Eat Your Heart Out
Vivien hasn't had a great relationship with her Mom's new husband Coach. He has never liked her because of her weight despite her being captain of the soccer team and clearly not needing to loose weight. But she also been privileged, the daughter of a wealthy woman she hasn't really wanted for much in life. So when she's forced to attend fat camp during winter break she is obviously not happy. Especially when she is now forced to be at the camp and in the same pod with her former best friend Allie. The other members of her pod include the camp owners son, a jock who is trying to make money for school, a nerd who wants to go home and a girl who seems to be there for the wrong reasons.
Starting off on the wrong foot, Vee has trouble making it to camp in the first place. A freak blizzard causes their van to skid off the road. And on their walk to camp they hear about a camper who went missing by the lake. It isn't long before the pod is being given a miracle weight loss cure, a weird bar that shines metallic in the light. But after campers start loosing weight the camp is soon overrun by zombies. The pod must fight to survive while trying to get to the bottom of the apocalypse.
Vee was a delightful character and a positive representation for fat girls every where. She is unbothered by her weight and the gaze of others. She is a complicated person who has difficulty with family and friends, but learns to accept the situation she has been dealt. The story is told with Vee as the clear main character but in alternating perspectives. Steve is the meat head jock character. A once potentially up and coming football player until he wasn't given any scholarships and has to make his way through college. He is the leader of the group and their to make money for college. Overall a sweet character who doesn't have much character development. Allie is Vee former best friend and uses the opportunity at Camp Featherlight to create a documentary about rich kids who are forced to loose weight. Paul is the son of the owner of camp featherlight and the head of a pharmaceutical company. He is the the jerk sent to see how the wright loss bars are working to help impress his father. Rachel is a pregnant teen who is out of options. She is trying to buy her time before she needs to make a decision about her future. Sheldon is the least discussed character. He is a nerd who decides to try and manipulate his way out of camp.
I listened to the audiobook and it was fantastic. Each of the main cast had a different voice actor which really built the story for the listener. Overall I loved this story the body positivity was a breath of fresh air (even among a fat camp storyline). It was interesting and addicting. I listened to the entire thing in one day because I had to know what happened next. My only issue was the slightly unsatisfying ending. Although realistic it wasn't what I as a reader wanted, but I understand the authors choice. A great read for anyone who wants some fat representation.