This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 From the very first line - "Alek stared at the menu suspiciously. He smelled marinara sauce and a trap." - I knew I was going to love One Man Guy. 
 It's narrated by an intelligent, kind of nerdy, very sarcastic Armenian boy named Alek and it is impossible not to fall completely in love with him. At the beginning of the novel his parents inform him he's going to summer school - not because he's failing any classes. But because his grades aren't quite high enough to be on Honour Track. This opening scene is perfection - its establishes Alek's quick wit and the pressure he faces from his family. But it also demonstrates that even though Alek is the protagonist, his family is going to play a central role in his story, and you are going to love them just as much as him. 
 Though Alek hates the idea of summer school - what kid wouldn't? - he has to go. And it ends up being a life changing event because it is at summer school that Alek meets Ethan. In many ways Ethan is everything that Alek isn't. He's out and proud, he's adventurous and bold, he goes into New York whenever he feels like it. And yet somehow they are drawn together in what is arguably one of the sweetest, most adorable love stories you'll ever read. When Alek tells his best friend, Becky, that ""It's like all my life I've been eating frozen yogurt. And kissing boys is ice cream." I audibly "awwed" even though I was sitting in the middle of a busy coffee shop. 
 One Man Guy is a novel about falling in love for the first time and but it's also about finding yourself. Before Ethan, Alek had never had a boyfriend. He had barely even considered the fact that he was gay. But that's not the only thing he learns about himself. As you've probably gathered, his parents are rather strict and he's always lived life by their rules. As the novel continues Alek gains more courage to try new things - like food and clothing. He gains the freedom to develop his own tastes and interests, making this an excellent "coming-of-age" story in addition to a "coming-out" story. In fact, in this case, they are one in the same. 
 I have to admit I didn't know very much about Armenian culture before this novel but Baravika fills it with so many rich details, including a recipe for stuffed grape leaves at the back. There is a lot of scenes that revolve around meal times so beware this book will make you hungry! But there is also a lot of information about the Armenian genocide - a significant historic event that is often forgotten about by non-Armenians. I liked that even though Alek was trying to figure out his place in the world, he was still very connected to his culture and history. His choosing to be more independent was not a rejection of his family and that's an important message for readers of all ages. 
 One Man Guy is an absolutely lovely story about relationships, friendship, family and New York City. Alek, Ethan, Becky and the whole Khederian family feel more like friends than simply characters on the page. It's a short read, the pages will fly by much faster than you want them to. But thankfully this is the kind of book you can read over and over again. Highly recommended.