Fat Romance

I’ve never been much of a reader, but when I came across a TikTok describing a small, yet highly specific, moment which made me feel seen in Olivia Dade’s All the Feels, I couldn’t deny that I was intrigued.

After downloading the Libby App on my phone, I read the novel from TikTok and was so inspired I ended up reading the entire series.
And just like that, I was hooked…

Olivia Dade’s books weren’t my first foray into Fat Fiction - I was lucky enough to check out the Faith novels by Julie Murphy, as well as Pumpkin and If the Shoe Fits - but All the Feels threw me down a deep rabbit hole of romance, specifically novels and novellas with Fat Female Characters.

While I’m pretty attached to the series that brought me here, I ultimately discovered a mountain of fat romance. Thanks to author Mary Warren, who runs the Fat Girls in Fiction instagram account, I found that I wasn’t alone. Not only did Warren author a book on my favorites list, but daily, she provides a resource which I didn’t even know I needed.

So now I present a list of novels with Fat Female Main Characters, in no particular order, which can be expanded, revealing my thoughts on each story, collection, or author.

Please note: Many of these stories deal with fatphobia, as well as other triggering issues.

Make your own decisions on what’s right for you.

• Spoiler Alert | All the Feels | Shipped Wrecked

  Yes, this series holds a special place in my heart, but I also think they’re a fantastic introduction to the Fat Romance genre. Plus they’re bursting with nerd and fandom culture. Each book follows a different couple, with the stories delightfully intertwining.

  Find ‘Spoiler Alert’ here.

• 'Get A Life, Chloe Brown' by Talia Hibbert

  Talia Hibbert has quickly taken over my reading list. While this was the first book of hers that I checked out, and the first of a trilogy which follows the Brown sisters, Hibbert’s books are beautifully British. I personally didn’t get through the Brown sisters trilogy, but I found myself drawn to her style and read most of her other books.

  Find ‘Get a Life’ here

• 'A Merry Little Meet Cute'

  Perhaps the characters I have become most obsessed with!

  I loved the way Julie Murphy wrote the Faith books, and I wished for more when I read her Cinderalla story, If the Shoe Fits, but something about these characters haunts me and I sincerely can’t get enough.

• 'Rein Me In' by Kayla Grosse

  While absolutely one of the most heartbreaking books (dealing heavily with grief), Rein Me In is the second book I read by Kayla Grosse and perhaps one of the best plus size characters in that not only was she good and confident with her body, but literally every man in town was attracted to her.

  This novel, along with I Like You Like That, land near the top of my favorites list.

• 'A Highlander for Hannah' by Mary Warren

  Truly an opposite Outlander, I absolutely loved this charming book. It’s the first I’d read which ventured into fantasy/supernatural (which is hilarious since I’m mostly a sci-fi/fantasy person when it comes to TV and movies).

  Sincerely looking forward to reading the next book in the series about Poppy, as well as the third book when it comes out.

• A Curvy Girls Club Novel by Twyla Turner

  The Red Scot | The Bravest Hero | The Naked Chef

  To be honest, the prologue in The Red Scot, which sets the foundation for the series, requires a STRONG CONTENT WARNING. After that, I’m honestly so invested in these characters and I’m bummed they’re not my bffs irl.

• 'The Accidental Pinup' by Danielle Jackson

  Not only did I find this book during the exact right time in my life, but I also loved the authenticity of this story.

  There are great queer support characters, and the writing was superb.

• 'The Princess Trap' by Talia Hibbert

  I’ve never been a Hallmark/Lifetime/Netflix secret prince fan, but if that’s your style, you’re absolutely going to love this one!

  Find The Princess Trap here

• 'Tinkering with Love' by Aliyah Burke

  As a grudge holder, I’m usually against enemies to lover, but I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more in the series.

• Wrapped Up in You | Merry Inkmas

  Two quick stand alone novels from Talia Hibbert.

  It should be noted that I hate Christmas, but absolutely LOVED these two books.

  I found myself particularly captivating with the characters of Merry Inkmas.

• 'The Guy for Me' by Marzy Opal

  This short novella is adorable and potentially the book I hand any future lovers as a guide to my expectations from a partner.

  It was a quick read and unexpectedly cute.

• So Sweet | So Right | So For Real

  Rebekah Weatherspoon’s Sugar Baby Novellas are absolutely steamy and charming. The first one was definitely my favorite, but I needed to know what happened to these characters so I kept reading.

  Note that her writing tends to lean into kink and bdsm, so go wild.

• Three More Series' Olivia Dade:

  There's Something About Marysburg Series - Star with Teach Me, then venture into the rest of the faculty’s bedrooms.

  Love Unscripted Series - My least favorite series of Dade’s.

  Lovestruck Librarians - Only one of these has a plus lead, and she’s barely that. I honestly read a bunch from this series because I was desperate for more content from Dade.

• Bad for the Boss & Sweet on the Greek

  Personally I preferred the first and third novel in this trilogy, as these characters are captivating. But if you want the complete story, Undone by the Ex-Con isn’t too bad, especially if you chose to consider the main character as plus as well (she’s technically a small fat, if that).

• 'The Missed Connection' by Denise Williams

  Definitely my favorite of this author’s airport adventures.

  I really loved the Queer and flirty representation of the fat female lead. I went on to check out The Sweetest Connection, which I didn’t enjoy as much and ultimately opted not to read the third book in the series.

• 'The Love Con' by Seressia Glass

  Another hyper specific nerd book, I enjoyed most of the story, especially the cosplay, con, and nerd references. That said, I’m not personally a fan of best friends who were secretly in love with each other, which really soured me on the story.

• 'Against The Wall' by Cate C. Wells

  This book had a lot of tropes mixed in, - enemies to lovers, fake boyfriends, secret crushes - yet I found myself fascinated by these character. There’s a particular drunk scene which felt relatably cringeworthy, making sure the story lingered in my mind.

  I honestly struggle to decide if I like this book or if I hate it.

• 'The Make-Up Test'

  One of the longer novels in this collection, but perhaps also one of my least favorites. As I’d mentioned with Tinkering with Love, I’m a grudge holder, so the second chance trope doesn’t really excite me.

• 'One to Watch' by Kate Stayman-London

  I prefer Julie Murphy’s If The Shoe Fits, which has a similar premise and better pay off.

• Hockey & Male Authors

  I ventured out and read a couple of hockey themed books with plus leads (I’m a big nerd and not a sports person, so this was definitely not my wheelhouse).

  That said, in reading “Griz” and “My Curvy Puck” (both of which are from different authors and part of their own series) I discovered that I do not enjoy reading romance - specifically Fat romance - written by men.

  I find it off-putting, often loaded with fatphobia, and mostly unsexy.

  But, if you ARE looking for Hockey romance with a fat lead, try Samantha Whiskey’s Connell (Carolina Reapers Book 3) . It’s part of a whole series of hockey players, but the one with the a plus woman lead.

While I’ll always encourage following The Fat Girl Show on IG, in this case, I’ll leave it to the pros at Fat Girls in Fiction.