“Sometimes, the best things in life are the ones you don’t plan for. The ones that surprise you and make you realize there’s more to life than what you thought you wanted.”
The themes of second chances, forgiveness, and self-discovery are all explored in the lovely and endearing romance If We Were Perfect. The plot centers on Olivia and Sammy, two ex-lovers who are compelled to cohabitate after Olivia’s apartment floods. Olivia is a determined and aspirational woman with a clear life plan, but she also battles insecurity and perfectionism. Sammy is a lovely and sweet baker who owns a flourishing business, but he continues to feel resentment and remorse over his relationship with Olivia in the past. As they spend more time together, they come to understand that their feelings for one another are still strong, but they also recognize that they need to address their unsolved issues and improve their communication.
Reading this novel and getting to know the characters was a lot of fun for me. Both Olivia and Sammy are likable and flawed, but they also change significantly over the course of the story. Their relationship is hot and slow-burning.
“I don’t want to be your past. I want to be your present and your future.”
The supporting cast was also wonderful, especially Sammy’s family and friends who brought humour and heart to the narrative. The author did a fantastic job at capturing the hardships and expectations that come with being Asian-American, as well as the culture and identity that it encompasses. The plot was well-paced and fulfilling, and the prose was interesting and simple to read.
“Love. Such a simple concept that humans liked to twist and complicate with their fears and insecurities, but at its core, it was just a feeling. A feeling that could make you soar or break you into pieces.”
This was the first book by Ana Huang that I have read. For those who enjoy contemporary romance and are searching for a light-hearted, relatable novel with endearing characters, If We Were Perfect is a great choice.
- Forced proximity.
- Baked goodies!
- Second chance romance
- Strong female characters
- Steamy romance
I heartily suggest this book to anyone who enjoys Asian-American representation, second chances, or roommate clichés. Although it is the fourth book in the If Love series, you can read it separately. After reading this one, I’m certain you’ll want to read the other books in the series.
With thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
Read this book if you enjoyed “Happy People” by Emily Henry.
Other books in the series (info from Goodreads):
BOOK 1
BOOK 2
BOOK 3
BOOK 4
About The Author
Ana Huang is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and #1 Amazon bestselling author. She is best known for her Twisted series, which features New Adult and contemporary romance novels with alpha heroes, strong heroines, and plenty of steam, angst, and swoon sprinkled in.
Ana Huang is a self-professed travel enthusiast who loves incorporating beautiful destinations into her stories. She is also a fan of chai latte and enjoys scouring Yelp for her next favorite restaurant.
Here are some of Ana Huang’s popular books:
- Twisted Love (Twisted, #1)
- Twisted Games (Twisted, #2)
- Twisted Hate (Twisted, #3)
- Twisted Lies (Twisted, #4)
- King of Wrath (Kings of Sin #1)
- King of Pride (Kings of Sin #2)
