The Boy You Always Wanted

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.

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 Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him.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.

Francine, however, is determined to make it work, 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 will have to discover what exactly she needs for herself--and from Ollie. Because sometimes the boy you always wanted isn't what you expected.

Michelle 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. You can find her online at www.michellequach.com.

• Publisher: ‎Katherine Tegen Books (August 1, 2023)
• Language: ‎English
• Hardcover: ‎336 pages
• ISBN-10: ‎0063035146
• ISBN-13: ‎978-0063038424
• Reading age: ‎13 - 17 years
• Grade level: ‎8 - 9
• Item Weight: ‎13.6 ounces
• Dimensions: ‎5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches