Reviews

Future Perfect by Jen Larsen

ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition

2.0

I love body positive books. Nobody should be shamed for their body. Period. No arguments. Never should someone be made to feel horrible about themselves because of the number on the scale or how they look. This book had an interesting aspect, but it wasn't executed well. It didn't focus as much on the weight loss surgery as I hoped. It was more about Ashley's friendships, relationship with her father and grandmother and acceptance into Harvard. What was suppose to be the main plot seemed tossed into the background. It was just meh. I expected a whole lot more then what the author actually gave.

sandeeisreading's review against another edition

4.0

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HARPER TEEN FOR PROVIDING THIS eARC IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

"Nothing will get easier. And nothing will be better. Don’t change your mind."

I don't think I've read any books that dealt with the subject of self-image and acceptance. And now I realize how much I should try and read more about the subject because I have been struggling with a similar problem.
I thought this book touched on the subject pretty well. It was a delicate subject that was handled in a way that wasn't preachy. It was done in such a way that you'd take something out from the story while at the same time enjoying the book.

THE GIST

"Every year on my birthday, my grandmother, my father’s mother, the woman we owe our whole lives to, reminds me that I am risking everything."

Ashley Maria Perkins is fat. Or at least that's what her grandmother thinks.

"The issue, my grandmother will be quick to tell you, is that I am fat."

She knows she isn't skinny, but she was okay with that. She is fine with the fact that she is on the heavier side. She knows she's amazing because there's a lot of things she could do. She believes in herself. She doesn't understand why her grandmother could not see how being skinny wasn't at all important to her.

Her grandmother always gives here these cards wherein she gives her something in exchange for losing weight. She didn't really care about them. She always declined.
At least, until her grandmother gave her something that she really really wants.

THE PROTAGONIST

Ashley

I really liked Ashley's character. She is confident, smart, and knows what she wants in life. She is something I am not.

I have been described as ambitious, smart, outgoing, driven, stubborn, and sometimes bossy by people who love me, though that last one is not true. I’ve also been described as fat by my grandmother and select others, which is true.

I've always been an insecure girl. I have a lot of issues with how I look like. Especially how much I weigh. I always find something wrong with myself, even with the smallest things that no one else really cares about. So when I read this book, I realized how badly I've been treating myself. How I should be more confident with what I have and who I am.

Even when she was on the heavier side, Ashley didn't take crap from anyone. There's this girl who always tease her about her weight, but she doesn't take that shit from her. She doesn't allow the bitch to reign over her. She have friends who love her and support her but she doesn't need them to defend her. She is more than capable of doing so herself. And I envy her of that. There was a time though when she was at her weakest (who doesn't though). When she almost gave in to what she doesn't want to do, to get what she wants the most. But she realized what is really more important.

Ashley's an amazing character and I love reading her perspective. I wish I could be more like her.

ROMANCE

Romance did not have a big part in this story. Thank heavens. It played a very tiny role. I thought there was going to be cheating but I was so wrong. I'm glad the romance part turned out the way it did. It was unexpected. I thought it was the best way to go about with the story.

PLOT DEVELOPMENT

I liked how the story went. The plot was pretty easy to follow and straight to the point. This was a book about self acceptance and that is what we got. There were minor subplots with Ashley's friend Laura and Jolene, but all of them had to deal with the central theme of the story so it does not take away anything from the main story line.

QUOTABLE QUOTES

“You do not deserve to be automatically dismissed for utterly arbitrary aesthetic reasons that have nothing to do with your worth as a human being.”

 

"Your body isn’t her business.”

 

"I am the sum of my parts. Everything I’ve ever done and everything I’ve ever achieved and everything I have ever been. Fat and smart and afraid and fierce and angry and brave all together right here, and every piece of the puzzle fits the way it’s supposed to and I can’t pretend anymore. It’s always been true, no matter what I’ve told myself or hoped or tried to believe."

 

THINGS I LIKED

• The story itself was something I easily could relate to and a lot of people would be able to relate to. Maybe not with Ashley's character, but maybe with Jolene or Laura.


• I liked Ashley's character. She was as real as you can get. There was nothing fake about her. All her reactions to the things she went through were realistic.


• The writing is very easy to get through.


• There are some great lines on this book.


• Ashley's grandmother is also a great character. She wasn't exactly an antagonist because you understand why she does the things she does. I think that's very important.


• No fucking instalove. Romance is not a key player in this story. It focused more on the friendship than the romance.


• The cover is so cute.


• How realistic the topic this book touched on.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE

• Probably the slower parts. But there wasn't a lot of them


• Although I don't hate her Grandmother, I despise the way she treats Ashley. She was forcing her to do the thing she wants her to do by blackmailing her into giving her something she wants. I get that it happens. But come on. Give the girl some slack. She is doing the best she can with her life and you have to go around and point out to her that she will never get anywhere because she's fat. Come on lady. So not cool.

FINAL WORDS

I was cheering Ashley the entire time while reading this. She doesn't deserve the crap that her grandmother is putting her through. She owes her a lot, but damn, she has to live her own life the way she wants to. It was unfair of her grandmother to blackmail her. But I know it happens not the exact way as it has in the book, but the part where kids or teens are not allowed to choose what they want to be. I could relate to that in a way.

I loved this book. I would recommend it to everyone who would like a good contemporary read that would leave you with something to really think about.

amibunk's review against another edition

Wretched and meandering. Too many plot lines, not enough background information early on.

kbrownreads's review against another edition

4.0

the writing was beautiful and gave a good understanding of character. the end seemed a little rushed

aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition

4.0

I'm not sure how to say that I loved this book and also hated every single adult in this girl's life. Every one of them, even the ones who weren't trying their best to screw her up. It wouldn't have taken me so long to read except hello 2020 - my brain is broken. Worthwhile reading. Accept your damn kids for who they are and what size they are.

suzangilly's review

Tried to will myself to finish this book, but can't. 40% into the book and it started feeling like a chore reading this. Great idea of the book, not executed well.

thepaperreels's review against another edition

3.0

"I am the sum of my parts. Everything I’ve ever done and everything I’ve ever achieved and everything I have ever been. Fat and smart and afraid and fierce and angry and brave all together right here, and every piece of the puzzle fits the way it’s supposed to and I can’t pretend anymore. It’s always been true, no matter what I’ve told myself or hoped or tried to believe."

That was a surprise. Future Perfect is such an empowering read! First of all, I want to dismiss the thought that books about fat protagonists are only meant for people who are on the same situation. NO! Books such as this are meant for everyone! Every gender, age group or whether you're experiencing the same thing or not. Everyone will finish this book with a powerful message received which is to simply be happy and find acceptance with whatever season you're in right now. That may seem very simple but Jen Larsen written it all in the most beautiful way.

Ashley is very refreshing. Its great to be inside the head of a fat protagonist that is not unhappy or not feeling bad about the way she look. Ashley is smart, driven and most of all, she's real. She's like an eye opener to everyone who thinks that all fat people are miserable or sad about their life. Ashley tends to ramble though which is my least favorite thing because it makes the book slower for me to read. But other than that, Ashley is nothing but inspiring. She's admirable in every way and her character growth is just superb!

Other characters are completely well done as well and their subplots played a huge role in the story. Her grandmother which seems mean and the villain of the story is one of my favorite character. She's just so complex. I am really impressed by Jen Larsen's characterization and her writing. The story was set in a pace where you feel like you're jut there... with Ashley. You will sympathize, you will feel and you will also learn.

Romance wasn't a huge part of the story but it was still there. I can't really say anything anymore except that it was not cliche and that it was just all...real.

Overall, I highly recommend Future Perfect. It doesn't matter what kind of reader you are or that you feel like you've already read books like this before, YOU NEED THIS BOOK in your life.

**

luna_rondo's review

2.0

As a fat person, I love seeing fat protagonist. What I don't like is pity reviewing. This book is one star at best because the writing was atrocious (IMHO), there were really weird chunks that didn't seem to relate to the rest of the story, the characters are underdeveloped and nothing is really solved. Forgive me, I like my contemporary ending with a little less loose end.

The diversity is great to see and I did like that the author actually had experience with gastric bypass surgery, but this book didn't cut it for me.

jasperitis's review

2.0

I read the first 1/3, then skipped to the end. A little too angsty for me, though I understand where the author is coming from. But it was a lot of talk and thinking...but it didn't lead to much.

wrenl's review

3.0

I got this as an eARC for a book tour,

What are you supposed to say about a book like this? Congratulations? Huzzah? I'm not sure.

I loved Laura and Jolene. They were the perfect cheer squad for Ashley. They were helpful and kind. They cared. They cared in different ways, though. Laura tried to be the fun one who was defiant and fought back. Jolene was more laid back, but she tried to support Ashley in every way. If I had friends like Laura and Jolene, I'd be set for life.

I have to admit that I liked Ashley's decision in the end. She realized that she didn't need anything to love herself. She didn't need to be thin. She was thriving anyways. She'd change the world anyways.
There wasn't an explanation, though. She just bolted. She didn't explain. There wasn't a why. There was only the effect. No cause.

I was highly confused for a majority of the plot. The story was jumping from thing to thing. Laura. The boyfriend Hector. Jolene. It was as if everyone else decided to make their lives sucky at the same time as Ashley's decision. Poor Ashley had to keep up with all that. That made it a confusing jumble of different stories and different lives. It was confusing.

The romance was oddly lacking. Which seemed odd. Normally, you are overcompensating. Why do you like him? He's nice? He's cute? What else? Does his music make you all fluffy inside? Does his smile light up your world? I need some fluff here! Something to make sense.