I received an early copy of this book to review and it was EXCELLENT.

I've loved Jess's online presence for a long time, and this book carries on her original, relatable voice. This book is part memoir, part primer on letting go of perfection and living life wide open and joyfully.

Packed with relatable stories with Jess's signature humor, this book made me laugh out loud and tear up by turns. I've never felt so seen by a book before; I felt like I was understood, and Jess has a way of making the things I want feel more attainable.

There's several actionable tips to each chapter that were plausible but challenging, in the way I think all tips for living should be, all packaged up in a humorous, relatable package.

Honestly, Jess knocked it out of the park with this one.

This is my kind of self help book, reading this felt like having a conversation with myself and a very wise, very relatable friend all at once. At the beginning of the book, the author writes ‘The answers lie in leaning into our flaws and our gifts’. This is something I have been trying to do with varying degrees of success for a few years now and this book validated that journey, whilst reminding myself not to shame myself for not achieving it 100% of the time.

I really like the format of the book where each chapter addresses a myth that traps us in a cycle of shame and perfectionism. But what made it really great was that it was humorous and serious at the same time, which made it infinitely more fun to read. I found the author really funny and chuckled or smiled my way through this book which was a much needed reprieve from my perfectionistic spiralling.

The only thing I didn't like was the casual mention of Marie’s chocolate mayonnaise cake, like mayonnaise is a normal thing to put in cake. I am haunted and traumatised by the thought!

I enjoyed the conversational tone of the book, but found myself often having to translate stories to apply to my own life. Most examples have to do with motherhood/family/being a wife -- that isn't a problem, but as a single woman, I had to do the work of figuring out how it applies to my own life instead of being able to read it on the page (as others will be able to do). I guess it's more a book for moms?

I have been a longtime follower of Jess and her friend Amy on social media, through their page Sister I am with you. They write heartfelt words about friendship and life in their posts and I knew this book would be all that and more. Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley and the author for the chance to read the ARC.

3.5 stars! The cover and title are what drew me to this book. It has a very conversational feel, like the author is just talking to you as a friend. It’s also a fast read, with plenty of good reminders and nuggets. Thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review, Pub day was yesterday, 2/4/25 - it’s out now!

It is my birthday today and this wonderful book is my birthday read! I love it so much I want to buy it for all my gal friends. Living in Utah I have grown to hate perfection and the expectation of perfection. I want to be flawed. I want to do thing halfway and good enough. I want to be a little messy. This book is everything that I believe in!
I love the love story. Showing up and being authentic is what is it all about.

In Perfect Is Boring (And It Tastes Like Kale), Jess Johnston delivers a refreshing and empowering message that challenges the pursuit of perfection in favor of embracing authenticity and imperfection. With a witty title that immediately signals the book’s down-to-earth tone, Johnston crafts a narrative that encourages readers—especially women—to reject societal expectations and embrace their true selves, flaws and all, in the journey toward belonging and purpose.
The core premise of the book is that perfection, often marketed as the ideal to strive for, is not only unattainable but also deeply uninspiring. Johnston suggests that the quest for perfection often leaves individuals feeling inadequate, disconnected, and drained, while the pursuit of authenticity fosters a deeper sense of fulfillment, belonging, and meaningful connection. Through personal anecdotes, humorous reflections, and insightful observations, Johnston advocates for self-acceptance and for creating a life that aligns with one’s true values and passions, rather than one defined by external pressures.

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.