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ashction's review against another edition
5.0
I'm kind of obsessed with Sophie Gonzales books, y'all!
Only Mostly Devastated was such a fun and surprisingly heartwarming debut in 2020. Perfect on Paper continues that trend with quiet, skillful character building that sucks you in. But stick around for meatier content like exploring positive habits in relationships, understanding yourself and others, and, most importantly, battling biphobia and bi erasure. This book is unapologetically queer and anyone questioning otherwise because it follows a bi girl who ends up with a boy (a necessary "spoiler" because some of y'all are ACTING UP) needs to check their incorrect learned behavior at the door.
Darcy runs under the radar to her classmates, but they don't realize she's the girl behind Locker 89, a.k.a. the place where you can get advice for a small fee. But when Darcy's cover is nearly blown by Alexander Brougham, she strikes a bargain to help Brougham get his ex back (healthily!) if he keeps her secret. But things get complicated as she gets closer to Brougham and further from Brooke, her best friend who's she harbored a crush on since forever - and from whom she's hiding a big secret.
Like I said, this book is unapologetically queer. Most of our main characters are queer, aside from Brougham. Darcy is also part of Queer & Questioning, a queer group at their school which gives space to queer teens to open up. Additionally, Darcy writes her advice in a way that's gender neutral (unless genders are given for both parties). I also think this is the kind of romance book teens need. We love teens having positive conversations about respect, boundaries, consent, and understanding the way relationships work healthily! It doesn't diminish that teens - and people regardless of age - get messy, but it does provide a conversation for how to do better which is cool to see.
As far as the romance goes, heck YEAH. It's a nice slow burn without too much angst alongside a lot of good banter. A weakness of mine for sure! I also appreciated that Brougham is open and willing to get vulnerable from the get-go rather than having it pried out of him. It's always nice to see male characters shying away from the ways toxic masculinity affects emotional expression.
I'm super eager to see more from Sophie, and can't wait to promote this one 'til I'm blue in the face!
Only Mostly Devastated was such a fun and surprisingly heartwarming debut in 2020. Perfect on Paper continues that trend with quiet, skillful character building that sucks you in. But stick around for meatier content like exploring positive habits in relationships, understanding yourself and others, and, most importantly, battling biphobia and bi erasure. This book is unapologetically queer and anyone questioning otherwise because it follows a bi girl who ends up with a boy (a necessary "spoiler" because some of y'all are ACTING UP) needs to check their incorrect learned behavior at the door.
Darcy runs under the radar to her classmates, but they don't realize she's the girl behind Locker 89, a.k.a. the place where you can get advice for a small fee. But when Darcy's cover is nearly blown by Alexander Brougham, she strikes a bargain to help Brougham get his ex back (healthily!) if he keeps her secret. But things get complicated as she gets closer to Brougham and further from Brooke, her best friend who's she harbored a crush on since forever - and from whom she's hiding a big secret.
Like I said, this book is unapologetically queer. Most of our main characters are queer, aside from Brougham. Darcy is also part of Queer & Questioning, a queer group at their school which gives space to queer teens to open up. Additionally, Darcy writes her advice in a way that's gender neutral (unless genders are given for both parties). I also think this is the kind of romance book teens need. We love teens having positive conversations about respect, boundaries, consent, and understanding the way relationships work healthily! It doesn't diminish that teens - and people regardless of age - get messy, but it does provide a conversation for how to do better which is cool to see.
As far as the romance goes, heck YEAH. It's a nice slow burn without too much angst alongside a lot of good banter. A weakness of mine for sure! I also appreciated that Brougham is open and willing to get vulnerable from the get-go rather than having it pried out of him. It's always nice to see male characters shying away from the ways toxic masculinity affects emotional expression.
I'm super eager to see more from Sophie, and can't wait to promote this one 'til I'm blue in the face!
esmuldi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.25
phoenixxx's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
leslivresdemilie's review against another edition
4.0
Une jolie découverte ! C’est probablement le roman le plus queer et engagé que j’aie lu ! Beaucoup de sujets sont expliqués (aroace, biphobie, …) avec une grande clarté et vraiment en termes de représentations c’est un livre à lire !
L’histoire m’a plu, les personnages sont attachants ! Il m’a manqué un petit quelque chose pour que je me dise “ouah, cette histoire est incroyable” mais c’était vraiment chouette!
L’histoire m’a plu, les personnages sont attachants ! Il m’a manqué un petit quelque chose pour que je me dise “ouah, cette histoire est incroyable” mais c’était vraiment chouette!
clairefrances_8's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Perfect little YA with complexity read. Read this as a little pick me up and would recommend for anyone looking for a “all the boys I’ve ever loved” meets “heart breaker” meets tolerable miscommunication trope.
I want a book all about Finn next.
I want a book all about Finn next.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
4.0
This was super heckin' cute!
I actually don't have a whole lot else to say other than that. The last contemporary I read before this was May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor, which was another queer high school romance and, in comparison to the angsty trash fire that book was, this was an utterly wonderful breath of fresh air.
I also am a big fan of the plotline following Darcy's struggle with the validity of her sexuality. I think it's really nice and cool to focus on a bisexual character who is afraid to date someone of the opposite gender because she thinks she won't be "queer enough."
This was wonderful and I recommend it to anyone looking for a really cute, fun high school romance!
I actually don't have a whole lot else to say other than that. The last contemporary I read before this was May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor, which was another queer high school romance and, in comparison to the angsty trash fire that book was, this was an utterly wonderful breath of fresh air.
I also am a big fan of the plotline following Darcy's struggle with the validity of her sexuality. I think it's really nice and cool to focus on a bisexual character who is afraid to date someone of the opposite gender because she thinks she won't be "queer enough."
This was wonderful and I recommend it to anyone looking for a really cute, fun high school romance!
applejacksbooks's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
e_oneita's review against another edition
3.0
Couldn't finish- I didn't find myself engaged in the story.
merlesstorys's review against another edition
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
3.5