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Prom Queen Perfect
Being perfect isn’t supposed to be this hard.
Alex dela Cruz has it all. Looks, money, and a killer sense of style.
When the annoyingly gorgeous Adam Cordero calls her selfish, she decides to prove him wrong by transforming Christy Marquez from an invisible misfit into a ruling princess of Asia Pacific Academy. Great hair? Check. Flawless red lipstick? Check. Instant popularity? A slightly too big check.
But now, Alex is on the brink of losing the plastic tiara she’s supposed to get as prom queen, her best friend, and her heart to the unlikeliest of candidates. Too bad she isn’t letting anything—or anyone—get between her and that tiara.
This is a young adult novella set in the Philippines.
Alex dela Cruz has it all. Looks, money, and a killer sense of style.
When the annoyingly gorgeous Adam Cordero calls her selfish, she decides to prove him wrong by transforming Christy Marquez from an invisible misfit into a ruling princess of Asia Pacific Academy. Great hair? Check. Flawless red lipstick? Check. Instant popularity? A slightly too big check.
But now, Alex is on the brink of losing the plastic tiara she’s supposed to get as prom queen, her best friend, and her heart to the unlikeliest of candidates. Too bad she isn’t letting anything—or anyone—get between her and that tiara.
This is a young adult novella set in the Philippines.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 7, 2016
16 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Clarisse David
5 books41 followersClarisse David is a Young Adult and New Adult author from the land of epic heat waves a.k.a. the Philippines. She graduated with a bachelor of arts in Literature, and cannot survive without red lipstick and books. When not hanging out on Twitter, she can be found working on her latest writing project.
You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can also send her an email at clarissedavidwrites[@]yahoo[.]com.
You can find her on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can also send her an email at clarissedavidwrites[@]yahoo[.]com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 14, 2016
Prom Queen Perfect is my second read about childhood friends-enemy-rivals-to-lovers this week. It's not a secret this is my favorite trope and David delivered everything.
I don't make a habit of comparing Addicted series to other books, but essentially the pairing is quite Connor and Rose from Addicted series ala their high shool-prep days. But, even better because this is about nonwhite Filipino characters. Mini review to come.
I don't make a habit of comparing Addicted series to other books, but essentially the pairing is quite Connor and Rose from Addicted series ala their high shool-prep days. But, even better because this is about nonwhite Filipino characters. Mini review to come.
December 26, 2016
you can read my review HERE as well!
Prom Queen Perfect was a short, lighthearted romance and it was super adorable and fun.
The main character, Alex, is the Queen (tm) at her high school. But when her nemesis, Adam, calls her selfish, Alex goes out of her way to prove him wrong. So she transforms a student she sees bullied into becoming, well. Basically like Alex. It ends up working too well because now they're both in the running for Prom Queen and Alex is at stake of losing it. To make matters worse, she might not even hate Adam as much as she initially thought. Double yikes.
Read. This. Book. It's extremely short (only 79 pages) and such a cute contemporary novel set in the Philippines. My only complaint is that it was too short. Oh, how I wish this was a longer novel.
Normally, I'd hate girls like Alex but she warmed up to me and I ended up really liking her! While I definitely questioned her motives to transform Christy, I really liked how the two became friends and teased each other like that. And I also loved Alex's relationship with her sister, though we only see a little bit of it.
And the romance was so cute, although, once again, too short. Adam was adorable and it was clear he liked her. The whole enemies to lovers trope is my absolute weakness and David made it work perfectly here.
Overall, I highly recommend this book! Especially if you're looking for a cute, fun, and short read. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the author's other books! 4 stars through and through.
Prom Queen Perfect was a short, lighthearted romance and it was super adorable and fun.
The main character, Alex, is the Queen (tm) at her high school. But when her nemesis, Adam, calls her selfish, Alex goes out of her way to prove him wrong. So she transforms a student she sees bullied into becoming, well. Basically like Alex. It ends up working too well because now they're both in the running for Prom Queen and Alex is at stake of losing it. To make matters worse, she might not even hate Adam as much as she initially thought. Double yikes.
Read. This. Book. It's extremely short (only 79 pages) and such a cute contemporary novel set in the Philippines. My only complaint is that it was too short. Oh, how I wish this was a longer novel.
Normally, I'd hate girls like Alex but she warmed up to me and I ended up really liking her! While I definitely questioned her motives to transform Christy, I really liked how the two became friends and teased each other like that. And I also loved Alex's relationship with her sister, though we only see a little bit of it.
And the romance was so cute, although, once again, too short. Adam was adorable and it was clear he liked her. The whole enemies to lovers trope is my absolute weakness and David made it work perfectly here.
Overall, I highly recommend this book! Especially if you're looking for a cute, fun, and short read. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the author's other books! 4 stars through and through.
August 6, 2017
This was a fun read. I really enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers trope in this and the banter was fantastic.
Alex started off as an unlikable character but she went through some nice character development.
Alex started off as an unlikable character but she went through some nice character development.
September 4, 2017
Ahhh I wish this had been longer. I adore both Alex and Adam, and would have loved more scenes of the two of them! And the friendship between Christy and Alex was great, I could've used more scenes there as well. If you're looking for a cute high school read, I would definitely recommend this one.
March 11, 2018
This was so much fun!
January 15, 2019
Rep: Filipinx characters
this was cute if too short so the plot got kinda squished and didnt always flow right
this was cute if too short so the plot got kinda squished and didnt always flow right
June 18, 2017
"This was the problem with tearing my walls down, cutting the barbed wire that surrounded my heart, and letting people come close. They saw who I really was, and they never liked the real me."
Alex dela Cruz runs Asia Pacific Academy and there's no doubt that she will be crowned prom queen, just like her mother and sister were. Even with the odds in her favor, Alex is willing to do anything to win the title. Alex is incredibly feisty and confident, sure she's a little selfish when we first meet her, but that certain trait of hers was what made her story so fun to read.
Alex takes a girl named Christy under her wing and they end up forming a sweet friendship that was everything to me. Too bad we didn't get to see more of them together but what we did get I loved! And this whole makeover/prom queen aspect of the story reminded me a little bit of She's All That which I really enjoyed.
As the story continues, we see more of the "real" Alex as she slowly transforms into the person she's always been too worried about being. Everything in her life helps her see that being her true self is better than constantly wearing a mask - her family, Christy, and Adam.
"Right then and there, I swooned. Because that was what you did when you liked a boy and he maybe sort of liked you back, too."
Alex and Adam were perfection.
I honestly just need more of them together, please and thank you.
It all just wraps up perfect and I couldn't keep the stupid grin off of my face!! I am such a fan of Clarisse David's writing and this quick read was such a delight! I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a YA with a Filipino cast or is in a mood for contemporary/romance! :)
Alex dela Cruz runs Asia Pacific Academy and there's no doubt that she will be crowned prom queen, just like her mother and sister were. Even with the odds in her favor, Alex is willing to do anything to win the title. Alex is incredibly feisty and confident, sure she's a little selfish when we first meet her, but that certain trait of hers was what made her story so fun to read.
Alex takes a girl named Christy under her wing and they end up forming a sweet friendship that was everything to me. Too bad we didn't get to see more of them together but what we did get I loved! And this whole makeover/prom queen aspect of the story reminded me a little bit of She's All That which I really enjoyed.
As the story continues, we see more of the "real" Alex as she slowly transforms into the person she's always been too worried about being. Everything in her life helps her see that being her true self is better than constantly wearing a mask - her family, Christy, and Adam.
"Right then and there, I swooned. Because that was what you did when you liked a boy and he maybe sort of liked you back, too."
Alex and Adam were perfection.
I honestly just need more of them together, please and thank you.
It all just wraps up perfect and I couldn't keep the stupid grin off of my face!! I am such a fan of Clarisse David's writing and this quick read was such a delight! I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a YA with a Filipino cast or is in a mood for contemporary/romance! :)
February 24, 2017
"So, this was what liking someone so much you wanted to trace their face with your fingers until your skin had it memorized was like? I wanted no part of it."
Prom Queen Perfect is the perfect novella for people who like to read about mean and popular girls. I'm so glad this was my introduction to Clarisse's wonderful writing. It's no news that I'm completely in love with the coldest, unlikeable heroines. Alex is a real queen in my heart.
This is a short book that in just a few pages brings a really nice message. Something I wasn't expecting was seeing the friendship play quite a big part in the story. It made me very happy. There's also some nice tension for readers who love a good enemies to lovers romance.
Prom Queen Perfect is the perfect novella for people who like to read about mean and popular girls. I'm so glad this was my introduction to Clarisse's wonderful writing. It's no news that I'm completely in love with the coldest, unlikeable heroines. Alex is a real queen in my heart.
This is a short book that in just a few pages brings a really nice message. Something I wasn't expecting was seeing the friendship play quite a big part in the story. It made me very happy. There's also some nice tension for readers who love a good enemies to lovers romance.
January 11, 2017
Omg this was such a perfect read for someone like me since I'm such a sucker for love-hate romance!!!!! ADAM CORDERO = BAE!!!!!! <3333
October 2, 2016
Prom Queen Perfect was just my cup of tea. It is a novella about Alex dela Cruz, queen Bee of her high school, and her journey to get the crown for Prom Queen. In the process she banters with her childhood friend and president of the student council, Adam Cordero; she befriends Christy and actually realizes that she might not have so many friends; learns a little more about herself and tries to be a better person.
This book is so adorable, the ship is glorious and perfect. They go to this rich kids school, you know how much I like this trope lol. But yes, Alex has always lived by her sister's shadow so she wants to make her mom happy. She does this by trying her very best, but sometimes she comes up as mean and scary.
Alex and Adam's siblings are married, so this reminded me a bit of Emma by Jane Austen. Though the whole best friends plot isn't going on because in fact Adam and Alex hate each other and banter 24/7. Though the whole "getting a new friend and do a makeover and try to matchmake" is there as well, I guess so? I love Emma so I'm here just thinking that maybe this was a semi-retelling of it, but I have no clue. It sure has the air and vibe of it.
It's such a great book and I adored every second of it. I laughed, I SWOONED SO HARD (Believe me, there are so many swoon-worthy moments, guys) and I cried. Alex dela Cruz has become one of my favorite heroines. She's so strong and she wants to become better but also she doesn't know how, she gets anxious when things don't go her away but actually owns up for her mistakes. You should all check this book out, it's so short you'll finish in less than an hour I would bet.
This book is so adorable, the ship is glorious and perfect. They go to this rich kids school, you know how much I like this trope lol. But yes, Alex has always lived by her sister's shadow so she wants to make her mom happy. She does this by trying her very best, but sometimes she comes up as mean and scary.
Alex and Adam's siblings are married, so this reminded me a bit of Emma by Jane Austen. Though the whole best friends plot isn't going on because in fact Adam and Alex hate each other and banter 24/7. Though the whole "getting a new friend and do a makeover and try to matchmake" is there as well, I guess so? I love Emma so I'm here just thinking that maybe this was a semi-retelling of it, but I have no clue. It sure has the air and vibe of it.
It's such a great book and I adored every second of it. I laughed, I SWOONED SO HARD (Believe me, there are so many swoon-worthy moments, guys) and I cried. Alex dela Cruz has become one of my favorite heroines. She's so strong and she wants to become better but also she doesn't know how, she gets anxious when things don't go her away but actually owns up for her mistakes. You should all check this book out, it's so short you'll finish in less than an hour I would bet.
July 3, 2016
I’ve been following this book for some time, mainly because it sounded like a super cute story and something that I would definitely enjoy reading. If you’re looking for a light read to help you escape for an easy afternoon, Prom Queen Perfect does just the trick. Imagine yourself on the beach with a short read and a tropical drink, smelling of sunscreen and sunshine and washing away your problems with the salt water and the troubles of Alex dela Cruz.
Read the rest of the review!
June 26, 2016
Review copy provided for a blog tour hosted by Bookish Diaries Book Tours. Thank you!
Finished in less than an hour or two but made me feel lots of emotions. I loved it! I may have known what would happen from the first few paragraphs but still I liked how the story unfolded and the various smiles and almost tears I got from it. Review to be posted on the blog.
Finished in less than an hour or two but made me feel lots of emotions. I loved it! I may have known what would happen from the first few paragraphs but still I liked how the story unfolded and the various smiles and almost tears I got from it. Review to be posted on the blog.
January 9, 2017
3.5 stars
This book was adorable but so short and like I'm mad about that!!! I have so many thoughts but they are mostly spoilery thoughts so I won't share because everyone should read this book to meet Adam and Alex, she is the best and he is totally adorable *heart eyes forever*
This book was adorable but so short and like I'm mad about that!!! I have so many thoughts but they are mostly spoilery thoughts so I won't share because everyone should read this book to meet Adam and Alex, she is the best and he is totally adorable *heart eyes forever*
March 6, 2017
3.5 stars
Cute, but the protagonist is very unlikable
Cute, but the protagonist is very unlikable
July 1, 2016
*This review will also appear on A Leisure Moment*
**I received this book in exchange for an honest review**
I’ve been following this book for some time, mainly because it sounded like a super cute story and something that I would definitely enjoy reading. If you’re looking for a light read to help you escape for an easy afternoon, Prom Queen Perfect does just the trick. Imagine yourself on the beach with a short read and a tropical drink, smelling of sunscreen and sunshine and washing away your problems with the salt water and the troubles of Alex dela Cruz.
Alex had always had the world at her fingertips, when she suddenly discovers that not everything works out like she had it detailed out in her planner. The book was incredibly short—something that made me cheer because I could finish it in practically one sitting—and didn’t go in depth to the characters plights. Yet, I still understood Alex but wasn’t bogged down by random information. Now, I am the person who loves detail and random quirks and information, but David’s quick, light writing worked.
The romance was expected. Adam Cordero intrigued me, and I understood why Alex was attracted to him. As far as he went, I would have loved to have more of him. I love kissing scenes and would have loved more detail and a few more of those. However, I’m glad that Alex’s heart wasn’t tugged in multiple directions. The only enemy in the story was herself, not another boy.
I also enjoyed reading as Alex’s friendship with Christy played out. Underneath the romance between Alex and Adam was a friendship that began as something lowlier than what it should have been. I didn’t know what to expect—by the end, the Alex that I met at the beginning and the Alex that I had become to know got what they needed and deserved.
Prom Queen Perfect deserves a spot on your e-reader if you’re looking for a quick, light read. The writing flows, and David created interesting relationships and problems within just eight short chapters.
**I received this book in exchange for an honest review**
I’ve been following this book for some time, mainly because it sounded like a super cute story and something that I would definitely enjoy reading. If you’re looking for a light read to help you escape for an easy afternoon, Prom Queen Perfect does just the trick. Imagine yourself on the beach with a short read and a tropical drink, smelling of sunscreen and sunshine and washing away your problems with the salt water and the troubles of Alex dela Cruz.
Alex had always had the world at her fingertips, when she suddenly discovers that not everything works out like she had it detailed out in her planner. The book was incredibly short—something that made me cheer because I could finish it in practically one sitting—and didn’t go in depth to the characters plights. Yet, I still understood Alex but wasn’t bogged down by random information. Now, I am the person who loves detail and random quirks and information, but David’s quick, light writing worked.
The romance was expected. Adam Cordero intrigued me, and I understood why Alex was attracted to him. As far as he went, I would have loved to have more of him. I love kissing scenes and would have loved more detail and a few more of those. However, I’m glad that Alex’s heart wasn’t tugged in multiple directions. The only enemy in the story was herself, not another boy.
I also enjoyed reading as Alex’s friendship with Christy played out. Underneath the romance between Alex and Adam was a friendship that began as something lowlier than what it should have been. I didn’t know what to expect—by the end, the Alex that I met at the beginning and the Alex that I had become to know got what they needed and deserved.
Prom Queen Perfect deserves a spot on your e-reader if you’re looking for a quick, light read. The writing flows, and David created interesting relationships and problems within just eight short chapters.
October 27, 2016
Prom Queen Perfect is like the cutest shortest read ever. I was so invested in it and enjoying it so much that I pulled through my motion-sickness and kept reading on the bus even as I got dizzy and almost threw up (stupid of me and definitely won't be happening again). But honestly, I just really enjoyed this.
Alex was the kind of protagonist you couldn't help but love even though she had her annoying moments, you sort of understood where she was coming from. She's rich and spoiled and privileged, she gets whatever she wants, she's the most popular and feared girl in school. And yet, she was vulnerable and trying so hard to live up to her mother's expectations. I was rooting for her from beginning to end. Keeping in mind that this is such a short book, the author still succeeded to show us Alex's character development. This could have been expanded on but it still made the moral of the story perfectly clear towards the end and I really liked Alex's way of owning up to her mistakes.
Now enemies-to-lovers is my favorite trope. I never get tired of it, I never get bored even though I know how it will all play out and this was no exception. I knew how it was going to end, but I loved it still. That epilogue was the cutest thing ever.
Another thing I loved was the relationship between Alex and Alice, and Alex and Christy. I enjoy female friendships so much and they're honestly lacking. I appreciated the way Alex and Christy worked things out with no hard feelings.
Overall, I just really liked this book and I still can't get over how cute the little epilogue scene was, I would have wanted to see more of Alex and Adam's relationship.
Alex was the kind of protagonist you couldn't help but love even though she had her annoying moments, you sort of understood where she was coming from. She's rich and spoiled and privileged, she gets whatever she wants, she's the most popular and feared girl in school. And yet, she was vulnerable and trying so hard to live up to her mother's expectations. I was rooting for her from beginning to end. Keeping in mind that this is such a short book, the author still succeeded to show us Alex's character development. This could have been expanded on but it still made the moral of the story perfectly clear towards the end and I really liked Alex's way of owning up to her mistakes.
Now enemies-to-lovers is my favorite trope. I never get tired of it, I never get bored even though I know how it will all play out and this was no exception. I knew how it was going to end, but I loved it still. That epilogue was the cutest thing ever.
Another thing I loved was the relationship between Alex and Alice, and Alex and Christy. I enjoy female friendships so much and they're honestly lacking. I appreciated the way Alex and Christy worked things out with no hard feelings.
Overall, I just really liked this book and I still can't get over how cute the little epilogue scene was, I would have wanted to see more of Alex and Adam's relationship.
November 21, 2016
Like almost always, my main issue with novellas is that it'd have been better if longer because I felt it didn't flow as smoothly as I'd hoped. Still, an enjoyable read and I really enjoyed the Alex and Adam back and forth. A slight bit repetitive at times with all that comparison of real life to movies and the girls hating on girls but having no problem with being perfectly friendly with boys. The epilogue was fun.
December 15, 2016
Cute Read!
Really enjoyed this! It was a cute short read. I do wish it was longer though. And that there were more Adam and Alex moments. The moments they did share were so freakin' cute!
Really enjoyed this! It was a cute short read. I do wish it was longer though. And that there were more Adam and Alex moments. The moments they did share were so freakin' cute!
November 13, 2016
Cute.
It was short and simple, but cute. It was like every other type of story, but the characters were well written even if it was a novella. It was cute, I liked it.
It was short and simple, but cute. It was like every other type of story, but the characters were well written even if it was a novella. It was cute, I liked it.
June 24, 2017
I highly appreciated this book for featuring an unlikable heroine who grows into a better person and learns from her mistakes, while showcasing a lot of the traits of a teenager which we, after growing up, would think are rather annoying and vain. I think it's important show the vanity and heartache and all those things that we often fell into as teenagers, and even as adults, although we would all like to think that we are better than that. I enjoyed the romance too, which was very sweet and shippy.
I would say that this book could have benefited from being longer, because it was more of a novella sort of story, which I think permitted the author from digging a bit deeper into the characters and the plot. It felt rushed and underdeveloped in places, e.g. Alex being the queen B, but I wanted more of those vibes other than her claiming it was so and everyone worshipped and feared the ground she walked on; it was more telling than showing. Also, I am rarely a sucker for fluff, I prefer my stories a bit more angsty (which were my favorite parts of the novel, hah!), so I am looking forward to reading the sophomore novel by the author which I have heard is a lot more angsty, and I am hoping a little bit longer too :-)
I would say that this book could have benefited from being longer, because it was more of a novella sort of story, which I think permitted the author from digging a bit deeper into the characters and the plot. It felt rushed and underdeveloped in places, e.g. Alex being the queen B, but I wanted more of those vibes other than her claiming it was so and everyone worshipped and feared the ground she walked on; it was more telling than showing. Also, I am rarely a sucker for fluff, I prefer my stories a bit more angsty (which were my favorite parts of the novel, hah!), so I am looking forward to reading the sophomore novel by the author which I have heard is a lot more angsty, and I am hoping a little bit longer too :-)
July 10, 2017
A very quick, cute and extremely fun read. My only complaint is that it wasn't longer, because I adored Alex and Adam and rooted for them the whole time
September 2, 2017
it was so cute but so short
February 4, 2022
Emma, but make it chic
(Or Clueless, both of those are really super cute)
Alex dela Cruz could have easily been a bad guy, but being in her perspective was actually pretty fun. We love a good character development, a swoon-worthy love interest, and a prom night to remember.
Also, this book has a certain vibe that I utterly love. Hoping to read more from Clarisse David in the future.
(Or Clueless, both of those are really super cute)
Alex dela Cruz could have easily been a bad guy, but being in her perspective was actually pretty fun. We love a good character development, a swoon-worthy love interest, and a prom night to remember.
Also, this book has a certain vibe that I utterly love. Hoping to read more from Clarisse David in the future.
January 5, 2017
Boricuan Bookworms- Book Reviews.
Prom Queen Perfect is a short novella-length book with a trope that I personally adore: enemies to lovers.
Alexandra dela Cruz is our protagonist, and at first she can seem a bit… unlikable. Her personality comes off as self-absorbed or the dreaded mean-girl cliche we see in a lot of movies. However that quickly changes once we get to know her and find out about her personality more. In reality, we see that Alex is more than meets the eye, and seeing her character growth in the short amount of pages was pretty incredible.
The romance here is what makes the book so cute. Like I stated above, I love the enemies to lovers trope, so when you obviously see that Adam and Alex didn’t really get along, I was so excited to read how their romance would develop. Clarisse David seriously knows how to write a romance between these two, because you could see the natural transition where hate was slowly blooming into love. Alex’s character development also played a part in this because as she kept changing, her feelings for Adam were slowly changing as well. Adam as a love interest was so so good. He knew how to challenge Alex, he knew exactly what buttons to push to make her want to do more, and whenever I think of him I actually think of Mr. Darcy; quiet, reserved, but quick-witted. Adam and Alex couldn't have been better suited for each other.
This story wasn’t only about Alex’s romance with Adam. It also included a blooming friendship between Alex and a girl she thought she’d never be friends with: an unpopular girl. I thought it was so nice how her and Christy were so supportive of each other, and knew exactly what to say to lift their spirits up. There’s also a small theme of Alex’s family, and how they interact with each other. While a short part in the book, it was necessary to see why Alex is the way she is, and while I would have liked to see more, I’m glad that it there at all.
Before ending my review I’d like to talk a little bit about the diversity in this book. It’s written by a pinoy author, and is set completely in the Philippines. I think it’s great to read non-western books once in a while :)
Everything comes together at prom and to me it felt like a cute high school rom com that would have had me swooning in my seat. Prom Queen Perfect is short and sweet, and honestly one of the cutest books I’ve read.
My Amazon Review.
Prom Queen Perfect is a short novella-length book with a trope that I personally adore: enemies to lovers.
“This whole thing started when Adam called me selfish, and like most selfish people, that made me want to prove him wrong.”
Alexandra dela Cruz is our protagonist, and at first she can seem a bit… unlikable. Her personality comes off as self-absorbed or the dreaded mean-girl cliche we see in a lot of movies. However that quickly changes once we get to know her and find out about her personality more. In reality, we see that Alex is more than meets the eye, and seeing her character growth in the short amount of pages was pretty incredible.
“If Adam and I were locked in a white room with no doors or windows, we would still end up arguing about the color scheme.”
The romance here is what makes the book so cute. Like I stated above, I love the enemies to lovers trope, so when you obviously see that Adam and Alex didn’t really get along, I was so excited to read how their romance would develop. Clarisse David seriously knows how to write a romance between these two, because you could see the natural transition where hate was slowly blooming into love. Alex’s character development also played a part in this because as she kept changing, her feelings for Adam were slowly changing as well. Adam as a love interest was so so good. He knew how to challenge Alex, he knew exactly what buttons to push to make her want to do more, and whenever I think of him I actually think of Mr. Darcy; quiet, reserved, but quick-witted. Adam and Alex couldn't have been better suited for each other.
This story wasn’t only about Alex’s romance with Adam. It also included a blooming friendship between Alex and a girl she thought she’d never be friends with: an unpopular girl. I thought it was so nice how her and Christy were so supportive of each other, and knew exactly what to say to lift their spirits up. There’s also a small theme of Alex’s family, and how they interact with each other. While a short part in the book, it was necessary to see why Alex is the way she is, and while I would have liked to see more, I’m glad that it there at all.
Before ending my review I’d like to talk a little bit about the diversity in this book. It’s written by a pinoy author, and is set completely in the Philippines. I think it’s great to read non-western books once in a while :)
Everything comes together at prom and to me it felt like a cute high school rom com that would have had me swooning in my seat. Prom Queen Perfect is short and sweet, and honestly one of the cutest books I’ve read.
My Amazon Review.
February 13, 2017
This little book was a breath of fresh air and just what I needed. It's so short that you can read it in an hour or less, but it has plenty packed into it - a very complex, flawed, and yet sympathetic main character, a beautiful budding friendship, some exploration of familial expectations, and, of course, an excellent romance. At times, Prom Queen Perfect feels a little rushed or underdeveloped because it tries to do so much in so few pages, but when it's at its best it is SO GOOD that that really doesn't matter. If you're looking for a cute contemporary YA story with a diverse cast which is both short and substantial, you need look no further than Prom Queen Perfect.
This story taps into a couple of my personal favourite things. First of all, it centres on the 'popular girl' at the school - a trope which has always intrigued me. Alex dela Cruz appears to have it all - she's beautiful, smart, and the undisputed queen of Asia Pacific Academy. However, Alex can be selfish, and she's so focused on fulfilling the course that she feels her family has laid out for her that she fails to see the importance of the people around her. Despite her popularity, Alex is quite isolated, and this story is about her confronting that and learning to deal with it. Personally, I adored Alex as a main character. Her narrative voice is incredibly funny and witty, and as a character she exhibits plenty of sass and confidence too. She is by no means 'perfect', as the title suggests, because she's human and humans make mistakes. This story is an excellent account of the ups and downs of Alex dela Cruz, centring on a fully believable character arc and offering a well-deserved happy ending.
The other way that this book catered to me perfectly was through the type of romance it presented. I am a sucker for bantering, hot-and-cold relationships which move from hate to love over the course of the story, and that's exactly what Prom Queen Perfect gave me. Alex and Adam's relationship is founded on sarcasm and disagreements, and they move from enemies to friends to lovers at multiple points over the course of this story. It's so adorable and it kept me grinning all the way through. The romance does suffer a little from how short this story is; I felt like a little more context would have been helpful and the ending seemed a little rush. HOWEVER, everything else about it is so good that that doesn't really matter. The romance in this story is wonderful and I highly recommend it.
I'm so glad that I picked up Prom Queen Perfect when I did. It's such a happy, fun, enjoyable story that it really lifted my mood, and its brevity was an added bonus because I flew through it in no time at all. This is a very well-written story from a promising author and it offers way more than you would expect it to in less than 100 pages. Really, what's not to love?
This story taps into a couple of my personal favourite things. First of all, it centres on the 'popular girl' at the school - a trope which has always intrigued me. Alex dela Cruz appears to have it all - she's beautiful, smart, and the undisputed queen of Asia Pacific Academy. However, Alex can be selfish, and she's so focused on fulfilling the course that she feels her family has laid out for her that she fails to see the importance of the people around her. Despite her popularity, Alex is quite isolated, and this story is about her confronting that and learning to deal with it. Personally, I adored Alex as a main character. Her narrative voice is incredibly funny and witty, and as a character she exhibits plenty of sass and confidence too. She is by no means 'perfect', as the title suggests, because she's human and humans make mistakes. This story is an excellent account of the ups and downs of Alex dela Cruz, centring on a fully believable character arc and offering a well-deserved happy ending.
The other way that this book catered to me perfectly was through the type of romance it presented. I am a sucker for bantering, hot-and-cold relationships which move from hate to love over the course of the story, and that's exactly what Prom Queen Perfect gave me. Alex and Adam's relationship is founded on sarcasm and disagreements, and they move from enemies to friends to lovers at multiple points over the course of this story. It's so adorable and it kept me grinning all the way through. The romance does suffer a little from how short this story is; I felt like a little more context would have been helpful and the ending seemed a little rush. HOWEVER, everything else about it is so good that that doesn't really matter. The romance in this story is wonderful and I highly recommend it.
I'm so glad that I picked up Prom Queen Perfect when I did. It's such a happy, fun, enjoyable story that it really lifted my mood, and its brevity was an added bonus because I flew through it in no time at all. This is a very well-written story from a promising author and it offers way more than you would expect it to in less than 100 pages. Really, what's not to love?
December 22, 2016
Originally posted on my blog, Books Forget Me Knot.
Prom Queen Perfect was everything I needed in an incredibly sweet and short (to my utter dismay) story about childhood friends turned high school frenemies/sweethearts. I plunged into this novel blindly; not really knowing or expecting how I’d feel. At the end, I felt a WHOLE LOT FOR ALEX AND ADAM.
Alex dela Cruz is that popular girl in high school that everyone hates but wishes to secretly be. She rules Asia Pacific Academy with an iron fist; no one dares to undermine her superiority. Well, except Adam Cordero. Adam is the only one who tells Alex that she is selfish, which sends her into an obsessive spiral of proving him wrong. Her project? Turn Christy Marquez from invisible to popular.
What I liked most about the plot was the fact that yes, it sounds cliche, but it is executed well with stunning metaphors that are unique to Clarisse Davide. The amount of emotion also blew me away as I felt overwhelmingly giddy for Alex in her bouts of clarity over love.
Even though Prom Queen Perfect> is abundantly sweet, there are still some issues that Alex overcomes like the estranged bond between her and her mother, what it means to have a best friend, the act of selflessness vs. selfishness, and of course, how it feels to be in love.
I also loved the diverse cast from a diverse author! That was gold and god, soooooo good. I literally devoured this book in one sitting and all I wanted was MOAR.
At 58% I made a note: Slowly falling in love is one of my favorite things to read.
It is. It really is. The relationship between Alex and Adam was everything my little heart desired. I was grinning like the mad Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. It was that SWEET AND JUST ASDFGHJKL.
I also highly enjoyed the relationship between Christy and Alex. It was an unexpected friendship. It was interesting how their bond grew, broke, and was mended back together as authentically as any friendship in real life.
Prom Queen Perfect is a beautiful, whirlwind of a story about learning to be not-so-perfect and showing the world who the girl behind the facade really is. I truly loved this so much and just want more of Alex, Adam, and Christy in my life.
December 16, 2016
Another book by a Filipino author ❤️
This is a short book with less than a hundred pages. I am actually expecting a different story but I liked what the author has in store for her readers. There are some usual tropes but she tried to make it different from other books.
This is a short book with less than a hundred pages. I am actually expecting a different story but I liked what the author has in store for her readers. There are some usual tropes but she tried to make it different from other books.
April 4, 2020
This was such a sweet novella! I was expecting something light and quick and fun, and that's exactly what I got and more. It's definitely a mix between Gossip Girl and quintessential teen rom-coms, with the feeling of Jenny Han's To All the Boys I've Loved Before.
Prom Queen Perfect follows Alexandra dela Cruz (I was so excited to find that we share a first name!!) and she is the most popular girl in her school and is currently in the running to win the coveted title of prom queen. But her once less-than-kind feelings towards her classmate Adam Cordero turn romantic and she finds herself helping out a socially-invisible girl at school who turns out to be her best friend.
I don't read too many novellas, but I loved the pacing and the way that it felt like this was a complete story. Nothing was missing and there was enough drama and romance and teen angst to make the reading worth-while.
Also, the fact that Alex isn't exactly the most sympathetic narrator was one of my favorite parts! I have a soft spot for main characters that are rough around the edges, and she goes through such a nice and realistic character arc, which was certainly refreshing. I also loved Adam and how serious, but funny and witty he was. The characters' romance was completely believable and I was definitely rooting for Alex by the end of the novella.
All in all, I completely recommend this novella for anyone looking for a fun, short, and easy contemporary to dive into and read in one sitting.
Prom Queen Perfect follows Alexandra dela Cruz (I was so excited to find that we share a first name!!) and she is the most popular girl in her school and is currently in the running to win the coveted title of prom queen. But her once less-than-kind feelings towards her classmate Adam Cordero turn romantic and she finds herself helping out a socially-invisible girl at school who turns out to be her best friend.
I don't read too many novellas, but I loved the pacing and the way that it felt like this was a complete story. Nothing was missing and there was enough drama and romance and teen angst to make the reading worth-while.
Also, the fact that Alex isn't exactly the most sympathetic narrator was one of my favorite parts! I have a soft spot for main characters that are rough around the edges, and she goes through such a nice and realistic character arc, which was certainly refreshing. I also loved Adam and how serious, but funny and witty he was. The characters' romance was completely believable and I was definitely rooting for Alex by the end of the novella.
All in all, I completely recommend this novella for anyone looking for a fun, short, and easy contemporary to dive into and read in one sitting.
July 10, 2016
This coming-of-age story tackles the topic of a highschool girl who aspires to be a prom queen and how to handle the pressures that come with it.
The student council is now in preparation for the Prom, apparently the most important event in the school, specially for Alex Dela Cruz. Alex is feeling the pressure of becoming the prom queen since her mother and sister became one. But along the way she'll realize that being a prom queen is not what she wants to become anymore.
I like the cute banter between Alex and Adam. The dynamic between Alex and her sister Alice. The friendship between Alex and Christy. It was great to see Alex’s growth over the course of the story.
High school is a rollercoaster of exhilarating highs and embarrassing lows. Clarisse David accurately captures teenage drama, filled with perfectionist parents that makes you do what you do when you are trying to find yourself, the pressure to achieve, a nice story about freindship and romances.
Fans of Mean Girls and Screms Queens will love this fun story.
The student council is now in preparation for the Prom, apparently the most important event in the school, specially for Alex Dela Cruz. Alex is feeling the pressure of becoming the prom queen since her mother and sister became one. But along the way she'll realize that being a prom queen is not what she wants to become anymore.
I like the cute banter between Alex and Adam. The dynamic between Alex and her sister Alice. The friendship between Alex and Christy. It was great to see Alex’s growth over the course of the story.
High school is a rollercoaster of exhilarating highs and embarrassing lows. Clarisse David accurately captures teenage drama, filled with perfectionist parents that makes you do what you do when you are trying to find yourself, the pressure to achieve, a nice story about freindship and romances.
Fans of Mean Girls and Screms Queens will love this fun story.
December 27, 2016
Love love love this book. Six and I have been talking about our desire to read a non-crazy Alex, and yay here is one! I love how you're supposed to hate the idea of who she is--rich, popular, gorgeous, emotionally distant--but you're in her head and you can't hate her. At the very least you respect her, and you understand the things she does that lead to her eventual crashing and burning. And you root for her as she claws her way back up. And then of course there is Adam, and I can list the things I love about him or you can just read the book and find out. I think I'm discovering that hate-you-love-you trope is one of my favorites by the way. Heehee
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