spaceyboy's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Moved too fast for me, and the characters felt 2d. I didn’t feel anything for the characters in the end, and thats a huge disappointment for me in books. I wanted to like this story, but it felt very bland.
axel_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book was an amazing read i loved every second of it and it really shows that no one can possibily be perfect and it puts into perspective that high school sucks arse and that teachers are just crazy humans who over assiang work.
On a deeper level it shows that our personal lives matter so much more then high school and collage applications, that it's our friendships, family, our faith and simply us are what matters the most. This book was an amazing read and i loved every second of it, simply adored it.
On a deeper level it shows that our personal lives matter so much more then high school and collage applications, that it's our friendships, family, our faith and simply us are what matters the most. This book was an amazing read and i loved every second of it, simply adored it.
raeanne's review against another edition
4.0
You Asked For Perfect is Laura Silverman's sophomore publishing about gay, Jewish & anxious Ariel who's on the verge of losing all the work he's done to get into Harvard. He's buried under AP course work, with a lesbian rock star in the making best friend and a little sister just starting to feel the academic pressure. Life is in a holding pattern until one less than perfect grade sends Ariel spiraling into an aloof cutie tutor.
You Asked For Perfect by Laura Silverman is wildly different from her debut, Girl Out of Water. Both SO good and the only similarities are being YA contemporary & including anxiety problems. I'm so impressed with her range and can't wait to see what comes next.
Yes, there was a point where I got tired of his shit. But it struck the right balance with Ariel's unreasonable response to reasonable concerns. Not too much that I was driven away and not too little that it was pointless.
While there are reality check moments regarding class and financial privilege, it's essential a bunch of rich kids. Decidedly, NOT spoiled stupid brats. They acknowledge their luck and position. I'm just saying, be careful about reading it if you're going through a hard time. At different points in my teens, this book would've been a balm or salt in a wound for both reason.
I am ecstatic kids will seen themselves in You Asked For Perfect, but I also really hope it'll get teachers and parents to clue in to these issues and make changes.
Personally, I'm a follower of Laura's on Twitter. That's actually how I found her before her debut. I highly recommend adding her to your feed! And don't forget to check out her first book, Girl Out of Water!
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
About you asked for perfect:
IMHOyou asked for perfect:
You Asked For Perfect by Laura Silverman is wildly different from her debut, Girl Out of Water. Both SO good and the only similarities are being YA contemporary & including anxiety problems. I'm so impressed with her range and can't wait to see what comes next.
The Goods -
- Ariel's pronounced AR-iel, like ARRR! pirate not the Little Mermaid.
- Ariel's little sister & their relationship is adorable. I love seeing positive brother/sister relationships.
- Couple uses 'dork' and 'nerd' as affectionate teasing pet names.
- Great, living, and involved parents all around
- Love how it's about the assumed, presumed, and societal pressure rather than direct stress from parental figures like stereotypical 'Asian dad/tiger mom' scenarios
- Anxiety attacks are no joke. Ariel's are enough to bring tears to my eyes. I had to take a break after the 'I'm such a fuck up failure ruining everything' one. Really makes me appreciate how I've tamed mine in the last two years.
- Volunteering at a doggie shelter <3
- I just learned a couple of months ago on Twitter that security is common for Jewish synagogues. Seeing it brought to life on the page really brings home the reality of the situation.
- There's this moment that Ariel could've skated by doing the easy thing and I was worried the story would turn predictable. But there wasn't even a hesitation before doing the right thing. It's the moment that took You Asked For Perfect from good to great for me.
- Well-fitting and -meaning open ending. This isn't a simple solution to be had and I'm just happy with the happy for now aspect. Sweet, reassuring, but not sugar coated.
Let Me Explain -
Yes, there was a point where I got tired of his shit. But it struck the right balance with Ariel's unreasonable response to reasonable concerns. Not too much that I was driven away and not too little that it was pointless.
While there are reality check moments regarding class and financial privilege, it's essential a bunch of rich kids. Decidedly, NOT spoiled stupid brats. They acknowledge their luck and position. I'm just saying, be careful about reading it if you're going through a hard time. At different points in my teens, this book would've been a balm or salt in a wound for both reason.
I am ecstatic kids will seen themselves in You Asked For Perfect, but I also really hope it'll get teachers and parents to clue in to these issues and make changes.
Top 3 Quotes:
I'm not smart enough. I'm an impostor. If I'm going to lose everything I've worked for, at least I don't have to do it in front of an audience. -Ariel
No one told me that I'd have to know every answer to every test and also be a "unique" individual" following my life's calling at seventeen. - Ariel
Look, I know getting into an Ivy is the first priority for you guys, but some of us have to get into school and also be able to afford tuition. Great isn't always enough for scholarships. - Isaac
Personally, I'm a follower of Laura's on Twitter. That's actually how I found her before her debut. I highly recommend adding her to your feed! And don't forget to check out her first book, Girl Out of Water!
Giveaway:
Prize: Win a copy of YOU ASKED FOR PERFECT by Laura Silverman (INT)
Disclaimer: INT as long as Bookdepository ships to the country of the winner.
Start Date: 11th February 2019
End Date: 24th February 2019
Tour Schedule:
This review was originally posted on The Layaway Dragon
lizzyg21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
yozhuan's review
funny
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? Yes
3.0
thereadingwren's review against another edition
5.0
Second Read in 2021:
5/5
I still love this and everything I thought the first time around is exactly the same. I adore these characters and this wholesome and realistic world. It's such a great book that both times reading it I couldn't put it down and read it in a single day. I wish more people talked about this book.
I do need to mention the huge amount of HP references in this book, one character is a serious fan of HP and it gets mentioned A LOT. Be aware if it triggers you, it usually does for me but in this book I was able to enjoy the book anyways.
First Read in 2020:
4.5/5
This is one of the only books to make me physically feel something, it was that good. Every time Ariel talked about the work he had to do or what he was giving up to complete that work had my heart racing and my stomach twisting. I was feeling his anxiety and stress. It was intense but in a good way. I’m incredibly grateful I read this during uni break, I would not have handled that stress on top of my own school stress.
I honestly loved this. It felt very real and none of the characters felt at all stereotypical. I adored the family aspects most of all. There was such a focus on family and nurturing that bond that it made me feel hopeful. It wasn’t just Ariel’s family that was this close but Amir’s too, which made it all the sweeter.
The relationship was so utterly sweet and wonderful. There was no angst for the sake of angst, no lies or manipulation. They were just two boys that liked each other in such an uncomplicated way. It’s really refreshing to have a good relationship in YA.
Ariel is a great main character and I really liked him. I honestly don’t think there’s anything about him that I disliked. The bisexual rep here is great. The term is used multiple times, the sexuality is defined and defended, and there’s no homophobia or stereotyping. The bisexuality almost doesn’t factor into the story because it’s not the most important part of Ariel’s character and this isn’t a coming out story. As a bisexual, I think it was wonderful rep.
This book was chock full of diversity. Plus size, lesbian, Korean person. Gay Pakistani person. Bisexual Jewish person. There might have been more, there was that much diversity. I don’t identify with any of the nationalities or religions so I can’t speak for that. It was really amazing to read about Jewish culture and religion though. I’d like to read more Jewish stories for sure.
I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future. Such a wonderful book with a great message.
5/5
I still love this and everything I thought the first time around is exactly the same. I adore these characters and this wholesome and realistic world. It's such a great book that both times reading it I couldn't put it down and read it in a single day. I wish more people talked about this book.
I do need to mention the huge amount of HP references in this book, one character is a serious fan of HP and it gets mentioned A LOT. Be aware if it triggers you, it usually does for me but in this book I was able to enjoy the book anyways.
First Read in 2020:
4.5/5
This is one of the only books to make me physically feel something, it was that good. Every time Ariel talked about the work he had to do or what he was giving up to complete that work had my heart racing and my stomach twisting. I was feeling his anxiety and stress. It was intense but in a good way. I’m incredibly grateful I read this during uni break, I would not have handled that stress on top of my own school stress.
I honestly loved this. It felt very real and none of the characters felt at all stereotypical. I adored the family aspects most of all. There was such a focus on family and nurturing that bond that it made me feel hopeful. It wasn’t just Ariel’s family that was this close but Amir’s too, which made it all the sweeter.
The relationship was so utterly sweet and wonderful. There was no angst for the sake of angst, no lies or manipulation. They were just two boys that liked each other in such an uncomplicated way. It’s really refreshing to have a good relationship in YA.
Ariel is a great main character and I really liked him. I honestly don’t think there’s anything about him that I disliked. The bisexual rep here is great. The term is used multiple times, the sexuality is defined and defended, and there’s no homophobia or stereotyping. The bisexuality almost doesn’t factor into the story because it’s not the most important part of Ariel’s character and this isn’t a coming out story. As a bisexual, I think it was wonderful rep.
This book was chock full of diversity. Plus size, lesbian, Korean person. Gay Pakistani person. Bisexual Jewish person. There might have been more, there was that much diversity. I don’t identify with any of the nationalities or religions so I can’t speak for that. It was really amazing to read about Jewish culture and religion though. I’d like to read more Jewish stories for sure.
I can definitely see myself rereading this in the future. Such a wonderful book with a great message.
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
1.0
I know I should just stop reading YA altogether. Almost every time the same thing happens: I read it, I hate it, I write a 1 star review and I feel bad about it. This is a well-intentioned book. Some people appear to love it. Why not just peace out and let people read bad books in peace? On the other hand, I believe that teenagers deserve good backs and I also know that the majority of YA readers aren't actually teenagers. So: this is a bad book. It's silly. The main characters are one-dimensional. There is no drama. There is no conflict. There is... nothing to keep you engaged. Liking Harry Potter isn't a substitute for having a character.
I know it's old-fashioned, but if I read a book that involves a relationship between a Jewish boy and a Muslim boy, I am not very interested in this make-believe fairy world where NO ONE has a problem with them. Of course, the parents are all happy. Of course, there is no conflict. Not about homosexuality, not about religion, about nothing. All fluff all the time.
I know it's old-fashioned, but if I read a book that involves a relationship between a Jewish boy and a Muslim boy, I am not very interested in this make-believe fairy world where NO ONE has a problem with them. Of course, the parents are all happy. Of course, there is no conflict. Not about homosexuality, not about religion, about nothing. All fluff all the time.
sadpiratepanda's review
4.0
Tenía bajas expectativas, pero la verdad me gusto mucho y pude identificarme con el protagonista.
El romance fue tierno y disfrute cuando el protagonista hablaba de judaísmo y lo que para él significaba.
El romance fue tierno y disfrute cuando el protagonista hablaba de judaísmo y lo que para él significaba.