The Accidental Pinup

"I love the concept for this book and all the representation. However, the storyline and writing just didn’t connect with me. Everything from the characters to the friend groups to the chemistry just felt really forced. <semi spoilers> Early on the reader finds out Reid is keeping a major secret from Cassie that will hurt her career. Knowing this early on and the. Seeing their relationship develop just had me waiting for Cassie to find out the secret. Everything felt so fake because the reader was let in on this secret that obviously blows up in a third-act breakup. <spoiler rant over> This started really slow for me and never picked up. Good concept, but missing any real chemistry between characters for me. 3.5⭐️, 3🌶"

"Tropes: Rivals to Lovers The Accidental Pinup is a sweet and cheeky romance about Cassie, a Chicago photographer helping her plus sized model friend Dana to launch a size inclusive lingerie line. 🖤As a Black woman and relative newcomer to the fashion scene, Cassie knows that the opportunity to photograph and art direct for this new line will make or break her career. Unfortunately, the company producing the line would rather work with their trusted (white, male) photographer, Reid. 📷When complications with Dana's pregnancy mean she can't model for the campaign, a compromise is struck in which Cassie can keep her role as art director, if she agrees to model the collection in front of Reid's camera. 👙Reid is totally onboard with Cassie's vision, but she is concerned about losing control of her big shot at success. Her fears are justified, as Reid finds himself caught between supporting Cassie and pleasing the execs who don't want to take a chance on her. 💞All the while, sparks fly as Reid and Cassie bond over their art On the whole, this book is super cute and the characters are extremely relatable. Cassie has some insecurities, but she powers through them without breaking stride. And Reid is a sweetheart who, despite a bit of cluelessness about what her experiences have been like, clearly adores and respects Cassie. I love and appreciate that Jackson doesn't shy away from the pressures, both over and subtle, that Cassie faces as a Black woman in her industry. My only complaint? I'd have liked to see a bit more groveling 😅 💞I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute Valentines Day read or trying to introduce more Black authors to their romance rotation💞"

"LOVED, LOVED, LOVED everything about this book!!!! The representation is phenomenal and i love how Cassie is portrayed in this story. Cassie and Reid’s love story is everythingggggg!! Definitely enjoyed."