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One to Watch: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Kate Stayman-London (Author), Kristen Sieh (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.3 out of 5 stars 7,873 ratings
Editors' pick Best Romance

NATIONAL BESTSELLER Real love . . . as seen on TV. A plus-size bachelorette brings a fresh look to a reality show in this razor-sharp, “divinely witty” (Entertainment Weekly) debut.

“Effortlessly fun and clever . . . I found the tension impeccable . . . and that made my reading experience incredibly propulsive. Read it in a day and a half.”—Emily Henry, #1 bestselling author of Beach Read and The People We Meet on Vacation

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time NPR Marie ClaireMashable

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.

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  1. Part of series
    Dial Delights
  2. Listening Length
    11 hours and 42 minutes
  3. Author
    Kate Stayman-London
  4. Narrator
    Kristen Sieh
  5. Audible release date
    July 7, 2020
  6. Language
    English
  7. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  8. ASIN
    B081P1XPVQ
  9. Version
    Unabridged
  10. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Part of series Dial Delights
Listening Length 11 hours and 42 minutes
Author Kate Stayman-London
Narrator Kristen Sieh
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 07, 2020
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B081P1XPVQ
Best Sellers Rank #82,184 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#820 in Humorous Fiction & Satire
#1,773 in Romantic Comedy (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,819 in Humorous Fiction

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
7,873 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a fun, cleverly written read with plot twists and turns that keeps them engaged throughout. They appreciate its relatable characters, including a plus-size protagonist, and its charm, particularly noting the fashion elements. Customers value its inclusivity, with one review highlighting its representation of LGBTQIA communities, and find it thought-provoking and inspiring.

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190 customers mention "Readability"177 positive13 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a fun and satisfyingly pleasant read that they consider one of their favorite books of all time.

"...is a size zero, showed the truth in a unique way that was both entertaining and brutal - a very hard line to find. This author does it perfectly...." Read more

"...This book was really fun. It's written in a combination of narrative, texts, emails and social media posts from various people...." Read more

"...have pushed itself in that manner but it still ended up being satisfyingly pleasant so I was sunk in...." Read more

"I bought this because my fat positive book club chose it. It was interesting, flowed well, was well written and about a modern topic...." Read more

69 customers mention "Writing quality"59 positive10 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it cleverly and amusingly written with plenty of lighthearted dialogue about "pretty foibles." One customer particularly appreciates the format that includes social media posts and articles.

"...This author does it perfectly. We hear so much about inclusion these days - and it's about time!!! - but seldom about fat people...." Read more

"...It was interesting, flowed well, was well written and about a modern topic...." Read more

"...They provided a little lighthearted commentary about the show, and there was always something to make me laugh...." Read more

"...It got me from page one. Very well written. I liked Bea, the main character, quite a bit...." Read more

66 customers mention "Storyline"59 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, being enthralled by its creative plot and twists and turns, with one customer noting it follows a "Bachelorette"-type narrative structure.

"...This book was really fun. It's written in a combination of narrative, texts, emails and social media posts from various people...." Read more

"...The fact that the story was able to execute such a gratifying romance novel without being smutty...." Read more

"...While other books have given me the romance, the spectacular plot and all the laughs you can get, this ONE gave me something I didn't have before:..." Read more

"...I connected with her. The entire novel was so beautifully written and did the plus size women justice...." Read more

52 customers mention "Relatability"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book relatable and thought-provoking, describing it as poignant and inspiring.

"...This book has so many positive messages, but never gets preachy - which I appreciated...." Read more

"...The author does a great job of getting inside her experiences so that you feel, for instance, the agony of her realizing she has to wear a bathing..." Read more

"...It was interesting, flowed well, was well written and about a modern topic...." Read more

"...I loved the use of all the social media and pop culture references to help tell the story, and the inclusivity is so refreshing to read...." Read more

45 customers mention "Character development"36 positive9 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding the main character relatable, with one customer specifically noting the inclusion of a plus-size protagonist.

"...all the heartbreak (which there is plenty of), and a heroine you will never forget!" Read more

"...Bea is a very likeable character that you root for throughout...." Read more

"...It was because of the emotional journey of the main character...." Read more

"...There are many layers to what’s happening in the story and I LOVE the characters: EVERYONE has their issues and everyone has their agenda...." Read more

39 customers mention "Charm"39 positive0 negative

Customers find the book charming, particularly appreciating its fashion elements, with one customer noting the characters' confidence in their appearance.

"...The fantasy locations, the fashion, the food and wine are fun additions too...." Read more

"...It felt like I was watching a reality show but got all the juicy bits that I’m too lazy to deep dive for...." Read more

"...I loved the representation; both of the main character and multiple side characters...." Read more

"...WYATT! I ADORED him! He was so sweet! I was sad when he left. And then there was SAM, MY SWEET WONDERFUL FANTASTIC SAM!..." Read more

12 customers mention "Inclusivity"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's inclusivity, with one customer specifically noting its representation of LGBTQIA communities and plus-size characters.

"...pop culture references to help tell the story, and the inclusivity is so refreshing to read...." Read more

"...I did really appreciate the diversity, plenty of LGBTQIA representations (sometimes just in passing), and it did have a good message in the end...." Read more

"...It’s very romcom like but it’s also extremely inclusive in a way that I never realized I crave." Read more

"...and masterfully written, and one I will dream about and refer to everyone. Oh, and the fact Chris Evans is mentioned a few times?..." Read more

10 customers mention "Attention span"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and refreshing, with one mentioning they were completely engaged from the beginning and another noting how it kept them turning the pages.

"...However, it kept my attention well enough that the fluff of the show and some of the main contestants..." Read more

"...Was a fun read though and kept me turning the pages." Read more

"...Perfect to take your mind off of COVID for a bit🙂..." Read more

"This book was so funny and refreshing! I would totally watch The Bachelorette or The Bachelor if they had more plus sized people...." Read more

UTTERLY FANTASTIC
5 out of 5 stars
UTTERLY FANTASTIC
Stop what you're doing- order this book! If you like the bachelor...you will love this. If you hate watch the bachelor...you will LOVE this. If you enjoy any part of bachelor adjacent culture (podcasts, twitter, brackets, etc.) You will LoVE This. If you're a feminist...you will love this. If you enjoy romance...you will love this. You could have read a whole chapter in this fabulous book by now instead of my repetitive review.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Lisa P. Benwitz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Intense, uplifting portrayal of a plus-size woman finding her way
    Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    When I was young, there was this polka they used to play at weddings called the "Too Fat Polka" - "I don't want her, you can have her, she's too fat for me..." Cringeworthy, right? In the character of Bea, the author portrays the fear of never being truly seen, heard, loved - of the mistakes we make, of how we look for love in the wrong places and maintain entire relationships in our imaginations, of how we try to be confident but often fail because of that little voice that always screams in the back of your head "too fat, too fat, too fat." As a fat child, fat teenager, and fat adult, I seldom see or read a character that looks like me that I can actually relate to. I related to Bea and this book, sometimes all too well. At times it hit so close to home, I had to put the book down because I was too emotional. Setting these truths in a "reality" setting very similar to "The Bachelorette," where every woman is a size zero, showed the truth in a unique way that was both entertaining and brutal - a very hard line to find. This author does it perfectly. We hear so much about inclusion these days - and it's about time!!! - but seldom about fat people. We are the last, and possibly only, group that it seems to be okay to tell jokes about and shame. We are the last people many expect to find lasting love, and how DARE we find ourselves beautiful? This book has so many positive messages, but never gets preachy - which I appreciated. It has enough lightheartedness to cut through all the heartbreak (which there is plenty of), and a heroine you will never forget!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • FryLady
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, funny and fast-moving romance
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Plus-size fashion blogger Bea has just had her heart broken by her male best friend who she's in love with. After she posts criticism of a "Bachelorette"-type show for its lack of body diversity, she's asked to star in the next season.
    This book was really fun. It's written in a combination of narrative, texts, emails and social media posts from various people. The satire of how people act on the Internet is spot-on.
    Bea is a very likeable character that you root for throughout. The author does a great job of getting inside her experiences so that you feel, for instance, the agony of her realizing she has to wear a bathing suit...on TV. The men she meets on the show are varied in personality, and I got really invested in finding out who she would choose and what happens next.
    The one thing that struck me unrealistic was some of the dialogue between Bea and her TV suitors. However, having never watched any of these shows, that could be the way people talk when forced to learn everything about each other in a matter of days. The dialogue didn't bother me or take away from my enjoyment in any way.
    I loved how the story resolved. It's really impressive that this is the author's first novel--she, too, is "one to watch"!
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  • R. Calixte
    5.0 out of 5 stars A reluctant five star?
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I'm usually one that is pretty tough on giving out a full fledged five stars, and Yes I understand it's a rating system and no it's not the end of the world if you decide to note something as the best book in the world when it's just pretty good but I have to give it to One To Watch just became it really became hard not to watch or In our case read this one.

    When I say I was surprised to be reading a bachelorette style love novel and being so hooked in by wanting the best for our main character(s) and NOT feeling like I was getting something cookie cutter though there was this familiar texture to the whole story was beyond nice. The fact that the story was able to execute such a gratifying romance novel without being smutty. Or should I say overly smutty pushed this book into the wholesome category without it feeling, ah, PG-13 ish cause it still felt grown and sexy at the right times at the right places without taking you over the top. Though I will tell you now I am a full on smut lover so I wouldn't have been mad either way if the book would have pushed itself in that manner but it still ended up being satisfyingly pleasant so I was sunk in. Which is strange for me since in reality I am not someone who likes reality TV shows or bachelorette TV shows or over the top rom-com stuff beyond my love for k-pop drama and I think that explains why I would highly recommend this read, it had a propensity to just always feel ... Right.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Christina
    3.0 out of 5 stars A lot of non-fat positive inner dialogue
    Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this because my fat positive book club chose it. It was interesting, flowed well, was well written and about a modern topic. The scenario is a plus size woman who is supposedly confident and self assured goes on a reality dating show. Unlike what we're used to, she is the main person on the TV show - like, she's the bachelorette. In theory, it could have been great but...

    After the author tells you the character is confident, throughout the entire rest of the book, you are reading the inner most thoughts of the plus size woman in many situations, especially dating. They are almost entirely negative and fat phobic. This isn't a book where she later realizes she was phobic, she just is. It's very self deprecating and not even remotely empowering to read.

    The author messed up what could have been a great ending by completely skipping the major happenings of the main character finding her love. It's just skipped and then written about briefly, in past tense. A potentially great scene just completely missed.

    If you want to read about someone who has internal fat phobia but doesn't even really overcome it, maybe this is for you. For most people who are on an actual journey to self love, this is nothing but triggering!
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Cute story
    Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    If you are a bachelor/bachelorette watcher this is the book for you!!
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  • Client d'Amazon
    1.0 out of 5 stars Would rather watch the Bachelorette...
    Reviewed in France on November 14, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book is so bad. Loved the fact that the main character is a plus-size woman but that's all there is to it. Poorly written, and completely predictable. If you have time to waste, watch the Bachelorette instead!
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  • Vilma L
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous reality TV romp with heart
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of my favourite books I've read this year, hands down. It's an absolutely delightful romp with twists and turns that make you gasp and keep you turning the pages!

    This is a story about Bea, a plus size fashion blogger, who becomes the first plus size woman on the reality TV show Main Squeeze, where 25 men will compete to get engaged to her by the end of the show.

    I loved the concept and it's done in such a great way, reminding you of exactly what makes reality TV so addictive: the surprises, the reactions and the genuine moments (or ones that at least feel genuine). Also the way this book has been written is amazing, with great additions of the shows fandom in the form of tweets, podcasts, forum posts and articles, which not only highlight the rubbish way in which women get judged on the Internet for their bodies, but also showcase the best in fandom, the people who are super passionate about these shows and root for their main characters to find real love. These little snippets feel so realistic, and I really enjoyed them.

    Besides the fun of reality TV, this book also touches on lots of important and fairly poignant topics, such as body image, how fat people are portrayed in the media and issues with self confidence. Bea's journey on the show feels realistic and her issues with believing in herself and that she's desirable are written in such a touching and easily relatable way. I felt like her reactions and actions on the show were all very realistic and well portrayed - she was driven by self doubt through most of the book and it's so lovely to see her stop doubting herself eventually. She's a character you can root for.

    The romance is also great - it's never clearcut what choices Bea will make and she has lots of interesting suitors. The ending was perfect and I loved the way that her love story played out in the end - it totally ends up being a swoonworthy romance (and I might have even got a bit teary eyed at the end of the journey).

    All in all, this book is a joy to read, with lots of heart, wit, romance and those twists and turns that will keep you reading, not to forget a leading lady that you can relate to and root for.
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  • M.R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Querida Bea...
    Reviewed in Spain on August 22, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Una novela ligera, divertida y muy entretenida. Nunca he visto The Bachelorette pero ahora tengo mucha curiosidad.
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  • Julianny
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gordas também amam (e são amadas!)
    Reviewed in Brazil on March 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Eu me sinto revigorada cada vez que encontro uma história clichê protagonizando personagens que não sejam padrão. A gente também merece histórias de amor e não apenas sobre bullying e sofrimento, sabe? Por isso, quando fiz essa leitura meu coração ficou leve e eu pude me ver em muitas situações vividas pela Bea. Não é um livro perfeito, mas é divertido e não deixa que o corpo da Bea seja a única coisa que importa sobre ela, mas também mostra o quanto ser gorda afeta nossos relacionamentos (em todas as esferas). O pano de fundo envolvendo reality show e as viagens também foram muito interessantes de acompanhar.
    Eu queria um pouco mais de desenvolvimento na reta final, mas fora isso foi uma leitura boa demais! Recomendo (:
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