A powerful, emotional story of a teen trying to feel comfortable in a body that that is constantly being calorie curated by herself and her mother. I liked how Valerie eventually came to her own conclusions that her actions were harming her and her mother was only reinforcing the damaging thoughts about her weight and appearance. It just took a little freedom and distance for her to reflect and to see that she is truly happier when she isn't constantly fretting about eating or how it will affect how people see her.

I don't think I appreciated as much the framing of her mother's constant speculation of her weight as "love." Even when Valerie was being honest and mentioned how she was sick, how her mother was hurting her, the mother only doubled down. Love that hurts is not love, it's control. Do I think the mother had the best intentions? Yes, Victoria made that clear, but it doesn't deny the fact that her "loving" actions and comments have a serious negative effect. I think it's entirely realistic that she doesn't change and it's up to Valerie to figure out a relationship with her that's healthy for the both of them. But I wish there was a bit more nuance to the situation.