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Review for 'Shooters' by Julia Boggio.
This book is an absolutely gorgeous read filled with sexiness, fun, laughter, romance, comedy, drama, sass, friendship and everything you could ever ask for in a brilliant romcom and more!! This book is a real pick me up and will definitely turn any frown upside down!! It captured my attention from the very first page and kept me glued to the pages until the very last word and definitely left me wanting more!! I am so pleased that this book is just the first book in Julia's 'The Photographers' trilogy as I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book already!! The next book is called 'Chasing The Light' and is actually available now so guess what i am off to do as soon as I have typed this up!! Julia's fantastic writing skills and vivid descriptions will put the reader in the spotlight along with Stella ensuring you see and feel everything that she is while enjoying a French retreat with her! I was absolutely mind blown when I realised that this is actually Julia's DEBUT novel as it is written as if it is her 100th!! If this is what she came up with for her debut then I cannot wait to see how this series continues on!! This is one of those fantastic books that is perfect to read anywhere and everywhere from curled up next to a roaring fire to sunning yourself on a beach as regardless of where you are Julia will whisk you away with the storyline!! I absolutely devoured this book in one sitting as there was no way I could put it down!! Each and every time I even thought about it to get some actual house work done the characters called me back to demand their attention!! The chapters are very short which is ideal to pick up and read a few here and there whether on a break or on a bus, the problem is trying to put it down!! The best way to describe this fantastic feel good book is what you would get if you took the movies 'Bridesmaids' and 'Dirty Dancing', shook them up and put them in one absolutely stunning book together!!! Be warned to stay away from hot drinks while reading this as there are so many laugh out loud moments that, if you are anything like me, you will actually end up with a coffee fountain after making the mistake of drinking it while reading and coming across an absolutely hilarious moment!! One of the things I really enjoyed about this storyline is that it is unique to me as I had never read a book where the protagonist is a photographer up until now and I was absolutely fascinated in everything that goes on in the photography world! An absolutely brilliant read that will make your day brighter!
Clear your schedules and grab the tissues as you get lost in this laugh out loud, addictive page turner!!
I absolutely loved the larger than life, unique and just fantastic characters and am so hoping that they will continue to make appearances in this trilogy!! Thanks to Julia's fantastic descriptions it truly feels like you are right next to Stella, the protagonist, throughout. I absolutely loved Stella who is very relatable, down to Earth and suffers with anxiety which many readers may relate to. I was rooting for her from the very second I met her and all the way through the book! I loved watching her personality and confidence change and develop from the start to the finish and seeing her "blossom" would probably be the best way to describe it. All of the characters are unique with their own personalities, flaws and strengths and I loved meeting and getting to know them all. So many of them deserve to have their own books written about them which I would love to see come to life, hint hint Julia! The only downfall with the characters is that they are entirely fictional even though Julia brings them to life unfortunately, no matter how much I would love to, I am unable to go on a girls night out with them!! I was completely invested in them all throughout and I was gutted when the time came to say Goodbye but I am hopeful that I will meet them again in future books in this promising trilogy! Julia does an absolutely amazing job of bringing the story to life and the characters leap out of the pages as your turning them thanks to her evocative writing skills!! Julia really has done an amazing job at bringing each of the characters to life and I enjoyed getting to meet them all!!
Clear your schedules as this is one gorgeous and unputdownable stunner ❤️
Overall an absolutely gorgeous book that will sweep you away, make you laugh and warm your heart ❤️!!!
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This was a very good book. I enjoyed reading it. The characters and plot kept me interested. I would read another book by this author.
I did not like the cover, but I did like the characters and the storyline. I enjoyed the growing tension but it seemed to take a little long for me. I will read more by Boggio in the future since this is her debut book.
I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.
Shooters is Julia Boggio's debut novel, a great one at that! The tension between Connor and Stella was *chef's kiss*. It was difficult for me to put the book down! Stella is a hilarious fmc, the situations she often found herself in were so laughable. Connor is just so sexy. Would I read it again? Yes. Overall, 4/5 stars.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Julia Boggio's "Shooters" captures the essence of passion, redemption, and the pursuit of dreams in the competitive world of wedding photography. Set against the backdrop of a photography conference brimming with talent and ambition, the novel introduces us to Stella Price, a determined photographer with a haunting past and a fervent desire for success.
The opening line immediately sets the tone for the story, highlighting the complexities of the characters within the photography world. Stella's journey is both relatable and inspiring as she navigates the challenges of her career, haunted by the echoes of a past affair that derailed her professional life.
The dynamics between Stella and Connor Knight, the sexy rock star of wedding photography, add layers of tension and chemistry to the narrative. Boggio skillfully navigates the fine line between attraction and conflict, creating a whirlwind of passion that propels the story forward. The clash of personalities between the strong-willed Stella and the egoistic yet talented Connor is both entertaining and emotionally resonant.
The romantic setting of a French chateau adds a touch of magic to the narrative, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the story. Boggio's descriptive prose brings the lush surroundings to life, creating a visually rich backdrop for the unfolding romance.
Stella's internal struggle to frame a future with a man who hides a softer side behind his rock star image adds depth to the storyline. The exploration of trust, redemption, and the possibility of finding love after heartbreak gives the novel a heartfelt and emotional resonance.
While the plot follows some familiar romance tropes, Boggio infuses freshness and authenticity into the narrative. The characters are well-developed, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged throughout. The story gracefully addresses themes of self-discovery and second chances, making it more than just a typical romance novel.
Readers may find some elements predictable, but the overall execution and the character-driven narrative make "Shooters" a compelling and enjoyable read. Boggio's ability to blend passion, romance, and redemption creates a story that transcends the boundaries of a traditional love story, making it a worthy addition to the genre.
In conclusion, "Shooters" is a captivating exploration of love, ambition, and the complexities of the human heart. Julia Boggio's skillful storytelling, coupled with well-drawn characters and a picturesque setting, makes this novel a delightful and emotionally resonant read for fans of contemporary romance.
The tension between Stella and Conor is pretty good and they hold out as long a possible before it becomes too much.
I prefer dual POVs because I love really getting to know each character and this one was only from Stella’s POV. It would’ve been nice to read Conor’s POV especially since his outlook and journey was different. Stella definitely did a lot of growing throughout this book so that was great to see.
I should have guessed the tone of the books with the cover and the name, but for some reason, the explicit nature of some took me by surprise! That said, there was still content besides the romance itself, so I skipped the parts that I wanted to and kept to the important bits.
This first installment introduces us to a woman trying to break into a new career. She finds herself vying for a seat in a training program by an established wedding photographer. Once there, she fights her attraction to him, mostly because he is a poor marriage candidate.
The industry and the slow build of their relationship, along with interesting anecdotes of the supporting cast, make for some interesting reading. Stella has to prove herself to her parents and herself that she can build a career from the ground up.
This would be additionally interesting for people interested in the field.
Since the content of the book is straightforward, there is not much more that I can talk about in the form of a review. For those used to more graphic scenes, this book would work even better.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
I was so intrigued by the title and description but it just wasnt for me. I couldnt get into this book unfortunately
"Shooters" by Julia Broggio takes readers on a charming and witty journey through the world of wedding photography, adding a delightful twist of romance and humor to the mix. With engaging characters, a picturesque setting, and a storyline that captures the essence of love and redemption, this rom-com is a delightful read.
Stella Price, the determined protagonist, is a character many readers can relate to. Her aspiration to succeed in her chosen field, despite past setbacks, adds depth to her character.
When she crosses paths with the charismatic but enigmatic Connor Knight, sparks fly, and the chemistry between them is palpable. Broggio brilliantly portrays the push-and-pull dynamics of their budding romance, replete with witty banter and undeniable attraction.
The photography conference setting adds a unique and fresh backdrop to the story, providing insights into the world of wedding photography and the pursuit of artistic excellence.
Broggio's descriptive writing paints vivid pictures of the romantic French chateau, making readers feel like they're right there, savoring the sights and sounds of this idyllic location.
One of the strengths of "Shooters" is its exploration of the characters' flaws and their journeys towards personal growth. Stella's past mistakes and Connor's reluctance to embrace
"happily ever afters" make them both relatable and endearing. Watching them navigate their vulnerabilities and gradually opening up to each other is a heartwarming experience.
The humor in this rom-com is sharp and well-timed, providing genuine laughs throughout the story. Stella's internal monologues and Connor's witty comebacks add a layer of authenticity
to the characters' interactions, making them feel like real people dealing with the complexities of love and life.
While "Shooters" is a delightful read, it falls just short of a perfect score due to some moments of predictability in the plot. The formulaic elements that occasionally surface
are a minor distraction in an otherwise engaging narrative. However, the strength of the characters and their chemistry more than compensates for these minor hiccups.
In conclusion, "Shooters" by Julia Broggio is a charming and heartwarming rom-com that captures the essence of love, redemption, and personal growth. With relatable characters, a
picturesque setting, and moments of genuine humor, it's a book that will leave you with a smile on your face. While it doesn't break entirely new ground in the genre, it's a solid choice for anyone looking for an enjoyable and entertaining read.
I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.
A fab read!!! I read it all in one go.
The perfect light and comical book to add to your summer tbr.
I really liked this one, I'm currently tly planning my mums wedding so it appealed more than it normally would.
I liked watching Stella live out her dream and start a whole new career as a photographer after making some wrong decisions in the past.
I enjoyed the banter and relationship between Stella and Connor. And Connor is 🔥🔥 I need to find a mentor like him.
I always wanted to go into photography myself, and this has given me the motivation to revisit that wish. I'm looking up local courses as we speak... thank you, Julia.
Will definitely read more from this author 😀
I respectfully DNF this at around 50%.
The book started off alright and it went fine until the 30% mark. I genuinely thought this might be a cute little story. After that 30% mark though, I started to care less and less.
The story somehow went in a completely different direction than I was initially expecting, which is fine, but it also felt really odd, compared to how the book started.
The cast of characters was alright, I guess. I felt somewhat indifferent towards Stella, the main character.
Claudia, Stella's best friend, was getting annoying at some point. Liliwen, while a side character, definitely was a delight and the absolute star of the book in my humble opinion.
Connor, who I think is supposed to be Stella's love interest, was...there. They had like 3 very short, cute moments but other than that, I just don't see how they are suppose to work in the end.
I wish we would have seen more of Stellas Italian side. There were Italian phrases thrown in almost every chapter (nothing against it, not annoying or anything like that, its the opposite actually), which her mother always liked to say, but thats about it. I also somehow feel like there was an underlining conflict between Stella and her parents, but I don't think this would have been getting resolved in the rest of the book.
There was also several times said, that she used to dance with Tristan, her now roommate and model but I don't think it was every explained why they started or stopped doing competitions.
There was one major time two month time jump I'd say around the 50% mark of the book, which was very off. One chapter Stella was having a meeting with a client and debating to call up Connor to ask for a favour he owned her, the next chapter she was already at the previous chapter's client wedding. IT's like, quite literally, missing a chapter.
At that point, I just didn't care enough to keep reading.
Shooters (The Photographer's Trilogy #1) is Julia Boggio's debut novel & the 1st book in what is to be a 3 part series.
This romcom is teeming with hilarious and colorful supporting characters & the focus isn't solely stuck on romance for the entirety of the book. I found myself laughing out loud during the outlandish situations Stella found herself in while photographing weddings. I love the witty banter & sparks that fly between Stella and Connor and how they butt heads, but keep coming back for more. The Dolly Parton elements were the cherry on top of this sweet confection of a read. I absolutely loved it! 😍
Such is a unique book! Really enjoyed it, this book captivates with its unparalleled creativity and leaves an indelible mark on the reader's imagination."
This is a must read, feel good, laugh out loud, have a bit of a sob, cheer on the heroine, learn Italian, sing along with Dolly Parton, great romantic comedy, brilliantly told.
Such a fun and funny romp that felt like a perfect romantic comedy. Easy and light and super enjoyable. Had a great time.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this ARC.
This was such a fun read!
I liked the cover and was so excited to dive into this!
It was fast paced and I flew through it in one sitting.
I liked the character development and enjoyed following their journey.
4/5 stars
Thanks
This book was a delightful and relatable read that offered a captivating peek into the world of wedding photography. Stella Price, a newcomer to the field, attends a workshop in France led by the charming and talented Connor Knight. Their budding romance faces challenges as they navigate their complicated pasts. The well-developed characters, including the entertaining side characters like Liliwen, added depth and humor to the story. The sweet romance and witty writing, sprinkled with enjoyable pop culture references, made this a fun and engaging read,
After a disasterous affair with her married boss, Stella changes careers to follow an early love of photography and become a wedding photographer. To get there, she gets into debt to undertake rockstar award-winning wedding photographer, Connor Knight's five-day course in a French chateau.
The chemistry is there from the get-go, but both have different outlooks on life - Stella, despite being burnt by her past, wants the whole marriage and kids thing. Though she knows getting involved with Connor would be a bad idea as she can't trust him and he's clear that marriage and kids are not in his plans.
Julia Boggio mines from her own experience as a professional wedding photograper which adds to an important layer of authenticity for me. I studied photography and have been on a few Australian Institute of Professinal Photography (now defunct) workshops and she brilliantly captured the types of students that attend - from the happy hobbyists to the know-it-alls who LOVE to interject and suck up the tutor's time. I laughed quite a few times.
Stella is fiesty and sassy but also dealing with anxiety. Connor is a sweetheart and I liked his upfront and honest he was about who he was and his general outlook on life. And therein lies the problem I had with this book. To me the central conflict between them was their different outlooks on relationships that I don't think was properly resolved properly to make me believe the really cheesy epilogue.
While people should be upfront about what they want in relationships, I thought it was patently unfair Stella expected Connor to suddenly switch to having to get married and have kids (and I agreed with her friend pointing it out). It also seemed odd given she had an affair with her boss, which she admits that it was in part because she knew he couldn't commit to her. So why then expect and force a known playboy to want the same things?
It makes his 180 seem like it was foisted on him, rather than any real change of heart. Their issues didn't really seem that resolved and while it was nice he made the grand gesture, I didn't buy it.
In the end I found the ending very cliche and typical of a more American romance novel which must have marriage and pregnancy as the ending, which is odd for English books which tend not to be so overt. I realise I am in the minority here and 'romance genre convention and all' but it didn't really fit the characters. I guess I just wanted more about tStella independently of Connor finding success as a photographer, as the book was about her early days of setting up her business.
The strengths of this novel for me were the supporting characters, especially Liliwne, Krish and some of Stella's clients. I especially loved Overall though I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC.