Boy meets girl.They make a quick deal.Fake relationship,And they…don’t fall in love.Wait! What? The new tight end for the New York Sharks, Brent Crawford, is one of the sexiest men alive. But he needs an image makeover. With allegations of assault, his sponsors are threatening to drop him. He needs a miracle. He needs Gwen McDougall.Former fashion model and national heroic sweetheart, Gwen … and national heroic sweetheart, Gwen immerses herself into photography, wanting to be on the other side of the lens for a change. She wants more from her photography jobs than premeditated shots of B-list celebutantes, and now is her chance. Gwen just has to agree to help Brent shine up his tarnished reputation. Easy Peasy. After all, he’s Brent Crawford. It’s picture perfect.
But, Brent’s not the Crawford brother she wants. Suddenly picture perfect is rather imperfect.
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I love Mary Frame’s writing and humor. Gwen and Marc were fantastic. She helped him get out from under his fathers expectations. So glad that Marc finally got what he deserved.
Nice easy read. Although a predictable ending, I still enjoyed it a lot, and am looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
What a fun book on a tried and true storyline. Mary Frame gives the fake relationship for the sake of saving a career a whole new spin. Gwen was burned a year ago by the exact same person who is now trying (and maybe succeeding) to ruin Brent Crawford’s football career. All because he rejected her. Yeah, you’ve heard that one before, right? Except when the typical, “we’ll have a fake relationship to restore my reputation” plan starts, there’s a definite twist added. Picture Imperfect is a quick, fun, and entertaining read.
Very well developed main characters and interesting plot.
Excellent! I really enjoyed the witty banter and “hearing” the inner machinations of both the main female and male characters. Great characterizations. The main female character was a genuine, independent and all around lovely person. The main male character was loyal to a fault, kind and very thoughtful. Good story, romance, drama, sabotage and a menace. Quite enough elements to keep any reader entertained. I hope to read many more books by Ms. Frame!
An absolute delight to read!
I received an advance review copy of this novel and I am leaving an honest review.
This has to be my favorite book from this author. And that’s big, considering that “Criminally Imperfect,” the second book in this series (which I highly recommend) became one of my all-time favorite romance novels.
I love a story with multi-dimensional, realistic characters. I’m so sick of “Playboy billionaires,” and “Bad Boy types,” and other cliche heroes. Marc, the hero in this story stole my heart, with his adorable mixture of strength and vulnerability. Just like his face scars protect him from being “too good to be true,” I loved how his (often funny) conflict with his impossible boss/father kept him human, balancing his extreme kindness. In spite of being a gorgeous former model with a load of self-confidence, Gwen the heroine was also humanized by the story of her “breakdown” and her history of emotional abuse. The secondary characters were also rich, and made me wish they were real so I could meet them.
I also love when a story is a slow-boil romance instead of cringe-worthy Insta-Love (or Insta-lust). I deeply enjoyed the process of seeing the characters fall for each other gradually, as they deepened their connection in a very believable way. The best part was that, by the time they get together, you are already in love with them and rooting for their love.
I’ve had quite a few disappointments lately, trying new authors. It is great to have a to-go author you know will never disappoint you.
Not as good as others I have read
This book was great, it kept me guessing and was original
Enjoyed the story very much. Proved never judge someone from the outside only
Sweet story. You will root for Gwen and Marc. And I’m looking forward to Brent’s story!
Gwen is an ex-model who has moved into photography, she is still struggling to get consistent work after a defamatory article about her a year ago. Brent is a footballer that ends up needing some good publicity and a girlfriend everyone will love. Gwen fits this box as she recently saved someone from a sexual predator. The only problem with this new arrangement is Marc, Brent’s older scarred brother, he is everything Gwen has been looking for in a partner.
Marissa is a journalist with more than ‘finding’ stories to harass people.
Entertaining read.
When I read the summary for this book, I was intrigued. The story follows Gwen, Marc, and Brent. Brent, a professional football player, is involved in a contrived scandal. To alleviate the scandal, Brent’s agent suggests he engage in a fake relationship. Earlier in the story, Marc and Brent meet Gwen, a professional photographer. All three hit it off. Marc suggests Gwen play the part of Brent’s faux girlfriend. Unfortunately, Marc and Gwen seem attracted to each other. You will have to read to find out the direction of the story.
Gwen is a strong character in this book. She has every reason to hide from life given her past travails. However, she maintains a positive attitude, and she genuinely cares for others. It is these attributes that attract Marc to her. Even more, she sees beyond Marc’s scars, something no other woman has been able to do in the past. Marc, as a character, is oftentimes pitiful. He has endured an accident that has left him with facial scars; however, he allows it, for most of the book, to get in the way of life. He continues in a thankless job, endures a bullish father, and sees himself in a negative light, making it difficult for he and Gwen to progress. It is only through Gwen’s strength and encouragement that he can make changes in his life and view himself as something other than broken.
I think this romance has a different take on the fake relationship. Even more, the story makes fun of this common romantic trope at one point. Mary Frame, though, offers us a male protagonist who is a bit broken and insecure. He is not the traditionally handsome, alpha male of most romantic books, and I like this. There were times when Marc made me want to shout at him, yet he figured it out in the end. I recommend this book for a nice, easy, different read.
A wonderful written slow burning romance. This cheesy and romantic fake relationship has it all laughs, awkwardness, growing feelings, romance, passion and sexy times. Its a twist on modern day fake relationships with brief cameos from previous characters in this standalone within a series. Gwen hired as a photographer for a photoshoot meets Marc and is drawn to him but his brother Brent gets in trouble and she is asked to be his fake girlfriend. A fun enjoyable must read. A new author to me that i will definitely be looking for more from. I voluntarily reviewed this standalone ARC
I really liked reading this book. I found the complex relationship between three people quite interesting. The female lead character Gwen McDougall is a strong-minded person. She has lived through some of the worst emotional turmoil and eventually with the help of her sister was able to overcome it. Gwen treats everyone with respect regardless of color, race or creed. She left a successful modeling career to pursue her dreams of become a photographer. Right now, she accepts any job because she has bills to pay. However, her dream is to do more serious photography on the cultures in the world on the brink of extinction. She never gives up hope that one day someone will receive her presentation and hire her to do it. Rejections so far. Then on a photoshoot, she meets Marc Crawford and immediately finds him to be a beautiful male specimen to be photographed. But Marc is very conscience of the scars on his face and feels no one would ever be serious with him. His experience has been that women cling to him only to meet his football star younger brother Brent. The two brothers could not be more different from each other. Brent got the looks, height and famous career. Marc on the other hand is not as tall Brent. Brent is over six feet and Marc is under six feet. Brent has a toned physique, while Marc is no slouch, he is slim but not built like Brent. Marc has been the go-to guy in his family. He takes care of his father at work. His father owns the company. But Marc is only an employee not a stock holder. Marc has always taken care of Brent ever since their mother died. Marc has been both mother and father to Brent. Marc’s father is always taking advantage of Marc’s good nature. He even mocks him to his face in regard to his facial scars. Marc’s father is pathetic. When Brent’s reputation takes a hit, Marc suggests Gwen act as Brent’s girlfriend. Brent and Gwen start making appearances but, she is falling for Marc and does not know what to do. The good thing is that Marc is developing feelings for Gwen but his insecurities about his looks hold him back from pursuing her. Then Brent becomes attracted to Gwen and the trouble begins. This is an emotional story of Gwen’s, Marc’s and Brent’s internal and external “scars”. An excellent story and I do recommend it. I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book I have read from Ms Frame and it definitely won’t be the last.
I enjoyed the dual point of view from the two main characters.
The story has humour, heartbreak, friendship, stalking and sex scenes. This very entertaining story. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I also intend reading the books in the series before this one.
I voluntarily reviewed and advanced reader copy of this book on behalf of Hidden Gems.
WOW! I this is the best story. This author is new to me but I will definitely be one clicking more of her books. So well written and funny and it kept my attention from the beginning to the end.
Brent is a pro football player and the star in the family. His brother Marc has always made sure Brent and his career were put front and center. Actually Marc puts everyone but himself front and center for whatever they need or want. Marc suffered damage to one side of his face from an accident and since that time he knows he is scared and thinks he is the lesser of the two brothers. He has come to terms with the fact all the women want his brother Brent so even when his girlfriend goes after his brother he isn’t terribly surprised.
Gwen is a struggling photographer. She was a former model and has the build and looks for it but her heart just wasn’t up for all the fake that went along with that industry so she changed careers and is trying to be seen as more than a beautiful blond. When events puts her and Brent together you would think those two beautiful people are perfect for each other. Well the love gods have other ideas.
I absolutely loved this story. It is so well written and gives a different twist to pretend lovers turned real. I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it. I was given a copy to read and review and give my honest opinion. I loved it. Definitely 5 stars and now I am off to find more from this author
I truly love all of Mary Frame’s books! This one was not an exception to that statement. It starts as quite a few romance stories do, a “fake” dating situation that will become a course to real love. This story is a bit different though, in that Gwen does not fall for the fake boyfriend, Brent (who most of the world would see as the prize guy) but she falls for his brother Marc (who is the” imperfect” one, but “perfect” for her).
I fell in love with Marc also. I could easily see that Gwen would pick him over his brother and I was cheering them on and hoping for a happy ending. Since it is a romance book, I felt assured that my wishes would come true.
Mary Frame does an amazing job of character development in a somewhat short story. There are a few plots going on and all are handled very well. Her writing draws emotions from the reader; some happiness, some sadness and a lot of laughter.
The story is very positive and uplifting and just the right amount of sexy.
The next book in this series will be Brent’s story. I have already picked the perfectly imperfect gal for him. I would like him to meet Scarlett (she is from Texas and she bakes delicious cupcakes and other deserts and is a bit naive) and fall head over heels in love with her! Fingers crossed 🙂
I received the ARC of this book from the author for an honest review. That was very easy to do. Her books have brought me so much pleasure; I want to share my feelings about her writing to others.
I really enjoyed this story. The characters were very well-drawn. There are a couple of plot twists over the normal “fake relationship” trope. I recommend this book.
Short review. Fourth book in the Imperfect series, each book keeps getting better and better. Not your typical fake relationship love story. It has a fun twist and three main characters Gwen, Marc and his brother Brent that you can’t help but like even love. This book like all in the series is a standalone but characters from the previous books do make appearances. I can’t wait for Brent’s book and see who he falls in love with.
“Some scars are invisible.”
This is book 4 in the Imperfect Series. It is my first Mary Frame read and I’m kicking myself for not reading the books in order. I obviously don’t know if I missed anything, but I feel in love with the characters and wish I had their backstories. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, but don’t want to give away whose story it is!
“I’ve been so good at pushing people away for the last year I didn’t realize how much I was holding back who I am and what I’ve been missing out on.”
This book has everything you’d want in a book! It’s filled with heartfelt moments, self discovery, healing, regret, secrets, chemistry, sexy times, friendship, heartache, betrayal and hope. I was cheering for this couple and didn’t know how it was going to pan out in the end…cliffhanger or conclusion.