She’s not waiting for someone else to sweep in. She’s picking up the magnifying glass, drawing the rune circle, and grabbing the sword. Because fat girls deserve the spotlight not just in shampoo commercials, but in every genre of fiction. At The Curvy Fashionista, we believe the world is rich and wide enough for plus size women to be the detectives, the witches, the spaceship captains.
We launched the TCF Book Club to make space for exactly this: bold, brilliant, joy-filled storytelling where plus size heroines don’t just fall in love; they fall into adventure, power, and possibility. Whether it’s fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, or horror, we are here to champion the books where fat girls are fully in charge.
Haven’t joined the club yet? [Sign up here] to get monthly book picks, exclusive author chats, and a community that reads with intention and style. And let’s be clear, we’re not slowing down. Representation in books matters, and we’re just getting started.
So today, let’s crack open the book beyond romance, and celebrate plus size heroines who are doing everything else.
The Genre Breakout: Beyond the Bodice-Ripper
Historically, plus size characters (especially women) in fiction have been relegated to the sidelines. In romance, we often find the fat heroine seeking love, often framed through her size struggles or “weight loss” arcs. But that’s changing… and it must. Because when we limit plus size representation to one genre and one outcome (love achieved), we lose the full richness of lived experience.
Crucially, representation matters. Reader-communities have taken note: there are thousands of titles tagged with “plus size heroine” on sites like Goodreads. Meanwhile, curated lists on sites like Bookshop.org include dedicated “Plus Size Representation” collections. These are important steps; but they still skew heavily toward romance. So, let’s talk about how plus size heroines are carving out space in fantasy, mystery, sci-fi and more.
She’s Got Powers and a Full Belly: Fat Girls in Fantasy & Sci-Fi
Imagine a heroine who casts spells, bounds through portals, or pilots giant mechs, and she’s fat. Not defined by her size, but powerful anyway. That’s the shift we’re championing.
- Online readers note that Mercy, the lead in The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen, is a plus size heroine, and she’s fierce, funny, and totally in charge.
- On Bookshop.org, the “Plus Size Representation” list opens the door to new genres, beyond just contemporary romance.
- Goodreads’ user-driven lists like “Plus sized Heroines” are packed with reader recs for fantasy and sci-fi lovers.
What makes these stories extra magical: the character’s body isn’t the battleground. Instead, the narrative lets her wield magic, save the world, fall in love or not and lead entire armies in all her fat, powerful glory.
Fat and Fearless: Thrillers, Horror & Mystery with Plus Size Leads
Now let’s shift to the darker, twistier genres. Plus size women are intuitive, underestimated, and that makes them perfect protagonists for mystery, suspense, and horror.
- Cozy mystery and paranormal romance are becoming genre playgrounds for curvy characters. See the Goodreads list “Paranormal Curves” for fat witches, sleuths, and shifters.
- Across Reddit threads, readers are searching for thriller and fantasy titles that feature plus size women not defined by trauma or body image, but who still shine.
In these stories, our heroines are solving crimes, banishing ghosts, tracking serial killers and still showing up with style, strength, and substance.
Worldbuilders & Rulebreakers: Fat Characters Who Drive the Plot
Representation isn’t just about inclusion, it’s about agency. We want more stories where plus size heroines:
- Change the world (without needing to shrink themselves first)
- Embark on magical or dangerous quests
- Lead rebellions, rebelliously
- Show up in every genre with full humanity: messy, complex, brilliant
These stories say: “Fat girls aren’t waiting in the wings; we’re already center stage.” That is deeply aligned with what we do at TCF: amplify, celebrate, and insist on the full inclusion of plus size brilliance in every space.
Indie, Fanfic & Queer Lit: The Real MVPs of Fat Representation
While traditional publishing is slowly catching up, much of the best plus size representation is happening in indie publishing, fanfiction, and queer lit spaces. These authors are creating characters who are bold, flawed, magical, and fully realized.
- Indie authors are leading the way in plus size romance, fantasy, and paranormal fiction. Self-published spaces allow authors to take risks, without editors watering down fat joy.
- As blogger The Huntswoman points out, “Self-published authors are often more… with it when it comes to depth of characters, gender and sexuality.”
- Across Reddit and Goodreads, readers are shouting for more: more queer rep, more genre-bending fat heroines, more everything.
We love to see it and we’re going to keep the spotlight firmly on those pushing the boundaries.
Your TCF Book Club Picks: 8 Genre-Bending Reads with Plus Size Heroines
Ready to expand your shelves? These are your must-reads across fantasy, horror, cozy mystery, and romance-adjacent genre faves. All with bold, beautiful leads you won’t forget.
- Her Orc Guardian by Zoë Ashwood
Fantasy romance with a curvy heroine and a protective orc hero. Self-published and spicy. - Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade
A fanfiction-writing heroine finds love with a Hollywood heartthrob. Nerdy, body-positive, and brilliant. - If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
A plus size fashion designer enters a reality dating show and takes up space unapologetically. - A Very Fake Boyfriend by Scarlett Avery
A juicy rom-com where a plus size heroine fake dates her hot coworker. Sassy and satisfying. - The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
A weird, wonderful fantasy-romance hybrid with plus size rep and emotional depth. - Bewitched & Bewildered by Elle Lavendelle
A cozy fantasy romance with plus size witchy vibes and sweet magic.
Blog mention on Laurelholl.com - Plus Size Player by Danielle Allen
Body-positive rom-com from a Black indie author featuring fat joy, romance, and swagger.
Bookshop listing - The Words by Ashley Jade
A New Adult romance with a fat heroine in a high-stakes music world. Big drama, big heart.
Goodreads shelf
Fat Girls Are the Main Character, In Every Universe
At The Curvy Fashionista, we’ve always said: representation isn’t optional, it’s revolutionary. When plus size women see themselves as the knight, the sorceress, the detective, the starship captain, not just the love interest, they internalize a truth: you belong in every story.
Here’s your invitation: join the TCF Book Club. Help us uplift the authors pushing these narratives forward. Use your voice, your shelf, and your socials to share the stories that see us. Post your current reads with #TCFBookClub and #FatGirlMagic and tag us so we can celebrate with you.
Because when we say, “beyond romance,” we mean: every genre. Every size. Every heroine. And we’re just getting started.
This article, Beyond Romance: Plus Size Heroines Are Solving Crimes, Casting Spells & Saving Worlds first appeared on The Curvy Fashionista and is written by Marie Denee.
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