Miss Invisible

by Laura Jensen Walker

A feast of romance and laughter featuring a delightful and courageous heroine that you can relate to no matter what your size. Convinced that her larger size relegates her to wallflower status, Freddie Heinz hides behind the wedding cakes she creates as a professional baker. But life is about to change for Miss Invisible. First of all, Freddie's found a new friend who encourages her to come out of her shell. Then Hal, the cute veternarian, starts showing interest in the woman behind the delightful cakes. And when Freddie decides to break every rule in the "big girl's" book and find out who she really is, life gets even more exciting--and hilarious. Cinderella, look out! Miss Invisible is becoming the belle of the ball--and having a ball in the process. Because when you finally find God's call for your life, any size is the right size--and love can see what the rest of the world passes by.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Chick Lit, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Inspirational

308 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2007

About the author

Award-winning author Laura Jensen Walker has written several books, including the Lefty nominated historical fiction, DEATH OF A FLYING NIGHTINGALE. Dubbed "riveting and affecting" by NYT bestselling author Susan Elia MacNeal, this book spotlights a group of real-life overlooked women heroes--the Flying Nightingales--from WWII. An Air Force veteran formerly stationed in the UK, Laura had the great honor of interviewing the last living Flying Nightingale, before she passed.

Bibliophile Laura fell in love with mysteries after reading Trixie Belden in the fourth grade, Her cozy mystery debut, MURDER MOST SWEET (2020) was nominated for an Agatha Award, and her next cozy, THE ALPHABET SLEUTHS, releases in Feb. 2026. Publishers Weekly says about the book: "Walker's feisty, funny, and fully realized seniors easily sit beside the casts of THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB and THE MARLOW MURDER CLUB in the coy pantheon. Readers will be charmed."

THE POSTMISTRESS OF PUDDLINGTON, Laura's second historical novel, features women on the home front in WWII England and releases in August 2026. She is currently at work on a women's fiction novel (aka book club fiction.)

Laura flew a typewriter across Europe in Uncle Sam's Air Force in her twenties, and lived in England for three years where she became a lifelong, tea-loving Anglophile. Shenow lives in Northern California with her Renaissance-man husband and their two rescue pups.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've noticed a trend. It's all over the place. Overweight people (especially women) want to be accepted and not discriminated against. So, instead of trying to advocate for a view that everyone is beautiful, no matter their size, shape, or looks, they are tearing down thin women. Trying to make it seem like thin women are gross, not "real" (real women have curves), are anorexic, etc.

You would think that in a Christian book there wouldn't be this kind of thing, but there was. I suppose that makes it realistic. The main character, after all, is very much like a large part of society. And there was a small (very small) part where she realized that she was doing the same thing to thin women that she felt others had been doing to her. But most of it was a mix of "poor me" and "I'm actually better because I'm overweight".

I was really bothered by this. There is room for all of us, and there is beauty in everyone. If women would stop trying to tear each other down, maybe we could get past these problems in society.

That being said, for some reason I was drawn into the story. I think maybe because so much of it focused on food (baking and catering), and I love to cook. So, good enough story, but quite shallow and not a whole lot there. Just about what you'd expect from a chick lit.

[Eileen Lennon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll say this: everything seemed to be spelled right.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

My goodness, this book is terrible. It's loaded with bad stereotypes, unreal plot devices and a ridiculous, impossible Cinderella-type ending. This book is an illustration of everything that's wrong with modern Christian fiction.

[Rhonda (IG: growing_faith.reads)]

This is a quick-moving, light/humorous story about a baker/chef learning to come out of her shell. Refreshing to read a book with an overweight, or should I say realistic, MFC. Story focuses on friendships and there’s lots of food stuff. It’s not spicy but there’s very little faith and what’s there is shallow.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a lot of this to be cliche and some of it to be down right offensive. It was written as if the reader lived under a rock for most of her life, but for some reason I enjoyed it anyway. I normally steer clear of "woman of faith" chick-lit, but I didn't realize that's what this was when I picked it up at the library. I went ahead and read it because I didn't have anything else to read. And I was surprised to like it as much as I did. Very predictable, but a sweet story nonetheless. It's a nice change to occassionally read a book where everyone happy at the end.

[Kari Mathias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very cute. Very predictable, but I think that's what we look for in chick-lit-- something sweet, short, and entirely expected. I loved the story, but even I (as a "big girl" myself) thought that Freddie could tone down the self-hatred just a LITTLE bit. I did understand her, though, and I thought it was refreshing that the book didn't end with her becoming tiny and model-perfect. She became empowered and comfortable in her own skin, instead. I think the novel has an important message wrapped in the sugary goodness that is girl fiction. I would read it again.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun chick lit book all about cakes, cooking and finding true beauty. I loved how this book seemed focused at first on how down she was on herself, and instead, even though her circumstances had not changed, she was more confident and comfortable with how she was.

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Walker. Loved this story about an overweight woman coming out of her shell.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel! It was sugary and pleasant. I liked the subject matter, and the characters were fun to get to know. I especially enjoyed it because of the baking and catering parts.

[Randi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beginning with a large woman with zero self-esteem, I found it to be quite a drag to read how much she hated her body and put so much into outward appearance. I kept reading, with the presumption that she would learn to put much more thought into her spiritual walk than what people thought about her body. I was sorely disappointed when, in the end, she “overcame” her issues by becoming MORE focused on herself and her outward appearance…

There were some good points in the story, like women can be “big boned” and not large solely due to eating dessert foods. And a minor lesson on getting to know a potential life partner before giving yourself entirely to them.

But the main emphasis I took away from this book was that you don’t have to “act” like a shy person because you are large, but can act like everyone else no matter what your size, which is true of a sorts I suppose…but I can say it left me feeling disappointed overall. I wouldn’t say that behaving as everyone else does would be considered a lesson well-learned, in a Christian sense.

[Christy Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This one wasn’t for me.
Having the main character point that someone is overweight and unhappy about it (without doing anything to change their life until they are basically forced into it) is not appealing. I’m on the heavier side and I don’t think I’ve ever met someone quite as insecure and self loathing - on either side of the thin/fat scale.
The pop culture references were too much(!) and day dreaming scenes only ok.
There were a few one liners that I actually enjoyed, and Deborah was the shining light for me.
The romance was all over the place. Lots of options, and some completely out of the blue… although I will say the end was good (minus the forced dramatic part that was an excuse to move the story forward).

[Julie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great case study of where we find our identity. It is a fun and easy read with a happy ending but it really makes one think about how we see ourselves. Even though the main character is struggling with a weight issue I think any women young or old can identify with her no matter what the issue is that makes us feel invisible. This book is not preachy but definitely written from a Christian world view so it points to our true identity being in Christ.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book to read whenever you are feeling down. It was funny and uplifting. Its a good book for any women . It hard being a big girl for Freddie who is working at a bakery for a boss everyone hates. She goes to church and joins the singles group and finds out the pastor is cute. How does a big girl get attention and find a man who will love her for her?

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this one. I started not liking it, then began to enjoy it, then thought everything wrapped up too quickly. I can’t quite put my finger on what, but a lot of it seemed to rub me the wrong way. Maybe I should give it 3 stars, but I’ll stick with 4.
If you liked this book, read Laura Jensen Walker’s Reconstructing Natalie. I enjoyed it much more.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great light read for anyone looking for a book with some humor, romance and uplifting body positive moments. Although, as a bigger girl myself, I tire of the self-loathing fat girl trope, the one really refreshing aspect of this book is the character, Deborah. Her insight into learning to love yourself unconditionally was terrific.

[melsa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kinda hated this book. I feel that it’s both offensive to overweight women and black people. The author’s portrayal of the black characters and their interactions with the other characters come off a little racist. The plot is also completely unrealistic, and the personalities of the characters are flat and one dimensional.

[Meggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A 180!

This was quite the read! The story was uplifting and had a slight religious zeal that I found surprisingly refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and will seek out more novels from this author.

[Del · Rating 1 out of 5]

After daring Chloe, I wanted to try this author out again. I loved Deborah but the main character just lacked something. And it was all too familiar with the princess syndrome and needing a savior, be it Hal or be it Deborah.

[♥Lynn ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one took me a while to finish. The self loathing attitude of the MC really made it hard in the beginning to want to keep reading. However it does get easier to read as the MC learns to love herself for who she is.

[Susan Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I picked this book to fill a reading prompt on body positivity for a reading challenge. It was very enjoyable with some great humor. Loved the message of being comfortable and loving your body just the way God made you.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, very enjoyable read about a big girl who had self esteem issues from years of her nasty father and stepmother putting her down for her weight. But new friends and a new attitude help this lonely, “invisible” girl stop leaning on the side lines and living a full and beautiful life!

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not good, I have had it on my shelf for years and moved it who knows how many times. I picked it up finally because this year I am on a mission to read the books I have on my shelves and clearly them away so I can get more. I am glad this one is heading to the library.

[Brttny · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book her

[Maryann DeSanctis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many stereotypes and trite plot resolutions to make this any better than 2 stars.

[Kelly Mcquiston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick light read but I wouldn't recommend it.

[Natalie Gayler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very pleasant surprise. Really wasn’t expecting much from the book but really enjoying this story. I’ll be looking for more books by this author as it left you feeling good.

[Tori Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute!

This was a good story! Very heartfelt & real. I loved how Freddie grew to love herself and become so much more then she ever could have dreamed!

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I love that this book is about big, curvy women and that it has African American characters. Highly recommend.

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this book 4 times and it gets better every time.

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this read overall....themes of accepting yourself while striving to improve too of course....gaining confidence etc. A pleasant read! Has a happily ever after so to speak :)