The Books That Made Me Feel Seen When I Needed It Most

Theresa Wilson
3 days ago
7 min read

Dear Reader,

There was a season of my life when I didn’t recognize myself anymore. Confidence felt distant, self-worth felt fragile, and my body felt like something I was constantly at odds with instead of something I lived in. I spent a lot of time wondering if I was enough—enough as I was, enough to be loved, enough to take up space in a world that so often tells women to shrink.

During that season, I found comfort in books that made me feel seen. Romance novels became more than just something to read before bed—they became a place of quiet reassurance. A place where women who looked like me were desired, chosen, and loved without conditions. Where curves weren’t something to overcome or apologize for, but simply part of who they were.

I didn’t realize it at first, but those stories were doing something deeper. They were gently rewriting the narrative I had been telling myself. They showed me women who were kind, funny, ambitious, vulnerable, and fully human—and men who loved them not despite their bodies, but because of the whole person standing in front of them. Reading those stories made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t in a long time.

That feeling mattered. Because when you’re struggling with your mental health, with self-esteem, or with your place in the world, being seen—even through fiction—can be powerful. It can feel like a lifeline. These books didn’t fix everything, but they gave me something steady to hold onto: hope, representation, and the reminder that I was worthy of love exactly as I am.

As the first post in my Dear Reader series—where I’ll be sharing personal reflections, letters, and bookish lifestyle moments—I wanted to start here. With the stories that met me where I was, and helped me slowly find my way back to myself.

Before We Begin

Cozy cabin scene with snow-covered trees outside a window. Inside, candles, cushions, and a warm atmosphere create a tranquil mood.

These books didn’t all arrive at the same time, and they didn’t all hit me in the same way. Some made me feel seen immediately; others settled in quietly and stayed with me long after I finished the last page. I don’t remember every detail or every line, and I may not have quotes from each of them—but I remember how they made me feel. And in seasons like the ones I was living through, that mattered more than anything else.

Books That Made Me Feel Seen

The reflections shared below are my own—shaped by where I was in my life when I read these books and what I needed in those moments. They may not align perfectly with the author’s original intent or with how other readers experienced these stories, and that’s okay.

Books meet us differently depending on the season we’re in, and these reflections speak to what these stories gave me—not as definitive interpretations, but as personal touchstones during times when I needed them most.

1. Set on You by Amy Lea

This was a book I desperately needed in 2022. The main character is a plus-size woman navigating content creation and influencing within the gym world, and I loved how unapologetically she existed in her body. She didn’t try to hide that she was bigger, and more importantly, she genuinely loved herself.

What stood out most to me was Scott. He saw her for her heart, not her weight, and he helped her realize that she was worthy of the kind of love she had always dreamed of. That quiet reassurance—that kind of love was possible—stayed with me long after I finished the book.

2. Mountain Boss by S.J. Tilly

Courtney landing a job at Black Mountain Lodge felt like the start of something hopeful, even when Sterling wasn’t expecting a curvy young woman to arrive. What resonated most with me was how hard Courtney worked to prove she belonged, even while quietly struggling and refusing to ask for help because she didn’t want to be a burden.

Her independence and determination were inspiring, especially during a time when I struggled with asking for support myself. Sterling learning to respect her strength—and love her curves without question—was deeply affirming. It reminded me that being capable and needing help can coexist.

3. Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws

I loved how Trista refused to let rejection stop her from becoming a surrogate when the typical clinics wouldn’t give her a chance. Wyatt may have been wary at first, but it didn’t take long for him to realize that he didn’t just want a child—he wanted Trista.

What stood out to me most was how openly he loved her curves and made her feel wanted, not tolerated. Trista bringing warmth and happiness into Wyatt’s isolated life gave me hope that love can grow in unexpected places. This book made me feel like love doesn’t require perfection—just openness.

4. Rein Me In by Kayla Grosse

I picked this book up on a whim, and it ended up surprising me in the best way. Blake navigating grief after her brother’s death felt raw and real, and I loved that Gavin became a steady presence who helped keep her grounded.

His confidence in pursuing what he wanted—and his complete adoration of Blake’s curves—felt reassuring and sincere. What resonated most was how he supported her through her grief without trying to fix her. It reminded me that love can exist alongside pain, not in spite of it.

5. Curvy Girls Can’t Series by Kelsie Stelting

This entire series meant so much to me. Seeing multiple curvy girls confidently loved for who they are—especially in a high school setting where societal pressure is relentless—felt powerful. These stories shattered the idea that only one body type is worthy of love or attention.

What stood out most was that the MMCs loved these girls unapologetically, regardless of outside opinions. It felt like a quiet rebellion against the norms I grew up internalizing.

An ornate mirror reflects a hand turning pages of a book on a crumpled fabric surface. The open book reveals text, creating a serene mood.

6. Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

This book makes the list because of how fiercely Colin loves Penelope. Penelope spends so much of her life unseen and underestimated, and watching her finally step into herself felt deeply satisfying. Even with her secrets and fears, she deserved love—and she got it fully.

Colin choosing her, loving her boldly and openly, stayed with me long after I finished the book. It reminded me that being overlooked does not mean you are unworthy.

7. Blindsided by Amy Daws

A best-friends-to-lovers story that hit all the right emotional notes. Mac loves Freya no matter what, but teaching her seduction and helping her find someone else forces him to confront what he really wants.

Freya’s growth stood out most to me. Even when Mac leaves, she doesn’t let it stop her from becoming more confident and self-assured. She goes after what she wants, even when it risks losing the person she loves most.

8. An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands

Annabel isn’t a typical curvy heroine, but her journey resonated deeply with me. Raised in a convent and unsure of her worth, she believes she is undeserving of love. Ross proving—again and again—that he wanted her, loved her curves, and valued her presence was incredibly healing to read.

What stayed with me most was how hard Annabel fought for the life she wanted, even when she thought she didn’t deserve it. Her story reminded me that worth isn’t something you earn—it’s something you already have.

9. Hunting for a Highlander by Lynsay Sands

Dywn is relentlessly taunted by other women, yet she refuses to let it break her. Geordie may acknowledge that she isn’t a conventional beauty—but she is beautiful to him, and that’s what matters.

He loves her because he enjoys talking to her, because he can see a life with her, and because he wants to grow old by her side. That quiet certainty made this story unforgettable for me.

10. Nothing But a Dare by Molly O’Hare

This story revolves around childhood dares that continue into adulthood after Hunter returns for the woman he has always loved—Abbie. She believes loving him would trap him, but Hunter refuses to let her diminish herself that way.

He loves her curves, her sass, her hairless cat, and her entirely. He is willing to fight anyone—including Abbie herself—to make sure she knows she is loved and chosen.

What These Stories Gave Me

A mug of coffee sits on books and a cozy knit blanket by a window. Autumn leaves are scattered around, creating a warm, serene mood.

Looking at this list now, I see a pattern I couldn’t articulate back then. These books gave me women who were allowed to exist fully—without shrinking, apologizing, or earning their worth. They were loved openly, chosen intentionally, and supported even when they struggled.

But this list only scratches the surface. There are so many more stories that have mattered to me over the years—by authors like Molly O’Hare, Olivia Dade, Sierra Simone, and others, including more than one book by Lynsay Sands. These ten just happen to be the ones that rise to the top right now.

And that’s the thing: this list isn’t fixed. It shifts and changes depending on what I need in a given season. Mountain Boss and The Nine Month Contract are more recent additions, and that feels right. As I’ve grown, as my confidence has slowly returned, and as my needs have changed, the books that make me feel seen have changed too. This list is a living, breathing thing—just like healing is.

At a time when I wasn’t sure I could survive what I was going through, these stories offered hope. Not false hope, but the quiet kind—the kind that whispers you are not broken, and you are not unlovable.

When I think back to that version of myself—the one who felt disconnected from her body, unsure of her worth, and hesitant to take up space—I wish I could hand her these books and say, you are not broken. Because in so many ways, these stories did that for me.

They reminded me that confidence doesn’t have to come all at once. That self-acceptance can be quiet and slow. That love—real, steady, affirming love—is not reserved for a specific body type or version of yourself. And little by little, the woman who once felt at odds with her reflection began to feel more at home in her own skin.

If you’re reading this and finding pieces of yourself in these pages, I hope you know this: you deserve stories that see you, honor you, and remind you of your worth. Whether that comes from a romance novel, a favorite author, or a quiet moment with a book that feels like it understands you—those moments matter.

And if you’ve ever had a book meet you exactly where you were, I hope this list reminds you that those moments matter too—and that it’s okay if your own list changes over time.