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Better Than Perfect
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Better Than Perfect
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Better Than Perfect
Ebook334 pages4 hours

Better Than Perfect

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this ebook

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Perfect Chemistry trilogy, Simone Elkeles, comes a romance that follows polar opposites Derek Fitzpatrick and Ashtyn Parker as their worlds collide

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek's counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else's family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. So when her older sister comes home after abandoning her ten years earlier, with her hot new stepson in tow, Ashtyn wants nothing to do with either of them. Then she comes up with a plan that would finally give her the chance to leave, but it requires trusting Derek-someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and get the future she wants?

Don't miss any of these other books from New York Times bestselling author Simone Elkeles:

The Perfect Chemistry Trilogy
Perfect Chemistry
Rules of Attraction
Chain Reaction

Better Than Perfect
LanguageEnglish
Release dateAug 5, 2014
ISBN9781619637474
Unavailable
Better Than Perfect
Author

Simone Elkeles

Simone Elkeles is the author of Leaving Paradise and four other Flux novels, including How to Ruin Your Summer Vacation and How to Ruin Your Boyfriend’s Repuation. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Rules of Attraction (Walker). A popular speaker at libraries around the country, when the author is not writing she TiVos reality television and watches teen movies. She lives near Chicago with her family and two dogs.

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Reviews for Better Than Perfect

Rating: 3.761467878899082 out of 5 stars
4/5

109 ratings14 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I have read a few books by this author and have found them all enjoyable. "Wild Cards" was a quick, easy read about antagonistic love. Unlike most YA romances, this book didn't dwell on teenage angst. Instead it was fun and light-hearted. Derek and Ashtyn were both strong characters with personal hurts, and each had a voice which gave the reader a good insight into their thoughts and feelings. I loved how Ashytn was voted captain of the school's football team, much to her boyfriend's disgust, and was so passionate about a male dominated sport. "Wild Cards" is a good weekend read for girls looking for another bad boy to love.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    So I've definitely been on a Simone Elkeles kick! I love reading her books-- they are fun, quick, leisure reads. As in the Perfect Chemistry trilogy, through Wild Cards we get both points of view from Derek and Ashytn. Wild Cards followed the same basic story line of the Perfect Chemistry trilogy in that two young adults fall in love and have to figure out how to make it work-- but Wild Cards was a unique story on its own. I was worried that this book would be predictable because of the Fuentes brother characters in Elkeles' Perfect Chemistry series but it wasn't at all. The characters were very different than what we're used to in the Perfect Chemistry trilogy making for a read that will make you go through all emotions. You will feel the need to keep reading more! Elkeles' books are the perfect leisure reads! I hope she will keep writing more.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This was a fun and tense contemporary romance. I connected with both characters, and the dual narration gave me access to their thoughts, reasoning, and emotions. Ashtyn is amazingly tough in the physical sense since she is a female football player. She has faced so many challenges to do what she began to get her father's attention but ended up falling in love with. She's proved herself to her teammates and they trust her and protect her, accept her as one of theirs. I love the easy but deep friendship she has with the guys, especially Vic, who never failed to make me smile. Derek is a hot cowboy type, who has a lot of pain underneath the surface. He is harboring a lot of guilt in regards to his mom and football, so he quit. After that he couldn't seem to stop getting in trouble, which leaves him following his stepmom from California to a new town--Chicago. It is hard watching him try to fit in, and still keep who he is. The tension and chemistry between Ashtyn and Derek is palable, and I love every minute of it. They are both holding each other at arm's length though which sometimes I just wanted to smack them and tell them to get on with it. I really appreciated the family aspect of this one. While neither side was perfect, there were members that I liked. I appreciated that Derek's dad was a navy man, and even though his absence was hard, he is doing it for a good cause, and even though Derek has issues you can tell that his dad did his part when he was home. I love little Julian, he is such a sincere and well done The ending did feel a little rushed, but I am eagerly awaiting more from these characters.Bottom Line: Sparks and tension between the main characters kept my attention.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.Quick & Dirty: This was a steamy young adult contemporary with fun characters, laugh out loud moments, and a heartfelt story. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.Opening Sentence: Getting caught wasn’t part of the plan.The Review:Derek Fitzpatrick just got kicked out of boarding school in California, for one too many pranks. It is the end of his junior year and now instead of spending to summer living in the dorms and partying with his friends he has to go and live with his stepmother. His dad is in the Navy and will be unreachable for at least 6 months, and his mother passed away a few years ago. His stepmother has decided to move back to her home town in Illinois while Derek’s dad is deployed. So not only did he get kicked out of school, now he has to move across the country as well. It’s just one year until graduation than he can leave and never look back. Derek just wants to get through the year with no drama, but then he meets Ashtyn.Ashtyn has just been voted captain of her high school football team. She is the kicker and football is her life. She has been dating the quarterback for about a year now and is hoping to land a college scholarship, but life doesn’t always go the way you plan. Ashtyn’s home life has always been far from perfect. Her mom left when she was little, and her dad quit being a parent when that happened. She has an older sister who got pregnant and bailed years ago so Ashtyn has pretty much been alone most of her life. Her sister has decided to come home and with her she is bringing her stepson who happens to be totally gorgeous, but he’s not the type of person she should get involved with. When Ashtyn’s dreams are threatened there is only one person she can turn to for help. Trusting Derek is a gamble but it’s one she is going to have to take.Wild Cards alternates between Derek and Ashtyn’s point of view. First you are introduced to Derek. He is a hot California boy with a cowboy accent. He moved around a lot growing up being from a military family, so he lived in the south for a while and picked up some of their customs. He has a laid back personality and doesn’t take anything seriously if he can help it. He doesn’t do commitments, and he doesn’t like drama. I really liked Derek; he is sweet, respectful, gorgeous, and genuine. Yeah, he has his flaws but that just made me like him even more.Next we get to meet the spunky Ashtyn. She is independent and she loves football. She is a tomboy, but she is also a total girl. Everyone Ashtyn has ever loved has left her, so she has stopped letting people in. She has friends and a boyfriend, but she has never truly trusted anyone. To try and escape from her life she has put her soul into football. Ashtyn is the type of girl that makes plans and doesn’t do the whole causal hookup scene. I really loved Ashtyn, she is a strong character with a good voice.When Derek and Ashtyn meet sparks fly. They are total opposites, but you know how they say opposites attract. Derek and Ashtyn drive each other nuts in more ways than one. They are very attracted to each other, but they don’t see eye to eye on most issues. Their relationship is rough, but sweet at the same time. They have amazing chemistry and lots of sexual tension. They both have had a hard past in their own way, but as they get to know each other they discover that they have more in common than they thought.I really enjoyed Wild Cards. This was a great book to satisfy my craving for a good YA contemporary novel. It piqued my interest right away and the pacing was perfect. There was just enough drama to keep things interesting. The characters were well developed and easy to connect with, and the romance was sweet and steamy. It pretty much had everything a good contemporary piece should have. I will admit that the plot was predictable, but it was still very enjoyable. I am super excited to get my hands on book two and read more of Derek and Ashtyn’s story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys romantic contemporary reads.Notable Scene:I hold up a hand, halting her tirade for the moment. Me, a thug?That’s hilarious. This girl’s thug radar is way off. I don’t think I’ve ever been called a thug before. “I hate to break the news to you, sweetheart, but I’ve got no clue where Fairfield is.”“Yeah, right. I’m not stupid. And I’m not your sweetheart. I don’t even fall for that really bad fake southern accent.” Rustling in the garden captures her dog’s attention. He abandons his post and leaps toward some unlucky critter. “Falkor, come back here!” she orders, but he ignores her.“Put the pitchfork down, honey.” I take a step closer to her and the exit.“Not on your life. I’m warning you…take one step closer and I’ll stab you.” One glance at her shaking hands tells me she doesn’t have the nerve to go through with her threat.I put my hands up in mock surrender.I wish this girl had an on/off switch so I could permanently shut her down. I’m standing directly in front of her now, the points of the pitchfork an inch away from my chest. “You really don’t want to stab me,” I tell her.“Yes, I think I do.” The warrior girl blinks her fierce eyes. For a second I’m sure she’s about to lower her weapon, until I hear something creak behind me. As I glance over my shoulder, a bracket holding a bunch of tools on the wall crashes to the ground. The sound startles the girl and she drops the pitchfork. On my foot.What the—She stares at the pointed tine sticking out of my left shoe and her mouth opens in shock. Before I know it, she backs up and slams the door shut. I’m swallowed by darkness as I hear the padlock snap into place. Two thoughts cross my mind: she thinks I’m a thug and I think she’s a wackjob.One of us is right, and it’s not her.FTC Advisory: Walker Books for Young Readers/Bloomsbury provided me with a copy of Wild Cards. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    I probably should have realised I wasn't going to love this one, but I hoped beyond all hope that it would surprise me. It didn't.Ashtyn is a football player and "not like other girls". (ick)Derek is a "player" and "troublemaker".They meet, they clash, they inexplicably fall in love, clash some more, bone, and voila, it ends.What we have here is a semi-okayish Perfect Chemistry rehash that just falls flat. On its face. Repeatedly.I found the story cliched and predictable, with next to no elements making it stand out from the rest of the YA pack or Elkeles' other books.I've seen other reviewers remark that it was all tell and no show, and I have to wholeheartedly agree. Derek didn't have a bad bone in him, and Ashtyn didn't seem particularly tortured or depressed. You are repeatedly told that these characters have all of these amazing or horrible qualities and you have to take it at Elkeles' word because you haven't got a hope of seeing it for yourself through any sort of character development.The author did nothing but perpetuate tired old misogynistic tropes about girls needing "protection" and a hero to save them. Even the phrase, "boys will be boys" was used unironically. I had a pretty visceral reaction to that one. So many gender stereotypes were used throughout the story, I honestly felt like stopping halfway through, it was nauseating.Overall I wasn't too pleased with this latest offering from Simone Elkeles. I've loved her stuff in the past but I realise I've probably aged out of her target audience by now. But in all honestly, we need less of these types of books in the world. I would have eaten it up at 13, and that's precisely the problem.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    After taking the fall for a prank (setting pigs loose during the seniors graduation ceremony) Derek Fitzpatrick has just been kicked out of boarding school. He has no choice but to follow his stepmother, who has just annouced that she's moving back to her hometown to live with her father. Illinois is the last place Derek wants to move but with his father deployed and him not speaking with his grandmother his stepmother is the only option. The only thing that Ashtyn Parker knows, the only thing that she believes in, is football. It kept her sane after her mother left, after her sister, Brandi, left, even after her boyfriend, the star quarterback dumps her and joins their rival team. Now Ashtyn needs a new game plan, trusting Derek may be her only chance at taking her team to state but trust isn't something she gives away freely. First off, can I just say how insanly perfect the voice actor that read Derek was? I'm usually not one to reccomend that certain books be listened too rather than read but I'm so glad I got this one as an audio book. He had the perfect southern drawl and when he had to do Ashtyn voice it wasn't annoying and high pitched like others that I've heard. Moving on: I think I might just be the only person who didn't like Simone's "Perfect Chemistry", to be honest I don't even think I finished it, I randomly picked this book off of OverDrive and I'm so glad I didn't make the connection because I would have missed out on an amazing book. I loved the storyline and the characters and of course the football. Granted there wasn't as much as I would've liked but it definatly had a part in the book. Every time Derek called Ashtyn "Sugar Pie" I could feel my heart melt just a little bit. Before he even really knew Ashtyn he felt a protectiveness towards her and I loved him for that. He almost reminded me of a southern version of Logan Elcholls (the college years Logan ) with his sarcasm and slightly provocative humor. I loved Ashtyn's determination and how she never backed down, didn't matter if she was facing a 200 pound line backer or the guy of her dreams. She stuck to her guns. Overall I really enjoyed Simone's writing style, she has a very unique voice and although I somehow missed it in her early book I'm glad I found it in this one and I look forward to reading more from her. Until next time,Ginger
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Ashtyn, the only girl on her high school's football team, is determined to win a state championship and earn a college scholarship, despite her former quarterback boyfriend joining a rival team and the arrival of a mysterious newcomer under her roof. Derek moves to the Chicago suburbs with his step-mom, who is Ashtyn’s sister, making for a strange pairing. Supporting characters occasionally comment on the unusual circumstance of Ashtyn being Derek’s step-aunt, but overall it is overlooked even as Derek and Ashtyn share cramped quarters in the same house. Thinly drawn characters either remain static or change so drastically as to be unbelievable, such as Derek’s grandmother, who has been estranged for decades and didn’t attend her own daughter’s funeral, but is suddenly treating several characters to a spa day and moving across the country to be closer to her grandson. Ashtyn and Derek exchange cliched dialogue as the predictable plot line unfolds, complete with a concluding chapter that can only be described as groan worthy. The original cover art for Wild Cards is spot on, as readers could very much judge this book by its cover. Unusual relational circumstances of the two main characters aside, Wild Cards is recommended for readers ages fourteen through seventeen who are searching for a melodramatic romance to fill a rainy day.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I was surprised by this book, in a good way. Having not quite... connected with the first of two of Simone Elkeles' earlier stories/series, I took a chance and hoped third time was the charm. Good rule to follow: Always give an author another chance if you're neutral about them.I'm not a big football fan but I enjoyed the trip through high school politics, on and off the field. The romance aspect was not angsty but engaging as any I-live-to-annoy and love-to-hate-you story. The switch between his and her points of view were distinct and worked well. I, personally, like stories that get in the guys headspace because, well...I'm neither a teenager nor a guy and I'm curious (voyeuristic?) like that.This was a quick, easy read (devoured today between trick-or-treaters pounding on my door). It is important to add that I felt Elkeles writing has really developed and come a long way since her first book. I'm definitely looking forward to her next Wild Cards installment.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    After reading her Perfect Chemistry series, I was smitten with Elkeles' work. I've had her on my auto buy list for as long as I could remember, so when I heard about another contemporary romance coming out by her I knew I HAD to have it. I have been waiting on pins and needles for this book and I'm happy I finally got my hands on it. As long as I waited for this, this book actually had the perfect release date. A book about football released during football season. It helped to make it feel a little more realistic for me. Plus, it helped to make the boyfriend happy lol I "watched" football for a little research while reading it and he was so happy that a tv outside the man cave could stay on ESPN. As for the story, I LOVE that it featured a girl who played and was also voted captain. It was empowering to have a character like Ashtyn in a male dominated sport. I know so many females who love the game of football and people act like they can't don't know what they're watching. It really annoys me. As for the characters, I really loved Derrick. In the synopsis, it makes him sound like a total bad boy who gets in trouble all the time, but once the story starts its obvious to see he's reforming himself. He and Ashytn argued the entire time but it was obvious it was one of those "I'm only messing with you because I like you" kind of things.As for Ashtyn, I felt so bad for her. She kept losing everyone that she loved. I felt her pain just from reading it, so I can only image actually going through it. I also loved that the book was dual POV's because it was so much easier for me to see where the other stands. Because throughout the entire book they were arguing and it just seemed as if they hated each other. But once their romance got started, it was very hot indeed. Each time they were alone and reacting towards each other, it released all the feels. Derrick is a very swoon worthy boy and Ashtyn was very deserving for all his swoons. I was very happy that they found each other in the end. They both needed each other and I'm happy they got the chance to be together. Overall, this book wasn't as great as Elkeles' very famous previous series, but at the same time, it was very intriguing. The romance kept me hanging on and I can't wait to see what else will happen in the rest of this series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    NOTE: I received the eARC via Netgalley, and honestly - I can't believe it! So a HUGE thank you is in order!

    First off, I'd like to say that Simone Elkeles is among my favorite contemporary authors of all times. I loved what she did with the Fuentes brothers in the Perfect Chemistry series and there was no way I was missing on Wild Cards. When I saw the book come up for review on Netgalley, there was no thinking about it. I'd pressed the request button right away. Simone Elkeles is a very talented writer and I just couldn't resist reading whatever story she'd come up with this time.

    I'm extremely happy to say that Wild Cards met all my expectations. The novel had everything a young adult audience wants - sweet romance, some drama, a cute boy with an unnatural amount of pain squeezed into his heart, a girl with problems of her own... It had it all, wrapped up in a brilliantly written novel.

    Now, I've stumbled upon some reviews who point out the lack of football games here, even though the story is enveloped into the football field. To this I can only reply like this - I'm not a sports person, so I could honestly care less. I actually liked how the story revolved around Derek and Ashtyn, showing us how by being brought to live together, their lives changed completely. Their whole perspectives on the world changed. They grew and became better for themselves and better for each other.

    Derek was a sweetheart, really. Sure, he was pretending to be a bad boy, but all he truly was was a lonely guy with a huge plate of guilt served in front of him. His mom had died of cancer while he'd been in a game. He never forgave himself for not being in the hospital instead. So, to punish himself, he quit football. And decided to close off to the world, push people far away from himself and act like a jerk. He would have continued down this destructive path, had it not been for Ashtyn. And his grandmother. That woman knew how to deal with Derek even though he'd never met her in his life. I loved the cute old lady with all her weird mannerisms.

    Being a girl full of passion for the sport (although she was the only girl in an all guy team), Ashtyn worked herself hard on the field. So much so, that her team voted her varsity captain. Cool, eh? Yeah... except her scumbag boyfriend got angry and jealous about it and tried whatever he could to ruin Ashtyn's reputation from then on. And her dad, whose appreciation she craved like a fish craves water, didn't really seemed to care. It took all of Derek's craftiness to bring this girl back on the star where she belonged.

    Sweet, funny and full of dreams, Wild Cards is a great novel to take your mind off of reality.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book was such a wonderful read. I grew (waaay too) attached to the characters fairly quickly and loved the banter between Derek and Ashtyn. Derek's grandmother grabbed my heart, although I was not too fond of her at first. She made me laugh so hard. I love that this book shows that there are many different types of family dynamics as well!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I really liked Derek. I fell in love with him during the book. But omg, omg, omg, I despice Ashtyn. And what kind of name is Ashtyn? But really, she was rude, judgemental, and plain mean. I get you're unhappy a gorgeous moves in to your house (not), but treating him like garbage because his little brother likes him better than you?????? Your boyfriend is obviously cheating, Derek says so, but nooooooooo, because he everyone likes him except you, you can't trust his judgement?? And I hate that she was so whiney. You play football, don't be such a girl! And seriously, a girl goes to practice football in a pink lacy bra..? Seriously..?

    Anyway, I liked parts of the book, and the ending is sort of good, but I despise guys and their macho behaviour, so the entire football camp thingy just sucked.

    Overall, the book was not the best I ever read, but trust me, I've read worse. So it's a 2.5 star rating.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    2.5
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    It was ok. The book started being rushed around the middle. 3 stars.