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adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
Although in theory this book sounded great, the execution didn't grab me as much as I'd hoped. This is a YA with a BFFs to enemies to girlfriends subplot, with the main plot focusing on how the protagonist Ivy suddenly wakes up to find her fanfic version of Weston, the hero of her fav fantasy TV show, has come to life, with funny and then more serious consequences. I liked the material about the friend breakup and almost wished Ivy and Mac didn't get together, as there are so few stories that focus just on (queer!) friendship!
Such a fun and different read! There is nothing quite like a unique story to totally hook you.
In ‘The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist’ we meet Ivy who is a huge fan of H-Mad and popular tv show. Ivy has a huge crush on the main character, Weston, and writes fan fictions about him falling for her. One morning, she wakes to find Weston in her bedroom in real life. She enlists the help of her friend and fellow H-mad enthusiast Henry but her arch nemesis, and true inspiration for her fanfics, Mack, gets roped in as well. Meeting her perfect guy in real life forces Ivy to consider if this is what she really wants, a perfect life? Or does she want a life in reality with challenges, real friendships, and a huge crush on her ex best friend?
The characters and prose throughout this book felt honest and well thought out. This is a true YA novel with teens who may not be the best at identifying feelings or communicating yet. I found myself really falling for these characters and their quirks. The plot was very different from my normal reads but I found it fun and interesting!
In ‘The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist’ we meet Ivy who is a huge fan of H-Mad and popular tv show. Ivy has a huge crush on the main character, Weston, and writes fan fictions about him falling for her. One morning, she wakes to find Weston in her bedroom in real life. She enlists the help of her friend and fellow H-mad enthusiast Henry but her arch nemesis, and true inspiration for her fanfics, Mack, gets roped in as well. Meeting her perfect guy in real life forces Ivy to consider if this is what she really wants, a perfect life? Or does she want a life in reality with challenges, real friendships, and a huge crush on her ex best friend?
The characters and prose throughout this book felt honest and well thought out. This is a true YA novel with teens who may not be the best at identifying feelings or communicating yet. I found myself really falling for these characters and their quirks. The plot was very different from my normal reads but I found it fun and interesting!
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
Readers are invited to experience a delightful queer romance, blending the magic of fandom with the complexities of teenage relationships. In ”The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist" by Sophie Gonzales, a dash of whimsy and a sprinkle of heart create a story that will resonate with fans of love, friendship, and the unexpected.
Meet Ivy. She’s an ardent fan of the television show Hot, Magical, and Deadly (H-MAD). Her obsession with the show borders on the fanatical, and her crush on Mackenzie, her ex–best friend, only adds to the drama. When Ivy accidentally manifests Weston Razorbrook, the dreamy main character from H-MAD, into her bedroom during a thunderstorm, her life takes an unexpected turn. But here's the twist: Weston is straight out of Ivy's romantic fan-fiction, complete with all the tropes she adores. Unfortunately, real life doesn't always follow the script, and Ivy soon discovers that the turbulent man from her stories isn't as dreamy as she imagined.
Meet Mackenzie. She’s the former best friend of Ivy, who turned reluctant partner in managing the magical mess. As they navigate the chaos of Weston's presence, Ivy grapples with her feelings for him, despite Mack's insistence that Weston should vanish back into the fictional world. The tension between Ivy and Mack is palpable, and their dynamic shifts from friends to enemies and, perhaps, to something more.
Gonzales's portrayal of queer protagonists is refreshing. Ivy's white identity and Mack's Black identity add depth to their interactions, highlighting the complexities of friendship, attraction, and self-discovery. While the romance blooms against the backdrop of fandom magic, the story occasionally feels superficial. The plot-driven narrative could have benefited from deeper character development and a more vivid setting. Ivy's reactions to Weston's sudden appearance sometimes strain believability, but the charm of the premise keeps readers engaged.
At its core, The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist celebrates the messiness of love. You know: the imperfect, the unexpected, and the magical. Gonzales weaves humour, heart, and a touch of whimsy into a tale reminding us that even when our fantasies collide with reality, there's beauty in the chaos.
The novel's LGBTQ+ representation is commendable, and Gonzales deftly explores themes of identity, friendship, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality. Whether you're a seasoned fanfic writer or simply someone who believes in the magic of unexpected connections, this book will leave you with a smile.
This is a cute, if lightly developed, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance offering a delightful climb through fandom, friendship, and the messy magic of love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Meet Ivy. She’s an ardent fan of the television show Hot, Magical, and Deadly (H-MAD). Her obsession with the show borders on the fanatical, and her crush on Mackenzie, her ex–best friend, only adds to the drama. When Ivy accidentally manifests Weston Razorbrook, the dreamy main character from H-MAD, into her bedroom during a thunderstorm, her life takes an unexpected turn. But here's the twist: Weston is straight out of Ivy's romantic fan-fiction, complete with all the tropes she adores. Unfortunately, real life doesn't always follow the script, and Ivy soon discovers that the turbulent man from her stories isn't as dreamy as she imagined.
Meet Mackenzie. She’s the former best friend of Ivy, who turned reluctant partner in managing the magical mess. As they navigate the chaos of Weston's presence, Ivy grapples with her feelings for him, despite Mack's insistence that Weston should vanish back into the fictional world. The tension between Ivy and Mack is palpable, and their dynamic shifts from friends to enemies and, perhaps, to something more.
Gonzales's portrayal of queer protagonists is refreshing. Ivy's white identity and Mack's Black identity add depth to their interactions, highlighting the complexities of friendship, attraction, and self-discovery. While the romance blooms against the backdrop of fandom magic, the story occasionally feels superficial. The plot-driven narrative could have benefited from deeper character development and a more vivid setting. Ivy's reactions to Weston's sudden appearance sometimes strain believability, but the charm of the premise keeps readers engaged.
At its core, The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist celebrates the messiness of love. You know: the imperfect, the unexpected, and the magical. Gonzales weaves humour, heart, and a touch of whimsy into a tale reminding us that even when our fantasies collide with reality, there's beauty in the chaos.
The novel's LGBTQ+ representation is commendable, and Gonzales deftly explores themes of identity, friendship, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality. Whether you're a seasoned fanfic writer or simply someone who believes in the magic of unexpected connections, this book will leave you with a smile.
This is a cute, if lightly developed, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance offering a delightful climb through fandom, friendship, and the messy magic of love.
Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
funny
inspiring
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
I loved this! From the title alone, I was sold. I went in almost completely blind, having enjoyed We are Never Ever Getting Back Together as well. For anyone who has read and enjoyed fan fiction, loves romance tropes, and a little magic this is for you.
This story is told in dual timelines from the perspective of Ivy. Ivy used to be best friends with Mack (and fell in love with her) but they have since had a falling out. Ivy has since befriended Henry over their shared love of their favorite show, H-MAD. Ivy loves the show so much that she even writes fanfic about H-MAD starring herself and the lead character Weston. Things go completely sideways one morning when she wakes up and realizes Weston is in her house! And not the actor who plays him, the actual character!
This story is about second chances, being careful what you wish for, and a joy for any fanfic reader. I especially laughed at the brief omegaverse mention. Overall, this is a cute sapphic friends to enemies to lovers story and I really enjoyed it!
This story is told in dual timelines from the perspective of Ivy. Ivy used to be best friends with Mack (and fell in love with her) but they have since had a falling out. Ivy has since befriended Henry over their shared love of their favorite show, H-MAD. Ivy loves the show so much that she even writes fanfic about H-MAD starring herself and the lead character Weston. Things go completely sideways one morning when she wakes up and realizes Weston is in her house! And not the actor who plays him, the actual character!
This story is about second chances, being careful what you wish for, and a joy for any fanfic reader. I especially laughed at the brief omegaverse mention. Overall, this is a cute sapphic friends to enemies to lovers story and I really enjoyed it!
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced