Title: Future PerfectAuthor: Jen Larsen
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 6, 2015
Rating:
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.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
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Review: Future Perfect by Jen Larsen
Future Perfect by Jen Larsen is definitely a book with some “All About That Bass” vibes. It is extremely positive with an amazing message and a main character who is very intelligent and brave. However, I really disliked the grandmother in Future Perfect, who bribes her own granddaughter.
❀ Influential Book
Future Perfect is such an influential book about body image! I found this book to very very positive, despite the fact that the main character’s grandmother is unkind towards her. The whole point of the book is that, “It’s the size of your heart that counts.” I loved this message and I’m sure others will find it very inspirational.
❀ Relatable Main Character
I loved Ashley as a main character for Future Perfect. She embraces the fact that she is considered overweight by others and doesn’t give in to bullying. Ashley is also extremely smart, and applies to Harvard. When Ashley’s own grandmother bribes her with things like cars to lose weight, Ashley doesn’t give in or let it get to her. I really admired this about her, because a lot of YA books have weak characters that give in to harassment, which can be a bit irritating. Characters that are strong really make books relatable and enjoyable to read.
❀ Ashley’s Grandmother is Dislikable
Though I did enjoy the positive message and plucky main character, I really disliked Ashley’s grandmother. It is not okay to bribe your own granddaughter to lose weight, especially when she rejects the offers many times. Because of this cruel character, Future Perfect wasn’t as enjoyable as it could have been. It was a disappointing aspect of this story that really did not sit well with me.
❀ Motivational Message
Future Perfect by Jen Larsen is so encouraging with its motivational message and a main character that is very confident about her body. However, the grandmother in this book aggravated me and brought down my rating of the book. I definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for an uplifting novel about body image.
About Jen Larsen
Jen Larsen is the author of Future Perfect and Stranger Here: How Weight Loss Surgery Transformed My Body and Messed With My Head. She has an MFA in creative writing from the University of San Francisco and currently lives in Vancouver, BC.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
Argh! The grandmother! How could you do that to your own granddaughter? Someone you are supposed to love more than anything. Awful! But I love that the MC LOVES HERSELF, and that makes me want to read this book so much!
When I saw the premise of this one, I honestly was not sure about it. The premise sounds intriguing, but I also thought it had the potential to be very bad. I may have to add this one to my TBR. Great review.
It’s such a strange concept… A grandmother who bribes their grandchild into losing weight. It baffles me! But I will definitely be checking this book our for its encouraging message on body image!
Great review. xoxo 💋
I so can’t wait to read this book! My well meaning grandmothers both did what they could to get me to lose weight as a child so I can already relate 100%! Thanks for this great review. I hope to get my hands on it soon!
I like that Future Perfect is encouraging with its motivational message. Will check this out.
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