Muffin Top

The Hartigans, Book 2

By: Avery Flynn

Narrated by: Brian Pallino, Savannah Peachwood

The only thing about me that’s a size zero is the filter on my mouth. I’ve got a big personality, a big rack, and a big number on the scale. And I’m perfectly fine with that.

But when some random guy suggests I might not be eating alone if I’d ordered a salad instead of a hamburger I’m shocked silent, which is a feat, trust me.

That brings us to one sexy fireman named Frankie Hartigan. He’s hot. He’s funny.... And he’s just apologized for being late for our “date” then glared at the fat-shaming jerk. Next thing I know, he’s sitting down and ordering himself dinner.

I have no problem telling him I don’t need a pity date...unless of course it’s to my high school reunion next week. Oops where did that last bit come from? And what do I do now that he’s said yes?!

Because this is no make-over story, and I think Frankie is using me for something. I just have to figure out what....

Each book in the Hartigans series is STAND-ALONE:

• Butterface
• Muffin Top

©2018 Avery Flynn (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. This edition is made possible under a license arrangement with Entangled Publishing, Inc.

Finally a plus size character who's not there to..

...change herself.

What authors get wrong when writing BBW characters is the women are so grossly unhappy with themselves that the story becomes all about them changing themselves to fit society's expectations of beauty. BUT THEN, they realize they are fine with who they are AFTER said change and yay! They didn't have to change but they might as well live with the change blah, blah, blah.

What this story does is use an actual plus size heroine - who is described as being a size 20, and not one of those insecure size 12-14s that considers herself "plus size." Our lead here is placed in a situation where she knows her own agency. She is witty, confident, and a proud sexual creature. Is she insecure sometimes? Sure. We all are, but her size isn't the peak of her existence, and her very rich developed personality shows that.

One of the things the story does is also describe how big the guy is, which I found utterly refreshing. Also he's the red head and not the woman (though her hair is described as 'auburn' but if I read another 'fiery' red-headed heroine I think I'm going to scream). Sure they mention his height -way too often- but they talk about his size in general in multiple situations.

It's a fun story because their physicality just an accent to their actual problems and it's done pretty well in that regard.

Trope-wise the whole "reformed manwhore" thing I'm really over. The story tried to address it with him realizing that's all he is and a situation that happened with his dad. But it's the biggest fantasy of the story.

Technically, and this is a pet peeve, the author used the word 'had' A LOT in this story. Like, A LOT. If I notice it then it's too much. I have an aversion to the word. I think most cases when it's used, you can restructure a sentence to omit it, but that's just me.

All in all it's a fun romp with two thirty-somethings who fall in love with each other. A good time.

heroine is difficult to like

heroine is completely weak while she tells herself and everyone around her tells her what a "strong woman" she is. none of her actions or thoughts support that, but the main problem with the story is that the hero took any responsibility for the black moment when it was 100% the heroine's nerosis. even after the heroine admitted to herself that it was her own fault, she got away with a simple apology during the hero's grand gesture. a good romance novel allows for the female character to take responsibility for their actions, not doing so just comes off as man-hating drivel.

Meh

Hated the third person perspective. Insecurities are overly repetitive. I did love the story though and loved that she was bigger than average size representatives

Loved this book!

Loved this book! It was great to read a story about a woman my size.

Loved it!!!!

Great book! Loved the readers… they did a great job with the characters. Cried and laughed out loud many time throughout the book. I loved it!!!

Love

This is my second time listening to this book and I enjoyed it all over again!!

I love Frankie. He’s so sweet and seems like a big teddy bear. I love that Lucy is strong and independent and doesn’t apologize for who she is. It’s great to read a book with a plus sized character who, though she has had bad experiences from others in the past, she still stays true to herself.

I also love the forced proximity aspect to the story and all the funny side characters.

The narrators did amazing as usual!

Great Book!

Frankie was a sweet and sexy character, I loved that the hot guy fell for the unapologetic funny Lucy. I really enjoyed this series.

A decent listen

This was a decent listen, I did find the author's need to beat the "big girl" thing to death a little tedious, but otherwise I really enjoyed the story.

Happy I found this!

I really enjoyed the story. Avery Flynn is hilarious. My only con was Savannah as the narrator when she is speaking as a man. I can’t quite take it seriously. Other than that it’s a lighthearted, silly, and semi spicy romance!

Less vulgarity....

I've listened to 2 of this series and I really enjoy the story lines of both. The narrators are pretty good. The only thing is the language, the f word is offensive and is used too much! Sometimes less is more, just my opinion. Thank you.