Tiny Imperfections - by Alli Frank & Asha Youmans (Paperback)

About the Book

"At thirty-nine, Josie Bordelon's modeling career as the 'it' black beauty of the '90s is far behind her. Now director of admissions at San Francisco's most sought after private school, she's chic, single, and determined to keep her seventeen-year-old daughter, Etta, from making the same mistakes she did. But Etta has plans of her own--and their beloved matriarch, Aunt Viv, has Etta's back. If only Josie could manage Etta's future as well as she manages the shenanigans of the over-anxious, over-eager parents at school--or her best friend's attempts to coax Josie out of her sex sabbatical and back onto the dating scene. As admissions season heats up, Josie discovers that when it comes to matters of the heart--and the office--the biggest surprises lie closest to home"--

Book Synopsis

The Devil Wears Prada meets Class Mom in this delicious novel of love, money, and misbehaving parents.

One of The Daily Skimm's Reads Pick for May 2020
One of Good Housekeeping's 20 Best New Fiction Books of 2020
Good Morning America Mother's Day in Quarantine Books to Buy
One of New York Post's Best Books of the Week in May 2020
PopSugars Most Exciting Books for May 2020
One of SheReads Most Anticipated Books of 2020

Delightful . . . Hilarious, cringe-worthy, and all too relevant. I ate this book up like a box of candy; you will too. --Tara Conklin, author of The Last Romantics

All's fair in love and kindergarten admissions.

At thirty-nine, Josie Bordelon's modeling career as the it black beauty of the '90s is far behind her. Now director of admissions at San Francisco's most sought after private school, she's chic, single, and determined to keep her seventeen-year-old daughter, Etta, from making the same mistakes she did.

But Etta has plans of her own--and their beloved matriarch, Aunt Viv, has Etta's back. If only Josie could manage Etta's future as well as she manages the shenanigans of the over-anxious, over-eager parents at school--or her best friend's attempts to coax Josie out of her sex sabbatical and back onto the dating scene.

As admissions season heats up, Josie discovers that when it comes to matters of the heart--and the office--the biggest surprises lie closest to home.

Review Quotes

"Parents and anyone who's ever been to school will love this peek into the turbulent world of private school, from two women who have worked in it for more than 20 years. Get to know three generations of black women in San Francisco as they navigate that universe, along with their relationships, motivations, and a heaping helping of drama." --Good Housekeeping

Frank and Youmans' humorous and touching debut novel explores how being a Black woman affects their protagonist's personal and professional experiences in a tale that will resonate with readers of all demographic backgrounds. --Booklist

"Frank and Youmans pack their debut with drama...The glitzy, high stakes world and gossipy narrative voice will put readers in mind of Crazy Rich Asians."
--Publishers Weekly

Offers a delightful view inside the cutthroat world of private school admissions that is hilarious, cringe-worthy and all too relevant in today's ultra-competitive educational landscape. I ate this book up like a box of candy; you will too.
--Tara Conklin, author of The Last Romantics

"Over-eager parents are just one of the many things heroine Josie Bordelon has to deal with as head of admissions for a tawny private school in San Francisco. These two authors are brave enough to expose the insanity and hilarity that happen during application season . . . A really funny read."
--Laurie Gelman, author of Class Mom

"Youmans and Frank manage to tackle a woman's journey through work, race, and motherhood beautifully in their debut. Tiny Imperfections is laugh out loud funny and full of heart. I can't wait to see what they bring us next!"
--Alexa Martin, author of Fumbled

Youmans and Frank's deep-dive into private school culture sets the stage for a dishy, charming story of West Coast elitism and parenting at its pushiest. But it's the characters, especially the marvelous Bordelon women, who give this delightful novel its heart and humor - and who make you long to be part of the family even after the last page.
--Amy Poeppel, author of Small Admissions and Limelight

"Humor, charm and intriguing drama combine in this novel--written by a best friend author duo--about the competitive world of private education." --Woman's World

Perfectly captures the absurdist bubble of San Francisco's tech upper class. A rollicking good read that reminds us that money, power and influence will never be enough to make someone truly happy.
--Jo Piazza, author of Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win

"Tiny Imperfections is a funny, heart-warming take on finding love in a most unexpected place."
--Anissa Gray, author of The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls

With a heroine to cheer for and laugh-out-loud delicacies on every page, Tiny Imperfections is perfect entertainment! You're in for such a fun ride. I loved it!"
--Lisa Patton, bestselling author of Rush

About The Author

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans have eached worked in education for more than twenty years. They live in Seattle, Washington, with their families, and Tiny Imperfections is their debut novel.