Not What We Pictured

Title: Not What We Pictured

Author: Becca Kinzer

Source: own

My Review:

I put this book off for a few weeks because the title was hitting a little too close to home, LOL. However, I have to let go of my regret of judging a book by its title and assuming it would be similar to my situation.

You guys, this book was HILARIOUS. From the opening scene to the closing credits (it absolutely should be a movie!), this story had me in its grips. There are unique elements that made the story funnier, but I will not tell you what they are because you should 100% experience them for yourself.

As if our main characters and their interactions are not enough, we have a fabulous cast of side characters who bring all the snark, meddling, daily meetings, and pure chaos. Now, some of the messes and chaos are a direct result of McKenna's initial decision making and, and you wonder what in the world she was thinking. She wasn't; she really wasn't, LOL. But stick with it; it is all worth it in the end.

★★★★★/5

Synopsis (Goodreads):  

This is absolutely not how they pictured their summer going.

McKenna Boston is feeling stuck. She’s spent years growing her photography skills only for her career to hit a wall. She’s ready to move on, and she will, just as soon as she helps her sister’s boyfriend stage the perfect proposal. But when her best laid plans go awry and a handsome stranger accidentally ends up with the heirloom ring, McKenna hops on a flight to retrieve it. Piece of cake, right?

Nate Lambert was hoping to enjoy a relaxing summer before starting his new job as a literature professor, but he arrives in Tennessee to discover his mom’s bed and breakfast is struggling and there’s a long list of repairs to be tackled. The last thing he needs is a gorgeous, determined photographer searching for a ring he doesn’t have since the airline lost his luggage somewhere on his route from Nebraska.

With the ring nowhere to be found, all McKenna can do is wait and use the time to build her portfolio and plan her next career move. But she also can’t help getting swept up in Nate’s bed and breakfast renovations and in planning a community concert with the townsfolk. As both await news of Nate’s suitcase, it begins to seem their serendipitous meeting, and the proposal gone wrong, could actually be everything going right . . . and that this may be their chance at a love neither could have pictured.

A clean, witty rom com with a forced proximity trope and a reluctant allies love story Features laugh-out-loud humor and a sweet, endearing couple This contemporary summer romance with a Southern small-town setting is great for fans of Sarah Adams, Pepper Basham, and Emma St. Clair

Includes discussion questions for book clubs