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alexisxsparrow's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute story. While a lot of people didn’t like Halti at the beginning, I could see a kid who desperately wanted to be liked and also accepted by his highstrung immigrant father. A kid desperately wanted to please everyone around him. I can relate. Overall, I truly believe that Halti and Corrine’s relationship was the most realistic in the way that it was innocent and awkward, like most high school relationships really are. Great read and I recommend to anyone in the mood for a cute YA!
pheyreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lifeoflouuk_06's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A simple YA Romance.
stephaniellejem's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Such a cute and good book
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
3.0
A lot of diverse reads I see promoted involve interracial romances. That’s by no means a bad thing. Alabama didn’t repeal their anti-miscegenation law until the year 2000 despite it being ruled as unconstitutional more than thirty years before. At which point 40% of Alabamians voted against overturning it. So *interracial romances in media are, to a point, still a kind of win for those of us who aren’t terrible people.
*When I say interracial romance, in this context, I mean a romance between a white person and a person of color as that is the most predominant depiction of it in media.*
But, it is getting kind of tiring to only see those books heavily recommended. Obviously, you could argue it’s my fault for running in the book-ish circles I do. The problem is that on its face there is no issue whatsoever with having an interracial relationship so I have no reason nor inclination to screen for it. The issue is more that these books often do not feel genuine in their depictions or inclusion of said romances. It’s performative enlightenment which is part of a larger, broader issue of people including things like queer characters, disabled characters, or people of color because it’s seen as ‘the thing to do’ rather than something the author truly wants to do.
Interracial romance is also an easy way for publishers to game the system. Black people and people of color will read books about all races, more specifically books about white people, as we're used to not having enough representation to be picky. White people oftentimes will not. By putting a white person with a person of color it makes it palatable enough to not alienate white readers thereby maximizing profits while simultaneously reaping the praise for being so progressive.
All of that is to say that I’m happy to see that a book that centers Black love is receiving some well deserved attention. It was nice to read about a relationship that would mirror my own (if I had one) play out because there are aspects of a relationship between two Black people that I can relate to moreso than that of a relationship between two people of different races. Race is a large part of my identity and I like seeing that prominently displayed in-text. The same comfort I feel at having a Black person be a main character at all is magnified here.
Enough of my tangentially related lecture on a personal pet peeve in regards to the evolution of the modern romance genre, let's get to Charming As A Verb specifically.
It does exactly what it's intended to: depict a fun, sweet high school romance. I thought the chemistry was good. I could see why they fell for one another though I did think Halti's interest was a little unfounded initially. I chalk that up to teenage hormones blindsiding him. I really enjoyed seeing two studious Black kids on the opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of personality. It helped provide an interesting foundation for the relationship to grow on when both had something to learn from the other.
The perils of academia especially at a PWI were very well done. I have had similar experiences growing up in these kinds of environments and Philippe really nailed the tumultuous mix of gratefulness and resentment when you’ve been given a great opportunity that is at the same time a great burden because of how much pressure you feel to represent your entire race when you’re barely an adult. Especially when most of your white peers will never have to consider a tenth of what you do on a daily basis. Halti has the added bonus of being born to immigrant parents which increases his resolve to be the best - a nebulous qualification - at all costs exponentially. Halti’s charismatic facade was a defense mechanism he built in an attempt to combat the disadvantage he’s at on a systemic level - it’s all tied to respectability politics which I’m not going to get deeply into as the book only touches upon this.
I wish there had been more to the whole concept of Halti teaching Corinne how to be a ‘regular person’. It’s basically one party then that’s it for the deal. He barely tells her what to do and then the whole venture is a success. It kind of kills the enemies to lovers vibe the synopsis gives as the two are amicable rather quickly. It also felt way too easy for Corinne to slide in with people who actively didn’t like her or at the very least were wary of her.
The third act conflict also just flat out does not make sense to me. While you could argue that Halti was driven to do what he does out of desperation, I think that it’s silly considering the fact that Corinne is his girlfriend who has no reason to not support him. It would have been different if it had been foreshadowed in such a way that makes Corinne seem averse to the idea or Halti was worried about the impact it would have on their relationship. But, it’s not. There is absolutely no indication that Halti had to go the route that he does.
I recommend the book. It’s got heart. It’s got wit. Halti is charming without being smarmy. Corinne is serious without being severe. If you need a pick-me up, this is just the thing.
*When I say interracial romance, in this context, I mean a romance between a white person and a person of color as that is the most predominant depiction of it in media.*
But, it is getting kind of tiring to only see those books heavily recommended. Obviously, you could argue it’s my fault for running in the book-ish circles I do. The problem is that on its face there is no issue whatsoever with having an interracial relationship so I have no reason nor inclination to screen for it. The issue is more that these books often do not feel genuine in their depictions or inclusion of said romances. It’s performative enlightenment which is part of a larger, broader issue of people including things like queer characters, disabled characters, or people of color because it’s seen as ‘the thing to do’ rather than something the author truly wants to do.
Interracial romance is also an easy way for publishers to game the system. Black people and people of color will read books about all races, more specifically books about white people, as we're used to not having enough representation to be picky. White people oftentimes will not. By putting a white person with a person of color it makes it palatable enough to not alienate white readers thereby maximizing profits while simultaneously reaping the praise for being so progressive.
All of that is to say that I’m happy to see that a book that centers Black love is receiving some well deserved attention. It was nice to read about a relationship that would mirror my own (if I had one) play out because there are aspects of a relationship between two Black people that I can relate to moreso than that of a relationship between two people of different races. Race is a large part of my identity and I like seeing that prominently displayed in-text. The same comfort I feel at having a Black person be a main character at all is magnified here.
Enough of my tangentially related lecture on a personal pet peeve in regards to the evolution of the modern romance genre, let's get to Charming As A Verb specifically.
It does exactly what it's intended to: depict a fun, sweet high school romance. I thought the chemistry was good. I could see why they fell for one another though I did think Halti's interest was a little unfounded initially. I chalk that up to teenage hormones blindsiding him. I really enjoyed seeing two studious Black kids on the opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of personality. It helped provide an interesting foundation for the relationship to grow on when both had something to learn from the other.
The perils of academia especially at a PWI were very well done. I have had similar experiences growing up in these kinds of environments and Philippe really nailed the tumultuous mix of gratefulness and resentment when you’ve been given a great opportunity that is at the same time a great burden because of how much pressure you feel to represent your entire race when you’re barely an adult. Especially when most of your white peers will never have to consider a tenth of what you do on a daily basis. Halti has the added bonus of being born to immigrant parents which increases his resolve to be the best - a nebulous qualification - at all costs exponentially. Halti’s charismatic facade was a defense mechanism he built in an attempt to combat the disadvantage he’s at on a systemic level - it’s all tied to respectability politics which I’m not going to get deeply into as the book only touches upon this.
I wish there had been more to the whole concept of Halti teaching Corinne how to be a ‘regular person’. It’s basically one party then that’s it for the deal. He barely tells her what to do and then the whole venture is a success. It kind of kills the enemies to lovers vibe the synopsis gives as the two are amicable rather quickly. It also felt way too easy for Corinne to slide in with people who actively didn’t like her or at the very least were wary of her.
The third act conflict also just flat out does not make sense to me. While you could argue that Halti was driven to do what he does out of desperation, I think that it’s silly considering the fact that Corinne is his girlfriend who has no reason to not support him. It would have been different if it had been foreshadowed in such a way that makes Corinne seem averse to the idea or Halti was worried about the impact it would have on their relationship. But, it’s not. There is absolutely no indication that Halti had to go the route that he does.
I recommend the book. It’s got heart. It’s got wit. Halti is charming without being smarmy. Corinne is serious without being severe. If you need a pick-me up, this is just the thing.
jayjellies's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Light and entertaining read I really enjoyed story ans characters.
rebooks's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chiema's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5