Review Detail

I'm a huge fan of issue-driven contemporary fiction so I was excited to start reading Seeking Perfect. Books like this tend to be written in first-person to give readers the most insight into the character's worldview, so I was surprised when this offering was written in third-person instead. Unfortunately, I had difficulty connecting to the removed nature of the third-person narrative and struggled to connect with Jesse's voice. I also wanted more insight into the meaty parts of her relationship with her mom. With that said, I really enjoyed the relationship she had with her boss, Charlotte, and the members of the Aames family. It showed that although Jesse was (rightfully) reluctant by nature, she was still able to let others in once they'd earned her trust.
Which brings me to Derek, the knight in shining armor who swoops in to 'save' Jesse. While I appreciated their sweet romance, I would have loved to have had more insight into Derek's motivation. It seems he could have had any girl, certainly one with less baggage, so what drew him to Jesse? Was it simply the need to 'fix' her? Having this information might have helped me connect more fully with him as a character.

All in all, Seeking Perfect was a quick, enjoyable read with a sweet romance and satisfying ending. Would recommend to readers who enjoy issue-driven YA.