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Big Girl Pill
Maya Davis is done hiding. It’s left her empty and out of touch with her family. Now she’s a young woman on a mission: getting rid of residual feelings for her former best friend from college. Her plan is to put herself through a wringer by being in Nina’s upcoming wedding and burning away whatever emotions are left, so she can start anew. Her plan, however, has big holes, and everything she’s been feeling rushes through and leaves her thinking that this was a bad idea.
Nina Sterling is a work in progress, torn between being two very different things—the person others expect her to be and who she wants to become. For the past couple of years, it’s been easier to give in to her demanding, steamroller of a mother and her pleasant but controlling fiancé, but with Maya’s return for a lengthy stay in town, and encouragement from Nina’s hilarious cousin, seeds of rebellion are sown.
As Maya and Nina try to patch up the past and get closer, old sparks rekindle, and as they both grow into who they are meant to be, those sparks might just become a fire.
Audio: 8 hrs 51 min, unabridged
Nina Sterling is a work in progress, torn between being two very different things—the person others expect her to be and who she wants to become. For the past couple of years, it’s been easier to give in to her demanding, steamroller of a mother and her pleasant but controlling fiancé, but with Maya’s return for a lengthy stay in town, and encouragement from Nina’s hilarious cousin, seeds of rebellion are sown.
As Maya and Nina try to patch up the past and get closer, old sparks rekindle, and as they both grow into who they are meant to be, those sparks might just become a fire.
Audio: 8 hrs 51 min, unabridged
Audiobook
Published June 30, 2020
43 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
K.D. Williamson
10 books302 followersKD (aka Minerva/Rizzleslvr72) is a Southerner and a former nomad, taking up residence in the Mid-West, east coast, and New Orleans over the years. She is also a Hurricane Katrina survivor. Displaced to the mountains of North Carolina, she found her way back to New Orleans, where she lives with her partner of ten years and the strangest dogs and cats in existence.
KD enjoys all things geek, from video games to super heroes. She is a veteran in the mental health field working with children and their families for over ten years. She found that she had a talent for writing as a teenager, and through fits and starts, fostered it over the years.
KD enjoys all things geek, from video games to super heroes. She is a veteran in the mental health field working with children and their families for over ten years. She found that she had a talent for writing as a teenager, and through fits and starts, fostered it over the years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 3, 2019
This was another good read by Williamson. I’m a fan of hers, in fact I’ve rated all but one of her books at least 4 stars. And considering how picky I can be, it shows the high quality Williamson puts out book after book. This is her first book with Dirt Road Books and I think she makes the small but strong publisher now even stronger. This was a well written romance with a drop of family drama thrown in.
It’s hard enough being in love with your straight best friend, but it’s even harder to be a part of her wedding. Maya has had her heart broken into a million pieces by her best friend Nina. Their now strained relationship isn’t helping matters and all Maya can think to do it agree to be a bridesmaid to hopefully finally get over Nina. Is it possible to get over someone when the more time you spend with them the stronger the chemistry is?
I mentioned this was well written and it really was. The way Williamson writes is very comfortable for me. Her books are very readable and you get sucked into the storyline easily. I also liked that parts of this book felt realistic, while still being an obvious fictional romance. I do think the book was just a tiny bit long. I felt like 5% at the end could have been cut off. The ending just dragged a little for me, but in the grand scheme of things that complaint is pretty small and had no effect on my enjoyment.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the characters. It was a really good cast of characters. Characters you really like and characters that you want to hate. Everyone, including a pretty large cast of secondary characters, was all very well done. Everyone had a unique personality and no one felt two dimensional. Williamson took her time building all these characters and it showed.
Besides being about family’s who work and who don’t, this was about a romance. I enjoy a best friend to lovers romance and Williamson didn’t disappoint. I thought the chemistry was there and obvious and that the sex scenes were well done too. There is enough drama and some angst to keep the story moving but the angst never felt forced which I always appreciate. I think romance fans will be happy with this, I know I was.
It’s always been easy for me to recommend Williamson’s books and this one is no exception. If you are looking for a good romance with a splash of family drama, this book is for you.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
It’s hard enough being in love with your straight best friend, but it’s even harder to be a part of her wedding. Maya has had her heart broken into a million pieces by her best friend Nina. Their now strained relationship isn’t helping matters and all Maya can think to do it agree to be a bridesmaid to hopefully finally get over Nina. Is it possible to get over someone when the more time you spend with them the stronger the chemistry is?
I mentioned this was well written and it really was. The way Williamson writes is very comfortable for me. Her books are very readable and you get sucked into the storyline easily. I also liked that parts of this book felt realistic, while still being an obvious fictional romance. I do think the book was just a tiny bit long. I felt like 5% at the end could have been cut off. The ending just dragged a little for me, but in the grand scheme of things that complaint is pretty small and had no effect on my enjoyment.
One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was the characters. It was a really good cast of characters. Characters you really like and characters that you want to hate. Everyone, including a pretty large cast of secondary characters, was all very well done. Everyone had a unique personality and no one felt two dimensional. Williamson took her time building all these characters and it showed.
Besides being about family’s who work and who don’t, this was about a romance. I enjoy a best friend to lovers romance and Williamson didn’t disappoint. I thought the chemistry was there and obvious and that the sex scenes were well done too. There is enough drama and some angst to keep the story moving but the angst never felt forced which I always appreciate. I think romance fans will be happy with this, I know I was.
It’s always been easy for me to recommend Williamson’s books and this one is no exception. If you are looking for a good romance with a splash of family drama, this book is for you.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
November 28, 2019
4.5 *
Nina was Maya’s best friend, the most important person in her life – with her brothers –, until they slept together one drunken night in their last year of college. Nina, a supposedly straight girl, had complained about a bad experience with a woman (it’s college, right?) and Maya had offered to show her how it’s done. Maya had feelings for Nina, but never told her. Nina had feelings too but didn’t acknowledge them, not even to herself. What she felt that night terrified her to the point that she hurt Maya badly the next day. She immediately regretted it and tried hard for two years to maintain some sort of relationship between them. Maya went along, albeit reluctantly. Now, two years later, Nina is getting married to a man and Maya has agreed to be her bridesmaid, hoping it (i.e. the pain of it all) will help her to finally move on, while Nina is hoping to get her best friend back.
I’ve been struggling with this review for a couple of days and I think it’s because the things I loved about this story are mostly small, intangible things. I loved the characters, I loved Maya’s determination and sensitivity, I loved Nina’s journey to accept herself, I loved Rachel’s (Nina’s maid of honor and her loud and proud lesbian cousin) brashness, I loved everything about Maya’s brothers and the family dynamics, I loved Drew’s (Nina’s fiancé) confusion, I loved hating Nina’s horrifyingly shallow and bigoted mother and I loved that Nina’s first act of rebellion was choosing Rachel, her mother’s despised niece, and Maya, a black woman, both lesbians, as her bridesmaids. I also loved the interaction between Rachel and Nina, and between Rachel and Maya. The three of them together make the best scenes. Their lunch together when they first reunite is one of these, my heart was breaking for Maya and Nina, it was so awkward and sad.
The whole story is excellent and heartwarming. I also found myself smiling unexpectedly quite a few times, and it all felt very natural. I loved that the angst never felt forced, I loved the doubts and the will to trust, I loved the humour and witty dialogue even in dark and deep moments. And I think most of all, I loved loved loved Rachel, she’s someone you’d be lucky to have in your corner.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Nina was Maya’s best friend, the most important person in her life – with her brothers –, until they slept together one drunken night in their last year of college. Nina, a supposedly straight girl, had complained about a bad experience with a woman (it’s college, right?) and Maya had offered to show her how it’s done. Maya had feelings for Nina, but never told her. Nina had feelings too but didn’t acknowledge them, not even to herself. What she felt that night terrified her to the point that she hurt Maya badly the next day. She immediately regretted it and tried hard for two years to maintain some sort of relationship between them. Maya went along, albeit reluctantly. Now, two years later, Nina is getting married to a man and Maya has agreed to be her bridesmaid, hoping it (i.e. the pain of it all) will help her to finally move on, while Nina is hoping to get her best friend back.
I’ve been struggling with this review for a couple of days and I think it’s because the things I loved about this story are mostly small, intangible things. I loved the characters, I loved Maya’s determination and sensitivity, I loved Nina’s journey to accept herself, I loved Rachel’s (Nina’s maid of honor and her loud and proud lesbian cousin) brashness, I loved everything about Maya’s brothers and the family dynamics, I loved Drew’s (Nina’s fiancé) confusion, I loved hating Nina’s horrifyingly shallow and bigoted mother and I loved that Nina’s first act of rebellion was choosing Rachel, her mother’s despised niece, and Maya, a black woman, both lesbians, as her bridesmaids. I also loved the interaction between Rachel and Nina, and between Rachel and Maya. The three of them together make the best scenes. Their lunch together when they first reunite is one of these, my heart was breaking for Maya and Nina, it was so awkward and sad.
The whole story is excellent and heartwarming. I also found myself smiling unexpectedly quite a few times, and it all felt very natural. I loved that the angst never felt forced, I loved the doubts and the will to trust, I loved the humour and witty dialogue even in dark and deep moments. And I think most of all, I loved loved loved Rachel, she’s someone you’d be lucky to have in your corner.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 1, 2020
4.5 Stars for K.D. Williamson's Big Girl Pill
Another entertaining read by KD Williamson. This book felt lighter than her Cops and Docs series. In this book, Maya Davis has accepted her college bestie, Nina Stirling’s request to be be in her wedding. The problem – Maya has been in love with her straight friend since college. She has been avoiding Nina since graduation. Maya’s brother T. discusses the impossible situation with Maya “So, we’re clear. Your idea is to torture yourself with this wedding stuff to the point where you don’t feel for her anymore.” T huffed. “And then go back to being besties?” Maya felt it was the only way other than cutting Nina out of her life completely and she wasn’t prepared for that.
There is a great cast of characters in this book. Tops among them is Nina’s brash, says and does what she wants, lesbian cousin Rachel. I loved Maya’s brothers who had themselves had a story arc. Lowest is Nina’s bigoted, emotionally abusive mother. For a time, Nina and Rachel were close, but Nina’s mother forbade Nina from seeing her. In spite of her mother’s objections, Nina chooses Rachel as her maid of honor and Maya who is not only a lesbian but is a WOC to be her bridesmaid.
“Look at you, sounding all grown up. Did you take a big girl pill?” Rachel to Nina
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the story arcs of the MCs. Give it a try and you might too.
Another entertaining read by KD Williamson. This book felt lighter than her Cops and Docs series. In this book, Maya Davis has accepted her college bestie, Nina Stirling’s request to be be in her wedding. The problem – Maya has been in love with her straight friend since college. She has been avoiding Nina since graduation. Maya’s brother T. discusses the impossible situation with Maya “So, we’re clear. Your idea is to torture yourself with this wedding stuff to the point where you don’t feel for her anymore.” T huffed. “And then go back to being besties?” Maya felt it was the only way other than cutting Nina out of her life completely and she wasn’t prepared for that.
There is a great cast of characters in this book. Tops among them is Nina’s brash, says and does what she wants, lesbian cousin Rachel. I loved Maya’s brothers who had themselves had a story arc. Lowest is Nina’s bigoted, emotionally abusive mother. For a time, Nina and Rachel were close, but Nina’s mother forbade Nina from seeing her. In spite of her mother’s objections, Nina chooses Rachel as her maid of honor and Maya who is not only a lesbian but is a WOC to be her bridesmaid.
“Look at you, sounding all grown up. Did you take a big girl pill?” Rachel to Nina
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the story arcs of the MCs. Give it a try and you might too.
December 6, 2019
I am a big fan of K.D. Williamson. Most of her books have ended up in my favorites list, so I had high hopes that Big Girl Pill, her newest novel, would be as good as her former books. Thankfully, this book not only met all my expectations, it exceeded them.
Maya Davis and Nina Sterling were best friends in college, but for the last two years they have been estranged, all because of that one explosive night they shared. Now Maya is going to see if she can purge the attraction she still secretly carries for Nina by being a part of her wedding to a man Nina has been seeing since college. Nina feels torn; almost like there are two Ninas. One is the Nina that wants to please the people around her, especially her demanding and controlling mother and her fiancé Drew who is also controlling, though in a nicer, more polite way. The other Nina is the secret one that wants to be free to do what she wants. This is the Nina that invites her former best friend Maya to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. But when Maya and Nina meet, will the sparks rekindle the fire that broke their friendship two years ago?
Ms. Williamson outdid herself with the character development in this book. All of the characters, not just the two main characters felt very real. She also does a wonderful job allowing us to see the characters grow as the story unfolds. There is also a family element to the story. We actually get to see Maya’s family struggle to help each other and come together as a family should when they are needed. At the same time we see Nina’s family which is mostly dysfunctional, and how this can hurt those we are supposed to love. Most of all, this is a lovely romance with a good dose of angst running through the tale.
Ms. Williamson has penned an excellent story that is definitely going into my favorites list. If you enjoy a realistic romance with great characters and a beautiful story, get this book.
You can find this book at your local Amazon store.
I received an ARC from Dirt Road Books for an honest review.
Maya Davis and Nina Sterling were best friends in college, but for the last two years they have been estranged, all because of that one explosive night they shared. Now Maya is going to see if she can purge the attraction she still secretly carries for Nina by being a part of her wedding to a man Nina has been seeing since college. Nina feels torn; almost like there are two Ninas. One is the Nina that wants to please the people around her, especially her demanding and controlling mother and her fiancé Drew who is also controlling, though in a nicer, more polite way. The other Nina is the secret one that wants to be free to do what she wants. This is the Nina that invites her former best friend Maya to be a bridesmaid in her wedding. But when Maya and Nina meet, will the sparks rekindle the fire that broke their friendship two years ago?
Ms. Williamson outdid herself with the character development in this book. All of the characters, not just the two main characters felt very real. She also does a wonderful job allowing us to see the characters grow as the story unfolds. There is also a family element to the story. We actually get to see Maya’s family struggle to help each other and come together as a family should when they are needed. At the same time we see Nina’s family which is mostly dysfunctional, and how this can hurt those we are supposed to love. Most of all, this is a lovely romance with a good dose of angst running through the tale.
Ms. Williamson has penned an excellent story that is definitely going into my favorites list. If you enjoy a realistic romance with great characters and a beautiful story, get this book.
You can find this book at your local Amazon store.
I received an ARC from Dirt Road Books for an honest review.
February 2, 2020
“Look at you, sounding all grown up. Did you take a big girl pill?”
What's the best way to get over someone? Maya will tell you to become their bridesmaid which unless you are fictional, I don't think will work out magically in your favour. Maya and Nina were best friends that one drunken night slept together in college. Nina freaked out, said some stuff and they weren't friends anymore. Maya, years later accepts Nina's wedding invitation and becomes her bridesmaid because watching your soulmate get married is the logical thing to do when you are a masochist. Anyway the women spent time together and there are sparks, jealousies and confessions but thankfully no wedding.
This was an almost perfect friends to love. The angst and jealousy on both sides was MARVELOUS. Watching poor Nina trying to resist her attraction to Maya and knowing that she would fail miserably was quite entertaining. Rachel, the eccentric cousin was my favourite part, other then romance of course. She was so lively and hilarious.
What's the best way to get over someone? Maya will tell you to become their bridesmaid which unless you are fictional, I don't think will work out magically in your favour. Maya and Nina were best friends that one drunken night slept together in college. Nina freaked out, said some stuff and they weren't friends anymore. Maya, years later accepts Nina's wedding invitation and becomes her bridesmaid because watching your soulmate get married is the logical thing to do when you are a masochist. Anyway the women spent time together and there are sparks, jealousies and confessions but thankfully no wedding.
This was an almost perfect friends to love. The angst and jealousy on both sides was MARVELOUS. Watching poor Nina trying to resist her attraction to Maya and knowing that she would fail miserably was quite entertaining. Rachel, the eccentric cousin was my favourite part, other then romance of course. She was so lively and hilarious.
February 9, 2020
Maya is a corporate team building coordinator. She left home to avoid her best friend who she had feelings for. Nina is the best friend who has been trying to stay in touch with Maya because she doesn't want to lose her friendship. Nina's wedding brings Maya back as a bridesmaid, convinced that if watching the love of her life get married to man doesn't throw a cold bucket of water on her feelings, then nothing will.
First, I loved that this was a biracial romance. Maya is black and it was refreshing to have her family be the larger focus in this book. It feels like I read white femme romances ad nauseum.
This story did a really good job of building up to something. You know that Maya has feelings and you are desperate to find out what happened between her and Nina. Once you know, it is a mystery if Nina reciprocates those feelings deep down or not. Then there is just so much anticipation of if the two will come together at some point.
There were other things going on outside of the will they/won't they status of Maya and Nina. One of Maya's brothers is flailing a bit and needs a push in the right direction. her other brother is spending too much time working and not keeping things together at home.
Nina's mom was an outrageously nasty woman. It is hard for me to read characters that have zero redeeming qualities and never have a come to Jesus moment.
I liked Nina's cousin but was constantly struggling picturing her. Her personality felt more butchy than she was actually described. So it was throwing me off a little.
Overall, it was an entertaining second chance romance. Girl falls for her straight best friend. What is that saying? A noodle is straight until it gets wet? Seems fitting here.
I recommend this to those who like to read about pining for someone you can't have, team building, weddings, nasty mothers, boring fiances, weed vape pens, and kitchen intimacy.
First, I loved that this was a biracial romance. Maya is black and it was refreshing to have her family be the larger focus in this book. It feels like I read white femme romances ad nauseum.
This story did a really good job of building up to something. You know that Maya has feelings and you are desperate to find out what happened between her and Nina. Once you know, it is a mystery if Nina reciprocates those feelings deep down or not. Then there is just so much anticipation of if the two will come together at some point.
There were other things going on outside of the will they/won't they status of Maya and Nina. One of Maya's brothers is flailing a bit and needs a push in the right direction. her other brother is spending too much time working and not keeping things together at home.
Nina's mom was an outrageously nasty woman. It is hard for me to read characters that have zero redeeming qualities and never have a come to Jesus moment.
I liked Nina's cousin but was constantly struggling picturing her. Her personality felt more butchy than she was actually described. So it was throwing me off a little.
Overall, it was an entertaining second chance romance. Girl falls for her straight best friend. What is that saying? A noodle is straight until it gets wet? Seems fitting here.
I recommend this to those who like to read about pining for someone you can't have, team building, weddings, nasty mothers, boring fiances, weed vape pens, and kitchen intimacy.
December 27, 2019
Rachel will get her own book right? Right?
KD Williamson had already won me over with her Cops and Docs series and it looks like I will continue to fan girl over her writing.
The plot. If you read the blurb, you know this story had the potential to become a massive cliché where one character attends her (straight) love interest's wedding hoping to finally get over her. It happens so often in lesfic but Ms. Williamson resolved that part of the plot really well.
Communication. I can't tell you how happy it makes me when I read a book where the characters actually talk to each other instead of constantly trying to guess (wrong) what the other person is thinking. It's such a transparent plot device that only serves to prolong unnecessary and contrived angst. Even when Maya and Nina weren't on speaking terms, it never lasted long.
The main characters. Despite their obvious issues I really came to like them. Nina had a really well written story arc and I love the confident badass she became. Maya had moments when I really liked her but there were also moments when I wanted to smack her upside the head. Also, extra points for her being a WOC.
The supporting characters. These guys were my favorite. Ms. Williamson did such a good job with all of the secondary characters that every one of them felt vital to the plot. Even the characters that I hate were well written. Nina's controlling fiancé sounds like your average spineless slime bucket while her godawful mother is faker than Donald Trumps marriage vows.
So why no 5* rating? The story dragged a little here and there and I was expecting more chemistry between the MC's, not just towards the end. Still a very well written story that gets a 4* rating.
KD Williamson had already won me over with her Cops and Docs series and it looks like I will continue to fan girl over her writing.
The plot. If you read the blurb, you know this story had the potential to become a massive cliché where one character attends her (straight) love interest's wedding hoping to finally get over her. It happens so often in lesfic but Ms. Williamson resolved that part of the plot really well.
Communication. I can't tell you how happy it makes me when I read a book where the characters actually talk to each other instead of constantly trying to guess (wrong) what the other person is thinking. It's such a transparent plot device that only serves to prolong unnecessary and contrived angst. Even when Maya and Nina weren't on speaking terms, it never lasted long.
The main characters. Despite their obvious issues I really came to like them. Nina had a really well written story arc and I love the confident badass she became. Maya had moments when I really liked her but there were also moments when I wanted to smack her upside the head. Also, extra points for her being a WOC.
The supporting characters. These guys were my favorite. Ms. Williamson did such a good job with all of the secondary characters that every one of them felt vital to the plot. Even the characters that I hate were well written. Nina's controlling fiancé sounds like your average spineless slime bucket while her godawful mother is faker than Donald Trumps marriage vows.
So why no 5* rating? The story dragged a little here and there and I was expecting more chemistry between the MC's, not just towards the end. Still a very well written story that gets a 4* rating.
August 12, 2020
Review of ‘Big girl pill’ by KD Williamson, audiobook narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan
‘Big girl pill’ is so much more than a lesbian second chances romance or even a coming out story. It’s also a tale on how to overcome what people expect from yourself and fight for your own desires. The author does a great job to present family as both a facilitator or an inhibitor to one’s potential.
Maya Davis and Nina Sterling have a history. Since they had a one night stand in college, their friendship has been in shambles. Now that Nina is getting married, she asked Maya to be her bridesmaid. Maya, who still harbours feelings for Nina, decided to take a big girl pill and be part of the ceremony. Hopefully, that will help her overcome her unrequited love, won’t it?
This was a fantastic, humorous, and entertaining romance with an interesting exploration of family relationships. The romance had very good chemistry between the mains with a slowly but surely build-up of their bond. However, in my opinion, what really makes this book outstanding is the weaving of family relationships which fortunately takes a lot of space in the novel. The family aspects here are as important as the romance.
Another thing I loved about this book was the not-so-secondary characters, especially Maya’s brothers and Nina’s lesbian cousin Rachel. They are fleshed realistically as well as the interconnections among them. Each character has their unique and very distinct personality so much so that they seem to become alive through the pages. Among them, Rachel is hilarious and incredibly loyal. Apparently the author plans to write a sequel featuring this character. Rachel surely deserves it.
I’ve listened to the audiobook narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan who is new to lesfic but hopefully will narrate more queer books in the future. The author chose this narrator personally, which was a great decision. Her narrative tone is a perfect fit for this novel which has a balance of funny, romantic and emotional moments. Her choice of voices and accents are also spot on and brings the story to life.
Overall a very entertaining, humorous, and emotional audiobook. 5 stars.
Available with a Scribd subscription.
Duration: 8 hrs and 51 mins
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
‘Big girl pill’ is so much more than a lesbian second chances romance or even a coming out story. It’s also a tale on how to overcome what people expect from yourself and fight for your own desires. The author does a great job to present family as both a facilitator or an inhibitor to one’s potential.
Maya Davis and Nina Sterling have a history. Since they had a one night stand in college, their friendship has been in shambles. Now that Nina is getting married, she asked Maya to be her bridesmaid. Maya, who still harbours feelings for Nina, decided to take a big girl pill and be part of the ceremony. Hopefully, that will help her overcome her unrequited love, won’t it?
This was a fantastic, humorous, and entertaining romance with an interesting exploration of family relationships. The romance had very good chemistry between the mains with a slowly but surely build-up of their bond. However, in my opinion, what really makes this book outstanding is the weaving of family relationships which fortunately takes a lot of space in the novel. The family aspects here are as important as the romance.
Another thing I loved about this book was the not-so-secondary characters, especially Maya’s brothers and Nina’s lesbian cousin Rachel. They are fleshed realistically as well as the interconnections among them. Each character has their unique and very distinct personality so much so that they seem to become alive through the pages. Among them, Rachel is hilarious and incredibly loyal. Apparently the author plans to write a sequel featuring this character. Rachel surely deserves it.
I’ve listened to the audiobook narrated by Wesleigh Siobhan who is new to lesfic but hopefully will narrate more queer books in the future. The author chose this narrator personally, which was a great decision. Her narrative tone is a perfect fit for this novel which has a balance of funny, romantic and emotional moments. Her choice of voices and accents are also spot on and brings the story to life.
Overall a very entertaining, humorous, and emotional audiobook. 5 stars.
Available with a Scribd subscription.
Duration: 8 hrs and 51 mins
See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com
July 29, 2020
KD Williamson is known for writing some serious angst bombs, so I was a little surprised to see that Big Girl Pill doesn’t have much angst to it. There’s no doubt that Maya and Nina will end up together, even if we don’t know how it’ll happen, and there’s no breakup only to have them make up later. That said, there is a healthy dose of tension and conflict between Nina and Drew and her mother. That element keeps things interesting, and the pacing is so perfect that this was a hard book to put down.
Full review (TLR): https://www.thelesbianreview.com/big-...
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Full review (TLR): https://www.thelesbianreview.com/big-...
Full review (SBTB): https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
December 27, 2019
I liked this book very much. For once the cliché of falling for the straight best friend has a happy end, although a couple of years late. All's well that ends well.
November 20, 2019
Advanced review copy from publisher
This is one of the books that make you feel better. Make you believe in happy ending.
Maya’s heart was shattered before by….same person, the beautiful Nina.
I loved both characters and that they tried to give each other a chance. Maybe the reason for them to get together wasn’t the best, I mean who goes and participates in a wedding of the one you love, but hey sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
I found Nina’s cousin hilarious. That’s someone I wish to have as friend, that’s for sure.
The story develops well, keeps you interested and shows both main characters growing. I was glad Nina stood up to her controlling mother and decided to live her own life. Hi – Five for that move.
Wonderful story, wonderful family, wonderful interactions between all characters.
This is one of the books that make you feel better. Make you believe in happy ending.
Maya’s heart was shattered before by….same person, the beautiful Nina.
I loved both characters and that they tried to give each other a chance. Maybe the reason for them to get together wasn’t the best, I mean who goes and participates in a wedding of the one you love, but hey sometimes you have to do what you have to do.
I found Nina’s cousin hilarious. That’s someone I wish to have as friend, that’s for sure.
The story develops well, keeps you interested and shows both main characters growing. I was glad Nina stood up to her controlling mother and decided to live her own life. Hi – Five for that move.
Wonderful story, wonderful family, wonderful interactions between all characters.
December 27, 2019
After reading the very first chapter of Big Girl Pill, I knew K.D. Williamson had written a damn good book. Truth be told Williamson always gives you a fantastic story but this one pulled me in early and had me enthralled till the very last page. This is one of the best lesfic books of 2019. Such a fantastic read!
Maya Davis is headed back to her hometown for her best friend's wedding. She accepted the job as bridesmaid not because she is thrilled for her besties upcoming nuptials but to finish the job of ripping her heart out. She has been in love with the future bride for years. Seeing Nina get married has to finish the job and let her move one. she just has to get through the excruciating experience with as much strength and stoicism as possible.
Nina Sterling is getting married. She likes her future husband is a resound to the safe future he has planned for them. Nina's unhappy childhood has paved the way for this wedding. Her mother is mean and emotionally abusive. Her constant barrage of insults has left Nina a shell of a person. She looks back on her time in high school and college with fond memories because of the fun she had with Maya. She would do anything to suppress her feeling for her best friend and erase the memory of their drunken night in bed together.
The main characters in this book are masterfully written. The supporting cast adds so much depth to the story. K.D. Williamson just brought the heat when it comes to character development and dialogue. Outstanding! I could go on and on about how good this book is, but the main thing I can say...go read it. Your heart will be so happy you did!
Maya Davis is headed back to her hometown for her best friend's wedding. She accepted the job as bridesmaid not because she is thrilled for her besties upcoming nuptials but to finish the job of ripping her heart out. She has been in love with the future bride for years. Seeing Nina get married has to finish the job and let her move one. she just has to get through the excruciating experience with as much strength and stoicism as possible.
Nina Sterling is getting married. She likes her future husband is a resound to the safe future he has planned for them. Nina's unhappy childhood has paved the way for this wedding. Her mother is mean and emotionally abusive. Her constant barrage of insults has left Nina a shell of a person. She looks back on her time in high school and college with fond memories because of the fun she had with Maya. She would do anything to suppress her feeling for her best friend and erase the memory of their drunken night in bed together.
The main characters in this book are masterfully written. The supporting cast adds so much depth to the story. K.D. Williamson just brought the heat when it comes to character development and dialogue. Outstanding! I could go on and on about how good this book is, but the main thing I can say...go read it. Your heart will be so happy you did!
January 11, 2020
4 stars. I don’t exactly know why but the first quarter of the the book the story couldn’t engage me and dragged for me. After that it took off and mostly was very enjoyable and sometimes very funny. I liked both main characters Nina and Maya though I must confess that Nina got on my nerves a bit before she found her spine again and was able to stand up for herself. I really liked her cousin Rachel. She and Maya’s very supportive family were a nice background setting for the development of the reconnection between Maya and Nina.
December 19, 2019
I was so looking forward to this book. And perhaps that could be why I felt let down???. Don't get me wrong as it was pretty good and well worth the read but something?. Was it that sometimes I had a hard time figuring out who was talking and had to go back? There were a few other minor details that kindas bugged me but I don't wish to do spoilers so I will leave it as is. I would not hesitate to read more of the Authors work and look forward to more...High 3 but not at 4
November 14, 2019
This is a romance set in one of my favorite cities, Asheville NC. College friends Maya and Nina spent a drunk night together and went their separate ways after graduation. Nina's wedding brings them back together as Maya begrudgingly agrees to be a bridesmaid, even though she has secretly been harboring feelings for Nina for years. All the secondary characters are well-written, even the ones you love to hate. Asheville is well-known for its eclectic restaurants, and there are several of them featured here that you will want to visit. KD Williamson writes great dialogue, and this book is no exception. I don't want to give anything away, because if there's one thing you can be sure of, it's that KD doesn't believe in following standard tropes so you never exactly know what's around the corner. Big Girl Pill is a treat to be savored.
December 19, 2019
I had the ARC of this book but it was hard to read due to a ton of mistakes. Bless the superhero professional reviewers who can look over that stuff. I waited and bought another copy that thank goodness was worlds better. It was a highly enjoyable read! Funny, warm and touching. The MC's had good chemistry and I think Cousin Rachel needs her own book.
December 4, 2019
KD Williamson plus Dirt Road Books equals a fantastic friends-to-lovers romance that made my heart melt and it had me bursting into loud and spontaneous laughter while I was sneaking a read in a few public places. For me to say that I just loved Maya, Nina and Rachel would be an understatement because I fell hard for these three awesome women because they all embodied certain personality quirks that I adore.
I wanted to give Nina one of the biggest and mushiest hugs ever because she had a hard time with bursting out of the chains of doing what everyone expected her to do and not the things she really wanted for herself. Nina also had to come to terms with the love she has for Maya and what that means for her as well. I have another huge hug for Maya because she was struggling with the feelings she has for Nina and she was having a hell of a time trying to ignore it but the heart wants what it wants. I love Maya's brothers and the close-knit relationship they shared because Maya can always lean on them for support and advice and I felt really bad for Nina because she didn't have any kind of support or positive validation from her mother. Last but certainly not least, I believe Nina's cousin, Rachel, deserves the highest of fives because I love her loud and proud personality and I am beyond pleased that she was in Nina's corner and she was there to support her to follow her heart and not the opinions of others.
I don't think I need to say how much I adore this author's writing because I am always looking forward to any new story she releases and I hope to enjoy more characters like Maya, Nina and Rachel sometime soon!
I wanted to give Nina one of the biggest and mushiest hugs ever because she had a hard time with bursting out of the chains of doing what everyone expected her to do and not the things she really wanted for herself. Nina also had to come to terms with the love she has for Maya and what that means for her as well. I have another huge hug for Maya because she was struggling with the feelings she has for Nina and she was having a hell of a time trying to ignore it but the heart wants what it wants. I love Maya's brothers and the close-knit relationship they shared because Maya can always lean on them for support and advice and I felt really bad for Nina because she didn't have any kind of support or positive validation from her mother. Last but certainly not least, I believe Nina's cousin, Rachel, deserves the highest of fives because I love her loud and proud personality and I am beyond pleased that she was in Nina's corner and she was there to support her to follow her heart and not the opinions of others.
I don't think I need to say how much I adore this author's writing because I am always looking forward to any new story she releases and I hope to enjoy more characters like Maya, Nina and Rachel sometime soon!
December 4, 2019
Feelings… What’s a Woman to Do?
Maya fell in love with her straight best friend, Nina, in college. After a glorious night together Nina declares it a mistake and it is not spoken of again. Things are strained between the two and Nina can’t figure out why. Now, years later Maya agrees to be in Nina’s wedding, to the dullest, most dumbassy of respectable men, just to make things even worse! Her hope is to see the wedding will put her feelings to rest once and for all. Yeah…. Silly woman! Anyway, with help from Nina’s cousin, Rachel, Nina realizes where she went wrong and Nina and Maya try to fix their friendship. Only now Nina isn’t sure she wants to be the respectable woman her mother and fiancée seem to think she needs to be…
My heart bled for Maya!!! She was so hurt, crushed and lost… Nina irritated me at first but I know where she was coming from so I did feel for her as well. Eventually I grew to care about her. She’s miserable too and with her mother, it’s no surprise she is how she is. Rachel is a RIOT!!! She is loud, brassy, bold and so, so funny!!! She is so not afraid to say what’s on her mind no matter what or to whom. I ADORED her!!! This story is lovely. It’s full of angst, passion of all sorts, disappointment, joy, pain and happiness and lots of love. It was a great read, but I would think Ms Williamson is capable of nothing less!!
Maya fell in love with her straight best friend, Nina, in college. After a glorious night together Nina declares it a mistake and it is not spoken of again. Things are strained between the two and Nina can’t figure out why. Now, years later Maya agrees to be in Nina’s wedding, to the dullest, most dumbassy of respectable men, just to make things even worse! Her hope is to see the wedding will put her feelings to rest once and for all. Yeah…. Silly woman! Anyway, with help from Nina’s cousin, Rachel, Nina realizes where she went wrong and Nina and Maya try to fix their friendship. Only now Nina isn’t sure she wants to be the respectable woman her mother and fiancée seem to think she needs to be…
My heart bled for Maya!!! She was so hurt, crushed and lost… Nina irritated me at first but I know where she was coming from so I did feel for her as well. Eventually I grew to care about her. She’s miserable too and with her mother, it’s no surprise she is how she is. Rachel is a RIOT!!! She is loud, brassy, bold and so, so funny!!! She is so not afraid to say what’s on her mind no matter what or to whom. I ADORED her!!! This story is lovely. It’s full of angst, passion of all sorts, disappointment, joy, pain and happiness and lots of love. It was a great read, but I would think Ms Williamson is capable of nothing less!!
August 30, 2021
Friends wasn’t even the right word. She had no idea what they were now, but it was better than nothing. Maya wasn’t ready for them to be nothing.
3.5 stars. This was an enjoyable romance; not quite my favourite from this author, but a really fun read. It played a lot of the hits: friends to lovers, small town romance, second chance romance. Maya and Nina are best friends, but their relationship has been strained ever since their one night stand two years ago. Maya is back in town to participate in Nina's upcoming wedding and reconnect with her brothers, as well as wrestling with her feelings for Nina. Nina, meanwhile, has to deal with an overbearing mother and fiancé, and also the reality of what that night two years ago really meant to her. There are prickly feelings on both sides as they circle each other, and the romance moves fairly slow. I didn't feel the connection between them so much in the first half, but things started coming together more in the second half. There are a couple of really intense moments between them that I loved. All in all, though, the romance didn't move me overly?
This can definitely be classified as a romcom and family drama. Some of the quirky humour and hijinks worked for me; some of it didn't really land. I liked Maya's side-plot with her twin brother who's trying to find his niche (I like seeing stuff about the video game industry in books). Nina's plot with her mother was good but... heavy-handed? I don't want to say her mother's levels of bigotry and hatred were unrealistic, because there are definitely people like that in the world, but it was written about in a almost caricaturish way, which (for me, at least) can sometimes be worse than not addressing bigotry at all. Rachel was fun as a side character, but again, not all of the humour really worked for me.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Wesleigh Siobhan, and really loved it. One of my favourite things ever is discovering new narrators, and she's a keeper, for sure. I just really like her voice and the way she performs. This was a really good book, and the fact that I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted might just be down to my weird mood this past day. I'd still recommend it.
Content warnings: .
July 24, 2020
3.5 Stars - Audible version - Terrific Narrator
The book started very strong with interesting premise, great writing and wonderful narration. As the book moved along I found myself feeling kinda "meh" about it and wondering why. I think it is because our main love interests spend most of the book not sharing any scenes together. When they do get together they are within each others orbits for 10 mins before one or the other storms off. It was hard to get invested in their romance when they were hardly together. I totally get why Maya is pissed and avoiding Nina, but if they are not together enough for me to understand the initial attraction/friendship between them it makes it hard to care. By the 80% mark or so, they are together a lot more.
There is a LOT of descriptions of food and I want to visit EVERY restaurant the author talks about in the book.
The secondary characters are great and there is much personal growth happening for our MC's especially Nina. (proud of you girl!)
Bottom line: it was an ok story with an excellent narrator, a HEA and great restaurant recommendations :)
The book started very strong with interesting premise, great writing and wonderful narration. As the book moved along I found myself feeling kinda "meh" about it and wondering why. I think it is because our main love interests spend most of the book not sharing any scenes together. When they do get together they are within each others orbits for 10 mins before one or the other storms off. It was hard to get invested in their romance when they were hardly together. I totally get why Maya is pissed and avoiding Nina, but if they are not together enough for me to understand the initial attraction/friendship between them it makes it hard to care. By the 80% mark or so, they are together a lot more.
There is a LOT of descriptions of food and I want to visit EVERY restaurant the author talks about in the book.
The secondary characters are great and there is much personal growth happening for our MC's especially Nina. (proud of you girl!)
Bottom line: it was an ok story with an excellent narrator, a HEA and great restaurant recommendations :)
June 24, 2023
This book was surprisingly more entertaining than i expected. The characters were entertaining and complex enough to be enjoyable to learn about. The author’s magic was in turning the “lesbian falling for best friend” theme and making it a compelling story with matching absorbing backstories and beguiling supporting characters.
December 29, 2019
I don’t know. I didn’t love this one.
January 9, 2020
I’ve been waiting a long time for this book, so when I finally got my hands on it, I have to admit I dropped everything to read it. It did not disappoint in any way. The writing is tight, the plot flows at a nice steady pace, and the character development over the course of the book is awesome!!! Like really f*%king awesome. How these ladies grow together is probably my favourite part.
For full review click the link below:
https://lesreveur.com/2019/12/06/big-...
For full review click the link below:
https://lesreveur.com/2019/12/06/big-...
December 7, 2019
Another wonderful book by KD, I really enjoyed the angst and the developing relationship between the two main characters Maya and Nina. Falling for your straight best friend is nothing new in f/f fiction but the way this story is told seems unique and somewhat humorous. At times I was angry and at other times so happy I would swoon at the dialogue and antics of the characters. The supporting characters are all essential to the plot development and while some are likeable, others are downright nasty. Rachel is a hoot, while Nina’s mother is a right bitch. I was rooting for Maya and Nina to get their happy ever after but does past hurts ever heal and does homophobia ever disappear.
I was given an advanced reader copy by the publisher in exchange for a fair review but this is a book that I would gladly be paying for.
I was given an advanced reader copy by the publisher in exchange for a fair review but this is a book that I would gladly be paying for.
May 15, 2021
I don't really know how to review / sum this book up. Loved the concept, but KD's writing / logic lost me on occasions. Jumped to the end, then meandered back and forth, so look at other reviews!
November 24, 2019
A lot to love in Big Girl Pill (4.5 stars)
There's a lot to love in Big Girl Pill: great sibling dynamics between Maya and her brothers (both funny and believable); characters who are nuanced in their construction, development and conversations; imperfect people living imperfect lives the best way they know how; a story trajectory that never feels contrived or predictable; and an ending that fits the story, unfolds organically and doesn't feel inevitable in the lead up to it. I caught myself more than once reacting to characters' behaviors and dialogue with outward physical reaction and comments out loud, much like sports fans or moviegoers do when things don't go the way they want them to; somewhere in my reading, author KD Williamson reeled me in and got me invested in the storyline, several characters well-being and rooting for them to learn and grow in healthy ways. Secondary characters are as strongly written as the mains with cousin Rachel stealing scenes frequently with her sharp wit and no bs delivery of calling everything bluntly as she sees it. The plotlines feel very much like things that can and do happen in real life; it helps that the characters feel real and that there is a wonderful attitude in main character Maya especially who celebrates things deemed as imperfect by society's impossible standards (messed up makeup, rounded curvy bodies for example) as beautiful and acceptable.
There is some homophobic dialogue and attitudes that happens but it does get dealt with rather than going unanswered as is the case at times in real life. My only disappointment in the book is the lack of safe sex talk and practices between relevant characters; the author has proven in one of her previous books that such conversations and practices do not 'kill the mood' or detract from the heat, romance and intimacy of such scenes, and can actually greatly enhance intimate scenes with their inclusion. I half expected to see that trend continue here in this book.
This is terrific reading for its humor and warmth, unpredictability, deft handling of emotions and expert character development. I highly recommend Big Girl Pill and look forward to seeing what author KD Williamson has to say in future books and stories.
I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
There's a lot to love in Big Girl Pill: great sibling dynamics between Maya and her brothers (both funny and believable); characters who are nuanced in their construction, development and conversations; imperfect people living imperfect lives the best way they know how; a story trajectory that never feels contrived or predictable; and an ending that fits the story, unfolds organically and doesn't feel inevitable in the lead up to it. I caught myself more than once reacting to characters' behaviors and dialogue with outward physical reaction and comments out loud, much like sports fans or moviegoers do when things don't go the way they want them to; somewhere in my reading, author KD Williamson reeled me in and got me invested in the storyline, several characters well-being and rooting for them to learn and grow in healthy ways. Secondary characters are as strongly written as the mains with cousin Rachel stealing scenes frequently with her sharp wit and no bs delivery of calling everything bluntly as she sees it. The plotlines feel very much like things that can and do happen in real life; it helps that the characters feel real and that there is a wonderful attitude in main character Maya especially who celebrates things deemed as imperfect by society's impossible standards (messed up makeup, rounded curvy bodies for example) as beautiful and acceptable.
There is some homophobic dialogue and attitudes that happens but it does get dealt with rather than going unanswered as is the case at times in real life. My only disappointment in the book is the lack of safe sex talk and practices between relevant characters; the author has proven in one of her previous books that such conversations and practices do not 'kill the mood' or detract from the heat, romance and intimacy of such scenes, and can actually greatly enhance intimate scenes with their inclusion. I half expected to see that trend continue here in this book.
This is terrific reading for its humor and warmth, unpredictability, deft handling of emotions and expert character development. I highly recommend Big Girl Pill and look forward to seeing what author KD Williamson has to say in future books and stories.
I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed K.D Williamson story. Enjoyed all the characters, they are always relatable and gritty and can K.D write assholes, that mother what a piece of work. So happy Nina & Maya got their HEA. I’d love to read Rachel’s story too.
December 9, 2019
This was really entertaining, aside from the hurt Maya was having to endure, I found myself smiling at the situations and conversations both Maya and Nina found themselves in.
Rachel and T are good peeps and I’d totally have’em as my besties.
This was a lesbian cliche with an ending I loved.
Rachel and T are good peeps and I’d totally have’em as my besties.
This was a lesbian cliche with an ending I loved.
April 13, 2020
This book is about learning to stand up and assert yourself and your independence. I liked the way it pulled in both women's families and their family dynamics so not only were the main characters well written and flushed out but the secondary ones were also. It's a coming out story where one of the main characters decided she needed you stop denying herself to please others and became true to herself. There are also a couple of hot, explicit sex scenes. This is my first book by this author but I'll definitely look for more of her work.
December 21, 2019
I knew was going to love this book before I even swiped to the first page. Why? Because KD writes some great blogs and has a style that keeps me entertained and engaged. I cared about the characters and I laughed out loud more than once. The scenes when they got high brought me back to my college days and I could soooo relate. I was laughing my ass off. This was a nice romance and a fast read because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Definitely recommend this book.
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