// book review + discussion: dumplin' by julie murphy

Title: Dumplin

Author: Julie Murphy
Publication: 15th of September 
2015 by Balzer + Bray 
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary 
Format: eBook, 384 pages 

Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Synopsis: 

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.

With starry Texas nights, red candy suckers, Dolly Parton songs, and a wildly unforgettable heroine— Dumplin’ is guaranteed to steal your heart.

Mini Review: 

I'm a big fan of contemporary books! There's such a good pick-me-up when I need a light read. Dumplin' is one of those books that everyone wants you to read. One of the many things I love about the book is that the main character, Willowdean Dickson is not your typical YA protagnist: who's perfect, skinny and has a lot of guys drooling over her. Willowdean Dickson is fat. She knows it and she owns it. You could use her weight to insult her but she couldnt give a damn what you think. She just doesn't care at all. And I loved that about her. I love how confident she is in her own skin. I think the body positivity in this book is amazing and I think that her story was really relatable. I think we've all been through times in our lives where we've been conscious about herself. And I hope more girls (even guys!) would read this. As it tackles a really important message: it teaches you how to love yourself and not to judge others so quickly. 

It's also sex positive. Which is fantastic! We live in a society where people, especially girls get judged if they have sex: if they do it a lot or if they don't do it all. Willowdean is a virgin but she respects that her best friend, El wants to do it and even offers support. 

As much as I wanted to love this book so much and give it five stars, it only earned a three from me. Despite the fantastic message the book has for its readers, I couldnt help feel that there was something lacking in the story. It didnt make me laugh or cry. The pacing of the story is also super slow. Nothing really happens other than the pageant. I was also confused by Willowdean's love interests. Bo and Mitch. I never understood her relationship with Bo, and their chemistry. It also pissed me off how she sort of led Mitch on, when he sounded like  a lovely young man. But anyway, I really liked this book because of its message and it's completely up to you if you would pick it up. I suggest you give it a chance and see for yourself. Thanks for reading!

Have you read Dumplin'? What did you think? Will you read this book? Let me know in the comments below :)