The Imperfects by Amy Meyerson (Reviewed by Katherine Burk)

Rating – 5/5

Generational stories might be my favourite. I love the complexity of family life and stories told from more than one perspective. Age, experience, and family drama all add to my love of reading about people and all the bumps that come along with being connected by blood. I jumped on the opportunity to read Amy Meyerson’s the Imperfects and it didn’t disappoint. It brought me everything I love about family stories with some twists that were simply, perfect.

Though I enjoyed all the characters, I found almost all of them somewhat unlikeable. No one in this story is perfect and everyone comes with their own faults. But if that isn’t what family is all about, I’m not sure what is? Amy Meyerson brings the family to life in a way that actually feels like a family. You might not like Beck, Jake, Ashley, or Deborah but you can probably relate to their complicated dynamic of family that always has love at its core.

I loved that the story centred around a real-life diamond that has been lost. The possibility of inheriting something so valuable is the stuff of dreams. Learning about a precious stone that disappeared was neat too. The mystery is exciting, and I found myself wondering how something so valuable could be kept a secret for so long.

My only disappointment in this read was that I wanted just a little bit more from the ending. More drama, more closure, I’m not sure what I want. Maybe I simply didn’t want it to end. I could have kept reading and hearing about Flora and Helen’s lives and only wish I could have had a better understanding of why she kept secrets and lived as she did. It really makes you think about the lives your grandparents and parents lived before you, maybe they have some secrets too?

I give The Imperfects a perfect 5/5. I loved this book and could not put it down. If you are a fan of generational tales with some mystery added in, you will love it too and I don’t think you will regret picking up this perfectly imperfect read.