kellyloubishop's review
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia
minimicropup's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cute, candid, sympathetic.
We are following our ~16 year old MC at school, work, and home. They're dealing with crushes, dating, low-key friendship drama, the loss of their aunt, and a deteriorating relationship with their body-conscious mother.
We are following our ~16 year old MC at school, work, and home. They're dealing with crushes, dating, low-key friendship drama, the loss of their aunt, and a deteriorating relationship with their body-conscious mother.
- Set in small town South Texas, USA
š§ Perfect narration for our MC. Male voices had a bit of cheese to them, but not enough to distract.Ā
Ā
Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags šŗš:Ā
- Relatable MC. šHer angst, how she can be her own worse enemy, the insecure confidence. She could be so frustratingly avoidant or dodgy, but we can understand why as the story evolves.Ā
- Realistic coming-of-age struggles with parental units, relationships, friendships, and body acceptance. The story captures how relatively minor things can seem so impactful and HUGE as you are figuring out who you are and how the world works (and face it, none of us ever quite grows out of that)
- I think the rep around weight, body image, and acceptance was well-done. It isn't preachy guilt-inducing, or overly-idealistic.
- Very much revolves around the day-to-day thoughts on friendship and romance, and it is specific to a younger audience. It felt a little long sometimes - not repetitive, just like "omg just be HONEST and pick one of 'em, girl!" - but I'm also not the intended audience.
- Lucy is never on page, but was such an interesting, complex character. I want to read a prequel with her as the MC š¤
Mood Reading Match Up:Ā
- Realistic coming-of-age story with all the cringe and heartwarming momentsĀ
- Themes and thoughtful commentary on body image, obesity, weight, and fatphobia in society
- Nostalgic, southern US summer vibesĀ
- Will-they-or-won't-they, who-to-choose young adult romance plots
Content Heads-Up: Bullying. Body shaming.Ā
Format: Library Audio via Libby
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, and Bullying
danileah07's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Bullying
permanme's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Grief, and Bullying
kanthereader's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had high expectations for this novel even before I watched the movie, yet it turned out to be average. I enjoyed a lot of the quotes in this novel. They made me smile and Iāve implemented some of them into my own life. <However, the plot was so fast paced that there was only a little portion of the book to talk about the pageant. It felt rushed. There was so much preparation for it yet it wasnāt as big as it was in the movie.> I enjoyed the movie much more. This book was one of those, "it simply happened" novels unfortunately.Ā
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Bullying
mimeflower's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
syd_s_r's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
A funny and honest look into the pageant world and the realities of being a plus size teenager. I really didn't care to read about a pageant, but the stereotype subversion and Dolly Parton songs made me pick up this book, and I don't regret reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying and Cursing
curiosity_ghost's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
caitlin_doggos's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Grief, and Cursing
redphonebooth3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As a fat person, YES!!! Everything about this I loved. I felt SO incredibly seen. I think this is a new fav. Only the end was just a little too abrupt haha. I think I would have liked an epilogue or something. But that's just a personal preference.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Fatphobia