Picture Perfect

Weddings by Design #1

by Janice Thompson

Feisty wedding photographer Hannah McDermott has dealt with her share of difficult brides. But none can compare to the ultimate Bridezilla she's dealing with now. Still, she's trying desperately to impress Bella Neeley, Galveston Island's most sought-after wedding planner, so she can take the top spot in Bella's list of recommended photographers--a spot currently occupied by her arch-rival, Drew Kincaid. What she doesn't count on, however, is falling head over heels for the competition.

With her contagious humor and cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives readers more of the bridal business drama they want in a brand-new series all about those long-suffering people who make beautiful weddings happen. Readers are desperately waiting for more of Bella and this new series brings her back in a big way, while introducing new characters fans will love. Fans will laugh out loud as they experience this breezy and entertaining novel from a great storyteller.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Welcome to the wacky, wonderful world of inspirational author Janice Hanna Thompson, where romantic comedy rules the day! I hope you love to laugh, because I make it my goal to tickle your funny bone at every turn in my light-hearted tales.

Whether you’re looking for inspirational romance, quirky cozy mysteries, light-hearted historicals or fun books for younger readers, you will find it here. You will also find an abundance of non-fiction books, guaranteed to ease life’s burdens.

Why do I focus on the light-hearted stuff? Because life is hard! My readers lead busy, chaotic lives and need those special “Calgon, Take Me Away!” moments! Providing “Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters” brings me great delight. Lest you think it’s all fluff, think again!

Woven between the lines of each cheerful tale you will find the ultimate love story, one guaranteed to stir your soul and get your heart fluttering. Talk about a real happily ever after! There’s something for everyone on my site, so settle back in your chair, grab a cup of Earl Grey tea, and get ready to discover a light-hearted approach to life!

Reviews

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a dangerous thing for a man to review a contemporary romance novel. Either I will be reduced to a gently weeping pile of mush (which I admit has happened on occasion), or the thoughts of the female star of the novel will make my eyes roll right out of my head (a painful endeavor at best). For the first half of this novel, I admit to being in the second category. I simply couldn't handle one more description of the hottest man God has ever made, etc. I also found the main character, Hannah, to be entirely self-absorbed. For example, she'd phone to unload her insecurities on her best friend, Scarlet, then seem to barely listen to her friend talking because she was so anxious to talk about herself. I just wasn't feeling the love.

About halfway through the book, I gradually grew to care about Hannah and enjoyed the banter between Hannah and the oh-so-handsome Drew. I also found myself internally applauding as Hannah experienced some moments of growth, such as when she "thought about that Scripture, the one about putting away childish things. Maybe that's all God required of me here - to put away my childish, petty feelings and live in the moment". Thereafter, I thought Hannah would make a great friend.

Don't get me wrong. The book is meant to be light-hearted, and it certainly was that, featuring fun characters, and written with an expert hand. There are many humorous moments, and the end left me wanting to find out what happens next to the other lovable characters who grace the pages of the novel (such as Hannah's best friend Scarlet).

So I'm left giving the book a mild recommendation of 3.5 stars out of 5. Female fans of contemporary romance novels will likely swoon with glee by the end of the story. I'm going to go read a thoroughly male suspense novel filled with scenes of testosterone and aggression.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

{{This is an updated review. Originally posted August 12th, 2014, it was updated on December 31th, 2018 to the Official Rating System.}}

About this book:

“She’s trying to focus on her future. How can one man make everything feel so . . . fuzzy?
Hannah McDermott has a successful photography studio. She’ll soon be featured in Texas Bride magazine. And she has a celebrity client whose Galveston ceremony will be her ticket to the top spot on wedding coordinator Bella Neeley’s list of recommended photographers. But it could all come crashing down around her because of one man: archrival and photographer extraordinaire Drew Kincaid.
As the competition between Hannah and Drew heats up, Hannah is surprised to find that it’s not the only thing getting more intense. She can’t get the handsome man out of her thoughts—or even out of her line of sight—and the job of her dreams is turning into a nightmare. Will everything she’s worked for slip out of her hands? And can she see past her pride to find a picture-perfect love?
With contagious humor and a cast of quirky characters, Janice Thompson gives you crazy bridal-business drama, sweet romance, and a satisfying dose of laughter.”


Series: Book #1 in the “Weddings by Design” series. (Does feature characters from the author’s previous series, “Weddings by Bella” and “Backstage Pass”)


Spiritual Content- Matthew 20:16 at the beginning; Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, & discussed; Prayers; Talks about God, praying, & praising Him; ‘H’s are not capitalized when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of thanking & praising God; Mentions of those & events in the Bible; Mentions of churches, church going, services, & a pastor; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; Mentions of a cross necklace; A few mentions of a hymn; A few mentions of sisters/nuns; A couple mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of martyrs; A couple mentions of sins; A mention of a church’s worship team; A mention of mission trips; A mention of angels;
*Note: a “There is a God and he loves me” is said once; Mentions of luck; A couple mentions of Hannah’s devilish side and angelic side (including a demon on one shoulder and an angel on the other); A mention of the devil; A mention of a man looking devilishly handsome; A mention of a devilishly smile.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘darned’, a ‘gave a rip’, a ‘heck’, a ‘holy cow’, two ‘gosh’s, two ‘idiot’s, three ‘sucker’s, and five ‘stupid’s; Eye rolling; Mentions of fighting & deaths; Mentions of a bird acting like a mobster & making gun-shot sounds; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of drinking, alcohol, & alcoholics/drunks; A few mentions of being arrested & jail time; A couple mentions of an ax murderer; A couple mentions of lies & lying; A couple mentions of gossip; A couple mentions of a drunk & a bar;
*Note: Many mentions of singers, songs, actors/actresses, celebrities, characters, TV shows, movies, channels, & awards; Mentions of social media; A few mentions of & going to Starbucks; A few mentions of car brands; A couple mentions of Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts.


Sexual Content- a fingers to lips touch, seven cheek kisses, a forehead kiss, an almost kiss, not-detailed kisses, five barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and three semi-detailed kisses; Wanting to kiss; Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); a ‘sexy’, five forms of ‘hunk’, nine forms of ‘hot’; Mentions of kisses, kissing, & an almost kiss; Mentions of married couples kissing & embracing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of dating, boyfriends, & break-ups; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of winks & flirting/being hit on; Mentions of handsome guys & girls commenting on their looks; Mentions of guys being called gorgeous & yummy; A few mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of catching two married people having an affair; A couple mentions of a guy looking up and down Hannah’s body; A mention of a guy dating another guy (the speaker is confused and says ‘ew’, it didn’t happen); A mention of a guy never dating the hottest guy in school; A mention of a pick-up line (that Hannah thinks ‘ew’ over); A mention of romance books with swooning heroines; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of menopause & hot-flashes (Hannah catches her mother standing in front of the freezer with her blouse unbuttoned); A few mentions of a biological clock; A couple mentions of a song about a man having three wives; A couple mentions of the lack of clothing on girl dancers & wardrobe malfunction; A mention of breast-feeding; A mention of a woman’s boobs; A mention of a buxom trio of women; A mention of a woman’s bra size; A mention of a girl’s period; A mention of a person being a pain in the backside; A mention of testosterone; A mention of fiber pills making someone move fast.

-Hannah McDermott, age 26
1st person P.O.V. of Hannah
326 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
As a photographer, I definitely enjoyed the photography aspects of this book and really liked Hannah, her family, and seeing Bella and her large bunch again. Like any Janice Thompson book, it was funny and I really enjoyed it! Probably still best for older girls, though, because of a couple kisses and slight comments.


Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Aerykah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I feel like I have given this book enough of my time and effort. I've tried to keep reading it. I just can't finish it. This story and writing style is just not for me. I'm not saying it's really bad or anything, I am simply not enjoying it. At all.

I suppose I could count this toward my "New Authors" challenge, but I kinda don't feel like I should because I didn't come close to actually finishing it...



September-- 2015

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

People who enjoyed getting to know Bella and DJ from the first series, then Brock and Erin from the second series, will be thrilled to see all of the characters again in this new series. I enjoyed a lot of the humor in this novel, and the Irish limericks in particular. There were a number of laugh out loud moments that I had to read to my husband because they were so cute. Once again the author has managed to take a sweet-themed romance and made it swoon-worthy and enjoyable to story for people who like edgier novels. I am never bored when I read any of the author's books. The characters seem very real so it's hard to remember they are fictional people.

I liked the message about assumptions and how so many things that "Shutter Speed" Hannah believed about Drew, Sierra and even her former nemesis Jacquie were not based on truth or factual information. It's a good life lesson to review in a book. I always love reading about characters who seem one way and then when you get to know them you discover they are not that way at all. You have to see the world from their point of view to truly know them. I was also amused by Hannah's mother breaking out of the status quo and redefining herself based on what she liked versus what her husband wanted. It was dealt with in a healthy way, so it worked for the story.

This is sure to be another fun series. I am looking forward to reading the next book. I've read all three books in the first series, and all three in the second, so I'm up to speed and haven't missed any "episodes" with this wonderful cast of characters. Even people who haven't read any other books by the author will find this one easy to follow. They might not get the humor regarding "Guido," but that easily can be rectified by reading the first series. Love that bird. :)

[Valerie Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah McDermott has struggled with feelings of inadequacy all her life. She's always done "pretty well," with first prize going to someone else. So, though her wedding photography business is expanding and thriving, she feels she's going to lose her edge when handsome Drew Kincaid opens a photography studio nearby.

Hannah is desperate to impress the premier wedding planner on Galveston Island, Texas, but it's not going to be an easy road to the top of Bella Neeley's list. Not when it seems that Drew is already a personal friend of Bella's. Hannah has been hired to shoot a major country music star's nuptials, but the woman is a total diva. Is this make-it-or-break-it wedding going to be worth the agony to Hannah? Or should she just let it go to her rival?

It's hard to vie against someone who just wants to share tips and be your friend--or possibly more. Drew doesn't seem to have a competitive bone in his body, and it drives Hannah crazy. Before long, he's disrupted her life, won over her parents (no easy feat--she got her Irish competitiveness from somewhere!), and managed to haunt Hannah's nights and daylight hours.

All the while, the diva's wedding date is marching closer and the demands are increasing. Will following through with her signed contract cost Hannah everything?

Just once, she'd like to come in first. Not just with Bridezilla but, to her surprise, with Drew. But to reach into her future, she has to come to grips with her past and shake the curse of second-best once and for all.

If you're a fan of Janice Thompson's earlier books, you won't be disappointed in Picture Perfect, first in her new Weddings by Design series. Some characters from the Weddings by Bella series and Backstage Pass series grace this book, and I have my guesses as to where the current series will take us. However, if you haven't read the others stories, I don't think you'll be too lost.

Enjoy light-hearted but distinctly Christian contemporary romance? Pick up Picture Perfect and settle in for a fun read about the wedding business.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review below image.


Janice Thompson is a contemporary author that always makes me smile, much in the same way as Kaye Dacus, yet also as historical author Janice Hanna I love her storytelling as well. When I first heard about the Weddings by Design series I was excited about it and never read what it was about, because I already knew that I would love it. I was pleasantly surprised to find this series to be a continuation of characters from both of her previous series in Weddings by Bella and Backstage Pass. As always her novels completely stand alone, but the knowledge of certain characters that make you smile with a simple appearance is fabulous and makes you want to go back and read all the other novels all over again. I'm certain that if this novel is someone's first introduction to the wedding world from Janice, they'll be delighted to read her backlist!

*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*
“Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ADORED this book!

I couldn't set it down after I started reading! I truthfully don't know why I haven't read any of Miss Thompson's work until yesterday. Her wonderful writing combined with her humor and relatable characters made for such a great afternoon read. Yes, I did read Picture Perfect in an afternoon. No regrets.

In Picture Perfect we are in the head of the lovely Hannah McDermott. All her life she's believed she's come up second and she's ready to be first. The only negative thing I can think to say about Hannah is that she isn't very close to God yet, however, she is on the right track. We get so up-close and personal with Hannah's thoughts that it really made me feel like I could relate to her and understand her better.

Before I close this review there's a peeve I had that I would like to mention. I did not like how the married women made dreamy/infatuated comments about an actor right in front of their husbands. I mean, how disrespectful is that? But like I said, it was my only big peeve with Picture Perfect and it did not occur often enough to take away from my reading experience.

If you like a good romance tale with some humor, this is the book for you. :-)

Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

I received this book from Revell in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title pretty much says it all: picture perfect. You might think me sappy or a hopeless romantic (both of which I am), but I think this novel was pretty close to being the fun romantic read I expected it to be.

Have you read the Weddings by Bella series? Well if you haven’t, I’ll try to forgive you, but in all seriousness you don’t need to have read them before picking this one up. That said, you’ll have so much more fun with the cast and crew of this novel if you have. Every single member of our large Italian family (and some new additions) are back for round two and are bringing the fun with them!

Hannah and Drew are “feuding” photographers that well…sigh... (and that pretty much says it all). It’s a sweet romance with humor a plenty and good times by abundance. I also appreciate the liberal mention of food. Haha!

Plenty of dialogue for a rom-com and a kiss or two that makes you wiggle your toes and sigh (or is that just me??).

It’s a winner. Plenty of sweetness. Plenty of romance. And like reconnecting with old friends that you never forgot for one day how much you loved them.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review.

**Available February 2013 from Revell, a division of Baker Publishers**

[Maureen Timerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in a new series based on The Bella Series. This one will give you a lot of chuckles, and warm your heart!
Hannah McDermott is a very talented and successful photographer. What she does have is very low self esteem, which she tributes to her high school nemesis Jacquie Goldfarb.
There is also a person who she feels is her today's Jacquie...another local photographer Drew Kincaid. She feels he is out to get her!! What she does to him at the restaurant...ugh!! and funny!
They are both on Bella list of the top photographer's...Jacquie, aka Drew is number 1, and Hannah is number 2.
Your in for a delightful treat when you read this one. Be ready for some really great Italian meals, yes!, and some Irish ones thrown in. Your also going to a fun Bing and Bob party! Who are Bing and Bob, why Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. On the Road!!
Wait until you hear the tales Hannah's Dad tells, his nose should be growing. All in all this is a fun, quick read.

I received this book through Revell's Blogging Program, and was not required to give a positive review.

[Maria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope, I'm done. It really should have been noted somewhere on the book that this was Christian based fiction. It wasn't subtle, either. I could deal with talk of faith, but I don't want to read about how "blessed" someone is or how everything they have is a "blessing" or other such chatter. Sorry to those who enjoy that kind of thing, but I rolled my eyes so many times in the first 150 pages I thought I was going to roll them right out of my head.

The premise, a woman with a photography studio trying to be recognized as the go-to wedding photographer in Galveston, is a good one. But the characters were flat, or whiny, or preachy, or all three. None of the interactions felt like they could honestly happen in real life.

In the hands of a different (better?) romance writer such as Nora Roberts, Carly Phillips, Christie Ridgway, etc... this story would have some staying power. Sadly, this and the next in the series will be going right back to the library, unread.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Janice has written another book I dearly loved. This story is about Hannah a wedding photographer with insecurities left over from high school. She's been booked to photograph a country singing diva's wedding and she's worried it wont go well, not to mention about finances, her competition etc. During the story she learns that she measures up to God's standards and that is truly all that matters. She also finds great new friends, a way to grow her business and a wonderful loving man who just happens to go from her competition in the wedding photography field to her her partner in more ways then one! =) Love the comedic elements and the crazy loveable characters from earlier books. If you love weddings, Janice Thompson books and fun this is a must read for sure!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this story enough to finish it, but wow. Hannah is so negative that she's toxic, her father is allegedly so opposed to change that he doesn't allow his wife to cook anything except Irish food, and Hannah's best friend Scarlet spends all her time trying to get others to push her bakery onto everyone else. Hannah spends half of the book more worried about how she can use Belle than about taking care of her own business or thinking about how she can help Belle or anyone else.

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure why I even finished this book. I do want to read the Belle wedding books because I'm really curious about why Belle and Brock got arrested. I don't think I'll be reading Scarlet's story, though. I don't like her any better than I like Hannah.

[Apryl Felver · Rating 1 out of 5]

That was terrible. I mean, really awful. The "bridezilla" was by far the most likable character.

To hold on to so much crap from high school as an adult?

And seriously.... Take some responsibility for your future and forge your own path. Don't wait around for your God to carry out some plan.

Finally, if I had to read the word "nibble" one more time I was going to lose it.

I have 0 interest in reading any more of this series.

[Tausha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. It seemed to drag on towards the end. I was happy to see everything turn out so good for Hannah, but it all happened when there was still several chapters left. That isn't always a bad thing, but for some reason I got bored instead of anticipating the end. Cute, clean read but not on my read again list.

[Rosepetal78 · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was hard reading this book. I skimmed over most of it.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you enjoy fat-shaming infants, casual homophobia, and reinforcing gender stereotypes, then this book is for you! Ugh, what dreck.

[Sarah]

Do you ever have an author you feel like you should love, but you just... don't?

Janice Thompson is one of those for me. I've tried to read several books by her but I've never clicked with them. I've just decided to skip them as their are many authors out their I want to try.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, fun read

[Rissi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah Grace is tired of her life being a series of “almosts.” Though the eldest in her family, she is the only one not yet married and is in fact, still living at home with her parents whose repetitive routines are enough to make any girl go mad. This time, Hannah has had enough: No more is she going to settle. She has started her own business – a photography studio – plans on winning the favor of Bella Neely, Galveston’s most sought-after wedding coordinator and shoot the wedding of one of the music industry’s best talents, which could make or break her burgeoning career. First, she must get over the re-appearance of her high-school nemesis, Jacque Goldfaurb. This time, however, Hannah’s Jacque arrives in her competition, the handsome Drew Kincaid – a man whose good looks and beautiful eyes may tempt Hannah to stop thinking of Drew as the enemy. To make matters worse, there is an Irish legend that says the Kincaid’s and McDermott are mortal enemies. These near-misses, Hannah is determined to ace!

If there is one author who has the romantic-comedy genre cornered, it’d be Janice Thompson. Her books have been one winner after the next and each one has been a delight coming alive with spunk and color with its quirky antics and loveable characters. Her brand-new new series is no different. In fact, if it is possible, I adore Hannah more (only by a smidgeon) than I did the memorable Bella and company back in the fictional trio, “Weddings by Bella.” If you have an aversion to over-the-top comic mishaps, this may not be the book for you. There are moments that may overreach but at the heart, this is a charming read. The characters are as close to perfection as any book in this genre is ever to be; Hannah and Drew make an attractive match and catching up with the Neeley/Rossi clans was a hoot. Given how much I complain that the romantic leads often meet “too” soon (I realize that sounds strange), it did surprise me how much I missed them not meeting until several pages in. In this case, it was tolerable because Drew and Hannah knew each other; we just weren’t privy to it since it happens off-page. I suspect part of this was because the story was told from a first person POV and also, anyone who has a complaint about the time it took to put the leads together should feel quite engaged in that first meet cute.

Memorable hysterics though the viewpoint of an intriguing image behind the camera lend elements of realism to everything about Picture Perfect. The only minor flaw is that the antics of the supporting characters do overwhelm Hannah and Drew’s blossoming relationship – that and the first person style which is easily overcome. From that first get-together with Bella’s family to Hannah’s failing attempts not to fall head over heels for Drew’s charm – primarily by imagining him as her teenage nemesis, it’s always a surprise what is around the next corner. Somewhere between the Monday nights spent watching Dancing with the Stars (a situation that reminded me all too much of my own) and the celebrity wedding of the year, I fell in love with another of Thompson’s Texas big comedic sagas that left me bemoaning book two’s summertime release. It cannot come quickly enough!

© Copyright 2011-2013 Dreaming Under the Same Moon / Scribbles, Scripts and Such

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was soooo good to get back to Galveston again! I loved the Weddings by Bella series, and it was wonderful to pick back up in Bella's life a few years down the road. Of course, we only see Bella's quirky clan from Hannah's perspective, but Hannah spends a great deal of time with Bella as they are working together. And since she befriends Bella, that means she instantly befriends the rest of the crazy crew, including the Splendora Sisters. Most all of the characters we loved from the first series make a visit or two here and there and it was terrific to see them again. I had forgotten how much Ms. Thompson's writing makes me laugh. Hannah's thoughts are just as funny as Bella's were! She is so relatable because who doesn't think one thing in their head but (realizing that it may not the best thing to say aloud) actually says something more appropriate? (And when those reactions include instant attraction to a certain competitor.....well.) She also starts out in a place of focusing a lot on herself and her perceived "problems", but with some time and great advice from her friends, Hannah learns to trust God more fully with herself and her life. And then there's Drew. I didn't think any other male could hold a candle to DJ's swooniness, but I was wrong. Drew's a keeper! He's a genuinely nice guy who just happens to be pretty attractive and quite fascinated with Hannah. But he also has to have lots of patience with Hannah, because as I said, she does have some things to work out. He's a patient guy though and he doesn't give up easily. That's another thing I really enjoy about Ms. Thompson's books, the hero is always worthy of being called a hero by simply being a nice, stable guy who will do what it takes to win over the girl. And it doesn't take much, believe me! ;) Also, Hannah is Irish, so there are lots of great quotes her grandpa Aengus used to say, along with several unique stories of the McDermott clan from her father.

There aren't any major surprises here, but just the loveliness of being back in the world of Galveston and all the enjoyable people who live there. You're guaranteed to laugh a lot and sigh over the fluffy and sweet romance and simply have an awesome time! This one is going on my shelf and staying there while I impatiently wait for book two. And if you haven't read Bella's series, then what on earth are you waiting for? This story can be enjoyed even if you haven't read the others, but there will be some inside jokes you won't notice that the rest of us did. Regardless, read it, read it, read it! :)

[Stormi (StormReads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First thing I must say is that if you have never read Janice Thompson's books that you need to remedy that right now and go out and get the Weddings by Bella Series. This is the Weddings by Design Series and it has all the of the same characters from the Weddings by Bella Series and I love them all so dearly!

Janice Thompson just knows how to make you laugh and feel very entertained while you are reading. Her books are light-hearted and great fun.

Hannah is a great photographer but she is her own worst enemy. Just because some things didn't go well for her in high-school and it just made her imagine that everyone was out to get her. Because there was another photographer in town who was getting some of Club Wed's weddings she seen him as the archenemy. A very handsome blue-eyed archenemy, who happened to be a very nice guy.

Hannah has a huge photo opportunity that she is hoping will put her on the map and really get the attention of Bella from Club Wed. The thing is, is she is a country diva who has a horrible publicist. Some things happen that could threaten Hannah's chance of doing the wedding photos, but it makes her have to reflect on a lot of things.

Drew doesn't really consider Hannah as the competition, he thinks she is a great photographer. Drew sort of just pops up everywhere that Hannah is and sort of just starts to grow on Hannah. He would do anything to help her if she would just let down her guard a little and see that he is not the competition. I really loved Drew, he is a fun-loving, sexy guy who just gets along with everyone.

The one thing that I really didn't like about this book was Hannah's constant 'I am not good enough, maybe I shouldn't be a photographer.' She was a bit to whiny for me and the repetitiveness of this reminder that she is always an 'almost' and never a winner grated my nerves a little.

That being said I really enjoyed Picture Perfect and I can't wait to read more from Janice Thompson. If you are a fan of light-hearted Christian romance novels, then I think you should get your hands on this book. (Or really start with Weddings by Bella first for the whole great feel of her books.)

[Kylie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am having to write this review without finishing the book as I am so frustrated with with it. I didn't enjoy this at all, and forcing myself to finish it was actually making me feel more annoyed. I'm really close to the end and am yet to actually feel like I have come further than the first few pages.

I was really disappointed as the concept was good, two rival photographers battle it out for business .... but there was no battle. It was all in the main character's head, along with a complete lack of self worth, a huge sense of holding a grudge and a big dollop of whining.

Hannah constantly complains about how she is second best to everyone about everything, when everyone around her is actually trying to help her! She makes snide comments about her best friend Scarlet using her to further her own business, but admits to doing the same thing with Bella at the beginning of the book. Why is using your friends to further your own business a bad thing? Friends do friends favours! One makes cakes, the other owns a wedding venue and Hannah owns a photography business - is it not logical that they would help each other out? ....... argh ..... here is my frustration with this novel coming out.

I am also afraid to say I found myself constantly skim reading sections - the writing just didn't interest me. And if I hear that the main character is 'nibbling' on her food one more time I will scream! She needs to learn to eat properly. I am not a fan of Christian fiction but have read some and not felt like it was being forced down my throat. This one was.

The Irish proverbs were overused, which helped to make every molehill like issue into a mountain that required a chapters and chapters of thought and discussion. I say every issue and realistically there was only one issue within the whole book.

This could have been so much more.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I read this a few days ago, it was free on amazon...
The basic storyline is actually quite cute, the characters, too, well except for the fact that all of them feel kind of fake and VERY into God, which could play a part in my feeling that the people are fake.
I mean, religious people I'm okay with, let them go to church every Sunday, but please do not make them go to church because they're Irish or Italian and that's just the cliché. And pretty pretty please don't make me feel like the whole "we're religious" thing makes up 50% of the characters.

It didn't really feel like I would like the protagonist if I knew her personally. Part of it is surely that she doesn't feel like she's her own individual. She defines herself through Religion and Irishness, it's ... not really that exciting.

I miss the deep feelings.
And the relationship-angst.
I mean, this is supposed to be light-hearted (I think), but nevertheless, it's nice to have the main female worry about SOMEthing besides her job.

Plus, the 'love-story' felt a little conflict-free. It was like "He's my arch-nemesis!" (without any real reason btw) and then she meets him and (*gasp*) he's not a total asshole, so she falls for him. Very convincing. Not.
They could have at least have a fight somewhere in there. I don't remember a disagreement of any kind, everything resolves itself, there is just not much that makes the characters feel 'real'.
The plot, I can get behind to a degree, the general structure, the thing with the public realations person or whatever he was, I can imagine happening, but all the personal stuff feels like an afterthought, like it is a very distant cousin of "important".

I didn't really like it all that much, despite the premise being really promising.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd say this was between "okay" and "i liked it". For the most part I liked it, but there were a few parts where I just felt like it was a little too perfect. The part that seemed a little strange to me was the "love" between Drew and Hannah. It seemed as if they had never spoken to each other. Then they are thrown together one day, she glares at him as he takes pictures when she is supposed to be doing it by herself, then she thinks that he is attractive but they still haven't spoken at all, then they share glances at the table, the next thing you know he is stopping by her house and talking with her dad (NOT her) and then they are dating. The other book I read by this author (the icing on the cake) still had some of the "too perfect" things, but at least the love story seemed possible and realistic. This just seemed as if "oh he's hot. I have talked to him briefly 3 times, so let's make out. Now I'm in love and we should get married."

Also, I felt as if they way the author wrote the dad was so strange. At first we are led to believe that he is so strict and doesn't like anything to change...evidenced by the fact that he has only had meat and potatoes for the last 30 years and he has a set schedule for what he watches on tv every night. Then their lives start to change and we find out that he really doesn't care about what's on television and he's been eating different food away from home the whole time. So why was he so overbearing to his family?

Okay, as I've written this review, I've realized how frustrated I was with this book and I'm changing my star rating. When is Goodreads going to come up with 1/2 star ratings?

[Jessica Buwalda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I haven’t read any previous books by Janice Thompson I found I really enjoyed this novel. And…now I really want to read her other series Weddings by Bella (which happen to some characters that were re-introduced in this novel). I found this book a bit slow in the beginning, but it really came through to be an overall great book. I found the beginning a little slow because I was being introduced to a bunch of characters and sometimes I found that other character got in the way of the focus on Drew and Hannah’s romance. But, in the end I found it wasn’t something that really affected my overall opinion of the novel. I found a lot of situations and characters very funny and I couldn’t help laugh out loud sometimes.


Good:

Hannah—Determined

Drew—I fell in love with Drew.

Bad:

A lot slow in the beginning, and a lot of side-tracking secondary characters.

Overall (Writing style, story line, and general):

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am determined to get to Janice Thompson’s previous series and see how it all started. I laughed, I swooned, and I was emotionally connected with each character. This is a series I would happy to continue with.

This book was provided courtesy of the publisher/author; however, receiving the complimentary copy did in no way influence my review.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah McDermott wants to be Galveston Island's premiere wedding photographer and the one that Bella Neely refers to her brides. The problem? That spot is currently held by the handsome Drew Kincaid. As Hannah deals with a bridezilla, she and Drew find out that they have more in common than just photography. Toss in the Italian Rossi family, the gang from Splendora, a best friend, and a movie star, and Picture Perfect will delight the reader with humor and grace.

It was so much fun to revisit Bella and the gang at Club Wed in this brand new series. I actually enjoyed seeing how Hannah struggles with her feeling of inadequacy and seeing Bella (who struggled with some of those same feelings in the Weddings by Bella series) talk Hannah through those issues. I found Drew to be delightful. While this particular book wasn't quite as funny as some of the other ones in either the Weddings by Bella series or the Backstage Pass series, I did find myself thoroughly enjoying it. It was a fast read for me.

I received the Kindle edition for free from the publisher, Revell Books via NetGalley for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of romantic comedy, Krista McGee, Mary Connealy, and chick-lit.

Rating - 4 stars



Available February, 2013 at your favorite bookstore from Revell Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Edwina Cowgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janice Thompson has done it again. She has a new series of wedding stories and the first one, "Picture Perfect," recently hit the bookstores. Fans of her first wedding series "Weddings by Bella" will be pleased to know that Bella is back in this second series titled, "Weddings by Design."

In "Picture Perfect, the focus is on two competitive, successful photographers, Hannah Grace McDermott and Drew Kincaid. As they compete for the top-rated photographer in Galveston Texas...well, I won't give the plot away - you simply must buy the book!

Janice has the most delightful sense of humor and that shines through in all of her books. In my opinion, this book is her best yet as she sprinkles humor throughout the book. Her humor is added with such finesse, that it sneaks up on you and you find yourself laughing at unexpected moments. Another enjoyable feature of "Picture Perfect" are the Irish sayings and/or blessings at the beginning of each chapter and the Bonus Feature of Grandpa Aengus's Favorite Irish Sayings at the end of the book.

Fans of Janice Thompson's books will love "Picture Perfect" as much as her other wedding-themed books. And if you've never read any of Janice's books, you really must read this one--and then go back and read the series "Weddings by Bella." Or read the series first and then "Picture Perfect." Just read them. You won't regret it.

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading and loving the first two books in this author's Weddings by Bella series (Fools Rush In, and Swinging on a Star) last year. I couldn't wait to read more of Janice Thompson's delightful novels! Picture Perfect did not disappoint! I loved the main character Hannah McDermott, I found myself relating to her in a lot of ways! I don't think I've ever read a book where the main characters were wedding photographers before, so that was a really interesting element of the story! I absolutely loved the Irish sayings at the beginning of each chapter. It was so cool to get to catch up with the Rossi family, especially since a few years have passed in the settings of these stories and the previous series, so I loved getting to see how their lives have changed! One of the things I have found that I love the most about Janice Thompson's books is the strong feeling of family! This book definitely possessed that. I'm not sure that this book was quite as funny as the others of this author's I've read but having said that, there were still a lot of laugh out loud moments! I also really liked Hannah's best friend Scarlet, and I cannot wait to read book two in this series (Thankfully it's already out! :) which Scarlet stars in, as soon as I can! Having read this book I now want to read the third book in the Weddings by Bella series even more!
I highly recommend Picture Perfect!

[Shantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun ingredients for a delightful romance... Photography, humor, delicious food, and age-old "enemies"; Picture Perfect truly surprised me.

Hannah Grace is an twenty-seven year old woman with a strong Irish heritage. She's single. She still lives at home. She thinks of herself as "good but not great". Oh, and the handsome photographer next door, Drew Kincaid, is doomed to be her bitter rival... or so she thinks.

This book had me giggling at several different points. The little Irish ditties at the start of each chapter were adorable! :) I also liked how there was kind of a second plot and story (Hannah's parents') tied into the main one. The tidbits about Irish and Italian culture and foods were every so much fun; made me hungry all the time I'm afraid! Such a humorous, sweet, and yummy read!

The only thing that kind of made me uncomfortable, was the characters' slight obsession with the show "Dancing With the Stars". Any glimpses I've gotten of that show were quite seductive dancing. Not that anything bad was described in the book. It's just the thought.

Overall though, very much recommended! Seldom do I really enjoy "modern-time" novels, but this one definitely caught my attention!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems like it has been forever since I have read one of Janice’s novels. I have missed her and I have missed the Galveston gang. Picture Perfect was very much in keeping with the feel of the Weddings by Bella series, so fans of that series will be delighted by this reunion and meeting some charming new characters. I knew from the first time I read “Go to the mattresses”, and laughed out loud, that this was going to be a funny book. And it was.

The timing of this book is ideal because readers will still remember the characters from the Weddings by Bella series, but new readers will enjoy meeting everyone for the first time. I really liked Hannah and Drew and their story. They added a lot to the overall experience and they fit in perfectly.

While Picture Perfect is very much what I would expect from Janice Thompson, it still does not feel like the same old story recycled with new characters. I felt this story and the romance was very original. I will never understand how Janice comes up with some of these funny situations or how she writes them so perfectly, but she does. I loved this book and had such a good time reading. I can’t wait to continue with this series and have so more laughs and see more couples fall in love.