This story captivated me with its blend of humor, heartache, and romance. Margot Ortega’s seemingly perfect life unravels when a panic attack derails her wedding, leading her to David Sánchez, a charming bartender nursing his own wounds. Their fake-dating scheme, meant to make their exes jealous, takes them on a memorable trip to Greece. What starts as a fun distraction turns into a deep connection, forcing both to confront their past and future. The chemistry between Margot and David is electric, and the Mediterranean backdrop adds an extra layer of allure. This book is a delightful mix of witty banter, emotional depth, and a satisfying love story. Perfect for fans of heartfelt, opposites-attract romances.

A PERFECT STORY had it all! An emotional romance,
a cast of great characters, and a second chance at love at the center of it all.

Margot seems to have it all—until her wedding day where she has a panic attack, and decides to cancel the wedding. From there things come to light to expose her true feelings.

*many thanks to Dreamscape and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

A Perfect Story follows Margot, a woman who seemingly has it all—a successful career, a huge salary, a beautiful apartment, and a perfect fiancé. However, on her wedding day, she has a panic attack and decides to call off the wedding. After a night of drinking with her sister, she returns to the bar the next day to retrieve a lost phone, and meets David, the charismatic bartender who's her complete opposite. Together, they enter a fake dating scheme intended to win back their exes, but evolves into a profound connection that challenges their perceptions of love and happiness.

This has so many elements I enjoy in my romance. Its angsty, steamy, with drama galore. But the fact that it took me 5 months to finish probably means I was the wrong audience. It didn't need to be this long (over 18 hours on audio). Thankfully the narrators are wonderful and really stole the show. I don't think I'd have finished if I was reading with my eyes.

My main criticism (other than the unnecessary length) is that it felt inauthentic and contrived. I need my romance to feel believable. Their interactions felt forced. Certain elements felt too unreal. I just didn't buy it.

Fans of Collen Hoover will probably eat this up!

That said, I'm really looking forward to watching the Netflix adaptation soon!

Thanks Dreamscape for my gifted ALC.

Elisabet Benavent’s A Perfect Story is a dazzling blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt emotion that captures the intricacies of love, self-discovery, and second chances. At its core, the novel follows Margot and David, two seemingly mismatched individuals who embark on a mutual quest: helping each other win back their exes. What begins as a partnership rooted in practicality soon evolves into something deeper and more profound.

Benavent’s writing is rich and evocative, drawing readers into the lives of her protagonists with stunning emotional depth. The author masterfully balances lighthearted humor with moments of genuine poignancy, making readers laugh out loud one moment and reach for tissues the next. The chemistry between Margot and David is electric, and their journey from co-conspirators to soulmates is beautifully paced, allowing their relationship to unfold organically.

One of the novel’s standout features is its attention to detail. Benavent doesn’t just tell a story; she builds a world. From the bustling streets of their city to the small, intimate moments shared between characters, every scene is vividly painted, making the story feel immersive and authentic. Margot and David are not merely characters on a page; they’re fully realized individuals with complex emotions, flaws, and aspirations. Their inner struggles and personal growth are just as compelling as their romantic journey.

The narrative also explores deeper themes of identity, personal fulfillment, and the courage it takes to embrace love, even when it arrives in unexpected forms. Benavent challenges traditional notions of happily-ever-afters, offering instead a nuanced portrayal of what it means to find true happiness and connection.

Verdict:

A Perfect Story is a standout in the rom-com genre, delivering a perfect blend of humor, heartache, and hope. Elisabet Benavent’s beautifully crafted characters and emotionally resonant storytelling make this a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the love, or the life lessons, this novel will captivate you from start to finish. If you’re searching for a story that will make you feel every laugh and tear, this is the one.

*A Perfect Story* by Elísabet Benavent is an enchanting exploration of love, ambition, and the complexities of modern relationships. The novel follows a cast of vibrant characters, each grappling with their own dreams and desires, as they navigate the intertwined paths of friendship and romance.

Benavent’s writing is both lyrical and engaging, effortlessly drawing readers into the emotional landscapes of her characters. The dialogue sparkles with wit, and the moments of introspection are beautifully crafted, allowing for a deep connection with the protagonists. The story delves into themes of self-discovery and the importance of chasing one's dreams, all while highlighting the beauty and chaos of love in its many forms.

The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of tension and humor that keep the reader thoroughly entertained. The dynamics between the characters are rich and relatable, making the ups and downs of their journeys feel all the more poignant.

Overall, *A Perfect Story* is a heartfelt and inspiring read that celebrates the imperfect yet beautiful nature of life and love. It’s a perfect choice for fans of contemporary romance looking for a narrative that combines humor, warmth, and a touch of realism. Elísabet Benavent has crafted a tale that lingers long after the last page is turned, leaving readers with a sense of hope and the belief that love can indeed be found in the most unexpected places.

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