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Kinsley Simmons does not belong in an inpatient facility for people struggling with eating disorders. However, her doctor and therapist are of the opinion that she does; which is why she's missing out on her college graduation to participate in a recovery program for Bulimia Nervosa. A girl with a Type A personality, Kinsley never thought her life would come to this—dumped by her college sweetheart, flunking most of her classes, caught between bickering parents on the brink of divorce, and spiraling out of control as the dangerous habits of her disorder destroy her health and friendships. When Royce Adams is invited to speak to her therapy group, Kinsley isn't at all interested in anything he has to say. He can never understand what she is going through, or have the first idea of how to help her get better. Yet, as he takes a personal interest her recovery, she comes to realize there is more to Royce than meets the eye. While seeming perfect on the surface, he wrestles with demons of his own, including a past riddled with addiction and self-destructive behavior. As their friendship blossoms into something more Kinsley will find in Royce the strength to face the reasons behind her disorder. With his help, she may also find what she needs to live a full, healthy life ... one filled with happiness and love.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2016
9 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Alicia Michaels
34 books497 followersMother of 3 and Army wife. Lover of coffee, chocolate and good books. Writer of YA Fantasy that stretches the imagination. When not writing, I can usually be found reading.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 10, 2022
Some nice things here, like the mix of eating disorders at Kinsley's treatment programme and the multiracial cast throughout.
I just can't take the treatment programme seriously, though. Kinsley goes there because bulimia has taken over her life to the extent that she's barely eating solid food and she's gone from a straight-A student to failing her last semester of college. But...there's pretty much zero oversight at this programme. No accountability. Kinsley is given a suggested meal plan, but she's allowed to eat—or not eat—whatever she wants; bathrooms are unsupervised and snacks are freely/constantly available, which sounds like a terrible combination for recovering bulimics; she's also encouraged to exercise (not a bad idea long term, of course, but usually discouraged in early recovery, especially when one needs to gain weight to be healthy), seemingly without limits—at times she's working out twice a day (124).
Despite this—and the fact that Kinsley hasn't eaten entire food groups in months, or kept more than the smallest amount of food down in about as long—she almost immediately begins to make balanced food choices. She doesn't purge or even really consider purging for more than...half a second? By day three she's eating a reasonable meal (including things that could be called 'fear foods' for her) without really thinking about it. She's also thrilled to see her weight increase throughout.
Now...Kinsley's lack of focus on thinness could actually be interesting—not all eating disorders entail bad body image, and Kinsley is Black and Indian, which could be interesting, because thinness isn't always emphasised in Black society in the way it is in white society. And separate from that, eating disorders don't have to be connected to body image at all. But that sort of disinterest in thinness is so rare in representations of eating disorders that I wanted so much more from it. Too, it's not as though every person in eating disorder treatment is running around hiding food and secretly exercising (...not that secrecy of exercise matters in this case, given that Kinsley is given free rein to do whatever she wants...) and trying to avoid getting better. But guys. If it were as easy as 'here's a suggested meal plan that we don't require you to follow', Kinsley would not need to be in a treatment centre.
Also, any therapist who hits on his client while she's actively in therapy—even if he then has her switch over to another therapist—should be fired, so I really couldn't get behind the romance.
I just can't take the treatment programme seriously, though. Kinsley goes there because bulimia has taken over her life to the extent that she's barely eating solid food and she's gone from a straight-A student to failing her last semester of college. But...there's pretty much zero oversight at this programme. No accountability. Kinsley is given a suggested meal plan, but she's allowed to eat—or not eat—whatever she wants; bathrooms are unsupervised and snacks are freely/constantly available, which sounds like a terrible combination for recovering bulimics; she's also encouraged to exercise (not a bad idea long term, of course, but usually discouraged in early recovery, especially when one needs to gain weight to be healthy), seemingly without limits—at times she's working out twice a day (124).
Despite this—and the fact that Kinsley hasn't eaten entire food groups in months, or kept more than the smallest amount of food down in about as long—she almost immediately begins to make balanced food choices. She doesn't purge or even really consider purging for more than...half a second? By day three she's eating a reasonable meal (including things that could be called 'fear foods' for her) without really thinking about it. She's also thrilled to see her weight increase throughout.
Now...Kinsley's lack of focus on thinness could actually be interesting—not all eating disorders entail bad body image, and Kinsley is Black and Indian, which could be interesting, because thinness isn't always emphasised in Black society in the way it is in white society. And separate from that, eating disorders don't have to be connected to body image at all. But that sort of disinterest in thinness is so rare in representations of eating disorders that I wanted so much more from it. Too, it's not as though every person in eating disorder treatment is running around hiding food and secretly exercising (...not that secrecy of exercise matters in this case, given that Kinsley is given free rein to do whatever she wants...) and trying to avoid getting better. But guys. If it were as easy as 'here's a suggested meal plan that we don't require you to follow', Kinsley would not need to be in a treatment centre.
Also, any therapist who hits on his client while she's actively in therapy—even if he then has her switch over to another therapist—should be fired, so I really couldn't get behind the romance.
April 26, 2018
4/26/18 Updated Review to include Audiobook
Having experienced this sensational story all over again as it was brought to life by narrator Rachel Jacobs was AH-MAZING. The emotional roller coaster that is Kinsley's disorder and recovery hit me just that much harder hearing, feeling, and seeing it through Rachel Jacobs' eyes. Jacobs nailed it. All that raw emotion was palpable. It left me a bit shaken afterwards. Well Done!!!
4/2016
Wow. Alicia Michaels takes a taboo topic like bulimia and pulls it front and center. The MC, Kinsley had it all, but things quickly spiraled out of control after her cheer coach suggested she drop a few pounds. Getting dumped by her longtime boyfriend only caused things to spin further out of Kinsley’s grasp. Then, her grades followed. Before she knew it everything was beyond her control. Now in a last effort to get herself healthy and back on track Kinsley is entering Willow Creek.
Alicia Michaels peels back the layers of what it is like to battle bulimia and OCD. The reader sees and experiences it all; therapy, meds, family, all of it. I could certainly put myself in Kinsley’s shoes. Like her, I have always strived for perfection so I can see how easy it was for her to spiral downhill.
I love that the author is shedding light on this topic and donating proceeds to this cause. I hope this story gives courage to anyone suffering from an eating disorder to seek the help they need. Kinsley’s story shows us that through perseverance, the support of family & friends, and love you can conquer anything.
Having experienced this sensational story all over again as it was brought to life by narrator Rachel Jacobs was AH-MAZING. The emotional roller coaster that is Kinsley's disorder and recovery hit me just that much harder hearing, feeling, and seeing it through Rachel Jacobs' eyes. Jacobs nailed it. All that raw emotion was palpable. It left me a bit shaken afterwards. Well Done!!!
4/2016
Wow. Alicia Michaels takes a taboo topic like bulimia and pulls it front and center. The MC, Kinsley had it all, but things quickly spiraled out of control after her cheer coach suggested she drop a few pounds. Getting dumped by her longtime boyfriend only caused things to spin further out of Kinsley’s grasp. Then, her grades followed. Before she knew it everything was beyond her control. Now in a last effort to get herself healthy and back on track Kinsley is entering Willow Creek.
Alicia Michaels peels back the layers of what it is like to battle bulimia and OCD. The reader sees and experiences it all; therapy, meds, family, all of it. I could certainly put myself in Kinsley’s shoes. Like her, I have always strived for perfection so I can see how easy it was for her to spiral downhill.
I love that the author is shedding light on this topic and donating proceeds to this cause. I hope this story gives courage to anyone suffering from an eating disorder to seek the help they need. Kinsley’s story shows us that through perseverance, the support of family & friends, and love you can conquer anything.
March 2, 2019
Audible review title: A challenging subject matter done well!
★¸¸.•*¨*•★Minor spoilers alert★•*¨*•.¸¸★
My tags for this novel are…
Informative / Realistic / Ethnically diverse characters / HEA
Unabridged Audiobook Info
Format read: Audiobook via Audible’s Romance Package
Narrated by: Rachel Jacobs
Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
Release Date: 03-27-18
Publisher: Marion Press
Writing style: Kinsley’s POV only
Cover design gush: I love it! It’s modestly sexy, and my favorite one in the Sharing Spaces series of standalone novels.
Ratings
Overall ★★★☆☆
Performances ★★★☆☆ Rachel Jacobs returned to complete this last and final novel in the series. She was good with giving the characters vocal personality and keeping me tuned in to a plot that dealt with very serious themes.
Story ★★★☆☆
Technically, I went into this third novel about Kinsley blind. I didn’t read the synopsis before diving in. But I knew from her changing behavior in Chloe’s novel
that something serious was going on with Kinsley. I felt sorry for her, her parents and her friends who weren’t sure how to help her initially. New friend characters in treatment with her were introduced, and I liked how we got a follow up on how they were doing post-treatment as well.
Kudos to the author for tackling this storyline that I wouldn’t have normally picked to read.
If you read the synopsis and aren’t scared off by a more seriously themed new adult college experience, then definitely give this novel a read.
★¸¸.•*¨*•★Minor spoilers alert★•*¨*•.¸¸★
My tags for this novel are…
Informative / Realistic / Ethnically diverse characters / HEA
Unabridged Audiobook Info
Format read: Audiobook via Audible’s Romance Package
Narrated by: Rachel Jacobs
Length: 8 hrs and 6 mins
Release Date: 03-27-18
Publisher: Marion Press
Writing style: Kinsley’s POV only
Cover design gush: I love it! It’s modestly sexy, and my favorite one in the Sharing Spaces series of standalone novels.
Ratings
Overall ★★★☆☆
Performances ★★★☆☆ Rachel Jacobs returned to complete this last and final novel in the series. She was good with giving the characters vocal personality and keeping me tuned in to a plot that dealt with very serious themes.
Story ★★★☆☆
Technically, I went into this third novel about Kinsley blind. I didn’t read the synopsis before diving in. But I knew from her changing behavior in Chloe’s novel
that something serious was going on with Kinsley. I felt sorry for her, her parents and her friends who weren’t sure how to help her initially. New friend characters in treatment with her were introduced, and I liked how we got a follow up on how they were doing post-treatment as well.Kudos to the author for tackling this storyline that I wouldn’t have normally picked to read.
If you read the synopsis and aren’t scared off by a more seriously themed new adult college experience, then definitely give this novel a read.
January 27, 2018
I liked that there was so many POC characters and it was centred mostly about falling in love with yourself, rather than with another person. However, this book really disappointed me.
First of all, Kinsley’s recovery seemed rushed and unrealistic. For example, she was able to eat an entire meal by Day 2 or 3, and along with that she had no relapses. The author sort of wrote her to be this girl who had a serious bulimia and OCD problem, but showed how she recovered flawlessly. It made the character hard to believe and unrelatable. She had the urges, but somehow powered through them within the first 48 hours that she was there. It sort of threw me off.
Secondly, The relationship between Kinsley and Royce seemed forced. There wasn’t really any chemistry between them. I would’ve loved to see more between them.
This book had such incredible potential and was a serious topic that could’ve been addressed so wonderfully, but the author kind of breezed through it. However, I’m so glad, from the very beginning, the author + the character addressed how eating disorders are represented as a ‘white-girl problem’. I loved that the protagonist (including royce) were POC’s!!
First of all, Kinsley’s recovery seemed rushed and unrealistic. For example, she was able to eat an entire meal by Day 2 or 3, and along with that she had no relapses. The author sort of wrote her to be this girl who had a serious bulimia and OCD problem, but showed how she recovered flawlessly. It made the character hard to believe and unrelatable. She had the urges, but somehow powered through them within the first 48 hours that she was there. It sort of threw me off.
Secondly, The relationship between Kinsley and Royce seemed forced. There wasn’t really any chemistry between them. I would’ve loved to see more between them.
This book had such incredible potential and was a serious topic that could’ve been addressed so wonderfully, but the author kind of breezed through it. However, I’m so glad, from the very beginning, the author + the character addressed how eating disorders are represented as a ‘white-girl problem’. I loved that the protagonist (including royce) were POC’s!!
May 4, 2018
I had requested and received audiobook version of this book for free from the author, in exchange for an unbiased review.
My rating of this book doesn't reflect on the quality of the book or the story within. I gave it two stars because this book just wasn't for me. It dealt with a serious topic and had well-written characters and yet, I wasn't able to relate to them since I myself haven't seen the problem in my environment or personally know anyone that's going through it. I didn't quite get engaged with the story and wasn't getting anything out of it. It wasn't entertaining (and I don't think it was meant to be anyway) to me and it didn't make me think deeply about the issue either.
But that doesn't mean that book is poor. If you want to listen to the story of a someone struggling through this disorder and their path to recovery, do give this a try.
My rating of this book doesn't reflect on the quality of the book or the story within. I gave it two stars because this book just wasn't for me. It dealt with a serious topic and had well-written characters and yet, I wasn't able to relate to them since I myself haven't seen the problem in my environment or personally know anyone that's going through it. I didn't quite get engaged with the story and wasn't getting anything out of it. It wasn't entertaining (and I don't think it was meant to be anyway) to me and it didn't make me think deeply about the issue either.
But that doesn't mean that book is poor. If you want to listen to the story of a someone struggling through this disorder and their path to recovery, do give this a try.
November 27, 2017
such a good book. I relates to it a ton because I have suffered eating disorders and it was such a good read.
April 19, 2016
I must say, this book threw me for a loop. I didn't know what to expect when I first started reading, but quickly became immersed in Kinsley's story. This book touches on a very delicate subject that most people don't think about, much less talk about: Eating Disorders.
Thin delves into the life of Kinsley, a college student who suffers from Bulimia, and it walks you through her process of rehabilitation and her struggles with this disease. It is a heart twisting book, and you will be pulled into Kinsley's life. I must say I wanted to just reach into the plot, and do my best to help her, I felt that much a part of the book.
I can honestly say this book hit me hard. Although I don't pretend to know what someone with Bulimia or any other disorder dealing with the need to be thing goes through, I do know what another character in the book goes through. He is on the opposite end, and his disorder is overeating.
I learned a lot from this book, and feel that some of what occurred in Kinsley's rehab can actually be beneficial me and to others.
This book is well worth the read. You definitely won't be disappointed
Thin delves into the life of Kinsley, a college student who suffers from Bulimia, and it walks you through her process of rehabilitation and her struggles with this disease. It is a heart twisting book, and you will be pulled into Kinsley's life. I must say I wanted to just reach into the plot, and do my best to help her, I felt that much a part of the book.
I can honestly say this book hit me hard. Although I don't pretend to know what someone with Bulimia or any other disorder dealing with the need to be thing goes through, I do know what another character in the book goes through. He is on the opposite end, and his disorder is overeating.
I learned a lot from this book, and feel that some of what occurred in Kinsley's rehab can actually be beneficial me and to others.
This book is well worth the read. You definitely won't be disappointed
April 10, 2020
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REVIEW COMING SOON!
REVIEW COMING SOON!
April 21, 2016
If you like the two first books, you will enjoy reading Thin too.
November 11, 2016
Awesome book could relate with the eating disorder the main character goes through. I love this series my favorite so far
April 28, 2017
Loved the book, but it always bothers me when the cover does not match the characters in book, in this case, not even the same race. Don't get it. You have this image in your head, then look at the cover, is this the same book????
September 13, 2018
Loved it!
I love this book so much. I related so well to this. I have body images too. I'm seriously overweight and yet I've never been diagnosed with an eating disorder. This book really hit home and gave me all the feels.
I love this book so much. I related so well to this. I have body images too. I'm seriously overweight and yet I've never been diagnosed with an eating disorder. This book really hit home and gave me all the feels.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews