Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone

My Thoughts:

Picture Perfect Love, written by Melissa McClone is a Year of Weddings novella (short version of a novel).  It's the story of Jenna Harrison and Ashton Vance, who planned on getting married until an unfortunate deception caused them to go their separate ways. Two years later they meet again. The attraction is still there but there's no guarantee that trust will be making an appearance...

Perhaps I'm not a fan of novellas, but this book felt rushed and shallow to me. I didn't care for Jenna or Ashton. Ashton offers to pay for wedding expenses that Jenna had to pay (due to his ignorance- or was it self-centeredness?) and then wants to hire her for his sister's wedding. Jenna turns him down (after all, he broke her heart!). Later he shows up with a "rescued" puppy from a photo shoot. What a hero. It was just too easy. 

I appreciated the story's message that God has a plan and His timing is always right. I adore love stories with second chances. I thought it was charming that the author named her hero (Ashton) after a member in her daughter's favorite boy band. (5 Seconds of Summer?) I just couldn't love this book. It's a sweet story but not one that I'd recommend to my friends.

About the book:
Picture Perfect Love (Zondervan, May 2015)

When image becomes everything, it's up to love to refocus the heart.

Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren't always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God's plan and His perfect timing.

Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton's heart still hasn't recovered.

It was me. His younger sister's three words turn Ashton's world upside down. He must ask Jenna's forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1JJZY8s

About the author:

Melissa McClone has published more than thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America's RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

Find Melissa online: website, Twitter, Facebook

*I was given a digital copy of this book by Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion. No other compensation was received.*