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Her Perfect Life #1
Her Perfect
Everyone has secrets. Although, I was a master at concealing mine. But part of hiding was deception, and I'd become a veritable Pinocchio. He was like two different people-Eli and Dr. Paxton. While I knew the latter would turn out to be an incredible teacher, the idea of Eli being more threw me for a loop. I couldn't separate the two, and it seemed vastly inappropriate and strangely alluring. The practical side of me needed to win the war inside my mind. I had to please the teacher, not the man. But once I'd cross that line, there was no turning back.For either of us.
392 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2019
636 people are currently reading
5979 people want to read
About the author
Stephie Walls
51 books1,687 followersStephie Walls is a literary whore - she loves words in all forms and will read anything put in front of her. She has an affinity for British Literature and Romance novels and an overall love of writing. She currently has fifteen novels out, six short stories, and two collections; all provocatively written to elicit your imagination and spice up your world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
March 6, 2021
I hated the heroine's family that consisted of a bunch of patriarchal misogynistic pieces of shit but I loved the way her relationship with the teacher progressed.
It is a forbidden teacher-student romance book but the age difference between them is really little (6 years) and the power dynamic was good (both mature, smart, funny etc.). Eli (the hero) treated Colbie like a princess.
But her family... God. What a pile of crap. If I got paid every time I cringed when her parents or brothers dismissed her just because she's a woman and said crap like "unbecoming of a lady/not lady-like🤦♀️", I would have been in the Forbes list by now, I swear. What century do these characters think they are living in??
This shit was so annoying and their attitude bugged me.
It is a forbidden teacher-student romance book but the age difference between them is really little (6 years) and the power dynamic was good (both mature, smart, funny etc.). Eli (the hero) treated Colbie like a princess.
But her family... God. What a pile of crap. If I got paid every time I cringed when her parents or brothers dismissed her just because she's a woman and said crap like "unbecoming of a lady/not lady-like🤦♀️", I would have been in the Forbes list by now, I swear. What century do these characters think they are living in??
This shit was so annoying and their attitude bugged me.
January 28, 2021
Book: Her Perfect
Author: Stephie Walls
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 Stars!
Age: Colbie - 18; Eli - 24.
'Her Perfect' is my first book from Stephie Walls and she rocked it! I loved Colbie and Eli together. They got under my skin from their very first meeting. I was hooked and completely rooting for them; even though it's slightly morally wrong, but eh that's what we're here for, right? It's always the forbidden that thrills us. It's a law. So much about this book would scream "NO" to many people. But, as a lover of this sub-genre, I have to disagree. Everything about this book resounded with a wide-open "YES!" for me. It was dirty and wrong mixed with sweet and heartbreaking ...and I enjoyed every single word. When I started this story I was nervous it was going to be another student/teacher romance with the stereotypical older guy younger girl scenario. I'm pleased to say it wasn't. The story's so much more than a student-teacher forbidden romance. It's Colbie's journey to find peace. It's about her fight against bulimia. It's about her fight against perfection, about accepting her flaws and those of others.
It also had some of my favorite taboo tropes which I absolutely love and this book portrayed them perfectly. I mean,
➽ Student-Teacher Romance. ✔
➽ Brother's Best Friend. ✔
➽ Age Gap. ✔
➽ Forbidden Love. ✔
Colbie was mature beyond her years and I found myself completely engaged in her life. My heart broke for Colbie on many occasions because of what she endured daily at home. I don't want to give out any spoilers about this part of the story, but it was a very difficult journey for her at times. The characters are so authentic they leap off the page, and I’m full of admiration for the author’s writing skills. Colbie and Eli are a beautiful couple that stole my heart and deserved their HEA. The only issue for me was
This book will grip you tight and keep your emotions hostage. It had so much depth and character growth. It's got all of the elements. Pain, secrets, angst, betrayal, overcoming adversity and most importantly, love. Every page turned immersed me further into the story. Brilliantly written. It will draw you in until you are living the story. Lovely and such a healing plot, which I nearly read in one sitting, as I couldn't put it down.
Author: Stephie Walls
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 Stars!
Age: Colbie - 18; Eli - 24.
Colbie was a siren, and I’d become a sailor. The lure irresistible, and the future inevitable, yet I was too drunk on the melody to assess the danger.
'Her Perfect' is my first book from Stephie Walls and she rocked it! I loved Colbie and Eli together. They got under my skin from their very first meeting. I was hooked and completely rooting for them; even though it's slightly morally wrong, but eh that's what we're here for, right? It's always the forbidden that thrills us. It's a law. So much about this book would scream "NO" to many people. But, as a lover of this sub-genre, I have to disagree. Everything about this book resounded with a wide-open "YES!" for me. It was dirty and wrong mixed with sweet and heartbreaking ...and I enjoyed every single word. When I started this story I was nervous it was going to be another student/teacher romance with the stereotypical older guy younger girl scenario. I'm pleased to say it wasn't. The story's so much more than a student-teacher forbidden romance. It's Colbie's journey to find peace. It's about her fight against bulimia. It's about her fight against perfection, about accepting her flaws and those of others.
It also had some of my favorite taboo tropes which I absolutely love and this book portrayed them perfectly. I mean,
➽ Student-Teacher Romance. ✔
➽ Brother's Best Friend. ✔
➽ Age Gap. ✔
➽ Forbidden Love. ✔
This man was muscle and brawn and everything testosterone on the outside. The complete opposite of what I got from him. Sincerity, kindness, love. Eli was as tender as he was strong.
Colbie was mature beyond her years and I found myself completely engaged in her life. My heart broke for Colbie on many occasions because of what she endured daily at home. I don't want to give out any spoilers about this part of the story, but it was a very difficult journey for her at times. The characters are so authentic they leap off the page, and I’m full of admiration for the author’s writing skills. Colbie and Eli are a beautiful couple that stole my heart and deserved their HEA. The only issue for me was
The control was an illusion, and I was sick. Not just sick right this second.
Sick as in sick.
Worthlessness.
Hopelessness.
Betrayal.
Demise.
Hatred.
This book will grip you tight and keep your emotions hostage. It had so much depth and character growth. It's got all of the elements. Pain, secrets, angst, betrayal, overcoming adversity and most importantly, love. Every page turned immersed me further into the story. Brilliantly written. It will draw you in until you are living the story. Lovely and such a healing plot, which I nearly read in one sitting, as I couldn't put it down.
October 18, 2020
1.5 stars
wow wow wow what a SHITSHOW this was!
insta-love?
romaticised sexism?
unlikeable and doormat characters? we have it all!!!!!!
Firstly, if I could just ask a small question....how in HELL does this book have an average rating of 4.3 stars????? Did I suddenly forget how to read?? HOW could you read THAT and think, yeah I loved it.
i cba to explain the plot, so we'll jump straight into the fun stuff
The Insta-love
This is a teacher-student romance btw, I forgot to even mention that. Anyways, here's how the story goes:
They meet, she isn't too impressed with him. They meet again at her brother's wedding. They have a conversation. She gets drunk and kisses him. He stops her. He sees her playing piano. They have a jog together two times. They are now completely in love with each other. Mind you, this happens at around the 35% mark.
I shall now present you with some quotes, taken from around the 40% mark. Keep in mind, at this point they've had 5 conversations maximum, have known each other for a month, and have made out two times. :)
And my commentary on the quote from my Kindle: why
My commentary: that's the first time he's winked at you, sweetie :)))
My commentary:from him breathing down your neck?????
Aaaanyways, you get my point. Insta-love is literally the worst thing that can happen in a romance, in my opinion. I mean, if I'm reading a ROMANCE book, I want to SEE the characters fall in love, not wake up one day and be like
If I can't be on board with this main thing, then how could I possibly enjoy any other part of the story? I feel like sometimes, smaller flaws can be overlooked, even big ones if the overall romance is amazing, but if this essential part is lacking, then what's left?
The Romanticised Sexism
So, Colbie's (the h) family are "Southern royalty" supposedly, and excuse me, I'm not from the US but what the fuck?? They were all about how the woman's job is to be a hostess in the house and give birth to children, and only have sex with the man she will marry yada, yada, yada. Don't get me wrong, I know that there are lots of people with such beliefs, even in the US.
However, I don't understand why the author desided that it was right to write about this as if it's a good thing. Like, okay, that may be something her parents believe, however, it's Eli, this educated and presented as 'perfect' man who says things like that, too, and it's presented as him being loving and romantic.
(this last quote is from the epilogue just fyi :))) )
Which brings me to the issue with virginity. Colbie is a virgin and her having sex with Eli is made to be the biggest thing ever to happen to her. I mean he calls it a 'gift'. They act as if it is her most prized possession, this virginity, and that once she sleeps with him, that's it, she belongs to him, he has to stay with him forever.
Everyone repeat after me:👏Virginity is a social construct.👏
This is from a text Eli sends to Colbie:
there's nothing to give!!!!!!!! Whether you're a virgin or not, it doesn't define you in any way.
The Unlikeable Characters
All of them were terrible. There wasn't a SINGLE likeable one.
I think we established above why we don't like Eli. Colbie was just a good ol' doormat. Nothing else to her. She did what she was told by her parents, best friend, Eli..yeah, she 'fought back' but like did she really
I'd say...no :)))
Her parents, her five brothers that didn't give a single fuck about her, the one brother who she was suppossed to be 'close' to but turned out to be an even bigger asshole, the fake ass best friend..
The book was also focused quite a lot on Colbie's eating disorder and her dealing with it, which was sometimes interesting and the reason for the half star.
In conclusion, just...don't read this. If you want a good teacher-student romance I whole-heartedly recommend Unteachable, or really anything that's not Her Perfect.
wow wow wow what a SHITSHOW this was!
insta-love?
romaticised sexism?
unlikeable and doormat characters? we have it all!!!!!!
Firstly, if I could just ask a small question....how in HELL does this book have an average rating of 4.3 stars????? Did I suddenly forget how to read?? HOW could you read THAT and think, yeah I loved it.
i cba to explain the plot, so we'll jump straight into the fun stuff
The Insta-love
This is a teacher-student romance btw, I forgot to even mention that. Anyways, here's how the story goes:
They meet, she isn't too impressed with him. They meet again at her brother's wedding. They have a conversation. She gets drunk and kisses him. He stops her. He sees her playing piano. They have a jog together two times. They are now completely in love with each other. Mind you, this happens at around the 35% mark.
I shall now present you with some quotes, taken from around the 40% mark. Keep in mind, at this point they've had 5 conversations maximum, have known each other for a month, and have made out two times. :)
"All it took was a glance into Eli's eyes, and I'd follow him to the ends of the earth. He was the only person I'd ever known who could communicate more with one look than a thousand words."
And my commentary on the quote from my Kindle: why
"That wink did me in every time."
My commentary: that's the first time he's winked at you, sweetie :)))
"If he didn't stop breathing on my neck, he wouldn't have to worry about me giving him the gift he craved.(more on that 'gift' in a bit) I'd be on him in a skinny minute, daring him to turn me down."
My commentary:from him breathing down your neck?????
Aaaanyways, you get my point. Insta-love is literally the worst thing that can happen in a romance, in my opinion. I mean, if I'm reading a ROMANCE book, I want to SEE the characters fall in love, not wake up one day and be like
If I can't be on board with this main thing, then how could I possibly enjoy any other part of the story? I feel like sometimes, smaller flaws can be overlooked, even big ones if the overall romance is amazing, but if this essential part is lacking, then what's left?
The Romanticised Sexism
So, Colbie's (the h) family are "Southern royalty" supposedly, and excuse me, I'm not from the US but what the fuck?? They were all about how the woman's job is to be a hostess in the house and give birth to children, and only have sex with the man she will marry yada, yada, yada. Don't get me wrong, I know that there are lots of people with such beliefs, even in the US.
"We raised you to be a lady, and only tramps live with men before they're married."
However, I don't understand why the author desided that it was right to write about this as if it's a good thing. Like, okay, that may be something her parents believe, however, it's Eli, this educated and presented as 'perfect' man who says things like that, too, and it's presented as him being loving and romantic.
"At some point, I want you to take my last name. And after you finish school and get your practice set up, I hope that you'd want to carry our childen."
I patted Colbie's tight. "Babe, why don't you go answer that and then get coffee for everyone?" She needed something to do besides fidget.
(this last quote is from the epilogue just fyi :))) )
Which brings me to the issue with virginity. Colbie is a virgin and her having sex with Eli is made to be the biggest thing ever to happen to her. I mean he calls it a 'gift'. They act as if it is her most prized possession, this virginity, and that once she sleeps with him, that's it, she belongs to him, he has to stay with him forever.
Everyone repeat after me:👏Virginity is a social construct.👏
This is from a text Eli sends to Colbie:
"Being a virgin is not like having the plague. It's a gift. Keep that shit as long as you want to, and don't give it to a man who's not deserving."
there's nothing to give!!!!!!!! Whether you're a virgin or not, it doesn't define you in any way.
"But Cole, you need to understand, once you give me that gift... there's no tunring back. Ever."
The Unlikeable Characters
All of them were terrible. There wasn't a SINGLE likeable one.
I think we established above why we don't like Eli. Colbie was just a good ol' doormat. Nothing else to her. She did what she was told by her parents, best friend, Eli..yeah, she 'fought back' but like did she really
I'd say...no :)))
Her parents, her five brothers that didn't give a single fuck about her, the one brother who she was suppossed to be 'close' to but turned out to be an even bigger asshole, the fake ass best friend..
The book was also focused quite a lot on Colbie's eating disorder and her dealing with it, which was sometimes interesting and the reason for the half star.
In conclusion, just...don't read this. If you want a good teacher-student romance I whole-heartedly recommend Unteachable, or really anything that's not Her Perfect.
January 22, 2022
i hate her parents. I hate her brothers. I hate her friend.
June 15, 2023
3.5 stars!
It was my first encounter with this author's work, and oh my, was it an incredible experience! The story was so emotional—it made me sad, angry, and have so many other feelings—that you might say my anxiety also took on a distinct and palpable form more solidly among them while reading.
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥.
𝘚𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬.
𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭.
𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦.
𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘥."
It's a fictional work but not hard to believe that family can be that toxic; we never know how people suffer individually in close quarters. Anyway after finishing the book, I did some research about this bulimia illness and learned a lot of things I did not know before. I must say the way the author handled all the topics in the story was totally beautiful. I’m pretty certain I'm in love with Eli Paxton because of his unconditionally caring personality.
However, one aspect that didn't sit well with me was the redemption arc of Colbie's parents towards the end. Throughout her life, they consistently neglected her and disregarded her desires. Their attempt at redemption through a half-hearted apology and a mere gift felt insincere, as if they were only doing it for the sake of appearing redeemed. I found this portrayal quite disappointing, leading me to revise my overall rating accordingly.
It was my first encounter with this author's work, and oh my, was it an incredible experience! The story was so emotional—it made me sad, angry, and have so many other feelings—that you might say my anxiety also took on a distinct and palpable form more solidly among them while reading.
"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬. 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥.
𝘚𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘬.
𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴.
𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘢𝘭.
𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦.
𝘏𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘥."
It's a fictional work but not hard to believe that family can be that toxic; we never know how people suffer individually in close quarters. Anyway after finishing the book, I did some research about this bulimia illness and learned a lot of things I did not know before. I must say the way the author handled all the topics in the story was totally beautiful. I’m pretty certain I'm in love with Eli Paxton because of his unconditionally caring personality.
However, one aspect that didn't sit well with me was the redemption arc of Colbie's parents towards the end. Throughout her life, they consistently neglected her and disregarded her desires. Their attempt at redemption through a half-hearted apology and a mere gift felt insincere, as if they were only doing it for the sake of appearing redeemed. I found this portrayal quite disappointing, leading me to revise my overall rating accordingly.
July 21, 2022
Third Read - I still really love this book but I feel like every time I read it I hate her family and Jess more and more lol
Stars: 4.5
Length: Full Length
POV: Dual
Series: Stand Alone
Ending: HEA
Re-read? Yes
Trigger Warning: Deals heavily with eating disorders
“ Without being obvious, I watched her in class. I listened when she talked to other people. If I saw her in the hall, I observed her body language and how she interacted. I craved something personal from her, and it pained me that she’d given me nothing other than indifference.”
I really adore this book. This is the second time I’ve read it. The only reason I give it 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I feel like some of Cole’s time in TN kinda drags. That could also be because that part particularly enraged me. This book is really emotionally draining. Colbie goes through so many things in this book and the author makes you really feel for her.
I adored Eli. He was exactly what Cole needed. He loved her deeply and was 100% devoted and committed to her even though she had a lot of mental health issues that she needed to work through. He really does try to do the right thing by her but the pull they have towards each other, or how much Colbie truly needs someone like him in her life. A point of order, yes she is in high school and yes she is 18. I just want to clear that up.
“I miss talking to you, running with you, texting you. Jesus. I miss the way you whisper my name in my ear after you kiss my jaw. It’s everything, Colbie. It’s you. I don’t feel like I can breathe right and like my heart beats just half a beat behind because yours isn’t there to beat with it. But until you graduate, I can’t erase any of that pain for me or you. And I hate it.”
I think there was at least one point in this book that I hated every character except Eli and Colbie. Her family is awful, just no redeeming qualities at all. Even Caden, who is supposed to be the one brother that cares about her, lies to her for months and honestly doesn’t put that much thought into their relationship. Even her “best friend” does some really questionable things to her. The only worthwhile thing she did was not tell the school about her and Eli’s relationship. I think overcoming these obstacles and people made their relationship even more special.
”She might be their daughter, but she was my heart.”
Check out one of my 8 million highlights from this book to get a better peak at this epic love story.
Stars: 4.5
Length: Full Length
POV: Dual
Series: Stand Alone
Ending: HEA
Re-read? Yes
Trigger Warning: Deals heavily with eating disorders
“ Without being obvious, I watched her in class. I listened when she talked to other people. If I saw her in the hall, I observed her body language and how she interacted. I craved something personal from her, and it pained me that she’d given me nothing other than indifference.”
I really adore this book. This is the second time I’ve read it. The only reason I give it 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because I feel like some of Cole’s time in TN kinda drags. That could also be because that part particularly enraged me. This book is really emotionally draining. Colbie goes through so many things in this book and the author makes you really feel for her.
I adored Eli. He was exactly what Cole needed. He loved her deeply and was 100% devoted and committed to her even though she had a lot of mental health issues that she needed to work through. He really does try to do the right thing by her but the pull they have towards each other, or how much Colbie truly needs someone like him in her life. A point of order, yes she is in high school and yes she is 18. I just want to clear that up.
“I miss talking to you, running with you, texting you. Jesus. I miss the way you whisper my name in my ear after you kiss my jaw. It’s everything, Colbie. It’s you. I don’t feel like I can breathe right and like my heart beats just half a beat behind because yours isn’t there to beat with it. But until you graduate, I can’t erase any of that pain for me or you. And I hate it.”
I think there was at least one point in this book that I hated every character except Eli and Colbie. Her family is awful, just no redeeming qualities at all. Even Caden, who is supposed to be the one brother that cares about her, lies to her for months and honestly doesn’t put that much thought into their relationship. Even her “best friend” does some really questionable things to her. The only worthwhile thing she did was not tell the school about her and Eli’s relationship. I think overcoming these obstacles and people made their relationship even more special.
”She might be their daughter, but she was my heart.”
Check out one of my 8 million highlights from this book to get a better peak at this epic love story.
May 16, 2019
Wow, what an emotionally gripping story! This is no ordinary student/teacher romance, this is a deeply layered story like nothing I have read before. Her Perfect is about a girl striving for perfection in her life, and a man straddling the line between his professionalism and morals. I wanted to hug Colbie throughout this story not only for her struggles, but also for the awful actions of her selfish family. I am so glad she found Eli as an outlet to deal with all of the things she was juggling.
Eli was just...everything. He was so good to Colbie right from the start and I loved him more and more as the story went on. "I have to know where the demons are to battle them. I can't bring light to darkness if I can't find the switches. I'll go to the ends of the earth for you, but I have to have a map to get there, Cole."
Colbie was such a special girl with so much goodness and not enough people in her life to see it all. It was so heartbreaking to read over and over, so I was so happy to see Eli in her corner and never waver. "She was destined for greatness. And when she found it, those who had underestimated her would regret not being a part of the blinding light she'd shine."
I highly recommend Her Perfect, it is so much more of a story than the blurb lets on. Be prepared for an emotional story that will grab a hold of your heart and not let go until the very end!
Eli was just...everything. He was so good to Colbie right from the start and I loved him more and more as the story went on. "I have to know where the demons are to battle them. I can't bring light to darkness if I can't find the switches. I'll go to the ends of the earth for you, but I have to have a map to get there, Cole."
Colbie was such a special girl with so much goodness and not enough people in her life to see it all. It was so heartbreaking to read over and over, so I was so happy to see Eli in her corner and never waver. "She was destined for greatness. And when she found it, those who had underestimated her would regret not being a part of the blinding light she'd shine."
I highly recommend Her Perfect, it is so much more of a story than the blurb lets on. Be prepared for an emotional story that will grab a hold of your heart and not let go until the very end!
May 1, 2019
A teacher/student romance, heck yes I'm in!! Yet be warned that it's different but in a great way. Eli & Colbie are very mature and had me hooked right from the beginning. The more I read, the more I loved Eli & Colbie and kept rooting for them though I realized that it would only get harder for them as I continued reading. Despite Colbie not having enough people rooting for her she had one person supporting her- Eli!! I must say that I saw why Colbie was falling for Eli and that made me start loving him more also. Get lost in their forbidden love story and see why these two really belonged together. Kara~ 4.5 Stars
July 22, 2020
Virgin h (18) Colbie
Experienced H (24) Eli
He is her high school teacher
Faithful
Safe
No ow or om drama
H is not a whore
Eli: “Colbie Chapman was the whole package. Beauty, brains, talent, gumption, drive, wit, and God, did she have the capacity to love.”
Colbie family is formed by her parents and six male simblings, she is the middle kid and the only girl. She isn’t into football and her whole family is crazy about it. They treat her like she doesn’t exist so she always tries to be perfect so they can notice her the same way they do with her brothers. Her parents are super duper supportive of the guys and always attended their games all the while they never once went to one of her piano’s recital. She only had her younger brother and her best friend until Eli showed up.
She is not an easy person, but with how much her family likes to ignore her, is easy to empathize with her. He is her brother best friend from college, but when he realized how shitty his brother and the rest of her family is when it comes to her he doesn’t care all too much about him.
Her 16 year old brother, Caden, is the only one who cares about her in the family and they are super close. She also has one best friend, Jess, who is also eighteen and they are besties since kids.
Colbie and Jess has a pact of not dating anyone during high school, Jess not only broke it, but lied about it. She is dating Caden for four months and only told Colbie now. She is obviously hurt when Caden tells her he had sex with her friend because she taught they had just starts going out, then he finally spits the truth about how long they were together.
Jess now is super friendly with Colbie’s family because Caden is in fact a part of the family and she wants to be nice and accept. When she was just Colbie’s friends she was invisible to them, just like Colbie is. If it was my friend I wouldn’t give a fuck about being accept by futile people who treated my best friend like shit for years. I hate how they hidden their relationship and then acted like Colbie has an “overly sensible heart” because she was upset when she should have been happy for then. They are literally the only people who gave a fuck about her, she has every fucking right to be mad.
Jess started going to football games with their family, when their family left the house without even inviting Colbie. Caden doesn’t really have a choice and he is also into football so it was kinda of okay for him to miss her recitals to attend their family games, but I believe Jess was not a good as a friend as likes to think she is because holy shit she can support her boyfriend and his awful family but can’t support her bestie?! Fuck you. She always went to Colbie’s recital but now she choose to go to the football game is Caden instead of supporting Colbie knowing Caden is watching a game with his whole family while Colbie would be alone. The three of them are not talking since Caden and Colbie had argument when he told the truth about how long he was dating Jess, so now the couple don’t talk to a Colbie at school, are always together and ignore her. They are both selfish, Caden used to fight with her parents to at least acknowledge his sister but after he betrayed her he somehow believe he is right and she is wrong so what no better way to act other than like the rest of the family, ignoring she exists. I hate that shit, remember me if the movie The Edge of Seveteen (I hated the brother and the best friend there) but here is even worse because unlike the movie the brother was the closest person to Colbie.
I didn’t like how Caden was 15 when he started dating Jess because he was already sex experienced while he was her first kiss. The same with Colbie and Eli but Eli is older and he is celibate since he met Colbie while Caden knew Jess all her life but still fucked around before her, even when they were not together and there was no feelings, i wouldn’t read a their romance story.
Colbie has bulimia and her parents send her to a facility, Jess knows about it because she is the one who found out about Colbie’s problems. When Caden told Colbie about him and Jess having sex he told her how him and Jess tells each other everything referring to the fact that he knew his sister and his girlfriend had an argument when she find out Jess was into her brother. Funny how Jess didn’t tell Caden about Colbie’s bulimia and that she is spending months on a facility because her in laws are all about appearances and she doesn’t want upset them. I think that shows where her loyalty lays, if Colbie was my friend, knowing how Caden is close to her I wouldn’t give a fuck about what his parents would think about me, I would told my boyfriend so he can support my best friend. She went visit Colbie a couple times but in my opinion their friendship is not gonna last once they are settle on different universities and a Colbie realize she can have better friends.
Eli is a fucking prince, I love that after being with Colbie even when he was afraid of his best friend reaction and Colbie’s parents he didn’t budge, he support her during her treatment because her family never once went to see her. He also quit his job and moved to the city she was going to college with, he buy them a house, he was choosing another job thinking about the best health benefits and stability so he can fully support Colbie in case her parents deserted her. He is a book boyfriend.
I didn’t like the epilogue, i wish we could see them a few years down the road.
Experienced H (24) Eli
He is her high school teacher
Faithful
Safe
No ow or om drama
H is not a whore
Eli: “Colbie Chapman was the whole package. Beauty, brains, talent, gumption, drive, wit, and God, did she have the capacity to love.”
Colbie family is formed by her parents and six male simblings, she is the middle kid and the only girl. She isn’t into football and her whole family is crazy about it. They treat her like she doesn’t exist so she always tries to be perfect so they can notice her the same way they do with her brothers. Her parents are super duper supportive of the guys and always attended their games all the while they never once went to one of her piano’s recital. She only had her younger brother and her best friend until Eli showed up.
She is not an easy person, but with how much her family likes to ignore her, is easy to empathize with her. He is her brother best friend from college, but when he realized how shitty his brother and the rest of her family is when it comes to her he doesn’t care all too much about him.
Her 16 year old brother, Caden, is the only one who cares about her in the family and they are super close. She also has one best friend, Jess, who is also eighteen and they are besties since kids.
Colbie and Jess has a pact of not dating anyone during high school, Jess not only broke it, but lied about it. She is dating Caden for four months and only told Colbie now. She is obviously hurt when Caden tells her he had sex with her friend because she taught they had just starts going out, then he finally spits the truth about how long they were together.
Jess now is super friendly with Colbie’s family because Caden is in fact a part of the family and she wants to be nice and accept. When she was just Colbie’s friends she was invisible to them, just like Colbie is. If it was my friend I wouldn’t give a fuck about being accept by futile people who treated my best friend like shit for years. I hate how they hidden their relationship and then acted like Colbie has an “overly sensible heart” because she was upset when she should have been happy for then. They are literally the only people who gave a fuck about her, she has every fucking right to be mad.
Jess started going to football games with their family, when their family left the house without even inviting Colbie. Caden doesn’t really have a choice and he is also into football so it was kinda of okay for him to miss her recitals to attend their family games, but I believe Jess was not a good as a friend as likes to think she is because holy shit she can support her boyfriend and his awful family but can’t support her bestie?! Fuck you. She always went to Colbie’s recital but now she choose to go to the football game is Caden instead of supporting Colbie knowing Caden is watching a game with his whole family while Colbie would be alone. The three of them are not talking since Caden and Colbie had argument when he told the truth about how long he was dating Jess, so now the couple don’t talk to a Colbie at school, are always together and ignore her. They are both selfish, Caden used to fight with her parents to at least acknowledge his sister but after he betrayed her he somehow believe he is right and she is wrong so what no better way to act other than like the rest of the family, ignoring she exists. I hate that shit, remember me if the movie The Edge of Seveteen (I hated the brother and the best friend there) but here is even worse because unlike the movie the brother was the closest person to Colbie.
I didn’t like how Caden was 15 when he started dating Jess because he was already sex experienced while he was her first kiss. The same with Colbie and Eli but Eli is older and he is celibate since he met Colbie while Caden knew Jess all her life but still fucked around before her, even when they were not together and there was no feelings, i wouldn’t read a their romance story.
Colbie has bulimia and her parents send her to a facility, Jess knows about it because she is the one who found out about Colbie’s problems. When Caden told Colbie about him and Jess having sex he told her how him and Jess tells each other everything referring to the fact that he knew his sister and his girlfriend had an argument when she find out Jess was into her brother. Funny how Jess didn’t tell Caden about Colbie’s bulimia and that she is spending months on a facility because her in laws are all about appearances and she doesn’t want upset them. I think that shows where her loyalty lays, if Colbie was my friend, knowing how Caden is close to her I wouldn’t give a fuck about what his parents would think about me, I would told my boyfriend so he can support my best friend. She went visit Colbie a couple times but in my opinion their friendship is not gonna last once they are settle on different universities and a Colbie realize she can have better friends.
Eli is a fucking prince, I love that after being with Colbie even when he was afraid of his best friend reaction and Colbie’s parents he didn’t budge, he support her during her treatment because her family never once went to see her. He also quit his job and moved to the city she was going to college with, he buy them a house, he was choosing another job thinking about the best health benefits and stability so he can fully support Colbie in case her parents deserted her. He is a book boyfriend.
I didn’t like the epilogue, i wish we could see them a few years down the road.
November 21, 2025
everyone especially JESS needed to die, nothing ever happened to anyone AND jess got valedictorian after everything WHAT THE HELL ???
so she is middle kid and the only daughter of southern futbol family, as usual she is forgotten so to make her seen she tries to become perfect at everything, yet this draws her to bulimia in the midst of everything her supposed best friend since kindgerten makes moves on her only good brother and goes into a relationship with him lying to her face for months and when she learns about this she explodes (also the relationship itself is weird jess is 18 brother is 15 idk) anyway when she stops talking to only TWO people in her life jess becomes a even worse person drives her away from her family even more replaces her and puts her in a spot with her family to take more responsibility even while knowing she's barely hanging on does all this with a smile, she is the one who discovers her bulimia she yells cries to exaggerate everything, this makes colbie *fmc lose her remaining solices Eli *mmc and her piano, they forcibly abandon her in a rehab this makes her also lose her valedictorian place to Jess too anyway i hope her brother cheats on her.
also her sister in a law is also disgusting, oh also Jess makes Colbie tell her everything with Eli going through her phone etc., i just hate her
Eli is amazing he sticks throughout with her everything, even gives her better grades, changes the school for her, never pressures her, just a slight push away due to him being a teacher, polite loyal and patient
i loved colbie dearly, she needed to cut everyone imo
so she is middle kid and the only daughter of southern futbol family, as usual she is forgotten so to make her seen she tries to become perfect at everything, yet this draws her to bulimia in the midst of everything her supposed best friend since kindgerten makes moves on her only good brother and goes into a relationship with him lying to her face for months and when she learns about this she explodes (also the relationship itself is weird jess is 18 brother is 15 idk) anyway when she stops talking to only TWO people in her life jess becomes a even worse person drives her away from her family even more replaces her and puts her in a spot with her family to take more responsibility even while knowing she's barely hanging on does all this with a smile, she is the one who discovers her bulimia she yells cries to exaggerate everything, this makes colbie *fmc lose her remaining solices Eli *mmc and her piano, they forcibly abandon her in a rehab this makes her also lose her valedictorian place to Jess too anyway i hope her brother cheats on her.
also her sister in a law is also disgusting, oh also Jess makes Colbie tell her everything with Eli going through her phone etc., i just hate her
Eli is amazing he sticks throughout with her everything, even gives her better grades, changes the school for her, never pressures her, just a slight push away due to him being a teacher, polite loyal and patient
i loved colbie dearly, she needed to cut everyone imo
October 17, 2024
This made me sad and uncomfortable as it should.
The story deals with bulimia and an age gap. H is the heroine's professor, but the relationship is presented sanely with the H reluctant to abuse the heroine's trust as she is both a student and his bf sister.
One of my closest friends in college was anorexic and struggled with mindful eating and allowing herself to indulge with food occasionally. This was about the same time as Karen Carpenter died as a result of her anorexia/bulemia. I'm surprised how little is known about the longterm struggle to resist escaping into the need for such control.
Heroine's family was frustrating and strangling. In some ways, I felt they were exaggerated then I can remember my bf's parents sidelining her for her brothers then wondering why they had a tomboy on their hands.
The story deals with bulimia and an age gap. H is the heroine's professor, but the relationship is presented sanely with the H reluctant to abuse the heroine's trust as she is both a student and his bf sister.
One of my closest friends in college was anorexic and struggled with mindful eating and allowing herself to indulge with food occasionally. This was about the same time as Karen Carpenter died as a result of her anorexia/bulemia. I'm surprised how little is known about the longterm struggle to resist escaping into the need for such control.
Heroine's family was frustrating and strangling. In some ways, I felt they were exaggerated then I can remember my bf's parents sidelining her for her brothers then wondering why they had a tomboy on their hands.
April 27, 2019
I was nervous to start Her Perfect because quite frankly, I don’t do a lot of books with an age difference or student/teacher books for that matter. I was glad I went in with an open mind though because the feelings this book evoked from me were visceral. The love these two characters had for each other was set on fire, the deep ache I felt for the heroine’s inner turmoil created some of the fattest tears I have had roll down my face, and the overall message was etched into my heart. This book has layers to it that I hope it reaches many young adults across this community.
Colbie Chapman is an all-star student, but a no-star athlete and that has caused her to be entirely invisible to the rest of her family. Despite that her ambition and drive to be perfect and the best at what she does is operated from a sad and dark part of her life, I still admire it. Watching her spiral and then fight for balance in life was gritty and real.
Eli Paxton was all sorts of delicious and despite him allowing their relationship to bloom, he was indeed a stand-up man. His ability to see through her and give her the love she has always needed superseded any technical rule breaking that happened throughout their relationship.
Stephie wrote a fantastic but emotional MATURE YA book. It should be for those 18+ or very mature people under 18. It is moving, raw, and creates fresh rhetoric for issues still current in young adult and new adult aged females. I cannot fathom not having read this book.
Colbie Chapman is an all-star student, but a no-star athlete and that has caused her to be entirely invisible to the rest of her family. Despite that her ambition and drive to be perfect and the best at what she does is operated from a sad and dark part of her life, I still admire it. Watching her spiral and then fight for balance in life was gritty and real.
Eli Paxton was all sorts of delicious and despite him allowing their relationship to bloom, he was indeed a stand-up man. His ability to see through her and give her the love she has always needed superseded any technical rule breaking that happened throughout their relationship.
Stephie wrote a fantastic but emotional MATURE YA book. It should be for those 18+ or very mature people under 18. It is moving, raw, and creates fresh rhetoric for issues still current in young adult and new adult aged females. I cannot fathom not having read this book.
May 1, 2019
“Then we’ll learn how to ride the dragons and carry a flashlight. I don’t care what it means. I just need you to know I see you. I want you. Every perfection and every flaw. I love all of you equally.”
This book is different. Yes it is a student/teacher taboo book which is what drew me in initially, but this book is different. I was not prepared for the storyline in this book.
Colbie is an over-achieving 18 year old high school student with her future already mapped out. Coming from a family of all boy football players, Colbie struggles to be seen by her football loving parents. She is mostly invisible to her family with the exception of one younger brother.
Eli Paxton is Colbie’s older brothers best friend and her new high school AP English teacher. Eli & Colbie become close very quickly and hide their relationship from everyone. Eli knows Colbie has demons because he sees her, he is pretty much the only one who sees her. This is no easy relationship to have and just imagine other concerning issues on top of a forbidden relationship. How could they not have a heart wrenching story?
I could go on all day about this book. This is my first read by Stephanie Walls. It was written beautifully. And I loved it. I am certainly going to read more of her books and I will certainly share my love for this book.
This book is different. Yes it is a student/teacher taboo book which is what drew me in initially, but this book is different. I was not prepared for the storyline in this book.
Colbie is an over-achieving 18 year old high school student with her future already mapped out. Coming from a family of all boy football players, Colbie struggles to be seen by her football loving parents. She is mostly invisible to her family with the exception of one younger brother.
Eli Paxton is Colbie’s older brothers best friend and her new high school AP English teacher. Eli & Colbie become close very quickly and hide their relationship from everyone. Eli knows Colbie has demons because he sees her, he is pretty much the only one who sees her. This is no easy relationship to have and just imagine other concerning issues on top of a forbidden relationship. How could they not have a heart wrenching story?
I could go on all day about this book. This is my first read by Stephanie Walls. It was written beautifully. And I loved it. I am certainly going to read more of her books and I will certainly share my love for this book.
June 2, 2021
This is an amazingly beautiful and gut-wrenching book. I was in the mood for heartbreak, and this book delivered. The romance is so raw and powerful, and the subject matter is definitely on the dark side. Colbie has always felt that she needs to be perfect. She comes from a family of football players--and with seven brothers who all play the sport, she feels lost and forgotten. Her parents and brothers don’t understand her love of the piano, and they dismiss her and essentially ignore her because of it. At school, everyone thinks she’s doing well, because she’s an overachiever, already accepted at Vanderbilt and on the fast-track to being valedictorian. It seems that Eli is the only person who sees her for who she is, and thinks she’s perfect despite her perceived flaws. I don’t want to say anything else at the risk of giving it away, but I do want to say that I loved this book so, so much!
I will add a trigger warning, which isn’t really a spoiler since it’s introduced in the prologue: This book deals with mental illness and eating disorders. It’s covered in a raw and realistic way, and this book is not for the faint of heart.
5+ stars for the beautiful romance and delicious heartbreak
I will add a trigger warning, which isn’t really a spoiler since it’s introduced in the prologue: This book deals with mental illness and eating disorders. It’s covered in a raw and realistic way, and this book is not for the faint of heart.
5+ stars for the beautiful romance and delicious heartbreak
November 2, 2023
Reread:
Eli literally melts my heart with the way he cares for and loves Colbie. He shows up for her everyday and always puts her first. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever reach an H like him before 🫶 also I LOVE that Eli helped Colbie with her grades and sometimes gave her an A she didn’t necessarily earn. I feel like this never happens in student teacher romances, and I feel like it should lol. I mean it’s already unethical with the relationship, so why not have the teacher help out the student
Original review:
New favorite book! It’s rare that I love both the H and h of a book, but Eli and Colbie made it so easy. Eli was literally perfection and I could just feel how much he loved and truly valued Colbie. Can’t wait to reread this 🥹
Eli literally melts my heart with the way he cares for and loves Colbie. He shows up for her everyday and always puts her first. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever reach an H like him before 🫶 also I LOVE that Eli helped Colbie with her grades and sometimes gave her an A she didn’t necessarily earn. I feel like this never happens in student teacher romances, and I feel like it should lol. I mean it’s already unethical with the relationship, so why not have the teacher help out the student
Original review:
New favorite book! It’s rare that I love both the H and h of a book, but Eli and Colbie made it so easy. Eli was literally perfection and I could just feel how much he loved and truly valued Colbie. Can’t wait to reread this 🥹
nfm-bad-tropes
November 20, 2025Self note:
The MMC is amazing, and it looks like their love story is good. But the FMC’s family and her bff are trash people and I just can’t deal with that.
The MMC is amazing, and it looks like their love story is good. But the FMC’s family and her bff are trash people and I just can’t deal with that.
April 20, 2019
Her Perfect by Author Stephie Walls is an NA, Student-Teacher romance novel.
“Colbie was a siren, and I’d become a sailor. The lure irresistible, and the future inevitable, yet I was too drunk on the melody to assess the danger. But even if I had, there was no possibility that I could walk away.”
I love this author. I love this trope. But, it’s definitely the final product that is the true test. Fierce and forbidden, Author Stephie Walls penned what is now one of my favorite student-teacher romance novels.
“I had no idea what I’d done to deserve her praise, but hearing my name pass her lips was even better than I’d dreamed. Sultry, yet innocent. Warm and inviting. Soft and heartfelt. One syllable, three letters. No one had ever arranged them on their tongue the way Colbie Chapman just did, and I never wanted another woman to utter them with affection.”
I found myself close to tears so many times throughout Her Perfect. I could see, hear, and feel Colbie. Her shame. Her disappointment. Her loneliness.
“Eli Paxton was the epitome of perfection, or possibly just perfect for me.”
Eli Paxton was exponentially swoon worthy. The description of his physical characteristics would leave any female slack-jawed. Then add in his compassion and kind heart, his sentimentality, and his sexy ways. This is definitely book boyfriend material. A keeper. The bomb dot com. He was magnificent! He took notice of Colbie. And more than that, he saw her. The bright, vivacious, and gifted young lady that she was and everyone else was blinded to.
“I’m scared...That my dragons will be too big for you to slay. And my darkness too deep for you to penetrate.”
Tackling a mental health issue is difficult. Doing it justice is a challenge. Her Perfect opened a window for us to glimpse Colbie’s challenges. However, we weren’t left there. What developed was respect and life-saving love. It was beautiful and authentic.
“I didn’t know when he’d started to move or when I’d joined him. Eli found our rhythm, and holy hell did he play me a song. It was a quiet ballad of love I never imagined him capable of.”
In the end, my heart was bursting with complete adoration, and my face was wide-stretched with a smile so big. Her Perfect surpassed my hopes, and my craving for the forbidden was filled to the brim.
“Colbie was a siren, and I’d become a sailor. The lure irresistible, and the future inevitable, yet I was too drunk on the melody to assess the danger. But even if I had, there was no possibility that I could walk away.”
I love this author. I love this trope. But, it’s definitely the final product that is the true test. Fierce and forbidden, Author Stephie Walls penned what is now one of my favorite student-teacher romance novels.
“I had no idea what I’d done to deserve her praise, but hearing my name pass her lips was even better than I’d dreamed. Sultry, yet innocent. Warm and inviting. Soft and heartfelt. One syllable, three letters. No one had ever arranged them on their tongue the way Colbie Chapman just did, and I never wanted another woman to utter them with affection.”
I found myself close to tears so many times throughout Her Perfect. I could see, hear, and feel Colbie. Her shame. Her disappointment. Her loneliness.
“Eli Paxton was the epitome of perfection, or possibly just perfect for me.”
Eli Paxton was exponentially swoon worthy. The description of his physical characteristics would leave any female slack-jawed. Then add in his compassion and kind heart, his sentimentality, and his sexy ways. This is definitely book boyfriend material. A keeper. The bomb dot com. He was magnificent! He took notice of Colbie. And more than that, he saw her. The bright, vivacious, and gifted young lady that she was and everyone else was blinded to.
“I’m scared...That my dragons will be too big for you to slay. And my darkness too deep for you to penetrate.”
Tackling a mental health issue is difficult. Doing it justice is a challenge. Her Perfect opened a window for us to glimpse Colbie’s challenges. However, we weren’t left there. What developed was respect and life-saving love. It was beautiful and authentic.
“I didn’t know when he’d started to move or when I’d joined him. Eli found our rhythm, and holy hell did he play me a song. It was a quiet ballad of love I never imagined him capable of.”
In the end, my heart was bursting with complete adoration, and my face was wide-stretched with a smile so big. Her Perfect surpassed my hopes, and my craving for the forbidden was filled to the brim.
May 6, 2019
5 Stars / 3 Steam Fans
This is a story that probably shouldn't have steam fans; however, some of the scenes were pretty steamy. Now that statement is out of the way, I am struggling to write this review because I really want to tell you to go into this book blind. It is something I do on a regular basis when I read books, so when Stephie Walls reached out to me asking to send me a physical copy of her new book, 1) I was honored, 2) hesitant because I don't normally do well when reading physical books, 3) completely blind to any of the subject matter contained just that when it comes to Stephie Walls' writing I knew I would get angst, and 4) this story, this journey is just a beautiful emotional ride that I think people just need to experience with no preconceived thoughts. Treading lightly on the actual content I will say that this story comes with content warnings for mental health awareness on multiple levels. It also deals with a couple that has an age-gap and a difficult power dynamic.
This specific video review will be included in the May 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
This is a story that probably shouldn't have steam fans; however, some of the scenes were pretty steamy. Now that statement is out of the way, I am struggling to write this review because I really want to tell you to go into this book blind. It is something I do on a regular basis when I read books, so when Stephie Walls reached out to me asking to send me a physical copy of her new book, 1) I was honored, 2) hesitant because I don't normally do well when reading physical books, 3) completely blind to any of the subject matter contained just that when it comes to Stephie Walls' writing I knew I would get angst, and 4) this story, this journey is just a beautiful emotional ride that I think people just need to experience with no preconceived thoughts. Treading lightly on the actual content I will say that this story comes with content warnings for mental health awareness on multiple levels. It also deals with a couple that has an age-gap and a difficult power dynamic.
This specific video review will be included in the May 2019 wrap-up.
For other video book reviews check out my YouTube channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
April 19, 2019
An incredible story that packs an emotional punch. Hands down her best book to date. You are taken on Colbie’s soul stirring journey that makes you evaluate everything. When Eli comes into the mix she has some decisions to make that could be life altering. I found myself putting this story down to process and handle the mixture of feelings. Deserves more than five stars and should be a must read on everyone’s list.
May 15, 2019
5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes
I always love a good student/teacher, best friend’s sister, age gap romance. But what Stephie Walls has created with this book is all of the above and so much more. She has explored a topic that I think not many have dealt with, at least that I have read. The writing was flawless, it made you feel every ounce of emotion that hero and heroine were feeling. It all felt so real and at time intense. The passion, the pain, the love, the hurt – I felt it all!!
Colbie is a senior in high school and when it comes to academics and piano, she is an all-star. She tried so hard to be perfect in every way, but when it comes to her family, she seems to be the family member that is cast aside. Growing up with 4 brothers who have all played football, she seems to be the outcast. To her parents and the rest of her family, football is everything!!! And you see just how much that statement is true!!
Eli is the new guy in town and Colbie’s new English teacher. Their first meeting did not go that well, but as time went on these two grew closer. There was certainly an instant attraction but being her teacher they both had to put those feelings aside. Until they no longer could. Eli was everything that Colbie needed but never expected. And I think the same goes for Eli. He sees her in a ways that no one else does. He sees through her and sees the pain that she is carrying with her. He wants to be there for her and help her, even though he knows that he is crossing a line or two. But despite the obstacles they face, these two can’t stay away from each other./. There is a bond and connection that cannot be broken. Being together comes with a big risk, but is it one they are both willing to take?
I loved both Colbie and Eli. I felt so bad for Colbie. My heart broke for her. I honestly was not a fan of her family at all, even the one brother that she was actually close with, frustrated me at times. She was this amazing woman who fought so hard to be perfect in everything she did. The people who should have been proud of her, never really showed her the love she deserved. And the ones who should be protecting her were the same people who caused her so much pain. And this is why I loved Eli. That man was perfect!!! He loved her something fierce and you can just feel that love. I didn’t care what line he crossed, the way he loved, protected and defended her, and stood by her side was everything!!!
Ms. Walls has created a story that will capture you from the very beginning. The prologue alone will suck you in. She has created two characters that you will fall in love with immediately. This story felt so real. I loved how Ms. Walls handled this topic, especially at the moment when Colbie really gets it and can admit to what has been going on. That girl is a fighter and I admired her strength and everything about her. Eli was a stand-up guy who just wanted to love and protect her, even if it meant going against her family. They were two characters who I loved and did not want to say goodbye to. A must read. Get ready to feel the emotions!!!
Review by Jen Skewes
I always love a good student/teacher, best friend’s sister, age gap romance. But what Stephie Walls has created with this book is all of the above and so much more. She has explored a topic that I think not many have dealt with, at least that I have read. The writing was flawless, it made you feel every ounce of emotion that hero and heroine were feeling. It all felt so real and at time intense. The passion, the pain, the love, the hurt – I felt it all!!
Colbie is a senior in high school and when it comes to academics and piano, she is an all-star. She tried so hard to be perfect in every way, but when it comes to her family, she seems to be the family member that is cast aside. Growing up with 4 brothers who have all played football, she seems to be the outcast. To her parents and the rest of her family, football is everything!!! And you see just how much that statement is true!!
Eli is the new guy in town and Colbie’s new English teacher. Their first meeting did not go that well, but as time went on these two grew closer. There was certainly an instant attraction but being her teacher they both had to put those feelings aside. Until they no longer could. Eli was everything that Colbie needed but never expected. And I think the same goes for Eli. He sees her in a ways that no one else does. He sees through her and sees the pain that she is carrying with her. He wants to be there for her and help her, even though he knows that he is crossing a line or two. But despite the obstacles they face, these two can’t stay away from each other./. There is a bond and connection that cannot be broken. Being together comes with a big risk, but is it one they are both willing to take?
I loved both Colbie and Eli. I felt so bad for Colbie. My heart broke for her. I honestly was not a fan of her family at all, even the one brother that she was actually close with, frustrated me at times. She was this amazing woman who fought so hard to be perfect in everything she did. The people who should have been proud of her, never really showed her the love she deserved. And the ones who should be protecting her were the same people who caused her so much pain. And this is why I loved Eli. That man was perfect!!! He loved her something fierce and you can just feel that love. I didn’t care what line he crossed, the way he loved, protected and defended her, and stood by her side was everything!!!
Ms. Walls has created a story that will capture you from the very beginning. The prologue alone will suck you in. She has created two characters that you will fall in love with immediately. This story felt so real. I loved how Ms. Walls handled this topic, especially at the moment when Colbie really gets it and can admit to what has been going on. That girl is a fighter and I admired her strength and everything about her. Eli was a stand-up guy who just wanted to love and protect her, even if it meant going against her family. They were two characters who I loved and did not want to say goodbye to. A must read. Get ready to feel the emotions!!!
May 1, 2019
HER PERFECT is a near perfect forbidden student/teacher romance, but the story is so very much more. There are major issues that must be addressed, beyond the obvious of her being his eighteen-year-old honor student. I was nervously reading each page till the Epilogue.
Colbie Chapman was in her senior year, with determination that she was to be the Valedictorian of her class. Being the best wasn't enough. Being great still wouldn't work. Exceptional was the only option. Now perfection was expected. As the only girl in a home of six boys, it was hard to be noticed. If you didn't play football, or at least watched the boys play football, then you pretty much were ignored. Even if you played the piano flawlessly, and were destined for a professional career, you were excluded in the Chapman house hold. Except for her one younger brother Caden, she was overlooked as if invisible.
When Colbie walked into her honor's English class, and taken her seat a little bit late. She never expected to be reprimanded by her new teacher Dr. Eli Paxton. Nor for him to be so young and so good looking. Their first meeting did not go well. Dr. Paxton informed his new student, that just because he was her oldest brother Caleb's best friend, she shouldn't expect any favoritism. His not knowing that she had been an over-achiever all her life. Nor that she had no clue that he had played football with Caleb & been his roommate for four years. As an added insult that Eli would be a groomsmen in her brother's upcoming wedding. She herself was excluded from the wedding party.
It didn't take Eli Paxton long to realize just how brilliant, talented, and beautiful Colbie Chapman really was. He also noticed how her family overlooked her true value. Eli was also something of an over-achiever. He was only twenty-four years old, and had finished his doctorate in six years, by going to school year-round, plus more credit hours each semester. His attraction to Colbie and her returned attraction were very dangerous stuff. He could loose the job, he had worked so hard for, and she couldn't even imagine what drastic measures her family would take to keep her reputation spotless. Only problem was, every part of her wanted to connect with him on a level she had never connected to anyone. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, and every other way. His feelings for her were returned as much, if not more. He wanted to protect her, and shelter her from a cruel world. If they waited for her to graduate, they could then safely be together. Staying away from each other turned out to be too difficult. And there are huge secrets being kept that might just be too much to overcome.
Colbie Chapman was in her senior year, with determination that she was to be the Valedictorian of her class. Being the best wasn't enough. Being great still wouldn't work. Exceptional was the only option. Now perfection was expected. As the only girl in a home of six boys, it was hard to be noticed. If you didn't play football, or at least watched the boys play football, then you pretty much were ignored. Even if you played the piano flawlessly, and were destined for a professional career, you were excluded in the Chapman house hold. Except for her one younger brother Caden, she was overlooked as if invisible.
When Colbie walked into her honor's English class, and taken her seat a little bit late. She never expected to be reprimanded by her new teacher Dr. Eli Paxton. Nor for him to be so young and so good looking. Their first meeting did not go well. Dr. Paxton informed his new student, that just because he was her oldest brother Caleb's best friend, she shouldn't expect any favoritism. His not knowing that she had been an over-achiever all her life. Nor that she had no clue that he had played football with Caleb & been his roommate for four years. As an added insult that Eli would be a groomsmen in her brother's upcoming wedding. She herself was excluded from the wedding party.
It didn't take Eli Paxton long to realize just how brilliant, talented, and beautiful Colbie Chapman really was. He also noticed how her family overlooked her true value. Eli was also something of an over-achiever. He was only twenty-four years old, and had finished his doctorate in six years, by going to school year-round, plus more credit hours each semester. His attraction to Colbie and her returned attraction were very dangerous stuff. He could loose the job, he had worked so hard for, and she couldn't even imagine what drastic measures her family would take to keep her reputation spotless. Only problem was, every part of her wanted to connect with him on a level she had never connected to anyone. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, and every other way. His feelings for her were returned as much, if not more. He wanted to protect her, and shelter her from a cruel world. If they waited for her to graduate, they could then safely be together. Staying away from each other turned out to be too difficult. And there are huge secrets being kept that might just be too much to overcome.
April 27, 2019
**CASSIE**
**OFF THE CHARTS**
I was nervous to start Her Perfect because quite frankly, I don’t do a lot of books with an age difference or student/teacher books for that matter. I was glad I went in with an open mind though because the feelings this book evoked from me were visceral. The love these two characters had for each other was set on fire, the deep ache I felt for the heroine’s inner turmoil created some of the fattest tears I have had roll down my face, and the overall message was etched into my heart. This book has layers to it that I hope it reaches many young adults across this community.
Colbie Chapman is an all-star student, but a no-star athlete and that has caused her to be entirely invisible to the rest of her family. Despite that her ambition and drive to be perfect and the best at what she does is operated from a sad and dark part of her life, I still admire it. Watching her spiral and then fight for balance in life was gritty and real.
Eli Paxton was all sorts of delicious and despite him allowing their relationship to bloom, he was indeed a stand-up man. His ability to see through her and give her the love she has always needed superseded any technical rule breaking that happened throughout their relationship.
Stephie wrote a fantastic but emotional MATURE YA book. It should be for those 18+ or very mature people under 18. It is moving, raw, and creates fresh rhetoric for issues still current in young adult and new adult aged females. I cannot fathom not having read this book.
**OFF THE CHARTS**
I was nervous to start Her Perfect because quite frankly, I don’t do a lot of books with an age difference or student/teacher books for that matter. I was glad I went in with an open mind though because the feelings this book evoked from me were visceral. The love these two characters had for each other was set on fire, the deep ache I felt for the heroine’s inner turmoil created some of the fattest tears I have had roll down my face, and the overall message was etched into my heart. This book has layers to it that I hope it reaches many young adults across this community.
Colbie Chapman is an all-star student, but a no-star athlete and that has caused her to be entirely invisible to the rest of her family. Despite that her ambition and drive to be perfect and the best at what she does is operated from a sad and dark part of her life, I still admire it. Watching her spiral and then fight for balance in life was gritty and real.
Eli Paxton was all sorts of delicious and despite him allowing their relationship to bloom, he was indeed a stand-up man. His ability to see through her and give her the love she has always needed superseded any technical rule breaking that happened throughout their relationship.
Stephie wrote a fantastic but emotional MATURE YA book. It should be for those 18+ or very mature people under 18. It is moving, raw, and creates fresh rhetoric for issues still current in young adult and new adult aged females. I cannot fathom not having read this book.
April 20, 2019
Once again, Stephie floors me with her storytelling. This book grabs you by the heart from the very first page and doesn't let go. It's sexy, compelling, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and utterly satisfying. Stephie captures the conflicted and tortured psyche brilliantly. And takes two (potentially) sensitive issues and walks the reader through them with finesse and the utmost respect. Don't miss this fantastic book.
June 10, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A very tastefully done student/teacher romance book.
This book involved a very interesting concept that was perfectly executed.
There were many parts of the book where a different author could have tanked the book, but Wells craftily wove her story.
I really related to Colbie’s drive for perfection and I loved Eli’s acceptance of who she was and his unconditional love for her.
I adored this book and would highly recommend!
A very tastefully done student/teacher romance book.
This book involved a very interesting concept that was perfectly executed.
There were many parts of the book where a different author could have tanked the book, but Wells craftily wove her story.
I really related to Colbie’s drive for perfection and I loved Eli’s acceptance of who she was and his unconditional love for her.
I adored this book and would highly recommend!
Read
September 7, 2019I usually know if a book is right for me in the first couple of chapters, and this one isn’t for me.
Author kept it very vague but I’m guessing the heroine is bulimic.
Nothing against it, just that scenario isn’t appealing to me.
Author kept it very vague but I’m guessing the heroine is bulimic.
Nothing against it, just that scenario isn’t appealing to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2022
i loved the part when he recited the words she said to him when they first met
December 21, 2019
This was my first Stephie Walls book, and I'm blown away. Her words on every page seared my heart. I felt as though I knew Colbie Chapman personally and my heart broke for her. Her Perfect was so much more than a forbidden student-teacher romance. So much more! I hardly thought about the forbidden love story between Colbie and Eli because there were more deeply rooted emotional issues at play in the story.
Ms. Walls told a very compelling story and captivated me from the first page until the last. I highly recommend this book.
Ms. Walls told a very compelling story and captivated me from the first page until the last. I highly recommend this book.
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February 9, 2023
Perfection is an illusion; don’t try to achieve something that’s unobtainable.”
Just finished reading this book that I picked on a whim really. I had a bit of a tough time getting into it. I was a bit confused by the prologue and the writing style took some getting used to. But I'm so glad I kept on reading.
This is not your average student - teacher romance. It is a story about overcoming bulimia, wrapped in unconditional love.
In a small town from Georgia where life revolves around football, Colbie is the middle child, only girl, in a family of football players. She is an overachiever, vying for valedictorian and a piano prodigy. What she is not is a football fan or an athlete which makes her invisible to her family. Which leads to low self-esteem and self harm.
Eli is her brother's best friend from college and her new English teacher. He is the one who really sees and appreciates Colbie. He sees her grief, her pain, her beauty inside and out. He cherishes and supports her when her own family makes her feel invisible.
I liked the emotional layers of this book. Some passages were hard to read cause the author didn't shy away from putting on paper the harsh realities of bulimia and the tough road towards healing.
If you want a fluffy romance, this isn't that. The road to recovery is hard and long. And it was painful reading about how much of an outsider Colbie was within her own family. But the ending was beautiful, emotional and hopeful.
======
TWs: bulimia, depression
Safety: 2-3 sexual content scenes; a lot of scenes with high emotional content involving depiction of binges and purges
Just finished reading this book that I picked on a whim really. I had a bit of a tough time getting into it. I was a bit confused by the prologue and the writing style took some getting used to. But I'm so glad I kept on reading.
This is not your average student - teacher romance. It is a story about overcoming bulimia, wrapped in unconditional love.
In a small town from Georgia where life revolves around football, Colbie is the middle child, only girl, in a family of football players. She is an overachiever, vying for valedictorian and a piano prodigy. What she is not is a football fan or an athlete which makes her invisible to her family. Which leads to low self-esteem and self harm.
Eli is her brother's best friend from college and her new English teacher. He is the one who really sees and appreciates Colbie. He sees her grief, her pain, her beauty inside and out. He cherishes and supports her when her own family makes her feel invisible.
I liked the emotional layers of this book. Some passages were hard to read cause the author didn't shy away from putting on paper the harsh realities of bulimia and the tough road towards healing.
If you want a fluffy romance, this isn't that. The road to recovery is hard and long. And it was painful reading about how much of an outsider Colbie was within her own family. But the ending was beautiful, emotional and hopeful.
======
TWs: bulimia, depression
Safety: 2-3 sexual content scenes; a lot of scenes with high emotional content involving depiction of binges and purges
April 29, 2019
I have to start this review by saying WOW WOW WOW as this AMAZING emotional, heart tugging story simply captured me from page one and didn't let up right until I read the final words, The End. I've read other stories by Stephie Walls so I was anxious to read this taboo student/teacher romance but don't be fooled by this as this riveting story was by far so much more than the typical kind of romance. It was a story filled with so much emotion, heartache, sorrow yet so much understanding, support and love in achieving a "perfect" life.
Colbie was a bright 18 yr old in her senior year of high school who was the only girl lost in a sea of 6 brothers. She felt invisible, struggling to find her place in the family by being an overachiever, a perfectionist with all things in her life. Playing the piano, running miles a day and striving to be Valedictorian were her outlets to get through the day . Her life was full of lies for fear of failure and rejection, lies were her foundation and kept pain close to her heart. Yet Colbie was never invisible to Eli, her handsome English teacher who also happened to be her oldest brother's best friend. He noticed her right away, "Colbie Chapman was the whole package, beauty, brains, talent gumption, drive, wit and God did she have the capacity to love". He was her biggest supporter and fought to keep his emotions, feelings and attraction for her for fear of losing his job and her family finding out yet Eli kept saying to Colbie, " I'll never choose anything over you". Eli was her saving grace, he loved her, praised her, fought for her, thought she was "perfect" but would that be enough for Colbie in her own "perfect" world. These two together fought the fight that proved to be unforgettable and so inspirational.
This by far exceeded my expectations as this "multiple" star story involving Colbie and Eli will be etched in my heart with so much meaning and resolve. I am in awe of Stephie Walls for writing such an amazing, important story as the "struggle" is real for so many people trying to map out their lives in this "not so nice" world. I commend her sensitivity of the subject and putting forth the message or moral of the story that you don't have to be the best at everything as long as you try and put your best effort forward.
Colbie was a bright 18 yr old in her senior year of high school who was the only girl lost in a sea of 6 brothers. She felt invisible, struggling to find her place in the family by being an overachiever, a perfectionist with all things in her life. Playing the piano, running miles a day and striving to be Valedictorian were her outlets to get through the day . Her life was full of lies for fear of failure and rejection, lies were her foundation and kept pain close to her heart. Yet Colbie was never invisible to Eli, her handsome English teacher who also happened to be her oldest brother's best friend. He noticed her right away, "Colbie Chapman was the whole package, beauty, brains, talent gumption, drive, wit and God did she have the capacity to love". He was her biggest supporter and fought to keep his emotions, feelings and attraction for her for fear of losing his job and her family finding out yet Eli kept saying to Colbie, " I'll never choose anything over you". Eli was her saving grace, he loved her, praised her, fought for her, thought she was "perfect" but would that be enough for Colbie in her own "perfect" world. These two together fought the fight that proved to be unforgettable and so inspirational.
This by far exceeded my expectations as this "multiple" star story involving Colbie and Eli will be etched in my heart with so much meaning and resolve. I am in awe of Stephie Walls for writing such an amazing, important story as the "struggle" is real for so many people trying to map out their lives in this "not so nice" world. I commend her sensitivity of the subject and putting forth the message or moral of the story that you don't have to be the best at everything as long as you try and put your best effort forward.
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