I Was Told There Would Be Romance

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By Marie Arnold

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Price

$18.99

Price

$24.99 CAD

For fans of Never Have I Ever and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before comes a hilarious and heartfelt novel about a young Haitian girl navigating high school, friendship, and crushes.

Fifteen-year-old Fancy Augustine is a Haitian American girl with simple desires. She’d like to trade in her floppy, oversize boobs for cute, perky ones. She’d love a boyfriend. And she is desperate for an invite to the biggest event of the school year: Imani Park’s birthday party. When Fancy learns her BFF, Tilly, has received a coveted invite and has a secret boyfriend, she is (understandably) devastated and wholeheartedly determined to do whatever it takes to get her own happily ever after.

So what if she makes a deal with the devil (Imani) that guarantees her an invite—but only if she can bring a boyfriend? And what’s so bad about letting her crush, Rahim, believe that she can create a voodoo potion for him in exchange for him posing as her boyfriend? And, yeah, maybe she’s destroying her friendship with Tilly and falling hopelessly behind in her schoolwork, but Fancy knows it’ll all be worth it in the end. Plus, it’s not like Fancy’s parents would really make good on their threats of sending her back to Haiti…right?

  • "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.… A refreshingly vulnerable and candid protagonist.”
     
    Kirkus
  • “Arnold addresses racial stereotyping, parental expectations, grief, and other heavy issues with a light hand… a good choice for reluctant readers and those who enjoy pop culture.”
    School Library Journal
  • “From the snowballing lies, endearing adult confidante, hilarious tone, and obsessive crushing, this story has Never Have I Ever written all over it…. sure to keep readers laughing.”
    Booklist

On Sale
Oct 15, 2024
Page Count
224 pages
ISBN-13
9780316568005

About the Author

Marie Arnold was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti and came to America at the age of seven. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York alongside her extended family. She attended Columbia College in Chicago, where her main focus was creative writing. As Lola StVil, she is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling indie author. Over two million readers have downloaded her Young Adult fantasy series GUARDIANS. She currently has 3 projects under development at Disney Junior and Disney Plus, one of which is an animated show based on her middle grade novel The Year I Flew Away.

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From NOVL Nation

“I can say my fifteen year old self really felt seen… Fun hijinks, growing up, falling out with friends, the possibility of being sent to Haiti permanently, and first loves all encompass this book.”

– Briana, Briana’s Book Nook

“This YA novel was so heartwarming and abundantly charming AND it’s a true YA! These characters were so endearing and incredibly relatable.”

–Lauren, @litwith.lauren

#IWasToldThereWouldBeRomance

Marie Arnold

About the Author

Marie Arnold was born in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti and came to America at the age of seven. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York alongside her extended family. She attended Columbia College in Chicago, where her main focus was creative writing. As Lola StVil, she is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling indie author. Over two million readers have downloaded her Young Adult fantasy series GUARDIANS. She currently has 3 projects under development at Disney Junior and Disney Plus, one of which is an animated show based on her middle grade novel The Year I Flew Away.
 

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