Diary of a Fat Girl

by Moira Mugweni

This is the diary of Burn Rivers.

Bernadette Rivers has had enough. Always the fat friend and fat twin, she's ready to be more.
This summer she's going to lose the weight that's been holding her back.
As determined as she is, Burn knows she can't do it alone.
Enter Warren Grey; ex-high school hottie and stereotypical jock. He is everything that tormented her about high school but she knows he's exactly what she needs.
With a distant mother, a sister with poor taste, a polar opposite best friend and enough insecurities to fill the Grand Canyon, can she learn to love the skin she's in?

And then, of course, there's Fred.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Ebooks, Fiction, Chick Lit, New Adult

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second read (BR with Megan)
Well I've just re read this and I'm abit confused how I can view it so differently the second time around!
I laughted at the first couple of pages but then it was actually not all that funny, not in a bad way I still loved the book, I just expected from my first review to be laughing all the way through and that didn't happen weird :-|
Nevertheless it's still a great story and my rating doesn't change and I still need to read the second book but maybe not quite as desperately as I thought I did the first time round which is good as it's still not been released yet!


1st Read
OMG loved this book! I laughted so much and also had a few tears.. But wtf cliffhanger! I need to know when the next book is out !!!!

[Angie Guzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im so used to romance books when the characters are drop dead gorgeous ( Supermodel types) And it never bothered me cause i thought "hey its a book right , its like movies its just how it is" Most of my Favorite romance novels are like that. Nothing wrong with it but it can get boring.

So I was a little reluctant to read this book, when i bout it i thought it sounded awesome, with a promising story. But for some reason i kept putting it off as if expecting it not to live up to its hype despite its great reviews. In a way i felt like i was judging it because it revolves around a "fat" girl. So After reading a boring predictable book, i decided to check it out.

The story is well done and relatable, Not that far fetched like some romance novels tend to be, and the author makes u feel like your right there with her growing as a person, all of the characters are complex and fighting their own inner/outer demons encouraging you to see that everyone has their own insecurities. You read these new ways of looking at your body and inspiration on loving who you are.

This was one of those books that make me view something differently or inspires me to take action (whatever that may be).

I recommend this book to any reader, i hope you enjoy it as much as i did. :)

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a whim to kill time on my breaks at work and I actually ended up really enjoying it! At first I found the main character a tad bit whiny but I quickly grew to like her. She really grew as a character and I ended up really relating to her. Her journey wasn’t without its bumps or detours but that’s part of what made the story so enjoyable for me, seeing her push past obstacles and reach for what she wanted.

[Meghan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am obviously not the demographic this book is aiming towards, so I am trying to be fair. But this book was so poorly written both technically, thematically and conceptually that I was compelled to give it one star.

As others have said, the spelling and grammatical mistakes are abundant. It happens. It can be distracting, but not the books biggest crime. I will say, though, that these self published people COULD put a little more time and effort into delivering a more refined final product. The British terms also popped out, taking away from the central character in some ways. A California girl doesn't go around saying "bum" and "lovely" like that.

I felt little research went into anything in this book. Almost nothing felt authentic or realistic, from the shopping at delias, the photography class, eating disorders... it didn't seem like the author knew much about what was being written or didn't delve deep enough. The relationships between the characters was absurd. One minute the main character is describing her twin sister as sweet and always kind, the next the twin sister is saying awful things about her sisters body. Continuity?

I appreciate a book for teens that promotes self acceptance and delves into real issues. But the attempt in this book would be laughable if it weren't so frustrating and awful. Very harsh, I'm sorry. There are plenty of books, well written books, that can get these themes and messages across better than this one.

[Sashoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Fred and Warren so much! There has been very few times when two love interests tear your heart in two and you don't know which one to root for (I'm still reading so I'm not sure which one to root for yet). Fred, is the hottest rock nerd Ive ever read about. Ginger hair, tall and lanky, with eclectic musical taste and an interesting hobo-esque nerdy fashion sense, who rides a motorcycle and he wants to be a doctor; come on! Either the dude really is shy or he's a smooth operator, but the way he plays with Burn's heart is not okay.
And then there's Warren, hes hot, and fit and deep for a "dumb jock" but he's nice and sensitive and caring and he GETS her. He's her fitness trainer but hes training her to be the best healthier version of herself, not to be thin or to look like what society thinks she should look liker but to look like herself.
Each man (boy) plays a vital role in Burn finding herself, becoming comfortable in her skin and it's amazing to watch her growth and the role they play. I'm in awe of this book. It's not just about Burn being fat, bur how she's an emotional eater, how one can still be the definition of anorexic but not reach that level of extreme and still identify as anorexic without looking the part anymore. it's something that is forever a part of you, a defining factor as to who you once were.

I get all the five star hype. I really do and while cliffhangers like that would make me upset, I'm still reeling from everything that's happened in the last few entries. Since it was published this year, I'm holding out hope that Ms. Moira knows what she's doing and will promptly release a sequel, but you know what? Even if she doesn't, I'm still happy with the ending. I think I want to know more about Burn's dad than who she ends up with? Can there really be two loves of your life out there? If so, I'd hate to meet them both around the same time.

[Tash · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this, my friend that doesn't usually read recommended it to me so I had to give it ago, its obviously self published due to many spelling errors and un researched topics but it was funny, I loved the characters and the many song references. I was kind of hoping it would be about learning to love yourself no matter what you look like since I'm dealing with some weight issues right now and very insecure about it but no the MC losses all the weight before people start to pay attention to her :(

[Nazanin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn't think I'd love this book so much. This isn't just a story about a girl wanting to be size 0, it's about confidence and learning to love yourself the way you are and not wanting to look like anyone else.

[Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be completely honest, I downloaded this book with fairly small expectations. It was a free one on iBooks, so I knew that there would probably be some editorial mess... and there was.

Though the setting is in the U.S., it's obvious that the reader is not from here. Certain details and lingo are just not something that anyone in the U.S. uses. These almost caused me to stop reading it after the first chapter, but I'm so glad that I kept on!

For me, the true mark of a good book is if it can make you FEEL something. This one not only made me feel, but it made me cry throughout the majority of the book. Literally, tears streaming down my face, blotchy face and all.

Read this book now! Try to ignore the editorial glitches and if you've ever struggled with a weight problem, you'll be crying too!

[Tawallah · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA contemporary novels aren’t my favorite genre. But this one was working until the last 20% mainly because the ending was rushed and almost HEA ending. And I’m conflicted about the message it sending about being plus size.

Written in diary format, we learn about a regular teenage twin, Bernadette “Burns” River. She is overweight mainly as a result of emotional eating. This is her final year in high school before college and she wants to make a change before college. Family support isn’t the greatest, her twin is perfect and ignores her and her mom is the sole breadwinner for the family.

The format for giving a glimpse into Burns life was a refreshing change. It relies heavily on exposition but makes for a better character study. My major concern is the message being sent about body image. To be fair, the author does tackle healthy weight practices with exercise and improved diet. But the journey to healthy body image tends to be glossed over especially closer to the end. There were some deep emotional issues that contributed to unhealthy food behaviors . But the resolution of these issues were too lightly handled. By the end it fell into that trope of romantic love covers all.

Despite these issues, I was pleased with the thoughtful character development and themes of body image and self-identity.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this....
Except it ends on a total cliff hanger!? Like really!? Come on wrap it up!!!! There's more right!? There better be fricken more!!!!!!
Also this book has so many spelling errors. It must be self published because it was just so bad how often I came across the dumbest errors... I hope a hard copy will be published once it's more polished and actually has a freaking ending!
I want to give it 5 stars but I'm left unsatisfied.

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. I thought the story was really sweet. I really related to the main character of this story. Bernadette “Burn” Rivers has always made to vow to lose weight, but she never succeeded with her plan. It is with the help of Warren, that she is able to accomplish that task. I thought the romance was cute, and I found the characters to be funny, and cute as well. I thought that this story was a bit short, and I would have liked to see what happen in those days that she didn’t talk about. I am wondering what exactly happened those days. The ending was abrupt as well, which I thought was not really necessary. However, I did enjoy this book a lot. Just wish it ended better. Overall, a great read.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This intrigued me because I'm so used to typical stories where the heroine is already pretty and doesn't have to overcome these types of issues. It was refreshing.

I enjoyed the way it was written and the way it flowed as well. I liked Burn's attitude and how she stayed strong despite the challenges ahead.

My main issue is the love triangle. Usually not something that bothers me, but it just seemed forced this time. Both guys are interesting and I liked them both, but I felt like it was an unneeded aspect of the story.

In the end, I did enjoy reading about Burn's struggles with her weight and self-image as it is something I think almost all women go through at some time or another. I want to read the sequel and see how it all ends after the cliffhanger this story left me on.

[Abida's Book Adventures · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts:
I liked this book. It's a book to read when you're in the mood for light drama and YA. Normally when the main character is "fat" that's all the book talks about. Not so much in this book, we understand that Bernadette is overweight and wants to loss weight, but that's not all her problems. She has a distance relationship with her twin sister and Mom, she's analyzing her encounter with a boy named Fred, and so much.

The Characters:
Bernadette was the prefect main character, I loved how we get to know how and why she became overweight, and the struggles of constantly losing or gain weight. I also liked how her sister and her didn't have a great relationship, but that didn't mean that they hated each other, or was rude to one another, they just grew apart. I was a little fishy about Warren, it didn't make sense why he wanted to help Bernadette lose weight after ignoring her all throughout high school, but he proved me wrong. I really liked Fred, at first he gave off the wrong vibes to me, but he turned out to be okay. Bernadette also had a great best friend, who is the opposite of her had her own insecurities.

The Plot/ Formatting:
I honestly forgot Bernadette was writing all her thoughts in a "diary," it mostly felt like a first-perspective book more. This book had a great plot, everything went on a great pace. For me timing is a huge deal. It has to make sense how they go from one event to another, otherwise I'm left confused. Also the season/ weather too, it has to go with the book. I know that sounds weird but I pay attention to little things like that, for me that's the difference between a good book and a great book, also you can blame F. Scott Fitzgerald for that. Lol
The story line in this was was good too. I loved how Bernadette's weight lose journey was the start of the book, but not the main focal point. More personal issues started to rise, as she kept losing the weight other things started to pile up one her life. It showed the reads that weight lose is not the only problem in a "fat" girls mind, they too have other worries. Bernadette's life kept getting interesting towards the end.

The Ending/ Final Thought:
Just a warning this book does end with a cliffhanger, and it's a really good one too. I can't wait to read the next book and see what goes on with Bernadette, and how the start of college affect her. Where will her love life go? There's so many questions in my mind that I wanted answered in the next book. Overall this was a feel good book to read, and I would recommend this book to anyone who's in the mode for a coming of age/ YA book.

[Taylor Reatz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I read this book probably back in the 5th grade was I too young to read it? Mm maybe but I digress.. It was really nice to re - read this book in a knew light/ not being an actual child. It still did hit but there are a few errors in the writing, and someone if you know please tell me if this book is set in America or not I honestly and struggling to tell. Anyways despite the flaws I really appreciated this book I think that as a fat girl it was really accurate. There aren’t a lot of books with plus size representation and if they are then it just gets glossed over or is made to be creepy. This book is very real, yes it does focus on weight loss but also growth and acceptance. I am so so mad that I don’t think there will ever be a sequel but honestly I’m at peace with it. This book really is helping me to heal and grow because it is so real.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving it 4 stars because it's a lovely read for a light hearted teenager, although some of the erotic lines warren had were a little too much and all the s*x at the end was unnecessary. Buuut this had be laughing out loud and wanting to read more - so I like this.

(A day later)
I've decided to write out the pros and cons of each book instead and think about my rating since after mulling this book over for a day it's less appealing than after finishing it.
Some of the scenes in this were too over the too, as well as certain characters.

[Parmy Kharaud · Rating 1 out of 5]

You can't buy the sequel to this book, so it leaves you hanging, wondering what happened

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burn Rivers is tired of letting her weight define her, so she's going to let it go. She sets out at the beginning of her (very long - 100 days? I am pretty sure our summer breaks were always shorter) summer just after high school graduation and before going away to college to lose the weight. She has some starts and stops, until Warren, local jock and son of a fitness couple, offers to be her personal trainer. He takes his job seriously, and she's sure that she hates him at first. But then, she finds that his methods get results, and now Burn has a chance at reaching her goal. Encouraged, she makes more goals - reconnecting with her family, getting a job, meeting a boy... ? We'll see just how much she can accomplish in 100 days.

It's a sweet book. There are grammar and spelling errors, but I didn't find them overly disruptive. I was too involved in what was going on with the characters, and how their lives were intertwined. The entire book is written as diary entries by Burn, but she includes details about her friends and family that allow the reader to know them as well. There is romance, but there is also a good lesson in accepting and being yourself, and in overcoming obstacles that others put in front of you.

[Tania J · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.00 Stars!!!

I've read some reviews that stated Diary of a Fat Girl is a book tailored for fat girls and even though that's title of the book, I think it can appeal to all people. This book is about accepting and loving your body and not trying to compare yourself to any one else. It's about having self confidence and not letting society tell us what we need to look like to be accepted.

In addition to everything I've just stated, this book was also extremely entertaining. The format in which it's written makes it really easy to fly through and difficult to put down. I felt for our main character Bernadette. The way she viewed herself in the beginning of this novel really broke my heart. I just wanted her to accept herself and own the skin she was in. After I finished this, I immediately purchased the sequel. I highly recommend this book to everyone, fat or skinny, male or female.

[Estefania Arballo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book twice. It was such a beautiful story, it has it all, self love, self esteem, goals, and romance.
I would definitely read this book a third time

[Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who let me read this as a child?

[16ParrJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it involves the everyday struggles of teenage girls and how difficult their life could be, also involving romance and her journey to becoming slim. This book is a definite page turner and despite the fact it is quite long, there was not a single page that I found boring or unnecessary. Definitely recommend this book!!

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I downloaded this book for free. It seemed like an interesting read. So I gave it a go.

I can't tell you when I started this book because that's how long it actually took me to read it. There are so many things wrong with this book I really don't know where to start; but I'll give it a shot.

First, the grammar and spelling. I typically give allowance for ebooks, because errors do happen. But when you're naming a name brand of perfume, a person should know it's Chanel, not channel. That was misspelled twice. I also gave allowance for the fact that it's written in diary form...personally, I think the author could've done a mix of actual story telling and diary enteries. But that's my opinion.

Second, I'm assuming this book was targeting American teens and pre-teens; so it would've been better to leave the British words out of it. A3 is not a typical American word; as well as, faffing.

Third, what is with the excessive amounts of details of what the characters are wearing? It's too much, in my opinion. Leave a little to the imagination, please! Also—just to save a point—I didn't really need the entire track list of Fred's email-apology.

Fourth, what was the real catalyst for Bernadette to lose weight? It seemed weak to me. And also, Bernadette seemed too mature for where her character is in the book. I find it unrealistic that her goal and main motivation to lose weight is being healthier. Being skinny and looking better are more realistic; the maturity would come later after most of the weight comes off.

Fifth, my most critical opinion yet. Why did Bernadette need a love triangle? It was silly, it was unnecessary, it didn't make sense. The author has Bernadette experiencing the best night of her life (I won't even give you my opinions of the prom) only to look at the deleted emails from Fred. Why?! If she was in a good place; why would she need to do that?

Sixth, the ending. Totally unnecessary. It did not need that cliffhanger.

Overall, it wasn't a spectacular read. I give it a B for effort, but it really just falls flat for me. Too much of some things, too little of others.

[вяαт · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh somewhere between 3.5 and 4, but I can't bring myself to round up.

Every time I read books that have a "fat" protagonist, I really never want to read them. Why? Because being a fat girl, they always hit so close to home and I relate TOO much to them. I wasn't even on page 30 before I was cringing because I related so much to Bernadette and I didn't want to. It's like I was reading my autobiography that I forgot I had written (minus Warren and Fred). I really, really ended up enjoying the story overall, though. I loved seeing Bernadette push herself to want to be a better and healthier person. I'm glad that she was on the road to self-acceptance and being healthy for HER - not someone else. I was so torn between the two love interests, Fred and Warren. I really liked both! The writing was mediocre, but I didn't expect much since it was half in "diary" format; however, the silliest of grammar mistakes were scattered around. I'm not a grammar Nazi by any means, but *eye roll*. There were parts of the book that made me laugh, cry and sigh. It was definitely a better book than I expected it to be.

The ending tho.............. are you kidding? That's honestly how it ended? Like someone said in another review, just wrap the shit up. I was content with how the story ended until the last page and I was just left there thinking to myself "Really? That's how this is going to end..." If I wasn't so goddamn curious, I probably wouldn't pick up the next book (which I assume there will be). We'll see, though. If it wasn't for the ending, I'd probably round up my rating to a 4.

[Thomasina Juszczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fat girl decides to lose weight before college. Few mis steps before actually starting her diet, in part because her best Freind has her own issues. Anyone who was ever bullied in high school could totally relate to the crap that burn and her friends go through. Actually made me cry. Plenty of laughing out loud to make up for the tears. Not depressing read , thought it might be because of the title. Little unrealistic on how the guy who becomes her trainer was also behind her ultimate embarrassing moment in high school. It would have made more sense if he sought her out to help instead of the way it happened at the gym. The guilt factor makes sense just too big of a coincidence. Loved all the characters especially Fred. Can't wait for the sequel. I

[Josephine Burks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute book. I loved the diary style writing and enjoyed the characters. Normally I don't like all the characters in books, but this book was an exception, all the characters were relatable, easy to like and had some depth. Definitely going to read the sequel.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure if I love this book because I'm a fat girl and I totally relate or if it's because the ugly duckling finally gets the guy she's been after. Either way, I loved this story and the cliff hanger got me like WHOA ... can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Samm · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I started this years ago and didnt get far, so I reread this book beginning to end and it was such a cute book, but honestly there's a huge cliff hanger at the end and I guess the author never put out the second book... so if you do read this be prepared haha

[Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

confession… i had an apple books phase and this was one of the books i read during that period. i read this ages ago but from what i can remember i surprisingly really enjoyed it.
ignore the title, ignore the cover, because they’re both cheesy as hell, give the book a chance ‼️

[Camille · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so cleshe, and what was the smut at the end for? ew.

[Erika Gross · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ending oh my gosh. Ugh. Need the second book soon!