I love how many more Sapphic romances I'm seeing come out lately - it makes me really hopeful. The Queer and Questioning Club at Darcy's school was one of my favorite aspects of this book. There's one really insightful scene that really made this book for me, where Darcy talks about being afraid to be a bisexual woman dating a cishet man - she worries it will make her somehow "not queer enough" in some people's eyes to belong to the LGBTQ culture, and there's some real discourse on biphobia and internalized biphobia. I feel like it's something I don't see addressed much in lit/romance, and it was done in a refreshing way. It would have been great to see it as a conversation between Darcy and her partner as well, too.

This got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but I really loved the ending. OH DARCY. She makes some pretty big mistakes, and I'm glad her "shameful secret" comes out by chapter four and isn't something the author left hanging over the reader's head through the entire book. I wish we'd gotten more of a focus on the actual romantic relationship development tension and build-up between Darcy and her main love interest, but what WAS there was delicious. :)

This was a great book! I've already recommended to school and local libraries to purchase. Inclusive YA in perfect form. The characters were likeable, the pace was perfect, and the premise of the story was fun and quirky. Perfect!

What a spectacular book. Darcy was a lovable, complex, and imperfect character. She runs Locker 89, a place where students can drop off letter and some cash and ask for advice on relationships. She's been doing this secretly for over 2 years, that is until Brougham tries to catch the mystery behind Locker 89 and does. Brougham asks to hire her to help him get his ex back. In order to keep her secret, which could hurt her best friend Brooke if she found out, Darcy agrees.

Through this all, a friendship forms and they really open up to each other. Miscommunication galore also affects their relationship, which is completely believable. Through it all, they help each other find themselves and what they want.

I loved all the representation in this book. Darcy is bi, her best friend Brooke is a lesbian, there are people who identify as gay, ace, transgender, & queer as well. I think my favorite "scene" was in the final Q&Q (Queer & Questioning) club meeting near the end of the book. It just really resonated with me and I feel like it will hit home with a lot of people.

Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales 💌

Thank you to @stmartinspress for the eARC via @netgalley. Perfect on Paper comes out tomorrow, 3/9!

Perfect on Paper was a cute YA novel that follows Darcy Phillips, a high school student who runs a secret relationship advice letter service through an abandoned school locker. A boy named Brougham discovers her role as the person behind Locker 89, and begs Darcy to help him win back his ex, which she begrudgingly does. Of course, shenanigans and trouble ensue as Darcy gets tangled in her own secrets when her friend - who she happens to be crushing on - also seeks advice from the mysterious Locker 89. Some complicated choices are made and Darcy learns some important life lessons and maybe even finds some true love along the way.

This book was a super quick and fun read. Some of the best elements include:

✨some good LGBTQ+ rep, and a bi main character
✨diverse cast of characters
✨adorable friends-to-lovers relationship
✨fun, messy high school drama

Ultimately, while this wasn’t necessarily a must-read YA novel of the year, it was a nice escape and easy to zip through on a weekend.

But why is it over?

No seriously, why is this book over?

Perfect on Paper was a true joy, y’all. It was delightful, it was poignant, it was timely, and it was inspiring, and man oh man do I wish I had this book at my fingertips when I was in high school.

Sophie’s author note is what really struck a chord with me:
“This is, at its core, a very queer story. This story is for everyone, but, most especially, it is for my bi--and my pan--readers. You are queer, because you are, and who you fall for or date or kiss does not alter that. No one else can change you.”

It makes me cry thinking about how important impactful this story would have been for someone like me when I was in high school and just trying to figure everything out. Honestly, even as adults we’re still trying to figure everything out and I think that’s one of the biggest reasons I love this book so much and want everyone and their entire extended families to read it. YA authors have been hitting it out of the park lately, and Gonzales is proof of that.

Perfect on Paper is her sophomore album and it’s just as fantastic as her debut (Only Mostly Devastated, which you should also read). Darcy’s a snarky bi teenager who’s a junior in high school, and she’s got a lot going on, and while most high school problems are nonsense in the grand scheme of things, hers are honestly not all trivial. (She would also do almost anything for a wheel of brie.) She secretly gives dating advice in response to letters she receives in abandoned Locker 89, her best friend is in love with someone else, and she just got caught sneaking some letters out of Locker 89 by a handsome, yet annoying, boy, oh and she also has some internalized bi-phobia that she doesn’t know how to handle. She honestly does have a lot going on. While reading Darcy’s story, you’re just cheering for her the whole way because you really want Darcy to succeed and figure her sh*t out, but you also just want to hold her and be like “girl, you will make it through this I promise,” because sometimes things don’t always go as planned. And sometimes the best friend you’re in love with loves a different girl and you do something unforgivable. And sometimes you feel “less queer than you should” because as a bi girl, you’re starting to have feelings for your dreamy new (male) blackmailer Brougham and are you still queer? And sometimes you just get overwhelmed and shut right down. Darcy is flawed, she makes mistakes, and Brougham challenges her along the way, but this book reminds you that it’ll all be okay in the end.

You’re allowed to mess up. You’re allowed to be unsure. You’re allowed to get it wrong. You just gotta do the work to do better and try again next time. I think that’s a reminder, not just for teens, but for plenty of adults, too, and one we need to hear pretty often.

I loved this book. Did I say that yet? I don’t care. I loved this book. Also I would 100% die for Finn because he is one of the funniest and most fantastic humans I have ever met and I honestly wish he was real because I have THOUGHTS on the Chad and Ryan HSM debate that I’d like to talk to him about.

Plus, Sophie Gonzales is a really cool person because when you accidentally send her a DM about pumpkin spice coffee creamer that was intended for someone else, she gets just as excited about it as you do (or, gets excited for you), so I think that’s reason enough to pick up her books.

But that’s just me.

I loved Perfect on Paper. I’m so glad it was written. I’m so glad I had the chance to read it, and I hope it reaches you in the same way.


{Many thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC!}

Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book; it in no way affects my opinion, my thoughts are my own.



This book was one of my most anticipated book of the year, when I received the e-mail saying I would be getting the chance to read it I was so excited.

This, to me, was reminiscent of "Sex Education" , the show on Netflix as both main character give advice anonymously to other students. While this is not a new favorite and did not hit the mark as much as her first novel did. This was a truly funny and heartfelt novel that made for a great time when I read it. It took me a while to put my thoughts of this book in writing as I couldn't and still can't explain properly (or as much as I wanted to) what made it work and not work for me.

I loved how the author handled the manipulation Darcy ends up doing to Brooke as often, these things are brushed aside for an happy ending. There is a lot of LGBT+ rep in this book and topics touched in this book, it touches a lot of things that highschool-ers might have to, or have had to deal with. Family, Friendship and School problems, mixed with relatable characters. As always the writing style was wonderful and made for a quick read (if you liked the first book and love "Sex education" this is the book for you).

A part that truly connected with me was the "Am I gay enough, Am I enough ?" questions asked throughout the book, as a bisexual woman/person this is something I have dealt with and sometimes still struggle with. This book beautifully addressed internalized bi-phobia, while not completely in my opinion, enough that it touched me.

Something, that is a pet peeves of mine, that I truly disliked was the miscommunication. I hate it when problems wouldn't have happened or could be easily solved by having a conversation. I get that talking about things is hard, feelings aren't always clear, however when it can prevent people getting hurt or a misunderstanding I cannot stress enough how much characters being unable to have a meaningful conversation annoys me. They are not 10-14 years old, they will be adults soon and should know by now that sometimes you need to have those conversations even if they might not be pleasant to you. Don't do it if you can't talk about it, when it affects someone else is my philosophy.

I also hated the blackmailing, but hey the story had to start somehow so I can't fault that. One part that annoyed me again as a bi person who hates that stereotype is how she has feelings for two people and doesn't sit down to have a conversation with her partner about it. As if a bi person cannot be monogamous or have a healthy relationship. When I was in highschool, figuring out myself, this is one of those things that was detrimental to me, I kept thinking "I can't be bi" I have never wanted to be promiscuous or thought of not telling my partner if I felt something for someone else.

Overall, however, I did really enjoy the book other than those small issues I had with it. It was a fun book that did make me smile at some of the funny dialogs and in the end while not a book I will re-read, contrary to her first novel, one that I did enjoy.

4/5 stars

Bookarina

This was such a delightful read. Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for my ARC.

Darc’s character is a perfect representation of being BI. No, dating someone of an opposite gender doesn’t make you ‘straight’ and dating someone of your own gender doesn’t make you gay. You are BI.

I felt like the characters were very mature which leads me to this thought: this novel could have been a general fiction if it wanted to be. I don’t think lots of YA can have that going for them. This one can stand on its own.

All that to say, it is out tomorrow so go get ya copy or reserve it in your library ♥️

I'm sitting here in ALL the good feels right now, which is the perfect way to be when a book ends. It was so fun, but also so full of drama and mass bad decisions and absolute clueless numpties who need to jUST KISS ALREADY and it had some incredibly important things to say. After starting this year with falling in love with Only Mostly Devastated, I am a definite Gonzales romcom fan. 😍

Buy this now, you wont be disappointed

If you want an honest, sensitive look at what it’s like to be bisexual, then look no further: Sophie Gonzales’ PERFECT ON PAPER is a wonderfully sweet, layered story with a lot of heart. You know how sometimes you read a YA story where the obviously queer character is tokenistic, sticking out like a sore thumb, not given any sort of personality beyond their queer identity? Well, not this time, folks. The diverse LGBTQ+ representation in this story is woven in - the characters have depth, the issues they face built off real experiences, and the relationships they share will sigh (longingly, lovingly).

That was my favourite part of this book. My second favourite part? The secret-dating-advice trope. I live for this shit. Gonzales' story certainly isn't anything we've never seen before, but it's executed SO. WELL. And the romance? This book made me TEAR UP, GUYS.

If you're after a sweet romance (that doesn't feel rushed, doesn't feel unbelievable, and has only a small sprinkling of ~drama), an honest look at internalised biphobia, and an all-round entertaining story, then PERFECT ON PAPER is the book for you.

**Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review - also posted on instagram, @_dizzyreads**

*I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*

I am a big fan of friends to lovers romance, as well as enemies to lovers romance, so this book seemed destined to be meant for me! I really loved the premise behind this story, of a girl who runs a secret, and slightly illegal, relationship advice service out of an empty locker in her high school. Then having someone, a very cute someone, find out about it and kind of blackmail her into helping him…mmm, delicious 😉

First, I want to say how much I really liked Darcy. She was very believable as a teenager, which I really appreciated. She was likable while also having some very frustrating flaws (namely lying to the girl she has a huge crush on not once, but twice!) She was also the perfect example of that phenomenon where teens feel like they have all of the answers to life and get really defensive when people try to tell them they are wrong. I loved it. She was real, but you still were rooting for her.

The side characters in this novel were all absolutely fantastic. Darcy’s sister, Ainsley, was so vivacious and full of life. I wanted to be her friend! Also, the fact that she was trans was never explicitly stated, but it was still openly acknowledged. I loved the fact that she was such a prominent part of the book without the author feeling like they had to harp on her sexuality. I thought this was very well done. Speaking of sexuality, all of the LGBT representation in this novel was done so nicely. Darcy is bisexual, and her best friend (and major crush) Brooke is a lesbian. These things were talked about, but they were never the ultimate focus of the novel. I thought this was beautifully written and normalized sexuality in a way I haven’t seen in a YA novel in a while.

Brougham was an interesting character. He starts off the novel kind of aloof and a little bit rude. He slowly opens up as the novel goes along, which I was glad for because I grew to like him more and more. He actually reminded me a bit of Darcy from Pride and Prejudice in that way, and we all know how much I love him ❤️

This is a book about accepting yourself, and also not wrapping yourself up too much in someone else. This is so important, and these are often lessons that teens learn too late. I think this is a great book that you will certainly enjoy if you like a contemporary romance with some self-discovery thrown in.

**Got this ARC from my Raincoast rep through NetGalley**
This book means the world to me. We already don't see a lot of Bi rep out there but we especially don't see much of a Bi girl falling for a guy. And yet, it is absolutely and completely Bi rep. It is so important and I am so happy Sophie Gonzales did it. And she did it wellllll.
The personality of Darcy is amazing. She's so snappy and sassy and funny and confident. It's refreshing, I love it.
There are soooo many queer characters and they all belong there and it is wonderful.
The story is so much more than a cute little contemporary romance story. It has friendship conflit, family conflict, relationship conflict; there is an amazing scene where they talk about Biphobia, which everyone should read. It is so many things without being overwhelming one bit, and all the while being hilarious and light.
I couldn't recommend this book more. I'm definitely rereading this in the future. And I'm ordering the hardcover like first this in the morning tomorrow at work 😍😆

*Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy*

Darcy runs a relationship helpline through Locker 89. Her peers can drop in a letter and she responds with advice via email. No one in the school knows it's her until Brougham catches her retrieving the letters from Locker 89.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that it was very well written with a cute premise and with very likable characters. The LGBTQIA+ representation was stellar. There were a few scenes and conversations that were spot on with how society treats bisexuals. There was one scene in particular in the book that brought me to sobbing tears because I have never read something that hit so close to home to something I've felt and wanted to shout from the rooftops in my own life. I loved that the topic was brought up and I hope that more people read this book and understand that some things are just not okay to do or say.

My only issue was that at times I wasn't sure why Darcy was so much on the defensive. I get that she was scared she was going to be ratted out, but I was still confused at times and it may have just been how I was reading the passage or conversation.

Overall this book was excellent and I loved it.

I really enjoy the way #SophieGonzales writes the characters in her YA romances, they all feel like a real people to me. This book did a great job of giving each character an identity. I loved how educational it was with the information about relationships and identities. I think if it can help me, a 28 year-old cis-het female, than it will be amazing for that target audience of this book.

I absolutely ADORED this book! It was so joyful and full of heart. Darcy was a fantastic protagonist. I loved how self-aware she was and how she devoted herself to helping people but was also just a normal flawed teenager like everyone around her. I loved Brougham as a love interest as well. And I LOVED the scene where Darcy talks about bi-phobia. It is something that every bi person has felt but it is rarely talked about, so I think it will be really special for bi teens to read. I thought this was a beautifully written story and I was rooting for all of the characters! I just feel like I'm going to explode with joy at how much I loved it!

I was so surprised how much I liked this book because the first ten pages were a drag and took me like a week to get through. The rest took a day. Darcy is such a fun and introspective main character. She so well rounded and her self awareness makes her endearing and hilarious at the same time. Brougham was also really entertaining. His personality unfolding over the course of the book really warmed me up to him gradually which is the way I love it for any romance. Darcy’s relationship with family and friends were also super enticing and while her choices were not something I resonated with, I saw how they positively impacted her character growth. Even the plot, although subtle, was really intriguing and I enjoyed getting to know how she researched her relationship advice for people. Love this !!!

Sophie Gonzales does it again!

This beauty tackles some touch to tackle topics- like biphobia within the queer community- and manages to do all of it laced with humor, California magic, a romance advice column, and a cute, flustered boy from Oz.

I cannot sing the praises of this breezy read enough. Find yourself a free afternoon and fill it with this.

A highly enjoyable YA about an anonymous relationship advisor and the wealthy, arrogant boy who discovers her secret—and then asks for advice of his own. A romantic read with sprinkles of humor and a significant focus on familial and platonic love.

This seemed like a really cute premise: like Dear Abby meets Serrano DE Bergerac. But honestly I had a hard time connecting to the characters in this book. The writing style was fun and easy to follow, but overall I felt like the general plot and story were lacking a bit.

I'm convinced Sophie Gonzales can do no wrong. I've read, and devoured, Only Mostly Devastated and Perfect on Paper. Both equally amazing and equally important. I love how she writes, it's witty and also so sincere.

This book is an ode to queer kids everywhere, especially the bi and pan community who constantly feel invalidated and not "queer enough" to fit in.

You are valid.
You are queer.

Read this book.

I really enjoyed this book! It covered a lot of ground from friendship to sexuality. Darcy was a relatable character throughout and I thought she showed a lot of growth as did Brougham. I thought the book covered bisexuality in an informative and relatable way. There is a lot of intricacy to sexuality and through the queer club, it made a safe space to explore that topic. It was all over a very modern and well done novel.

There was one part that had a weird transition. When Darcy and Brougham are in the tree during the storm, it seemed to all of a sudden switch to where they were at Darcy's house. I reread it to make sure I didn't miss anything and one sentence they're in the tree and the next they're getting hot chocolate from Darcy's mom. Might be a formatting error but seemed very abrupt.