It's Review Sunday! "Picture Perfect'' by Brittany Larsen is a short contemporary romance that takes readers on a journey filled with sweet love, and second chances. With its funny and engaging storytelling, Larsen weaves a tale that captures the essence of a modern romance.
As usual, I tried my best to keep this a spoiler-free review! But the struggle is always real! You can also check my Goodreads spoilerish version. Please feel free to Contact Me if you have any reading recommendations, general comments, or suggestions.
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Steph 📖
“Picture Perfect” by Brittany Larsen
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Tropes: Instalove, strangers to lovers, wedding romance, wedding photographer-groomsman, divorced single mother, Meet-Cute
Genres: Contemporary Romance, clean romance
WARNINGS!
There are no major warnings applicable! Although there are allusions to emotional abuse from an ex (briefly hinted at, not described), and mentions of divorce.
Notes:
I read this book as a standalone that I received through BookFunnel but it can now be purchased on Amazon as part four of the “Wedding Belles Anthology” with stories from Melanie Jacobson, Jenny Proctor, Becca Wilhite and Brittany Larsen, described as:
One wedding. One disaster. Four couples on a crash course to love.
The traditional wedding planner and the maverick caterer.
The classical cellist and the country music singer.
The secret photographer and the determined groomsman.
And the groom who had the wrong bride all along.
Summary
Sutton gets hired as the photographer for her friend Dahlia’s wedding and Sutton’s daughter is the flower girl. While there, Sutton meets groomsman Max and the two hit it off. However, Sutton is wary of all men after being with her ex-husband. The two part ways without exchanging numbers. What follows is a year of what if’s, revelations and searches for each other.
But will they find each other?
Review
"Picture Perfect" by Brittany Larsen is a heartwarming tale that captivates you from the very first scene. Like a Hallmark movie, this short and sweet story can be enjoyed in a single sitting, leaving you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. As you dive into the narrative, you'll find yourself wondering what is going on and what’s the role of our female protagonist. Prepare for a rollercoaster ride of missed opportunities, regrets, and the exhilarating journey of rediscovering love.
Our story revolves around Sutton, a divorced single mother who reluctantly agrees to photograph her friend Dahlia's wedding. Little does she know that her day will take an unexpected turn when the bride runs away. Enter Max, the groomsman, who brings forth delightful interactions with Sutton's charming little daughter, Hadley. Despite their instant chemistry, they only have a few stolen moments to connect before the night ends, forgetting to exchange contact information. This set the stage for countless near-encounters, building anticipation until they finally crossed paths again.
The characters are relatable and face the common struggle of finding love. Sutton, in particular, emerges from an abusive marriage, which initially makes her hesitate regarding a potential romantic relationship with Max. It's heartening to see Max's understanding of her troubled past and his ability to interpret her subtle signals. His genuine affection and desire to make her feel safe and comfortable add depth to their connection. The novel maintains a steady pace, blending introspection and plot progression that adheres to familiar romance tropes with conflicts and obstacles.
Favorite quotes:
“I’m not giving up on her” - Max
“ You don’t know how happy I am to be found.”- Sutton
One aspect that I would have liked to know more about is the characters backstory as that would have amplified their impact on the overall narrative. Sutton, for instance, makes a hasty decision based on a personal assumption and, her constant fear of encountering her crazy ex-husband, Brett, adds tension but it’s never addressed directly. This unresolved thread leaves a slight plot hole, that to some extent overshadows the otherwise engaging story.
"Picture Perfect" is a must-read for fans of emotional journeys and second chances at love. This contemporary romance novel effortlessly captures your heart, leaving you with a sense of warmth and hope. Make sure to add it to your reading list as you won't want to miss!
About the Author
Brittany Larsen is an Idaho girl who's spent the last twenty plus years in California raising daughters, reading just about anything, and writing--not necessarily in that order. Hot yoga is her happy/uncomfortable place. She loves a good romance, whether it's set in modern-day, nineteenth century England, or the Old West, as long as it's got a feisty heroine and makes her laugh and/or sigh.
You can read more about her at:
Follow her on insta: https://www.instagram.com/brittanylarsen.books/
Check out her website: https://www.brittanylarsenbooks.com/
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