The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park was a hilarious YA contemporary featuring zombies and escape rooms, an adorable main character pairing, and one very epic zombie survivalist competition for $50,000. It had charming humour that worked perfectly with this quirky fast-paced read.
“Thanks for the ride!’ I grinned.
‘No problemo, senorita.’ Really, Nate? Spanish? My god.”
This is such a great example of pure awkwardness between the two main characters, Nate and Kate. I think this will resonate with a lot of people because who hasn’t had a moment like this before, especially as teenagers. Park nailed the socially challenged flirting game amongst the nerdier teens and I loved the representation here. It sounds odd but a lot of the time, YA novels have characters that are within the age group of YA but they almost always ‘grow up’ and really act like adults who have many things figured out. Albeit not everything, but that usually lends itself to the plot not the romance. They’re usually way too smooth when it comes to dating and sex but it’s not the case and I felt that this just made it a real perspective from a teenage boy and girl that many will be able to relate to. It might even give some hope or a more optimistic outlook on romance and dating rather than just giving up because they aren’t popular enough or not pretty enough. That’s another thing I loved here. It wasn’t about looks between Nate and Kate but rather personality. And you know what, you can call that cheesy but I think it makes it sweet and genuine. It’s a romance built on who a person is rather than what they look like and I appreciated that sentiment also. There’s too many things out there about looks despite how much attention everyone gives to the opposite. Nate liked Kate’s outgoing attitude and her interests and Park’s writing reflected that.
“My jaw dropped. OH MY GOD. MY HAIR. Where was my hair? Nate saw me like this! Sweaty hair.”
Despite Kate being outgoing, she still reacted like an awkward girl who cares too much how she looks around boys. I liked how Kate’s confidence dissipated when it came to all things with Nate. It was a realistic reaction for a teenager liking someone. Despite knowing that it’s not looks that matter, that sentiment goes out the window as soon as someone has feelings for another and I liked how Park kept that in here. The romance Park built was still based on personality but she made her characters’ work to see that if they needed to. Again, only making this book more real and relatable. Flustered messes are a part of dating and not everyone gets a smooth and sweet meet cute to tell their kids down the road. That being said I loved how they met at a zombie escape room because personally that makes a pretty great “how I met your mother” story to tell the kids.
“Pete used his massive hand to sweep his tousled Tom Holland hair out of his steely blue eyes.”
What a description! I have a love/hate relationship towards pop culture references, but for the most part I love them and this was one of them. It’s a shame that this was used to describe a bully in the story but I still love the ode to our latest Peter Parker. This also adds to the overall nerdy charm this book has and that’s awesome!
“The way he spoke to me was like how he talked when he was raising capital from investors. Like he was selling me this grand plan and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Did he realize that I was his daughter and not a business investment?”
This showcased the downsides of being rich or having rich parents. It showed how money isn’t really worth much when you don’t have anyone to share it with. Yes, I know I’m getting cheesy again but it’s true. This is another thing that’s common among society but seeing it in here written down makes it feel more real to me, more powerful even. I think this makes it more powerful for readers who can relate to these situations. Things they don’t talk about to others but read about instead have this pull that can reach them better than the people they know. Like how books are ways to escape reality. They also help work through problems that people can’t voice by seeing characters in novels face similar issues. It gives people a way to figure things out like a guide, helping them be prepared. I’m thinking I need to read more contemporaries! So many great tidbits!
“What is she doing here?’ There was a tinge of iciness in my voice I instantly regretted, but this wasn’t the right place and time to discuss the interpretation. Okay, it was more than a tinge of iciness. Fine, it was a hate tsunami. But that girl was here. Stalking Nate.”
I absolutely love finding creative phrases and “hate tsunami” was one I have not seen before but it really worked with the jealous humour Park was trying to convey in Kate’s feelings towards Nate. Original!
Nate and Kate were an adorable couple and I loved this debut by Suzanne Park. I look forward to more of her work and I leave you with one more parting quote.
“It’s not even trial-size. You’re such a precious snowflake.’
I corrected him. ‘A germ-free snowflake.”
The Perfect Escape is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Nate Jae-Woo Kim wants to be rich. When one of his classmates offers Nate a ridiculous amount of money to commit grade fraud, he knows that taking the windfall would help support his prideful Korean family, but is compromising his integrity worth it?
Luck comes in the form of Kate Anderson, Nate’s colleague at the zombie-themed escape room where he works. She approaches Nate with a plan: a local tech company is hosting a weekend-long survivalist competition with a huge cash prize. It could solve all of Nate’s problems, and Kate needs the money too.
If the two of them team up, Nate has a true shot at winning the grand prize. But the real challenge? Making through the weekend with his heart intact…
