Book cover of Charming as a Verb

Book description

From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager comes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han.

Henri "Halti" Haltiwanger can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked Charming as a Verb as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger is dealing with a lot of pressure as a college-bound star debater, popular student, and dutiful first-generation Haitian son.

He can charm everyone, except his “intense” neighbor, Corinne. After Corinne finds out that Henri has been lying about his dog-walking business, she blackmails him into helping her with her social life.

While it does tackle some tougher topics, this book has a ton of humor and fun banter.

I wanted to hate Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe because it was starred in a review comparing our two books. Unfortunately, the book is as charming as its main character, Henri “Halti” Haltiwanger, and I loved it. Halti is a scholarship student at an elite private school in New York. He’s convinced he knows what it takes to be successful, but the pressure to “make it” leads him to make some…questionable decisions. I couldn’t relate to his charm, or the extra pressures of being the child of immigrants, but I recognised a fellow over-thinker in Halti (and I…

From Dani's list on The best books for over-achievers.

If you love Charming as a Verb...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Charming as a Verb?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 78 books like Charming as a Verb.

Browse books like Charming as a Verb

Book cover of Anne of Green Gables
Book cover of Little Women
Book cover of Bossypants

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

172

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Charming as a Verb, you might also like...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of In This Together: Connecting with Your Community to Combat the Climate Crisis

In This Together by Marianne E. Krasny,

In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…

5 book lists we think you will like!