• Reviews
    • 5+++++++ Stars
    • 5 stars
    • 4-5 stars
      • 4 stars
      • 4.25 Stars
      • 4.5 stars
      • 4.75 Stars
    • 3-4 stars
    • audiobook
      • Audiobooks Under 3 stars
      • Audiobook 3 stars
      • Audiobook 3.5 stars
      • Audiobook 3.75 Stars
      • Audiobook 4 stars
      • Audiobook 4.25 Stars
      • Audiobook 4.5 Stars
      • Audiobook 4.75 Stars
      • Audiobook 5 stars
      • Audiobook 5+++ Stars
  • Series Orders
    • The Complete Guide To Kristen Ashley
  • What to Read after Fifty
  • About~Privacy
    • Advertising
    • Contact ~ Review Requests
    • Terms and Conditions. Privacy Policy.
    • Archive
  • Wicked Book Weekend

Ana's Attic Book Blog

Romance Book and Audiobook Reviews and Deals

  • Ana's Attic Book Blog
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • 5+++++++ Stars
    • 5 stars
    • 4-5 stars
      • 4 stars
      • 4.25 Stars
      • 4.5 stars
      • 4.75 Stars
    • 3-4 stars
    • Audiobooks
      • Audiobook 5+++ Stars
      • Audiobook 5 stars
      • Audiobook 4.75 Stars
      • Audiobook 4.5 Stars
      • Audiobook 4.25 Stars
      • Audiobook 4 stars
      • Audiobook 3.75 Stars
      • Audiobook 3.5 stars
      • Audiobook 3 stars
      • Audiobooks Under 3 stars
  • New-Sale-Free-Preorder
  • Favorite Lists
    • 2021 Top Picks
    • 2020 Top Picks
    • 2019 Top Picks
    • 2018 Top Picks
    • 2017 Top Picks
    • 2016 Top Picks
    • 2015 Top Picks
    • 2014 Top Picks
    • 2013 Top Picks
    • 2012 Top Picks
    • Top Picks and Favorite Lists
    • Recaps and Best Sellers
  • Book Extras – Exclusives
  • Upcoming Book Releases

Muffin Top by Avery Flynn – Book Review

11/15/2018

Muffin Top by Avery Flynn

Romantic Comedy. Second Standalone in Related Series.

As soon as I saw Muffin Top by Avery Flynn, I knew I had to read it. I love RomComs with plus-sized heroines. Especially heroines that don’t lose weight to get the guy. I also love when she has self-esteem issues she needs to overcome. Therefore Muffin Top seemed right up my alley.

I liked the characters. I liked the story. But 5 days into it I was at like 30%. Ten days into it I was at 60%. I read 3 books a week so this was very strange. I thought maybe I was just in a mood, so I put it aside. The book I read next I read in one day. It took me another 4 days to read Muffin Top. That’s two weeks total! I can’t quite put my finger on exactly why it took so long when I liked so much about it.

“If one more person told Lucy that she’d be so pretty if she just lost some weight, she was going to set them on fire.”

Lucy is so much like me. A size 20, she is defensive and filled with self-loathing one minute, and body positive and confident the next. I know it sounds crazy, but I get it. Lucy grew up with an underwear model for a mom which is tough for any girl to grow up in the shadow of. I totally got her and related to her in every way.

“I am a curious, sex-positive, grown-ass woman,” she said, her shoulders tensing and her chin going up as she withdrew her hand. “Or were you thinking it was just the old line about fat girls having to be more creative and enthusiastic in bed because it was the only way we got laid?”

I also loved Frankie, the sexy firefighter hero. Frankie is known as a good-time guy. The player is great for a quick fuck, but that’s where it ends. When this fact is pointed out to him, Frankie wants to change his ways. So he starts by offering to be a plus-one at Lucy’s high school reunion so she can go back to all the bullies with a hottie on her arm. He knows she’s safe because he doesn’t see her sexually (she’s a size 20, he goes out with models).

Frankie was an idiot when it came to women. He was basically clueless, but it was kind of cute. As he fell for Lucy her weight never seemed to be a factor for him.

“I’m not a small woman.”
“Maybe you’ve noticed,” he said, straightening to his full height. “I’m not a small guy.”

But her self-depreciation held her back. She couldn’t believe a guy like him would go for her. But it wasn’t a problem for him.

“I am not that bitch Constance, or that guy from Marino’s who told you to eat a salad, or any of the other dumbasses who’ve been too stupid to see you as you are.”
She whirled around. “Oh yeah, and what’s that?”
“One of those women who men start wars over.”

There were a number of strange story inconsistencies and some things that made it seem like the author maybe isn’t plus-sized and doesn’t get it, and then others where it seemed like she must be. One minute Lucy is saying she needs to have all her clothes and shoes custom made in wide widths, and the next she talks about her obsession with DSW 70% off rack. She is a size 20. So am I, and I never have the outright insults and difficulties she does.

I relate to feeling bad about yourself but trying to love yourself, but Lucy bounced back and forth between the two extremes a lot.

“This is what you get when you have a naked Lucy Kavanagh.” She reached behind her back to her bra clasp. “There are rolls.” The bra hooks gave way, and she shook it off, letting it drop where it may. “There are stretch marks.” She slid her thumbs into the waistband of her high-waisted panties meant to hold her not-perfect stomach in and pushed them with more force than necessary to her ankles. She kicked them off with enough power that they went flying through the night like a red cotton bullet and landed on a bush near where Frankie had parked. “There are curves where there should be dips.” She held her arms out wide. “There is all of this, and I’m not apologizing for it—not to you and not to anyone.”

Likes:

  • I love books with plus-sized heroines that don’t lose weight to get the guy.
  • The reminder that people are going through their own shit, and not to be so quick to judge.
  • I loved Frankie the firefighter.
  • He didn’t obsess over her size, just appreciated her how she was.
  • I loved that she was down about herself and her thoughts about her weight were a little obsessive because she was so relatable to me.
  • I didn’t read the first in the series and didn’t feel like I missed anything.

Dislikes:

  • Took me 2 weeks to read.
  • 3rd Person
  • Muffin Top seemed really long. Fifty pages could have been cut and the story would have flowed way better. It has great bones, but from 25-70% really dragged.
  • Some story inconsistencies.
  • She bounced back and forth from body-positive to self-hatred a little too much.
  • His whole thing with his dad – I just didn’t like how it played out.
  • She should have taken more responsibility for the conflicts. He was a great guy. Her views of herself will eventually break them up.

The Down & Dirty:

I have such mixed feelings about Muffin Top by Avery Flynn. I loved that she was plus sized, and while confident at work, not in her personal life. I loved how Frankie never really focused on her weight at all. But the story just dragged for me. It took forever to read and I found her self-deprecation to be a little too overwhelming. It pushed people away, including this reader. The thing is, I usually LIKE that, so I’m not exactly sure what held me back so much from loving this. I liked both characters. I liked the storyline. There were some things I didn’t love (see above), but I can’t place exactly why it took me so long to read when I liked it while I read it. I just never felt the need to pick it up and read more. Lucy was super relatable. Frankie was adorable, but there was just something missing for me.

Rating: 3 Stars, 4 Heat

Related posts:

  • The Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne DenkerThe Rom-Com Agenda by Jayne Denker
  • The Back Nine by Rachel BlaufeldThe Back Nine by Rachel Blaufeld
  • The RSVP by Lauren Blakely | Audiobook ReviewThe RSVP by Lauren Blakely | Audiobook Review
  • A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn | Audiobook ReviewA Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn | Audiobook Review
  • Beauty and the baller by Ilsa Madden-MillsBeauty and the Baller by Ilsa Madden-Mills | Audiobook Review
«
»

3-4 stars, Avery Flynn, Book Reviews, Books - 3-4 stars, Featured, Reviews 0

Follow Me Here!

Join our Facebook Group

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stalk Me – I Like It

Stay in touch!

Subscribe to my monthly newsletter to stay up to date on my blog!

Welcome! Over 18 please

Ana's Attic

Ana’s Attic Book and Audiobook Blog was established in 2012.

Search this site:

search by category

.
Disclosure: Ana's Attic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Many of the books reviewed on Ana's Attic were provided by the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. We never accept payment in any form for reviews or recommendations. Also an affiliate of Target.com For our full, in-depth Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies, CLICK HERE. By using this website you are consenting to our Policies as set forth here.
DMCA.com Protection Status

reading:

next review:

reading next:

Listening:

Visit These pages:

Visit These pages:
Holiday Romances
hanukkah-Romance-Novels

Founding Member

Passionflix

#officialfifty

#officialfifty

New single out now!

Affiliate:

Ana's Attic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Privacy Policy

For our full, in-depth Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies, CLICK HERE. By using this website you are consenting to our Policies as set forth here.

The only time I collect e-mails is when you sign up for the newsletter or if you register This information is NEVER shared, and is only used to deliver your email to you.

Ana’s Attic does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.

You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings.

We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission.

This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on May 24, 2018. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly here: ana@anasattic.com

Please note:

This blog is meant for adults 18+ only. All opinions are my own and custom images are copyright protected. I never accept payment for reviews. All books reviewed are either purchased by me or provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Prices reflected are valid at the time of post only. You are responsible for checking the correct price before completing the purchase.

For our full, in-depth Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies, CLICK HERE. By using this website you are consenting to our Policies as set forth here.

Contest Winners: Contest Winners have 48 hours from my e-mail to get back to me or another winner is chosen. Flash Giveaway winners on Facebook are responsible for checking back to see if they are a winner. Mailed prizes are US only unless otherwise stated. I only pick rafflecopter winners once per month, all at once.

Instagram

anasatticblog

📖Romance Book |🎧Audiobook Reviews since 2012
📚New Releases
💰Sale|Freebie Lists
📆Starting On Monday Blog
🏖Wicked Book Weekend
#bookstagram #bookblog

Ana's Attic Book Blog
I liked the Rom-Com Agenda enough to read the whol I liked the Rom-Com Agenda enough to read the whole thing. I liked the characters, but the hero spent the entire book trying to get his ex back instead of seeing what was right in front of him way sooner. She deserved better. 
💻See my review: https://anasattic.com/the-rom-com-agenda/
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3D9wDEI
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3WsiGss
—
#Bookreview #audiobookreview  #bookblog #bookblogger #netgalley #arcreview 
#audiobookstagram #bookstagram #netgalley #arcreview
- @catherinecowlesauthor has been a favorite of mi - @catherinecowlesauthor has been a favorite of mine for the last few years. In 2022, the entire Tattered and Torn series released, and I loved every single one of them. I listened to them all on audio, and they each deserve a place on my Best of 2022 list, especially Fractured Sky, which I gave a rare 5+++ stars to.

They also have the most beautiful covers!

—>See the whole Tattered and Torn Series here: https://anasattic.com/catherine-cowles-tattered-and-torn-series-order/
—> See my Best of 2022 List: https://anasattic.com/top-books-audiobooks-of-2022/
—
—
#Bookseries #favoritebooks #Catherinecowles #Favoriteauthor #bookcoverlove #romanticsuspense #audiblebooks #audiobooklover #spicybooks #bookstagram #spicybookstagram #bookish #bestof2022 #bestbooksof2022
My 11th annual Best of the year list includes some My 11th annual Best of the year list includes some old favorites and some new authors. Do you agree with any of these choices? What were some of your favorites? See the whole list at anasattic.com (link in bio) 
—
—
#bestof2022 #bestbooksof2022 #favoritebooksof2022 #audiobooks #bookstagram #audiobookstagram #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #favoritebooks @authortarasivec @catherinecowlesauthor @jessicaanyablau @colleenhoover @alihazelwood @carabastone @jtgeissingerauthor @kennedyryan1 @jfrostauthor @kristenashleybooks
The first two audiobooks in this unrelated series The first two audiobooks in this unrelated series were on my Best of 2021 List, and Seatmate by @carabastone has continued the streak for my Best of 2022 list. The full cast narration and the production of this “audioplay” is what made Seatmate a 5-star read for me. I really felt like I was eavesdropping on a real conversation. This was a quick and fun listening experience, and though it’s nothing epic, it stood out to me in 22.

🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3PzGOXY (included in #audibleplus )
💻My review: https://anasattic.com/seatmate-by-cara-bastone/

#Bestof2022 #favoriteaudiobook #audiobookreview #carabastone #audiblebooks #audibleoriginal #madeforaudio #5stars #audibleromance #audible #zacharywebber #audiobooks
I enjoyed The Back Nine by Rachel Blaufeld. It’s I enjoyed The Back Nine by Rachel Blaufeld. It’s rare to find books about older couples and I so appreciate when an author writes a sexy one. I had a couple of issues with it, and I really struggled with the heroine’s name, James. Every time I read her name (and the female MC for the next book is Billy) my brain had to catch up for a second that it was a girl. 

To see the rest of my review, Its right on the homepage of my site, or go to https://anasattic.com/the-back-nine/
Grab it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QK35mU

#bookreview #bookstagram #matureromance #bookreviewer #romancenovel #romancereader #bookblog #booklover
Top Pick of 2022: @kristenashleybooks has been on Top Pick of 2022: @kristenashleybooks has been on all 11 lists (since 2012), and for good reason!
Taking the Leap by Kristen Ashley is my favorite book she has written in a while. It very much focuses on Alex and Rix and it didn’t feel like I had to remember a ton of other characters. I felt their chemistry and how perfect they are for each other. 
I love how Kristen handled a disabled hero. This is one you don’t want to miss! Have you read it yet?

💻My review: https://anasattic.com/taking-the-leap/
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3H4sL7r
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3uSHX54
See my Complete Guide to Kristen Ashley: https://anasattic.com/the-complete-guide-to-kristen-ashley/
See all the best of 22 Books: (See the top banner on my site or bio)
—
—
#bestof22 #bestbooksof2022 #Favoritebooks #bookreview #kristenashley #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #romancereads #bookreviewer #favoriteauthor #riverrain #disabled #amputee #amreadingromance #bookblogger #romancebooks  #booklover #reading
Did you know I have an upcoming releases page with Did you know I have an upcoming releases page with preorders that I update several times per week?
Just hit upcoming releases in the menu at anasattic .com (link in bio). I also have the current releases, sales, freebies and next week’s releases on the top post of my blog. 
—
#romancebooks #2023books #bookreleases #romancenovels #upcomingbooks
Pen Pal by JT Geissinger was one of my most fun su Pen Pal by JT Geissinger was one of my most fun surprises of the year. It was completely not what I expected and I loved every word. That’s why it’s on my Best of 2022 list. 

📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3R8DsLe
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3XAXt0f
I had to do a totally different type of review for this so I wouldn’t give anything away.
💻My review: https://anasattic.com/pen-pal-jt-geissinger/

See all my Best of 2022 choices: https://anasattic.com/top-books-audiobooks-of-2022/ (link in bio) 
—
—
#bestof2022 #bestbooksof2022 #favoritebooksof2022 #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booklover @jtgeissingerauthor #jtgeissinger #bookrecommendations #spicyreads #spicybooks #sexybooks
After loving over fifty books by Lauren Blakely, I After loving over fifty books by Lauren Blakely, I realized something after reviewing The RSVP: I don’t like when a heroine actively pursues and seduces a man—I like the men to do the chasing. 
See my review on my blog (link in bio) or below. 
https://anasattic.com/the-rsvp-lauren-blakely/

📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3Xzskua
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3XdQWsO

#audiobookreview #kindleunlimited #bookreview #bookstagrammer
#audiobookstagram #audible #favoriteauthor #audibleromance #agegapromance #bookstagram #audible #spicybook
Another Top Pick of 2022! The Love Hypothesis by @ Another Top Pick of 2022! The Love Hypothesis by @alihazelwood lived up to all the hype. I absolutely loved the smart, slow-burn romance that subtly addressed a lot of issues without ever banging you over the head with them. This is one of those books you might be able to recommend to even the non-romance reader even though it’s very much a romance. It just has that “something special”. 

📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3u6cpq8
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3Ih6iEF
💻My review: https://anasattic.com/the-love-hypothesis/

See all of my Top Picks for 2022: https://anasattic.com/top-books-audiobooks-of-2022/
—
—
#bestbooksof2022 #bestof2022 #topbooksof2022 #bestaudiobooks #bookreview #audiobookreview #romcom #romancereads #alihazelwood #bookrecommendations #audible #audiobook #womeninstem
I am usually very stingy with my five star reads, I am usually very stingy with my five star reads, but A Long Time Coming by @meghanquinnbooks had everything I ever want in a book. Lia and Breaker’s nerdy friendship morphed into such a great romance, but it took its time, and I loved that; I thought the pace was just perfect. I listened to A Long Time Coming with a HUGE smile on my face the whole time. If I could hug this audiobook I would!

The duet narration from @mallonerin and @j.f.harding made it even better.
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3iJ6iX7
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3X9yZvz
💻My review: https://anasattic.com/a-long-time-coming-meghan-quinn/
—
#5starreview #audiobookreview #bookreview #kindleunlimited #audible #audiobook #romancereads #meghanquinn #favoriteauthor #favoritebook #erinmallon #romcomreads #romanticcomedy #feelgoodbooks
#bookstagram #newbook #audiobookstagram
The Other Half of the Grave by @jfrostauthor is an The Other Half of the Grave by @jfrostauthor is another of my top reads for 2022. 

I read the first book of the Night Huntress Series, Halfway to the Grave in 2009, and I can honestly say it’s still in my top 3 series ever, so when I saw she was writing the first book again from the male POV this time, I was a little nervous but also excited. Thankfully I had nothing to be nervous about! I absolutely LOVED it and I am so glad to hear she is continuing to do Bone’s POV for the 2nd book as well!

The Other Half of the Grave:
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3IOtIFd
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3Zyrpfj
💻My review: https://anasattic.com/the-other-half-of-the-grave/

The Night Huntress Series order:  https://anasattic.com/nighthuntress/
—
—
#Bestof2022 #topbooksof2022 #jeanienefrost #paranormalromance #urbanfantasy #vampires #favoritebookseries #favoriteauthor #recommendedreading #bestbooksof2022 #favoritebooks #nighthuntress #catandbones
If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good sports ro If you’re looking for a fun, feel-good sports romance where the audiobook is in KU (or $1.99 upgrade) you’re in luck! Beauty and the Baller by @ilsamaddenmills fits that description perfectly.
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3iEZoSH
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3H2MqI7
💻My review: https://anasattic.com/beauty-and-the-baller/
—
#audiobookreview #bookreview #kindleunlimited #audible #audiobook #romancereads #sportsromance #footballromance  #amreadingromance #kindleunlimitedaudiobooks #ilsamaddenmills #bookstagram
Another 2022 Top Favorite is Carrie Soto is Back b Another 2022 Top Favorite is Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid.  I am still blown away by the fact that this non-tennis fan loved this all-tennis book so much. I loved that Carrie Soto is Back tackled so many issues women in sports face, especially women of color. This powerful story really illustrated the costs of greatness, and the sacrifices one needs to make in order to make it to the top. The narration made it even better, and the tennis had me on the edge of my seat! (I don’t even like tennis!)

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
📚Read it: https://amzn.to/3LjdlzX
🎧Listen: https://amzn.to/3L60gJP
See how all the TJR books cross over: https://anasattic.com/taylor-jenkins-reid-book-crossovers/
See all my ’22 Favorites: https://anasattic.com/top-books-audiobooks-of-2022/
—
#Bestof2022 #bestbooksof2022 #favoritebooks #audible #bookstagram #audiobookstagram #taylorjenkinsreid tjenkinsreid #audiobooklover #carriesotoisback #tennis #topbooksof2022
Instagram post 17979948931759141 Instagram post 17979948931759141
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright

All images and text on this blog are credited to Ana’s Attic, unless otherwise stated. Book covers are from Amazon.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (including translations) without express and written permission from Ana’s Attic’s author is strictly prohibited.

Excerpts (no longer than a short paragraph) and links to this blog are permitted, providing that full credit is given to Ana’s Attic with clear and specific direction to the original content.

For our full, in-depth Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies, CLICK HERE. By using this website you are consenting to our Policies as set forth here.

Facebook Page

Wicked Book Weekend

Ana's Attic Book Blog © 2023

Web Design and Development by emr design studio