Sarah Daltry has done it again! ‘No Such Thing as Perfect’ is a beautifully written contemporary novel that falls somewhere between YA (young-adult) and NA (new-adult). Fans of Rainbow Rowell’s ‘Fangirl’ will love this book.

College was supposed to be perfect. She was supposed to be perfect.

The seductive words of this exceptional book dance across the page, drawing me in from the very first line: “My name’s Lily and James Naismith ruined high school for me…”

I want to slow down, to make it last but I can’t. Spellbound, I fall deeper and deeper into a story that is far too close to my own. Tears fall unchecked, blurring the page but still I can’t stop.

Raw hurt echoes through the main character who finds a place in my heart as she attempts to discover herself. To fly alone. Worthy of affection. Of love. Reflections of myself break through – those awkward years of trying to fit in, trying to be the person I’m expected to be… never quite getting it right, always a feeling a disappointment…

My life is like a window dressing for a real person. But the fear that is ever present doesn’t fade…

Although I am no longer that awkward young girl, I’m still fighting an internal battle to feel worthy. I’m ignoring the inner voice urging me to lock up my feelings, and leaving a small part of me exposed, wanting to be brave enough to be me and to support an author I respect.

Recommended age: 14+

Title:  No Such Thing as Perfect
Author: Sarah Daltry
Publication Date: 11 December 2014
Publisher: October Leaves
Source: Free copy from author in exchange for honest review

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College was supposed to be perfect. She was supposed to be perfect.

For Lily Drummond, life is about following the rules. To be specific, her mother’s rules. College fit into the plan – maintain perfect grades, date the perfect guy, and live the perfect life. On her own, though, Lily realizes that she doesn’t actually have a plan. Without being told what to think and do, she keeps making mistakes.

Away from home, the perfect facade is beginning to shatter. When Lily herself starts to break, it’s the support of an unlikely friend that teaches her how much of a lie perfect really is – and how to be whole on her own terms.       — Extract from Goodreads.com

The fact that I received this copy of this book from the author does not influence my policy to write an honest review.