Fifteen-year-old Virginia feels like a plus-sized black sheep in her family, especially next to her perfect big brother Byron. Not to mention her best friend has moved, leaving Virginia to navigate an awkward relationship with a boy alone. He might like her now . . . but she has her doubts about how he'll react if he ever looks under all her layers of clothes.
In order to survive, Virginia decides to follow a “Fat Girl Code of Conduct,” which works, until the unthinkable causes her family's façade to crumble. As her world spins out of orbit, she realizes that being true to herself might be the only way back.
Review: I absolutely loved this book, I could just identify with this main character so so much. This author has done a great job of getting all those feelings we keep way down deep inside and putting them onto the page. Virginia is at a pivotal moment in her life and everything seems to be crashing down around her. It says so much about her as a strong lead character that she still manages to assert her own personality throughout the story despite everything that is thrown her way at the same time as having all the other problems that teenagers have to deal with.
I think the fact that this book is set in New York means that the main character can be very independent and can go out and do things without anyone else in her life finding out. Had she grown up in a smaller town she would've been recognised at every turn and would not have had life changing thoughts when walking thirty blocks to go and visit her brother.
There is a definite theme of family here. We have the notion that families aren't always as happy as they seem on the outside, that sometimes families let you down but that also they are our first loves and really do have our backs. Having said that, I really did hate the parents in this book, I wanted to jump into the pages and shake them.
There is some awesome sounding fashion in this novel. If you are plus size then you will definitely recognise some of the fashion dramas that Virginia goes through but you will also be envious of her style. I loved the different ways she chose to rebel against her parents and the ways she knew when to hold back. There is also some romance in this novel. We get to hear Virginia's take on how fat girls ought to behave when they think there might be a chance at love. The notion of secret sex, being someones 'something special' behind closed doors but keeping that relationship a secret from the other people in high school!
I just thought this author did a great job of covering what its like to be a teenager AND a girl AND fat and all the issues that come with that at the same time as finding your identity in a family that are quite frankly trying at the best of times.
Part 2 reviewed tomorrow!
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