juliied96's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
peyton_'s review against another edition
3.0
This is everything Dumplin’ should have been. A good story with great messages. It’s sad that the issues brought up in these book are still issues and have not been resolved and made acceptable to society. The characters are likeable and bring fun to the story. I did have some issues with writing where I often got confused thinking they characters where going to do one thing, as previously indicated, but then end up doing something else. It was weird. It through me off several times. It does a good job with the weight issues, making it a part of the story, but not the sole focus. Bringing in other gender issues helped. I hope that this becomes a central book in ya go-to recommendations.
buriedinbooks's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
-
Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
-
I wasn't even finished with the book and I started crying happy tears. Just... wow. The Big Reveal is about celebrating your body, being confident in and loving who you are, and standing up to those who try to make you feel inferior. The book follows Addie, a fat dancer who gets into her dream summer dance program in Milan... but the only problem is, she is broke and can't cough up the $6,000 tuition money to go. Addie and her friends concoct a scheme: an underground burlesque show fundraiser!
I can't give this book enough compliments, I adored it so much! The writing really hits hard—if I had a physical copy, I would want to annotate this (and for those who don't know me: I don't ever annotate books). The writing has a few moments where the writing is intentionally inspirational, but sometimes it makes the reading all the better when you lean into it. The plot seemed to be moving fast at first, but there's a ton of reveals that are packed into the ending so it makes sense how it's paced. Also, if I had a wig and could sew... I would totally be doing a cosplay photoshoot. The characters were all super sweet once I got the names all straight: in addition to Addie, there's Katherine, Taylor, and Nevaeh in the core friend group; then we meet Jack, who is super cute but can be an absolute MORON at times; Gavin, the flirt that just can't seem to quit it; and Christopher, the— Well, I'll just say I don't like him, and you won't either. On the topic of characters, which in my mind leads to romance, I will say: this is not meant to be a romance-heavy book. It is first and foremost a piece about self-confidence and being angry about body-shaming and slut-shaming. However... there is a cute romantic subplot, and I really enjoyed it!
I can't gush enough about The Big Reveal. It made my heart so full, and I'm so happy to have received an ARC of it because now I can promote it until long past its publishing date. When I say this book is fierce, I mean that it's passionate and angry, and I'm fully supportive of that lifestyle. 5 stars.
-
Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
-
I wasn't even finished with the book and I started crying happy tears. Just... wow. The Big Reveal is about celebrating your body, being confident in and loving who you are, and standing up to those who try to make you feel inferior. The book follows Addie, a fat dancer who gets into her dream summer dance program in Milan... but the only problem is, she is broke and can't cough up the $6,000 tuition money to go. Addie and her friends concoct a scheme: an underground burlesque show fundraiser!
I can't give this book enough compliments, I adored it so much! The writing really hits hard—if I had a physical copy, I would want to annotate this (and for those who don't know me: I don't ever annotate books). The writing has a few moments where the writing is intentionally inspirational, but sometimes it makes the reading all the better when you lean into it. The plot seemed to be moving fast at first, but there's a ton of reveals that are packed into the ending so it makes sense how it's paced. Also, if I had a wig and could sew... I would totally be doing a cosplay photoshoot. The characters were all super sweet once I got the names all straight: in addition to Addie, there's Katherine, Taylor, and Nevaeh in the core friend group; then we meet Jack, who is super cute but can be an absolute MORON at times; Gavin, the flirt that just can't seem to quit it; and Christopher, the— Well, I'll just say I don't like him, and you won't either. On the topic of characters, which in my mind leads to romance, I will say: this is not meant to be a romance-heavy book. It is first and foremost a piece about self-confidence and being angry about body-shaming and slut-shaming. However... there is a cute romantic subplot, and I really enjoyed it!
I can't gush enough about The Big Reveal. It made my heart so full, and I'm so happy to have received an ARC of it because now I can promote it until long past its publishing date. When I say this book is fierce, I mean that it's passionate and angry, and I'm fully supportive of that lifestyle. 5 stars.
rebeccalovesreading's review against another edition
4.0
What a fantastic story!
I loved getting to know these characters- specifically the strong young women. I found this book to be realistic and believable while also being exciting and inspiring.
I can totally see this book as a movie. Wouldn’t that be the best!
I loved getting to know these characters- specifically the strong young women. I found this book to be realistic and believable while also being exciting and inspiring.
I can totally see this book as a movie. Wouldn’t that be the best!
celiarecommends's review against another edition
I've finally read a book with a plus size MC and I'm proud. I loved the fact that herself and her friends were all confident in their bodies made me smile throughout the book.
If you love inspirational and empowering stories, this is it. It gives you all the right feelings and hits home.
Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt for giving me a copy.
If you love inspirational and empowering stories, this is it. It gives you all the right feelings and hits home.
Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt for giving me a copy.
kelleycailin's review against another edition
3.0
3.5. It was good but it was definitely YA... And I might be aging out of YA. GASP
theturnedbrain's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emartindale18's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
lilibetbombshell's review against another edition
5.0
This book is unashamed to be exactly what it portrays on the cover and I am HERE for it. There is nothing I didn’t love about this book: the characters are diverse and imperfect, the themes are relevant and poignant, and the writing runs the gamut from brave to vulnerable and proud to weak.
I loved ferocious Addie with her love of dance and the love for her friends, and I sympathized with her struggles over her weight, her mom, and her financial situation. Her friends were all relatable and adorable and made me wish I had friends like them in school.
I have two grown kids, and positive body image is something I worked hard on instilling in them from day one. It’s something I wished every parent would do. While this book focuses on the female body and body image positivity of females (among other things), I really think that the message behind being unashamed of who you are and what you bring to the table as a human being are messages any teenager could benefit from. Not to mention, the discourse on double standards on uniforms and dress codes between males and females throughout the book is something everyone should be talking about and thinking about.
I highly recommend this book. By the end, you’ll be smiling and you’ll feel a sense of righteousness that will make you want to smash the patriarchy too.
I loved ferocious Addie with her love of dance and the love for her friends, and I sympathized with her struggles over her weight, her mom, and her financial situation. Her friends were all relatable and adorable and made me wish I had friends like them in school.
I have two grown kids, and positive body image is something I worked hard on instilling in them from day one. It’s something I wished every parent would do. While this book focuses on the female body and body image positivity of females (among other things), I really think that the message behind being unashamed of who you are and what you bring to the table as a human being are messages any teenager could benefit from. Not to mention, the discourse on double standards on uniforms and dress codes between males and females throughout the book is something everyone should be talking about and thinking about.
I highly recommend this book. By the end, you’ll be smiling and you’ll feel a sense of righteousness that will make you want to smash the patriarchy too.
melanielsmiley's review against another edition
2.0
I got bored reading this. I am not the target audience for this book, I believe it is more for high school students. I'm sure there are some good lessons in this book (such as working hard to achieve something you're passionate about or believing in yourself/your friends), but I couldn't get past the juvenile dialogue.