Picture Perfect by Alessandra Thomas Book Review

Picture PerfectOne thing I appreciate about some of the New Adult books I’ve read is that they address touchy subject matters. In Picture Perfect, Alessandra Thomas’s debut, that topic is weight. The main character in Picture Perfect is a model that gains 60 pounds after an accident. Cat is now a size 12-14 instead of her former size 2. She is the size of the average American woman, but compared to her skinny friends she doesn’t feel average at all. We get to see life through the eyes of a formerly thin person and how friends and acquaintances old and new treat her. Picture Perfect is a refreshing and relevant read for anyone concerned with weight, diet and exercise- namely everyone.

Cat was a runway model and is used to clothes fitting her perfectly. She’s finding it hard to embrace her new curves to say the least. At a low point she seeks guidance from the school psychologist who recommends nude modeling as a way to get comfortable in her new skin and gain confidence. Intimidating, right? And, a guy in the drawing class asks her out afterwards. Seems a little creepy, but it turns out they have a history and went to summer camp as kids together. Nate is gorgeous and encouraging and seems too good to be true basically. He lifts her up and makes her feel beautiful, but is he just a Band-Aid for Cat’s self-esteem issues?

Cat’s body issues ring true and I’m sure will strike a chord with anyone who has ever struggled with weight. From clothes not fitting right, to feeling inadequate next to thinner friends, to wanting to hide your body- Cat’s weight takes a toll on her everyday life. I like that the book busts stereotypes and addresses self-confidence issues, what’s normal and healthy, and female empowerment. It’s also interesting to see Cat’s view of things from someone who has always been skinny.

I found Cat’s personal growth and development more interesting than the romantic side of the story. Maybe I was waiting for the other shoe to drop with Nate. He just seemed hard to believe, and I can’t pinpoint why. The two have some chemistry and steamy scenes though, and their relationship is an important part of Cat’s journey. I did like how Nate introduced rock climbing to Cat and ways to make exercise fun and enjoyable. I wish Cat continued to model for the nude drawing class but maybe that would have been a little odd with the guy in her life in the class.

Picture Perfect has personality and a strong, authentic voice. I enjoyed reading this one and it kept my interest. The message is a good one, no matter if your insecurity is weight related or not. Looking forward to reading more from this author, and more about this subject matter.

Add Picture Perfect to Goodreads

About the Author:

Alessandra ThomasAlessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she’s not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and
girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.

Visit her here: Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Picture Perfect is on sale now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Giveaway! Enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a signed paperback or ebook of Picture Perfect!

Thanks to InkSlinger PR for hosting the blog tour and providing a review copy of Picture Perfect.

Picture Perfect blog tour

Check out more release day reviews of Picture Perfect by visiting these fab blogs:

Stuck in YA Books
Bookmarks, Spoilers, and Happily Ever Afters
The Reading Date
My Book Muse
Brittany Blabs Books
For the Love of Film and Novels
Random Girl Book Blog
BookNerds Anonymous
Book Addicted AA
Jessie Harrell
Waves of Fiction
BookNerds Across America
Snuggling on the Sofa
Becca Watson
Kate’s Tales of Books and Bands
Total Bookaholic
The Book Pixie
Roxy Kade

InkSlinger PR Blogger

Ornament

16 thoughts on “Picture Perfect by Alessandra Thomas Book Review

  1. veganyanerds says:

    Ooh, I’d never heard of this but it sounds like a book that all girls, and even guys, should read, no matter what shape or size they are. I purchased the Kindle version.

    I’m defo more interested in the the MC’s personal growth than the romance, I’d hate to think that she needs a boy to solve her issues

    1. Lucy says:

      Can’t wait to hear what you think of Picture Perfect, Mandee! Good point that girls and guys should check it out. One thing I didn’t mention in my review is that the love interest Nate was overweight as a kid so it’s an interesting role reversal with the couple.

  2. bookgoonie says:

    This one sounds really good. It’s not like there arent books about weight, but I havent heard one mentioned in quite a while. Perfect time to go through that struggle as a NA when things just seem to be changing. Weight & Self-image is a tough one.

    1. Lucy says:

      I was at a loss trying to come up with even a handful of books dealing with everyday weight issues. I haven’t read Meg Cabot’s Size 12 is Not Fat but that’s one of the books I thought of. NA is a good category to address weight and self-image, you’re right.

  3. Elin says:

    This book sound good:) Love to read this sometime, this book is absolutely on my wish list now:)

  4. BermudaOnion says:

    Oh how I love the message of that book – I wish we could all learn to embrace ourselves. I’m adding this book to my wishlist.

  5. authoraless says:

    Thank you for your awesome review, Lucy, and thank you ladies, up above, for your enthusiasm! I’m honored.
    <3 Aless

  6. Kelley says:

    Great review. I hadn’t heard of Picture Perfect, but now I am quite interested in reading it, as of course I can relate!

  7. kay says:

    I don’t think I would have been intrigued by this book if only for its cover – not that it’s bad, simply that I thought it was a different message maybe? I don’t know… but what I do know, is that after reading your review, this is going on my wishlist! Thank you for making me discover this NA novel!

    1. Lucy says:

      I’m glad that you’re interested in checking out Picture Perfect! I agree with you about the cover- not sure it tells enough about the story.

  8. booklover217 says:

    Great review! After I finished reading your awesome review I added it to my TBR list 🙂 The cover doesn’t really tell you anything and it could be about anything. They could have done a better job on the cover. I am really intrigued to read how a skinny person handles being on the “average” side.

  9. Quinn says:

    I haven’t read many New Adult books, but Picture Perfect intrigues me. Weight is always on my mind, unfortunately, because I could stand to lose a little weight. I might have to pick this one up.

  10. shannonjoe says:

    I want to read Picture Perfect because:
    1. I’ve struggled with my weight in the past
    2. I like to read about the “touch” issues
    3. I just plain love to read

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

  11. shannonjoe says:

    And I have a question-what is New Adult?

    1. Lucy says:

      Hi Shannon! Those are all good reasons to read Picture Perfect, and I hope you like it 🙂

      New Adult is a category that has been getting a lot of attention lately, and it’s kind of a Mature YA / bridge between YA and Fiction. The characters are a little older, usually between 18-25, and are in college or the workplace rather than high school. I guess it’s for readers that have aged out of YA and looking for a more mature book. There is more frankness in terms of sexuality (sometimes, not always) and some edgy topics.

      The author of Picture Perfect did a guest post about New Adult so you can see what the term means to her (link below). There is still a lot of discussion about what NA really means and if the category is necessary. Hope this helps.

      http://courtneycolewrites.com/2013/03/26/alessandra-thomas-picture-perfect/

      1. shannonjoe says:

        Lucy-

        That helped a lot, and I know I would like them since I like YA AND fiction. 🙂

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