What an amazingly beautiful story. I was completely sucked in. I loved all the characters and their journeys. I did like that the author gave us two different endings. That was fun and my first book I have happened to pick up that was like this. Out of the two endings I liked the first one better. It felt more real and bittersweet even though it was sad and not the typical ending. It felt more satisfying for me because I felt more real. I feel like we have all had a love like that.

This is a long and twisted tale that really scoops you up and makes you want to keep going. It’s a longer story but it walks through some “almost” situations and really gives a unique twist to the romance. There’s so many great moments that you get swept up in the romance only to come crashing down and then have it all put back together. The author really drags you through it, but in a really, really good way!

It has been several months since I finished A Perfect Story and I haven’t been able to sit down and write its review until now. When I first picked this up, I wasn’t sure what to expect from A Perfect Story - perhaps a light fake dating romance based in Greece?

The story surrounds Margot and David, two strangers living in Madrid who are trying to win back their exes. At first, there was some fun fake dating between the main characters, and there were certainly parts that made me laugh. Then things become spicy when they decide to go on a whirlwind getaway to Greece. Despite its light premise, the author touches on a number of deep topics and the narrators did a wonderful job at illustrating the deep vulnerabilities that the characters were experiencing. Let me tell you - out of all the books I’ve read this year, this was the first book to make me cry. In the ending, the first part completely ripped my heart out, while the second part mended it back together. I loved the author’s take on showing us how our choices - as small as they can be - can lead our futures into completely different directions.

My main takeaway from this book was “without taking a risk and showing vulnerability, we can miss out on something beautiful”.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

Margot Ortiz de Zarate has the picture-perfect life, but after a panic attack the morning of her wedding, she runs away and calls off the wedding. Margot’s sisters take her out for a night of drinking at a local bar, and the next day, Margot has an encounter with David Sanchez Rodrigo, one of the bartenders. After David asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend to make his ex jealous, the two become friends, helping each other to get their exes back. A trip to Greece complicates their relationship, and the two have to think about what they want.

I loved this story and was torn between devouring it as quickly as possible and drawing it out so I wouldn’t reach the end. I would love to read more of Elísabet Benavent’s books that have been translated to English. Giordan Diaz and Stacy Gonzalez did a fabulous job narrating the audiobook.

Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.

So glad I read this before watching the series. I loved how detailed the story was and how much depth it provided to the characters. While I wouldn't use this for the classroom, I think it's the perfect read to add to any teacher library for some non-educational reading.

This is a perfect story. Why is it perfect? Because it is imperfect. I love how it shows love in all its ways, and i love the explanation of two endings (i wont tell you more). Absolutely completely recommend!

Both narrators are really good as well!!

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

A Perfect Story was not a perfect story (for me). Unfortunately, it was so long and there was barely a plot. Because the romance was absolutely repetitive, I felt like I could skip 40% of the book and miss next to nothing. One cool thing I will note that I appreciated was the optional ending. I thought that was an interesting twist that could satisfy readers hoping for a particular ending.
The narrator was pretty good! I enjoyed her accents and I probably would have dnf'ed without her voice telling me the story rather than eyeball reading it.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the alc. All thoughts are my own.

A little slow to start but eventually I caught a nice stride. A compelling voice that portrayed the emotional journey of the characters, but also created an ease of setting that made them that much more real.

DNF at 30%. I could not get into this story sadly. It did not hold my interest but I am sure there are others who will love it!

I was intrigued by the blurb and was looking forward to “A Perfect Story” but it felt like the beginning dug a hole that was hard to fill through the rest of the book. I’m not sure how much the translation/word choices made it more difficult for me to connect with the story.

Ummmm was this a young adult book and in this century didn’t like it half way though I’m sorry felt unrealistic

This is a cute story, romantic and hot. Realistic on its ending, and even on the alternate ending. Makes you think about how crazy love is, that doesn't let you think right or use your brain, weather love is or is not there in a relationship, it will be evident. This couple loved each other in a crazy, young, passionate way of loving, enjoyed themselves, and then had to go back to their real lives and say their goodbyes. Time will heal them, but they'll forever have that time together in their memories.

I enjoyed the book, had fun, and felt the feelings while reading.

The narration was ok, some of the characters voices were too over the top imo (i.e. the mother or Patricia), but I understand the voice had to convey their personality.

This book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t love either character but especially disliked the MMC for the way he talked and acted towards women. I was expecting more of a love story and less heavy on the intimate scenes so this may be someone else’s cup of tea but just wasn’t mine.

Margot, a runaway bride, meets David, a recently dumped hot bartender. They instantly find comfort and friendship in each other. They devise a plan to help each other get their exes back.

But the more time they spend together, even taking a vacation to Greece together (what would have been Margot’s honeymoon), the more they can’t deny their intense chemistry.

A PERFECT STORY is funny, messy, and extremely spicy! 🌶️🔥 Margot and David constantly try to convince each other that they want to get back with their exes as they fall into bed together. But they also begin to realize they have a lot of personal growth to do. The story touches on self-esteem, self-worth, and class differences, as David and Margot keep finding reasons not to be together when it’s pretty clear they should be.

I enjoyed Margot and David together, but the story got a little repetitive. The two kept going round and round about how they wanted to win their exes back, yet they were so happy together. I understood the dilemma, but it went on a bit too long. Margot’s sisters and their drama did help break up things, though.

Set in beautiful Spain and on the shimmering beaches of Greece, this steamy friends-to-lovers (but maybe not) is a perfect beach read.

3.5 ⭐️

Thank you @sourcebookscasa for this gifted book.

Thank you @dreamscape_media for the gifted audiobook.

I really enjoyed this story so very much. It started a bit slow, but once Margot And David met, it soon picked up the pace. I love the banter and the chemistry between Margot And David, and some parts really made me laugh too Hard. I love the character growth of Margot and don't get me started on David. He was absolutely amazing.

overall if you love sweet spicy romcoms, you should definitely give this one a try.


Thanks netgallery for providing me the audiobook for the book

OHHHH this one was good. A really long book and I thought when I started it, that it was likely a lot of fluff but it really was perfectly written.

So Margot has a full blown panic attack on her wedding day and leaves her husband to be at the alter. She still wants to be with him but he needs time to think. She gets upset and drowns her sorrows in a bar. The bartender finds her sisters phone and they both see sad people in each other and agree to support each other during their dad times.

She has money so she takes herself off on a big vacation, he has time on his hands and no money and she books him a ticket to go with her.

Their friendship really blossoms and even though she is older than him, they bring out the best in each other.

It gives you 2 endings too which I liked.

The characters were amazingly written, I loved the audio and this book was worth every second of my time.

4 stars

Margot and David, from vastly different backgrounds, find their lives unexpectedly intertwined: she, the heiress to a hotel empire; he, juggling three jobs to make ends meet. Their serendipitous meeting uncovers a shared chance to reclaim lost love.

Adapted from Elísabet Benavent's novel into a Netflix Spanish romantic comedy miniseries, then translated into English, this captivating story is bound to enchant romantics everywhere. It serves as a poignant reminder that the "perfect story" may not always align with our reality. Margot and David's journey deeply resonated with me—I laughed, empathized, and cheered for them until the final page. Undoubtedly, I'm a hopeless romantic, and this novel only deepened that sentiment.

My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for graciously providing this eARC.

✨opposites attract
✨fake dating

Margot & David’s story was sweet, cute with a little spice!

Margot has “the perfect life” or so she thought until she had a panic attack and realizes that maybe she shouldn’t get married after all. To try to feel better, she goes out with her sister and meets a bartender who happens to catch her attention. One chance encounter with David’s ex and well now they’re “dating” and helping each other get out of their comfort zones. They each take on tasks they wouldn’t normally do to try to be better and take chances to live and enjoy life!

As things go well with fake dating and they get to know each other better, they each begin to think what would happen if it wasn’t fake? They’re from opposite worlds, is it possible their relationship would really work?

Thank you Dreamscapemedia & NetGalley for the gifted copy.

This is not usually my genre but I found myself loving this book. It was very interesting how it ended, but I won’t go into that for fear of spoiling it for others. It definitely had some spicy bits and I loved all the locations mentioned. It made you feel like you were actually there.

This was a super cute, fun read! Was it realistic? Probably not, but sometimes you need an escape & this book delivered! Loved the FMC & MMC and their undeniable chemistry. Their banter & antics were so entertaining. Both narrators added a special element to the book. Highly recommend for a beach read or an escape outdoors.