nixbix_reads's review against another edition
2.0
There were parts to this I really liked and there were parts that I really didn’t. I loved the team at Buxom Boudoir, especially Cassie. She was such a strong character, and I loved that she enjoyed what she did & knew that her photography made the people in them feel beautiful & empowered. The concepts she came up with for her photoshoots were hot!
I found Reid to be a flatter & less developed character. I didn’t like the way that he seems to be unaware of his privilege and the position of power that he was in. In my opinion, the grovelling that he does in no way makes up for what he did. I also thought the romance between Cassie & Reid was flat, and I didn’t really find them believable as a couple. She seemed to spend a lot of time educating him on what it’s like to not be a white man & he just screws her over.
I found Reid to be a flatter & less developed character. I didn’t like the way that he seems to be unaware of his privilege and the position of power that he was in. In my opinion, the grovelling that he does in no way makes up for what he did. I also thought the romance between Cassie & Reid was flat, and I didn’t really find them believable as a couple. She seemed to spend a lot of time educating him on what it’s like to not be a white man & he just screws her over.
summerreed's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Meh.
Cassie and Reed.
Cassie and Reed.
bluejayreads17's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Interesting plot, location, details and nice writing. I enjoyed the specifics of Chicago, photography and fashion. The ending did not leave enough pages and groveling for me to root for the male main character. What he did was enraging and even his redemption grand gesture didn’t feel like growth or understanding to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Racism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage
finnmyronowsky's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
rebeccas_readingnook's review against another edition
1.0
⭐.5 /5
I really should have DNFd this book but I didn't because I spent $25 on it and I wasn't going to waste that money.
Where do I start:
First, the main character Cass is a black woman who's been fighting tooth and nail to get recognized for her hard work, but keeps getting pushed aside because the white male photographer is "better."
Now they have to team up and work together on a campaign that Cass is supposed to be in charge of (creatively and as the photographer). But the head company wants Reid, the man she ends up falling in love with, to be the "boss" and take the credit of her work.
Her friends pressure her into becoming the main model for the campaign, and show personal pin up photos of her to convince the company to get her to do it. MIND YOU her friend does this without her consent and basically takes the photography job away from her and gives it to Reid.
Her best friend knows that this campaign was going to be her career setting job and she wanted to be the head creator and photographer. Her friend pressures her into doing it, says sorry and with one silly line convinces Cass to do it.
MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!? WHAT SORT OF FRIEND DOES THAT!?
Second, Cass and Reids chemistry was VERY LACKING! they had no spark, no depth to their characters. I was half way through and still didn't know anything substantial about them. Their characters are very basic and not at all developed. They don't make sense together as a couple. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. I honestly found them all immature.
Ugghh.. this book had sooooo much potential to be something to amazing for readers who are looking for body positivity in a book and for readers who are looking for strong characters of colour to relate to. The story sounded like it was going to be so good, fun, romantic and spicy. I love spicy scenes and I was skipping through them because they weren't anything exciting (and I didn't like the characters so I really didn't care).
I'm sad and disappointed in this book. It could have been so much more and it wasn't.
I really should have DNFd this book but I didn't because I spent $25 on it and I wasn't going to waste that money.
Where do I start:
First, the main character Cass is a black woman who's been fighting tooth and nail to get recognized for her hard work, but keeps getting pushed aside because the white male photographer is "better."
Now they have to team up and work together on a campaign that Cass is supposed to be in charge of (creatively and as the photographer). But the head company wants Reid, the man she ends up falling in love with, to be the "boss" and take the credit of her work.
Her friends pressure her into becoming the main model for the campaign, and show personal pin up photos of her to convince the company to get her to do it. MIND YOU her friend does this without her consent and basically takes the photography job away from her and gives it to Reid.
Her best friend knows that this campaign was going to be her career setting job and she wanted to be the head creator and photographer. Her friend pressures her into doing it, says sorry and with one silly line convinces Cass to do it.
MAKE IT MAKE SENSE!? WHAT SORT OF FRIEND DOES THAT!?
Second, Cass and Reids chemistry was VERY LACKING! they had no spark, no depth to their characters. I was half way through and still didn't know anything substantial about them. Their characters are very basic and not at all developed. They don't make sense together as a couple. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. I honestly found them all immature.
Ugghh.. this book had sooooo much potential to be something to amazing for readers who are looking for body positivity in a book and for readers who are looking for strong characters of colour to relate to. The story sounded like it was going to be so good, fun, romantic and spicy. I love spicy scenes and I was skipping through them because they weren't anything exciting (and I didn't like the characters so I really didn't care).
I'm sad and disappointed in this book. It could have been so much more and it wasn't.
rnewk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed The Accidental Pinup. Cassie is a photographer who loves running her boudoir photography business and working with her best friend Dawn who is a plus size influencer. Dawn has a new line of size inclusive lingerie coming out (think Yitty) and is determined that Cassie will be the photographer.
However, when Dawn ends up not being able to model because of her pregnancy and the agency already has a favorite photographer, Reid - Cassie finds herself facing a new option - model and art director.
There are some miscommunications that were frustrating to me and I’m not sure much of this one will stick with me long term but it was still a fun read! Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
However, when Dawn ends up not being able to model because of her pregnancy and the agency already has a favorite photographer, Reid - Cassie finds herself facing a new option - model and art director.
There are some miscommunications that were frustrating to me and I’m not sure much of this one will stick with me long term but it was still a fun read! Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
laurelloaf's review against another edition
I wasn't liking the direction the book was going with some themes. I read a review that confirmed all my worst suspicions so I noped right out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
kaygee_reads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0