It’s like watching a juicy reality TV show, but better! One to Watch is Kate Stayman-London’s debut novel, though she is no amateur writer. According to her profile, she served as lead digital writer for Hillary Rodham Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and has written for notable figures ranging from President Obama and Malala Yousafzai to Anna Wintour and Cher. With a resume like that, you know her first book is going to be a good one!
Bea Schumacher is a plus-size fashion influencer who has sworn off love. But when she gets a call from a producer at the hit reality show Main Squeeze, Bea is torn. She’s not interested in dating, but she could make a statement by promoting body diversity AND her instagram profile will certainly see a boost. Ultimately, Bea agrees to join the show. She swears she will not actually fall in love, but her vow isn’t as easy as it may seem. When she’s surrounded by a plethora of attractive men, all vying for her attention, she is thrown for a loop. As her insecurities rise, (for good reason – these dudes can be mean!) Bea has to figure out if she can trust again.
While delightfully entertaining, One to Watch is also provocative. While I read, I increasingly realized how warped my own perspective is based on societal pressures and norms. Very few human beings would not be able to empathize with Bea’s experience, no matter their weight, as well as the experiences of those around Bea. We all have preconceived notions of the world around us, and One to Watch challenges them with a quirky, fun spin.