Book Review: The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park

I just wrapped up The Perfect Escape by Suzanne Park, and man, it’s like a popcorn flick in book form—fun, fast, and a little wild. This 2020 YA rom-com follows Nate Kim, a Korean-American scholarship kid at a fancy private school, and Kate Anderson, a rich girl with a controlling dad, who meet at a zombie-themed escape room where they both work. When they hear about a weekend-long zombie survival competition with a fat cash prize, they team up to chase their dreams—Nate wants to help his struggling family, and Kate’s itching to break free and chase acting in New York.

I was reading this on a rainy afternoon, sprawled on my bed, and I couldn’t help but grin at the awkward flirting between Nate and Kate. Like, there’s this scene where Nate tries to sound cool and totally fumbles it—I laughed out loud, thinking of all the times I’ve said something dumb to impress someone. The zombie stuff is a blast, too; it’s not just a gimmick but a quirky backdrop that makes their adventure feel fresh. I was rooting for them to nail the competition, especially since Nate’s dealing with family money troubles and Kate’s dad is, like, next-level overbearing.

What I loved most was how real the characters feel. Nate’s pride in his Korean roots and his hustle to make life better for his parents hit me hard—I kept thinking about my own family and how we all carry that weight to make things right. Kate’s got her own struggles, trying to carve out her own path, and their differences make their connection click in a sweet, nerdy way. That said, the book’s not perfect. The zombie competition, which sounds like it’ll be the main event, doesn’t get as much page time as I expected, and some of the romance felt a bit rushed, like they went from zero to heart-eyes too fast. Still, it’s a quick read that kept me hooked.

This book’s like that fun, light movie you watch when you need a break from life. I scribbled a note to myself to check out more of Park’s books—she’s got a knack for mixing laughs with heart. It’s not deep like some heavy drama, but it’s got enough soul to make you think about family, dreams, and what you’d do for a shot at something better.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommendation: Snag this if you’re craving a quick, fun read with some zombie action and a cute romance. It’s great for a chill weekend when you want to laugh and root for two teens chasing big dreams. Perfect for fans of quirky YA stories or anyone who’s ever wanted to escape their own reality for a bit.