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.

Sophie Gonzales always does a wonderful job of making the characters seem so real and relatable. Her representation of diverse sexualities and figuring out one's identity hits close to home.

ALL OF THE STARS!

First, the writing. THE WRITING. I felt like I was totally in this story! It was quick, had some twists, and was very fresh with new perspectives! This a YA novel and the writing does suit that well. I am someone who thrives off of good character development and every single character in this book developed. Not a single straggler!

Also - this concept is amazing. Darcy is someone who gets letters written to her everyday from people all around the school into a random locker 89. This locker is left empty every single year so Darcy turned it into a relationship business out of the locker. We love young women entrepreneurs!

Overall, obsessed isn't even the word.

I Love this books. I love the plot and how the characters were complex and unique. It was a great book that had everything Romance, drama but it also touch on about high school/student issues that in a way are still relevant in our everyday life. They way Darcy tried to give advice was something that I admire but also was hesitant because I always ask myself did she really nail down the person without fully knowing them.

One thing I wished is that It was longer as I enjoy the Darcy and Alexander relationship I wished they had more time on paper and we could see special moments between them.

Overall this is an amazing read.

I LOVE THIS SO MUCH OMGGGG

Perfect on Paper delivered the best delivery of a young adult love story that I adore. Beyond romance, this book also teaches lessons that I wish younger me was exposed to.

So far, I've loved the two books I've read by Sophie Gonzalez. Her debut, Only Mostly Devastated - a modern contemporary of Grease with much Queer representation.

In Perfect on Paper, Gonzalez does it again! The Queer representation is fantastic. Including the tough subject of internalized biphobia. She handled it rather well, at least, I think so.

The MC, Darcy, is the writer behind locker 89, an anonymous relationship guru. Except when it comes to her own life, like being in love with her best friend, Brooke.

Until, one day, the prep swimmer from Australia, Brougham, catches Darcy taking the current letters from Locker 89. He then blackmails her, to help him win his girlfriend back. We also learn more about Brougham and that his preppy life isn't so perfect.

In the meantime, we learn that Darcy has a trans sister, and there is a GSA at her high school that meets every week. And that Brooke falls for someone unexpected. And Darcy unravels.

This is a great story for bi/pan folks. Queer at its core, a heartwarming rom-com. I would recommend this to everyone.

I also wanna thank Netgalley and the publishers of Sophie Gonzalez for the opportunity to read and review Perfect on Paper. This review is of my own accord and not influenced in any way.

CW: internalized biphobia, blackmail, alcoholism, emotional abuse from one parent to another...

I wanted to enjoy this, but I didn't. The premise is cute, but I didn't really connect with the characters at all.

I will not be giving feedback on this book as I couldn’t really get into it but I think others may enjoy it.

Bisexual rep!!! There’s so much good rep in this book and it doesn’t even seem gimmicky to try and get people to reas the book. The background characters were just as alive as the main characters and didn’t seem like they were just thrown in.

Perfect on Paper

A Novel

By: Sophie Gonzales

Publish Date: March 9, 2021

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Wednesday Books

100 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

Good Reads Synopsis:

In Perfect on Paper: a bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her classmates is hired by the hot guy to help him get his ex back.

Her advice, spot on. Her love life, way off.

Darcy Phillips:
• Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes―for a fee.
• Uses her power for good. Most of the time.
• Really cannot stand Alexander Brougham.
• Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke…who is in love with someone else.
• Does not appreciate being blackmailed.

However, when Brougham catches her in the act of collecting letters from locker 89―out of which she’s been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service―that’s exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach―at a generous hourly rate, at least. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back.

Darcy has a good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she’s behind the locker, some things she’s not proud of will come to light, and there’s a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again.

Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who’s already fallen for him once? What could go wrong?

Book Review:

I gave this book 4 stars. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but it got better as I continued reading. I also want to thank both NetGalley and Wednesday books for allowing me to read and review this book. Just sorry it took me so long.

This book is about a 16-year-old, Darcy who goes to a private school. Her mom is one of the teachers. As she waits for her mom at the end of each school, she found a set of lockers that really don’t get used so she decided to use the one in the furthest corner to help her fellow students. How is helping them? She is giving them advice on their love life or just life in general. At first, she does this free of charge and then people started leaving her tips, so she decided to start charging them a small fee. This fee is refunded if the advice she gives them doesn’t work. She has been doing this for a couple years now. Then one day she is caught by Alexander.

Their agreement is in the synopsis from good reads. Darcy learns things as she works with Alexander. She learns that people aren’t who they seem to be and who she really is.

I really like the relationship between Darcy and her sister. Her relationship with her mom isn’t that great but does get better later in the book. The friendships in this story are another thing I like in this book. All of the relationship has their ups and down like in real life, which is what I really enjoyed.

I would recommend this book.

It's okay, though I would've liked the author to go a step further. Yet, I'd still recommend it without fail.