One Man Guy

Summer school, a cute boy, and overbearing Armenian parents—what’s a guy to do?

Alek Khederian was looking forward to a relaxing summer. But when his parents announce that he’ll be attending summer school in order to bring up his grades, Alek is sure this experience will be just as hellish as his freshman year of high school. But he never could’ve predicted that he’d meet someone like Ethan.

Ethan is everything Alek wishes he were: confident, free-spirited, and irreverent. When Ethan gets Alek to cut school and go to a Rufus Wainwright concert in New York City’s Central Park, Alek embarks on his first adventure outside the confines of his suburban New Jersey existence. He can’t believe a guy this cool wants to be his friend. And before long, it seems like Ethan wants to be more than friends. Alek has never thought about having a boyfriend—he’s barely ever had a girlfriend—but maybe it’s time to think again.

Michael Barakiva's One Man Guy is a romantic, moving, laugh-out-loud-funny story about what happens when one person cracks open your world and helps you see everything—and, most of all, yourself—like you never have before.

“A romantic comedy with Armenian flair . . . Don’t miss it.” —E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars

“A kind and generous book about the loneliness of a young boy trying to navigate between a chaotic Armenian family and a school of bullying cliques. Alek Khederian deals bravely and inspiringly with the perils of learning to love your family, to love someone else, and most of all, to love yourself.” —Eleanor Bergstein, novelist and screenwriter of the film Dirty Dancing

“Hand this one to those who’ve already gone through Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy and Kluger’s My Most Excellent Year.” —The Bulletin

“Hand this one to those who’ve already gone through Levithan’s Boy Meets Boy and Kluger’s My Most Excellent Year.” —The Bulletin

“Barakiva's first novel is at once a sweet-spirited love story . . . the Armenian content adds flavor and texture..” —Booklist

“The story will appeal to both young people who are just discovering their own sexuality and readers who enjoy a good budding romance.” —School Library Journal

“Barakiva's debut is well-wrought and realistic . . . and it's entertaining.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Barakiva avoids stereotypes and clichés to create a sweet portrait of nascent adolescent love between two boys growing up and finding themselves (with some help from nearby New York City).” —Publishers Weekly

“A romantic comedy with Armenian flair . . . Don’t miss it.” —E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars

“A kind and generous book about the loneliness of a young boy trying to navigate between a chaotic Armenian family and a school of bullying cliques. Alek Khederian deals bravely and inspiringly with the perils of learning to love your family, to love someone else, and most of all, to love yourself.” —Eleanor Bergstein, novelist and screenwriter of the film Dirty Dancing