I don't think I've ever read a book that reminded me more of a TGIF sitcom. And I mean that in both the best and worst ways. The narrator voice is funny, the main character is a completely exhausting but somewhat endearing mess, the supporting cast is convenient and cute, the setting is pure Americana, and it's all a lot to take — but I couldn't walk away.

As you can see, Elouise works as a hot dog character in a "small, super run-down, beat-up, falling-apart, probably-wouldn't-pass-any-sort-of-official-inspection version of Disney." Elouise is a bit of a schemer, and she's not exactly smooth about any of it. Which she only recognizes in hindsight: "I am the least smooth thing of all the things in existence. It's like the world doesn't need sandpaper or rocky outcrops or tree bark anymore, because, hi, I exist to serve all of your unsmooth needs." When she's simultaneously figuring out her feelings for girls, crushing hard on a boy, trying to make this the BEST SUMMER EVER, and attempting to save the park that harbors the best memories of her life, our hot dog girl drags her best friend into a messy fake dating scheme. It all goes about as well as you'd expect.

Content notes: strong language, underage drinking, cheating, parent walks out on a child, unethical use of confidential paperwork, coming out to supportive parent, off-screen character with cancer, mention of bullying, bacon-flavored cupcakes, some kissing