Lea debuts with a heartwarming rom-com centered on body positivity. Crystal Chen, a plus-size fitness influencer and personal trainer, has built her online brand on self-love, emphasizing that the gym is for everyone, regardless of shape or size. One day, she's having a good workout until an attractive "gym bro" blatantly ignores her clear dibs on the squat rack. Scott Ritchie, aka "Squat Rack Thief," is a firefighter, a devoted dog dad, and, despite first impressions, a good guy who wears his heart on his sleeve. Both tension and lust rise between him and Crystal during repeated run-ins at the gym--making it a shock when they're reintroduced at their respective grandparent's engagement party. With the nuptials fast approaching, Crystal and Scott get to know one another on a deeper level and passion ignites. But when Crystal introduces her new boyfriend to her followers, internet trolls test their budding romance. Lea's prose is clear, witty, and powerful, delivering an ode to all those who struggle with self-acceptance. While the pacing lags a bit in the second half, the cute pop culture references, hilarious supporting characters, and sensual love scenes make up for it. Lea is a writer to watch. Agent: Kim Lionetti, Bookends Literary. (May)

Crystal Chen has an Instagram account celebrating her fit, curvy figure. She films at the gym and is soon irritated by a guy who always takes the equipment she wants to use and seems to enjoy provoking her. Then she learns that his grandpa is marrying her grandma and that fire fighter Scott is actually pretty great. She isn't sure about dating him, but they soon give in to their strong chemistry. A backlash of reaction from her followers after she posts the first picture of herself with handsome Scot results in her revisiting her insecurities that reach back to her teens. Lea's debut romance is a terrific rom-com that offers an essential message about accepting oneself, and it is a pleasure to read. The strong yet insecure Crystal is a memorable, layered character, and Scott is very appealing and quintessentially human. A subplot about their grandparents' wedding is clever and provides an evocative parallel for Crystal and Scott. Fans of Jennifer Weiner may enjoy this, and all who read it will look forward to more romance from Lea.

One of curvy Chinese American fitness influencer and personal trainer Crystal Chen's favorite activities is hitting the gym in Boston. That is, until smug-faced hottie firefighter Scott Ritchie steals her favorite squat machine. Debut author Lea's plot is unique and a nice deviation from the norm, as Crystal and Scott transition from gym nemeses to swole mates while their grandparents are engaged--to each other. Despite the intriguing plot, the chemistry between Scott and Crystal is on again, off again. At times, the sweetness and anguish are palpable and wrought with sexual tension. But once the two switch from enemies to friends and then more, their romance seems disconnected. Narrator Carolyn Kang's youthful voice captures Crystal's upbeat personality, making her amusing and relatable. But her performance falls short as Scott, and listeners may find his voice isn't as Hemsworth-y as author Lea makes him out to be. Digital content, like Instagram posts and texts, usually does not play out well in audio, but Kang makes it work. Plus-size visibility throughout the book adds additional interest. VERDICT Light on plot and chemistry, this optional purchase offers a nice change of scenery for a rom-com.--Emily Pykare

Competitive gym users go from enemies to lovers. Curvy Chinese American "fitstagrammer" Crystal Chen can't stand the new Chris Evans look-alike at her gym, especially since he's been violating workout etiquette: ignoring signs that a rack has been claimed by another person, hogging the water fountain, and getting in the way of her training sessions with clients, not to mention blocking her camera as she's recording her exercise routines. Then she's caught off guard when a heated exchange about her cellphone--she thinks he stole it to get on her nerves--turns into a make-out session in the men's locker room. But Crystal has a bigger surprise in store when she finds out that her grandmother has gotten engaged and that her intended is the grandfather of the Squat Rack Thief, aka Scott Ritchie, Boston firefighter. To make matters worse, Scott may have a girlfriend, a figure skater. Despite the many bumpy starts, Scott and Crystal finally get past their initial misunderstandings to explore the romantic sparks between them. It seems like the perfect relationship for the homebody, gym-loving duo--till Crystal's fear of being cheated on rears its head. Just as the couple tackle that issue, Crystal's carefully constructed sense of identity comes crashing down thanks to online fatphobia. In this debut novel, author Lea explores the challenges of a woman learning to respect herself while realizing that the social media version of body positivity, though the core of her Instagram brand and philosophy, may not be the ideal route to happiness. With some amusing dad jokes and come-on lines, several steamy and romantic sex scenes, and nonstereotyped portrayals of a biracial family, the novel has real promise. But a first-person narrative that dwells on the heroine's hang-ups may not be everyone's cup of tea, and Crystal's judgmental behavior toward others also clashes with her criticism of those who resort to reductive stereotypes. Though Crystal works to overcome the paradox and her internal dialogue and Instagram posts about body identity and White beauty standards earn her points, the drama feels a bit drawn out. A rom-com that tries to hit serious notes about sizeism, racism, sexism, and online toxicity. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.