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The only thing about me that’s a size zero is the filter on my mouth. I’ve got a big personality, a big rack, and a big number on the scale. And I’m perfectly fine with that.

But when some random guy suggests I might not be eating alone if I’d ordered a salad instead of a hamburger I’m shocked silent, which is a feat, trust me.

That brings us to one sexy fireman named Frankie Hartigan. He’s hot. He’s funny… And he’s just apologized for being late for our “date” then glared at the fat-shaming jerk. Next thing I know, he’s sitting down and ordering himself dinner.

I have no problem telling him I don’t need a pity date… unless of course it’s to my high school reunion next week. Oops where did that last bit come from? And what do I do now that he’s said yes?!

Because this is no make-over story, and I think Frankie is using me for something. I just have to figure out what…

320 pages, ebook

First published October 22, 2018

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Avery Flynn

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 911 reviews
Profile Image for Carol [Goodreads Addict].
2,573 reviews25.1k followers
October 19, 2018
Muffin Top is book two in The Hartigans series by Avery Flynn. I enjoyed book one in this series so much, Butterface, so I’ve been so looking forward to this book.

Frankie Hartigan is the oldest of the Hartigan siblings, at thirty-three years old. He’s an Irish red headed firefighter at the Waterbury Firehouse. Frankie watched his brother, Ford fall in love but he, himself, has felt no inclination to follow in his footsteps. He is the town ladies man. He doesn’t have any problem finding women and enjoys a different woman every night. But a comment from one of his hook-ups gets him to wondering if there is something wrong with him. That maybe he needs to re-evaluate things.

ginger firefighter

Frankie loves his job. He hasn’t taken any time off in years so he is being forced to take some of his accumulated vacation time. What in the world will he do with his time off. An idle Frankie is not a good thing.

Lucy Kavanagh is a successful publicist that specializes in crisis communications. In other words, her clients have gotten themselves in trouble and she has to fix things. Lucy is a healthy, strong woman. But she is not a small woman. She owns who she is, but it took her awhile to get here. She was sitting in the bar eating her dinner when a patron decided to let her know what he thought she needed to do so she wouldn’t be sitting there eating alone, in other words, eat salad and lose some weight. Enter Frankie to put him in his place and save the day.

woman in red dress

Lucy and Frankie had met before at gatherings but didn’t really know each other. Frankie proceeded to sit down and order dinner. He happened to mention he had some time off, and Lucy happened to mention she was supposed to go to her high school reunion but didn’t want to go because of how they all treated her back in those days. Frankie decided this is the perfect way to spend his time off. He needs the time away to get his head on straight and figure out some things and Lucy needs a date. Win/win! Only, things don’t always go as they planned do they?

“In her office, she never had a moment of doubt, because when it came to spinning a crisis, no one did it better than she did. But back home in Antioch? That nervous and insecure fifteen year old she’d thought she’d ditched all those years ago came rushing to the forefront, and she hated it. Really. Hated. It.”

french bull dog

The chemistry between Lucy and Frankie was crazy strong. But these two tried to keep things platonic. The key word here is that they tried! And let me tell you that when they give in, these two are hot. Frankie is a dirty talking, sexy as heck man. They were in a little bubble in Lucy’s home town. But what happens when they go back to Waterbury? Will the very new connection they have created work there?

...

Both Lucy and Frankie have histories, events in their pasts that have held them back. Lucy’s is her weight and the way she was treated. Frankie’s was an event when he was in high school. One thing that bothered me was that every single thing that happened, Lucy would twist it around in her head and think the worst. She applied all of her old insecurities to everything and I felt bad for Frankie. Even though I understood why she felt that way, she was otherwise such a strong woman. And I really wanted her to let herself be happy.

I loved the ending of this and the epilogue was adorable. I really am enjoying this series and a sneak peak reveals that the next book will be on Frankie and Ford’s sister, Fallon Hartigan. I…can’t…wait!!! I have a feeling it’s going to be so good!

For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/44036...

Profile Image for Dinjolina.
533 reviews522 followers
Shelved as 'avoid'
October 11, 2018
I cannot with the title. I also cannot with the premise of the story.

I’m plus sized and I eat and don’t eat salads. It’s not like all curvy people make an unbreakable vow to never eat or like salad. And if these starter clichés are not enough, the heroine has to be brash and ’always say what she thinks, consequence be damned’; because if you’re curvy, you also have to have a BIG personality - just like all the ’fat friends’ ever portrayed in literature or at the cinema.
Curves are more than a gimmick for you to sell, packed to the eyeballs with clichés. I’m tired of plus sized life, struggles, and living being a perpetual loop of bad Amy Schumer jokes.
Profile Image for Kat.
Author 11 books507 followers
December 1, 2022
This was fun! Frankie has a long history of one-night stands with women, and is just now realizing there may be something missing from his life. Lucy, the friend of his sisters, is brassy and bold and doesn’t put up with his BS. She needs a date for a reunion, and since she seems immune to his charms, Frankie decides this might be the perfect time to put his bad habits on hold. Of course, they wind up having chemistry. This book had a great MC and good messages about loving the body you have. Lucy was my favorite by far. And the steamy times between these two were five campfires!
Profile Image for Kiki.
1,217 reviews602 followers
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 5, 2018
Edit:
Hero’s father thinks he owes/owed his then teenage son no explanation for what the kid thought was him being a front row audience of cheating on his mum because the father actually didn’t cheat???
You may not be a cheater, but you sir, are a rotten father and and an epic failure as a parent.

His son confronted him. Told him he won’t tell anyone if this doesn’t happen again and at no point of time the loving father thought hey son, wait up, let me explain? The said son grew up to be a commitment phobic and a manwhore, openly hated his father, was in dire need of therapy and his father boldly states in front of everyone “I love you, but I didn’t owe you a damn explanation for something that wasn’t my fault”. HOW would he know, and if you didn’t owe him an explanation then pray tell WHY are you explaining NOW, when the damage is done? This is in direct relation to hero watching his father kissing OW passionately against the wall.

ARE. YOU. FUCKING. KIDDING. ME????

And this knucklehead was allowed to have eight kids??????

===

Even hero’s BROTHERS, not just his sisters, even his brothers agreed he was a manwhore of epic proportion.
He’s the guy his siblings would refuse to leave their female friends alone with because they’re worried he’ll somehow seduce them with his charm and then drop them and would not be held accountable because he was honest and upfront from the beginning.

I had to read HOW GOOD HE’S at fucking women, any women that catches his fancy, anywhere. How he fucks several times a week, usually different women, and how he LOVES women. If I read that line ever in my whole life it’ll be too soon!

So, yeah nah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Chris  C - A Midlife Wife.
1,613 reviews329 followers
October 29, 2018
Great story!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is no person in the world who believes they are perfect so including the curvy and chunky women of the world in this story is smart. Everyone can relate to and has probably felt and experienced the uncomfortableness during those awkward teenage years. Trying to blend in with the popular group and just finding your place in school can be difficult.

The story takes us on the trip back to a high school reunion. The most difficult and painful time for our overweight female heroine yet she wants to go back to show them that they didn’t hurt her. They didn’t matter in terms of her professional career and her personal life. She rose above their hateful words, actions, and attitudes.

But going alone was not something she wanted to do. And much of the time she vacillated between even going. Then she ran into the number one hottie in town who not only encouraged her to go and show them up but volunteered to go with her.

It’s hard not to fall in love with strong, super tall, hunk burning love fireman that all the women seem to want. But everybody knows he’s a love-them-and-leave-them type of guy. Never commits. But, oh God, those muscles. His sweet manner. The fact that he doesn’t care what size she is but just cares that she’s funny, cute, fierce, but yet very vulnerable too.

I could relate to this book in so many different ways. I grew up over weight my teen life and beyond so I can understand and relate to that issues the feelings everything related to the perception of who you are. I fell in love with him because who could not? Frankie a wonderfully developed character.

But I didn’t care for the meltdown in the fight towards the end. I didn’t like that he had to do the groveling back to her when she was in the wrong for the most part. And she got mean with her digs.

Overall, the author did a wonderful job with the humor and lightness, the sexy heat, the crazy dad and weird dog, The way he stood up and supported her and always lifted her up. And most of all when they realized they were all in.

Crazy, funny, sexy, lighthearted, and deep emotion all wrapped up into one read you have to grab.

* copy received for review consideration
full review - https://amidlifewife.com/muffin-top-b...
Profile Image for Book Lover.
553 reviews43 followers
November 11, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I was very excited to see a plus size female lead, had high hopes for a strong character. Alas, I was disappointed.

Lucy Kavanaugh is a size 20. She is smart, snarky, funny and way too self-deprecating. As in constantly. “Look, I’ll let you in on a secret to survival for someone like me. If you prep yourself for the worst, you won’t be disappointed, and if you own the insult before it can be uttered, you can’t be hurt.” Wow. How sad. This is not self-empowering.

Frankie Hartigan is a fireman. And a first class manwhore. “He dated many of the women he was attracted to, and while getting to date number three rarely happened because there was always another woman out there who caught his eye, no one walked away orgasm free or heartbroken.” Why must the male leads be converted manwhores? To me, this says it all: “Really, who wants to be with someone who had more notches on his bedpost than Santa had names on his naughty list? There was just something gross about it.”

She does everything she can to sabotage any chance at a relationship they might have. Too much negativity and low self-esteem. Frankie is upfront about how he feels, but with his history you can certainly understand her doubts.

This was definitely not the uplifting, encouraging book I had hoped for.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
Profile Image for Sabrina.
3,592 reviews2,289 followers
November 3, 2018
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US * Amazon UK



I'm on the fence a bit about this book. The story was enjoyable and I liked the premise of it with the not-so-perfect heroine. It was unique in that it didn't feature the cliche type of romance heroine that is portrayed as perfect and stunning. Yet I also got annoyed that, just like with the previous book in the series, those imperfections were voiced a little too much. At times, the fact that our heroine was a size twenty woman seemed to overshadow the romance between her and Frankie.

Frankie was a joy to read about all through the book and honestly he was the number one reason this story wasn't a complete flop for me. Because Lucy as a main character had me wanting to rip my hair out in frustration. I might love the fact that she's not the usual skinny heroine, but I don't want that information shoved down my throat on almost every page. It became too repetitive with her inner thoughts always criticizing herself. And what really put her in the can't-stand-this-chick category was that all through the book she was constantly saying that Frankie couldn't possibly want her. All while he was practically screaming from the roof tops that he did and that he was attracted to her. I had so many moments that I just wanted to slap some sense into her because of that.

Bottom line, I liked this story and it is one that I would recommend. The heroine kind of ruined the reading experience for me with all that added frustration but she didn't diminish the fact that the overall story was one I enjoyed reading.
Profile Image for Lenore.
603 reviews373 followers
August 26, 2019
I picked this up because of the fat representation and the ostensible body positivity, yet there's nothing empowering about a fat woman with zero self-esteem who only sees herself through the eyes of others and constantly projects.

Profile Image for Michelle.
819 reviews48 followers
October 29, 2018
You know, there’s a saying that you can’t be happy with someone else, until you’re happy with yourself.
The entire book was of Lucy’s self deprecating, overly defensive self loathing.
Quite honestly, it seemed like nothing the poor guy said or did was good enough. Her behavior became tedious and I ended up just skimming through, but every where I stopped was another dig she made at herself.
It’s a shame, because the writing was actually good, but in looking at the other other books, I have no desire to read more books about women with low self esteem, and the men who show them their self worth.
Profile Image for Somia.
2,064 reviews152 followers
March 21, 2020
A encounter at a bar between casual acquaintances Frankie Hartigan and Lucy Kavanagh has them on an extended date to Lucy's hometown high school reunion. Lucy thinks the hot firefighter is completely out of her league, and Frankie is on a hiatus from sex/hook-ups/women, but their attraction is undeniable.

A light and fairly entertaining little read, just what I need for a easy Saturday. That being said there was always this little niggle at the back of my head as I read this, especially due to how Lucy's curves were viewed by some, plus sometimes it felt like Lucy was way too self-deprecating. She was positioned as being confident and self-assured when it come to who she was and her body, and yet a lot of what was said contradicted this.

This is book 3 in the series and it can comfortably be read as a standalone.

90p on amazon 21st March 2020.
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews842 followers
October 29, 2018


A lot of authors write RomCom but very few of them pull it off with the class and finesse that Avery Flynn does. Muffin Top, even though it tackles a serious social problem in today's society, was written in a way that Frankie Hartigan will steal your heart and Lucy Kavanagh will have you sighing, crying and laughing.

I don't even want to try to summarize this story … the blurb kind of tells you what it's all about. What it doesn't say is how strong, snarky and feisty a woman Lucy is and how big a heart Frankie has. It also doesn't reflect the mindset of both of these characters and what they are personally going through and feeling on the inside. I loved the forgiveness that each of them had for people who have hurt or bullied them. Two people who have more issues than weight or a playboy reputation find that they can heal each other and find love in the most unexpected way.

From the non-date to the Scavenger Hunt to happily-ever-after, I smiled and cried. Then, I smiled some more along with feeling a little bit of a sense of pride. Why, because I am a Muffin Top too and could totally relate to a lot of what Lucy went through and was feeling. And, I found my HEA as well despite it all.

Avery Flynn always makes us feel good … she tackles social issues with a humongous sense of humor … she shows that it's okay to be ourselves and be proud of who we are … she makes us laugh … she makes us cry … but, most of all she ALWAYS gives us that feel-good feeling inside that lets you know that, even with flaws, we are worth it.
Profile Image for Sofia Lazaridou.
2,759 reviews138 followers
Want to read
November 5, 2018
I wasn't able to finish Muffin top. I was disgusted with the hero and his man-whoring ways. He has almost literally screwed half the female population of the town and the women he has been with even compared notes. WTF people? Did I really need to know that these random women talked about his performance in bed? Because that's one of the two things I knew about him when I finished the book. The other thing is that he is a workaholic. That's not a lot.

The heroine is very insecure. She is a plus size person who hasn't have accepted that. When the dude in the bar who was unhealthy gave her "advice" for her eating habits she didn't do anything to tell him off and Frankie saved the day. She didn't stand up for herself and I hated that. I hope you will be able to finish the book if you choose to do so.
Profile Image for Rachel.
643 reviews12 followers
October 28, 2018
Dear reader, before you start this book I have a warning for you, just hand over your heart and panties to the giant ginger that is Frankie Hartigan and don’t fight it. You won’t be sorry. I know I wasn’t.

Warning given, I can now say that this is a book that EVERYONE who reads romance needs to read. I LOVED this story so much. I still think about it days after I finished it. Okay, I still get the giggles thinking about certain scenes too. No matter how much I think I’m done with Frankie and Lucy, they keep popping back into my mind.

If I could give this book unlimited stars I would. Ah-maz-ing. That’s they best way to describe this unbelievably awesome read from the equally awesome Avery Flynn who has ruined me with this book.

I loved everything about this book. I know I can’t give it the review it so deserves but I can try to convince you to part with your money for a book that for me, is hands down one of the funniest, hottest, sassiest, unputdownable books you will read this year.

If you love a feisty, sassy heroine then Lucy is the one for you. I loved her from the moment she appeared to the last page that left me goofy grinning for way longer than it should have because there is only one Lucy and it’s a total treat to get to know her in this story. I so want to be like her when I grow up.

Now in case you haven’t already guess, I loved Frankie something hard. Shocker I know. But seriously, just wait till you have the pleasure of learning more about the gentle giant as he goes on a road trip with Lucy to her high school reunion. I can’t say too much because I don’t want to give anything away, but if you don’t fall for Frankie you shouldn’t be reading romance.

Combine these two and watch out as sparks, sass, snark, clothes and best intentions fly out the window as one of Waterbury’s finest falls for the one woman he NEVER saw coming.

I can’t say read this book enough. If you haven’t read the first book where we first meet Lucy and Frankie in Butterface do so now. That said you can totally read this as stand-alone, but you really should read both because Avery Flynn is a genius when it comes to strong sassy heroines and the wonderful men who love them and this highlights why she is a must read author for me.

I can’t wait for the next book. I want it now!!!
Profile Image for Sharlize D'Souza.
57 reviews105 followers
March 21, 2019
This book needs to become a movie ASAP. It was a solid 3 star read.
Going into this book I was a little wary considering the bad reviews that I had read about it and the general fetishism of the plus size community (which I am apart of). However, I was genuinely pleased by how well the book handled the topic.
The romance was quite sophisticated in my opinion and it rejects the idea to fetishising the community on multiple counts.
Lucy is a freaking badass and I'm constantly struck between wanting to be her and wanting to date her. (What's the line again? Stuck between a rock and a hard place I think!) The story explored the emotional issues (due to societal pressure) that comes in with being fat. There were several moments throughout the book where I knew that I would have felt or done the same way/thing if I was in her place. Frankie is the best person ever and I love him. I would have liked a lot more from him though. I felt like his character was kind off one dimensional and lacking in something.
I really liked the reinvention of the word muffin top and I feel like it deserved a special mention here.
The plot was medium paced and a few bits could have been edited out.
Overall, it was a cute contemporary and I would definitely recommend it.
Profile Image for Cee.
2,686 reviews133 followers
October 30, 2018
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

I was so excited to read this book since it is a romance about a plus-sized character. It seemed to be pretty body-positive, so I was so ready to read something different than usual.

The thing is, it is so bland.

Let me back up. First let me say, I think everything mentioned about Lucy's weight is on point-- her worries and concerns aren't baseless. Although, I'm not truly plus-sized some of what is said totally hits home and I'm glad this book got so real with the shit bigger women have to put up with.

Besides from the body positivity stuff, there wasn't much I liked about the book. This hit me so hard, because I was so ready to love this book, yet I was so ready to DNF it that I'm not even feeling up to going back and reading the first book in the series.

Yes, Frankie is pretty awesome and he kept trying to get through to her, BUT she kept having misunderstandings. This trope will one day kill me. A few times I could see her insecurities making her misunderstand, but Frankie is pretty effing honest and straightforward that I had no idea how she could keep not believing him. Then the huge conflict-- you know, what breaks the couple up before they have their HEA *sigh I'm so tired of the classic romance formula right now* -- is all a misunderstanding and blown out of proportion while the make-up is over the top and ridiculous. What are we even apologizing for?!?!?

I would have loved more cute moments during the scavenger hunt to show a build up of affection instead of how stilted it felt. Not a great build up, imho-- mostly counted on sexual tension. Seriously, how does Frankie go from 'she isn't my type because she's a ballbuster' to 'omg she's the one' ??? Wow... I think I'm beginning to understand why Lucy doesn't believe he truly likes her... *sigh* I think it is time for me to stop thinking about this book.

So, no I don't recommend this one to people wanting a full romance, but I do see how people will be interested in it, so if think this might be you do please give it a try. I might getting too picky with my romances.
Profile Image for Carlene Inspired.
970 reviews265 followers
October 30, 2018
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

I don't know what it is about 2018, but I am so grateful for the relatable characters that authors are writing right now. Lucy is a size twenty, brilliant, independent woman with a knack for helping influential men out of tight spots. She has the confidence to spin stories and take control, but not when it comes to her own life. Frankie is the handsome town player, a firefighter with a heart of gold who doesn't know how to really love a woman properly. I loved that in such a small town the two really hadn't had any one on one contact prior to the bar, it made their week trip to Lucy's hometown so entertaining. The reunion trip is a chance for each to shed their usual skin, each discovering that maybe being themselves isn't so bad, especially when they begin to fall for one another. Avery Flynn doesn't gloss over the realities in Muffin Top though, Lucy struggles with her size and her expectations that love couldn't happen to her and Frankie has to work through his previous player ways in order to prove Lucy he can be a more than an easy lay kind of guy.

"But it felt better coming from Lucy. Better. Hard-won."

The chemistry between these two is off the charts, with the two giving in easily to the passion and connection they feel. Unfortunately, the sex distracts them from the serious stuff and even as the two open up about themselves they're each left unsure of what the other's interests are. With well placed humor, Avery Flynn puts the characters into situations that force them to realize a few things. I loved reading about how Lucy and Frankie see the good in one another, but not in themselves. They each set out to prove the other wrong, of course there's bumps in the road along the way. Like in Butterface, the previous novel in The Hartigans series, family plays a huge role in this story and an even bigger role in Frankie and Lucy seeing the light.

"This week just might kill him, but what a way to go."

An honest, funny portrayal of life and romance, Muffin Top is another hit in The Hartigans series from Avery Flynn. I love the Hartigans siblings and the partners they end up with even more. The books aren't the kind that you escape into to forget the world's problems, but they do make you believe in love again, throwing all preconceived notions about perfect romance out the window and giving it to you in a realistic, sweet way.

ARC provided.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
1,299 reviews244 followers
February 17, 2019
This one picks up with the best friend of the main female character from the first book and the eldest Hartigan brother, a huge firefighter whose been cutting a swathe through the female population of his hometown for years.

A chance encounter between casual acquaintances Frankie Hartigan and Lucy Kavanagh has them on an extended date to Lucy's hometown high school reunion. Frankie is looking to change his pattern of casual hookups and thinks he's safe around Lucy because she's nothing like his normal "type". His plans go almost immediately awry because he actually finds her very attractive, and getting to know her on the trip only deepens the attraction. But Lucy thinks the huge firefighter is way out of her league and is constantly sabotaging things because she's waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I actually liked this much more than the previous book, particularly as I see Lucy's struggles to be taken seriously as a larger woman everywhere. Her defensiveness makes all kinds of sense. Frankie's character is also an interesting one, as for the first time in his life he has to struggle in a relationship, or perhaps even to have a relationshp. That includes several times in the book where Lucy explodes or storms off and just leaves him stunned. Often the male in romance books immediately reacts perfectly and says all the right words in these situations. Frankie does the much more authentic stunned mullet impression. It's refreshing to read.

I'd also point out how good the supporting cast is in this one, from Lucy's sex therapist father, to Lucy's high school nemesis, who could have been a one-note character, but was actually given unexpected depth, and also the Hartigan and friends supporting cast in general.

Looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Elaine.
1,061 reviews43 followers
March 18, 2019
I really wanted to like Muffin Top. But I just had a hard time connecting to Lucy from the get-go. She talks a big game about being self-confident, but I really didn't get that vibe from her at all. And as a plus size woman myself, I hated that her size became such a plot point rather than Lucy just being a size 20. Too much attention was drawn on the the fact that she was plus sized, and it began to really irritate me. The book's obsession with Lucy's size and her insecurities just annoyed me to the maximum. I would lie to say that my weight hasn't impacted my relationships, but I was still very annoyed how Lucy kept putting herself down because of her weight.
And Frankie waffled so much on whether or not he liked her it got old really quick.
So it's safe to say, this one just didn't do it for me sadly. The first 10% of the book was really good fun read then up to about 60% (By Kindle) its was terrible dragged on so bad I didnt think I would finish it but I decided to keep going and the last 30% was ok, and then the ending did not sit well with me at all. I was disappointed in that whole sequence. Also, I couldn't buy into the explanation for the parental behavior. It didn't seem believable that a parent would have that response to behavior a teenager witnessed.
I’m still looking forward to reading the next book but this one didn’t quite excite me as much as I had hoped.
Profile Image for Vanessa Gayle ⚔️ Fangirl Faction.
1,007 reviews824 followers
June 3, 2023
06/03/2023: Reread. (Audiobook!)

04/08/2019: Read for the second time!

This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.

This is my first time reading an adult contemporary romance. Shocking, I know. I will be completely honest, the only reason that I picked this book up is because it was about a plus-size girl and I thought that I could relate since I am one myself. I read an excerpt online and it made me giggle so I grabbed a copy of this and jumped right in. I wasn't disappointed. I loved every moment. I read this in one sitting.

Contemporaries are much different from my regular fantasy reads. The world-building is on a much smaller scale. While there was not an elaborate fantasy world to describe, I still felt that the world-building was adequate for the story being told. I never felt disconnected from the world that the characters live in. Every scene was atmospheric with the perfect amount of detail.

I loved the plot. I definitely connected with it. While I am not saying that it was completely unbelievable, it does fall into that range of one-in-an-unreasonably-large-number chance of happening. Now I am not saying that all super hot guys are douchebags that couldn't see a larger girl as attractive or that one couldn't fall in love with a larger girl, but the odds are just low in today's society. Regardless, I still found the plot to be entertaining, charming, and heartwarming. I definitely couldn't put the book down.

I loved the characters. They were very well written. Both of the main characters had flaws that made them very real. They also exhibited likable characteristics that made them well-rounded and very three-dimensional. I also liked the side characters and what they brought to the story.

The romance was heartwarming. I loved it. The two main characters had such incredible chemistry and I loved their dynamic. The intimate scenes were hot and the romantic scenes were touching. Watching them fall in love while battling their own demons was absorbing. I was turning the pages like a madwoman because I couldn't get enough of them. I am almost sad that this was their own contained little story. I wish it could go on.

Overall, I was impressed by this book. I honestly didn't have many expectations going into this book, but I wasn't expecting to love it so much. I am going to go back and read the previous book in this series about another couple in the book and I expect to read the third book about another couple when it releases next year. I may even go back and read some of Flynn's backlog. I feel like I would be picky about contemporary books, but if her other books are anything like this one then I have no doubt that I'll fall in love with them just as much as I did with this one. I definitely recommend this book to lovers of adult contemporary romance.

More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
Profile Image for Robyn.
422 reviews103 followers
October 16, 2018
Frankie Hartigan is on a mandatory three week vacation from his job as the town’s sexy fireman. While he ponders his life and his inability to commit to a real loving and lasting relationship at the local cop bar, he comes to the rescue of one Lucy Kavanagh. Lucy is his brother’s fiance’s best friend and she just might be the distraction he needs to keep himself on his newly acquired sex ban. Lucy is too blunt and too ballsy and might just be the perfect woman to keep his mind out of the gutter and another part of his anatomy in his pants. On the upside, she is fun and will keep him out of trouble while he re-evaluates his life. Taking Lucy to her high school reunion is just the distraction he needs.

Lucy kavanagh is a plus size single woman with an even bigger mouth to match. While she is a tough as nails public relations rep and can stare down clients with the best of them, she often becomes the butt of her own jokes about her size. She often pokes fun at her own size to save herself the trouble of someone doing it for her. She is a size twenty living in a size zero world. So, when some jerk questions her choice of dinner at the local cop bar, Frankie swoops in and saves the day. When Frankie invites himself along to her high school reunion as her fake date, she knows he is up to something and she is determined to figure out what it is he wants from her. It’s not like this sexy ginger giant could ever be interested in a girl like her or could he?

Let me first start out by saying that I am in absolute LOVE with this book! Not only is this a romantic comedy, but it also incorporates a lot of real life into the story which really makes this story stand out for me. I have read romance books with plus size heroines, but no one has really gone into such depth as Avery Flynn about what it is like for a plus size woman especially in today’s society. Flynn portrays how a woman feels and her inner struggles dealing with outsiders who judge someone based on looks. Lucy deals with this constantly and even though she is totally badass she does have insecurities and this is what I love most about Lucy as she comes across as a real person with many layers.

Frankie is a great guy. Sure he is a man-whore, but deep down inside he has a lot of heart and a lot of love to give to the right woman. He may not see it right away and often times struggles with himself while trying to figure out what he wants out of life. He really is a standup guy and sticks up for the underdog. He may not think he is relationship material, but I can see how much of a family man he is with his own siblings. He is the protector and will go to war for any of his sisters and brothers.

I had every intention of only reading a few chapters as I started this book pretty late in the evening, but after the first few chapters all I kept saying was “okay maybe one more chapter and then I will go to bed.” yeah right! Needless to say I stayed up till almost 5am because I could not put this book down. I was completely enraptured by Lucy and Frankie and found myself needing to find out what happens next! I laughed so much I had tears coming out of my eyes, then I had real tears coming out of my eyes during some of the harder scenes to get through especially when it came to Lucy being so hard on herself. Flynn also threw in some “Awww” moments for me especially when Frankie says things like this:

“Lucy, I’m already lost, but I feel found any time I’m with you.”

Just stick a fork in me I am done! I completely melted. These are the type of moments where you want to turn to your boyfriend/husband/partner and smack him upside the head and ask “Why can’t YOU be like Frankie!” He is my totally new book boyfriend!

I must be living under a rock because this is the first book I have ever read by Avery Flynn and I just want to kick myself from not starting any of her books sooner. Flynn is an amazing writer and storyteller and she has captured my heart right from the first page. I will certainly be picking up all of her back books because….well because Avery Flynn is just that awesome!

Muffin Top is a dazzling Rom-Com that will make you laugh, make you cry and give you all the feels. I highly recommend this book to every romance fan who loves strong characters and a to die for hero that you will want as your own. I definitely need more of the Hartigan’s in my life.
Profile Image for Siobhan.
4,670 reviews583 followers
October 31, 2018
After reading and enjoying the first book in Avery Flynn’s The Hartigans series, Butterface, I was eager to dive into the second book. There was a wee bit of tentatively regarding Muffin Top, but I’m glad I jumped in. After finishing it, I’m extremely eager to get my hands on book three, Tomboy.

The fact this series is dealing with the unconventional female leads – book one was the female considered ‘unattractive’, book two is the female considered ‘overweight’, and book three is the female considered too ‘boyish’ – means there will be characters everyone can relate to. Being a woman, unfortunately, means we have labels thrown at us all the time – in some cases, we will be able to connect with all the labels being thrown at the characters. Hell, I know I can.

Although it is easy to connect with such characters, I was a wee bit worried before starting this book. I feared the female lead was going to be a cliché, with the story falling into the usual stereotypes. Fortunately, I had nothing to fear. I was sucked into this story from the very first page, and with every word I read I fell deeper and deeper in love with the characters and the relationship blooming between them.

Like Butterface, Muffin Top grabbed my attention and refused to let me free. Once I started reading, I found I could not put the book down. I was addicted, in love, and desperate to see how everything came together. I wanted more of the characters and their drama, more of the humour and emotions, and more of the countless other goodies on offer throughout the book.

It was a sweet story, with some steam and some harder hitting subjects, ensuring it reaches you on multiple levels. It’s a story that will have an impact, one that will stay with you long after you finish. So, if like me you find yourself a wee bit tentative, take the leap – there is more to this book than appears on the surface.

Now, I’m going to sit and impatiently await book three. The hints we got of what is to come have left me super desperate for more.
Profile Image for Robyn.
827 reviews159 followers
February 17, 2019
Another excellent instalment in the Hartigan family saga. I of course love this one as the hero is ginger. :-)
Profile Image for Jenn (The Book Refuge).
2,090 reviews3,179 followers
May 22, 2020
This was adorable. Frankie is a firefighter and a bit of a man-whore. He gets a wake up call from an ex lover about changing his ways.

Lucy is a ballbusting tough working woman and she has no time for a player like Frankie. Until he pretends to be her boyfriend and comes to her defense when an asshole makes a stupid comment about her weight.

Then he ups the anti and offers to be her date to her high school reunion. He's on a sex break and Lucy isn't his type. Everything should be fine, right?

Fun, sweet, sexy, and so funny. This was a sweet read.
Profile Image for Monique Pearson.
Author 2 books45 followers
August 12, 2019
Those Hartigan men! I love how they're slow to catch on but then go all in. And Lucy is just my kind of gal! Growing up the fat kid myself I understand her defense mechanisms quite well. AND her love of red lipstick. Really enjoyed this one!
Profile Image for Howard.
1,481 reviews94 followers
May 19, 2020
4 Stars for Muffin Top: The Hartigans, Book 2 (audiobook) by Avery Flynn read by Brian Pallino and Savannah Peachwood. This was another fun romance by Avery Flynn. I think I enjoyed the first book a little more but this is still a good read. It’s a fun audiobook.
Profile Image for Aly.
2,586 reviews90 followers
November 3, 2018
Contrarily to what the blurb presage, the book is written at the third person, not the first, but I absolutely didn't care because I had too much fun reading it :)

The hero is Frankie Hartigan. A hot ginger firefighter of thirty-three years old who's been forced to take a vacation by his boss and the HR department because he haven't take a leave of absence in far too long and it's against regulation and safety. Frankie lives for the job. He likes the adrenaline and the camaraderie, so he's afraid to get bored out of his mind during his break. But after an asshole insulted his sister's friend in a bar, Frankie found his new project : be her fake date for her high school reunion.

The heroine is Lucy Kavanagh. A publicist who specialize in crisis communication. She's blunt and confident, but all her life she had to deal with the fact she's overweight. She doesn't have a problem with it, it's people who can't accept she's not in the standard of beauty and mocked her, but a part of her wonder if she'll ever find a man who'll accept her exactly as she is.

"I am not about to get dared into doing something dumb."
"Fine. How about getting dared into doing something fun?"
She cracked a smile. "You're trouble, you know that?"

When a woman tell Frankie people see him as a man-whore only great for a good time, it hurt him and he decide then to take a break from hooks-up. But Lucy is a temptation he'll try to resist but won't be able to, as you can guess ;p


The cover and the title drew my attention and the plot sounded like my kind of things. It was my first time reading something by Avery Flynn so I didn't know what to expect, but wow ! I'm so glad I gave it a chance. Some things were déjà vu but other were totally unique. It didn't took long for me to fall in love with Frankie. Not only because of his look (hello, ginger ! ;p)and for coming to Lucy's rescue, but he also hate spicy food and he's just such a naturally fun and nice guy.
"Okay, I won't make you actually have fun at the carnival," he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her tight against him in a way that sent her pulse into overdrive. "You can watch me win you an oversized stuffed llama. You know you're desperate to have one to put in your office back home, so it can stare disapprovingly at your clients when they come to you for help after fucking up."


The thing with the mean girl began as a total cliché and then it took a turn in such a surprising way that it seemed too far-fetched at first, but what a great idea ! A special mention to Lucy's father who was, in my opinion, one of the best secondary character I've ever read. So funny and wise at the same time. I liked meeting Frankie's family too. He's the oldest of the seven siblings and they all have names with F.
Profile Image for Carvanz.
2,168 reviews795 followers
December 14, 2020
Audiobook: Narrators - Brian Pallino & Savannah Peachwood

Great narration! After having an issue with the narration in book 1, I was a bit worried, but the previous problem did not present itself to me here. Both of these narrators did an amazing job of male and female voices. I enjoyed listening to this!

I had similar issues with this book as I did with the first one. It would have been more enjoyable for me if the hero would have been attracted to the heroine before they got together. Once more the heroine has lots of thoughts regarding her weight that began to get old fast, but it wasn’t as irritating as the heroine in Butterface.

Other than that, this was a great audiobook with lots of wit and charm all laced with some sizzling chemistry. While I enjoyed this, I probably will not continue on to the next book.

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