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In a Perfect World
Caroline Kelly is excited to be spending her summer vacation working at the local amusement park with her best friend, exploring weird Ohio with her boyfriend, and attending soccer camp with the hope she’ll be her team’s captain in the fall.
But when Caroline’s mother is hired to open an eye clinic in Cairo, Egypt, Caroline’s plans are upended. Caroline is now expected to spend her summer and her senior year in a foreign country, away from her friends, her home, and everything she’s ever known.
With this move, Caroline predicts she’ll spend her time navigating crowded streets, eating unfamiliar food, and having terrible bouts of homesickness. But when she finds instead is a culture that surprises her, a city that astounds her, and a charming, unpredictable boy who challenges everything she thought she knew about life, love, and privilege.
But when Caroline’s mother is hired to open an eye clinic in Cairo, Egypt, Caroline’s plans are upended. Caroline is now expected to spend her summer and her senior year in a foreign country, away from her friends, her home, and everything she’s ever known.
With this move, Caroline predicts she’ll spend her time navigating crowded streets, eating unfamiliar food, and having terrible bouts of homesickness. But when she finds instead is a culture that surprises her, a city that astounds her, and a charming, unpredictable boy who challenges everything she thought she knew about life, love, and privilege.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2017
52 people are currently reading
6717 people want to read
About the author
Trish Doller
10 books2,152 followersHi, I'm Trish! I don't really visit goodreads too often, but you can find me on both Instagram and Twitter as @trishdoller. Instagram is my favorite, so look there first. I don't bite, so come say hello!
(Note: I'm sorry that don't have any review copies for my books. You'll have to contact the publisher.)
(Note: I'm sorry that don't have any review copies for my books. You'll have to contact the publisher.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
January 8, 2018
"'[ISIS] oppose[s] anyone who does not follow the law as they see it,' Mr. Elhadad says. 'Even Muslims. Terrorists make no exceptions for anyone who does not believe exactly as they do.'
"I think about asking him why Muslims don't come together to stop this from happening, but I think I already know what he would say. Too many people here in Cairo - and probably in all of Egypt and the other predominantly Muslim countries - are just trying to make ends meet. Their days are full and their wallets are not. And if the Egyptian government can't bring running water to every tap and electricity in every building, can they finance a war? Or maybe I'm wrong and these governments can afford war. Maybe not all Muslim governments see the Islamic State as a threat. Maybe some even sympathize with their aims."
That quote should be enough to justify this one-star rating, no???
I mean, why don't the straight white men of America come together to stop mass shooters, right???? If it's just that easy???
In a Perfect World is about an American girl who has massively generalized ways of thinking about the Middle East and Islam, then moves to Egypt and switches them out - at an excruciatingly slow pace - for slightly different massive generalizations.
I tried to give this book the benefit of the doubt throughout, as it stumbled clumsily through attempts at discussing hijab, Muslim prayer, Fox News, the Egyptian revolution, the Arab Spring, and Black Lives Matter. But you know what? This book f*cking sucks at doing all of it. Maybe it's well intentioned. I wish it weren't this way. But it is.
So: one star. Easily.
"I think about asking him why Muslims don't come together to stop this from happening, but I think I already know what he would say. Too many people here in Cairo - and probably in all of Egypt and the other predominantly Muslim countries - are just trying to make ends meet. Their days are full and their wallets are not. And if the Egyptian government can't bring running water to every tap and electricity in every building, can they finance a war? Or maybe I'm wrong and these governments can afford war. Maybe not all Muslim governments see the Islamic State as a threat. Maybe some even sympathize with their aims."
That quote should be enough to justify this one-star rating, no???
I mean, why don't the straight white men of America come together to stop mass shooters, right???? If it's just that easy???
In a Perfect World is about an American girl who has massively generalized ways of thinking about the Middle East and Islam, then moves to Egypt and switches them out - at an excruciatingly slow pace - for slightly different massive generalizations.
I tried to give this book the benefit of the doubt throughout, as it stumbled clumsily through attempts at discussing hijab, Muslim prayer, Fox News, the Egyptian revolution, the Arab Spring, and Black Lives Matter. But you know what? This book f*cking sucks at doing all of it. Maybe it's well intentioned. I wish it weren't this way. But it is.
So: one star. Easily.
August 3, 2017
Is there anything worse than a beautiful book that disappoints? Idk. . . probably not.
So, *insert heavy sigh* I might just have to change my middle name to ‘conflicted’ bc it seems like the most honest thing to do.
In a Perfect World is about an America girl who is set to spend her senior year in Egypt due to her mother’s new job. Foreign to the country and the culture, Caroline is surprised to find herself becoming attached to country and its people.
Now that’s all great and awesome and everything in between, buuuuutttt, there were some really, unnecessary comments from Caroline.
Exhibit A: Clearly the rules are more complex than I thought. But if Muslim women have a choice in what they wear, why would they choose to cover themselves up?
rEALLY??!!??
Exhibit B: “What am I supposed to do? Cover myself up like those ladies who only have their eyes showing?”
My eye is twitching.
Exhibit C: “My heart burns and I want him to hurt as badly as I do. “Maybe you should get married. Have a bunch of kids and spend the rest of your life living in the same apartment building as your mother, dreaming about how you might have been a chef.”
Mhmmmmm, do you always use people’s culture’s against them or ??
So yes, I COMPLETELY understand that Caroline is going through culture shock and having to leave her home and family and friends was hard for her, but I just felt like she was REALLY insensitive to the Egyptian culture at times. And I got the vibe that everything she said was kinda backhanded idk.
Like girl, no one is going to blame you for being curious or asking question, but you gotta stop passing such harsh judgement on the natives because this is their life and culture and traditions and like you, they’ve been accustomed to this for generations, so like plz stop dissing everything that doesn’t make perfect sense to you. Thanks.
TO BE FAIR, Caroline did grow a lot throughout her trip and nearing the end of the book, she had a huge change of heart and was even defending Muslims to her friend who also kinda pissed me off but yes yes that’s all nice and sappy, thank goodness for character development.
Besides that ish, I did really enjoy parts of the book, especially the parts where the author accurately captured Egyptian life and the parts that showed that strong, positive family representation, both with the American families and the Egyptians. That was pretty great.
There was also lots of political talk that was brought it but hoo boy, I’m not getting into that bc **politics** aren’t my cup of tea but like y’all should be aware
Also, soccer !! talk !! That’s a big pro in my book (even if they were talking about English teams)
Anndddd again, the ending was v cliché. I honestly thought it would be a more realistic ending but nahhh, gotta get that sap in.
Anyways, a decent book, and even though the writing was kinda juvenile and filled with dialogue, it definitely had its charming moments.
I still wanna marry the cover.
2.5 stars!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i've been meaning to read this for the past 3 months but ish keeps getting in the way
if the book is anything like the cover, I should be more than content
So, *insert heavy sigh* I might just have to change my middle name to ‘conflicted’ bc it seems like the most honest thing to do.
In a Perfect World is about an America girl who is set to spend her senior year in Egypt due to her mother’s new job. Foreign to the country and the culture, Caroline is surprised to find herself becoming attached to country and its people.
Now that’s all great and awesome and everything in between, buuuuutttt, there were some really, unnecessary comments from Caroline.
Exhibit A: Clearly the rules are more complex than I thought. But if Muslim women have a choice in what they wear, why would they choose to cover themselves up?
rEALLY??!!??
Exhibit B: “What am I supposed to do? Cover myself up like those ladies who only have their eyes showing?”
My eye is twitching.
Exhibit C: “My heart burns and I want him to hurt as badly as I do. “Maybe you should get married. Have a bunch of kids and spend the rest of your life living in the same apartment building as your mother, dreaming about how you might have been a chef.”
Mhmmmmm, do you always use people’s culture’s against them or ??
So yes, I COMPLETELY understand that Caroline is going through culture shock and having to leave her home and family and friends was hard for her, but I just felt like she was REALLY insensitive to the Egyptian culture at times. And I got the vibe that everything she said was kinda backhanded idk.
Like girl, no one is going to blame you for being curious or asking question, but you gotta stop passing such harsh judgement on the natives because this is their life and culture and traditions and like you, they’ve been accustomed to this for generations, so like plz stop dissing everything that doesn’t make perfect sense to you. Thanks.
TO BE FAIR, Caroline did grow a lot throughout her trip and nearing the end of the book, she had a huge change of heart and was even defending Muslims to her friend who also kinda pissed me off but yes yes that’s all nice and sappy, thank goodness for character development.
Besides that ish, I did really enjoy parts of the book, especially the parts where the author accurately captured Egyptian life and the parts that showed that strong, positive family representation, both with the American families and the Egyptians. That was pretty great.
There was also lots of political talk that was brought it but hoo boy, I’m not getting into that bc **politics** aren’t my cup of tea but like y’all should be aware
Also, soccer !! talk !! That’s a big pro in my book (even if they were talking about English teams)
Anndddd again, the ending was v cliché. I honestly thought it would be a more realistic ending but nahhh, gotta get that sap in.
Anyways, a decent book, and even though the writing was kinda juvenile and filled with dialogue, it definitely had its charming moments.
I still wanna marry the cover.
2.5 stars!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i've been meaning to read this for the past 3 months but ish keeps getting in the way
if the book is anything like the cover, I should be more than content
June 11, 2017
UHHH, so this was fun and interesting enough but too much of the dialogue and the MC's thoughts rubbed me the wrong way. This book talks about Islam and Muslims and our religious practices a lot, as well as the culture given that this is set in Egypt - I understood the MC's thought process and the fact that she was being forced to move to a completely new place with a whole different culture and new customs, but she was very judgmental and she annoyed me to no end. Whenever Islam or something regarding Muslims was brought up I found myself frowning and wondering if it was something like a backhanded compliment, because a lot of it felt like it. The story also got a bit political and there were bombings mentions of terrorism. I'm sure the author had good intentions, but as a faithful and proud Muslim, I'm really not sure where I stand with this novel, which just makes me feel a bit meh about this.
February 10, 2017
I was not prepared for the journey this story took me on. Trish Doller has given us a gift with this one. I love the culture of Egypt as we're witnessing it for the first time through Caroline's young eyes. Though she is miles & miles away from her homeland, she comes to realize that we all share different variations of values, customs, dreams, & ideas. I really identified with her want to experience it all, while keeping an open mind. But I also understood her frustrations of being a young girl, in a culture so different than her own. The romance in this story is full of swoons & innocence, that only Trish Doller can deliver in just the right amount of doses.
Add this book to your 2017 TBR. It's one not to miss!
Add this book to your 2017 TBR. It's one not to miss!
April 8, 2017
3.5-4 stars
My favorite part about the book, surprisingly, was not the romance but the setting and the exploration of the Egyptian culture and Muslim faith. It's beautifully told and I found it all so captivating and well researched. Caroline has an easy voice, someone I could definitely relate to, and Adam was such a sweetheart! However, I did feel as if their romance was missing a certain spark, or depth? I wasn't as passionate about their pairing as I expected to be, although they had some sweet scenes! Also, a shoutout to the happily married parents in this book - we need more of that in YA. :)
Read
April 25, 2017If you liked ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS but want it set in Cairo and with a main character who is entirely aware of her privilege, this is your winner. This love story is packed with sweetness and tenderness and the reality of life in a foreign, politically-challenged country. Great writing, excellent setting. I will read anything Trish Doller writes.
Want to read
April 2, 2017contemporary YA set in Cairo?? Egyptian boy as a love interest?? MY CITY!!! I AM SCREAMING!!! I WOULD SELL MY SOUL TO HAVE THIS BOOK NOW.
June 10, 2017
Delightful story about a teenage romance in the captivating city of Cairo. The writer describes vividly how what started as a cultural shock ended up in a beautiful love story.
While you are reading, you feel that you can almost smell the food, listen to the cars blare their horns and hear the distant sound of a call to prayer.
What really engages the reader is the sad fact that the story may well be based on real events, because our world is far from being perfect.
This novel is a must read if you are planning on visiting Cairo. I think that its aimed at teenagers or very young adults but older readers will also appreciate the great work done by Trish Doller.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
While you are reading, you feel that you can almost smell the food, listen to the cars blare their horns and hear the distant sound of a call to prayer.
What really engages the reader is the sad fact that the story may well be based on real events, because our world is far from being perfect.
This novel is a must read if you are planning on visiting Cairo. I think that its aimed at teenagers or very young adults but older readers will also appreciate the great work done by Trish Doller.
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
June 27, 2017
So good.
April 26, 2019
Changes. There are so many little every day decisions and changes that can impact our lives in so many different ways. From weather based fashion decisions to what zig-zag route to take to avoid traffic. But there are also big, monumental, life-shifting type of changes and influences that can shake up our lives. Like love. Or faith. Or location in the world. Don’t get me wrong--fashion decisions are important. :) But LOVE! Love could be the biggest life altering force of them all. This book shares a story of connection, friendship, and love that just might alter the course of two lives and hearts forever.
Trish Doller’s In a Perfect World introduces readers to a whole new world of wonder and history and culture. Caroline and her family are off to Cairo, Egypt! They’re uprooting their lives right before Caroline’s senior year in high school. Caroline’s mom, a doctor, got a job at a clinic in Cairo. Can you imagine the culture shock?! Ms. Doller showcases the city on the pages of this book—from the language to the foods to the clothes to the religion. It is all in here! I loved exploring Egypt. After getting over her fears a bit, so did Caroline. Of course, it helps to have a handsome driver and guide like Adam Elhadad to show her everything Cairo has to offer. Give me a minute to *swoon* over here…
Adam is absolutely *hand over heart* adorable. A beautiful young man filled with heart and love and dreams. One of my favorite parts of this book was watching Caroline and Adam grow closer by sharing and learning their languages, passions, and dreams. Adam shared his city and himself so openly. It was devastatingly romantic! The choices and sacrifices he had to make made my heart ache at the same time though. They both had their eyes and hearts opened to new feelings, places, tastes, and loves. Adam showed off his world to Caroline and Caroline opened up Adam’s heart to new possibilities. I loved how they changed and affected each other. My gushing and swooning is not going to end here though. There are so many things to love in this story!
Like there is no denying the scene-stealing ways of Caroline’s father. This punk rock dad is all kinds of sweet and sexy. The families play a huge part in the power of this book actually. Adam is Muslim, so family is a big part of his life. They are close. The fear of disappointing or dishonoring his family shadows Adam’s every move. But he has dreams too. Dreams he wants to fight for. Is the fight worth losing his family, friends, and faith though? Caroline’s small, Catholic family is also right there in the thick of things. The way her dad growled at every guy that glared or ogled his daughter made me giggle.
But I have to go back to Cairo for a minute. There are a lot of complicated issues running through the heart of this story—like religion and politics and history. I did have to remind myself that this is a young adult novel. I think the story and author did a wonderful job of encapsulating the complexities of the Muslim faith and life in Cairo for young readers. And me! I learned a lot here. But I also know I have to and want to research the topics more in depth. A lot of the information here felt very simplified. It’s a quick read. Now I want to learn more!
Listen to this description of one of Cairo’s busiest markets…
“Khan el-Khalili is everything I’d hoped it would be. Crazy. Crowded. Beautiful. Vegetable stalls next to silver jewelers, souvenir shops beside rug dealers, spice vendors alongside dress stores. The merchandise spills outside the spaces, into the narrow streets, into a riot of color—a living postcard.”
I LOVE that line…”a riot of color”. I can feel the energy of the market in that little line. Cairo comes alive in this book for me. In the flavors and foods like gebna, feteer, and koshary. I must find koshary soon. It sounds and looks divine!!! The crowds, haggling, historic sites, traffic, heat, and more are all elements that helped make this story pop on the pages in words, smells, and sounds. Btw…Adam’s driving is his superhero power. I loved it all!
I enjoyed my visit to Cairo with Caroline and Adam and their families and friends. Every bite of food, drive, curl tucked behind an ear, and loop of pinkies made my heart flip.
Hope you get a chance to visit soon. Highly recommended.
February 11, 2017
My heart is so full right now!
Dare I say this might be Trish Doller's best book yet? Yes. Yes, I will.
She has done a beautiful job of showing how complicated life can be from all aspects: family, friends, love, religion, privilege, prejudice, and cultural expectations. It was a struggle not to devour Caroline's story in one sitting because I also wanted to savory every minute of it. And then I wanted to experience it all over again.
I loved the family dynamics on both sides and the romance is so freaking swoony it made my heart ache---in a good way. I had to read the last chapter twice because the first time through was little too blurry, and because it made me so damn happy!
READ. IT.
Dare I say this might be Trish Doller's best book yet? Yes. Yes, I will.
She has done a beautiful job of showing how complicated life can be from all aspects: family, friends, love, religion, privilege, prejudice, and cultural expectations. It was a struggle not to devour Caroline's story in one sitting because I also wanted to savory every minute of it. And then I wanted to experience it all over again.
I loved the family dynamics on both sides and the romance is so freaking swoony it made my heart ache---in a good way. I had to read the last chapter twice because the first time through was little too blurry, and because it made me so damn happy!
READ. IT.
April 9, 2018
I guess its hard to write review when the book touched religions... all i can say is i love this book, it was fun and sweet and contained unussual issues on YA contemporary book about Christian and Muslim and terorist and also cultures... which i think is very refreshing
I think this book want to teach us to be more respectful to others religions and cultures and sometimes we need to accept major change can also lead us into a brand new amazing experience
And.. this book just succesfully make EGYPT into one of my top bucket list country i want to visit before i die!
April 23, 2017
Trish Doller did a great job at making Egypt and all the rich culture of the country come to life. The romance was sweet, despite the many obstacles the two had to face. I'm very happy with how this turned out!
RTC
June 15, 2021
Trish Doller writes with such a marvelous sense of place, I can't help but get lost in her books.
November 10, 2017
Love, love, love this gorgeous cover...
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
Plot: 4/5
Main Characters: 4/5
Secondary Characters: 4/5
The Feels: 4/5
The Pacing: 3/5
Addictiveness: 3/5
Theme or Tone: 4.3/5
Flow (Writing Style): 3.5/5
Backdrop (World Building): 4.5/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Book Cover: 5+ Beautiful!
Ending: 4.5/5 Cliffhanger: Nope.
Steam Factor 0-5: 1.5
Setting: Cairo, Africa
Source: Kindle eBook (Library)
Total: 3.7/5 STARS - GRADE=B
⇝My Thoughts⇜
This is a book that deals with some controversial subjects, that I feel, ultimately has its heart in the right place. The MC, in the beginning, comes off as very immature and offensive with some of the comments she has about Muslim women. But…I think it was done this way by the author for a purpose, so you could see her learn and relate and even grow as a person. Which she does do, and she becomes a better person by the end.
My only issue with this, was mainly just that it was slow; not much happens that excited me. Mostly, just sightseeing and eating different kinds of food. Then at about 85% mark something does happen, and yeah, you could totally see it coming…and then we're rushed into an ending and an epilogue…all very quickly done. I did really like the Cedar Point references, (MC is from Sandusky, Ohio) because I do love Cedar Point.
⇝Will I read more from this Author?⇜ Yes, I would; I only ever read one other book by Trish Doller (Something Like Normal) and I really liked that one.
⇝Ratings Breakdown⇜
Plot: 4/5
Main Characters: 4/5
Secondary Characters: 4/5
The Feels: 4/5
The Pacing: 3/5
Addictiveness: 3/5
Theme or Tone: 4.3/5
Flow (Writing Style): 3.5/5
Backdrop (World Building): 4.5/5
Originality: 4.5/5
Book Cover: 5+ Beautiful!
Ending: 4.5/5 Cliffhanger: Nope.
Steam Factor 0-5: 1.5
Setting: Cairo, Africa
Source: Kindle eBook (Library)
Total: 3.7/5 STARS - GRADE=B
⇝My Thoughts⇜
This is a book that deals with some controversial subjects, that I feel, ultimately has its heart in the right place. The MC, in the beginning, comes off as very immature and offensive with some of the comments she has about Muslim women. But…I think it was done this way by the author for a purpose, so you could see her learn and relate and even grow as a person. Which she does do, and she becomes a better person by the end.
My only issue with this, was mainly just that it was slow; not much happens that excited me. Mostly, just sightseeing and eating different kinds of food. Then at about 85% mark something does happen, and yeah, you could totally see it coming…and then we're rushed into an ending and an epilogue…all very quickly done. I did really like the Cedar Point references, (MC is from Sandusky, Ohio) because I do love Cedar Point.
⇝Will I read more from this Author?⇜ Yes, I would; I only ever read one other book by Trish Doller (Something Like Normal) and I really liked that one.
June 9, 2017
Somehow Trish Doller’s books just keep getting more perfect. I’ve read all 4 of her books now and I’ve never once been disappointed. I think that I probably loved In a Perfect World as much as Something Like Normal, which is saying a lot because I loved that book.
In a Perfect World has a lot of elements I love in a YA contemporary. A main character that’s taken out of her comfort zone. A breathtaking, swoon inducing love interest and an involved loving family. But it also has things that you don’t come across that often. Like an Egyptian setting, tons of culture and diversity, and in depth talk about privilege. This book was so much more than meets the eye and I loved every page.
Caroline was a fabulous main character. She was likeable and easy to relate too. She took all these big changes as easy as one could expect. I loved that she wasn’t whiny or bratty about having to spontaneously move away from her home. Her parents were very involved in her life and the story! That’s something that always makes me happy.
Trish Doller can write some chemistry. Every one of her books has been filled with it and In a Perfect World was no exception. There were sparks as soon as Caroline and Adam met. Of course things were very complicated for them. Adam is Muslim and Caroline is not. Adam’s family had some pretty tough opinions on dating, let alone dating a girl that wasn’t Muslim. So there’s a bit of a forbidden romance thing going on. Swoon! The chemistry just sizzled off the page. Adam was sweet and shy, but he really stood up for what he wanted. Their feelings for each other felt so sincere. They were one of the best couples I’ve read in a long time.
The setting was a huge surprise love for me. I remember wanting the visit Egypt when we learned about the pyramids in elementary school, but that was probably the last time I’ve given it a lot of thought. Now I would love to travel there! Trish Doller brought the setting to life. I love that she included the beautiful touristy locations along with the grittier, poorer side of Cairo. There was an amazing amount of Egyptian culture in this story. I learned a lot of interesting new things about Islam. Caroline is also forced to face her privilege head on. All of this stuff fit into the story perfectly. It didn’t feel forced at all! This made the book so much more than a summer YA romance. I learned things and felt feelings I wasn’t expecting. It was amazing!
Caroline and Adam start their relationship pretty early in the story, and this isn’t a long book. That left be a little worried for how things were going to end. I was afraid it was either going to break my heart or be unrealistic. I shouldn’t have worried because it was absolutely perfect. There’s a good chance that In a Perfect World will be one of my favorites of the year. There’s just so much to love about it. I’m still thinking about the characters a week later. That’s always the mark of an incredible book for me. Add this one to your Summer TBR!
See more reviews on my blog Pure Imagination
In a Perfect World has a lot of elements I love in a YA contemporary. A main character that’s taken out of her comfort zone. A breathtaking, swoon inducing love interest and an involved loving family. But it also has things that you don’t come across that often. Like an Egyptian setting, tons of culture and diversity, and in depth talk about privilege. This book was so much more than meets the eye and I loved every page.
Caroline was a fabulous main character. She was likeable and easy to relate too. She took all these big changes as easy as one could expect. I loved that she wasn’t whiny or bratty about having to spontaneously move away from her home. Her parents were very involved in her life and the story! That’s something that always makes me happy.
Trish Doller can write some chemistry. Every one of her books has been filled with it and In a Perfect World was no exception. There were sparks as soon as Caroline and Adam met. Of course things were very complicated for them. Adam is Muslim and Caroline is not. Adam’s family had some pretty tough opinions on dating, let alone dating a girl that wasn’t Muslim. So there’s a bit of a forbidden romance thing going on. Swoon! The chemistry just sizzled off the page. Adam was sweet and shy, but he really stood up for what he wanted. Their feelings for each other felt so sincere. They were one of the best couples I’ve read in a long time.
The setting was a huge surprise love for me. I remember wanting the visit Egypt when we learned about the pyramids in elementary school, but that was probably the last time I’ve given it a lot of thought. Now I would love to travel there! Trish Doller brought the setting to life. I love that she included the beautiful touristy locations along with the grittier, poorer side of Cairo. There was an amazing amount of Egyptian culture in this story. I learned a lot of interesting new things about Islam. Caroline is also forced to face her privilege head on. All of this stuff fit into the story perfectly. It didn’t feel forced at all! This made the book so much more than a summer YA romance. I learned things and felt feelings I wasn’t expecting. It was amazing!
Caroline and Adam start their relationship pretty early in the story, and this isn’t a long book. That left be a little worried for how things were going to end. I was afraid it was either going to break my heart or be unrealistic. I shouldn’t have worried because it was absolutely perfect. There’s a good chance that In a Perfect World will be one of my favorites of the year. There’s just so much to love about it. I’m still thinking about the characters a week later. That’s always the mark of an incredible book for me. Add this one to your Summer TBR!
See more reviews on my blog Pure Imagination
May 24, 2017
I enjoyed very few parts of this book. I really liked when they explained certain things in Egypt. But this was WAY too political and was not the light hearted read I was anticipating.
May 24, 2020
This book was a little bit problematic some times, but I still somewhat enjoyed it.
September 2, 2017
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kimberlyfaye reads.
It's been ages since I picked up one of Trish Doller's books and, truth be told, I'm pretty much kicking myself for not reading In a Perfect World sooner after it was released. It was a gorgeous book. I loved this look at the Egyptian culture and the Muslim religion and, of course, the romance.
Caroline was an interesting character. She was totally out of her element in her new life in Egypt, but she really was trying to embrace it as much as she could. There were missteps, sure. Sometimes she said or thought things that made me cringe, but I think those flaws are part of why I enjoyed her character and this book as much as I did. None of us are perfect. We can all do better at times. Watching Caroline adapt to her new surroundings and truly grow as a result of her experiences was a good reminder of that.
In a Perfect World was about more than romance, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it. Adam was amazing. It was a joy watching things develop between them, even if I knew it would have to come to an end at some point. Which, yes, made me really sad. I loved their connection and how they learned from each other. It really was a beautiful thing, even if others (like his family) might not have felt the same way. Feels for days, you guys. I won't spoil the end for you, but I will say I was pleasantly surprised by how things wrapped up and there were totally tears of a happy nature involved.
This book was the winner of My TBR List in August. I should've posted this review last Saturday, but I thought there was one more Saturday left in the month and I didn't start the book in time. Whoops! That said, once I did start reading this one, I couldn't stop. I read it in a single day, in one sitting more or less. I laughed, I swooned, I FELT. I loved seeing Egypt through Caroline's eyes. Trish knocked it out of the park with this book.
FAVORITE QUOTES
“The whole world's pretty messed up, isn't it?"
"Perhaps. But there is also kindness everywhere.”
“The devil does not whisper things you do not wish to hear; he tells you a beautiful story that you want to believe.”
It's been ages since I picked up one of Trish Doller's books and, truth be told, I'm pretty much kicking myself for not reading In a Perfect World sooner after it was released. It was a gorgeous book. I loved this look at the Egyptian culture and the Muslim religion and, of course, the romance.
Caroline was an interesting character. She was totally out of her element in her new life in Egypt, but she really was trying to embrace it as much as she could. There were missteps, sure. Sometimes she said or thought things that made me cringe, but I think those flaws are part of why I enjoyed her character and this book as much as I did. None of us are perfect. We can all do better at times. Watching Caroline adapt to her new surroundings and truly grow as a result of her experiences was a good reminder of that.
In a Perfect World was about more than romance, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it. Adam was amazing. It was a joy watching things develop between them, even if I knew it would have to come to an end at some point. Which, yes, made me really sad. I loved their connection and how they learned from each other. It really was a beautiful thing, even if others (like his family) might not have felt the same way. Feels for days, you guys. I won't spoil the end for you, but I will say I was pleasantly surprised by how things wrapped up and there were totally tears of a happy nature involved.
This book was the winner of My TBR List in August. I should've posted this review last Saturday, but I thought there was one more Saturday left in the month and I didn't start the book in time. Whoops! That said, once I did start reading this one, I couldn't stop. I read it in a single day, in one sitting more or less. I laughed, I swooned, I FELT. I loved seeing Egypt through Caroline's eyes. Trish knocked it out of the park with this book.
FAVORITE QUOTES
“The whole world's pretty messed up, isn't it?"
"Perhaps. But there is also kindness everywhere.”
“The devil does not whisper things you do not wish to hear; he tells you a beautiful story that you want to believe.”
July 4, 2017
Trish does it again.
Perfect travel companion -- except you will be a little distracted and want to read when you should be enjoying the sights, I guarantee you. This is a book I want to hand to so many people because I think especially in this particular time it reveals how much we have to learn about the traditions and the culture of others. Caroline's uneasiness, understanding the privilege of her and her family, getting over her homesickness and getting into the rhythm of life in Cairo is thoughtfully examined and expressed. And then there is Adam. Sweet, sweet Adam. The chemistry between Adam and Caroline is apparent from the start, and it brings to light the restrictions Adam faces when it comes to love, future relationships, and his own future.
I was *shocked* to find out that Trish hadn't traveled to Cairo for research because I felt like I had been transported. She remarkably made this setting come alive and it was as much as a character in the book as was Caroline, Adam, and Caroline's darling dad.
As a bonus, passed this book on to a friend who travels quite extensively and she loved it too. Made me happy.
Keywords: HS senior year abroad, Egypt setting, Muslim traditions, long distance friendships
Perfect travel companion -- except you will be a little distracted and want to read when you should be enjoying the sights, I guarantee you. This is a book I want to hand to so many people because I think especially in this particular time it reveals how much we have to learn about the traditions and the culture of others. Caroline's uneasiness, understanding the privilege of her and her family, getting over her homesickness and getting into the rhythm of life in Cairo is thoughtfully examined and expressed. And then there is Adam. Sweet, sweet Adam. The chemistry between Adam and Caroline is apparent from the start, and it brings to light the restrictions Adam faces when it comes to love, future relationships, and his own future.
I was *shocked* to find out that Trish hadn't traveled to Cairo for research because I felt like I had been transported. She remarkably made this setting come alive and it was as much as a character in the book as was Caroline, Adam, and Caroline's darling dad.
As a bonus, passed this book on to a friend who travels quite extensively and she loved it too. Made me happy.
Keywords: HS senior year abroad, Egypt setting, Muslim traditions, long distance friendships
July 16, 2017
More like 3.5 stars, I'm thinking. It was good, interesting, really cool to get a modern look into an Egyptian city and culture, buuuuut... I felt a bit like I was reading a travelogue, or a journal, so I felt somewhat detached from the characters. It was mostly descriptions of places and events in a basic way, like "This happened, then that happened, then I went here and saw that, then I got sick, then something else happened." And I really didn't find the instant attraction between the two main characters believable. Adam was literally the first and only person her own age that Caroline met in the first chunk of the book, and the rest was history, even her previous relationship with a boy she supposedly was in love with. So yeah, not feeling the feels the way I was probably supposed to, but still happy to have read it.
June 5, 2017
This book was like taking a trip to Egypt and falling in love! What a beautiful, insightful, and fun read!
June 16, 2017
ahhhhh yessss. that ending. 4.5 stars! review to come
June 8, 2019
It was ok but not great
March 30, 2017
Another fantastic Trish Doller book, another book that kept me up late turning pages because I was sucked into the story from the start and needed to know how it would end. I shipped Caroline and Adam hard. The Cairo setting comes alive through Caroline's experiences and the Egyptian culture seeps through the pages. What I loved most is that it's a romantic book I could see many students loving, and totally appropriate for middle school readers, while not shying away from what are likely the realities of the difficulty of coming from different cultures and religions while falling in love. This book faces the issue head on, and still feels open and honest as real teens would react. It was handled in what seems to be a respectful way because there is an openess and appreciation for each person having their own beliefs and values that permeates the book, while acknowledging the need for more people to be aware of what's happening in our societies, and giving teens the space to discover themselves and their own versions of what is the right way to make life choices. This is an eminently readable story for opening eyes, hearts, and minds.
After sleeping on it, I'm waking up still thinking about this book. And I think it would be fascinating to get a sequel or companion from Adam's or. Aya's perspectives. The story has great family dynamics and is insightful, but it's all from a white perspective of learning about this other culture/religion through the people and experiences, which seems to be handled well. But it leaves me curious about what the Muslim perspective would be of learning about American culture through getting to know this family who lives in Cairo for this time and impacts their lives. We get pieces of it through the conversations, but I'd love more.
After sleeping on it, I'm waking up still thinking about this book. And I think it would be fascinating to get a sequel or companion from Adam's or. Aya's perspectives. The story has great family dynamics and is insightful, but it's all from a white perspective of learning about this other culture/religion through the people and experiences, which seems to be handled well. But it leaves me curious about what the Muslim perspective would be of learning about American culture through getting to know this family who lives in Cairo for this time and impacts their lives. We get pieces of it through the conversations, but I'd love more.
January 3, 2018
"Kindness isn't a debt."
I just want everyone to read In A Perfect World and love it as much as I do, I'm sitting here trying to write in words what this book made me feel and sum up what a beautiful book Trish has written.
I'm shipping Caroline & Adam something fierce add in the perfectly described setting of Egypt and how certain subjects were handle and not glossed over. Along with a ending that had me crying happy tears.
My first five star read of 2018 and now a firm favourite of mine.
I just want everyone to read In A Perfect World and love it as much as I do, I'm sitting here trying to write in words what this book made me feel and sum up what a beautiful book Trish has written.
I'm shipping Caroline & Adam something fierce add in the perfectly described setting of Egypt and how certain subjects were handle and not glossed over. Along with a ending that had me crying happy tears.
My first five star read of 2018 and now a firm favourite of mine.
July 5, 2017
This was such a beautiful book, in so many ways. I loved the vivid description of Egypt, and the romance between Caroline and Adam was real and heartfelt. Most importantly, it was a story about compassion and acceptance. This is a definitely a book we need right now.
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December 5, 2022RTC
July 24, 2017
Love the maturity of the characters and their uncompromising love for one another. I love reading about life in Cairo, their food and culture! That bit about the hanging church and scuba diving in Alexandria both sounded pretty amazing! Those are definitely places I would love to visit!
I love Caroline's relationship with her parents and how hers is with Adam as well! It's so sweet and so hopeful! It makes you want to root for them and for their relationship to stand the test of everything especially the differences in their religion.
I love Caroline's relationship with her parents and how hers is with Adam as well! It's so sweet and so hopeful! It makes you want to root for them and for their relationship to stand the test of everything especially the differences in their religion.
May 29, 2017
I got to say, Trish Doller sure did her research. The way Caroline is experiencing Egypt makes me think Doller actually went to all those places. Really nice.
I liked her parents. Romance? Not so much. But that's mostly because it wasn't as impressive as the world-building.
Ending was too fairytale-ish. Wish it was more realistic.
3.5 stars
I liked her parents. Romance? Not so much. But that's mostly because it wasn't as impressive as the world-building.
Ending was too fairytale-ish. Wish it was more realistic.
3.5 stars
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