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rashmi's review against another edition
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
3.75
kvreadsandrecs's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. It was fine. I like books that are about friendships a lot, but this one seemed a bit dramatic.
tudorache_a21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annabelreadsandwrites's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
polkadotgirl's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars:
I am so glad I decided to pick up this book as the first one to read in 2019. Goodbye, Perfect was an interesting, fast-paced book that only took me a day to read and started me off perfectly on my reading challenge.
I picked up this book because the concept was very interesting to me: a girl runs off with her high school teacher, who she had a secret romantic relationship with and her best friend is left behind having to figure out and learn about the relationship, its implications and such.
I really really liked the main character's -Eden- POV throughout the whole book. This is probably the YA contemporary that I feel portrays and voices its teenage characters the best, at least from the most recent ones I've read. Eden is a complicated character, not only because of her teenage-age although that truly exacerbates it, and that complication of hers is what makes you feel truly connected to her. I also love that while the main plot of this book didn't actually revolve entirely about Eden, we get to know her so well: her passions, her fears, her doubts, her likes and dislikes...
It was also great how there was actually a mention to Eden's diversity (in race, neurodiversity, socio-economical background) and how intertwined with the story her family dynamics and developments were.
I was also really happy reading about Eden and Connor's relationship because I feel like it's such a sweet, healthy relationship. It's not perfect and it doesn't try to be portrayed as such, but it does show perfectly (and without it ever feeling preachy) what an honest and good relationship should be all about, especially for teenagers. Commitment and support are highlighted in their relationship while also showing the importance of independence and communication.
As to the main plot of the book I have to say I feel like, in general, it does a very good job at handling it. It's very interesting to read the evolution of Eden through the entire ordeal: at first being sad that her best friend lied to her, then being confused as to why it is actually such a big deal for everyone and then starting to realize that maybe there is actually something wrong with it, starting to get a more mature point of view as to the situation and Mr Crohn's behaviors.
I liked that as an adult we can understand the adults' perspective from the very beginning while still very much being able to recognize what turn-points of the story would be crucial for younger kids. I especially like how well-explained the issue of isolation is ("are you really going to leave your entire family and friends? is it right that you're being asked to do that? don't you think there's something suspicious about that?").
It's true that I would have liked a little bit more of in-depth dealing with the subject after the resolution of the running away, but I'm also aware that it would have had to be from Bonnie's POV and she's not actually the protagonist of this story. I just feel like it's so very important to understand the repercussions of these things for the victims and it would have been enlightening to see Bonnie realize certain things as Eden did.
There were certain times that I felt like there were issues with victim blaming, guilt discussion, grief and other topics that I didn't feel entirely comfortable with, especially from a psychological perspective, but I chose to understand them as the characters showing humanity more than the author unconsciously writing these problems into the story. Still, would have liked a little more discussion about them.
In general this was a solid 4-star read that deals with a complicated subject in more of a "breezy" way while still showing its importance and impact.
I am so glad I decided to pick up this book as the first one to read in 2019. Goodbye, Perfect was an interesting, fast-paced book that only took me a day to read and started me off perfectly on my reading challenge.
I picked up this book because the concept was very interesting to me: a girl runs off with her high school teacher, who she had a secret romantic relationship with and her best friend is left behind having to figure out and learn about the relationship, its implications and such.
I really really liked the main character's -Eden- POV throughout the whole book. This is probably the YA contemporary that I feel portrays and voices its teenage characters the best, at least from the most recent ones I've read. Eden is a complicated character, not only because of her teenage-age although that truly exacerbates it, and that complication of hers is what makes you feel truly connected to her. I also love that while the main plot of this book didn't actually revolve entirely about Eden, we get to know her so well: her passions, her fears, her doubts, her likes and dislikes...
It was also great how there was actually a mention to Eden's diversity (in race, neurodiversity, socio-economical background) and how intertwined with the story her family dynamics and developments were.
I was also really happy reading about Eden and Connor's relationship because I feel like it's such a sweet, healthy relationship. It's not perfect and it doesn't try to be portrayed as such, but it does show perfectly (and without it ever feeling preachy) what an honest and good relationship should be all about, especially for teenagers. Commitment and support are highlighted in their relationship while also showing the importance of independence and communication.
As to the main plot of the book I have to say I feel like, in general, it does a very good job at handling it. It's very interesting to read the evolution of Eden through the entire ordeal: at first being sad that her best friend lied to her, then being confused as to why it is actually such a big deal for everyone and then starting to realize that maybe there is actually something wrong with it, starting to get a more mature point of view as to the situation and Mr Crohn's behaviors.
I liked that as an adult we can understand the adults' perspective from the very beginning while still very much being able to recognize what turn-points of the story would be crucial for younger kids. I especially like how well-explained the issue of isolation is ("are you really going to leave your entire family and friends? is it right that you're being asked to do that? don't you think there's something suspicious about that?").
It's true that I would have liked a little bit more of in-depth dealing with the subject after the resolution of the running away, but I'm also aware that it would have had to be from Bonnie's POV and she's not actually the protagonist of this story. I just feel like it's so very important to understand the repercussions of these things for the victims and it would have been enlightening to see Bonnie realize certain things as Eden did.
There were certain times that I felt like there were issues with victim blaming, guilt discussion, grief and other topics that I didn't feel entirely comfortable with, especially from a psychological perspective, but I chose to understand them as the characters showing humanity more than the author unconsciously writing these problems into the story. Still, would have liked a little more discussion about them.
In general this was a solid 4-star read that deals with a complicated subject in more of a "breezy" way while still showing its importance and impact.
grace1994's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
I really enjoyed this. Very easy to read. The characters were brilliantly written and I could empathise with most of them, even when they were making 'dumb' decisions. I think the topic was handled well and it felt very relatable to me. This is one of the first YA I've read that's British and I think that, mixed with the fact I strongly remember the 2012 case of the schoolgirl and the teacher, means I really related to this book stronger than I have any other YA I've read. It almost made me feel nostalgic for my own school days. Overall, a really good book and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author
I really enjoyed this. Very easy to read. The characters were brilliantly written and I could empathise with most of them, even when they were making 'dumb' decisions. I think the topic was handled well and it felt very relatable to me. This is one of the first YA I've read that's British and I think that, mixed with the fact I strongly remember the 2012 case of the schoolgirl and the teacher, means I really related to this book stronger than I have any other YA I've read. It almost made me feel nostalgic for my own school days. Overall, a really good book and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author
caffeineaddict980's review against another edition
3.0
This novel centers around the friendship between Eden and Bonnie.
After Bonnie runs away with her secret boyfriend, Eden is in for a surprise when she finds out who he actually is and starts questioning herself about who Bonnie really is.
This book was fast paced, not one of her best, but still a good read!
3 stars!
After Bonnie runs away with her secret boyfriend, Eden is in for a surprise when she finds out who he actually is and starts questioning herself about who Bonnie really is.
This book was fast paced, not one of her best, but still a good read!
3 stars!