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I finished this in like an hour or two, but unfortunately forgot to update on here!

I have slightly mixed feelings about this book, and I struggled between 1 and 2 stars for it. I settled on 2 stars because although I had many problems with this novel, I enjoyed the actual experience of reading it. It wasn't fantastic, but I had no trouble getting through it. It was only when I took a more critical approach that I realized it wasn't a book I would recommend.

My major problem with this is that it's advertised as a body positive story, but I didn't find it all that body positive. I've struggled with body dismorphia in the past, and I was hoping to come out of this book feeling inspired or encouraged in some way, but was sorely disappointed.

My other problem with this book is the main character. Main characters can be deeply flawed, evil even, but they have to have redeeming qualities. They need something a reader can empathize with, something to make the reader forgive their problems and their actions, and to make them sympathize with their reactions. I didn't really find that Will had any of these characteristics. She could be funny at times, but she was a very jealous character, and I found her to be very judgmental. She talked about and described other people in a way that bothered me, as it wasn't body positive or positive in any other way. She talked about Millie, Hannah, and Amanda like they were less than her (for some unknown reason that I don't really understand).

(none of these quotes spoil anything)

"I’m fat, but Millie’s the type of fat that requires elastic waist pants because they don’t make pants with buttons and zippers in her size. Her eyes are too close together and her nose pinches up at the end. She wears shirts with puppies and kittens and not in an ironic way."

"Millie and Amanda together are basically one giant moving target that says MAKE FUN OF US."

"Amanda’s legs are uneven, so she wears these thick corrective shoes that make her look like Frankenstein. (At least according to Patrick Thomas.) When we were kids and she didn’t have her shoes yet, Amanda just limped around, her hips swiveling up and down with each step. She never seemed bothered, but that didn’t stop people from staring. The nickname thing is pretty lame if you think about it. Frankenstein was the doctor, not the monster."

Like holy crap she's awful to these people.

I just don't think this book sends a good message about body positivity or change in societal norms or anything, and I don't think people should waste their time reading this if that's what they're looking for.