Bon Bons To Yoga Pants by Katie Cross | book review
I first discovered “Bon Bons to Yoga Pants” years ago on Wattpad and read it for the first time there. Luckily, the story was already complete, so I could binge-read it in one go. In 2016, I bought the print edition, and it has been a favorite ever since.
I don’t even remember exactly what drew me to it back then, but to this day, there are only a handful of books I’ve read countless times—and even fewer that I’ve lent out. Every time, I’ve received positive feedback from friends who loved it just as much. So, it’s about time I introduce you to “Bon Bons to Yoga Pants”!
Join Lexie on her journey as she navigates a whole new world of food and fitness—without falling into an eating disorder!
Summary (Spoiler Free)
Lexie is a nice, 22-year-old girl next door. Growing up, she was constantly reminded by her mother and her sister, McKenzie, to lose weight. She knows that she is overweight.
Their relationship is already strained, and things only get worse as McKenzie’s wedding approaches—giving her yet another reason to push Lexie to slim down.
College, a crush she met through social media—it’s a lot for her to handle.
While Lexie struggles with her current life and figuring out her future, Mira steps in and takes her to a Health and Society Meeting—essentially a weight-loss support group. Mira, her mom’s best friend, recently lost her husband and has been stress-eating ever since, along with her daily Dr. Pepper addiction. Ignoring Lexie’s protests, Mira drags her to the first meeting.
Through the group and Mira, Lexie starts exercising—something she never imagined herself doing. She pushes through, loses weight, and makes new friends. But more importantly, she begins facing and processing her deeper struggles. In the end, it’s not just about fitness and diet; she learns so much more about herself and what she truly wants.
How will Lexie feel at McKenzie’s wedding? And will she finally meet her crush?
Characters
The main character is Lexie Greene, the typical “girl next door”. In her early twenties, she is attending college.
Unhappy with her situation—her weight, insecurities, and self-doubt—she withdraws from others and is highly self-critical. Lexie hides behind food, sarcasm, dry humor, and the safety of her basement room. She dreams of change—meeting her crush, winning a writing competition, finally being happy. But the fear of failure holds her back.
Her relationship with her mom is complicated. Her mother has high expectations for Lexie, and her younger sister, McKenzie, follows in her footsteps. Neither of them makes Lexie’s life any easier. She constantly feels pressured as they repeatedly ask if she has lost weight, send her diet plans, and push her to change.
At first, Lexie’s motivation to change comes from external pressure. But as her journey unfolds, she realizes it’s about more than just appearance. Her self-confidence grows—not just through fitness, but through newfound friendships and learning to see her own worth.
Romance Element
The love story between Lexie and Bradley wasn’t the main focus, as it is in many classic romance books. This story is more about Lexie’s personal journey.
Nevertheless, her relationship with her crush evolves over time, especially as she grows more confident.
Writing Style
Katie Cross’s writing style in “Bon Bons to Yoga Pants” is light, humorous, and emotional, with a refreshingly honest narrative. The story is told with plenty of humor, especially through Lexie’s sarcastic and self-deprecating thoughts. Despite tackling serious themes, the casual tone makes it easy to connect with Lexie. The language feels authentic and relatable, striking a balance between depth and lightheartedness. At first glance, the book might seem like a fun, easygoing chick-litread, but it delves into deeper topics such as self-acceptance, societal beauty standards, and personal growth. Katie Cross handles these themes with sensitivity, avoiding a preachy tone while keeping the story engaging.
Told from Lexie’s first-person perspective, readers experience her insecurities, progress, and inner struggles up close. The pacing is fast and entertaining, with relatively short chapters, often ending in small cliffhangers that make it hard to put the book down. There are minimal lengthy descriptions—action and dialogue drive the story instead. Lexie is far from a perfect protagonist—she is insecure, makes mistakes, and overthinks what others think of her. But these very flaws make her all the more endearing and relatable.
Final Thoughts
The first time I read “Bon Bons to Yoga Pants”, Katie Cross spoke to me on every level. I can’t remember exactly when I first read it, but it was around 2015 on Wattpad. In 2014, I had just returned from my gap year in New Zealand—a time when I started my own fitness journey and learned a lot about myself. When Cross officially published Lexie’s story as a book in 2016, I immediately bought it. To this day, I’ve read it multiple times and even lent it to friends—who loved it just as much!
The questions Lexie asked herself sparked thoughts I had never considered before, helping me gain a deeper understanding of myself. I’ve always felt a strong connection to Lexie—we are the same height, struggled with being overweight at the same age, and often retreated into our own little worlds. BBTYP remains one of my all-time favorite books. I love it, it helped me through my own struggles, and it reminded me that I’m not alone.
If you’re looking for a wholesome story about a young woman learning about herself and navigating life, this book is a must-read!
Have you read Bon Bons To Yoga Pants by Katie Cross? What are your thoughts? Share it in the comments!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: Bon Bons To Yoga Pants
Author: Katie Cross
Series: Health and Happiness Society #1
Publisher: Antebellum Publishing
Publication date: 08/07/2015
ISBN-13: 9780996624909
