Perfect on Paper by Sophie Gonzales Release Date: March 9, 2021 Goodreads Link Author Website Why I LOVE this book: I have two big reasons for loving this one. First lets talk about Darcy and Brougham. Darcy is running what amounts to an illegal Dear Abby out of an abandoned locker, doling out advice (for money) to her classmates. She's definitely breaking some rules, but no one knows it's her, so for now all is good. Until Brougham discovers her emptying the locker and he essentially blackmails her into helping him get back with his ex-girlfriend. Right from the jump you can tell that these two are evenly paired- neither has the upper hand, even though both feel like the other might be playing them. They are the perfect love/hate, hate/hate, love/love couple. They are somehow both infuriating and adorable and I'm not really sure how Gonzales managed that feat, but I'm 100% here for it. Through all the ups and down fo their working/personal relationship I was back and forth on what I wanted for them, which is perfect, because they don't really know either and that struggle came across so clearly on the page. It all worked for me. My second big reason is that Gonzales includes a hugely important issue, and does it in a way that feels natural and doesn't ever come across as feeding the reader a line. Darcy is bisexual. She is out and a member of the school's GSA. So what does it mean that she's started to have feelings for Brougham? Most people, at least logically, understand that bisexual people can be attracted to either men or women, but the reality is that if you are bisexual and in a straight-passing relationship there is a feeling that you maybe are not bisexual enough. Or that you are letting someone or something bigger then you down. That if your bisexuality isn't readily apparent for people to see, that you are not doing enough. Darcy is allowed to feel all these feelings, is allowed to struggle with her identity and her feelings, and even allowed to express her feelings and her doubts... and then she finds comfort. Through Darcy, readers who have been in the same place will find comfort. Regardless of how you identify, or who you are in a relationship with, you are valid and worthy. Getting the chance to see that all laid out on the page is something that I don't think we see enough. On a more personal note- I'm nearly 40 and I read, a lot, and it's something I found comfort in because it's something I didn't see as a teen or young adult, and as someone who has a huband I can say that I often felt like I had to identify as an ally instead of a member of the LGBTQ community because the outward appearance told one story, when the reality was something else. This book is such a good one to grab... for yourself, for your kid, for your students... just get a copy in hands!
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