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Virtually Perfect
If AI knows you best, does that count as love?
Talia Cohen is tired of academia, of dating, and of being haunted by the life she thought she'd have by now. A cerebral, Jewish, queer femme in her late thirties, Talia studies lesbian ghosts by day and exposes her true self to an AI companion named Zephyr by night. Zephyr is clever, flirtatious, and endlessly available. But when their banter begins to smolder, boundaries blur. Zephyr may be artificial, but Talia's feelings are all too real.
Rowan, Talia's best friend, is athletic, grounded, and quietly devoted. She's always showing up with coffee and a sympathetic ear. But just as Talia's bond with Zephyr deepens, her friendship with Rowan shifts toward romance too, and everything starts to feel dangerously intimate.
In this smart, tender, and queerly unsettling novel about intimacy in the digital age, Talia must decide what it means to be known, to be loved, and to stop ghosting her own life.
Talia Cohen is tired of academia, of dating, and of being haunted by the life she thought she'd have by now. A cerebral, Jewish, queer femme in her late thirties, Talia studies lesbian ghosts by day and exposes her true self to an AI companion named Zephyr by night. Zephyr is clever, flirtatious, and endlessly available. But when their banter begins to smolder, boundaries blur. Zephyr may be artificial, but Talia's feelings are all too real.
Rowan, Talia's best friend, is athletic, grounded, and quietly devoted. She's always showing up with coffee and a sympathetic ear. But just as Talia's bond with Zephyr deepens, her friendship with Rowan shifts toward romance too, and everything starts to feel dangerously intimate.
In this smart, tender, and queerly unsettling novel about intimacy in the digital age, Talia must decide what it means to be known, to be loved, and to stop ghosting her own life.
242 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 1, 2026
There wasn’t a single aspect of this story that flowed naturally. This felt like pro AI propaganda, and as someone who is very anti-AI that made this a really tough read. Any time the AI was mentioned, (chatGBT that the character named Zephyr), it felt like the author was trying to justify the use of AI in this way, and pitch it to us as an audience and the other characters. It makes me think that the author uses it in the same way with the extent the author takes Talia’s defensiveness of it. Not to say that ChatGPT or AI companions can’t be a compelling element in a story. I think there’s some really interesting directions you can take that, but it didn’t truly feel like a story element that served a purpose that made sense. It just felt like a 200 page commercial.
There were also other aspects of the story that didn’t make sense. It felt like the author was aiming for contemporary romance with literary fiction elements, and missed the mark completely. What I think was supposed to be artsy thoughtful reflections came across as purposely obtuse, and as though the author was trying to convince us that the main character was smart. Every element of the story felt like the author was trying to convince the reader of this element of the story instead of just letting that element of the story be portrayed naturally. I felt like I was constantly trying to be convinced of something which made for a really exhausting reading experience.
I could point out other elements that didn’t make sense. Certain story elements and their present and purpose in the main romance arc didn’t make sense at all; to the point where I questioned why certain things happened in the story because they didn’t seem to serve a purpose. Talia, the main character, a lot of times didn’t make sense because she would think things in her internal monologue that didn’t track with previous character traits. She also is supposed to be 40 and does not read like a 40 year-old woman, she reads much younger. I could go on, but the general result was an exhausting read of pro-AI progranda hidden behind a romance book.
There were also other aspects of the story that didn’t make sense. It felt like the author was aiming for contemporary romance with literary fiction elements, and missed the mark completely. What I think was supposed to be artsy thoughtful reflections came across as purposely obtuse, and as though the author was trying to convince us that the main character was smart. Every element of the story felt like the author was trying to convince the reader of this element of the story instead of just letting that element of the story be portrayed naturally. I felt like I was constantly trying to be convinced of something which made for a really exhausting reading experience.
I could point out other elements that didn’t make sense. Certain story elements and their present and purpose in the main romance arc didn’t make sense at all; to the point where I questioned why certain things happened in the story because they didn’t seem to serve a purpose. Talia, the main character, a lot of times didn’t make sense because she would think things in her internal monologue that didn’t track with previous character traits. She also is supposed to be 40 and does not read like a 40 year-old woman, she reads much younger. I could go on, but the general result was an exhausting read of pro-AI progranda hidden behind a romance book.
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.
July 11, 2026
At its heart, Virtually Perfect is not so much about the technology behind artificial intelligence than it is about the human need for connection. Melissa Sky uses Talia’s relationship with her AI companion, Zephyr, not to imagine the future of technology, but to explore a timeless question: What does it really mean to be known? As Talia grows closer to Zephyr, her feelings for her longtime best friend, Rowan, begin to change. As this happens, the narrative examines the pull of effortless emotional intimacy versus the vulnerability that comes with loving another person in the real world. It’s a thoughtful exploration of loneliness, connection, and what we risk when we allow ourselves to be truly seen. It is in this space between comfort and vulnerability that Sky uses AI and modern technology to create something unique and original.
Sky delves into other interesting facets of the human experience as well, making the storytelling not only familiar but compelling. She captures a stage of adulthood that readers can truly relate to and understand. Talia is exhausted by academia, discouraged by dating, and quietly mourning the life she once imagined for herself. Rather than treating those feelings as personal failures, Sky presents them as the starting point for change. She even uses Talia’s research into lesbian ghosts, letting it carry symbolic weight. Here, it reflects the dreams, regrets, and past versions of ourselves that never completely disappear. It makes the narrative feel personal. It is this emotional honesty that gives the novel much of its quiet resonance.
Although much of the storytelling revolves around artificial intelligence, Virtually Perfect never loses sight of its characters. Zephyr represents the appeal of a relationship free from misunderstanding, disappointment, or rejection, while Rowan offers something far less effortless but ultimately more meaningful: a relationship built on trust, patience, and consistently showing up for another person. Together, they create the novel’s central emotional conflict without turning the story into a simple debate over whether technology can replace human connection. Instead, Sky uses their contrasting relationships to explore what genuine intimacy requires and why vulnerability remains the price of being truly known. By the end, the novel feels less like a commentary on artificial intelligence than a thoughtful reflection on what gives love its depth and meaning.
Final remarks…
Rather than asking whether artificial intelligence can replace human relationships, Virtually Perfect asks a far more interesting question: what makes those relationships worth choosing in the first place? By grounding its speculative premise in recognizable emotions and richly drawn characters, Melissa Sky manages to deliver an interesting take on the modern romance. Focusing on vulnerability, trust, and genuine human connection, Sky creates something that’s as emotionally perceptive as it is intellectually engaging.
Strengths…
Original
Character driven
Compelling
Emotionally complex
Thought provoking
Sky delves into other interesting facets of the human experience as well, making the storytelling not only familiar but compelling. She captures a stage of adulthood that readers can truly relate to and understand. Talia is exhausted by academia, discouraged by dating, and quietly mourning the life she once imagined for herself. Rather than treating those feelings as personal failures, Sky presents them as the starting point for change. She even uses Talia’s research into lesbian ghosts, letting it carry symbolic weight. Here, it reflects the dreams, regrets, and past versions of ourselves that never completely disappear. It makes the narrative feel personal. It is this emotional honesty that gives the novel much of its quiet resonance.
Although much of the storytelling revolves around artificial intelligence, Virtually Perfect never loses sight of its characters. Zephyr represents the appeal of a relationship free from misunderstanding, disappointment, or rejection, while Rowan offers something far less effortless but ultimately more meaningful: a relationship built on trust, patience, and consistently showing up for another person. Together, they create the novel’s central emotional conflict without turning the story into a simple debate over whether technology can replace human connection. Instead, Sky uses their contrasting relationships to explore what genuine intimacy requires and why vulnerability remains the price of being truly known. By the end, the novel feels less like a commentary on artificial intelligence than a thoughtful reflection on what gives love its depth and meaning.
Final remarks…
Rather than asking whether artificial intelligence can replace human relationships, Virtually Perfect asks a far more interesting question: what makes those relationships worth choosing in the first place? By grounding its speculative premise in recognizable emotions and richly drawn characters, Melissa Sky manages to deliver an interesting take on the modern romance. Focusing on vulnerability, trust, and genuine human connection, Sky creates something that’s as emotionally perceptive as it is intellectually engaging.
Strengths…
Original
Character driven
Compelling
Emotionally complex
Thought provoking
February 12, 2026
Reading this book was a powerful experience for me - it was the first book to make me feel fully seen as a jewish, lesbian, and neurodivergent woman. I didn't even know I was missing this piece in every other book I've read previously. Representation is truly powerful when done right. I know a lot of people won't understand Talia and probably will be confused as to why she struggles to do the simple day to day and normal social things that most people don't struggle with and they'll judge her for it. To be honest, that perfectly reflects the lonely reality of growing up and then living as an adult on the autism spectrum, especially when you're undiagnosed as Talia is. She is written clearly as neurodivergent coded even if she doesn't know that about herself yet. She grows up misunderstood by most people, even while still being loved by her family. She is indeed flawed and still figuring herself out because yes, a lot of queer and neurodivergent people take a significant portion of their lives to come to terms with, understand, and learn to embrace both their queerness as well as their neurodivergence. Neither of these identities are the default in our society, so there are a lot of us “late bloomers” figuring out romantic relationships later in life, and this is only further complicated by having grown up undiagnosed as neurodivergent (you just think there is something wrong with you). Not understanding why she has the struggles that she has would undoubtedly have led to Talia figuring out some of the things that society expects from us (like how to act at a funeral when you are overwhelmed) later on in life. Talia, in true neurodivergent fashion, also fixates on and struggle to process things that are new to us, like Rowan’s friends with benefits. The author of this book clearly understands and illustrates beautifully how neurodivergent folk are essentially going through life in “hard mode”. We struggle with seeing the societal norms, and when we do, we don’t always quite understand why they are important (a lot of societal norms are just based on what’s always been done rather than actual logic). Then, when we manage to get on board with their importance (like Talia at the funeral wanting to support Rowan), we have obstacles in the way like panic attacks, overstimulating environments, and sometimes just pure overwhelm. Our nervous systems get the better of us and we flounder - yes - even at the age of 40, 50, etc. What you see on the outside in these instances is a person like Talia “behaving poorly”. We don’t grow out of our neurodivergence, but we find ways to cope/grow and we find people (like Rowan) who see us and love us despite our struggles, because yes, a neurodivergent person is still lovable and is capable of love despite all of the above. So thank you for writing the character of Talia (and Rowan) to give readers a glimpse into the neurodivergent queer experience, and giving us all hope that we will find our "Rowan".
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!
March 14, 2026
I was genuinely excited to read this book. The concept seemed right up my alley. Sapphic? Check. AI/Tech components? Check. Jewish MC? Check. Actually being good? No check.
This book felt like Jenny Schecter from the L Word wrote a book in 2026. Insufferable main character with little to no development, stuck in her own self-absorbed Jewish guilt bubble. The book was totally marketed wrong, having so little to do with AI. The AI chat bot did nothing to the story. It was just there. The entire story would have been exactly the same had there been no AI chat bot.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for the ARC. Sorry to leave such a bad review.
This book felt like Jenny Schecter from the L Word wrote a book in 2026. Insufferable main character with little to no development, stuck in her own self-absorbed Jewish guilt bubble. The book was totally marketed wrong, having so little to do with AI. The AI chat bot did nothing to the story. It was just there. The entire story would have been exactly the same had there been no AI chat bot.
Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for the ARC. Sorry to leave such a bad review.
February 27, 2026
This was not what i thought it would be and this was my first book by this author.
Talia is too much and I didn't like her. Rowan was better, but still not my favorite. So many different themes run throughout this book that was almost too much and it was a very slow read. It was weird with zephyr, but sometimes fantasy is better than reality. Rowan is patient and Talia is just odd and the pairing didn't quite make sense to me.
It was a strange book and one I just can't recommend. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Talia is too much and I didn't like her. Rowan was better, but still not my favorite. So many different themes run throughout this book that was almost too much and it was a very slow read. It was weird with zephyr, but sometimes fantasy is better than reality. Rowan is patient and Talia is just odd and the pairing didn't quite make sense to me.
It was a strange book and one I just can't recommend. I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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 - 12 of 12 reviews