I enjoyed this read so much Jessa hws so much pressure like many teens trying to figure out her future. Yet Jessa has something most teens dont have and thats a crazy stalker. This book takes you for a ride and its so fun. I recommend reading it, this book is a fast read you will just want to finish.

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart is a captivating, thought-provoking read that explores themes of identity, societal expectations, and personal growth. Banghart’s writing is sharp and immersive, immediately drawing the reader into the life of the protagonist, a young woman struggling to meet the impossible standards placed on her. The pacing is fast and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked from start to finish.

The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery is both relatable and emotional, and Banghart does a great job of exploring the complexities of navigating family, school, and personal aspirations. The book also delves into the pressures of perfectionism and the toll it takes on mental health, making it a relevant and timely read. The characters are well-rounded, and the relationships, particularly the protagonist's with her family, are compelling and nuanced.

While the plot is strong, there are moments when the story feels a bit predictable, and certain character arcs could have been more fleshed out. Nevertheless, the themes and emotional depth make it a memorable and impactful read.

Overall, Perfect Girl is an empowering, emotional, and gripping story that will resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven narratives about self-acceptance and overcoming societal pressures. It’s a solid read that will make you reflect long after the last page.

A book that perfectly captures what it's like to watch high school themed thriller tv shows. A bit predictable, but not at any fault of the author. This is a fun and fast paced read that I can see others using as a palette cleanser.

Definitely a YA thriller.
Typical scary teenage scenario: sleepover, boys, the lights go out.
The appeal to the YA reader is the ability to relate to all of the characters. The goodie two shoes, the pesty brother, one friend who is making bad choices, desire from afar......everyone knows someone like this.
The storyline produces a heroine, a new love interest, deadly neighbors and a ghost.
A popcorn read that has really scary moments...

This book gave me back a feeling I had when I would watch pretty little liars each week to watch a new episode! It kept me hooked and kept me on the edge of my seat

Many thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for providing me with an eARC of Perfect Girl in exchange for my honest review!

I got some nice old thrills out of this slasher horror ride that traps us within the growing tension of a sleepover. Sure, it can plod its way through repetitive and predictable stretches during the first half, but then it builds up more satisfyingly after that and ultimately thrives with an excellent climax. Throughout all the terror, it weaves in a critical lens on the misogynistic standards that our society forces women to meet in order to become objects of perfection that can appeal to men and obey their every whim.

Overall, I'm officially rating Perfect Girl 3.5 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding up to 4 stars. I'm happy to have given this a shot as a slasher horror fan.

I loved this book. I adored our cast of characters and the relationships between them. Jessa was so well written and it felt very realistic the perfectionism she felt thrusted upon her from everyone around her, and a thriller is the perfect place to be the backdrop of that--nothing will challenge perfectionism quite like life or death. I also loved that it was a classic high school thriller including a sleepover, scary movies, a power outage, and truth or dare. Made me wish I read this in October. YA thrillers are sooo good nowadays, I love them more and more every time I get to read a new one.

Everything about Jess is perfect. She always follows the rules, never gets in the way, and her friends and family really let her know it. While having a party, a storm knocks the power out at her house, which brings more than the darkness. PERFECT GIRL is a fast-paced YA thriller that will keep you hooked.

The story is told from several POVs, including flashbacks, which gives the reader a deeper story to dive into to understand the characters. Jess felt like a fully formed character which many YA readers will relate to. Tracy Banghart has a great way of capturing the essence and anxiety that comes with being a teenage girl.

The constant tension in the book will keep readers invested in the story. It not only builds the setting, but the tension between characters and the tension within the characters.

2.5 ⭐

This book has so much potential and it completely fell flat for me. It was messy, but extremely predictable. Like, I almost immediately figured out the plot. I will say its only redeeming quality was how fast paced it was. If it hadn't been, I would have DNF it.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.*

This book was okay, I loved the characters! It was just a little too slow for me. I felt like I was confused most of the time.

Jessa is know as the "perfect" girl but being perfect has its downfalls and Jessa is at her breaking point. Jessa's parents are going out of town and she begs to have a few friends over. She's anxious about being alone as a few girls have gone missing is nearby towns. Her parents break their own rules and allow her to invite her friends over. Kellan, Alexis and Tiny join Jessa for a sleep over but things quickly get out of control. A few uninvited guests show up, the power goes out and a game of Truth and Dare turns into a game of life or death.

The story is told in alternating points of views and flashbacks. It's predictable in an an enjoyable way. Be prepared to be engaged and entertained.

Jess’s, the perfect girl, known to her, friends, and family. This book was all vibes and a very nostalgic read.

Jess hosts her friends for a sleepover and thing start to get interesting. An unexpected thunder storm hits and emotions run high throughout the events of the night. What will happen of the Perfect Girl?

I enjoyed Jess’s character, relatable high school girl. Similar to myself in my high school years. The voices of the other characters were well done on the page. The relations between the friend of girls was so relatable of my own friendships in high school.

The pace of this book was well done and played well into the plot. Intriguing and curious enough to see how Jess would handle things.

Tracy Banghart's Perfect Girl is a fast-paced, spine-chilling thriller that explores the dangers of perfection and the consequences of living up to the expectations of others. The story follows Jessa, a teenage girl who has spent her life cultivating an image of flawless behavior—always polite, never confrontational, and deeply obedient to the rules. Jessa prides herself on being the “perfect girl,” content with her role in her family and society, but she soon learns that being perfect comes with deadly consequences.

When a freak storm knocks out the power during a sleepover at Jessa’s eerie, old house, the fun quickly takes a dark turn. As tensions rise among her friends, strange guests arrive, and sinister forces begin to unfold, Jessa finds herself trapped in a nightmare. Her perfect life is shattered as a killer targeting the “perfect girl” sets their sights on her, turning what should have been a harmless night into a fight for survival.

The narrative cleverly uses Jessa's perfectionism as both a strength and a vulnerability. Her adherence to rules and societal expectations has kept her safe, but when the situation escalates, she must challenge everything she’s been taught to protect herself and her friends. The juxtaposition of her idealized behavior with the brutal reality of the situation makes for a compelling character arc, as Jessa learns to shed her perfect persona in order to fight back against the terror closing in on her.

Banghart builds tension masterfully, creating a creepy atmosphere in Jessa’s house, which seems to come alive with secrets and dangers lurking at every corner. The interactions between Jessa and her friends, filled with jealousy, conflict, and betrayal, are just as compelling as the external threat they face. The author keeps the readers on edge, twisting expectations and keeping the mystery of the killer’s identity hidden until the final moments.

At its core, Perfect Girl is a commentary on the pressure to meet impossible standards—whether from family, friends, or society. Jessa’s struggle to break free from the constraints of perfection reflects a universal desire for agency and authenticity, and her transformation from a dutiful “perfect girl” to a survivor is both gripping and empowering.

While the book excels in suspense and thrills, it also explores deeper themes of identity, control, and the cost of trying to meet others’ expectations. Banghart has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, delivering a fast-paced thriller with emotional depth.

Fans of psychological thrillers with a dash of horror will find Perfect Girl to be a page-turner that keeps them guessing until the very end. With its blend of tension, suspense, and dark reflections on societal pressures, it’s a perfect read for anyone who enjoys a story that’s as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

This book was not what i expected. I really wanted a twisty YA thriller and this was quite honestly a little bit boring

Perfect Girl is a teenage slasher novel. Its a sleepover gone wrong. The characters are pretty one-dimensional except for one character who is in a domestic violence relationship. Also the main character is dealing with the pressure of being a perfect girl. There are themes around gender oppression and the roles women and girls are supposed to fulfill. The book was fast paced and mostly plot driven. While the twists were predictable, this is definitely a book for the fans of campy horror. In the end, it a forgettable book. But if you are looking for a mindless good time try the perfect girl.

Fans of Natasha Preston will definitely enjoy this book. Jessa has always been the perfect daughter, sister, student, and friend. While her parents go out for the night Jessa has a sleepover with her friends because they need time together, their relationship has been strained as of late and Jessa feels onebof the reasons why is that they have painted her in this box of perfection. She also wants the company as a few girls in the area have disappeared. This book isn't perfect, there were a few times that I rolled my eyes or said aloud exactly what was going to happen. But, if you are looking for a quick thrill then go for it.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

The perfect girl was a book that was okay in my opinion. It was enjoyable but not one that I would necessarily recommend or reread. It did give off pretty little liars vibes which I enjoyed!

I thought this was a solid book but kind of predictable. The main character was so incredibly innocent that sometimes it was frustrating for me.

Thank you for the eARC, Feiwel & Friends!

Perfect Girl was perfectly surprising, in the end. With easy-to-read, clear and concise prose and typical teen angst, Tracy Banghart's Perfect Girl is a fast-paced thriller for readers who enjoy interesting twists and imperfect characters.

Jessa's curse is one many of us can relate to: perfectionism. The pursuit and expectation of presenting the perfect exterior to the world and to ourselves. Her house is less than perfect, with its isolated location, horrible cell service, and resident ghost. So when she's faced with the possibility of being home alone on a Friday night she begs her parents to let her friends sleepover, with the promise that they'll be perfect angels.

A storm, a power outage, and a pack of hormonal teens with no supervision on a Friday night. What could go wrong?

So many things. What doesn't go wrong is the twist. And the stakes continued to raise all the way through. This story is a slow build but when the action pops, it takes off like a bullet train. So keep reading!

I recommend this book to lovers of a good old teen slasher/thriller like Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, amusing banter, and happy endings.

Jessa was raised to be perfect, and while her friends tease her about this, she likes knowing what is expected of her. However, things become more serious when a killer targets her for being perfect during a storm.

I generally like YA thrillers, but this one was just ok for me. I think part of it was the way that the author wrote Jessa was really annoying. The plot overall wasn't bad, but the characters, especially Jessa, were just annoying for me.