Based on a novel, A Perfect Story feels like a classic, straightforward romcom series. All of the elements are familiar to fans of the genre – running away from a wedding, bar meet-cutes, and fake relationships – but there’s a certain charm whenever these familiar elements show up. The show alternates between the timelines of Margot and David, taking its sweet time in the first episode before their timelines merge. And when they catch each other’s eye, it’s easy to root for these well-meaning characters looking for their match. While the story could be easily condensed into a film, the length allows the main duo to delve into a slowburn, friends-to-lovers romance.

Without fantastical or large-scale stakes, A Perfect Story can feel ordinary. However, the extra time allotted by a series instead of a feature film allows the crew to delve deeper into each character. Margot is the ambitious woman from classic 90s-00s romcoms, but it’s clear that her ambition stems from high expectations and not being taken seriously at work. David is the laidback male lead usually paired with the high flying leading lady, but his attitude comes from contentment and from a romanticized view of the world. With the extra time able to handle the tropes’ nuances, it’s refreshing to see a different side to the classic romcom tropes we all know and love.