Big Summer

Daphne Berg is a social media influencer and part-time nanny. Raised by two loving teachers, she nonetheless internalized low self-esteem from her grandmother, who shamed her childhood body. Daphne develops a toxic relationship with her plus-sized body that plagues her well into adulthood. In the sixth grade, Daphne’s parents secure financial aid for her to attend the prestigious Lathrop school, where she meets Darshi and Drue. Darshi is kind and a nerd like Daphne. Drue is a popular, wealthy socialite who entrances Daphne. Daphne and Drue develop a friendship based on using one another for social clout or favors. Daphne eventually breaks up with Drue when Drue sets her up with a man who isn’t attracted to her, revealing that Drue feels sorry for Daphne.

Away from Drue’s influence, Daphne discovers social media pages that are devoted to body positivity. She joins this world and develops a crafts business that becomes more lucrative once her own body positivity posts go viral. But Daphne’s self-confidence is contrived for social media; in reality, she still struggles with low self-esteem and body dysmorphia. She longs for a man who will fall in love with her. When Drue tracks her down to invite her to her wedding, Daphne is again seduced by the person she could have been at Drue’s glamorous side.