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rhythmofryn's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
This book is SUCH a rollercoaster. I loved how it started, was cringing and considering DNF-ing as the middle just got worse and worse, but I really liked the ending. Our main character, Darcy, is definitely no Mary Sue and she messes up EPICALLY throughout the novel. Her choices did make it hard for me to root for her, but she definitely realized she was in the wrong and did her best to fix things. I loved our main lead, Alexander Brougham. It helped tremendously that I listened to the audiobook and I got to listen to his surprisingly not at all grating Australian accent all through the book. Heโs flawed and struggles with pulling away or refusing to ask for help but heโs kind and heโs honest and heโs brave and UGH ๐ฅฐ. Also, a massive shout out for bi characters who end up with characters who are a different gender than them. M/F queer romance all day, please and thank you. The Queer and Questioning club scene near the end of the novel was so affirming for me. Happy Pride, yโall. ๐๐๐๐ณ๏ธโ๐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Infidelity, Biphobia, and Drug use
Moderate: Bullying and Vomit
Minor: Acephobia/Arophobia
eevelin's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
feainneh's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
rataltouille's review against another edition
3.75
rip locker 89 you would've made a great tumblr ask blog
samantha_leon's review against another edition
4.0
sude10nur's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
drphillgucci's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pepford's review against another edition
4.0
I have to admit I almost put this book down halfway through in a moment of frustration with the juvenile nature of the book. Then I took a moment to remember I was reading YA fiction and kept on. I'm glad I did because in the end I quite enjoyed the story.
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!