Charming as a Verb
α’αααΈααααα βααΆααα‘ααααα
From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American TeenagerΒ comes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.Β
Henri βHaltiβ 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 Henriβs charms: his βintenseβ classmate and neighbor Corinne Troy. When she uncovers Henriβs 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.
α’αααΈβα’ααααα·αααα
Ben Philippe is a New Yorkβbased writer and screenwriter, born in Haiti and raised in Montreal, Canada. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and an MFA in fiction and screenwriting from the Michener Center for Writers in Austin, Texas. He also teaches film studies and screenwriting at Barnard College. He is the author of the William C. Morris Awardβwinning novel The Field Guide to the North American Teenager. Find him online at www.benphilippe.com.
