We want to thank Maggie for sending us this request. It was long overdue and I was surprised that we hadn’t received something similar sooner.
I am very new to the romance genre, and would love to read some books with some plus-sized heroines, especially if that’s not the entire plot of the book. I don’t need beautiful fat ladies hating themselves, but a little insecurity is totally reasonable. Hopefully you can help!
Amanda: First, I want to say that this is tough because women’s sizing in fashion is all sorts of fucked up. A clothing designer may consider anything above a size 6. Torrid (known for plus-size fashions) starts their sizes at a 10. According to Wikipedia, the average American woman is a size 14. So for this, I don’t think any of us are recommending books based on a heroine’s dress size because I don’t know if “plus-size” has any universally agreed upon definition where numbers are concerned.
Also…fuck women’s fashion and their lack of a standard, universal sizing chart. And give us more pockets!
Sarah: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, obvs. ( A | BN | K | G | AB )
Carrie: Bet Me! Same with If the Dress Fits by Carla Guzman.
Elyse: Savor You by Kristen Proby ( A | BN | K | G | AB ).
Amanda: Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy ( A | BN | K | G | AB | Au ). This book is more YA, but it’s so sweet. Highly recommend it if you also love Dolly Parton.
Rebekah Weatherspoon! I read Haven ( A | BN | K ) and it has a great heroine.
Sarah: A Whole Lot of Love by Justine Davis ( A | BN | K | G ) (ugh, the title but the book itself its charming).
Amanda: Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton. The heroine is an advertising exec who loves artisan cheese. A woman after my own heart.
Sarah: Take Me by Bella Andre – one of her earlier titles but I really liked that one. ( A | BN | K | G | AB )
Glutton for Pleasure by Alisha Rai (I think that’s the right one) and Wrong to Need You – Sadia is curvy too ( A | BN | K | G | AB ).
Amanda: Elyse, what about The Princess Trap? ( A )
Elyse: She’s never explicitly described as plus sized but she is larger.
Or maybe curvy is the right word?
Ranting aside, what books would you recommend? Who are your favorite plus-size heroines?
Loads of Talia Hibbert’s work features plus sized heroines–huge recs for A Girl Like Her and Wanna Bet? How’s this for fat positive: “Her thighs were soft and rippled with stretch marks, like waves across an ocean’s surface. He was more than ready to drown.” *heart eyes*.
Rebekah Weatherspoon’s Fit has a plus size heroine starting to exercise but not ending up losing weight (and also a truly laugh out loud scene where the hero tries to go Christina Grey on the heroine and screws it up *so badly*).
Christian Grey, good grief.
The heroine of Anne Stuart’s LORD OF DANGER is described as plump (and short and plain). It’s definitely not the plot of the book, which is wonderful and one of my all-time favorites.
https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Danger-Anne-Stuart-ebook/dp/B00758L400
Original cover copy:
Half-sister to Richard the Fair, Alys has been schooled in the sheltered ways of the convent, far from the treachery and intrigue of castle life. Until she is taken from the cloister and brought to a place filled with secrets. Here she is to meet her future husband, a man some call a monster. His name is Simon of Navarre, a powerful and mysterious lord practiced in the black arts. This sensual stranger both terrifies her and fascinates her…and sets her heart burning with an unfamiliar fire.
Jaded by war, no longer able to believe in human goodness, Simon has turned toward the realm of darkness. But the master magician finds himself bewitched by the innocent Alys, who fears his very touch could damn her forever. Yet even as Simon begins to work his seductive magic, Alys senses the wounded soul beneath the cooly elegant facade. Now, as the two become pawns in Richard’s treacherous scheme to become England’s king, only one power can save them: the unstoppable force of love.
Rose Lerner’s Sweet Disorder has a plus-size heroine (historical romance). Kylie Scott’s Trust is a wondeful YA romance with a big girl. Lead by the same author has a curvy heroine and I love that book, but it is third in a series and you really need to read the other two first (these are rock star romances). I also love Pepper Pace’s Beast with a plus-sized black heroine and a white disfigured hero.
I’m not sure I loved BEAUTIFUL STRANGER by Ruth Wind/Barbara Samuel, but I remember the heroine was the best part. As the book opens, she’s lost 85 pounds and is down to size 12 jeans, with size 10 being her goal. Based on the discussion above, some may not consider her to still be plus-sized (though she certainly is by romance novel standards), but her experiences rang true (and weren’t the whole plot of the book).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071H96NMG/
Ooh, and Rose Lerner’s Sweet Disorder, for a plus size historical heroine!
More chick lit than straight-up romance, but “Snap Happy” by Fiona Walker features Juno, a voluptuous, chaotic heroine who is trying to make it as a stand-up comedian in London. She has her insecurities, but she’s also really funny and the hero, Jay, just thinks she’s gorgeous.
Spot on, Amanda – I have no idea what officially constitutes ‘plus-size’ and I’m not sure that curvy = plus sized. So I’m thinking of this rec league in terms of books where the heroines do experience moments of self-consciousness due to being on the ‘larger’ side? This would include Sarah Maclean’s ‘Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake’ and Charlotte Stein’s ‘Never Sweeter’ (although YMMV due to the storyline – CW for bullying and assault).
Seconding the rec for Talia Hibbert as well – love love love that wonderful description of Jasmine’s stretch marks in ‘Wanna Bet’!
Everyone always mentions “Bet Me” when it comes to plus-size heroines but I *hated* that book. Any list with that book loses all credibility to me.
Also, 99% of all plus sized heroines I found were short. Short and plump with big boobs. It’s really annoying. Why can’t we get tall plus sized heroines?
Night play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Don’t like many other books by her but did enjoy this one
Mr. Hockey by Lia Riley was pretty good. It has a plus sized rockabilly style librarian meeting her all time favorite hockey star; misunderstandings occur when she lets him believe that she’s not even a hockey fan.
Also Man Hands by Sarina Bowen and Tanya Eby. Divorced cook w/lack of dating confidence and dude who has a fix-your-house tv show. Not my favorite Sarina Bowen, but it was funny and I did like it enough to finish it in 2 days.
Truly by Ruthie Knox!!! One of my favorite contemporaries. And @Min heroine is tall 🙂
The Heather Wells series by Meg Cabot, starting with Size 12 is Not Fat. The heroine is a former teen pop star who’s now a dorm manager for a NYC university.
A lot of Lexi Blake’s heroines are described as “plump” (Blake’s word), but that does not stop them being fully-sexual beings adored by their men. LOVE AND LET DIE is the book that leaps to mind—the heroine is not only full-figured but so tall that, in heels, she’s almost as tall as her 6’5” husband. Be forewarned: all of Blake’s books involve bdsm to a certain degree, so if that’s not your catnip, stay away!
There are also a couple of Shannon McKenna’s McCloud Brothers books where, just incidentally, you discover the heroines are plus-sized (when they’re looking for clothing, for instance): STANDING IN THE SHADOW and EDGE OF MIDNIGHT are the two I immediately thought of—although in neither book is the heroine’s size any sort of plot point.
The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan for historicals. Jane is one of my favorite heroines of all time
Wishes by Jude Deveaux has a plus size heroine . The hero loves her size. When she unintentionally loses weight he points out that he was attracted to her old size. The book really is sweet and genuine in validating the sexiness of all sizes.
Penny Reid’s Grin and Beard It has a Mexican American plus sized heroine. Though she can get a bit ranty at times, it was not a huge plot point. @Min- I thought surely I was the only on that actively hated Bet Me. Crusie is one of those authors everyone seems to love but never worked for me.
@Min – Roadside Assistance by Marie Harte has a motorcycle mechanic and plus sized statuesque heroine comfortable with herself who is the business manager/partner in the shop next door. In Dirty by Kylie Scott the heroine is a plus sized runaway bride who breaks into the hero’s house, hides in his bathtub and meets the hero when he opens the shower curtain and she’s right at his (impressive) dick level. The heroine of Dearest Rogue by Elizabeth Hoyt is plump and goes blind n the course of the book. Spice by Seressia Glass’s heroine is tall and curvy.
Playing It Cool by Amy Adams. Very sexy sports romance with hero asking heroine out after he witnesses her being put down because of her weight. Although I think at some point it is mentioned that the heroine is all of a size 12.
The new Amy Spalding book, The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles), is a YA lesbian romance with a plus-size fashion blogger heroine. It was sweet and funny (so, classic Amy Spalding), and there was a lot of talk about burgers, yummmm. And while we’re talking YA, I second Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ too.
@Min – I’m so glad you said it!
I’ve had enough of “plus sized” heroines which are in fact just curvy, short, big-boobed hot ladies. Boo-hoo.
Give me a lady with real issues – big bellied, tall, just a regular, fat person that has trouble finding dresses that fit well, or that look good on her. Not the “oh, but this dress just shows too much of my sexy boobs” kind of problems, but the “oh, man, too bad I can’t wear these pants because they’re too tight and they display my huge muffin top.
I would parallel this topic with the topic about romances with women in science – I think you can count on one hand the good, realistic novels out there.
And yes, maybe it’s not recommended to romanticize obesity, but people come in all sizes, and they all deserve love.
I actually liked Bridget Jones – she was never a “plus size”, in my opinion, but she was realistic when talking about weight, and the scene when she was wearing spanx and then was ashamed to undress when having sex with that guy was hilarious!
Playing It Cool (Sydney Smoke Rugby Series Book 2).. here’s the book blurb:
“Harper Nugent might have a little extra junk in her trunk, but her stepbrother calling her out on it is the last straw… When rugby hottie, Dexter Blake, witnesses the insult, he surprises Harper by asking her out. Infront of her dumbass brother. Score! Of course, she knows it’s not for reals, but Dex won’t take no for an answer.
Dexter Blake’s life revolves around rugby with one hard and fast rule:no women. Sure, his left hand is getting a workout, but he’s focused on his career for now. Then he overhears an asshat reporter belittle the curvy chick he’d been secretly ogling. What’s a guy to do but ask her out? It’s just a little revenge against a poser, and then he’ll get his head back in the game.
But the date is better than either expected. So is the next one. And the next. And the heat between them…sizzles their clothes right off.
Suddenly, this fake relationship is feeling all too real…”
Savor You by Kristin Proby and Feel Me by Cecy Robson. The heroine in Feel Me isn’t described as plus size but curvy.
What about Carla Kelly’s Miss Billings Treads the Boards… which has a plump (and balding!) hero? The heroine isn’t explicitly described as overweight, but from context, she is certainly curvy.
2nd…3rds? Whatever to Truly-Knox & Sweet Disorder-Lerner & If the Dress Fits! They were great!
Advanced Physical Chemistry- Nix~ also STEM
Size Matters- Bliss~ this might be slightly whinier than you’re looking for. But baker heroine+ builder hero+ fake relationship+ family vacay
Unbound- McKenna~idk if the heroine was necessarily plus-size, but she had recently lost an extreme amount of weight & there were references to stretch marks&stuff not being as perky as I used to be which is a body type not represented much. Also dominatrix elements
Painted Faces- Cosway~ I know Cosway can be a hit or miss author for a lot of the bitchery, this heroine might lean more towards the curvy. Contemporary
King of Hearts- Cosway~ the heroine’s tall& plus size
Sought- Anderson~ sci-fi/fantasy mfm. Lots of alien crazysauce
Advanced Physicals Chemistry by Susannah Nix, size 16 heroine with a STEM career. The heroine mentions a few times her size but always seems pretty confident and the hero finds her sexy and beautiful.
I hated Size Matters. The heroine was always calling herself a whale, etc, and it was really obnoxious and unpleasant. The “hero” undressing the passed-out-drunk heroine down to her underwear was gross and creepy. He had just met her, and she woke up all freaked out because she didn’t know where she was or why she was nearly naked.
I LOVE Bet Me. Also the Wedding Date, the female lead isn’t said to be super heavy but definitely curvy and not stereotypically shaped. And Queen of Babel by Meg Cabot
Usually all my recs are posted by the time I get here, but I have a few to add for a change.
Cream of the Crop by Alice Clayton. Natilie is larger than life in every possible way and gets a dairy farmer. Who makes CHEESE! Living the dream, baby.
Alexia Tarabotti of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate is described in zaftig terms.
@DiscoDollyDeb, yes! And thank goodness, I often think I’m the only on savoring the Shannon McKenna crazysauce. Davy & Margot from Out of Control are one of my favorite comfort reads. I love that Margot teaches aerobics classes.
@Min: you’re definitely right that the definition of “plus size” among romance heroines can be decidedly narrow. I’m curious why you hate Bet Me – what didn’t work for you?
Can you say catnip? I heart this rec reqest so hard and suspect it may be devastating to my bank account.
After scrolling through my Kindle, here are my recs.
Rebekah Weatherspoon’s So Sweet Novella series is wonderful, I believe there are 3? Also by her is the first book in the Fit trilogy, which was already mentioned, but there is also a novella in the series called Wrapped which made my heart happy…the heroine owned a cupcakery.
Curveball by Charlotte Stein, this one had a forced proximity element, as they were on a boat vacation together and I think the hero was the best friend of the heroine’s older brother.
Stay My Fantasy by Alisha Rai…the heroine may be more curvy than anything, but I remember liking it.
The Jewel of His Collection by Fae Mallory. Plus Size heroine is trying to convince a local millionaire to loan pieces of his art collection to the museum she curates. He agrees, one piece for every article of clothing she removes in front of him. So you know my girl shows up with every extra layer she can think of! I have a special love for this story, even if it has a crazy ‘Will you two just talk’ element.
Master of the Mountain by Cherise Sinclair…definitely has a bdsm component.
It’s driving me crazy that I can’t remember more historicals, but I think Penelope in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton was described as being more full figured, in addition to being plain and put in unflattering gowns by her mom, poor love.
I wanted to like the A Perfect Fit series by Alison Bliss…I loved the hero in Size Matters, but the heroine was constantly putting herself down and it was maddening. The second book, On the Plus side was almost a DNF for me…the heroine’s brother was overprotective to an unhealthy level and I remember being frustrated with the hero and heroine constantly. I didn’t read the third book, as the blurb put me off.
I read a book awhile back that I remember liking that featured a plus-size heroine, but I can’t remember the title! Salient details:
I’m pretty sure it was a Regency, because part of the plot involved the heroine’s mother? sister? having a corset made for her to wear during her debut season. There was a scene with the modiste insisting she had to wear this new invention because her figure was too awful even for looser, flowy gowns.
There’s another scene at a ball where the hero dances with the heroine (who is, of course, miserable because of the corset and she was already kind of a wallflower) and he can’t figure out why her waist and back are so stiff and hard to the touch when they should be softer. When they finally get together she shows him the corset and explains what it does and he is horrified and maybe even calls it a torture device and says she shouldn’t ever wear it because it doesn’t show any of her lovely curves.
Anyone else remember this book? Is it maybe a Julia Quinn?
@SB Sarah: I wish I could explain why I disliked “Bet Me” but it’s been about 6 years since I read it, which means I’ve read 999 books in the meantime. I honestly don’t remember the story or why I disliked it. All that lingers is the bitter taste of disappointment.
@Jennifer in GA I think that’s Pleasure for Pleasure by Eloisa James. Good book.
The late Julie Brannagh’s “CHASING JILLIAN” is a plus-sized heroine football romance. Julie called out fat-shaming in real life and on the internet, and really wanted to write a love story that didn’t equate being thin with being loveable/worthy. Her heroine Jillian is trying to be healthier, not “be thin.” Here’s the blurb:
Score a touchdown with Julie Brannagh’s latest Love and Football novel—about discovering who you are and finding love along the way.
Jillian Miller likes her job working in the front office for the Seattle Sharks, but lately being surrounded by a constant parade of perfection only seems to make her own imperfections all the more obvious. She needs a change, which takes her into foreign territory: the Sharks’ workout facility after hours. The last thing she expects is a hot, grumbly god among men to be there as witness.
Star linebacker Seth Taylor has had a bad day—well, a series of them recently. When he hits the Sharks’ gym to work out his frustration, he’s startled to find someone there—and even more surprised that it’s Jillian, the team owner’s administrative assistant. When he learns of her mission to revamp her lifestyle, he finds himself volunteering to help. Something about Jillian’s beautiful smile and quick wit makes him want to stick around. She may not be like the swimsuit models he usually has on his arm, but the more time Seth spends with her, the harder he falls.
And as Jillian discovers that the new her is about so much more than she sees in the mirror, can she discover that happiness and love are oh-so-much better than perfect?
I know one of the London Rugby books or novellas has a larger heroine, but I don’t remember which one.
Bet Me disappointed me as well, it had some good moments but it felt oddly contrived to me.
Roadside Assistance (Body Shop Bad Boys Book 2) by Marie Harte
I was going to mention The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory too! The heroine is described more as curvy but has a couple of instances where she ends up noticing that she isn’t as skinny as other women at a party. But it’s all very body positive in the end. And a delightful story as well!
Kerry Greenwood’s Corinna Chapman series (the first one is Earthly Delights) features a plus-size baker heroine. The books are mysteries with a romantic through-line and a lovely group of supporting characters, including many fantastic cats.
I think the heroine of Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare is supposed to be heavier, if I’m remembering correctly.
There’s also Meredith Duran’s A Lady’s Code of Misconduct, in which there is very little angst about the heroine’s body but quite a lot about the hero’s brain.
The Highlander by Kerrigan Byrne has a big heroine. The hero, predictably, is nuts about her breasts. There’s a pretty big content warning for sexual and physical violence and emotional abuse in both the hero and heroine’s backstories in this one though.
Love and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden has a heroine whose has a body that is both bigger than fashion demands and also one that looks terrible in fashionable clothes. A subplot involves her finding dresses that fit her body.
I suppose I should mention Eloisa James’ Four Nights with the Duke and The Duke is Mine, though I can’t exactly recommend them. They both have some very, very terrible issues surrounding mental illness and disability, and the hero of Four Nights is such a weird dude who not only waves his dick at the heroine in the first scene of the first chapter (granted, she was blackmailing him at the time), but also continues to put his foot in his mouth and keeps thinking things like, “Wow, I’ve fucked a lot of nameless, worthless women in the past, but no one gives me the feeeeeels like the heroine does!” Very misogyny-lite.