Well…this was stressful 😵‍💫 

 

"Perfect Perlie Perez" is a third gen Filipina who's been carrying her immigrant family's high expectations all her life. So far everything has been mapped out and going according to plan, but it all takes a turn when she fails to get into her dream school. Naturally, she decides to forge her acceptance letter and attend anyway so she can scout out why she was rejected. She plans on beefing up her application for the spring semester and just pretending she's a student until then. You know, because what could POSSIBLY go wrong with that idea?? 

 

What follows is an anxiety-driven read as Perla sneaks into unused dorm rooms, dodges a suspicious RA, and tries to keep both her peers and parents in the dark. Despite the wild and goofy antics, the heart of this novel is quite heavy. It quickly becomes apparent just how much criticism and standards of perfectionism Perla has been subjected all her life! Her rigid focus on status (especially when it comes to academic hierarchies) was grating. It's a deeply internalized attitude she's inherited from her parents, but the way she dismisses people that she views as not being in the same league as her (when her own attendance is a lie!?) had me mentally shaking the book in frustration. It's obviously part of her character growth, but between this and all of her mounting lies I was STRESSED. 

 

As Perla's academic rival-turned-friend put it: “Look, I don’t agree with whatever it is you’re doing at all. Seriously? I think it’s risky, irresponsible, and most likely illegal in so many ways...but I get it." 

 

The ending isn't a neatly packaged resolution, and I respect Tracy for not giving Perla an easy way out. She hurt not only herself but so many people with her lies, and it’s a true hallmark moment of adolescence when the consequences come crashing down on her head. While the ending felt rushed, it marks the start of Perla’s potential growth - it’s messy but hopeful. I just dislike how long it took to get there and how little answers we’re left with. Kind of like real life I guess? 

 

I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narrator. Definitely recommend experiencing it in that format. Overall, Tracy Badua is a new-to-me author I’ll be looking more into!