Book ~ "Woman of Substance" (2012) Annette Bower

From Goodreads ~ "You will never understand what it means to be fat.” 

With those words, grad student Robbie Smith begins the Fat-Like-Me project. In order to support her thesis, she puts on a fat suit to measure people’s reactions to the new her.

Accused of embezzling funds, Professor Jake Proctor returns home to spend quality time with the only father he has ever known. There, he meets an intriguing overweight woman who reminds him of his late grandmother. She’s witty, charming, and cares deeply for those around her, including his dying grandfather.

When Robbie meets Jake while she’s in disguise, she deceives him for all the right reasons. But how long can she maintain the deception before Jake discovers that she is not who he believes her to be?

Robbie is writing her thesis on what it's like to be fat ... except that Robbie is tall and thin.  With the help of the ladies in her research group, she becomes "Robin" and wears a fat suit and clothes to determine how people react to her.

While out as Robin, she meets Frank, a senior, who is sitting on a bench in a park feeding some geese.  His grandson, Jake, comes upon them.  Jake strikes a deal with Robin to hire her to spend time with Frank, who is dying.

Jake is a professor who has returned to Regina to spend time with his grandfather.  He gets a job at the same university Robbie attends and is good friend of Robbie's advisor.

Jake gets to know both Robin and Robbie but unbeknownst to him, they are the same person.  He is drawn to each for different reasons ... Robin reminds him of his beloved late grandmother and he is attracted to Robbie.  Robbie is attracted to Jake but is concerned he'll feel betrayed if he finds out the truth.

I thought this was an interesting premise and was curious to see how the author would tackle it.  This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked the writing style.  It was an easy read.

I liked the characters, especially Frank.  He missed his late wife, Mabel, and was biding his time until he could be with her again.  Jake was raised by his grandparents because his mother died when he was young.  As a kid, he was embarrassed by his older uncool "parents" but as an adult felt bad for feeling as he had and was determined to make it up to Frank.

If you are looking for something different in romance, you should check it out.