This was a pretty solid YA contemporary, I did find a lot of the dialogue cringey, but I think this is more a result of me just aging out of the genre rather than any actual issue with the book itself. I also expected there to be more of an exploration of biphobia in this. The biggest highlight of the book for me was definitely how messy these characters were. It felt surprisingly realistic for a cast of teenagers to be acting this way, and it was admittedly very entertaining.

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.

Dating advice could definitely help her friends that aimlessly try to solve their relationship woes. Helping those closest to her might turn out and help her find someone who is not only perfect on paper but also in her heart.

I really enjoyed this one! Brougham and Darcy had such a unique relationship throughout the book. I feel like they went through all the feels! I loved Ainsley and Brooke as supporting characters too. The premise of locker 89 being an advice column was actually GENIUS. I wish I would have thought of that! I would have made bank 🤣. This was a cute romance with a queer lead and I thought it was really well done!

Perfect on Paper was super cute . I really loved the characters in this one, and the concept was really fun. I’m a big fan of the show Sex Education, and it has some similar plot lines. it had its moments where I thought it was missing something, but there were such incredible moments in the Q&Q club and I overall really enjoyed.

One of my favorite YA contemporary books, started my love affair with Sophie Gonzales, I loved the voice and the main character’s journey and exploration of her identity. The story was super fun, couldn’t put it down.

I loved this book so much! It had great bisexual representation and was in the enemies to lovers trope. I learned a lot about internalized biphobia, which is a topic that I was not familiar with and enjoyed learning about so that I can be a better ally.

It's a YA novel but I think all ages can get something out of this book. It was a quick read for me because I was really into it and very involved in the characters. It's not a very complex story line and I would definitely recommend this book to basically anyone!

I really appreciated the representation in this read and enjoyed the storyline. It felt like a great combination of some well-loved teen romcoms that blended well and made for an enjoyable plot.

this wasn’t anything super special but I did really enjoy it but I just can’t quite give it 4 stars. it certainly made me feel things (including a lot of frustration) lmfao.

I actually appreciated the ending though bc the whole locker being ethical discourse was actually so dumb 😭

Sadly this book was just not it for me. I tried picking it up a few times and have not been able to finish it. One say if I do pick it up again and finish it I will be updating my review.

I love Sophie Gonzales. I think this book was fabulous for its discussion of bi-phobia and attachment styles.

I wish the plot had been more streamlined. I thought the will they won't they back and forth was jumbled. I also felt like I was being told too many feelings rather than seeing them shown. And that the punishment hadn't been so severe. But it was a fun read. And Brougham and Darcy forever.

This was good and I think would appeal to a range of YA. It’s about truth & lies and the consequences, LGBTQ relationships in a range of iterations. I esp. like that there are no judgments other than the one Darcy has about her internalized biphobia is. The convo she had in the Q&Q support group is very edifying for anyone reading this book without being preachy. Parent relationships, using their children as pawns in their nasty games, is disturbing, esp. the story Brougham tells about the scariest moment in his life. I really liked how Brougham was the voice of balance for Darcy. He made her see the flaws in her system of giving advice without being mean about it.

"...If you're having relationship issues and you slide a letter through the vents of locker eighty-nine, you will received an email from an anonymous sender within the week giving you advice. And if you're wise enough to follow that advice, your relationship problems will be solved, guaranteed, or your money back."

Shame on me for keeping this one in the e-arc pile for so long because it was a truly engaging and diverse coming-of-age story. The characters were relatable and it was easy to cringe in solidarity during their lows, and cheer along with their highs as they navigate first loves, first fights, and the "what comes next" stage of high school.

The scenes with Darcy and Alex (our MCs) were my favorites and I found myself speed reading to return to their segments throughout the text. Several passages are devoted to love advice, healthy communication styles, and identity and I'm sure it will help loads of people feel seen and understood. Overall it's a strong story -- complete with an HEA -- that probably would have received a higher rating during my teenaged years.

Perfect On Paper by Sophie Gonzales

Darcy Philips gives relationship advice to her fellow students, but they don’t know SHE is the one. When she is busted by fellow student Alexander, this is the beginning of a great story that I really enjoyed.

First off, Darcy likes a girl, who is her best friend. Alexander, who has found “Darcy relationship guru out”, likes a girl who he wants back because she is not responding to him like he wants. SO he blackmails, sort of, Darcy to help him or he implies he will give her up to the rest of her classmates. This is the start of a interesting triangle and author does a great job of taking the reader on a journey into the lives of bi-teen-queer world with a sensitivity that made the read interesting and not uncomfortable.

There is a lot more going on with students, parents and relationships that make this a compelling read for teens. Very well written, the author deals with bi-gay, queer representation that is sensitive and thoughtful.

Over all, I recommend this story but know it deals with bi-sexual gay themes.

Rating 4
Linda C

This book was just sadly not for me! I was hoping for something different but it turned out to be something I was not expecting, which is okay and I'm sure someone else would love it!

Again, this is a book I read a while ago but never wrote up an official review. I actually ended up getting the audiobook from the library instead of reading it from my kindle but I enjoyed it all the same. The narrator was great for this story and I usually find I enjoy contemporary stories more as audiobooks because they’re often told from first person POV.

I don’t want to say that my one issue with this book was that the characters were “immature” because it’s YA, these characters are supposed to be young and learning. I think my issue was more with the plausibility of the story. Some plot points seemed riddled with lies and deception that would have easily been seen through by anyone who stopped to think about it. I was disappointed in the plausibility of the premise but overall, I did enjoy the character development and the way the story resolved.

I’d read more from this author and would even be interested to read about other characters from this setting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Perfect on Paper is a charming and humorous exploration of romance, friendship, and self-discovery. Darcy's character is relatable and endearing, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates the complexities of love and the unexpected connections that can form along the way.

Sophie Gonzales skillfully blends witty banter, genuine emotion, and a touch of vulnerability in this heartwarming tale. The dynamics between Darcy and Alexander provide ample opportunities for both hilarity and genuine growth, as they discover unexpected layers to each other beyond their initial judgments.

What sets Perfect on Paper apart is its exploration of identity and the fear of being exposed. Darcy's struggle with revealing her true self adds depth to the story, resonating with readers who have experienced similar challenges in their own lives.

Perfect on Paper is a delightful and engaging read that balances humor and heartfelt moments with finesse. Sophie Gonzales crafts a story that is equal parts entertaining and thought-provoking, reminding readers that sometimes the most unexpected connections can lead to the perfect outcome.

I really tried, I promise I did but this book was just not for me. One star for the important conversations regarding sexuality, gender, consent and how to build healthy relationships. One star for the beautiful sibling relationship. And a half star for the love interest. That's as far as I could go because I could not stand the main character. Honesty and integrity are huge things for me as a person, something I can't separate from myself as a reader and I couldn't deal with Darcy's lying, manipulation and hypocrisy. Specially because of the addition of her pride in her advice giving and the knowledge in her pocket from professionals. And while I can understand that her age and immaturity play a part in her behavior, I couldn't personally get past the repeated bad behavior and how it was, for the most part, forgiven. I liked the writing style and the representation, but it wasn't enough to help me override my feelings on Darcy. I will have to really think about whether or more to read other books by this author.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5. Angsty teens, drama between friends and partners, and some really wonderful and thought provoking conversations about consent, sexuality, and self-reflection. I loved it!

Two things are super hard as a teen... being the "poor" kid at a posh school and being in love with your best friend. For Darcy, these and most problems can be solved with a secret anonymous relationship advice business for teens at school. What is the worst that could happen?

Being an adult that works with a high school, I try to read YA fiction with the aim of providing honest feedback and recommendations for our literacy clubs and our students. Upon completing "Perfect of Paper", I can honestly say that I appreciated the accuracy of the teen perspective of the main character's thoughts. Their pressures of feeling perfect in an imperfect world and the frustration of losing control due to the typically limited options that all teens face.

I also loved that the book provided insight into the deeper thoughts and fears of some LGBTQ+ youth that aren't vocalized. However, the queer narrative gets both preachy in the rants and farfetched in the student resources within the school and family environments. They are both nice but beyond the norm.

I didn't like the lack of racial diversity in the characters especially since the setting is in Southern California. Also, the wealth gap examples between the main characters could be considered unrelatable, thus leading the grand gesture moments to lean towards implausible and laughable. Overall, I like the book and hope that other people have enjoyed it as well.