e-Audio, 08:06:29
Narrated by: James Fouhey
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Published by: Balzer + Bray
Read from: January 13-15, 2021
Stand-alone
Source: Library
TW:
For Readers Interested In: Coming of Age Stories, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, YAHenri “Halti” Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the dutiful first-generation Haitian son, and the trusted dog walker for his wealthy New York City neighbors. But his easy smiles mask a burning ambition to attend his dream college, Columbia University.
There is only one person who seems immune to Henri’s charms: his “intense” classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henri’s less-than-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school. Henri agrees, seeing a potential upside for himself.
Soon what started as a mutual hustle turns into something more surprising than either of them ever bargained for. . . .
This is a sharply funny and insightful novel about the countless hustles we have to keep from doing the hardest thing: being ourselves.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I somehow missed out on the first book by Philippe, but with a Black male main character in both, I knew I didn’t want to miss this one too. And I was of course not disappointed.
Henri has charm that can get to anyone. Well almost anyone. Corinne’s intense nature seems to make her immune to his charms. When she discovers his job isn’t exactly a job per se, he knows the gig is up. But she surprises him and blackmails him into helping her with her own problem. The two of them together turns into something neither one of them bargained for.
I guess I’ll start with what I liked. I liked the premise and the writing style. I felt like I was sucked into the story and I loved seeing the fun things they did to help each other. I felt their relationship was cute, but it felt just ok organically.
However, I did not like the characters. Well I liked Corinne and Henri’s best friend, but I did not care for Henri himself. He just seemed like a sleaze? He was lying to all those people about the dog walking business and had access to their pets or homes based on a hella elaborate lie? I just thought that was a little gross. But I just said ok, he’s just a hustler and thinks outside the box. But it still was in the back of my mind. And let’s not talk about the gross advice he got from his uncle that he actually had to think twice about. And then in the end when he actually did the thing, it gave me an even worse opinion about him. It just made me feel kinda weird.
As for the romance, I wish it had lasted a bit longer. I think she would have been good for him. Could have mellowed him out. But after what happened, I don’t blame them for wanting to get out while she could. I was surprised she even spoke to him again after that to be honest. But anyway, I think the two of them together was pretty cute and seeing the way they fell for each other was hella cute too.
This wasn’t a great story, but it was still good. I hope that the first book shows a better character than this one did, but I hope it keeps the same type of writing style!
Overall, I give this
