The Accidental Pinup Review

by Danielle Jackson

From the Back

Rival photographers are forced to collaborate on a body-positive lingerie campaign, but they might have to readjust their focus when sparks fly.

Photographer Cassie Harris loves her job—her company Buxom Boudoir makes people look beautiful and feel empowered with her modern twist on classic pinup photography. Cassie’s best friend, Dana, is about to launch her own dangerously dreamy lingerie line and wants Cassie to shoot and direct the career-changing national campaign. But company politics and Dana’s complicated pregnancy interfere, and Cassie finds herself—a proud plus size Black woman—not behind the camera but in front of it.

Though she’s never modeled herself, Cassie’s pretty sure she can handle the sheer underwear and caution tape bralettes. She’s not sure she can work so intimately with the chosen photographer, her long-time competitor in the Chicago photography scene, Reid Montgomery. Their chemistry is undeniable on set, however, and feelings can develop faster than film…

What You Get

• Rivals-to-Lovers

• Forced Proximity

• Body Positivity & Empowerment

Review

I really liked how this book focused on women and encouraged them to feel beautiful at any size. The chemistry between Cassie and Reid was great, I also enjoyed the push and pull between them. They could be distant or can't stand each other at the beginning of a scene and then suddenly, they're under a makeshift mistletoe, kissing. Cassie struggles to keep her distance and be professional, while Reid on the other hand has secrets that could mess up the trust Cassie has in him. Cassie's friend, Dana, was a nice touch within the story. The author really went into detail about boudoir photography. It is a lot more work then I realized. It was neat learning more about the subject. Definitely check it out if you're after a fun and meaningful story that celebrates being yourself and the journey to loving who you are.