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Well, it looks like love is in the air… yet again–and so is curvy cinema! Amber Riley as Savvy Sheldon might be the best TV treat we’re getting in 2025. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a good, Black, fat, female rom-com?! TCF Book Club wouldn’t be the go-to spot it is if we didn’t keep you up-to-date on all things bookish.
With hot chocolate brewing, chimneys burning, and seasons changing, a feel-good, on-screen plot with a plus size heroine is just what we need to give us all the holiBAE feels this fall. If you didn’t know, illustrious singer-actress Riley will serve as the leading lady in the film adaptation of award-winning author Taj McCoy’s “humorous” and “heartfelt” novel, Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell.
The best-selling work, which debuted in 2022, took the romance community by storm, as its light-hearted approach to love and life through the lens of a full-figured woman reimaged big-girl fiction like never before.
Watch parties and matching pajamas, anyone?
News of The CW production (seemingly) first hit the Hollywood headlines last year, and now, we not only have a release date, but an official trailer as we anticipate next week’s premiere. Set to air on Sunday, Nov. 30, Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell chronicles the title character (portrayed by Riley), who’s rediscovering Savvy (as she knew her) after realizing she’s simply unhappy, uninterested, and unfulfilled. Personally and professionally depleted, Savvy embarks on a journey of reclaiming and rebuilding herself outside of the thankless job and dead-end situationship she’d long outgrown.
However, while the cookie may be crumbling in Savvy’s failing career and connection, those aren’t the only things that need renovation. In fact, the kitchen she inherited from her dearest grandmother does, too. To the rescue comes a hot, contractor guy (played by Dorian Grey) who’s hired to provide a makeover to the cook’s beloved culinary space. But… although surrounded by great family and friends, things take a warm-and-savory turn when Savvy (instead) recognizes he could be the unexpected ingredient to her life’s new recipe.
Following the announcement, McCoy took to her Instagram and shared her thoughts on Riley’s embodiment of the role. “It’s an emotional thing to know that someone I’ve admired from afar (and honestly I probably was a bumbling stan up close) saw something in this character who was formed in part from some difficult truths I’ve had to face,” she wrote in a caption.
“Ms. Amber did it with ease and grace and with a tenacity that made it clear she was taking my girl seriously. She glows from the inside out.”
Alongside Riley and Grey, Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell’s cast includes Nadine Whiteman, Malaika Hennie-Hamadi, Kevin Hanchard, and Golden Madison. According to Blex Media, the project was directed by Samantha MacAdam with a screenplay by Shelly Scarrow and Miriam van Emst. It’s one of the six movies featured in The CW’s Harlequin book-to-film lineup, presented by CW Originals, Centinel Media, Harlequin Studio, and Bell Media (with Fremantle and Neshama Entertainment).
“I can’t wait for you all to see this one! We had a TIME filming this!” Riley gushed in a social media post last month before adding upon the trailer’s release, “This is one of my favorite projects I’ve filmed to date.”
Check out the full teaser below!
What Seeing Our Good Sis, Amber Riley, in This Role Will Mean to Us
It’s probably a mutual agreement that we adore the heck out of Amber Patrice Riley… and if you say that you don’t, something’s terribly wrong.
The Compton native stole the stage as ‘Mercedes Jones’ in Fox’s musical comedy-drama Glee from 2009 to 2015, gaining global applause for acting as a main and recurring character over the span of all six seasons. With groundbreaking performances of classic songs like Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows,” Jennifer Holliday’s “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” and her iconic tribute to Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” it wasn’t long before Riley became a powerhouse name.
From winning multiple awards (Screen Actors Guild, NAACP, Teen Choice), 2013’s Dancing with the Stars competition, and 2022’s The Masked Singer, to appearing on Broadway as ‘Effie White’ in the 2016 West End edition of Dreamgirls, a Grammy-nominated Riley has earned her stripes as one of the best to do it. Not only has she given us bomb bops (please tell us you’ve heard her EP, RILEY!), but, in recent years, we’ve seen Riley step into her movie star bag on a whole new level.
Today, many accolades later, Riley continues raising the bar. As if we weren’t impressed by her cutthroat work as an obsessed “friend” in Lifetime’s thriller trilogy Single Black Female and ‘Ursula’ in 2024’s animated Ariel series on Disney Jr., knowing that the 39-year-old’s forthcoming depiction of Savvy Sheldon is on the way is an utter mouth-drop. For us. For you. For plus-size women… as a whole. It’s a silent crown-tipping to the fluffy girlies who’ve let the world’s mission to hide our representation make them forget what it feels like to be visible. And, no, not just to someone else, but yourself.
Readers were drawn to McCoy’s compelling way of shaping Savvy’s story around self-care and self-love that isn’t dressed as false body positivity or limiting beliefs crafted to appease an audience that was never seated for us. For so long, Riley has been the epitome of a curvy fashionista doing exactly what the masses have often told us we couldn’t do: be seen and be heard. It’s her passion and her presence that grab us with every line sung or said. We couldn’t think of a better person to bring this character to life.
To AR, we see you, sis. We love you, sis. We honor you, sis.
What the Book Baddies Are Saying About Seeing Savvy On-Screen
If you don’t know by now, whenever there’s a new “my-show-is-on” rave and rant upon us, X and TikTok never cease to spark the pregame conversation–be it through threads or commentary videos. Happy readers flooded the timelines in excitement and hot takes on the soon-come rom-com, and here’s what they had to say.
I just can’t freaking waaaait!! Amber back on my screen!!❤️
— denise_valdo (@valdo_denise) November 26, 2025
Wait, the DARK-SKINNED brotha is the good guy and not the light-skinned one!? Has anyone checked in on Tyler Perry???? pic.twitter.com/xO3vJFQZlN
— Skylar is a writer with a FAT ass & SKINNY pockets (@SkylarTheWriter) November 26, 2025
On the CW?? Why they playing wit Amber & her new movie like that?! Not even Lifetime? BET? Wtf OWN?!🤦🏽♀️ pic.twitter.com/0sLwXQZBQU
— Chris Tina (@LisasTurtle) November 27, 2025
Why have not hear about this??? What’s with networks not doing promo for their tv shows esp the ones with black leads
— Sylvia 𐚁⋆˚ ❀ ˖° (@sylaxoo) November 26, 2025
I’m reading the book now in preparation for Sunday. It’s a fun read and I’m excited to see the movie
— Yam Beesly✨ (@BriaEvangelista) November 26, 2025
Mother back on my screen iktr
— SJ (@Sovann_Jahlee) November 26, 2025
I will be seated!
— Elle (@Supadupaflyz) November 26, 2025
Really happy for Taj McCoy. Savvy Sheldon is getting adapted into a film and Amber Riley is her lead.
Love it for everyone involved, they deserve— Troublemaker of Manetheren | WNCel 🏹 (@PreciousGNSD) June 25, 2025
I’m so excited for Amber Riley’s new role as Savvy Sheldon from the book Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell one of my favorite reads of last year
— mani (@maniinterlude) June 24, 2025
wait, I actually enjoyed this book! Had no idea they were even adapting it pic.twitter.com/62h59UHmiX
— Comfortably Plump (@comfrtablyplump) November 27, 2025
OH HELL YEAH
— Bobbys Empty Coffin (@Bobbyscoffin) November 26, 2025
@just_liketeezus Chaotic movie: okay because do yall have a trailer in the back @The CW ? Make sure you stream Savvy Sheldon Feels good as hell on November 30th #amberriley #booktok #blackcinema #movie #fyp ♬ original sound – Big Teezus
@cirrenamarie Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell is coming to The CW at the end of the month so you know I had to read the book first. I can’t wait to see @RILEY bring Savvy to life! #booktok #blackbooktok #romancebooktok #savvysheldonfeelsgoodashell #bookadaptation ♬ Chilling at Sunrise – The Machinist Beats
@thesimplysimone We got a Black rom com for TV dropping this weekend and it’s a Black book adaptation so yall better tune in and support #savvysheldonfeelsgoodashell #amberriley #tajmccoy #thecw #romcom ♬ original sound – thesimplysimone
@brijoi Savvy Sheldon feels good as hell is going to be a movie! I love when books are adapted into films. Hello?! Twilight! Amber Riley is one of my favorite actresses and I can’t wait to watch her tackle this FMC. Let me know if you guys read this book and what are your thoughts ? The movie is set to release in early November so you have plenty of time to listen to the audiobook on audible or grab a copy from your local bookstore. I got my copy from thrift books and can’t wait to tackle it. Take McCoy is an amazing black romance writer and I can’t wait to read some more of her work. #fyp #blackromance #booktok #smuttok #bookish ♬ Chill Kitty (Lofi) – The Machinist Beats
Have you read the novel yet?
Get the book, Savvy Sheldon Feels Good at Amazon.com
Catch Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell at 8/7c THIS SUNDAY on The CW! Will you be tuning in? Let us know in the comments!
