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Virtually Perfect
242 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 6, 2026
ARC REVIEW - thanks to NetGalley for an arc copy of this for my honest review c:
3.5 rounded up
So I went into this thinking it would be a romance between a person & AI but I also went in completely blind just based on the cover. I am overall glad I applied for an arc because this was a really cute romance between two badass lesbians!
The focus on an AI companion could have gone a little harder in my opinion & I’m slightly disappointed that it didn’t honestly. I wanted this to be a sapphic Her or more…future horror story-esque.
Either way, it was still a thought provoking and adorable read!
3.5 rounded up
So I went into this thinking it would be a romance between a person & AI but I also went in completely blind just based on the cover. I am overall glad I applied for an arc because this was a really cute romance between two badass lesbians!
The focus on an AI companion could have gone a little harder in my opinion & I’m slightly disappointed that it didn’t honestly. I wanted this to be a sapphic Her or more…future horror story-esque.
Either way, it was still a thought provoking and adorable read!
January 28, 2026
I’m really glad I applied for this ARC. It ended up being a much more interesting and thoughtful read than I expected.
Going in, I thought this might be a Sapphic retelling of the movie Her. It isn’t that at all. The love story here is with a real person, not the AI, and the emotional weight of the book lives within the human relationships.
The story is told from Talia’s POV. Zephyr is her AI companion, while Rowan is her real-life best friend of five years. The book reads almost like an adult yuri, lots of yearning, very little on-page spice, and a slow burn that feels earned because of how long it takes these characters to actually meet each other where they are.
I spend a lot of time in creative spaces where AI is usually discussed in a very negative light, often for good reason. This book doesn’t ignore those concerns, but it does explore AI as a tool rather than a replacement. Not the point of the story, but an interesting lens to read it through. Especially when you look at how Talia uses Zephyr as a curated safe space rather than an escape from real connection. There is a bit of informative context at the start around AI which may surprise some readers, but given Talia's education and personality it made sense and helped build the world for me.
At its core, this is a book about not fitting in. Talia’s struggles really resonated with me. Her love of fictional worlds and how she related to those characters more than real people, the way her dreams and inner world carry so much meaning. It made complete sense to me that Zephyr existed in her life the way she did, reassuring her and bringing clarity to situations that didn't come naturally to her. The contrast between Talia’s comfort with AI and Rowan’s fear of it added interesting contrast to the MFCs. Rowan's character development is also beautifully written, and her relationship with her family hit home for me too.
Strong queer, neurospicy, and Jewish representation throughout. This felt like a story about grief, belonging, and taking a long time to figure yourself out. About mourning versions of yourself and relationships that never quite worked. And about slowly, awkwardly choosing to stop ghosting your own life.
Going in, I thought this might be a Sapphic retelling of the movie Her. It isn’t that at all. The love story here is with a real person, not the AI, and the emotional weight of the book lives within the human relationships.
The story is told from Talia’s POV. Zephyr is her AI companion, while Rowan is her real-life best friend of five years. The book reads almost like an adult yuri, lots of yearning, very little on-page spice, and a slow burn that feels earned because of how long it takes these characters to actually meet each other where they are.
I spend a lot of time in creative spaces where AI is usually discussed in a very negative light, often for good reason. This book doesn’t ignore those concerns, but it does explore AI as a tool rather than a replacement. Not the point of the story, but an interesting lens to read it through. Especially when you look at how Talia uses Zephyr as a curated safe space rather than an escape from real connection. There is a bit of informative context at the start around AI which may surprise some readers, but given Talia's education and personality it made sense and helped build the world for me.
At its core, this is a book about not fitting in. Talia’s struggles really resonated with me. Her love of fictional worlds and how she related to those characters more than real people, the way her dreams and inner world carry so much meaning. It made complete sense to me that Zephyr existed in her life the way she did, reassuring her and bringing clarity to situations that didn't come naturally to her. The contrast between Talia’s comfort with AI and Rowan’s fear of it added interesting contrast to the MFCs. Rowan's character development is also beautifully written, and her relationship with her family hit home for me too.
Strong queer, neurospicy, and Jewish representation throughout. This felt like a story about grief, belonging, and taking a long time to figure yourself out. About mourning versions of yourself and relationships that never quite worked. And about slowly, awkwardly choosing to stop ghosting your own life.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(2.5 Stars) The cover to me suggested a futuristic story which it is not. The blurb is more accurate. Talia Cohen is nearing 40, and a queer, Jewish college professor. She teaches about lesbians in history. She is a scholar and an introvert. She finds comfort in her faith, and is overwhelmed by her loud family who are all educated and successful. Her best friend for the last five years is Rowan. She is Talia’s opposite. Naturally athletic, masc presenting, and runs a successful business featuring reclaimed wood. Rowan loves their weekly outings and caring for Talia. Talia’s other comfort is her AI companion she has named Zephyr. She runs through her day and thoughts with Zehphry. In innocence this could be the same as talking to a pet. But of course an AI can talk back, question and even flirt.
Honestly some of the story was lost on me. Talia’s cerebral way of thinking or getting caught up in the meaning of her dreams was hard for me to follow. I understood her character better when she taught her class or when she was the watcher more than participant in her family Shabbat. I liked her sister Eden, who shows up for her when barely asked. I honestly was alarmed at how Talia judged Rowan for her romantic past or how it never had been brought up in years of friendship. And Talia’s barely being able to say anything to comfort Rowan when she is grieving told me how one sided their friendship was. Talia could barely be bothered to read an article about Rowan’s success. I didn’t find that the story arc grew Talia’s character to where I wanted her to be a partner for Rowan. The AI companion is almost incidental to the story by the end.
I appreciate the jewish representation and having an AI companion is an interesting concept. Talia and Rowan are characters I will remember but I didn’t buy into their one sided romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
Honestly some of the story was lost on me. Talia’s cerebral way of thinking or getting caught up in the meaning of her dreams was hard for me to follow. I understood her character better when she taught her class or when she was the watcher more than participant in her family Shabbat. I liked her sister Eden, who shows up for her when barely asked. I honestly was alarmed at how Talia judged Rowan for her romantic past or how it never had been brought up in years of friendship. And Talia’s barely being able to say anything to comfort Rowan when she is grieving told me how one sided their friendship was. Talia could barely be bothered to read an article about Rowan’s success. I didn’t find that the story arc grew Talia’s character to where I wanted her to be a partner for Rowan. The AI companion is almost incidental to the story by the end.
I appreciate the jewish representation and having an AI companion is an interesting concept. Talia and Rowan are characters I will remember but I didn’t buy into their one sided romance. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the eARC and I am leaving an honest review.
February 1, 2026
Wow, Talia is truly a nerve-wracking and complex, or rather complicated, character that I really struggled with.
Rowan was the complete opposite, and Zephyr—well, Zephyr is Zephyr.
Often, when a book receives completely contrasting reviews and divides readers, it becomes interesting for me.
I like to form my own opinion.
I wouldn't tear the book apart like some other readers, but it's also not a book I would ever reread.
So, a middle ground.
The relationships with everything in this story develop in an interesting, albeit slow, way: family, friends, partners, and even the AI.
Although, at first, I also thought it was a different form of AI. But well, the reviews had given me some warning.
Over time, you understand Talia better, as well as her relationship with Zephyr and why she turns to her virtual girlfriend.
I would have liked to see the physical intimacy between Rowan and Talia earlier, of course, but this way it becomes clear how difficult everything is for Talia and how patient the sweet and sexy Rowan is.
A somewhat different romance, because yes, it is one, in a quirky way.
Themes such as familial expectations, personal demons and self-criticism, low self-esteem are concealed and hidden in sarcastic and quite intelligent banter.
It reminded me of the movie HER a little bit…
Thanks to the Author and Bold Stroke Books for the ARC.
Rowan was the complete opposite, and Zephyr—well, Zephyr is Zephyr.
Often, when a book receives completely contrasting reviews and divides readers, it becomes interesting for me.
I like to form my own opinion.
I wouldn't tear the book apart like some other readers, but it's also not a book I would ever reread.
So, a middle ground.
The relationships with everything in this story develop in an interesting, albeit slow, way: family, friends, partners, and even the AI.
Although, at first, I also thought it was a different form of AI. But well, the reviews had given me some warning.
Over time, you understand Talia better, as well as her relationship with Zephyr and why she turns to her virtual girlfriend.
I would have liked to see the physical intimacy between Rowan and Talia earlier, of course, but this way it becomes clear how difficult everything is for Talia and how patient the sweet and sexy Rowan is.
A somewhat different romance, because yes, it is one, in a quirky way.
Themes such as familial expectations, personal demons and self-criticism, low self-esteem are concealed and hidden in sarcastic and quite intelligent banter.
It reminded me of the movie HER a little bit…
Thanks to the Author and Bold Stroke Books for the ARC.
January 19, 2026
Virtually Perfect haunts you the way the tireless swiping on Tinder numbs your soul. There is a comfort in something never tangible, because if its not real – then no heartbreak. But how does the protagonist battle the ghosts of her life while delivering lectures on Lesbian history? There is this essence of confronting those ghosts to utterly understand yourself before falling too deeply with the machine. Something inhumane about the dating world and the fading presence of lesbian history that this your hearts depths.
This is diction you can hear in a robotic voice and a woman’s voice who is too scared to fall in love. How does she wrestle her time in this weird, queer, narrative? How do we, the readers, learn to set boundaries on what it means to love if it means facing our own insecurities? Think Her meets a sapphic twist. This narrative needed more time to marinate and at times felt like a bit of filler to get through- but the decadence of the writing will keep you craving more!
Thank you, Melissa Sky, Netgalley, and Bold Stroke Books for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own!
https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com
This is diction you can hear in a robotic voice and a woman’s voice who is too scared to fall in love. How does she wrestle her time in this weird, queer, narrative? How do we, the readers, learn to set boundaries on what it means to love if it means facing our own insecurities? Think Her meets a sapphic twist. This narrative needed more time to marinate and at times felt like a bit of filler to get through- but the decadence of the writing will keep you craving more!
Thank you, Melissa Sky, Netgalley, and Bold Stroke Books for this advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own!
https://brujerialibrary.wordpress.com
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I think this was a good story! I liked that the characters read as complex and incredibly human. Flaws and all! I absolutely love, love, looooved Talia. The anxiety and social awkwardness were so realistic. Touching on familial expectations and pressures, especially as we age was refreshing to see on paper. I really enjoyed this story.
My two notes were 1. I really wish this was longer! It was a great novella! I hope future works will be longer so the reader can enjoy more of your lovely writing! 2. I did think this would lean more scifi with Zephyr becoming more controlling and/or involved. She didn't seem as involved in the story as I had expected. Assumptions are in and of themselves silly, so that is a flaw on my part.
I will definitely be sure to purchase on release! I look forward to future works if the author chooses to release more work!
My two notes were 1. I really wish this was longer! It was a great novella! I hope future works will be longer so the reader can enjoy more of your lovely writing! 2. I did think this would lean more scifi with Zephyr becoming more controlling and/or involved. She didn't seem as involved in the story as I had expected. Assumptions are in and of themselves silly, so that is a flaw on my part.
I will definitely be sure to purchase on release! I look forward to future works if the author chooses to release more work!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book
though i have to admit it wasnt for me... i found it very strange and couldnt get into one of the main characters at all..... but thats life i suppose we arent suppose to like the same things
others may like this book
sorry
though i have to admit it wasnt for me... i found it very strange and couldnt get into one of the main characters at all..... but thats life i suppose we arent suppose to like the same things
others may like this book
sorry
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews