Romance novels don’t seem to embrace the plus size woman. I wonder why that is? Recently television has been making a statement featuring woman with ample curves in leading roles. “Ugly Betty” is not a size two, yet people sit on their couches every week rooting for her. Lifetime just premiered their new series “Drop Dead Diva,” the story of an air head model who dies and finds herself in the body of a very smart, workaholic, overweight lawyer. She was once thin and beautiful and now she’s not. Oxygen had “Mo’Nique’s F.A.T. Chance,” a plus-size pageant where women of substance strutted their stuff to be crowned “Miss Fabulous And Thick.” And FOX will soon debut their version of “The Bachelor” featuring plus sizes everywhere, when their bachelor realizes with extra pounds there’s “More to Love.” So why is it that romance in general hasn’t embraced the various sizes we all seem to come in?
I recall Eloisa James’ heroine Josephine Essex in “Pleasure for Pleasure ” being described as lush with unfashionable curves – basically she was overweight. And I certainly remember the brouhaha the followed when the book was released. Pleasure for Pleasure was the fourth book in Ms. James’ Essex Sisters series - and by the fourth book, we all knew Josie was ‘big’. We were happy she wasn’t Scarlet O’Hara – thin and struggling to get her 20” waist into 18 inches of corset. BUT, the publisher saw things differently and when the book was released it featured a size two heroine on the cover – no unfashionable curves there. The cover model bore NO resemblance to the heroine of the book. Now, that’s not unusual, however, if one of the main character descriptions of your heroine is the fact that she is overweight, it’s like putting a 6 ½ foot man on the cover of a book, when your hero is an elf. The two don’t correlate, they don’t corroborate, and basically that dog won’t hunt.
As I sit here I can’t recall another book I’ve read where the heroine was plump, overweight, fat, or had more than her share of curves. They’re usually a size 2 – if I had to stretch they’d be a size 4 – but really, don’t fat girls have sex? What’s wrong with having a heavy heroine?
Can anyone out there name me a book where the heroine was heavy? Would you read books where the heroine wasn’t your idea of a svelte goddess like creature?
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PJ
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 1:21 am:
BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY by Cathie Linz is a wonderfully funny, sexy and steamy contemporary with a plus-size heroine and a sexy hero who loves her just the way she is.
rita
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 1:21 am:
No, I can’t think of a romantic novel (or any novel) where the heroine was fat. This is just one of the reasons that I love Drop Dead Diva……….fabulous show.
AnimeGirl
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 1:53 am:
Oh, you should try Meg Cabot’s Heather Well’s series, the first book is called Size 12 is not fat – the second one is called Size 14 is not fat either, third one is Big Boned – Heather isn’t super thin, she isn’t obese either but rather like a regular woman.
I love Heather’s stories.
AG
cyclops8
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 4:22 am:
Lisa Kleypas’ “Suddenly You” has a “plump” heroine. I think that was the word Lisa used to describe Amanda, the heroine..
Andrea
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 7:39 am:
Millie Barnes from “Fools Rush In” by Kristan Higgins is considered a plump heroine, though you couldn’t tell by the cover. Cute story!
Buffie
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 8:20 am:
Kathryn Smith has a couple books that feature “plump” or “regular” size gals.
Buffie
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 8:21 am:
Oh, and to answer your questions, yes big girls do have sex. This one does
LOL!
Kimberly Killion
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 9:38 am:
I love this topic! I think Jenny Crusie had a curvaceous heroine in BET ME. Great book. I read it years ago and can still recall a pink sweater that the heroine wore.
In the renaissance time period ‘plump’ women were consider all the rage. Just look at the paintings.
Estefanie
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:21 am:
Real Vampire series by author, Gerry Bartlett has a curvaceous heroine as well.
Elise Logan
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:26 am:
Lori Foster has had several novels with plus-sized heroines. Too Much Temptation comes to mind, but there have been some categories as well. Also, Emma Holly’s Personal Assets featured a French heroine who was plus-sized.
I’ll have to think on it, but I’m sure I’ve read some others.
Jody W.
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:28 am:
The title of the Jenny Crusie book in question is “Bet Me”.
Ev
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:29 am:
Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. It is one of the best out there.
And yes, this “fat” woman (me) has sex too!!!
LisaK
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:35 am:
Isn’t Kat in Jo Davis’s Trial by Fire described as “curvy” and “not model size”?
German author Michelle Raven once wrote that wonderfully romantic (and extremely exciting!) novel with a heroine that had “a few pounds to much” on her waist – and the hero absolutely adored that about her, he didn’t want to have a slim woman but one who could handle him and his size – “size” being his body height, of course, ahem, ahem…
Leah Braemel
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:41 am:
Sherrilyn Kenyon’s got a size 18 heroine in her Night Play and works it beautifully. SK has Bride and Vane having some of the hottest sex.
Samantha
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:45 am:
Night Play – Sherrilyn Kenyon
Bride is plus size and absolutely one of the best female characters I have ever read.
I read the Lori Foster someone mentioned above with the plus size character and I remember not liking how the hero described ‘hefting’ her up on a table. It was kind of mean. Not one of my favorite books by Ms. Foster.
Louise Fury
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 10:48 am:
Jemima . J. by Jane Green is about an obese woman who loses the weight for a man and find out it wasnt worth it, gains some back and ends up with an old friend who always loved her–even when she was fat.
LOVED that book.
Neil DeBra
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 11:17 am:
It’s not “literature” per se, but the heroine of this musical mini-shortfilm is definitely a large lovely lady!
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/14ae2e58c8/fat-girls-by-eli-braden
Stacy ~
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 11:26 am:
I’ve read some Lori Foster books, and yeah, there’s Jo Davis’ “Trial By Fire” with the very awesome Kat. But they are rare in a world filled with perfect model heroines. I’d especially love to see a plus-sized kick-*ss heroine in a paranormal. Wouldn’t that be something?
Jody F.
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 12:14 pm:
I think Bella Andre has an anthology where one of the stories has a plus-size heroine and one of her stand-alone titles does too. Can’t think of the titles right now though. There’s another anthology with Donna Hill and others called A Whole Lotta Love. And also Justine Davis/Whole Lot Of Love.
Just Jinny
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 1:02 pm:
No I can’t think of one.
I’ve recently started out on the journey of writing a romantic comedy. It is loosely based on my sister, who is NOT a size two.
When I mentioned this idea to my co-worker, and another romance novel fan, she said to me (before I could mention my sisters curves) ‘Please, PLEASE don’t make her a size two’. There you go, right there, a cry for a curvaceous heroine.
Gannon
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 2:22 pm:
“Wishes” by Jude Devereaux has an overweight heroine. The hero loves her as she is, and when she loses weight, even though he still loves her, he tells her he prefers her plump. I just love that! It’s a great book, an oldie that is on my keeper shelf.
PJ
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 3:01 pm:
I love that book, Gannon. “Mountain Laurel” by Deveraux is another oldie but goodie with a plus-size heroine.
Maria Lokken
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 8:59 pm:
Ladies, thanks so much for ALL the suggestions! Yikes! More to add to my TBR mountain.
katiebabs
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 9:54 pm:
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. Min is a big girl, or I guess in the romance world she is considered to be that.
Kathryn Smith wrote a historical romance where the heroine is voluptuous.
Sally Mackenzie’s latest book in her Naked series has a heroine who is tall, curvy and stacked in the chest.
Brandy
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 9:55 pm:
Just wanted to add one more to your list! *G* Real Women Don’t Wear Size 2 by Kelly St. John.
kh
on Jul 25th, 2009
@ 11:45 pm:
bet me love tha t story
susan lyons she ’s on top
Marisa
on Jul 26th, 2009
@ 7:32 am:
Maria – sorry to be late on this chain, I’m with so many others when the mention Lori Foster’s Too Much Temptation and and Emma Holly’s books. They are on my keeper shelf. These authors know how to write about women who aren’t a size 2 and make them beautiful, sexy and hot.
I just finished reading Catherine Spangler’s Touched by Light and her heroine Julia is not a size 2 either.
You’ve sent me on a mission – because I know I’ve read other romances where the heroine is not a size 2 and I’m going to search my keeper shelf and find them, I’ll get back to you.
Robin
on Jul 26th, 2009
@ 1:07 pm:
Bella Andre’s “Take Me” has a plus sized heroine. I am a (sometimes overzealous, I’m sure) evangelist for this book. I rec it to everyone…..well, everyone interested in the hotter end of the romance heat chart. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. LOVE.
KK
on Jul 26th, 2009
@ 2:47 pm:
What really bugs me –and I see this a lot– is when authors have their heroes justifying the skinny heroine by saying “He usually preferred more voluptuous women, but (heroine)’s small figure was so appealing.” It’s like why can’t the heroine be plus sized or voluptuous? Or are they implying that only courtesans, etc can be that size???
Teresa
on Jul 27th, 2009
@ 12:12 pm:
“Real Women Don’t Wear Size 2″ by Kelley St.John Also I know yall already said it but Night Play- Sherrilyn Kenyon. I love that book and let’s just say that Bride really got her man. Loved the part when Vane comes up on his bike!!! If you read the book you know what I’m talking about.
val
on Jul 27th, 2009
@ 3:01 pm:
Must not forget “Seize the Night” by Laura Kinsale. The heroine was overweight and the book covered her insecurities and feelings about it. It wasn’t the main focus of the book by any means, but it was included as a part of her and I feel it was realistically portrayed. It was a beauftifully written story and the hero was magnificent!
Rachel Miller
on Jul 28th, 2009
@ 7:28 pm:
My personal favorite is Susan Donovan’s “He Loves Lucy”
Brenda
on Jul 29th, 2009
@ 2:35 pm:
Hey there’s “Boss Man” by Diana Palmer were the Lovely Violet has just the right curves to temp the boss.
tinuola
on Jul 29th, 2009
@ 11:39 pm:
Here is my favorite romance novel it is titled ” THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR” by Kerrelyn Sparks. When i read this book, i could not put down and i got hooked to all Kerrelyn Sparks paranormal books. Try reading it, you will appreciate Sparks for thinking about plus size,big luscious figure women. it is about a rich centuries old Vamp whose taste(interest) in women are big luscious figure women.Jean-Luc Echarpe fall in love with a full figured school teacher Heather. This is one of the few books out there that proves that FAT GIRLS DO SEX in the best, raw possible way. CURVES IS IN, SKINNY IS OUT.
orannia
on Jul 30th, 2009
@ 12:03 am:
So late to the party – I’m sorry Maria
So why is it that romance in general hasn’t embraced the various sizes we all seem to come in?
Such an important question. My theory – authors and/or publishers (since I don’t know) are following the fashion trend. Because what is on the catwalk isn’t ‘plus size’. And I don’t get the term plus size? Plus what? Because the average size of women isn’t ‘0′ or ‘2′.
And I’ve a question if I may: why can’t heroines be fit and curvy? Not everyone has the same shape, so not everyone will be a size ‘0′ or ‘2′, no matter how hard they try. But they can be a fit, healthy version of the shape they are, can’t they?
And I third or is that fourth Jennifer Cruise’s Bet Me. It’s delightful!
Maria Lokken
on Jul 30th, 2009
@ 6:59 pm:
Hi Orianna – You’re never too late.
I agree with you. You’ll find there are plenty of blogs out there devoted to ‘real woman’, where they relish in the fact that woman do have curves and we don’t all look like models.
I was very enlightened by all the posts here listing out many books that feature women who aren’t sticks – it’s refreshing to know.
mellissa
on Aug 20th, 2009
@ 4:37 am:
I’m a reader of many romance novels, after reading so many it is sad to see that they are about 95% (if not more) about thin women, and the ones that i’ve read about big girls really don’t do us justice. I wish that someone would write a series that shows that big girls can be just as sexy and satisfy her man as well as the thin girls. I’d like to read about how hot and heavy they can get down too.
Innah C.
on Sep 10th, 2009
@ 8:57 am:
“Bride and the Beast” by Teresa Medeiros is a great read! It is one of my faves.
springer
on Oct 12th, 2009
@ 7:55 pm:
“The Reluctant Viking” by Sandra hill is a great read about a real woman that has gone back in time where vikings rule and PREFER a woman with curves (even though she becomes skinny and young when she goes back in time). Also try the second book “The Outlaw Viking” by Sandra Hill is where the heroine’s curvy daughter goes back in time and falls in love.
A third book I would like to recommend “Bride Portal” by Michele Bardsley (for MATURE Audiences).
melanie
on Jan 8th, 2010
@ 11:37 pm:
Bliss Inc. my Chamein Canton is a great novel with erotica on the side