Review : Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols

Title : Perfect Couple (Superlatives #2)
Author : Jennifer Echols
Genre : YA contemporary
Release Date : January 13th, 2015
Publisher : Simon Pulse

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In this second book in The Superlatives trilogy from Endless Summer author Jennifer Echols, Harper and Brody think they’re an unlikely match—but the senior class says they belong together.

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents’ bitter divorce left her wondering what a loving relationship looks like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody “Perfect Couple That Never Was,” her friends have been pushing her to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn’t lack female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He’s confused about the match too. Yet they find themselves drawn together—first by curiosity about why the class paired them, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they’re attracted to each other, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating well. If they’re the perfect couple, this shouldn’t be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But they feel so changed from making the effort, they can’t forget each other. What if this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?

After liking the last book in this series, Most Likely to Succeed, I have a high expectation for this book. Don't get me wrong, I still like the characters. It was the romance that I have a problem with.

Harper, as the summary say, is the school's yearbook photographer who got paired with Brody--the school's quarterback--as 'Perfect Couple That Never Was'. Since the beginning, I could relate easily with Harper. As the school's magazine writer, I know how it's like to be chased by deadline. Also, both Harper and I is an introvert, so it's not hard to imagine myself as her. As for Brody, well, he's the typical 'popular guy with a sweet and kind attitude' that we often find in YA. That doesn't mean I didn't like him. I actually like how he support his friend, Noah, when he came out as gay (along with Harper's friend Quinn). If there's one thing I admire about him, that would be his loyalty.

What I like most from this book is actually the setting. I'm in my junior year now, and even though my school system is very different from public school in the US, I still could easily connect with it. It's realistic--with everyday problems (minus the romance) like we usually faced in high school--and reminded me of my own school.

Like I said, I have some problems with the romance that made me didn't like it. Firstly, there's cheating. Harper here actually already has a boyfriend--even though they're on the verge of breaking up--and Brody has a going-on-going-off girlfriend, Grace. When both of them haven't broke up yet, they KISS, and it's not an accident-peck or something. It's a full make-out kiss. Secondly, there's too much dramas in the romance. Brody and Harper (but mostly Harper) are often mad for each other because they haven't broke up with their current girlfriend/boyfriend yet. Also, toward the end, Harper suddenly broke up with Brody because of something very silly and didn't make sense!

In conclusion, Perfect Couple is actually a great read with likeable character, but the romance kinda ruined it. If you enjoyed the other books, you *might* enjoy this one too.