I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This book was a good one! I’ve always had a soft spot for YA Contemporaries so that could be why. If that genre isn’t your vibe, then this book might not be for you. Overall, I would for sure recommend to a friend!

I liked this one! Hard hitting contemporary books really work for me! Interested to see what else this author can do!

This was a fascinating yet harrowing book. I continue to love the way Laura Silverman tells such a compelling story while keeping me engaged the entire novel. Loved this to pieces!

Y'ALL SHOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT THIS HERE GEM. 💎
💘 It's so fucking relatable. I was (still am?) Ariel, and I empathized so hard with his academic and time-related struggles.
💘 This book wins at diversity. The characters are of different races, religions, and sexualities.
💘 AMIR IS THE SOFTEST LOVE INTEREST EVER CAN I HAVE HIM?
💘 The friend- and family- relationships went through so much development and I reveled in it all.
💘 There's a loooot of Harry Potter references if you're into that. 😉

Ariel is the perfect college applicant until she fails a quiz. I was so excited to read this one! I feel like Ariel was a very relatable character (her struggles with math in particular). I can not wait to see what else this author writes!

I didn’t enjoy this book. I didn’t go to college and couldn’t really relate as an adult to Ariel. But it was written well. Just not for me.

So good and SO relatable - a pitch perfect portrayal of the pressure of high school and how things can spiral when you're trying to be perfect but also figuring yourself out.

Can I just take a moment to be so happy for the Jewish representation without bigoted stereotypes? Seriously. Amazing.

This book made me so happy because of that. There was talk of religion, but a supportive religion, without oppression due to sexuality. There are supportive parents, parents who actually tease their sons about boyfriends and romance.

It warmer my heart so much.

I took a while to read this book, which is unusual for me, but it gave me the opportunity to savour it.

Ariel is a character who made me feel so much empathy toward him, because I too, know what its like to be under a huge amount of pressure. His feelings are illustrated so well in this novel I wanted to ask the other characters why they weren’t noticing.

That being said there is a little bit of an unreliable narration.

This book is about pressure, being comfortable with yourself and what you can do as well as looking outside of yourself at the others around you.

I loved this sweet romance that also explored figuring out who you really are and handling academic pressure.

I seem to run into the same problem with all of Silverman's writing- it's good, in a forgettable way, but not very realistic. So while I enjoyed the book in the moment, a week later I couldn't begin to tell you what the book was about or any defining traits of our MC. Good if you're not looking for a story that sticks with you.

School Library Journal (02/01/2019):
Gr 9 Up--At the start of senior year, Ariel is valedictorian, first chair violin, and a perfect Harvard applicant. Despite all that work, his road to the perfect future is getting bumpy. Unexpected struggles in AP calculus, bloody fingers from a new violin solo, more work and less sleep send Ariel into a spiral of panic and exhaustion. He certainly doesn't need a crush on his (secret) calculus tutor, Amir, to further complicate things. As pressure mounts and Ariel grows terrified that someone will learn of his inadequacies, he has to decide how far he'll go--and what he'll sacrifice--to be perfect. Silverman's book is a critical look at the growing academic pressures teens face and the ease with which adults overlook the well-being of high-performing kids. Ariel's struggles with high expectations and a competitive school environment (high achieving kids often trade in their lunch period for extra AP credits) are heartbreakingly relatable. His fear and embarrassment over being less than the best drive him deeper into dangerous habits and isolation. Ariel's turmoil is the undoubted heart of the novel, but his friends and family are rich, interesting characters on their own. Inclusion is celebrated on every page. Ariel is openly bisexual, his family is devoutly Jewish, his best friend is Korean, his love interest is Muslim. These things are all simply facts of the world, neither watered-down nor over-explained. VERDICT Highly recommended for teen collections, especially in competitive school environments.--Amy Diegelman, Chicago Public Library

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

I had heard from others readers that this was a difficult book to read from the perspective of how realistic it was about the drive for teenagers to get into college. And that was definitely true.

Ariel is a gorgeous, young, Jewish teen who is straight on the path towards becoming valedictorian. There is only one other teen in their year level who even comes close, and Ariel knows that if he slips up for even a moment, he could lose his coveted place.

But that's fine. Everything is going well and he knows he's not going to slip up... all the way until he gets a failing grade in calculus.

The novel is perfectly plotted, with emotional tugs at all the right points, and a beautiful central relationship between Ariel and Amir, who starts out as being the person that Ariel picks to be his calculus tutor.

What I found most wonderful about this story is just how, over the course of it, Ariel comes to realise that there are other things in his life that are just as important, if not more so, than being the top kid in his class and all the college plans he's so certain he has to ace in order to feel valued.

This book needed to be written, and Laura Silverman did it right. Life and high school are too stressful only to focus on work. I felt this way in high school ten years ago and I know it has only gotten worse. A great book that I hope many YAs take time to read.

DNF
Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. Unfortunately, presently I have no interest in reading this title as I am in a YA slump. I may come back to it when I am in the mood in the future. I apologize for the convenience.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book, but it really just stressed me out. Reading about his anxiety about school gave ME so much anxiety about school.
Plus, a lot of the things that happened in this book seemed very unrealistic to me, and I questioned the attitude that the characters had toward academics and health many times.
Still, I enjoyed the read for the most part. It was just okay.

This book had some of the best Jewish rep I've ever seen in young adult. Bravo!! I think this is a common thing to say about this book but it could not have been more relatable. Especially the scenes where Ariel was spiraling out of control–I've had my fair share of those as a student and I think they were depicted so well.

Look, forget thrillers: come read this book if you want to be stressed out of your entire brain. Seriously, I had to put it down at one point because I was about to start anxiety crying in sync with Ariel. It's such an intense story about the weight school puts on students, the point of making them ill.

It also is quite a short and sweet story. The focuses are so intensely on friendship, family, and taking a step back to breathe and put things in perspective before you destroy yourself. It is really short (250pgs) so there were a lot of times I expected it to go deeper and darker...and it didn't. Problems seemed to be fixed or smoothed out quite easily (especially with the relationships?) so it overall lacked a meaty grit that I hoped for. But there is absolutely a need and place for stories that leave you with soft warm feelings. so here for that!

I also loved the diversity rep! I always adore books with diversity, but this seemed all very loving and respectful. The main ship is m/m (Ariel is bi) and he's also Jewish. There are TONS of Jewish scenes which I loved!! So much culture and it's important to see that in YA. Also Amir and his family are Muslim, Ariel's best friend is fat and queer, there are POC characters!

I feel like I just got flung through highschool again and w o w that is a solid no thanks. I can't even fathom all the work these kids had to do and I am FURIOUS at the teachers. It's all about a system. It's not even about learning or knowledge; just how can you "win" against a system to get the best test scores and the best college. And arghsshg like even the guidance counsellor was constantly pushing Ariel. They ALL were. To the detriment of these kids' healths. This is a real issue and it makes me so angry tbh. (Hate hate hate the orchestra conductor too.) Ariel needed a nap and I just freaked out every time he was driving himself to the point of breaking. GIVE THE KID A NAP.

Overall it is a fantastic story, lots of heart and warm feels despite also being here to stress you out.
as a good book should be. Why relax with a book when you can clutch the pages and whisper-shout "WOULD SOMEONE TAKE CARE OF ARIEL PLS" as he burns himself out trying to achieve something he's not even sure he wants. Feels. Overachiever/Slytherin relate.

Rating: 3.5/5

Trigger warning: stress, academic pressure & anxiety
Representation: Jewish, bisexual MC, Muslim side characters
This book is #ownvoices for Jewish representation.

Reading this, I realized that I am not the target audience. Ariel was a character I struggled to relate to since I wasn't the type of student in high school where my grades mattered and they were my top priority. I wasn't in honors classes or AP's. Therefore, I felt Ariel was being dramatic and I couldn't wrap my head around why he was so anxious about being the best and ruining his reputation as the smart kid. There were so many times he infuriated me.

I enjoyed the Jewish aspects of the book. Before reading this, I had known very little about Judaism besides the fact that they celebrate Hanukkah. So, I enjoyed that this was very prominent throughout the book. Friday meals, going to the synagogue and meeting with the Rabbi.

This book was mediocre for me. I was torn between DNFing in the middle because I felt like this story needed more development. I also believe that I wasn't the target audience because I am a 25 year old in college and high school is behind me.

You Asked for Perfect follows Ariel in his senior year of high school as he tries to juggle his academics, extracurricular activities, volunteering at the local animal shelter, religion, family and friends. Ariel is the top of his class and eager to keep his title for Valedictorian and get into Harvard. Ariel is constantly stressed and anxious about his several AP classes and keeping up with playing violin for the orchestra at his school to get first chair. Ariel has a lot on his plate and struggles SO MUCH to try to get everything done for school and it starts to put a toll on him. I was never a student who wanted to be the best, I was an outcast, for sure. So, I couldn't relate to Ariel <i> at all </i>. I felt that he was super dramatic and just needed to chill out? His anxiety gave ME anxiety. But, I understand why Ariel's character was like this, he was pressured by everyone around him to be the best.

This book is pitched as a budding romance between two teen boys, one of which needs tutoring. So, basically a tutoring romance? But, I felt that the romance REALLY LACKED. I was super confused because it felt rushed, one day Ariel was flipping out and having an anxiety attack that he just leaves their first tutoring session being rude to Amir because he ONLY HAD A 97.5 IN CALCULUS AND THOUGHT BECAUSE HE BOMBED A TEST HE WOULD BE FAILING?? AND DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO KNOW HE WAS GETTING TUTORED??? WHAT?? CONFUSING. Then, about maybe 3 tutoring sessions in they are out to dinner and they go outside to the parking lot and have their first kiss?? There was no flirting or anything that I picked up on that seemed like they were both into each other. AND this is a short book, so this happened in the middle of the book! It was half way over. So, it took longer than it should've in my opinion.

Overall, I enjoyed this book for the diversity and having a bisexual male!! I thought the second half of the book was better than the first. I'm glad to have stuck through reading it all, but I didn't have much closure? I really needed an epilogue.

Musings:

You Asked for Perfect is a fantastic novel. It perfectly encapsulates the anxiety of trying to be at the top academically in school. The pressure school provides on students to be perfect in order to get the best possible future for themselves they can and how that can reck all sorts of havoc on students mentally.

What I Loved:

Honestly everything. Personally this book managed to get me to miss school, but that’s just me. I loved the juggling act of trying to be there for your friends while at the same time juggling school and extra curricular activities. I loved the romantic elements of this novel. I loved how music played a part in this novel. I also loved that Ariel is Jewish and those elements. So pretty much everything about this novel was fantastic.

The portrayal of anxiety. I remember being in school and really struggling in AP Calc and having to drop it because it was too much for me along with my other honors and AP classes. Ariel scholar that he is pretty much aces everything and studies like a maniac. (I admit I was never one that study nearly as much as this character). But, the constant being on your phone. Testing yourself on mathway or quizlet. Reading material or listening to a audiobook while trying to accomplish some other homework assignment. Asking for extra credit (even if you don’t necessarily need it). Pushing yourself and then being super critical when you get a c or even a b. Feeling like a total and complete failure if you dare get an F. (I admit to crying on the occasion I got an F). Thinking each and every moment your in school you are working towards creating the best possible future for yourself. Essentially, this book showcases how in school aiming for perfection can at times bring you to a breaking point.


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Ariel and Amir together. Ariel is bisexual and it was super cute to see him fall in love with Amir. Amir has this gentleness about him and this understanding that lets him have the ability to chill out Ariel. He is the one that calms Ariel’s storms and helps him to see that it’s ok to settle down the work load for a while. To have fun at times and to remember that your relationships with other people are just as important as preparing for your future.

The weaving of Jewish Traditions. I love it when books include some sort of religion in it. Especially if I don’t know too much about it. So, what intrigued me about this was the various foods and the times for prayer and the Shabbat dinner mostly. The family practice and unity aspects were very beautiful to me and I felt like I was learning about a different aspect of the religion I didn’t know before.

Remembering that everything is about perspective. Ariel puts in front of himself the need to be valedictorian in order to make it to an Ivy League college and make something of himself. But, he finds that all the expectations have been created by himself and himself alone. He perceives others to expect a certain level from him and perceives his parents to expect perfection from him, but in reality it’s all a response to what he said he himself wanted from himself. In other words his own mind created a cycle of needing perfection and creating that to be his identity and when he isn’t perfect he feels he doesn’t have anything else to show as his identity. This was a really deep and introspective part of this novel that was so interesting to read and think on.


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His friendship. Ariel is best-friends with a girl and I love that they have their own little rituals and things they do together. I also love that she was fully fledged as a character and had her own goals and unique background and story. The author did an amazing job of making each character their own and having them come off as 3D full fledged characters.

Final Thoughts:

I highly recommend ‘You Asked for Perfect’. It’s really well written. It has a great story and a great message.

(Side note to those still in school)

I feel it necessary to say that this book really encapsulates what school was like for me. However, having been out of school for a while and having the opportunity to go to college has been taken away from me till I turn 25, I want to say this: you do not know what the future holds for you. So please enjoy the time you have now. Have fun and make friends and enjoy time with them now. Do your best, but don’t get stuck in feeling bad when your not perfect because you will have so many more opportunities in the future. Yes school is important, but it isn’t everything. Live your life to the fullest now and enjoy the opportunities you have now in the present moments. Take care of yourself and have fun. You’ll thank yourself later for it.