Perfect Fifths: A Novel [Hardcover]

As the fifth and final installment in the Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty, Perfect Fifths does not disappoint. This book is a gift for those already familiar with the series. McCafferty steps away from the format she used for the previous four. Instead of reading "journal entries" written by Jessica's character that span months or years, we are privvy to a third person view inside both Jessica's head and her on and off soulmate Marcus Flutie's psyche...and it all takes place within 24 hours.

I personally really enjoyed this book. I read it in a bit of a rush because I REALLY wanted to find out what happened. Possibly because of this, some of the conversations seemed to drag. However, there are some really lovely bits of exchange between the two main characters. I don't want to give it away, so you'll have to find out what it is for yourself! This is a really personal and intimate story that will warm your heart as well as make you laugh out loud. It is definitely a book that you can read again and again, especially if you're already a fan of Jessica & Marcus.

Like many of the fans, I have grown up with the books, even to the extreme that the protagonist Jessica and I are merely only a year apart in age from the date the books would be released. They have always given me an insight on the future and help me cope with what I am currently dealing with, which never seems to be far from what Jessica is dealing with.

Perfect Fifths is a bittersweet ending to the series. Megan McCafferty changes the pace of the previous books by alternating the storyteller between Jessica and Marcus, where as before Jessica was the sole speaker. It makes sense because in the first book she kept a journal as to not go insane when Hope left. In the second book, she is required to keep a journal for SPECIAL. In the third, due to academic demands, she is only able to write during the holidays and in the fourth, she writes in the request of Marcus and her weeklong decision. As a working 26-year old, Jessica does not have time for journal entries, so the style is a nice change.

In revealing this side of Marcus, I almost felt a little let down. Yes, it was nice to finally see his side of things, but it almost ruined the mystical image of him that has been so carefully constructed throughout the whole series. Don't we all wish that we could get into our (once) significant others' heads to find out what they are honestly thinking? Sometimes knowing too much can be harder to handle. I'm not sure if I can go back and read the previous four novels now that I am that much more aware of his vulnerable, geeky side.

Far from this being a negative view, I very much throughly enjoyed this book. I do wish it was a tad longer, but I love how short the time frame was and how much knowledge could be put forth. As readers, we get to find out what happens to all our favourite characters and how much has truly changed in the last 3 years - and boy was I amazed! Plus I loved the nice little introduction of a new character in Jessica's life in the form of a 16-year old "mini-Jessica" named Sunny, who becomes one of the keys in tying the story together.

Full of witty banter (I loved the section where it was just straight back-and-forth conversation) and clear insight on life in your mid-twenties, I would still highly reccomend this book, but only if you have read the first four as well.

Well, it's finally here. The fifth-and final-Jessica Darling book. And boy, was it worth the wait.

The book takes place over an 18 hour period in and around an airport. It's been 3 years since Jessica turned down Marcus' desperate and spontaneous marriage proposal. He hears her name being announced over the airport intercom. Suddenly, before he knows it, Jessica and Marcus (emotionally and literally) collide into one another and so it begins: the final chapter in the Jessica Darling/Marcus Flutie saga.

The old players are all present (in some form): Bethany, Hope, Sara, Manda, Bridget, Percy, Len, Marin, Scotty, Hy, Paul, and Mac. Even Tom Jones, who has been a major player in the Marcus and Jessica relationship, takes centre stage at some point. So fifths is not just the concluding chapter of Jessica and Marcus, it concludes the story of all our beloved Pineville characters.

Although the previous books were told from the perspective of Jessica, primarily writing in her journal, Fifths is told partly from the point of view from Marcus. This was my favourite aspect of this book. Through 4 books, the readers have come to know Jessica and we've seen the progression of the Marcus/Jessica relationship through her eyes. But Marcus has remained as elusive as ever. We've always known that he loves her, but why? When did he fall in love with her? What goes through his head when he is with her? Now we know. And trust me when I say this: it's amazing.

My only fault with the book is that we don't have more of Marcus' perspective. Although reading the book is already bittersweet, reading Marcus' words and thoughts is even more so. The book clocks in at a little over 250 pages and with every page, I found myself wishing just for a bit more, and wishing that McCafferty had written as Marcus earlier in the series.

The writing is everything we've come to expect from a Megan McCafferty book: snarky humour, sarcastic remarks and commentaries about society at large, and a sincerity and honesty that I have yet to find in another series.

I read Sloppy Firsts 8 years ago while I was in high school. I fell in love with Marcus Flutie, with Jessica Darling, and above all else - I fell in love with Marcus Flutie AND Jessica Darling. And this book is a fitting conclusion to a relationship that I have invested so much time, love and energy in. For a relationship that has always been "perfect in its imperfection", Perfect Fifths is an equally perfect end (and beginning) to a story that I have loved for years. So read it and be prepared to laugh, cry, and say goodbye to some old friends.