You Asked For Perfect centers around Ariel Stone, an academically gifted teenager who is struggling with his expectations for himself. Ariel is on track to becoming valedictorian, but that goal is threatened when he falls behind in calculus. The book follows Ariel as he works to balance school and social life, as well as navigating a new romance with a close family friend. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Laura Silverstone beautifully highlights the stress put on students to succeed, particularly surrounding college admissions and the Ivy League. The feelings of failure when you don’t do as well as you’d hoped, the struggle to stay on top of both your academic and social life, and the constant anxiety which Ariel undergoes are perfectly highlighted and expressed. The LGBTQ+ representation within the book doesn’t alienate the characters but doesn’t deny their experiences. You Asked For Perfect features a diverse cast of characters,  ethnically and religiously. Ariel has ups and downs in a way that many teenagers can relate to.  I genuinely felt seen in Ariel’s character, which means a lot as far as connecting with the text goes. The book successfully communicates its themes of self love and acceptance of flaws without being too on the nose or too subtle. Silverstone doesn’t preach to you, she uses her characters to show the effects self expectation can have on a person, and when drive becomes unhealthy.  When I finished the book, my perspective on school had been altered. If you’re someone who worries a lot about academics, college, or is just generally high strung, I absolutely recommended this book to you.