Hi, I’m Taylor, TCF’s resident Chief Story Stylist and your guide inside our plus size book club.
I’m leading the conversation, the content, and the reads that center and celebrate plus size people, love, and the kind of stories we deserve to see ourselves in. Around here, we’re not just reading books, we’re building a bookshelf that reflects us, our lives, our desires, and our main character energy.
And let me tell you… we are off to a start.
We officially kicked off our very first TCF Book Club meeting with Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop, and when I say we had a time? I mean laughter, passion, real talk about representation, and a whole lot of love for seeing a plus size/fat/curvy woman centered in a story that is equal parts soft, spicy, and self-discovering.
It was everything I wanted this space to be and we’re just getting started.
Now let’s talk about the book that has us all a little hot, bothered, and fully invested…
Get in here y’all!
The weather is heating up and so is the TCF Book Club! We’ve officially kicked off in the hottest way possible, with Natasha Bishop’s “Only for the Week”. We are starting off in the curviest way! Only a week into reading this novel and it doesn’t look like things will be cooling down any time soon!
Let’s Get Into Only for the Week… so far
Our main character, Janelle, is a curvy, confident, accomplished 30-year-old Black woman, an OBGYN, a caretaker, and the one everyone depends on.
And yet… she’s the one stuck in a situation she didn’t ask for. She is at her older sister’s destination wedding as the maid of honor and the job has been far from delightful!
Oh, and the groom, Arnold… he’s Janelle’s ex-boyfriend. Between Bridezilla and her family’s pestering pity, we are left to wonder, will Janelle even make it through this wedding? There’s only one reason I have faith she’ll survive this wedding from hell: Rome Martin, the best man.
And while Tulum is the destination… Rome is the real distraction.
I’m not sure what the weather or the food is like in Rome but if Rome Martin is any indication, just from the first 50 pages alone, I’d guess HOT, SPICY, AND OH SO DELICIOUS! The chemistry between the two is undeniable from the first interaction!
Unbeknownst to Janelle, Rome has had his eyes on her ever since she was in a relationship with Arnold, now he’s up close and personal with the Thick Brown Goddess of his dreams and keeping his eyes and hands off of her is proving to be way too difficult.
Let’s Talk About Rome… Because We Need To
He studies her. LAWD.
And listen… don’t we all want to be studied and explored like that? Or do we? Not only is Rome studying the luscious curves draped in waist beads and the way her braids cascade down her back, but he’s also been studying her personality, her passions, her habits, and how people treat her. Best believe he has something to say about it.
Janelle, Boundaries, and Choosing Yourself
Janelle is a physician who’s deeply passionate about improving reproductive health for women of color and you can tell that kind of care comes naturally to her.
But somewhere along the way, that same instinct to show up for others has left her struggling to show up for herself.
And that part? That hit a little too close to home.
She bites her tongue. She goes quiet when she’s disrespected. She apologizes for things that aren’t her fault. And while Rome is quick to call those things out, it’s clear that Janelle isn’t used to advocating for herself or having someone else do it for her.
I’m already rooting for her to find her voice. And honestly? I want that growth to come from her, not just because of a man.
Because while support is beautiful, choosing yourself is powerful.
Pleasure, Power, and “Only for the Week”
In the few days I’ve been reading this story, I’m already cheering for Janelle to find her voice but honestly, I find myself hoping it has little to do with Rome and more to do with her finding her own strength as a woman!
While we all need support doing hard things, I don’t like the idea of a man being the reason a woman improves her life. Hopefully, the deeper we get into this read, Janelle gains strength through choosing herself.
Janelle seems to be off to a good start in choosing herself though… because she has decided to let Rome knock the Mario coins out of her honey pot… only for the week.
And listen, her choosing pleasure? Her allowing herself to feel good, to be desired, to be present in her body? That might be exactly what she needs.
A Dual POV for Only for the Week
I’m a sucker for a Dual POV read and this book is no exception. A dual POV gives us real insight into both Janelle and her love interest: no guessing, no unnecessary confusion.
It eliminates a lot of guessing and quite frankly makes masculine presenting characters more likable and less of the “nonchalant trope”. Girl, we know there is enough nonchalant behavior from real life men to not have to read about too!
Overall, I’m really enjoying this story and honestly, THE SPICIER THE BETTER!
So, Where Is This Story Taking Us?
I’m excited to see where Janelle’s story takes us and more importantly, whether she fully steps into her power.
Not just in love, but in how she chooses herself.
I personally want that for Black women and POC women in the real world as well. I’m hoping Janelle will be a great fictional example for us all to stand in our power, uphold healthy boundaries, and put our pleasure first.
Because I want that for her. And I want that for us.
Let’s Talk About It… Join Us for Our Next TCF Book Club Meeting!
We’re not done with Janelle just yet and trust me, you don’t want to miss this conversation.
Whether you’ve been reading along or you’re just getting started, there’s still time to jump in and experience the magic with us.
Join us in the TCF Book Club (inside our TCF Style Society community) as we break down Only for the Week, share our favorite moments, and get into everything this story is giving… from the tension to the growth to the pleasure and power woven throughout.
Next Meeting:
Saturday, April 25th
1:30 PM EST (10:30 AM PST)
Hosted virtually inside the Lit Lounge
Come ready to discuss, react, and maybe spiral just a little… we had a blast at our first meeting, and this next one? It’s about to be even better.
Free to join. Good vibes required.
