Book Review: Dumplin | Julie Murphy

Introduction

When I first heard about Dumplin, I didn’t see many readers talking about it on Bookstagram or in other book communities. The few people who read it seemed to enjoy it quietly. Even when the movie released on Netflix, it didn’t get the hype that To All the Boys received.

My interest grew the moment I saw that Jennifer Aniston was cast as the mother in the movie. That was enough to make me pick up the book. I used a Christmas gift card at Barnes & Noble to buy my own copy, and I was excited to start reading. I’m glad I finally did.

About the Book Dumplin

In Dumplin, we follow Willowdean, a girl whose mom is a former beauty pageant queen. Her mom never pushed her to compete, mostly because people don’t see girls of her size as “pageant material.” After the death of her aunt Lucy, Willowdean finds Lucy’s old pageant application. This moment inspires her to take a bold step. She wants to prove something to her school, the mean kids, and most of all, to herself.

The story mixes romance, friendship struggles, and the pressure of becoming confident in front of the world. Willowdean’s mom begins to turn Lucy’s bedroom into a craft room, removing her Dolly Parton collection. This hurts Will, yet it also pushes her to make a statement. A group of misfit girls joins the pageant with her, turning the competition into something much bigger than winning the crown. It becomes a journey about confidence, resilience, and self-belief.

Synopsis

The story follows Willowdean “Dumplin” Dickson, a fat teen girl who never feels fully comfortable in her body. She grows up with a beauty queen mom and a perfect best friend, Ellen. Even though Willowdean believes every body is a “bikini body,” she still struggles with her own self-worth.

Things change when she starts working at Harpy’s, a fast-food place, and meets Bo. He is a Private School jock who likes her. Their bond brings joy, but it also brings doubt. She begins to question whether she deserves love and confidence at the same time.

Willowdean decides to enter the Miss Clover City beauty pageant to prove a point. She wants to show that thin girls do not own the right to beauty. Through late Texas nights, Dolly Parton songs, red candy suckers, and big emotional lessons, she grows into a strong young woman.

Body Positivity

Some people argue that Dumplin is not truly body positive, but the book clearly deals with body confidence and insecurity. Willowdean struggles with her size just like many slim and plus-size teens do. Julie Murphy shows that confidence is not constant. Even the strongest person can feel insecure.

When Will is close to Bo, her insecurity grows. She enjoys the moments, but she worries about her body at the same time. These mixed emotions show how difficult it is to love yourself in every situation. The story teaches that confidence is a journey that takes time.

Characters and Relationships in Dumplin

The book focuses on Willowdean, her best friend Ellen, and Bo, the boy she likes. The characters feel real because they are flawed, confused, and emotional. Their relationships shift, break, and heal, just like real friendships and first loves.

Ellen is the skinny best friend who tries to fit in while trying to stay loyal. Bo is the quiet boy who hides his feelings, yet his actions show how much he cares. These details add warmth to the story and create emotional depth.

Themes and Messages in Dumplin

This book stands out after so many years because it feels both cute and meaningful, never slipping into just a guilty pleasure without substance. Dumplin’ works as a YA contemporary novel and as a film, carrying plenty of drama but avoiding empty YA fluff. At its heart, it delivers a statement for any girl dealing with body image doubts, showing how the movie and streamlined, sometimes boy-focused formats still make a solid duo.

Through Willowdean, her impression, and the way judgment from people and an audience shapes her, we see how staying strong and knowing self-worth matters, even while we judge ourselves. What looks like hypocrisy has an effect because every teen has a story of being their own harshest critic, fighting size worries and self-doubt.

Her mom on the judges’ panel reminds us that the pageant demands effort, equal events, and fair relationships with other girls. It becomes about revolution, not just the crown, because contenders must be seen as equals instead of enemies in this game. Still, the book isn’t only for plus-size readers—it speaks of friendship, grief, self-acceptance, and acceptance of differences. Themes of first love, family, facing bullies, and surviving high school mix with Dolly Parton and Southern traditions, celebrating being true to who you are.

The mix of self-discovery and emotional growth in this story reminded me of Reminders of Him, where forgiveness and self-acceptance go hand in hand. Both highlight how healing begins when you finally learn to see yourself with compassion instead of criticism.

Reviewer’s Thoughts 

I usually avoid spoilers in my reviews, but readers often talk about them in the comments. For me, Dumplin is a 3-star read. The story is great, and the characters are interesting, but the pageant plot sometimes gets overshadowed by everyday high-school drama.

Many storylines feel unfinished, and several characters seem unlikable. Mitch and Lucy were my favorites, while Willowdean sometimes felt judgmental toward others and toward herself. This clashed with the message of breaking stereotypes.

The friendship between Ellen and Willowdean felt obsessive and unhealthy at times. Although this shows how dramatic teenage emotions can be, it made it hard to admire their bond. Strangely, the movie trailer with Jennifer Aniston looked more exciting than the book itself. That left me with mixed feelings.

Love Triangle in Dumplin

The love triangle in Dumplin feels unnecessary. Mitch is sweet, but Will’s heart never belonged to him. Many readers prefer Bo, and it’s easy to understand why. Mitch deserved better.

Adding the love triangle created tension, but not in a good way. It felt forced and uncomfortable instead of emotional or gripping.

Pacing Issues

The pacing of the book is uneven. The pageant event takes place near the end and doesn’t get enough focus. In the movie, the romance and pageant balance each other well. In the book, some moments—especially the drag queen scenes—feel rushed. I wished those parts had more detail.

Friendship & Rift

The bond between Ellen and Willowdean, based on their love for Dolly Parton, is one of the sweetest things in the story. Songs like “Jolene” add a unique touch. Their rift, however, feels unnecessary. A simple honest conversation could have solved everything. Instead, miscommunication lets mean girls create distance between them.

If you enjoy stories about friendship, love, and insecurities, books like The Summer I Turned Pretty carry the same energy.

Conclusion on Dumplin

In the end, Dumplin has a special charm as a book, but I personally think the movie adaptation delivers the story better. The novel puts more focus on romance instead of body positivity, which weakens the main message. Still, it remains a cute, summery YA story filled with humor, awkward moments, and emotional growth. For readers who enjoy self-discovery and teen drama, Dumplin is worth trying at least once.