Messy Perfect

“Complex, gorgeous, and true, Messy Perfect lives up to its name. I loved it.” – Elana K. Arnold, award-winning author of Damsel

“A very enjoyable novel that also conveys an important message: that no young person should have to choose between different parts of themselves and that, in the words of the main character, you should be able to be religious and queer and still be happy. This moving and heartwarming book is also a love letter to GSAs, by a writer who truly sees and understands the work so many students are doing to make their schools safer and more accepting for everyone.” – Robin Stevenson, award-winning author of Queer History A-Z and Pride Puppy

“A sweet, emotional read affirming those who struggle to find a place within religions that profess to hate who they are.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Boteju (Bruised) employs grounded and informative prose to deliver empathetic examinations of acceptance, guilt, and the pressure of meeting unrealistic expectations in this tenderly affirming novel.” – Publishers Weekly

“Nuanced and sweet…Kids in this story want to create safe spaces, and this book certainly offers one to its readers as Cassie’s journey to accepting her messiness emphasizes that, religious or not, being queer is normal and okay.” – Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Artfully articulates the beauty of community…Boteju’s latest queer -coming–of-age story offers a vulnerable look into the intersection of identity and religion.” – School Library Journal

“Kindhearted and affecting…Messy Perfect is an inspiring and beautifully written coming-of-age novel.” – Shelf Awareness

Tanya Boteju lives on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, British Columbia). Part-time, she teaches English to clever and sassy young people. The rest of her time, she uses writing as an excuse to eat pastries. Her debut novel, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens, was named a Top Ten Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association. Her second novel, Bruised, was selected as a Gold Standard book by the Junior Library Guild.