Editorial Content for One to Watch
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Reviewer (text)
Kate Stayman-London has written for some very influential people, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai, and has scripted videos that are motivating and mobilizing. In her debut novel, ONE TO WATCH, she uses her powerful voice to produce a fun and sassy narrative that keeps readers excited, while delivering an important message about diversity.
Bea Schumacher is a plus-size fashion blogger who is a typical millennial. She consumes wine and ice cream in response to romantic issues. Each week, she and her gal pals watch “Main Squeeze,” a reality dating show. In a wine-induced stupor, Bea writes a scathing review about the lack of diversity on the program. Her comments go viral, as many relate to her frustrations on how all the contestants are just pseudo-duplicates of the same skinny lovestruck white girl who is looking for a “deep connection.”
"[Stayman-London] uses her powerful voice to produce a fun and sassy narrative that keeps readers excited, while delivering an important message about diversity."
To save the show, the producer asks Bea to star in the next season, where 20 men will be vying for her love and attention. After being promised that there will be both racial and physical diversity in her love interests, she agrees to go on, but vows not to fall in love during this journey.
Bea finds herself whisked away on luxury dates in designer clothing, facing bad boys, dude-bros, softboys and fitness trainers. She confronts self-doubt, surprises and drama throughout hometown visits, fantasy suite decisions and kiss-off ceremonies.
I absolutely loved the way that Stayman-London unravels the story. Interspersed throughout the main narrative are news articles, blogs, tweets and even Slack discussions that reveal how the audience feels about the current season. She really captures the zeitgeist of the modern era, making this aspect of the book refreshing and fun.
My other favorite part of the book is Bea’s Francophilia. She has been obsessed with France since she was very young. I fawned over the many nuances of French culture that are portrayed here. From the French dialogue to the description of old French markets, you will be transported to the romantique et belle backdrop of France during Bea’s visits there.
Currently, there is a lack of diversity in movies and TV shows, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Overweight people have little to no representation, and when they do, they are usually the sidekick or an inconsequential character. I appreciated reading about a plus-size dating star, and I hope to see one in the real world soon.
A romantic, feel-good journey, ONE TO WATCH is perfect for anyone who loves dating shows like “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” has an affinity for France, or believes in romance in any capacity.
Teaser
Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show "Main Squeeze." But she 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 and inspire women across America. But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated.
Promo
Bea Schumacher is a devastatingly stylish plus-size fashion blogger who indulges in her weekly obsession: the hit reality show "Main Squeeze." But she 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 and inspire women across America. But when the cameras start rolling, Bea realizes things are more complicated than she anticipated.
About the Book
Real love...as seen on TV. A plus-size bachelorette brings a fresh look to a reality show in this delightful, razor-sharp debut.
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.
Audiobook available, read by Kristen Sieh
