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Second Chance at Love #1
A Great Big Love
On the cover is the image of a Betta, the Siamese fighting fish.
It's a magnificent creature that developed the capabilities it needed to survive in the wild. It's capable of breathing atmospheric air, changing its color and size, choosing when to get defensive and who to attack and all in accordance with environmental requirements and in response to its surroundings. These survival instincts are the core of this story.
Michelle grew up as an overweight girl in Miami, the city where summer never ends. Her body fat percentage had always been a topic of discussion in her home, so she moved away, the first chance she got. To anyone who asks, she says she's fine. She explains that she's content and confident in her appearance and that she doesn’t want to hear about the harms her body has suffered by the lifestyle she has chosen. In most cases, she means it, but deep inside, she knows she's longing for a change.
Don is also suffering from obesity, but due to some unfortunate and completely different circumstances. He was the popular boy in elementary school, the desired stud in high school and the hottie of the university, but his challenging course of life led him to seek comfort in a delicious dish (and a few more after that one). He too answers all those caring for his well-being that he's in complete control and capable of making a change whenever he wants to, but even he can't remember when was the last time he wanted to put his life back on its healthy path.
In a funny compelling way, these very different, yet similar, people try to find their way to each other, but as it runs out, that way if far more bumpier than they'd ever imagined.
It's a magnificent creature that developed the capabilities it needed to survive in the wild. It's capable of breathing atmospheric air, changing its color and size, choosing when to get defensive and who to attack and all in accordance with environmental requirements and in response to its surroundings. These survival instincts are the core of this story.
Michelle grew up as an overweight girl in Miami, the city where summer never ends. Her body fat percentage had always been a topic of discussion in her home, so she moved away, the first chance she got. To anyone who asks, she says she's fine. She explains that she's content and confident in her appearance and that she doesn’t want to hear about the harms her body has suffered by the lifestyle she has chosen. In most cases, she means it, but deep inside, she knows she's longing for a change.
Don is also suffering from obesity, but due to some unfortunate and completely different circumstances. He was the popular boy in elementary school, the desired stud in high school and the hottie of the university, but his challenging course of life led him to seek comfort in a delicious dish (and a few more after that one). He too answers all those caring for his well-being that he's in complete control and capable of making a change whenever he wants to, but even he can't remember when was the last time he wanted to put his life back on its healthy path.
In a funny compelling way, these very different, yet similar, people try to find their way to each other, but as it runs out, that way if far more bumpier than they'd ever imagined.
327 pages, ebook
Published November 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 7, 2019
i was ready to be surprised by this book but i didn't know the extent of emotional ride i was getting into. i laughed and cried, i was worried and anxious, and i couldn't put it down. it deals with such important subjects: grief, lost of loved ones, second chances, the strength of laughter, the power of love, but most of all it is about accepting yourself and feeling comfortable in your own skin, being able to look in the mirror and see yourself for what you truly are and it is about accepting everyone else the way you want to be accepted - without judgmental prejudices and with love
** i received a copy of the book from the writer, and this is my honest review
** i received a copy of the book from the writer, and this is my honest review
October 23, 2019
Finally a real life love story.
I absolutely loved how the characters are dealing with real life challanges that I could relate to. Work, finding good friends, dealing with loss of a loved one or having the courage to move on.
I highly recommend it. Great book!
I absolutely loved how the characters are dealing with real life challanges that I could relate to. Work, finding good friends, dealing with loss of a loved one or having the courage to move on.
I highly recommend it. Great book!
November 19, 2019
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🍰 #agreatbiglove is a realistic #contemporary #LoveStory
🍰 #genre #love #selfhelp
🍰 The #cover: The image is of #betta a #siamese fighting fish. It's a magnificent creature that developed the capabilities it needed to survive in the wild.
🍰 The SURVIVAL INSTINCTS are the CORE of the story.
🍰 There are 2 main characters: Michelle & Don.
🍰 Michelle grew up as an overweight girl.
Her body fat percentage had always been a topic of discussion in her home, so she moved away, the first chance she got.
She says that she is content & confident in her appearance & she's fine but deep inside, she knows she's longing for a change.
🍰 Don is also suffering from #obesity but due to some unfortunate & completely different circumstances.
He too answers all those caring for his well-being that he's in complete control & capable of making a change whenever he wants to, but even he can't remember when was the last time he wanted to put his life back on its health path.
He was a popular boy, the desired stud & the hottie in his student days but the loss of his wife & unborn son together, led him to seek solace in food.
🌺 When we lose someone, we search unconsciously for a resemblance, no matter how minute with them, in the world around us.
🌺🌺 How these two try to find their way towards each other..is penned down further in the book..but it's no less than a roller coaster ride.
🌺 On one hand, Don is searching for what he has lost & on the other, Michelle is a person who's afraid of change.
🌺 Reading this book, one can relate with it at some point or the other.
🌺 It feels like a journey going through the lives of Michelle & Don.
🌺 The characters & their struggles are so realistic that they are able to easily touch a chord with the reader.
🌺 Alona has a beautiful way with words.
🌺 This book talks about how people struggle with weight & body image, how & why did they end up there & why they don't try or are unable to do something about it.
🌺 Alona has become one of my new favourite authors.
🌺 It's refreshing to read about how normal people try to manoeuvre through life & it's hurdles & not about the fairytale romance between two perfect fictional characters.
🌺 This is one read wherein you will laugh & cry both & it will inspire you to find the light within you.
🌺🌺 Moral of the story- You are wonderful just as you are.
Accept yourself.
You don't need to be skinny to be happy.
Health should be our foremost priority always.
The book is beautiful & uplifting.
🌺 Available @amazondotin Rs 1135/- paperback & @amazonkindle Rs 284/-
🌺🌺 Thankyou Alona for the ARC.
#bookstagram
#bookstagrammer
#bookstagramindia
#bookworm
#bookslove
🍰 #agreatbiglove is a realistic #contemporary #LoveStory
🍰 #genre #love #selfhelp
🍰 The #cover: The image is of #betta a #siamese fighting fish. It's a magnificent creature that developed the capabilities it needed to survive in the wild.
🍰 The SURVIVAL INSTINCTS are the CORE of the story.
🍰 There are 2 main characters: Michelle & Don.
🍰 Michelle grew up as an overweight girl.
Her body fat percentage had always been a topic of discussion in her home, so she moved away, the first chance she got.
She says that she is content & confident in her appearance & she's fine but deep inside, she knows she's longing for a change.
🍰 Don is also suffering from #obesity but due to some unfortunate & completely different circumstances.
He too answers all those caring for his well-being that he's in complete control & capable of making a change whenever he wants to, but even he can't remember when was the last time he wanted to put his life back on its health path.
He was a popular boy, the desired stud & the hottie in his student days but the loss of his wife & unborn son together, led him to seek solace in food.
🌺 When we lose someone, we search unconsciously for a resemblance, no matter how minute with them, in the world around us.
🌺🌺 How these two try to find their way towards each other..is penned down further in the book..but it's no less than a roller coaster ride.
🌺 On one hand, Don is searching for what he has lost & on the other, Michelle is a person who's afraid of change.
🌺 Reading this book, one can relate with it at some point or the other.
🌺 It feels like a journey going through the lives of Michelle & Don.
🌺 The characters & their struggles are so realistic that they are able to easily touch a chord with the reader.
🌺 Alona has a beautiful way with words.
🌺 This book talks about how people struggle with weight & body image, how & why did they end up there & why they don't try or are unable to do something about it.
🌺 Alona has become one of my new favourite authors.
🌺 It's refreshing to read about how normal people try to manoeuvre through life & it's hurdles & not about the fairytale romance between two perfect fictional characters.
🌺 This is one read wherein you will laugh & cry both & it will inspire you to find the light within you.
🌺🌺 Moral of the story- You are wonderful just as you are.
Accept yourself.
You don't need to be skinny to be happy.
Health should be our foremost priority always.
The book is beautiful & uplifting.
🌺 Available @amazondotin Rs 1135/- paperback & @amazonkindle Rs 284/-
🌺🌺 Thankyou Alona for the ARC.
#bookstagram
#bookstagrammer
#bookstagramindia
#bookworm
#bookslove
November 15, 2019
This is the first book I’ve read by Alona Jarden and I have to say I’m glad I read it! Don is man who was a great looking popular guy in school, but when he lost his wife and baby during delivery he turned to food as a coping mechanism and found himself at the stage of obesity. Michelle has struggled with her weight her entire life and suffers from poor self image due to her obesity especially after her first sexual encounter that left her feeling anything but beautiful.
These two meet at a weight loss support group and when Don sees Michelle for the first time he sees something in her eyes that reminds him of his late wife and pursues her. Don is a very funny guy. I laughed quite a bit through this book because of him. Michelle is standoffish and because of her poor self image refuses to have a sexual relationship with Don.
I greatly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were so real to me and their story is a story that so many can relate to. We all suffer from some sort of poor self image weather it’s too skinny, or stretch marks or too overweight or too many freckles and I loved that this book gave you insight on the struggles and also the acceptance. It was beautiful.
These two meet at a weight loss support group and when Don sees Michelle for the first time he sees something in her eyes that reminds him of his late wife and pursues her. Don is a very funny guy. I laughed quite a bit through this book because of him. Michelle is standoffish and because of her poor self image refuses to have a sexual relationship with Don.
I greatly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were so real to me and their story is a story that so many can relate to. We all suffer from some sort of poor self image weather it’s too skinny, or stretch marks or too overweight or too many freckles and I loved that this book gave you insight on the struggles and also the acceptance. It was beautiful.
November 7, 2019
|I was sent this book in advance in exchange for my honest review|
I’ll be totally honest, I didn’t like this one much. I almost didn’t finish it because the first half was just not my speed. A Great Big Love Story is about two people who are falling in love who happen to be fat. But the characters have almost no personality aside from being fat. The female character, Michelle, was really boring. She seemed like the idea of what skinny people think bigger bodied people think about themselves. Don, does have a tragic backstory of a dead wife and unborn child, but then it feels reduced down to just the “reason he is fat.” TW: diet culture, weight loss, scales and calorie counting, all the diet culture tbh
It was really frustrating to read, because any of the love story between the two was lost in the constant diet talk and weight loss talk and all the sudden they have sex and you barely even notice it. I saw someone on bookstagram (I’ll tag if I remember) talk about how much steam do you want in a romance.. and I’ll be honest I want a little more than most! This book has zero. The whole plot to me was just a little boring until the very end where the tone of the diet culture changed to be more about the scale not reflecting your happiness, and setting health related goals UNRELATED to weight since health is found at every size. From there the plot picked up and I started to enjoy it but it really was almost 70% of the way through. I’ll give this book ⭐️⭐️ 💫 stars for the end!
As someone who is a fierce member of the body positivity movement and a VERY anti-diet person, it was hard to read this book. Getting through the first half was extremely difficult and as someone recovering from an eating disorder, very triggering.
Health is found at EVERY SINGLE SIZE. Fat does not mean you are unhealthy or unworthy. The number on the scale or the size of your pants means NOTHING in the weight of your worth and value on this earth.
My six word review:
Fat is not a personality trait
I’ll be totally honest, I didn’t like this one much. I almost didn’t finish it because the first half was just not my speed. A Great Big Love Story is about two people who are falling in love who happen to be fat. But the characters have almost no personality aside from being fat. The female character, Michelle, was really boring. She seemed like the idea of what skinny people think bigger bodied people think about themselves. Don, does have a tragic backstory of a dead wife and unborn child, but then it feels reduced down to just the “reason he is fat.” TW: diet culture, weight loss, scales and calorie counting, all the diet culture tbh
It was really frustrating to read, because any of the love story between the two was lost in the constant diet talk and weight loss talk and all the sudden they have sex and you barely even notice it. I saw someone on bookstagram (I’ll tag if I remember) talk about how much steam do you want in a romance.. and I’ll be honest I want a little more than most! This book has zero. The whole plot to me was just a little boring until the very end where the tone of the diet culture changed to be more about the scale not reflecting your happiness, and setting health related goals UNRELATED to weight since health is found at every size. From there the plot picked up and I started to enjoy it but it really was almost 70% of the way through. I’ll give this book ⭐️⭐️ 💫 stars for the end!
As someone who is a fierce member of the body positivity movement and a VERY anti-diet person, it was hard to read this book. Getting through the first half was extremely difficult and as someone recovering from an eating disorder, very triggering.
Health is found at EVERY SINGLE SIZE. Fat does not mean you are unhealthy or unworthy. The number on the scale or the size of your pants means NOTHING in the weight of your worth and value on this earth.
My six word review:
Fat is not a personality trait
March 30, 2020
Michelle grew up as an over-weight girl in Miami. Her parents took every chance to speak about her obesity, which was one of the reasons why she shifted from her home. Right from kindergarten she was backed by her best friend, Noel. She always stood for Michelle when anyone joked about her weight. Michelle took her job as Noel’s personal assistant.
Michelle is an unmarried 34 year old. She is great at calculating and sets daily schedules for her best friend.
She pretends that her size does not bother her in anyway but deep inside she wishes to reduce her excess weight.
Michelle attends a weight loss support group every morning, led by Janice. A group of overweight people who rant about their size and listening to them makes Michelle feel a lot better.
Michelle lost her self control and overate. As a result she collapsed for the second time. Noel rushed to Michelle’s place and took her to the General physician.
A small altercation between Noel and Michelle led to a change in Michelle’s mindset. She decided to lose all her wait and no one could stop her.
In one of evening sessions of the weight loss support group she happened to meet Don. Don is a crazy person, as soon as he saw Michelle he got attracted to her eyes. A resemblance from his past .
Don gained weight only after a terrible incident in his life. He ate to fill the void in his heart. Don knew he could lose his excess weight but he didn’t have any purpose to.
He flirts with Michelle and even sets an one sided date. Since then he appears near Michelle almost every day. He tries so hard to impress Michelle. On the other side Michelle cannot believe a guy has actual interest in her.
She feels Don would distract her from a path to healthy life style. She hides her true feelings for him. She even accuses him for mistakes he never did, with that hurt Don disappears from her life. And now she longs for him.
Will Michelle find Don again ? Will Michelle learn that the numbers on the scale does not define her?
“I'm not blind, Michelle, I see you. I just really like what I see!" - Alona Jarden.
My views
A Great Big Love was a very different read. Real life struggles and self worth was explained in a beautiful manner. Alona has great sense in humour and choice of words. I enjoyed reading some cute conversations in the book.
“I was born with a feminine birth-given right to complain my ass off. You, as a man, have a born right to listen. You can feel sorry for me and say, 'oh, no, that sounds horrible,' but you can't tell me not to complain. That's just the way nature goes.”
A Great Big Love is divided into 24 chapters. It is written in two point of views in an alternative manner. At first I found it difficult to adapt to the constant switch in POV, but later I realised this was done to show the different mindsets of two people who are tubby.
I could relate the story to reality. The characters were real. At times I rolled my eyes at Don, on obsessive he was. I liked Ian, he gave positive vibes only and made everyone feel good about themselves. Michelle feared change and she was never spoke her heart at times. The friendship between Noel and Michelle is very beautiful.
We must be comfortable with ourselves. Self acceptance is a positive message that we can take from this book ❤️
A great big love is a real life love story, which makes it even more better. I loved the ending. It made me so happy.
Plus sized and beautiful. ✅
A Great Read 🌸👍🏼
Michelle is an unmarried 34 year old. She is great at calculating and sets daily schedules for her best friend.
She pretends that her size does not bother her in anyway but deep inside she wishes to reduce her excess weight.
Michelle attends a weight loss support group every morning, led by Janice. A group of overweight people who rant about their size and listening to them makes Michelle feel a lot better.
Michelle lost her self control and overate. As a result she collapsed for the second time. Noel rushed to Michelle’s place and took her to the General physician.
A small altercation between Noel and Michelle led to a change in Michelle’s mindset. She decided to lose all her wait and no one could stop her.
In one of evening sessions of the weight loss support group she happened to meet Don. Don is a crazy person, as soon as he saw Michelle he got attracted to her eyes. A resemblance from his past .
Don gained weight only after a terrible incident in his life. He ate to fill the void in his heart. Don knew he could lose his excess weight but he didn’t have any purpose to.
He flirts with Michelle and even sets an one sided date. Since then he appears near Michelle almost every day. He tries so hard to impress Michelle. On the other side Michelle cannot believe a guy has actual interest in her.
She feels Don would distract her from a path to healthy life style. She hides her true feelings for him. She even accuses him for mistakes he never did, with that hurt Don disappears from her life. And now she longs for him.
Will Michelle find Don again ? Will Michelle learn that the numbers on the scale does not define her?
“I'm not blind, Michelle, I see you. I just really like what I see!" - Alona Jarden.
My views
A Great Big Love was a very different read. Real life struggles and self worth was explained in a beautiful manner. Alona has great sense in humour and choice of words. I enjoyed reading some cute conversations in the book.
“I was born with a feminine birth-given right to complain my ass off. You, as a man, have a born right to listen. You can feel sorry for me and say, 'oh, no, that sounds horrible,' but you can't tell me not to complain. That's just the way nature goes.”
A Great Big Love is divided into 24 chapters. It is written in two point of views in an alternative manner. At first I found it difficult to adapt to the constant switch in POV, but later I realised this was done to show the different mindsets of two people who are tubby.
I could relate the story to reality. The characters were real. At times I rolled my eyes at Don, on obsessive he was. I liked Ian, he gave positive vibes only and made everyone feel good about themselves. Michelle feared change and she was never spoke her heart at times. The friendship between Noel and Michelle is very beautiful.
We must be comfortable with ourselves. Self acceptance is a positive message that we can take from this book ❤️
A great big love is a real life love story, which makes it even more better. I loved the ending. It made me so happy.
Plus sized and beautiful. ✅
A Great Read 🌸👍🏼
October 28, 2019
Thanks to Alona for reaching out and providing me with an ARC. Though the genre is different from my usual readings I loved this book. It doesn't show up your modern day ooey gooey love rather shows an average couple with their real life issues, fighting to reach that happiness in life that we all crave. It truly is a great big love. It talks about real life and real tragedies.
October 29, 2019
I was given the opportunity to read the arc by the author and I am so grateful. This story is really well written real world love story. I really enjoyed reading Don and Michell’s story. I would definitely recommend that people read it.
December 16, 2019
I don’t usually write anything here after I do my rating. But I loved it! It brings in real life struggles with life and self worth. Beautifully written. I laughed, rolled my eyes and cried with the characters. I can’t wait for the next book by Alona!
November 4, 2019
A fun and heartfelt read with quirky characters, plenty of humor, and a great mix of struggles, sadness and inspiring romance!
November 15, 2019
This book had been a joutrney to my, alongside with the characters.
I could relate to their issues so much that it actually made me feel better.
I usually don't read books written by Israeli authors, but... Wow.
I could relate to their issues so much that it actually made me feel better.
I usually don't read books written by Israeli authors, but... Wow.
December 3, 2019
We all have flaws in our bodies that we are not proud of or that we loathe. Because of it, we are struggling in different ways. But this story taught me how to love myself more.
I really like how Don pursues Michelle's heart. And how he handled it carefully. I ever wonder if it's still possible in our time, if that kind of guy really exists in real life. That's why I do love book boyfriends! Don is definitely one of them.
As to Michelle, I honestly feel what she's feeling. Our body size might be different but sometimes I feel like I'm not living a healthy life. And if we wanted to start leading a healthy life, we should really start it within ourselves.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this novel, Alona! ❤️
I really like how Don pursues Michelle's heart. And how he handled it carefully. I ever wonder if it's still possible in our time, if that kind of guy really exists in real life. That's why I do love book boyfriends! Don is definitely one of them.
As to Michelle, I honestly feel what she's feeling. Our body size might be different but sometimes I feel like I'm not living a healthy life. And if we wanted to start leading a healthy life, we should really start it within ourselves.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this novel, Alona! ❤️
January 11, 2020
I liked the originality of the plot, the realism with feeling a sense of fat, and how it gave multiple emotions. But u feel detached from main characters. I did laugh and enjoy the story..
December 26, 2019
A Great Big Love is quite possibly the most relatable love story I've read all year. Michelle's struggle with acceptance of her body is very true to life. I don't even think it matters if you are obese or not, everyone has some sort of issue with their body! Don suffers from depression and has a tragic backstory. Don and Michelle each work towards making healthy changes with themselves as individuals and together. I loved the message of loving yourself before you love others. I thoroughly enjoyed myself while reading this book.
December 13, 2019
This was the most entertaining book I have read in a long time. It tackled a very real
Issue in today’s society in the most brilliant way!
This book centres on two people who are extremely overweight for two very different reasons.
They meet at a weight group that Don called the “Fat” group.
Their friendship developed or rather Don never gave up on Michelle and kept asking her out.
There were so many laugh out loud moments in this book, Don was hilarious!
Fantastic read and definitely one of my top 10 reads of 2019
Issue in today’s society in the most brilliant way!
This book centres on two people who are extremely overweight for two very different reasons.
They meet at a weight group that Don called the “Fat” group.
Their friendship developed or rather Don never gave up on Michelle and kept asking her out.
There were so many laugh out loud moments in this book, Don was hilarious!
Fantastic read and definitely one of my top 10 reads of 2019
November 22, 2019
A Great Big Love – Alona Jarden.
[I received this book free from the author in exchange for and honest review.]
Alona Jarden is a new author to me and her book A Great Big Love left me expecting more. This story is a duel point of view romance that revolves around two bigger people who meet in a support group aimed to lose weight. The book is quite slow to begin with and solely focuses on the heroine’s insecurities and hang-ups regarding her weight. Michelle the lead female has a very critical inner voice that I related to and I believe a lot of woman no matter what their size can relate to also.
The male lead Don is this fun, loud and over the top guy that used to be ‘hot’ until a tragic event happened which lead him into a depression. The book touched on some heavy and relevant issues that a lot of people can relate too but I felt that the romance aspect of the book was lost between the diet talk. The whole plot was based heavily on the diet culture rather than a romance, so was not what I was expecting.
Overall the writing was done well, and you could tell that a lot of research went into the book itself, however, I found that the book missed the mark in regards to the romance side of things. I was expecting a bit more than the brief sex scene only really hinted at and the brief dates. I give it a 2.5 stars as a romance but 3 because of the issues raised and research behind the book.
Enjoy Everyday,
Ebook Enthusiast 😊
[I received this book free from the author in exchange for and honest review.]
Alona Jarden is a new author to me and her book A Great Big Love left me expecting more. This story is a duel point of view romance that revolves around two bigger people who meet in a support group aimed to lose weight. The book is quite slow to begin with and solely focuses on the heroine’s insecurities and hang-ups regarding her weight. Michelle the lead female has a very critical inner voice that I related to and I believe a lot of woman no matter what their size can relate to also.
The male lead Don is this fun, loud and over the top guy that used to be ‘hot’ until a tragic event happened which lead him into a depression. The book touched on some heavy and relevant issues that a lot of people can relate too but I felt that the romance aspect of the book was lost between the diet talk. The whole plot was based heavily on the diet culture rather than a romance, so was not what I was expecting.
Overall the writing was done well, and you could tell that a lot of research went into the book itself, however, I found that the book missed the mark in regards to the romance side of things. I was expecting a bit more than the brief sex scene only really hinted at and the brief dates. I give it a 2.5 stars as a romance but 3 because of the issues raised and research behind the book.
Enjoy Everyday,
Ebook Enthusiast 😊
January 21, 2020
I received this ARC for an honest review. This book was beautifully written. Sometimes we get so caught up in what we think people think when they look at us ( or rather what we expect them to want) that we don’t allow or accept when people genuinely like what they see. I loved this book. You will not be disappointed when you pick up this book.
Shelved as 'dnf'
February 21, 2023DNF at 4%. Yikes! Super unlikable heroine, and I just don't care about her happiness. Oof!
February 17, 2021
A fun and heartfelt read with quirky characters, plenty of humor, and a great mix of struggles, sadness and inspiring romance!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews