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Ugly Perfections
Adeline Ross was never the perfect one.
Not like her brother. Not like her sisters.
But when tragedy tears her family apart and she’s sent to an elite school, she enters a world where perfection is everything — and nothing is what it seems.
As anonymous threats surface and buried secrets begin to unravel, Adeline finds herself drawn to the town’s most notorious celebrity and Kai Steele.
The deeper she digs, the more blurred the lines become. Between truth and performance. Between guilt and grief. Between who Adeline is and who they’ve all decided she must be.
And in a place where everyone is watching, the worst thing you can do is let them see too much.
Not like her brother. Not like her sisters.
But when tragedy tears her family apart and she’s sent to an elite school, she enters a world where perfection is everything — and nothing is what it seems.
As anonymous threats surface and buried secrets begin to unravel, Adeline finds herself drawn to the town’s most notorious celebrity and Kai Steele.
The deeper she digs, the more blurred the lines become. Between truth and performance. Between guilt and grief. Between who Adeline is and who they’ve all decided she must be.
And in a place where everyone is watching, the worst thing you can do is let them see too much.
640 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 8, 2026
86 people are currently reading
1225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 9, 2026
I have to be honest—the ending of Ugly Perfections left me deeply frustrated. I spent hours binge-reading, even sacrificing my sleep to finish it in one sitting, only to be met with an open ending. While I can see the narrative hints and understand what the author may have been aiming for, I truly hoped there would be some form of resolution. Instead, the ending felt more abrupt than meaningful.
Another issue I had was the sheer number of character deaths in this story. Mason, Addie's father, Will, Irina, Kai’s sister, Paris, Anderson, not to mention Liam's impending fate—one after another, characters were killed off so frequently that the emotional weight began to feel diluted rather than impactful.
There are also several plot elements that remain frustratingly unexplored. The orphanage, the burns, and those responsible behind them are left largely unanswered. I felt the story would have benefited from more clues and a stronger buildup of suspense surrounding the perpetrators. While the chase scenes themselves are undeniably terrifying and effective, the narrative tension leading up to them felt uneven. This was especially noticeable in Paris’ twist, which felt rushed rather than fully earned.
That said, the characters are a strong point of the story. Despite being somewhat dysfunctional at times, the friend group worked well together and felt natural, almost like pieces of a puzzle. However, some characters were pushed aside too easily in the latter half—Vivienne, Ajax, and even Addie’s sisters deserved more presence. I was also particularly drawn to Liam; his character was compelling, and I wished there had been more exploration of his health and how it may have deteriorated after everything he endured.
Overall, Ugly Perfections was an engaging read with likeable characters and moments of genuine tension. However, the unresolved plot threads and open ending—something I’ve never personally enjoyed—ultimately lowered my overall impression. While enjoyment is subjective, this book lands at a 3.5-star rating for me.
Another issue I had was the sheer number of character deaths in this story. Mason, Addie's father, Will, Irina, Kai’s sister, Paris, Anderson, not to mention Liam's impending fate—one after another, characters were killed off so frequently that the emotional weight began to feel diluted rather than impactful.
There are also several plot elements that remain frustratingly unexplored. The orphanage, the burns, and those responsible behind them are left largely unanswered. I felt the story would have benefited from more clues and a stronger buildup of suspense surrounding the perpetrators. While the chase scenes themselves are undeniably terrifying and effective, the narrative tension leading up to them felt uneven. This was especially noticeable in Paris’ twist, which felt rushed rather than fully earned.
That said, the characters are a strong point of the story. Despite being somewhat dysfunctional at times, the friend group worked well together and felt natural, almost like pieces of a puzzle. However, some characters were pushed aside too easily in the latter half—Vivienne, Ajax, and even Addie’s sisters deserved more presence. I was also particularly drawn to Liam; his character was compelling, and I wished there had been more exploration of his health and how it may have deteriorated after everything he endured.
Overall, Ugly Perfections was an engaging read with likeable characters and moments of genuine tension. However, the unresolved plot threads and open ending—something I’ve never personally enjoyed—ultimately lowered my overall impression. While enjoyment is subjective, this book lands at a 3.5-star rating for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
January 6, 2026I cannot wait to read this book.
January 13, 2026
For a first book and being only 17 this is not a bad book, i will say i feel it was a bit all over the place and things don’t feel finished but credit where credits due i couldn’t write book and im 40 😂
January 9, 2026
I got so hooked on the start of this book and really loved it but was a bit unsure how I felt about the ending. There were a few bits I would have loved to have known more about, especially the part with Liams health but still a great read:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
I really enjoyed the storyline and this book. I will admit at times I did get a bit annoyed about how over explained some things were for example when the characters were in a middle of a conversation and then addie had to go into details of her current thoughts and opinion on the other character mid conversation.
I also was getting a bit confused as to if they were in high school or college (this may be because of where I'm from) but they kept referring to the school as a college but then it gave off very high school vibes which just left me a bit confused especially since addies sisters were older but they were in the same class, so I assume they were in college??
Another thing that left me confused is the whole fathers death - it was said at the beginning of the book that he died around the same time as Kai's sister 1:15pm (or something similar) but then later in the book from Kai's pov he kept saying "that night that Wren was killed" and "addies dad was a drunk driver that night" but they were killed in the afternoon???
I felt that there was a lot of opened ended story plots that never got answered like the orphanage, the burns, Liam's health etc.
I didn't necessary hate the ending but I wished there was some conclusion as to why Kai kept the need to just leave everyone in his life. Maybe another pov from him saying he couldn't handle it all and needed a fresh start and a new life would've left me satisfied tbh but it was just kinda left to the readers imagination for what happened to Kai and his thought process.
Overall I just felt bad for Addie as everyone just let her down and lowkey hated her for no reason like I don't understand why Mason treated her like that and her whole family??? I'm glad that she had her "family" as her friends in the end.
I also was getting a bit confused as to if they were in high school or college (this may be because of where I'm from) but they kept referring to the school as a college but then it gave off very high school vibes which just left me a bit confused especially since addies sisters were older but they were in the same class, so I assume they were in college??
Another thing that left me confused is the whole fathers death - it was said at the beginning of the book that he died around the same time as Kai's sister 1:15pm (or something similar) but then later in the book from Kai's pov he kept saying "that night that Wren was killed" and "addies dad was a drunk driver that night" but they were killed in the afternoon???
I felt that there was a lot of opened ended story plots that never got answered like the orphanage, the burns, Liam's health etc.
I didn't necessary hate the ending but I wished there was some conclusion as to why Kai kept the need to just leave everyone in his life. Maybe another pov from him saying he couldn't handle it all and needed a fresh start and a new life would've left me satisfied tbh but it was just kinda left to the readers imagination for what happened to Kai and his thought process.
Overall I just felt bad for Addie as everyone just let her down and lowkey hated her for no reason like I don't understand why Mason treated her like that and her whole family??? I'm glad that she had her "family" as her friends in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
I LOVED this book!!
I don’t usually write reviews but I have very strong opinions on this book. The writing style itself is incredible and I felt I learned so much about life in general while reading this. They’re SO perceptive and insightful, and for a 17-year-old that is incredibly impressive. Even though, I will say some parts did seem unnecessarily long but considering this is self-published and didn’t go through proper professional editing, it’s understandable.
The characters were very deep and complex, especially Kai and I was so sad about how his friendship with Paris turned out in the end. He’s so well written that I kind of hate him because he’s so manipulative and conniving but I also love him at the same time. ALSO DID HE TAKE ADELINE’S GUIDE TO OVERCOMING LONELINESS???? I was thinking about this and he put something in her pocket before she passed out and then she ended up finding it later??? See this is what I mean, I’m inclined to hate him but I also understand him and can empathise with him.
The ending was sad, but I didn’t hate it. I absolutely DON’T think Kai should have ended up with Adeline purely because she deserves better than someone who will inevitably hurt her in and everyone else in the end. Him disappearing was probably the best thing that could have happened and I really hope he found peace or he’s an inventor somewhere. Also, it makes sense that he remained a “figment of their imagination” after he went missing because that’s all he ever was to society etc etc.
Overall, things were left pretty unfinished BUT apparently it’s meant to be a series so I guess that makes sense. I REALLY want to know what happens to Liam and how his health is since it wasn’t really explored though I did catch onto the metaphor of the clock so I wonder if that’s supposed to explain his ending more?? I also really want to know more about Mason and Paris and their relationship!!
I don’t usually write reviews but I have very strong opinions on this book. The writing style itself is incredible and I felt I learned so much about life in general while reading this. They’re SO perceptive and insightful, and for a 17-year-old that is incredibly impressive. Even though, I will say some parts did seem unnecessarily long but considering this is self-published and didn’t go through proper professional editing, it’s understandable.
The characters were very deep and complex, especially Kai and I was so sad about how his friendship with Paris turned out in the end. He’s so well written that I kind of hate him because he’s so manipulative and conniving but I also love him at the same time. ALSO DID HE TAKE ADELINE’S GUIDE TO OVERCOMING LONELINESS???? I was thinking about this and he put something in her pocket before she passed out and then she ended up finding it later??? See this is what I mean, I’m inclined to hate him but I also understand him and can empathise with him.
The ending was sad, but I didn’t hate it. I absolutely DON’T think Kai should have ended up with Adeline purely because she deserves better than someone who will inevitably hurt her in and everyone else in the end. Him disappearing was probably the best thing that could have happened and I really hope he found peace or he’s an inventor somewhere. Also, it makes sense that he remained a “figment of their imagination” after he went missing because that’s all he ever was to society etc etc.
Overall, things were left pretty unfinished BUT apparently it’s meant to be a series so I guess that makes sense. I REALLY want to know what happens to Liam and how his health is since it wasn’t really explored though I did catch onto the metaphor of the clock so I wonder if that’s supposed to explain his ending more?? I also really want to know more about Mason and Paris and their relationship!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
WOW WOW WOW!!!
For a debut, this is beautiful! This is one of the first books I’ve read this year and what a great start! I finished re-reading this a few hours ago (I was a sobbing mess) and I’ve found myself still thinking about these characters. I’ve noticed that on the second read, I interpreted everything completely differently. Kai, I found, was much more manipulative and complex the second time I read it and I started to think maybe Adeline was an unreliable narrator. Especially when she says that “being with him was like a soft blindness, like falling asleep with someone lightly covering your eyes”. INCREDIBLE metaphor by the way. Also, this might be a stretch by when they’re by the fireplace and Kai’s shadow is described to stretch the furthest which I interpreted as his darkness will always overtake his light.
There were so many others clues that I’d missed and I think now I’m beginning to understand why the author ended it the way she did. I WANTED them to end up together and was frustrated the first time I finished it because of the ending, but now I realise that Kai ending up with Addie probably would have completely erased all of Addie’s character development and would have been extremely unfair to her. Not everyone can be saved, and Kai was already too damaged.
Anyway, this book was a beautiful tragedy that really made me think and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. I’d encourage everyone to read this book at least twice in case you’ve missed anything because I certainly did.
For a debut, this is beautiful! This is one of the first books I’ve read this year and what a great start! I finished re-reading this a few hours ago (I was a sobbing mess) and I’ve found myself still thinking about these characters. I’ve noticed that on the second read, I interpreted everything completely differently. Kai, I found, was much more manipulative and complex the second time I read it and I started to think maybe Adeline was an unreliable narrator. Especially when she says that “being with him was like a soft blindness, like falling asleep with someone lightly covering your eyes”. INCREDIBLE metaphor by the way. Also, this might be a stretch by when they’re by the fireplace and Kai’s shadow is described to stretch the furthest which I interpreted as his darkness will always overtake his light.
There were so many others clues that I’d missed and I think now I’m beginning to understand why the author ended it the way she did. I WANTED them to end up together and was frustrated the first time I finished it because of the ending, but now I realise that Kai ending up with Addie probably would have completely erased all of Addie’s character development and would have been extremely unfair to her. Not everyone can be saved, and Kai was already too damaged.
Anyway, this book was a beautiful tragedy that really made me think and I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. I’d encourage everyone to read this book at least twice in case you’ve missed anything because I certainly did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
Before I dive into my thoughts and feelings about this book, I just wanted to say that I cannot believe that this book was written by a 17 year old. The writing in this book feels like it was written from experience, which made this story so raw and so beautiful.
The plot of this book, from the very beginning, is something which had me completely hooked. I could not for the life of me guess the direction in which this book was going, which is what made it so interesting.
I really enjoyed getting different POVs from the other characters, because it truly added to the intrigue of the plot and I found myself wanting to know more and more about all of the characters.
Ooh, the way the plot thickened at the end had me on the edge of my seat but the ending had me super unwell. I will say it did feel slightly rushed, but nonetheless, I was shocked! I felt SICK to my stomach. Oh, how I hate and love a bittersweet ending!
I can’t wait to read more from this author. I’d love to know more about the mystery around the orphanage in this book and how it connects some of the characters and WHY exactly they were sent there. I feel like that was one part of the plot that was left slightly unexplained, whether that is intentional to set up the plots for other books, I’m not sure, but it would be so interesting to read about!
Truly such an intriguing read!
Before I dive into my thoughts and feelings about this book, I just wanted to say that I cannot believe that this book was written by a 17 year old. The writing in this book feels like it was written from experience, which made this story so raw and so beautiful.
The plot of this book, from the very beginning, is something which had me completely hooked. I could not for the life of me guess the direction in which this book was going, which is what made it so interesting.
I really enjoyed getting different POVs from the other characters, because it truly added to the intrigue of the plot and I found myself wanting to know more and more about all of the characters.
Ooh, the way the plot thickened at the end had me on the edge of my seat but the ending had me super unwell. I will say it did feel slightly rushed, but nonetheless, I was shocked! I felt SICK to my stomach. Oh, how I hate and love a bittersweet ending!
I can’t wait to read more from this author. I’d love to know more about the mystery around the orphanage in this book and how it connects some of the characters and WHY exactly they were sent there. I feel like that was one part of the plot that was left slightly unexplained, whether that is intentional to set up the plots for other books, I’m not sure, but it would be so interesting to read about!
Truly such an intriguing read!
January 12, 2026
Before you start reading this review, please note that I will not be stating disclaimers and therefore will not analyse and or give solid arguments. I will simply tell you my experience, hoping it is enough to convice you to read this absolutely stunning and breathtaking book. But that is up to you to decide.
I have never once in my life been so broken by a book. I got so attached to all of the characters and I cried. I cried for 4 hours straight after completing this book. And I must say, it was worth it. Please take to heart that I love a great deal of books, but this one I admire. This one has reached far beyond my previous number 1 book and will not ever be knocked from the pedestal it now stands on. Thank you Elisa Rossmann. For bringing this book to me, for making me feel such intense emotions, for absolutely making me adore a book again. Thank you.
And for all else who is wondering if they should buy and read this book. Please do, you will experience what it is to be alive again, you will cry, you will kick your feet and giggle, you will roll your eyes and you will feel second hand embarrassment. But it will all be worth it, because after you've read this book, you will never look at books the same way again.
Love,
A fellow reader.
I have never once in my life been so broken by a book. I got so attached to all of the characters and I cried. I cried for 4 hours straight after completing this book. And I must say, it was worth it. Please take to heart that I love a great deal of books, but this one I admire. This one has reached far beyond my previous number 1 book and will not ever be knocked from the pedestal it now stands on. Thank you Elisa Rossmann. For bringing this book to me, for making me feel such intense emotions, for absolutely making me adore a book again. Thank you.
And for all else who is wondering if they should buy and read this book. Please do, you will experience what it is to be alive again, you will cry, you will kick your feet and giggle, you will roll your eyes and you will feel second hand embarrassment. But it will all be worth it, because after you've read this book, you will never look at books the same way again.
Love,
A fellow reader.
January 17, 2026
This book is ABSOLUTLEY AMAZING. Ok so, i don't ever really have favourite books that aren't part of a series but this ONE. It's just perfect full of mixed emotions and trauma, and i had a feeling that Paris was one of the stalkers. Anyways, why didn't kai come back for?!? It literally ended me on a cliffhanger, how am i meant to know what happens between kai and adeline! There better be a book 2 becuase if not, i'm going to write to the author because BRO! Cliffhanger, who? AND WILL!! Noooooo, stoppp i can't believe he did that for them! And when kai made adeline unconsious i was confused at first but THEN it kind of made sense. Kai was going crazy but he couldn't help it. The book ended on a happy note but i need more to the story, i have many questions. Like e.g. does kai ever come back? Is there going to be a book 2? What happens to adeline and her sisters? (OK i HATE naomi like i kind of get sam because she had a job but lost it naomi was useless and SO ungrateful. I was like YES adeline make your point because i knew she had so much against her and would've won against naomi in an argument) ok and when she PUSHED her down the stair! OH MY GOD!! I NEED more of this book, why the cliffhanger!?! 😭😭 I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO MANY PEOPLE, READ IT BUT BEWARE OF THE CLIFFHANGER THAT IS TO COME. THIS BOOK WILL BREAK YOU!! BUT I LOVED IT TOTALLY A MILLION STARS OUT OF 5, LOVED IT, more to come xx…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2026
went in to this thinking it was a romance book could not have been more wrong was lowk heartbreaking but needed to be multiple books for it to have been great because there are so many things left unfinished also the ending was devastating but it should have been drawled out more and it doesn’t make sense for kai to die and want a new life without his friends but still watch them from a distance i feel like this book just needed more closure in general but overall i was genuinely hooked on this book i always wanted to know what was going to happen next but it just like it needs more and also id love to dive deeper into kai’s thoughts because we got glimpses but not nearly enough to be fully immersed in what he was thinking
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2026
Wow I’m really happy that I read this book. I truly enjoyed it, although some parts were quite unclear to me.
Will didn’t have to die —so many people in this book have died already. It’s still unclear for me why Kai chocked Adeline… like why did he do that? What was his purpose?
Adeline and her friends still don’t know that Liam has cancer when will he tell them?
Also, why so many pages and the story is still on going. I didn’t like that there is an open ending but yea ..
For the author: thank you so much for creating this beautiful story. Like girl I’m genuinely proud of you. You’re only one year older than me and you’ve already written a book at this age. It’s truly incredible and I admire you for that. I’m proud of you and thank again for making this wonderful story.
Xxx
Will didn’t have to die —so many people in this book have died already. It’s still unclear for me why Kai chocked Adeline… like why did he do that? What was his purpose?
Adeline and her friends still don’t know that Liam has cancer when will he tell them?
Also, why so many pages and the story is still on going. I didn’t like that there is an open ending but yea ..
For the author: thank you so much for creating this beautiful story. Like girl I’m genuinely proud of you. You’re only one year older than me and you’ve already written a book at this age. It’s truly incredible and I admire you for that. I’m proud of you and thank again for making this wonderful story.
Xxx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2026
loved the writing, characters and their depth. as well as the shadowing and metaphors and layers behind some scenes.
however, the ending was too open ended and a lot of plot points remain unfinished, excessive unnecessary deaths, mid-way some characters were pushed aside (her sisters, ajaax, vivienne), not to mention the death of her mother left me confused, the funeral was a week or 2 after? we never knew what happened and how? what's the story of the orphanage, the scars, her father and his shop, her teacher? liam's cancer? Will and Kym's past in more detail?
so I hope there's another book because the writing is really compelling and poetic
however, the ending was too open ended and a lot of plot points remain unfinished, excessive unnecessary deaths, mid-way some characters were pushed aside (her sisters, ajaax, vivienne), not to mention the death of her mother left me confused, the funeral was a week or 2 after? we never knew what happened and how? what's the story of the orphanage, the scars, her father and his shop, her teacher? liam's cancer? Will and Kym's past in more detail?
so I hope there's another book because the writing is really compelling and poetic
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2026
I thought this book was quite boring to begin with, as it was just about the stalker on and on and we got no clues. Some things were (I feel like) repeated in the book or parts that didn’t match which got me confused. But the closer I got to the end, the more I got obsessed. The romance (?) between Kai and Addie took all of my attention. When I read the end I honestly just stared at the book- stared because I was so heartbroken. Overall, don’t read this if your not ready to get your heart broken.
January 15, 2026
Distress
(Spoilers) To be honest I am overwhelmed and distraught after that ending. I read this book in one haha. One sitting infact. I loved Kais complex character and how you can't just fix someone like him. For some reason I dont believe he is dead, props because I don't want too. Overall, your writing was amazing to read and I can tell all the thought you put behind everything.
(Spoilers) To be honest I am overwhelmed and distraught after that ending. I read this book in one haha. One sitting infact. I loved Kais complex character and how you can't just fix someone like him. For some reason I dont believe he is dead, props because I don't want too. Overall, your writing was amazing to read and I can tell all the thought you put behind everything.
January 10, 2026
Literalmente no pude parar de leerlo. Es un libro que está tan bien escrito que no te das cuenta que pasaron horas y seguís leyendo.
La historia es tan triste, tan real, tan trágica pero tan hermosa. Me quedo con muchas dudas, sin saber que es de Kai pero quiero creer que el sigue ahí, cuidándola a Addie, a Liam, a Christian, a los suyos.
La historia es tan triste, tan real, tan trágica pero tan hermosa. Me quedo con muchas dudas, sin saber que es de Kai pero quiero creer que el sigue ahí, cuidándola a Addie, a Liam, a Christian, a los suyos.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2026
Story had me hooked at start, then it felt a bit long, but hateeee the ending, so many questions left unanswered, not sure how I feel :/
edit: found out on tiktok there will be book 2 so we'll see, I'll probably read it, I just hope that the rest of characters will survive lmao
edit: found out on tiktok there will be book 2 so we'll see, I'll probably read it, I just hope that the rest of characters will survive lmao
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2026
1⭐ Sorry but no no no . The writer has potential but the plot and the story was the most chaotic ever. There were so many mistakes with grammar and plot holes, the plot was so random and so incoherent i was so lost and confused all the time.
January 8, 2026
3.5?? ⭐️
January 11, 2026
3.5 stars - I was in tears at the end
January 13, 2026
4'25⭐
January 14, 2026
absolute stunner , chefs kiss , ripped my heart to shreads
i have a feeling that if there is a book 2 he will be coming back for his girl...i might just be dreaming
i have a feeling that if there is a book 2 he will be coming back for his girl...i might just be dreaming
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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