ABOUT THE BOOK

Stella is determined to become a successful wedding photographer, even if it means learning from Connor Knight, a wedding shooter with sexy rock star status and an ego to match.

Burned by an affair that ended her last career, Stella should know better than to get entangled with Connor during a residential course in a romantic French chateau. But while his arrogance turns her off, his talent turns her on.

Their clashes lead to a whirlwind of passion, but Stella struggles to frame a future with a man who’s come to distrust “happily ever afters” and hides a softer side behind his image. Can Stella learn from her past mistakes and teach Connor about real love before he disappears from the picture?

MY REVIEW

Holy Thumb Wars! What a refreshing laugh-fest about starting over.  I’m looking forward to reading more from Ms. Boggio.

Her mother had raised her better. Stella Price’s life has blown up and her new career choice as a wedding photographer may be another mistake in her big long list of fuck ups. But she’s determined to make it work come hell or high water, even if that means wrestling thumbs with the sexiest man alive to win a one-week photography course in France.

Connor Knight is the best wedding photographer around and definitely not hard on the eyes, but he’s a player surrounded by beautiful women and he’s Stella’s mentor. Nope. She’s not going down that road again. That’s how she lost her first job while she was outed very publicly by a scorned wife. Stella fights so hard to overcome the shame and guilt of her infidelity that she has a hard time trusting herself to choose wisely. The more Stella tries to avoid Connor, the more they are thrown together and the chemistry leads to hooking up. In Stella’s case, she falls in love, but Connor made it clear he doesn’t believe in love or marriage. With Stella’s habit of jumping to conclusions due to her past bad relationships and lack of self-confidence, she dismisses the attraction as a one-time thing and moves on. I don’t know what to think about Connor. I had misgivings from the start with his arrogance and smooth lines. Did he redeem himself at the end? Perhaps. With advice from a motley crew of kooky friends and confronting her past, Stella comes into her own, fights for her happiness, and receives a hilarious, creative, and very public confession from Connor.

The supporting characters are so entertaining and important to the story. Stella’s best friend, Claudia is tactless and loyal. Ula, Stella’s therapist cleaner may dabble in porn. Liliwen is a 60-something-year-old Welsh pixie who takes “dirty old woman” to a new level. Not to mention Stella’s first clients, Paulina and Oliwier who throw an unforgettably hilarious and crazy wedding.

I recommend this delightful rom-com with quirky characters, beautiful locations, and lessons on learning to do the hard things and not letting fear run your life.

Thank you to Ms. Boggio for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

BUY THE BOOK

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from New Jersey, Julia Boggio moved to London in her early twenties. She worked as an advertising copywriter until discovering her love of photography on a 6-month trip around South America. She started a wedding photography business which received some great PR when her own Dirty Dancing-themed wedding dance went viral on YouTube. She appeared on Richard & Judy and The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she danced with Patrick Swayze. In 2009 she opened a luxury portrait studio and has photographed everyone from the Queen to Queen, the band. After 15 years as a photographer, she returned to her first love: writing. Julia Boggio books focus on strong female characters with real, complicated lives, delivered with humour and feel-good factor. 

Listen to Julia’s book podcast, TWO LIT CHICKS,

Follow Julia on Twitter, Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram and her website.

FOLLOW THE BLOG TOUR

BLOG TOUR ORGANIZED BY: