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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I had heard reviews that swung both ways for this book - utterly amazing or complete waste of time. I was kind of nervous to start it, but I want to watch the Netflix adaptation and I'm still that person who wants to read the book first.
I absolutely LOVED this book, but it did have its issues.
Now, this book hit me the right way because I was made fun of for being a "big girl" - and by big girl, I mean completely normal size girl who was tormented because bullies are mean. I look back and think "Wow, they were wrong" but at the time I thought I was the size of a whale. Bullies are mean and do wild things to how we think about us, eh? So a lot of what Will says in the book felt like things that were in my head back when I was a pre-teen and teenager.
Now that I'm an adult, some of those things make me cringe and feel like I need to adult shame Will and tell her she's beautiful and needs to stop thinking that way. Oh, the way things change...
Regardless, the story itself was a nice, contemporary tale of girls empowering each other. And a bit of a love story in there, too. I really liked it. It was sweet, had an ending that felt realistic, and made me smile. I binged this book in two nights, I loved it that much. And now I need all of the sequels.
Five out of five stars.
I absolutely LOVED this book, but it did have its issues.
Now, this book hit me the right way because I was made fun of for being a "big girl" - and by big girl, I mean completely normal size girl who was tormented because bullies are mean. I look back and think "Wow, they were wrong" but at the time I thought I was the size of a whale. Bullies are mean and do wild things to how we think about us, eh? So a lot of what Will says in the book felt like things that were in my head back when I was a pre-teen and teenager.
Now that I'm an adult, some of those things make me cringe and feel like I need to adult shame Will and tell her she's beautiful and needs to stop thinking that way. Oh, the way things change...
Regardless, the story itself was a nice, contemporary tale of girls empowering each other. And a bit of a love story in there, too. I really liked it. It was sweet, had an ending that felt realistic, and made me smile. I binged this book in two nights, I loved it that much. And now I need all of the sequels.
Five out of five stars.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Girl with poor self-esteem takes it out on everyone around her. Look, this book is well written. I laughed a lot and had to stop reading from second hand embarrassment more than once. I just didn't like it. Willowdean does change and grow, but it's right at the end of the book, and by that point, it's too late for poor Mitch, who was the best. Honestly, I liked the side characters (Mitch, Millie, Amanda, and Hannah rule) much more than Willowdean, and I may read the sequel, just so I can get some updates on them. Also, I know that Bo is supposed to be hot, but it's also my dog's name, so it read a little snuggly drooler to me.
This was ok, it was enjoyable enough. Willowdean is definitely an unlikeable character but that doesn't detract hugely from the book. I was surprised at some of the language used in a supposedly body positive book about a fat main character. I get that some of it is because its from Willowdean's perspective and she's 17, but I was hoping for more positivity. On the plus side though, I really enjoyed the side characters and their diversity, there was even a half Dominican girl which bumped it for me - I finally had a character almost exactly match me and yes, I got excited about it.
Will is like 16. And I am 23. And she’s in high school. And I am not. And I still loved this book so much. Her mind is constantly conflicting in a way I am familiar with. “I hate my body” and “I can be fat and beautiful”.
This was a great read.
I raced through it as I really enjoyed it, and then the end felt so abrupt and I’m so hurt that I’m left hanging like this?
If I didn’t already own the sequel, I would not be a very happy camper.
This was a great read.
I raced through it as I really enjoyed it, and then the end felt so abrupt and I’m so hurt that I’m left hanging like this?
If I didn’t already own the sequel, I would not be a very happy camper.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dumplin’ was a slightly above average book. I really enjoyed reading it and flew through it.
The message of the book was great, it was full of body positivity while keeping it real. Everyone has negative days you know?
I loved Willowdean and love her name. I’ve seen a lot of people found her to be unlikeable but, I thought that made her all the more realistic. Sometimes I hate perfect main characters luckily Willowdean wasn’t one.
Yessss, the love triangle in this was meh. But I guess it was the thought that counted.
By any means I went into this not having a clue what it was about minus a fat girl and a beauty pageant which sounded like an interesting take.
I adored the writing and the idea and one again, the message. I can’t wait to pick up more of Julie Murhphy’s work along with Puddin’ the companion to this one!
By any means give this a go! It’s also coming out on Netflix within the next few days!!
The message of the book was great, it was full of body positivity while keeping it real. Everyone has negative days you know?
I loved Willowdean and love her name. I’ve seen a lot of people found her to be unlikeable but, I thought that made her all the more realistic. Sometimes I hate perfect main characters luckily Willowdean wasn’t one.
Yessss, the love triangle in this was meh. But I guess it was the thought that counted.
By any means I went into this not having a clue what it was about minus a fat girl and a beauty pageant which sounded like an interesting take.
I adored the writing and the idea and one again, the message. I can’t wait to pick up more of Julie Murhphy’s work along with Puddin’ the companion to this one!
By any means give this a go! It’s also coming out on Netflix within the next few days!!
emotional
funny
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