Review of One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London

Stayman-London, Kate.  One to Watch.  Dial, 2020.

 

Bea Schumacher is a plus-sized blogger and fashion influencer.  She has over a half million followers on Instagram, and  fell in love with Paris when she spent a summer abroad there during her junior year in college.  On her blog, OMBea.com, she calls out Main Squeeze, a reality romance television show similar to The Bachelorette.  She points out that they never have any size diversity on their show, and only feature thin women.
 
After reading Bea’s blog, Lauren Mathers, the new executive producer of Main Squeeze, asks Bea to meet her.  During their meeting, Lauren asks Bea to be the next “main squeeze”, or star, of the show.  Bea is just getting over a longtime crush on her best friend, Ray, and hesitates at first, but eventually agrees.  She tells Lauren she will only go on the show to advance her career and will not fall in love.
 
When Bea arrives in California, she is thrilled to meet her stylist, Allison Sommers, who is also plus-size.  Allison will be in charge of dressing Bea for the episodes of the show.  When the twenty-five male contestants are introduced to Bea on the opening episode, it is clear from the men’s expressions and words that they were not aware that this season’s star would be a large woman.
 
While some of the contestants clearly like Bea, others humiliate her, and some are obviously only on the show to get television exposure.  Bea goes through several episodes of the show, ending each with the “Kiss Off” ceremony, where she says goodbye to one of the men.  With the conclusion of the show looming, a surprise contestant is thrown into the mix, and Bea is forced to reexamine her feelings for the men who are left and how her final decision will affect her future.
 
One to Watch is the debut novel for the author, and she does not disappoint.  She has turned the set of the Main Squeeze into a global event, having episodes set in Marrakesh, France, Malibu, New York City and contestants’ homes in the United States.  Her knowledge of fashion shines, and there are intricate descriptions of the clothing that Allison chooses for Bea to wear.  Interwoven in the story is show commentary through blogs, group texts, social media messages, magazine articles, and tweets, which added an interesting touch.
 
Bea is engaging and classy.  Even though she seems to be secure in her own skin, there are times when she still has some self-esteem issues.  Her family is loving and supportive and wants the best for her, whatever that may be.  In the novel, the author is able to deftly emphasize the double standard that exists in size diversity between men and women and how society responds to that issue.
 
One to Watch is a fun read with a relatable and important message.  Hand this novel to fans of reality tv, and romance novels.  I recommend it for public libraries and give it four out of five fleur de lis.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Books for allowing me to read and review this book.