Review: Picture Perfect Love by Melissa McClone

When image becomes everything, it’s up to love to refocus the heart.

Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren’t always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God’s plan and His perfect timing.

Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton’s heart still hasn’t recovered.

It was me. His younger sister’s three words turn Ashton’s world upside down. He must ask Jenna’s forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?

My Review: 

Picture Perfect Love:A June Wedding Story (Zondervan, May 2015) is the 7th novella in the second “A Year of Weddings” series written by various authors and released one a month during the course of the year. Melissa McClone debuts on the Christian romance scene with her contribution to the series – and I hope we see so much more from her in this genre! The romance sparked, the emotion tugged, and my heart responded.

Jenna and Ashton may have ended their relationship two years ago, but I don’t think it got the memo. As soon as she opened the door of her house to find him standing on the other side, my trusty electricity meter registered off the chart readings. (Or at least it would have if I actually owned an electricity meter… or knew the fancy technical name for it.) The simple act of Ashton casually brushing some wayward hair behind Jenna’s ear was enough to make me hold my breath for her. It’s not just some random guy she met at a single’s event at church. It’s Ashton – the guy who left her at the altar because he didn’t love her enough to trust her. How can she forgive him enough to give him a second chance? How can he convince her that he trusts her? Along with the sparks you get So. Much. Emotion. and those are really the best kind of sparks.

Speaking of which, novellas often pose a problem of space limitations due to lower word count and as such they can feel rushed or the characters/plot seem stereotyped and flat. Picture Perfect Love did not suffer from these afflictions. Even with just a few words, Melissa McClone managed to convey those deep emotions I’ve already mentioned – from both of the main characters – over their past regrets and heartaches.  Jenna and Ashton and even the supporting characters were so dimensional and personable that I easily fell in love with them. (On that note, I also hope we see a series from the author following up with some of the supporting characters!)

Picture Perfect Love snaps up 4 out of 5 stars!

Special thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for only my honest review.

Purchase a copy of Picture Perfect Love for yourself: http://bit.ly/1JJZY8s

About the Author:

Melissa McClone has published more than thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group. She has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds and cats who think they rule the house.

Find Melissa online: website, Twitter, Facebook