How can learning from the best turn into something more when there is so much to clash over?

Synopsis

“The photography conference simmered with talent: those who had it, those who wanted it, and those who would always suck no matter how hard they tried. Stella Price wondered where she fell on that scale.”

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

After being exposed as having an affair with her boss, Stella has completely changed her career and is finally following her true dream by being a starting wedding photographer.
But being successful means more than having some good shots, and Stella is determined to learn from the best, even if the best is Connor Knight…
While attending his residential course, Stella learns all the tips and tricks of turning a photograph into a wonderful shot. And despite all her efforts, and Connor’s arrogance, Stella cannot deny that his talents are a real turn – on.
But even if Connor shoots at weddings, he doesn’t believe in it, or in marriage. And Stella is determined to not make the same mistake again…So how can there be a match when their differences are so big?  

In my mind I always had this image that being a wedding photographer would be a wonderful and also rather easy job to do. Because how difficult can it be to capture all the love in a shot? But obviously I was wrong in my thinking, as this book showed me that there is so much more to it than just pressing the button on the camera. 

Initially I wasn’t a great fan of Stella. Not because she isn’t a nice character, because she truly is. But it saddened me to see how somehow she was being very gullible while having the affair with her boss. It’s one thing to believe that in the end he will pick you, but in Stella’s case, she knew she would always come second place. So why settle for that? I just couldn’t understand why Stella would lower herself to be the side character while she deserved the whole spotlight. 

However, despite her past behaviour, I like her courage to finally chase her own dreams and not those of her parents. And reading how she tricks Connor into giving her a place on his course actually made me laugh out loud! 

And that was the essence of this book. We see our main character finally doing what *she* wants, all entwined with a great humoristic touch.
It’s not only Thumb Wars, but also Stella’s idea of what her cleaner is doing as job, or the first wedding she is shooting.
This all happens while we get to know the real Stella, a woman who did too much to please other, has too many unjustified insecurities. But also a woman who is determined, won’t be stopped by anyone or anything anymore. 

And that goes also for Connor… He is being this over – confident man, twisting women around his little finger. I for sure could understand why Stella didn’t like him at first. But also, I could understand how his talent could turn things into his advantage.
The fact that he warned Stella off, was a turn – off for me, because really, how cocky can a man get? But on the other hand, there were so many other moments that were a real turn – on! And I loved reading him trying to hide his jealousy! 

I found this a great, funny, even sexy story to read. If this is only the debut novel of this author, what will the future bring?
Because she captured perfectly the vulnerability of each character, showing us what truly lives behind all the bravado. But there is also strength, courage and determination in it. The characters all develop so well, and also in a realistic way. Not just they get together, and then ‘the end’. No, the initial fears don’t just disappear, but the characters have to learn to take that frightful step, and dare to believe in things they initially believe in.
A book that I easily devoured and that gave me many laughs! What an enjoyment to read!