Thank you so much to Jodie Slaughter, NetGalley & St Martin Press for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review. 

This will be published on July 12. 

I will be honest and say I was advised that this book was just "okay" and "would not recommend" but after reading it, I have to say the opposite. I really enjoyed reading this and the biggest reason, I finally read a book with a plus size MC and her size was NEVER an issue. And as someone who is plus size, I kept waiting for it to happen and it never did. 

The opening of the book starts off with Aja grocery shopping when a panic attack comes over her. A young man sees that this is happen and stays with her through it until he knew she was okay. Fast forward to her big night out at the local bingo hall where she officially meets this young man as Walker, her bingo buddy's grandson. Walker left the smalltown after years of teasing and rumors haunted him; where as Aja longed for the slow down pace of a smaller town after living in DC. The attraction between the two was felt from the start but neither knew how to approach. Walker knew that he was not staying around and Aja didn't want to get attach. After Walker won his first bingo game, the sexual tension was too much and they decide that anytime either would win a game, that would be the reward. 

One thing that I loved was how there didn't need to be all the witty banter (which don't get me wrong I love) to understand that there were feelings between Walker and Aja. Casen point in this line: "The little intricacies of their time together didn’t need to be shared with everyone for his feelings to be understood."

I also loved how this book touched upon the idea the difficulty and nervousness of making friends as an adult. Aja had anxiety but knew she had to keep putting herself out there so she didn't continue being a hermit. She met Miri while doing some self care - getting her nails done which then led her to meet Miri's friends. One thing that Miri said towards the end of the book after Aja expresses that she is happy to have met her. She says "Me too, I'm glad you let us know you, Aja."  So many times we hide ourselves and miss so many opportunities because we do not give ourselves the chance to let people in. 

"Good friends could be the difference between being left splattered on the pavement or landing hard but steady on your feet."

Something that surprised me (but did not alter my ratings) was that we got to know a lot about Walker's background and the root of his anxiety. Whereas with Aja, we didn't know when or perhaps why it started. Wish we could have gotten to know more about Aja's past. 

I thought there was just enough steam in this. I thought Jodie did a great job in setting the scene. My only critique as being a plus size woman is trying to picture the mechanics of having sex in a vehicle but hey I guess it could happen!  Walker loved her body the way it is and never asked her to change and Aja never hide her body from him. 

Lastly, I am ready for more bingo romances! What a fun concept!