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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
LOVED IT.
Willowdean, I can relate. I've never been thin. My brief periods of not being clinically overweight have been short-lived, hard-fought, and usually coincided with the most unhappy periods in my life. You are speaking to my heart. I can relate to her mom's perhaps well-meaning but pointed comments, to the clothes that suck, to the hell that is high school. Amen.
And I loved that Willowdean had not one, but two decent guys interested in her. And she didn't really believe it. How could should trust that, when everything is telling her she's not worthy? So real.
I loved Millie, and Hannah, and Amanda, and even little miss perfect whose life was not all that perfect, Ellen. I'm lining up to get Puddin' as I want to see more from this crew. I'd love to see more about Mitch, as he was a sweet guy. He just wasn't Bo Larson for Willowdean. I loved when Willowdean admitted to herself she would have given Mitch more of a chance if she hadn't already fallen for Bo first.
And then there's Bo. I just finished reading The Beginning of Everything, a story about a high school boy who is a star athlete who has a sports-career ending injury that changes his life, his friend circle, etc. It was about how a former athlete has to re-enter society and find a new path. This story, about Bo, follows that same path, but is more relatable to me, even though he's not the main character. Yes, he should have been more clear with Willowdean from the start. But he's a teen boy. So real.
Loved them all. And the audiobook was awesome.
Willowdean, I can relate. I've never been thin. My brief periods of not being clinically overweight have been short-lived, hard-fought, and usually coincided with the most unhappy periods in my life. You are speaking to my heart. I can relate to her mom's perhaps well-meaning but pointed comments, to the clothes that suck, to the hell that is high school. Amen.
And I loved that Willowdean had not one, but two decent guys interested in her. And she didn't really believe it. How could should trust that, when everything is telling her she's not worthy? So real.
I loved Millie, and Hannah, and Amanda, and even little miss perfect whose life was not all that perfect, Ellen. I'm lining up to get Puddin' as I want to see more from this crew. I'd love to see more about Mitch, as he was a sweet guy. He just wasn't Bo Larson for Willowdean. I loved when Willowdean admitted to herself she would have given Mitch more of a chance if she hadn't already fallen for Bo first.
And then there's Bo. I just finished reading The Beginning of Everything, a story about a high school boy who is a star athlete who has a sports-career ending injury that changes his life, his friend circle, etc. It was about how a former athlete has to re-enter society and find a new path. This story, about Bo, follows that same path, but is more relatable to me, even though he's not the main character. Yes, he should have been more clear with Willowdean from the start. But he's a teen boy. So real.
Loved them all. And the audiobook was awesome.
This book was okay. I thought it was going to change my life, but it didn't. It was like some spaghetti, not the best spaghetti you've had, but not the worst.
I liked the message more than I liked the book. I loved the idea of a strong, independent female who happens to be overweight enter a contest that's normally associated with skinny people. Throw in the fact that her mother is a judge? Heck, it was a hoot.
I liked the romance between Bo and Willowdeen. It was nice to have a relationship not be entirely composed of obese people (Roseanne and Dan, Mike and Molly, etc. I get that these are TV shows, but they're well known, and prove my point.) I think it was sweet, their romance, and something every little girl dreams about.
The book seemed rushed and it dragged on at the same time. There was a lot of filler chapters, and there were chapters I felt were missing. I just couldn't understand some of the character's decisions.
This is one case where I think the book was worse than the movie. Quite honestly, the movie was the entire reason I read the book. I fell in love with the trailer, or rather, the idea of the trailer.
I still am in love with the idea, but I didn't love the book.
I liked the message more than I liked the book. I loved the idea of a strong, independent female who happens to be overweight enter a contest that's normally associated with skinny people. Throw in the fact that her mother is a judge? Heck, it was a hoot.
I liked the romance between Bo and Willowdeen. It was nice to have a relationship not be entirely composed of obese people (Roseanne and Dan, Mike and Molly, etc. I get that these are TV shows, but they're well known, and prove my point.) I think it was sweet, their romance, and something every little girl dreams about.
The book seemed rushed and it dragged on at the same time. There was a lot of filler chapters, and there were chapters I felt were missing. I just couldn't understand some of the character's decisions.
This is one case where I think the book was worse than the movie. Quite honestly, the movie was the entire reason I read the book. I fell in love with the trailer, or rather, the idea of the trailer.
I still am in love with the idea, but I didn't love the book.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
I liked the concept and the main character, but I was a little disappointed in how readily her confidence is shot, just because a cute, popular boy likes her. She seemed like such a strong character initially, but the more insecure she became the less I was interested in her struggles. Her treatment of Mitch was especially galling, as she led him on even when she was back with Bo, though it was more understandable when her friendship with Ellen floundered. I liked the misfit secondary characters more--they had stronger convictions than Willowdean, and more interesting personalities.
funny
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3,5*
#READINGRUSH2020
FR
Une bonne, mais moyenne lecture. J'attendais beaucoup de ce livre, certainement trop d'ailleurs.
Les personnages que j'ai le plus aimés sont Bo et Hannah. J'ai détesté Ellen, et la mère de Willowdean.. Je ne veux même pas en parler tellement je n'en pouvais plus !
Certains sujets sont très intéressants, mais de mon point de vue, pas assez développés, et c'est bien dommage !
Will est quelques fois très immatures, ça me choque comapré à d'autres réactions qu'elle a.
Malgré tout, je recommande cette lecture, car certains aspects du livre, et l'écriture sont superbes.
ENG
Good, but average reading. I expected a lot from this book, certainly too much indeed.
The characters I liked the most are Bo and Hannah. I hated Ellen, and Willowdean's mom .. I don't even want to talk about her I couldn't take it anymore !
Some subjects are very interesting, but from my point of view, not developed enough, and that's a shame !
Will is sometimes very immature, it shocks me compare to other reactions she has.
Nevertheless, I recommend this reading, because some aspects of the book, and the writing are superb.
#READINGRUSH2020
FR
Une bonne, mais moyenne lecture. J'attendais beaucoup de ce livre, certainement trop d'ailleurs.
Les personnages que j'ai le plus aimés sont Bo et Hannah. J'ai détesté Ellen, et la mère de Willowdean.. Je ne veux même pas en parler tellement je n'en pouvais plus !
Certains sujets sont très intéressants, mais de mon point de vue, pas assez développés, et c'est bien dommage !
Will est quelques fois très immatures, ça me choque comapré à d'autres réactions qu'elle a.
Malgré tout, je recommande cette lecture, car certains aspects du livre, et l'écriture sont superbes.
ENG
Good, but average reading. I expected a lot from this book, certainly too much indeed.
The characters I liked the most are Bo and Hannah. I hated Ellen, and Willowdean's mom .. I don't even want to talk about her I couldn't take it anymore !
Some subjects are very interesting, but from my point of view, not developed enough, and that's a shame !
Will is sometimes very immature, it shocks me compare to other reactions she has.
Nevertheless, I recommend this reading, because some aspects of the book, and the writing are superb.
{4.5 stars}
I did not expect to love this as much as I did. I love how contemporary YA is becoming so much more representative and aware of the diversity of its audience. Not only did I love the Southern setting of this book, but the messages it shared about friendship (and body positivity) made me weep on more than one occasion.
-
"Loyalty is... loyalty is being there for someone. It's selfless. It's about standing by someone's side even when you don't want to. Because you love them. ... Loyalty isn't blind. Even when I wish it was. Loyalty is telling someone they're wrong when no one else will."
I did not expect to love this as much as I did. I love how contemporary YA is becoming so much more representative and aware of the diversity of its audience. Not only did I love the Southern setting of this book, but the messages it shared about friendship (and body positivity) made me weep on more than one occasion.
-
"Loyalty is... loyalty is being there for someone. It's selfless. It's about standing by someone's side even when you don't want to. Because you love them. ... Loyalty isn't blind. Even when I wish it was. Loyalty is telling someone they're wrong when no one else will."
I’m really tired of reading adorable, well-written books that make me tear up in public. (loved it)