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The Boy You Always Wanted
Francine always has a plan. Ollie wants no part of it.
Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson A Gūng never had.
Ollie generally avoids the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity makes him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying grandpa, Ollie’s not down. He doesn’t get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.
Francine, however, is determined to make it happen, and soon Ollie finds himself more invested in her plan—and in her—than he ever thought possible. But as the tangled lies and feelings pile up, Francine must discover what exactly she needs for herself—and from Ollie. Because sometimes the boy you always wanted isn’t what you expected.
Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson A Gūng never had.
Ollie generally avoids the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity makes him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying grandpa, Ollie’s not down. He doesn’t get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.
Francine, however, is determined to make it happen, and soon Ollie finds himself more invested in her plan—and in her—than he ever thought possible. But as the tangled lies and feelings pile up, Francine must discover what exactly she needs for herself—and from Ollie. Because sometimes the boy you always wanted isn’t what you expected.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2023
99 people are currently reading
8197 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Quach
2 books749 followersMichelle Quach is a graphic designer and writer living in Los Angeles. She’s Chinese-Vietnamese-American and a graduate of Harvard University, where she studied history and literature. She loves rom-coms, characters who don't always do the right thing, and any dog that kind of looks like her dog.
Her first novel, NOT HERE TO BE LIKED, is available Fall 2021 from Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins in the US and Usborne Books in the UK.
Her first novel, NOT HERE TO BE LIKED, is available Fall 2021 from Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins in the US and Usborne Books in the UK.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 373 reviews
December 26, 2024
$6.79 hardcover at Book Outlet
API Month
This book hits a lot of heavy topics. What does it mean to grow up female in an Asian household? How does it feel to be displaced by not one, but two countries? If you are Chinese Vietnamese, do you consider yourselves Chinese American or Vietnamese American, and why does that other part of you get erased?
I first read Michelle's NOT HERE TO BE LIKED, which I found interesting just for the fact that there was Chinese Vietnamese representation. Chinese people exist all over the world in various diasporas. There is a very large community of them in Southeast Asia. I'm most familiar with the Chinese Vietnamese community because I'm Vietnamese American and knew many of them growing up.
Francine is the only grandchild. In Chinese (and possibly other Asian or Buddhist cultures, but I didn't grow up super steeped in either so don't quote me) culture, ancestors are worshipped after death my grandsons. Granddaughters don't count, because they eventually become part of their husbands' households. The misogyny. I know.
Anyway, Francine thinks it's a great idea to involve her kind of friend and crush Ollie to be "adopted" into the family as her grandfather's heir. Ollie is a second son, so he's considered the spare. This obviously blows up in her face. Many things blow up in her face. I found her rather annoying, and Ollie a bit passive. Their romance didn't bloom out of nothing, but I didn't feel a lot of connection there.
Eventually, there is a reveal that comes out of left field. At least, for me it did. Maybe there's a little more that will be written in edits.
+1 for Rollo
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books
API Month
This book hits a lot of heavy topics. What does it mean to grow up female in an Asian household? How does it feel to be displaced by not one, but two countries? If you are Chinese Vietnamese, do you consider yourselves Chinese American or Vietnamese American, and why does that other part of you get erased?
I first read Michelle's NOT HERE TO BE LIKED, which I found interesting just for the fact that there was Chinese Vietnamese representation. Chinese people exist all over the world in various diasporas. There is a very large community of them in Southeast Asia. I'm most familiar with the Chinese Vietnamese community because I'm Vietnamese American and knew many of them growing up.
Francine is the only grandchild. In Chinese (and possibly other Asian or Buddhist cultures, but I didn't grow up super steeped in either so don't quote me) culture, ancestors are worshipped after death my grandsons. Granddaughters don't count, because they eventually become part of their husbands' households. The misogyny. I know.
Anyway, Francine thinks it's a great idea to involve her kind of friend and crush Ollie to be "adopted" into the family as her grandfather's heir. Ollie is a second son, so he's considered the spare. This obviously blows up in her face. Many things blow up in her face. I found her rather annoying, and Ollie a bit passive. Their romance didn't bloom out of nothing, but I didn't feel a lot of connection there.
Eventually, there is a reveal that comes out of left field. At least, for me it did. Maybe there's a little more that will be written in edits.
+1 for Rollo
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Tegen Books
August 28, 2023
Many thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange of my honest review.
I think that this might be one of the "it's not you, it's me" case: this book will, without a doubt, bring comfort to many readers, but unfortunately, I have realized that YA contemporary is not a genre that I continue to enjoy.
The themes treated in this book mean a lot to me. Being Asian-American myself, I felt seen by the discussion of family heritage, traditional values, identity and labels. I also appreciate the discussion around being having both Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, as I don't see it represented often.
Nevertheless, the characters and the romance aren't particularly to my taste: I find the characters quite juvenile for their age, and the progression of the friendship/romance feels rushed. I must admit that I skimmed a lot of pages, because the secondhand embarassement was pretty strong half-way through the book.
My favorite characters are Rollo and the dog so kudos to them.
Find me on my Bookstagram: @shardsofdeadlove.
I think that this might be one of the "it's not you, it's me" case: this book will, without a doubt, bring comfort to many readers, but unfortunately, I have realized that YA contemporary is not a genre that I continue to enjoy.
The themes treated in this book mean a lot to me. Being Asian-American myself, I felt seen by the discussion of family heritage, traditional values, identity and labels. I also appreciate the discussion around being having both Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, as I don't see it represented often.
Nevertheless, the characters and the romance aren't particularly to my taste: I find the characters quite juvenile for their age, and the progression of the friendship/romance feels rushed. I must admit that I skimmed a lot of pages, because the secondhand embarassement was pretty strong half-way through the book.
My favorite characters are Rollo and the dog so kudos to them.
Find me on my Bookstagram: @shardsofdeadlove.
July 30, 2023
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.
Not terrible just had a lot of things happening and mostly it didn’t work. I wanted to like Ollie and Francine, but Francine got on my nerves. The “secret” was beyond goofy. It just felt like it came out of nowhere. Also it shows that Francine’s grandpa is more of a jerk than you realize when you get why he doesn’t see her as a real heir.
Full Review:
I think because I don't really understand Chinese-Vietnamese culture, I was just missing a lot of things that maybe other readers will pick up on. The whole thing with Francine's grandfather having to have a male heir so that person would keep up the family traditions after he passed was confusing to me. There's also a whole subplot going on that is not addressed about how if
"The Boy You Always Wanted" follows teens Francine and Ollie. The two have known each other since they were kids since both their families immigrated. Francine even used to have a crush on Ollie, but she's past that (not really). When Francine's grandfather is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she decides she will do whatever she can to make him happy. And one of those things is for him to have a male heir. Francine comes up with The Plan that involves talking Ollie into agreeing to it. Cue messy hijinks.
Seriously. I don't know what this book wanted to be. The romance part feels shoehorned on (it takes a while to get going). And I really wanted someone to lecture Francine about her lack of boundaries and how judgmental she is. It just felt very glossed over. Ollie has his own issues, but it seems like the author just wanted him there to be the cute boy that Francine wants. I really wish that he had stood up for himself more in this book. It drove me bonkers.
The flow was good. The book jumps back and forth between Francine and Ollie.
The ending though just didn't feel or read right. I think there was too much left unsaid.
Not terrible just had a lot of things happening and mostly it didn’t work. I wanted to like Ollie and Francine, but Francine got on my nerves. The “secret” was beyond goofy. It just felt like it came out of nowhere. Also it shows that Francine’s grandpa is more of a jerk than you realize when you get why he doesn’t see her as a real heir.
Full Review:
I think because I don't really understand Chinese-Vietnamese culture, I was just missing a lot of things that maybe other readers will pick up on. The whole thing with Francine's grandfather having to have a male heir so that person would keep up the family traditions after he passed was confusing to me. There's also a whole subplot going on that is not addressed about how if
"The Boy You Always Wanted" follows teens Francine and Ollie. The two have known each other since they were kids since both their families immigrated. Francine even used to have a crush on Ollie, but she's past that (not really). When Francine's grandfather is diagnosed with terminal cancer, she decides she will do whatever she can to make him happy. And one of those things is for him to have a male heir. Francine comes up with The Plan that involves talking Ollie into agreeing to it. Cue messy hijinks.
Seriously. I don't know what this book wanted to be. The romance part feels shoehorned on (it takes a while to get going). And I really wanted someone to lecture Francine about her lack of boundaries and how judgmental she is. It just felt very glossed over. Ollie has his own issues, but it seems like the author just wanted him there to be the cute boy that Francine wants. I really wish that he had stood up for himself more in this book. It drove me bonkers.
The flow was good. The book jumps back and forth between Francine and Ollie.
The ending though just didn't feel or read right. I think there was too much left unsaid.
April 29, 2025
⋆.˚✮ 4 stars ✮˚.⋆
what a sucker i am for friends (especially childhood friends) to lovers, and this book only reinforced that belief about my reading preferences! the romance between Francine and Ollie was genuinely so sweet, even if there were times i got a bit frustrated, I recognized they were still in high school and figuring themselves and their identities out. most of my frustration was just a few miscommunications that happened, but they were resolved. the fake dating aspect was also so fun, especially because Francine had a crush on Ollie in childhood.
Francine's grandfather was frustrating at times too, just because of the pressure he applied to her and Ollie in different ways. however, I recognize that I am not a part of Asian culture, and so I completely recognize it's different then my own. i do not judge her grandfather too harshly as I recognize i'd be judging from my own perspective. the familial aspect of the story was very important to Francine and Ollie, and I felt it was very important too. it really felt so sweet how at the end they all managed to come together.
this was great to read as an audiobook too, the narrator was positively perfect for this! i loved hearing the character's voices and expressions from the audiobook narrator and I think it was a great way to read the book. overall, this was a very sweet book and I hope to read more Michelle Quach in the future!
↬ trigger warnings: parental death mentioned, cancer and chronic illness
what a sucker i am for friends (especially childhood friends) to lovers, and this book only reinforced that belief about my reading preferences! the romance between Francine and Ollie was genuinely so sweet, even if there were times i got a bit frustrated, I recognized they were still in high school and figuring themselves and their identities out. most of my frustration was just a few miscommunications that happened, but they were resolved. the fake dating aspect was also so fun, especially because Francine had a crush on Ollie in childhood.
Francine's grandfather was frustrating at times too, just because of the pressure he applied to her and Ollie in different ways. however, I recognize that I am not a part of Asian culture, and so I completely recognize it's different then my own. i do not judge her grandfather too harshly as I recognize i'd be judging from my own perspective. the familial aspect of the story was very important to Francine and Ollie, and I felt it was very important too. it really felt so sweet how at the end they all managed to come together.
this was great to read as an audiobook too, the narrator was positively perfect for this! i loved hearing the character's voices and expressions from the audiobook narrator and I think it was a great way to read the book. overall, this was a very sweet book and I hope to read more Michelle Quach in the future!
↬ trigger warnings: parental death mentioned, cancer and chronic illness
Want to read
October 17, 2022NEW MICHELLE QUACH!! like woah her cover design and art team just NEVER misses.
been waiting on a new book ever since not here to be liked which i thoroughly enjoyed for what it was. screamed and cheered when i saw the announcement and cover reveal for this drop! definitely going to be reading this one as soon as it releases or wiling to sell my soul for an arc of it...
been waiting on a new book ever since not here to be liked which i thoroughly enjoyed for what it was. screamed and cheered when i saw the announcement and cover reveal for this drop! definitely going to be reading this one as soon as it releases or wiling to sell my soul for an arc of it...
December 11, 2022
Dang, I really thought I would love this novel.
I had finished this novel a couple of days ago but held off on the review until I could gather my thoughts.
Lets start with the positives. I absolutely love the cover, the concept, and idea. The sexism in the Asian culture is still ongoing today. The need and want for a male son to carry on the family name and duties. Women/daughters are still looked down upon and considered less valuable compare to men/sons. It's something I'm quite familiar with and have personally experienced.
Going in, I thought it was going to be a deep and an emotional read. Unfortunately, the story barely scratched the surface of sexism. I wanted more from the story, more depth. I also had some issue with the pacing and flow. It felt a bit all over the place. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm asking for too much. Maybe this novel is meant to be a light read. Either way, the novel left me unsatisfied.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Michelle Quach (the author), and Harper Collins for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
I had finished this novel a couple of days ago but held off on the review until I could gather my thoughts.
Lets start with the positives. I absolutely love the cover, the concept, and idea. The sexism in the Asian culture is still ongoing today. The need and want for a male son to carry on the family name and duties. Women/daughters are still looked down upon and considered less valuable compare to men/sons. It's something I'm quite familiar with and have personally experienced.
Going in, I thought it was going to be a deep and an emotional read. Unfortunately, the story barely scratched the surface of sexism. I wanted more from the story, more depth. I also had some issue with the pacing and flow. It felt a bit all over the place. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm asking for too much. Maybe this novel is meant to be a light read. Either way, the novel left me unsatisfied.
***I would like to thank NetGalley, Michelle Quach (the author), and Harper Collins for graciously sending me a copy of the novel to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
July 16, 2023
This book was absolutely adorable. I found the characters (especially Francine) to be as sweet as they were realistic and relatable. There was some sensitive topics in this one that I thought were handled really well. The relationship between Francine and Ollie seemed like a typical teenage relationship to me, but I like seeing things go from enemies to friends to lovers. I mean come on, who doesn’t enjoy that troupe?!
This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read more from them in the future.
Thank you to Usborne for sending me a proof copy of this one.
This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read more from them in the future.
Thank you to Usborne for sending me a proof copy of this one.
August 31, 2023
I really wanted to love this, especially with both covers being so cute, but sadly it didn't work for me. It was very slow paced and took almost 40% to get started, and then the plot just wasn't all that interesting, the romance went from 0 to 100 really quick...it was odd.
I do think that this author has better books though, so I will be giving them a chance in the future.
2.5
I do think that this author has better books though, so I will be giving them a chance in the future.
2.5
March 17, 2024
i haven’t fallen in love with a YA contemporary in so long, please let this be the one (i always wanted).
June 28, 2023
Francine wants nothing more than to please her dying grandfather. One problem: she was born a girl. After hearing her grandad lament the fact that he had no grandsons, Francine hatches a scheme to find someone to be the adoptive heir. In need of a boy, she turns to an old friend, Ollie Tran, and asks him to pretend that he will be her granddad’s adoptive heir.
This book dealt with some hard topics. Sexism among grandparents is something that unfortunately a lot of us can relate to. How do we reconcile the hurtful things our family thinks of us, with the love we feel for them? Francine was giving all of herself to her family and making herself smaller in the process. She struggles to set healthy boundaries without feeling like she is denying others the help they deserve. This book had a more serious tone throughout, which worked well.
Francine is the highlight of this book. A people pleasure, rule-following girl who doesn’t see value in herself, but in what she can do for others. My heart aches for her, and I found her to be relatable in a lot of ways. I wish we could have seen her grow more naturally into herself, but that process was rushed in the end.
I did not like Ollie, our other main character. He came off as bland and didn’t have much empathy for anyone. It didn’t sit well with me that he thought awful things about Francine, and that only changed when he started to think of her in a romantic way.
The romance plays such a big role (this is a contemporary YA novel after all) but it fell flat. As mentioned above, I loved Francine and not Ollie, so I questioned how quickly they went from enemies to friends, to lovers. Also, I was hoping for more connections between them. Cute moments between them are very few since most of their interactions also include the grandfather.
The plot was good, but not as high of stakes as I was expecting. This worked for me, up until the very end. From 80% on it felt very rushed, and I didn’t get the closure I needed. Relationships weren’t mended on page, except for a few short and unsatisfactory conversations.
Honestly, I’d recommend you give this one a go. I have the feeling every reader will find something in this book that touches them.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins children's books for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book dealt with some hard topics. Sexism among grandparents is something that unfortunately a lot of us can relate to. How do we reconcile the hurtful things our family thinks of us, with the love we feel for them? Francine was giving all of herself to her family and making herself smaller in the process. She struggles to set healthy boundaries without feeling like she is denying others the help they deserve. This book had a more serious tone throughout, which worked well.
Francine is the highlight of this book. A people pleasure, rule-following girl who doesn’t see value in herself, but in what she can do for others. My heart aches for her, and I found her to be relatable in a lot of ways. I wish we could have seen her grow more naturally into herself, but that process was rushed in the end.
I did not like Ollie, our other main character. He came off as bland and didn’t have much empathy for anyone. It didn’t sit well with me that he thought awful things about Francine, and that only changed when he started to think of her in a romantic way.
The romance plays such a big role (this is a contemporary YA novel after all) but it fell flat. As mentioned above, I loved Francine and not Ollie, so I questioned how quickly they went from enemies to friends, to lovers. Also, I was hoping for more connections between them. Cute moments between them are very few since most of their interactions also include the grandfather.
The plot was good, but not as high of stakes as I was expecting. This worked for me, up until the very end. From 80% on it felt very rushed, and I didn’t get the closure I needed. Relationships weren’t mended on page, except for a few short and unsatisfactory conversations.
Honestly, I’d recommend you give this one a go. I have the feeling every reader will find something in this book that touches them.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins children's books for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 10, 2023
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
This YA contemporary novel was the perfect blend of heartfelt emotion and a cute romantic story. The pacing was steady and intriguing the entire book; I especially loved the dual POV from Francine and Ollie. Though the second half of the book was my favorite and where I really didn’t want to put the book down at all.
As Francine attempts to get Ollie to help her execute a plan to convince her dying Grandpa that he will have a male heir in his family when he passes, she realizes this boy she used to crush on is not who she thought he was. At the same time, Ollie learns so much about himself and life through Francine and her family.
Michelle Quach is so great at creating characters with depth even when we don’t get to spend a lot of time with them.
Love love loved this book!
This YA contemporary novel was the perfect blend of heartfelt emotion and a cute romantic story. The pacing was steady and intriguing the entire book; I especially loved the dual POV from Francine and Ollie. Though the second half of the book was my favorite and where I really didn’t want to put the book down at all.
As Francine attempts to get Ollie to help her execute a plan to convince her dying Grandpa that he will have a male heir in his family when he passes, she realizes this boy she used to crush on is not who she thought he was. At the same time, Ollie learns so much about himself and life through Francine and her family.
Michelle Quach is so great at creating characters with depth even when we don’t get to spend a lot of time with them.
Love love loved this book!
April 5, 2025
3/5 ⭐️
Ich hab etwas gebraucht, bis ich in die Geschichte gekommen bin. Habe dann eine laaannge Lesepause eingelegt und den Rest jetzt innerhalb von einem Tag beendet. 👀🫣 Das beschreibt mein Verhältnis zur Geschichte ganz gut 😂 Ich fand das Buch gut und auch die Themen find ich total interessant. (Habe mir auch sehr viele Stellen markiert) Dennoch konnte es mich nicht komplett fesseln. 🙈
Ich hab etwas gebraucht, bis ich in die Geschichte gekommen bin. Habe dann eine laaannge Lesepause eingelegt und den Rest jetzt innerhalb von einem Tag beendet. 👀🫣 Das beschreibt mein Verhältnis zur Geschichte ganz gut 😂 Ich fand das Buch gut und auch die Themen find ich total interessant. (Habe mir auch sehr viele Stellen markiert) Dennoch konnte es mich nicht komplett fesseln. 🙈
July 2, 2023
I read this author’s debut and I absolutely loved it and I was hoping to enjoy this one just as much but it unfortunately fell short. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and therefore it was difficult to root for them in the familial relationships, friendships and romance. I didn’t feel a big connection between Francine and Ollie. Their romance felt sort of forced and it just never seemed like they were a good fit together.
This story focused a lot on family and tradition and I would’ve loved to see more of a resolution with Francine and her family. They were keeping a huge secret from her and she finds out all while her grandpa is suffering from a severe form of cancer. I kept waiting for a moment that would show growth from all the characters involved and I never got it.
I do think this author’s writing itself is good, it was easy to follow and had good pacing. There’s also great Chinese Vietnamese representation. I just didn’t click with this story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
This story focused a lot on family and tradition and I would’ve loved to see more of a resolution with Francine and her family. They were keeping a huge secret from her and she finds out all while her grandpa is suffering from a severe form of cancer. I kept waiting for a moment that would show growth from all the characters involved and I never got it.
I do think this author’s writing itself is good, it was easy to follow and had good pacing. There’s also great Chinese Vietnamese representation. I just didn’t click with this story.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review!
September 27, 2024
4.25⭐️Throughly enjoyed this book. It was great at bringing to light the type of stereo typical views our elders have against females, especially in Asian households. The romance balanced and complemented the generational trama, as well as giving examples of conversations that need to be had in families today. Though I have zero Asian genes, I found this story and the Viet-Chinese character representation very educational and refreshing. What a great YA romance, it had me swooning and feeling all the nostalgic vibes. I will be reading "Not Here To Be Liked" very soon.
January 14, 2024
Finished my first book in 2024 🩷
This review is also posted on my blog: Dear, Mermaird
It feels to good to start a new year reading a book with such lovely characters. In The Boy You Always Wanted, when Francine learns about her grandfather’s terminal illness, she ends up inviting her childhood crush, Ollie, for a plan to fulfill grandfather’s dying wish. Ollie, who had been avoiding Francine as much as he could for the past several years was reluctant, but when a girl is determined, not even Ollie can resist.
Francine is as honest and kind as one can get, but most of the time, being honest about what she truly wants is something she can hardly do, especially if she thinks it will make her loved ones unhappy. She never breaks any rules, and she is willing to sacrifice a lot in order to make others happy. Ollie on the other hand appears to be calm and collected, but he avoids anything that he find difficult to handle, even if it means not being helpful when someone is in need. Somehow, with enough persuasion, a deal is done between Francine and Ollie, and all Ollie had to do was spend some days in the week pretending to be adopted as a male heir of Francine’s family.
I can describe the dynamic between Francine and Ollie as chaotic x calm, which was actually very fun to read. I am glad that this book was written in dual POVs, because it made it easier to understand about how they both feel and act around each other. Honestly, Francine’s ideas can get pretty intense, and without her inner thoughts and reasonings, I think it would have been slightly difficult for me to like her character.
I really appreciate how both Francine and Ollie are very respectful towards their elders, even when they disagreed on some things. I guess it is the Asian rule to always be respectful, but it makes me happy that I was reading a book on good kids (it irks me a lot when I get characters who are rude for no reasons to their parents or teachers). This book’s main focus is on the familial love, and it’s heartwarming to read how much Francine’s family care for each other. When Francine reveals the reason why she is willing to do everything for the sake of her family’s happiness, I had to question myself whether I ever had the same thought.
I absolutely adore the growth of romance between Francine and Ollie. It was pretty obvious that Francine still has enough adoration towards Ollie for it to be rekindled, and Ollie had always find Francine to be cute—them falling for each other is inevitable. It is cute how awkward they are at first: him not understanding why he’s willing to follow all her whims, and her being confused as to why he is softer with her now. I guess I am a bit biased towards Ollie for being a soft boy, but I like the fact that he called out Francine’s grandfather for being sexist regarding the male heir issue (though the actual reason behind the issue is an entirely different thing), always prioritises Francine’s wishes and happiness, and is also not afraid to admit that it’s okay for a man to be soft.
Overall, The Boy You Always Liked centers around familial love, navigating around accepting that you can lose your loved ones at any time. It also revolves around appreciating your family’s culture and history, how the past should not be forgotten. I have only mentioned how I love the growing romance between Francine and Ollie, but I also loved their friendship with Gia and Rollo, who are supportive towards them in literally everything.
I feel like there are some things left hanging or unanswered, especially regarding the family secret that was kept from Francine, as well as Ollie’s unspoken issue with his father, but I guess some things are not meant to be addressed right away. I’d like to think that after the book ends, they both worked it out slowly with their respective parents. This book is not perfect, but I like it well enough nonetheless.
This review is also posted on my blog: Dear, Mermaird
You can keep ignoring all the feelings you don't like, all the ones you can't do anything about, except you're going to find out life isn't only about doing the hard things. Sometimes it is about feeling them.
― Michelle Quach, The Boy You Always Wanted
It feels to good to start a new year reading a book with such lovely characters. In The Boy You Always Wanted, when Francine learns about her grandfather’s terminal illness, she ends up inviting her childhood crush, Ollie, for a plan to fulfill grandfather’s dying wish. Ollie, who had been avoiding Francine as much as he could for the past several years was reluctant, but when a girl is determined, not even Ollie can resist.
Francine is as honest and kind as one can get, but most of the time, being honest about what she truly wants is something she can hardly do, especially if she thinks it will make her loved ones unhappy. She never breaks any rules, and she is willing to sacrifice a lot in order to make others happy. Ollie on the other hand appears to be calm and collected, but he avoids anything that he find difficult to handle, even if it means not being helpful when someone is in need. Somehow, with enough persuasion, a deal is done between Francine and Ollie, and all Ollie had to do was spend some days in the week pretending to be adopted as a male heir of Francine’s family.
I can describe the dynamic between Francine and Ollie as chaotic x calm, which was actually very fun to read. I am glad that this book was written in dual POVs, because it made it easier to understand about how they both feel and act around each other. Honestly, Francine’s ideas can get pretty intense, and without her inner thoughts and reasonings, I think it would have been slightly difficult for me to like her character.
I really appreciate how both Francine and Ollie are very respectful towards their elders, even when they disagreed on some things. I guess it is the Asian rule to always be respectful, but it makes me happy that I was reading a book on good kids (it irks me a lot when I get characters who are rude for no reasons to their parents or teachers). This book’s main focus is on the familial love, and it’s heartwarming to read how much Francine’s family care for each other. When Francine reveals the reason why she is willing to do everything for the sake of her family’s happiness, I had to question myself whether I ever had the same thought.
I absolutely adore the growth of romance between Francine and Ollie. It was pretty obvious that Francine still has enough adoration towards Ollie for it to be rekindled, and Ollie had always find Francine to be cute—them falling for each other is inevitable. It is cute how awkward they are at first: him not understanding why he’s willing to follow all her whims, and her being confused as to why he is softer with her now. I guess I am a bit biased towards Ollie for being a soft boy, but I like the fact that he called out Francine’s grandfather for being sexist regarding the male heir issue (though the actual reason behind the issue is an entirely different thing), always prioritises Francine’s wishes and happiness, and is also not afraid to admit that it’s okay for a man to be soft.
Overall, The Boy You Always Liked centers around familial love, navigating around accepting that you can lose your loved ones at any time. It also revolves around appreciating your family’s culture and history, how the past should not be forgotten. I have only mentioned how I love the growing romance between Francine and Ollie, but I also loved their friendship with Gia and Rollo, who are supportive towards them in literally everything.
I feel like there are some things left hanging or unanswered, especially regarding the family secret that was kept from Francine, as well as Ollie’s unspoken issue with his father, but I guess some things are not meant to be addressed right away. I’d like to think that after the book ends, they both worked it out slowly with their respective parents. This book is not perfect, but I like it well enough nonetheless.
October 3, 2023
I listened to the audiobook for this, and I really enjoyed it. It's full of family drama and romance, both with a slow but steady build-up, and both intertwined with each other. I really liked the characters, and I thought this was a really engaging read. Would definitely read more from this author.
August 3, 2023
lots to unpack. not quite resolved the way i hoped it would be.
September 15, 2023
“Except you’re going to find out that life isn’t only about doing the hard things. Sometimes it is about feeling them.”
I was sent an ARC copy of this book by HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: cancer, sexism, death of a parent, science class animal dissection
After loving Michelle's debut, I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint! Once again, I loved Michelle's writing style and found that the dual POVs added a lot of dimension to the plot. We got a wide range of intriguing characters that grabbed my attention immediately. Each of the side characters had their own stories and personalities and created a great community for the book to be set in. I'd have to say that my favourite character was Francine. I loved reading about her journey toward discovering who she really was and what was important to her. I was also rooting for Ollie and Francine from the beginning. The romance was very well-paced and had all the heartwarming vibes! While it does feature an adorable romance, The Boy You Always Wanted also explores heavy topics like family expectations, health struggles, and self-love. This range of topics created a multi-dimensional reading experience.
With a focus on family and self-discovery, plus an adorable romance, you have to add The Boy You Always Wanted to your tbr! I cannot wait to read more of Michelle's work in the future.
I was sent an ARC copy of this book by HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
I've also posted this review on Instagram and my blog.
Instagram Post
Blog Post
Content Warnings: cancer, sexism, death of a parent, science class animal dissection
After loving Michelle's debut, I had high hopes for this book and it did not disappoint! Once again, I loved Michelle's writing style and found that the dual POVs added a lot of dimension to the plot. We got a wide range of intriguing characters that grabbed my attention immediately. Each of the side characters had their own stories and personalities and created a great community for the book to be set in. I'd have to say that my favourite character was Francine. I loved reading about her journey toward discovering who she really was and what was important to her. I was also rooting for Ollie and Francine from the beginning. The romance was very well-paced and had all the heartwarming vibes! While it does feature an adorable romance, The Boy You Always Wanted also explores heavy topics like family expectations, health struggles, and self-love. This range of topics created a multi-dimensional reading experience.
With a focus on family and self-discovery, plus an adorable romance, you have to add The Boy You Always Wanted to your tbr! I cannot wait to read more of Michelle's work in the future.
August 15, 2023
"do parents really take their kids to concerts?" that's within the realm of possibility? jesus christ how did michelle quach know my conservative vietnamese parents JUST denied taking me to the eras tour because of crowd control and americans being batshit fucking crazy - anygays. michelle quach, you have done it again. i absolutely fucking ADORE this book. i had fun, damnit. the food descriptions made me hungry and i have never been more proud to say i have experienced how delicious all those dishes are within my lifetime.
'the boy you always wanted' deals with cultural expectations, old-fashioned grandpas, family connections, and all those amazingly great things that are rarely discussed in such depth as they were here. both main characters, francine and ollie, are both chinese and vietnamese, and the entire main cast is asian (squeals). their families speak fluent cantonese, vietnamese, mandarin, and english, and goddamn am i JEALOUS. how the fuck can you do so many languages when i can't even remember spanish conjugations in duolingo (sobs). francine is a devoted filial daughter who carries the burden of all her gutsy feelings within herself and always puts her family first, with the goal of becoming a doctor in the future. ollie is her family friend slash crush slash situationship slash enemy who is highkey a jackass, BUT. he gets redeemed. and we get his backstory; his dad is one of those BE A MAN type fathers who are super masculine and doesn't let his tired six-year-old son get piggyback rides (still salty about that.) imagine 'flipped' (2010) but make it asian and also the lovesick heteros get their shit together eventually (third-act breakup spoiler alert though, cough cough). genevieve the chalupa. please read this book now. you'll thank me later.
francine and ollie are so. so. cute. i get that he starts off as a jackass, but eventually, he flips (completely), and their chemistry was flying off the pages and a delight to witness their relationship unfold from casual situationship into genuine love. every single moment had me smiling uncontrollably; from the swipe-in t-shirt to the crooked smiles, the artist warehouse, the family photo albums, the bracelet, how he got her the color she liked, and them encouraging each other to take risks (the phone call scene meant so much to me for some reason, even though i don't speak cantonese?) he trusts and wants her to make her own decisions (colleen hoover, take some fucking notes.) the jungle gym. THE FUCKING WEED BOUQUET. NEVER BEFORE HAVE WEEDS MEANT SO MUCH TO ME (the grassy kind, not the kind you smoke.) and the wait wait podcast. so many little moments make this book the absolute fucking gem that it is. also, sex positivity!
i appreciated the family dynamics in here so much - the first thing fran's grandparents say being "have you eaten" at any given time of the day, her overprotective parents wanting to shield her from the world as long as possible, and how she tries so hard to please her grandfather even though his customs are more than a little old-fashioned. it also maybe would've been nice to see a little more of how francine felt after the Secret was revealed and how it changed her perspective on always shoving her emotions down to care for her family. i also think it was interesting to see it from ollie's perspective - he's not afraid to show his emotions (not toxic hypermasculinity?? colleen hoover could NEVER.) his family is the opposite of francine's - his dad has worked hard to achieve their status and wealth in america after growing up with the lack of such, and is often cold and scarce with his affections due to his ultra-successful cosmetics company or some shit. his mom isn't on the scene much, and his older brother is a dick. it's nice to see how he finds a place with francine's family, even if it is all a scam and rooted in some ancient toxic masculinity. i see both of the expectations that built them in myself, from the ollie's gendered expectations to the deep love francine holds for her traditional family. a poh and a gung also remind me of an infinitely nicer version of my own parents.
rollo chen, you absolute fucking legend and captain of the olliefrancine ship. you deserve a medal for getting these little shits togetheron that goddamn lunch date. jiya too, bisexual artist icon. they are so chaotic and their friendship is just AGH. greatest literary best friends / side characters ever made. (i gotta wonder how rollo has all that money though - is it like the quirky romcom best friend kind of thing? but seriously, where are his funds coming from.)
something that kept me from giving this a five-star; what the fuck happened to ollie's dad. did he take a vacation? did he die? did he disappear off the face of the earth never to be seen again? that ending was seriously ominous and he was conveniently never mentioned again. michelle quach, if you are reading this, which i highly doubt, I DEMAND AN ANSWER. but otherwise, jesus christ. relatable and beautiful. i want to give my parents a hug, call up my grandparents in vietnam, go to a concert with my friends and experience the beauty of existence. books really do make you think, huh? edit: DEXTER <333333333333 also i want mrs abdi as my bio teacher.
'the boy you always wanted' deals with cultural expectations, old-fashioned grandpas, family connections, and all those amazingly great things that are rarely discussed in such depth as they were here. both main characters, francine and ollie, are both chinese and vietnamese, and the entire main cast is asian (squeals). their families speak fluent cantonese, vietnamese, mandarin, and english, and goddamn am i JEALOUS. how the fuck can you do so many languages when i can't even remember spanish conjugations in duolingo (sobs). francine is a devoted filial daughter who carries the burden of all her gutsy feelings within herself and always puts her family first, with the goal of becoming a doctor in the future. ollie is her family friend slash crush slash situationship slash enemy who is highkey a jackass, BUT. he gets redeemed. and we get his backstory; his dad is one of those BE A MAN type fathers who are super masculine and doesn't let his tired six-year-old son get piggyback rides (still salty about that.) imagine 'flipped' (2010) but make it asian and also the lovesick heteros get their shit together eventually (third-act breakup spoiler alert though, cough cough). genevieve the chalupa. please read this book now. you'll thank me later.
francine and ollie are so. so. cute. i get that he starts off as a jackass, but eventually, he flips (completely), and their chemistry was flying off the pages and a delight to witness their relationship unfold from casual situationship into genuine love. every single moment had me smiling uncontrollably; from the swipe-in t-shirt to the crooked smiles, the artist warehouse, the family photo albums, the bracelet, how he got her the color she liked, and them encouraging each other to take risks (the phone call scene meant so much to me for some reason, even though i don't speak cantonese?) he trusts and wants her to make her own decisions (colleen hoover, take some fucking notes.) the jungle gym. THE FUCKING WEED BOUQUET. NEVER BEFORE HAVE WEEDS MEANT SO MUCH TO ME (the grassy kind, not the kind you smoke.) and the wait wait podcast. so many little moments make this book the absolute fucking gem that it is. also, sex positivity!
i appreciated the family dynamics in here so much - the first thing fran's grandparents say being "have you eaten" at any given time of the day, her overprotective parents wanting to shield her from the world as long as possible, and how she tries so hard to please her grandfather even though his customs are more than a little old-fashioned. it also maybe would've been nice to see a little more of how francine felt after the Secret was revealed and how it changed her perspective on always shoving her emotions down to care for her family. i also think it was interesting to see it from ollie's perspective - he's not afraid to show his emotions (not toxic hypermasculinity?? colleen hoover could NEVER.) his family is the opposite of francine's - his dad has worked hard to achieve their status and wealth in america after growing up with the lack of such, and is often cold and scarce with his affections due to his ultra-successful cosmetics company or some shit. his mom isn't on the scene much, and his older brother is a dick. it's nice to see how he finds a place with francine's family, even if it is all a scam and rooted in some ancient toxic masculinity. i see both of the expectations that built them in myself, from the ollie's gendered expectations to the deep love francine holds for her traditional family. a poh and a gung also remind me of an infinitely nicer version of my own parents.
rollo chen, you absolute fucking legend and captain of the olliefrancine ship. you deserve a medal for getting these little shits togetheron that goddamn lunch date. jiya too, bisexual artist icon. they are so chaotic and their friendship is just AGH. greatest literary best friends / side characters ever made. (i gotta wonder how rollo has all that money though - is it like the quirky romcom best friend kind of thing? but seriously, where are his funds coming from.)
something that kept me from giving this a five-star; what the fuck happened to ollie's dad. did he take a vacation? did he die? did he disappear off the face of the earth never to be seen again? that ending was seriously ominous and he was conveniently never mentioned again. michelle quach, if you are reading this, which i highly doubt, I DEMAND AN ANSWER. but otherwise, jesus christ. relatable and beautiful. i want to give my parents a hug, call up my grandparents in vietnam, go to a concert with my friends and experience the beauty of existence. books really do make you think, huh? edit: DEXTER <333333333333 also i want mrs abdi as my bio teacher.
March 13, 2024
I really liked the plot and the themes of tradition and family values; the romance not so much.
July 29, 2023
4.25 stars
rep: Chinese-Vietnamese-American protagonists and side characters, sapphic Indian-American side character, Chinese-American side character; (Chinese-Vietnamese-American author)
cw: cancer diagnosis of a side character
I loved Michelle Quach’s debut, Not Here to Be Liked, and I was so unbelievably excited to read her next release! This book was such a joy to read, and I can’t wait to revisit it. With the warmth of familial love and the thrill of first love, The Boy You Always Wanted tells the tale of a girl who would do anything for her family and the boy who gets dragged into her schemes.
When Francine learns of her grandfather’s cancer diagnosis, she sets out to make his final wish come true: to have a male heir. Even though she knows this is an outdated notion, she attempts to convince Ollie Tran, a family friend and first crush, to be ceremonially adopted into their family. He doesn’t understand why she is so insistent on making this plan happen but ultimately agrees. As Francine and Ollie spend more time together, they start unearthing old feelings.
This is my second of Michelle Quach’s books, and I wanted to emphasize how much I adore her writing. It’s so characteristically soft-spoken; I love the tone of it. There is so much warmth here, full of love even when it’s not immediately obvious.
I also loved the characters! Francine is a bit of an outcast because she’s so unwilling to care about the typical social anxieties of being a teenager. She’s very up-front and a do-gooder, without any shame for caring about what she cares about. Meanwhile, Ollie is the opposite; he generally avoids Francine because of how eager she is. He really just wants to go with the flow. There also is the added layer of how Francine once (and very obviously) had a crush on Ollie, and he avoids her out of pity. The more time they spend together, however, the more he realizes that the qualities that made him stay away from her are some of the best things about Francine.
The two of them are so different, and their chapters were very distinctive. Francine has the Plan (aka, adopting a son into her family so her grandfather can have a male heir), and Ollie is the perfect person to take part since their families know each other. He initially doesn’t want to go along with it, but ultimately he gives in to the scheme.
There also is a juxtaposition in their home lives that I really enjoyed reading about. As much as Francine’s grandfather’s ideals are outdated and patriarchal, there is still love shown there. She also has a very close relationship with her mother, who outwardly shows how much she cares about her. Ollie’s family used to be similar, but since his parents became busier with their business, he can’t help but feel stifled and isolated in their sterile house. Part of the reason why he agrees to Francine’s Plan is because it allows him to be in proximity to love, even if he is not close to her family at all.
I really liked their romance as well! Again, they begin the book on stand-off-ish terms, and while Francine claims that she no longer has a crush on Ollie, there are feelings that sometimes don’t fade. Their mutual realization of their feelings gradually occurred throughout the book, and I liked that they didn’t take too long to act on their feelings. Their scenes together were so cute and warm and I just loved this book.
The side characters were great too! Both Francine’s and Ollie’s best friends added humor to the situation and their antics remind you that these are regular teenagers living life. Other than her mother and grandfather, Francine’s grandmother is also the typical incredibly frank Asian grandmother. Although Ollie’s family doesn’t get as much page-time, it was really interesting seeing him interact with them, especially his brother who messes with him but ultimately cares for him. There is always love creeping in the corners even when you don’t see it every day.
The Boy You Always Wanted was a warm-hearted contemporary about showing love for those who care about you. I loved the characters and the romance, as well as the writing. I can’t wait to read more from this author! I also must add that I love the double meaning of the title (Ollie being Francine’s childhood crush as well as her grandfather always wanting a male heir). Anyways, if you enjoyed Michelle Quach’s debut or are looking for a soft YA contemporary, I definitely think you should check out The Boy You Always Wanted!
awww this was sweet! I really enjoyed this one <3
read on my blog
rep: Chinese-Vietnamese-American protagonists and side characters, sapphic Indian-American side character, Chinese-American side character; (Chinese-Vietnamese-American author)
cw: cancer diagnosis of a side character
**I received an ARC from the author (thank you, Michelle!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
I loved Michelle Quach’s debut, Not Here to Be Liked, and I was so unbelievably excited to read her next release! This book was such a joy to read, and I can’t wait to revisit it. With the warmth of familial love and the thrill of first love, The Boy You Always Wanted tells the tale of a girl who would do anything for her family and the boy who gets dragged into her schemes.
When Francine learns of her grandfather’s cancer diagnosis, she sets out to make his final wish come true: to have a male heir. Even though she knows this is an outdated notion, she attempts to convince Ollie Tran, a family friend and first crush, to be ceremonially adopted into their family. He doesn’t understand why she is so insistent on making this plan happen but ultimately agrees. As Francine and Ollie spend more time together, they start unearthing old feelings.
This is my second of Michelle Quach’s books, and I wanted to emphasize how much I adore her writing. It’s so characteristically soft-spoken; I love the tone of it. There is so much warmth here, full of love even when it’s not immediately obvious.
I also loved the characters! Francine is a bit of an outcast because she’s so unwilling to care about the typical social anxieties of being a teenager. She’s very up-front and a do-gooder, without any shame for caring about what she cares about. Meanwhile, Ollie is the opposite; he generally avoids Francine because of how eager she is. He really just wants to go with the flow. There also is the added layer of how Francine once (and very obviously) had a crush on Ollie, and he avoids her out of pity. The more time they spend together, however, the more he realizes that the qualities that made him stay away from her are some of the best things about Francine.
The two of them are so different, and their chapters were very distinctive. Francine has the Plan (aka, adopting a son into her family so her grandfather can have a male heir), and Ollie is the perfect person to take part since their families know each other. He initially doesn’t want to go along with it, but ultimately he gives in to the scheme.
There also is a juxtaposition in their home lives that I really enjoyed reading about. As much as Francine’s grandfather’s ideals are outdated and patriarchal, there is still love shown there. She also has a very close relationship with her mother, who outwardly shows how much she cares about her. Ollie’s family used to be similar, but since his parents became busier with their business, he can’t help but feel stifled and isolated in their sterile house. Part of the reason why he agrees to Francine’s Plan is because it allows him to be in proximity to love, even if he is not close to her family at all.
I really liked their romance as well! Again, they begin the book on stand-off-ish terms, and while Francine claims that she no longer has a crush on Ollie, there are feelings that sometimes don’t fade. Their mutual realization of their feelings gradually occurred throughout the book, and I liked that they didn’t take too long to act on their feelings. Their scenes together were so cute and warm and I just loved this book.
The side characters were great too! Both Francine’s and Ollie’s best friends added humor to the situation and their antics remind you that these are regular teenagers living life. Other than her mother and grandfather, Francine’s grandmother is also the typical incredibly frank Asian grandmother. Although Ollie’s family doesn’t get as much page-time, it was really interesting seeing him interact with them, especially his brother who messes with him but ultimately cares for him. There is always love creeping in the corners even when you don’t see it every day.
The Boy You Always Wanted was a warm-hearted contemporary about showing love for those who care about you. I loved the characters and the romance, as well as the writing. I can’t wait to read more from this author! I also must add that I love the double meaning of the title (Ollie being Francine’s childhood crush as well as her grandfather always wanting a male heir). Anyways, if you enjoyed Michelle Quach’s debut or are looking for a soft YA contemporary, I definitely think you should check out The Boy You Always Wanted!
original review:
awww this was sweet! I really enjoyed this one <3
December 3, 2023
The classic story of the MMC learning empathy, and the FMC being told by everyone, including the MMC, that she's too much and too weird.
I really liked Francine - despite her inability to stay out of people's business, she always meant well with her efforts to help others. She definitely felt neuro-divergent coded, especially when it came to social cues and context, but she was always well-intentioned and generally kind.
Ollie, however, was not. For the first 30% of the book, from his POV, he's always saying how weird she is, how he wants to avoid her at all cost. Even as he starts to fall for her, he laments on his general instinct to run when she starts in his direction. It's just not giving green flag boyfriend. One could say that it's his own familial problems that lend themself to this attitude, but no - it's 100% him. His familial problems gave him a toxic view of what it means to be a man, but it didn't tell him to be mean to the girl who tries to be nice to him. I was 0% on board with their relationship and the speed at which it progressed.
I liked the overall story - how it talked about breaking down some of the long held, sexist beliefs of this family (and the majority like them), as well as sharing Vietnamese food culture and history. I understand why Ollie and Francine's POVs were both shown - Ollie with more of the "we don't talk" and "men can't show emotions" kind of family, while Francine had a more, "our door is always open to the community" and "family helps family" kind of family. I think both were important to show, I just don't know if this was the story to show it.
One thing I loved a lot was how involved Jiya and Rollo were in their friendships with Francine and Ollie respectively. I liked that they had their own little thing going on the side too, especially with Jiya's art.
All in all, there was a lot I liked, but a lot I didn't (mainly Ollie's lack of story arc, and the fact that a few key conversations seemed to be missing). I'm not sure who the target audience would be for this, as I feel the message isn't really as strong as it could've been for either side. That being said, this could be a great read for someone who carries too much on their shoulders, as they may identify well with Francine.
TW: sexism, bullying, cancer, pig dissection for biology class; mentions death of a parent
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
eARC gifted via Edelweiss by Katherine Tegen Books via HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked Francine - despite her inability to stay out of people's business, she always meant well with her efforts to help others. She definitely felt neuro-divergent coded, especially when it came to social cues and context, but she was always well-intentioned and generally kind.
Ollie, however, was not. For the first 30% of the book, from his POV, he's always saying how weird she is, how he wants to avoid her at all cost. Even as he starts to fall for her, he laments on his general instinct to run when she starts in his direction. It's just not giving green flag boyfriend. One could say that it's his own familial problems that lend themself to this attitude, but no - it's 100% him. His familial problems gave him a toxic view of what it means to be a man, but it didn't tell him to be mean to the girl who tries to be nice to him. I was 0% on board with their relationship and the speed at which it progressed.
I liked the overall story - how it talked about breaking down some of the long held, sexist beliefs of this family (and the majority like them), as well as sharing Vietnamese food culture and history. I understand why Ollie and Francine's POVs were both shown - Ollie with more of the "we don't talk" and "men can't show emotions" kind of family, while Francine had a more, "our door is always open to the community" and "family helps family" kind of family. I think both were important to show, I just don't know if this was the story to show it.
One thing I loved a lot was how involved Jiya and Rollo were in their friendships with Francine and Ollie respectively. I liked that they had their own little thing going on the side too, especially with Jiya's art.
All in all, there was a lot I liked, but a lot I didn't (mainly Ollie's lack of story arc, and the fact that a few key conversations seemed to be missing). I'm not sure who the target audience would be for this, as I feel the message isn't really as strong as it could've been for either side. That being said, this could be a great read for someone who carries too much on their shoulders, as they may identify well with Francine.
TW: sexism, bullying, cancer, pig dissection for biology class; mentions death of a parent
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 3/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 3/5
Overall: 3/5
eARC gifted via Edelweiss by Katherine Tegen Books via HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
August 12, 2023
Francine used to like her childhood friend Ollie a long time ago and then because Ollie was embarrassed about this they pulled apart. But now Francine's grandfather is dying with no son to take his family name and honor the Vietnamese customs as head of the family, she enlisted Ollie in her plan to make her grandfather think Ollie will be his honorary son.
3+
I find the part about the Vietnamese culture very nice, it's presented to us in a seamless way, that doesn't feel like we're being lectured anything but it also manages not to alienate us, it's done in a manner you get what's going on almost by osmosis.
I like that they understand the customs, how much it matters to Francine's grandfather, but they don't condone the sexism behind his motivations. It's always a struggle when you're talking about another country's uses to discern what is indeed acceptable or not. Moreover, I think it's a great topic to discuss with others who read the book with you, like in a book club. If not, it is food for thought.
It's a nice story, very pleasant to read and not overwhelming with the cultural elements, at the same time they are there, making it richer. However, when it came to the romance, it disappointed me. The problem with Ollie, and how immature he was in dealing with Francine's feelings from years before, is showing enough, but I don't think he fully got over himself in the end. But I think that would have been okay if the romance that was born in them becoming allies to execute The Plan had been more convincing. When it really counted, you could feel the author needing to pull strings to make them cross the line of friendship and be a couple. They did have chemistry, but I didn't buy how the development was done, and that took away the fun of reading a romance. At least, they're not a mismatch, but the steps from being friends to becoming a couple needed more work.
Recommended to anyone who likes a romantic YA that is more than just the romance, including a plot twist I loved.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
3+
I find the part about the Vietnamese culture very nice, it's presented to us in a seamless way, that doesn't feel like we're being lectured anything but it also manages not to alienate us, it's done in a manner you get what's going on almost by osmosis.
I like that they understand the customs, how much it matters to Francine's grandfather, but they don't condone the sexism behind his motivations. It's always a struggle when you're talking about another country's uses to discern what is indeed acceptable or not. Moreover, I think it's a great topic to discuss with others who read the book with you, like in a book club. If not, it is food for thought.
It's a nice story, very pleasant to read and not overwhelming with the cultural elements, at the same time they are there, making it richer. However, when it came to the romance, it disappointed me. The problem with Ollie, and how immature he was in dealing with Francine's feelings from years before, is showing enough, but I don't think he fully got over himself in the end. But I think that would have been okay if the romance that was born in them becoming allies to execute The Plan had been more convincing. When it really counted, you could feel the author needing to pull strings to make them cross the line of friendship and be a couple. They did have chemistry, but I didn't buy how the development was done, and that took away the fun of reading a romance. At least, they're not a mismatch, but the steps from being friends to becoming a couple needed more work.
Recommended to anyone who likes a romantic YA that is more than just the romance, including a plot twist I loved.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
May 29, 2023
The Boy You Always Wanted is a book that I did not know I needed in my life. I love Michelle Quach's previous book so I know I would enjoy this one as well. But I did not expect it to be as heartwrenching as it was. I was unexpectedly emotional by the time I finished reading it. Francine and Ollie's growth, together and as individuals, was so delightful to witness. I also liked how family was at the center of this book, whether it be through Ollie or Francine, or even their own family members. I am a huge fan of YA books that do this, which is why I am a huge fan 0f this book!
Thank you Usborne Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC!
Thank you Usborne Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC!
Read
May 20, 2023such a beautiful love letter to Chinese Vietnamese families ❤️
August 12, 2023
REVIEW: Thank you partner @epicreads
@_michellequach and @storygramtours for the gifted copy
From Not Here to Be Liked author Michelle Quach comes a smartly funny, heartfelt story told in dual POV about a young woman roping in her childhood crush to act as an honorary male heir to fulfill her grandfather’s dying wish. A story about first love, familial duties, and finding yourself—perfect for fans of Emiko Jean and Loan Le.
TITLE: THE BOY YOU ALWAYS WANTED
AUTHOR: Michelle Quach
PUB DATE:
Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson her A Gung never had.
Ollie has always made a point of avoiding the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity has always made him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying A Gung, Ollie’s definitely not down. He doesn’t get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.
THOUGHTS:
This is an endearing story that I loved reading about especially the dual POVs of Francene and Ollie. Quach did an excellent job highlighting filial piety, love of family, first loves, and the cultural sensitivities many Asians grew up in. I loved the writing - gave me all the heartfelt emotions and the character arc was beautiful to read about. Enjoy this wonderful YA contemporary romance that gave me all the feels and much more.
@_michellequach and @storygramtours for the gifted copy
From Not Here to Be Liked author Michelle Quach comes a smartly funny, heartfelt story told in dual POV about a young woman roping in her childhood crush to act as an honorary male heir to fulfill her grandfather’s dying wish. A story about first love, familial duties, and finding yourself—perfect for fans of Emiko Jean and Loan Le.
TITLE: THE BOY YOU ALWAYS WANTED
AUTHOR: Michelle Quach
PUB DATE:
Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson her A Gung never had.
Ollie has always made a point of avoiding the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity has always made him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying A Gung, Ollie’s definitely not down. He doesn’t get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.
THOUGHTS:
This is an endearing story that I loved reading about especially the dual POVs of Francene and Ollie. Quach did an excellent job highlighting filial piety, love of family, first loves, and the cultural sensitivities many Asians grew up in. I loved the writing - gave me all the heartfelt emotions and the character arc was beautiful to read about. Enjoy this wonderful YA contemporary romance that gave me all the feels and much more.
September 6, 2023
I think I enjoyed this one even more than the author's first book, Not Here to be Liked. I feel like there's something very addicting about her books or some quality that make the books very easily to consume. I'd binge read that one in like five hours I think and even though this one felt just as easy and just as addicting, I tried to pace it out by only reading a couple chapters before sleep so I could savor it more.
When I'd requested the book, I felt the story was a bit wack lol but it was an author whose work I wanted to read so I gave it a try, and the author really did an amazing job of it! If you've read the premise, then you know what I'm talking about. Overall, the premise actually made a lot of sense and was something I learned more about through this book. I also loved the main characters and their storyline a lot, it felt genuine and very realistic and gave me warm and fuzzy feelings.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to read more of Quach's works in the future!
When I'd requested the book, I felt the story was a bit wack lol but it was an author whose work I wanted to read so I gave it a try, and the author really did an amazing job of it! If you've read the premise, then you know what I'm talking about. Overall, the premise actually made a lot of sense and was something I learned more about through this book. I also loved the main characters and their storyline a lot, it felt genuine and very realistic and gave me warm and fuzzy feelings.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to read more of Quach's works in the future!
July 11, 2024
buddy read w eshal 🔥🔥
dnf bc boringgggg
i think all buddy reads w me are bound to fail bc this was horrible. i was already in a reading slump and this was NOT helping. horrible. i mean i get what this book is trying to do but its just NOT working. you should read This Time It's Real instead of this one tbh
dnf bc boringgggg
i think all buddy reads w me are bound to fail bc this was horrible. i was already in a reading slump and this was NOT helping. horrible. i mean i get what this book is trying to do but its just NOT working. you should read This Time It's Real instead of this one tbh
July 8, 2024
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I'll be honest, I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would, which is a shame because I really wanted to.
From the start, I wasn't really connecting with the characters. I don't know what it was, but I was left wishing for more relatability and connection to them that would make me want to ship Francine and Ollie together. I was curious to see where their relationship would go but I spent the entirety of the book wishing for more chemistry.
They did have some cute scenes together but I wished we got more of that. I liked the scene on the playground and the cheeky moments of physical displays of affection from Ollie but I wished they were prolonged more. The characters that absolutely stole the show for me were Rolo and Jiya, they were really cool and I was secretly shipping them together admittedly even more so than the main couple.
I also enjoyed the writing style, it was very digestible and easy to read but I think the overall thing I would've wanted was more depth in general especially since the last part of the book felt really quick.
I think what would've worked in the book's favour was if Francine's relationship with her family and her previous crush on Ollie was highlighted before the events of the book. The plan was introduced really early on and would've really benefitted from having those moments where we got some backstory before the main plot line was brought forward. The Plan could've been introduced more into the middle of the book which may have resulted in more connection and chemistry between Ollie and Francine.
Overall though, I thought this book was okay. Not amazing but not bad either, I just wished for a bit more depth to the characters and story.
I'll be honest, I didn't love this book as much as I thought I would, which is a shame because I really wanted to.
From the start, I wasn't really connecting with the characters. I don't know what it was, but I was left wishing for more relatability and connection to them that would make me want to ship Francine and Ollie together. I was curious to see where their relationship would go but I spent the entirety of the book wishing for more chemistry.
They did have some cute scenes together but I wished we got more of that. I liked the scene on the playground and the cheeky moments of physical displays of affection from Ollie but I wished they were prolonged more. The characters that absolutely stole the show for me were Rolo and Jiya, they were really cool and I was secretly shipping them together admittedly even more so than the main couple.
I also enjoyed the writing style, it was very digestible and easy to read but I think the overall thing I would've wanted was more depth in general especially since the last part of the book felt really quick.
I think what would've worked in the book's favour was if Francine's relationship with her family and her previous crush on Ollie was highlighted before the events of the book. The plan was introduced really early on and would've really benefitted from having those moments where we got some backstory before the main plot line was brought forward. The Plan could've been introduced more into the middle of the book which may have resulted in more connection and chemistry between Ollie and Francine.
Overall though, I thought this book was okay. Not amazing but not bad either, I just wished for a bit more depth to the characters and story.
September 5, 2025
3.5 Stars —
Honestly, I think I’m a little disappointed in the ending. Not because it was bad or failed expectations, but more so, I think I perceived this book a lot differently than intended. I really enjoyed Quach’s Not Here to Be Liked—from dialogues, to descriptions, to storytelling—and I found all those qualities I adored were missing. The writing was bland, the dialogues were cliche, and the descriptions were sufficient but not immersive. I did enjoy the relationship of Francie and Ollie, and I liked how they navigate together but it truly felt like a YA book than anything.
I enjoyed Rollo and Jiya as side characters, I liked the cultural details, and I liked the conversations being brought up but they were surface-level that never ended with a conclusion. I almost paralleled to Ollie discovering Francie being to that scene in The Farewell (2019), about how Chinese people kept secrets because they shouldered the burden while Americans didn’t because they didn’t want to hold that responsibility—but it didn’t brooch any nuanced conversations. Instead, it was a simple straightforward response: you shouldn’t keep secrets. Maybe because I’m older, and I wasn’t the target audience, but I felt like a lot of things were left unfinished.
Ollie’s relationship with his dad; Francie’s relationship with her cousins; Francie’s relationship with her A Gung; Ollie’s relationship with Issac. I felt like a lot of conversations could have been made, but none scratched beyond the surface.
Honestly, I think I’m a little disappointed in the ending. Not because it was bad or failed expectations, but more so, I think I perceived this book a lot differently than intended. I really enjoyed Quach’s Not Here to Be Liked—from dialogues, to descriptions, to storytelling—and I found all those qualities I adored were missing. The writing was bland, the dialogues were cliche, and the descriptions were sufficient but not immersive. I did enjoy the relationship of Francie and Ollie, and I liked how they navigate together but it truly felt like a YA book than anything.
I enjoyed Rollo and Jiya as side characters, I liked the cultural details, and I liked the conversations being brought up but they were surface-level that never ended with a conclusion. I almost paralleled to Ollie discovering Francie being to that scene in The Farewell (2019), about how Chinese people kept secrets because they shouldered the burden while Americans didn’t because they didn’t want to hold that responsibility—but it didn’t brooch any nuanced conversations. Instead, it was a simple straightforward response: you shouldn’t keep secrets. Maybe because I’m older, and I wasn’t the target audience, but I felt like a lot of things were left unfinished.
Ollie’s relationship with his dad; Francie’s relationship with her cousins; Francie’s relationship with her A Gung; Ollie’s relationship with Issac. I felt like a lot of conversations could have been made, but none scratched beyond the surface.
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