One to Watch in Chapter Addicts

Oct 13, 2020 PlotTrysts rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-pod, romance-adjacent

We gave this one four really solid stars. The book is really fun if you're a member of Bachelor Nation (or if you know what that means even if you eschew citizenship in said nation). If you're familiar with the franchise, you'll know that it's addictively watchable. Yes, sure, producers manipulate every situation. But if you watch, you start to recognize the manipulations and catch moments of authenticity here and there. (Or at least, you think you can!)

One to Watch gives you both the producer We gave this one four really solid stars. The book is really fun if you're a member of Bachelor Nation (or if you know what that means even if you eschew citizenship in said nation). If you're familiar with the franchise, you'll know that it's addictively watchable. Yes, sure, producers manipulate every situation. But if you watch, you start to recognize the manipulations and catch moments of authenticity here and there. (Or at least, you think you can!)

One to Watch gives you both the producer manipulation and the authenticity. Bea is a plus-sized fashionista who is chosen as the next Main Squeeze (that's the Bachelor/ette doppelganger in One to Watch) after she writes a viral post decrying the lack of body size diversity in the show's contestants. Sure, it's a publicity stunt, but Bea goes into it thinking that she and the producers are on the same side. But really, the producers are on the side of good ratings and higher viewership. Sometimes that coincides with Bea's goals, and sometimes it doesn't.

The book is mostly written from Bea's perspective, although there are blog posts, podcast episode transcripts, and listserv discussions thrown in as well. Although casting a critical eye on the Bachelor franchise, the book also acknowledges its appeal by giving us the HEA we want for Bea.

Bea's relationship with her body size is an interesting part of the book. Bea is trying very hard to be happy with her body, and for the most part, she is - but she (like most women, regardless of their body shape) has moments of doubt, especially when it is used as a plot point on the show. Stayman-London also tries to take on the lack of racial diversity in the franchise. Her success there is mixed: she has several BIPOC characters in the book (indeed, Bea's "final three" are all of different races/ethnicities) but their race is not examined in detail (a case of blind casting perhaps?). It is an important topic and we think it's good that it was brought up, but could perhaps have been handled with more depth.

In summary, this is a light, fun read, especially if you have a soft spot for reality TV in general or the Bachelor/ette in particular. ...more

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