One to Watch
Staff Pick!
Popular plus-size fashion blogger Bea finds herself brokenhearted and full of wine as she's watching the ABS channel's hit show, "Main Squeeze." Outraged by the fact that the show only features men and women who in no way physically represent the general public, let alone herself, she publicly blasts the show (even though she may not remember doing so...). It just so happens Main Squeeze has a new producer, and that producer invites Bea to come be the next Main Squeeze. What ensues is fun, dramatic, and heartwarming. If you are a fan of The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, Kate Stayman-London has written this book for you! Though you certainly don't have to be familiar with the popular tv show to enjoy this book. But you will love getting to know and rooting for Bea! -- Mary Laura
NATIONAL BESTSELLER - Real love . . . as seen on TV. A plus-size bachelorette brings a fresh look to a reality show in this razor-sharp, "thoroughly charming" (Hillary Clinton) debut.
"Relatable, incredibly smart . . . an extraordinary debut."--Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Date and The Proposal
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time - NPR - Marie Claire - Mashable - "Divinely witty and engrossing . . . Grade: A"--Entertainment Weekly
Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who has amazing friends, a devoted family, legions of Insta followers--and a massively broken heart. Like the rest of America, Bea indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show Main Squeeze. The fantasy dates! The kiss-off rejections! The surprising amount of guys named Chad! But Bea is sick and tired of the lack of body diversity on the show. Since when is being a size zero a prerequisite for getting engaged on television?
Just when Bea has sworn off dating altogether, she gets an intriguing call: Main Squeeze wants her to be its next star, surrounded by men vying for her affections. Bea agrees, on one condition--under no circumstances will she actually fall in love. She's in this to supercharge her career, subvert harmful beauty standards, inspire women across America, and get a free hot air balloon ride. That's it.
But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated. She's in a whirlwind of sumptuous couture, Internet culture wars, sexy suitors, and an opportunity (or two, or five) to find messy, real-life love in the midst of a made-for-TV fairy tale. In this joyful, wickedly observant debut, Bea has to decide whether it might just be worth trusting these men--and herself--for a chance to live happily ever after.