Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.

“No need to look so scared,” he said, sliding the clipboard onto the table. “Has anyone died in here?” Reed barked out a laugh. “Not to my knowledge.” “Or just people’s hopes and dreams?” His shoulders shook as he laughed. “And the souls of small children.” I nodded. “Sounds about right.”

I’ve read/listened to this book a handful of times now, and I really like it. The beginning of the book is pretty rough for me, and it might put some people off to start with. What I love most about this book is the journey Henry goes on, where he believes he has hit rock bottom in the beginning just because he’s overweight, and he goes into dieting and training in order to lose weight and look better for his ex. He gradually learns that it’s about feeling good, being healthy and the amazing things our bodies can do. It heavily deals with themes of weight/weight loss, food, fatphobia and judging others by their looks. Mixed into all of that is a pretty cute romance as well.

To me this feels like a story about Henry and Reed feels almost more like a side character at times. I know N. R. Walker can do single POV very well, but personally I would’ve liked this to be dual, or at least for a bit more of the focus to be on Reed. It’s pretty funny at times and gets me snorting a time or two, but was also a bit overdone at times.

“Rice is done,” he said. When I glanced over at him, he was standing at the far end of the kitchen, leaning against the counter, his eyes were a little dark and there was a bulge in his jeans. “I’m staying over here or dinner will be ruined.”

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Strangers to friends to lovers
Slow burn
Personal trainer/client
Romcom vibes
Size difference

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Heavy focus on weight, food and training (including specific numbers)
Themes of fatphobia
Internalized fatphobia
Weight loss
MC cheated on by ex (past)
Low self esteem
Harry Potter references
Brief mention of parent abandoning MC as child
Explicit sexual content

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: No
POV: 1st person, single
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 31 and 35
Series: Standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 254
Happy ending: Yes


Some bottle-blond twink with twigs for legs and zero shame pounced on Reed like a Chihuahua trying to hump his leg.

“I’m pretty sure they already knew you were gay.” “What? How?” She clicked her tongue. “Well, there was that time you told David from the mailroom that he shouldn’t wear tweed with polyester.” “Because it’s the truth,” I whispered. “I know it is.” Melinda nodded sympathetically.

The pretty suit-tailor guy looked me up and down with his Judgy MacJudgerson eyes, and before I could tell him I was a better bottom than he could ever be, he clicked his fingers. “Thirty-eight.” “I’m thirty five, fuck you very much.” He blinked, and Melinda put her hand on my arm. “Size thirty eight, Henry.” “Oh.”



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