✶ PRE-READING ✶
This is the second book in the duology. I read Flawed when it first came out but never got around to Perfect, so I was curious to see how it all wrapped up. Flawed and Perfect came out during that post-Hunger Games wave of dystopian YA where teen girls take down corrupt systems while often being torn between two love interests. I’ll be watching for those familiar tropes. Since Cecelia Ahern is better known for her adult romance novels, I was also curious to see how her style translated into this genre.

✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought, I enjoyed the story and Celestine’s arc, but the worldbuilding still didn’t go as deep as it could have. That said, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment - it’s more a case of “don’t think too hard” and let the pacing carry you.

It surprised me by how many little throwaway moments from Flawed turned out to be important in Perfect. Either Ahern had an excellent long game planned from the start, or she found clever ways to weave earlier details back into the ending. Either way, it was very satisfying to read.

The love triangle resolution didn’t shock me, but this time around the characters actually had conversations, which helped make the choice feel more earned. Overall, it’s a solid read and a strong example of that very specific era of teen dystopian fiction - quick, earnest, and high-stakes.

✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
Book Recommendation: If you liked Perfect, try Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. Tally and Celestine share that push-pull between conformity and rebellion, and both stories ask what it really means to be flawed.

TV or Movie Recommendation: Check out The 100 (early seasons). It's another YA-adapted dystopia where a teenage girl has to lead under pressure, often with imperfect information and impossible choices.

✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
Mood: Fierce, frayed, but fuelled by conviction. Like sprinting through fog with your heart in your throat.

Soundtrack: Pulsing synths with emotional build - think "Leave a Trace" by CHVRCHES or "Warrior" by Aurora.

★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
Strength (Transient Light Tarot). Celestine has fierce inner resolve, but her power comes just as much from gentleness - her ability to connect with people, build alliances, and stay true to her sense of right and wrong even when everything is against her.

Celestine deals with the consequences of the system which were established in the first book.
This was a slightly more interesting read than the first book and I liked the resolution.
As per in the first book, I cared about some secondary characters more than I did Celestine and her romances.
The writing and all were in the 3-3.5 range for me.
I believe this is a 4 star read for younger readers, YA readers or those who enjoy YA dystopias.
I am glad to have read both books nevertheless. They were generallg engaging.

Perfect is the sequel to Flawed - they should be read in order, as they are definitely a two part story.

This book continues straight on from where Flawed left off. Celestine is determined to bring down the unfair system that branded her flawed, and she has the secret to do so. Perfect follows her as she finds people to trust with the help of Carrick and her parents, and is a battle for truth and justice. It is a pacey and compelling read packed full of high tension and emotion, with a satisfying and thought provoking ending.

I loved Flawed, I couldn't put it down and went straight on to read Perfect after which was also great! It was such an interesting concept, highly recommend and not just for YA!

I was pleased to be given an arc of Perfect, the sequel to Flawed, as I had recently found Flawed in a second hand book shop, and really enjoyed it.
I did prefer number 1, isn't that always the case, bit I still enjoyed it.
It was good to see a conclusion, particularly for Celestine and her family, and i liked the last chapter.
I still think there's so many parallels between the fiction depicted and real life. The world needs more people like Celestine, willing to stand up for what is right.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

A compelling and enjoyable read with a great writing style that pulls ypu into the story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

If Flawed was about Celestine North discovering the cracks in her seemingly perfect world, Perfect is about her deciding what to do with that knowledge—and how much she’s willing to risk. This sequel picks up right where the first book left off, with Celestine on the run, hunted by the ruthless Judge Crevan and clinging to a secret that could bring down the entire system.

The pacing in Perfect is much faster than in the first book, which makes sense given the high stakes. Celestine has gone from being a girl caught in an unfair system to someone actively working to expose it, and watching her transformation is both exciting and frustrating. She’s making rash decisions and struggling to figure out who to trust, but that’s part of what makes her journey compelling.

Carrick plays a bigger role in this book, and while there is romance, it never overshadows the bigger themes of justice, power, and resistance. The world Ahern has created feels even more oppressive this time around, and there are moments that are genuinely unsettling. The injustice of it all is infuriating, but that’s what makes the story so engaging—you want to see Celestine win, not just for herself, but for everyone who has suffered under this broken system.

That said, there are a few moments where the book feels a little repetitive, especially with reminders of past events. And while Celestine’s growth is undeniable, there are times when she feels a little too perfect, making it harder to connect with her struggles. Still, Ahern does a great job of keeping the tension high and making sure every choice Celestine makes has real consequences.

The ending is satisfying and wraps up the duology well. It doesn’t shy away from the difficult questions the series raises, and while it’s not a fairytale ending, it feels right. If you enjoyed Flawed, you’ll definitely want to see how Celestine’s journey plays out in Perfect. It’s an emotional, gripping, and ultimately rewarding conclusion to a thought-provoking series.

Adored the first book, now the sequel to the bestselling YA debut Flawed,
Pick up this gorgeous hug of a book and get transported to a beautiful place wraps itself round you like a cosy blanket.

Perfect is the sequel to Flawed. While I believe the first book was superior, I did enjoy the sequel. It was an excellent read and to today's world.

4.5 stars

I read these books when they both initially came out. A different genre for Cecilia Ahern, but well executed! The first book was stronger than this, but it was a great experience and relevant to today’s world.