asaugustine's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Cute story with a plot that aligns very closely with what I remember from the movie. I could see how this felt much more edgy in 2015 versus now, but it’s a good place to start if you’re looking to dip your toe into more body diverse content.
danasiler's review against another edition
5.0
I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. Being a bigger girl myself I felt like Willowdean was in my head. It’s as if she was a friend telling me about her day and her struggles. It was hard to put the book down when I needed to go be an adult because I wanted to just keep reading lol.
The book had an awesome message and leaves you feeling bold. I think this is a great book for anyone dealing with any type of insecurities. It’s okay to not have it all figured out :)
The book had an awesome message and leaves you feeling bold. I think this is a great book for anyone dealing with any type of insecurities. It’s okay to not have it all figured out :)
leewicks's review against another edition
3.0
"Lucy, my Mom, Ellen, Bo. Little version of each of them seem to live inside of me, one louder than the next. The only voice that isn't there - the ones I need the most - is my own."
I wanted to read this book for two reasons.
One, the cover is wonderful. Two, I knew it included "body positivity". I was sold.
[b:Dumplin'|18304322|Dumplin' (Dumplin', #1)|Julie Murphy|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1424189465s/18304322.jpg|25795642] is indeed a very body positive, and also sex positive, book. It had some really good statements within its pages, and the overall message is important and refreshing to see, especially in YA, as it needs to be heard by more people. There's also some really funny/sassy lines, which for me made it a really fun and quick read. Overall, I enjoyed the book.
It did take some time for me to warm up to it, though. I found Willow a difficult character to like for the first half of the book. Given what this book's about, and what she's trying to achieve/normalise, I found her to be pretty judgemental in ways she herself didn't want to be judged, and it was kind of hypocritical.
I also found things to be a bit bland at times, and although I did burn through this book in less than a day, I wanted a little something extra. Speaking of extra, though! That ending. I could've done with an extra 30 pages, please and thank you!
Still, an overall fun and positive read, and I'm certainly intrigued by this sequel/companion novel that's been announced!
blu_and_her_muses's review against another edition
5.0
Book #14 for the #PopsugarReadingChallenge2019 was for the prompt "read a book during the season it is set in." I counted this novel as being set during the summer because a lot of it does happen during the summer before Willowdean goes back to school and the beginning of the school year. Plus, Willowdean does say something along the lines of "in Texas it is either always hot-as-balls or slightly-less-hot-as-balls." It just gave me big summer vibes.
hannahnoelle97's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 4.1
I really liked the story, but I think Willowdean was a little too unlikeable for me to give it a higher rating.
I really liked the story, but I think Willowdean was a little too unlikeable for me to give it a higher rating.
sahelwig's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
readingwithkayleigh's review against another edition
5.0
I’m kind of surprised by the negative reviews. I loved this book. I loved Willowdean. I loved Bo. I laughed. I had moments where I had to save quotes because they were just good to forget. I think this is a great story. I love the body positive message and the idea that girls can of all shapes and sizes can do anything they set out to.
lanamosk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
kamilacajiao's review against another edition
I liked the writing,,, and I can get over the fact that the mc is very not nice sometimes,,,, but i was expecting more