leepetterson0's review against another edition
3.0
read it in an attempt to diversify the authors i read and ultimately was a "read in one sitting not because it's good but because it's easy"
sunniestories's review
5.0
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Oh, my heart. This book has my whole heart. I really adored Between Perfect and Real in a way that I wasn't expecting to.
The perfect:
✧ Dean, the main character, is wonderfully written. I wish I could speak more on the representation of the LGBTQ+ community but as a straight, cis woman, I'll refrain. What I will say is that despite that fact, I found Dean to be a relatable and realistic voice. When it comes to my own struggles and fears around acceptance and the ability to just be myself without caveat, I found that many of those feelings were replicated with Dean, and it was something pretty powerful. Aside from Dean, there the cast was really strong with lots of different voices being represented. I had so much love for many of the characters, especially Ronnie and Jared.
✧ This book is emotional. I nearly cried (and for me, that's really saying something). There are several really poignant moments throughout this story: ones that make you joyfully root for Dean, ones that make your heart sink to think of the struggles one has to face in today's world, and often moments with a little bit of both. Ultimately this is a book that makes you really feel something. The ending was left ambiguous but complete, although I definitely wouldn't object if a sequel happened to come through at a later date!
The real:
✦ BPAR tried to tackle a few social issues, not just to do with the LGBTQ+ community. It sometimes fell a little flat. It was nice to see other issues addressed, especially when done in an intersectional way, but it often felt quite surface level and didn't quite hit the mark.
✦ It sometimes felt like Dean didn't cut other characters slack when it came to his coming out. Zoe, for example, mentions how it can take time to adjust to a friend or family member coming out as trans when they've only ever known that person in one way. This particular comment was a source of quite a bit of conflict. I hesitate to make any criticism here because I definitely believe that people should be able to be themselves without fear of judgement or backlash, and without having to create space for the comfort of others. On the other hand, I think Zoe had a valid point, especially for those raised with more conservative mindsets.
I'm so, so glad I got early access to Between Perfect and Real, and I'm really hoping that everyone takes the chance to pick this up once it's finally released. Definitely, my favourite read of 2021 so far, and a wonderfully heartwarming debut from Ray Stoeve.
Thank you once again to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids for providing this eARC!
Oh, my heart. This book has my whole heart. I really adored Between Perfect and Real in a way that I wasn't expecting to.
The perfect:
✧ Dean, the main character, is wonderfully written. I wish I could speak more on the representation of the LGBTQ+ community but as a straight, cis woman, I'll refrain. What I will say is that despite that fact, I found Dean to be a relatable and realistic voice. When it comes to my own struggles and fears around acceptance and the ability to just be myself without caveat, I found that many of those feelings were replicated with Dean, and it was something pretty powerful. Aside from Dean, there the cast was really strong with lots of different voices being represented. I had so much love for many of the characters, especially Ronnie and Jared.
✧ This book is emotional. I nearly cried (and for me, that's really saying something). There are several really poignant moments throughout this story: ones that make you joyfully root for Dean, ones that make your heart sink to think of the struggles one has to face in today's world, and often moments with a little bit of both. Ultimately this is a book that makes you really feel something. The ending was left ambiguous but complete, although I definitely wouldn't object if a sequel happened to come through at a later date!
The real:
✦ BPAR tried to tackle a few social issues, not just to do with the LGBTQ+ community. It sometimes fell a little flat. It was nice to see other issues addressed, especially when done in an intersectional way, but it often felt quite surface level and didn't quite hit the mark.
✦ It sometimes felt like Dean didn't cut other characters slack when it came to his coming out. Zoe, for example, mentions how it can take time to adjust to a friend or family member coming out as trans when they've only ever known that person in one way. This particular comment was a source of quite a bit of conflict. I hesitate to make any criticism here because I definitely believe that people should be able to be themselves without fear of judgement or backlash, and without having to create space for the comfort of others. On the other hand, I think Zoe had a valid point, especially for those raised with more conservative mindsets.
I'm so, so glad I got early access to Between Perfect and Real, and I'm really hoping that everyone takes the chance to pick this up once it's finally released. Definitely, my favourite read of 2021 so far, and a wonderfully heartwarming debut from Ray Stoeve.
Thank you once again to NetGalley and ABRAMS Kids for providing this eARC!
sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very little pop culture references, very good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia and Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
shans_books's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lx_x28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
arya_pirate_queen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
prideandjoybooks's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully written trans coming of age story!
I picked this up hoping for some joy and fluff, but there’s not much of it in this story. But that’s ok, it was so well done I didn’t even mind.
I picked this up hoping for some joy and fluff, but there’s not much of it in this story. But that’s ok, it was so well done I didn’t even mind.
naniesreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
resslesa's review against another edition
Important read to see what kids are going through in many different lights. Read quickly and it feels like a debut in terms of a little jumpier and awkward than a later book but still some interesting points made.