Fun, fun, fun. A little bit slow in the first half, but it really picked up in the second half. The characters grew and changed and love advice is always such a good idea!

Having not yet read Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect while reading Perfect on Paper. But y’all, when I tell you I was not disappointed, I mean there were literally no disappointments.

Perfect on Paper is a fun, eye-catching book following Darcy–a bisexual teen who happens to help her schoolmates with their relationship problems, albeit anonymously–and the love triangle that forms between Darcy and her best friend and Darcy and Brougham–a guy who technically blackmailed her into helping him.

To start this off, I’m not a big fan of blackmail (re: past reviews for books featuring blackmail). But the way that Sophie Gonzales brought it up in the book, spoke about it, and then dealt with it was clever, easy to understand, and an all-around miscommunication and misunderstanding by both parties involved.

Moving on, I want to touch on the character development in this book. To say the least, it was absolutely phenomenal. I feel like Gonzales perfectly captured what it’s like to be a teenager in America, as well as the emotions and thinking patterns of said teenagers. I was really able to connect with the characters on that level, and I could honestly understand and empathize with some of their thoughts and feelings in certain situations. Not having that experience with other books, it was a bit surreal and almost appeared as though you were standing in the story and watching this all take place–like a movie!

I think the plot of this book was really well put together. Though I was able to predict a majority of what happened in this book (thanks to my despicable, surprise-spoiling brain), I still really enjoyed seeing it all pan out and take place within the pages. I will say, I was definitely surprised by a few things, and I love that Gonzales was able to weave them into the story so intricately that they didn’t come across as sudden or like they were thrown in last-minute.

Lastly, the representation. I may not be able to touch on the other representations this book had, but I can talk about the bisexuality rep. And I have to say, I felt more seen in this book than any other I’ve read. Having been in multiple m/f relationships myself, I really understood and connected with Darcy’s fear and worries that she wouldn’t be considered “queer” because she was in a straight-presenting relationship. And my god, when those small bits of biphobia were sprinkled in and Darcy recognized them, I wanted to scream on her behalf. Gonzales perfectly captured, to me, what it’s like to be bisexual–the emotions, the feelings, the everything–and I was heartbroken when this story had to end after such amazing depictions.

Overall, I will be raving about this book until the day I die. And for that, I can happily say that I rate this book 5 stars. I can’t wait for Sophie Gonzales’s next book, and I’ll be anxiously and impatiently anticipating its release date.

3.5 stars = Good+

I enjoyed this story, especially the advice pieces which I thought were handled really well. I liked the characters. Waiting for the dominoes to fall, though, was stressful.

I especially loved one moment when Darcy talks with the Queer and Questioning club about bisexuality and being "queer enough." That piece alone would have made the book worth reading. I'm still thinking about it, days later. (Language, LGBTQ+, drug/alcohol use)

After I read Sophie Gonzales' last book, I expected nothing but the best from her and she delivered! The writing is wonderful and all the characters were pretty relatable. :)

Oooo this hit my Simon vs heart very hard! It also gave me some serious Dear Evan Hansen vibes with Darcy’s struggle to figure out who she is within a lie. I loved all of the bisexual representation, especially with some serious themes of internalized biphobia! I think our internal struggles (no matter what your identity) can be some of the hardest parts of coming out/being who you are and something we do not discuss enough as a community!

Recommendation: 8.5/10

Trigger Warnings: Blackmail, biphobia, internalized biphobia, toxic parents, drugs, alcohol, vomiting, violence, child abuse, divorce

Representation: Bisexual, MTF Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, Ace, Pan, Non-binary, POC

Perfect on Paper is a queer YA rom-com, in which main character, Darcy, runs a secret relationship advice service through abandoned Locker 89 at school. After Brougham finds out who Darcy is, he enlists her to help him get his ex-girlfriend back. At the same time, Darcy is hard crushing on her best friend, Brooke, who she already sabotaged with her locker advice. Will she be able to balance a new gig, her family, social and love lives, school, and continue to keep her secret? Be sure to check out this great read to find out!

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free ARC copy from NetGalley.

I felt overall this was a great story that had some underlying queer themes that any queer person can relate to. I think questioning your identity in any stage of life is something we all do, no matter our label! I give forewarning to anyone who is triggered by lying or neglect, to proceed with caution. I felt Darcy and Brougham were fully developed by the end but it would have been nice to see some of the side characters more detailed. Overall, I’d give it 4 stars, especially since I love a happy ending!

“It’s when bisexuals start to believe the biphobia they’re surrounded by. “
The part right there is a key statement that everyone needs to read
Perfect on paper is the book to read. Who would have imagined helping someone would lead into romance.

I loved this book! It was everything that a YA book should be. Inspiring, funny, romantic, and inclusive. I’m obsessed with Sophie Gonzales’s writing and this was no exception. A wonderful addition to the YA world!

This fun YA novel was filled with representation. I enjoyed the story and diverse cast of characters. It was a unique romance. I hope other readers enjoy it. Also hope it gets into the hands of teens that need to see themselves in literature.

After reading and loving Only Mostly Devastated, I was beyond excited to receive an advanced copy of Perfect on Paper! Gonzales' newest did not disappoint. This young adult novel was everything I was looking for. It's full of all kinds of representation and skips all the silly young adult stereotypes. Gonzales does a great job making her characters believable high school students dealing with mature issues.
Darcy was a great main character. She was flawed yet lovable and I really enjoyed following along with her story. Also, her love for Disney made me so happy.

Thanks to NetGalley for my gifted copy of this ARC.
Perfect on Paper tells the story of a bisexual high school girl who, unbeknownst to her classmates, is the person behind al the relationship advice they seek from locker 89.
This story contains subject matter that might be triggering but also handles those topics in a timely and appropriate way.
The story contains unexpected friendship, the dynamic between Darcy and her sister, and Darcy and Brooke.
Overall, pretty predictable but enjoyable.

Darcy Phillips is seventeen, well-intentioned, and caught in the act.

A high school junior, Darcy has a thriving business going at her school, offering relationship advice — anonymously — via notes left in an abandoned locker that only she has access to. Students drop their notes, along with the $10 fee, in the locker, and Darcy replies via email with well-researched, supportive advice. Results guaranteed! She offers a refund for failed advice, and is proud of only having to give back the fee once (and even then, blames the failure on the letter writer not providing a full picture of the situation).

But one day, Darcy gets caught by a boy she barely knows as she retrieves the day’s stash of letters from locker 89. He offers her a deal — he’ll keep her secret, but she has to act as his personal relationship coach. He wants his ex-girlfriend back, and wants to hire Darcy to show him how to make it happen. Since he’s offering to pay her for her time, and since keeping the secret is vital, Darcy agrees.

Darcy is an out and proud member of the school’s Q&Q (Queer and Questioning) club, identifying as bi. She’s supportive of her friends, a devoted sister, and very proud of the professionalism she applies to her locker/advice business. But Darcy also has a secret — she’s in love with her best friend Brooke, and when Brooke and a girl interested in her each wrote to the locker the previous year asking for advice on how to move the interest forward, Darcy intentionally sabotaged them out of jealousy. She’s not proud of what she did, and she’s deathly afraid that Brooke would never forgive her if she knew the truth. (Fair point — it was a lousy thing to do.)

Meanwhile, Darcy’s coaching of Brougham helps her get to know him, and while she’s supporting him through his relationship woes, she’s startled to realize she may have feelings for him.

There’s so much to like about Perfect on Paper! The characters are all well-drawn individuals, quirky and unpredictable, and feel very much like real people with real feelings. They’re messy and make bad decisions from time to time, but hey, perfection isn’t reality. Brougham’s home life is terrible despite his wealth, and Darcy’s home life, while full of love, is also not providing her with the support and attention she needs. Perfect on Paper shows that to truly understand someone, it’s necessary to dig deeper, go beyond immediate impressions, and have compassion for the things that may not be obvious.

It’s wonderful to see bi representation presented as thoughtfully as it is with Darcy. Darcy comes across as very confident, and she is in many ways, but she also carries a lot of weight with her around being bi — from being asked if she’s “turning straight” when she gets involved with a boy, to fear that her Q&Q friends won’t accept her as one of them depending on who she dates, to the frustration of having to endlessly explain that being bi doesn’t equate to inability to be in a committed, monogamous relationship. The author does a fabulous job of showing Darcy’s depths and insecurities, as well as the importance of a supportive community.

Overall, I really enjoyed Perfect on Paper. There’s a feeling of lightness to it, even when the characters go through darker moments, and a nice balance of fun and seriousness. Darcy is a terrific main character, but the supporting characters are all wonderful too. Definitely recommended!

More queer romcoms please!
This book was the romantic comedy I needed! I have recently read a lot of friendship centered thrillers, and it was nice to be reminded that young people can screw up and still root for each other in the same breath. High School student Darcy Phillips runs an advice email at her private school that allows student to deposit letters and payment to a locker anonymously, and that privacy is threatened when a popular jerk Alexander Brougham sees her and blackmails her to help him get his girlfriend back. Darcy is less concerned with the general public finding out what she’s up to-she really just doesn’t want her best friend Brooke to know she’s behind the locker for romantically complicated reasons.
The setup is flawless, the leads and supporting characters are all the right level of charming, with enough imperfections to not be instantly hate-able. There is great writing here on queerness, parental relationships, and growing in friendships. It was the kind of book where you feel the hero is learning without overstating it in a cheesy fashion. A must-read for fans of high school romantic comedies with that delightful mix of heart and intelligence.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book.

I thought the character building and relationships were realistic High School/Young Adult emotions/development/age.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Wednesday Books.

Perfect on Paper follows bisexual teen Darcy Philips, who runs an anonymous love advice business out of an empty locker at her high school. Her love advice is spot on, but her own love life? Not so perfect.

Darcy wasn’t always the most lovable main character and didn’t always make the best decisions, but her character was written very well. Darcy is bisexual, and for once, that wasn’t her big issue, or the thing making her life harder. She’s bisexual. She has problems going on in her life. Those two things were not related.

Darcy is in love with her best friend, Brooke, who is in love with another girl. Brooke was a really interesting character, and really fun to read about. However, we didn’t learn that much about Brooke’s past, and I wished that we had. I think that it would have added to the book to just learn even a little more about Brooke’s life. She does have a very unique personality in the book, and her character is very well written in the book.

Darcy’s older sister Ainsley was one of my favorite characters. Ainsley is trans and founded the Q & Q (Queer and Questioning) club at their high school. She is in college, but living at home, and is a big part of the book. She is a really fun character, and I loved all of the parts of the book with her! I really love her and Darcy’s relationship, and how close they are.

Brougham is a fascinating character and is very well developed. He has a distinct personality, and throughout the book, we continuously learn more and more about his life and about his past in a really interesting way.

One of the best parts of the book was the many distinct and memorable side characters, like Finn, one of Brougham’s best friends and a member of the Q & Q club, and Jaz, another member of the Q & Q club.

The writing was also excellent. There were emotional moments, and sad moments and funny moments, and reading the book, I really felt immersed in the story.

The plot was entertaining, unique, and overall just fun. There was never a boring moment in the book, and the story wasn’t at all predictable.

I loved the whole story with locker 89, the locker that Darcy uses for her love advice business. Students drop in letters with their emails and some money, and Darcy picks them up, responds to them, and gives them relationship advice.

At first, I was a little wary of the reality of how that all could work, and how Darcy could remain anonymous, but as the book went on, and the details were revealed, it made perfect sense.

Conclusion:

Perfect on Paper is an incredible book. The plot is fast-paced and fun, the characters are memorable, and the writing is amazing. The LQBTQ+ representation is done extremely well, and all in all, this is a book that everyone should read.

Okay, this book was PERFECT. It was something I for sure needed. I loved it so much, and it really spoke to me, and I felt that I really saw myself in someone and it really made me feel like I, and others like me, mattered. I cried, a lot. There was a moment in this book that really touched me, and that was when I cried so hard, while my mom slept next to me. I'm surprised she didn't wake up. It had great dialogue about someone who is bisexual being in a M/F relationship and a F/F relationship and still being considered queer, mainly because often times being bisexual in a M/F relationship tends to get pushback about not being queer enough and that has to stop. Overall I loved this book so much, and it for sure is going on my top 10 of the year! Hands down! Highly recommend anyone check this out! It was so cute, great, loved the writing, and it was just a fantastic book!

4? 4.5? I don't know, I'm somewhere in there. I love Darcy. I love Brougham. I love their relationship from the second they meet. The fact that he's all surly about everything and she super sassy and definitely doesn't just take his nonsense, I loved all of that. I love the idea behind the locker. It's such a fun idea and I love how seriously Darcy takes it. She does all this research and really studies all these relationship things and I loved how committed she was to being well informed and doing a good job. I also really loved the conversation this book builds about bi visibility. I think it's so important. I think as someone who's not bi, but has a bi person very close to me, this definitely helped me see them a lot cleared and understand things that might get in their way or that they might struggle with that I myself wouldn't think about. I really loved the support Darcy got from her group when voicing her insecurities. This was such a sweet and supportive moment and I loved every second of it.

The things I didn't love so much about this book are oddly specific and possibly spoilery? Brooke- I didn't love Brooke. I found her to be selfish. She was incredibly needy, but the second she got a girlfriend she completely ignored Darcy. And yes, Darcy messes up, a lot. But, I have this thing about disproportionate consequences and I feel like the consequences were a lot worse than they should have been. Brooke is careless with Darcy's secret and never apologizes. Darcy actually has to be the one to apologize and I'm just not here for that. I hate that. Also, later, when Brooke has a chance to also be careless with someone else's secret and let them face the consequences she's like, "oh, it's not my secret to tell..." Really? Really??

Ok, rant over. I love Darcy and Brougham, I don't love Brooke. Also, I loved how much Darcy's family and her Queer club were a part of this book. I loved all these support systems around Darcy. Also, my sweet baby Brougham, I just wanna protect him from everyone and I know Darcy will do just that.

Darcy Phillips has been secretly answering her classmates’ relationship questions via notes left in Locker 89 for years. When she gets caught opening the locker, by Alexander Brougham she is blackmailed into helping him win his own ex-girlfriend back. Grudgingly Darcy helps him, despite thinking he’s a monumental jackass. All this time spent together leads them to form an unexpected friendship though and learn more about themselves in the process too.

First of all, this book was wonderful. It made me laugh, sigh, feel all the feels, and sit up in eager anticipation of what was going to happen next. I loved the characters so much and I felt that the author handled the topics of sexuality, identity, divorce, and so much more with elegance and thoughtfulness.

Secondly, I was 100% here for all the Australianisms. I’ve been feeling super homesick lately and this was exactly the book I needed to read right now. I even learned a new piece of slang I’d never come across in my 30+ years growing up in Australia, so that was fun. And if you’ve read this book (or even if you haven’t yet) the following is required listening:

-Working Class Man by Jimmy Barnes
-Khe Sanh by Cold Chisel
-Run to Paradise by Choirboys
-The Horses by Daryl Braithwaite
-Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? by The Angels

Ahh, brings back so many memories.

Anyway, back to the book at hand. You are definitely going to want to pick up this YA masterpiece, it is so good!

oh my goodness, what a wholesome read!!

it's a fluffy YA romcom, so perfect on paper is often predictable and cheesy. but it's such a sweet and easy book; the dialogue feels very real; and there's a diverse array of lgbt+ representation.

i snagged perfect on paper because of one element of the premise that's absolutely irresistible: our bi protagonist runs an anonymous relationship advice service for her fellow high school students.

like our protagonist, darcy, i love relationship shit. browsing r/relationshipadvice is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. it's fascinating and entertaining, and i like to think that analyzing complicated relationship dilemmas can help me to function better in my own relationships.

and the advice angle in this story is really fun. most chapters begin with an anonymous letter requesting relationship advice, followed by darcy's response. this breaks up the story nicely, and makes it hard to put the book down! and hey, readers might learn something, too.

one of the most important components of any relationship is COMMUNICATION, so ironically this is something that darcy struggles with. for much of the book, she is unable to tell either of her potential love interests how she feels.

and yes, there is a BI LOVE TRIANGLE.

i have to admit that this is one of the first times a fictional m/f romance has ever appealed to me. i even have a too-hetero shelf for all the books with boy/girl stuff that's made me cringe. but there's one particular scene between darcy and brougham that made me absolutely GLOW with warm fuzziness!! i consider this a mark of good writing.

we've got fun romance tropes, miscommunications, messy emotions, and lots of other good stuff. this is also a super validating book for bi readers. i really appreciate the frank discussions of biphobia. and even though our characters all feel very real and make plenty of mistakes, there's such an overwhelmingly positive vibe here.

if you want some light and easy, warm and fuzzy entertainment with solid lgbt+ representation, this is your book!!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Since reading Only Mostly Devastated last year, I became a huge Sophie Gonzales fan for an amazing Young Adult read about friendships, love and family.

Perfect on Paper was an absolute favorite read that is simply perfect, charming and a fun read that is a wonderfully inclusive. I found this YA novel to be a fast paced, and I enjoyed the cast of characters and the great world of high school romance, friendships and first loves. I found myself immersed in this read and Sophie Gonzales delivered a fantastic story full of laughs, swoon and a great glimpse of young adult life that you will ache when the story ends.

This story was perfect in every way.

An undeniably sweet and cosy high school romance, I really enjoyed Perfect on Paper. A fairly predictable plot, but that wasn't a problem. I loved the main characters and really enjoyed seeing them grow and develop. The ending dragged on a bit, but overall I'd definitely read this book again!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.