When Ivy’s parents leave on a business trip across the country, all she’s looking forward to is spending some time with her best friend Henry and watching their favourite television show, H-MAD (Hot, Magical and Deadly). Her plans go up in flames though when she wakes up to find her favourite fictional character, Weston come to life…and in her bed. Somehow, her favourite character has become part of her reality—but he’s not acting like the Weston she devotes multiple fanfics to. As Weston causes trouble, Ivy will have to rely on her best friend Henry and nemesis Mack – her ex-best friend and also ex-crush who broke off their friendship—to figure out what to do with Weston and perhaps how to get him back into his own universe.

Another fun rom-com by Sophie Gonzales to add to your TBRs immediately!

One huge bonus of this book is how self-aware it is. From the title of the show Weston jumps out from to all the AO3 references and excerpts from fanfics, this book is filled to the brim with nods to writers who make canon what we want to be canon in our favourite books, shows and movies.

I definitely went into this with too high expectations (my fault) so that is why the fanfic storyline left me a bit disappointed. I loved the premise, but it felt like we jumped over the excitement of finding your favourite character brought to life way too quickly and straight into sombreness and trying to figure out how to get rid of Weston. While I get that this is sort of expected because he is causing more trouble than he’s worth, I would have loved to spend a bit more time with him and how he would fit into Ivy’s world.

Similarly, I wasn’t too big a fan of the romance (a very subjective opinion here, I just think that Mack should have had to do more grovelling after how she treated Ivy and Henry and all the hurt she caused not to mention how inattentive she was whenever Ivy talked about something that meant a lot to her), but I know that readers will adore Mack and Ivy’s friends-to-enemies-to-allies-to-lovers romance. And Ivy is one of those characters you’ll relate to immediately with her messy vibes, her unbridled humour, and sassy snark. Huge shout out to Henry as well, who was an absolute gem and who deserves an entire book of his own.

Besides that though, I really enjoyed the commentary on the tropes we love to read in fiction about but which do not translate well into real life. What we think might be super swoonworthy comes across as creepy when you actually experience it and I loved Gonzales ruminating on that through her characters. Lest you think this is solely satire, it also reminds readers why we find so much comfort in fictional characters and their journeys and why escapism is such a sorely needed thing in our lives.

Sure to be a hit with anyone who’s ever wanted their favourite fictional character to come to life, The Perfect Guy Doesn’t Exist is a heartwarming yet hilarious love letter to fanfics and their writers.

I am a huge fan of Sophie Gonzales' previous work. I love her humor and the unique stories she crafts. This story was also unique, but kind of missed the mark for me. I imagine that a big reason I didn't love this one as much is that I am not a fanfic reader, which the story revolves around. Weston, a fanfic character, comes to life and proceeds to cause chaos. The story was sweet, silly, and cute, and will resonate with a younger YA audience. I will absolutely recommend it to my students!

3.5 stars rounded up!

I enjoyed the author's book Never Ever Getting Back Together, so I jumped on the chance to read this one. I don't think I was part of this book's target audience. But it's a lovely, fun book, and the fanfiction idea is very creative! Overall, a nice, light read.

This was a lot of fun, but I would say the romance aspect isn’t very prominent. It’s mostly “hey, fanfic is great for escapism, but it’d be so weird if that stuff happened in every day life.” Which is a GREAT plot! Sophie Gonzales always has such fun setups for her books, and I did enjoy the execution on this. I also love Henry’s acearo rep! As an aspec person, I love to see it.

Imagine what happens when the fanfic you write comes to life and comes to live in your house and turns your life upside down.
The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist by Sophie Gonzales was a cute story that focused on Ivy and her fictional character Weston that shows up when her parents are out of town. He may cause some problems, but friendships and relationships may repair and change with his help.

This was a cute story, but ultimately I don't think I was the target audience. It was well written, but I couldn't get into it and I think that's just because it's the age of the characters. Very middle grade/young adult and that's fine. Just didn't hit the sweet spot as I'm more the age of the parents that left Ivy at home. Would recommend to a reader 12-18.

Here are just some random thoughts about why this didn’t work for me:

-Weston - I mean I get it cause he was a fan fiction brought to life so he kinda was a giant baby but then him being able to mind control everyone..
-The plot - idk there was just too much happening. Mixed in with the past and present timeline too. Messy messy messy
-The romance - there was almost zero believability for me given the sheer pettiness behind why they stopped talking and then to deciding to be together.

I really like this author and will continue to read her work, but unfortunately this was a miss.

I loved this! It was so funny I was cackling out loud at parts, I loved how fast-paced it was, I loved the characters, and their friendships, and I just had so much FUN. Right now, very few things in the world feel fun, so I needed this.

My favorite part was the commentary about the value of platonic love, especially the aroace representation and the relationship between Henry and Ivy. I also loved Ivy and Mack, who obviously adored each other but were starting to grow apart to each of their dismay, and who come to realize that one person can't be everything in your life, and the healthiest relationships are ones that make up a whole web of friendships. Weston was hilarious, and I lost count of the number of fanfiction and trope references from him. He wasn't really a character, I guess, so much as he was... fanfiction itself, personified? Can fanfiction be a character? Somehow, it was, and it worked. You'll understand what I mean once you've read it, and I highly recommend you do!!!

For such a dumb book, this was deceptively smart, and I mean that as the highest compliment.

For a start, the satirical element was a masterclass in commentary and comedy. The author has mentioned on her socials that she was aiming for a sitcom vibe, and I think this came through perfectly in the book, with a seamless transition between the serious tone of the past, and the bonkers tone of the present. I had a thought while reading, and I saw another reviewer mention this too, that it almost reads as though Weston appearing onwards is actually fanfiction written by Ivy about her own life, in which all of her problems are solved and she is brought back together with the girl she never got over, Mack. Given the constant references to Ivy's tendency to self-insert in fanfiction, as well as the contrasting world rules between the two timelines, this is canon to me, though I think the story works just as well if you take it at face value.

Sitcom-style word rules, where everything is slightly elevated and zany, with over-the-top scenarios and reactions and fourth-wall-breaking (along with some moments of gravity where we get the much-needed character development) is so rare in books, and even more so in YA. The only other book I can think of with this specific tone is TJ Klune's The Extraordinaries. Personally, it's something I love, and a refreshing change of pace: truly unique stories are rare in traditional publishing these days!

This is a younger YA, so don't go in expecting spice or a heavy romance plot. Rather, the book excels in comedy, genius references to fanfic, distinct characters, an interesting exploration of friendship and what it means to rely on other people for our safety and happiness, and a sweet romance that will leave you smiling. This would be an excellent addition to any school library, or to the bookshelf of enjoyers of classic comedy movies and shows.

Okay. Listen. I understand that the "how?! and why?!" of it all of the basic plot-propellant of this novel—imaginary fanfic version of a character comes to life and the author of that fanfic has to deal with it; wackiness ensues—is secondary to the emotional growth of the characters and all. But we all agree this is an insane thing to happen in an otherwise normal world, right? And to just never address it! And never explain it!! And when all is said and done for all the characters to know about it to just massively shrug!!! I couldn't get past it, I'm sorry, it was just too weird for such an otherwise emotionally grounded book—if everything was like 40% wackier I could let it go, but the whole rest of the book was about like, wildly normal stuff and big, important feelings. Weird choices were made here!

Pretty fun concept, but I found the constant switch between past and present to be a little jarring. Well before the 50% mark, I had a clear enough picture about what had happened between Ivy and Mack in the past, so the past chapters just felt redundant. I have no doubt that some additional editing might clean this up a bit, but I think that unless the majority of the flashback chapters are removed, the tension and build-up in the present suffer.

The last few chapters were pretty fun though- I wish the conflict at the end had been explored for a bit longer because honestly that was creative and terrifying.

I didn't really connect with this book. I was interested in Sophie Gonzalez's work, but this one didn't appeal to me. Despite the intriguing concept, it failed to capture my attention. Mack and Ivy's friendship, with their continual petty disagreements, made them unlikable to me. The general tone sounded too young for my taste, which I believe is why it didn't resonate with me. It might appeal to a younger demographic, but it was not a good fit for me.

This story of a fanfic writer whose stories come to life is so entertaining, and it was a lot of fun to see so many different tropes throughout the book. While the concept is interesting, I wasn't a fan of the format with the back and forth between past and present, which I didn't feel was very effective, and some parts of the book were a miss for me. I feel like the story feels a bit juvenile at times, and the execution could have been better. That said, I still enjoyed this one, and I look forward to the author's next books!

Readers are invited to experience a delightful queer romance, blending the magic of fandom with the complexities of teenage relationships. In ”The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist" by Sophie Gonzales, a dash of whimsy and a sprinkle of heart create a story that will resonate with fans of love, friendship, and the unexpected.

Meet Ivy. She’s an ardent fan of the television show Hot, Magical, and Deadly (H-MAD). Her obsession with the show borders on the fanatical, and her crush on Mackenzie, her ex–best friend, only adds to the drama. When Ivy accidentally manifests Weston Razorbrook, the dreamy main character from H-MAD, into her bedroom during a thunderstorm, her life takes an unexpected turn. But here's the twist: Weston is straight out of Ivy's romantic fan-fiction, complete with all the tropes she adores. Unfortunately, real life doesn't always follow the script, and Ivy soon discovers that the turbulent man from her stories isn't as dreamy as she imagined.

Meet Mackenzie. She’s the former best friend of Ivy, who turned reluctant partner in managing the magical mess. As they navigate the chaos of Weston's presence, Ivy grapples with her feelings for him, despite Mack's insistence that Weston should vanish back into the fictional world. The tension between Ivy and Mack is palpable, and their dynamic shifts from friends to enemies and, perhaps, to something more.

Gonzales's portrayal of queer protagonists is refreshing. Ivy's white identity and Mack's Black identity add depth to their interactions, highlighting the complexities of friendship, attraction, and self-discovery. While the romance blooms against the backdrop of fandom magic, the story occasionally feels superficial. The plot-driven narrative could have benefited from deeper character development and a more vivid setting. Ivy's reactions to Weston's sudden appearance sometimes strain believability, but the charm of the premise keeps readers engaged.

At its core, The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist celebrates the messiness of love. You know: the imperfect, the unexpected, and the magical. Gonzales weaves humour, heart, and a touch of whimsy into a tale reminding us that even when our fantasies collide with reality, there's beauty in the chaos.

The novel's LGBTQ+ representation is commendable, and Gonzales deftly explores themes of identity, friendship, and the blurred lines between fiction and reality. Whether you're a seasoned fanfic writer or simply someone who believes in the magic of unexpected connections, this book will leave you with a smile.

This is a cute, if lightly developed, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance offering a delightful climb through fandom, friendship, and the messy magic of love.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wednesday Books, and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a cute romance! The idea of a fantasy character coming to life is somewhat exciting but also terrifying! I enjoyed reading about the characters and would be interested to see the author continue writing about other characters from the story, maybe one about Henry?!

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for the ARC!

The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist, a story of a fanfic writer, who accidentally brings to life her "Perfect" person, Weston Razorbrook, to find the love she was looking for was always closer than she'd thought.

The story of friendship, the importance of mutual understanding, love and support.

Really loved the characters and their ARC's, Ivy, Henry and Mack's personalities shine throughout the book and we get to see more & more of them with each chapter. I didn't care about Weston that much by like 60%, he was just there wreaking havoc and making Ivy's life hard.

Liked the humor, the representation and how well the emotions were described. I connected to our characters despite not experiencing anything like that before.

Overall, 4.75 stars. Good writing, will definitely be reading more by Sophie Gonzales in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for providing me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was so fun! I didn't read the summary bc I auto request all Sophie Gonzales' books so I was a bit surprised at the fanfiction element but I really liked it. I loved the friends to enemies to lovers and I especially loved the aroace best friend. Please give me more aspec characters and aspec normative language in all queer books!

🦇 The Perfect Guy Doesn't Exist Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD Name one favorite and one "ugh, no" trope OR what fictional character would you love to date IRL? ❓

🦇 What if your favorite TV character appeared in your bed one day and claimed to be your soulmate? When Ivy Winslow wakes up with the house to herself for a week while her parents are away, she doesn't expect to find the very hot fictional character from her favorite show in her bedroom. To figure out why her fanfic brought him to life, Ivy must team up with her current best friend Henry and former best friend/crush Mack. Can Ivy and Mack deal with the fallout of their friendship, or will they realize there was something bigger behind their fight all along?

💜 The strongest aspect of this story was the satire on overused media tropes (both from a television and writing standpoint). Weston starts off all heart-eyed, head-over-heels for Ivy, and it appears sweet and innocent. Once the bigger tropes come into play, readers see how they'd never work in real life. Even the "only one bed" trope we all know and love becomes frustrating (hello, boundaries?). "Touch her and you die" almost became a thing. The fanfic fusion into YA aspect if fun and playful, though I do wish we'd seen a few more parallels between Ivy's writing and Weston's actions. This is definitely a book fanfic writers will adore; a great example of messy wish fulfillment. Beyond that, the writing is effortlessly queer, as queer characters SHOULD be.

💙 Suspension of disbelief, especially when used in an otherwise contemporary setting, is crucial for a story that contains magical realism. For it to work, however, your characters have to act reasonably. Ivy just seems too naive. It takes her WAY too long to realize that Weston wasn't pulled from her favorite TV show, but from her fan fiction writing. Her reactions are a little too silly. Even her word choice makes her seem younger than she is. I understand differentiating Ivy's fanfic writing by adding grammar and spelling errors, but she's a student. It shouldn't have been THAT cringy to read. Usually, Sophie Gonzales writes young adults with a level of maturity and emotional intelligence. Ivy is less mature than expected (and yes, you can have a mature character who struggles with confidence and independence AND anxiety), which makes it difficult to connect with her. One of the benefits of reading YA is universal experiences (as adults, we've been there, we get it, so we can connect to it), but I couldn't connect to Ivy (and I was an anxiety-ridden fanfic writer who obsessed over every fandom, so I SHOULD have!).

💙 Ivy's lack of chemistry (even from a friendship standpoint) with Mack is concerning. There are versions of healthy co-dependency between friends, but these two don't have it. The flashbacks should have given us more of a reason to love these two together than Ivy coming out to Mack and having a crush on her (after that, we immediately see the flaws in their friendship, which completely lacks communication and therefore feels toxic). Perhaps it would have worked better without the romantic aspect; if we'd focused on Ivy and Mack restoring their friendship.

🦇 Recommended to fans of Rainbow Rowell.

✨ The Vibes ✨
🌬️ Bi, AroAce, & Lesbian Rep
🌬️ Sapphic Romance
🌬️ Young Adult Fantasy Fiction
🌬️ Friends-to-Enemies-to-Lovers
🌬️ Multiple Timelines
🌬️ Magical Realism

🦇 Major thanks to the author and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sending me this ARC in exchange for a review.

I love fan fiction.
I love the unrealistic nonsense that can happen in fan fiction.
I love the way people can conjure up such ridiculous scenarios.

This book really made me think about all the fan fiction I've read, and what kind of hilarity and mayhem would ensue if one were to play out in real life.
The way Ivy slowly realises that sometimes what you write about doesn't translate too well to reality is very funny. I feel like I could just tell how exasperated she was, inadvertently with herself, and the secondhand embarrassment from her imagined scenarios playing out in real life, in front of witnesses.

So many elements in this book about what it's like to be such a passionate fan were very real for me. I remember my first convention, and the excitement around the whole experience. I remember bonding with like minded people for the first time, and the unbreakable connections and relationships that evolved because of that shared interest. I remember that feeling of real acceptance for the first time, no judgement, just pure acceptance.

On the other side, I also remember my first friendship ending because she moved on while I didn't. Unlike Ivy and Mack, we've never made up.
I am always so impressed with Sophie's writing, but particularly when the relationship is so fragile. I love that Ivy and Mack made up in such a way that showed they both still really cared for each other, even after falling out. I really enjoyed the teenage self discovery in this book and the dual timeline flickering between past and present so the reader gets an even deeper look at how when you're a teenager everything is a big deal, and nobody is coping well with it.

For me, being so embedded in fan culture, the relationship kind of took a back seat. I loved how they developed their relationship, but I definitely related more to being a head over heels fan of something, and how it consumes your whole life.

My favourite quote has got to be, "I want him to know I'm one of his rational, loyal, thoughtful fans, not an obsessive, impulsive, fame-hungry one." because, as I regularly say to one of my favourite musicians, every time we meet "I'm not a creepy stalker, I'm a regular stalker" so that one sentence in particular had me laughing ridiculously to myself on the bus.
I really am not a creepy stalker, we just happen to share quite a lot of mutual friends. I like to reiterate the point so that he really knows for sure, haha.

Written in past and present time lines a fanfic writer brings her favorite TV character to life, leading to unexpected chaos in this friends-to-enemies-to-lovers.
Ivy’s week alone turns into a situation when Weston, the dreamy lead from her fantasy show, appears in her bedroom, claiming to be her soulmate.
I think the fanfic come to life was a great way of showing what we all feel. Personally, enemies to lovers is my favorite trope. But IRL I would cry and hate it!
Overall, this was a fun, quick, effortlessly queer novel.

Oh my gosh this cute lil YA romance had me cracking up. It was so funny and cute. It follows Ivy, who is a fanfiction writer as she writes about her favorite character Weston. She accidentally makes him real, like he shows up in her house. It’s up to her best friend Henry and her former friend Mack to figure out what to do with him.

Things I loved about this book:
It was just so funny. Full of wit and charm.
Ivy was a great lead character. She was sweet, a little prickly, but also really self-aware and fun.
Henry was fantastic. I loved his sarcasm and his personality was awesome.
Mack was a fun love interest/frenemy.
Weston going through the romance tropes each day took me out 😅.
That ending part before the actual end was sad and a little scary to be honest!
Super sweet ending!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.