Fat Chance, Charlie Vega

This book was EVERYTHING I cried happy tears, anger tears, frustration tears, and so many other tears! I dont know how many times I caught myself, while reading this book, thinking omg that is how I felt. My mom said that to me. Oh that was what happened to me. While Charlie was 17, I found out that the things she struggled with, are things I still struggle with at 27. My mom constantly talks about diets and how I should do things with her. I would be skinny if I tried. And she does the same to my sister. Its hurtful because I do try. I just can’t lose it as easy as she does. It’s incredibly frustrating to always compare myself to my skinny friend or anyone else for that matter. Charlie’s struggle definitely resonated within me as a person. All the struggles all my life are the same things Charlie struggled with. And how she came to self acceptance, well I’m getting there. Just taking me more time than it took her!

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is an emotional and inspiring novel that dares us to be our real, genuine selves. In a society where women (and men) are pressured to look and act a certain way, this was a refreshing reminder to be unapologetically you, while also learning to love yourself.

Charlie is relatable, lovable, realistic, and expertly written. Shes written on such a raw, emotional level that it was easy to connect with her, sympathize with her, and truly understand her insecurities. I found myself rooting for her from the start.

A deliciously heartwarming novel about self acceptance, navigating familial relationships, friendships, and romantic interests. I am truly envious of those that are reading Fat Chances, Charlie Vega for the first time!

But Im also surrounded by messages that tell me I need shape-wear, I need to lose weight, I need to fit into straight sizes, I need to look like an Insta girl, I need to be tiny to be loved.

Whew.

I wish I had this book when I was a teenager. As someone who has struggled with weight issues their WHOLE life, I empathized and sympathized with Charlie on SO many levels. Its hard growing up not being thin when being thin is what is shoved down your throat on a regular and routine basis. Getting changed in the locker room for gym class in high school was absolutely traumatizing, being judged over your food choices, feeling second best to your thin best friend. Trying and failing every fad diet. Ill be here for days with how much I related to this story.

Charlie Vega has down became one of my favorite characters after reading this book. Watching Charlie blossom, transform in the person I wanted to be, and do everything I couldnt do when I was her age was absolutely wonderful. This book will definitely stay with me for a very long time. I LOVED the diversity and inclusion in this story. Brown fat girl, Black pansexual, Asian love interest with two moms. Im here for it all!! Complex mother/daughter relationship. This was such a genuine and heartfelt story. If you made it this far thanks for reading my rambling of words.

I’m so happy I had the chance to read this story. Anyone can relate to the vulnerability of the main character as she confronts issues of race, gender, body image, emotions, relationships, and just navigating through the world. Reading about her journey as she discovered her own self-worth was something that I really needed. The relationships between the characters are very relatable, and there are so many great messages the author relays through these relationships. I especially loved the conversations between the main character and her best friend; there were aspects of the dynamics between them that I was not expecting! Definitely recommend!

Charlie Vega is always dreaming of what she knows she cant have. The crush. The kiss. The mother who wont hound her about her weight. Shes pragmatic, but at the same time shes wistful. When her dream comes trueat least getting asked to the dance by her crush with certainly the possibility of a kissCharlie is beside herself. Now she can prove that she has worth. Someone. Someone popular, has asked her out. But it turns out her date to the dance expected her to bring along her own best friend. For him. Her skinny, smart, popular friend who even gets along better with Charlies mom than Charlie does. The road back to emotional health for Charlie is long and fraught. Will her self-concept ever recover? It was a wonderful read that left me wanting more.

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