(I was on a reading slump for a couple of days but I feel like this book saved me! A 4.5 for me!)

I LOVE THIS. Read the first chapter immediately after I bought it, and I was hooked. Murphy was able to portray the raw emotions of Willowdean (the protagonist) and those emotions really communicated with me. Reading through the perspective of Willow was both hard and easy at the same time. Her emotions and her thoughts spoke to me in ways I couldn't have imagined. Her thoughts are the same thoughts that have crossed my mind once in a while, but I never dared speak it out loud. Her insecurities, her doubts, everything. I resonated with those deep inside me. At the same time though, as I read through this book. I didn't feel so alone. Her words, her thoughts, they comforted me.

But the word fat, the one that best describes me, makes lips frown and cheeks lose their color.
But that's me. I'm fat. It's not a cuss word. It's not an insult.

Also, I'm beginning to realize that I am sucker for the friends-fighting-feeling-like-they-are-changing-and-drifting-apart-from-each-other-but-finds-a-way-to-make-up trope. Willow and El are no different. I love their friendship! And when they fought I really wanted them to make up as soon as possible. But alas, I had to wait for several chapters for that.

I also love how Murphy was able to portray this emotionally flawed character. Willow is confident and brilliant, but on the other side, there were moments where she was also selfish. The best thing about it is Willow trying to figure out all of that, she's trying to make her way out of all these new things, and new feelings to find herself and her happiness.

That ending though! I felt like there were a couple of loose ends. I wish there were more moments with Willow and her mom. I wanted to know more what will happen to her relationship with her mom after the night of the pageant. Will they be okay, will it be rocky? Will her mom ever be okay with her being fat?
And also with Bo! I really want to know what happens next. Will they be friends? Will they be more than friends?
Also that fiasco with Mitch! I wish there was a proper apology for him, and I want to know if he and Willow will be friends.

All in all, this was such a good book. It was all about embracing our differences and realizing that these flaws don't define what we could be capable of, they don't define what we should deserve or not. And most importantly, they shouldn't hinder us from aiming for our own happiness. Love this book, I'm so glad I bought it! Kudos to Julie Murphy!

"...you are beautiful. Fuck anyone who's ever made you feel anything less."