Title: A Perfect Fit
Author: Adrienne Bell
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2018
This short story is actually a little bit heartbreaking, not because of the story per se, but because it focuses on society’s reactions to those who are bigger. Don’t get me wrong, it was also an incredibly cute story. It’s just that the crap that the protagonist has to deal with because she has a bigger frame is horrible. And the fact that she has to handle more of this nonsense than her male counterparts… incredibly annoying. Like I said, a bit of a heartbreaking commentary on our society.
I love that both of the characters in this story are plus sized. And that throughout their short interaction, he encourages her to be a little more comfortable and confident. Particularly when confronting her family who is too busy fat-shaming her to be anything but horrifying. It’s a reminder that sometimes the expected “family time” around the festive season shouldn’t necessarily be adhered to. At least, that’s the way I found it.
The idea that words don’t have an impact is highlighted as seriously wrong in this short story. Bell highlights how much can be internalised from bullying, nonsense and constantly being spoken down to. Although the Meet Cute on the plane in this story potentially will lead to a better, more positive outlook, it’s still a very open-ended story. As much as I would love to believe that this helps in the long term, I’m not entirely sure that it does.
Overall, I loved this short story. It was a great approach to have a holiday story which is not so much about the holiday, but the travel to and from it. And, although my cynical side doesn’t quite get the happily ever after from this, I loved the potential for this. I can’t wait to see what a full-length story from Adrienne Bell reads like if the short story is this good.
Earth and Skye 