Review: The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson

Summary

Rival photographers are forced to collaborate on a body-positive lingerie campaign, but they might have to readjust their focus when sparks fly.

Photographer Cassie Harris loves her job—her company Buxom Boudoir makes people look beautiful and feel empowered with her modern twist on classic pinup photography. Cassie’s best friend, Dana, is about to launch her own dangerously dreamy lingerie line and wants Cassie to shoot and direct the career-changing national campaign. But company politics and Dana’s complicated pregnancy interfere, and Cassie finds herself—a proud plus size Black woman—not behind the camera but in front of it.

Though she’s never modeled herself, Cassie’s pretty sure she can handle the sheer underwear and caution tape bralettes. She’s not sure she can work so intimately with the chosen photographer, her long-time competitor in the Chicago photography scene, Reid Montgomery. Their chemistry is undeniable on set, however, and feelings can develop faster than film…

Review

The Accidental Pinup was a book that I was extremely excited to read, and unfortunately, my expectation were far too high with this one.  I’ll start with the positives first. One thing that I truly enjoyed was the body positive and the representation. Both of those were high points in the story. I admired with Cassie and Dana were doing. And it was empowering to read. In addition, I really enjoyed the friendship between the two of them. It was something real and honest. It was the best relationship in the book, and I enjoyed reading their scenes.

I thought Cassie was a great main character. And I liked how strong and no nonsense she was. Unfortunately, her love interest, Reid, was extremely boring. I wished he had more flavor or something because it made him and Cassie’s romance one of the most anti climatic aspects of the book. I didn’t feel the connection, and all and all Cassie seemed too good for him.

Final Thoughts

The Accidental Pinup is held back by a stale and uninteresting romance; however, it does succeed at other points within the pages. 

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Review: Friends with Issues by Meredith Berlin

It’s ironic that when I began to put my thoughts together to talk about this book, there’s a line that struck me and really challenged how I felt about the relationship between a couple of characters in the book. I’d felt a certain way until this line hit me and really changed my perspective about the characters. I’d never noticed it in the summary. It says, “There's an elephant in the room…the thing none of us talk about but affects our choices and actions.” 

Friends With Issues by Meredith Berlin, is her debut novel featuring three friends who have made their mark on Manhattan but who now struggle with the daily balancing act of career, family and friendship and romance. 

The book follows three friends, Brooke, Elizabeth, and Susan who struggle balancing the many moving parts of their daily lives. Brooke is questioning everything she thought about her dream guy, Tripp. Their marriage is not turning out to be what she hoped which has led her down a path with a decision that has life changing consequences. Elizabeth, my favorite character, has a stable relationship with her hubby Danny. We follow her journey as she rebrands her life through her life altering medical challenge. Susan, despite the challenges in her relationship, finds herself rediscovering her passion for life through an unexpected path.

The heart of the book, the relationships between these friendships I found to be a wonderful read. Told through different perspectives, it was a slow build getting to know them but when you  do, you just escape into their lives. Besides their friendships, we experience their lives from the perspectives of their families and their personal relationships which brings some interesting plot twists to the book. The ups and downs and challenges to a marriage that define their choices and actions and how it affected their friendships and relationships. We see these characters and their experiences and can connect with them.

Overall, I really enjoyed this debut novel. This was a good book to escape into with relatable characters with experiences that will keep you interested. I look forward to what’s to come for this author. 

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Review: Holding Back the Years by Kasha Thompson

Summary

Every great love starts with a story.

Seraphina Jacobs is a smart, inquisitive writer who, after financial difficulties and a failed relationship, finds herself back in her childhood home with her overprotective parents as landlords. She now spends her days working at the local newspaper and her nights watching Jeopardy with her parents on the couch. Seraphina is stuck in a well-worn rut. The only bright spot in her weeks are the Sunday visits with her grandfather, and listening to his stories about yesteryear.

August Gardner is tired. Tired of being dismissed by his five older sisters. After losing the battle to keep his mother out of an “old folks’ home,” he decides to move back to Michigan, hoping he can rescue his mother from a lifetime of bingo nights and magic shows. But to do that he needs to get his career on track, and he’s putting all his eggs in one basket by opening his own auto repair shop.

When Seraphina and August meet, what started out as a much-needed one-night stand turns into something neither of them expected. The two are falling for one another. But when Seraphina stumbles onto a big secret, it could stop the giddy free fall, sending them crashing to the ground. They say the truth can set you free but the truth also has the power to tear you apart.

Review

This was a lovely read. There’s a heavy emphasis on family which was incredible to read as the plot unraveled. I hadn’t known what to expect when I first started reading. I knew it would be a love story between Seraphina and August; however, I didn’t know how their story would unfond. 

For the beginning, I was instantly drawn to August and Seraphina’s relationship. They had an instant connection. They both were down on their luck when they met, and dealing with heavy family situations. As they started hanging out they brought each other so much peace. As well as family secrets. Seraphina, like mentioned in the book was quite nosy, and honestly if I undercovered a secret like she had, I’m not sure what I would have done. It was a difficult situation, and I was a little scared how it would turn on in the end given how sensitive the topic was. However, August and Seraphina survived. And with their survival came love, a heartbreaking romance, a family secret, and a lesson on adult children's relationships with their parents.

Final Thoughts

Holding Back the Years tells a story that stays true to the idea that life is complicated, as well as love. It’s a beautiful book with a great romance and relationship. 

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Review: The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre by Natasha Lester

The Three Lives of Alix Pierre weaves together a beautiful, unforgettable novel that will have you enamored with its intricate plot as well as mesmerized by the beauty of couture Paris.

Alix St. Pierre is a name that will not be forgotten. A character that will command your attention and as the book unravels, will keep you turning the pages. After losing her parents as a teenager, she never felt like she was part of anything. Despite the help from the van der Meer’s, she was determined to work hard and make a name for herself in the place she knew she was meant to be, Paris.

In the height of WWII, Alix like so many others found herself in a position to promote women in the workforce. Through her publicity skills, she gains the attention of the government when they offer her an opportunity to go overseas as a spy. Despite her impeccable skills, trust is one skill that she has obstacles with. When Alix finds herself in a situation that is not only precarious but involves people that she loves, she finds herself in a situation where her trust is tested and the consequences have a lasting effect.

After spending all that she has to her name, she moves to Paris and lands a prestigious job position for the upcoming House of Dior. We get swept away in the glamor and beauty of the fantasy of couture and a progressive shift in the image of beautiful fashion through the eyes of a designer before his time. Forgetting all that she lost and the past that haunts her, she’s given a chance at a new life and is determined to live it. 

When someone from her past comes into the present with the intention of taking everything away that she has worked hard for, Alix goes on a mission of absolution from the past to find peace and atonement for wrongs to make right.

This book is more than a WWII novel. You see elements of historical fiction, romance and suspense. There is something special about the stories that evolve from this era in history. Alix St Pierre is an amazing character that has depth and layers as unraveled make you captivated by her more. She’s vulnerable and independent. A progressive woman, much due to her circumstances, defied the status quo that defined what a woman should be. I loved her journey through the past through the present of finding herself through the pain and opening herself up to receive all life not only personally but through her friendships and love. The female characters and their relationships between each were strong and inspiring for the times.

Getting swept up in the glamor of Dior and his imprint on this upcoming in the fashion industry was a fun escape to experience. Despite elements in the book that are fiction, much was based on real people and events which makes the book more fascinating. A must is to read the author notes that I thought was just as fascinating as reading the book.

Overall, I loved the book and will say so far my favorite for 2023. I have a feeling if given the chance to listen to the audiobook it will be an amazing experience. If you love historical fiction, this is a must to add to your reading list.

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Audio Review: It Gets Easier by Claudine Wolk

Becoming a new mom can fill you with many emotions. With advice given in all directions and information sought out in books, much of it is advice on theory rather than experience, it can get overwhelming and make many become self conscious and overly cautious that prevent you from finding out what works for you.

For many of you that stock up on the books to help grab some helpful tips, this book is one that I found to be one that I feel you will breath a sigh of relief and feel a sense that you aren't alone. I fortunately had the pleasure of listening to the audio version and if only I had come across this sooner for a new mom that could've benefited from the advice and comradely that the book gave.

This book, written by a mom but not only learned by experience, sought out the wisdom of women before her that were successful that shaped her experience. I loved her perspective. Not to mention how soothing and fun her voice was. It felt like you were talking to a girlfriend who was looking out for you. Now, everyone is going to do what's best for them but much of her commentary address things that women don't talk about. Not all experiences are going to be the same but I feel she gave some good advice for new moms, the journey, relationships and some helpful insight that doesn't sugarcoat.

Drawing upon interviews, studies, research and experience, she addresses everything from practical tips getting through the hospital, transitioning at home to getting through the first few months, unspoken feelings and experiences to just make their lives better.

If you have the opportunity to check out the audio version, it will be more impactful having that voice you can connect with but grab the book if you want to dive into the words. Overall, I thought this was fun, informative and a real perspective from a mom that been there and done that.

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Review: Frost (The Frost and Nectar Series Book 1) by C.N. Crawford

On the worst birthday of my life, I come home to find my boyfriend in bed with another woman. Within hours, I'm drunk, homeless, and pledging to stay single forever. And that is when the dangerously sexy Seelie King rolls through town, looking for fae like me.

Every generation, the king holds a competition for Seelie queen. But for reasons he won't explain, Torin is looking for a charade, not a real marriage. So when I drunkenly sling insults his way, I have his attention.

When Torin offers me fifty million to participate, I think, "What have I got to lose?" The answer turns out to be "my life," because my competition will literally kill for the crown.

And the more time I spend with the seductive king, the harder it becomes to remember it's all supposed to be fake. Now, my life-and my heart-are on the line.

Review

I was a little afraid that my excitement for this book was incorrect. Not necessarily character or plotline, it was mainly the writing. It felt very check list to me. Meaning there was a lot of telling what was going on. It was very much I walked home and then I hit my leg on the counter and let out a sound. And then I passed the blue chair in my living room and continued on my way to my bedroom which was down the hall. Thankfully, either the writing developed, or I got used to it. Around the fifth or sixth chapter, I very much started to enjoy this story.

This book had been described as The Bachelor meets The Hunger Games. And I think that is the best way to describe it. King Torin needs to find a fae wife in order to save his world. His world has been slowly freezing and running out of food, which had promoted him to make a deal with the humans. They will broadcast his hunt to find a wife.

As soon as it was mentioned that humans were aware of the existence of fae, and everyone in Ava’s life knew she was a fae, I was like wait how is this going to work. All and all, I think that was an interesting plot point, given that most fantasy books I read the world is hidden from us regular people. Ava faced extreme prejudice growing up in the human world, and she also never felt like she belonged to the fae world since she was never welcomed back. That added a lot of depth to her character, and I actually ended up liking her.

She mentioned time and time again how brutal the fae world was, and she was not wrong. The other contestants were brutal, and every competition I held my breath because I really didn’t know how Ava would do against them. Luckily, she’s a survivor. As for her and Torin. It was a delicious enemy to lovers, marriage of convenience romance.  She needs the money, and he needs a wife for a few months. Of course, they have some sparks. Also mix in her mystery backstory, and his dark secret that has him determined not to fall in love with his wife. It’s going to make for a very good romance journey. I can’t wait for the second book to come out in February.

Final Thoughts

Frost didn’t start out as strong as I had hope it would; however, I’m happy that I stayed with it. It’s has an interesting take on the fae world in relation to the human world, and has a strong female friendship, and a strong well balanced romance that has potential to be addicting. 

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