Fat Girls Dance

Book excerpt: Irreverent, witty, full of surprises, and based on a fabulous true story, this dynamic new series debut reveals what happens when three very different, very talented, fat women break all the rules, go viral—and discover life’s most breathtaking moves . . . Liv. Reese. Faith. Yes, they are plus-size, curvy,thick, whatever. Point is, they are past sick of society’s relentless body shaming defining them. Liv slays in dance classes, where she shakes off her frustrations as a struggling writer. Introverted Reese avoids “taking up too much space” by staying in the background as Liv’s sidekick. And while diva-cold professional dancer Faith aces countless auditions, she’s “too big” for starring roles. At the end of their respective ropes, all it takes is one more insult . . . for Liv to suddenly have an idea that will unite them all. It’s a shake-it-up, zero-Fs challenge in which women like her will choreograph and perform a demanding new dance every week. For a year. Online. And just like that . . . after a boatload of hard work, FatGirlsDance becomes an Internet phenomenon, racking up thousands of followers, clicks—and controversy. More importantly, FGD creates a precious space for community. And it gives the three ladies an impossible shot: a major competition featuring the world’s best amateur dancers. Yet, while Liv is determined to prove FGD can go from amazing to outstanding, Faith thinks they’re reaching too high, and Reese is caught in the middle. As the grueling practices and new goals start taking a toll, the trio soon finds their friendship stretched to the breaking point. With their biggest test ahead of them as their drama spins out of control, can these gutsy women pull it together to remake their futures—and become the women they were meant to be?