Curvy Girls Can't Date Surfers

The Curvy Girls Club #11

by Kelsie Stelting

When my dog runs away on the beach and into the arms of a handsome surfer, I think I’m in luck. Until I realize said surfer is actually a crusty, rude, player who acts like he owns the ocean.

I want to forget the encounter ever happened and focus on helping care for my dad, who suffered a brain injury while in the military. But I’m out of luck. Jerk supreme, aka Diego, goes to my new school. And since we’re in the same classes, I’ll be seeing a lot of his stupid white teeth and mischievous eyes while I do my best to finish my senior year and get started on my career.

Getting paired with him for a class project was just the icing on the cake. But the more time I spend with him, the more I realize first impressions aren’t always true. I’m falling for him, but I need to stay away.

Military brats know everything is temporary.

I’ll only break his heart.


***

A Note from the Author *

Hi there,

I have a HUGE, crazy goal of hitting the NYT Bestsellers List with this book, because I want to see fat representation on one of the biggest bestsellers lists in existence. I'm hoping you will help me.

All you have to do is preorder a copy of this book for less than a dollar and tell your friends about the Curvy Girl Club.

I promise, an amazing story is coming, and you will love every single page.

Lots of love,
Kelsie Stelting

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Enemies To Lovers, Plus Size, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2023

About the author

Kelsie Stelting is a body positive romance author who writes love stories with strong characters, deep feelings, and happy endings.

She currently lives in Colorado. You can often find her writing, spending time with family, and soaking up too much sun wherever she can find it.

Visit www.kelsiestelting.com to get a free story and sign up for her readers' group!

Reviews

[Kelsie Stelting]

RELEASE DAY!!
I love this story so much, and I hope you do too. You can get your copy at all the major book retailers.

From my heart to yours,
Kelsie



********************************************************************************
Just a little teaser from Diego's POV ;-)

Everything around us slowed, blurred, disappeared except for her.

There was no more waiting, no more holding back when it came to April Adams. I couldn’t, even if I wanted to.

Preorder: Curvy Girls Can't Date Surfers

[Kimmylongtime · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a breath of fresh air to read. This was my first book by the author ✍🏽 .I will not lie that an Instagram AD brought me here. This was such an adorable book that had real life themes. I appreciate that the MC was a curvy girl and she also had real life family issues. It is always a joy to see representation in books especially about young adults. The characters really developed here and the love ❤️ for family was always front and center. What a book 📖???!!

Happy reading everyone 😍🥰!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsie knocked it outta the park again. I love that she writes about real life issues and doesn't make every character perfect. Being a teenager is rough and being a teenager that is not only plus size but has a lot going on at home is even harder. But in her writing Kelsie shows that no matter what everyone deserves love and friendship!

[Bookscoffeeandchaos | Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorably sweet, heart-melting, tear-jerking, enemies-to-lovers YA romance with a profoundly deep overarching themes of mental health awareness and healing. April has been through the ringer dealing with tragic circumstances of her father’s accident and the trauma that ensues. I love that this story highlights the importance of trauma responses and healthy coping strategies. If you’re looking for a sweet romance with enough depth to dive in head first, this one’s for you!

[Kayleigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was influenced to read this by a quote from the book, and I feel that line was better without context honestly. I really wanted to like this book because I'm a sucker for romance. I love Love. But this book felt so two dimensional to me. The characters were mostly underdeveloped and the romance felt both rushed and dragged out.

It was mostly fluff EXCEPT the redeeming part of this book was the side plot of the FMC's dad dealing with a TBI from the military and PTSD. this part of the storyline honestly kept me engaged because it was tough to read and the author handled it well.

Other than that, it wasn't my cup of tea. I wish there had been more substance overall. There was a few plot errors too, and mistranslations (if a character is going to speak another language please have someone verify it's written correctly).

I didn't hate this book, it was decent. There's just too many cons for me to rate it higher.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

MY LORD AND SAVIOUR KELSIE STRIKES AGAIN

FIVE FAT, CURVY-LICIOUS STARS (none of which can date surfers, quarterbacks, princes, etc)

When i saw this pop up on my kindle i IMMEDIATELY abandoned my plans to continue Mittelalterliche Geschichte für Anfänger (i’m going thru it at uni, don’t worry bout it) and started reading this bad boy. Cut to a couple minutes later, and i was at 60%? And it was 4am? Kelsie…i slept through my Mittelalterliche Geschichte seminar because of you…. and if you refer to the first sentence in this paragraph, you’ll know how badly i needed to be there :( But, you guys, it was worth it. I may fail this Klausur, but i can say with absolute certainty that…

….CURVY GIRLS *CAN* DATE SURFERS!!

And not only can they date surfers, they can have ptsd and complex familial relationships and difficulty maintaining ANY relationships, platonic or otherwise!

Yeah…April was going through it…

Chins up, queen!

GIIRRRLLL i swear to high heavens that Kelsie can read my mind. Evidence? None, but i want it to be true. All the points i personally felt most let-down by in the last book were strong here. April was so sweet to Diego, Diego had needs of his own, and the pinniiinnngggg 🥹🥹. But my favorite aspect was the dads TBI—how that deeply affected every part of April’s life, and how the well-intentioned efforts to care of him and her mom began affecting her life for the worse.

Oof, used a couple of big words there. Need to tone that shit down fast, i’m not trying to be Chai 2.0

As a writer: Well done, Kelsie
As a reader: Well done, Kelsie
As a fatty: Hamburger mmmyeah

As an editor: What on earth was that one section where the POVs kept changing? Kelsie, you tyna mess with me? Me in particular? Well, joke’s on you, cause…i cried :( Comfuses :(

Kelsie my Lord and Saviour, keep up the curvylicious work. Now that I know what you’re capable of, i better see some delicious pining and character growth.

In case you read my reviews, K-dog, here are some books i would die to get my grubby little hands on:

Curvy Girls Can’t Date Cheerleaders
Curvy Girls Can’t Date (Academic) Rivals
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Cousins (Yee-haw edition)
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Actors (playing love-interests, anyone?)
Curvy Girls Can’t Fake-Date
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Fat Boys
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Conspiracy Theorists
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Exes (Throwing in some 2nd chance romance for Janer)
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Poets (This would be insufferable, but “i have written you down, you will live forever”, anybody?)
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Gamers (This one is personal. Don’t ask)

And, if you ever venture into the nonfiction market: Curvy Girls Can’t Write Novels

All of these ideas are banger, and i know this because Rub and I penned a 20k Curvy Girls Can’t Date Cheerleaders novella, and it was better than any Jane Austen material. I hope to see one of these on my shelf one day.

Take these delicious ideas free of charge Kelsie, what’s mine is yours. (We are very generous in the Kult of Kelsie.) In the meantime i will continue my missionary work of making all my friends read the CurvyVerse

Peace and love, but not among cousins. XOXO

[Mimia The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read.
I went into it expecting to find a romance and some important topics discussed on the side (which is what Kelsie Stelting is doing in this series, in my opinion). Well, there was romance but I think the important issues - trauma and PTSD, and how to live with them without being ruled by them, how healing is difficult but happens, etc. - took the stage, and that was for the better.

At its heart, this was a love story but, not focusing just on romantic love, it brought to also the center love in friendships and familial love and it made a very good story.

I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Holly Dimitrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author's books and this series.
They are always easy and fun reads.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one out of the series, I'd say!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRUHHHHHH IM SOBBING

[Jan Raspen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. I just don't know what to say about this mess of a book. On one hand, I am thrilled that there are romance books where curvy girls can see themselves in high school relationships. On the other hand, we deserve better! The whole thing just felt off. The instant attraction on Diego's behalf was inexplicable. The trauma that April and her family was living with was A. LOT. These two high school seniors get together yet I did not feel one spark, one moment of realness.
AND--if you listen to this book, the female narrator just cannot be real. Her voice sounds absolutely AI-generated to me. I looked her up, and she's apparently a real person... or is she?? She reads with no inflection or feeling at all, and I know that kept bringing me out of the story. (I did love Diego's voice, though.)

[Christina Rod · Rating 3 out of 5]

April and Diego’s story was cute. I liked the premise but, unfortunately, the characters just didn't hold my attention. April annoyed me quite a bit and I couldn't ever connect with her. On the other hand Diego was adorable but very bland. I enjoy the Curvy Girls club, but this one just didn't do it for me. I'm rating it a three star because the subject of TBI and PTSD was great and the secondary characters intriguing.

[Neha Bhakta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 11 to The Curvy Girls Club Series, did not disappoint.

This book is Diego and April's story. We met Diego when he was on tour with his sister and a rockstar.

Diego is in his senior year of high school and like most kids his age he's still wondering what he wants to do for the rest of his life. While he's still figuring that out, he's enjoying what he's always enjoyed doing, surfing. When one afternoon, he almost has an accident with a runaway rouge dog.
Assuming that the female running after the dog was it's owner, Diego gives her a stern talking to, while secretly admiring the female and then goes about his day.

April just recently moved to Emerson, as a self-conscious teenager, she was asked to walk the unruly dog of her elderly neighbor. When said unruly dog torpedo's its way into the hottest surfer April has come across. Her single glance of attraction, changes quickly when said hot surfer scolds her for not controlling her animal. Needless to say, April thought that good looks doesn't always add up to a good natured person.

As she starts her days at a new school, her interactions with Diego continue to not go well. While Diego is finding it hard not to notice April every time she's around him or near him. As they both try to figure out what they want to do after high school, they end up in the same CPA class together. As they spend time together, they come to learn more about one another and start dating.

I absolutely loved they way Diego was into April. Growing up as a heavy set girl myself, I wished these books had come out at the time I was in high school. I think it would have made my high experience a bit better.

Overall the storyline was relatable on a soul deepening level. I found myself understanding April on several of her insecurities. She was honest with herself most of the time, when she thought about Diego. The responsibility she felt her family, was another thing I admired about her. The fact that she always thought of her family, even when she should have been enjoying her time, was another thing I related to her with.
Diego was sweet, he constantly understood where April was coming from, he never held anything against her. He was consistantly understanding. I loved the fact that both April and Diego were family oriented. Growing up, I sometimes read books that didn't aline with my value system, and it would constantly have me questioning my upbringing.

As I read the books in this series, it brought back quite a few memories of my high school career. I found myself relating to the characters and coming to understand certain people in my life at the time. Why they acted the way that did and why some people were different towards me. I loved the fact that this series was so nostalgic for me.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yet again another 2 star rating for me. I skipped a ton of these books because every book is basically the same thing on a wash, rinse & repeat cycle. However, some of the reviews stated this book was deeper emotionally due to some personal issues one of the character has in their family.

So to cut to the chase, there was more angst but that "angst" from the family issue, kind of unnecessarily tore up the relationship aspect and for no good reason imo. Also based on my experiences, all of these books have ZERO sizzle. I mean the main characters never leave first base and that is not only boring as hell, it is unrealistic in this day and age for older teens to not even fool around. There is a lot of cheek stroking, dry kissing, hand holding, hand clasping, blushing, etc. and for me, if this author is supposedly about fat girl body positivity, it should include breast sucking, ass squeezing, hickies, grinding, grabbing and stroking laying on each other to cuddle (most of which I know) can be done over the clothes and are in the wheelhouse of older teens. By not showcasing large girls and fat girls getting that level of love, sensuality and sexy, just hollows out these stories which while cute, start, continue and end being just that... Cute and nothing more. So I started by reading the one about dating a quarterback and was 1 and done but my friend who suggested the series told me to "stick with them". I then read the one about dating a billionaire and skipped so much of it, I wanted to just be done. After this one, my third, I am tapping out. Yes they are cute, but there is too much self flagellation, self doubt and the MFCs seem to hang around others who are in the dumps too. Also how about a lovely slender girl who loves and saves a fat boy?

We have to question what we are trying to communicate with an endless series that does not evolve and granted it is a YA series but an evolution to something more is possible and quite promising but not so promising to the author obviously.

[Rubi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diego was PERFECTION!

Okay, I am SO glad Ms. Stelting didn't ruin Diego's character for me just for the sake of story conflict haha
I was worried there for a sec when he got off on the wrong foot with April, but it was one time incident. He was actually super sweet and tried to help her out a lot after. Diego was literally perfect therefore....
It broke my heart with how cold April was to him after "the incident". I got her reserves before that, she wasn't sure about Diego. But after he opened up to her and telling her how seriously he took dating,what she did to him was awful! She was a b*tch to her only girl friend too for NO reason.
I get when people are scared to form attachments. I've been that way my whole life but I don't hurt others to make myself feel more secure. That's a crappy thing to do.
So it annoyed me that the two people who had done literally NOTHING but be supportive and accepting of her had to go out of their way to apologize and beg HER for her to let them back into their lives smh
So yeah....that part of the book was a bummer, but still gave this 4 stars for Diego! Boy deserves 10 stars 😂😍
He was a no nonsense guy but still had that carefree and goofy personality I loved from the Curvy Girls can't date Rock Stars book hehe

[Lindsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

April and Diego are both seniors in high school who are struggling with what to do after graduation.
April unfortunately doesn’t think that far into the future because she always planned to stay close to her parents. Aprils dad suffered a severe brain injury so his moods can change in an instant.
We read about Diego in Des’s book so we know how great of a brother he is but that he also loves surfing. He’s a family guy who helps when he can but he doesn’t know what to do after high school. Now it’s love at first sight with April so he wants to be their for her as well. April is struggling with developing feelings for Diego but thinking she’s not good enough for him and that she’s a military brat so they never stick around long.
I’ve never been in her position but I still felt for her. She had a lot to deal with at an early age and didn’t want to hurt Diego in the process. I loved that she was able to find friends and people that supported her.
This story of course made me laugh, cry, and feel for the characters as Kelsies stories usually do!

[Wanda Siesicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

April Adams is the new girl in Emerson Academy. Growing up a military brat, they never stayed in one place too long before her Dad is transfered. Her Dad got serious brain injuries when an IUD went off. They moved to this town so her Dad can be enrolled in a program for brain injury survivors.
She meets Diego on the beach while walking her neighbors dog. For herself, she thinks Diego is a rude, egotistical surfer dude. For Diego, he thought she was beautiful and he wants to know more about her. Then they find out that they are in a few classes together and this time it's April who is rude.

This is a heartwarming story about brain injury survivors, as well as a sweet romance. I recommend Kelsie's books as they don't contain any foul language or sexual scenes. The worst that your going to read about is M/F kissing.

I volunteered a honest review for a free copy of this book.

[Amber L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow what a storyline!!! When this book first started I figured I wouldn't cry but Diego had a curvy sister and he was popular. So I figured there won't be any miscommunications or the popular breakup or anything like that. I mean near the end of the every book something happens to make the girls see what was true. But with Diego I figured nothing would happen and they story would be beautiful thought-out the whole book. However I didn't see her family life be the problem. So that was a twisted for sure. PTSD is hard to deal with. Diego stay like he always was with April. He never wanted anything but to stay with her. April had to fine out what live was with other support then her family. I'm so glad I did read this series and glad to still hear characters name from the first original group.

[L. M. Ransom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don't think five stars is enough for this one. I have loved all of the Curvy Girl books I've read (and I admit to skipping from number five to this one), but wow. The author really stepped up her game here. Diego de Leon is probably the best book boyfriend I've ever read about, and let me tell you, that is some HIGH PRAISE, because I read a lot of YA romances, and there are a lot of book guys who are swoon-worthy.

This book tackles some hard stuff, but it's done with honesty and realism, and I love that even though there is the dreaded third act breakup (I hate them), it doesn't last long, and Sadie and Diego don't let April drag out the drama. The book has a really good ending, and the epilogue from Sadie's POV gives us a glimpse into her book, Curvy Girls Don't Date Point Guards, which I'm sure will be an awesome read, too.

[Kye · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Relatable and Adorable

It took me two days to read this and let me tell you -- it was so GOOD! It just makes me want to read more!

This book was incredibly relatable in so many ways. As a curvy girl and as a caregiver I understand the struggles April has. There were times where I'd reflect back on my own time through high school and remember just how hard it is to juggle being a kid, a student, and caring for a parent. It's really hard. And to see that put into words was a lot of emotion for me. But I felt seen for once. I felt related to. It was refreshing.

Please read this book. It's a feel good read. Something to just spark some joy. I know I'll be reading more of the curvy girl series.

[Destiny Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review:

This book for me felt a little flat.
It followed the story of Diego and April.

Diego is Des’s sister from the last book and he happens to fall in love with the new girl in town April.

For me this particular book just lacked plot, I wanted to know what Diego did with his surfing did the help and support work did he run his own buisness. What about April, did her dad get better, did she become a nurse. Were her and Diego happy together.

I still really enjoyed the characters in the book but there was still so much plot left unanswered and so much story missing in my opinion.

I gave this book a 2 star which was so disappointing considering the last book was one of my favourite books this year.

Give this a read and judge it yourself for me I wanted more from the story.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I finish reading a book from this series, I think this is amazing and there is no way she can top it. And every time Kelsie Stelting proves me wrong! This book has so much depth to it! You can tell the amount of research and time was put into creating the story. I always love the connections between the past books that remind me of how much has been included in making this series!

I felt even more connected to the character’s’ emotions and understanding how complicated life can be. Most importantly it reminds me to take the waves as they come, and live life in the moment! Can't wait to read the next one!

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this as I do of everything Kelsie writes. I just love how we got to see more of Diego and watch him fall in love right after his sister. Diego was there for April from the beginning even though she wanted to keep him away. I’m glad we got to look into her home life and see what happens there because that happens in real life. Living with a veteran that suffers from an injury and ptsd can be really challenging and it’s had to make a call like that did. I can find a little bit of me in all the curvy girls in the series and that is what I love most about these. I feel seen and heard. Can’t wait for the next book!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an early digital copy of this story, and I have never felt more lucky! I finished this story in less than 24 hours!! That should tell you something!
I have so many emotions over this story, from crying to laughing, I could not put it down. Kelsies attention to detail and making sure that when she is discussing any trauma, she does her research! I love it!

I also love how the ending always foreshadows the next story!! I can't wait to read the next installment! It took a long while to find another favorite author to add my list!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read a number of books in the series. Intended readers would be junior/high school age. However, I enjoy them as I love to see the curvy girls come out on top! The series initially starts with a group of curvy girls who come together. However, now the series tends to be one off girls. What I really enjoyed was that this was involving a military family dealing with PTSD. I enjoyed the book and fell in love with the main characters April and Diego. Kelsie does a great job with these stories. I will continue to read her stuff. Not just for young people, we can all learn!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Contains: kisses and a grief mention of underage drinking. I liked the first half of this book but then the MCs got together it what seemed like a light switch moment where they “hated” each other then they were together and things went downhill for me from there. I mean Des asks Diego about April and he can’t even come up with anything besides that she’s nice and he thinks she’s hot. That is a good indicator right there that they haven’t had any real conversations. I did think the TBI storyline was interesting though.

[Jacqueline Fromm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, and for an up-and-coming young adult story it was amazing the main character is a heavyset female, who catches the eye of like the All-American boy that everybody loves, but she doesn’t think she’s good enough and essentially the story is improving that she is good enough. It’s a very New Age kind of story where you see aspects of the real world on how bigger people are viewed and it was just refreshing to see an author take it and make it into an amazing plot and storyline.

[Sharon Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationship between April and Diego is interesting to watch grow. I love that he isn’t worried about what the social norms say he should do or who he should be with. My heart goes out to April and her mother with how her dad was effected by the army. I feel even worse for Diego when he helps protect April from her dad when he was angry at her and he breaks his arm giving up the rest of the football season. I love the ending to this but feel for everyone and I am glad they have each other. I would recommend it.

[Amy Reierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many life lessons.
It's one of my favorite things when it comes to reading Kelsie Stelting's books.
The best part is that by the time you realize all the learning and talking points you've gone over in the book you're so immersed in the pure heart she puts into every book you couldn't stop reading even if you tried.
I fell in love with Diego back in Des's story, he might seem like a carefree young man, but there is a wise old soul underneath that care free exterior.
April Adam's is a wounded animal who will stop at nothing to protect her family, but what she doesn't realize is she's hurting herself.
Lucky for these two lost young people there is Heidi. She is going to make sure these two don't miss out on each other.
I can't recommend this story enough, so many great things.
I have voluntarily left this review.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. Real stories about real problems. Themes- military kids, brain injuries,
starting your own business. Diego and April get off on the wrong foot but then Diego manages to show April he really is a nice guy. April has to learn to let people in and that she's not alone. People will understand her father's situation. Very moving story which will tug at your heart strings!