I appreciate when a book introduces me to a culture I know little about. Doller takes us to Egypt and we see the world through Caroline's eyes. New country, new rules, completely different culture and completely alone. What I don't appreciate is when a book tries to do too much. We've got an introduction to Egyptian culture, food and religion with a smattering of romance and terrorism. We've got a book that ends entirely too quickly after the climax with a fairytale ending you can see coming the minute you start the final chapter.

What we don't have is a story that feels complete. When I finished the book, I was mad. Mad that this is the world we live in, mad that the book ended the way it did, mad at what seemed to me as unnecessary plot points. I thought about the book all day trying to put my feelings into words and all I could come up with was this was a good book with good themes that could have been a great book if it had just tried a little less hard.

Three of five stars. Available now. Young adult/romance/travel.

https://thesebooksaremyfriends.wordpress.com/ ( )

Caroline must spend her senior year in Cairo while her mother works at a clinic (her dream job- to work for OneVision.) Everything from traveling with a driver to the way she is viewed by Muslim men and women highlight the cultural differences. All of these things make falling in love even more complicated.

I will always read Trish Doller. I love the way she writes, and they stories she tells. Referencing the Nile river on page 260: "We pass ramshackle villages and farmlands, all up against their liquid power cord." ( )

I loved the exploration the characters had in navigating different cultures. The questions that were raised were very reflective. ( )

I loved the vivid descriptions of Cairo's people and places and the slow-building relationship between Caroline and Adam as their attraction evolves into the finding of common ground and personal growth. As always, Trish Doller's writing is a treat.

"In A Perfect World" was a nice story set in Egypt. While I liked the romance between Caroline and Adam as they struggled with cultural differences, my favourite part of the book was definitely the setting. I have always wanted to visit this ancient country and I loved seeing the beauty of Cairo through Caroline's eyes.

I also liked the many references to Egyptian food, traditions, religion and culture. The author has certainly done her research. She brought the city alive. Even though the ending was an unrealistic happily-ever-after one, I found the book to be a gentle read with an important message about tolerance and acceptance. ( )