4.5 stars — I did not expect to be so thoroughly charmed by this book, but like it's protagonist, it's a smooth operator — smart, snarky, full of heart, fit and pretty, a bit of a hustler — and I completely fell for it.

Henri is a first-gen Haitian American New Yorker at a prestigious prep school. He uses his Prince Charming smile, the work ethic he learned from his parents, and some extra hustle to keep himself competitive with his wealthy, privileged classmates. With senior year barreling to the finish line, college acceptance and rejection letters thick in the air, the pressure to hustle harder keeps building. Corinne — a blunt, intense classmate who is always hands-up in the front row or nagging about her study room time — sees through his slightly questionable dog-walking scheme and blackmails him into teaching her how to turn on the charm so she can nail the recommendation she needs to get into her dream college.

While this odd couple works through whatever it is that's growing between them, a serious lapse in judgment threatens a future dream and tests the bonds of more than just their friendships.

This is a perfectly paced, realistic contemporary rom-com with great friend dynamics (shout-out to Ming!), great frenemy dynamics, beautifully constructed character growth and self-awareness, an immersive sense of place, and impeccably crafted dog culture jokes and shade.

Topics, tropes, and themes: high school, race, class, privilege, friendship, Haitian American, immigrant life, first generation immigrants, family expectation, family love, the American Dream, NYC, ethics, debate, dogs, charm, socal awkwardness, makeover, blackmail, first love

Content notes: underage drinking, PG relationships, vaping, strong language, stage fright (secondary character), anxiety, fraud