Puddin'

Puddin' is the companion novel to Dumplin'. Not quite a sequel as it follows different characters that we meet in the first book, but it does take place in the timeline after Dumplin' ends. In Puddin', we follow Millie and Callie, who we meet in the first book. Millie is the epitome of positivity, complete with cross-stitched sayings and seeing the best in everyone. Callie is the opposite, she makes some bad choices, feels like her life is over, and is a classic mean girl.

I adore Julie Murphy. And while this fell short of the feels that I got from Dumplin, this was a cute, sweet, fun read with lots of positivity and life lessons. I definitely related to Millie a lot of the time and I thought Callie was a very real character. She's a mean girl, she's got a tough skin, and it's all because she's insecure. I know SO many people like that. I freakin loved her character development in this story.

There are love interests for both characters, but it wasn't overwhelmingly a romance novel. This book's theme is all about friendship, specifically female friendship. It's also got that coming of age element. And no ridiculous tropes. It has a lot of elements but Julie Murphy pulled it off beautifully, balancing everything. I was looking for a fun read that wouldn't be depressing in quarantine and I definitely got it!

Would I recommend?
If you read Dumplin and enjoyed it, then yes!