PERFECT YOU by Elizabeth Scott Book Review
Publication Date: September 21st 2010 by Simon Pulse
Rating: 
– Acceptable | 
Book Summary: 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…
Book Review Overview:
- Fantastic chemistry between Will and Kate; I love love/hate relationships
- Kate was a little tough to like at first, but her character grew so much throughout the book
- Teens will be able to relate with Kate and her family’s financial problems especially in today’s economy
You know, sometimes I end up finishing a book with no idea whatsoever how the title is related to the story. PERFECT YOU by Elizabeth Scott is not one of those books. Immediately from the first few chapters we learn that Perfect You is destroying Kate’s life. Kate’s dad gave up his job to sell Perfect You vitamins at the mall, but the business isn’t doing so great. To make matters worse, Kate has to help her dad sell the vitamins.
I had a love/hate relationship with Kate. I could easily relate to her insecurities when it came to Will, but at the same time I wanted to pull my hair out on how obvious everything was. From my perspective, there was no second-guessing Will’s intentions. He made it pretty clear to everyone but Kate. But needless to say, Will and Kate had a ton of chemistry. Their relationship really started out as a bit physical (kissing only, PERFECT YOU is PG-13!) if you don’t count the excessive bantering that goes on between the two of them at school.
“And what do you mean, you used to say stuff to get me to look at you? You were a pain in the ass on purpose?”
“Oh, please. For you and me, it was flirting. Besides, it was the only way I could get you to talk to me.”
“You’re making me sound like a freak.”
I could also understand how upset Kate must feel about her life at home, but I couldn’t relate to the way she would burst out yelling at her parents. I know she’s upset, but it doesn’t help to blame her parents – especially her mom. But I have to give her a break since I know that it must be really hard for her seeing her home life crumble due to financial situations despite doing her best to help out. But it did bother me that Kate rarely thinks about others’ feelings – especially when she says something mean. It’s pointed out several times in the book that this is her biggest flaw – she has a tendency to think the worst of people. However, despite her flaws, Kate grows so much as a character and I loved her by the end of the book.
Kate’s Grandma was probably my favorite character in PERFECT YOU. This lady’s still got style. Kate must be crazy not to appreciate a grandma who’s willing to take her shopping. And those purple boots? Is Kate crazy? I’d love to have a pair like that! (Oh wait, I already do.) Yeah, Grandma is a little materialistic, but at the end of the day, Grandma still wants the best for Kate and her family.
PERFECT YOU by Elizabeth Scott is more than just a fun teen romance novel. Elizabeth Scott explores other problems such as the loss of the best friend and family financial situations. Especially with today’s economy, I feel that many teens will be able to resonate with Kate and the other characters in PERFECT YOU by Elizabeth Scott.
Other Book Reviews:
Coffee Table Reviews
Paperback Treasures
About the Author
All right, and she can’t leave without buying at least one book. Usually two. (Or more!) |
Find the Author
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Elizabeth Scott writes young adult novels. She lives just outside Washington DC with her husband and dog, and is unable to pass a bookstore without stopping and going inside.
I have yet to read an Elizabeth Scott book, though I own a few of her books. This review really makes me want to pick one up!
Thanks, Cialina!
Yay, glad I helped. Her books are pretty good if you like contemporary, though I’m still looking for that one book of hers that I can say, OMG FAVORITE.
Love/hate relationship books are always some of my favorites. I always enjoy bantering between characters in books. Great review, gotta add this to my TBR.
Thanks for stopping by Darla!
I’m also always on the look out for books with good banter. 
Finally.