 Mainstream Fiction |
PICTURE PERFECT Reon Carter Genesis Press February 2000 (4+) Wayne Jordan |
|
PLOT SYNOPSIS: |
|
|
REVIEW: |
|
|
When
Cassidy Adams meets Brian Lassiter, he’s the last person she wants in her
life. Wary of love, and despite her
attraction to him, she rejects his attempts to befriend her.
Brian is a professional athlete and to Cassidy that’s reason enough to
run in the other direction. Over
time, Cassidy realizes that Brain is not the “player” she thinks he is.
Instead, she realizes that he’s a sensitive, caring individual.
A relationship ensures, but one that is plagued by the insecurities they
both feel. Brian, too, has had his
own disappointment with love, and when Cassidy’s ex-boyfriend comes visiting,
his inability to trust surfaces. Add
an ex-wife bent on winning Brian back, and we have the making of a soap opera. Ms.
Carter, however, does not at anytime become melodramatic.
Instead, PICTURE PERFECT is a complex
character study of the two main protagonists, their journey towards learning to
trust again, and how they handle the current problems in their lives. The
focus on Brian’s and Cassidy’s community work is another plus in the
effectiveness of this story. Their
relationship with a troubled child is handled with gentleness, and helps us to
sees the beauty of each of these characters.
Along with this, the fact that both Brain and Cassidy carry the sickle
cell trait helps to complicate the relationship, while at the same time making
readers aware of the seriousness of this disease. Along
with Cassidy and Brian, Ms. Carter, creates another complex relationship, which
I would have loved to see developed into a separate book.
Natalie, Cassidy’s best friend, and Greg, Brian’s best friend are
complete opposites. Natalie,
accustomed to tall muscular men, is appalled when Brian and Cassidy try to set
her up with Greg. She admits he’s
nice, but Greg, a bit fat around the middle and balding, is definitely not her
type. When Natalie pokes fun at him
with a coworker and he overhears, his devastation makes her take a good look at
herself. What eventually happens is
worth the read, and readers will find themselves routing for Greg. On looking back, so much seems to happen in PICTURE PERFECT, but Ms. Carter handles all these elements with control and restraint, and at no time does this reviewer become confused, and bogged down with all that happens. Two wonderful romances, appealing characters and a solid plot that also seals with serious issues makes PICTURE PERFECT, the perfect debut book. I have to admit that I loved PICTURE PERFECT. Ms. Carter has already defined a clear distinct voice, and is definitely a talent to watch. I’ve already placed PICTURE PERFECT on my keeper shelf!! |
|
|
wayne@romanceincolor.net (22nd February 2000) |
|