| Title | : | Picture This (Marsden #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 315 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2014 |
As a celebrity photographer’s assistant, Celia Marshall is used to seeing all kinds of weird antics. But subbing as the model in irrepressible movie star Niall Crenshaw’s latest endorsement ad—while wearing his silk boxers, no less—is definitely not in her job description. Neither is falling for him, especially since he’s dating his latest co-star. To complicate things further, Celia is returning to Marsden to keep an eye on her eccentric grandmother—and Niall is driving her there, then staying to judge a talent contest…
Soon Celia is pulled in a dozen different directions, trying to get her grandmother to act her age, placating her frantic former boss who’s organizing the contest—and attempting to stay away from funny, sexy Niall. Celia’s always been level headed, but suddenly she’s wishing she could get reckless right along with him. Has the time come for sensible Celia to cut loose?...
Picture This (Marsden #2) Reviews
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Celia Marshall is making her way as a photographer's assistant in NYC. When the model has a bad reaction to a fake tattoo for the add shoot, Celia is coerced into doing the photo shoot with a well renowned actor and comedian., Niall Crenshaw. The attraction is immediate and mutual but a Hollywood “fake” relationship contract stands in their way.
Niall ends up in Celia's home town, where Celia is left caring for her grandmother. Sparks fly, secrets become town gossip and everyone knows everyone else's business.
Picture This is the perfect small town meets big star romance. Lots of romantic tension, highlights the quaint home town charm of this delightful read. Denker had me cracking up with her witty banter and hysterical characters, I devoured Picture This in one sitting.
I found Picture This a feel good, just make you happy read. Not to be cliche but I did read this story while spending the day at the beach, but it would be just as marvelous on a chilly day curled up by a fire.
I received this ARC copy of Picture This from Kensington Books - eKensington in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication July 17, 2014.
Written by: Jayne Denker
Series: A Marsden Novel
Sequence in Series: #2
ISBN-13: 9781601832870
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Publication date: 7/17/2014
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Reviewed for:
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DNF 30%
This just fell flat for me. Niall was cute and all that, but neither he nor Celia was all that interesting.
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Title: Picture This
Series: A Marsden Novel #2
Author: Jayne Denker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Blurb: It’s where everyone knows your business—and remembers everything you’d rather forget. But somehow the little Catskills town of Marsden draws the most unlikely people back home, turns their lives every which way, and helps them finally figure out what—and who—they want most…
As a celebrity photographer’s assistant, Celia Marshall is used to seeing all kinds of weird antics. But subbing as the model in irrepressible movie star Niall Crenshaw’s latest endorsement ad—while wearing his silk boxers, no less—is definitely not in her job description. Neither is falling for him, especially since he’s dating his latest co-star. To complicate things further, Celia is returning to Marsden to keep an eye on her eccentric grandmother—and Niall is driving her there, then staying to judge a talent contest…
Soon Celia is pulled in a dozen different directions, trying to get her grandmother to act her age, placating her frantic former boss who’s organizing the contest—and attempting to stay away from funny, sexy Niall. Celia’s always been level headed, but suddenly she’s wishing she could get reckless right along with him. Has the time come for sensible Celia to cut loose?...
Thoughts: Celia Marshall is a 30-something photography assistant, but everything changes when the model gets an allergic reaction at a photo shoot. Celia has to step in and model with the sexy (and hilarious) movie star, Niall Crenshaw. Niall has always played the funny characters, but his good looks and personality could have landed him the leading man gig any day. He makes Celia feel at ease in a situation where she feels anything but by making her laugh and giving her his emergency boxers to wear. The way he's flirting and goofing around are making Celia think he's interested in more, but she’s deflated when his girlfriend, Tiffany, shows up and he leaves with her. Celia shows up at Niall's to return his boxers and finds a full blown party taking place and it's exactly what you would imagine for the Hollywood scene. When Celia tries to escape, she ends up in a closet and Niall finds her in there. They share a very sweet and sensual kiss before Niall has to break up a chick fight at the party. Regardless of all of the wondering things said when they're alone, Celia can't ignore that Niall has a girlfriend.
Niall was completely drawn to Celia, but he's currently playing a pretty big publicity role with Tiffany. He needs to do this for the money it's bringing in regardless of how much she irritates him. After his kiss with Celia, though, he isn't giving up. He meets at her house and convinces her to go out with him the next day. When he shows up the next day, though, she's leaving. Her parents had called to let her know they needed their help and she needed to come home to Marsden. Celia has always been close to her grandmother and they believe she can convince her that it's time to move into an assisted living facility. Niall has already signed up for a celebrity event in Marsden in a few extra weeks, so he can take her and spend a few weeks there with her.
Once in Marsden, Celia is staying with her grandma and trying to figure out if she really does need to move to an assisted living facility. She tries to stay away from the sexy and funny Niall and help out the town by photographing the singing competition.
The feelings grow between Celia and Niall while in Marsden, but what will Niall do about Tiffany? When Celia figures out what's going on with her grandma, will she be able to move back to New York and go back to her normal life?
I am not sure what exactly I was expecting...maybe the super famous moving star that sweeps the innocent girl off her feet storyline....but what I got was so much better. Niall wasn't your typical leading man. He wasn't perfect, but his personality made him so great. He knew he wanted Celia from the start and went after her. He was funny and I loved that curve. Celia's grandma, Holly, was too funny too. I laughed out loud reading this one way more than I anticipated. Celia had to come into her own and it got pretty annoying to see how long that took. I had to really kick myself to realize that the decisions she made in the book are what most people would do in real life.....just not what I WANTED her to do in the make believe literary world.
This is book 2 in the Marsden series and I have not read the first. This book can definitely be read as a standalone in the series, but reading this one makes me want to check the others out too.
Grade: A
Review by: Holly
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com -
As a huge fan of Down on Love, the first installment of Ms. Denker's Marsden series, I couldn't wait to read Picture This! Celia Marshall, the classic girl next door, has always done what was expected of her. However, following the heartbreak of a failed marriage AND the failed rekindling of a high school romance, she seeks freedom from the scrutiny of her small town and escapes to the big city as a photographer's assistant. With the arrival of the charming movie star, Niall Crenshaw, Celia's life becomes a lot more complicated. Celia and Niall are immediately drawn to each other, but are kept apart by Niall's relationship with his costar, Tiffany. When her grandmother's health begins to fail, Celia returns to Marsden with Niall hot on her heels. Once again, I found myself enthralled with the inhabitants of this quaint town. They are quite nosy and opinionated, but they are also fiercely loyal and VERY lovable. I really enjoyed being able to fall back in with them as Celia struggled to take care of her grandmother and cope with her mounting feelings for Niall. (It was so good to hear about George and Casey again!) I continue to be impressed by Ms. Denker's engaging stories, witty dialogue, well developed characters and her incredible talent for making my stomach flip with her steamy scenes. The second romp with the hilarious residents of Marsden ended far too quickly! I am eagerly awaiting the third installment!
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This book was laugh out loud funny, Niall good lord that boy is sex on two legs, "you look really good in my boxers." He's so damn funny, "all right," he grumbled, acting put out. As he put his arm around her shoulders and pressed his head against hers again, he repeated his question. "Where are you from, then? Answer me, woman." And Gran sweet Jesus she's a hoot!:
Then the older woman turned to Niall, who'd stood. "Are you a gentleman, movie star?"
"I do my best," he answered as seriously as she'd addressed him.
Holly nodded. "Well, cut it out. That's not what my granddaughter needs."
Celia that girl has a certain way to distract her man:
"And I meant every one." He kissed her bare shoulder. "But remember I said we have to go -"
His words ended in a mangled growl as her hand trailed down his bare chest, over his stomach and lower still.
"What were you saying?" She prompted lazily, her voice liquid.
"Can't....remember."
I hope there's more to come from this author, I really enjoyed her writing. -
Looking for a book filled with humor, romance, and small town fun - Picture This!
Jayne Denker’s second novel based in the small, quaint Catskills town of Marsden, Picture This, will be released next week (17 July 2014). If you haven’t already read Denker’s Down on Love, the novel that introduces Marsden and it’s inhabitants, then I’d suggest you might want to take a look at it now. But don’t feel you have to as Picture This is a really self-contained story. However, there is so much laugh-out-loud humor in Down on Love that I don’t think you’ll want to miss it.
Celia Marshall, the almost girlfriend of Carey in Down on Love, is now a celeb photographer’s assistant in the Big Apple. She’s living her dream, right? Well, perhaps, but it does seem like a better life and career for her than the graphic design job she held in Marsden. Certainly being imposed upon (really blackmailed into) posing with Hollywood comedic heartthrob Niall Crenshaw for a whiskey ad wouldn’t seem onerous duty, but Celia likes to stay in the background and the spotlight is definitely on front-and-center with Niall.
But love (or lust) knows no boundaries and there is apparently a very special zing between Niall and Celia. Even with his B-movie costar hanging on his side, Niall only has eyes for this Marsden girl. Niall will have a hard time to convince country girl Celia that he can be serious in light of the glam party atmosphere that surrounds him though. During his three-hour drive upstate into the Catskills with Celia with a game of truth, they begin to discover a bit more about each other.
When Niall says he’s staying in Marsden to help out with a project, I wasn’t sure how this story would evolve. Seriously, the residents of Marsden were so wacky in Down on Love that with their nosiness they drove the heroine back to Boston. But Denker never does as expected and this story allowed the residents of Marsden to evolve quite a bit. Certainly they’re still quite quirky, but seem ever so slightly less frenetic.
Reading Jayne Denker’s books is pure pleasure and Picture This is my new favorite. She really provides readers with characters that are not only compelling and interesting, but who struggle through many issues we all have to face (aging relatives, career choices, living life or existing).
At first I expected Niall to be all surface Hollywood overlaying just enough sincerity to make the book interesting. Instead, he became, for me, the center grounding point of the story. I love his initial impression of Marsden as he walks down the Main Street for the first time on a Sunday morning:
“…Niall had to admit to himself it was nearly impossible to dislike Marsden, despite the lack of a Starbucks on every corner. Celia wasn’t kidding when she described the place as quaint. It was so quaint it verged on twee. He’d never experienced twee before, but now he felt like he was up to his neck in it. He wandered down the old-fashioned Main Street expecting the cast of The Music Man to come high-stepping down the sidewalks….Plenty of trees, with wood-and-iron benches nearby, offered shade from the summer sun. Simply adorable storefronts, including an old-fashioned hardware store, antiques stores, gift shops, and restaurants, alongside art galleries and high-end boutiques completed the look.”
Marsden definitely seems a little enchanted as it begins to charm this Hollywood star. I laughed uproariously as he noted he couldn’t sleep because of the quiet (no car alarms, horns, sirens) and then because of the noise of the crickets. A true city visitor experiencing the country for the first time (yes, I have heard these complaints before)!
As Denker notes in an endnote, Marsden is a creation of her imagination, though aspects of it are drawn from several small towns in the Catskill region. For me that is an added bonus as I feel quite at home (being a Catskill Mountain girl myself).
Most of all, Picture This is a beautifully written love story between two disparate people, love for family members and friends, and for a community of people who care. Given it’s the hero is a Hollywood star, it’s not a surprise that at many points in the story I was imagining it on screen - casting and recasting various actors in the roles. In Picture This, Denker’s wonderful sense of humor echoes the best of Nora Ephron, so perhaps it wouldn’t be a giant leap to see this story transition to film.
Picture This is a book that I will recommend to all my friends and family, without reservation. Definitely a five-star read. -
Really a 4 1/2 star book
Celia Marshall is a 30-something photography assistant, but everything changes when the model gets an allergic reaction at a photo shoot. Celia has to step in and model with the sexy (and hilarious) movie star, Niall Crenshaw. Niall has always played the funny characters, but his good looks and personality could have landed him the leading man gig any day. He makes Celia feel at ease in a situation where she feels anything but by making her laugh and giving her his emergency boxers to wear. The way he's flirting and goofing around are making Celia think he's interested in more, but she’s deflated when his girlfriend, Tiffany, shows up and he leaves with her. Celia shows up at Niall's to return his boxers and finds a full blown party taking place and it's exactly what you would imagine for the Hollywood scene. When Celia tries to escape, she ends up in a closet and Niall finds her in there. They share a very sweet and sensual kiss before Niall has to break up a chick fight at the party. Regardless of all of the wondering things said when they're alone, Celia can't ignore that Niall has a girlfriend.
Niall was completely drawn to Celia, but he's currently playing a pretty big publicity role with Tiffany. He needs to do this for the money it's bringing in regardless of how much she irritates him. After his kiss with Celia, though, he isn't giving up. He meets at her house and convinces her to go out with him the next day. When he shows up the next day, though, she's leaving. Her parents had called to let her know they needed their help and she needed to come home to Marsden. Celia has always been close to her grandmother and they believe she can convince her that it's time to move into an assisted living facility. Niall has already signed up for a celebrity event in Marsden in a few extra weeks, so he can take her and spend a few weeks there with her.
Once in Marsden, Celia is staying with her grandma and trying to figure out if she really does need to move to an assisted living facility. She tries to stay away from the sexy and funny Niall and help out the town by photographing the singing competition.
The feelings grow between Celia and Niall while in Marsden, but what will Niall do about Tiffany? When Celia figures out what's going on with her grandma, will she be able to move back to New York and go back to her normal life?
I am not sure what exactly I was expecting...maybe the super famous moving star that sweeps the innocent girl off her feet storyline....but what I got was so much better. Niall wasn't your typical leading man. He wasn't perfect, but his personality made him so great. He knew he wanted Celia from the start and went after her. He was funny and I loved that curve. Celia's grandma, Holly, was too funny too. I laughed out loud reading this one way more than I anticipated. Celia had to come into her own and it got pretty annoying to see how long that took. I had to really kick myself to realize that the decisions she made in the book are what most people would do in real life.....just not what I WANTED her to do in the make believe literary world.
This is book 2 in the Marsden series and I have not read the first. This book can definitely be read as a standalone in the series, but reading this one makes me want to check the others out too.
Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review. -
PICTURE THIS is not your typical story where an Ordinary Jane and a celebrity fall in love. This story differs by bringing along the author's flirty style and wit, wrapped up in a healthy dose of honesty.
I love that the story starts out with Celia meeting Niall as they are both on a job. Celia is a photographer's assistant and they are photographing Niall's celebrity endorsement of McManus scotch. Niall is an actor who's last few films have flopped, but who still has to pay the bills somehow. The sparks between the two sizzle and after a second accidental meeting, Niall becomes determined to pursue Celia, even back to her small hometown.
My favorite part about this story is that Celia knew exactly what she was getting into when with Niall. She was completely aware of the baggage that comes with Niall's profession. Also, Niall was able to see Celia in her hometown and meet the people who know her best. Niall and Celia push and stretch each other and they each help the other become the best possible version of themselves
This story was sweet and swoony and completely perfect for a fun summer read.
4 out of 5 stars -
Picture This ... a wonderful love story.
When I saw Jayne Denker tweet her newest book was coming out in July, I was so excited. I had read Unscripted, and loved it. I preordered this book (which I rarely do), and started reading it the day it showed up on my Kindle. I read it in only a few days.
This book was exactly what I expect from Denker - love, laughs, and outrageous characters. Niall, a movie star and Celia meet by chance - and it's awkward. Though a celebrity, Celia could really care less, however, she finds herself dreaming about him like I did about Joey from New Kids on the Block! They annoy each other, and Niall has a girlfriend ... kind of.
Niall accompanies Celia to her hometown of Marsden, as she tries to convince her Gran she needs to move to an assisted living facility. Niall is there to help out with an American Idol-like project.
Denker created likeable characters (except Ray, I mean, I did *not* like him!). The romantic tension between the two characters was built at a great pace, and when sparks flew, you felt it, too.
I can't wait to read what Jayne brings us next! -
This book was graciously provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
A book full of cute fluffy adorableness. This is the perfect beach read. No real angst or heart breaking pasts. Just a really light read.
Celia, a photographer’s assistant, ends up on the other end of the camera when the booked model has a bad reaction and Vic, her boss, gets her to be the replacement. Her co-star for this little session is a famous actor Naill. Cue adorable flirty and sizzling chemistry.
I loved that Naill was not some heartthrob but a funny man hottie. It was a nice change from other normal girl meets famous celebrity stories I’ve read. And Celia was a sweet, couldn’t say no girl from a small town trying to make her dreams
The secondary cast of characters were quirky and endearing and I liked that the majority of the story was set in Celia’s hometown Marsden.
All around it was a cute book and really good summer read. -
***ARC from NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review***
Celia came across as cute, quirky and grounded...and so did Niall. Sparks fly and flirting ensue...but with a whole host of complications. I just felt that the progression from first meeting to pursuit was a little quick but then I have been out of the game for 2 decades so maybe that is the norm nowadays. The sub-stories in the periphery was ok, detracted some from the major theme but all in all - entertaining. The read was quick and funny and a definite recommend. -
Fun, touching, sweet read that lovers of small town romances will adore. An incredible group of characters and laugh out loud humor make this a great read. Very well written with a great storyline. When hunky Hollywood star Niall Crenshaw meets Celia Marshall on a photo shoot he is immediately taken with her. So when she is called back to her hometown of Marsden, Niall decides to go along and agrees to emcee the local talent show. I highly recommend this one!
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Received as an ARC from NetGalley.
This was a fun read! Niall made me laugh out loud in places, and I appreciated getting to know many of the townspeople of Marsden. I still want to know what Ray's deal is! -
* I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. *
This is book 2 in the Marsden series, however, it can be read as a stand alone book and the reader will understand what is going on. I do recommend that you read book 1 first just because it is really amazing and also because it does touch on the characters that you will find in this book. The author does a really great job with adding a slight re-cap of the prior books events, without making it like a retelling of book 1.
The author jumped right into Celia's life and her move to the big city to pursue her photography. Celia is an assistant to a photographer in NY and she is helping out when the main model can no longer do the photo shoot so Niall, the actor, decides to have her fill in. The author is able to show the instant attraction and chemistry between the characters right through the pages and the reader can't help but root for them to get together as a couple.
Celia is a small town girl who has been through a messy divorce. Niall is an actor who is used to woman falling all over him and doesn't like it when Celia is not one of them. Niall begins a devious plot to get Celia to see him and at the same time discover himself. The reader is hooked from the very first paragraph of this book and never wants to leave the town, the characters or the life that they can imagine for themselves once they get caught up in this artistic town.
There will be plenty of laughter, drama, yelling and at times the reader will get a bit choked up. The author doesn't leave any emotion out of the story. You will smiling one minute and the next you will be shaking your head in disbelief. There is nothing predictable about this story and it does keep the reader on the edge of their seats. I can't wait for the next book in the Marsden series!
Make sure you add this to your TBR list and add the others as well - once you start reading this series you won't want to stop! It is addicting, but in a good way (unless you can't stop reading long enough to get your real life chores done). Enjoy this one and the others!
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite:
www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng *** -
This is the second book in the Marsden series this book followed good girl Celia as she moved to NYC and is working for a photographer as his assistant but when she becomes the model with Niall Crenshaw the actor Celia’s world gets turned upside down. Not long after meeting the famous actor she gets called back home to convince her grandmother to enter a senior community.
I love this series I can’t say enough about it the people that show up in this book are great and offer all sorts of advice whether it’s needed or not. This book was really about Celia growing up and standing up for herself and saying no which took quite a bit and finding her inner opinion and actually vocalizing it while not loosing the guy in the process.
Niall has never met someone like Celia she stirs something in him that he hasn’t felt in a long time. He wants to protect her and be with her and find a way out of a contract with his latest co-star. Finally when he gets the green light he finds himself putting on his own brakes to protect Celia without asking her what she wants.
This is such a fabulous series can’t wait to read the next book in this series -
Picture This, Denker, Jayne.
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews.
A fun read this one but not quite what I anticipated. With Niall being a film star I thought there'd be more of that side of the celebrity life but the was little of it. I was anticipating too more fireworks and jealousy from the co star he was dating ….but that sort of disappeared mostly, rather than the furore and jealousy I expected it was pretty tame and neatly sorted.
Celia was sweet, one of those people who try to please everyone and end up frazzled and taken advantage of. When she and Niall are in her home town Marsden, its a typical small town scene where everyone knows everything and gossip travels fast. There were some humorous moments but somehow for me the romance side of it was a bit lacking.
Its a decent read, well written but just a bit lacking in drama and emotion for me. Its a very light, easy to read novel for those that want that sort of read, I just like a bit more depth.
Stars: Three and a half.
ARC supplied via Netgalley -
A very sweet and cute read.
Celia is a Marsden, NY born girl. Currently a photographer's assistant in NYC, she finds herself in a strange situation. The leg model they have hired has to be replaced and Celia is the one to do it. Enter Niall Crenshaw, Hollywood funny guy and party animal. He is the other half of the photo shoot and the two have immediate chemistry.
When Celia is called back to Marsden to help her grandmother, town hominid ensue and the two find themselves spending a great deal of time together.
I liked this book. I love the townies and their crazy personalities. I wasn't a big fan of the "conflict" that occurred about 60% but it was still cute overall. -
"1.5 out of 5 stars. I really tried to like this novel; the beginning was good yet from the halfway point until the end I had to push through it. There were just SOO many second-guesses by Celia and Niall that all I really wanted to do was shake some sense into them most of the way through."
Read more of this review and TWO teasers here:
http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2014/06/what-was-i-thinking-marsden-novel-book-2.html -
Cute. Like Ms. Denker's style.
I did not enjoy this as much as Down on Love (maybe because it seemed totally impossible), but I did enjoy it. -
A sweet, fun book! Gotta like both Celia and Niall. I'm looking forward to my third visit to Marsden.
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I enjoyed the humor in this book so much. It can't be easy to write dialogue that is supposed to be funny when spoken but still has to be funny on the page, but the timing was excellent. And the yarnbombing! That was hilarious!
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I found these characters kind of irritating. But some of the dialogue was quite funny and I loved the small town upstate New York setting.
