Novel: Size 12 Is Not Fat

Summary
Heather Wells, once a teen pop sensation, has traded the spotlight for a quieter life as a resident adviser at a New York City college. When a string of troubling deaths among the young women living in her dorm begins to surface, Heather's routine duties escalate into a full-blown mystery. Determined to protect her students and clear her own name from suspicion, she launches an investigation that pulls her deep into campus secrets, hidden grudges, and surprising connections to her past.
The plot balances brisk sleuthing with domestic chaos: complaints to file, dorm-room drama, and the awkward logistics of romance and employment while a killer may be nearby. Clues accumulate, red herrings multiply, and Heather's outsider status, along with her old celebrity persona, both helps and complicates her search for the truth. The story builds toward a reveal that ties together motives, mistaken identities, and the pressures faced by young women on and off campus.

Protagonist and Characters
Heather is a smart, snappy narrator who navigates danger with humor and a pragmatic sense of responsibility. Her former fame gives her a unique perspective on image and reinvention, and she constantly negotiates the gap between the person she was and the person she is now. Her protective instincts toward the students under her care drive much of the emotional core of the story.
Supporting characters range from fellow staff and suspicious students to the law-enforcement figures who alternately assist and frustrate her. Relationships are layered rather than flat: friendships are tested, alliances shift, and a romantic subplot complicates both personal stakes and investigative choices. None of these characters are portrayed as mere caricatures; they each add texture to the campus community Heather is trying to keep safe.

Themes and Tone
The novel explores identity, reinvention, and the resilience required to reframe one's life after public exposure. Body image and self-acceptance are threaded through Heather's thoughts, her title boldly confronts cultural attitudes about weight and the pressure on women to conform. The story also examines the vulnerabilities of college life, the intensity of young friendships, and how power and secrecy can fester in close communities.
Tonally, the book walks a line between cozy mystery and contemporary chick lit. Humor and levity punctuate darker moments, so suspense never becomes oppressively grim. That combination makes the stakes feel urgent without losing warmth or character-driven charm.

Style and Appeal
The narrative voice is conversational, witty, and accessible, leaning on sharp observations and comic timing. Pacing favors momentum: scenes are tight, dialogue is brisk, and chapters often end on notes that push the reader forward. The blend of laugh-out-loud moments and genuine peril keeps the atmosphere engaging for readers who enjoy mysteries centered on character and social dynamics rather than graphic violence.
Fans of lighthearted whodunits with strong female leads will appreciate the balance of sleuthing, romance, and social commentary. The book's focus on a protagonist rebuilding her life adds emotional depth to the mystery, making it appealing to readers who like their suspense served with personality.

Final Impression
This novel is a fast, entertaining read that combines the trappings of campus life with a tightly plotted murder mystery and an empathetic, witty heroine. It offers both cozy comforts, friendship, romance, clever banter, and the intellectual pleasures of piecing together clues. The result is a satisfying, character-driven mystery that entertains while posing sharper questions about fame, identity, and the pressures placed on young women.