I have read a lot of romance books in my nearly 45 years on Earth, and I'm here to tell you that the best ones are the ones where our heroine is flawed and relatable, making the pages fly by, and readers root for her through every word. This week's pick just happens to check those boxes perfectly!
Rainbow Rowell’s novel “Cherry Baby” delivers a deeply personal, funny, and raw story about rebuilding yourself after your world falls completely apart. The book centers on 36-year-old Cherry, a plus-size woman living in Omaha, Nebraska, who finds herself quietly picking up the pieces of her life following a sudden separation. Her husband, Tom, has moved out to Hollywood to work on a high-profile movie adaptation of his wildly popular webcomic, “Thursday.” While everyone in their shared social circle assumes he is simply away on business, Cherry is left carrying the heavy, painful truth that their long marriage is essentially over and he has no intention of coming back home.
To make matters infinitely more complicated, Tom’s hit webcomic features a main character named Baby—a recognizable caricature explicitly modeled after Cherry. As the webcomic explodes into a massive global pop-culture phenomenon with a fanatical fan base, Cherry finds herself relentlessly recognized in her everyday routine as the real-life inspiration behind the wide-hipped, heavy-chested character. Strangers at the grocery store, local shops, and neighborhood spots constantly connect her physical body to her ex-husband’s famous artwork, leaving her feeling deeply uncomfortable and trapped inside a public identity she never asked to share with the world.
Everything begins to shift when Cherry decides to step out for an evening to see one of her favorite live music bands perform. While at the show, she runs into Russ Sutton, a familiar face from her past. Russ knew Cherry back when she was a confident, creative young art student with a vibrant signature style, long before her marriage to Tom took center stage. Crucially, Russ sees Cherry entirely for who she is right now as an individual, appreciating her for herself—and he has absolutely no clue that the webcomic “Thursday” even exists.
As Cherry and Russ reconnect and spend more time together, she slowly begins to reclaim her own sense of self, stepping out from the long shadow of Tom's fame and shedding her unwanted persona as "Baby." Rowell weaves a beautifully messy, cozy, and heartfelt look at second chances, navigating complex body image issues, and figuring out who you truly want to be when your old life disappears. It is a warm, honest exploration of identity, desire, self-acceptance, and starting over entirely on your own terms.
I hope you fall in love with Cherry like I did! Don't forget to check out my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more book recommendations and book-related fun!
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