Conversations with the Fat Girl

September 1, 2005
Almost 28 with a master's degree in museum studies, Maggie is dealing with self-esteem issues that concern more than just her weight. She's still working her "temporary" job at a Pasadena coffee house and living in Southern California, where perfection rules. In fact, Maggie is so defensive and self-conscious that attractive coworker Domenic's attentions seem unrealistic. But the real crisis comes when her longtime best friend, Olivia, now beautiful and thin after gastric bypass surgery, announces that she's getting married and asks Maggie to be her bridesmaid. Because Olivia's "great catch" has no idea of her fat past, Olivia cruelly begins distancing herself from Maggie. The press materials accompanying this debut compares it with Jennifer Weiner's "Good in Bed", but Weiner's novel is superior. While Palmer's book may resonate with some readers and features clever chapter titles, the compressed time frame stretches credulity, and the ending is too abrupt. This could have been a successful summer paperback, but the fall publication date and spattering of strong language may nix it as a contender for public libraries. [This is the first title to be published under 5 Spot, Warner's new trade paperback imprint geared toward women. -Ed.] -Rebecca Kelm, Steely Lib., Northern Kentucky Univ., Highland Heights

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 25, 2005
Palmer debuts with the latest sprightly entry in the ever-expanding category of light romantic comedies starring plus-sized heroines. Maggie has been best friends with fellow fat girl Olivia since they were 12. Following gastric bypass surgery at 22, however, Olivia grows increasingly unrecognizable. Now 27, she's engaged to Adam, a fat-phobic Ken doll, and although Maggie is to be the maid of honor, she feels less and less a part of Olivia's skinny new life. After Olivia disappoints her old friend again and again, Maggie sets in motion a long-overdue and explosive confrontation and walks into the arms of the colleague—busboy to her barista—whom she's had a crush on for ages. By that time, in true chick-lit style, Maggie is both earnestly at work improving herself and being loved for her true, unimproved self. And though Palmer doesn't moralize, it's when Maggie starts to make her own, more realistic wishes come true—by taking a better job and signing up with a trainer instead of a surgeon—that she sees her love requited. It turns out her instincts were good—as are Palmer's. Agent, Christy Fletcher.

August 1, 2005
Palmer's lighthearted debut traverses territory familiar to chick-lit fans--a young woman lets self-doubt undermine an opportunity for romance. A lifelong battle with her weight, a disastrous dating life, and a going-nowhere job have taken their toll on Maggie's self-esteem. To make matters worse, her best friend, Olivia--once a fellow plus-size shopper--has a new svelte body thanks to gastric bypass surgery and a handsome surgeon fiance to boot. A great boyfriend and the perfect job are within Maggie's reach, but first she has to feel like she deserves them. Palmer's likable characters and snappy dialogue make this novel stand out from the crowd, and it's sure to attract fans of Jennifer Weiner and other authors who offer slightly imperfect heroines. Palmer manages to infuse a message of self--acceptance that isn't heavy-handed or cloying. This quick-witted author is sure to develop a following.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)