GRR Reviews The Fat Rules by Misti D Mosteller

Maddy knew she's a chunky monkey that's also smart and funny, but people seem to only notice her size... at 266.5 lbs. Her mom is smothering, and her grandma is feeding... Which is not helping her waistline at all. She created the series of "fat rules" to help control her self-esteem such as "never run, death before jigglies". But when a birthday disaster struck, her friends mounted an intervention with tough love... which lead to a guy who appreciates her as is...

Feels like a memoir and fantasy melded together, with a dose of harsh reality and indomitable spirit. There is a lot of love in this book. 4/5

GRR Reviews Sugar & Spice by Phoebe Alexander

Cy Sweet is one of the three heirs for Sweetopia, a theme park started by his family, and the family rebel, with a degree in art history, of all things. But his family forced him to postpone his visit to Greece and go undercover at their own theme park, where the labor force may be ready to strike for fair wages and work conditions. Cy was supposed to go "undercover boss" as Marcus, a temp, and root out the organizer. Instead, he fell for the "Red Velvet Queen", one of the characters in the park. But the queen is actually single mom Jolie Cox, trying to raise two kids, one with special needs, with the main job and a bit of an unmentionable "side-gig". What happens when they learned each other's real identities?

The idea that the family got no karma, and Cy was the ONLY one that sees things clearly, bothered me a bit. It's too cartoonishly simplistic. 4/5

GRR Reviews Best Friend's Boyfriend by Victoria Snow

Poppy, a plus-sized model, is branching into clothing design, with support of her best friend and roommate, (and rich heiress) Thalia. Poppy also felt a connection to Dr. Nate, but Thalia claimed Nate as her boyfriend... They seem to match better on paper as their families knew each other and they are both rich already. Both they were not in love... They just stay together because of family expectations. Nate's attraction to Poppy can't be denied, esp. when their one-time hookup resulted in a surprise that will come due 9 months later...

While the reluctance of roommate / business partner / best friend's boyfriend stealing is a trope, the setup for emotional turmoil is actually quite good. 4/5

GRR Reviews Rebellion by Aidy Award

NOTE: This is a continuation to Rebound

With help of her bodyguard/lover, Grayson, Angelina has learned how to love her BBW body and her kink. But Gray will only watch, and never participate. Angelina has had enough. If he won't touch her, she'll find someone who does, and embrace her inner diva and dominatrix... // Gray knew that Angelina's taste of kink is just that... a taste. She doesn't know true submission, and Gray knew if he ever goes full out, he will break her. So he stayed away. But now that she's trying to run from him, he will have to save her... from herself, by having someone teaching her submission...

Very good kink, sexy, sensual, without too much of the mindset and verbiage, but mostly about the lust. 4.5/5

GRR Protecting What's Mine by Hope Ford

NOTE: 35-page short

Charlie grew up with no one. She knew she can only rely on herself. Now as an alarm and surveillance installer for Alpha Security, she earns a good living. She knew she's a BBW, and she's tired of assholes trying to hit on her while at work. So when a restaurant manager got a bit too handsy on her, she put a knee into his groin and left, promising to finish next day, WITHOUT the creep. She wasn't expecting to be met by the owner, Brody, who promptly fired the asshole on the spot. // With one look, Brody knew Charlie is the woman for him, if she can just let down her guard once and let him in. He will protect her and make her his. But doing that, will take a lot of patience...

Not much plot here, but it is kinda sweet and steamy. It is insta-love, but that's exact what this is. Though it did resort of "run away to sort my feelings". 3/5

GRR Reviews The Billionaire's Curvy Girl Romance by Kim Koby

Angie was fired from the show before the show's last season started... and was replaced by a dog. Angie knew she had gained weight, but it's due to her brain tumor, really, and the medicine she had to take to keep it under control. Left without direction or purpose, and a lot of thought on mortality, Angie drove toward home, but was temporarily stranded in town while her car's being fixed, which is where she encountered Bryson. // Bryson is a billionaire who feels very much alone, and not even his expensive toys helped. His sister, a brilliant brain surgeon, prefers spending time in foreign countries doing charity work, and only comes back for a visit every few months. Just when they are having lunch, her sister spotted her favorite actress, Angie, on the other side of the restaurant. Bryson was shocked to find himself falling for the actress, totally unlike any women he knew. But will she run away before Bryson bares his heart?

As a 100-page short novel, the transition of Bryson's viewpoint from "fat chick" to "BBW" to "woman I like/love" seems a bit abrupt. 4/5

GRR Reviews Rebound by Aidy Award

Warning: HFN ending, sort of a cliffhanger, 3-book series

Angelina hates being a doormat, and finding her fiancee cheating, then being called chubby was the last straw, no matter what her parents say. The only one who seems to understand her is Grayson, her bodyguard. Yes, she has one. She really REALLY want to seduce him, after getting a hint that his tastes run toward the darker side... but for revenge sex? Angelina will get her freak on by finding two hot guys and getting some menage a troi... // Gray knew what Angel wanted, but what he wanted from her will break her, because he's already broken, and he won't be her rebound. But he'll protect her... He'll vet the men she invited into her bed, he'll control the action, and he'll save her from herself... and himself...

Very interesting take on the kink lifestyle. The mythical "gentle dom" and the slow introduction of an ingenue into the kink lifestyle certainly takes a couple interesting twists here. Gray doesn't participate except spectate, yet there's no denying he's the dom, yes, over the guys too. There's certainly some MFM action, and quite a bit of sex. The series continues in Rebellion and Reignite.  If you like the sex, this is 5/5, lots of "reluctant lover" stuff.

GRR Reviews His Protected Artist by July Hunt

NOTE: 50-page short

CEO Luke knew Alexis, the BBW artist is his perfect woman. Which is why he commissioned her art to be the centerpiece of the building. But the night before the grand opening, Alexis found someone had graffiti'ed her creation. Alexis cannot let anything affect her success. She was abandoned by her family when she chose art for her path. She will do anything to fix this problem. She didn't expect Luke to visit personally... or for his help... Can she accept him? Who's targeting her art any way?

For a 50-page short, it's actually not bad. 4/5

GRR Reviews Curves for the Billionaire by Gia Blackwood

NOTE: 91-page novella

Jane had been trying to get away from her evil ex Gavin for years, and he just found her again. With no escape, she took a chance on approaching the alpha-looking guy on the street corner... Who turned out to be billionaire Halcyon "Hal" Craft, who insta-lusted after her BBW figure that he almost immediately pledged to protect her from her ex. But he also suspects that his current troubles are caused by Gavin, so by helping Jane, he's also helping himself. And he'll up the ante by proclaiming to the public that Jane is his fiancee... AND destroy Gavin.

There really isn't much plot to the novel, as Jane basically plays hard-to-get (unintentionally, but nonetheless, feeling sorry for herself and kept thinking "Hal can't POSSIBLY want a fat chick like me") until Hal destroyed Gavin (via mostly talking, in third-person) and Jane finally believed him. Meh. And PLEASE hire a better Photoshop (tm) person to make the cover. That composite really sucks. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Closer by Roxie Wilde

NOTE: 76-page novella

Charlotte is known as the Condom queen, as her family deals with condoms and other related products, and she's the public face of it. She knew how to handle both boardroom and boardwalk. But she's not sure how to handle Xander, the negotiator from a conglomerate intending to take over her company... // Xander is the deal closer for Olivier Industries, even though the head boss is an old lecherous jerk. His boss basically told him to come back with a signed contract, or don't come back at all. But one look at Charlie and he's... smitten. But can he balance between his personal goals and his business objective?

Didn't feel much here other than some smooth-talking. The ending feels like a deus ex machina. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Billionaire Unattainable -- Mason by J S Scott

Laura is a plus-sized (super)model with her own business. She is financially secure, but she has no family. With her biological clock ticking, she wanted a child for her loneliness... but she has no boyfriend... at least none that are not jerks. Then came billionaire Mason... who wanted to help her... by knocking her up the natural way. And he's handsome, and former linebacker. Why would he offer himself to her? He's the unattainable billionaire... Right?

Eh... way too many tropes. She has inadequacy issues, he's wounded on the inside by his ex and doesn't trust any women, so he offers "business deals", not love. He wants plus-sized woman because he's afraid of breaking the thin ones. The darkest hour barely made any sense. Some parts are okay, but overall, mediocre.   There are better novels with this particular trope. 3/5

GRR Reviews Surrender by D M Mortier

Billionaire banker Ronan knew he's unique... Being half-Asian and grew up as a part of a crime family can do that. But he thought it left it all behind when he assumed control of his father's bank in Jamaica and made it successful. He had learned to never trust a woman as his equal, for he had witnessed how his Chinese mother had destroyed his father bit by bit. When he finally found the woman of his dreams, a junior attorney at his own bank, Tara, he did not hesitate to woo her... Tara will fulfill a role in his life as the mother of his children, nothing more. He shouldn't be surprised when his... "generous" offer was refused. // Tara had seen her mother with one man after another. In fact, she doesn't even know who her father was. Tara knew that when she marries, she would do so only for love. Casual sex? Forget about it. But when Ronan came calling... she wanted to give in. But his controlling ways? He'll get a kick in the balls first. // Ronan and Tara came together like a storm, and they fought just as hard. But Ronan has bigger problems... He's a part of a secret society called "The Order", doing good in the world by taking down criminal heads that the law can't touch. But someone is targeting him... and they will do anything to get to him, including targeting Tara, now pregnant with his child...

I'm not sure what to think of this. I like the idea of a half-Asian hero with a checkered past, but really, seems the author watched too many Chow Yun Fat movies where the hero mows down bad guys by the dozens. And let's just say the ultimate bad guy? "Mostly tell, little show".  It's kinda exciting, but the romance is a bit of "meh", esp. with the jealous possessive alpha Ronan that's surely NOT appreciated by Tara.  3/5

GRR Reviews Protect Her Curves by Amber Branley

Tina works in a video rental store and her boss (store manager) keeps hitting on her like a creep. Tina knew she's not a beauty (more of a BBW), but she doesn't have to put up with creeps either. Meeting Jason, the big bad biker looking dude who's interested in her was shocking to her... How can someone as gorgeous as him be interested in mousy her? // Jason got lucky on a few investments and now only does things he likes to, not because he had to. Going to the mall and meeting Tina was a pleasant surprise, and her curvy body was exactly what he wanted in a woman. She may be a bit young, but she needs a protector like him... Esp against that creepy manager.

I know this is a short novella (not even 70 pages), but the manager was a caricature creep that really has no personality other than being a creep, and basically, all three are archetypes. Tina is basically the virgin looking for her white knight, and Jason is the gruff looking white knight who can give her her first and best orgasm. And video rental store? Now that's a flashback to what? 80's? 90's?  *sigh*.   3/5

GRR Reviews His Curvy Teacher by Sara Hazel

Lincoln knew love at first sight exists... He just fell for his daughter's teacher, Caitlyn, and BBW. Yes, he's a bit older, and she's a bit young, and she had some bad experience with her douche-y boyfriend who basically told her she's too "big". But he likes her BBW size just fine. But she also has a sister who hated her... and he'll need to protect her...

Eh... there are a lot of problems in the writing, and the story line is pretty juvenile. I am pretty sure there's a place where the author used "affect" instead of "effect", for example. And for a guy, his mind is extremely wordy. Sure, there's some heat, but this is average, at best. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews Curvy Indulgence by Tara Brent

Blake is a playboy, and his family is rich... filthy rich. His brother's getting married, and Blake found himself fascinated with the BBW wedding planner, who's NOT falling at his feet like "other women",  Now he's REALLY interested... // Kira is a BBW and best wedding planner ever. Being handed a 1000 guest wedding with only three weeks to plan? Not a problem. Meeting groom's brother who's a notorious playboy and wanted to get under her panties? She's flattered, but she's also realistic... She can bed him... But she may not be able to keep him...

Hmmm... Sure, there's a certain chemistry there, but not much else. Nothing really stands out or being memorable. 3/5

GRR Reviews Model Behavior by Chloe Morgan

Kason is a billionaire fashion CEO trying to expand into the BBW market, and the first stop is BBW lingerie. And for that, he needs a BBW spokesmodel. He got Carrie... // Carrie is a BBW model with an MBA and her own agent. She got an unexpected hiatus after a runway mishap. Both are too busy for relationships. Yet both can see how good a fling can be. Then she got pregnant...

Short, steamy, but is there really much conflict? 3/5

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Racing Hearts by Candi Heart

Charlyse is a race car mechanic, taught by her dad, and she's very good. She was noticed by Tyler Dalton, head of Dalton Enterprises, one of the few honest teams in Grand Prix racing. Their chemistry is undeniable, and Tyler asked her to come with him to Las Vegas... on a road trip, driving from Texas to Nevada. Charlyse is a BBW, and never been wooed like that. And Tyler is good... but Tyler's sudden cold shoulder left Charlyse confused and hurt...

Plot is extremely simple, and Charlyse didn't quite come across as a BBW except in descriptions. Tyler is just confusing. Eventually he revealed why he pulled the handbrake, and basically came groveling. The plot is overly simplistic, IMHO.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews No Regrets (Canyon Cove) by Liliana Rhodes

Deborah is a BBW with an eye on fashion that she designed and made most of her wardrobe because nothing on the market fits. She got a tip from a mentor to apply at a department store in the men's department with a chance to compete for a spot in Fashion Week in Paris, and she got the job. Determined to live life with no regrets, she flirts with a tall, dark, and handsome stranger. // William King is a sexy billionaire with charm to spare, but due to scars from prior relationships, he's not forming new ones, but Deborah charmed him, and he wanted to know her better. However, what he can't do is tell her he's her boss... technically speaking. He owns the department store chain. However, when she won the local competition, and he's going to fly her to Paris, that secret can't be kept anymore...

Initially charming, the darkest hour and the ending is trope as heck. She had a total overreaction (OMG I didn't win by my own merits, everyone will assume I slept with the boss) had a meltdown, which caused him to be butt-hurt, and left it to her to do the reconciliation grand gesture.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: BBW designer flirted with a tall dark and handsome stranger, not realize he's the CEO of the company she's working for...

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Lucky Star (The Love Story) by Rebecca Norinne

Lucky Star is a friends to lovers with Hollywood as a background, where career often interferes with life. Yet the conflict... I just don't feel much...

Cameron and Sarah were best friends... the platonic kind. Both went into film... He went into acting, but never scored any big roles. She went into production and became assistant to one of the power couple directors/producers in Hollywood. Cameron is Hollywood gorgeous, while Sarah... is a plus-sized beauty, though she didn't see herself that way. Now that Cameron has finally caught his big break, being named as the breakout star in the next blockbuster, Cameron is ready to take his relationship with Sarah to the next level. Unfortunately, the studio wanted him to do a showmance with his co-star to drum up more buzz, and Sarah, being assistant to the director, would NEVER put herself above his career... but is it really her decision?

Frankly, I just don't feel the conflict much here. If there were any conflict, it's more of a forced misunderstanding. I.e. "Why are you mad?" "I don't like the way you decided things for me." "But it's for your own good." "What gave you the right to decide for me? It's my life!" Yep, that sort of "butt-hurt" conflict. And in the end, it didn't even matter that much. And that's all I'll say about the ending.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Best platonic M/F friends, one in front and other behind the camera, finally caught their big break in Hollywood...

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Big Beautiful Bride For The Reluctant Preacher by Rosie Attwood

The book Big Beautiful Bride for the Reluctant Preacher pretty much described the plot of the whole book, and kinda hit us over the head, not once but multiple times about how curvy she is. Argh.

Emily is a BBW and nobody wanted her in New York in the 1800's... except Rodrigo, who's after her family business and money. When her friend Katie who mail-order bride herself out West wrote her, she decided she needed to get away for a while and visiting Katie is perfect. Maybe she can even find love there. Except the only guy who really grabbed her attention, Ray Benson, was a preacher who claimed to have no interest in marriage, believing to serve God he needed to stay single. Can Emily convince Ray that being single may not be God's intended path for him?

Eh... not feeling much. At just over 100 pages, the book managed to wrap up with Ray's epiphany, which is basically a deus ex machina. However, the book also ended with a bit of a cliffhanger, when Rodrigo came to town, intending to take Emily back. Meh. There are 3 more books in this series documenting the same couple's trials and tribulations. I wouldn't recommend this book by itself. Maybe if you buy the whole series at once...

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: BBW in Historical West fell for a preacher who believed to serve God he needed to remain single...

Overall Rating: 2/5 (including -1 for cliffhanger and deus ex machina ending)

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.