10 Empowering Plus-Size Romance Books

An instant USA Today bestseller, Sunny Side Up by Kate Sturino is an entertaining rom-com with a central character “unafraid to embrace who she is: smart, sassy, driven, cheerful — and plus size” (Kirkus). PR maven Sunny Greene has a lot going on for her: a successful career, a lovely Chelsea apartment, two perfect pooches, and wonderful friends. But as her baby brother’s wedding approaches and the prospect of attending solo looms, Sunny also yearns for a fresh outlook on life and love (not to mention a satisfactory plus-sized swimsuit from Bergdorf Goodman). Ready to make a change for the better, Sunny dives into the dating pool to embrace who she is. Tempting suitors soon appear — from her down-to-earth mailman to a charming business tycoon ready to make her size-inclusive swimsuit brand a reality. 

Your pulse is sure to race reading The Fastest Way to Fall, Denise Williams’s “delightfully engaging romance full of humor and surprises” (Booklist). Britta Colby hopes to land a full-time writing gig at the lifestyle website where she works, and her current assignment might be the ticket to a regular byline. She’s reviewing FitMi, the hot new body-positive fitness app complete with personal coaching. What Colby wasn’t expecting: working out with Wes Lawson, FitMi’s CEO and her assigned personal coach. When things begin to heat up between the pair — and not just from the workouts — Wes and Britta must decide whether their chemistry is worth risking their careers. 

Chronically ill tech geek Chloe Brown is determined to get a life. She’s got a can-do attitude and a checklist of directives that includes riding a motorcycle, enjoying a night of drunken revelry, and indulging in fun, no-strings-attached hookups — after nearly dying, she’s done playing it safe. But since she’s a bit out of her element, she recruits Red, a tattooed, motorcycle-riding artist, to help her conquer her list. Needless to say, sparks start to fly. A story of soul-searching, self-acceptance, and scorching romance, Get a Life, Chloe Brown by acclaimed author Talia Hibbert is a winningly witty plus-size romance book.

One to Watch centers on Bea, a plus-size fashion blogger with great friends, a strong social media following, and a fine eye for style. Unfortunately, Bea’s also got a broken heart. When she gets invited to be the next star on the hit reality dating show Main Squeeze, she decides it could be a perfect opportunity to boost her career, inject the show with some much-needed body diversity, and hopefully serve up some self-love inspiration for the women watching at home. The one thing she won’t be doing on the show is falling in love. At least, that’s what she tells herself. But once the filming starts and she’s surrounded by high fashion and handsome suitors, Bea’s not so sure about sticking to that plan.

D’Vaughn and Kris are not actually together. They are, however, planning their wedding. That’s because the two are paired up to compete on the reality TV show Instant I Do for the chance to win $100,000. They may not be a real couple, but as long as no one suspects they’re pretending, they’ve got a shot at the prize. Turns out, feigning to date is pretty easy when you have actual chemistry, but building something real might be more of a challenge. Funny, heartfelt, and radiating self-love, D’Vaughn & Kris Plan a Wedding is an enchanting take on the fauxmance trope and “a beautiful distillation of the ways love can come if you simply open your heart, your arms, and fall, trusting the other person to hold on while they fall alongside you” (Entertainment Weekly).

Fitness influencer Crystal Chen is curvy and killing it, kicking toxic gym stereotypes to the curb with her content. After going through a breakup, she’s not paying men any mind, just spending time on herself and focusing on her gains. Unfortunately, there’s this new guy — a well-built firefighter named Scott — who keeps using her favorite squat rack and pushing her buttons. So when they run into each other outside the gym — at their grandparents’ engagement party, of all places — Crystal is surprised when they hit it off. This could be the start of something great…but the internet can be cruel. When a picture of Crystal and Scott goes viral, they’ll have to see if they can power through the negativity. Set on You by Amy Lea is a fun and sexy book about plus-size romance “that celebrates body positivity in the most joyous way possible” (Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Dial A for Aunties).

Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade delivers a warm and witty blend of body positivity, self-discovery, and sexy romance, with a bookish twist that we adore. When fan/creator April posts her plus-size cosplay of the character Lavinia from one of TV’s biggest shows, the internet shows its catty side. The mean comments catch the attention of Marcus Caster-Rupp, the show’s star. In a PR move aimed at silencing internet trolls, Marcus takes April on a date. But when the two connect, Marcus realizes he might have to divulge some secrets from his personal life. See, to his fans, Marcus portrays Aeneas. In his private time, however, he spins his own version of the show’s narrative, penning Aeneas/Lavinia fan fiction under a pseudonym. Turns out, he and April are already fandom friends — she just doesn’t know it. 

Dazzling storytelling, queer love, and plus-size romance take the stage in Amy Spalding’s For Her Consideration. Nina is content to put her scriptwriting dreams on hold and settle into her talent agency job, writing emails for celebrities. Enter her new client, Ari Fox — a rising actress with an out-and-proud image. As the pair get to know each other, Ari encourages Nina to start writing again and begins showing an interest in her. Nina is confident in her curves and her work, but when it comes to a potential romance with a movie star, she’s hesitant. Then again, why not take the plunge? 

Everly Winters is used to blending into the background, but all eyes are on her when she’s chosen for the popular plus-size makeover show On the Plus Side. Between the talkative hosts and the swirl of lights and cameras, Everly’s a bit overwhelmed. Thankfully, a comfortable friendship with one of the camera guys, Logan, offers respite. Turns out, she doesn’t really mind the attention if it’s coming from him. But when their connection makes it into the show and has the audience buzzing, Everly will have to decide if she’s ready to put herself out there on national television. Publisher’s Weekly celebrates Jenny L. Howe’s On the Plus Side as a “pitch-perfect rom-com about learning to love oneself at any size…timely, humorous, and heartfelt.”