Book Review: The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom by Allison L. Bitz

Bridget has never shied away from the spotlight, destined to be leading role material in Broadway one day—just ask her Dads, rooting for her dreams all the way. So when those dreams skyrocket and she is accepted into Richard James Academy—a well-regarded and dreamy college-prep boarding school, she can hardly believe how her plan of stardom is coming together. But on arrival, her high hopes are dwindled by the announcement that her low music theory results were not enough to get her in to the desired programs she wanted.

Not only that, but Dean of Students, Octavia Lawless, refuses to reverse the decision, putting Bridget on a path of bringing herself down a peg or two, challenging her to withhold from singing and not lean too much into her pride. Stuck, lost and unsure of what the Academy holds without getting to sing, Bridget begins a plan to get back into the good graces of the higher-ups, brush up on her music theory with the help of new friends, and maybe find—in the most unlikely of places—her true voice and place in the world.

Overall, The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom was one of those books that, without you really noticing, gets into all the crevices of your heart. I laughed, I felt, I loved, all in the space of Bridget’s story and Allison’s words. Being a plus-size girl in a fatphobic world, I needed stories like this when I was younger, ones where “fat” wasn’t an insult and being bigger didn’t mean I wasn’t allowed the same spaces and choices as others. The friendships (and sugar-sweet romance) in this book were *chef’s kiss* and I adored Max. All in all, it was a rare gem, effortlessly blending humour, growth and self-love. Consider me a new fan—Allison has now become a must-read-author for me. I couldn’t love this more! FIVE STARS!