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My Perfect Cousin
Cousins Yasmin and Ruby have always been rivals, but both sides of the story are exposed in this cleverly composed clean-teen novella from Karen McCombie.
Ruby can’t stand her “perfect” cousin Yasmin. Yasmin is pretty, popular and has a gorgeous boyfriend Max. She’s set to get excellent grades in her GCSEs and her parents won’t stop going on about how brilliant she is.
Ruby always feel small and hopeless around Yasmin, and whenever she gets any attention, Yasmin tries to make sure the spotlight turns back to her.
Or that’s how Ruby feels anyway. But is there another side to the story?
Ruby can’t stand her “perfect” cousin Yasmin. Yasmin is pretty, popular and has a gorgeous boyfriend Max. She’s set to get excellent grades in her GCSEs and her parents won’t stop going on about how brilliant she is.
Ruby always feel small and hopeless around Yasmin, and whenever she gets any attention, Yasmin tries to make sure the spotlight turns back to her.
Or that’s how Ruby feels anyway. But is there another side to the story?
- GenresFamilyPsychologyRomance
96 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Karen McCombie
182 books195 followersKaren McCombie is a bestselling author of children's and young adult novels, and has had more than 90 books published. She is the author of the much-loved series 'Ally's World' (early 2000s) and her most recent books include the Carnegie-nominated historical adventure 'Little Bird Flies' (2019) and it's newly published partner novel 'Little Bird Lands' (2020, Nosy Crow Books), plus the 'St Grizzle's School' series for younger readers (Stripes). She has several books publishing in 2021.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 1, 2025
Ruby is such a shitty person omg
February 14, 2026
Loved it
June 30, 2025
I haven't read any Karen McCombie for a long time! My girls loved her books.
This book is split into two stories within the book. Ruby's and Yasmin's, they are teenage cousins both doing their GCSEs.
Ruby's story is that Yasmin is the perfect one. Her family are rich, she looks fabulous, she has the perfect boyfriend, even Granny seems to like her more. And when she doesn't get her own way - or someone else is the centre of attention she faints. Ruby's best friend is Kam, he wants her to go with him to the Pride festival - and she says yes and agrees to hide his clothes so he can change after leaving home. It's Granny's birthday party and Yasmin in a very sequinned dress faints again - when Ruby is talking to Max...was Yasmin jealous? When Ruby takes up swimming again, she chats to Max at the Lido.
Yasmin though is planning something. She's finished her exams all right...but there's going to be a shock. She knows Ruby doesn't like her. She doesn't like the things Max likes, she doesn't like the fact that he has put an app on her phone that tells him where she is! The fainting - it's anxiety but no-one thinks she should be anxious about anything. That dress - her parents made her wear it!
The girls stories are more complicated than the "perfect cousin" tag, and the twist....
This book is split into two stories within the book. Ruby's and Yasmin's, they are teenage cousins both doing their GCSEs.
Ruby's story is that Yasmin is the perfect one. Her family are rich, she looks fabulous, she has the perfect boyfriend, even Granny seems to like her more. And when she doesn't get her own way - or someone else is the centre of attention she faints. Ruby's best friend is Kam, he wants her to go with him to the Pride festival - and she says yes and agrees to hide his clothes so he can change after leaving home. It's Granny's birthday party and Yasmin in a very sequinned dress faints again - when Ruby is talking to Max...was Yasmin jealous? When Ruby takes up swimming again, she chats to Max at the Lido.
Yasmin though is planning something. She's finished her exams all right...but there's going to be a shock. She knows Ruby doesn't like her. She doesn't like the things Max likes, she doesn't like the fact that he has put an app on her phone that tells him where she is! The fainting - it's anxiety but no-one thinks she should be anxious about anything. That dress - her parents made her wear it!
The girls stories are more complicated than the "perfect cousin" tag, and the twist....
March 18, 2026
Ruby has always felt that she lives under the shadow of her perfect cousin. Yasmin has always been their gran's favourite and is constantly upstaging Ruby in everything.
Yasmin has the perfect boyfriend, the perfect grades and a perfect future planned. When Ruby has ever beaten Yasmin in anything, as soon as Ruby gets any attention, Yasmin has a fainting spell, drawing the attention back to herself once again.
After years of this treatment, Ruby tries to pretend that it doesn't bother her anymore, but deep down it still hurts.
This read for dyslexic or reluctant readers tips expectations on their heads as a cousin shares her feelings about how small she feels around her more glamourous, clever, and driven cousin named Yasmin.
As I read of Ruby's plight, believing more and more that her woes were real and her cousin really was all the terrible things she believed, I was then given Yasmin's point of view.
Boy, was I wrong.
There is always two sides or even multiple sides to a story, the more people who are involved. Nobody really knows everything another is thinking, no matter how close.
Because of misconceptions between two cousins from childhood, communication had completely broken down, which in turn hid some terrible truths.
Intriguing read.
Dyslexic Read
Interest age 11+ / Reading Age 7+
Yasmin has the perfect boyfriend, the perfect grades and a perfect future planned. When Ruby has ever beaten Yasmin in anything, as soon as Ruby gets any attention, Yasmin has a fainting spell, drawing the attention back to herself once again.
After years of this treatment, Ruby tries to pretend that it doesn't bother her anymore, but deep down it still hurts.
This read for dyslexic or reluctant readers tips expectations on their heads as a cousin shares her feelings about how small she feels around her more glamourous, clever, and driven cousin named Yasmin.
As I read of Ruby's plight, believing more and more that her woes were real and her cousin really was all the terrible things she believed, I was then given Yasmin's point of view.
Boy, was I wrong.
There is always two sides or even multiple sides to a story, the more people who are involved. Nobody really knows everything another is thinking, no matter how close.
Because of misconceptions between two cousins from childhood, communication had completely broken down, which in turn hid some terrible truths.
Intriguing read.
Dyslexic Read
Interest age 11+ / Reading Age 7+
July 23, 2025
3.5 stars
This is a great look at a story from 2 sides. Probably not for primary schools, but definitely a good one for secondary! Ruby and Yasmin don’t see eye to eye, but it’s important that we see a story through everyone’s eyes!
This is a great look at a story from 2 sides. Probably not for primary schools, but definitely a good one for secondary! Ruby and Yasmin don’t see eye to eye, but it’s important that we see a story through everyone’s eyes!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews