Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pub.Date: March 25th 2008
Age Range: 12 and up
Pages: 284
Format: paperback
Source Of Copy: purchased

Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast.

Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.

And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.

Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them....

If you're a fan of Elizabeth Scott, be sure not miss out on this book. Its simplicity as well as meaningfulness will reach out to each and every reader regardless of age and gender.

I realized, after reading a few books by Elizabeth Scott that her stories always sound very pleasant and light, the kind of tone that draws you in and makes you feel comfortable no matter how desperate or bad the circumstances may get. The author always has an excellent way of bringing in situations that might not make much sense if portrayed unskillfully - how you're with a perfect but still feels it's not enough (in Bloom) or how your Dad quits his job to chase after vitamin pills and push the family into crisis (in Perfect You).

The synopsis make the book sounds pretty cute for me, but it is actually more than I expected. Kate isn't just a typical teenager with normal problems that one will complain over and over again. Her life is really sucks. Her only best friend abandons her, the guy she falls for seems to be a player, her Dad makes everything complicated by starting his own vitamin business and she even has an annoying grandma to deal with. With all that, the story still appears pleasant, told in a gentle voice with steady speed yet never loses its depth.

I really Kate She's delicate but she's not some weak meek one. She also dares to speak her mind but won't hesitate to cry if she's sad. Her character development is excellent too. I love how she's cynical and defensive at first but loosens up later. Her relationship with Will is very interesting to follow but the thing that captures my attention the most is her friendship with Anna. It's really painful and I cannot understand Anna at some points. But that makes the story more compelling and realistic than ever.

Well enough said, I think you should go and read it yourself. You won't be disappointed, I promise.

Rating: 4/5