you asked for perfect by laura silverman

sorry this is so late to go out, i think i forgot how to write a book review

“how do you know if a goal is worth it until you get it?”

ariel stone is doing high school right. he’s top of his class, first-chair violinist, and hopefully going to harvard next year. when a failed quiz puts his future in jeopardy, ariel must ask family-friend amir for help. as a romance buds, ariel must decide what he values more — his future or his present?

i went into this book with zero expectations. i saw “bisexual jewish main character” and immediately went to the library. i find that having no expectations is the best way to go into a book, and this ended up being my first completed read in a long time!

not to be typical rae, but the CHARACTERS oh my goodness. the characters.

no side character was a “side character.” every single one — every single one!! — was fleshed-out and beautifully created.

additionally, the representation was off-the-charts. i don’t think there was a single straight white christian person. as i mentioned, the mc is jewish and bisexual. i could immediately relate to all of his experiences (the matzo ball soup craze is real, and i don’t care what ariel thinks, my mom’s soup is definitely the best). his best friend is asian and lesbian. his love interest is gay and muslim (and loves harry potter. this isn’t a representation thing i just love him and his nerdery). and including a female rabbi? in some sects of judaism, women are not allowed on the bimah, much less to be in the clergy, so that warmed my heart.

in conclusion:

harry potter belongs to the gays now.

what did you think of the book? let me know if you plan to pick this one up or your thoughts on the book or the review!

love, rae ☀☀☀