Check out my other listens at Eargasms Audiobook ReviewsThe second book in the series is just as great as the first!! I am really digging these kinda deep romances. If you cry at emotional relationship moments you should have tissues at the ready, I needed them!Christine is a always trying to get her father's approval. It is sad that she basis her whole life on getting him to praise her. She is such a fun and sassy character other than that one major flaw. Pair her up with fun loving Alec who lives to play and sparks fly. I love that he works so hard to get her.The beginning is loads of flirty fun, and the misunderstands made me giggle. I love the way they both found out the truth about each other. I did feel like Alec was more invested in the relationship, but in the end she had a breakthrough too. The mixed narrative giving each charterer's POV really helps you understand each of their struggles. They both have baggage, although his is considerably less. It was great seeing them work through things. The self-help book pops up throughout this book again, it seems oddly appropriate.I listened to the audiobooks narrated by Jane Cramer, who does a lovely job. She has a smooth read that is wonderfully paced. She definitely suits the series. Her voices are great on the women and narration, the men not so much. I would have liked at least the lead guy to be a touch deeper and more distinctive.There is some steam, after a bit of time getting to know each other. For a winter fling there isn't much detail. It is open bedroom door but more NC-17 than R rated in the details. A delicious romance that did not steam up the windows. It was lovely, I don't always need super spicy.I love the sense of play you get from the story telling. While the characters have depth and issues they face, the book feels light and fun. I love the three girls and their relationship with each other is the most endearing thing about the series.Overall, I am really enjoying this series. It is funny each girl picks a different thing as her challenge, but none of the things address their real issues. It is the most clear in this book, in the end Christine faces her real fear and makes serious headway. I can not wait to see what will happen with Amy in the last book. Is it evil of me to hope when the year is up they discover Jane is far from perfect and getting a divorce?Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
In the next book of the Perfect Trilogy, Christine Ashton has to get over her fear of heights. Actually she needs to get over her fear of heights and a whole lot more. She thinks that by conquering her fear of heights she will be able to go sking and finally beat her brother at something and gain her father's approval.As part of the bet with her college suitemates, she goes to Colorado to get started on getting past this fear she has had for what seems like forever. Arriving about a week early, she hires an instructor to help her out. Enter Alec, the ski bum and he appears to be "perfect"...drat! Now she needs to refrain from the one thing Christine promised herself she wouldn't do...date and fall in love with another loser guy with no prospects for a future. Christine has to keep Alec at bay all the while conquering her fear of heights, learn to ski really well so that she can beat her brother at something, and gain her father's respect.By the way, did I mention that Christine is a doctor, just like her dad. But...well you know where this is going don't you? Well without giving away the rest of the story, Just Perfect by Julie Ortolon really examines the issues of the child/parent paradigm without getting too complicated in the process. Throw in a handsome guy who on the surface looks like a loser, but really isn't and it makes for a very interesting and entertaining read.I really like the fact that Ms. Ortolon was not afraid to show Christine's strength as well as her vulnerabilities. She also slowly reveals Alec's character true identity as well as both of their families. Of the three books in the trilogy, I would have to say this one was my favorite. At the end, I was actually yelling, "You go girl!" As for the reasons why, well you are just going to have to read and find out!
What do You think about Just Perfect (2012)?
Just Perfect is by Julie Ortolon and is book 2 in a series. It is a great summer read and is very easy to read. Christine Ashton has come to Silver Mountain to spend Christmas with her family. She came early to give herself time to practice getting up the ski lift and to practice skiing since she hasn’t skied in fourteen years. She is afraid of ski lifts. She is fulfilling a dare made by two of her four roommates in college. Maggie, Amy, and Christine are all to do the one thing that they are most fearful of. Christine has hired a ski instructor to help her. She wants to finally beat her brother in front of their dad so Daddy would be proud of her, finally. Her father favors her brother and always has. Christine could never be the perfect daughter her socialite parents wanted. She keeps trying though. Alec Hunter is the coordinator of the Search and Rescue Team on Silver Mountain. Right now, he is on an enforced vacation so he helps out a friend by taking on a private ski customer- Christine. Alec grew up poor and his father and brother were in construction. Alec wanted to be on the Rescue and Search team for many years. He put up with the heckling from his father and brother until he could leave home. Alec tries to get Christine to go get a drink with him after a day of skiing; but she refuses. She doesn’t get to k now him so is surprised that he actually has a job. Her other boyfriends only wanted to go with her for her money so she thinks Alec is expecting the same thing. The two fall in love but that love is put to the test when Christine takes a job at her father’s hospital in California while Alec stays in Colorado. How can a fledgling romance survive long distance? What will happen between the two of them? How will Christine’s parents and brother react?
—Pam
This is book 2 in the Perfect trilogy. This is Christine's story. Christine is beautiful and is on her way to become a brilliant doctor. Her challenge is to conquer her fear of heights. Cue gorgeous, completely irresistible ski instructor Alec. Christine thinks Alec is unemployed and tries to fend off his advances. She later finds out that Alec is employed and not exactly the man she thinks him to be. After finding out that Alec is not really a destitute and is capable of at least feeding her, she jumps into his bed. With Alec's help, she was able to conquer her fear of heights. Her next goal is to earn her daddy's approval. The daddy issues and the slow start threw me off a bit. But I wanted to find out if Christine's family was able to accept her and Alec. Well, that didn't happen but Christine finally acknowledged that no matter how hard she tries she will always be second best. Alec is a perfect antidote to Christine's imperfections. I couldn't imagine a better guy for Christine. I love how he was willing to give her up so Christine can have her father's approval. Slow start, but good read. The epilogue didn't reveal if Christine's family made amends with her. If anyone has to grovel for acceptance, it's her family. Christine's insecurities stemmed from not having enough love from her family.
—Jaja
I stopped by the used book store yesterday because I seem to be addicted to buying books. In any event this was on the bargain rack for a buck. While I usually read reviews, get recommendations, ask a librarian, or at least make sure it's book one in a series - I did none of these. I have a pile of 600-800 books waiting to be read that I've bought and yet this bypassed the whole stack. I quickly discovered that it was the second book in a series but that did not detract from this story. I'll probably read the rest of the series if I come across them. I'll certainly welcome another Julie Ortolon book.In this story, a wealthy ER doc with family issues goes to a ski resort in Colorado where she meets the man of her dreams. Only she doesn't know it for most of the book. The hero is much more likable.
—Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)
