Jennifer Dugan

A fresh and funny contemporary YA rom-com about teens working as costumed characters in a local amusement part. "I'm wrecked with love for this funny, joyful, bighearted book." --Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the absolute best, most impossibly epic summer of her life. There are just a few things standing in her way: • She's landed a job at Magic Castle Playland . . . as a giant dancing hot dog. • Her crush, the dreamy diving pirate Nick, already has a girlfriend, who is literally the princess of the park. But Lou's never liked anyone, guy or otherwise, this much before, and now she wants a chance at her own happily ever after. • Her best friend, Seeley, the carousel operator, has always been up for anything, but she's decidedly not on board when it comes to Lou's quest to set her up with the perfect girl or Lou's scheme to get close to Nick. • And it turns out that this will be their last summer at Magic Castle Playland--ever--unless she can find a way to stop it from closing. Jennifer Dugan's sparkling debut coming-of-age queer romance stars a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love--and themselves--in unexpected people and unforgettable places. "Both classic and new, hysterical and heartfelt, and packed with all the awesomeness and awkwardness of first love, first job, and the painful thrill of growing up." --Mackenzi Lee, bestselling author of The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

Hot Dog Girl

A lovesick teenager schemes to win the heart of her crush at her amusement park summer job, all while dressed as a hot dog.

Sarah Sammis

Hot Dog Girl reminds me of a blend of Amagi Brilliant Park (minus the fantasy elements) and Chicken Girl by Heather Smith (2019). Unlike the anime, there's no saving Magic Castle Playland and there's every reason not to save it.

I found it an enjoyable, quick read. Along with the scheming, there's also romance — best friends to lovers. That plot is similar to Leah on the Offbeat (2018) with less melodrama.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comm...

Denaiir

The storyline revolves around a girl who works at an amusement park and her relationships with her coworkers. It’s more of a character-driven story: Elouise works in the hot-dog costume, she has a crush on Nick, the pirate who is dating the princess, but even though she looks like the perfect girl Elouise thinks she doesn't deserve Nick. Then Elouise comes up with a completely fucked-up plan to get Nick to fall for her, using her best friend Seeley.

This is so over the top, soap-opera-esque and I didn't really love it even though it made the book quite entertaining. I liked the characters well enough but didn't love any of them, and didn't like the main character at all. She was selfish, scheming a lot for everything (lying, stealing, forcing people to go along with her plans, knowing she did wrong but not willing to change her ways). I'm glad there was a happy ending but I almost stopped reading at some point because Elouise was irking me so much. I would only recommend it to those who enjoy really dramatic characters and scenarios. And for a more adult and less annoying book set at an amusement park (which I love) I recommend The Truth About Happily Ever After.

Now in paperback, a fresh and funny contemporary YA rom-com about teens working as costumed characters in a local amusement park. Elouise (Lou) Parker is determined to have the absolute best, most impossibly epic summer of her life. There are just a few things standing in her way: - She's landed a job at Magic Castle Playland . . . as a giant dancing hot dog. - Her crush, the dreamy diving pirate Nick, already has a girlfriend, who is literally the princess of the park. But Lou's never liked anyone, guy or otherwise, this much before, and now she wants a chance at her own happily ever after. - Her best friend, Seeley, the carousel operator, has always been up for anything, but she's decidedly not on board when it comes to Lou's quest to set her up with the perfect girl or Lou's scheme to get close to Nick. - And it turns out that this will be their last summer at Magic Castle Playland--ever--unless she can find a way to stop it from closing. Jennifer Dugan's sparkling debut coming-of-age queer romance stars a princess, a pirate, a hot dog, and a carousel operator who find love--and themselves--in unexpected people and unforgettable places.

Steph Lodico

A YA romance that I just wish existed years ago. It was a lovely story that felt quite authentic in its queer representation, but a bit juvenile for me—I just know I would’ve eaten it up in high school. Plus, I thought the author did a great job of making the main character experience growth outside of the romantic plot which is a must for me, especially in YA.

Isabela H 

I don't think I've ever been so mad or frustrated at a book before because how dare it be a book from one of the most awkward and cringy POVs and force me to go from hating the fact that I was reading everything to being hooked and having to finish it in only two sittings. 
I think the only thing that I really genuinely consistently liked about the book was the relationship between Elle and Seeley and how it developed (specifically, Seeley is the only reason you should read this book). Everything else was the typical immature fluff and drama of a bunch of teen characters and I hated Elle basically the entire book. She is a terrible person and there was no way that I could like her as a character, a narrator, or a human being. 

** spoilers ahead ** 

The only other part of the book that I enjoyed was the message of having to accept change and that change was inevitable when done for the right reasons (I like that the park wasn't miraculously saved at the last minute by a bake sale, that would have actually killed me).

I loved this book. I picked this up from the library. Lou, Steely, and the other supporting characters were fun to read about. Speaking of the story, it was so fun that this book took place at an amusement park. Jennifer Dugan was a new author for me, and I just loved her writing. The romance in the story was incredibly sweet, and it was so fun to read. I recommend this book to fans of LGBTQ+ novels, and those looking for a fun  YA novel. 

Steph L 

aoife

look this isn’t exactly high class literature but it was so cute!!! just a fun romcom type book with girls what more could you want

Flavia Louise

mia ¿

no idea why the rating for this book is so low, i finished it in two days and probably could have read it all in one sitting honestly. it's a light and fun summery read and i liked it. i get that elouise sucked but she realized this and apologized and learned from her mistakes. maybe too many adults are reading this book? it honestly felt very realistic to teenagers in the way that they made decisions and behaved and spoke to each other. and the friendships were just so cute and wholesome!!! i'm giving this book 5 stars because it deserves its rating to go up (even if it was maybe just a 4.5 to me, i really enjoyed it and i think it's a crime that it is rated below 3.5 stars). adorable friends to lovers and surprisingly, an instance of crushes to friends too (if that's even a thing... but it was in this book and i loved it lol).

KADY BURNS

It is a really fast read and it was enjoyable. Feels like it will be pretty forgettable in a few months time.

Elena

4.5/5 stars

- Quick easy read
- fast paced
- LGBTQ+ 
- The characters are good 
- Elle can get annoying at times but she is an intresting character with good character development

Grace O'Callaghan

This was so fucking adorable. My stomach is turning upside down at how perfectly summery and awkward this book was. Might have to read it again when it’s nice and warm outside.

In case you didn’t read the description: we follow Elouise, who’s the hot dog girl again, as she attempts to save the amusement park from closing. She’s also got a huge crush on Nick, the diving pirate. When the opportunity presents itself, she pretends to date her reluctant best friend, Seeley, to get closer to Nick. But is this even what she wants anymore?

From the blurb, it sounds like your typical summery YA romance. And you’d be exactly right. If you’re looking for new things in the genre, this isn’t it. This is like many of those, but queer. It’s nice to know that we have the option of cute and light stories whilst also having the ones that tackle serious issues.

At first I wasn’t a fan of Elouise. She’s awkward and selfish but I really found myself understanding her actions, despite not liking all of them. You also can’t deny that she’s incredibly passionate, and by the end I loved her.

Seeley was also brilliant. I honestly don’t know how she put up with some of Elouise’s decisions. She’s just a loyal and sweet friend to have.

We get quite a few moments where Lou and her dad talk which I appreciated as we don’t get many memorable parents in YA. He was such a supportive and loving father, but knew when to give Lou space. 

I don’t think I’ve actually ever read a book set at an amusement park, but now I need all of them. If you were expecting lots of the hot dog costume, you’d be wrong. It’s more of a thing in the background that gets you to pick up the book than anything interesting happening with it.

The story does include Elouise sort of trying to break up Nick and his girlfriend which I was unsure of at first, but she does acknowledge how messed up that is and does try to change. This is something I find a lot of contemporaries do and never do the characters actually reflect upon it, so I’m glad that was included.

Overall, if your looking for a humorous and heartfelt summery queer romcom, this is it. I think I’m going to have to reread it at some point, it’s too cute for me to read only once.

Luna

does anyone besides nick and elle’s dad deserve rights? i don’t think so. 

anyways, this story was really cute (mostly because of nick and elle’s dad imo), but it took a little long to challenge some toxic ideas that came up.

laura

* I got this book for review for my honest thoughts*

I enjoyed this read. I thought it was such a fun summer read and I really like the cast of characters but especially the setting of the old theme park. I also really liked the town the book was set it and how this book had a intreating big plot that i don't often see in books. I really enjoyed the diversity of the realitonships in this book and it was a fun read. The lead character was not my favorite but she grew on me throughout the novel. I really did enjoy this read and flew through it. I think the setting and the romance diversity was the highlight of this novel.

Samantha Seeman

2.75** couldn’t quite bump it to three because of how much I disliked the majority of the story. What a disappointment. 
Yikes. This was a tough pill to swallow. After hearing about it, this quickly moved it’s way up to the top of my most anticipated list. I HAD to have it. I still find myself staring at the cover art and just being so disappointed because for something so beautiful on the outside, it sure reaked of crap. The whole thing was a big mess. The characters were immature and selfish, the “schemes” were extreme and irrational. Just Elouise’s inner monologue breaking down that she knew all the times she was being shitty and still did those things? It was infuriating. The ending was predictable and disappointing. Basically it teaches you that if you cry enough, you may get exactly what you want regardless of how you treat people on the way. It doesn’t convey a great message for teens, it encourages using your friends to breakup someone else’s relationship…because YOU want them. Again, just such a mess
For more of my thoughts, you can view my blog review here:
https://modernwitchsbookshelf.wordpre...

Emily C Peterson

diana

Becca Futrell

Hayley 📖🌈💜🌸

(OMG, I just won a signed ARC on twitter. I may explode.)

1. Thank you so much to Jennifer Dugan for the signed ARC! 

2. This was the cutest book to involve a girl in a hot dog suit ever. 

3. Everything was adorable and lovely and Nick was great and Seeley was the best and Elouise was so darn wonderful. I LOVE EVERYONE IN THIS BAR.

And yes, I am 100% going to reread this very soon. 

5 stars, 10/10 would recommend, heart eyes forever.



Reread/audiobook listen:
2019:
4.5 stars.
Super cute, once again. Really enjoyed the audiobook.

Tania Joana da Silva Monteiro

I really enjoyed this story. It was fun and fluffy and still with heart felt moments! And the setting of a theme park was really cool.

Hot Dog Girl

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