Perfect Strangers by Jahnna N. Malcolm

Title: Perfect Strangers (Love Letters)
Author: Jahnna N. Malcolm
Pages: 224
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: December 28, 2004

Dear Blue, Do you think it's really possible to start over?

Madison and Jeremy are both running for president of their high school. They've been bitter enemies since Jeremy punk'd Madison freshman year.

Then Madison gets paired in an anonymous "pen pal" program. While the school election heats up, so do the letters between Madison and this guy who calls himself Blue. They're practically hooked up on paper -- and they've never even met!

Election Day reveals all -- the winner, the loser, and the school's hottest new couple.

Perfect Strangers is part of the Love Letters series of Jahnna Malcolm. I loved this book from start to finish...even though it was horribly predictable and cliché. Despite the fact that I already knew who Blue was, I frantically turned each page with excitement and impatience. Malcolm knew how to weave an unoriginal story uniquely (ironic?) and impressively. I just couldn't wait to see Maddy's reaction to who Blue was!

The romance happening in this book was a little too convinient but everything went well. One thing that really bugged me though was the fact that Jahnna didn't properly describe the characters. I have no idea how the characters look like...except for their hair and eye color. But otherwise, I'm clueless.

I enjoyed the interaction between Pinky/Maddy and Blue/find-out-for-yourself. The chemistry between the two compelled me to no end. I was intrigued by their slow-paced romance. It fit perfectly into the book. Moreover, it fit their personalities completely. They didn't dive straight in; the romance was slow and sure (but like I said; a little too convinient).

The secondary characters in Perfect Strangers were what made the plot more interesting. Lots of them were unique. Maddy's campaign team was what stood out from this story...Each character had an individualized personality. Malcolm was able to distinguish stereotypes and make them believable and realistic high-school kids. Without them, Perfect Strangers wouldn't be so perfect.

The Bottom Line: I loved this book even it was unoriginal(ish). The flow of the book was exciting and it's pace was dead-on perfect. Perfect Strangers is a great read for those who like funny, light, romances. A- :-)

---Report Card---
Originality: 5/10
Ending: 10/10
Characters: 8.5/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 10/10
Theme: 8.5/10
Imagery: 7/10
Setting: 5/5
Voice: 5/5
Style: 5/5
Tone: 5/5
Cover: 9/10
Total Score: 87/100 (A-)