The Boy You Always Wanted

From Not Here to Be Liked author Michelle Quach comes a smartly funny, heartfelt YA romantic comedy 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 Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him.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 in a fake grandson scheme, 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 in this heartfelt high school story, 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.

One desperate plan to please her grandfather. One former crush who wants nothing to do with it.

• Childhood Crush: Francine needs a favor from Ollie Tran, the boy she’s known—and secretly loved—forever. Too bad he’s spent years avoiding her.
• Opposites Attract: She’s intense and determined; he’s trying to fly under the radar. When her over-the-top plan forces them together, sparks fly for all the wrong (and right) reasons.
• Heavy Familial Expectations: A grandfather’s dying wish is a powerful thing, but Francine will have to decide how far she’ll go to honor tradition over her own heart.
• A Heartfelt Coming of Age: As the lies pile up, Francine and Ollie must figure out what they truly owe their families, and what they owe themselves.

PRAISE FOR NOT HERE TO BE LIKED: "A fresh take on high school and activism."  - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“A great feminist read.”   - San Francisco Book Review

“Not Here to Be Liked is a truly excellent book.” - NPR Books

"Michelle Quach’s effortlessly flowing prose is steeped in love and kindness. Readers will rejoice as they witness Francine and Ollie movingly come to accept their families, each other, and most important, themselves. Totally in love with this novel.”  - Loan Le, author of A Pho Love Story

"Quach shines with this fresh and layered story that is both a coming-of-age journey and a first-love romance. Themes of familial obligations and filial piety are prevalent and are handled with humor, deftness and care. A page-turner from start to finish!" - Suzanne Park, author of Sunny Song Will Never Be Famous

"Quach spins, via Francine and Ollie’s alternating perspectives, an emotionally raw portrait of two seemingly opposite teens as they come together to help alleviate each other’s personal challenges and grow romantically closer in the process." - Publishers Weekly

"Insightful and emotionally resonant." - Kirkus Reviews

"Quach does a good job with her empathetic characters as their perspectives alternate, and the seamless introduction of elements of Chinese Vietnamese culture is a bonus." - Booklist