SATA

• Some Girls Like Us G.P. Putnam's Sons (New York, NY), 2026

• Summer Girls / Jennifer Dugan. By: Dugan, Jennifer, Published: - 2025 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• The Ride of Her Life - 2024 Avon, New York, NY
• Playing for Keeps - 2024 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• Full Shift (Jennifer Dugan ; illustrations by Kit Seaton) - 2024 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• Love at First Set - 2023 Avon, New York, NY
• The Last Girls Standing - 2023 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• Melt with You - 2022 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• Coven (Jennifer Dugan ; Kit Seaton) - 2022 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• Some Girls Do - 2021 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• Verona Comics - 2020 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY
• Hot Dog Girl - 2019 G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York, NY

• Fantastic Fiction -

  Jennifer Dugan
  USA flag

  Jennifer Dugan is a writer, a geek, and a romantic. In addition to being a young adult novelist, she is also the writer/creator of two indie comics. She lives in upstate New York with her family, her dogs, and an evil cat that is no doubt planning to take over the world. Hot Dog Girl is her young adult debut. Learn more at JLDugan.com and on twitter @JL_Dugan.

  Genres: Young Adult Romance, Young Adult Fiction, Gay Romance

  New and upcoming books
  May 2025

  thumb
  Summer Girls
  March 2026

  thumb
  Anderson in Bloom
  May 2026

  no image available
  Girls Like Us
  (Some Girls Do, book 2)
  Series
  Some Girls Do
  1. Some Girls Do (2021)
  2. Girls Like Us (2026)
  thumbno image available

  Novels
  Verona Comics (2019)
  Hot Dog Girl (2019)
  Melt With You (2022)
  Love at First Set (2023)
  The Last Girls Standing (2023)
  Playing for Keeps (2024)
  The Ride of Her Life (2024)
  Summer Girls (2025)
  Anderson in Bloom (2026)
  thumbthumbthumbthumb
  thumbthumbthumbthumb
  thumb

  Graphic Novels hide
  Coven (2022) (with Kit Seaten)
  Full Shift (2024) (with Kit Seaten)

• Amazon -

  Jennifer Dugan is a writer, a geek and a romantic, who writes the kind of stories she wishes she’d had growing up. Her debut novel, Hot Dog Girl, was called a “great fizzy rom-com” by Entertainment Weekly and “one of the best reads of the year, hands down” by Paste Magazine. She lives in upstate New York with her family, dog, bearded dragon, new kitten, and her evil, yet beloved, cat that is no doubt planning to take over the world.

• Jennifer Dugan website - https://jldugan.com/

  Jennifer Dugan is the author of many books about messy, complicated girls and women, including her adult romance debut Love at First Set, her forthcoming young adult psychological thriller The Last Girls Standing, and Coven, a young adult graphic novel with artist Kit Seaton.

  Jennifer Dugan is represented by Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary, with film rights being handled by Mary Pender-Coplan at United Talent Agency.

  Press Kit
  Short Bio (35 words)
  Jennifer Dugan is a writer, geek, and romantic who loves writing stories about messy, complicated women and girls. She writes in several categories, including: adult romance, young adult romance, young adult horror and graphic novels.

  Full Bio
  Jennifer Dugan is a writer, a geek and a romantic, who loves writing stories about messy, complicated women and girls. Her debut novel, Hot Dog Girl, was called a “great fizzy rom-com” by Entertainment Weekly and “one of the best reads of the year, hands down” by Paste Magazine, although she is best known for Some Girls Do, her third young adult novel that took Tiktok by storm. She recently released her adult romance debut, Love at First Set about “the most hilarious disaster bisexuals you’ll ever meet” according to the queen of LGBTQ Reads, Dahlia Adler, for Buzzfeed. Jennifer has also written two graphic novels, Coven and the forthcoming Full Shift with artist Kit Seaton.

  She is represented by Sara Crowe at Sara Crowe Literary, with film rights being handled by Mary Pender at United Talent Agency.

• Reading, Writing, and Me - http://www.readingwritingandme.com/2019/04/into-ya-with-jennifer-dugan.html

  Into YA with Jennifer Dugan
  - April 24, 2019

  I don't think I've seen a more anticipated book for this spring than Hot Dog Girl. With it's super cute amusement park setting and a love triangle, it's easy to see why people are so excited for April 30th to finally come. If you haven't heard about the book or want to learn more, check out my review here, and if you haven't preordered, you can do it here*.
  I hope you enjoy my interview with Jennifer! Let me know what you think in the comments below.

  1. The thing that struck me most about your book was how clear Elouise shines through. Her grammar, syntax, and diction are so specific and consistent throughout, and it makes it easy to connect with her optimistically scattered personality. Did you do anything to get in touch with her voice, or did it just show up on the page?

  Music is a huge part of my writing process, so the first thing I do when working on any character is to figure out their specific playlist. I think you can tell a lot about someone by the music they listen to. This really helps me figure out their personality and behavior. With Elouise, once I had her playlist worked out, it was easy to get her voice settled—probably the easiest of any character I have ever written.
  I won’t go as far as to say that she came to me fully formed, but she definitely came to me quickly and LOUDLY—which is different from how it usually goes. In fact, there were a few times during the drafting process where I felt like she was the one in control and I was just along for the ride.

  2. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that the relationships in Hot Dog Girl are messy. With all the shifting between friendships and romance, did you have to do tons of planning and outlining to keep track? Did you already have these twists in mind before you started or did they come with the story?

  I’m actually a total Pantser, so I don’t do much planning before I start writing. Generally, I’ll get a flash of a scene in my head, and then write backward and forward from that moment until it’s done. This means I don’t usually know where a book is going until the first draft is in front of me. I think the first version of Hot Dog Girl was around 95k words as a result! But I needed those extra scenes and conversations to make sense of the characters and plot.
  While most of the relationships were present in that early draft, they were certainly refined as I went along. Revising is where I really shine, and I have a MUCH more organized approach to that side of things which involves calendars and various office supplies. There’s a lot of plotting and tweaking that happens at that point.
  Admittedly, I’m trying to incorporate more structure into the drafts I write now, since there is more of a time constraint. I don’t think I’ll ever be a full plotter but I’d love to find some middle ground.

  3. Prior to Hot Dog Girl you explored a lot of new adult/college stories. Going forward being a more established author, would you ever go back to the “Older YA” area? I’d love to see more books that carry YA type voices into college.

  Yes and no. I think it would be a lot of fun to do an upper YA story set in the early years of college. I actually have an idea for a book that would take place in the beginning of the main character’s freshman year at a university. (Although I don’t know that it will ever see the light of day because I have a few projects ahead of it!) I find the period of transition from high school to college a fun and fascinating time to write about.
  With that being said, while I would love to see publishing embrace new adult in general and think there’s a tremendous opportunity there, I don’t personally think that I would go back to writing about older college kids or recent college graduates. I’ll never say never, but right now I feel like I have a lot of stories left to tell centered mainly on the junior/senior year of high school.

  4. Beyond being a novelist, you’re also an indie comics author. Is there a format you gravitate too? Has writing one help strengthen the other, or are they in totally separate areas of your brain?

  I’ve been a huge fan of comics for a long time, so trying my hand at writing them was sort of a natural evolution for me. Some of my story ideas just seem to lend themselves better to a more visual method of story-telling. In general, I’ve also noticed my comics tend to be fantasy or have more of a horror/supernatural vibe, while my novels have so far been contemporary.
  I think any time spent writing strengthens your skills, but comics and novels do largely operate in different areas of my brain. As I mentioned earlier, I can’t really plot a novel initially, it feels too stifling. However, comics require meticulous plotting, or they just don’t work—at least in my experience. You need to account for things like page flips, words per panel, panels per page etc. Those are things I don’t have to consider at all while drafting a novel.

  5. Your debut is hitting the shelves on April 30th, but can we look forward to other new work from you soon?

  Yes! I have a second novel coming out in 2020, although we have not quite settled on a title yet. It’s another contemporary YA, this time dual POV, that follows two teens as they try to navigate life and love within the comic industry.
  This one also features queer protagonists, like Hot Dog Girl does, but has a very different vibe from my debut. While there is still a lot of humor and heart, there is also a much bigger focus on things like mental health, complicated family dynamics, and what it truly means to love another person.
  I also have a few other projects I’m working on right now, including a new graphic novel, which hopefully you’ll be hearing more about soon!

  https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif
  Bonus Question!
  Is there a real life inspiration for the park or what made you think of it?
  Magic Castle Playland is really an amalgamation of several amusement parks I visited as a child. Even though I’m terrified of most amusement park rides, I found myself around them A LOT growing up! There is actually an amusement park not too far away from me that has diving pirates, and that was definitely a part of the inspiration. They sadly don’t have anybody there dressed as a hot dog, but maybe they’ll read my book someday and realize what a great addition that would be. (My apologies to any future employees that may have to wear the bun as a result!)

  To Purchase

  Jennifer's Book:
  Hot Dog Girl: Review Here

  Other Into YA Interviews:
  With Kathleen Glasgow: Here
  With Erin Hahn: Here
  With Lillie Vale: Here

  Links of Interest:
  Opposite of Always: Review Here
  Recognizing The Artist: Here
  Her Royal Highness: Review Here
  If I'm Being Honest: Review Here

• Drizzle and Hurricane Books - https://drizzleandhurricanebooks.com/2019/04/04/a-talk-with-jennifer-dugan-on-hot-dog-girl/

  A Talk With: Jennifer Dugan, on Hot Dog Girl
  April 4, 2019

  Hi everyone! Welcome back to another Talk With and today, I’m thrilled to talk with a debut author!

  In case you missed it, “A Talk With” is a brand new feature here on Drizzle & Hurricane Books, where I will invite young adult book authors to chat with me about their upcoming books, share their writing tips and tricks and more!

  Today on the blog, I’m welcoming the lovely Jennifer Dugan to talk about her upcoming debut with such a fun title, Hot Dog Girl. This book sounds like the perfect diverse young adult contemporary and, to be honest, a perfect spring read, too. Keep on reading to find out more about her upcoming book, comic writing, book recommendations and more!

  1. Did you always dream of being a published author? What was your journey to publication like? Are there many adorable stories like Hot Dog Girl that you queried, before finally getting the deal for this book?
  I did always dream of being a published author! I wrote stories non-stop as a kid and constantly forced my friends and family to listen to me read them. My path to publication had A LOT of detours though. I actually stopped writing for a while to focus on some things going on in my life, and I didn’t start writing seriously again until late 2009—from that point, it took me another seven years (and six novels!) before I landed an agent. Honestly, most of my earlier books should probably stay locked in a drawer. They were excellent learning experiences, but other than possibly recycling a few characters into their own books, I don’t think I’ll be reworking most of them.

  2. With Hot Dog Girl, you’re giving us the queer rom-com we’ve all dreamed of! What inspired you to write this particular story?
  There was so much that went into writing this story! It was the first time I felt like I was embracing my real voice and writing a book just for me, so I took a lot more risks. I had written several manuscripts that didn’t go anywhere and was feeling a bit burned out. I went into writing Hot Dog Girl with this attitude of “well, I’m going to write something just for the joy of it.” It was the first time I let go and had fun without having any expectations!
  I knew before I even started that I wanted to write a rom-com—I love writing about people falling in love— but the idea itself came from visiting an amusement park. I was on the gondola ride, just sort of daydreaming and watching the park workers go about with their business, and I realized it would be such a cool setting for a book. I saw an employee in a princess costume having a dance off with some kids and knew that costumes definitely had to be involved. I tried to think of what the most ridiculous costume would be, and for some reason a hot dog suit came to mind.
  I also knew that I didn’t want to write about a girl that had it all together. My teen years were kind of a mess, which served as some inspiration for the things Elouise does. Even though her heart is often in the right place, she makes a lot of decisions that make her life harder and more confusing than it needs to be.

  3. You are also the writer of Circadia, a five-issue limited comic series (that looks absolutely INCREDIBLE, to be honest). How does the process from writing comics differ to writing novels?
  For me, the process is EXTREMELY different. When I write novels, I’m a complete pantser. I find plotting to be incredibly suffocating, and usually have to write the entire first draft before I even know what it’s really about. My novels don’t generally come together until I’m working on the second draft.
  Comics HAVE to be plotted from the start though. There is so much extra to account for when writing them: how many panels you can actually fit in a page, making sure the dialog won’t cover too much art, being aware of page flips etc—all while moving the plot along efficiently and effectively. It’s also a much more collaborative process, much earlier on than novels.
  I try to tailor my scripts to the artist I’m working with whenever possible and leave enough freedom to make sure everyone can have fun with it. After all, the comic book wouldn’t exist without their contribution!

  4. If your novel were being made into a movie, whom would you pick to play the lead roles? 🙂
  This is so hard, there are so many amazing people I would love to see in those roles! Some performers that might be fun to see involved in a Hot Dog Girl movie someday though are Shannon Purser, Sophia Lillis and Jace Norman.

  1. Is there any #novel19s just like yours that you loved and would recommend?
  Again, this is so hard! I have so many novel19s that I love! While it’s different from Hot Dog Girl, it’s no secret that You’d Be Mine is one of my favorites! I’m also really excited for I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver and These Witches Don’t Burn by Isabel Sterling.

  2. You’re stuck in a local amusement park, just like the one in Hot Dog Girl… what is the attraction – or the place!- you would you spend the most time before you’re freed?
  Probably the diving pirate show, but only if I could find a spot in the shade. I’d also definitely ride the gondolas because, despite loving amusement parks, those are the only rides there that don’t terrify me.

  3. If you could spend 24 hours with one of your book characters, which one would it be?
  Oh wow, I’d want to spend time with all of them really. If I could only pick one, though, I think I’d spend some time with Elouise. I’d love to give her some motherly advice! As someone that has lived through having an absentee parent, like Elouise also has, I know the impact that can have on you and your relationships as you grow up. I’d love to talk to her about that. I’d also be very curious to hear what she thought about the various situations I put her in, and I think it would just be blast to hang out with her in general. Maybe she’d let me try on the hot dog suit.

  4. Can you share with us one line of Hot Dog Girl, or one of your previous or upcoming works you’re particularly proud of?
  The first two responses I thought of were super cute but MAJOR spoilers, so I’ll share this one instead—which I think does a good job of setting up how Elouise sees herself in comparison to some of the other kids around her and shows off a bit of her snark.

  “These two have everything—the nice houses in the better part of town, the parents with fabulous marriages, the great relationships, the perfect colleges—the least they can do is leave me alone to wallow in this dirt pile of an amusement park that I call home.”

  Thank you so, so much Jennifer, for taking the time to chat with me about your debut, Hot Dog Girl! Friends, keep on reading to find out more about this book!

• Reading, Writing, and Me - http://www.readingwritingandme.com/2020/07/into-ya-with-jennifer-dugan.html

  - July 07, 2020

  I'm so excited to introduce my first repeat author for Into YA! Jennifer Dugan is back on the blog to chat about Verona Comics, one of my favorite books of the year (and probably all time). If you've followed my blog for any amount of time, you probably know about Verona Comics by now, but if you want a refresher or some context for our conversation, check out my review of it here.
  Also, if you're curious about my first interview with Jennifer about Hot Dog Girl, you can find it here. And if you want to get a copy of Verona Comics or learn more, here's a link to her author website with all the links.

  1. I absolutely love that Verona Comics is such a clear nod to Romeo and Juliet. Did you set out to write a modern retelling? You explore and contextualize a lot of the more toxic elements of the original story. Were there any major changes that you had to make to Shakespeare’s outline to make it fit YA today?
  I actually didn’t go into Verona Comic’s with the idea of making it a modern retelling. I just wanted to talk about these two teens from dramatically different sides of the same industry. However, once I started fleshing it out, I realized there were a lot of parallels and decided to really lean into it. I had a lot of fun trying to figure out how to incorporate the more recognizable moments in a modern way, like the balcony scene which now takes place on a back deck!
  I knew right away that one of the biggest changes I was going to make was going to be in terms of addressing the codependency and general toxicity of Romeo and Juliet’s whirlwind relationship in the source text. I really wanted to unpack that and depict Ridley and Jubilee going through it in a more realistic way in my book. I came to consider it more of a Romeo and Juliet “fix-it” then a true retelling.

  2. One of my favorite parts of your books is that they always have the coolest settings (Hot Dog Girl is set at a rundown amusement park and Verona Comics is set at a comic convention and store). Is setting an element that helps define a book early on? How does setting shape a story?
  Settings definitely shape stories in a major way. Someone growing up sheltered in a tiny town is going to have a very different frame of reference for the world than someone traveling around to comic-cons and cello performances! For me, setting is very much tied to character building.
  For this one, since I also write comics, the decision to set a novel in the comics industry was pretty simple. I spend a lot of time in comic shops and at comic cons, it’s a setting I am very familiar with—but also one that gave me lots of room to play.

  3. Ridley’s dad plays a major role in the book even though we rarely see him on the page. One of Ridley’s main motivations is to gain approval or attention from his dad. Over the course of the book he learns to unpack those issues. I love that this book shows the real impact parents have on their kids even in their absence. What led you to make a point of this in the book? Was it important for you to show Ridley’s journey to truly process and work through it instead of packing it away?
  I don’t think it’s a secret that I love exploring complicated characters, and Ridley and his father are no exception. As someone who didn’t have the best homelife growing up, it was really important to me to show the ways that parents’ actions can affect their children… but it was equally important for me to show that it can get better. We can find other resources and support systems outside of our immediate family.

  4. Two aspects of the book I really loved were the mental health representation and the LGBTQIA rep. Whether it was Jubilee expressing her uncertainty around labels, Ridley hesitantly telling Jubilee about being bi or him choosing to seek inpatient care for his anxiety and depression, the characters’ choices and identities were always met with overwhelming positivity where it mattered most. I think that goes a long way to normalize making the best decisions for yourself. Did you intentionally place a positive emphasis on these moments in the story? Have you gotten to see the meaningful impact that has on, particularly teen, readers?
  So many bi/pan people (and people who are still working on figuring out their labels) share the same story of not feeling queer enough when they are in differently gendered relationships. I wanted to include that in Jubilee’s arc, but it was also very important to me that Jubilee had a loving, thriving, queer community that challenged her as she processed those feelings. I wanted readers who may be in a similar place to see the validation first hand, and to understand that sexuality is not tied to whomever you’re dating at a set point in time.
  In regard to Ridley seeking help, it was also crucial to me to show mental health services and support groups in a positive light. I’ve seen too many books in the past which vilified therapists or had characters scoffing at the idea of taking meds. Asking for help when you need it is one of the hardest and best things you can do for yourself. I also added a list of resources at the end of the book to encourage people to reach out.

  5. You’re a comic creator yourself, much like Vera is in the book. Did your other job help inspire this story?
  I definitely borrowed from some of my real-life experiences while working on this. In between selling my comics, I end up spending time people watching while tabling at various comic cons, which really helped inspire this book. I even snuck some easter eggs into the comic con scenes for some of my friends who travel with me to events!
  And while I’ve never had a Kickstarter go fully viral like Vera’s do, I did use it to fund my comic, Circadia. Kickstarter, and other crowd funding platforms, can be a great way to find diverse stories that aren’t always supported in traditional media.

  6. I had been excited to read Verona Comics from the moment you teased it in our last interview. Do you have any new projects you can talk about yet?
  I recently announced my next YA novel, SOME GIRLS DO, which will be out Summer of 2021. It follows Morgan, an out and proud track star who falls for Ruby, a closeted, bisexual local beauty queen with a penchant for fixing up old cars. It’s dual POV, like Verona Comics, so readers will get to see things from both of their perspectives.
  I also expect to be sharing news on another project very soon. I can’t say much about that one yet, except that it’s thematically similar to my previous books, but also incredibly different. ;)

  Books From This Author...
  Verona Comics
  Hot Dog Girl
  Into YA with Jennifer Dugan

  Latest Video:
  Mid-Year Freakout Tag

  Links of Interest:
  My Eyes Are Up Here
  June 2020: Month in Review
  Coming Up In July
  Aro/Ace/Demi Book Love

• Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb - https://deborahkalbbooks.blogspot.com/2020/10/q-with-jennifer-dugan.html

  Saturday, October 10, 2020
  Q&A with Jennifer Dugan

  Jennifer Dugan is the author of the new young adult novel Verona Comics. She also has written the YA novel Hot Dog Girl, and has written the comics Gnaw and Circadia. She lives in upstate New York.

  Q: How did you come up with the idea for Verona Comics, and for your characters Jubilee and Ridley?

  A: In addition to writing YA novels, I also write comics, which means I spend a lot of time at comic shops and comic cons. I love people watching at those events, so it seemed like a natural fit to set one of my stories there.

  I’ve also been interested in the dichotomy between so-called “big names” and “smaller names,” and indie comics versus those working with larger publishing companies.

  I thought it would be really fun to explore that from the perspective of two teens who are only marginally involved in that conflict; enter Ridley the son of a corporate comics company with stores across the country, and Jubilee, the daughter of an Indie comics producer who also owns a single beloved local shop and relies on Kickstarter to fund her books.

  As for Ridley and Jubilee themselves, I really wanted to present a girl character who was interested in the geeky stuff in her own right, and who also had her life relatively together. She is deeply passionate about her music and her family.

  Conversely, I wanted Ridley, the boy main character, to be the one sort of floundering and struggling with various aspects of his life and mental health.

  Q: Do you see the novel as an updated Romeo and Juliet?

  A: To a certain extent I do. Verona Comics share some of the same themes and obvious nods to the famous tragedy; like the naming of the characters and the comic shop and, of course, I needed to find a way to rework the famous balcony scene… which now involves a deck and a very cranky cat.

  Mostly though, I wanted to spin this idea of “star-crossed lovers” in another direction. I think this kind of all-consuming, us against the world type of love can be heavily romanticized in media. I really wanted to examine the toxic elements of relationships like that and the impact it can have on the people in them, even when they both have only the best of intentions.

  I also wanted to leave readers some breadcrumbs to use as a roadmap out, in case they saw themselves in the characters, because the truth is the belief that “love can conquer all” can be truly dangerous depending on how it’s wielded.

  Q: Anxiety issues are a major theme in the book--why did you decide to include that topic?

  A: I think mental health is something that we really should be paying more attention to in teens. Young adults, especially queer young adults, deal with it a disproportionate amount.

  Studies have shown that LGBTQ+ kids are twice as likely to feel depressed and suicidal, and four times as likely to attempt suicide as heterosexual youth. The rates of bisexual teens are especially high even within those stats.

  A lot of that can be traced back to questions of identity and issues with community, which is something that I had Ridley and Jubilee both experience and deal with in very different ways.

  However, while it was very important to me to show the realities of what living with mental illness can be like, I also wanted to demonstrate that there are many avenues for help. I didn’t want to vilify therapy or medication, but I also didn’t want to depict them as an immediate “magic fix.” My characters have to “do the work” as they say.

  I also insisted on providing a list of resources at the end. Hopefully, that can serve as a jumping off point for anyone who reads this book and realizes that maybe they could use a little help, too.

  Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?

  A: That even though love may not conquer all, you are still deserving of it, and that help is out there.

  Q: What are you working on now?

  A: I just turned in line edits on my 2021 release, Some Girls Do, which is a queer romance about an out and proud track star who falls for a closeted bi beauty queen with a penchant for fixing up old cars. It’s told in dual POV, like Verona Comics, so we’ll get a good look at each of the girls’ inner life throughout the story. It’s available to add on Goodreads now!

  I’m also drafting another queer romance that I’m very excited to tell everyone more about soon, and will be sharing some fun news on the comics front very soon as well!

  Q: Anything else we should know?

  A: Readers can find me on Instagram and Twitter at @JL_Dugan.com, and on my website, JLDugan.com.

  --Interview with Deborah Kalb

• United by Pop - https://www.unitedbypop.com/books/young-adult-books/jennifer-dugan-on-exploring-the-out-not-relationship-dynamic-in-lgbtqia-ya/

  Jennifer Dugan on exploring the out/not relationship dynamic in LGBTQIA+ YA
  "In fact, some of the most important relationships I’ve had involved people who were unable to safely be out."
  By Kate Oldfield On Jun 14, 2021
  0
  Share
  This post was written by Jennifer Dugan, author of Some Girls Do.
  When I think about popular queer love stories, I instantly think of things like the beloved Ferris Wheel scene in Love, Simon, or everyone absolutely melting over David and Patrick serenading each other in Schitt’s Creek. But while I love epic grand gestures, we all know those loud proclamations aren’t always possible. For one, they require both partners to either already be out or be comfortable coming out, and for two, it turns out that unfortunately life isn’t always like the movies, no matter how much we wish it was.

  In fact, some of the most important relationships I’ve had involved people who were unable to safely be out. And while it took a lot of checking in and communication, we were generally able to make it work. It wasn’t “less than” just because it was different than the others. Unsurprisingly, loving someone in the closet is a veritable rite of passage for people growing up in the LGBTQ community. They often find themselves undeniably drawn to each other, either because opposites attract or because the LGBTQ dating pool can be stiflingly small in some areas (or sometimes both).

  With this being such a common occurrence for queer people, especially teens still living with parents or guardians, I started to wonder why we didn’t see if more often in YA books. There have been some, of course, like 2012’s The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George and more recently The Key to You and Me by Jaye Robin Brown to name a couple. But given how many people experience it, why aren’t we seeing more and more books presenting both sides in brilliant technicolor?

  One possible explanation is that writing a story with this dynamic (especially in dual point of view) requires the author to walk a very fine line. There are no right or wrong answers here, both characters must be victims and perpetrators in their path to happiness at any given moment, and it’s tricky to make both sides sympathetic without playing the blame game. Authors must be extremely cognizant of this, as it can be incredibly difficult to present both points of view without assigning judgement to either. But by doing so, it gives readers a unique opportunity to see the different sides of this situation with empathy and understanding.

  I very much wanted to add to this conversation, as it’s not only something I personally experienced but also something that comes up a lot at school and library visits. Readers are hungry for complicated, messy love stories that reflect their own experiences.

  It’s with these thoughts in my head that I started drafting the dual protagonists in SOME GIRLS DO: Morgan who is out, in a very loud take no prisoners way, and Ruby who is decidedly not. Morgan is ready to take the world by storm, to an almost idealistic extent. She embraces and takes pride in who she is every day, even though her previous school tried to strip that away from her. Ruby, on the other hand, is well aware of her feelings towards other girls but has decided to ignore those feelings. Ruby’s mother is very conservative, and she doesn’t have a good support system. Not to mention the idea of anyone getting close enough to truly know her is enough of a deterrent to put Ruby off publicly coming out forever.

  Each of these girls, and their desires and dreams, could carry a novel by themselves if I had wanted to go down that path. Their love, and their positions on being out, are not the entirely of their story. However, if I only wrote from Ruby’s point of view, readers may have been tempted to lash out at Morgan for trying to push Ruby out of her comfort zone. Conversely, if we’d only been in Morgan’s head, we might have complained that Ruby is trying to push Morgan back into the closet. By being inside each girl’s head, we can see the complicated gray areas that surround this relationship.

  Both of their positions are incredibly valid. There may not be a grand declaration of love at a carnival in front of all their friends, and there may not be a clear path to their happily ever after, but there are other things. Things that happen in small moments full of big emotions. Readers are able to watch the evolution of both girls as they realize that the only way through is with good communication, and a degree of compassion and empathy that can only come from finding ways to meet not necessarily in the middle, but in their own place of love and understanding.

  And while I devour fluffy stories, and epic grand gestures are some of my favorite things to read and write, it’s equally important to find books that step outside that narrative and explore the complicated business of love and queerness. To let readers see themselves in all their difficult glory. Because the reality is that love and queerness and loving your queerness can be an incredibly messy process for some of us, and whatever that looks like for you, that’s valid and worthy. It’s your story. And we need to see ourselves in many, many, more of them.

• Culturess - https://culturess.com/2021/05/20/interview-jennifer-dugan-some-girls-do/

  Some Girls Do author Jennifer Dugan on queer romance and bad liars
  By
  Molly Catherine Turner
  |
  May 20, 2021
  Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan. Image courtesy Penguin Random House
  Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan. Image courtesy Penguin Random House

  Thomas Muller - Vancouver Whitecaps' biggest ever signing!

  Author Jennifer Dugan’s third novel Some Girls Do may be her best yet. The story follows Ruby, a beauty pageant queen whose true passion is working on cars, and Morgan, a track star who was forced to leave her former school due to homophobic policies.

  The two meet when Morgan transfers to Ruby’s school, setting off slow-burn frenemies to lovers romance as Ruby has to figure out what the feelings she’s long-repressed really mean and Morgan has to reconcile her fight for freedom with a chance at happiness.

  Dugan writes swoony romance with well-crafted multidimensional characters rarely seen in young adult literature, making for a fast-paced read you won’t want to put down. Some Girls Do is also a thoughtful exploration of coming out and safety, a necessary conversation for those within the queer community.

  Culturess sat down with Dugan to discuss music as inspiration, the highs and lows of writing romance, and the importance of coming out stories in young adult fiction. Some Girls Do is now available wherever books are sold.

  This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

  Culturess: Ruby is a very unique character–a beauty pageant queen whose true passion is working on cars. How did you come up with the conceit of her character?

  Jennifer Dugan: I love writing complicated people full of contradictions, so when I was developing Ruby, I was cognizant of giving her interests that appeared at odds on the surface but naturally blended with her personality.

  I loved the juxtaposition of her being forced into something traditionally viewed as feminine while her heart belongs elsewhere. But despite having lost interest in competing, I wanted to make sure there were some elements of the pageants that she did enjoy—doing her makeup, styling her hair, and other things that let her show her personality.

  While she rejects the pageants and prefers working on cars, she doesn’t reject her femininity. She is the epitome of some girls doing it all.

  Culturess: Morgan is very idealistic, almost to a fault. What made you want to focus so much of the book on activism?

  Dugan: I think her character is especially timely given the state of the world. Many of us can relate to her desire to make the world a better, fairer, safer place. However, as you mentioned, Morgan carries this almost to a fault. It’s not totally altruistic.

  While she’s trying to channel her pain into something good, we soon see her tie her sense of self-worth to the notion of whether or not she is “doing enough.” She at times uses it as a distraction or a way to hide from her own problems, as we see during a scene where she is supposed to be counseling another teen but ends up making it all about herself.

  From that, she starts to realize that in order to truly make a difference, she needs to separate herself from the work a bit. Healing herself and making the world a better place should be two separate but equally important goals, which sounds simple enough but is actually quite hard.

  As far as why I wanted to include an activism plotline at all, a lot of teens I talk to today at events are very activist-minded and have such great and inspiring young role models. I am always striving to do and be better myself, so it felt very natural that someone like Morgan would also feel drawn to activism.

  Culturess: Ruby and Morgan have very different families and living situations at home. What led you to the specific portrayals of each character?

  Dugan: I really wanted to make them opposite in every way and show the impact that a teen’s home life can have on how they perceive the world and relate to their various identities.

  When someone is out in a big way like Morgan is, it’s often because they have a solid support system that makes them feel accepted and safe, either through close friends or family. Found family tends to be a big theme in my books because so many of us don’t get that support at home.

  Morgan, however, is lucky enough to have both! She finds a thriving queer community at her new school, and also comes from a very supportive and liberal home.

  Ruby, on the other hand, has been taught by her mother that love isn’t always unconditional, nor is it safe. Even with her best friend, who truly is her safe space, she often feels like she has to keep her guard up. When you combine that with a conservative upbringing, it’s clear why Ruby hides so much of herself.

  The book also touches on their income disparity, but it was important to me to avoid the inaccurate stereotype of depicting wealthy people as “good” and lower-income people as “ignorant” or “bad.”

  Within the broader cast, we meet some terrible people who are privileged in many ways, as well as wonderful people who are not. I wanted to further demonstrate how Morgan’s privilege had led her to take so much for granted that Ruby simply cannot or will not.

  Culturess: What is your favorite part about writing romance? What is the most challenging or surprising part?

  Dugan: I love the swoons of course! I also love figuring out how to make two people fall in love who don’t have a clear path from A to B. Ruby and Morgan’s meet-cute, if you want to call it that, involves Ruby almost hitting Morgan with her car… and then it gets worse for them from there.

  It was definitely a challenge to get them to their happily ever after. In fact, the most challenging thing about writing romance for me is creating an ending that honors their individual journeys, and that goes double for dual point of view books like this one!

  It has to feel earned to your readers, and there’s such a fine line to walk in terms of pulling that off successfully without wrapping it in too neat of a bow. Sometimes I just want to be like “now kiss!”

  Culturess: There has been a lot of discourse amongst queer authors in the YA community over the last year about what queer stories should look like and whether coming out stories are over and done.

  Considering so much of Some Girls Do focuses on the tension between safety and openness, where do you feel it fits in that conversation?

  Dugan: I don’t think coming out stories will ever be “done” simply because coming out is never “done.” It’s a continual process for all of us, in a hundred different ways. Every time you meet someone new, you have to decide whether or not to do it all over again.

  I also think a lot of people haven’t seen their coming out stories reflected in fiction. If you aren’t a middle or upper-class white queer suburban boy, there is truly a dearth of books where you get to see yourself.

  The queer community is not a monolith, and what one person considers incredible representation, the next may not relate to at all. It’s also incredibly frustrating how often some circles declare something “done” before BIPOC authors have had much of a chance to add to the conversation.

  It’s gatekeeping at its absolute worst. So my position on coming out books is that I would love to see shelves full of them. Do we also need to move past this narrative and also tell queer adventure, romance, horror, fantasy, etc. not centered on coming out? Absolutely! But this is not an either/or scenario. I want them all!

  Some Girls Do shows us two different paths to coming out, so it’s a two-for-one special in that regard. We have two girls who know they are queer from the start but have completely opposite approaches to navigating that in their personal lives.

  Morgan finds strength and pride in being out as a lesbian at her new school in a way that wasn’t possible for her previously. Then we have Ruby, who hasn’t fully settled on a label, but knows she has feelings for multiple genders.

  She isn’t coming to terms with the fact that she is attracted to more than just boys; she is already well aware of it. Instead, she’s coming to terms with what her queerness is going to look like for her.

  She embraces it in much quieter ways than Morgan, but that doesn’t make it any less important or valid, and it doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve an incredible romance with a boisterous gay track star!

  Culturess: Your writing is heavily inspired by music. The title of the book is woven very cleverly throughout the book, but was also explicitly inspired by a song, correct? Can you speak to how music influences your writing process?

  Dugan: Music is a huge influence on my writing process. I generally don’t get any ideas until I have an “aha” moment when I hear a song, which generally causes me to dream up an entire plot very quickly.

  I also need to know my characters’ favorite songs to really dive into them, and generally have to have a playlist in place before I can even think of starting to draft. You can tell a lot about someone by what they listen to!

  In this case, the song that inspired Some Girls Do was actually “Bad Liar” by Selena Gomez. It came on one day while I was on a walk and I was like ‘oh this could be very fun and very gay.’ The song “Some Girls Do” by Sawyer Brown, which I believe is what you’re referring to, came to my attention only recently.

  I don’t generally listen to country, but I can definitely see how it fits well with the themes of this book! It’s one of those wonderful coincidences in the universe where you realize that your inspiration or muse or whatever you want to call it doesn’t belong just to you.

  Culturess: This is your third novel. What has changed for you as an author and writer since the release of Hot Dog Girl? How has your process evolved?

  Dugan: My process has definitely had to become more efficient. When I was writing Hot Dog Girl, I was on my own timeline. Now, I’m typically juggling multiple deadlines between my prose novels and graphic novels, along with the thousand other things that make up the life of an author.

  Before, I had the luxury of meandering my way around the story until I figured out what it was about and how it ended. While I’m still not a full plotter, my brain just doesn’t work like that, I do have a very general idea of where I’m going and what needs to happen in each chapter.

  I map it out ahead of time as much as I can while still leaving myself wiggle room so it doesn’t start to feel like a boring paint by number. But matter how much plotting I try to do, I still find myself frequently surprised by my characters.

  Culturess: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

  Dugan: Thank you so much! These questions were AMAZING!

• Stuck in Fiction - https://stuckinfiction.com/2022/06/30/melt-with-you-author-interview-pride-month/

  Melt With You | Author Interview | Pride Month
  Posted on June 30, 2022 by Felicia
  It’s June and that means it’s time for another year of Pride Month spotlights! I’m so excited to spotlight Melt With You by Jennifer Dugan and share the interview with the author!

  INTERVIEW
  Welcome Jennifer! Thank you for allowing me to interview you! Can you start off by introducing yourself?
  Thank you for having me! My name is Jennifer Dugan and I’m a YA author who writes novels and graphic novels. MELT WITH YOU is my latest book, and my forthcoming graphic novel COVEN will be out Sept 6. I’m based out of upstate New York, where I live with my family and lots of pets and houseplants.

  How would you describe Melt With You in one sentence?
  MELT WITH YOU is an enemies to romance rom com about two ex-best friends on a road trip in an ice cream truck who are desperately trying to pretend they don’t have feelings for one another.

  Can you introduce us to the main character(s) of Melt With You?
  Fallon is our narrator. She is unreliable, snarky, and a little bit stubborn… but for good reason. She had her heart broken and is very, very, overprotective of her feelings now. Chloe is her ex best friend, who is out doing her best, but is prone to hurting people—and herself—with her flightiness. Both of them are definite disaster bi’s.

  What representation will readers find in Melt With You?
  This is a sapphic rom com! Both Fallon and Chloe are Bi.

  Do you know from the beginning how your books will end or do you let your characters decide their journey?
  I used to be a pantser. I would definitely have no idea how the book ended until I got there! Unfortunately, when I worked like that, I would often write myself into a corner and have to redo large chunks of my books.

  Now that I’m juggling so many deadlines, I don’t have the luxury to meander so much in my process. I’ve had to come around to the idea of doing outlines. I’m not as strict as a true plotter might be, but I do breakdown all of the major scenes. I also have a good sense of where I need to be during the beginning, mid-point, and end of the book before drafting, which helps ensure that I stay on track.

  Do you have a favorite scene, moment, or quote from the book?
  I really love the roadside attractions they visit along the way. I had so much fun thinking them up! While there are a few different ones I really liked, I especially love the Forest of Forgotten Animals, which is a creepy art exhibit made out of stuffed animals in the middle of the woods. Fallon and Chloe have an argument there, and I love that they do so surrounded by twisted stuffed animal sculptures.

  What is something readers will find in Melt With You that they may not realize based on the synopsis?
  Fallon has a really great friend group supporting her via Facetime and texts during her drive with Chloe. I think people will really love to see that dynamic in action! I think people may also be surprised by the amount of camping in a shark tent that takes place.

  What’s something you hope readers will take away from Melt With You?
  That you don’t have to be perfect to be loved. People are inherently flawed, and don’t always make the best decisions in the face of that. But just because you didn’t necessarily take the perfect path from point A to B, doesn’t mean that you aren’t deserving of a little redemption arc and happily ever after of your own.

  What are three books you would recommend if someone enjoyed Melt With You?
  I think any who enjoys MELT WITH YOU, would also really like SHE GETS THE GIRL by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick. I also highly recommend HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE by Dahlia Adler and literally every single book by Julian Winters.

  What’s next for you? Anything you can share?
  Next up I’m releasing my debut graphic novel, COVEN on September 6. It tells the story of a young witch that must leave her California surfer girl life behind and head back to her Upstate New York coven after members are murdered under mysterious circumstances. She has to adjust to her new surroundings and master her neglected craft, all while trying to solve the murders before tragedy strikes again.

  Kit Seaton partnered with me on this project, and her art is next level. I am very excited for everyone to finally see it this September!

  ABOUT THE BOOK

  TITLE: Melt With You
  AUTHOR: Jennifer Dugan
  RELEASE DATE: May 17, 2022

  Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound

  Synopsis:

  From the author of Hot Dog Girl comes a sweet and salty queer YA rom-com about two girls on a summer road trip in an ice cream truck.

  Fallon and Chloe used to be best friends, but last summer they hooked up right before Chloe left for college, and after a series of misunderstandings they are now not speaking to one another. A year later, Chloe’s back home from school, and Fallon is doing everything in her power to avoid her–which is especially difficult because their moms own a business together, a gourmet ice cream truck where both girls work.

  When their moms have the opportunity to make a presentation to some venture capitalists in Texas–something that could seriously expand their business and solve all their money problems to boot–it’s up to Fallon to work a series of food truck festivals across the country. But she can’t do it alone, and Chloe is the only one available to help. As tensions heat up again between the two, will Fallon be able to keep her cool?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Jennifer Dugan is an avid YA and comic writer that strives to create the stories that she wishes she had growing up. Her debut novel Hot Dog Girl was released April 30, 2019 from Penguin/Putnam. She is also the author of Verona Comics and the forthcoming novel Some Girls Do and graphic novel Coven.

  Jennifer Dugan is represented by Sara Crowe at Pippin Properties, with film rights being handled by Mary Pender-Coplan at United Talent Agency.

  Share this:

• The Nerd Daily - https://thenerddaily.com/jennifer-dugan-kit-seaton-interview/

  Author Jennifer Dugan and Illustrator Kit Seaton on ‘Coven’
  Mimi Koehler·Writers Corner·September 6, 2022·7 min read

  Share
  1
  The Nerd Daily recently had the pleasure of catching up with Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton, whose queer paranormal YA graphic novel Coven releases September 6th . We got to ask them all our burning questions about favourite witches, paranormal activities and so much more!

  Hi, Jennifer and Kit! Thanks for chatting with us! Why don’t you tell our readers a bit about yourselves?

  J: My name is Jenn Dugan based out of upstate NY. I’m the author of novels like Some Girls Do, Hot Dog Girl and Melt With You, and indie comics, Circadia and Gnaw. COVEN is my first graphic novel! Two crucial things to know about me are that I fall asleep to horror movies every night… and that my cat has a better wardrobe than me.

  K: The most interesting bits about me are that I once studied to be a theatrical costume designer but finished with two degrees in illustration. I’ve taught college level art courses, and now I draw comics full time. Most of my time outside of that is spent wrangling two dogs with the energy of Animal from the muppet show and receiving head bonks from my studio cat. She does whatever she wants. In fact, she’s probably a lot more interesting than me.

  Lightning round: What was the first book you can remember reading, a song that feels timeless to you and a compliment you never get tired of hearing (or giving)?

  J: Little Critter, I WAS SO MAD by Mercer Mayer was my first favorite book ever, probably because I too am very dramatic when I’m grumpy yet also easily distracted.

  A song that feels timeless is Nirvana’s cover of Where Did You Sleep Last Night, it helped inspire a new project I’m working on, and was also on my COVEN playlist. It almost puts you under a spell, it has such an eerie vibe. And knowing it’s existed in some form or another since the late 1800’s makes me wonder how many other people it’s inspired.

  My favorite compliment to give is literally all of them. I love telling people how awesome they are in a thousand little ways and I’m not afraid to gush over something or someone I love. Life is too short to be aloof.

  K: Continuing the muppet theme, the first book I remember reading was The Monster at the End of this Book, with the voices supplied by whichever hapless relative I’d haggled into reading it to me. Every night. For years. But the first book that probably left the most indelible mark (after the Muppet book) was Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.

  As for songs, I’ve been listening to Cosmo Sheldrake a lot lately, and Pelicans We is one of my favorites. It’s based on a nonsense poem by Edward Lear. I’m essentially time blind, neurologically and conceptually. So timelessness is pretty much anything goes to me.

  I like giving compliments. Anything unique or beautiful about a person, I’d like them to know. I feel very awkward about receiving them. But I do like it when people tell me I’m funny.

  Now, onto Coven! What can readers expect?

  K: All the turbulent feelings of youth. Falling in and out of love. Finding a misplaced arcane text before the aunt notices it’s gone. Grumpy kittens. Plus ghoulies, and demons, possibly a Minotaur. Lots of butterflies. Just gobs of them.

  J: Kit hit all the best parts, so I’ll just add that COVEN is a fast-paced paranormal mystery that follows Emsy, a teen witch, as she navigates a cross country move and a murder mystery, while learning to embrace her powers and her place in this world… and yes, there are butterflies. Lots and lots of butterflies.

  Coven combines a supernatural murder mystery with a young witch learning to use her powers. What inspired Emsy’s story?

  J: Emsy’s story was actually inspired by a frog. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it’s true! I have a wonderfully creepy pond near my house, and it’s filled to the brim with bright green frogs. Everywhere you look, you’re met with tiny golden eyes glaring at you. It’s surreal.

  There was always one frog in particular that would never hop away, it would stand next to me day after day like “no, you leave,” which, fair. One day, we were staring at each other, and I was hit with the idea of a young witch coming to the very same pond to practice their magic. I got carried away imagining how she would feel—did she come here willingly? Is this the idea place to practice or does she simply have nowhere else—and what it would mean for this frog who refused to hide—Would they get hurt? Or would they finally relent and dive under the water? Before I knew it, I had an entire plot hashed out and a script in my hands. The best part is that the original pond scene—complete with frog— made it into the book, nearly unchanged! I probably owe that amphibian royalties.

  Coven also tackles tougher topics such as grief and finding your place in the world – and in your coven. What do you want readers to take away from the graphic novel?

  J: That it’s okay not to be okay and that sometimes you have to get things wrong to get them right.

  Found family is also common thread in all my work, and I think we see various aspects of that throughout the characters’ journeys with grief and identity. It’s important for me to show that love and support can come from even the unlikeliest places. It is out there, even if you don’t or can’t see it right away.

  K: Everybody’s walk with grief is different. We go at our own pace. It’s painful, messy, and scary, it can go dark places, but it’s sacred none the less. All turbulent feelings are valid. There are no right answers or perfect things to say. Sometimes, it’s ok to just sit quietly with someone going through it. Because one day, we may need someone to sit quietly with us too. Being there, and not being in the way of someone experiencing their grief, is a way to show our love for them.

  Without spoiling too much, did you have a favorite scene or panel to work on while creating Coven?

  J: I loved writing any scene involving Kitty, the very grumpy cat that lives in the coven house. I’m obsessed with her.

  K: All the spooky bits. I love drawing horror because it can so easily skirt the line straight into camp or slapstick. Perhaps because the best remedy for fear is laughter. I might also just like drawing ghouls with googly-eyes.

  If Emsy’s life had a soundtrack, what three songs would need to be on it?

  J: Okay, going full cheese, I would say: “Season of the Witch” by Lana Del Rey, “My Blood” by Twenty One Pilots and “Rise Up” by Andra Day

  See also

  Q&A: Kate Alice Marshall, Author of ‘We Won’t All Survive’
  K: Well, my humble suggestions would be: “Don’t Kill My Vibe” by Sigrid, “Girls Like You” by The Naked and Famous, and “Daydreamer” by AURORA

  Emsy is initially reluctant to use her powers. If you had the opportunity to choose a magical power for yourself, what would it be and what would you use it for?

  K: The power to get a perfect night’s sleep every night. Oh, and an “undo” option for real life. Wait, can I get two?

  J: I would want the power to never get tired, and I would use it to hit all my deadlines and still have enough energy left to stay up late watching terrible reality TV. (I would, however, be willing to donate my unused sleep to Kit, for her superpower wish. Teamwork makes the dream work and all that.)

  Speaking of witches, what’s your go-to witchy movie to watch?

  J: Oh man, all of them!?! The Craft I think is such a classic… but I did sneak an Easter Egg relating to The Covenant into the script which made it to the final book. I’m excited to see if anyone catches it.

  K: It’s tradition to watch Practical Magic with my mom on Halloween. But I also enjoy The Witch, mostly for Black Phillip. While I can’t say I particularly want to “live deliciously” since that seems to involve a lot of running around naked in the woods (I don’t like to be cold) I’m all for channeling my inner ornery goat when needed.

  With Coven releasing soon, are you already working on another project? If so, can you share a tidbit with us about it?

  K: All I’m sayin’ is what happens in the coven stays in the coven.

  J: It is entirely possible that we are working on another project together, or that we are not, but Kit is right: what happens in the coven stays in the coven… for now.

  Last but not least, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

  J: For graphic novels, I definitely recommend Taproot by Keezy Young and The Beast Boy/Raven books by Picolo and Kami Garcia. For prose novels, I would have to say anything by Isabel Sterling or Kalynn Bayron who both write the absolute best queer girl magic I’ve read in a long time.

  K: If you enjoy COVEN then I would recommend BEAUTY by Kerascoët. Be forewarned it is a very dark read, but richly told and illustrated. Also check out SLEEPLESS by Sarah Vaughn and Leila del Duca, a moody and lushly drawn twist on classic fairy tale tropes.

• Geeks Out - https://www.geeksout.org/2022/10/28/interview-with-author-jennifer-dugan/

  Interview with Author Jennifer Dugan

  By: Michele Kirichanskaya
  Oct 28, 2022
  Jennifer Dugan is an avid YA and comic writer that strives to create the stories that she wishes she had growing up. Her debut novel Hot Dog Girl was released April 30, 2019 from Penguin/Putnam. She is also the author of Verona Comics and the forthcoming novel Some Girls Do. Her latest book, Coven, a queer, paranormal YA graphic novel was released this past September.

  I had the opportunity to interview Jennifer, which you can read below.

  First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?

  Thank you for having me!

  I’m an author from Upstate New York and am about to release my fourth young adult novel, Melt With You. I’m also launching first graphic novel this year, Coven—although I have also written and kickstarted indie comics in the past. I share my house with two cats, a dog, and many, many tropical plants.

  When did you know you were first interested in writing, and what drew you specifically to young adult fiction?

  I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to create little stories and comics and hand them out for holiday and birthday presents—in hindsight, I should probably apologize to my brother for that. I’m sure he would have rather had a toy or money, even if he was a good sport about it.

  I love young adult fiction. I think I’m drawn to it because there are so many big events, and big feelings, that surround that time of your life. It gives writers a lot of latitude to play. I also think that young adult fiction is really trying to open its doors to more diverse story telling. There is a long way to go, that is undeniable, but it wasn’t too far in the past that I was told by someone in the industry that “queer girls don’t sell,” and now my books are just two of many coming out this year.

  What can you tell us about your upcoming books, Melt with You and Coven? Where did the inspiration for these stories come from?

  Melt With You is a young adult novel coming out May 17. It is a contemporary rom com that follows two ex-best friends, who had a falling out after a one-night hook up. Now, they’re on a road trip in their parents’ romance themed ice cream truck.

  It has all my favorite tropes, including second chance romance, forced proximity, not to mention so, so many ice cream puns. I’m not sure exactly when the idea came in my head, but I had been interested in setting a story in an ice cream truck ever since seeing the video for BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez’s song Ice Cream.

  Coven is my young adult graphic novel debut coming out September 6. It is a supernatural, queer, coming of age story about witches, although it is very grounded in its contemporary setting. It tells the story of a teen witch named Emsy who has to leave her California surfer girl life behind when her family decides to return to safety of their coven in Upstate NY after the murder of a coven mate. Emsy has to learn to master and even appreciate her powers… and maybe solve the murder while she’s at it.

  This one was actually inspired be a little frog I encountered in real life! It was sitting in a pond near my house that was overgrown with moss and dead branches—it was early fall, and it all felt so wonderfully creepy. I sat on the edge of the pond and watched him for a while, soaking up the spookiness, and as I did a whole scene spun out before me in my head. I quickly went home and plotted the rest of the book. That original scene, and little frog, actually made it to the final draft, so everyone will get to “meet” him when they read.

  How would you describe your writing process? What are some of your favorite (or most frustrating) parts of writing?

  Generally, I wait for a scene to pop into my head—like it did when I was watching the frog that day. From there, I start thinking about the people involved in the scene—who are they, what do they like and dislike, which one is the main character (or two, if I’m writing dual POV.) Once I’ve established my main character, I need to find their favorite song, or a song that I think would really resonate with them. That’s one of the main ways I get to know them before drafting. From there, I build an entire playlist for them and start the work of outlining and drafting.

  My favorite part is the very early daydreaming stage, when you’re first creating the characters and thinking about the story. It almost feels like dating. I have no clue at first if the idea will stick around to turn into something real… or if it’s just going to ghost me. Either way, it’s still fun. There’s no pressure or deadlines, it’s one of the few times that a story truly is just yours.

  I also really love doing developmental edits. By then, I have a pretty firm grasp of my characters, the bones of the story are all there, and I’m just refining. It feels like I get to write fanfic of my own work, and I can’t get enough.

  Did you draw on any specific sources of inspiration while writing, i.e. books, movies, music, etc.? Where do you draw inspiration or creativity in general?

  In general, I draw inspiration from the world around me. Something as small as seeing a frog in a pond, if it hits at just the right moment, can lead to a new book sitting on in a bookstore someday. With that in mind, I try to approach the world in a very open way and soak up experiences to use as fuel for my work.

  Music plays a huge role in my process, as I previously mentioned, but so do movies and other media. When I’m developing a character, I’m constantly thinking about how they would react to a movie or a song, or how they would be interpreting the world. I get to experience as myself, but also a little bonus bit through the character I’m crafting.

  Books though, I read just for me. I’m really big on taking time to “refill the well” and for me that often means binge reading a variety of books and comics. I need books like I need air, and I don’t want to be deliberately and consciously thinking of my own craft as I do.

  What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

  Finish your draft! I know it seems like common sense, but so many people get hung up on endlessly revising openings and early chapters—or are constantly chasing new ideas—that they don’t ever finish! You learn a lot from finishing a draft, even if you don’t ever decide to do anything with it.

  Besides being a writer, what are some things you would want your readers to know about you?

  I’m an absolute dork, and not necessarily in a cool way. In more of a dress your cat in sweaters and daydream about a beautiful plant you absolutely don’t need because you already have over eighty in your home kind of way. (Yes, eighty!)

  What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet but wish you were (and the answer to that question)?

  I like to do book giveaways on my Instagram (@JL_Dugan) and I always have people answer a question for their entry. I recently did a giveaway for advanced reader copies of both Melt With You and Coven. Wanting to combine the themes of each, I asked readers to tell me what type of ice cream their favorite supernatural creature would eat for a treat. The answers were super fun, and I was a little jealous that I’d never been asked that… so I’m delighted to use this space to answer now. My favorite supernatural creature is undoubtedly a werewolf (sorry, witches!) and I feel like they might eat vanilla ice cream with Lucky Charms on top. It’s unclear if werewolves are impacted by chocolate the way dogs and regular wolves are, so I’m thinking they would want to avoid it to be safe. And who wouldn’t love a sugary cereal on top of their ice cream after a long night of chasing bunnies and/or biting people?

  Are there any projects you are working on or thinking about that you are able to discuss?

  I have a couple unannounced projects that I am very excited to share more about soon. One of them is a bit different from what people usually expect from me, and I cannot wait to get it out there!

  Finally, what LGBTQ+ books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?

  I recommend people read all of them! They’re all so good and supporting titles that are out now means that publishers will keep buying them. Some of my favorite authors out now are Kalynn Bayron, Isabel Sterling, Julian Winters, Rory Power, and Dahlia Adler. I cannot recommend any and all of their books enough.

  Header Photo Credit Amber Hooper

• Writer's Digest - https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/jennifer-dugan-on-shifting-from-young-adult-to-contemporary-romance

  Jennifer Dugan: On Shifting From Young Adult to Contemporary Romance
  Author Jennifer Dugan discusses discovering the similarities and differences in YA and adult romance during the writing process of her new adult romance novel, Love at First Set.
  Robert Lee Brewer
  Published May 24, 2023 2:00 PM EDT
  Jennifer Dugan is the author of the young adult novels Melt with You, Some Girls Do, Verona Comics, and Hot Dog Girl. She is also the author of the YA graphic novel, Coven. She lives in upstate New York with her family. Follower her on Twitter and Instagram.

  Jennifer Dugan
  In this post, Jennifer discusses discovering the similarities and differences in YA and adult romance during the writing process of her new adult romance novel, Love at First Set, her advice for writers, and more!

  Name: Jennifer Dugan
  Literary agent: Sara Crowe
  Book title: Love at First Set
  Publisher: HarperCollins / Avon
  Release date: May 23, 2023
  Genre/category: Contemporary Romance/Adult
  Previous titles: Some Girls Do, Hot Dog Girl, Coven, Melt With You, Verona Comics
  Elevator pitch for the book: Love at First Set is a queer rom-com about a gym employee who accidentally ruins her boss’s daughter’s wedding, then even more accidentally falls for the runaway bride. It’s full of all the tropes and shenanigans you love in rom-coms, while also tackling issues surrounding complicated family dynamics, economic disparity, and identity.

  Bookshop | Amazon
  [WD uses affiliate links.]

  What prompted you to write this book?
  I was having a great time writing YA romance, but I could not get Lizzie and Cara, Love at First Set’s main character and love interest respectively, out of my head. I was obsessed with the idea of a wedding meet-cute with a runaway bride, so I realized pretty early on this wouldn’t work for young adult!

  I had also spent a lot of time at a very welcoming gym before COVID. I plotted a lot of this book during the lock downs, so setting it in a gym—a place I was really missing—seemed like a natural decision.

  How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
  I definitely played with the idea for a while before I decided to make a serious go of it. I was so comfortable working in the YA space—it felt daunting to start over working in adult.

  I also really wanted to send out Love at First Set to editors as a complete manuscript since this would be a whole new category for me. That meant I had to chip away at the draft in between my contracted projects. It was truly a labor of love.

  It was nice to be working on a story that was “just for me” again, since I’m often working on a tight deadline. Once I had a finished draft, things snowballed very quickly. Altogether, it will be about two years from draft to publication.

  The idea did change slightly during the process. It definitely needed to be streamlined a bit. In my excitement, I had thrown in every trope and idea I could think of in the early drafts! My agent Sara Crowe, and editor Sylvan Creekmore were both wonderful at helping me identify the true heart of the story I was trying to tell.

  Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
  Every book’s path to publication has its own quirks, and I’m continuously finding things to be surprised about with each one! For Love at First Set, I was surprised by how fast the adult romance book world moves compared to YA. All the behind-the-scenes processes happen at a much faster pace. It’s interesting because while there are a lot of overlap and similarities between the adult side and the young adult side, everything is just different enough to keep you on your toes.

  Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
  I’m lucky to have nailed down a writing process that works for me—a combination of plotting and pantsing that involves a very, very basic Excel spreadsheet and a few notecards. I gave myself a lot more time to wander in the early drafts since I wasn’t on a deadline, but in general I kept to my usual routine.

  I did have to recalibrate the way I handled certain aspects of the romance, though. The pacing of relationship development, and the way I depict physical intimacy, is very different between my adult romance and young adult romance projects.

  What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
  I write imperfect romances for imperfect people, and I hope my readers are able to see themselves in my stories. As a human disaster myself, I gravitate toward messy, complicated characters trying their best. I hope that will resonate with adult readers the way it does with my young adult readers—everyone is a work in progress, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t deserving of their happily ever afters too.

  If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
  Finish the book! I know that sounds obvious, but in the early stages of my writing career, I was very hung up on eternally revising… which meant a lot of books were left unfinished.

  You learn so much from seeing a story through—even if it’s going to take a lot of polishing after the fact. There’s always time to clean it up later, but you can’t revise words that aren’t there!

• The Nerd Daily - https://thenerddaily.com/jennifer-dugan-the-ride-of-her-life-interview/

  Q&A: Jennifer Dugan, Author of ‘The Ride of Her Life’
  Elise Dumpleton·Writers Corner·May 27, 2024·5 min read

  Share
  We chat with author Jennifer Dugan about her new irresistible enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sunshine queer romcom The Ride of Her Life, which follows a wedding-obsessed city girl who inherits a horse farm from her estranged late aunt, and clashes with the cocky, unfairly hot farrier who thinks she’s going to run the barn into the ground.

  Hi, Jennifer! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
  Hi! Thanks for having me! I’m a writer from upstate new York, who writes adult romance, young adult romance and horror, and young adult graphic novels. When I’m not working, which is kind of rare juggling so much these days, I’m usually playing video games (currently addicted to Fallout 4) or running around outside with my Boston terrier puppy, Holly Pig. I also have two great cats, Bonks and Talullah who love to lay on my keyboard and bat pens out of my hand when I’m trying to work. Honestly, they’re the best assistants a person could have.

  When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
  I fell in love with storytelling even before I was old enough to write! I used to cut pictures out of magazines and newspapers and glue them together to make my own comics and picture books which I would then “read” to anyone who would listen. It only got more fun once I was able to read and write on my own. While other kids were out playing, I was holed up in my room writing page after page. I’ve truly had the story telling bug for as far back as I can remember, it’s been a massive part of my life.

  Quick lightning round! Tell us:

  The first book you ever remember reading: The very first book I remember reading on my own was Little Critter: I Was So Mad. I was absolutely enamoured with Little Critter as a kid. If we’re talking actual novels though, the first I remember reading was Sweet Valley Twins: Best Friends. I was obsessed with Sweet Valley Twins and Sweet Valley High. I really thought I was going to grow up and marry Jessica Wakefield!
  The one that made you want to become an author: Pet Sematary by Stephen King. A well meaning uncle gave it to me when I was in third grade (apparently he thought the misspelling in the title meant it was for kids!) and I was terrified. It really made me realize the power words have over readers, and I was excited about the idea of being a part of that.
  The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I recently read THE LOVERS by Rebekah Faubion and when I say it’s my new favorite book, I’m not kidding. I have been forcing preorders on everyone I know, it’s that good. It comes out in September and I hope everyone reads it so we can shout about it together.
  Your latest novel, The Ride of Her Life, is out May 28th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
  Playful, messy, swoony, funny, flirty

  What can readers expect?
  The Ride of Her Life is an enemies to lovers romance about Molly, a city girl turned fish out of water when she inherits a run down horse farm… and a hot grumpy farrier along with it. Readers can expect a lot of swoons, a dash of awkwardness, plenty of messiness and missteps, some laughs, and a satisfying happily ever after.

  Where did the inspiration for The Ride of Her Life come from?
  During the COVID shut downs, I got really addicted to watching farrier videos on tiktok. The more I watched, the more I realized that would make a great job for a love interest—farriers have to be strong yet gentle, calm, confident, and patient to gain the horses trust. What better match for a flighty, stressed out city girl?

  I also love setting books in locations that get taken for granted—like the gym in my adult debut Love at First Set. Where I live, farms are part of the every day scenery, so the idea of diving into one as a setting seemed very natural.

  Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
  I really loved reconnecting with my horse girl roots as I researched this book. I got to spend a lot of time with horses again, which I haven’t done since I was a kid. I particularly loved writing Otis, one of the grumpier horses at the barn. He was loosely based on my cousin’s horse that she had growing up that I always wished was mine. In a roundabout way, now he is!

  I also really loved writing the changing dynamic between Molly, our main character, and Shani, the love interest. Their banter both before they realize their feelings and after was a blast to write.

  This is your second adult novel! Can you tell us a bit about your process when shifting between the two audiences?
  I love being about to work in both the YA and adult space, but it can definitely be tricky shifting between them, especially when the schedules overlap. I’ve found I do best working on young adult in the morning, then taking a nice long break for lunch or going for a long walk, and then going back to work on the adult romance in the afternoon. I need my characters to start young and gradually age up through out the day, especially since my adult work has some spice. I can’t get back into the YA mindset after writing adult situations, ha!

  What’s next for you?
  I have a young adult graphic novel coming out this fall, Full Shift, which is a coming of age romance about a sapphic teen werewolf struggling with their identity.

  See also

  Q&A: Madeline Claire Franklin, Author of ‘The Wilderness of Girls’
  I also have a very fun adult romance coming out next year that we should be announcing soon. I’m dying to tell every one about it! I can share that it’s a second chance romance involving former child actors, a flower shop, and a cat named Gouda. It’s very swoony and a bit spicier than my first two!

  Lastly, are there any book releases that you’re looking forward to picking up this year?
  I’ve already plugged The Lovers, but I’m adding it here too for completionist sake. I’m also very excited about The Pairing by Casey McQuiston. I’m also dying to start Lucy Undying by Kiersten White. I’ve been chomping at the bit to read it since she first started talking about it, and I was lucky enough to have just gotten an arc. It’s definitely next on my TBR!

• Publishers Weekly - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/97658-four-questions-for-jennifer-dugan.html

  Four Questions for Jennifer Dugan
  By Shannon Lechon | Apr 29, 2025
  Share Post Post Click Here

  Known for her long career in sapphic fiction, author Jennifer Dugan returns to YA romance with Summer Girls after some time spent in adult romance and graphic novels. In Newport, R.I., local Cassandra Adler fights a slowly losing battle against the gentrifiers, led by the Gordon family. Even if Cassandra’s family has a complicated relationship with the Gordon patriarch, she never expected he would come to her with a job: look after his grounded influencer daughter, Birdie, who crashed her car while livestreaming and now has to slum it in Newport for the summer. Despite a blossoming connection, the girls must navigate their different backgrounds to find out if their relationship is something real or destined to be just a summer fling. PW spoke with Dugan about finding connection in class differences, the ethics of being a teen online in the modern world, and how her writing process differs depending on genre.

  Much of this book, and subsequently Birdie and Cass’s romance, is set against the backdrop of wealth disparity and a gentrifying town. How did you want their relevant places in society and Birdie’s wealthy family’s influence on the town to shape their relationship?

  I have a lot of ties to Newport, and so the gentrification and Airbnb-ification of the area has changed the community in different ways. It’s made things very expensive and difficult for the locals. I really wanted to explore that, with people on both sides, like Cass’s father—who is somewhat reliant on Birdie’s father, in that he works for him as an assistant, handyman, and general contractor. I wanted to show the differences in these worlds and that there’s sometimes this symbiotic relationship, whether you want there to be or not. I always love telling opposites attract stories like this, ones that kind of shatter the stereotypes of what’s going on behind the scenes. Both girls start the book with these very set ideas about each other, and I like to see how that evolves throughout the course of things as they understand each other’s position more and try to find a middle ground.

  Social media is used to spread the word about Cass’s family’s Affordable Housing Coalition but also has an overall negative effect on Birdie’s influencer life. What was the most important thing you wanted to portray about the girls’ relationships to social media?

  I really wanted to show both sides of it. It can be a force for good and it can put the word out about these kinds of initiatives and getting involved in your community, but it can also cause a lot of problems. The things that are on the internet... kids don’t always realize they can be forever. Some of the stuff that Birdie says and does is going to follow her and set expectations of how people think she really is and behaves. It can make your life harder depending on how you use it. Social media is definitely a force and it’s here to stay, but we have to be mindful of how we use it and the pitfalls.

  Birdie’s job as an influencer means her entire life is under pressure to be commercialized and packaged as content, which includes her sexuality. The ethics of teen influencing is still a fairly new topic—what drew you to discuss this?

  I have kids myself—teens currently—and seeing how they utilize social media has made me very interested in the topic. But social media was also becoming so massive when they were born and we started seeing parents putting everything out there without their kids’ consent. There were a lot of debates over the last few years in different parenting communities over, “Should we do that? Should we not do that?” And then once we started to see Instagrams, TikToks, and YouTubes where families were making livings off it, it kind of become a lot more than, “Are you going to put your babies’ embarrassing pictures on Facebook?” And I thought that was so fascinating.

  I always try to explore consent in my books in different ways, and we have Birdie in a situation where she really hasn’t given this consent, but to a certain degree she has bought into it. We need to dissect that with her: how that has shaped her as a person, and whether that’s still something that’s important to her once she gets a little bit away from it. These conversations are evolving, especially as these parents are getting very rich off these family shows. I think it’s a very important conversation now that the kids have aged up. We’re starting to realize they’ve been used as props in entertainment and that can have a serious impact on them.

  You have a career writing across a myriad of genres: contemporary, romance, fantasy, and even horror. How did writing Summer Girls compare to your previous books?

  I’m really known for writing characters who are trying to find themselves. Whether they’re running from masked men with machetes or having this summer romance in Newport, the theme throughout all the genres is that they’re trying to get to the heart of who they are and who they want to be and how they interact with the world, and if they’re going to make it better—or not! Which is also a choice some of them make. I think my readers know they’re going to get some little awkward disaster characters who are really trying their best for reasons they believe in, whether or not we believe in them or they’re the choices that we would make. Of course, my process changes a little bit if I’m covering a darker story, but in general I get there by utilizing different types of playlists and absorbing different types of media. As I go into writing a novel, I kind of live as the character: I listen to what they would listen to, I watch what they would watch, and so that changes if I’m writing a rom-com or if we’re getting chased with machetes.

  Summer Girls by Jennifer Dugan. Putnam, $19.99 May 13 ISBN 978-0-593-69689-7

• Geeks Out - https://www.geeksout.org/2025/08/08/interview-with-jennifer-dugan-and-kit-seaton-creators-of-full-shift/

  Interview with Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton, Creators of Full Shift

  By: Michele Kirichanskaya
  Aug 8, 2025
  Jennifer Dugan is a writer, a geek, and a romantic who writes the kinds of stories she wishes she’d had growing up. She’s the author of the graphic novel Coven, as well as the young adult novels Playing For Keeps, The Last Girls Standing, Melt With You, Some Girls Do, Verona Comics, and Hot Dog Girl, which was called “a great, fizzy rom-com” by Entertainment Weekly and “one of the best reads of the year, hands down” by Paste magazine. She lives in upstate New York with her family, their dog, a strange kitten who enjoys wearing sweaters, and an evil cat who is no doubt planning to take over the world. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @JL_Dugan.

  Kit Seaton has illustrated Coven by Jennifer Dugan, as well as the graphic novel adaptations of Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Alexandra Bracken’s Brightly Woven. She is the co-creator of the comics Norroway and Afar. You can follow her on Instagram @kitandcatcomics.

  I had the opportunity to interview Jennifer and Kit, which you can read below.

  First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?

  JD: Hello! Thanks so much for having us! My name is Jennifer Dugan and I’m the author of several sapphic romances (both young adult and adult), as well as two graphic novels, Coven and the forthcoming Full Shift.

  KS: I’m an illustrator and cartoonist based in Savannah, Georgia. I’ve also worked as a professor of illustration and sequential art across the US. I’ve studied in costume design for theatre, and in my free time, I enjoy making costume history research guides for artists. This is my second book working with Jennifer (COVEN, 2022), and I think we make a great team!

  What can you tell us about your latest project, Full Shift? What was the inspiration for this graphic novel?

  JD: Full Shift follows Tessa, a reluctant werewolf who doesn’t quite fit in with her pack. She can’t fully shift—which can be life or death for a werewolf—and she has a massive crush on one of her human schoolmates… which feels life or death since it’s not safe for humans to know supernatural creatures exist, let alone date one.

  When Tessa hears about a group of hunters working on a cure that can make werewolves human, she thinks this could be answer to everything. But when she discovers there’s much more to this “cure” than anyone else knows, it’s up to Tessa to protect the lives of everyone she knows… and the only way to do that might mean embracing the wolf that’s been howling to get out.Tessa to put herself on the line to protect the lives of those she loves most. And the only way to save them is to embrace the wolf inside her that is howling to get out.

  Most of my ideas start as a single scene that pops into my head when I’m daydreaming. In this case, it was born out of a “coming out” scene, where Tessa thinks they’re talking about what type of supernaturals they are, but her human crush is actual talking about her queerness. It’s one of my favorite scenes in the entire book!

  KS: Jennifer provided tons of inspiration in the script, so there was already a lot to work with. She mentioned her hikes in the Adirondacks, so I wanted that to inform the environments as a character in the story. Especially in scenes where Tessa is lurking around in her mid-shift werewolf form, I wanted to surround her in densely wooded forests with lots of greenery. Forests can be beautiful or scary, but they can also be places of refuge. The forest bleeds off the pages a lot, I wanted to convey that it could barely be contained by the margins of the book, that is boundaries and territories are unknowable. Yet it offers comfort and familiarity to Tessa and her pack.

  Jennifer Dugan Photo Credit Amber Hooper Photography
  Why werewolves? How do you feel werewolves relate to queer storytelling?

  JD: I love all things supernatural, but werewolves have always been my favorite. I love the idea of them being able to transform and having to carry the weight of both identities. In Full Shift lore, they can be bitten or born, and retain their memories on both sides of the shift, albeit in a much more instinctual way in full wolf form. As a story teller, that gives me an incredible amount of room to play… also, werewolves are just so cool?! How could anyone not love them?

  I think werewolves relate to queerness in a multitude of ways. First, too many of us grew up being made to feel different/bad/wrong, and I think a natural consequence of being made to feel like that is we start seeing aspects of ourselves in these monsters or villains. I was aware of my bisexuality, and often made to feel ashamed of it, from a very young age, even though to me it felt as natural as breathing. Books and movies were an escape for me, and back then there wasn’t a lot of queer joy being put on the page. It was a short jump for me to start connecting with werewolves and vampires and other things that go bump in the night—things that were also hated on for what they needed to do to survive.

  On a more obvious note, werewolves are the perfect queer metaphor in the sense of having to hide a part of your identity that’s truly integral to who you are, and at times wanting to reject it. Full Shift is really a classic tale of self-acceptance that I think will resonate with readers.

  KS: What Jennifer conveys so well in this story, could be universal, but particularly for the queer reader, is Tessa’s struggle to reign in deep and fundamental parts of herself in order to fit in with both spheres of her life. Tessa wants to be among humans (she’s in love with her classmate), but she also wants to be understood and have status in her pack. She envies her sister who appears to have achieved this balance (perfect werewolf, and a cheerleader). Instead, Tessa is stuck in an awkward state of arrested development and feels left behind. Yet, she’s resisting and suppressing what yearns to be wild and free because she’s also clinging to the idea of being something she isn’t. She’s not a human being, she’s a werewolf. If she can’t accept that, she becomes a risk to herself and everyone she loves. There’s only so much time to sort it all out, and she can’t do it alone. She needs the love, support, and wisdom of both worlds to fully embrace herself.

  As a creative, what drew you to the art of storytelling, especially graphic novels/comics?

  JD: I’m very rarely not writing; it’s almost a compulsion. When I was younger, writing was a way to hide from the world and create my own… but now it’s much more of a celebration. I’m happy I’m still here to type away on my keyboard, and I’m absolutely bursting to share all of my ideas. I can hardly keep up with my muse!

  Comics and graphic novels have always been a big part of my life. I used to stuff Archie Comics into my backpack for camping trips when I was little, since big books were too heavy to hike with. It was Brubaker’s Captain America run that got me back interested in writing comics, and then Fraction and Aja’s Hawkeye run sealed the deal. (I was a Marvel girl at the time, what can I say?) I quickly discovered a thriving queer comics community on Kickstarter and went broke backing them all… seeing so many people creating so many beautiful and authentic comics really inspired me to make the leap and start working on my own.

  KS: I’m an 80’s kid, and as soon as I could learn to read, I consumed every volume of Calvin & Hobbes, Peanuts, and Garfield I could get my grubby mitts on. And I have a stack of my dad’s comic collection from the 50’s and 60’s, a lot of DC, Marvel, and Disney titles. My mom taught high school theatre, and her students would bring her their old comics to give to me. So I also got a smattering of Archie Comics, Groo the Wanderer, Elfquest, and Venom (foundational reading for a 7 year old, really). But it wasn’t something I thought of as a career prospect until I had two years of study in a costume design program, where I realized I could draw a lot better than I could sew.

  How would you describe your creative process?

  JD: Chaotic. As I mentioned, all my ideas are born when a single scene flashes into my head. Unfortunately, that’s where the creativity gods end their assistance, so I’m left having to build out the story backward and forward from that moment.

  In the daydreaming period, I spend a lot of time trying to nail things down so they make sense and playing with the plot. I used to be a “pantser,” (someone who writes with no definite plan) but now that I have so many deadlines, I can’t afford to paint myself into a corner and start all over. I try to plot as best as I can before I get impatient and just dive in… which kind of feels like wrangling cats.

  KS: Chaos with a little moat dug around it with some chicken fencing. There is some method in the madness, and an overall structure. I set the pages up in a program called ClipStudio, and then I do rough layout and lettering placement at the same time because it’s always a bummer when the balloons don’t fit. After a round of notes and revisions I draw out the final inks and lettering placement. Colors are done in ClipStudio and finished in Photoshop for CMYK printing. When I’m working on a graphic novel, I work pretty much every day, but I take a lot of breaks. I’ll take day off if I need it and make up the time on the next. There are definitely good drawing days and bad drawing days, and life has its interruptions, so this method helps keep the schedule flexible while also keeping the momentum going. I think of this as current (or now) me looking out for future me after learning from the mistakes of past me.

  What are some of your favorite elements of writing/illustrating? What do you consider some of the most frustrating and/or difficult?

  JD: I love writing angst and swoons. That’s my absolute favorite thing to do. Those are the dangling carrots that keep me going.

  On a more technical/craft level, I absolutely love both the daydreaming/planning stage and the revising stage. Drafting, though, can kick rocks. A first draft is just the terrible thing I’m forced to do in between the two aspects of the art that I love. If I could instantly download my daydreams from my brain and start revising them, I definitely would.

  KS: The most fun things can also be the most difficult, and the most time consuming, if I’m not on top of it. That’s the visual development work done before and during the layout phase, when in whittling ideas down to how the comic will eventually look. I find reference gathering can be a time sink, so I try not to do too much of it when I’m in the drawing phase. It’s best to do a few weeks or days (which depends) before I start for inspiration wool-gathering. It’s ideal when that preliminary research can inform the work in an indirect way after it’s had time to ferment in the brain. The ditch of information overwhelm is always there, and I’ve crashed into it many times. Best thing to do in that event is to put the Pinterest down and take the dog for a walk.

  Kit Seaton
  As creatives, who or what would you say are some of your greatest artistic and creative influences and/or sources of inspiration in general?

  JD: This is so hard! I draw inspiration from so many places—books, movies, the frogs in the swampy pond in the forest behind my house that inspired my graphic novel debut Coven and have since cameoed in every other project both secret and announced that Kit and I are working on together.

  Since my influences change so often, and my obsessions run so deep when they do, it’s probably easier to shout out some things that have been massively “refilling my well” lately. They are the books Lucy Undying by Kiersten White, The Lovers by Rebekah Faubion, along with anything and everything written by Racheal Lippincott, Kaylyn Bayron and Rory Power. I also recently started playing Fallout 4 and have been really leaning into the RPG aspect and trying to navigate as a character. It’s been a really fun exercise that I think will help my writing. I’m somehow already 241 hours in and on my second playthrough.

  KS: I think it’s great to find inspiration in the work of artists in a different genre other than mine. Costume and set designers, cinematographers, and animators have been a great source of inspiration, especially since they may have a unique way of solving a visual problem. Museums and galleries can also be great places to find inspiration. Even just a purposeless stroll in the fresh air away from my desk can be a great way to let the mind wander.

  Aside from your work, what are some things you would want others to know about you?

  JD: I am an awkward nerd with anxiety that gets very excited about things that interest me. I’d just like everyone to know that upfront so they aren’t surprised when they come to an event and it casually turns into a debate over which cryptid is objectively the best. (Mothman, obvs.)

  Another fun fact is that my dog owns more hockey jerseys than should be allowed, and yes, I do change them for each game on TV.

  KS: I’m currently reading “Entangled Life” by Merlin Sheldrake, about how a network of fungi may be a key part of advanced life on the planet, and that fungi is so adaptable that it can evolve new species faster than we can ever hope to document them. Which I think is pretty cool.

  What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet but that you wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?

  JD: I don’t think anyone has ever asked me about my notebooks, actually. There’s a running joke that authors buy them and never use them, but in true dork fashion, I use them as little baby books for my stories. Every new project gets its own notebook that I fill with ideas, doodles, revision plans, and even the notes I take on business calls relating to it. It’s essentially a cross between a work book, a diary, and the scrap paper they hand out when you’re taking tests in school. (Do they still do that?) I also like to list out all the key dates in the book’s life both good and bad in the inside cover. It’s wild to go back to my earlier ones and reflect back on everything.

  KS: Any apropos of nothing hot takes? Why yes, don’t mind if I do. Time spent in past-times, hobbies, reading, reflecting, doing nothing, whether it’s a social event or in solitude, is not time wasted. It’s one of the best remedies I’ve found for my own stress and anxiety. Humans are curious and creative creatures. We need to experiment, play, and daydream in idle. That’s when we get our best ideas.

  What advice might you have to give for aspiring comic creators/graphic novelists?

  JD: Make the thing but start small! Baby steps! Once I decided to dive in, I found a small group of local artists and authors—a mix of hobbyists and veterans—and started working on very short projects at their monthly gatherings. I did a lot of experimenting and there was for sure a big learning curve! I got a lot of invaluable advice.

  I didn’t dare tackle anything bigger than short mini-comics until I felt like I was finding my footing—which took a couple years. Once I felt ready to write something longer, I picked up a second job and started saving up to be able to pay the artists I worked with a fair wage. Ultimately, this turned into my first series, Circadia. I still made a lot of mistakes even with all my prep, and am forever grateful to the first artist on the book, Keezy Young (Taproot, Sunflowers) and our letterer Ariana Maher, (Critical Role: Vox Machina, along with many, many Marvel and DC titles) for their patience and kindness during the process!

  KS: My advice comes with the caveat that the journey to making and publishing comics is unique to every creative and isn’t always a clear cut path. I have taught many students and young artists over the years. I was also a young art student once (eons ago), so I’m quite familiar with the vicious temptation of the toil and drain cycle. Sometimes referred to as grinding (akin to long gaming sessions taken to unhealthy extremes), among young artists and art students it becomes a pernicious notion that resting and sleeping is essentially laziness, and one needs to front load hours of work to advance a skill set ahead of their classmates and peers (competitors), by sacrificing sleep and rest. But the cost can be high with no guarantee of a payoff. Burnout, injury, or an aggravated a chronic illness can however, be hastened by grinding. And the deeper that well is dug, the harder it is to climb out. Any skills gained by working to the point of injury or burnout would most likely end in a wash, as the length of recovery can be greatly extended. Alternatively, take note of how long it takes to accomplish a task in a reasonable timeframe, including breaks. This may take some time to figure out, which is ok, we all work differently, but you do need to rest. Comics will be there tomorrow. Falling behind can feel like failure. With practice, and self-understanding, those deadlines don’t catch you off-guard quite as often. Lastly, check in with your friends. Encourage and reinforce healthy attitudes towards your work and support each other. Having a drawing session with friends online or in a community space can help with feeling unmotivated or isolated. Remember, you are not an automaton. You are not your work, and you are not alone in the struggle to be an artist.

  Are there any other projects you are working on and at liberty to speak about?

  JD: Kit and I have two secret graphic novel projects coming up together after Full Shift! We can’t share much, but I think it’s safe to say that one involves sapphic vampires and one involves a sassy prince of hell.

  My next YA novel, Summer Girls, is out now. It’s a sapphic romance set at a beach town where one girl lives year-round and the other only visits on vacations with her wealthy family. It’s a swoony, messy, opposites-attract (well, when they aren’t pretending to hate each other) love story that I’m dying to get in everyone’s hands.

  KS: We may have a few rabbits in our hats yet. More fun and surprises are on the horizon! *cackles and disappears in a puff of smoke*

  Finally, what LGBTQ+ books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT?

  JD: I’ve already shouted out several above in my refilling the well section, but I’ll happily add The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz, along with Brooms by Jasmine Walls and Teo DuVall. I’ve also been really enjoying All That’s Left in the World by Erik J. Brown and its sequel The Only Light Left Burning.

  KS: Check out THE PRINCESS AND THE GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH, by cool renegade, Deya Muniz!

Dugan, Jennifer. Hot Dog Girl. Putnam, April 2019. 320p. $17.99. 978-0525516255.

4Q * 4P * S * NA

Sixteen-year-old Elouise spends a hot summer costumed as a hot dog as she searches for love at the local theme park. She fantasizes about Nick, the best-looking boy in her school, and enlists her lifelong best friend, Seeley, to pose as her date. The supposedly lesbian couple doubles with Nick and his perfect princess girlfriend, Jesse. Elouise thinks she can outmaneuver Jesse but discovers that Seeley is her real love. Jesse loves another boy, also her best friend, but dates Nick for his looks and wealth. As Elouise struggles with romantic feelings and dangerous secrets, she and her father are haunted by her absent mother's cheery postcards that never have a return address. Romantic intrigue intertwines with Elouise's plan to save the park, a symbol of permanence in her turbulent life.

Elouise, a good-hearted, witty, and believable coming-of-age character, often does not understand her feelings or the havoc that she causes. She finally realizes the futility of waiting for her mother to establish a responsible relationship and the importance of moving on for her herself, her father, and the town. By the end of the story, her father proves that he is wise, smart, and strong. The characters' personal challenges teach Elouise compassion, respect, and better ways to handle problems. Wrestling with the meaning of genuine love and the danger of stereotypes, the story will attract a large female audience.--Lucy Schall.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC
http://www.voya.com
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Schall, Lucy. "Dugan, Jennifer. Hot Dog Girl." Voice of Youth Advocates, vol. 42, no. 1, Apr. 2019, p. 61. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587973885/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f0db282e. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

DUGAN, Jennifer. Hot Dog Girl. 320p. Putnam. Apr. 2019. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780525516255.

Gr 9 Up--Dugan's debut coming-of-age romance features a charismatic, quirky protagonist with a delightfully sarcastic sense of humor, but the sophomoric plot may be a nonstarter for its intended audience. Sixteen-year-old Elouise (Lou) Parker has high hopes for the summer. She's got her seasonal job back at Magic Castle Playland alongside her best friend, Seeley, and her heartthrob, Nick. The only downside is that Nick's girlfriend, the perfect Jessa, is cast as the park's princess, while, once again, Lou is stuck in the hotdog costume. Lou won't let that ruin her romantic plans; instead, it is the park owner's announcement that this will be Magic Castle's last season that derails her perfect summer. Ever since she can remember, Magic Castle has played an important role in her life. Its closing is unthinkable, and Lou is determined to save the park. But Lou's poorly conceived plans keep falling flat, and the park-saving gradually takes a backseat to romance as the story takes a decidedly more mature turn. When her efforts to steal Nick from Jessa cost her Seeley's friendship, Lou belatedly recognizes that she and Seeley have had feelings for each other simmering in the background most of their lives. The roller-coaster story line draws to a bizarre yet tidy conclusion with a hot romance between the two girls. VERDICT Dugan does a nice job of character development, but the opening chapters of this high school queer romance read too much like a Shirley Temple/ Mickey Rooney movie plot.--Cary Frostick, formerly at Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2019 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Frostick, Cary. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Hot Dog Girl." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 3, Apr. 2019, p. 89. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A581175313/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7fc19cbb. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer VERONA COMICS Putnam (Young Adult Fiction) $17.99 4, 21 ISBN: 978-0-525-51628-6

It's the night of FabCon prom.

With her fabulous best friend, Jayla, by her side, 16-year-old Jubilee tries her best to let go and give in to new experiences, per some encouragement from basically every adult in her life. Of course, that proves difficult thanks to her upcoming big audition for a summer program at the Carnegie Conservatory, where her young career as a cellist might blossom further. For 17-year-old anxiety-ridden Ridley, the annual comic convention means more torturous time as a brand ambassador for The Geekery, his emotionally abusive father's infamous comic store chain known for putting indie shops out of business. Fate intervenes when the two teens meet, and an awkwardly endearing first night together leads to something more complicated. Soon Ridley's forced into spying on Jubilee's comic artist stepmom by his father, who wants to buy out his enemy's shop. Ridley is faced with a moral dilemma: Should he tell Jubilee the truth, and will their love for each other withstand their parents' mutual hatred? The story alternates between each teen's endearing narration. Dugan (Hot Dog Girl, 2019, etc.) infuses her characters with a warm sense of depth and compassion, particularly the socially self-conscious Ridley, a boy plagued with immense anxiety and frequent suicidal thoughts. Featuring a racially diverse cast of mainly queer characters, including the two white protagonists, this one's a winning choice.

Breathlessly sweet. (resources) (Fiction. 12-18)--

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: VERONA COMICS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Feb. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A613750864/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=57a4be41. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

DUGAN, Jennifer. Verona Comics. 336p. Putnam. Apr. 2020. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780525516286.

Gr 9 Up--A deep dive into first love while learning to manage significant mental health challenges. Jubilee is a talented musician preparing to audition for a life-changing summer internship. Ridley is from an affluent family, and his parents lack empathy for their struggling, sometimes suicidal son. After a meet-cute at a comics convention, Jubilee and Ridley, through a series of elaborate plot devices, fall in love. Jubilee, who finds Ridley's social awkwardness endearing, pursues the relationship despite a number of red flags. Ridley makes several bad choices and struggles to take responsibility, which makes it hard to root for him or his relationship with Jubilee. As Ridley's increasingly fragile mental health deteriorates, he is forced to accept professional help. Most chapters switch between Jubilee's and Ridley's alternating perspectives--a literary device that at times is confusing. Dugan's strength is in creating a diverse cast of characters. Ridley is bisexual, Jubilee struggles with how to identify and label her sexuality, and most of the supporting characters are queer-identified. The ending is rushed, and major plot points, such as Jubilee's pursuit of her internship, tie up nicely but lack payoff. VERDICT There's a lot to want to love about this book, but, ultimately, it's impossible to cheer on the romance between the leads, and it fails to deliver on all of its plot points.--Amanda Foust, Douglas County Libraries, CO

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2020 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Foust, Amanda. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Verona Comics." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 2, Feb. 2020, p. 77. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A613048835/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4df35806. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Some Girls Do

Jennifer Dugan. Putnam, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-593-11253-3

Morgan, "marginally disgraced track star of the female persuasion," is starting at a new school because queerness is "against the code of conduct" at her old one. On her first day, Ruby--a lifer beauty pageant contestant whom her classmates see as "trashy" because she lives in a trailer--almost runs Morgan down in the school parking lot, and their attraction is instantaneous. Ruby has had feelings for girls before, but she doesn't do relationships, and her homophobic beaury queen mother is rotally invested in her daughter being a pageant winner, a dream that Ruby no longer shares. Morgan, meanwhile, is no longer interested in being in the closet. Dugan (Verona Comics) gives the high school seniors, both white, solid lines as well as obstacles that are tied to and separate from their feelings for each other. Ruby is the slightly more interesting character, as she tries to balance competing interests (she's serious about fixing up cars) and navigate what she owes her mother, but the teens' collisions as they try to determine whether they can turn their attraction into something more solid make for an enjoyable romantic tale. Ages 12-up. (May)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Some Girls Do." Publishers Weekly, vol. 268, no. 14, 5 Apr. 2021, pp. 69+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A658218055/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5a97d546. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

DUGAN, Jennifer. Some Girls Do. 336p. Putnam. May 2021. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780593112533.

Gr 9 Up-Kicked out of Catholic school after coming out as gay, Morgan lands at a new school hoping to finish out her senior year on the track team in order to secure a spot at a Division I college. This is not an easy task, as her old school has placed several hurdles in her way. Angry about this situation, Morgan is intent on being a force for change for LGBTQIA+ student athletes who face discrimination by their schools. Enter Ruby Thompson, local teen beauty pageant queen and budding auto mechanic. When Morgan and Ruby meet, the attraction is instant but the barriers between them steep. As they grow closer, their relationship is tested by Morgan's desire to be a public couple and Ruby's need to keep her sexuality a secret. Despite a few plot contrivances, this novel succeeds in its portrayal of serious issues coupled with the giddy adrenaline rush of first love. Told in alternating first-person narratives between Morgan and Ruby, Dugan nails the young adult voice. Morgan and Ruby are fully realized and age-appropriately flawed. As they grapple with their feelings and say hurtful things to one another, they also learn from each other and mature along the way. Morgan is cued as white; Ruby is white; there is some diversity in the secondary characters; many characters are LGBTQIA+. VERDICT Perfect for teen readers struggling with their identity, or any teen in search of a satisfying, realistic coming-of-age romance.--Melissa Kazan, Horace Mann Sch., NY

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2021 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Kazan, Melissa. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Some Girls Do." School Library Journal, vol. 67, no. 6, June 2021, pp. 66+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A663599677/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=46ce36de. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer MELT WITH YOU Putnam (Teen None) $17.99 5, 17 ISBN: 978-0-593-11256-4

A sweet story of love on the road.

The summer before college, Fallon is working at Love at First Bite, her mom's ice cream truck. It's a good deal except for the fact that her mom's only the co-owner; the other co-owner is her mom's best friend, who just happens to also be the mom of Fallon's former best friend-turned-ex-girlfriend. As their moms go to Dallas to close a life-changing business deal, Fallon and Chloe are left in charge of taking Love at First Bite on a road trip to participate in important food truck festivals. It doesn't help in the slightest that they haven't spoken in the year since Chloe left for college, Fallon still has it bad, and the two may have entirely different versions of what happened--both when they got together and when it all ended. Full of puns and long internal monologues, this is an engaging look at first love that gets to the heart of the feelings of indecision that come with being a teenager--especially one in love with her best friend. The suspense of the will-they, won't-they romance is entertaining and feels new, keeping readers interested throughout. Although perhaps a bit longer than necessary, the book is overall captivating and has a heartwarming finale. Main characters are White.

A charming summer romance. (Romance. 13-18)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: MELT WITH YOU." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A698656129/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=82572298. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Melt with You. By Jennifer Dugan. 2022.320p. Putnam, $17.99 (9780593112564). Gr. 9-12.

Fallon has mapped out a meticulous plan to limit her contact with her ex-best friend, Chloe (aka the person who utterly abandoned her after hooking up last summer). It will be a challenge, seeing as their mothers are still best friends and both girls work at their mothers' ice-cream truck. What's more, Chloe keeps showing up now that she's back from college, seemingly oblivious to just how badly she hurt Fallon. However, this no-contact plan didn't count on their mothers needing the girls to take the truck, just the two of them, on a road trip to a food festival. Now the question is, will the journey bring them together or force them apart? Dugan's latest sapphic romance is a charming story about the pain and miscommunication that can come from a friendship tipping into romance. Though dealing in familiar themes, it distinguishes itself in the sea of YA romance with its smart, nuanced depiction of familial loyalty. Appropriately sweet and messy yet wholly satisfying, this is destined to become one of the year's best summer beach reads. Serve it up to foodie romance fans taken with Maurene Goo's The Way You Make Me Feel (2018) and Amy Spaldings The Summer of Jordi Perez (2018).--Molly Horan

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Horan, Molly. "Melt with You." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 19-20, 1 June 2022, pp. 78+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A708840741/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7a39d136. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Coven.

By Jennifer Dugan. Art by Kit Seaton. Sept. 2022.288p. Putnam, $24.99 (9780593112168); paper, $17.99 (9780593112182). Gr. 8-12.741.5.

Emsy's happy life in California vanishes when her parents announce that, due to an "incident," they will all be moving to upstate New York. Tomorrow. To rejoin their coven. This sort of news would send any teen reeling, but Emsy faces the double whammy of leaving behind everything she loves (surfing, her girlfriend, and her bestie) and plunging into a world of witchcraft--a world from which Emsy has been deliberately shielded, until now. The incident behind this seismic change in circumstance is the brutal murder of a family--save for their teenage son, Ben--that belonged to her mother's coven. Dugan nails adolescent emotions without letting them crowd out the story's action, and Emsy's status as a newbie witch allows for the smooth incorporation of this magical world's history and mechanics. The realistic artwork ramps up the impact of the story's fantasy elements, as their unexpected appearance jolts Emsy and readers alike. Fire plays a key role in the narrative, and Seaton uses it to its full advantage, sending orange and gold flames cascading across panels and throwing figures into dramatic silhouette. As the mystery of what happened to Ben's family lurks, Emsy works to control her power and reconcile her old life with the new (and all the friendships therein). Queer witchy teens, murder, and a homecoming dance--what more could you want? Only a sequel (please!).--Julia Smith

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Smith, Julia. "Coven." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 21, 1 July 2022, pp. 42+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A713750929/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b58d00b9. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer COVEN Putnam (Teen None) $24.99 9, 6 ISBN: 978-0-593-11216-8

A teenage witch is torn between the life she's built and the bonds of a coven she barely knows.

Emsy's life is mostly that of an ordinary California teen, except for some occasional pyrokinesis. Magic and ritual are her parents' things--Emsy would rather be surfing. So when her mother tells her that a family of witches has been brutally murdered and they must move back to upstate New York to rejoin their coven for safety, Emsy's world comes to a shattering halt. Leaving her friends and girlfriend is bad enough, but Emsy soon realizes just how little her parents told her about witches and magic as she suddenly finds herself training to wield a power she's never embraced. Desperate to undo it all and return to normal, Emsy agrees to help another teen coven member who is even more devastated than she is to bring his family back from the dead. But every choice in the world of magic comes with a cost, and Emsy's involve the very highest of stakes and direst of consequences. Seaton's richly colored illustrations are dynamic, adding to the atmosphere. The multiracial, intergenerational ensemble cast of queer witches facing a deadly, unknown magical threat forms a strong narrative foundation, enhanced by intense character conflict and action. The neatly wrapped-up conclusion doesn't deliver on such compelling tension, however, and despite some remaining questions leaving room for a sequel, the ending may leave readers deflated.

Not a must-read but a solid, witchy story. (Graphic fantasy. 14-18)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: COVEN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 July 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A709933254/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=680bbfe6. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer. Love at First Set. Avon. May 2023. 336p. ISBN 9780063307483. pap.

$18.99. LGBTQIA+ROMANCE

Hearing a woman sobbing about her boyfriend in the bathroom, Lizzie gives her a supportive pep talk and convinces her it's okay to break off a relationship that's causing her pain. They share a nice moment of solidarity--only for Lizzie to quickly discover that the woman, Cara, is her bosses' daughter and the bride at the wedding they had all gathered to attend. What follows is a mix of subterfuge and self-discovery as Cara tries to sort out her post-breakup life, and Lizzie tries to keep the origins of their friendship secret from her bosses. Then a burgeoning romance between Lizzie and Cara brings together two women who each need a change--both romantically and professionally--from their initial early-adulthood choices, a theme that is often present in romance but is explored more deeply and directly here. The plot is propelled more than once by characters making rash decisions while drunk, which feels underexplored in connection with Lizzie's difficult relationship with her mother, who's addicted to alcohol. VERDICT This adult debut from YA novelist Dugan (Melt with You) has a strong mix of humor and emotional depth; book clubs will likely find a lot to discuss. -- Katelyn Browne

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Browne, Katelyn. "Love at First Set." Library Journal, vol. 148, no. 4, Apr. 2023, p. 95. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A744137463/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=afae698f. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer LOVE AT FIRST SET Avon/HarperCollins (Fiction None) $16.99 5, 23 ISBN: 9780063307483

A woman who inadvertently convinces her best friend's sister to ditch her own wedding finds herself falling for the runaway bride.

It's no exaggeration to say that Lizzie McCarthy's entire life revolves around the gym--it isn't just where she grew up and learned responsibility at a young age, but a gym called The Fitness Place is also her current professional home. She's never been able to score the promotion she thinks she deserves, though, and it seems that the Manderlays, who own the gym, are determined to keep her staffing the front desk for the foreseeable future. When their son, James, Lizzie's best friend, begs her to be his date to his sister Cara's wedding, Lizzie reluctantly says she'll do it--primarily to get some face time with her employers, since she's hoping to become the manager of their gym's new branch. One too many cocktails later, Lizzie stumbles on a crying woman in the bathroom and gives her a drunken pep talk only to discover much too late that the stranger she's just helped out is Cara--and that Lizzie has convinced her to ditch her wedding. Lizzie is determined to do everything she can to make sure her bosses don't learn she had a role in this mess, but now she's getting pushed into entertaining Cara while the newly single woman is hanging around trying to figure out what to do with her life. As the weeks pass, Lizzie discovers that she has a pretty strong crush on Cara, but with a promotion on the line and secrets stacking up all around them, is there a way she can both fulfill her aspirations and get the girl? The book's premise has so much potential, and the developing romance between Cara and Lizzie is the strongest component, but the toxic family relationships drag the book down, making the eventual resolution less effective.

A clever rom-com that loses some of its spark by the end.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: LOVE AT FIRST SET." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A743460668/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3a4cba5e. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer THE LAST GIRLS STANDING Putnam (Teen None) $18.99 8, 15 ISBN: 9780593532072

Eighteen-year-old Sloan narrowly escapes a massacre at a summer camp but is left missing her memory.

Sloan expected to spend the summer before heading off to college having fun working as a counselor at Camp Money Springs, but her plans are cut brutally short when a band of men wearing carved wooden animal masks show up and slaughter everyone in the night with machetes. Only Sloan and her now-girlfriend, Cherry, survive, but Sloan can't remember anything about how they escaped, relying only on Cherry's version of events to fill in the gaps. As Sloan desperately tries to regain her own memories about that night and answer the myriad questions she has, her trust in Cherry begins to unravel. Sloan begins to wonder if anything she's been told is true, if Cherry may have somehow been involved in the massacre, and if the mystery of Sloan's own adoption 14 years earlier could be the answer to everything. Sloan's confusion and growing uncertainty build palpable tension as events hurtle forward in a haunting and compelling manner. Sloan and Cherry's codependent relationship rings true and feels suffocating and difficult to escape from, never quite allowing readers to develop trust in any one character. Occasionally, Sloan's unreliability as a narrator can feel repetitive, but overall, this element adds to the frantic march toward a shocking and satisfying conclusion. Main characters read White; there is some racial diversity in secondary characters.

A queer psychological thriller with teeth. (Thriller. 14-18)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: THE LAST GIRLS STANDING." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A752722830/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=d2f52540. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

DUGAN, Jennifer. The Last Girls Standing. 320p. Putnam. Aug. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593532072.

Gr 9 Up--Sloan, 18, is one of only two survivors of a gruesome slaughter that took place during the summer camp where she worked as a camp counselor. With very few memories of what occurred--masked men wielding machetes, snippets of kissing her girlfriend while covered in blood--Sloan struggles to come to terms with her trauma. She is plagued by nightmares and has formed a codependent relationship with her girlfriend, Cherry, whom she had only known for a few days before the massacre. They are virtually inseparable; Sloan relies heavily on Cherry to fill in the blanks of what really happened that night. When the news reveals information about the cult that massacred their friends, Sloan begins to suspect that her girlfriend may have been more than just a victim--she may have even been a part of it. Can she trust what Cherry says happened? This psychological thriller will interest readers who appreciate a little bit of gore. The characters are complex and realistic. Main characters read as white, with several supporting characters cued as Black, Korean, and Latinx. Throughout the book, readers see the arc of how Sloan's relationships with family and friends change after the trauma, as well as her growth as she learns to live with her PTSD and anxiety. VERDICT A recommended purchase where thrillers are popular; hand this to fans of Holly Jackson's A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Stephen King's IT.--Ashley Grillo

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Grillo, Ashley. "DUGAN, Jennifer. The Last Girls Standing." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 10, Oct. 2023, p. 83. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A766727752/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=435b448d. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Playing for Keeps

Jennifer Dugan. Putnam, $19.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-59369-686-6

Dugan (The Last Girl Standing) emphasizes choosing one's own path and the uneven grieving process in this charming queer romance. Ivy, 18, and June, 17, have a lot in common: they're each pursuing a career in sports; they've lost their brother and mother, respectively, to cancer; and they're slowly buckling under the weight of their families' expectations. Ivy's desire to dedicate her time to becoming a referee for the NFL puts her at odds with her mother, who insists that Ivy attend college as a backup; meanwhile, baseball pitcher June pushes herself to the point of injury while trying to make a name for herself amid the shadow of her former minor league baseball player father. When Ivy umps for one of June's games, the two use their shared history as a jumping-off point for a relationship based on mutual understanding, but their parents' opinions, the athletic code of ethics they live by, and the pressure they place on themselves soon have them questioning what they want, not only in love but in life. Without sacrificing the banter or sincerity that make up this winning romance, Dugan skillfully crafts parallel story lines in which the weight of loss and pressure to succeed haunt the protagonists throughout their everyday lives as they work toward their own futures. Major characters cue as white. Ages 12-up. Agent: Sara Crowe, Sara Crowe Literary. (Apr.)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Playing for Keeps." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 4, 29 Jan. 2024, p. 63. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A782610577/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a0f96097. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer PLAYING FOR KEEPS Putnam (Teen None) $19.99 4, 30 ISBN: 9780593696866

Ivy, an 18-year-old referee, and June, a 17-year-old pitcher, exasperate each other the moment they meet.

In this voice-driven, absorbing dual narrative, anxiety about college applications drives the protagonists' behavior almost as palpably as their grief-stricken family dynamics do. Ever since June's mother, a former softball pitcher, passed away from breast cancer, June and her retired minor-league baseball player father have made June's athletic success their obsession. Meanwhile, Ivy's parents pressure her to focus more on academics, just like her late brother Nicky, who died of leukemia, did. Both young women cling to intense perfectionism, their desperation a shrewd cautionary tale for anyone struggling toward demanding dreams. When Ivy and June realize they're in the "big, gay, dead family club" together (June is a lesbian, and Ivy is bisexual; both are witty), they wind up bonding, then kissing, and then falling in love. Their motivations are clear and relatable--and the two are clearly bound for strife, given that players and officials aren't allowed to date. Plus, June has been pushing her injured rotator cuff way too far, in part thanks to the complicity of irresponsible adults. Ivy's and June's flawed coping strategies clash with their adorable budding romance, propelling them toward gut-wrenching heartbreak and terrifying, necessary, affirming new choices. Ivy and June are cued white; their respective best friends--Japanese American Mia and Javonte, who's Black--are well developed in their supporting roles.

A page-turner that handles heavy topics with wisdom. (Romance. 13-18)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: PLAYING FOR KEEPS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Mar. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A784238384/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=94d45145. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

The Ride of Her Life

Jennifer Dugan. Avon, $17.99 trade paper (352p) ISBN 978-0-06-330751-3

Dugan (Melt with You) underwhelms in this immature sapphic rom-com, which features a cast of 20-somethings who behave like mean girl tweens. Narrator Molly McDaniel, 24, works as a barista, lives with her mom, and has put her dreams of becoming a wedding planner on hold because dreaming won't cover her student loan payments. Mom is a soul-sucking helicopter parent who feuded with her own sister literally until the woman's death--whereupon Molly inherits her aunt's horse farm. The business is spiraling, but a nucleus of horse boarders remain, led by resident farrier Shani Thomas. Molly sees selling the property as a way to make quick cash; Shani, who Molly's aunt fostered from childhood while Shani's parents were on the road, is enraged by the prospective sale. She's also gorgeous, which renders Molly equal parts lusty and whiny. Suspension of disbelief in the service of good tropes is no crime, and for a while the enemies-to-lovers structure carries the tale, but readers will grow frustrated as incongruities and dropped plot arcs accumulate. Meanwhile, the solution to both women's problems feels glaringly obvious, but it takes them fat longer than it takes the reader to figure things out. Shani and Molly inevitably get their happily ever after, but readers will wonder whether they deserve it. Agent: Sara Crowe. Sara Crowe Literary. (May)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"The Ride of Her Life." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 9, 4 Mar. 2024, p. 32. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A786742112/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5685b874. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer THE RIDE OF HER LIFE Avon/HarperCollins (Fiction None) $17.99 5, 28 ISBN: 9780063307513

Opposites attract when a city girl inherits a horse farm--which also includes a gorgeous yet grumpy farrier.

Molly McDaniel is obsessed with weddings, and she's always dreamed of starting her own wedding-planning company. Sadly, she's drowning in student debt and nowhere close to launching a business while she works two part-time jobs, as a barista and at a call center. When an estranged aunt dies and leaves her a barn, Molly at first believes her bad luck has doubled, but quickly sees the silver lining. If she can sell the barn and land, then she might have enough money to pursue her goal. The ramshackle barn comes with more than just horses and hefty repair costs, though. There's also Shani Thomas, a farrier who not only lives and works on the property, but also tended to Molly's aunt during her years of declining health. The two immediately butt heads, as it seems that Molly is only there to destroy what Shani helped build. As more and more people pitch in to help Molly with the renovation, she begins to be swayed by the community the barn has brought together and her growing attraction to Shani. The biggest detriment to this trope-filled romance with its grumpy-meets-sunshine couple and fish-out-of-water-plot is the main character. Molly is frequently a poor communicator even though people's livelihoods are on the line, and she often drops the ball in making Shani feel supported. For a good part of the book, Molly is selfish and short-sighted, assuming those around her will come to her aid at the drop of a hat, and it isn't believable that she'd be able to run a successful small business. She's a prime example of a partner and friend who takes way more than she gives.

An unlikable main character frustrates what could have been a romance for grown-up horse girls.

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: THE RIDE OF HER LIFE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A788097058/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4f4b0a19. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer FULL SHIFT Putnam (Teen None) $24.99 8, 27 ISBN: 9780593529843

A werewolf struggles with her senses of self and belonging.

Tessa was born a werewolf, but her abilities lag behind those of others in her extended family; she still can't fully shift, and honestly, she doesn't even want to. Her dad was the only one who made her feel comfortable about her wolf, but he passed away. It's hard enough that white-presenting Tessa has a longstanding secret crush on her friend Maddie (who's cued Indian American), let alone adding her supernatural status into the mix. When rumors swirl about hunters in the area seeking to "cure" werewolves by turning them human, Tessa sees a chance to make her life easier, but she soon discovers that their intentions are far more sinister. A miscommunication leads to Maddie's learning the truth about Tessa's werewolf identity--and, as a result, Maddie unwittingly becomes a target of the hunters. To save her family and her crush, Tessa must embrace her full self. The easy-to-follow panels (even in chaotic action scenes) combined with inviting art make it a breeze to zip through this entertaining, straightforward tale. While Dugan doesn't delve too deeply into the themes, she includes just enough substance to make the work gratifying. The balance between action and humor is held together by Tessa as an appealing lead. The queer teen is prickly, sometimes awkward, and often relatable as she tries to figure out who she is and her place in the world, all while dealing with grief.

A satisfying supernatural story.(Graphic paranormal. 13-18)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: FULL SHIFT." Kirkus Reviews, 15 July 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A801499532/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=61351ef3. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

DUGAN, Jennifer. Full Shift. illus. by Kit Seaton. 256p. Putnam. Aug. 2024. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780593529843.

Gr 7 Up--Unlike her popular sister, Tessa doesn't fit in. Always lagging behind, misfit Tessa can't even shift by choice; only when she loses her temper does the wolf within appear. It's not easy to be a werewolf or a queer teenage girl, and if she can't control her feelings and abilities, she'll fall further behind the pack. When Tessa's crush Maddie invites her to hang out in her bedroom, Tessa anticipates the big reveal, thinking that Maddie is also a supernatural being. But as Tessa shifts, Maddie comes out of the closet as queer. This is not the bonding experience either girl anticipated, and worse, Tessa has exposed her family's secret to a human and must drive a wedge between herself and Maddie to protect the pack. Following the lead on a cure to werewolfism, Tessa stumbles onto a plot to destroy werewolves, and her blundering puts everyone in danger, pursued by violent hunters. Dugan and Seaton's graphic novel is hilarious and heartwarming. The pages are illustrated with a subdued, pastel palette, bold lines, and deep shading that sets the tone for this well-rounded story. Readers will root for Tessa as she learns that speaking the truth allows her to accept herself, rebuild familial bonds, and get closer to her crush. VERDICT Part fast-paced adventure, part poignant coming-of-age romance, Full Shift is recommended for all teen collections and pairs well with Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle's Squad.--Rebecca Jung

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Jung, Rebecca. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Full Shift." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 9, Sept. 2024, pp. 114+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A836879113/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=75415fe9. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Dugan, Jennifer SUMMER GIRLS Putnam (Teen None) $19.99 5, 27 ISBN: 9780593696897

Cass Adler has a rule: "Absolutelyno dating summer girls. Ever." Unfortunately for her, Birdie Gordon is irresistible.

Cass is a hardworking lifeguard on the beaches of Newport, Rhode Island. She loves her friends, family, and neighborhood--and hates the entitled summer tourists. Cass is headed to MIT in the fall, and she has to make as much money as she can to help pay her way. When wealthy George Gordon, who owns the many rental properties Cass' father manages, offers to pay Cass to keep an eye on his wild, flighty daughter, Cass reluctantly agrees. But between the forced proximity and emotional memories of their childhood friendship, Cass finds herself caught in Birdie's orbit. Birdie, on the other hand, has been nursing a secret crush on Cass for years. Both girls are white and bisexual; Birdie is a well-known social media influencer with a boyfriend. The narrative not only chronicles the teens' slow-burn romance, but also deftly addresses the underlying issues present in their relationship, including wealth, class differences, the privilege of being able to come out on your own terms, and the volatile nature of social media. This fast-paced enemies-to-lovers romance will keep readers turning the pages, eager to see whether Cass realizes that not all summer girls are the same, and that some, in fact, might be worth everything.

A summer romance that's a delightful read in any season.(Romance. 13-17)

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Dugan, Jennifer: SUMMER GIRLS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Mar. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A828785160/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=aba5e75d. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Summer Girls. By Jennifer Dugan. May 2025. 320p. Putnam, $19.99 (9780593696897). Gr. 9-12.

After accidentally crashing her cheating boyfriend's McLaren, online influencer Birdie Gordon is forced to spend the summer after graduation being "babysat" by her old crush, Cass. While this is not an ideal situation, Cass (born into a working-class family) is coerced by Mr. Gordon (a real estate investor) to look after his privileged daughter. Birdie, who has never known privacy due to her media-obsessed mom, begins to enjoy a life of anonymity working as a parking lot attendant, slowly building autonomy. As they spend more time working at the beach and helping Cass' parents with the Affordable Housing Coalition, both girls cannot escape their undeniable attraction and end up falling in love. The only problem is Birdie's worry of opening up about her relationship and bisexuality to friends and family. Noticing Birdie's hesitation, Cass fears that Birdie will be just another heartbreaking "summer girl." Both teens will have to put their social status aside to make this relationship flourish. Dugan's newest LGBTQ+ romance is a continuous page-turner. Aside from the blossoming relationship, Dugan focuses on current issues such as coming out and gentrification. Many young adults will also relate to the worrisome problem of parents recording their children for online content. A reminder that love is always worth the fight.--Beronica Garcia

Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Garcia, Beronica. "Summer Girls." Booklist, vol. 121, no. 15-16, Apr. 2025, p. 109. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A847030599/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=13137a2f. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Schall, Lucy. "Dugan, Jennifer. Hot Dog Girl." Voice of Youth Advocates, vol. 42, no. 1, Apr. 2019, p. 61. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587973885/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=f0db282e. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Frostick, Cary. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Hot Dog Girl." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 3, Apr. 2019, p. 89. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A581175313/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7fc19cbb. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: VERONA COMICS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Feb. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A613750864/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=57a4be41. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Foust, Amanda. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Verona Comics." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 2, Feb. 2020, p. 77. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A613048835/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4df35806. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Some Girls Do." Publishers Weekly, vol. 268, no. 14, 5 Apr. 2021, pp. 69+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A658218055/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5a97d546. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Kazan, Melissa. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Some Girls Do." School Library Journal, vol. 67, no. 6, June 2021, pp. 66+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A663599677/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=46ce36de. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: MELT WITH YOU." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A698656129/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=82572298. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Horan, Molly. "Melt with You." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 19-20, 1 June 2022, pp. 78+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A708840741/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=7a39d136. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Smith, Julia. "Coven." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 21, 1 July 2022, pp. 42+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A713750929/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b58d00b9. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: COVEN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 July 2022. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A709933254/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=680bbfe6. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Browne, Katelyn. "Love at First Set." Library Journal, vol. 148, no. 4, Apr. 2023, p. 95. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A744137463/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=afae698f. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: LOVE AT FIRST SET." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A743460668/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3a4cba5e. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: THE LAST GIRLS STANDING." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A752722830/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=d2f52540. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Grillo, Ashley. "DUGAN, Jennifer. The Last Girls Standing." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 10, Oct. 2023, p. 83. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A766727752/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=435b448d. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Playing for Keeps." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 4, 29 Jan. 2024, p. 63. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A782610577/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a0f96097. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: PLAYING FOR KEEPS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Mar. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A784238384/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=94d45145. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "The Ride of Her Life." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 9, 4 Mar. 2024, p. 32. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A786742112/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5685b874. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: THE RIDE OF HER LIFE." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Apr. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A788097058/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=4f4b0a19. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: FULL SHIFT." Kirkus Reviews, 15 July 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A801499532/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=61351ef3. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Jung, Rebecca. "DUGAN, Jennifer. Full Shift." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 9, Sept. 2024, pp. 114+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A836879113/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=75415fe9. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. "Dugan, Jennifer: SUMMER GIRLS." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Mar. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A828785160/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=aba5e75d. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025. Garcia, Beronica. "Summer Girls." Booklist, vol. 121, no. 15-16, Apr. 2025, p. 109. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A847030599/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=13137a2f. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

Word Count