Should Romance Books Become Movies?

Taylor Collien is Chief Story Stylist and TCF Book Club Guide.

We have a great time talking about each of our stories, and each month our conversations seem to take an unexpected turn: all things related to plus-size representation in Hollywood.

At a recent book club meeting, an interesting topic came up while discussing Big Girl Blitz by Danielle Allen. The question was: What if our favorite plus-size romance novels were made into movies or TV series?

do you want that?

Did it work well?

Do studios understand that our demographic will absolutely show up and support these projects?

Is the main character actually plus size?

Can she be allowed to be desirable without her body being the entire plot?

This conversation generated a lot of opinions, thoughtful discussion, and some uncomfortable truths about representation in entertainment.

Should a book remain a book?

Our initial concerns were simple.

What if they mess it up?

Let’s be honest. Film adaptation please don’t Always get it right.

Characters sometimes make choices that feel completely separate from who they are in the book. Their personalities change. Their style changes. The entire story disappears. As readers, we have little control over who ultimately adapts our favorite stories.

Once the book ends up in Hollywood’s hands, all we can do is hope that the people behind the project understand what made the story so special in the first place.

At the same time, the film adaptation could help address the larger issue of plus-size representation in Hollywood.

There are many talented authors who write attractive plus-size heroines in romance novels. A woman who is funny, ambitious, messy, confident, vulnerable, sexy and with a fully developed character. Seeing those stories translated to the screen could introduce audiences to the kind of representation many of us have long craved.

Will plus size bodies be properly represented?

Romance novels are increasingly featuring plus-size protagonists, and even within this genre, “acceptable” versions of fatness are often depicted.

As I read, I sometimes notice that certain body features seem to disappear from the description entirely. Back rolls, apron bellies, double chins, and other very realistic physical features are often omitted, especially in romantic or intimate scenes.

I’ve even Googled to see if the heroine was actually plus size before buying the book because I wasn’t convinced by the cover illustration.

There may be many reasons for this, but it raises an important question.

If the publishing industry can have a hard time showing the full range of plus-size bodies, can we trust Hollywood to do a better job?

Can we trust major studios to tell stories about fat women beyond simply casting someone who is “a little chubby”?

Some people argue that we should be grateful in any expression.

But should you?

Or should we seek representation that fully reflects the diversity of our community?

Is Hollywood unaware of our existence or just doesn’t care?

Here our discussion became particularly interesting.

Some members believed that major production companies simply did not have enough data to justify investing in projects centered around plus-size women.

Others felt that the problem was not lack of information at all.

Instead, they questioned whether long-standing cultural biases continue to see fat bodies as commercially risky.

Given the numbers, this conversation becomes hard to ignore.

According to The Representation Project’s 2022 All Bodies ReportNon-fat women in leading roles on television outnumber fat women by about 14 to 1. Fat women make up just 6.3 percent of TV leads, even though they make up a much larger percentage of the population.

The same report found that fat women wear make-up. only 6.7% Fat women of color are overrepresented in the highest-grossing films, with even greater disparities affecting them.

I feel this disconnect is important.

Because from where I sit, plus size women absolutely show up to each other.

We build community.

I recommend the book.

We support creators.

We celebrate each other’s victories.

In my own experience, plus-size women, especially plus-size women of color, have consistently been my biggest supporters.

So when the question came up whether I would support entertainment centered around fat women, my immediate reaction was:

Why not?

A better question might be:

Why is it solely our responsibility to prove that there is an audience?

Plus-size people have spent decades consuming media that rarely reflects our lived experiences. Every day we see stories centered around straight-sized characters. Because those stories are often the only options.

Why does a project about fat women suddenly become a risk that requires additional justification?

viewer already exists

Ironically, readers have already proven that there is a demand for these stories.

Romance remains one of the most successful publishing genres in the world, and books featuring plus-size heroines continue to build passionate fan communities.

The audience exists.

The question is whether Hollywood believes audiences are worth the investment.

And there are already examples of how stories centered around larger women can resonate with viewers.

Created by and starring Michelle Buteau, Netflix’s Survival of the Sixth follows a plus-size stylist who navigates love, friendship, and career growth without letting her body become a punchline.

Hulu’s Thrill, based on Lindy West’s memoir and starring Aidy Bryant, challenged assumptions about who deserves to feel confident, desired, and occupy space.

AMC’s Dietland explored beauty standards, body image, and societal expectations through a sharp and provocative lens.

HBO’s Somebody Somewhere, starring Bridget Everett, has also won praise for its portrayal of large women who don’t let their weight be the center of their struggles and live rich, complex and joyful lives.

None of these stories are perfect.

But they’ve proven important to plus-size representation in Hollywood.

Audiences are happy to watch stories about fat women when they are allowed to be fully human.

What you need as a plus size reader

When it comes to film adaptations of romance novels featuring plus-size heroines, our hopes are actually quite simple.

I want stories that center around larger women.

We want to represent a wider range of body types on screen.

We want characters whose lives aren’t completely defined by weight loss, insecurity, or self-improvement.

We want stories where fat women find romance.

adventure.

fantasy.

Happy ending.

Most importantly, we want studios to recognize what the community already knows.

we exist.

We have purchasing power.

We support stories that touch the heart.

And frankly, we’re tired of being treated like a niche audience.

I don’t think the bigger question is whether there will be plus-size women.

That’s why so many people seem convinced that no one else will.

join the conversation

TCF Book Club has become a wonderful space for plus-size readers to experience the magic of romance fiction together.

This month I’m reading Just Our Luck by Dennis Williams. The first discussion meeting will be held on Saturday, June 13th at 1:30 PM ET/10:30 AM PST.

If you love books, big conversations, and exploring stories through a plus-size lens, we invite you to join us.