Scan barcode
sofia_santana's review against another edition
funny
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? No
4.0
jessica_stenstrom's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
mariposa26's review against another edition
inspiring
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
3.5
cassidyinbookland's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I actually really enjoyed the movie adaptation on Netflix, which I watched before reading. Unpopular opinion: I couldn’t stand Willowdean. She’s hypocritical and for the longest time insists she wasn’t the one who was wrong when she shamed Ellen for being skinny and pretty. I hated the way she strung Mitch a long and I hated how she treated her Mom. The redeeming quality of this book are the supporting characters and the sometimes funny inner monologue of Willowdean. I just didn’t vibe with the main character and that kind of ruined it for me.
ireadbooks_10's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
4.5
tishywishy's review against another edition
5.0
Feel good, YA novel. Finished it with a smile on my face.
joanna1905's review against another edition
4.0
So like a year after watching this movie, I finally got around to reading the book - and I have pretty mixed feelings, but overall I really enjoyed it!
I definitely think there's certain parts of the book that are far better executed than the movie - predominantly Willowdean's relationship with Bo. There's so much more build-up and even just more general time spent with Bo, whereas in the movie the romance plot felt like it was such a minor plot point it was almost unnecessary. Will and Bo only talk to each other like three times and we're just supposed to ship it (which like, I totally did but still I preferred the development the book provided).
What I didn't like in this book was Ellen, in the book shes so much worse. She holds the grudge for so long (and I'm not saying Willowdean was in the right) but every scene with her before the fight Ellen consistently makes it about her. She also puts Willowdean in situations that are obviously going to make her uncomfortable. If Callie was ballsy enough to say those horrible things to Willowdeans face you can almost guarantee she was saying it to Ellen to convince her she's better off without Will.
Also Ellen never really apologises for any of this? and there's no acknowledgement that she was also in the wrong. She carries the fight on for so long and every time Willowdean is trying to bridge the gaps so they can work things out she just ignores her.
Willowdean was also a bit more annoying in this, considering her whole story is about how hard it is that people judge her based on her weight she is INCREDIBLY judgemental of everyone else; and there are some moments where she has some self-awareness but she never really addresses this properly and realises she also needs to do better.
I also wish there was some healing between her and her mother - even though we know her mother loves her it really seems like she doesn't at some times - and I wish there was a moment where they grieved over Lucy together or her mother told her she loves her and is proud of her no matter what.
All in all, this was definitely a nice quick read, I think neither the movie or the book do a perfect job but when you combine the two in your head it really is a great little story!
I definitely think there's certain parts of the book that are far better executed than the movie - predominantly Willowdean's relationship with Bo. There's so much more build-up and even just more general time spent with Bo, whereas in the movie the romance plot felt like it was such a minor plot point it was almost unnecessary. Will and Bo only talk to each other like three times and we're just supposed to ship it (which like, I totally did but still I preferred the development the book provided).
What I didn't like in this book was Ellen, in the book shes so much worse. She holds the grudge for so long (and I'm not saying Willowdean was in the right) but every scene with her before the fight Ellen consistently makes it about her. She also puts Willowdean in situations that are obviously going to make her uncomfortable. If Callie was ballsy enough to say those horrible things to Willowdeans face you can almost guarantee she was saying it to Ellen to convince her she's better off without Will.
Also Ellen never really apologises for any of this? and there's no acknowledgement that she was also in the wrong. She carries the fight on for so long and every time Willowdean is trying to bridge the gaps so they can work things out she just ignores her.
Willowdean was also a bit more annoying in this, considering her whole story is about how hard it is that people judge her based on her weight she is INCREDIBLY judgemental of everyone else; and there are some moments where she has some self-awareness but she never really addresses this properly and realises she also needs to do better.
I also wish there was some healing between her and her mother - even though we know her mother loves her it really seems like she doesn't at some times - and I wish there was a moment where they grieved over Lucy together or her mother told her she loves her and is proud of her no matter what.
All in all, this was definitely a nice quick read, I think neither the movie or the book do a perfect job but when you combine the two in your head it really is a great little story!
frenzusca's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
liz_tippy's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
happilyheatherafterr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Previously before acquiring this book in my collection, I had watched the Netflix film. Although when I was reading the book I could not remember much from the movie. I did remember the plot and knew a general idea of the storyline.
I really loved Willowdean. She gave some body representation that is not often written about and I felt represented. Willowdean made me feel inspired to be myself and to stop letting silly fears hold me back from what I want to do. She felt real where one minute you can go from being body-positive to being utterly self-conscious about yourself, and I understood her.
I know the story is not supposed to be a romance but I do wish we got a better ending with Bo. I remember reading the page, ready to turn to the next only to find out it was over. It was an ending that left it up to the audience to decide what happens. Overall, I enjoyed the aspect of the story not being entirely focused on the romance but more about Willowdean's journey and friendships.
Something I found when I was reading that had me questioning was that there was a large amount of "prep" time for the pageant and that was the majority of the book. The pageant itself was squished into the last five or six chapters of the book. I wish we got to read more of their time during the pageant, get to explore and get Willowdean's thoughts on the other performances or at least find out who won.
This book would be great for ages 14+ because there are mentions of topics that may not be suitable for younger audiences. If I had read this when I was younger, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more as the connection between my feelings and the characters would be aligned.
I really loved Willowdean. She gave some body representation that is not often written about and I felt represented. Willowdean made me feel inspired to be myself and to stop letting silly fears hold me back from what I want to do. She felt real where one minute you can go from being body-positive to being utterly self-conscious about yourself, and I understood her.
I know the story is not supposed to be a romance but I do wish we got a better ending with Bo. I remember reading the page, ready to turn to the next only to find out it was over. It was an ending that left it up to the audience to decide what happens. Overall, I enjoyed the aspect of the story not being entirely focused on the romance but more about Willowdean's journey and friendships.
Something I found when I was reading that had me questioning was that there was a large amount of "prep" time for the pageant and that was the majority of the book. The pageant itself was squished into the last five or six chapters of the book. I wish we got to read more of their time during the pageant, get to explore and get Willowdean's thoughts on the other performances or at least find out who won.
This book would be great for ages 14+ because there are mentions of topics that may not be suitable for younger audiences. If I had read this when I was younger, I think I would have enjoyed it a lot more as the connection between my feelings and the characters would be aligned.