Size 12 Is Not Fat

Former teen pop star Heather Wells now works as an assistant residence hall director at New York College while taking classes part-time. When a female student dies in what appears to be an elevator surfing accident at her dorm, Heather suspects there may be more to the story. With help from her landlord Cooper Cartwright, who runs a private investigation firm, Heather starts looking into the circumstances surrounding the student's death. Her amateur sleuthing puts her at odds with both the police and her superiors at the university. The investigation forces Heather to balance her day job managing college students, her fledgling detective work, and her complicated personal life - including her feelings for Cooper and lingering drama with her ex-fiancé Jordan, Cooper's brother. Size 12 Is Not Fat combines elements of mystery and romantic comedy while exploring themes of reinvention, self-acceptance, and finding one's true calling after early success. The story challenges conventional notions about body image and second chances.

Readers describe this book as a light mystery with rom-com elements. Many found protagonist Heather Wells relatable and funny, appreciating her realistic body image struggles and self-deprecating humor. The college dorm setting resonated with readers who worked in student housing. Readers liked: - Balance of humor and mystery - References to Heather's past as a pop star - Chemistry between main characters - Authentic portrayal of dorm life Readers disliked: - Mystery plot considered predictable - Romance developing too slowly - Too much focus on weight/body image - Some found Heather's inner monologue repetitive One reader noted: "The constant weight references felt forced after a while, though I appreciate the body positive message." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.88/5 (97,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Most readers categorize it as an entertaining beach read rather than a serious mystery novel.

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🎵 Author Meg Cabot came up with the idea for this series while living in an NYU dorm as the assistant dorm director, similar to her protagonist Heather Wells. 📚 The novel spawned four sequels in the Heather Wells mystery series, following the former pop star turned amateur detective through various campus crimes. 🎤 The main character's backstory as a teen pop sensation was partially inspired by real-life child stars who struggled with fame and career transitions. 🏛️ The fictional New York College where the story takes place is based on New York University, where many scenes mirror actual locations around Washington Square. 💫 Before writing adult mystery novels like this series, Meg Cabot was best known for "The Princess Diaries" series, which became a successful Disney film franchise starring Anne Hathaway.