*Perfect* by Kris Bryant is an inclusive, slow-burn romance that balances lighthearted charm with authentic emotional depth. The story follows Alix Sommers, a rising star in Hollywood, and Marianna Raines, a teacher with no interest in fame, creating a dynamic contrast that drives their unlikely romance. Bryant skillfully develops the characters, giving them relatable, human struggles that feel genuine and not just plot devices. The chemistry between Alix and Marianna is both hot and adorable, making their journey from strangers to lovers a compelling and enjoyable read.

For fans of Bryant’s previous novel *Forever*, there’s a familiar treat in *Perfect*, as Alix was first introduced on the dating show from that book. However, readers don’t need to have read *Forever* to fully enjoy *Perfect*—both stories stand alone with satisfying HEA conclusions. Bryant continues to deliver interesting contemporary romances, with this one offering a fresh take on opposites-attract, set against the glitz of Hollywood.

Overall, *Perfect* is a delightful blend of slow-burn romance, authentic character development, and lighthearted moments. Readers who love a well-rounded love story will find plenty to enjoy, while fans of *Forever* will be excited to see Alix get the story they deserve.

Alix Somers (they/them) has hit it big, hosting a dating show in Hollywood. But the new fame and fortune isn't making them happy.

Marianna Smith (she/her) hates the Hollywood lifestyle, so is very dubious about Alix.

Despite that Alix starts winning her over, but Marianne is content with her non-hollywood life...

This is a semi sequel to her book Forever, but works fine as a stand alone. The characters are interesting, the plot works and the story moves along at a good pace.

Having been a contestant on the prime-time dating show 'When Sparks Fly', nonbinary Alix is brought back to be the first trans host of the show for the following season.

Marianna has been burnt by Hollywood and dislikes the vapidness of tinseltown. Can she get past Alix's job to the loving, amazing, and genuine person they are?

This is an inclusive slow-burn tale that's both hot and adorable. The main characters are rounded out with very human issues that feel like authentic parts of them, and not just something tacked on for book sales.

This is a light read with the added bonus that if you've read 'Forever' by Kris Bryant, you will already know some of the backstory behind this very dating show... and you will probably have wanted Alix to get their own story. Here it is!

(Please note that you don't need to read 'Forever' to enjoy 'Perfect'. They're both fully formed with HEA conclusions.)

*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.*

Alix Sommers was my favorite character from Kris Bryant's book, Forever, and I am so glad they got their own story. Alix did not fare well on the dating show featured in that book, but is now taking over hosting duties of When Sparks Fly. They are in a whole new world filled with glamour and it's an adjustment for the down to earth Alix.
Marianna literally falls into Alix's arm after working a catering job at a big Hollywood party. She is immediately attracted to Alix but has vowed to stay away from that life. The two keep running into each other and despite their best efforts, a connection forms.
Having a non-binary lead character is a rarity and I appreciate Bryant's care and love shown to Alix. They are such a beautiful, kind person and I really felt protective of them and wanted them to find happiness. Marianna is a wonderful match for Alix and this was a very sweet romance, exactly what I have come to expect from Kris Bryant.

An ARC was received from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

I love Bryant's books and this one met the mark. Getting a book on Alix from Forever turned out to be pretty good.

Alix, who identifies as trans and non-binary, and has it all. The glitz, the fame, the money. She has been chosen as the host of a queer dating show (like The Bachelorette) after having had their heart broken as a contestant on the show's last season.

Marianna is bitter against fame after her ex dumps her the moment she achieves it and leaves her high and dry. She wants nothing to do with that scene, but then she meets Alix.

One night, while they are taking a break from a Hollywood party, Marianna, who's just finished her shift working for her aunt's catering company falls right into Alix's arms. It's a Hollywood romance, and both MCS were almost perfect but don't want a relationship, yet they don't stay away from one another. This was written well in regards to the non binary aspect and Marianna is known as a wallflower, but she didn't always act like it.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, just not as much as some of Bryant's other works. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story is a wonderful slowburn love story. Don't be fooled by the slowburn categorization, though, as it is still very spicy. "Perfect" features a nonbinary main character and is a lovely read!

This author usually makes her protagonists a bit cliché, pairing a butch with a femme, with the butch being a bit insecure about how to act around the femme. It's all very politically correct and lacks spontaneity. I don't dislike this premise in general, as long as all the clichés and carefulness to try not to offend or upset aren't excessive. And I think in this case, it's been a bit too much.

Alix was a contestant on a queer dating show, but there was a wild twist when the bachelorette ran off with the host! Now, in a shocking turn of events, Alix is the new host, even though she's not exactly a camera pro. But hey, being on the show has definitely boosted her fame.

Marianna is totally burned out on the whole fame and stardom thing after a few relationships with wannabe stars who dumped her as soon as they got a whiff of fame. She's sworn off ever getting involved with anyone from that world again, but fate throws Alix into her path and, like it or not, their paths are intertwined from that moment on.

Alix, even though she wants to take advantage of the opportunity that's presented to her, isn't used to fame and doesn't have any expectations, but Marianna's appearance is going to bring her some complications both personally and professionally. Even though she's willing to take risks. But Marianna is more reluctant, and Alix will have to put in a lot more effort than Marianna does. That's what disappoints me, this lack of balance between them. Although once Alix manages to win Marianna over, things even out, but it's already very late in the story.

Hollywood fun!

Alix has just landed a dream job hosting a new queer dating show, but fans being everywhere they go is a bit much. When Marianna crosses their path, with not a clue to who they are, and has been dumped by an ex who has been on the Hollywood scene, Alix worries about how Marianna might react when she learns who they really are.

But the drama doesn’t stop there…this is the Hollywood romance that just keeps delivering. Alex was great, I loved how they had a laidback nature despite their position, and just wanted peace from the fans and contestants that just didn’t seem to know when enough was enough. I did worry that perhaps Marianna would freak out when Alix revealed who they were, but her reaction actually really surprised me and I was glad she’d gotten the chance to get to know Alix, so no snap judgements had been made because of her heartbreak.

They shared such cute and wonderful moments, then both played a massive part in some of the dramas that accurately depicted just how shallow and difficult the Hollywood scene is to be a part of. I love how Alix was also happy that Marianna was far removed from the Hollywood types, and was just proud with Marianna being who she was. Something they made known in ways that just made me admire them more.

This was really such a dreamy and wonderful romance, with a glamourous backdrop but just real people who wanted life, love, and happiness, above anything else in the world, and deserved to get just that.

Good story, with great main characters that were a joy to get to know. I haven't read alot of books with non-binary characters in them, but this book made me want to read some more.I Hope there's more stories to choose from as good as this one. Alix and Marianna were just adorable to follow and I felt invested in their growing relationship. Alix is a character from a previous book in this series and after what happened with Alix in Forever, I was rooting for her to find her own love match Marianna seems like her perfect match. There's some really funny parts to this story and a few high jinx. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author..

I was given the opportunity to read this as part of an ARC via NetGalley. Perfect tells of a slow burn meeting of Alix and Marianna. Marianna is a shy, down to earth woman who has had poor relationships with previous Hollywood wannabes that has left her with no passion to date. Alix who readers maybe familiar with, is the new host of a reality tv queer dating show. The story delves into their chance meeting and the small amount of drama that brings to their lives and future together. I enjoyed the book but did feel like it was missing more depth and character development for me plus the slow burn did become fairly predictable with very little made of the drama with no tension and then it was all resolved and wrapped up the story. If you enjoy other titles by Kris Bryant you will enjoy this but for me unfortunately it just missed the mark.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Alix is a trans non-binary who offers a chance to host a queer dating show that they were on as contestant last season as they try to get used to fame and demands. Alix meets Marianna when they step out of party to get some fresh air Marianna was there finishing up her work as catering that her aunts own. Marianna doesn’t care for Hollywood types since her ex dumps her the minute she got recognize but something about Alix intrigues her because they don’t appear to be superficial. I love that Alix calls Marianna wallflower this was good read low on angst which only consist of communicating love the supporting characters and mcs were actually pretty perfect.

Alix, who identifies as trans and non-binary, has been chosen as the host of a queer dating show (like The Bachelorette) after having had their heart broken as a contestant on the show's last season. One night, while they are taking a break from a Hollywood party, Marianna, who's just finished her shift working for her aunt's catering company and is heading to her friend's bachelorette party, trips on cobblestones and falls right into Alix's arms. But, despite an attraction, both have reasons to avoid getting into a relationship, and yet, they end up running into each other a second time and spend a day together.

In this Hollywood romance, a trans non-binary MC is paired with a femme lesbian. Both are lovely main characters who initially avoid a relationship but can't seem to quit one another. On the whole, this is a well written book by an experienced author who made all the right efforts to ensure Alix was correctly drawn, including consulting with non-binary identified people and using a sensitivity reader.

In some ways, this book was a bit too "perfect" in that both MCs were really good people (Alix made one mistake) and we have little insight into a deeper sense of who they are and what their struggles have been. Marianna is described as quiet and a "wallflower" but she's often assertive and outspoken. All of the secondary characters effortlessly use Alix's "they/them" pronouns, including Marianna's parents. Few questions are asked about Alix, and we only learn later in the book that Marianna has previously only dated feminine women.

While I get that one of the tropes for this book is "low-angst," it felt a bit too easy at times, possibly in its quest to ensure that Alix was sensitively and accurately portrayed.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

The extremely talented Kris Bryant strikes again. For the fans of Forever, she brought us Perfect. 

We get to delve into a returning character that was absolutely adorable in Forever and meet some new characters. I loved the meet between the characters and the accidental meeting afterwards. 

The chemistry was sparkling and continued to grow. I loved the secondary characters. 

The angst was low, only resulting in a communication barrier.  

I loved this book. I will continue to follow Bryant with whatever journey she sends us on. Although it is not necessary, reading Forever will bring more depth to the character and their story. Plus, you get to read another awesome book by Kris Bryant.

*4.5

I like this book a great deal. It’s raw and funny at the same time. I fell in love with Alix, and I love how well this non binary character are written. We need more stories about non binary character, please.
This was my first book of Kris Bryant but it won’t be the last! I love the writing, it’s so full!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Alix Sommers has it all. New job hosting a primetime dating show, new beach house, and the new face of the queer scene. Fans chase them, paparazzi stalk them, and Hollywood loves them, but the interviews and parties aren’t bringing Alix happiness. Just when they think they’ve had enough, a run-in with a beautiful stranger gives them something they thought was lost. Hope.

Marianna Raines hates Hollywood. Her ex-girlfriend dumps her the minute she finds fame, and most of her friends are looking for the next big break. What’s the draw? It’s fake people pretending to be other people. She’s perfectly happy being a teacher and making extra cash working for her aunt’s catering business. Until Alix leaves her swooning.

Perfect sizzling hot slow burn! I loved this inclusive love story. Kris Bryant has a way of pulling at my heartstrings with her realistic, well-developed characters. I'm so glad Alix got their own story. I highly recommend this if you enjoy some sizzle in your story! ❤️

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

The pitfalls and cogs of Hollywood.
They turn whether you want them to or not.
And if you are part of Hollywood, television and even just a little bit famous, you have to go with the rhythm or you will lose everything.
Sad, but showbiz is exactly that!
Fake smiles, fake words, fake people.
Only fame and screen time are what counts.
Finding something honest and long-lasting in terms of relationships seems impossible and yet it falls into Alix's lap.
Alix Somers took part in the reality dating show "When Sparks Fly" and their heart was broken.
As a nonbinary person on TV, however, they were so well received, and cause of some other reasons, they were offered a job as the next host of the following season and they accepted.
Alix is ​​overwhelmed by Hollywood and at the same time fascinated.
However, there are often moments when they long for peace and quiet and their life with their brother and the peace that came with it in their tattoo studio in Portland.
In such a moment when they sneak out of an important party to get some air and peace, a beautiful woman falls into their lap.
Marianna Smith hates Hollywood!
Her experiences with women in Hollywood have all ended disastrously.
Her last relationship with Vee in particular almost destroyed her and she vowed to stay away from anything that had anything to do with Hollywood or wanted to have anything to do with it!
As is the case with good intentions, they usually never work.
Alix is ​​so sweet, helpful, charming and she simply cannot resist the good-looking person who helped her so gallantly.
The way this two get to know each other is unusual and slow, but the attraction is intense and they are so hot together!
I loved this light, gentle and beautiful love story of Alix and Marianna because it starts tenderly and slowly and ends in a fire of passion!
Masterfully written as always by Kris Bryant, you are whisked away to the glamorous world of Hollywood and taken behind the scenes of shows like "Princess Charming" and "The Bachelorette".
Thanks to Bold Strokes Books, the Author and NetGalley for this ARC!

I enjoyed this novel for the most part. It was a hard one to get a feeling for because I spent too long unintentionally comparing it to Forever. Alix and Marianne are just not as strong as the main characters in Forever and I didn’t connect with them as much as I connected with Forever.

The conflict in the novel also feels forced in Perfect and I just didn’t feel the same emotion or longing for the story. I didn’t want more of their tale when I was finished reading the novel.

This one just missed the mark for me.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the Arc in exchange for my honest review.

Perfect follows Alix, a former contestant on and current host of a popular reality tv/dating show, and Marianna, an elementary school teacher who is burnt out on Hollywood and wants little to do with celebrities. In a world of dating shows and apps, they have an adorable couple of organic meet-cutes that set off an equally charming slow burn narrative.

Like Marianna, I tend to not be drawn to reality or dating shows and hadn’t read the book that Alix was introduced in. While I feel like I may have missed some background and inside jokes, this book holds its own as a standalone read.

Overall, this is a sweet, low-angst story with great communication and conversation between the two leads.

Admittedly, I haven't read many stories with non-binary characters, as I tend to read my favorite "mainstream" lesfic authors and there just haven't been many to choose from. Kudos to Kris Bryant for dipping her proverbial toe into this pool. Alix and Marianna were just adorable to follow and I felt invested instantly. After what happened with Alix in Forever, I was so rooting for her to find her own love match. Thank you Kris for making a potentially awkward storyline so very understandable, along with the typical Kris Bryant hotness factor.

Perfect is a captivating slow-burn romance that beautifully blends heartfelt emotion with the complexities of modern love, featuring a nonbinary main character, Alix, who steps into the spotlight as the first trans host of a queer primetime dating show. Their unexpected connection with Marianna, a third-grade teacher disillusioned with Hollywood, forms the heart of this story. Despite Marianna’s initial hesitance due to a recent breakup and her disdain for the superficiality of Hollywood, their late-night conversations and growing affection lead to a relationship that feels both tender and passionate. The narrative offers meaningful representation of nonbinary experiences and explores the tension between Alix’s rising celebrity status and Marianna’s desire for a simpler life, making their eventual happily-ever-after all the more satisfying.

While the romance is a slow burn, the payoff is deeply rewarding, and fans of Kris Bryant’s previous work will appreciate the nods to familiar characters, though new readers can enjoy the story independently. I did wish for deeper character development, particularly in exploring their backgrounds, but the emotional connection between Alix and Marianna is compelling enough to carry the story.

Perfect is a heartwarming and inclusive romance that offers a fresh perspective on love, identity, and staying true to oneself, earning high praise for its authenticity and representation.