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Main Character Energy
Poppy Banks would rather be writing mysteries than writing listicles for her dead-end job at Thought Buzz. But after a series of rejections, she’s ready to accept life on the sidelines as a plus-size woman. Her aunt Margot is the one person unwilling to give up on her niece’s dreams and tells her so at their secret yearly lunches.
But all of Poppy’s beliefs about herself are challenged when her beloved aunt dies and leaves her niece a grand surprise—a trip to her villa in the French Riviera. There, she learns her aunt intends to leave her stunning villa and secretive writer's residency to Poppy—if she can finish her novel in six months.
When the writing countdown begins, Poppy realizes she has more to confront than her writer’s block. Family drama, complicated romances and self-doubt all threaten to throw her off course. In this fun and heartwarming debut, Poppy must decide if she can live up to her aunt’s—and her own—desire to be the main character in her own life.
But all of Poppy’s beliefs about herself are challenged when her beloved aunt dies and leaves her niece a grand surprise—a trip to her villa in the French Riviera. There, she learns her aunt intends to leave her stunning villa and secretive writer's residency to Poppy—if she can finish her novel in six months.
When the writing countdown begins, Poppy realizes she has more to confront than her writer’s block. Family drama, complicated romances and self-doubt all threaten to throw her off course. In this fun and heartwarming debut, Poppy must decide if she can live up to her aunt’s—and her own—desire to be the main character in her own life.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2023
136 people are currently reading
9334 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 537 reviews
May 16, 2023
They tell you to write the book you always wanted to read and that’s exactly what I did here. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. ✨☀️🌴
December 3, 2023
I think this might go down as the worst book I read in 2023.
August 25, 2023
My god. I love this book. Tears and joy. Pain and happiness. Recognizing many parts in myself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s tough to read a book that has a lot of negative energy surrounding it. The main character has a poor relationship with her family, is frustrated with her writing progress, hates her job, and could use a change in her life.
After clandestine meetings with her aunt because of a family feud, this character has the chance to make a huge change in her life.
Beat down and continually feeling less than perfect with extremely low self-esteem, this is the chance she’s been waiting for. The author treats us to beautiful details of France, wonderful characters, and a delicious potential love interest.
There are many levels of soul searching that our main character goes through; some I identify with, some I empathize with. All I would embrace.
I love this book. The author pours herself into the character’s emotional journey and we suffer through some tears and joy. Pain and happiness. Recognizing many parts of myself too.
But not fond of the title. Main Character Energy tells nothing of what this book truly gives you. Passion, desire, and journey for acceptance, love, and an amazing journey to France that will inspire you too!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* https://amidlifewife.com/main-charact...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s tough to read a book that has a lot of negative energy surrounding it. The main character has a poor relationship with her family, is frustrated with her writing progress, hates her job, and could use a change in her life.
After clandestine meetings with her aunt because of a family feud, this character has the chance to make a huge change in her life.
Beat down and continually feeling less than perfect with extremely low self-esteem, this is the chance she’s been waiting for. The author treats us to beautiful details of France, wonderful characters, and a delicious potential love interest.
There are many levels of soul searching that our main character goes through; some I identify with, some I empathize with. All I would embrace.
I love this book. The author pours herself into the character’s emotional journey and we suffer through some tears and joy. Pain and happiness. Recognizing many parts of myself too.
But not fond of the title. Main Character Energy tells nothing of what this book truly gives you. Passion, desire, and journey for acceptance, love, and an amazing journey to France that will inspire you too!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* https://amidlifewife.com/main-charact...
September 22, 2023
I know this is an unpopular opinion, but the main character of this book was absolutely insufferable.
September 17, 2023
i feel bad rating this low because it’s so wholesome, but it’s also really not good. nothing about this book was believable, especially the insta-love and cheesy dialogue. also, the “plot twist” was ridiculously obvious
September 16, 2023
Reading this book is like a therapy session for learning to love and take chances on yourself. I didn’t like Poppy at the start and once I realized that was part of the experience it was really interesting to feel like I was observing Poppy’s evolution—in a beautiful setting with a sweet slow burn love story no less.
September 16, 2023
2.5 stars
Sadly, I didn’t end up loving this one!
Poppy is our main character - at 32 she has just given up on her life long dream of writing a book. It doesn’t help that her mother has always discouraged her from her goals, inisiting she should focus on losing weight, and finding a partner, instead, while secretly supporting her brother in his writing…who now has a six figure book deal, best selling books, and movies based off of them. Ouch.
However, she’s spent the past nine years meeting up once a year with her aunt, Margot, and keeping it a secret from her mother as they had a falling out years ago. She doesn’t learn much about her aunts life but she’s a kind and supportive presence, encouraging Poppy to keep following her dreams! Except that that starts to sting as the years pass, and she’s no closer to said dreams.
Margot suddenly passes away, and leaves behind a cryptic letter which basically tells Poppy to get her butt on a plane to the south of France - even beyond the grave, she’s trying to install that ‘main character energy’ confidence into her niece, whilst also finally revealing the secrets of her own existence.
Firstly - I did love the setting. It’s perfect escapism to the south of France, in a gorgeous villa, and we also get to explore the surrounding area a bit (and Paris!). The cast of characters we meet once we’re over there are great, fun, and diverse. The secrets Margot had been hiding are fascinating and fun to uncover (although the final one had me rolling my eyes a bit.)
My issue lies with Poppy. I understand her struggles, and her fears, but there are times where she was purposely messing around with other peoples livelihoods and futures, and she didn’t see beyond herself. She feels mildly guilty, but it still just loops back to herself. I think she treats her love interest appallingly, frankly. It made it hard to root for her, and I couldn’t have cared less about her as we reached the end of the book.
However, I think I’m in the minority here, and for most people this will be a fun, bookish, escape. I’m sad I didn’t personally love it more.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the early copy to review!
Sadly, I didn’t end up loving this one!
Poppy is our main character - at 32 she has just given up on her life long dream of writing a book. It doesn’t help that her mother has always discouraged her from her goals, inisiting she should focus on losing weight, and finding a partner, instead, while secretly supporting her brother in his writing…who now has a six figure book deal, best selling books, and movies based off of them. Ouch.
However, she’s spent the past nine years meeting up once a year with her aunt, Margot, and keeping it a secret from her mother as they had a falling out years ago. She doesn’t learn much about her aunts life but she’s a kind and supportive presence, encouraging Poppy to keep following her dreams! Except that that starts to sting as the years pass, and she’s no closer to said dreams.
Margot suddenly passes away, and leaves behind a cryptic letter which basically tells Poppy to get her butt on a plane to the south of France - even beyond the grave, she’s trying to install that ‘main character energy’ confidence into her niece, whilst also finally revealing the secrets of her own existence.
Firstly - I did love the setting. It’s perfect escapism to the south of France, in a gorgeous villa, and we also get to explore the surrounding area a bit (and Paris!). The cast of characters we meet once we’re over there are great, fun, and diverse. The secrets Margot had been hiding are fascinating and fun to uncover (although the final one had me rolling my eyes a bit.)
My issue lies with Poppy. I understand her struggles, and her fears, but there are times where she was purposely messing around with other peoples livelihoods and futures, and she didn’t see beyond herself. She feels mildly guilty, but it still just loops back to herself. I think she treats her love interest appallingly, frankly. It made it hard to root for her, and I couldn’t have cared less about her as we reached the end of the book.
However, I think I’m in the minority here, and for most people this will be a fun, bookish, escape. I’m sad I didn’t personally love it more.
Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the early copy to review!
August 30, 2023
3 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.
It’s a little challenging to get a clear viewpoint on how I feel about this read. I picked this up at a point in my life where I needed the messages in this. Poppy, the narrator of Main Character Energy, has spent many years in a cycle of self-despair thinking she isn’t as good as her siblings or friends at things she wants to succeed at, namely writing, because of various reasons, with the most pressing being how big she is as a person. During this book, many characters around her, especially her Aunt Margot, give her such sound advice to reach out for her dreams and to be more than her mother or herself made her believe that it’s a little too relatable. There are obvious lines in this book, such as “excuses are a great way to be on the sidelines of your own life,” that read like a self-help and life coach/motivational book. Funnily enough, the author has two self-help books published. And if this read was labelled as such, perhaps I would rate it higher, as for the first third of the read, I craved hearing these little inspirational quotes that I needed to inject into my own life, and my own “I can’t write anymore” dialogue.
However, Main Character Energy is not a self-help novel. It is a romance/women’s fiction read, and this is where I find my rating drop. Unfortunately, everything is just at a surface level. The characters are there to either give Poppy the pep talks she needs or propel her emotions/storyline along to the HEA. There is nothing substantial about them, and Poppy whips back and forth between ideas and quotable empowering lines just to become angsty again and need another pep talk. Further, any angst is handled poorly, especially with how long Poppy and her mother’s strained relationship has progressed. I found the resolution for this too idyllic. Of course, humans can learn to move on and forgive, but the lengths their broken connection had gone to were just wrapped up too neatly, as was almost all the angst in this book which felt too unrealistic.
The romance is let down by lacking any long-term development. There are a lot of moments where you think that Poppy and Oliver will progress from their crush or move forward, but instead, a time jump happens or a new “inspo quote” is inserted. I commend the author for trying to give a plus-size female character the power she deserves in front of another person romantically, but the reader is never gifted enough to believe in their connection and so the romance, for me, fell flat. This was quite a disappointment.
There are some compelling moments on topics the author has tried to infuse into this read, especially when the women on the writer’s retreat connect, but it feels placed in rather than developed naturally. Overall, this book lacked execution and made this more of a general fiction read with a heavy hand of “you can do it!!” self-help on almost every page. Main Character Energy is easy enough to digest, especially if you need some motivation for your own life. But if you’re coming in looking for well-developed characters, storyline, and romance, it’s a little off the mark there.
(A small annoyance that is directed at the publisher is that this was originally labelled as a graphic novel on NetGalley, and is actually a fiction read, and thus wasn’t what I signed up for. I would have loved to see more art like the gorgeous cover as I expected. This point is not aimed at the author but at marketing.)
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC copy. All thoughts are my own.
It’s a little challenging to get a clear viewpoint on how I feel about this read. I picked this up at a point in my life where I needed the messages in this. Poppy, the narrator of Main Character Energy, has spent many years in a cycle of self-despair thinking she isn’t as good as her siblings or friends at things she wants to succeed at, namely writing, because of various reasons, with the most pressing being how big she is as a person. During this book, many characters around her, especially her Aunt Margot, give her such sound advice to reach out for her dreams and to be more than her mother or herself made her believe that it’s a little too relatable. There are obvious lines in this book, such as “excuses are a great way to be on the sidelines of your own life,” that read like a self-help and life coach/motivational book. Funnily enough, the author has two self-help books published. And if this read was labelled as such, perhaps I would rate it higher, as for the first third of the read, I craved hearing these little inspirational quotes that I needed to inject into my own life, and my own “I can’t write anymore” dialogue.
However, Main Character Energy is not a self-help novel. It is a romance/women’s fiction read, and this is where I find my rating drop. Unfortunately, everything is just at a surface level. The characters are there to either give Poppy the pep talks she needs or propel her emotions/storyline along to the HEA. There is nothing substantial about them, and Poppy whips back and forth between ideas and quotable empowering lines just to become angsty again and need another pep talk. Further, any angst is handled poorly, especially with how long Poppy and her mother’s strained relationship has progressed. I found the resolution for this too idyllic. Of course, humans can learn to move on and forgive, but the lengths their broken connection had gone to were just wrapped up too neatly, as was almost all the angst in this book which felt too unrealistic.
The romance is let down by lacking any long-term development. There are a lot of moments where you think that Poppy and Oliver will progress from their crush or move forward, but instead, a time jump happens or a new “inspo quote” is inserted. I commend the author for trying to give a plus-size female character the power she deserves in front of another person romantically, but the reader is never gifted enough to believe in their connection and so the romance, for me, fell flat. This was quite a disappointment.
There are some compelling moments on topics the author has tried to infuse into this read, especially when the women on the writer’s retreat connect, but it feels placed in rather than developed naturally. Overall, this book lacked execution and made this more of a general fiction read with a heavy hand of “you can do it!!” self-help on almost every page. Main Character Energy is easy enough to digest, especially if you need some motivation for your own life. But if you’re coming in looking for well-developed characters, storyline, and romance, it’s a little off the mark there.
(A small annoyance that is directed at the publisher is that this was originally labelled as a graphic novel on NetGalley, and is actually a fiction read, and thus wasn’t what I signed up for. I would have loved to see more art like the gorgeous cover as I expected. This point is not aimed at the author but at marketing.)
August 20, 2023
In Main Character Energy, Poppy has reached the end of her inspiration. She's been trying to make it as a writer for over a decade, but all she's managed to do is write clickbait articles as her day job and anxiously not-write at night. She's ready to give up her dreams of becoming a novelist. In addition to her persistent writers block, her older brother - the Golden Child of her family - is the newest publishing phenom, "reinvigorating" the romance genre. And then, her beloved aunt passes away and leaves her a posthumous treasure hunt (plane tickets to France, mysterious clues...) leading to an incredible inheritance: a villa on the French Riviera that houses a writer's residency. All she's got to do to inherit? She's got six months to finish a book of her own.
This was a fun book, but it was a "surface" fun for me. For example, why did Poppy's Aunt Margo wait until after her death to reveal the secret of the writer's residency? She knew that Poppy had been struggling to write her own book for years, but never mentioned a residency seemingly perfect for her? Or that Margot knew this suuuuuper hot guy who worked there and would also be perfect for Poppy? (This dude is a privileged 3rd country kid - dad is British, mom is French, they all immigrated to the US, and he grew up in the south of France from the age of 13.)
It should come as no surprise that when Poppy moves to an idyllic new country, she falls in love with the place AND the man, and her creativity is inspired anew. The writing is sharp, and besides some French flubs (which won't pose a problem to non-francophones) is a pleasure to read. If the "Eat, Pray, Love" / "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" sub-genre of women's fiction is one that you like, Main Character Energy hits all of the high points with some added commentary on fatphobia and women's solidarity.
On a personal note: I saved this to read while I was in the south of France, and that may have been a mistake. I know the locations mentioned in the book very well - I lived and worked in Nice for a year as a professional - and my experiences as an immigrant (as opposed to an expat) were very different from Poppy's. The book never describes her as interacting with a named French person except for Caroline, an employee of the residency. I get the appeal of a new place sparking new epiphanies - I really do! - but it feels like the residency uses the French setting as an exotic locale rather than a real place. (It doesn't help that the French words Poppy uses are sparse and sometimes incorrect - paperie? Bucherie?)
Admittedly this is something I am particularly sensitive to, as someone who went through the full immigration process of moving to France, but none of the logistics are discussed at all. Immigration? Language issues? Culture shock? No need to worry about that, Poppy's rich now. (To be fair, that's probably true, but it ignores the complex reality of the immigrant experience for most people.) While Poppy is certainly aware of her disadvantages (she is a fat women living in the country where "French Women Don't Get Fat" - and I don't discount that experience!), she never acknowledges her privilege. Again, these elements probably won't bother many readers; France, especially the Riviera, is enough of a fairyland that it works as a catalyst for change. That said, it was jarring enough for me that I wanted to mention it here.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
This was a fun book, but it was a "surface" fun for me. For example, why did Poppy's Aunt Margo wait until after her death to reveal the secret of the writer's residency? She knew that Poppy had been struggling to write her own book for years, but never mentioned a residency seemingly perfect for her? Or that Margot knew this suuuuuper hot guy who worked there and would also be perfect for Poppy? (This dude is a privileged 3rd country kid - dad is British, mom is French, they all immigrated to the US, and he grew up in the south of France from the age of 13.)
It should come as no surprise that when Poppy moves to an idyllic new country, she falls in love with the place AND the man, and her creativity is inspired anew. The writing is sharp, and besides some French flubs (which won't pose a problem to non-francophones) is a pleasure to read. If the "Eat, Pray, Love" / "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" sub-genre of women's fiction is one that you like, Main Character Energy hits all of the high points with some added commentary on fatphobia and women's solidarity.
On a personal note: I saved this to read while I was in the south of France, and that may have been a mistake. I know the locations mentioned in the book very well - I lived and worked in Nice for a year as a professional - and my experiences as an immigrant (as opposed to an expat) were very different from Poppy's. The book never describes her as interacting with a named French person except for Caroline, an employee of the residency. I get the appeal of a new place sparking new epiphanies - I really do! - but it feels like the residency uses the French setting as an exotic locale rather than a real place. (It doesn't help that the French words Poppy uses are sparse and sometimes incorrect - paperie? Bucherie?)
Admittedly this is something I am particularly sensitive to, as someone who went through the full immigration process of moving to France, but none of the logistics are discussed at all. Immigration? Language issues? Culture shock? No need to worry about that, Poppy's rich now. (To be fair, that's probably true, but it ignores the complex reality of the immigrant experience for most people.) While Poppy is certainly aware of her disadvantages (she is a fat women living in the country where "French Women Don't Get Fat" - and I don't discount that experience!), she never acknowledges her privilege. Again, these elements probably won't bother many readers; France, especially the Riviera, is enough of a fairyland that it works as a catalyst for change. That said, it was jarring enough for me that I wanted to mention it here.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
January 1, 2024
Where to even start??
What made this book a 2 🌟 for me? Poppy (our "FMC" who 100% lacked any main character energy). I found Poppy insufferable from almost the very beginning - she was just so utterly selfish and unable to take any ownership for all that she lacked in her life. It was always someone else's fault that she wasn't a "success" - her mom's fault for being judgmental, her brother's fault for being a successful author (and, also a white man, because, naturally, it's always the white man's fault 🙄), and it was also every thin person's fault because Poppy would have, of course, just had everything go swimmingly if she was only thin, being thin makes life SO much easier and so much more magical and perfect.
Almost every chapter in this book was focused around Poppy's hyper-fixation on her weight and how thin people just had it easier in life.
Poppy was the type of character who would put a price tag, initially, on her "relationships: - her aunt's love for her... worth about $700k. Oliver's love and respect... work about $1mil. This girl didn't deserve any of what she was handed- she didn't deserve her aunt's legacy or Oliver. She was entirely the type of character who expected life and all the good to be handed to her and if there was even a hint that she had to work for something and might not get what she wanted, she was ready to quit (and blame others). She was really like a spoiled, bratty child.
And, I loathed the fact that Oliver was the one who came back to her... after how she acted? That man should have made her grovel (would have done her character good). I honestly didn't see any character growth from Poppy.
My last two cents - I don't care for books/authors who seem to focus on "whiteness" in books. And, the travesty of "white males" 🙄. I feel like they are expected (woke) talking points and just ruin books. But, if you like all those woke talking points, you'll love this book.
The positive about this book? It was the OUABC NYE book box... given all the repetition with thinness and how that contributes to all that is great and good in life, I woke up on Jan 1 not wanting to be ANYTHING like Poppy. So, I did my exercise, meditation, and had a delicious and healthy breakfast and will do some healthy meal prep - have to stay healthy and thin so the world just hands me all I want on a silver platter. 😏
What made this book a 2 🌟 for me? Poppy (our "FMC" who 100% lacked any main character energy). I found Poppy insufferable from almost the very beginning - she was just so utterly selfish and unable to take any ownership for all that she lacked in her life. It was always someone else's fault that she wasn't a "success" - her mom's fault for being judgmental, her brother's fault for being a successful author (and, also a white man, because, naturally, it's always the white man's fault 🙄), and it was also every thin person's fault because Poppy would have, of course, just had everything go swimmingly if she was only thin, being thin makes life SO much easier and so much more magical and perfect.
Almost every chapter in this book was focused around Poppy's hyper-fixation on her weight and how thin people just had it easier in life.
Poppy was the type of character who would put a price tag, initially, on her "relationships: - her aunt's love for her... worth about $700k. Oliver's love and respect... work about $1mil. This girl didn't deserve any of what she was handed- she didn't deserve her aunt's legacy or Oliver. She was entirely the type of character who expected life and all the good to be handed to her and if there was even a hint that she had to work for something and might not get what she wanted, she was ready to quit (and blame others). She was really like a spoiled, bratty child.
And, I loathed the fact that Oliver was the one who came back to her... after how she acted? That man should have made her grovel (would have done her character good). I honestly didn't see any character growth from Poppy.
My last two cents - I don't care for books/authors who seem to focus on "whiteness" in books. And, the travesty of "white males" 🙄. I feel like they are expected (woke) talking points and just ruin books. But, if you like all those woke talking points, you'll love this book.
The positive about this book? It was the OUABC NYE book box... given all the repetition with thinness and how that contributes to all that is great and good in life, I woke up on Jan 1 not wanting to be ANYTHING like Poppy. So, I did my exercise, meditation, and had a delicious and healthy breakfast and will do some healthy meal prep - have to stay healthy and thin so the world just hands me all I want on a silver platter. 😏
February 22, 2025
Soms lees je een boek op precies het goede moment. Dat alles gewoon klopt en dat het bijna niet uitmaakt hoe de schrijfstijl is en of je wel of niet van de zinsopbouw houdt (o.i.d.) omdat het gewoon precies is wat je nu even moest lezen.
Dat had ik met het lezen van deze debuutroman van Jamie Varon, wiens nieuwsbrief “Plottwist” ik al een tijdje met liefde lees. Dit verhaal gaat over een aspirant schrijver, Poppy Banks, die aan alles twijfelt en vooral aan zichzelf. Ze wordt zowel letterlijk als figuurlijk uitgedaagd om het avontuur aan te gaan. Om dapper te zijn, om te durven.
Dat deze roman me zo zou raken verbaasde mezelf ook. Ik moest er zelfs echt even inkomen, voordat het me aan flarden scheurde, in de goede zin van het woord.
Misschien was het omdat ik zoveel herkende, er zoveel resoneerde door mij mijn eigen wandel. Misschien was het om de idyllische setting waarin dit verhaal zich afspeelt (Franse riviera), of misschien was het omdat ik nu eenmaal een sucker ben voor fijne romances.
Jamie Varon wist in dit verhaal mijn eigen gedachtes en gevoelens haarfijn uit te leggen. Daarnaast nam ze me mee in een lief en hoopvol verhaal, dat me geregeld aan het lachen maakte en waardoor ik zelfs af een toe een traantje wegpinkte.
Dat had ik met het lezen van deze debuutroman van Jamie Varon, wiens nieuwsbrief “Plottwist” ik al een tijdje met liefde lees. Dit verhaal gaat over een aspirant schrijver, Poppy Banks, die aan alles twijfelt en vooral aan zichzelf. Ze wordt zowel letterlijk als figuurlijk uitgedaagd om het avontuur aan te gaan. Om dapper te zijn, om te durven.
Dat deze roman me zo zou raken verbaasde mezelf ook. Ik moest er zelfs echt even inkomen, voordat het me aan flarden scheurde, in de goede zin van het woord.
Misschien was het omdat ik zoveel herkende, er zoveel resoneerde door mij mijn eigen wandel. Misschien was het om de idyllische setting waarin dit verhaal zich afspeelt (Franse riviera), of misschien was het omdat ik nu eenmaal een sucker ben voor fijne romances.
Jamie Varon wist in dit verhaal mijn eigen gedachtes en gevoelens haarfijn uit te leggen. Daarnaast nam ze me mee in een lief en hoopvol verhaal, dat me geregeld aan het lachen maakte en waardoor ik zelfs af een toe een traantje wegpinkte.
September 19, 2023
I had big hopes for this book. The positive is that it didn’t have an overused trope. The concerns… First, whiny women are a pet peeve for me. Second, the subject matter was not interesting enough for the length of the book. And third, the resolution of the problem was not realistic. The narraters performance was vexing too.
September 8, 2023
I was supposed to be starting something from my Spooky September TBR but due to the sunny weather decided to dive in this—and I’m glad I did as I really enjoyed it.
It follows Poppy Banks, who would rather be writing mysteries books than the tedious listicles at Thought Buzz. After the non-stop rejections, and her own mother’s disparaging remarks about her plus size physique, she's resigned herself to a life on the sidelines. But, all that self doubt is challenged when the one person unwilling to give up on Poppy's dreams (her aunt Margot) dies. And leaves her an unbelievable surprise—a trip to her villa on the French Riviera, which doubles as a secretive writer's residency, which she plans to leave Poppy—if she can finally finish her novel in six months. As the countdown begins, Poppy realises she soo much she has confront if she wants to get rid of her writer's block, and decide if she can live up to her aunt's dying wish… to be the main character in her own life.
Dealing with complicated family dynamics, self doubt and a deeply emotional journey to self-acceptance, this is a surprisingly heartwarming read. I liked that our protagonist, Poppy begins to explore a more confident side to herself and loved the deliciously slow burn romance with her certifiably swoon-worthy love interest.
As someone who is also plus sized, Poppy’s self doubt (and not feeling like she’s good enough) was something that really resonated for me. And her journey, though filled with pain and sadness at times, was also a fairly inspiring one.
I highly recommend checking this out if you love romances with a dash of self discovery or really enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love.
Also, a massive thank you to Felicia over at Headline Eternal for the finished copy.
It follows Poppy Banks, who would rather be writing mysteries books than the tedious listicles at Thought Buzz. After the non-stop rejections, and her own mother’s disparaging remarks about her plus size physique, she's resigned herself to a life on the sidelines. But, all that self doubt is challenged when the one person unwilling to give up on Poppy's dreams (her aunt Margot) dies. And leaves her an unbelievable surprise—a trip to her villa on the French Riviera, which doubles as a secretive writer's residency, which she plans to leave Poppy—if she can finally finish her novel in six months. As the countdown begins, Poppy realises she soo much she has confront if she wants to get rid of her writer's block, and decide if she can live up to her aunt's dying wish… to be the main character in her own life.
Dealing with complicated family dynamics, self doubt and a deeply emotional journey to self-acceptance, this is a surprisingly heartwarming read. I liked that our protagonist, Poppy begins to explore a more confident side to herself and loved the deliciously slow burn romance with her certifiably swoon-worthy love interest.
As someone who is also plus sized, Poppy’s self doubt (and not feeling like she’s good enough) was something that really resonated for me. And her journey, though filled with pain and sadness at times, was also a fairly inspiring one.
I highly recommend checking this out if you love romances with a dash of self discovery or really enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love.
Also, a massive thank you to Felicia over at Headline Eternal for the finished copy.
January 6, 2024
This is a dazzling, heart-warming, smartly crafted rom-com debut. The author, Poppy, is an aspiring novelist. When her beloved aunt dies, she leaves Poppy a trip to a stunning villa (and secretive writers’ residency) in the French Riviera and a challenge to finish her novel in six months. Of course, a charming and gorgeous man is there to make things interesting for Poppy. Poppy must confront her writer’s block, family drama, complicated romances, and self-doubt.
A main character who wants to be a novelist is so meta and one of my favorite tropes for a rom-com. I found myself flipping the pages of Main Character Energy but simultaneously wanted to savor every word. I fell in love with Poppy and the characters. In the book, Poppy struggles with her body image and a mom who has not supported her. Poppy’s challenge is whether she can learn to accept and love herself while also doing what she loves most in the world in this six-month timeframe she’s been given. The message is so great. The setting, the French Riviera, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world, was done so well. I felt like I’d been transported there every time I opened the book. Poppy is a charming and savvy heroine who radiates the main character's energy!
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
A main character who wants to be a novelist is so meta and one of my favorite tropes for a rom-com. I found myself flipping the pages of Main Character Energy but simultaneously wanted to savor every word. I fell in love with Poppy and the characters. In the book, Poppy struggles with her body image and a mom who has not supported her. Poppy’s challenge is whether she can learn to accept and love herself while also doing what she loves most in the world in this six-month timeframe she’s been given. The message is so great. The setting, the French Riviera, which is one of the most beautiful places in the world, was done so well. I felt like I’d been transported there every time I opened the book. Poppy is a charming and savvy heroine who radiates the main character's energy!
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at: https://www.momsdonthavetimetoreadboo...
September 9, 2023
I will read absolutely anything Jamie Varon writes. And it’s not hyperbole to say this is my perfect love story. For one, the love story is not the main plot device. For two, it takes place in a whimsical French villa. And for three, most importantly, the main character gets to fulfill my lifelong fantasy of fleeing the country when things get hard.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find my own Aunt Margot and manifest my own main character energy. 💃🏻
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find my own Aunt Margot and manifest my own main character energy. 💃🏻
September 25, 2023
Fade to black
Zero spice
Interesting plot, but extremely predictable
Romance was lacking. Literally couldn't even believe the connection. It wasn't there- the author wrote that it was, but it was not. There is more than the character saying they are attracted to them there more than one of them saying "I think I'm in love with you" (which doesn't add up when the last 10 pages she's been actively avoiding you bro)
Not a great book. Author has potential, but this one missed the mark
Zero spice
Interesting plot, but extremely predictable
Romance was lacking. Literally couldn't even believe the connection. It wasn't there- the author wrote that it was, but it was not. There is more than the character saying they are attracted to them there more than one of them saying "I think I'm in love with you" (which doesn't add up when the last 10 pages she's been actively avoiding you bro)
Not a great book. Author has potential, but this one missed the mark
November 28, 2023
I went to the library, browsed the books, and selected one I'd never heard of. For the first time in a long time, I went into a book without expectations.
The premise had me hooked: a plus-size lead living in France to write a novel. The execution, however, didn't leave me with the same excited feeling. First of all, if I was getting paid to live in France FOR FREE I wouldn't be complaining. Like what? Girl come on.
I found this book to be too heavy-handed and written to suit the central message. Not to say that the messages weren't good ones, but, at times, it felt like they were being shoved down my throat. The main character, Poppy, also deals with self-image issues and reflects on the experience of being fat in a thin world. However, we don't really see her grapple with those experiences; rather, we're told that she is treated unfairly. And honestly, the way she turned from unhappy to confident in a blink without any struggle was unsatisfactory and unrealistic. She was fat for the sake of being fat and fitting the themes of the book without any of the substance of actually being a fat person.
Also, the romance was so lackluster. I didn't see any chemistry between Poppy and Oliver, and it felt like their relationship only existed for the sake of the plot. Meet, pretend to hate each other, fall in love, third-act breakup, get back together, get married and have kids (in the epilogue). I hate the formula of the romance breakup with a happy ending alluded to in the epilogue.
Basically, I loved the setting and the general vibe, but the execution was a flop for me.
The premise had me hooked: a plus-size lead living in France to write a novel. The execution, however, didn't leave me with the same excited feeling. First of all, if I was getting paid to live in France FOR FREE I wouldn't be complaining. Like what? Girl come on.
I found this book to be too heavy-handed and written to suit the central message. Not to say that the messages weren't good ones, but, at times, it felt like they were being shoved down my throat. The main character, Poppy, also deals with self-image issues and reflects on the experience of being fat in a thin world. However, we don't really see her grapple with those experiences; rather, we're told that she is treated unfairly. And honestly, the way she turned from unhappy to confident in a blink without any struggle was unsatisfactory and unrealistic. She was fat for the sake of being fat and fitting the themes of the book without any of the substance of actually being a fat person.
Also, the romance was so lackluster. I didn't see any chemistry between Poppy and Oliver, and it felt like their relationship only existed for the sake of the plot. Meet, pretend to hate each other, fall in love, third-act breakup, get back together, get married and have kids (in the epilogue). I hate the formula of the romance breakup with a happy ending alluded to in the epilogue.
Basically, I loved the setting and the general vibe, but the execution was a flop for me.
December 21, 2023
I…i just loved this book so much. 😭
Main Character Energy is a heart-warming novel that takes readers on a captivating journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The story begins with a plus-size woman, Poppy Banks, who dreams of becoming a mystery writer but has been rejected multiple times. With the support from her aunt Margot who is the only person who believed her, she realizes she has more to confront than her writer’s block.
The author truly captured my heart with her writing style and her plot. The way this book resonates with readers is so satisfying to me. Aside from the amazing plot, I love the French setting along with the portrayal of complex family dynamics, body images, self-doubts and complicated romances.
Poppy is so damn tough. She faces many challenges and it adds depth to her character. Varon's skillful storytelling and well-crafted narrative bring out the nuances of Poppy's personality, making her a captivating and authentic protagonist. I love love love this book so much and the exploration of the concept of ‘main character energy’ which is someone who finally puts themselves first and takes control of their narrative in a self-affirming way that prioritizes self-care. We all need our own version of ‘Aunt Margot’ and I hope everyone found that.
Overall, this book is a perfect rom-com getaway that I needed after dealing with so many things this month. This is the perfect way to end 2023 because it acts as a confidence booster for me. Definitely gonna read her other books next. Thank you @putrifariza and @times.reads for this amazing book in exchange for a review.
Main Character Energy is a heart-warming novel that takes readers on a captivating journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The story begins with a plus-size woman, Poppy Banks, who dreams of becoming a mystery writer but has been rejected multiple times. With the support from her aunt Margot who is the only person who believed her, she realizes she has more to confront than her writer’s block.
The author truly captured my heart with her writing style and her plot. The way this book resonates with readers is so satisfying to me. Aside from the amazing plot, I love the French setting along with the portrayal of complex family dynamics, body images, self-doubts and complicated romances.
Poppy is so damn tough. She faces many challenges and it adds depth to her character. Varon's skillful storytelling and well-crafted narrative bring out the nuances of Poppy's personality, making her a captivating and authentic protagonist. I love love love this book so much and the exploration of the concept of ‘main character energy’ which is someone who finally puts themselves first and takes control of their narrative in a self-affirming way that prioritizes self-care. We all need our own version of ‘Aunt Margot’ and I hope everyone found that.
Overall, this book is a perfect rom-com getaway that I needed after dealing with so many things this month. This is the perfect way to end 2023 because it acts as a confidence booster for me. Definitely gonna read her other books next. Thank you @putrifariza and @times.reads for this amazing book in exchange for a review.
Read
January 10, 2024DNFing at 60% & almost 2 months later. Poppy is annoying, Oliver is too self righteous, the narrator for the audiobook is not vibing with me.
I love Jamie Varon’s writing online & wanted to love this because of that, but it just didn’t work for me and finishing books I don’t like is ❌ out ❌ for 2024.
TW: quick scene of borderline sexual assault
I love Jamie Varon’s writing online & wanted to love this because of that, but it just didn’t work for me and finishing books I don’t like is ❌ out ❌ for 2024.
TW: quick scene of borderline sexual assault
January 6, 2024
One of those books that I feel like I learn from. My favorite type of book! Ok, sure, it's a little easier to tackle our inner demons when we don't have to worry about shelter, food, or money, but I loved the setting and ease. I will buy any novel Jamie Veron writes!
March 29, 2024
[DNF @ 18%]
The premise of this book and representation of being in larger bodies held such promise, but I gave up when I guessed the glaringly obvious twist so early on. I found Poppy unlikeable (unhappy she hadn’t made it as a writer but had not even written anything?) and the side characters over the top stereotypical. Glad I didn’t push to the end as it sounds like I would also have been unhappy with the resolution of her family.
The premise of this book and representation of being in larger bodies held such promise, but I gave up when I guessed the glaringly obvious twist so early on. I found Poppy unlikeable (unhappy she hadn’t made it as a writer but had not even written anything?) and the side characters over the top stereotypical. Glad I didn’t push to the end as it sounds like I would also have been unhappy with the resolution of her family.
December 27, 2023
I’m so glad this books exist! As someone that has ways been too tall and not skinny but not really plus size, I have always struggled to feel comfortable in my own skin. I’m so glad that there will be more books like this for those that need to see someone like them on the cover and remind themselves they deserve their dreams. I read this in just under a day by the beach and was a fun read with a great message.
Spoilers:
This book was very predictable. I also had such frustration with the main character in the last half when it came to her confrontation with her mom and then her brother. Our main character is 32, and has dealt with Constant critiquing/ fat shaming from her mom. Yes, we learn why her mother is like this and I love that she is able to have that conversation with her mom, but you cannot tell me that they made up after ONE CONVERSATION. I’m sorry, I would be open to the idea of reviving a relationship but ONE CONVERSATION healed 30+ years of hurt and they’re skipping into the sunset. One conversation and she’s besties the sibling she’s fought for the spotlight her whole life. I’m sorry that’s very unbelievable in my opinion.
Now this is a fun little rom-com that serves the purpose of being an encouragement to its readers, a beach read if you will but I think this could have been more.
Again, had such a fun time and enjoyed a lot of the reflection and inner dialogue of Poppy but wished everything wasn’t wrapped up so nicely with a bow.
Spoilers:
This book was very predictable. I also had such frustration with the main character in the last half when it came to her confrontation with her mom and then her brother. Our main character is 32, and has dealt with Constant critiquing/ fat shaming from her mom. Yes, we learn why her mother is like this and I love that she is able to have that conversation with her mom, but you cannot tell me that they made up after ONE CONVERSATION. I’m sorry, I would be open to the idea of reviving a relationship but ONE CONVERSATION healed 30+ years of hurt and they’re skipping into the sunset. One conversation and she’s besties the sibling she’s fought for the spotlight her whole life. I’m sorry that’s very unbelievable in my opinion.
Now this is a fun little rom-com that serves the purpose of being an encouragement to its readers, a beach read if you will but I think this could have been more.
Again, had such a fun time and enjoyed a lot of the reflection and inner dialogue of Poppy but wished everything wasn’t wrapped up so nicely with a bow.
Read
December 11, 2025Poppy Banks is an early 30-something woman awash in self-doubt, working at a soul-sucking job, who has, after internalizing repeated personal and professional rejections, relegated herself to being a character on the periphery of her own life. When her beloved albeit mysterious aunt dies and leaves her a surprise inheritance, Poppy travels to the French Riviera to claim it, only to discover her aunt ran a highly-esteemed writers' retreat out of her beautiful villa. The villa will be left to Poppy *if* she finishes her novel in six months.
I couldn't put this book down! Main Character Energy is a compulsively readable book, equal parts fun romp across the South of France and comfort food for the soul. The wonderful setting allows readers to live (and travel) vicariously, and I loved the way themes of self-confidence, female friendship, complicated family dynamics, and body image are addressed. Refreshing and affirming read. Main Character Energy, indeed!
I couldn't put this book down! Main Character Energy is a compulsively readable book, equal parts fun romp across the South of France and comfort food for the soul. The wonderful setting allows readers to live (and travel) vicariously, and I loved the way themes of self-confidence, female friendship, complicated family dynamics, and body image are addressed. Refreshing and affirming read. Main Character Energy, indeed!
November 5, 2024
Thank you Park Row Books for the gifted copy.
NOT FOR ME.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This book felt like one really long complaint. And while it did get marginally better I just wasn’t enamored with much of anything at all.
And now that I’m sitting here to write it I’m realizing I don’t really want to. This one wasn’t for me and wouldn’t be a book I recommend. Moving on.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: fade to black
NOT FOR ME.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
This book felt like one really long complaint. And while it did get marginally better I just wasn’t enamored with much of anything at all.
And now that I’m sitting here to write it I’m realizing I don’t really want to. This one wasn’t for me and wouldn’t be a book I recommend. Moving on.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: some strong
- Romance: fade to black
May 29, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ I’m so sad. This book started out so strong. I didn’t expect to relate to the main character as much as I did. I really thought it was going to be a 5 star read for me. It just fell flat for me towards the middle and it started to become a bit repetitive. But I enjoyed reading it regardless!
September 25, 2023
I liked the protagonist and I found some of her problems relatable but I didn’t find the book as enjoyable as I had hoped. Also the romance relied on Insta love and I was not invested in Poppy and Oliver as a couple.
December 31, 2023
Sweet Lord, this was awful.
Yes, the two stars were a result of generosity and goodwill. Tis the season.
No one loves a story of protagonist becoming more proactive and positive over the course of a book than I do. Really.
But in the case of this protagonist, Poppy really only becomes more positive because she is given beaucoup advantages, all the while she thinks and behaves in petty, jealous, ungrateful, and negative ways. She's a frustrated writer about to give up her dreams (dreams she has done nothing to make come true for YEARS) when her Aunt Margot offers her a dream chateau in the South of France, a golden expanse of time and money to write, and, oh yeah, the ability to run a deluxe writer's program in said magnificent chateau.
And at the end of the book, she can't stop talking about her own bravery in accepting all these changes.
I mean.
Main Character Energy is marketed as a romance, but she is so undeserving of Oliver, the one-dimensional male protagonist. All of the characters seem one dimensional to me. The people who cause Poppy the most angst are so over the top as villains that they seem even less dimensional than Olly.
I actively disliked the character of Poppy, and I've read thousands of romances and never so loathed a protagonist, no matter how poorly drawn. And that dislike seeped into my feelings about the author, who I resented for putting me through this shallow book where the payoff and surprises were all well known long before the book ended. l will never read a book by this author again.
Some examples might be spoilers, but I wish to verify my criticisms:
On hearing her successful writer brother has another best-seller:
"I choked out a strangled congratulations, told him I had to go, and shook with sobs. It was an outsize reaction, but it felt like he’d stolen something from me." (petty/jealous/negative--and a little crazy. No one stole anything from her.)
When Poppy gets a rejection letter:
hoped the material would reflect his level of talent. Unfortunately, and I say this with regret and only respect, it’s not where I need it to be to consider you for representa—” I stop and fling my hand over my mouth, a sob bubbling up from (overreaction/editors are usually more positive, btw)
When two people offer her a million dollar pricetag for an inherited villa, she HATES them for being pushy. They're only still in touch because she's told them she will sell it to them. I mean, the disconnects are insane. Philistine capitalists are all over the place. You don't hate them and you don't entice them. You remove yourself from them with ethics and class.
One of the last sentences in the book: "Joan had no idea just how brave I could be. And neither did I. Until now."
JFC. A bloody profile in courage, that one.
It is not badly written, and the plot, while fantastical, exists, And there was no insta-sex, so extra points. This is the author's debut novel, having written non-fiction previously. But the characters were either stock or dreadful or paper dolls. I did not enjoy this book.
Yes, the two stars were a result of generosity and goodwill. Tis the season.
No one loves a story of protagonist becoming more proactive and positive over the course of a book than I do. Really.
But in the case of this protagonist, Poppy really only becomes more positive because she is given beaucoup advantages, all the while she thinks and behaves in petty, jealous, ungrateful, and negative ways. She's a frustrated writer about to give up her dreams (dreams she has done nothing to make come true for YEARS) when her Aunt Margot offers her a dream chateau in the South of France, a golden expanse of time and money to write, and, oh yeah, the ability to run a deluxe writer's program in said magnificent chateau.
And at the end of the book, she can't stop talking about her own bravery in accepting all these changes.
I mean.
Main Character Energy is marketed as a romance, but she is so undeserving of Oliver, the one-dimensional male protagonist. All of the characters seem one dimensional to me. The people who cause Poppy the most angst are so over the top as villains that they seem even less dimensional than Olly.
I actively disliked the character of Poppy, and I've read thousands of romances and never so loathed a protagonist, no matter how poorly drawn. And that dislike seeped into my feelings about the author, who I resented for putting me through this shallow book where the payoff and surprises were all well known long before the book ended. l will never read a book by this author again.
Some examples might be spoilers, but I wish to verify my criticisms:
On hearing her successful writer brother has another best-seller:
"I choked out a strangled congratulations, told him I had to go, and shook with sobs. It was an outsize reaction, but it felt like he’d stolen something from me." (petty/jealous/negative--and a little crazy. No one stole anything from her.)
When Poppy gets a rejection letter:
hoped the material would reflect his level of talent. Unfortunately, and I say this with regret and only respect, it’s not where I need it to be to consider you for representa—” I stop and fling my hand over my mouth, a sob bubbling up from (overreaction/editors are usually more positive, btw)
When two people offer her a million dollar pricetag for an inherited villa, she HATES them for being pushy. They're only still in touch because she's told them she will sell it to them. I mean, the disconnects are insane. Philistine capitalists are all over the place. You don't hate them and you don't entice them. You remove yourself from them with ethics and class.
One of the last sentences in the book: "Joan had no idea just how brave I could be. And neither did I. Until now."
JFC. A bloody profile in courage, that one.
It is not badly written, and the plot, while fantastical, exists, And there was no insta-sex, so extra points. This is the author's debut novel, having written non-fiction previously. But the characters were either stock or dreadful or paper dolls. I did not enjoy this book.
July 2, 2023
My most-anticipated ARC of the year so far. So often, debut novelists get stuck trying to fit into a genre, or sound like they’re “supposed” to when writing a romance, or a mystery, or literary fiction. Jamie Varon’s voice is the true strength of this book, and the world she crafts is singularly her own. Readers who have been with her before the transition to fiction will recognize the ethos of Radically Content in this book and especially in Poppy. It’s refreshing to see a protagonist who struggles with her identity and self-love, who chooses to harness and embrace her perceived flaws rather than try to eliminate them. Varon’s distinctive style will be recognizable across all of her books, now and (hopefully) if she continues to tread deeper into the waters of fiction.
October 6, 2023
I really kept trying and got 3/4 of the way through, but I cannot handle the MC anymore. She’s been gifted a villa in the south of France and she spends the entire book self sabotaging and complaining. I really just couldn’t anymore. Having body image issues myself, I really thought I would connect with her insecurities and struggles, but in the end, I felt bad for every character having to deal with her tantrums.
August 26, 2023
Jamie Varon poured her heart and soul into this novel, and it shows. I loved everything about it. The emotional depth, the journey, the intricacies of families, our battles with self-confidence, and the beauty of the French Riviera. Brava, Jamie. Well done. The perfect book to finish off the summer.
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