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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such a lovely read! Also a quick one, since I read the entirety of this book basically in one sitting. It has that teen rom-com feel while also dealing with heavier topics, specifically biphobia. Also, there is so much diverse rep in this! And it didn't feel forced, like it can sometimes. Everything flowed nicely and I loved the characters. I can't wait to read more by Sophie Gonzales!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug abuse and Vomit
mezzano's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales has a great concept for a Young Adult noel. Darcy is a teenager attending a ritzy private school due to her mothers' job as a biology teacher. When Darcy isn't with her best friend Brooke or her older sister Ainsley, she is fixing relationship woes from Locker 89. Brougham, a boy from the school, happens to find Darcy checking the locker while after a swim practice, and asks her to help him get his girlfriend back. What follows is a predictable love story, intertwined with Darcy's own twist. Darcy has never actually been in a relationship, even though she's had a crush on Brooke for ages.
Unlike some Young Adult novels, the main characters in this story are considerably flawed, and the everyday drama of high school does at time seep into its pages. My favorite aspect of the story were definitely Darcy and Ainsley's interactions, which showed a healthy and loving sibling relationship. My close second favorite was Darcy slowly learning that her own biases were preventing her from forming a meaningful connection with someone she liked, and recognizing her own unhealthy behaviors.
Other reviewers have mentioned that the beginning of this book felt slow and uneventful, but the beginning and middle were my favorite parts of this story. It was sweet to see Darcy learn more about Brougham's Australian heritage and slowly open up about herself. The events and outcomes feel realistic and properly paced, whereas the ending of the book can come across as grand and dramatic. Given everything that happens from the middle to the end of the novel (no spoilers!) I was surprised at how neatly the story was wrapped up. Darcy pays a pretty big price as the result of her business venture, which was popularized around the school by someone she previously trusted. There is a power dynamic that is welcomed and celebrated at the end of the book, when I honestly thought it would have been better for Darcy to learn how to part ways. This is my first Sophie Gonzales book, but apparently other books by her have grandiose happy endings also, which isn't an inherently bad thing. With so much toxic behavior in this book, however, it would have been nice to see more personal growth before things were so neatly tied back together.
Unlike some Young Adult novels, the main characters in this story are considerably flawed, and the everyday drama of high school does at time seep into its pages. My favorite aspect of the story were definitely Darcy and Ainsley's interactions, which showed a healthy and loving sibling relationship. My close second favorite was Darcy slowly learning that her own biases were preventing her from forming a meaningful connection with someone she liked, and recognizing her own unhealthy behaviors.
Other reviewers have mentioned that the beginning of this book felt slow and uneventful, but the beginning and middle were my favorite parts of this story. It was sweet to see Darcy learn more about Brougham's Australian heritage and slowly open up about herself. The events and outcomes feel realistic and properly paced, whereas the ending of the book can come across as grand and dramatic. Given everything that happens from the middle to the end of the novel (no spoilers!) I was surprised at how neatly the story was wrapped up. Darcy pays a pretty big price as the result of her business venture, which was popularized around the school by someone she previously trusted. There is a power dynamic that is welcomed and celebrated at the end of the book, when I honestly thought it would have been better for Darcy to learn how to part ways. This is my first Sophie Gonzales book, but apparently other books by her have grandiose happy endings also, which isn't an inherently bad thing. With so much toxic behavior in this book, however, it would have been nice to see more personal growth before things were so neatly tied back together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Biphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Vomit, and Stalking
Minor: Violence and Alcoholism
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