Review by Booklist Review
Fifteen-year-old Falencia "Fancy" Augustine wants what every high schooler covets: to be noticed. At Ellen Craft High, that means securing a spot at an exclusive party hosted by the most-popular girl. Not being welcomed into the fold is bearable only with a BFF like Tilly by her side--until Fancy gets a boyfriend and is suddenly invited. What ensues are antics only a fanciful person can conjure up, like saying you're a voodoo witch with the know-how to make a certain potion for a crush named Rahim in exchange for a fake relationship to be invited to said party. But as Fancy's focus shifts to her social life, her slipping academics could mean a one-way ticket to living with her grandparents in Haiti. From the snowballing lies, endearing adult confidante, hilarious tone, and obsessive crushing, this story has hit Netflix show Never Have I Ever written all over it. Fancy's dishonesty and pettiness may not be flattering, but her acceptance of the consequences is more telling. A fun twist to a timeless trope that is sure to keep readers laughing.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--A rom-com for younger YA readers. Haitian American Fancy, 15, spends her days hanging out with her best friend, Tilly, following her crush Rahim, avoiding her schoolwork, and regularly visiting her school counselor's office to talk about life. Her classmates assume she knows Voodoo when they learn she's Haitian: "There are only two topics being discussed in the halls of Ellen Craft High--Imani's party and the Voodoo witch." Fancy is eager for an invite to the party, so when she discovers Tilly has a secret boyfriend and was invited to the exclusive event, she is upset enough to lie and say she also got an invite. But Imani will only invite Fancy if she has a boyfriend, so she makes a deal with Rahim: if he pretends to be her boyfriend, she will concoct a potion for him. Fancy has a humorous and relatable voice. Readers will be engaged in the unfolding of Fancy's high jinks and invested in how she gets through them. The familiar fake-dating trope is done well here. Arnold addresses racial stereotyping, parental expectations, grief, and other heavy issues with a light hand. Fancy has a good relationship with both her parents and especially enjoys listening to murder podcasts with her mom; it's nice to see a YA novel where the protagonist enjoys spending time with their parents. VERDICT At around 200 pages, this standalone book doesn't feel overwhelming and would be a good choice for reluctant readers and those who enjoy pop culture.--Florence Simmons
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A teen's life goes topsy-turvy thanks to secrets, lies, and a romantic bargain with a crush. Falencia "Fancy" Augustine is a 15-year-old Black girl of Haitian descent. Fancy doesn't do well with change and also has issues with focusing, which have resulted in her falling behind in several classes. She generally feels like an outcast except when she's with her best friend, Tilly Fischer. When Fancy learns that Tilly has kept secrets from her--she has a new boyfriend and was invited to the exclusive birthday party of Imani Parker, the most popular girl in school--she's thrown off kilter. The threat of being sent to Haiti if her grades don't improve also hangs over her head ("'vacation Haiti' and 'sent-back Haiti' are two very different things"). Anxiety attacks, fast-spreading "Voodoo witch" rumors, and impulsive decisions lead Fancy to agree to a deal with Imani: She can come to the party; she just needs to show up with a boyfriend. Fancy persuades Rahim Robinson, her crush, to fake date her in exchange for a potion. But how will she untangle this complicated web? Arnold's multidimensional lead organically pulls readers into the story: Fancy is flawed, self-aware, and charming, and her open and direct nature and often-humorous delivery are appealing. This novel also thoughtfully explores themes of friendship, romance, identity, and body image. Most cast members are Black. A refreshingly vulnerable and candid protagonist cements this story's appeal.(Romance. 12-17) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
