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booksandcoffeewithlexi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Cancer
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Every time I consider reading a contemporary novel, I have this passing thought of I hate contemporary 98% of the time, especially when the main characters are high schoolers, maybe I should just swear off the genre altogether at this point that is soon interrupted by the contrary thought of oh, but what if this one just happens to be the 2% that redeems all other contemporary literature?
Suffice to say, this did not fall in that percentage.
Technically, the portrayal of teenagers as irrational and impulsive and immature is accurate; if anything, teenagers should be portrayed like that more often. Here, however, it's not in a way that's likeable or even enjoyable to read, and it's also not challenged at all -- Lou's constant self-deprecation, interference in others' lives, and contrived schemes get little more than a slap on the wrist, if even that. Her perspective is... very difficult to read and sympathize with, not least because the style itself isn't super appealing.
The book also seems uncertain what its own central plot is -- the amusement park closing, or the relationship drama -- which weakens both, and there are too many background plot threads that aren't juggled properly. (Lou's parental abandonment is just kind of thrown in there, unresolved, and the cheating subplot is, surprisingly for how heavyhanded it comes across, almost entirely brushed off.) Because of this, the tone is inconsistent and awkward, and I'm not really into how easily some things are resolved -- if they're actually resolved at all. By the time things start picking up, the characters still haven't been fleshed out enough for me to really care about them and their problems; the miscommunication for drama is also super frustrating. Nick's appeal is lost on me, and honestly so is Seeley's, not to mention Jessa's backstory being some clunky rationale for her actions that is introduced too late and also is not handled well.
Honestly, I think a lot of Hot Dog Girl's problems might have been solved if it were shorter, or at least committed to better developing its characters in the amount of time it does offer -- and focusing on one plot. If it has anything going for it, it's a relatively lighthearted summer romance that dabbles in some deeper themes and messages, but it misses the ample opportunity to delve even further.
Suffice to say, this did not fall in that percentage.
Technically, the portrayal of teenagers as irrational and impulsive and immature is accurate; if anything, teenagers should be portrayed like that more often. Here, however, it's not in a way that's likeable or even enjoyable to read, and it's also not challenged at all -- Lou's constant self-deprecation, interference in others' lives, and contrived schemes get little more than a slap on the wrist, if even that. Her perspective is... very difficult to read and sympathize with, not least because the style itself isn't super appealing.
The book also seems uncertain what its own central plot is -- the amusement park closing, or the relationship drama -- which weakens both, and there are too many background plot threads that aren't juggled properly. (Lou's parental abandonment is just kind of thrown in there, unresolved, and the cheating subplot is, surprisingly for how heavyhanded it comes across, almost entirely brushed off.) Because of this, the tone is inconsistent and awkward, and I'm not really into how easily some things are resolved -- if they're actually resolved at all. By the time things start picking up, the characters still haven't been fleshed out enough for me to really care about them and their problems; the miscommunication for drama is also super frustrating. Nick's appeal is lost on me, and honestly so is Seeley's, not to mention Jessa's backstory being some clunky rationale for her actions that is introduced too late and also is not handled well.
Honestly, I think a lot of Hot Dog Girl's problems might have been solved if it were shorter, or at least committed to better developing its characters in the amount of time it does offer -- and focusing on one plot. If it has anything going for it, it's a relatively lighthearted summer romance that dabbles in some deeper themes and messages, but it misses the ample opportunity to delve even further.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit, Grief, Blood, Infidelity, and Death
Minor: Medical content, Cancer, and Terminal illness
One scene includes underage drinking.
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