Picture Perfect

Forbidden Desires #4

by Annie J. Rose

I made a sexy mistake a decade ago…
And I won’t regret repeating it!

I shouldn’t have left her behind in my hometown.
Now every part of me wants to touch her… to own her.
I need to make her mine again.
Being a successful sports photographer has its perks.
But I’d never been rejected by a woman.
Much less the only woman I obsess over.
I know I’m playing with fire.
Eventually it’s time for me to leave town again.

But this time I’m not leaving without her.
…And her little secret that won’t stay little for long.

Genres: Romance, Sports, Second Chance Romance, Second Chance

260 pages, Paperback

First published September 13, 2019

About the author

Annie J. Rose is an Amazon top 30 best seller contemporary romance author who loves to bring all of your fantasies to life. She writes steamy romance with a happily ever after.

Born and raised in New Zealand, she often spends most of her time writing stories by her balcony. Pharmacist by day, smut-writer by night.

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Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/18/2020)! 🎁

[Coline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alanna, elle est un peu gamine dans ses réactions. Elle essaye pas de comprendre les autres, elle pense que à elle.
Bradley a des regrets de ses actions passées mais il essaye de réparer les choses. J’aime bien l’évolution de Bradley qui devient l’homme fort et le pilier dont elle a vraiment besoin.


Malgré que le livre soit court, ça a mit du temps à démarrer et après la relation va trop vite, en 2 pages c’est plié.

Ça reste sympa pour lire une histoire rapide sans prise de tête.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehh it was ok. Skimmed a lot because it was basically a repetition in every chapter. Kinda boring too but it can be read to pass time.

[lf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can you really have a second chance when so much time has passed?

Picture Perfect was a nice second chance at romance story between Alanna and Bradley. They were high school sweethearts who had plans together once they graduated. She was going to college on a sports scholarship and she was heading for culinary school. But life threw a curveball at Alanna in the form of her father's cancer. So she had to stay at home to help nurse him which meant putting her dreams on hold. She asked Bradley to stay with her and wait a year but let's just say he was not open to doing that, said some more than unwarranted things and they broke up. Then he was off and never looked back.
Some things did not work quite the way he expected but he is now making a major name for himself as a sports photographer. As for Alanna she stayed with and helped her mother after her father died. She never did pursue her dreams and instead still works full time at a bakery in town.
When Bradley comes back into town on assignment they bump into each other and things do not go well. He would like to get closure but she holds more than a little resentment towards him and what happened. Now the question is whether they can move past this or not? If they do then is there a second chance for them to be together?

I felt the story had a good premise but it did feel long to me. As a result I had a hard time finishing it and ended up skimming over parts. Additionally I thought it was strange that both Alanna and Bradley would talk with other people about what they were feeling but not to each other. It is a little hard to get closure, move past or have a second chance if you can't be honest with each other about things.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like we missed a few steps

An angsty second chance romance, Picture Perfect follows a pair of high school sweethearts who come face to face after several years apart. While there is nothing inherently wrong with the story, it definitely felt incomplete. Our hero even says himself that they haven’t spent enough time together to know if what they’re feeling is just leftover emotion from their past love, or a hint of a spark that remains. That really sums up my thoughts about the book - there is so little time devoted to our couple together that I have no idea how to feel about them.

The story follows Alanna and Bradley, who were first loves that thought they’d spend their lives together. When Alanna’s father became ill at the end of high school, she asked Bradley to put his dreams on hold to stay in their hometown with her... and he declined. He said some pretty harsh things and broke her heart, leaving town without looking back. Now that he’s returned for a few days, taking photos of a sports team, Bradley sees Alanna for the first time in years. They think they need to hash things out to get closure, but it also opens up all of that old emotion.

The last book I read by Annie J. Rose was great, so I had high hopes for this, and while there was nothing bad about it, I certainly didn’t love it. The story feels so incomplete that I couldn’t really root for these two to find love again. I’m not even sure how their lives fit together, and I don’t think that they do either. All in all, it felt both drawn out (the drama) and rushed (the romance), so I never truly got into the story. I received a free copy via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jurae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alanna wanted to be a baker but her dreams were put on hold during her senior year of high school when her father learned he had cancer. Bradley, Alanna's high school sweetheart had a full ride scholarship to play college football and decided not to put his dreams on hold to stay with Alanna. Six years later, Alanna is still living in her home town, working at the local bakery in order to help her mother pay the medical bills left behind from her father's illness and subsequent death when she learns that Bradley, now a renowned photographer, is coming to town to do a photo shoot with the local sports team. Is six years long enough to mend a broken heart?

I enjoyed the book. The characters were realistic and well developed. The story line was also great but my one critique is the unrealistic view of the heroine. Who expects their high school sweetheart to give up their dreams to stay behind and care for a parent that isn't theirs. It is one-sided and selfish.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is good if not drawn out and the characters annoyed me but, there is a happy ending. High school sweethearts Alanna and Bradley had a horrible breakup. Terrible things were said and Bradley left for college without Alanna and without saying goodbye. Regrets are still lingering after ten years when they run into each other again. The attraction, chemistry and love is still there but, they don't know how to be around each other any more so, it's awkward and still painful. This goes back and forth for several encounters. They both have no problem sitting down and telling the other people in their lives what they are thinking and feeling but, they can't do that for themselves. It only makes things more uncomfortable and neither can forward with their lives. It goes on for too long until it becomes imperative that they act like adults and have a serious discussion to fix the pains of the past so they may have a future. Even though I struggled with the book, it is good romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fate Has a Way Of Smacking Us Directly In the Face.”

Second chance romance always provides an emotional reading experience—great passion is naturally woven with great pain. Annie J. Rose’s newest romantic offering Picture Perfect shares with the reader emotional pieces of the backstory—the sweet and the bitter—allowing us to experience vicariously the emotional rollercoaster of the characters as we follow their pathway from youthful dreams and mistakes to adult acceptance and love.

Bradley and Alana were high school sweethearts who had planned a future including college and New York City together. But when fate intervenes and plans unravel, so do the young lovers. Disappointment mingled with acceptance of a new normal comes to both, but the joy of life experienced in their shared love is missing until fate once more intervenes and Bradley and Alana have a second chance to find love. Rose’s novel is a sweet treatment of love lost and lost found.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet second chance. 4.5 Stars

Alanna always wanted to be a baker. When her father got diagnosed with cancer she decided to put her dreams on hold and stay home to take care of him. She was dating Bradley but when he got a full scholarship he decided to break her heart rather than try and work things long distance.

It’s been six years but Alanna is still stuck. After her father passed her mother hasn’t been the same and Alanna has to help try and pay off the bills left behind. Her friend Shannon blindsides her when Bradley comes back into town to photograph the football team. He’s made his dreams come true but when he sees Alanna again he realized his biggest dream is yet to come.

The road to forgiveness is a tough one. Alanna isn’t going to be won over easily and it takes awhile for her to trust him again. Overall a satisfying HEA.

I received an advanced copy of this story via BookSprout and am leaving a voluntary honest review.

[Sue Wolz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how my heart ached for Alanna and Bradley. Their anguish was truly heartbreaking. Their wish was for a lifelong loving relationship. Bradley left anyway leaving them both heartbroken. Since her father's death from cancer, Alanna worked in someone's bakery instead of living her dream. Bradley, on the other hand, had become a very sought after photographer, yet he still missed Alanna so much. She hated him. You absolutely must read Picture Perfect by Annie J. Rose. It will change your mind about who should forgive when you are feeling like the long-suffering, wronged party.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[adina willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a second chance at romance book. It is a great and realistic book. One has to give up on their dreams while the other gets a chance to pursue theirs. Alanna had hoped to spend her life with Bradley. Fast forward to now Bradley is a sought after photographer and Alanna is working in a bakery in their hometown to help her mother pay off her dad's medical bills. There is a lot of anger coming from Alanna towards Bradley. The characters were great but can they overcome everything in order to truly get their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna Getzandanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie J. Rose is one of my favorite authors. Having said that, here’s the bad news: the book ended! The nerve of the author! I WAS NOT DONE READING. I loved the unique story line. I fell in love with all of the characters, Alanna, Bradley, and the “supporting cast” were so wonderfully written that I was entranced with their lives.
The book has every single thing I love in a story; angst, laughter, tears, love, and a wonderful ending – although the book could have had a few more chapters. Maybe another book? Maybe about some of the supporting cast?? I’m on board for that.

[Bonny Niswonger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This book is about a woman that has put her life on hold because is taking care of her sick father and her mother after the death of her father. Alanna went to work for a bakery that was in her home time fulltime she helps her mother put the bills. Alanna ex boy friend comes back to town and she wants to stay away from him. Now would be the time to buy the book to find out what happens. I will be buying more from this author.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well-written storyline is a second chance romance with a surprise. It is entertaining with high school sweethearts, a horrible breakup, an ambush reunion years later, attraction resurfaces, pain anger and hurt feelings, then deliberation and realization. The main characters are defined, never stopped loving the other and still feel the attraction and chemistry. Their journey toward reconnecting is anything but smooth. I liked it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good
If you’re in the mood for a "feel good" read this story is definitely one; high school sweethearts that get a second chance with each other. All of the characters were delightful and real, and the story itself was plausible.
Having read several books by this author I consider her a “reliable" author in that her books are always an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradley and Alanna dated all through high school, but he left her at the worse time of her life. After her father’s death she was stagnant in all areas. It actually took the third time that Bradley came back to her to finally visualize the future. Good story that was interesting and engaging with both primary and secondary characters that were vivid. Good read!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture Perfect

An ok read, it held my attention from start to finish, but it didn't have me totally absorbed. The severity of the anger that Alanna hunt onto was unhealthy and didn't really paint her as a good person. I didn't think Bradley was a heart winner either, he was certainly wrapped up in his own world with no regrets that he really worries about. It's not a story that I will read again.

[Deb Le · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always a sucker for second chance stories, and this one is no exception. Alanna and Bradley's story pulled me in from the start. Despite their past, the chemistry between them hasn't faded. I loved watching them struggle to figure things out. Beautifully written and not over the top, I loved this book. I'm hoping to hear more about Jackson and Farrah....

[Maria771 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Alanna and Bradley. I loved this story. Storyline is good. The characters are very relatable and likable. The chemistry between them is amazing. Written beautifully and I can't wait for the next book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another win for me from this author. Alanna never left her hometown. She dated Bradley in high school but he went to chase his dreams while she stayed behind when her father got sick and later died.
Now Bradley is back for a job as a photographer and Alanna is still here.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradley and Alanna went to high school together. When it was time for college he left and pursued his dream while she had to rake care of her sick father. She wasn't able to get over his betrayal easy.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read! Enjoyed the characters and the story!! We get second chances, hotness, and a HEA!! Everything we needed!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy Mccalmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet second chance romance. Alanna and bradley where high school sweethearts bradley left and couldn't take alanna but now hes back. Can they make it work a second time?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written second chance story. Warm, sexy and very emotional with fabulous characters. I loved the sparks between Alanna and Bradley. The ending was fabulous.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Charmaine Nouwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture Perfect by Annie J. Rose is a second chance romance of Bradley and Alanna. a heartwarming,sweet and interesting story despite all the hardship their love will overcome anything and prevail. well done!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and entertaining story with well written characters that are both charming and enchanting with a hea that always makes you feel happy

I received an arc copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[April Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story with good characters. This was an over all an enjoyable read. This story has good suspense. Good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. It is the kind that you can identify with the characters and immerse yourself in the story. Very well written and characters to win the heart make this book a must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. It is the kind that you can identify with the characters and immerse yourself in the story. Very well written and characters to win the heart make this book a must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookworm_Bea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read more than 50 % of the book for finally the 2 main characters having a true interaction. The guy has more relation with his secretary than the girl he loves.
Wow I love all the others books at that series but what a disappointment to finish like this..