Whilst this book was packed with moments that felt achingly genuine and relatable, the pace was far too slow for me. The writing was undeniably fun and entertaining, almost like a friend next to you was telling you a story about their struggles with navigating perfection and societal pressures put especially on women and mothers.

However, as much as I wanted to love this book, I found it ultimately lacklustre and void of practical tips or something tangible for the reader to leave with.

This book was such a delight and encouragement to read! I flew through it in one morning and it had me laughing out loud, nodding my head in agreement, and getting teary eyed. It made my perfectionist self feel SEEN. The parts about building community and taking risks were especially relevant to me, but I think that most women will find several areas that they are able to relate to. I loved this book so much that I immediately purchased Jess Johnston's previous books. An easy five star read!

I thought this book was perfect! It addresses all the things that have gone through every (womens) head at one time or another. It validates our thoughts and feelings and let is know we are not the only one that thinks this way. Jess does this without judgment and with humor. I will recommend this to all my friends! Great job@

I LOVED this book. I usually steer away from general self-help but I was drawn to this one because it seemed funny. And it was! I really liked how the author broke down her tips into easily readable catergories/sections and also brought in real-life stories to make her point. It felt like reading something a best friend wrote for you.

Jess Johnston is far from boring. In her book, Perfect is Boring (and it tastes like kale), she illustrates how imperfection has propelled her into living an authentic life.
Her writing is funny, relatable and raw. There is no sugarcoating experiences or outcomes. Her truth is one that is shared by so many women—a common thread of feelings, anxieties and lies we tell ourselves.
After reading this book women will feel less alone and more confident in their own imperfect life.

This was one of the best books I read this past year. As a RARELY 5 star-type reviewer, it says a lot that I would rate this as a full 5.

As a recovering perfectionist, I needed to hear Johnston's message and it has impacted how I live my life in hustle culture. I am who I am, and who I am, she's pretty great just as she is. I'm looking forward to re-reading and gifting to my closest friends.

Reading “Perfect is Boring (and It Taste Like Kale” was like talking to a best friend. It’s like watching an episode of Gilmore Girls, but Lorelai Gilmore breaks the 4th wall, looks you straight in the eye and says “hey. I know it’s hard. You are not alone. You are amazing. I promise you’ve got this.”
Yes. It’s that good.
Jess Johnston reminds us that we don’t need to be perfect to live our lives. She makes us feel less alone. Who wouldn’t want to read a book like that?

Jess Johnston takes readers through lies they might believe due to perfectionistic or people pleasing tendencies. She weaves stories from her own life into the chapters and offers encouragement, action steps, and truths to combat the lies many people believe. I found it to be a very inspiring and reassuring book with the message that no one wants me to be perfect, just myself and that is enough. I highly encourage anyone who struggles with feeling like they have to have it all together all the time to read this book which felt like a deep breath.

Read in one sitting. This book is funny, touching, inspiring and so relatable. So many times throughout my reading I said “ugh me too” and “same”. As always Jess does a great job at reminding us that we are not alone in life and in motherhood.

No matter where you are or what you are dealing with in your life, you will be able to relate to this book. I love the movement we are in where women are saying "perfect is NOT normal". Life is busy and the pressure is on. "We belive if we just 'did better, worked harder, were less......' life would be better". It is time we STOP trying to meet everyone elses expectations and start meeting our own.

I look forward to reading the rest of this book and to see where this growth leads me.

I liked the personal stories the author told and her attitude. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I would like to first of all thank the publishing team and Netgalley for being able to read this beautiful book.
It's a warm hug for all of us messy people, for the creative minds and the imperfect humans. This book is a pep talk to make you want to find and create the beautiful and exciting in everyday life.
It's a spark of hope and a celebration of uniqueness.
From time to time there might be a bit much of "moral superiority" - being a good samaritan kind of talk, but it's all good because the overall message is cohesive and well balanced.
Thank you so much for this cozy, inspirational and honest hug to so many of my insecurities. For making me feel like everything is going to be alright and that we all have a space.


I would like to add a quote from the epilogue of this book:" I hope you found belonging in these pages. I hope you found rest. I hope you know that you're wanted, that you're enough." I definitely did. Thank you.

Perfect is Boring (But It Tastes Like Kale) by Jess Johnston is the most relatable, hilarious, and heartwarming book I’ve read in a long time. It feels like sitting down with your super wise, super funny older sister who just gets it. I felt like this could’ve been written just for me, right down to the late-diagnosed ADHD and red cheeks. This book resonated with me so much that I even cried a couple times because I felt so seen – and I’m not a crier.
The way Jess writes is so real. She’s like, “Life is messy, perfection is overrated, and here’s why we should laugh about it.” I love how she mixes humor with deeper stuff. Her honesty about things like self-doubt, body image, and just figuring life out makes you feel less alone and that it’s okay to embrace your weirdness.
If you’re constantly feeling the pressure to have it all together, you NEED this book. It’s a reminder to embrace the chaos and just keep going, flaws and all. I appreciated this book so much and I will recommend it to all of my messy friends.
Thank you to Convergent Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jess Johnston is becoming one of my favorite writers. Her writing is warm, welcoming, and a hug for your soul. In her first solo book (she co-wrote the wildly popular I'll Be There But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants), she covers the lies we tell ourselves that make us feel not good enough in various aspects of our life including parenting, friendship and community. Or as she likes to put it, what we tell ourselves to keep us thinking we are junior varsity adults. She breaks down the lies into chapters with helpful pep talks and ideas at the end to get us into the right headspace. The lies and stories are so relatable you'll wonder if secretly she got into your own diary. As women we are often so hard on ourselves constantly thinking, "why can't I be great at x,y,z like so and so" and Jess's writing gives us the confidence to see no one has it all figured out and we are doing just fine being ourselves. I loved her stories and learning more about her life. Thank you Convergent Books for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Pub Day is Feb 4th, 2025.

I absolutely LOVE Jess Johnston!! I follow her and her "Sister, I Am With You" Facebook page and I have both of her other books that she has written with Amy Weatherly. I love their super casual and relatable writing style and how everything seems to relate to exactly how you feel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book. It was relatable and taught how important it is to give yourself grace in not just difficult times but day-to-day.
The book centers on topics such as: perfectionism, fear of failure and rejection, belonging, connections, what it is to have a full life, and how you can't do it all. Jess Johnson gives countless personal stories throughout the book as examples.
I think because I am not a parent, I personally wasn't able to connect with as many stories. There wasn't anything wrong with this and the book. I just didn't feel like I fit into the ideal reader for it. Otherwise, I think it was a light and inspiring read.

A different kind of self help book. The writing style is bright and relatable, reminiscent of a chat with your friend. It feels less like a self help book and more like a novel. The author comes across as funny and normal, allowing you to know as the reader to know that you dont need to be perfect. It's self help but not pushy or judgy.

This was so engaging and relatable that I forgot it was a self-help book until the end of each section where it gave (actually useful) tips on how to use that information to make yourself happier. Like talking to your enlightened best friend.

Such a fun read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much! It felt like having a conversation with an old friend who tells you things that maybe you don’t want to hear, but need to hear, but in a funny and relatable way. I found this book so touching and relevant to so many aspects of my life and would absolutely recommend It to anyone that needs some reminders of just how wonderful they are and how to be their most authentic selves 🥰