Thank you Allen & Unwin for this book in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis:

Alina Keeler was destined to dance, but then a terrifying fall shatters her leg — and her dreams of a professional ballet career along with it.

After a summer healing (translation: eating vast amounts of Cool Ranch Doritos and binging ballet videos on YouTube), she is forced to trade her pre-professional dance classes for normal high school, where she reluctantly joins the school musical. However, rehearsals offer more than she expected — namely Jude, her annoyingly attractive castmate she just might be falling for.

Review:

The Other Side of Perfect follows Alina, a high school student who used to do ballet until she severely injures herself. While Alina struggles to mental deal with her life with out ballet being a major part of it. You find yourself really feeing for Alina, Turk writing her pain to leave an impact on you and fill you with pity. Trying to move on and forget her past, Alina joins the school musical but finds herself dealing with general high school drama, guilt, jealousy, bitchiness and racism.

Turk has a well written story on growth, personal development and dealing with deep sadness. Though I’m way too lazy to be a dancer, I still felt as though Alina was a relatable calendar and how her mental state was written and delivered was strong and impactful. You feel the injustice for Alina, the hurt and the belittlement.

Highschool is never as enjoyable as most movies, people and books describe. Turk, on the other hand captures the brutal reality that is high school.

The Other Side of Perfect is absolutely well written and it was amazing to see how Alina grows and finds love.

Rating: 4/5

Publisher: Poppy

ISBN: 9780316703406