Books like Perfect on Paper

A sharp, big-hearted rom-com about a know-it-all advice dispenser who has to learn how to take her own medicine. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with Perfect on Paper.

chaotic
hopeful
high-energy
angsty-lite

01
Only mostly devastated
Sophie Gonzales
A queer reimagining of a classic summer-nights romance that balances laugh-out-loud banter with the tender ache of real-world grief.
Shares:
- hopeful
- wry
- humorous
02
You Should See Me in a Crown
Leah Johnson (Young adult author)
A joyful, anxiety-laced, and ultimately triumphant celebration of queer Black girlhood and the courage it takes to take up space.
Shares:
- hopeful
03
The gravity of us
Phil Stamper
A swoony, high-stakes queer romance about finding your anchor when the whole world is watching.
Shares:
- hopeful
- wry
04
Ophelia after All
Racquel Marie
A warm, funny, and tender exploration of what happens when the person you thought you were no longer fits the person you are becoming.
Feels:
- warm
- angsty
- tender
05
The Henna wars
Adiba Jaigirdar
A spirited queer rom-com where cultural pride, family expectations, and the messy thrill of first love collide in a high school rivalry.
Shares:
- hopeful
06
Written in the Stars
Alexandria Bellefleur
A sparkling, opposites-attract romance that wraps you in the cozy, chaotic warmth of falling for the last person you expected.
Shares:
- fear of vulnerability
07
Love & Other Natural Disasters
Misa Sugiura
A delightfully chaotic summer rom-com where fake dating schemes snowball into genuine feelings.
Shares:
- chaotic
08
Some Girls Do
Jennifer Dugan
A tender, emotionally charged exploration of what it costs to hide who you are, and the swoony thrill of finally being seen.
Shares:
- hopeful
- vulnerable
09
Ander and Santi Were Here
Jonny Garza Villa
A tender, sun-drenched queer romance that celebrates the vibrant sanctuary of community before confronting the heartbreaking realities of the American immigration system.
Feels:
- sun-drenched
- intimate
- vibrant
10
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky Albertalli
A warm, witty, and deeply relatable exploration of the terrifying thrill of letting yourself be truly seen.
Shares:
- hopeful
- wry
- vulnerable
11
Who I Was with Her
Nita Tyndall
A raw, quiet exploration of what it means to mourn a love the world didn't know you had.
Shares:
- vulnerable
12
Her Royal Highness
Rachel Hawkins
A cozy, banter-filled sapphic fairy tale set against the misty backdrop of an elite Scottish boarding school.
Shares:
- wry
- humorous

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