2.5 stars.

I realllllly wanted to like this book, but found it a bit unrealistic, and quite boring, unfortunately. I feel like Reid taking the deal (even before he knew Cassie) was super shady in the first place. Dana didn’t feel like a real person, she felt more like an idea. She was pretty flat and dimension-less. I think other people may enjoy this book, it just wasn’t for me.

Super cute and just the right book to recommend when someone wants something that simmers and sizzles, but also features BIPOC creative and living experiences and grounds the sizzle with angst and complications.

Our heroine in this novel, Cassie, is an up-and-coming boudoir photographer. When her BFF, Dana releases a new lingerie line, Cassie is a shoe-in for art director and photographer on the campaign. Except the brand has other ideas, instead hiring her rival, Reid, and making Cassie the model. While the two get off to a tumultuous start, Reid's acceptance of her ideas and eyes for her body bring the two closer together.

All I can really say is that Cassie really got screwed over, here. How can she call Dana her BFF when she let her friend get pushed out of the job she had hired her for? It makes no sense and I'm not sure why either Dana or Cassie accepted the switcheroo so easily. It's not like Cassie was hoping to enter modeling and this could build her brand that way. She's a photographer, and this was not the way to gain traction in her profession. While the rest of the book was fine--good, even--I couldn't get over this major point and bring this book into five-star territory for me.

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 6/10

As the proud plus size photographer, Cassie Harris is proud of her company, Buxom Boudoir, and all she has accomplished as a businessperson. When she ends up modeling for her best friend’s lingerie campaign, she is frustrated to find her long-time rival Reid Montgomery, behind the camera. Can their growing feelings survive the competition?
This was a fun, feisty, diverse contemporary romance. I enjoyed the setting, Chicago, as well as the strong women characters and body positive message. The characters were likeable, but the middle third was a bit slow paced, and several situations were a little unbelievable and unprofessional for a character who was very concerned about being professional. I bought it for my collection and will recommend it to library patrons. Overall, an enjoyable read with a few bumps. 3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

This book has plus sized and POC rep and I couldn't ask for more in my stories, especially when the plus sized rep is done well! This story was a fun read and I enjoyed it a lot. My library ordered it right away!

Thank you #Netgalley for an early read of #TheAccidentalPinup

Plus size and POC representation. I am in love. This felt so special and heartfelt. I connected so deeply to the characters. This is a hit

What was not for me?
So i put what was not for me instead of what could be better because it really is a PERSONAL TASTE kind of thing…it has the keeping a secret/spy trope and that is my least favorite one, so just warning for others who don’t like this trope! I still really loved the story even with the trope!

What I loved?
There was a lot of representation in this novel from characters of all size, particularly the plus sized main character with luscious curves, to the best friend who was part of the LGBTQIA+ community. I think the author did an excellent job representing a variety of people.

I love how they talked about how much representation matters and the faults of the clothes/lingerie community where they don’t serve their plus sized community in the way they should.

I loved the premise and the enemies to lovers vibe it had going on.

I loved how Cassie started off as a character who knew what she wanted and was not going to compromise. I also loved hearing about her journey to make it.

I loved the growth and arc of the leading man Reid, he was not perfect in the slightest and didn’t start off as a book boyfriend worthy character, but by the end he made me swoon!

I just thought this book was such a cute, fun and easy read!

If you like enemies to lovers with some great rep thrown in and characters with immediate chemistry? I would check this out!

The Accidental Pinup follows Cassie, a photographer running a boudoir business, and her best friend, Dawn, who is a plus-size influencer. When Dawn has a new line of size-inclusive lingerie coming out she is determined that Cassie will be the photographer for her products. When an unexpected twist occurs, Cassie finds herself working alongside an unexpected partner. This was an interesting story and a very cute storyline.

Thoughts: I've been fascinated by the world of boudoir photography for years! Naturally, when I first saw the cover for The Accidental Pinup (almost a year ago, at this point), I knew immediately that I had to read it. There's a lot to love about this book, but I'd say 90% of it all comes back to Cassie.

She is a plus-size, Black business owner. She is the epitome of strength and confidence. Honestly, my one complaint about Cassie is that she doesn't have much of character ARC... because she's a boss from start to finish. It doesn't leave much room for growth. As a white, male photographer - and Cassie's biggest competition - Reid hasn't faced nearly the amount of challenges that Cassie has (personally or professionally). What I did appreciate about him was his willingness to listen to Cassie and grow, both individually and within their relationship.

Overall, this is a pretty dang adorable read. The pacing is a little... iffy (almost as if certain scenes/moments were cut without explanation) and in general, everything works out a little too easily, but if you're looking for a stress-free read with a cast of loveable characters (I really hope we get more books in this series), then this is the book for you. The characters' self-awareness and emotional intelligence was refreshing and something I'd love to see from more romance novels.

Heart: 9/10
Humor: 6/10
Heat: 7/10
Goodreads: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 (rounded up)

*Full podcast review coming soon!*

With its emphasis on diverse representation and body positivity, there was a lot to be excited about with The Accidental Pinup, but it flat-lined on execution. As a black female in the photography business, Cassie has to work twice as hard to be recognized for her work. When the opportunity to make her career comes along, she's thrilled but with a little company politics, the opportunity is nearly over before it starts. Rather than photographing her best friend for her dreamy lingerie collection, Cassie is the model in front of it. The photographer? Reid, the white man that Cassie has been losing jobs to over the years. As the two work on the campaign, will they be able to put aside their differences to explore what's really simmering between them?

One of the problems I had with the novel was how Cassie was treated by her best friend, Diana, and Reid. When it becomes evident that Diana is unable to model lingerie from her collection, she offers up Cassie as a replacement (and shows some not so PG photos!) without her knowledge or permission. That was gross. Reid was also no leading man. Forget that they had no chemistry. When the higher-ups didn't trust that Cassie would go a good job on the campaign, Reid agreed (for a pay bump) to keep an eye on her and make sure that she didn't cause any problems, and toed the company line. That, and he's been taking jobs away from her for years and they suddenly start to date? The whole relationship just felt rushed.

The Accidental Pinup is a fresh contemporary romance that will leave you swoony, steamy and laughing. I loved the nod to plus sized women, embracing all sizes can be sexy and Danielle is just a wonderful writer. I can't wait to see what else she puts out. She's one to watch for sure!

Watch my Amazon Live Interview with Danielle here: https://amazon.com/live/broadcast/6c6c1f9e-8fe1-4c61-adf1-f5ad2589ac8e?tag=erinmbransco-20&linkCode=ilv&ref_=social

Chicagoan Cassie Harris runs a successful company, Buxom Boudoir. Her photography skills flatter every client, while her personality makes them feel at ease. But she is ready to take her career to the next level, maybe even have time to work on more artistic shots. Such an opportunity arises when her best friend, Dana, a popular plus-size model, is asked to develop a body positive lingerie line called Dreamland. Dana will be the face of the campaign while Cassie will serve as photographer and artistic director.

Dana and her wife, however, are expecting a baby, and after a health scare, the doctor puts Dana on strict bed rest. Unable to model her designs, she turns to the only person she trusts; Cassie. Even though she’s more comfortable behind the camera, the beautiful, plus-size Black woman will be the perfect embodiment of Dreamland.

Lucious Lingerie, the company backing Dana, agrees, but balks when she wants the untested Cassie to be artistic director. Finally, they agree, but insist on hiring their go-to photographer Reid Montgomery. Though Cassie has never met him, his name is familiar: she’s competed with him for several jobs.

Sparks fly between Cassie and Reid but not only does he struggle to understand the systematic racism and sexism that Cassie, he also holds secrets that would torpedo any possibility of a relationship between them.

Cassie, her co-workers, and Dana and her wife were such a fun, supportive group of characters. (Friendsgiving at Cassie’s studio was one of my favorite scenes.) I enjoyed having professional photographers as main characters, and loved that the heroine is a successful, happy, plus-size Black woman.

While Reid’s grand gesture was powerful and, more importantly, on point, I never warmed up to him or was completely invested in their relationship, and I thought Cassie deserved someone so much better.

Danielle Jackson is a local-to-me author and I’m looking forward to meeting her on the 11th!

The Accidental Pinup is a body positive rom-com that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. We need more books with strong, independent female leads!

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.

This was such a fun yet empowering book. I loved how she still oursued her photographer dream even as she also was a model. The romance had tons of chemistry. The heroine was very secure in herself. All in all a charming read.

I DNF'd this book, as it did not keep me interested.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

I love the idea of this book and I thought the writing was good. What made me like it less was how fast the romance moved. I prefer a romance to be a little bit more drawn out and have me just dying for a first kiss. I would give another book by this author a try!

This is one I absolutely wanted to love, how could I not? we get a plus sized black female main character who has started her own business in photography alongside her queer best friend who is also doing her thing! my issues began with the introduction of our male love interest, essentially it's a hate to love/workplace (sort of) romance but that aspect is short-lived. A lingerie campaign has launched and both Cassie and Reid are placed in a position of competition, but plot twist it's not really a competition if our white male love interest has basically already been given the job. Cassie is pushed into becoming the plus sized model for the campaign and Reid is told and paid by higher ups to make sure she stays in her lane. This was cringe to say the least especially because we actually got to see Cassie's work described and her aesthetic and approach really appealed to me. Nothing about what Reid was doing sounded like he should be the one hired for the job. Yes, he was also aware of the unequal treatment Cassie was getting but bottom line his interests trumped making things right. I would've loved to have seen him put his foot down and this turn into an actual competition with photo shoots and some hate to love moments sprinkled throughout. The instalove didn't make sense to me, it felt like our girl was blindsided and given a meh love story. The premise was solid, Cassie was intriguing and creative, I LOVED the friend group! but ultimately this is a romance and that is where it fell short.

Disappointed to say I did not enjoy this book at all.. The set up was more uncomfortable to read than advertised and the character's lack of chemistry did nothing to make up for it. I'm not a fan of the writing either. Overall, would not recommend.

It feels a bit like insta-lust and that does not work as well for me given that the pairing is more rivals/enemies-to-lovers. I loved the body-positive lingerie elements in this a lot though so your mileage may vary.