You can always get my attention with a book about a woman on a mission of self-love and acceptance. And Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell is that and more! This romance book has very swoony and spicy scenes, but it’s centered on Savvy and her journey to navigating her ideas about herself. It’s a book that will appeal to readers looking for a story about acceptance and friendship. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Savvy Sheldon spends a lot of time tiptoeing around the cracks in her life: her high-stress and low-thanks job, her clueless boyfriend and the falling-apart kitchen she inherited from her beloved grandma—who taught her how to cook and how to love people by feeding them. But when Savvy’s world starts to crash down around her, she knows it’s time for some renovations.
Starting from the outside in, Savvy tackles her crumbling kitchen, her relationship with her body, her work–life balance (or lack thereof) and, last but not least, her love life. The only thing that doesn’t seem to require effort is her ride-or-die squad of friends. But as any home-reno-show junkie can tell you, something always falls apart during renovations. First, Savvy passes out during hot yoga. Then it turns out that the contractor she hires is the same sexy stranger she unintentionally offended by judging based on appearances. Worst of all, Savvy can’t seem to go anywhere without tripping over her ex and his latest “upgrade.” Savvy begins to realize that maybe she should’ve started her renovations the other way around: beginning with how she sees herself before building a love that lasts.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: fatphobia
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell is a heart warming story about love and loss. While it begins with heartbreak, it becomes a story about (re)discovering our passions, friendships, and changing the way we think about ourselves. I loved Savvy – how could I not? Not only is she an excellent cook – my mouth was watering! – she so clearly loves all her friends and family. But Savvy has to figure out who she is. The limitations she has to impose and the habits to create a happy well being.
While her makeover starts as being motivated by her plan for a ‘revenge body’, it pretty quickly morphs into something else. Savvy realizes – separate from her ex – how she’s lost some of the passions in her life, the confidence in herself, and her curiosity. Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell centers around her journey. And I loved every page. She doesn’t sugarcoat it. Finding confidence in ourselves is hard. It’s hard to re-connect with ourselves, to form new habits.
But in Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell, Savvy must figure out how to do exactly that. In terms of other elements, I also loved the friendships in this book – we love a group of friends – and the chemistry was super sweet. A way this book could be better were if there recipes because I am seriously craving some of these dishes! Find Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.
Unfortunately this one didn’t work for me that well. And I wanted to love it so much! It started good, but kind of went downhill for me. Here is my review if you want to check it out:
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2022/03/05/arc-review-savvy-sheldon-feels-good-as-hell-by-taj-mccoy/