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beartown 's review for:
Perfect on Paper
by Sophie Gonzales
When asked about Perfect on Paper, I've pitched it as queer-centric Sex Education but with a lot more relationship advice carried out in complete secrecy. As someone going through a tough time, who latched onto attachment styles and intellcutalising everything to fit into boxes so things make more sense, this read came at a perfect time. Our main character identifies as bisexual, going through a tough time of her own - dealing with a crush on her best friend who doesn't seem to reciprocate - with another problem headed her way in the form of Brougham, a fellow student looking to fix his relationship with his ex-girlfriend in exchange for maintaining Darcy's secret of locker 89. The conversations revolving around queer teens, especially in the context of both sexuality and identity, were essential and were done with utmost respect and care, which I greatly enjoyed. The Queer Questioning Club felt like an actual integral part to Darcy's growth as a character, with a focus of its own, giving readers insight into problems queer teens may face at school and the author did a great job at making it a device important to both them and the story as opposed to having it feel like a throwaway, mentioned here and there, to move the plot forward.
Similarly, Darcy's responses to questions sent in by her peers were, not included at the start of most chapters, but referenced and used to further the plot in a way that felt meaningful. As someone, again, going through a tough time, in the context of the 'love/romance' department, this was actually super helpful. I am not too great at contexualising cues other people may give and it helps to see other characters, even fictional, deal with problems similiar to my own as a way to move forward, partly inspired by them. Additionally, yes, the one part where Darcy's sister calls her out for intellecualising everything to avoid feeling the emotions attached felt like a callout and I am thankful to the author because I needed to hear that, yep. Also the 36 questions to feel closer to someone? As someone who's not great at conversations or moving it along, I again thank the author for introducing me to this gem.
The banter between Brougham and Darcy was to die for, balanced equally with tender moments of vulnerability between the two. They got enough time together as they did apart, for it to still be Darcy's story as much as it was the story of her romance. I loved how the author integrated some very cute moments (cue: the rain scene followed by the movie) with moments where the characters opened up, let their guard down and just talked. As I grow older, I find myself wanting more and more of characters that just connect and this definitely served its purpose.
Also that one chapter on biphobia and feeling not 'queer enough' for dating someone of the opposite gender was just TOO real and i am really happy the author addressed biphobia, rampant both in and outside the community.
Sidenote because I am kinda tired of how much I've written but Brooke was just not it, idc.
Similarly, Darcy's responses to questions sent in by her peers were, not included at the start of most chapters, but referenced and used to further the plot in a way that felt meaningful. As someone, again, going through a tough time, in the context of the 'love/romance' department, this was actually super helpful. I am not too great at contexualising cues other people may give and it helps to see other characters, even fictional, deal with problems similiar to my own as a way to move forward, partly inspired by them. Additionally, yes, the one part where Darcy's sister calls her out for intellecualising everything to avoid feeling the emotions attached felt like a callout and I am thankful to the author because I needed to hear that, yep. Also the 36 questions to feel closer to someone? As someone who's not great at conversations or moving it along, I again thank the author for introducing me to this gem.
The banter between Brougham and Darcy was to die for, balanced equally with tender moments of vulnerability between the two. They got enough time together as they did apart, for it to still be Darcy's story as much as it was the story of her romance. I loved how the author integrated some very cute moments (cue: the rain scene followed by the movie) with moments where the characters opened up, let their guard down and just talked. As I grow older, I find myself wanting more and more of characters that just connect and this definitely served its purpose.
Also that one chapter on biphobia and feeling not 'queer enough' for dating someone of the opposite gender was just TOO real and i am really happy the author addressed biphobia, rampant both in and outside the community.
Sidenote because I am kinda tired of how much I've written but Brooke was just not it, idc.