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Perfect #2

Perfect Obsession

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Chris Summers needs purpose to come to grips with his changed circumstances and save his own sanity. A friend's offer to get involved in an architectural photobook as the professional photographer is the only solution. The project allows him to work with his friend's sister, Julia Carlevaro, a luxury hotel heiress, who has sworn off men, love, and some other things she prefers to keep to herself.

Once on location in East Africa, Chris and Julia work long hours together to meet their looming deadline. The attraction between them is palpable but Julia sticks to her no-men resolve and to her secrets.

After a shooting accident that leaves Chris unhinged, he is forced to reveal the true nature of the incident that led to his disability. His cards are on the table, and Julia will need to show hers, or let go of their one chance for love.

390 pages, ebook

First published December 13, 2019

4 people are currently reading
101 people want to read

About the author

Sophia Karlson

20 books248 followers
I write sensual, emotional, and evocative contemporary romances about good guys and bad girls and sometimes it's the other way around. Either way, happy ever afters rule!
All my books can be read as standalone, although I tend to write about siblings.
Follow me on FB and Instagram @sophiakarlson.

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5 stars
15 (55%)
4 stars
4 (14%)
3 stars
7 (25%)
2 stars
1 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Maria.
2,504 reviews46 followers
January 8, 2020
Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
3.5 stars.
A romantic tale with a very gentle, wounded hero and a deeply tortured heroine, “Perfect Obsession”, by Sophia Karlson (Wild Rose Press), takes place in gorgeous locations and shows characters dealing with painful issues such as mental and physical health, grief and other serious matters one wouldn’t expect.
Chris is a charismatic photojournalist trying to reinvent himself after a tragic incident. His modesty, anti-celebrity personality, steadiness and gentleness are very appealing.
Julia is a problematic heroine; despite all her troubles and suffering I just had a hard time connecting with her character.
There’s a lot of pain in this story and plenty of conversations and analysis of feelings, emotions, experiences. Too much telling sometimes and the melodrama sometimes seems too obvious for my taste. Perhaps some medical issues related to Chris, particularly his final decision, could have been a bit more explained.
Profile Image for pageswithpayten.
623 reviews75 followers
July 9, 2020
Ugh. So so close, but just didn't quite hit get there for me.
I loved the basic plot of this one and really liked the characters, but I didn't feel like the right things were given a proper explanation. There was a lot of dark and heavy in this book without a lot of context. Sometimes a topic would be total taboo and a very sensitive subject and then two pages later it's no longer as issue. I appreciated the author tackling not one, but two different forms of PTSD and trauma, but I think sometimes there was so much going on at once that things were breezed over.
I was so closed to really liking this. I was interested enough that I wanted to keep reading as soon as I had a few moment but it really dragged at the end for me. I will keep this author in mind for the future!
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
January 13, 2020
💝 ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 💝
98 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2020
Love it!

When I read that this book was set in East Africa, more specifically Tanzania and Kenia, I HAD to read it, and oh yes, it did bring back so many memories of my childhood and the safari’s, and now I dream to go back there someday...

The story of Chris and Julia is a lovely one. Both have a lot of pain and demons in their pasts and their way forward is painfully beautiful. This is not a book full of action, but if you like a book full of feelings and a wounded hero and a heroine with a closet full of demons, I can highly recommend this book. And the setting in East Africa is so well described, you feel you are there. 5 stars.
Profile Image for Lisa.
122 reviews1 follower
August 13, 2020
After my second read of this book I still give it at least 4 stars!
I love the character development and how the story is told. Chris was a great character, and I loved the continuation of the Carlevaro story, which somehow I didn’t expect even though it was the second book in the Perfect series. Definitely a light easy read to get lost in on a relaxing day.
Profile Image for Jess.
66 reviews13 followers
January 13, 2020
I really wanted to like this one more than I did, because the premise sounded interesting and different. There was a lot of tell, rather than show. I also had a problem with the way Chris reacted to , because it felt completely out of character from what we'd been shown/told about him up to that point in the book. I really did appreciate Julia, a complex, messy female lead character you can't help but really root for, and a male lead that was fantastic and patient/kind/wonderful, with the exception of .

I received a free ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Thank you!
Profile Image for Samantha.
2,696 reviews21 followers
January 27, 2020
Perfect Obsession was interesting for me. Chris is a photographer who was badly injured and is trying to get a handle on how his new life will be. Julia is his best friend's little sister who has had her own damage in the past and is still not handling that well.

They are both put into a position that leads them to tour the African lodges her family owns to take photos for a new project Julia is working on. She hasn't let anyone close let alone a man in over 4 years. Chris destroys her barriers and gets deep inside of her revealing secrets she hasn't shared with anyone.

Chris isn't unaffected though, she makes him face a lot of things he's never looked at before and takes a deeper look into himself. It's a really good book I enjoyed reading it.
873 reviews4 followers
February 2, 2020
Review Perfect Obsession
by Sophia Karlson

Chris Summers was a talented award winning photo journalist til he became disabled and his career as he knows it is over. A friends offer to try a different option for him as the talented photographer he his. Julia Carlevaro is a luxury hotel heiress who is his friends beautiful sister who is sworn off all men, love and a lot of secrets besides. During the making of the photo book for the hotels . Whilst on location they are both flung together and unexpected attraction ensues .

Fantastic read a well written book a real can’t put down page turner. Loved it so many unexpected turns to the story adventure. Evokes so many emotions. Highly recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
164 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2019
Chris Summers is a fantastic romantic hero - a caring and passionate man, he needs to deal with his past and a recent incident that has left him shattered. A chance to spend some time in Africa, away from all his worries to recuperate, also puts him right in the path of Julia Carlevarro.
This dainty but strong woman intrigues him from the moment they meet, but she is not ready to let any man into her life.
I enjoyed following this couple’s adventures in exotic locations, the unfolding of their budding romance and the shocking revelations that make a future together almost impossible.
Will their love and passion conquer all ?
An excellent read for the holidays !
Profile Image for Laurie Tell.
519 reviews11 followers
October 27, 2020
I wanted to, but just didn't love it.

I loved the plot and I really liked the characters, but I struggled with it.

There was a lot of darkness, but not enough explanation. Then all of a sudden everything was resolved. I needed more context, or explanation.

I do want to thank the author, the publisher and Net Galley for letting me read this book.
Profile Image for Michele Del Rey.
3,016 reviews30 followers
December 31, 2019
First book from this author andni really enjoyed it. I liked the backdrops of the story and the great chemistry.
850 reviews14 followers
January 13, 2020
This was my first experience reading this author's work and I was pleasantly surprised and will most definitely read more in the future. This is the second book in the Perfect Series, but it is a standalone. Not having read the first book didn't cause any confusion in reading this one, although it makes me want to read about Carlos and Simone's story! This was a very unique storyline with well-developed characters that brought about some thought-provoking moments -- what would I do if I were facing the same choices as Chris? I loved the connection and intense chemistry between Chris and Julia and the descriptions of the locations in this book were excellent! My heart broke for Julia at different times throughout the book but then I found myself cheering her on and hoping for her HEA. This was a very satisfying, enjoyable read and one that I would recommend. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.
Profile Image for Haney Hayes Promotions.
1,505 reviews67 followers
July 17, 2024
This is a captivating romance novel that will resonate with readers who crave emotional depth, complex characters, and a slow-burning passion, as it masterfully weaves together themes of vulnerability, trust, and the power of human connection in the face of adversity.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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