Sophie Gonzales’s third novel shows a promising future for the author while approaching serious topics in a “Sex-Ed” style story that will leave fans frantically searching “When is Sophie Gonzales’s next book coming out?”

“Perfect on Paper” introduces readers to Darcy, a high school student who seemingly blends in with the rest of her peers. But little do they know, she is the mastermind behind locker 89, a place where students pay to get relationship advice from one of their own. After a fellow student stumbles upon her opening the locker, Alexander Brougham asks for her to be his relationship coach to help him get back with his girlfriend. Seeing it as blackmail, Darcy helps, but nothing could prepare her for the chain of events that follows.

This book is amazing for a number of reasons, but the main one that I fell in love with was its approach to biphobia. At the beginning of the novel, Darcy’s helplessly got a crush on her best friend, Brooke, but by the end of the book, she realizes she might also be into Brougham who is clearly a guy. The internal struggle Darcy faces, which is eventually explicitly stated during a club meeting, is one bisexual (and other sexualities similar to it) readers will be able to relate to quite well. Gonzales writes this struggle with ease, and the battle going on in her head is evident with subtle clues nudging it forward to its build-up.

The second main reason I loved this book was the “Sex-Ed” themed story it took on. While Darcy isn’t giving out sex advice like Maeve and Otis, the discreet relationship advice clinic is reminiscent of their sex clinic in the show. The lowkey blackmail theme gives it an almost “Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda” vibe, and as much as I hate comparing queer stories to Becky Albertalli novels, it fits perfectly with this book.

But “Perfect on Paper” is perhaps even a step above “Simon” in this case. If I have any complaint, it’s that this novel feels so small. It happens in a high school with a very small set of characters, many of which we know hardly any about. I was deeply invested in these characters, and at times it did feel like their actions seemed a tad out of character. This was rare though, and the feelings are mostly a result of wanting to know more about the characters.

Regardless, this book is simply wonderful. Sophie Gonzales created yet another great book to get yourself lost in. From themes of biphobia and how to tackle high school romances, “Perfect on Paper” is a must-read YA novel that should become a staple for queer YA literature.

This was a cute, quick, fun, read. I would recommend for any YA or romance fans. I thought the parts documenting Darcy's struggles with her sexuality and identity were really well done.

One of my favorite books I read this year! I loved everything about this book and could not put it down. LGBTQ representation is a must when I'm finding books to read and this one was so well-written and that cannot be understated. Overall, I loved this book, I loved the characters, and I loved the writing.

This was a good reading, the plot was very entertaining and what I love most was the sex Education vibes in all the book, so if you are looking for something similar this would be a great choice.

Oh my GOD this was SO GOOD!!!! Literally one of the best YA contemporaries I have ever read.

Like where do I even start???? The way this book discusses bisexuality, being queer, romantic relationships, friendships, and relationships with parents is unlike anything I’ve ever read before, especially in a YA novel.

I loved the set up of Darcy being an anonymous relationship counselor for her classmates as well as how her and Brougham’s dislike to friends to lovers relationship develops throughout the book. I also personally really enjoy YA books with a fair amount of messy drama, and this definitely delivers on that front. There’s even a sort of love triangle involving Darcy, her friend Brooke, and Brougham, which I was so here for. On another note, I ADORED all of the diversity in this book, specifically the numerous LBGTQ+ characters!

This book made me tear up and laugh out loud numerous times and when a book can do that, you know it’s good. I just can’t recommend it highly enough. I can’t wait to read more from Sophie Gonzales!

PS Finn going on about Ryan and Chad’s relationship in High School Musical 2 had me HOWLING omg he was so right though 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

This book started off not being for me and there is so much of that just kind of being about love and advice. I have three problems with this
1.) the bestfriend didn't say sorry for outing a friend secret and doesn't get challenge about ( yes the friend messed up but doesn't give the friend a pass)
2.) the love interest is so wishy washy I didn't see it coming
3.) love tringle mess
other then that I enjoyed the read for the most part it just not a new Favorite if you like will they won't they and hate to friend to love and a little lgbt+ rep this book it for you. I personally Want a book all about the MC big sister because she is the bomb.

I really love Sophie Gonazales' books and this one is no different! a new favorite for sure, and a book I'm happy to add to my bookshelf.

Why was this so cute and pure?

Darcy is great at giving anonymous help to her classmates and the entirety of the school. However, she can't take her own advice when it comes to her own love life. Then she meets Brougham. He blackmails her into helping him, but the friendship that builds between them is so pure.

I loved watching how Darcy and Brougham opened each other up. They were both stuck in their own ways . . . stubborn, if you will. Then with them working together, they slowly gained trust for the other and stopped being rude to each other.

The representation, I think, was on point with Perfect on Paper. We have bisexual rep with the main character. We also have a queer club with other individual representations. I also think it's covered nicely. Especially when Darcy begins to question whether she's "queer enough" because she is attracted to the opposite sex.

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!!

Darcy and Brougham were such a cute duo throughout this story! Darcy giving advice to her fellow high schoolers was a fresh idea. I thought it was nice that multiple preferences were represented and Darcy had a large group of peers supporting her. I'd love to read another story by Sophie Gonzales! I loved how messy the romance was and the happily ever after made me swoon.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC digital copy. I have not been compensated for my opinion and this is an honest review.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish reading this ARC digital copy before needing to switch to other books that were being archived. The book remains on my Goodreads "want to read" list, and I will update my review to reflect an updated opinion when I finish it at a later date..

I just got all the feels with this one. The writing was so funny. We need more funny books. Especially in YA.

I loved the Aussie accent. The characters even the love interest wasn’t perfect and I loved that. I kept picturing the Aussie guy from Grease 2. The book seemed very realistic.

This book was too perfect. Honestly. I loved it. I read this three months ago and I'm still thinking about it and recommending it! I love the anonymous advice troupe, and this did it so well! The romance was perfect and the ending just made me happy. Totally recommend!

A love triangle with LGBTQ+ rep, yes please! Wow this book was incredible and I absolutely loved the romance and characters. I highly recommend this one!

Look, this is one of the most incredible books I've read all year - and I've read over 100 books so far. There are so many things I loved about this book - there's so much diversity (international, queer, trans, multi-ethnic), the laugh-out-loud humor, the f/f and m/f romance, the school-setting, the anonymous love advice plot, the super cool mom teacher that might as well have been me in book form.

There wasn't really any part of this book I didn't love. There's a particularly emotional scene that really validates bisexuality even when in a different-gendered relationship. It literally had me BAWLING, actual sobs escaping me.

I loved this book a million times more than I could ever articulate. I highly, highly recommend!!!

Darcy, a bisexual girl gives epic (and anonymous) love advice to her classmates via an unclaimed locker. She's eventually hired by a hot Australian guy to help him get his ex back.

Perfect on Paper is a funny, self-aware, Young Adult LGBTQ Contemporary Romance that tackles biphobia and bi-erasure. Through the story it provides excellent dating advice while also showing how messy relationships can get when feelings are involved.

This is the first Sophie Gonzalez book I've read and I absolutely loved it. I can't wait to read more of her work.

This book was different than I expected. It was a fast read and I read it in only a few days. I was very engaged with the writing and the character development. I absolutely would love to read more books by this author.

I loved this! It had some of the best conversations I have seen in a YA novel in a very long time! The conversations on internalized biphobia was done so well I was bawling! I loved this book sooo much!

Perfect on Paper was a delightful book with great representation. I found myself very invested in the characters, and finished reading in one sitting.

This book was wonderful on so many levels. The author pulled you in and included you in the story. The characters were unique and reacted in unexpected ways. I loved how circumstances and characters actions drove the story. Nothing was forced or unrealistic. It was a solid read and I really enjoyed it.
Sometimes even doing something you think is good has a bad side.

This was fun! I downloaded this book a few months ago but didn’t pick it up right away for some reason. I decided to take a closer look at it and before I knew it I had a smile on my face and knew that I would have to keep reading. I loved the premise of this story and the characters were really very likable. I am glad that I finally got around to reading this entertaining story.

Darcy is great with relationship advice, at least when it is someone else’s relationship. When someone needs advice they put a note in locker 89 and Darcy sends them an email with ideas on how to proceed. She has been doing this anonymously for years until a boy named Brougham learns her secret. Brougham hopes to get his girlfriend back and needs Darcy’s help to do it.

The characters in this book were great. I loved the array of LGBTQ representation in this book and I thought that the way that biphobia was addressed had a big impact on the readers. Darcy is a bisexual girl who has been crushing on her best friend for a very long time but then she starts spending more time with Brougham. She had the support of her amazing sister who was one of my favorite characters in the book. All of the characters in the book were easy to like and they all showed a lot of growth over the course of the story.

I would recommend this book to others. I found this to be a very entertaining story with characters you can’t help but fall for. I definitely plan to read more of this author’s work in the future.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Wednesday Books via NetGalley.