3.75+ Stars

I managed to obtain this book secondhand from Vinnies, and I was extremely excited to come across a Jodi Picoult novel! At first, it had a rather slow start, but as I delved deeper, it transformed into a real page-turner.

The storyline was so engaging that it constantly kept me on the edge of my seat, and I simply couldn't predict how the story would unfold.

Early on, a potential love triangle emerges. The question of who the heroine should side with is a very complex one. In the end, however, circumstances compelled Cassie to make a decision.

Cassie won my heart right from the beginning, and the same goes for Will and his family. Sadly, all the other characters didn't quite measure up for me.

The ending left me with a strong desire for more. I would have truly loved to have a nice epilogue to help balance out the harrowing scenarios that were endured throughout this story. It would have provided a more satisfying conclusion and given me a better sense of closure.

Overall, despite the few不足之处, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to other fans of Jodi Picoult.

I initially intended to rate this book as a 3-star one. However, as I delved deeper into it, I came to realize just how much I enjoyed the experience of reading it. This was despite the fact that I didn't particularly like the main characters. What truly appealed to me was the author's simple yet captivating writing style. It had a charm that drew me in and kept me engaged throughout.

So, I would say it's more of a 3.5-star book, which I have rounded up to 4. I am now eager to explore more of her works. I had been in need of something like this to overcome the hangover from the mind-blowing books I had been reading lately. It served as a great escape, helping me to forget about a long and tiring working day. It felt really good to be able to read without having to think too much. This indicates that it is a simple book with a rather common plot.

And perhaps that also means I need a holiday

3.5 stars

This rating of 3.5 stars indicates a moderately good experience. It suggests that the product or service in question has several positive aspects.

Perhaps it offers decent quality, with some notable features or benefits. However, it may also have a few areas that could be improved upon.

Maybe the design is not as sleek as expected, or there are some minor glitches in its functionality.

Nonetheless, overall, it still manages to provide a satisfactory level of performance.

It's not quite a 4 or 5-star gem, but it's definitely not a disappointment either.

It's a solid option that can meet the needs of many consumers, especially those who are looking for a balance between quality and affordability.

With a little bit of refinement in the areas that need attention, it could potentially move up the rating scale and become an even more outstanding offering.

3.5/5 stars*

"Picture Perfect" is a captivating novel that delves into the complex and often disturbing world of domestic abuse. It tells the story of Cassie Barret, a university anthropologist, and her marriage to Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood's biggest stars. On the surface, their relationship appears idyllic, but beneath the glamorous exterior lies a dark secret. Their marriage is a cycle of violence and denial, a reality that Cassie struggles to come to terms with.

Trigger Warning: This book explores the topic of domestic abuse in great detail. It is not a light read and can be uncomfortable and disturbing at times. The portrayal of the abusive character may even frustrate some readers, especially if they stop reading before reaching the end. However, if you persevere and read the entire book, you will realize that Picoult does an excellent job of depicting the emotional turmoil and strength that victims of abuse must go through. She shows how difficult it can be for them to accept the truth about their relationship and find the courage to leave.

Picoult's writing is truly beautiful and moving. She has a talent for making her characters come alive on the page, and you can't help but feel empathy for them. Because of this, "Picture Perfect" can be an exhaustive read, but it is also a very engaging one. It is not a book that you can simply pick up and put down; it will stay with you long after you have finished reading. If you are looking for a thought-provoking and powerful novel, then "Picture Perfect" is definitely worth a read.

This book was absolutely my favourite of Jodi Picoult's, which is something opposite from what other readers might think.

Although the Indian folklore presented in the book was rather boring to some extent, the exposure of marital physical abuse in it is more than real.

It might seem like a "perfect fairy tale" type of story on the surface, but perhaps that's because I'm one of those younger readers.

I was deeply touched by the complex emotions and the realistic portrayal of the characters' struggles.

The way Picoult addressed the issue of abuse made me think about the importance of recognizing and dealing with such problems in real life.

Overall, despite its flaws, this book left a lasting impression on me and made me appreciate Picoult's writing even more.

So so bad. I gave it 2 stars only because I do like J.P. If this had been the first J.P book I had ever read, I could almost 100% guarantee that I would never read another, because this was BAD, so so so BAD. I really did not like any of the characters. The plot seemed superficial to me. Coercive controls and domestic abuse are extremely important issues that need to be talked about and talked about correctly. However, this book simply failed to do that. It trivialized these serious problems into something "nice" just because the couple involved were supposedly famous. And can someone please explain to me what the relevance of the American Indians was in the story? It just seemed completely unnecessary to the plot. Jodi is my "safe author", the one I turn to when I haven't enjoyed a book because I know I will like one of hers. But this time, I did not. NOW what do I do?

The first 50 pages or so really had me scratching my head and wondering what on earth I was reading. In fact, I almost gave up on it altogether.

But then, something magical happened. After those initial pages, I became completely engrossed in the story. The pages seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, I was deep into the book.

I have most of Picoult's back catalogue still to read, and I'm really looking forward to the next one. I can't wait to see what other amazing stories she has in store for us.

Overall, this book had a slow start, but it definitely picked up and became a real page-turner. I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery or drama.

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I had an abundance of issues with this particular book.

It truly irked me that Jodi Piccoult chose to handle the extremely intense topic of domestic violence through such an unrealistic premise. Seriously, think about it. How many A-list celebrities do you actually know who fall in love with ordinary, plain-Jane anthropologists and then manage to win Oscars for best actor, best director, and best picture all at the same time? (By the way, this has never happened before in reality.) This made it incredibly challenging for an average girl like me to relate to Cassie's high-profile relationship. Instead of bringing the subject of spousal abuse closer to home, it had the opposite effect and distanced it.

Moreover, I detested all the characters, with the exception of the Native Americans. Ms. Piccoult gives the impression that Cassie and Alex found each other because they are the only two people in this world with more than one dimension. All the other women in the book are either brainless, crazed fans, slutty whores, or grandmother figures. I suppose if that were the pool I had to choose from, I'd pick Cassie too. But other than that, I simply can't for the life of me figure out what makes her so special. And I had just as many problems with Alex. Leaving aside the abuse, he goes back and forth from being self-pitying to self-entitled, and his obsession with Cassie borders on being annoying.

Personally, I don't have any firsthand experience with domestic violence to determine whether or not Piccoult accurately portrayed it. However, based on her completely unrealistic depictions of so many other things in the book, I have my doubts.

Cassie wakes up in the middle of a cemetery! Injured, alone, and without memory, she is found by a newly arrived police officer in Los Angeles until she is identified by her husband through a newspaper advertisement. Her husband, Alex Rivers, is the Brad Pitt of the moment and shows Cassie a life that is not the one she lived. Until the memory returns!

In this "Perfect Illusion", the typical moral dilemma that Picoult accustomed me to in other books is lacking. We don't have to choose or ponder over who is the guilty party and who is the victim. We don't have to put ourselves in the position of choosing between two sides of a balance. In this book, the sentence is already defined from the beginning. I wouldn't say that the book is predictable, but simply that it doesn't have the suspense of other books by the author.

Because of this, and it doesn't mean that it's not an extremely well-written and constructed book, I was a bit disappointed! The book is good, it's just not a Picoult book. There is something missing in this story and even though the ending is closer to what usually happens in her books, it's not completely closed or conclusive, which, in my opinion, this type of plot deserved.

I'm not saying that people won't like the book. Because the story is original and interesting. But, Picoult fans won't find her mark, her stamp on these pages!

This is a remarkable book that delves into the disturbing topic of spousal abuse. Alex and Cassie tie the knot, but unfortunately, shortly after, Alex begins to physically abuse Cassie. The beatings are not just isolated incidents; they occur repeatedly. Cassie, in her naivete, believes that she can "love him through it." However, when they have a child, her maternal instincts kick in, and she realizes that she must take the baby and flee her home and husband to ensure their safety.

The author has handled this sensitive subject matter extremely well, presenting it in a way that is both thought-provoking and engaging.

Thank you, Ms. Picoult, for providing such a good read.

P.S. I have a personal experience related to this topic. When I was in college, I worked the weekend graveyard shift in a hospital ER. One night, a drunken husband brought in his wife. She was conscious, but one of her ears was virtually torn off, and she had multiple contusions and cuts on her face. Tragically, she passed away later that night due to internal injuries. Her husband had beaten her to death! This woman's death had a profound impact on me, making me realize how easily something like that could happen to anyone. It made me think, "There but by the grace of God go I." Later, when I met my future husband, during the engagement period, I tested him - his temper and his control - because of the memory of that poor lady whose husband had beaten her to death. I firmly believe that Ms. Picoult must have had some personal knowledge about battered wife syndrome, either through direct experience or extensive research.

This book had just enough interest to keep me reading until the end.

However, I was disappointed. It's my first Picoult book, and I truly hope her others are better.

The story was unfortunately too predictable. From the very beginning, I could almost guess how it would unfold.

Moreover, it dragged at times. Some of the scenes seemed to go on forever, making it a bit of a chore to get through.

Despite having some redeeming qualities that managed to hold my attention, overall, it didn't meet my expectations.

I'm still willing to give Picoult another chance with her other works, hoping to discover the brilliance that I've heard so much about.

Maybe the next book will be a more engaging and satisfying read.

Until then, I'll keep my fingers crossed.