Gr 9 Up—Haitian American Henri will do just about anything to achieve his dream of going to Columbia, even if it
means betraying the girl he loves. A diverse cast of characters, racial tensions, and ethical dilemmas make this so
much more than just a simple romance.

I felt bad for Henri with all the pressure he had on his shoulders, but I also wanted to strangle him at one point. Overall, he was a lovely character. But I enjoyed Corinne too; she was awkward, smart-mouthed, not afraid to talk about sex, and quirky. I liked this more for the college admission shenanigans and Henri’s family (his mom’s a firefighter!) more so than the romance.

I can imagine the majority of this story might be stressful for students sending in college applications or doing SAT prep too lol

4.5 ( )

dnf @ 41% i think i’ll revisit this when i’m out of a reading slump and in the mood to read YA bc rn i’m not feeling her. ( )

Well that was thoroughly enjoyable! It isn't all light and fluffy though, as a decision made by one of our main protagonists turns the story on it's head. This book explores the pressures teens experience during the college application process, and how the expectations of their parents can add a layer of stress to an already tense situation. The book also addresses inequality in the system and how wealthier teens have access to certain advantages whilst applying for colleges. This novel, however, is at its heart an adorable romance. I wasn't 100% sold on the ending but overall I had a wonderful time reading this and loved the diverse characters. ( )

Halti (Henri Haltiwanger) is a senior at an exclusive New York prep school. He works hard to financially help his family with his dog walking business, full school schedule. He sees the advantages that privilege gives many of his classmates, especially when looking at his quest to gain entry into Columbia. After being blackmailed by intense classmate Corrine Troy, the two form a friendship and eventual romance.
An entertaining read with a sense of humor that grapples with first love, ethical questions, following passions, managing expectations of parents and finding ones way into adulthood. ( )