Release Day Launch: Picture Perfect by Alessandra Thomas (Review & Giveaway)

Hello, Therians!

Happy Book Birthday to Alessandra Thomas and Picture Perfect!!

 

Check out my review below, and don't miss out on the chance to win a copy of this amazing book!

 

SYNOPSIS 

Fashion design major Cat Mitchell has a closet full of gorgeous clothes - and not a single thing fits. After two years of runway modeling for easy cash, an accident shattered her lower leg bone and her self-esteem in just one swift fall. Ten months of no exercise, prescription steroids, comfort eating and yoga pants meant returning to campus as a size twelve instead of her former size two. When her gorgeous long-time friend with benefits sees her for the first time after her accident and snubs her in front of all her friends, Cat’s self-image hits rock bottom. Her sorority sisters all insist that she looks gorgeous, but all Cat sees is the roll of her stomach when she sits down, or the dimpling at the back of her thighs that wasn't there last year. Cat’s therapist prescribes something radical to stop the downward spiral - nude modeling for a nearby college's human form drawing classes. When Cat faces her fears and bares it all for the class, she realizes that she's posing naked in front the most gorgeous, buffest guy she's ever seen in her life. He asks her out after the class, and after one steamy night together, Cat's absolutely smitten.

Nate’s pretty close to perfect – he takes Cat rock climbing when he discovers that it makes her feel strong and becomes a great chef after he learns that the perfect pesto sauce makes her swoon. Cat starts to feel like her old self again - confident and beautiful - as long as Nate's around. Even when he discourages her from entering the Real Woman Project, a design competition for plus-sized apparel, she reasons that he's just trying to prevent old body image wounds from splitting wide open again. But when Cat goes home with Nate for Thanksgiving, she discovers something shocking from his recent past that proves that he hasn’t always been so encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. Cat has no idea what to think, but she does know one thing - this might destroy their relationship before it's even had a chance to get off the ground.

Before Cat can figure out whether the real Nate is the sensitive, adoring guy she fell in love with, or an undercover asshole, she'll have to finally feel comfortable in her own skin - even if it means leaving him forever.

 

 

REVIEW 

I absolutely loved this book!

 

It spoke to me on such a personal level because I recognized myself in Cat. Anyone who has had some kind of insecurity or body issue will connect with this story and its characters.

 

Firstly, Joey is the best friend anyone could ask for. She needs to be cloned and given to every woman on this planet as a Christmas gift!

 

I loved that Cat was a real woman. She was stick thin before, but after a terrible accident, she'd put on weight and her entire world seemed to fall apart. But this was mostly due to Cat's belief that outer beauty held more value than inner beauty.

 

Okay, so it wasn't all Cat's fault. Unfortunately, society has made most people believe that if you don't fit a certain standard you're not good enough, and this was displayed throughout this book.

 

There were a few comedic moments that made me snicker but, had I been in Cat's shoes, I'd definitely be feeling the same way. I think, every woman, whether thin, fat, tall, or short, has had a moment when they didn't feel comfortable in their body. And most everyone has been through that dreaded moment of having to be naked in front of their new partner for the first time. Wondering if he'll notice the dimples on your thighs or that your stomach isn't as toned and flab-free as your flattering clothing had suggested. It is definitely a cringe worthy moment!!

 

Nate was such a fantastic guy. Although I did have an inkling that his past was a little shady, he was just too gorgeous and understanding. I guess every girl wants to believe that their guy loves them, even with the extra baggage they're carrying around, so it was easy to see why Cat was so infatuated. Nate even put up with her mini freak outs.

 

When Cat uncovers Nate's past discrepancies and runs out, I was "Hell, yeah! You go girl!" but I also wanted to slap her and tell her to confront him before running out on him. After all, he seemed so genuine, there had to be a good explanation.

 

Nate's introduction for Project Real Woman was moving and tugged at my heart-strings. But I was also glad that Cat had finally realized that she was a powerful, beautiful woman, who was able to stand on her own two feet. With a strong message delivered in her presentation, she no longer needed the approval of anyone to tell her she was good enough. 

 

Cat and Nate's love story is beautiful, but this book was so much more than just a romance novel. It was a wonderful story about the courage to face the world, even after it knocks you down, and to love and accept yourself no matter what size you are. Because the only person who can hold you back from living a full and happy life is yourself.

 

Only you can deem yourself worthy, strong and deserving.

 

 

It gets a well deserved...

 

 

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alessandra 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.

Links:

Goodreads

Twitter

Facebook

Be sure to check out all the stops on this tour:

March 25^th

I Love Lady Porn-Excerpt & Review
The Book Goddess-Interview & Review

March 26^th

RELEASE LAUNCH DAY

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

March 27^th

Globug & Hootie-Guest Post
Into the Hall of Books-Review

March 28^th

Bound by Books-Interview
Defiantly Deviant-Review

March 29^th

Chick Loves Lit-Excerpt
The Romance Bookie-Review

March 30^th

Enticed by Books-Review
Magnet 4 Books-Guest Post

March 31^st

#BookNerd-Guest Post
Bookworm’s Multiverse-Interview

April 1^st

ReaderGirls-Excerpt & Review
Anna’s Romantic Reads-Guest Post & Review

April 2^nd

Books Over Boys-Guest Post
Just A BookLover-Character Interview & Reivew

April 3^rd

The Bookish Babe-Guest Post & Review
Always YA at Heart-Interview & Review

April 4^th

In Between Reading and Writing-Review
Once Upon A Twilight-Guest Post

April 5^th

FicTalk-Interview & Review
Dazzled by Books-Guest Post & Review

April 6^th

Book Bitches Blog-Excerpt & Review
My Guilty Obsession-Guest Post & Review

April 7^th

A Book Lover’s Review-Review
Babbling of a Bookaholic-Character Interview & Review