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A review by libraryoflaura
Almost Perfect by Tagan Shepard
3.0
I was excited to have the opportunity to read this e-ARC, and give my thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author.
More QueerLit will never, ever be a bad thing, and I was so happy to see two openly queer main characters (one of whom was bisexual). Often in literature, sapphic relationships don't get as much of a spotlight as the alternative. This book starts off strong and is heavy on the representation. Following 'Gayntertainment' writer and journalist, Riley St James, and a far lesser known fan artist, Olivia Duran, we are first introduced to both at 'QueerCon'; a convention for all aspects of queer media, where fans can meet and greet some of their favourite stars.
There is plenty to like about this book, and not just the representation (that is done well). Olivia is a sweet but headstrong character who knows what she wants, and has sacrificed a lot to be the main caregiver for her grandfather, younger sister, mother (and her younger sisters best friend, by all accounts; a gay twelve year old from a less than accepting household). Even though, as the reader learns, she's not quite as needed as she thinks she is, due to years of being the one in control of things. She's incredibly likeable and unapologetic about who she is, what she likes, and what she wants. A refreshing depiction of a femme, androgynous-loving bi woman, who isn't pandering, nor subservient.
The characters are a lot of what is good about this. Chelsea and Lewis (the aforementioned sister and her BFF) are precocious twelve year olds who are smarter than their years, both intellectually and emotionally. Their excitement about QueerCon and their favourite show ('The Midtown Avengers') is infectious, and it's so great to see younger characters involved so heavily in the LGBTQ+ community. Dani, Riley St James' best friend, is raw, comical, and unafraid to call people out on their bullshit. Olivia's mother is forgetful, spirited, and deserves more credit than her daughter gives her. Her grandfather (Poppa) is your typical stubborn but loving old man.
The writing is pleasant and easy to read in the best kind of way. No overly difficult or pretentious language here: just simple, but well written, and accessible to most readers.
I really wanted to love this book, but I guess my biggest issue was the main character of Riley St James. In comparison to Olivia, I found her too hard to like at times. On more than a handful of occasions, she's dismissive of her fans due to the content they like (that she doesn't), selfish, rude, and fairly pretentious. Even at the end, when she's screwed up massively, she still tries to find a way to blame other people, and to lessen the blow of what she's done and said. Admittedly, she gets her ass handed to and realises what an idiot she's been, and has a redemption arc; but it comes too little too late for me. A few parts surrounding Olivia's family really irritated me; this whole idea of 'why am I not as important as them?' was difficult for me to swallow.
A few times, I really did find myself talking at the pages, because she annoyed me so much! I guess that definitely says something about the skill of the writing!
My only other main irk was the fast pace of the romance. To some extent, I get it; it makes sense. The main characters meet at a convention, one of them is from out of town, so they have to have that moment of attraction to lead to a date to ensure they get anywhere at all! But it still felt a little too rushed for me, as someone who much prefers more of a slow build.
All in all, I'm giving this one 3 out of 5 stars. Not the worst, but not my favourite, either. I'd definitely read more by the author, though - and hopefully next time I'll like the main character(s) more!
More QueerLit will never, ever be a bad thing, and I was so happy to see two openly queer main characters (one of whom was bisexual). Often in literature, sapphic relationships don't get as much of a spotlight as the alternative. This book starts off strong and is heavy on the representation. Following 'Gayntertainment' writer and journalist, Riley St James, and a far lesser known fan artist, Olivia Duran, we are first introduced to both at 'QueerCon'; a convention for all aspects of queer media, where fans can meet and greet some of their favourite stars.
There is plenty to like about this book, and not just the representation (that is done well). Olivia is a sweet but headstrong character who knows what she wants, and has sacrificed a lot to be the main caregiver for her grandfather, younger sister, mother (and her younger sisters best friend, by all accounts; a gay twelve year old from a less than accepting household). Even though, as the reader learns, she's not quite as needed as she thinks she is, due to years of being the one in control of things. She's incredibly likeable and unapologetic about who she is, what she likes, and what she wants. A refreshing depiction of a femme, androgynous-loving bi woman, who isn't pandering, nor subservient.
The characters are a lot of what is good about this. Chelsea and Lewis (the aforementioned sister and her BFF) are precocious twelve year olds who are smarter than their years, both intellectually and emotionally. Their excitement about QueerCon and their favourite show ('The Midtown Avengers') is infectious, and it's so great to see younger characters involved so heavily in the LGBTQ+ community. Dani, Riley St James' best friend, is raw, comical, and unafraid to call people out on their bullshit. Olivia's mother is forgetful, spirited, and deserves more credit than her daughter gives her. Her grandfather (Poppa) is your typical stubborn but loving old man.
The writing is pleasant and easy to read in the best kind of way. No overly difficult or pretentious language here: just simple, but well written, and accessible to most readers.
I really wanted to love this book, but I guess my biggest issue was the main character of Riley St James. In comparison to Olivia, I found her too hard to like at times. On more than a handful of occasions, she's dismissive of her fans due to the content they like (that she doesn't), selfish, rude, and fairly pretentious. Even at the end, when she's screwed up massively, she still tries to find a way to blame other people, and to lessen the blow of what she's done and said. Admittedly, she gets her ass handed to and realises what an idiot she's been, and has a redemption arc; but it comes too little too late for me. A few parts surrounding Olivia's family really irritated me; this whole idea of 'why am I not as important as them?' was difficult for me to swallow.
A few times, I really did find myself talking at the pages, because she annoyed me so much! I guess that definitely says something about the skill of the writing!
My only other main irk was the fast pace of the romance. To some extent, I get it; it makes sense. The main characters meet at a convention, one of them is from out of town, so they have to have that moment of attraction to lead to a date to ensure they get anywhere at all! But it still felt a little too rushed for me, as someone who much prefers more of a slow build.
All in all, I'm giving this one 3 out of 5 stars. Not the worst, but not my favourite, either. I'd definitely read more by the author, though - and hopefully next time I'll like the main character(s) more!