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Picture Perfect
TRADE PB
232 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 19, 2018
A cozy little winter romance, just right for this time of year.
Jillian Taylor is the big time model from tiny Quail Creek, Idaho. At least, she used to be. These days she drifts from party to party; the jobs have long since dried up, and so has the money. She's too embarrassed to admit that she's washed up, let alone return home or ask her dad for help. Then he dies, and she must go back for the funeral. She has to borrow money from a friend to even get a ticket back for that.
She is hurt by the hostility and resentment aimed toward her back home in Quail Creek. Apparently her dad had been sick for some time, though he had never told her as much in the their monthly phone conversations. Too add another huge shock, he didn't leave her any assets. She thought she would be able to sell the house, at the very least, but that has been put up for auction to pay off his debts. Now she really is at rock bottom. No parents, no house; she's not allowed to even save a few mementos from growing up. She's not sure what she's going to do, but she is good at putting on a brave face, so she starts with that.
Her friend from high school days, Randy Prescott, seems like he would like to rekindle a romance with her, even though he is currently engaged. Meanwhile, Luke Prescott--Randy's older brother--is still his critical, distant self. It seems like every comment he makes to her has a barb hidden in it somewhere.
When her situation seems darkest, Jillian decides to go talk to the Bishop in her dad's ward. Maybe he can get her the money for a ticket back to New York, or something. Anything. What he suggests, however, is far beyond her comfort zone. It turns out that Luke has been taking care of his elderly housekeeper/nanny for some time, but really could use a hand. He's got so much to do running his 12,000 head sheep ranch, that he doesn't have the time he would like to be with Emma.
Jillian takes on the job out of sheer desperation. It comes with free room and board, plus weekly pay. She's determined to make this work; at least until she can earn money to move back to New York. She doesn't expect to love Emma, and certainly doesn't expect Emma's warmth and love in return. Perhaps everything her starving heart and life have needed can be found right here...in Luke Prescott's kitchen. If only she can put up with him in the bargain...
* * * * *
A bit formulaic, starring Luke as the brooding hero with hurt in his past, and Jillian as the beautiful but broken heroine. Hey, you do get some good distinguishing details, and the romance develops slowly over time, which is the way I like it. Emma was a gem; a great example of how kindness and love will bring someone back to God much more quickly and effectively than accusations and anger. Amazing how that works, isn't it? :)
Content: Clean
Jillian Taylor is the big time model from tiny Quail Creek, Idaho. At least, she used to be. These days she drifts from party to party; the jobs have long since dried up, and so has the money. She's too embarrassed to admit that she's washed up, let alone return home or ask her dad for help. Then he dies, and she must go back for the funeral. She has to borrow money from a friend to even get a ticket back for that.
She is hurt by the hostility and resentment aimed toward her back home in Quail Creek. Apparently her dad had been sick for some time, though he had never told her as much in the their monthly phone conversations. Too add another huge shock, he didn't leave her any assets. She thought she would be able to sell the house, at the very least, but that has been put up for auction to pay off his debts. Now she really is at rock bottom. No parents, no house; she's not allowed to even save a few mementos from growing up. She's not sure what she's going to do, but she is good at putting on a brave face, so she starts with that.
Her friend from high school days, Randy Prescott, seems like he would like to rekindle a romance with her, even though he is currently engaged. Meanwhile, Luke Prescott--Randy's older brother--is still his critical, distant self. It seems like every comment he makes to her has a barb hidden in it somewhere.
When her situation seems darkest, Jillian decides to go talk to the Bishop in her dad's ward. Maybe he can get her the money for a ticket back to New York, or something. Anything. What he suggests, however, is far beyond her comfort zone. It turns out that Luke has been taking care of his elderly housekeeper/nanny for some time, but really could use a hand. He's got so much to do running his 12,000 head sheep ranch, that he doesn't have the time he would like to be with Emma.
Jillian takes on the job out of sheer desperation. It comes with free room and board, plus weekly pay. She's determined to make this work; at least until she can earn money to move back to New York. She doesn't expect to love Emma, and certainly doesn't expect Emma's warmth and love in return. Perhaps everything her starving heart and life have needed can be found right here...in Luke Prescott's kitchen. If only she can put up with him in the bargain...
* * * * *
A bit formulaic, starring Luke as the brooding hero with hurt in his past, and Jillian as the beautiful but broken heroine. Hey, you do get some good distinguishing details, and the romance develops slowly over time, which is the way I like it. Emma was a gem; a great example of how kindness and love will bring someone back to God much more quickly and effectively than accusations and anger. Amazing how that works, isn't it? :)
Content: Clean
August 13, 2019
Jillian Taylor, a small town Idaho girl won a modelling trip to NY from ZCMI at 16. A year later she began a modelling career and never looked back. Eight years later, her career is a bust, her father has died and she's broke when she returns for the funeral and farm auction. Eventually she goes to work for her old boyfriend's cousin - Luke Prescott - caring for his former housekeeper who's had a stroke. Emma Gillette helps Jillian back to her roots, regain her testimony and find meaning in her life again. She also helps Luke and Jillian recognize their love for each other. Well done.
March 14, 2020
3.5 stars
May 14, 2020
Cute story
Read
October 15, 2015Jillian Taylor, professional model, has pretty much hit the end, career wise, when she learns that her father has passed away. It's even harder to take is the fact the family's farm will be auctioned off following the funeral to cover her fathers debt. Quail Creek residents have very strong opinions of Jillian, they're mostly all negative. Due to the fact that some of them blame her for her fathers illness because she wasn't ever there to care for him or be apart of his life. The LDS Bishop was be inspired and Jillian is hired to care for Emma Gillette whose an older women that needs to be taken care of. She unconditionally loves Jillian and despite the fireworks in the household, persuades Jillian to remember the Savior and His atonement. Having Emma in Jillian's life makes her realize the importance of family and the gospel. Jillian learns to realize the importance of hard work and respect and gratitude. And learns to appreciate the small things in her life.
I think that this book is a really great novel invoking the LDS religion. I really do think that if needs a sequel because to me, I thought that there were a lot of unanswered questions pertaining to what jillian did with the rest of her life and who was going to be with her. Other than that, I think it was a great novel and that it focused really well on the importance of maintaining your standards and living righteously and the importance of family.
April 13, 2009
Jullian desired modeling from and early age and winning a trip to NY helped to have the start of a career that she wanted. At 16, it was hard to convince the parents of an only child to give in to her, but they did. She was on the fast lane and at first the teachings of her parents held, but after her mother died she began to slip and let others influence her decisions. She comes home for her father's funeral to the scorn of the small Idaho town she's from for not helping her father with health or farm. She's lot everything. She's a washed up model,who is broke with no family or home to speak of. She as to let her pride go and ask for help. The bishop fills her void and gets her a job with Luke. Luke has steriotyped her as beauty on the outside not on the inside just like his mother who ran out on him and his father for bigger and better, but when she comes to care for his seroget mother, Emma the truth of the attraction can't be helped. Then there is randy, her old highschool sweetheart who is still "in love" with her but engaged to someone else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2015
it was good for Mormon fiction, but the story line dragged on and the ending abrupt. it needs a sequel where she finishes getting her life in order. do they get married civilly right away, or wait for her to be ready for the temple? where does she live in the interim? she can't possibly stay in his house when they're engaged and not married if she's working toward temple readiness. one solution, though not suggested is that she takes the modeling job and builds her faith out in the world, all the while, longing for Quail Creek. it would build Luke's faith if she left and really did come back home. an alternative is sticking by someplace local and having to learn to be a ranch wife.
Oh, and it's silly, but it really bugged me that the author never bothered to describe any vehicle. I think the only description given was "red" one time. It's the same amount of words to say "Honda" as it is to say "car."
Oh, and it's silly, but it really bugged me that the author never bothered to describe any vehicle. I think the only description given was "red" one time. It's the same amount of words to say "Honda" as it is to say "car."
August 3, 2010
Yeah I read a Christmas book in the middle of summer. I was trying to make myself feel a little cooler??
I really liked this book. I liked how Jillian Taylor lost everything, her job, friends, her testimony,home, everything. Then to come back and work hard to get *everything* back. She went from feeling alone, to feeling loved; gained her testimony in God and The Book of Mormon back.
This is a very tender romantic fiction. It has love in various degrees. Everything to superficial love to the real thing. Of course there is a man Luke Prescott and he an Jillian fall for each other. However what made this a tender romantic fiction for me, was the love that character Emma, has for everyone, and how they love her and took care for the older woman Emma.
I really liked this book. I liked how Jillian Taylor lost everything, her job, friends, her testimony,home, everything. Then to come back and work hard to get *everything* back. She went from feeling alone, to feeling loved; gained her testimony in God and The Book of Mormon back.
This is a very tender romantic fiction. It has love in various degrees. Everything to superficial love to the real thing. Of course there is a man Luke Prescott and he an Jillian fall for each other. However what made this a tender romantic fiction for me, was the love that character Emma, has for everyone, and how they love her and took care for the older woman Emma.
April 15, 2010
Jillian Taylor, professional model, has pretty much hit rock bottom--destitute, career over, when she learns that her father has passed away. Even harder to take is the fact the family's farm will be auctioned off following the funeral to cover the debts owed. Quail Creek residents have very strong opinions of Jillian--all negative. The LDS Bishop will be inspired and she'll be hired to care for Emma Gillette whose frail body compares nothing to her vibrant spirit. She unconditionally loves Jillian and despite the fireworks in the household, persuades Jillian to remember the Savior and His atonement.
December 1, 2012
A quick little "relationship fiction" read. It was a bit hard to read about loosing a parent, since I so recently lost my mother. But, I guess my friends keep recommending these to me to help me through my grief and so I'm thankfully reading them.
All of the book had a good flow until the end. The ending was completely stilted and awkward. It just was not a good ending. This book is not a classic by any means and will not be read again, but it was good entertainment.
All of the book had a good flow until the end. The ending was completely stilted and awkward. It just was not a good ending. This book is not a classic by any means and will not be read again, but it was good entertainment.
December 7, 2009
This book has been on my to read pile for several years and I had only read one chapter and put it down thinking it was going to be too stupid. So I was amazed how much I ended up enjoying it once I got over the fact it was set in Idaho. Emma was such an enjoyable old lady I could not help loving her! Nice Christmas story to read.
August 19, 2015
Even tho' I thought this book was drug out a little too long , I enjoyed reading it especially as it held my attention. Its the story of a girl who at a young age won a beauty contest and left home to become a model. Its about the life she chose for herself and the consequences that resulted. Good messages and good reading
June 6, 2008
I liked this because it shows how much people can change when there is love involved in their lives.
July 19, 2009
A cute, predictable, LDS story about a former model who hits rock bottom and her journey to find her true self and love.
May 11, 2009
This is one of my favorite books.
September 8, 2011
Love this book!! I FINALLY finished. I have read this tunz in the past, but haven't read it for about ten years- so it was fun to read again!!
October 9, 2019
Inspirational!
February 4, 2013
One of my favorites. It's clean and such a cute story of love and becoming humble enough to find the life you've been dreaming of.
April 19, 2013
Its a great story about life, loss, finding your true self and regaining your testimony. And of course LOVE!
July 30, 2020
This was a nice heartfelt story. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline, the author did a good job of showing the journey of this young women after she lost everything.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews