REVIEW: BIG is Beautiful by Kelly Martin

BIG is Beautiful by Kelly Martin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Book Description:

The seven worst words ever spoken came out of Brittany Gregory's mom's mouth at breakfast, "I signed you up for math tutoring." Sure, she probably needs it (probably nothing, she'll fail without it), but the thought of having to stay in that school longer than she had to every day makes her sick. It's not the school's fault... just the few jerks inside.

Brittany's tutor is none other than Matt Taylor, senior quarterback-- all around hottie. At first, she's shy around him because, hello, Matt Taylor! But as he shows more and more unexpected kindness toward her, Brittany softens around him.

Unfortunately for Brittany, Matt's former girlfriend, the beautifully wicked Kendra Moses, has tormented Britt since eighth grade about her weight. In an unusual moment of brains, Kendra realizes Brittany's initials spell B.I.G.-- a hilarious (to the cheerleader) irony since Brittany isn't the smallest girl at school.

With the Red Ball (Valentine's Dance) approaching, Brittany has to decide if her growing feelings for Matt are real, or if he's secretly been playing a part in Kendra's game all along.

This book was not what I was expecting. Prior to reading it, I figured it would be a YA romance with a full figured girl. And it was. But it was also more than that. This book was also about self-esteem, loving yourself (yes, they can be the same thing, but the phrase “you have to love yourself before anyone else can love you” was repeated MULTIPLE times), and bullying.

I’m not naïve enough to think that girls that are heaver don’t get bullied, but one of the things I love about books with full figured heroines is I love seeing a hot, alpha guy falling for the girl that’s not a size zero. And part of what I love about the full figured heroines in most romance novels, is while they admit they could stand to lose a few pounds but they’re happy with their life and how they look. That’s not to say that they don’t have the occasional moment of “Oh god, I’m huge compared to her” but still…they’re happy. And I love that. But this book was not that. This book, from start to finish, was Brittany hating herself for not being smaller. She was constantly bullied by the kids at school, and the kids weren’t even sneaky about it. They would call her names and say mean things right in front of teachers. And if a teacher called them on it and punished them, they retaliated on Brittany as if she was the one that got them in trouble. Honest to god…at one point, I was sure there was going to be a scene straight out of Carrie.

While there was some drama at the school dance, it’s not as bad as Carrie.

I have a couple of complaints about this book…

First of all, I had an issue with the “romance”. Don’t get me wrong, there was a little romance in it, but the scenes between Matt and Brittany weren’t enough for me. I wanted more time spent together. There were a few scenes between them, but most of the book was Brittany by herself, with her mom or with her friend. I wanted more development between Matt & Brittany. I wanted to feel the connection between them.
My biggest complaint about this book is the religious aspect. This is a person preference and there was nothing wrong with it, I just wish I had known going into that it was somewhat a religious book. I say this because I’m not a big fan of religious romance. And every time faith or prayer was mentioned, it pulled me right out of the story.

So, the book wasn’t bad but it wasn’t what I was expecting either. But it’s a decent/quick read.


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