Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi | Audiobook Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Fourteen-year-old Iranian-American Parvin Mohammadi sets out to win the ultimate date to homecoming in this heartfelt and outright hilarious debut.
Parvin Mohammadi has just been dumped--only days after receiving official girlfriend status. Not only is she heartbroken, she's humiliated. Enter high school heartthrob Matty Fumero, who just might be the smoking-hot cure to all her boy problems. If Parvin can get Matty to ask her to Homecoming, she's positive it will prove to herself and her ex that she's girlfriend material after all. There's just one problem: Matty is definitely too cool for bassoon-playing, frizzy-haired, Cheeto-eating Parvin. Since being herself hasn't worked for her in the past (see aforementioned dumping), she decides to start acting like the women in her favorite rom-coms. Those women aren't loud, they certainly don't cackle when they laugh, and they smile much more than they talk.
But Parvin discovers that being a rom-com dream girl is much harder than it looks. Also hard? The parent-mandated Farsi lessons. A confusing friendship with a boy who's definitely not supposed to like her. And hardest of all, the ramifications of the Muslim ban on her family in Iran. Suddenly, being herself has never been more important.
Olivia Abtahi's debut is as hilarious as it is heartfelt--a delightful tale where, amid the turmoil of high school friendships and crushes, being yourself is always the perfect way to be.

Why Did I Listen To Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi?

Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi was an excellent choice via audiobook. I decided to give it a shot as it had popped up on the Volumes app reviewer section. You see, I love reading diverse young adult contemporary books. Perfectly Parvin was the first book I’ve read starring a main character who is half Iranian. Friends, I loved this book SO much. I am so glad that this book exists and is such a delight to listen to.

What’s The Story Here?

Olivia Abtahi’s Perfectly Parvin opens up on summer beach vacation where Parvin clearly had herself a blast. She’s so excited because she’s just obtained her first boyfriend, Wesley, and cannot wait to get back to school to start her freshman year with a boyfriend. You see, Parvin and Wesley both live in DC and will be attending the same high school. Only, when school starts Parvin is dumped by Wesley. She has a plan though to get another boyfriend, a sophomore named Matty. You see, Parvin has been told that she’s too much. So, she tones it down and becomes demure and not her loud, vivacious, wonderful self. The plan is working, but she’s also finding she really likes this guy from her Farsi class, Amir. Also, Parvin is looking forward to her aunt visiting from Iran. She’s in college and can help Parvin with makeup, etc unlike Parvin’s white mom.

How Did I Like Perfectly Parvin?

I loved Perfectly Parvin. Parvin is such an endearing, wonderful main character. This whole book made me feel like it is the Georgia Nicholson for this generation — with a main character of color, side characters who are LGBTQ, and Parvin’s experience of adolescence and romance. Parvin makes various missteps throughout the way and it just feels so refreshingly normal and relatable. You’ll find yourself rooting for her to find her voice the entire time and be proud of who she is. I really genuinely believe this is such a wonderful book for teens looking for younger YA to read.

How’s The Narration?

If audiobooks are your jam, I think you will enjoy listening to Perfectly Parvin. It is wonderfully narrated by Mitra Jouhari who infuses the narration with so much personality and character. Further, listening to this meant I can now perfectly pronounce Parvin without sounding ignorant. The audiobook is 6 hours and 57 minutes long, easy to understand while sped up and an absolute must listen.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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