I thought this was such a cute read. It was nice to read about body issues from a male perspective. It was also a story that felt pretty authentic and was told at a good pace that kept me engaged. I didn’t exactly love the ending but I thought it was a satisfying read. All the characters felt well developed and relatable. The close of the story felt a bit rushed and I was hoping it gave a little more hints throughout the book as the deeper connection. Still, the story was sweet and heartwarming.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

A charming, relatable, coming of age YA story featuring a fat, gay theatre nerd who loves donuts and playwrighting and finds himself recruited onto the high school football team where he suddenly finds himself one of the popular kids and all the pressure that comes with trying to maintain that kind of image. Perfect for fans of books like Dragging Mason County or Pumpkin, this was a fun, heartfelt read sure to delight the underdog teen readers and theatre kids and especially for Becky Albertalli lovers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, the book brings to life the challenges and adventures of junior high.
Eugene's love for donuts adds a deliciously fun element to the story, making it a sweet treat for readers of all ages.

This book is a heartbreaking coming-of-age novel Eugene navigates the ups and downs of adolescence with a goofy sense of humor that I enjoyed.
His journey is filled with the relatable struggles and the fluttery feelings of a first-time crush that I remember having junior high school.

Pub Date: November 5, 2024
Thank you @netgalley @holidayhousebks

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a feel-good story with a lot of heart.
The story is written mostly as a conversation, but is still engaging.

Eugene Gutermann is starting his junior year of high school, but he is not as convinced as his best friend Mia that it is going to be a fantastic year. He's still stuck in a rut; his mother, a doctor, has more time to pester him about his weight now that his screenwriter father is living with an actress, he hasn't written the play for the drama club that he was supposed to write over the summer, and it's still easier for him to eat donuts than to talk to the girl of his dreams, even if he sees her in the donut shop! Mia is determined to start a new social media site, Anti Social Media, and has updated her wardrobe. Even Ishaan, his other best friend, is upbeat about his year playing violin and obsessing about girls. Eugene knows that he should make more of an effort at Upper West High, but as he puts it (from the E ARC) "Everyone's talking about body posititivity, but no one's been positive about my body." This is even more evident when he has gym class, and the girl of his dreams, Daisy, is there. She recognizes him, and they even have a decent, clever conversation. Wanting to impress her, and to get out of being placed in "adaptive gym", Eugene attempts a run, and ends up running into the football captain, Harry Habib, breaking his arm. He feels terrible, and goes to football practice to apologize, where Coach Kyle see some potential; maybe Eugene could join the team and use his girth to protect Harry, who plans to play with his arm in a cast, since it's his senior year and he wants to be scouted. Since nothing else is going well in his life, Eugene agrees. This leads to the football team inviting him to sit at their table, inviting him to their parties, and not giving him a horrible hard time, although the nickname "Pudge" isn't something he enjoys. Basking in his newfound social status, Eugene invites Daisy, Mia, and Ishaan to come along with him to the party. Daisy tells Eugene about her checkered past, and encourages him to drink beer. Mia and Ishaan don't have a great time, but Eugene strengthens his connection with Daisy. As he spends more time involved with football, he doesn't work on his play or pay attention to his old friends. Things go fairly well... until they don't. Harry doesn't need Eugene on the team when he's out of the cast, and things go south with Daisy. Eugene is inspired to write a play, and manages to make a very late entry into the school drama round up. He also has a revelation about his relationships, and it looks like his junior year will be decent after all.
Strengths: Like Zadoff's 2010 Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have, this is an excellent mix of drama, football, and self esteem issues. Adults can preach body positivity as much as they like, but that doesn't mean that is how teens actually feel. Eugene's involvement in sports is very realistic, and even his slight weight loss lines up with what I've seen happen with several boys who ran cross country and found that the changes in activity and diet they made for the sport resulted in weight loss. Daisy is the most body positive character in the story, which also makes sense, since she knows the prevailing thoughts even though she herself doesn't have any mental issues with her own weight. She likes Eugene, thinks he's funny, shares a few interests with him, and is more than happy to date him. Until she finds someone she would like to date more, which sort of sums up most high school romances. Mia and Ishaan's reactions to Eugene's changes in social circles are completely realistic, but it also seemed true to life that Eugene would embrace a different sort of social standing. There's angst, some writer's block, and a lot of Eugene being "stuck in his head", but in the end, it's an upbeat story. Very much enjoyed this one, and the cover is great.
Weaknesses: Other reviewers think that this is a bit dated because of Eugene's perception of his weight, and they also don't quite believe the reactions Mia and Ishaan have, or the twist at the end. I thought about this a lot, and while it might go a bit against prevailing thoughts that get broadcast on social media (and there are some things, like body image, that people seem to only be "allowed" to think of one way), and that the ending might be a little quick, the whole book also rang really true to me. I'd be interested to see what actual high school readers think about this. I wasn't completely convinced that Eugene's play would have been able to be produced so quickly.
What I really think: This is more of a Young Adult book (Daisy mentions that most guys would ask for oral for their birthdays, and it's left at that, but there's also some drinking), so I probably won't buy it for middle school, but will definitely make sure the public library has a copy. This is exactly the sort of book that we need for guys; funny, thought provoking, and a realistic portrayal of an average guy doing average things... and eventually having a successful romantic relationship.

The more I think about this book, the more it reminds me, a little of Mean Girls. In Mean Girls, the main character pretends to be part of the Plastics to infiltrate, and then gets caught up in it, leaving her friends behind.

And much like that, Eugene, who is an outcast, through injuring the star quarter back, is pulled into learning to play football, because though he is fat, he is also a bulk that makes it hard to tackle him. The couch feels the way he can pay back the football player is to protect him.
So, because he has to practice so hard, he has no time for his friends. And because he is a football player he gets to sit at the cool kids table.

It is an interesting study in being lured into doing things for the fame and glory, rather than doing something you love, such as writing, which is Eugene’s first love.

I liked this book, once I finished it, though I felt while reading it that I wanted to shake Eugine’s shoulders and tell him to wake up and see who his real friends were. But that is the point of books about growth and coming of age. The main character has to go through the process, no matter what the reader can see.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published the 5th of November 2o24.

"The Donut Prince of New York" is a heartwarming and relatable young adult novel that tackles important themes of self-acceptance, friendship, and finding one's place in the world. Allen Zadoff, known for his engaging writing style, delivers a story that resonates with both humor and depth.

The protagonist, Eugene Guterman, is a compelling character whose struggles with body image, social acceptance, and personal identity will strike a chord with many readers. As Eugene navigates his junior year of high school, Zadoff skillfully portrays the complexities of teenage life, from the pressures of fitting in to the challenges of pursuing one's passions.

The novel's exploration of male body image issues is particularly noteworthy, as it addresses a topic often overlooked in young adult literature. Zadoff's treatment of this subject is sensitive and insightful, offering valuable representation for readers who may be grappling with similar concerns.

The book's blend of theater, football, and culinary themes provides a rich backdrop for Eugene's journey of self-discovery. Zadoff's writing shines in his ability to create vivid characters and authentic dialogue, bringing the high school setting to life with all its drama and excitement.

While the novel touches on serious topics, it maintains a balance of humor and heart that keeps the narrative engaging and accessible. The inclusion of a budding romance adds a sweet touch to Eugene's story without overshadowing the main themes of personal growth and self-acceptance.

"The Donut Prince of New York" promises to be a valuable addition to the young adult genre, offering a fresh perspective on familiar coming-of-age tropes. Zadoff's empathetic storytelling and diverse cast of characters make this book a must-read for teens and adults alike who appreciate stories about embracing one's true self.

Loved Eugene, who knows he needs to lose weight but loves his donuts. He finds out there’s a new girl starting at school, Daisy, who loves theater too. When a footballer, Harry, fractures his wrist because of Eugene, the coach decides that Eugene will play football. Eugene is supposed to be writing a play, but he tells his friends, Ishaan and Mia, he hasn’t done it yet because he wants to spend time with Daisy. When his friends can’t believe he’s spending time with the team, Eugene wonders himself is the team faking it? He tells Ishaan he’s trying to fit in, and Ishaan says don’t forget about us. When Eugene finds out something about Daisy it changes everything. He then realizes who he has feelings for. What happens now?