Future Perfect by Jen Larsen
Publication Date: October 6, 2015 by HarperTeen
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
[Special thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the review copy!]
Goodreads Summary:
Every year on her birthday, Ashley Perkins gets a card from her grandmother—a card that always contains a promise: lose enough weight, and I will buy your happiness.
Ashley doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with the way she looks, but no amount of arguing can persuade her grandmother that “fat” isn’t a dirty word—that Ashley is happy with her life, and her body, as it is.
But Ashley wasn’t counting on having her dreams served up on a silver platter at her latest birthday party. She falters when Grandmother offers the one thing she’s always wanted: tuition to attend Harvard University—in exchange for undergoing weight loss surgery.
As Ashley grapples with the choice that little white card has given her, she feels pressured by her friends, her family, even administrators at school. But what’s a girl to do when the reflection in her mirror seems to bother everyone but her?
Through her indecisions and doubts, Ashley’s story is a liberating one—a tale of one girl, who knows that weight is just a number, and that no one is completely perfect.
My thoughts:
When I first tried to read this book, I was in the middle of an ocean of requirements and I didn’t get past the first chapter. So I tried to read this book again, and I finished it in one sitting. It was a quick read for me.
This is a review of an e-ARC, so I can’t really share quotes. I’ll just do my best in telling you guys what I think.
I didn’t understand what was happening right away. But when I reached the second quarter, thoughts started running on my mind.
Nobody should ever be ashamed of their body. The only expectations you must meet are your own.
This is from my notes. I was annoyed (pissed?) at Ashley’s grandmother. It was blackmail. Totally blackmail. 😦
If I were to summarize this book in one word, it would be expectations.
Oh, how I hate that word.
And that is why I LOVE ASHLEY. For standing up for herself. For choosing to defy everyone else’s expectations. For being real. ❤
I was satisfied with how everything turned out in the end. Again, hearts for Ashley! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
We all fight battles inside us. Big or small, those battles are never to be taken for granted. Future Perfect tells us that while our insecurities might overwhelm us, we should never let those define who we are.
P.S. I would really, really love to sing a bookish song for this one, but I don’t have the time anymore. 😦
But the song that I would have picked for this book is Into the Fire by Megan Nicole. 🙂
Initial Rating: 4.31/5
Bonuses: 0.5
Demerits: None
Final Rating: 4.81/5
What matters is that you have a big heart.
Bibliophile Soprano 