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Halfway Perfect
Bestselling author Julie Cross teams up with Ford model Mark Perini to pen a poignant and gritty YA novel about love and the dark side of modeling and the fashion industry.
Eve's time as a fashion model nearly destroyed her-now she's determined to build a career behind the camera lens. But landing a coveted photography internship brings her face to face with her dark past-and her ex.
While Eve is snapping pictures, up-and-coming male model Alex is launching his career-which, for him, involves maintaining a fake relationship with his (secretly) underage co-star, Elana.
But Alex is falling for Eve, and Eve won't let herself get hurt again. If Alex can pull off a fake love with Elana, can he convince Eve to risk a secret affair with him?
Eve's time as a fashion model nearly destroyed her-now she's determined to build a career behind the camera lens. But landing a coveted photography internship brings her face to face with her dark past-and her ex.
While Eve is snapping pictures, up-and-coming male model Alex is launching his career-which, for him, involves maintaining a fake relationship with his (secretly) underage co-star, Elana.
But Alex is falling for Eve, and Eve won't let herself get hurt again. If Alex can pull off a fake love with Elana, can he convince Eve to risk a secret affair with him?
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2015
8 people are currently reading
1176 people want to read
About the author
Julie Cross
24 books1,700 followersJulie Cross is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, including the Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy which includes Tempest, Vortex, Timestorm (St. Martin's Press). She's also the author of Letters to Nowhere series, Whatever Life Throws at You, Third Degree, Halfway Perfect, and many more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
August 31, 2016
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Julie Cross is one of my go-to writers when I'm in need for a fabulous new adult romance, so when I found out that she had another book coming out (a collaboration--so awesome), I immediately added it to my wishlist. And I'm happy to announce that Halfway Perfect did not disappoint!
First off, let us begin with the most fabulous thing this book has to offer: the romance. There was no insta-love. *cheers* When Eve and Alex first met, they were drawn to the other's spunky attitude. Everything just seems to go on from there. They banter (hilariously and adorably). They text, they meet up, they bond... They share some steamy moments. *wink*
You're going to love both Eve and Alex individually, too! Eve was a passionate girl, and she worked hard for everything she got. She wanted to go to an amazing school, so she worked to earn enough money to support herself. Alex was a family man. His family members might've been a little bit crazy and high strung, but you can clearly see how much he loved every single one of them. He was also really sweet to Eve, and you guys know how sweet guys have a special place in my fangirl heart.
This book might sound a tad bit shallow from the synopsis, but let me assure you: This book is much more than just a fabulous romance. I was pleasantly surprised at how this book touched up on the darker parts of the modelling industry as well. There are deceptions, lies and betrayals woven into the story, and in a realistic way, at that.
Overall, I highly recommend Halfway Perfect to basically anyone. Whether you're a reluctant NA reader or a NA addict, surely you'll find this book to your liking.
Julie Cross is one of my go-to writers when I'm in need for a fabulous new adult romance, so when I found out that she had another book coming out (a collaboration--so awesome), I immediately added it to my wishlist. And I'm happy to announce that Halfway Perfect did not disappoint!
First off, let us begin with the most fabulous thing this book has to offer: the romance. There was no insta-love. *cheers* When Eve and Alex first met, they were drawn to the other's spunky attitude. Everything just seems to go on from there. They banter (hilariously and adorably). They text, they meet up, they bond... They share some steamy moments. *wink*
You're going to love both Eve and Alex individually, too! Eve was a passionate girl, and she worked hard for everything she got. She wanted to go to an amazing school, so she worked to earn enough money to support herself. Alex was a family man. His family members might've been a little bit crazy and high strung, but you can clearly see how much he loved every single one of them. He was also really sweet to Eve, and you guys know how sweet guys have a special place in my fangirl heart.
This book might sound a tad bit shallow from the synopsis, but let me assure you: This book is much more than just a fabulous romance. I was pleasantly surprised at how this book touched up on the darker parts of the modelling industry as well. There are deceptions, lies and betrayals woven into the story, and in a realistic way, at that.
Overall, I highly recommend Halfway Perfect to basically anyone. Whether you're a reluctant NA reader or a NA addict, surely you'll find this book to your liking.
January 20, 2018
What Julie Cross and Mark Perini offer us is a gritty and wide-eyes worthy incursion into the modeling world, and for that fact alone, Halfway Perfect is worth reading in my opinion.
Truth be told, I never thought that the modeling world was that great. Guess what? It seems that I was right. A book about what hides behind glitter and glamour written in collaboration with a former model? I'll take that.
The truth is, this book made me rage. I was furious to see how models had to comply with the requirements of ... Of what, exactly, tell me? Of what is considered as hot? Since when a fourteen years-old teenager too skinny and without breast is considered as a sex-symbol? Said WHO? What is wrong with our society? Seriously, what is wrong with us? To me this book brings a good kind of rage. A kind of rage which makes us think about what standards our society runs and above that, about everything we don't want to see because "that's not our problem". ← The favorite sentence of humans, if any.
However, we don't see only the darkest sides of the modeling world, but also the good parts, and it was refreshing because it sounded real.
Frankly, it was difficult to connect with the characters at first, yet I slowly grew attached to them. Take Alex, for example. I'm pretty sure that I followed Eve's evolution in my opinion of him. Indeed there is no-insta-love here but characters who try to know each other's and who don't fall in love quickly. So, as Eve, I changed my mind about Alex. From judgmental toward him to interested to ... Well, the moment when I found him downright adorable and sexy, Eve shared for sure my opinion. Don't get me wrong, he's flawed. Oh, yes, he is, and I couldn't fathom how he could believe this piece of shit of an agent he has and not completely disregard what tabloids say about Eve. But you know what? I'm okay with that, because it's realistic to me : real people don't always believe the truth and need time to gather their thoughts. Real people are frustrating and need time to evolve. So did Alex and Eve.
Moreover, I'm not gonna lie, I was waiting for Eve to fucking realize that her relationship with Wes (her former agent) wasn't healthy at the time and in that particular case I found that Julie Cross did a good job at picturing how we can be blind when it comes to our relationships sometimes. The fact is, Eve was 14-16 at the time and NO, she didn't realize that Wes was taking advantage of her and acting like a huge controlling and violent asshole - and years after, at 18, she still has this false opinion about what was wrong in their relationship. In my opinion it was realistic because unfortunately I do believe that the end of a messed-up relationship doesn't stop the crap right away if nothing is resolved and if nobody talks about it. Don't get me wrong, I was APPALED to see how she still isn't able to figure out how jerk and creepy he is/was, but even if I wanted to shake her, I could understand why she acted and thought that way, because nobody never supported her, nobody never told her that Wes's behavior wasn't acceptable but downright CREEPY and pedophile.
And then, when shit goes down for Eve, IT WAS SO FRUSTRATING. I cried out of RAGE because it was so unfair. I felt the walls closing around her as it was me and felt claustrophobic. Even though I'm not sure if the way everything is resolved in the end is believable, at this point, I don't fucking care, because I'd have taken ANY way to stop Wes and to make him pay for his actions.
Or, more accurately, about how French people are pictured. Yes, sexual majority is settled at 15 in France, that's true. Now, there is a difference between what's legal and what's considered as acceptable. Would Wes have been in trouble for sleeping with Eve when she was 15? Actually, yes, because he had authority over her, being her agent, and in that case the sexual majority is settled at 18. In Elena's case, that's a little different, that's true, but frankly, even if it's legal, I don't know anybody who would think that it's okay for a powerful guy of 27 to date a 15 years-old teenager. We're different from our laws, guys, and I'm sick of hearing people judge French as if reading our laws was enough to know how we think. Same thing about the legal age to drink : I had already a problem with that fact in Anna and the French Kiss actually. In France, it's FORBIDDEN to buy alcohol in a club or a bar (or in a shop, for that matter) under 18, okay? So, yeah, we can drink in family or in a party if somebody else (understand older) buys alcohol, that's true. Of course NOBODY does that in the US, RIGHT? Let's be a little frank one second here. Finally, I don't understand what's the deal with the topless thing. Twice characters said that as Elena was French, she would be okay to pose topless, because "she's probably walked around topless since birth", being French and all.
YOU DON'T SAY?! Yeah, right. Just come to France, guys, we're all wandering around topless waiting for you to stare. Oh, wait - that's wrong. We're not. Come back in your plane. Perhaps you think that I'm overreacting, and maybe you're right. What can I say? I'm sick of reading about French pictured as reckless parents who let their kids walking around almost naked and drinking wine, because 1)that's wrong, and 2)that's fucking hypocrite in my opinion.
To sum up, I ended liking this book despite its flaws, and yes, I recommend it. Just know that it's not free of stereotypes and that the characters can be downright annoying at times.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
March 20, 2015
Wow. I didn't expect this book to be terribly dark and gritty. This book will show you all kinds of the wrong things happening in the fashion/modeling industry and it will make you even wish you just didn't look behind the camera.
Also, I can't remember a time where I wanted to punch the antagonist so hard like I did here. And I think that's saying something because I'm actually not a violent person.
Full review will be posted on HER BOOK THOUGHTS.
Also, I can't remember a time where I wanted to punch the antagonist so hard like I did here. And I think that's saying something because I'm actually not a violent person.
Full review will be posted on HER BOOK THOUGHTS.
March 2, 2016
Went into this with my guard up, but was still excited about it. Most NA I've tried in the past has either bored me, pissed me off, or both.
I was pleasantly surprised by this... a thing I've about a few books lately but not any less true here.
Eve I was drawn to right away. I admired her for doing the best she can to make something of her life, and not letting what happened set her spiraling down with no way out.
Alex was a cocky guy in some aspects but also sweet... he's a family guy and would do anything for them. I also loved how he was upfront with Elana and didn't look down on her... he did mess up a few times but he recognized it and didn't brush it off.
One thing I loved most about this was there was no insta-love, Eve and Alex are drawn to each other first as friends and their relationship isn't rushed or full of unnecessary crap. They are comfortable with each other before and after they start something. Even though there a few rough patches, it goes with the story and doesn't feel out of place (conflict for conflict's sake).
Wes, ooooh! Won't go into it too much so I don't spoil anything but what a slimy douchebag! My skin crawled every time he came onto the scene, and the creepiness/unsettling especially with our girls came out strong.
You know its a well-written one when you hate them and imagine Hulk smashing him into the floor.
You see the darker aspects of the fashion industry in this, I was seething every time it was mentioned about losing weight for jobs and what they consider 'sexy'. Makes me want to shake the fashion industry *glares* or perhaps have Hulk roar in their faces...
The 'fake relationship' is present but it's in the periphery, a backseat sort of to the story unfolding. It was handled well though, even as it had me rolling my eyes at it as a PR stunt.
It was fascinating too, getting a look behind-the-scenes of some photo shoots... Janessa, loved her.. tough as nails but compassionate in her own way.
I have no complaints for this, it ended on a note that had me smiling for ear-to-ear and cheering. I actually laughed out loud a few times in public and had people looking at me funny.
Heard there will be a book two, not sure if it really needs one but I wouldn't say no just yet to more Alex/Eve, and to catch up with Elana as well.
Review spotlights:
Aimee's review
Nenia's review , the one that drew my attention to this in the first place:)
Alienor ✘ French Frowning Pumpkin ✘'s review - says everything quite well too :)
I was pleasantly surprised by this... a thing I've about a few books lately but not any less true here.
Eve I was drawn to right away. I admired her for doing the best she can to make something of her life, and not letting what happened set her spiraling down with no way out.
Alex was a cocky guy in some aspects but also sweet... he's a family guy and would do anything for them. I also loved how he was upfront with Elana and didn't look down on her... he did mess up a few times but he recognized it and didn't brush it off.
One thing I loved most about this was there was no insta-love, Eve and Alex are drawn to each other first as friends and their relationship isn't rushed or full of unnecessary crap. They are comfortable with each other before and after they start something. Even though there a few rough patches, it goes with the story and doesn't feel out of place (conflict for conflict's sake).
Wes, ooooh! Won't go into it too much so I don't spoil anything but what a slimy douchebag! My skin crawled every time he came onto the scene, and the creepiness/unsettling especially with our girls came out strong.
You know its a well-written one when you hate them and imagine Hulk smashing him into the floor.
You see the darker aspects of the fashion industry in this, I was seething every time it was mentioned about losing weight for jobs and what they consider 'sexy'. Makes me want to shake the fashion industry *glares* or perhaps have Hulk roar in their faces...
The 'fake relationship' is present but it's in the periphery, a backseat sort of to the story unfolding. It was handled well though, even as it had me rolling my eyes at it as a PR stunt.
It was fascinating too, getting a look behind-the-scenes of some photo shoots... Janessa, loved her.. tough as nails but compassionate in her own way.
I have no complaints for this, it ended on a note that had me smiling for ear-to-ear and cheering. I actually laughed out loud a few times in public and had people looking at me funny.
Heard there will be a book two, not sure if it really needs one but I wouldn't say no just yet to more Alex/Eve, and to catch up with Elana as well.
Review spotlights:
Aimee's review
Nenia's review , the one that drew my attention to this in the first place:)
Alienor ✘ French Frowning Pumpkin ✘'s review - says everything quite well too :)
May 11, 2015
Win a copy of HALFWAY PERFECT & a 1 year subscription to Cosmo!
3.5 stars.
Review originally posted at Mostly YA Lit
Eve Castle was an up-and-coming supermodel at the tender age of 15, but on the eve (haha) of gaining a major campaign, she suddenly quits modeling and disappears. The press say she was in drug rehab, but what no one knows is that Eve had a secret affair with her much older agent, Wes Danes. Now Eve is back in the city, following her dream of being a photographer, and she ends up smack in the middle of a shoot with Alex Evans, an up-and-coming male model whose agent happens to be Wes. To complicate things more, Alex has been told that he needs to pretend to date French model Elana, who is only 14 years old (even though the tabloids say she’s eighteen). Meanwhile, Eve and Alex are attracted to each other and not sure what to do.
I’ve read a lot of stories about models and the darkness of the industry – Melissa Walker’s Violet on the Runway series comes to mind – but this one had a unique take – that is, the vulnerability of very young, underage models, and the mentally, emotionally and sometimes physically abusive relationships they can find themselves in.
The strength of the book is in the portrayal of this theme and how the characters in the book deal with and learn about what is okay and not okay in relationships. Eve characterizes her relationship with Wes as extremely intense, and makes it clear that she thinks it’s because of their combative personalities that the relationship falls apart. Eve seems to brush over the fact that Wes would occasionally hurt her physically (not to mention emotionally and mentally). And as the story goes on, you can see history repeating itself. It’s a dark take on the modeling industry, but it’s one that I think needs to be told – whether you’re a model or not.
But there are moments of lightness in this novel – Eve’s past with Wes contrasts fully with Alex and Eve’s relationship – these are two people who have found each other at just the right time, and it’s wonderful to see them grow together – there’s a lot of nuance in this relationship, with discussions of the silly and the smart all mixed together. There’s also a lot of heat to their relationship – this is definitely mature YA, and man, does Julie Cross get me with her romance scenes.
I did have a qualm with this book, which is that the back half of the book, while exciting, felt a bit unrealistic to me. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I did feel like things were wrapped up a bit too neatly for real life - I actually felt that the authors could have taken things even darker.
That said, the writing is clean and neat, and it’s a book I read in a few hours. A good, fast read.
Bonuses:
Family Matters: The contrast between Eve and Alex’s family is pretty interesting to read – Eve is from a very dysfunctional family, while Alex’s family is a more traditional American family. I especially enjoyed Alex’s visit home and his siblings – that part read very, very true.
Models, Inc: Obviously a book about the modelling industry will have some serious insider looks at what happens at shoots, and I'm sure Mark Perini's background was huge in this, because it felt very real. I really liked learning about creating the concept for shots, but I also liked that this part wasn't heavy-handed - the focus was on the characters, and the environment was just a part of that.
The Final Word:
Halfway Perfect is a compelling, slightly gritty take on romance and the modeling industry. It’s a fun and fast read, and it’s got some strong character development. I would recommend this to YA romance readers who like a little bit of maturity in their books.
3.5 stars.
Review originally posted at Mostly YA Lit
Eve Castle was an up-and-coming supermodel at the tender age of 15, but on the eve (haha) of gaining a major campaign, she suddenly quits modeling and disappears. The press say she was in drug rehab, but what no one knows is that Eve had a secret affair with her much older agent, Wes Danes. Now Eve is back in the city, following her dream of being a photographer, and she ends up smack in the middle of a shoot with Alex Evans, an up-and-coming male model whose agent happens to be Wes. To complicate things more, Alex has been told that he needs to pretend to date French model Elana, who is only 14 years old (even though the tabloids say she’s eighteen). Meanwhile, Eve and Alex are attracted to each other and not sure what to do.
I’ve read a lot of stories about models and the darkness of the industry – Melissa Walker’s Violet on the Runway series comes to mind – but this one had a unique take – that is, the vulnerability of very young, underage models, and the mentally, emotionally and sometimes physically abusive relationships they can find themselves in.
The strength of the book is in the portrayal of this theme and how the characters in the book deal with and learn about what is okay and not okay in relationships. Eve characterizes her relationship with Wes as extremely intense, and makes it clear that she thinks it’s because of their combative personalities that the relationship falls apart. Eve seems to brush over the fact that Wes would occasionally hurt her physically (not to mention emotionally and mentally). And as the story goes on, you can see history repeating itself. It’s a dark take on the modeling industry, but it’s one that I think needs to be told – whether you’re a model or not.
But there are moments of lightness in this novel – Eve’s past with Wes contrasts fully with Alex and Eve’s relationship – these are two people who have found each other at just the right time, and it’s wonderful to see them grow together – there’s a lot of nuance in this relationship, with discussions of the silly and the smart all mixed together. There’s also a lot of heat to their relationship – this is definitely mature YA, and man, does Julie Cross get me with her romance scenes.
I did have a qualm with this book, which is that the back half of the book, while exciting, felt a bit unrealistic to me. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I did feel like things were wrapped up a bit too neatly for real life - I actually felt that the authors could have taken things even darker.
That said, the writing is clean and neat, and it’s a book I read in a few hours. A good, fast read.
Bonuses:
Family Matters: The contrast between Eve and Alex’s family is pretty interesting to read – Eve is from a very dysfunctional family, while Alex’s family is a more traditional American family. I especially enjoyed Alex’s visit home and his siblings – that part read very, very true.
Models, Inc: Obviously a book about the modelling industry will have some serious insider looks at what happens at shoots, and I'm sure Mark Perini's background was huge in this, because it felt very real. I really liked learning about creating the concept for shots, but I also liked that this part wasn't heavy-handed - the focus was on the characters, and the environment was just a part of that.
The Final Word:
Halfway Perfect is a compelling, slightly gritty take on romance and the modeling industry. It’s a fun and fast read, and it’s got some strong character development. I would recommend this to YA romance readers who like a little bit of maturity in their books.
July 30, 2016
A sweet, cute and heartfelt story about two people following their dreams while trying find themselves and figure out what’s most important in life in an environment where the top priority is appearances.
It’s rare that I pick up a Young Adult book, but the moment I saw Julie Cross’ name on the cover it was impossible for me not to pick it up. I’ve only read one of her books, Third Degree, but I completely fell for the super smart, socially awkward girl and the incredibly sweet and protective hero. Add Mark Perini’s experience in the intriguing and fascinating world of fashion and I great, insightful read.
Two years ago, Eve Castle was on the cusp of super model stardom while her personal life was in a tumultuous and improper relationship. Deciding to take her life and fate into her own hands she turns her back on the seemingly glamorous life of fashion, changes her name to Eve Nowakowski and pursues her dream of becoming a photographer leading her straight back to fashion industry.
There she meets Alex Evans, who is gaining recognition as a male model and his co-star Elana whose career is eerily similar to her own. In order to get his foot firmly in the door, Alex is directed to keep up a phony relationship with Elana, who is as under-age as his little sister!
While on set Alex and Eve are on different sides of the camera, off set Alex shares all his secrets with Eve while falling in love with her. But Eve is hiding a secret that will most likely change the dynamic between them. Can Eve face her past and share it with Alex? Will he chose the girl over his career opportunities even after knowing her deepest secret?
This story of a girl whose parents’ neglect and selfishness left her at the hands of an agent that manipulated and took advantage of her is both touching and sweet. It broke my heart reading about the abuse Even was put through. But I was thrilled with her strength, determination and self-sufficiency.
And having the story told from both points of view also let me get to know and adore Alex with his boyish charm, grounded personality and under-the-surface humility. I loved the tenderness of how he worried about Elana and how he wasn’t blinded by the lime light that he would look the other way when a wrong situation needed to be stopped. He fought for who he loved and what was right and it was completely gratifying.
I really enjoyed how the relationship between Alex and Eve evolved. It was natural, clever and endearing with great chemistry. And it was a nice change of pace for the to read fade to black steamy scenes.
It was a delightful and I think honest book that broaches grave matters such as abusive relationships offset by friendship and romance.
This is a young adult contemporary romance novel. Stand alone told from both points of view with happy ending.
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1DtlUQ9
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author and Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
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It’s rare that I pick up a Young Adult book, but the moment I saw Julie Cross’ name on the cover it was impossible for me not to pick it up. I’ve only read one of her books, Third Degree, but I completely fell for the super smart, socially awkward girl and the incredibly sweet and protective hero. Add Mark Perini’s experience in the intriguing and fascinating world of fashion and I great, insightful read.
Two years ago, Eve Castle was on the cusp of super model stardom while her personal life was in a tumultuous and improper relationship. Deciding to take her life and fate into her own hands she turns her back on the seemingly glamorous life of fashion, changes her name to Eve Nowakowski and pursues her dream of becoming a photographer leading her straight back to fashion industry.
There she meets Alex Evans, who is gaining recognition as a male model and his co-star Elana whose career is eerily similar to her own. In order to get his foot firmly in the door, Alex is directed to keep up a phony relationship with Elana, who is as under-age as his little sister!
While on set Alex and Eve are on different sides of the camera, off set Alex shares all his secrets with Eve while falling in love with her. But Eve is hiding a secret that will most likely change the dynamic between them. Can Eve face her past and share it with Alex? Will he chose the girl over his career opportunities even after knowing her deepest secret?
This story of a girl whose parents’ neglect and selfishness left her at the hands of an agent that manipulated and took advantage of her is both touching and sweet. It broke my heart reading about the abuse Even was put through. But I was thrilled with her strength, determination and self-sufficiency.
And having the story told from both points of view also let me get to know and adore Alex with his boyish charm, grounded personality and under-the-surface humility. I loved the tenderness of how he worried about Elana and how he wasn’t blinded by the lime light that he would look the other way when a wrong situation needed to be stopped. He fought for who he loved and what was right and it was completely gratifying.
“There’s so much good in him that I’m desperate to find a way to unzip him and crawl inside and let myself be even closer.”
I really enjoyed how the relationship between Alex and Eve evolved. It was natural, clever and endearing with great chemistry. And it was a nice change of pace for the to read fade to black steamy scenes.
“Kissing Alex is like getting the chance to be a kid again. It’s light and uncomplicated and exhilarating and completely consuming in a way that isn’t even a little bit scary.”
It was a delightful and I think honest book that broaches grave matters such as abusive relationships offset by friendship and romance.
This is a young adult contemporary romance novel. Stand alone told from both points of view with happy ending.
Amazon -> http://amzn.to/1DtlUQ9
* I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author and Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley. The excerpts are from that copy. *
More reviews * Stalk us on FaceBook * As well as Twitter
May 4, 2015
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
SUMMARY
Halfway Perfect is a sweet love story between an ex-upcoming-superstar-model-turned-photography student and a Calvin Klein underwear model who is more than he appears, and the conflicts that arise when the underwear model has to fake date a fourteen year old future superstar.
WORLDBUILDING
I don’t know much about modelling. The extent of my modelling knowledge comes from Zoolander and the time I binged watched half a season of America’s Next Top Model. I also don’t know how much of the worldbuilding was Cross’ and how much was Perini’s, but together they make a formidable duo. I was completely sucked into this world of agents and casting calls and photos shoots and meetings and travel. I really felt like I was seeing something most people don’t get to see, and I am completely convinced it was an honest representation of the modelling world.
CHARACTER
Eve is our ex-model dealing with more emotional baggage than most eighteen year olds should have to deal with. She was strong, and brave, but she was still eighteen, and therefore very young and inexperienced. It wasn’t that she was naïve, but she was making her way through the world without any guidance (her parents stole all her modelling money) and she could only rely on herself.
Alex is the underwear model who genuinely cares for Eve but has to pretend to be in a relationship with fourteen year old Elana for the good of his career. He’s a really good guy who was completely genuine, even with Elana, and he was just a nice little beta boy, never seemed to lose his temper or get violent. He waited for consent and basically he was a huge sweetheart. We need more heroes like Alex, especially in NA fiction, because he’s such a change from the turbo-charged libido-driven violent psychopaths that most NA readers seem to find sexy.
RELATIONSHIPS
Eva and Alex’s relationship was so damn genuine. They moved very easily into respect, to liking each other, to a genuine friendship, to a flirty kind of thing, before both of them realised they wanted to spend more time with each other and then they realised they were in love. It was so well-written I could follow each moment and go, yes, that’s building on from the last interaction. I just loved reading it, there was no pressure from either of them and both were enthusiastic, willing participants. There was no drama in a ‘chasing’ kind of way – all the issues came from the outside forces trying to keep them apart - gossip columns, agents, work itself. I found this natural, organically built relationship very refreshing.
I also liked the relationship between Eve and Elana because there was no slut-shaming or girl hate, and I really really liked the relationship between Alex and his older brothers. I have always loved the idea of protective older brothers because out of the two I had one died and the other never really cared about protecting his little sister from bullies, so I've always loved the idea of lots of big brothers around to protect their little sister or younger brother and his girlfriend.
OVERALL
I didn’t request to read Halfway Perfect and I wasn’t sure I wanted to based on the blurb, however Cross and Perini drew me in very early on with a clear, beautiful story of love between two great characters in a difficult industry that also showed me snapshots of life behind-the-scenes. I was previously put off reading Cross because of a misandrist rant disguised as feminism found in Tempest, but I am glad I read Halfway Perfect because it shows you can always give an author a second chance. Also, the blurb refers to this novel as ‘gritty’ – maybe because there’s statutory rape and domestic abuse in the backstory, which I did not find triggering at all – but I found it much more sweet and fluffy than gritty. I really enjoyed it and I would happily look at any of Cross’ future books.
SUMMARY
Halfway Perfect is a sweet love story between an ex-upcoming-superstar-model-turned-photography student and a Calvin Klein underwear model who is more than he appears, and the conflicts that arise when the underwear model has to fake date a fourteen year old future superstar.
WORLDBUILDING
I don’t know much about modelling. The extent of my modelling knowledge comes from Zoolander and the time I binged watched half a season of America’s Next Top Model. I also don’t know how much of the worldbuilding was Cross’ and how much was Perini’s, but together they make a formidable duo. I was completely sucked into this world of agents and casting calls and photos shoots and meetings and travel. I really felt like I was seeing something most people don’t get to see, and I am completely convinced it was an honest representation of the modelling world.
CHARACTER
Eve is our ex-model dealing with more emotional baggage than most eighteen year olds should have to deal with. She was strong, and brave, but she was still eighteen, and therefore very young and inexperienced. It wasn’t that she was naïve, but she was making her way through the world without any guidance (her parents stole all her modelling money) and she could only rely on herself.
Alex is the underwear model who genuinely cares for Eve but has to pretend to be in a relationship with fourteen year old Elana for the good of his career. He’s a really good guy who was completely genuine, even with Elana, and he was just a nice little beta boy, never seemed to lose his temper or get violent. He waited for consent and basically he was a huge sweetheart. We need more heroes like Alex, especially in NA fiction, because he’s such a change from the turbo-charged libido-driven violent psychopaths that most NA readers seem to find sexy.
RELATIONSHIPS
Eva and Alex’s relationship was so damn genuine. They moved very easily into respect, to liking each other, to a genuine friendship, to a flirty kind of thing, before both of them realised they wanted to spend more time with each other and then they realised they were in love. It was so well-written I could follow each moment and go, yes, that’s building on from the last interaction. I just loved reading it, there was no pressure from either of them and both were enthusiastic, willing participants. There was no drama in a ‘chasing’ kind of way – all the issues came from the outside forces trying to keep them apart - gossip columns, agents, work itself. I found this natural, organically built relationship very refreshing.
I also liked the relationship between Eve and Elana because there was no slut-shaming or girl hate, and I really really liked the relationship between Alex and his older brothers. I have always loved the idea of protective older brothers because out of the two I had one died and the other never really cared about protecting his little sister from bullies, so I've always loved the idea of lots of big brothers around to protect their little sister or younger brother and his girlfriend.
OVERALL
I didn’t request to read Halfway Perfect and I wasn’t sure I wanted to based on the blurb, however Cross and Perini drew me in very early on with a clear, beautiful story of love between two great characters in a difficult industry that also showed me snapshots of life behind-the-scenes. I was previously put off reading Cross because of a misandrist rant disguised as feminism found in Tempest, but I am glad I read Halfway Perfect because it shows you can always give an author a second chance. Also, the blurb refers to this novel as ‘gritty’ – maybe because there’s statutory rape and domestic abuse in the backstory, which I did not find triggering at all – but I found it much more sweet and fluffy than gritty. I really enjoyed it and I would happily look at any of Cross’ future books.
April 25, 2015
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
3.5/5
Halfway Perfect is a young adult novel by Julie Cross and Mark Perini. It is about the not so pretty underside of the modeling world. I loved that Julie Cross paired up with a model turned writer to collaborate on this book. I thought that both Julie Cross and Mark Perini did an excellent job. I felt like I was at the castings with Eve, Elana and Alex. And while this book was darker than I initially thought it would be, it was a really good read.
Eve used to be an up and coming model when she was a young teenager, and then something happened and she walked away from the whole world right after she landed a huge designer shoot. It was scandalous. But Eve didn't care so much about the rumors that spread about her, and she starts the story enrolled at Columbia. I loved that she worked hard against everything working against her and got herself to an ivy league school. Props to her! In fact, overall I really loved Eve. There were a few minor incidents and things where I didn't agree with her decisions, but overall, I thought she was a great character. And the way that Julie Cross and Mark Perini slowly fed you more breadcrumb tidbits about her life and her past made it seem like we were always getting to know her better and better. I liked that. She was constantly developing as a character.
And her and Alex are so darn cute together. I loved the nicknames that gave each other in their phone. And I really liked how each of them interacted with Elana, who I thought was the most mature 14 year old in the world. I don't know how she did it all at such a young age. Halfway Perfect is part drama, part romance, part fictionalized expose, and totally addictive. I think this would make a great CW show. It has all the juicy drama that makes those shows fun. Halfway Perfect is a great read for those people that enjoy upper young adult romances with a side of drama and a dash of grit.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
3.5/5
Halfway Perfect is a young adult novel by Julie Cross and Mark Perini. It is about the not so pretty underside of the modeling world. I loved that Julie Cross paired up with a model turned writer to collaborate on this book. I thought that both Julie Cross and Mark Perini did an excellent job. I felt like I was at the castings with Eve, Elana and Alex. And while this book was darker than I initially thought it would be, it was a really good read.
Eve used to be an up and coming model when she was a young teenager, and then something happened and she walked away from the whole world right after she landed a huge designer shoot. It was scandalous. But Eve didn't care so much about the rumors that spread about her, and she starts the story enrolled at Columbia. I loved that she worked hard against everything working against her and got herself to an ivy league school. Props to her! In fact, overall I really loved Eve. There were a few minor incidents and things where I didn't agree with her decisions, but overall, I thought she was a great character. And the way that Julie Cross and Mark Perini slowly fed you more breadcrumb tidbits about her life and her past made it seem like we were always getting to know her better and better. I liked that. She was constantly developing as a character.
And her and Alex are so darn cute together. I loved the nicknames that gave each other in their phone. And I really liked how each of them interacted with Elana, who I thought was the most mature 14 year old in the world. I don't know how she did it all at such a young age. Halfway Perfect is part drama, part romance, part fictionalized expose, and totally addictive. I think this would make a great CW show. It has all the juicy drama that makes those shows fun. Halfway Perfect is a great read for those people that enjoy upper young adult romances with a side of drama and a dash of grit.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
February 10, 2018
TRIGGER WARNING for mental AND physical abuse
This is very hard for me to rate. I think that overall this is an important story and one that should be told. However, I don't agree with some things. I think I'm going to settle for a 2.5 Stars.
This book deals with the modeling industry. In particular when it comes to photoshoots for commercials e.g. magazines and billboards etc. The story focusses a lot on the negative sides of modelling. It follows two perspectives of models who have been in the industry since they were teenagers and how this influences their lives. It also deals a lot with mental and physical abuse, abusive relationships, sexual relationships with minors and how this influences lives as well as 'fake' relationships set up by the agency companies in order to book more jobs. The guy was 18, the girl was 14 but the world got told she was 18.
I do think the representation is portrayed well, and it is definitely important to read. I had no idea what went on in the modeling world. I do not have any experience with any of the topics treated in the book however, so I can't comment on how accurate the representation actually is.
Something that really bothers me however are the things they say about Europe. It's like the authors have this view in mind that Europe is this very freespirited place on earth where all girls walk around topless all day and where every minor can drink alcohol wherever they want, whenever they want and it's completely legal.
Some examples of what I mean:
Page 12: 'The accent is heavy, but her accent seems good. Not to mention that she's pretty confident for fourteen if she's standing here making jokes rather than shaking with nerves. But she's French. She's probably walked around topless since birth. Janessa cuts the small talk and starts positioning us, which means Elana is now basically straddling my lap. I shut off the part of my brain that's telling me exactly what I would do to any guys who put his hands on my sister the way I have my hands on Elana. At least she isn't topless.
Page 319: 'I've met dozens of designers and eaten amazing food all over the world....and wine. I got to drink all the wine I wanted in Europe and it's completely legal
Page 348: '"He's twenty-seven, Elana. You're fifteen," Eve points out, keeping her voice gentle and not at all critical. A tear escapes Elana's eye and rolls down her cheek. She wipes it away quickly. "In France it's different. The culture is different. We don't have the same age stigmas that you have in America."
Okay. These three examples are just some of the things that bothered me in the story. In the first one, the last line was actually said in bold in the book, which is why I typed it like that here as well. In this scene this eightteen year old model just meets his co-model for the first time and they have to shoot this session. The girl, Elana, is at the time fourteen. The first thing, and only thing it seems, that he thinks of when he hears she is French is that girls walk around topless there since birth so that of course this super sexy fotoshoot in a foreign country with a stranger she has never met before won't be at all strange and uncomfortable for the girl, right? Anyway, at least she isn't topless! *please note the sarcasm in my voice here*
The second scene is an interview with Eve, a couple of years ago when she was 15 and a rising star in the modelling world. She is talking about her experiences traveling to Europe. I have no idea why the authors thought it would be totally legal to drink all the wine you want in Europe at the age of 15. For most countries in Europe goes that the legal drinking age is 18. This includes wine.
I can't say what the last scene I used is about without giving away major spoilers. What bothers me about this scene however, is that the way they set up these particular lines. They say that it is perfectly fine in Europe to use a fifteen year old girl who is completely lost and alone in a foreign country, because in Europe we apparently don't have the same stigmas as in America. This guy was twentyseven, this means that he is 12 years older than her and he was using her, and mentally abusing her. I understand that she doesn't see it that way, since she is the fifteen year old girl in the relationship. BUT in Europe we do not agree with relationships of these age gaps either. Not even when they appear to be perfectly healthy because once again, HE is TWENTYSEVEN and SHE is FIFTEEN.
This is very hard for me to rate. I think that overall this is an important story and one that should be told. However, I don't agree with some things. I think I'm going to settle for a 2.5 Stars.
This book deals with the modeling industry. In particular when it comes to photoshoots for commercials e.g. magazines and billboards etc. The story focusses a lot on the negative sides of modelling. It follows two perspectives of models who have been in the industry since they were teenagers and how this influences their lives. It also deals a lot with mental and physical abuse, abusive relationships, sexual relationships with minors and how this influences lives as well as 'fake' relationships set up by the agency companies in order to book more jobs. The guy was 18, the girl was 14 but the world got told she was 18.
I do think the representation is portrayed well, and it is definitely important to read. I had no idea what went on in the modeling world. I do not have any experience with any of the topics treated in the book however, so I can't comment on how accurate the representation actually is.
Something that really bothers me however are the things they say about Europe. It's like the authors have this view in mind that Europe is this very freespirited place on earth where all girls walk around topless all day and where every minor can drink alcohol wherever they want, whenever they want and it's completely legal.
Some examples of what I mean:
Page 12: 'The accent is heavy, but her accent seems good. Not to mention that she's pretty confident for fourteen if she's standing here making jokes rather than shaking with nerves. But she's French. She's probably walked around topless since birth. Janessa cuts the small talk and starts positioning us, which means Elana is now basically straddling my lap. I shut off the part of my brain that's telling me exactly what I would do to any guys who put his hands on my sister the way I have my hands on Elana. At least she isn't topless.
Page 319: 'I've met dozens of designers and eaten amazing food all over the world....and wine. I got to drink all the wine I wanted in Europe and it's completely legal
Page 348: '"He's twenty-seven, Elana. You're fifteen," Eve points out, keeping her voice gentle and not at all critical. A tear escapes Elana's eye and rolls down her cheek. She wipes it away quickly. "In France it's different. The culture is different. We don't have the same age stigmas that you have in America."
Okay. These three examples are just some of the things that bothered me in the story. In the first one, the last line was actually said in bold in the book, which is why I typed it like that here as well. In this scene this eightteen year old model just meets his co-model for the first time and they have to shoot this session. The girl, Elana, is at the time fourteen. The first thing, and only thing it seems, that he thinks of when he hears she is French is that girls walk around topless there since birth so that of course this super sexy fotoshoot in a foreign country with a stranger she has never met before won't be at all strange and uncomfortable for the girl, right? Anyway, at least she isn't topless! *please note the sarcasm in my voice here*
The second scene is an interview with Eve, a couple of years ago when she was 15 and a rising star in the modelling world. She is talking about her experiences traveling to Europe. I have no idea why the authors thought it would be totally legal to drink all the wine you want in Europe at the age of 15. For most countries in Europe goes that the legal drinking age is 18. This includes wine.
I can't say what the last scene I used is about without giving away major spoilers. What bothers me about this scene however, is that the way they set up these particular lines. They say that it is perfectly fine in Europe to use a fifteen year old girl who is completely lost and alone in a foreign country, because in Europe we apparently don't have the same stigmas as in America. This guy was twentyseven, this means that he is 12 years older than her and he was using her, and mentally abusing her. I understand that she doesn't see it that way, since she is the fifteen year old girl in the relationship. BUT in Europe we do not agree with relationships of these age gaps either. Not even when they appear to be perfectly healthy because once again, HE is TWENTYSEVEN and SHE is FIFTEEN.
May 2, 2017
I liked this book better than I thought I would. It got interesting when we found out the truth about Eve. Thankfully Alex was there for her. Too bad they couldn't change Elana's choices.
February 19, 2016
Julie Cross did it again! What a phenomenal read. Halfway Perfect was amazing, and definitely surpassed my expectations. I was completely hooked from the beginning until the end. From the characters to the plot to the surprises to the setting, everything was amazing. Also, kudos to her co-author, Mark Perini. I never would have guessed that Halfway Perfect was written by two authors. All of the transitions were flawless, and definitely gave me some good tips for the book that I’m currently co-writing! ;)
Meet Eve, a former model who has done almost everything to hide from her past. While modeling may seem like a fun job, it was anything but fun for her. After she made her shocking exit from modeling, she entered college, and became extremely interested in photography. But one day, a photography internship caused her to re-enter the world of modeling, but this time, from behind the camera. With so many deep and dark secrets from her past, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that Eve’s life becomes tangled yet again, trying to discover what was true and what was fake. And if her past didn’t cause her enough struggles, meeting a relatively new model, Alex, definitely threw another variable into her life. As Eve and Alex started becoming closer and closer, secrets were eventually bound to be revealed. And when they were…everything changed.
Wow, I loved this book, especially the characters. Something that I found extremely interesting was that there were a ton of layers to Eve. Sure, she used to be a model. Sure, she enjoyed photography. But she was so much more than that! She was smart, yet clueless. She was sarcastic, yet sweet. I honestly just loved her! Also, I really enjoyed learning about her past. Julie Cross did an incredible job of showing Eve’s story without simply telling it. That is hard to pull off, but she did it perfectly.
One of the reasons why I think that I was so engrossed in this novel was because I knew that there were hidden meanings to everything. I could tell that everything was not what it seemed, and almost all of the characters were hiding something. The difference was, the secrets that the characters held were all different. Some secrets were kept due to necessity and fear of retaliation, while others were kept for good purposes, while others were simply evil. It was crazy- there was never a dull moment in the book.
Also, I found it interesting to read a book from a model’s point of view. Do I know whether everything was accurate from the book? No, I do not. But, the important thing is, now I want to know! This piqued my interest, and now I want to go read more books with models! I want to learn about the process. (Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to become a model myself, but as a reader, it was very interesting to learn).
Overall I really enjoyed this book and give it 5/5stars.
Meet Eve, a former model who has done almost everything to hide from her past. While modeling may seem like a fun job, it was anything but fun for her. After she made her shocking exit from modeling, she entered college, and became extremely interested in photography. But one day, a photography internship caused her to re-enter the world of modeling, but this time, from behind the camera. With so many deep and dark secrets from her past, it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that Eve’s life becomes tangled yet again, trying to discover what was true and what was fake. And if her past didn’t cause her enough struggles, meeting a relatively new model, Alex, definitely threw another variable into her life. As Eve and Alex started becoming closer and closer, secrets were eventually bound to be revealed. And when they were…everything changed.
Wow, I loved this book, especially the characters. Something that I found extremely interesting was that there were a ton of layers to Eve. Sure, she used to be a model. Sure, she enjoyed photography. But she was so much more than that! She was smart, yet clueless. She was sarcastic, yet sweet. I honestly just loved her! Also, I really enjoyed learning about her past. Julie Cross did an incredible job of showing Eve’s story without simply telling it. That is hard to pull off, but she did it perfectly.
One of the reasons why I think that I was so engrossed in this novel was because I knew that there were hidden meanings to everything. I could tell that everything was not what it seemed, and almost all of the characters were hiding something. The difference was, the secrets that the characters held were all different. Some secrets were kept due to necessity and fear of retaliation, while others were kept for good purposes, while others were simply evil. It was crazy- there was never a dull moment in the book.
Also, I found it interesting to read a book from a model’s point of view. Do I know whether everything was accurate from the book? No, I do not. But, the important thing is, now I want to know! This piqued my interest, and now I want to go read more books with models! I want to learn about the process. (Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to become a model myself, but as a reader, it was very interesting to learn).
Overall I really enjoyed this book and give it 5/5stars.
December 11, 2014
Julie Cross has once again written a beautiful book that is equally touching and swoon worthy. In Halfway Perfect, Julie Cross has teamed with Mark Perini whose writing style and experience in the fashion industry brings an honesty to the characters and a depth to the story.
Eve walked away from a successful and expanding career as a model and was determined never to look back. But an opportunity to study under a great photographer leads Eve straight back into the world of fashion. There is she confronted by her old agent, a young model whose story seems far too similar to her own, and an up and coming model, Alex, whose own career is taking off. As sparks begin to form between Alex and Eve, the two must decide what they truly want from their lives and what they will sacrifice to achieve their dreams.
Halfway Perfect is a mix between young adult and new adult as the characters span between high school and college. It's mature and yet fresh. The chapters alternated between Alex and Eve. Alex describes himself as charming and manipulative. I prefer hot, gorgeous (he is a model after all, and there are scenes where he is modelling underwear only - just warning you), charming, boy-next-door sweet, kind and has a depth to him that draws Eve to him. Eve is refreshing as a narrator and character. Having been burned by her family and the fashion world alike, she struggles to trust - herself most of all.
Halfway Perfect feels like a more grown-up version of Threads by Sophia Bennett and fans of her book The Look will also appreciate this newest forage into the world of fashion and modelling. Halfway Perfect is neither judgemental or blinded. The word I keep returning to is honest (well, in my opinion, having no experience at all in this industry, but it feels honest).
I loved this book. I love all Julie Cross' books. I loved the plot - the mix of drama, swoony romance and touching moments. I loved the characters - their depth and voices. I loved the chemistry between Alex and Eve, which fairly sizzles. I loved the secondary characters, everyone from Eve's photography mentor to Alex's sweet and spunky sister. And I loved the balance between the superficial, self-centred world of fashion with the serious issues this book touches upon, like abusive relationships.
This is a book about following your dreams, standing up for yourself, looking our for others and finding your place.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Eve walked away from a successful and expanding career as a model and was determined never to look back. But an opportunity to study under a great photographer leads Eve straight back into the world of fashion. There is she confronted by her old agent, a young model whose story seems far too similar to her own, and an up and coming model, Alex, whose own career is taking off. As sparks begin to form between Alex and Eve, the two must decide what they truly want from their lives and what they will sacrifice to achieve their dreams.
Halfway Perfect is a mix between young adult and new adult as the characters span between high school and college. It's mature and yet fresh. The chapters alternated between Alex and Eve. Alex describes himself as charming and manipulative. I prefer hot, gorgeous (he is a model after all, and there are scenes where he is modelling underwear only - just warning you), charming, boy-next-door sweet, kind and has a depth to him that draws Eve to him. Eve is refreshing as a narrator and character. Having been burned by her family and the fashion world alike, she struggles to trust - herself most of all.
Halfway Perfect feels like a more grown-up version of Threads by Sophia Bennett and fans of her book The Look will also appreciate this newest forage into the world of fashion and modelling. Halfway Perfect is neither judgemental or blinded. The word I keep returning to is honest (well, in my opinion, having no experience at all in this industry, but it feels honest).
I loved this book. I love all Julie Cross' books. I loved the plot - the mix of drama, swoony romance and touching moments. I loved the characters - their depth and voices. I loved the chemistry between Alex and Eve, which fairly sizzles. I loved the secondary characters, everyone from Eve's photography mentor to Alex's sweet and spunky sister. And I loved the balance between the superficial, self-centred world of fashion with the serious issues this book touches upon, like abusive relationships.
This is a book about following your dreams, standing up for yourself, looking our for others and finding your place.
The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2015
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire via Netgalley for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Did I like this book?
"Halfway Perfect" gave me an in depth look at an industry I normally wouldn't think much about. Of course I've heard of the pressures that models face, but most of the focus has been on weight, and occasionally age, at least in the stories I've read. I really liked that this book brought attention to a completely different side of the industry, the side where young girls, children really, are thrown into a world without parental supervision or guidance and expected to act like adults. So many things can, and probably do, go wrong for these kids.
The writing and pace of this novel worked really well for me. I liked how the relationship between Alex and Eve developed, starting first with friendship. I also really loved how both Alex and Eve felt the need to protect Elana - this helped to show the moral integrity of them both, and I ended up fully respecting both of their positions.
While I enjoyed getting to know both Alex and Eve, Alex is the one I inevitably fell hard for! He was just so patient with Eve, and he was a fantastic older brother figure for Elana. I loved meeting his family and watching how his relationships with his siblings improved over the course of the book. In short, Alex is fabulous!
I won't go into details about Eve's relationship with her ex, but I thought this aspect of "Halfway Perfect" was handled extrememely well. This type of abuse hasn't been explored nearly enough in New Adult books, and although it is a tough and emotional topic, it is an important one and I'm glad the authors decided to take the risk here - I thought they did an excellent job!
Will you like this book?
Anyone wanting a closer look at the pressures of the modelling industry will want to pick up "Halfway Perfect". But even if you are not curious about modelling at all, I think fans of New Adult reads will still love this book. It's well written, with an interesting setting and unforgettable characters, as well as complex relationships and plenty of angst . In short, all the things you've come to love about New Adult!
Will I read more by these authors?
Absolutely! With this title, Julie Cross and Mark Perini have effectively jumped to the top of my must-buy list!
Did I like this book?
"Halfway Perfect" gave me an in depth look at an industry I normally wouldn't think much about. Of course I've heard of the pressures that models face, but most of the focus has been on weight, and occasionally age, at least in the stories I've read. I really liked that this book brought attention to a completely different side of the industry, the side where young girls, children really, are thrown into a world without parental supervision or guidance and expected to act like adults. So many things can, and probably do, go wrong for these kids.
The writing and pace of this novel worked really well for me. I liked how the relationship between Alex and Eve developed, starting first with friendship. I also really loved how both Alex and Eve felt the need to protect Elana - this helped to show the moral integrity of them both, and I ended up fully respecting both of their positions.
While I enjoyed getting to know both Alex and Eve, Alex is the one I inevitably fell hard for! He was just so patient with Eve, and he was a fantastic older brother figure for Elana. I loved meeting his family and watching how his relationships with his siblings improved over the course of the book. In short, Alex is fabulous!
I won't go into details about Eve's relationship with her ex, but I thought this aspect of "Halfway Perfect" was handled extrememely well. This type of abuse hasn't been explored nearly enough in New Adult books, and although it is a tough and emotional topic, it is an important one and I'm glad the authors decided to take the risk here - I thought they did an excellent job!
Will you like this book?
Anyone wanting a closer look at the pressures of the modelling industry will want to pick up "Halfway Perfect". But even if you are not curious about modelling at all, I think fans of New Adult reads will still love this book. It's well written, with an interesting setting and unforgettable characters, as well as complex relationships and plenty of angst . In short, all the things you've come to love about New Adult!
Will I read more by these authors?
Absolutely! With this title, Julie Cross and Mark Perini have effectively jumped to the top of my must-buy list!
May 6, 2015
I want to thank Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. Receiving this book for free has in no way altered my opinion or review.
I will say that I am a huge fan of Julie Cross and will read anything she chooses to write. And I love that she can write in multiple genres and sub-genres! So when she teamed up with Mark Perini to write this book, I knew I wanted to read it!
I have no clue about the modeling world. I only know what I've seen on TV and read in magazines. So I was excited to see what this book brought to light for me.
Eve was a model, but she gave it up for reasons she buries deep, not to mention wanting to go to school. So when she's thrust back into this world, she finds herself floundering a bit. And it doesn't take long for people to realize who they have in their midst. Eve tries hard not to let the rumors of why she left modeling surround her, but they are so hard to fight when she's been pushed back into the limelight.
Then she forms a bond with one of the male models on the shoot, Alex. I loved watching how their relationship grew. No instal-love, no annoying whininess from Eve. Just a pure friendship that gets to blossom into more.
But of course there's a wrench in their romance. One they must work through. One that causes some rough spots for them. And what they go through is dark and gritty and really brings to light things that happen in the modeling world that one doesn't see just by looking at the pages of a magazine.
If you're looking for a quick contemporary read that builds a sweet romance and also opens your eyes to things you might not know much about, then you'll love this one from Mark and Julie.
I will say that I am a huge fan of Julie Cross and will read anything she chooses to write. And I love that she can write in multiple genres and sub-genres! So when she teamed up with Mark Perini to write this book, I knew I wanted to read it!
I have no clue about the modeling world. I only know what I've seen on TV and read in magazines. So I was excited to see what this book brought to light for me.
Eve was a model, but she gave it up for reasons she buries deep, not to mention wanting to go to school. So when she's thrust back into this world, she finds herself floundering a bit. And it doesn't take long for people to realize who they have in their midst. Eve tries hard not to let the rumors of why she left modeling surround her, but they are so hard to fight when she's been pushed back into the limelight.
Then she forms a bond with one of the male models on the shoot, Alex. I loved watching how their relationship grew. No instal-love, no annoying whininess from Eve. Just a pure friendship that gets to blossom into more.
But of course there's a wrench in their romance. One they must work through. One that causes some rough spots for them. And what they go through is dark and gritty and really brings to light things that happen in the modeling world that one doesn't see just by looking at the pages of a magazine.
If you're looking for a quick contemporary read that builds a sweet romance and also opens your eyes to things you might not know much about, then you'll love this one from Mark and Julie.
June 1, 2015
I am majorly delinquent on my review of Halfway Perfect. I was lucky enough to read this one early (like manuscript early), and I have been waiting what seems like ages for it to be finally out so I can finally shove it in the hands of everyone I can. I absolutely love the story Julie Cross and Mark Perini have spun, and I cannot wait for the sequel as well!
I love Eve's determination. She was such an inspiring character, and I want there to be more gals like her in literature. Halfway Perfect sucked me right in, all the nitty, gritty details alongside the love story that pairs. I never wanted the book to end.
This is seriously a must read! It is gripping and truly worth the read.
I love Eve's determination. She was such an inspiring character, and I want there to be more gals like her in literature. Halfway Perfect sucked me right in, all the nitty, gritty details alongside the love story that pairs. I never wanted the book to end.
This is seriously a must read! It is gripping and truly worth the read.
June 9, 2017
A young adult novel that I received from a book expo. There was a decent storyline of a female model turned Ivy League college student and an up and coming male model. In addition to the love interest there was insight into the politics of the modeling world and your 15 minutes of fame along with inappropriate relationships with minors. The book was easy-going told in the viewpoint of the two main characters and chapters that give chronological data time events. Fun and light reading.
August 31, 2015
3 STARS FOR "HALFWAY PERFECT" BY JULIE CROSS AND MARK PERINI
Halfway Perfect is a sweet contemporary romance that is perfect for those who are looking to get out of a reading slump or bookish hangover. While introducing a couple that the readers can (and will!) root for, Cross and Perini also touch upon the sensitive subject of abuse and some harsh realities of the modelling industry. There's enough balance between the romance and the drama that the story never felt too bogged down by the darker subject matter.
I really liked Eve's love interest, and 1/2 of the protagonists, Alex. He was sweet and I loved how respectful he was towards Eve and her past in the beginning. While anybody would be curious as to why Eve would just ditch her modelling career right when she was hitting stardom, he respected her boundaries and privacy enough to know that he shouldn't ask. The progression of his relationship with Eve felt very natural, and it felt realistic that they would start off as friends first before becoming anything romantic. I also liked how there really was no "chase". They both liked each other and had things in common...so they went for it.
I also really liked the discussion that this book can open about abuse in relationships. As you come to find out, Eve was in both a physically and mentally abusive relationship when she was younger. Halfway Perfect puts a strong emphasis on the fact that it is the adults responsibility to turn down the younger persons advances - how people often abuse the age gap in order to get what they want out of the person. And that someone doesn't need to bear physical scars and wounds in order for the relationship to be toxic and unhealthy. Anyone who makes you feel co-dependent, or who builds you up to only break you back down again, is not good for you. Ever.
It was a nice touch to include Elana, a new model, to parallel her experiences with Eve's. Having these girls bond and wanting to look out for each other was really sweet to see, and reinforces the idea that speaking out about these issues can help prevent it from happening again to another innocent person.
Alex's arms go around me, and my face is buried in his shirt, and my life is rewinding itself inside my head and showing me colors I've never seen before and none of it is pleasant. It's so ugly I feel sick to my stomach and completely unable to draw in enough air to my lungs.
Halfway Perfect is a sweet contemporary romance that is perfect for those who are looking to get out of a reading slump or bookish hangover. While introducing a couple that the readers can (and will!) root for, Cross and Perini also touch upon the sensitive subject of abuse and some harsh realities of the modelling industry. There's enough balance between the romance and the drama that the story never felt too bogged down by the darker subject matter.
I really liked Eve's love interest, and 1/2 of the protagonists, Alex. He was sweet and I loved how respectful he was towards Eve and her past in the beginning. While anybody would be curious as to why Eve would just ditch her modelling career right when she was hitting stardom, he respected her boundaries and privacy enough to know that he shouldn't ask. The progression of his relationship with Eve felt very natural, and it felt realistic that they would start off as friends first before becoming anything romantic. I also liked how there really was no "chase". They both liked each other and had things in common...so they went for it.
I also really liked the discussion that this book can open about abuse in relationships. As you come to find out, Eve was in both a physically and mentally abusive relationship when she was younger. Halfway Perfect puts a strong emphasis on the fact that it is the adults responsibility to turn down the younger persons advances - how people often abuse the age gap in order to get what they want out of the person. And that someone doesn't need to bear physical scars and wounds in order for the relationship to be toxic and unhealthy. Anyone who makes you feel co-dependent, or who builds you up to only break you back down again, is not good for you. Ever.
It was a nice touch to include Elana, a new model, to parallel her experiences with Eve's. Having these girls bond and wanting to look out for each other was really sweet to see, and reinforces the idea that speaking out about these issues can help prevent it from happening again to another innocent person.
May 6, 2015
I received a copy from Sourcebooks (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review!
In Halfway Perfect Julie Cross joins forces with male model and author, Mark Perini, to produce an honest, and at times dark, look into the world of modelling and the fashion industry.
Eve left her career as a fashion model under a huge cloud and a lot of secrecy. She has spent the last few years trying to move on and dreams of becoming a photographer. When the chance to work with a hugely respected photographer comes along Eve finds herself facing the very people and issues she thought she had left in the past. Eve meets model on the rise Alex, who she thinks is arrogant and shallow until he proves he isn't.
The book was definitely much darker and grittier than I expected. I didn't envisage certain revelations concerning Eve's past, and when they came to light I wasn't sure what to make of the characters involved and Eve's reaction to them. I liked both of the main characters and found myself hoping they would be able to see past their problems, expectations and of course outside interference, to find a HEA. Alex was a sweet combination of hot model (hello undies scene), charming and thoughtful friend (how he looks after Elana) and possessive potential lover.
The secondary characters were a nice mix and I felt they helped balance out the narrative. I didn't like all of them, but we're not supposed to. Alex's sister made me smile and I appreciated the people who came out to support them.
Eve has a lot of things to deal with throughout the book but it was nice to see her try to form a new life for herself. Her relationship with Elana was particularly sweet and served as a nice parallel to her own journey.
4 Stars in my sky!
More at Zili in the Sky
May 18, 2016
One time model, Eve, is rebuilding her life. Now a student at a University, Eve gets the opportunity to interview a world famous photographer. Unfortunately, she gets recognized by one of the models on the set. Alex is willing to keep Eve's secret and he can't help have his interest peaked as to why Eve walked away from her booming career at sixteen.
Eve, had her reasons and one person she wanted to stay away from, her former agent Wes Danes. Eve is able to get an apprenticeship and it puts her in the path of Wes frequently. When she sees Wes given the same attention to Elana, a new model who is young and pretending to be in a relationship with Alex, she grows closer to Alex wanting to protect Elana.
A pretend romance, a relationship that is supposed to stay hidden, and a secret no one wants out leads to a fascinating read. I can honestly say that I have seen a few "models" with a ton of publicity that I know are underage with men way older frequently on the tabloids. Always made me wonder. I think this book takes a subject that sounds like it would be a dream come true and points out some hidden flaws we are not privy too. I thought both authors did a fantastic job translating each characters story, very well done.
Eve, had her reasons and one person she wanted to stay away from, her former agent Wes Danes. Eve is able to get an apprenticeship and it puts her in the path of Wes frequently. When she sees Wes given the same attention to Elana, a new model who is young and pretending to be in a relationship with Alex, she grows closer to Alex wanting to protect Elana.
A pretend romance, a relationship that is supposed to stay hidden, and a secret no one wants out leads to a fascinating read. I can honestly say that I have seen a few "models" with a ton of publicity that I know are underage with men way older frequently on the tabloids. Always made me wonder. I think this book takes a subject that sounds like it would be a dream come true and points out some hidden flaws we are not privy too. I thought both authors did a fantastic job translating each characters story, very well done.
November 1, 2014
Eve was a teenage model and left the modeling industry after being taken advantage of by her agent, Wes. This relationship lefter her scarred and fearful but now in college she is thrust back into the industry interning as a photographers assistant and trying for a scholarship. Eve has strong reservations about returning to the modeling world even on the edges until she meets Alex and a new young model both of whom are being watched over by Wes. As she starts falling for Alex she also feels concern for what Wes is trying to start with the new young model. All of these feelings conflict with her plans to stay far away from the modeling industry.
May 13, 2015
I normally avoid reading New Adult books because I find that the plot usually involves a lot of drama and/or is sacrificed in favour of romance – or sex scenes. Imagine my surprise then when Halfway Perfect by Julie Cross and Mark Perini, a book I requested for review, turned out to be a NA novel.
Thankfully, Halfway Perfect doesn’t have too much drama because Eve and Alex were pretty open with each other and knew right from the start that if they decided to have a relationship, it would have to be a secret so that Alex’s modeling career wouldn’t be jeopardized. I also really liked that the romance didn’t overshadow the plot, which shows the not-so glamorous aspects of being a model.
Thankfully, Halfway Perfect doesn’t have too much drama because Eve and Alex were pretty open with each other and knew right from the start that if they decided to have a relationship, it would have to be a secret so that Alex’s modeling career wouldn’t be jeopardized. I also really liked that the romance didn’t overshadow the plot, which shows the not-so glamorous aspects of being a model.
February 1, 2015
Big thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an ARC copy for review.
Julie Cross and Mark Perini make a great writing team with Halfway Perfect. It has everything from photography, fashion, the not so pretty side of modeling, and a sweet romance, which made for an engaging YA novel.
This has a double perspective of both Eve and Alex. While I enjoyed both voices of the characters, but there were certain times where I felt the story was dragging just little. Other than that it was quite the enjoyable novel with a cute ending.
Julie Cross and Mark Perini make a great writing team with Halfway Perfect. It has everything from photography, fashion, the not so pretty side of modeling, and a sweet romance, which made for an engaging YA novel.
This has a double perspective of both Eve and Alex. While I enjoyed both voices of the characters, but there were certain times where I felt the story was dragging just little. Other than that it was quite the enjoyable novel with a cute ending.
December 22, 2015
An interesting read. A good reminder to keep your family happy & supportive. Learn something new in the modeling industry. Won't look at another ad the same way again hehe Detailed review at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
September 10, 2015
3.5-4 stars
Love, love, love! <3
Love, love, love! <3
March 4, 2015
A cute, quick read about following your dreams and finding love along the way.
Read
November 14, 2015Just too "teeny" for me. Sometimes YA works and sometimes it doesn't.
July 9, 2018
The short version of how I feel about the book and my review told through emojis: 🤷😐🤔😕😶😑😳🙁😨😒
The long version of how I feel about the book and my review told through actual words:
To say I have conflicting feelings about this book would be the understatement of the year.
Overall, I give the book 3.5 stars because the writing style overall is good, but I really did think I would like the book more than I actually did. The book was recommended to me because it showed up as a related book to a book that I really like [can't remember what book it is].
I really was excited about the book because I thought it would show the unglamorous side of the modeling industry from someone who was, at one point, a model. And Halfway Perfect successfully accomplished that, which is a pro [one of the few books] of the book.
Here's where the cons begin.
-Eve annoyed the hell out of me. Oh my f****** god, she irritated the s*** out of me. I understand that she doesn't have the perfect home life and she's been through some serious s***. But her feelings, activities, and thoughts were so repetitive that it was beginning to irritate me.
-There is no chemistry between Alex and Eve. The dialogue between them sounds like the authors trying to make sure that the reader gets the chemistry between them instead of the reader sensing the chemistry by themselves.
-There is not enough context about abusive relationships or how to successfully escape one. If you're going to mention a serious topic like an abusive relationship, then at least make sure the reader walks away knowing how to spread the message that no one should have to tolerate abuse.
-The entire story feels way too rushed or too slow. I wish that Halfway Perfect would keep a steady pace through writing.
Happy Monday! Hope your day is going well. And if it isn't, I hope that tomorrow or sometime in the near future, it gets better. Because I promise that it will. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon.
with love,
Reenie
💋
The long version of how I feel about the book and my review told through actual words:
To say I have conflicting feelings about this book would be the understatement of the year.
Overall, I give the book 3.5 stars because the writing style overall is good, but I really did think I would like the book more than I actually did. The book was recommended to me because it showed up as a related book to a book that I really like [can't remember what book it is].
I really was excited about the book because I thought it would show the unglamorous side of the modeling industry from someone who was, at one point, a model. And Halfway Perfect successfully accomplished that, which is a pro [one of the few books] of the book.
Here's where the cons begin.
-Eve annoyed the hell out of me. Oh my f****** god, she irritated the s*** out of me. I understand that she doesn't have the perfect home life and she's been through some serious s***. But her feelings, activities, and thoughts were so repetitive that it was beginning to irritate me.
-There is no chemistry between Alex and Eve. The dialogue between them sounds like the authors trying to make sure that the reader gets the chemistry between them instead of the reader sensing the chemistry by themselves.
-There is not enough context about abusive relationships or how to successfully escape one. If you're going to mention a serious topic like an abusive relationship, then at least make sure the reader walks away knowing how to spread the message that no one should have to tolerate abuse.
-The entire story feels way too rushed or too slow. I wish that Halfway Perfect would keep a steady pace through writing.
Happy Monday! Hope your day is going well. And if it isn't, I hope that tomorrow or sometime in the near future, it gets better. Because I promise that it will. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon.
with love,
Reenie
💋
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2020
Once again, a book by Julie Cross has made me laugh, cry, gasp and ponder my life within a span of 100 pages. I've had the hugest girl crush on her since I read "Letters to Nowhere," and my appreciation for her elevated after "Whatever Life Throws at You." I'm even a proud member of her Street Team (obligatory disclaimer: my role in her street team does not influence my opinion of her writing in any way)!
"Halfway Perfect" contains all the usual ingredients that make up a typical Julie Cross contemporary: poignancy, romance and edginess and distinct wit that make her work so relatable to anyone who has ever been a teenage girl. What makes this book different from her others is a certain flair and masculine voice that Mark Perini brings to the novel.
I loved both of the protagonists, Eve and Alex!
Eve Nowakowski, former model and current Columbia student, is done with having her life controlled. She's done with abusive agents like Wes and parents who only care about the money she makes from modeling. For once, she's taking life into her own hands, relying only on her own hard work and talent to get into Columbia and graduate with a degree in photojournalism. I could certainly relate to Eve in this way. I admire her for the brains and perseverance it takes to get into Columbia and stay there because I know what its like to strive so hard academically to get where I want to be. Her passion for photography brings a smile to my face. Hey, Eve? Want to be BFFs, so we can geek out over composition techniques together?
Though her determination and hard work show such strength and character, Eve's weaknesses are really what make her shine. Rather, it's her ability to overcome them that makes her so amazing. At Eve's lowest moments, the authors strip Eve raw, leaving nothing but gritty pain and regret. The contrast from the person Eve strives to be is brutal and heartbreaking. The growth process is slow and agonizing for both Eve and the reader, but in the end Eve is much stronger. She faces her greatest mistake and learns to stop blaming herself.
One of the greatest contributors to Eve's growth is Alex, who helps her stand when she's too weak to do so -- both figuratively and literally -- and changes the way she looks at love. It would've been so easy for Cross and Perini to make Alex Evans the archetypal male love interest, a sinfully handsome, womanizing bad boy who secretly has a golden heart. Luckily, they didn't go that route. Alex is the all-American golden boy, dashingly handsome, charmingly witty and sweet in that boy-next-door way. He's an absolute gentleman with Eve, his fake girlfriend Elana (who reminds him of his little sister) and his little sister. He's a bit naive in the beginning, seeing no further than his agent's *cough* that asshole *cough* next order and the modeling jobs he wants. As the modeling world pushes him further and further, forcing him to disobey his morals, Alex sees the darkness in the profession he's chosen. He doesn't change as much as as Eve, but Alex grows in that he gains strength to defend his morals and the people he cares about and learns to see that there's more to him than just a hot body and a pretty face.
“There’s so much good in him that I’m desperate to find a way to unzip him and crawl inside and let myself be even closer.”
The romance between Eve and Alex sizzles and sparks with every page-turn. The chemistry is evident in every glance, touch and spoken word whether their current relationship status is "just friends" or more than that. They bring out the best in each other. Some scenes are so wonderfully touching they'll have you giggling and saying "awww." Others are so hot you'll be fanning yourself with your free hand -- assuming you can un-glue one of them from your book. I like the way the authors crafted this passionate, mature romance while keeping the story clean so that it can be enjoyed by both readers of the YA and NA age groups.
The supporting characters were great too. I felt to sorry for naive, young Elana. I want Alex's hilarious, loyal siblings as my own (especially his spunky little sis). I really admired Eve's feisty and frank photography mentor, Janessa. Seriously, what do I have to do to become her assistant?
Perini brings such vivid insight into the world of modeling. I knew nothing about modeling past what I see on billboards, TV ads and magazines, but Perini gave me a thorough, all-encompassing behind-the-scenes look in less than 500 pages. His insight adds realism to the story; I felt like I was right next to Eve and Alex, watching the make-up artists and crew rushing around, listening to Janessa's barked orders and the click of her shutter.
The photography descriptions didn't quite satisfy me. Photographer's typically describe their photos in terms of composition (leading lines, lighting techniques, depth, rule of thirds, etc.). Still, the feeling of framing a shot and the satisfaction of getting that perfect shot is spot on.
Bottom Line
"Halfway Perfect" is witty and romantic with that Julie Cross flair that I've come to expect and love. The protagonists are not only relatable but also show strength and character at their finest moments. Eve and Alex are great as individuals, but even more amazing together with a chemistry-filled romance that'll make you swoon. Mark Perini's insight into the world of modelling adds realism that distinguishes "Halfway Perfect" from just any other book about modelling, throwing in bitter truths and moral dilemmas.
May 8, 2017
I'm sad I read these companion books out of order. I wish I'd found this one first but I loved them both.
This is Alex and Eve's story. Eve is a breakthrough model from years ago. She hit the scene very early and then abruptly left. Alex is new to the world. And he's the current latest and greatest guy wading through modeling's ugly waters.
Eve is brought back to modeling with her love of photography and a teacher in college with connections.
I like that Eve wasn't all good and light and sunshine - she'd made mistakes and was perfectly okay with living with them. I liked that Alex was such a sweet guy and hadn't let his looks go to his head....too much.
I loved that Finley made an appearance in this one (since book 2 is based on her) and I was able to understand the housing and the control of the agencies on the kids. This one was pretty cute with some real life situations and dramas.
This is Alex and Eve's story. Eve is a breakthrough model from years ago. She hit the scene very early and then abruptly left. Alex is new to the world. And he's the current latest and greatest guy wading through modeling's ugly waters.
Eve is brought back to modeling with her love of photography and a teacher in college with connections.
I like that Eve wasn't all good and light and sunshine - she'd made mistakes and was perfectly okay with living with them. I liked that Alex was such a sweet guy and hadn't let his looks go to his head....too much.
I loved that Finley made an appearance in this one (since book 2 is based on her) and I was able to understand the housing and the control of the agencies on the kids. This one was pretty cute with some real life situations and dramas.
July 23, 2020
Things I liked:
Well written.
I enjoyed all of the characters and their development within the story.
I liked that Eve was both strong and weak—it seemed that the author tried to highlight this with most of the main characters. It was intriguing and a good balance.
LOVED Alex.
I really liked some of the sub-characters like Finley (and she has her own story!), Steph, and Alex’ brothers.
I really liked that the male protagonist was written by a man and the female by a woman—yet the transitions between voices were very smooth.
Things I didn’t like:
Teenage sex—though I will say it was nice that most of it IN the book (not the history of the characters) was between 18 year olds or older, and it was not super graphic in how it was mentioned.
I felt like Elana’s character kind of got the shaft. It would have been nice if there had been a bit more resolution with her and the main characters (especially Alex).
Overall I would definitely read these authors again.
Well written.
I enjoyed all of the characters and their development within the story.
I liked that Eve was both strong and weak—it seemed that the author tried to highlight this with most of the main characters. It was intriguing and a good balance.
LOVED Alex.
I really liked some of the sub-characters like Finley (and she has her own story!), Steph, and Alex’ brothers.
I really liked that the male protagonist was written by a man and the female by a woman—yet the transitions between voices were very smooth.
Things I didn’t like:
Teenage sex—though I will say it was nice that most of it IN the book (not the history of the characters) was between 18 year olds or older, and it was not super graphic in how it was mentioned.
I felt like Elana’s character kind of got the shaft. It would have been nice if there had been a bit more resolution with her and the main characters (especially Alex).
Overall I would definitely read these authors again.
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