The Donut Prince of New York

by Allen Zadoff

For fans of Starfish, the funny and heartbreaking story of a 16 fat kid who’ll do anything to be accepted—or will he?

As Eugene “Pudge” Gutterman starts his junior year of high school, he is hoping just to get through life. His father has abandoned the family, his mother nags him about his size—and about going to med school—and Eugene would like to just hide out through the year, and maybe write a play.

But his plan doesn’t work when he accidentally tackles the star of the high school football team in gym class, and Eugene gets recruited to play the team. Him, Eugene, a football star? Suddenly popular, Eugene has access to the world he’s dreamed about. The life of “The Pops”, the secret world of athletes, parties, and dating. To Gutterman, it’s like a school within the school he’s known.

But it’s not all it seems from the outside—the cool kids have a lot of pressure on them, too, and Eugene has to find out if he has the guts to break out on his own, and finally be seen for who he really is, in plus size clothing and all.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Sports, Young Adult, Jewish, High School, Romance, Football

352 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2024

About the author

Allen Zadoff is the author of nine novels and a memoir, including the thriller series “The Unknown Assassin”, which debuted to starred reviews and was a YALSA Top Ten Pick for Reluctant Readers. The series has been translated into over a dozen languages and is being developed by Sony Pictures. A former stage director, Zadoff is a graduate of Cornell University, the Harvard University Institute for Advanced Theater Training, and the Warner Bros. Writers Workshop. As an experienced technologist, he has embraced the intersection of AI and the creative process, becoming an expert in using AI tools to enhance storytelling. His latest book, "The AI Revolution for Writers," explores the potential of AI in writing and offers practical guidance for writers and creatives. Visit Allen at www.allenzadoff.com.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute coming of age YA read about an overweight teenager named Eugene who loves theater and donuts and just wants to write a play. His junior year of high school is off to a rough start: he has no love life, he is having writer’s block, and his mother won’t cut him a break on his weight. Then, he meets the girl of his dreams and an accident happens at school which results in him being catapulted from his normal low-ranking friend group to associating with the football team. Suddenly he is overwhelmed by a whole new world of popular kids, parties, and dating, but is he willing to risk losing his true friends and authentic self in the process?
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is excellent and perfectly voices Eugene so it was an easy and engaging listen! Eugene is a likable main character who makes some terrible but understandable decisions throughout the book. Despite this, I found myself rooting for him to see through the façade of popularity and ultimately find his way back to his true self. The major twist at the end seemed to come out of nowhere so I think it may have been helpful to have a few more plot hints sprinkled throughout leading to that outcome. Overall, this is a very sweet, funny, emotional story that is very relatable for anyone who has ever been in high school, felt like they weren’t part of the popular group, or has been overweight. I especially connected with this story because I was a theater kid in high school and lived in New York for the past 8 years, so I LOVED all of the theater/Broadway and NYC references. I definitely recommend this one, especially for people who also connect with any of these topics! Thank you to NetGalley, Allen Zadoff, and RB Media for the gifted ALC. This is a voluntary and honest review.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

You would think I would really like a book about a Jewish boy who wants to become a Broadway playwright but damn this was...not it. Everything about this was so one dimensional, the friends were barely in it and the ending came out of literal nowhere!!!!! I don't even want to talk about Daisy. I know the point was that he falls in love with her immediately and puts the manic pixie dream girl persona on her but she was so shitty the entire time. I liked that the book was about a teen boy who is fat because usually these books are about girls and I think there were good conversation starters in here about weight but overall this book was just too one dimensional for me to get into.

[Wardeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the Audio-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book ate (donuts)! (I'm sorry)

I liked this book! It felt a bit like Mean Girls with a twist.
The story addresses important topics like body-image issues, self-esteem and friendship.
I enjoyed seeing Eugene grow as a person and gain more and more confidence as the book went on.
The ending was slightly predictable but I didn't mind that at all.


PSA: I would urge anyone struggling with body image issues or body dysmorphia to be careful when reading this book as it's heavy on the self-depreciation in several instances. The protagonist doesn't get bullied much for being overweight but more than makes up for that with constantly pointing out what he believes are flaws in his appearance.

[Sage Candella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so cute at times, but the ending kind of lacked for me. Loved seeing a big boy story because as he said, there really aren’t many!

The vibe was just off at times. He was so all over the place and I just wanted his love story to end with daisy

The ending felt so rushed like smashing a puzzle piece into a place that almost fits

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A raw and relatable YA coming of age story that features a fat Jewish drama nerd who gets recruited to play on the school football team only to have his newfound popularity go to his head. This was good on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Julie Murphy. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

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.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, there was some things I could not grasp about this book, especially what the cover is giving me.

First puzzling thing, that I'm sure some people are going to wonder how I don't get it, is how fat is fat? Everybody, including Eugene himself, say he is fat. There is even imagery that is supposed to tell you how fat he is, like he is an XL multiply by a few XL's, but that is not telling me anything. A short, fat person is going to look different than a tall, fat person. I know this, because I know a tall, fat male. The words obese and obesity were not mentioned, but I could not picture this and the cover does not help. The guy on the cover that is supposed to depict Eugene does not look that fat to me.

Second puzzling thing was the cover in combination of tone/feel of the book and characters. The cover felt very youthful and I would say Middle Grade as the target audience. The characters and some of the content were more high school, such as they were high school age kids and there was underage drinking/a party. The sexual content was barely there and depending on the reader's awareness it may go right over their heads for it was implied, such as two guys with their arms around each other asking to use this space below a set of stairs. There was some over the clothes touching as far as I remembered. Also, how the characters talk felt young, but that was in contrast with some of the things they talk about, like college. Who was this supposed to be for?

Verdict: Maybe it was just me, but I felt the ending romance came out of ever so slightly from left field. I guess you can say this plot thread was there, but it did not always shine enough or came out clear enough. Overall, it wasn't bad.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Junior Eugene Guterman loves doughnuts and the good things in life. A budding script writer, he's struggling with writing a promised play and nursing a crush on new girl, Daisy. But he's decidedly NOT in the top echelon at school, and it's doubtful she'll give him the time of day even though they seem to have things in common. All that changes when he tackles the school's star quarterback, injuring him but also leaving the coach impressed with his size and possibility as a linebacker. Although Eugene is reluctant to join the squad, given their previous and current treatment of him, including the belittling nickname of Pudge, he becomes a member of the team. Suddenly, his popularity soars, and Daisy seems interested in him. But his friends feel betrayed, and he's letting down his theatre peeps. This humorous, insightful exploration of the other side of popularity and those left behind as well as the untrustworthiness of some individuals--even those dream girls, is a quick, relatable read, especially for those of us struggling with excess weight, body dysmorphia, or a fondness for doughnuts. Eugene's imperfection is so endearing, and many teen readers will see themselves in him. This one is a 3.5 for me.

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a YA story that draws on several familiar tropes, but in a slightly unusual fashion. The result is a charming, quirky read.

Eugene is the fat boy, who's bright and also a theatre nerd - the son of a mother who is a Jewish doctor and a father who has left his family. He has some good friends, but none of them are part of the popular cliques at school.

So when he develops a crush on the new girl, Daisy, Eugene knows that something has to change quite radically in order for him to be in with a chance. What he doesn't bargain for is to unexpectedly find himself hanging out with the jocks - or to discover that he likes it!

But is this new life of his too good to be true? And what if he has to give up his old friends in order to have this new beginning? The story may require some suspension of disbelief, but it is a good portrayal of the humour and pathos of teenage life for those who are not part of the one size fits all spectrum. It gets 3. 5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Allen Zadoff's last book was about how to use Chat GPT to enhance your creative writing, and if this novel was written with any AI assistance at all, this is glaringly obvious proof that AI has no place in creative writing.

I wanted to like this book. I desperately tried to like this book. It had an interesting concept, and it was refreshing to see a plus-size guy struggling with his appearance when that market is typically cornered by women. But that doesn't change the fact that the writing in this was just bad. There's not a single likable character in this story, and frankly, all of the characters are one-dimensional caricatures. The happy ending feels undeserved, and that's such a shame because the readers that this book is aimed towards deserve better.

[Josh Newhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started out loving this book but as the main character turned into a walking cliche and so did his other friends and enemies I feel like I missed something. By the end he was so unlikable that the sweet ending felt sour. I get what the author was going for but it lacked nuance imho… plus the fat shaming was pervasive. Maybe your mileage will vary. I loved his other books but this felt dated and stale in the end. What did you think?

Apparently Allan writes from a place of experience and knowing that I get what he was going for but the peer pressure drinking that gets him the girl and the fact that the ending just makes a spoiled brat turn around so quickly without nuance still troubles me… I really wanted to love this but it felt rushed in the end.

[Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say write the book you wanted to read as a teenager. Well, growing up as an overweight kid, I didn't see a lot of role models who looked like me in books and movies. If we existed, it was as the big, funny sidekick, not the lead character. So I wrote a rom/com where the hero, Eugene Guterman, is a plus-sized playwright struggling to find love, acceptance, and inspiration as he moves through different worlds—theater, football, and the local donut shop...

This one feels special to me, and I hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing it.

[Jan Raspen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book would be fine at the HS level. Librarians should know there is underage drinking at a party, and the main character gets pretty drunk (and then hungover). There was a lot of disbelief I had to suspend as an adult reader, including that the main character was some kind of playwright that his school could count on to deliver a play. And then when he didn't, it was no big deal. And then he did, and they performed it in under a week. Just no.
I did appreciate the authentic and sensitive fatphobia representation.

[Nadia Meriouli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review

An interesting book, it felt a bit diary of a wimpy kid-ish, the characters were all pretty unlikable but same for diary of wimpy kid so it’s definitely something some people like. It was an entertaining plot though, I found myself wondering what might happen next with his bad luck and it was definitely funny. The main character made great jokes and the book altogether was a good laugh. Took me a bit to get into it but I overall enjoyed it.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars for The Donut Prince of New York. I found this contemporary YA read to be witty and funny. Those aspects is what made it such an enjoyable read. However, the wittiness and humor were negatively impacted by the weaker character development IMO.

"The pen is mightier than the jock, but the jock has a six-pack." haha

"Been there. Done that. Designed the hat for that." I thought this was a funny way to put that we have experienced that one before.

I enjoyed the Donut Prince, but I also felt the changes in characters were a bit abrupt.

Content: Underage Drinking

[Melinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eugene loves donuts and theatre. He is an aspiring playwright. Eugene also has a crush on the pretty new girl. But Eugene is not popular, and he is fat. After trying to impress Daisy, Eugene accidentally hurts the QB of the football team. So, the only solution for a big guy is to become an offensive lineman to protect the QB. Things seem to be going well with football and Daisy until he finds out otherwise. Eugene is irritatingly ignorant throughout much of the book, but, in the end, his character growth was worth sticking with it.

[A. Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

as an adult woman, i enjoyed the book enough to rate it a solid 4-stars, but i have to say, if the author came out and said he wrote this in 2002, or 1997 or whatever and just dusted it off and handed it to his publisher, i'd believe him? i think he would have done better to just make this a historical fiction and set it in the 1980's. That's what i had to do in order to enjoy the book. i had to pretend it was set in an older era. but if you can get over that hump, it's some fine nostalgia.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Donut Prince of New York is an entertaining coming-of-age story about finding your purpose and finding love. When Eugene accidentally tackles and injures the school's star quarterback, he gets pushed from the world of theater to the world of being a football player. He thinks this is going to fix his problems with his love life, but in reality, it makes him realize that he is just blind to who he really wants in his life.

[Ashley Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was your typical coming of age novel, just with a male mc. Eugene is on the bigger side and a theater fan, but tries his hand at football after a series of events. He does all this to impress a girl, who it turns out is not the girl for him. During all this he learns who his real friends are. Very easy listen!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not something I would normally pick up to read, but I'm glad that I did! This was a sweet, very funny story albeit so frustrating at times. I think a very accurate representation of the emotional turmoil that is high school and all the drama it entails.

[Mae B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhh! This was so cute. Wraps up sorta quick but I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc.

[Heather Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coming of age - finding your place - accepting yourself

Quick read
A good story to build compassion and experience a walk in someone else’s shoes

[Peter Grazioso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book about an overweight teen struggling to figure out life.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.