Reviews

Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe

shansxshelf's review against another edition

4.0

Where was this book when I was a senior stressing over college applications, and friendships that might fall apart, and the whole nine yard?

This was so stinking cute. I feel like, if I say how I felt, I will spoil things. But this was so cute! A reminder of the pressures our parents put on us. That crumbling pressure to be perfect, and be the absolute best version of yourself always.

READ IT!

sistatv's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

I really loved this book. Loved reading a romance solely from a young man's prospective. I especially love that my 15 year old son read it first and loved and recommended it to me. It was a wholesome sweet book and although my son and I both were taken aback by the decisions of one of out favorite Characters and what came from it... we both love Corinne, Henri, and Ming sooo much. I would love to see this adapted as a film asap. 10 of 10. Loved it and loved that it was written by a Black man as well. Going to read them all 

berdreads's review

slow-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

3.5-4 ☆

This was fun, cute and relatable. 

Although I’m already in uni, I related to Henri’s college stress and feeling like the program you chose wasn’t good enough. Even though America’s all he’s known, it would’ve been nice to see more inclusion of Henri’s identity as Haitian. We’re not gonna talk about that specific decision he made that pissed me off so bad. I think irl consequences would’ve been more severe but I’m glad he got his happy ending.

To be honest, I liked Corinne more than I did Henri and I would’ve love a dual pov. I also liked Ming and would read a spin-off about him. 

mayamcdo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

aimee_amina's review against another edition

3.0

Meh. That's honestly all I have to say about it.

I liked the fact that it was a book with black MCs but it wasn't all about racism. However the romance was forced, one day he hated her, next day he loved her for no real reason.

Also I didn't feel sorry for him at the part that I should have because it was such a stupid thing to do and he brought it on himself so struggled with that.

The writing style was amazing however, Phillips writes with such beautiful imagery and poetry. Love love love the writing.

celestial_being's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

liftedlife's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

bjt1977's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

that_person_logan's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really enjoyed the first 65% of this book but the rest I was just cringing along. You can tell exactly how the story will play out and it’s not pretty to watch it go down in flames. I so desperately wanted to root for our guy Halti but dude- really? He made a terrible choice and got off so easily and yet my stomach still ached the whole time I was reading it happen. 
What I did enjoy however was watching our main gal, Corinne “Cori” Troy grow as a person and as a friend in this book. I so related to her as an “intense” student who didn’t have any friends in school, so it was extremely cathartic to see her be welcomed by her peers. Cori definitely felt autistic to me, with her extreme interests, lack of social skills, and total bluntness and I so appreciate this representation in a book. It’s not often you get to read a romance novel about an incredibly smart, wise, beautiful, and funny Black Autistic Woman so thank you for writing that. 
Overall I would recommend this book to fans of Nicola Yoon and those in high school. 

christiana's review against another edition

4.0

Ben Phillipe reminds me of John Green in all the best ways: smart, funny dialogue (I still cackle every time I think about the debate teams hitting each other with a sack of oranges), great characters, and relationships that feel perfectly real. I have a bit of a harder time with this one than Philippe's debut because

Spoiler

of the decision to send the recommendation letter from Chantal's computer. Not because I didn't buy it, necessarily, but it felt like everyone kind of moved on from it instead of realizing that this kid either has way too much pressure on him or that it's a bigger deal than they made out of it (like, he and Corinne get back together?! And her mom is ok with that? WHAT?!). Also, he still gets into another ivy league school? I don't know, man. This makes me hate ivy leagues a little if that's real.

But overall, I'll be keeping an eye on whatever Philippe serves up next.