"picture perfect love" by melissa mcclone

Zondervan's delightful Year of Weddings (Year Two) series continues with a story about a second chance at love.

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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?

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I've very much enjoyed many of the Year of Weddings novellas, and I wanted to like Picture Perfect Love. I liked Jenna a lot, and I wanted her to find her happily ever after. The problem? I didn't like her ex-fiance, Ashton, at all. He was spiritually immature and made the same mistakes repeatedly. At two points in the novella, other men were introduced, and I thought that maybe one of them would be Jenna's true love. But no, it's Ash that she belongs with. Sometimes, I don't particularly "buy" a couple in a romance novel, but rarely do I actively root against them—and that's what happened in this case.

While I didn't enjoy the romance, I did like other aspects of the novella. I loved seeing the difference that good friends, a great church, and strong faith made in Jenna's life. As I said before, I liked her a lot, and she was interesting enough that I would have enjoyed reading about her life sans romance. The novella is written well, but I just couldn't get behind the romance. However, while this novella wasn't my cup of tea, I'm sure many romance lovers will really enjoy it. 2-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying (hint: my opinions are in the minority).
Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings and Year of Weddings 2 novellas.

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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

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."