I love Mona Awad so I decided to give this a try. The first half slogged and it seems like others disagree! I found the time jumps to be confusing and didn't get a sense of Lizzie as a character. Things started to come together after her adult visit with her mother. This was the turning point, when she starts to lose weight. This is the moment the reader truly gets to know Lizzie, her insecurities and relationship with her mother. 

The second half of the book reminded me of ALL'S WELL. Lizzie keeps thinking about everyone's opinions of her and starts projecting, creating obsessive habits and becoming unhealthy and torturing herself while her greatest wish turns into a huge nightmare. The more I think about it, Lizzie and Miranda are two sides of the same coin. Awad has such a distinct voice and it was exciting to see it come together in her first book. It also reminds me that her work really depresses me, except Bunny, I loved its weirdness.

The content is triggering and incredibly difficult to read. It's very realistic and it feels like Awad got into my mind when I was younger and had severe body insecurities. It's sad thousands of women still feel the same way, and in a way, Awad gives them a voice here. 

The novel in stories structure worked out great. I don't think Awad could cover Lizzie's adult life in a single novel. I'm not a fan of the structure normally (see: Fiona and Jane) but it seemed like Awad really cut out the unnecessary details by using stories. Although I do wish the beginning gave the reader more of Lizzie's mind. 

This is the second time this year I've read another book by a favorite contemporary author (see: Milk Fed by Melissa Broder). I truly can't wait for what's next! Even if I do have to emotionally prepare myself.