Hi, I’m Taylor… TCF’s resident Chief Story Stylist and your guide to our Plus Size Book Club.
I’m leading conversations, content, and reads that celebrate plus-size people, love, and the stories we want to see ourselves in. Here, we’re not just reading books…we’re building a bookshelf that reflects us: our lives, our desires, and our main character energy.
And let me tell you… we have started and are continuing Big Girl BlitzBy Danielle Allen. But, before we get into that, let us tell you what you missed only for the week!
We officially kicked off our first TCF Book Club meeting only for the week By Natasha Bishop And when I say we had a time? I mean laughter, passion, real conversations about representation, and a whole lot of love to see a shapely black woman centered in a story that is equal parts soft, spicy, and soul-searching.
It was everything this place was supposed to be and somehow, it already feels bigger than us.
Now, as we close the chapter on our first lesson, it’s time to turn the page.
TCF Book Club: First Month, First Read, First Impressions
The conversation that emerged from our first reading was layered, honest, and deeply personal.
We talked about body image. About boundaries. About those cool ways we’ve all been taught to shrink ourselves… And What stopping finally looks like.
There was something powerful about being in one place with women who share similar life experiences, yet bring completely different perspectives. We unpack what we loved, what disappointed us, and yes, everything that made us blush a little while reading.
only for the week It didn’t just give us a story, it gave us a starting point. And we ran with it.
Genes, limitations, and the chaos we can’t look away from
April’s book of the month took us on a complete emotional rollercoaster.
Janelle, our plus size main character, finds herself at her sister’s destination wedding in Tulum… where said sister is marrying Janelle’s ex-boyfriend. Yes. He Former lover.
Naturally, the dynamic raised eyebrows. But what surprised us most was Jenelle herself. His heart was not broken. She was not clinging to the past. She was clear…this relationship would no longer serve her.
What Did However, the revelation was something much darker. A pattern of imbalance. A sister who took endlessly. A family dynamic that lacked boundaries. And a woman who spent too much time with him for too long.
As one of our favorite sayings goes: Givers need to set boundaries, because takers rarely do.
Watching Janelle come to that realization in real time was both disappointing and deeply concerning.
Chemistry, Courage, and Choosing Yourself
Then there was Rome.
From the moment they stepped in, the chemistry was undeniable. Which you can feel through the pages. What started out as “just for a week” situation soon turned into something more layered, more intentional, and honestly, more therapeutic than either of them expected.
But what really connected us wasn’t just romance. This was the evolution of Janelle.
She allowed herself pleasure without any guilt.
She began to set boundaries that protected her peace.
She began to step into the life she really wanted… which included her purpose of serving Black and POC women as an OBGYN.
That kind of growth? We will always strive for this.
The criticisms we had to talk about
Of course, in our virtual meetings, we did not hold back.
Janelle’s hesitation to advocate for herself tested our patience. The male-centric moments raised legitimate slants. And yes, we wanted more balance when it came to what she looked like for her friendships.
But the conclusion we reached was this: evolution is not linear, and it is rarely perfectly linear.
If anything, Janelle’s journey reminded us that learning to choose ourselves, especially After years of not doing it, it can feel messy, uneven, and overdone.
And yet, it’s worth it every time.
what are we taking with us
only for the week Gave us more than a story. It gave us language.
Language around borders.
Around self-esteem.
Around the reality that loving someone doesn’t have to mean putting up with abuse.
It reminded us that our needs must be immediate. Advocating for yourself is not optional. And that our lives are ours… completely.
Let’s Blitz: Maze’s Book of the Month big girl blitz by Danielle Allen
Now…let’s talk about what’s next!
May is the book of the month Big Girl Blitz By Danielle Allen. This book is the third installment of the Curve series, and we already know it’s going to be delivered.
This time, we follow Jazmin Payne as she navigates one of the toughest seasons of her life, facing the illness of someone she loves deeply.
But there is softness even in heaviness.
There’s friendship there, Alia and Neena seem like real people.
It has a history, Jazmin’s past experience of fatphobia that shapes how she navigates the world.
And then… there’s Lamar Anderson.
What starts out as something unexpected can turn into something the person is completely unprepared for. And the real question becomes: will she allow herself to receive it?
If you’ve read Danielle Allen before, you already know…she’s intentional about the stories she tells and the women she puts at the center. Her work consistently presents layered characters, undeniable chemistry, and narratives that allow plus size women to be fully present in desire, complexity, and caring.
with Big Girl BlitzShe continues to build a world that has already deeply connected with readers, expanding the Curve series in a way that feels both timely and necessary. There is a confidence in his storytelling; A belief that these characters deserve tenderness, passion and depth without any compromise.
and its answer Big Girl Blitz Just confirms what many of us already know! Danielle Allen is creating something worthwhile with this series.
Early readers are praising the depth, emotional honesty, and the way she centers plus-size black women in stories that allow them to be fully seen, desired, and complex. It’s not just a new release, it’s the continuity of work that matters.
And as voracious readers, this kind of storytelling doesn’t just entertain… it affirms. It reminds us that we deserve to be focused, wanted, and fully seen on the page.
Join us for our next TCF Book Club meeting!
We’re officially stepping into our book of the month for May: Big Girl BlitzA new conversation, and a new layer of this community… and you’re invited.
Whether you’ve been reading since the beginning or are just joining us, this is your moment to take advantage.
We’ll be meeting inside our TCF Style Society community, Lit Lounge, to break it down. Subject matter. character. Those moments that hit a little too close to home. All this.
next meeting:
Saturday, May 16
10:30am PST / 1:30pm EST
Hosted virtually via Zoom inside Lit Lounge
Get ready to discuss, respond and fully settle into your reader era with us.
RSVP + Join the Lit Lounge →
Free to join. Need good vibes.
Here at TCF Book Club, we’re eager to experience its chemistry, tension, and spice, because we know as plus size readers, Danielle Allen doesn’t come to play, okay!
Bring your thoughts, opinions, theories, and notes to the next book club meeting on Saturday, May 16 at 1:30pm EST/10:30am PST. we are going to discuss all this
