The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker

After being dumped by his long-term boyfriend for being overweight, Henry Beckett decides to make some drastic changes. In a vain attempt at getting his boyfriend back, Henry does the most absurdly frightening thing he can think of.

He joins a gym.

Reed Henske is a personal trainer who isn’t sure he’ll ever be ready to date again. He’s sick of guys who are only interested in the perfect body image, never seeing him for who he really is.

As Reed tortures Henry with things like diet and exercise, Henry enamours Reed with recipes and laughter. As the friendship lines start to blur, Henry is convinced there’s no way Thor-like Reed could ever be interested in a guy like him.

Reed just has to convince Henry that life isn’t about reaching your ideal bodyweight. It’s about finding your perfect counterweight.

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~ Available on KindleUnlimited ~

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 Stars

Without going into great length with a review, we need more books of this nature, showing overweight characters who are realistic. Many I've read, both MF and MM, the character isn't even big, more insecure than anything. So I applaud the subject matter and the execution.

Instead of inundating the reader with the character's insecurities, or having everyone around them say they needed to change, the message was 'If you wish to change, change. If not, we like you just the way you are.' and the insecurities were very real, instead of manufactured to get attention and ego-stroking from their counterpart.

Yes, he complained, was hilariously self-deprecating. But I can attest to how agonizing it is to work out after being out of shape, or how your world feels lifeless because you think you have to go a lifetime without the foods you enjoy. We're all different, and I felt this portion was realistic, and I hope those who aren't overweight, have never been overweight, don't think him a whiny complainer. Have some compassion, because it truly does suck, especially with being judged by your outside package, as if you're unworthy of love or happiness. No need to keep judging because he commented on how painful it was to get fit. Painful is an understatement, feels like you ought to be in traction.

This wasn't a book like many others, where the reader felt as if a 'big is beautiful' message was being spread. As a big girl myself (used to be way bigger), I get it. But I'd rather just have everyone happy with who they are, or change to get happy, then to instill false confidence because a celebrity/millionaire/rockstar loves them despite they are big.

This book was 'I love you for you,' not in spite of your size. It was also a book about loving yourself and not needing outside validation.

Kudos to Walker. Loved it!

N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance.

She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words.

She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.

She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.

She’s been writing ever since…

Connect with N.R.

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Erica used her September 2016 Prime Kindle Owners’ Lending Library benefit to access a copy of The Weight of It All by N.R. Walker to read and review for this post.