Bigger Things

by Ev Bishop

Best friends since childhood, Jen, Chelsea and Kyra know everything about each other. Or think they do.

Jen should be celebrating her whopping 121-pound weight loss. Instead she feels like she’s betrayed fat girls everywhere. Will anyone love her for who she is inside, fat or thin? More importantly, will she?

Chelsea appears to have it all—a husband, a family, a beautiful home—but plaguing memories threaten to destroy everything. In her desperation to maintain control, will she succumb to a compulsion that costs her life?

Kyra is sick of the superficial persona she’s worn for so long. It’s exhausting to pretend to be an airhead while running a successful business. But if she sheds her life-of-the-party façade, will she ever find the boyfriend she thinks she needs?

When a nervous breakdown leaves one of them fighting to survive, all their secrets are laid bare. To stay friends, they need to battle personal dragons, confront the past, and embrace change. But can they break free from the roles they’ve played so long? Or must they leave one another behind in order to move forward?

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**This is an alternate cover version of ISBN# 978-0-9937617-0-6 **

Genres: Contemporary Romance

344 pages, Unknown Binding

First published July 18, 2014

About the author

Ev Bishop is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author, who believes in the power of fiction to transform lives, knowing we both lose ourselves—and find ourselves!—in good stories.

Best known for her small-town contemporary romance series, River’s Sigh B & B, readers describe her books as “full of humor, love and wisdom,” set in places “where breathtaking scenery and the magic of love are the best medicine for the soul.”

In addition to writing novels—her favorite length of story because she always has so much she wants to fit in!—Ev was a columnist with the Terrace Standard for almost twenty years and is a prolific scribbler of . . . other things. Her articles, essays, short stories, and poems appear in a variety of publications, and she also writes under the pen name Toni Sheridan.

When Ev’s nose isn’t in a book or her fingers aren’t on her keyboard, you’ll find her with her family and dogs or playing outside, usually at the lake or in the middle of a forest somewhere.

She loves any and all garden-related talk and work, cooking (and eating!), and making all sorts of random things—especially out of upcycled or reclaimed items.

For more information, visit Ev’s website at https://evbishop.com. You can also connect with Ev on Twitter @Ev_Bishop, or follow her on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/AuthorEvBishop, but the best way to keep in the loop re: current works, upcoming books and events, and other fun tidbits is to subscribe to her newsletter at: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webfor...

She looks forward to hearing from you!

Fall in love with books by Ev Bishop today:

RIVER’S SIGH B & B SERIES
Wedding Bands
Hooked
Spoons
Hook, Line & Sinker
Silver Bells
Reeling
One to Keep
The Catch

SOUL SISTERS AT CEDAR MOUNTAIN LODGE
Christmas Sisters – perma-FREE prologue book
Christmas Kisses by Judith Keim
Christmas Wishes by Tammy L. Grace
Christmas Hope by Violet Howe
Christmas Dreams by Ev Bishop
Christmas Rings by Tess Thompson

STANDALONES
Bigger Things
A Sharla Brown Christmas

WRITING AS TONI SHERIDAN
The Present
Drummer Boy

Reviews

[Carl Ehnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bigger Things by Ev Bishop is an appealing, deeply felt story that zeros in on the issues of weight and body image and the associated damage that those obsessions inflict on the novel’s three central characters.

First there’s Jen, the book’s primary protagonist and most rounded character (no pun intended), a former fatty who loses the weight only to discover that her problems, both personal and romantic, fail to melt away with the excess poundage.

Then there’s Kyra, a sleek beauty with a keen business sense but who is also a serial man-eater who can’t seem to forge a single meaningful relationship despite a constant progression of adoring man-hunks.

And finally there’s Chelsea, the model of perfection—the perfect home, the perfect husband and kids, the perfect community servant—the only problem being that her perfection seems to lead to her eventual crack-up.

As this is my first encounter with the “Chick Lit” genre, I was a little surprised to see the novel take on such a weighty theme (sorry again!), and to its credit, the author is able for the most part to make her points and weave her insights within the context of the story. Only on a few occasions does the reader feel like he’s being lectured to, a common danger with issues-oriented fiction.

True to form, much of the action takes place in restaurants, coffee shops, shopping malls, bars, and living rooms as the thirty-something women engage in extended conversations on food, weight, romance, clothes, shoes, accessories, hair and nails. Feelings get hurt, apologies are issued and hugs and tears are exchanged.

This is all presented in a breezy, light manner with moments of wit and humor. The story does get darker, and more interesting, in the latter stages and features a brilliantly rendered scene involving Chelsea and her step-dad in which long-simmering demons are exorcised. The chilling emotion and rawness of that scene makes the reader wish that there were more of this kind of passionate writing throughout the book.

Full disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review, and I did not have a choice in its selection. Unfortunately, touchy-feely-let’s-talk-it-through-and-then-go shopping is not exactly my sweet spot. (After all, my latest book features an ordinary suburban mom who becomes a vicious serial killer.)

That aside, I enjoyed Bigger Things, which is well written and handles an important issue with insight and sensitivity. There is no doubt that Bigger Things will provide fans of such offerings as Sex and the City and the Lifetime Network several hours of reading pleasure.

[Sarah Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bigger Things is about three long times friends. When one of them has a breakdown following the resurgence of memories of repressed childhood trauma, it forces them all to re-evaluate their lives and look at their own issues that they have been avoiding.
The story is easy to read, and well paced. The dialogue and language used is in keeping with the age of characters and the narrative does not intrude on the story.
The characters are well rounded and realistic and their issues particular about body image and self-esteem are one that everyone can relate to as is the advice that Jen's character dispenses.
A really good read.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...

3.5 stars

I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.

This was a story of three best friends who are trying to find their way in the world but have serious issues from their past that they must overcome. In all cases their dealing mechanisms are linked to food and body image.

Aside from the events that take place with each of these three characters the story really tackles the stigma of body image for woman and the pressures that are out there to conform to a particular bidy type. I liked that this story tackled this topic as woman all over the world are dealing with unrealistic expectations of what they should look like and act like.

All three girls have some serious issues be it weight, emotional scars from abuse or absentee parents. In all three cases the girls deal with these issues in non-healthy ways before learning to face them dead on. The bond of friendship was another strong theme throughout. Three girls who have been best friends since childhood who are more like sisters (fighting and all). I enjoyed seeing how they were there for each other and for the most part were not enablers for each others issues.

What I enjoyed most about the story was the articles to Fat Girl that were mixed in throughout the story. I loved the honestly and harsh criticism offered to those who were ignorant to weight issues. These articles tackled everything that is wrong with society and gave the biting comebacks that many people deserve for their actions. This was the highlight for me and I think would be helpful to all woman to read. We all have body image issues however this addresses some of it.

Overall an entertaining read

[Jen Brubacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makes clear that body issues sure aren't just for "fat girls" (as one self-described character would say.) What makes me continue to love all the characters is how true they are. This is not throwaway chick lit or preachy inspirational fiction. This is a funny, heartbreaking, hopeful story about realistic people in the real world. Worth a read.

[Michelle Manly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect read for snuggling under the blankets on a chilly lazy morning. Quick, insightful and wonderfully humorous. I loved its straight forward, no nonsense approach to many body issues that people, in general, tend to shy around, be awkward with, or see as failures. I would highly recommend this book to women of all ages. Fat girl, you rock!

[Zan Marie Steadham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bishop deftly deconstructs all the faulty self-images women fall prey to, especially the ones associated with body image. All three of her focal characters have a secret and are fully rounded, understandable, and growing. This is a lovely read.

[Maxine (Booklover Catlady) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really interested in this book, especially with it's focus on how a "big girl" shrunk down and all the friendships and relationship aspects around it all. Best friends since childhood, Jen, Chelsea and Kyra know everything about each other. Or think they do. Until one of them has a complete nervous breakdown and secrets come tumbling out.

I didn't love this book, it was okay, I found the constant focus on food got a bit frustrating and annoying, it's everywhere, whether it's talking about what's in the salad or if someone is saying no to a piece of cheesecake, there is a lot of talk about food, and I am not kidding, a lot....so don't read this book if you are hungry.

I struggled to connect with the characters, Jen, Chelsea and Kyra, even though the book explores the lives, hearts and minds of each of them. It seemed like they were interchangeable like I did not get a full grasp of who each of them were. Just one-dimensional.

It's a light read, the message that is sends around body image issues and the pressure on women to be skinny to be seen as attractive and normal was good, I enjoyed the "Fat Girl" column that was woven into the book, responses to readers writing in about their body issues and issues with food. Let's face it, the pressure to be slim is everywhere and girls younger and younger are facing it. That issue is tackled in this book too, the message mothers send to their daughters around how they look and attitudes to food.

I don't think this one will stick with me, an okay read but I think certain elements of it wore me down (did I mention the constant food descriptions and discussions?). I see other reviewers so far have loved it, so yet again I am in the minority as a reader and reviewer. But I promise to stay honest and fair in all that I do, so this is my review.

I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley, my thanks for the opportunity.

[Odette Cortés · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how this book touch on very delicate and complicated questions, mostly regarding weight issues and relationships. The story follows three childhood friends that are slowly drifting apart. Bigger Things by Eve Bishop was a very interesting book to read.

The novel made me think about all the issues women have to face regarding their bodies during the day. Where they come from, who promotes them, can you ignore them, does anyone have the answer? It was a combination of entertainment and food for thought. Some of the issues raised were a little too close to home, and so I quickly became emotionally invested on the book and its characters.

It was definitely and emotional roller-coaster that leaves you thinking.

I got this book from netgalley.

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, heart-warming, sexy and socially relevant. It will make you smile--it may even make you cry. And it will probably make you take a second look at some unexamined assumptions. An unflinching look at body image and food, and how they integrate with our psyches (our relationships, our entire approach to life), Bigger Things injects humour and relate-able characters into dark topics that effect us all. So nice to read a piece of women's fiction targeted at 20-30-somethings that stays funny, but isn't just superficial fluff.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unbelievably poignant, these friends, who thought they knew everything about each other, are going to take a crash course in sticking together through body dysmorphia, years’ long results from sexual abuse, creating personas to please others, and hiding the truth from themselves and those they love.

Read full review in the 2014/2015 Holiday issue of InD’tale Magazine.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

UPDATED: I was selected as a lucky winner of an ARC of Bigger Things in the Goodreads First Reads program.

I just finished this enjoyable novel about three young women, Jen, Kyra and Chelsea, who are lifelong friends (literally) through thick and thin. They all have their own unique issues and relationship with food, most notably Jen, who recently lost a great deal of weight.

However, one of the points made quite pertinently in this book is that you don't have to be overweight to have severe food issues or disordered thinking. I can certainly identify (and I think many women can) with being a "skinny" person with a not-always-healthy relationship with food. This concept was presented very realistically in Ev Bishop's novel.

Food, abuse issues, finding love and most of all, friendship, are all elegantly explored in the novel. Yes, there was a bit of an overemphasis on food and a great deal of description of what people were eating at any given moment, but on the whole, I really enjoyed "Bigger Things". The title says it all; there really are bigger things to focus on in life than the amount of calories you are -- or are not -- consuming. I need to be reminded of that occasionally myself.

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jen, Kyla and Chelsea have been friends since school days. They enjoy meeting for coffee and chats. Each one is coping with difficulties, however, and these are causing a strain on this precious friendship.
“Bigger Things” is chick-lit. It is smart and clever and the author knows how to tell a story.
It is also heavy-handed. As in the case of most chick-lit, the reader doesn't need to do any work, or use imagination--everything is laid out. There were a few moments that were meant to be revelatory, but I had guessed these a long way before. I won't mention the exact instances for fear of spoilers.
Much of the emphasis of the story is on the issues caused by being overweight. I felt this was slightly overdone. In fact, if this subject was dealt with in half the words, readers would still get the message.
One chapter, which dealt with “Red Sonja” was particularly well composed. It shows that Ms Bishop is capable of more serious writing.
This is a well-written and produced novel. Fans of Chick-lit will enjoy it.
I was given a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.

[Amity Lassiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and I could relate well to the characters! So many times, I was nodding my head in agreement or sympathizing with the Jen, Kyra or Chelsea.

Jen was definitely 'my girl'. Having been through years of yo-yoing and then a dramatic weight loss, I could definitely commiserate with the way she related with food and her life.

I thought the bright, vibrant supporting characters like Lana and Greg were also fantastic, and definitely found myself smiling through all of Jen's interactions with them!

This book made me feel good. Would read again and would recommend!

[Janet Hutcheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bigger Things is a novel about our perceptions of body size. Three childhood friends have relationship and emotional problems. Chelsea harbors a childhood horror and almost loses her life and family. Kyra spends her days running a successful business and nights searching for a husband. Jen, who recently loss over 100 pounds still sees herself as overweight. A read that begins slow but keeps our attention as we wonder how the characters will resolve their issues.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! It's insightful and wise, and the characters are full and rich. I happily discovered bits of my own philosophy in each of the three friends, which made following them as they grew and changed during the story even more meaningful to me. And bonus, I learned a lot. Because I liked it so much, I bought a copy for my mom - and she loved it even more than I did!

I definitely recommend Bigger Things! Ev Bishop, write more books!

[Yvonne Farmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this Book! Three friends each with a secret. I really identified with Jen and found out I think like FAT GIRL! Ev Bishop made me rethink the way I related to my friends and how sometimes you have to stand up for your self even when it is hard. It made me think, feel and Laugh! So would recommend this to everyone.

[Laila Nelke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!
It gave me a serious thinking about how us, women percept our body sizes and thus react to social tendencies. Or maybe it's other way around? Maybe world's fashion and rudeness makes us miserable? I always knew it runs much deeper than just eating issues one way or the other. There are traumatic reasons causing those problems not always visible to other people even those who love you and really care about you.
This book shows it how almost everyone can relate to it in some ways.
I loved the story line about three best friends though each keeping secrets. All of them so realistic and true.
Luckily there were a lot of funny humorous moments too.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bigger Things is women's fiction at its best! Inside this tale of three women and their friendship since childhood is an insightful look at body image and how the world perception causes most women to be dissatisfied with their body. I think the blub describes the plot well so I will just say that this is a book about how we keep secrets - even from our best friends. I loved the letters to and from Fat Girl! Snark may be a good defense against people who think they need to comment about our bodies to our face. This book is first about friendship - and finding a you that you love. I was well entertained.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I should *love* BIGGER THINGS a little more than I actually did... I mean, I *adore* anything related to eating disorders/other random food issues, and BIGGER THINGS is jam packed with characters who really can't deal with diets/calories/body image/etc.

So, what went wrong?

I think part of it was just how negative and bleak everything seemed for *SO* long in this story. And the three main women in BIGGER THINGS? They were all just *SO* self-absorbed and self-loathing that it just got tiring after a while, honestly.

I did enjoy the random FAT GIRL questions and answers sprinkled throughout the book, and I did enjoy Jen's realization that she had been using her weight issues as an excuse to avoid other more difficult things in her life. I really do love the overall subject matter of BIGGER THINGS, so I can't really see myself giving this one anything less than three stars.

But, on the flip side, this just isn't a book that I ever plan to read again in the future. While there *was* eventually some character development right before the story ended, the majority of the novel was just full of tons of complaining, loads of excuses, and seemingly endless whining about weight issues, mommy/daddy issues, and just negative self-esteem problems in general.

I need to either identify with a character, feel invested in the future of the character, or feel like the ending was spectacular enough to justify the rest of the novel... in order to say that I really LOVED a novel like this. None of these applied, but it's not really what I'd call a *bad* story overall...

I appreciate the publisher providing me a review copy of BIGGER THINGS. It was worth my time to give this one a try, I think.

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story about long-time friendship and relationships.

My first choice for reading is almost any category in the romance genre; this book doesn’t really fall within the category. Having said that, I now find that I am becoming more and more fond of “women’s fiction” and, for me, this book nails that genre on the head. Bigger Things is the first book I’ve read by Ev Bishop and I loved it.

Bigger Things has everything I’d look for in women’s fiction: a group of long-time friends, a secret (or two) that none of the others know about, romance – albeit not the smexy kind found in the romance genre, and great story-telling.

The story centers around three women, Chelsea, Jen and Kyra, who have been friends since grade school. I love how the story unfolds and the chapters are organized by seasons and months.

Reading this book made me wish that I had this type of connection with friends from my past but not everyone is fortunate to have such relationships. The trials and tribulations that Chelsea, Jen and Kyra go through in the story test their long-time friendship, and while this makes the story a bit angst-y it’s also what makes it interesting and compelling. I did not want to put this down once I started reading it.

Thank you, Ms. Bishop for writing such a lovely story about long-term friendship and relationships.

[Olia · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from the publisher for an honest review

The message is clear: body shape is body shape, happiness is happiness, and they are not related.

I am afraid I got a bit bored about 20% in, though overall the book is well written, the three interlinked stories of the friends really work. I thought character of Kyra was not very well written, I understood more about her from the blurb than from the book; while I really 'felt' Jen and Chelsea.

A good read, give it a shot.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted ti love this Book because the author is so sweet having sent me a copy after winning the book in a contest with a lively note, but it just wasn't enchanting enough. It was a bit too one dimensional for a complicated person like me. I felt it was written for someone of a younger age group dealing with silly weight and self esteem issues that are normally handled for an age group a decade or so younger than the characters in the novel.

[Shawna Briseno · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley:
This one was just okay, one that I probably won't recommend to others. I didn't find any of the characters either believable or likable, and the story never seemed to really go anywhere. There wasn't anything happening for me, and I honestly couldn't tell you what the point of the story seemed to be.

[Debra Komar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having gained some weight lately, this funny and fast-paced tale of weight-obsessed friends was timely and interesting. Why we as women have to destroy ourselves based on the number on a scale is beyond me.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of this book is that people can have body issues, for many different reasons. Nice, easy read. Enjoyed the 3 main characters.