
5 plus-size romances to embrace our curves
Overweight people live happy love stories too!
January 21st, 2025
Talking about plus-size romance (also known as fat-romance by some) means talking about inclusivity in a world—the romance novel industry—where the average protagonist is typically a size 6. Representing a wide variety of body types is essential in 2025, even in romance novels often dismissed as second-rate due to their themes and content. Why is the existence of plus-size romance so important? The answer comes from Georgina Kiersten (@ingloriousgigi on Instagram), a non-binary, Black, plus-size author. "It’s a radical opposition to a fatphobic society that wants to believe fat people can only be lonely and miserable," they explain. "It shows that fat people don’t need to be silent or unheard, and we don’t need to shrink ourselves to find happiness." Yes, fat people exist—and they are happy. They fall in love just like everyone else, but the world (not just the romance world) seems to have forgotten.
Romance novels with fat, curvy, or plus-size protagonists finding happiness
This is where plus-size romance steps in. These books, mostly written by plus-size authors themselves, feature characters like them who experience the same things as the protagonists of "traditional" romance. In these novels, representation is key: the female main character (and often the main love interest) loves their body regardless of what society—or even their family—tells them, though they may encounter body shaming (which is not central to the plot). We’ve selected five must-reads, available in translation or their original language.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown - Talia Hibbert
Chloe Brown has a near-death experience and decides to reclaim her life by tackling a list of goals she’s always wanted to achieve. Despite living with chronic illness (fibromyalgia), Chloe enlists the help of Redford, her apartment’s handyman, to complete her "Get a Life" list. Will she succeed? The representation of chronic illness is authentic and non-stereotypical, likely because the author, Talia Hibbert, also lives with the condition. Be warned: there are explicit sex scenes. The book is translated and published by Mondadori.
The Cock Down the Block - Amy Award
Beatrix Moore is a librarian, vegan, and owner of a chicken coop ruled by Luke Skycocker, her rooster. Meanwhile, Chris Kingmans, her childhood friend turned football star, struggles to survive Luke’s attacks. At a high school reunion, Trixie lies about being engaged to Chris, and he agrees to pretend to be her boyfriend, secretly hoping she’ll notice he’s loved her all along. A lighthearted romance with trigger warnings for fatphobia (minimal, as the author emphasizes fluff), non-consensual sex tape distribution, and explicit scenes. Recently translated into Italian by DriEditore.
On the Plus Side - Jenny L. Howe
Imagine a reality show that makes your dreams come true without requiring diets, gyms, or weight loss. That’s the premise of On the Plus Side, the favorite show of Everly Winters, who finds herself cast as a contestant. Struggling to love herself again after her grandmother’s death, Everly faces the truth about her nomination and uncovers the manipulative reality of television. Meanwhile, Logan, the cameraman, can’t seem to keep his eyes—or his camera—off her. A novel exploring how fat bodies are perceived onscreen, with explicit scenes. Available in English.
Spoiler Alert - Olivia Dade
Olivia Dade, a master of plus-size romance, takes us to the set of Gods of the Gates, a popular series based on fantasy novels inspired by Virgil’s Aeneid. Actor Marcus Caster-Rupp secretly writes fanfiction as Book!AeneasWouldNever, while geologist and fanfiction writer April Whittier faces backlash for her Lavinia cosplay. When Marcus asks her out to silence critics, he discovers she’s Unapologetic Lavinia Stan, a fellow fanfiction writer. Should he tell her the truth or keep pretending? A must-read for Wattpad veterans, with explicit scenes. Available in English.
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When Grumpy Met Sunshine - Charlotte Stein
Alfie Harding, a retired footballer known for his grumpy demeanor, hires Mabel to ghostwrite his autobiography. Despite their clashes, they agree to pretend to date, igniting a media frenzy. Can Mabel break through Alfie’s walls? Is Alfie truly as grumpy as he seems? This romance features explicit scenes and is available in English.