmyn had with her Aunt Addy and how she grew from her advice and her love. Their relationship was something special and I loved the way Allen handled it with care and respect while also giving us one heck of a hot and chemistry filled romance. Speaking of hot, let's talk about Lamar Anderson. Because that man? Well, he is what book boyfriends are made of and was just what Jaz needed.
Lamar and Jaz meet at a bar/restaurant and connect on their love of football. Their connection was just real and right and I loved how Lamar made Jaz feel comfortable and safe from their very first moment. Like he said, "what do you need? I'll give it to you." Even as they were getting to know each other, he knew that she was the real deal and knew she deserved it all. It was beautiful to watch their relationship grow from a friendship and support system into something so much more. And don't get me wrong...these two connect physically early on, but since they are rarely in the same city, their relationship grows from texts and phone calls. And you can feel how real it becomes over time.
WIth all that said, the football girl in me loved the football aspects within the story. It didn't overshadow everything else going on, but added to the characters and the whole story itself. And can we give it up to Wesleigh Siobhan yet again for narrating this story? She brought the story to life but giving us fun and flirty, fun text messages with humor and heart and then the emotional with Jazmyn, Aunt Addy and her family. She knocked her performance out of the park, because this story contained it all.
While I really did love the story and the overall journey Jazmyn takes, I did find that the book was a little long. But it also felt like everything was needed because this wasn't only a romance story. It's a story of friendship, of family, of love and growth. Allen gave us something completely different with Jaz's story while also giving us the banter and spice. It is a great ending to the series and kept me invested from book one to book three. Especially on audio where Wesleigh brought all the stories to life. All the Black Love and all the fun and emotional moments made this story a fave.
4.5ish stars
Out of the three girlfriend's stories, Jazmyn Payne's hit on a more emotional level for me. Her story was more of a slow burn, not only with her romantic relationship, but also with her familial relationship as well as Jaz getting to know herself. I loved the relationship that Jazmyn had with her Aunt Addy and how she grew from her advice and her love. Their relationship was something special and I loved the way Allen handled it with care and respect while also giving us one heck of a hot and chemistry filled romance. Speaking of hot, let's talk about Lamar Anderson. Because that man? Well, he is what book boyfriends are made of and was just what Jaz needed.
Lamar and Jaz meet at a bar/restaurant and connect on their love of football. Their connection was just real and right and I loved how Lamar made Jaz feel comfortable and safe from their very first moment. Like he said, "what do you need? I'll give it to you." Even as they were getting to know each other, he knew that she was the real deal and knew she deserved it all. It was beautiful to watch their relationship grow from a friendship and support system into something so much more. And don't get me wrong...these two connect physically early on, but since they are rarely in the same city, their relationship grows from texts and phone calls. And you can feel how real it becomes over time.
WIth all that said, the football girl in me loved the football aspects within the story. It didn't overshadow everything else going on, but added to the characters and the whole story itself. And can we give it up to Wesleigh Siobhan yet again for narrating this story? She brought the story to life but giving us fun and flirty, fun text messages with humor and heart and then the emotional with Jazmyn, Aunt Addy and her family. She knocked her performance out of the park, because this story contained it all.
While I really did love the story and the overall journey Jazmyn takes, I did find that the book was a little long. But it also felt like everything was needed because this wasn't only a romance story. It's a story of friendship, of family, of love and growth. Allen gave us something completely different with Jaz's story while also giving us the banter and spice. It is a great ending to the series and kept me invested from book one to book three. Especially on audio where Wesleigh brought all the stories to life. All the Black Love and all the fun and emotional moments made this story a fave.
4.5ish stars
April 24, 2026
mmm k so I've had time to sit and really think on my thoughts and rating for this. Let me first start out with i love this series as a whole. Curvy girl summer was without a doubt (and still is) thee best book in this series and an easy 5/5 stars. The audiobook narration was top notch and i absolutely love it. The second book i enjoyed not nearly as much but it was still good i believe i have it a 4 stars or something of the sort. Now here we are the last book in an overall fantastic series and i have to be honest i am torn on this one. The pro: i absolutely LOVE the MMC! he has to be my favorite of all the male leads in this trilogy hands down. The cons: The bigger issue is that i have a disdain for the FMC in this book and as the book kept going the more that grew. The biggest issue is her characterization and lack of esteem which is so irksome and feels very juvenile for someone that is in their 30s!! Also the level of miscommunication/not saying what you really want to say that happens in this friggin book is ANNOYING and again read as some teenage angst BS and i was immediately over it. additionally, the first 38% of this was focused on a non romantic side plot which i just didnt want and the lack of interaction/proximity our romantic leads encounter was disappointing as well for a ROMANCE BOOK. The spice we did get was GREAT but it was so minimal it felt like we were being edged and not the fun way lol. Lastly, this is way too long i will never get off the hill of these romance authors to stop writing these almost 500 page romance books because 90% of the time it is UNECESSARY!! far to long for a damn romance especially when almost half of it isnt focused on the romance like please stop. wrap this shyt up and be succinct. This could of easily been 200 pages shorter. All in all this is my least fave of the trilogy which is a bummer because its the last one so way to leave off on a dull note. I still highly recommend the series as a whole ESPECIALLY curvy girl summer as an audiobook!
April 19, 2026
This is a six star read for me, I don’t even care.
Best book in the series. The first two were good, one was great, but this one was the one. It had everything. Grief, growth, choosing yourself, and really showing how people act online versus who they are in real life. That part felt way too real.
And Lamar… yeah. He is top tier. One of the best book boyfriends and it is going to take a lot to top him.
I loved this book. Period.
Best book in the series. The first two were good, one was great, but this one was the one. It had everything. Grief, growth, choosing yourself, and really showing how people act online versus who they are in real life. That part felt way too real.
And Lamar… yeah. He is top tier. One of the best book boyfriends and it is going to take a lot to top him.
I loved this book. Period.
April 18, 2026
- Jasmyn irked my nerves, but glad she got it together.
- Lamar is a good man Savanah, he’s going to have to go on the best book boyfriend list.
- Loved Aunt Addie’s wisdom and bucket list.
- Loved how her parents realized they had over-watered her.
- Loved the friendship between her, Aliyah, and Nina.
- Loved the Big Girl representation.
I think of the three this one was my favorite. I think it was a tad long, but still enjoyable nonetheless. I think some of these scenarios were extreme, but I can suspend my disbelief for a great story.
- Lamar is a good man Savanah, he’s going to have to go on the best book boyfriend list.
- Loved Aunt Addie’s wisdom and bucket list.
- Loved how her parents realized they had over-watered her.
- Loved the friendship between her, Aliyah, and Nina.
- Loved the Big Girl representation.
I think of the three this one was my favorite. I think it was a tad long, but still enjoyable nonetheless. I think some of these scenarios were extreme, but I can suspend my disbelief for a great story.
March 9, 2026
What It's About
Jazz has been burned by past relationships and isn't looking for anything serious, just a little fun. But when she returns to her hometown to care for her terminally ill aunt Addy, life slows down in unexpected ways. That's when she meets Lamar, an up and coming pro Football player. What starts as something light quickly turns into something deeper, even as Lamar's rising career begins to bring new pressures and challenges to their relationship.
Why It Works
The emotional core of this story really shines through the relationships., Jazz and her aunto Addy share a beautiful bond full of care, humor, and quiet understanding, and the romance between Jazz and Lamar feels warm and genuine as it grows. I also appreciated the size-inclusive representation, which added another thoughtful layer to the story.
What Made Me Pause
I listend to this one as an audiobook during my neighborhood walks, which was lovely until some of the pretty spicy scenes popped up unexpectedly. Let's just sayI may have blushed a little while passing my neighbors on the sidewalk.
Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Jazz has been burned by past relationships and isn't looking for anything serious, just a little fun. But when she returns to her hometown to care for her terminally ill aunt Addy, life slows down in unexpected ways. That's when she meets Lamar, an up and coming pro Football player. What starts as something light quickly turns into something deeper, even as Lamar's rising career begins to bring new pressures and challenges to their relationship.
Why It Works
The emotional core of this story really shines through the relationships., Jazz and her aunto Addy share a beautiful bond full of care, humor, and quiet understanding, and the romance between Jazz and Lamar feels warm and genuine as it grows. I also appreciated the size-inclusive representation, which added another thoughtful layer to the story.
What Made Me Pause
I listend to this one as an audiobook during my neighborhood walks, which was lovely until some of the pretty spicy scenes popped up unexpectedly. Let's just sayI may have blushed a little while passing my neighbors on the sidewalk.
Thank you NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2026
Where do I start? I love the curve series down but this one????? This one carried so much depth. I actually appreciated how real this story felt. It was so easy to grow so attached to these characters. To fall in love with the characters as they fall in love with each other. I love Aunt Addie's character and the relationship between her and Jaz. We all need that one person that truly sees us beyond our parents or in a way our parents don't. I love that she pushed Jaz to live life like there's no tomorrow. To pursue love in all aspects.
Jaz and Lamar's love story felt so authentic. I think Lamar might be my new favorite MMC. His way with words, his genuine care, his honesty, I mean you truly knew he loved her before he even told her and that was one of my favorite things about their story. Seeing and feeling the love as a reader. One thing I also noted about Lamar is that he was just so sure of Jazmyn.
Although throughout the story, we see Jaz afraid of taking what she wanted, thinking of others, her fear of going after what she wanted unapologetically due to her personal traumas, by the end of this story you feel as proud as you would of your own best friend.
"I knew what I wanted whole time. I was just afraid to stand in it."
ALSO THE SPICE????????????????? BRB I'll be pregnant soon.
UGH, 10/10.
Jaz and Lamar's love story felt so authentic. I think Lamar might be my new favorite MMC. His way with words, his genuine care, his honesty, I mean you truly knew he loved her before he even told her and that was one of my favorite things about their story. Seeing and feeling the love as a reader. One thing I also noted about Lamar is that he was just so sure of Jazmyn.
Although throughout the story, we see Jaz afraid of taking what she wanted, thinking of others, her fear of going after what she wanted unapologetically due to her personal traumas, by the end of this story you feel as proud as you would of your own best friend.
"I knew what I wanted whole time. I was just afraid to stand in it."
ALSO THE SPICE????????????????? BRB I'll be pregnant soon.
UGH, 10/10.
Did Not Finish
April 21, 2026This is a Romance, and this is the third book in the Curve series. I have not read any of the other books in this series before trying to read this book. I tried to listen to the audiobook for this book, and the narrator was good. I could not get into this book, and I just ended up DNFing this book around 25% into this book. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
April 21, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
There are so many good themes in this book grief, body love, friendship, empowerment, and vulnerability. Annnnd of course, she is SPICY.
I do think this book was too long when listening and there is a lot of dialogue that felt redundant. But I loved the themes and the character arcs and would happily read another book by this author!
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook 💗
There are so many good themes in this book grief, body love, friendship, empowerment, and vulnerability. Annnnd of course, she is SPICY.
I do think this book was too long when listening and there is a lot of dialogue that felt redundant. But I loved the themes and the character arcs and would happily read another book by this author!
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted audiobook 💗
April 19, 2026
Release me. There was no structure to this story. Jas was so annoying ruminating on the same thoughts and being upset at Lamar for doing what she said. The dialogue between the love interests felt fake there was no disagreements. The texting and constant affirmation didn’t feel human. I felt exhausted. It felt like reading someone’s literal daily life with no form or structure or purpose. And then the random side plot about social media and attention from public. Like why did we need that. I would give this zero stars. So weird cause her first book in this series was actually really good
April 17, 2026
I’m so sad this series has come to an end, but I think this was a great way to close it out. It was beautifully written & is one of those novels that tugs at your heart strings in every way. I laughed, cried, got frustrated, & was just overall emotional the whole time reading.
Even though it just seems like words on paper it’s so much more. Aunt Addy will always have a special place in my little reader heart. It almost felt like I was in the book. Like she was my aunt too loving on me spreading her light & wisdom. It was relatable like she was talking to me personally. The one quote that will probably always stick with me is “She’s watered; let her grow.” I was snotty reading that lol. My inner child was screaming.
I want to talk about the main character of course. Jazz. Although she frustrated me so much throughout the book not allowing herself to be loved I completely understood her. When you’ve spent your whole life feeling undeserving you kinda start to believe it. She’s beautiful & brilliant! She kept fighting & got her happy ending. And if it’s one thing I love in a book it’s a black woman winning. No matter what it is.
I don’t really have a lot to say about Lamar but that’s not a bad thing. I loved his character. The way he showed up for everyone around him & just his overall good character. He’s exactly the man Jazz needed & deserved.
I could keep typing for days on end lmao but I’m wrapping this review up now. Aaliyah, Nina, & Jazz were quite a journey & I’ll always remember these books. The friendship. The love. The funny banter. They were girlhood personified & I think the series did a great job at showing what healthy Black love platonic & romantic looks like.
Black authors have a way of writing universal black experiences that only we can understand & i’m so grateful to have read this! If you’re looking for a series that’ll make you laugh, cry, & wanna pull out your hair all at once I highly recommend this amazing Curve series.
Even though it just seems like words on paper it’s so much more. Aunt Addy will always have a special place in my little reader heart. It almost felt like I was in the book. Like she was my aunt too loving on me spreading her light & wisdom. It was relatable like she was talking to me personally. The one quote that will probably always stick with me is “She’s watered; let her grow.” I was snotty reading that lol. My inner child was screaming.
I want to talk about the main character of course. Jazz. Although she frustrated me so much throughout the book not allowing herself to be loved I completely understood her. When you’ve spent your whole life feeling undeserving you kinda start to believe it. She’s beautiful & brilliant! She kept fighting & got her happy ending. And if it’s one thing I love in a book it’s a black woman winning. No matter what it is.
I don’t really have a lot to say about Lamar but that’s not a bad thing. I loved his character. The way he showed up for everyone around him & just his overall good character. He’s exactly the man Jazz needed & deserved.
I could keep typing for days on end lmao but I’m wrapping this review up now. Aaliyah, Nina, & Jazz were quite a journey & I’ll always remember these books. The friendship. The love. The funny banter. They were girlhood personified & I think the series did a great job at showing what healthy Black love platonic & romantic looks like.
Black authors have a way of writing universal black experiences that only we can understand & i’m so grateful to have read this! If you’re looking for a series that’ll make you laugh, cry, & wanna pull out your hair all at once I highly recommend this amazing Curve series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2026
This book had me ugly crying listening to it. Jazmyn’s relationship with her aunt is so special to read about and without spoiling it makes me so emotional. I love that a plus size FMC was being loved on unapologetically and that there is no question or miscommunication/ break up because of her size. This series as a whole is so beautiful by giving us books where plus size women are finding love and is a reflection of the day to day struggle/ bullying people who are bigger have to deal with. The humor, banter and relationship in each book are well developed and the characters feel real. I can’t wait to see the author (for the third time ever) this weekend at Chocolate City Lit Festival so I can gush about yet another book of hers that I loved. 🥰
April 24, 2026
I HATED this one
Okay - this is a 2 but really like 1.5 because while it was a page turner - I actually HATED IT 😭 I really hate that I hated it, too.
This was not Danielle’s best work. This book could have been shaved down 200 pages if the end goal was just a relationship. I didn’t love any character in the books besides auntie. A part of this is because of the theme. She shoved it in our face, took it out and shoved it back in 356 times. I think love letter/book paying respect to thicker women in high profile relationships could have been done without adding all of the raggedy stereotypes. I felt like that made this book more unbearable than: the friends who constantly were messy asking “what you’re going to do” about an issue that essentially she had no control over. Or the MMC that “loved” her but knew she needed the words and wouldn’t say it. However he did say at least 1k times “you can get whatever you want from me” while also not giving her what she wanted most of the time. OR the FMC who harped on childhood bullying the ENTIRE time and her not being healed from that - being a loud secondary theme. It just wasn’t enjoyable. I wanted so much more from this story which is why I didn’t DNF IT.
Last thing: the end was so lazy! Why have him tell her all three “things” he did. Why not reveal it throughout the story. As a reader, I knew he did those things, but I would have loved some literary creativity here.
Okay - this is a 2 but really like 1.5 because while it was a page turner - I actually HATED IT 😭 I really hate that I hated it, too.
This was not Danielle’s best work. This book could have been shaved down 200 pages if the end goal was just a relationship. I didn’t love any character in the books besides auntie. A part of this is because of the theme. She shoved it in our face, took it out and shoved it back in 356 times. I think love letter/book paying respect to thicker women in high profile relationships could have been done without adding all of the raggedy stereotypes. I felt like that made this book more unbearable than: the friends who constantly were messy asking “what you’re going to do” about an issue that essentially she had no control over. Or the MMC that “loved” her but knew she needed the words and wouldn’t say it. However he did say at least 1k times “you can get whatever you want from me” while also not giving her what she wanted most of the time. OR the FMC who harped on childhood bullying the ENTIRE time and her not being healed from that - being a loud secondary theme. It just wasn’t enjoyable. I wanted so much more from this story which is why I didn’t DNF IT.
Last thing: the end was so lazy! Why have him tell her all three “things” he did. Why not reveal it throughout the story. As a reader, I knew he did those things, but I would have loved some literary creativity here.
April 22, 2026
Whew
This is my favorite of the whole series. Lamar put Jazz thru the mattress the whole time. I’m glad she stopped overthinking and let go of trauma.
This is my favorite of the whole series. Lamar put Jazz thru the mattress the whole time. I’m glad she stopped overthinking and let go of trauma.
April 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this book. This one and the first book in the series are my favorites. I loved how easy the story flowed and the plot of it. To me this book was so real in the way it navigated the fmcs aunts illness and the mmc’s career. My heart broke for the fmc in her grief journey. The romance was so good i loved the meet cute and how they bonded over football. I enjoyed all the football talk and the different stages of their relationship. This book is steamy and i loved all the representation. If you love audiobooks i would recommend this one. The narrator did a great job voicing all the characters and brought so much life to the story. Such a good book thanks to the publisher for this alc.
Read for:
-Black romance
-Plus size representation
-Sports romance
-Grief journey
Read for:
-Black romance
-Plus size representation
-Sports romance
-Grief journey
March 31, 2026
4.5/5
I knew the last book in this series was gonna hit, but I didn’t think it would make me feel so much 🥲💕
I related so much to Jazz tbh. That girl was really written after my own heart. Just her whole issue with her hometown, dealing with bullying, and being extremely isolated during her formative years resonated with me. Then to Jazz returning back to her hometown to help with her Aunt Addy, and dealing with the grief from her illness hit me hard. Grief has so many layers, and I’m so glad we got to explore that with Jazz and Addy’s relationship.
The friends to lovers romance between Jazz and Lamar was also pretty cute. I didn’t think it was as earth shattering as the other 2 books were, but them 2 still had very sweet and spicy moments. I liked how passionate they both were about football and each others happiness and success. And it was so nice to see Jazz being loved on through all her hardships. She really deserved all that and then some fr. And I loved seeing Jazz’s friendship with Nina and Aaliyah again. They’re so locked in as besties and always there for each other 🥲 it’s so inspiring fr.
The only thing that I didn’t like was the back and forth with Jazz. Like don’t get me wrong, I understood exactly what she meant with wanting to avoid the spotlight for her own emotional wellbeing as well as Lamar’s success. And just like her, I never want to bother anyone with my issues either. But at certain points I really was like cmon Jazz 🤦🏽♀️ fuck them people and go get yo man! I just wanted her to use her words a lil more and a lil sooner tbh.
I knew the last book in this series was gonna hit, but I didn’t think it would make me feel so much 🥲💕
I related so much to Jazz tbh. That girl was really written after my own heart. Just her whole issue with her hometown, dealing with bullying, and being extremely isolated during her formative years resonated with me. Then to Jazz returning back to her hometown to help with her Aunt Addy, and dealing with the grief from her illness hit me hard. Grief has so many layers, and I’m so glad we got to explore that with Jazz and Addy’s relationship.
The friends to lovers romance between Jazz and Lamar was also pretty cute. I didn’t think it was as earth shattering as the other 2 books were, but them 2 still had very sweet and spicy moments. I liked how passionate they both were about football and each others happiness and success. And it was so nice to see Jazz being loved on through all her hardships. She really deserved all that and then some fr. And I loved seeing Jazz’s friendship with Nina and Aaliyah again. They’re so locked in as besties and always there for each other 🥲 it’s so inspiring fr.
The only thing that I didn’t like was the back and forth with Jazz. Like don’t get me wrong, I understood exactly what she meant with wanting to avoid the spotlight for her own emotional wellbeing as well as Lamar’s success. And just like her, I never want to bother anyone with my issues either. But at certain points I really was like cmon Jazz 🤦🏽♀️ fuck them people and go get yo man! I just wanted her to use her words a lil more and a lil sooner tbh.
April 12, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
i received a physical arc of big girl blitz from tor publishing group, and i’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this ahead of its release. thank you.
this book follows a woman who grew up being bullied and carrying those experiences into adulthood, shaping how she sees herself, her worth, and the kind of love she believes she deserves. when she finds herself drawn to someone who feels like everything she’s ever wanted, the story really becomes about what it means to be seen, to be chosen, and to believe that you’re worthy of both.
what stood out to me the most is how much deeper this felt compared to the other books i’ve read by danielle allen. while there’s still romance at the center, this story leans heavily into themes of grief, loss, and childhood trauma, and how those things follow you into your adult relationships. there’s this constant tension between wanting to be loved and accepted, while also self-sabotaging because of what you’ve been conditioned to believe about yourself.
i really appreciated the more serious tone here, especially in how the familial relationships were handled. they felt layered, complicated, and very real in a way that added weight to the main character’s journey. it’s not just about falling in love with someone else, it’s about learning how to stop abandoning yourself in the process.
aunt addy was hands down my favorite character. there was something so powerful about seeing a family member pour into someone like that. the kind of love that refuses to let you shrink yourself. the kind of support that reminds you, over and over again, that you are worthy, that you are not what people tried to make you believe about yourself, and that you deserve love fully and unapologetically. i loved how that relationship showed that when you have people in your corner who see your greatness, other people’s perceptions start to matter a lot less.
overall, this is a story about healing, about unlearning, and about going after the things you love and the life you deserve even when it feels unfamiliar or undeserved.
i received a physical arc of big girl blitz from tor publishing group, and i’m so grateful for the opportunity to read this ahead of its release. thank you.
this book follows a woman who grew up being bullied and carrying those experiences into adulthood, shaping how she sees herself, her worth, and the kind of love she believes she deserves. when she finds herself drawn to someone who feels like everything she’s ever wanted, the story really becomes about what it means to be seen, to be chosen, and to believe that you’re worthy of both.
what stood out to me the most is how much deeper this felt compared to the other books i’ve read by danielle allen. while there’s still romance at the center, this story leans heavily into themes of grief, loss, and childhood trauma, and how those things follow you into your adult relationships. there’s this constant tension between wanting to be loved and accepted, while also self-sabotaging because of what you’ve been conditioned to believe about yourself.
i really appreciated the more serious tone here, especially in how the familial relationships were handled. they felt layered, complicated, and very real in a way that added weight to the main character’s journey. it’s not just about falling in love with someone else, it’s about learning how to stop abandoning yourself in the process.
aunt addy was hands down my favorite character. there was something so powerful about seeing a family member pour into someone like that. the kind of love that refuses to let you shrink yourself. the kind of support that reminds you, over and over again, that you are worthy, that you are not what people tried to make you believe about yourself, and that you deserve love fully and unapologetically. i loved how that relationship showed that when you have people in your corner who see your greatness, other people’s perceptions start to matter a lot less.
overall, this is a story about healing, about unlearning, and about going after the things you love and the life you deserve even when it feels unfamiliar or undeserved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2026
"Big Girl Blitz" is the third installment in Danielle Allen’s “Curve” series, and it centers on Jasmine Payne, a woman returning to her hometown for the summer to care for her beloved aunt. Coming home is never easy for Jasmine, her childhood was marked by relentless bullying, and the scars have never truly gone away. She has always been a curvy girl in a world that can be hostile and unkind to women who don’t conform to narrow beauty standards.
When she meets Lamar Anderson, the chemistry is immediate, even as Jasmine battles the familiar whisper of self‑doubt about whether someone like him could truly want someone like her. The novel explores relationships, friendship, body image, and the long shadow of bullying, both in person and online. Allen is especially sharp in her portrayal of social media bullying, showing how strangers feel entitled to insert themselves into private lives with real‑world consequences.
Four stars for a compelling storyline, memorable characters, and genuine laugh‑out‑loud moments.
When she meets Lamar Anderson, the chemistry is immediate, even as Jasmine battles the familiar whisper of self‑doubt about whether someone like him could truly want someone like her. The novel explores relationships, friendship, body image, and the long shadow of bullying, both in person and online. Allen is especially sharp in her portrayal of social media bullying, showing how strangers feel entitled to insert themselves into private lives with real‑world consequences.
Four stars for a compelling storyline, memorable characters, and genuine laugh‑out‑loud moments.
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