Review of Dumplin by Julie Murphy

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Welcome to Mini-Reviews, a periodic feature in which I give you my (brief) thoughts on a few of my recent reads:

Dumplin by Julie Murphy


Published by Balzer + Bray on September 15, 2015

Source: eARC for review from the publisher

Plot Summary of Dumplin by Julie Murphy



Self-proclaimed fat girl Willowdean Dickson (dubbed “Dumplin’” by her former beauty queen mom) has always been at home in her own skin. Her thoughts on having the ultimate bikini body? Put a bikini on your body. 

With her all-American beauty best friend, Ellen, by her side, things have always worked…until Will takes a job at Harpy’s, the local fast-food joint. There she meets Private School Bo, a hot former jock. 

Will isn’t surprised to find herself attracted to Bo. But she is surprised when he seems to like her back. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her relationship with Bo, Will starts to doubt herself. 

So she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant—along with several other unlikely candidates—to show the world that she deserves to be up there as much as any twiggy girl does. Along the way, she’ll shock the hell out of Clover City—and maybe herself most of all.

Review of Dumplin by Julie Murphy


So much about Dumplin' was absolutely fantastic -- the irresistible, irrepressible main character and her fabulous voice were among my top two YA narrators of 2015 (Maddie in Everything, Everything would be the other.) 

I loved the messy, realistic way that Will's friendships and family relationships were portrayed, and the book's great messages about self-acceptance and not letting fear and shame and low self esteem and other people's negativity stop you from doing whatever you want to do. 

But I really wish there hadn't been a romance involved. Or if there had to be a romance, that there hadn't been two guys.  My thoughts about Love Triangles are complicated, but I hate the ones that pit a nice guy against a popular guy.

I mostly wish that part of Willowdean's journey of self discovery had involved the idea that she didn't need to land the guy of her dreams to prove anything to herself or the world or anyone. But I think I'm in the minority on this opinion, so there you go...

Comments

  1. Amber EliseSeptember 30, 2015 at 10:59 AM

    I don't think I'd be able to handle Faceless. I'm terrible about reading outside my comfort zone.

    I haven't seen a single negative review for Dumplin which has me excited! Usually I'm the black sheep in these books, but Willow sounds like hte kind of character I need to read about - especially in YA.

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  2. Piecraft BucharestSeptember 30, 2015 at 1:57 PM

    I want to read both. OBVIOUSLY!

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  3. Grace @ RebelMommyBookBlogSeptember 30, 2015 at 2:18 PM

    I am not sure Faceless is one for me. Sounds like a tough one. I totally agree about Dumplin' though. I could have done without the two love interests or the romance all together. I still really loved it though!

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  4. A.J.September 30, 2015 at 5:42 PM

    I hadn't heard of Faceless before, but it definitely sounds like an interesting read. I haven't decided whether I would want to read it or not though. It's hard to say right now.

    I am really excited for Dumplin'. I have heard such amazing things about it, and I have been wanting to read it since I first heard about it several months back. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, but can see where you're coming from in regard to the romance you mentioned. I guess I'll just have to find out!

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  5. Lisa @ Lost in LiteratureSeptember 30, 2015 at 9:10 PM

    I'm so happy to see you loved Dumplin'. I just started the audio today and I'm already really enjoying it. :)

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  6. MaggieSeptember 30, 2015 at 9:46 PM

    I'm SO excited to read Dumplin'! Thanks a bunch for your review and happy reading! :)

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  7. The Princess of EverythingOctober 1, 2015 at 2:00 AM

    For some reason, Faceless sounds so appealing to me! LOL Maybe it's the kind of mood I'm in... haha Dumplin' sounds like a fun and easy read! I'll have to for sure check out Faceless

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  8. Tanya @ Girl Plus BooksOctober 1, 2015 at 12:39 PM

    I've been on the fence about reading Dumplin'. I'm seeing good reviews but I guess I was hopeful that the story could have focused on Willowdean and her own feelings of self-worth without having to introduce a romantic interest (or interests). That just gives off the "he likes/loves me so I must be okay" vibe. Ugh.

    Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

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  9. brandileigh2003October 1, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    Dumplin is on my tbr, and glad to hear that you enjoyed and it was fantastic.

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  10. Kate @ Ex LibrisOctober 1, 2015 at 2:30 PM

    Yay, Dumplin'!! I am really intrigued by Faceless. I read an adult novel with the same subject, but I hadn't heard of this one....

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  11. Joy October 1, 2015 at 10:53 PM

    Dumplin' is on my list - most def. I don't know about Faceless, though. Kind of not in the mood for difficult reads at the moment.

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  12. CynthiaOctober 4, 2015 at 3:33 AM

    I just read Dumplin and I completely agree. with you. I loved it and I did love Bo. I mean, it's okay that there was a little romance. But I didn't like that it involved two guys. And I would have much preferred her get a little more self confidence by herself instead of relying on a guy for it. That did bug me.

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