I loved the premise, but this was pretty lackluster for me. The love interest lies to her the entire time, and she deserves better. I cannot tolerate a guy who is deceptive in this way. It's unethical and shows that he doesn't properly care for her. I did think it was well written, and I enjoyed a number of the supporting characters.

I wish I could give this more stars. The plus size rep.. the sexy heat... the plot! It was everything!

This book was fun from to start to finish. I’ve never read a romance book with these types of characters with these kinds of backgrounds and it was very refreshing! Danielle Jackson made me relate to these characters quickly and easily.

The Accidental Pinup follows a photographer that specializes in pinup photos with a modern twist. The positive body representation makes this an empowering read but overall this book was a miss for me. It was a quick read and I think someone much younger than me might get more from it than I did.

Thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Cassie is a photographer who is planning a launch of her best friend's lingerie campaign. But when her best friend can't be the model, Cassie is asked to step in while her professional nemesis, Reid, takes the photos.

I really liked Cassie as a strong female protagonist. She and all of her colleagues at Buxom Boudoir were an amazing team. And I loved the body positivity throughout the book.

However, I didn't like Reid as the male protagonist. Even after Cassie had conversations with him about how different it was for her to succeed as a Black woman than for him as a white man, he persisted in behaviors that undermined her career. I could never really see them as a good match or hope for their HEA because I just didn't feel he was good enough for her. He seemed utterly selfish.

Jeanette Illidge narrated beautifully with wonderful voices for each character. I was especially impressed that she was able to voice Kit's British accent taking on a valley girl tone.

I am almost finished reading this book and it is leaning more towards women's fiction than it is romance. I enjoy it. I like Cassie as the main character. Reid and his "spying" really does not fit in the plot like I think the author thought it would and I feel like we are just thrust into Russ's life without knowing much else.
I would still recommend it to someone but its not my all time favorite read of the year

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! This story is a cute and easy read with inclusive body representation, an interracial couple, and fun side characters. Cassie is a photographer working with her best friend at Buxom Boudoir, when she’s forced to model on a major campaign. Reid is also a photographer, and he’s often picked for major jobs around Chicago based on being a white, male over Cassie, a black woman. Though Cassie and Reid are competitors for jobs, they’re forced to work together on a major lingerie campaign and feel an immediate attraction, but will their relationship make it? This book was a fun summer read, with me mostly reading it at the pool in this July heat in the South. I liked the character of Cassie a lot and the writing style was easy to read, but I think some of the pacing of this book was slightly off for me and I did not connect well to the male main character of Reid. Overall I recommend this book for fans of contemporary romance, interracial romance, inclusive size representation, and boudoir positivity.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for sharing this e-arc with me. The following review reflects my honest reading experience.

The Accidental Pinup was just ok. I loved the body positivity and representation with a strong, plus sized Black woman as the lead. I really liked Cassie as the lead. She is fierce and so hard working. She deserves the world!
However the story was just ok. The premise was great, but it was a bit too insta-lovey for me and I didn’t really like the dynamic that was in the background of Cassie & Reid’s relationship. I think Cassie deserves better!
The Accidental Pinup was fun and I enjoyed it, but just wasn’t my favorite.

I received a gifted galley of THE ACCIDENTAL PINUP by Danielle Jackson for an honest review. Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, PRH Audio, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

THE ACCIDENTAL PINUP follows Cassie, a photographer who specializes in modern takes on pinup photos and using natural lighting to make people of all shapes and sizes and skin colors look amazing. She is helping her best friend Dana with the launch of her own lingerie line for people of all sizes and it seems like a perfect match.

When problems with Dana’s pregnancy put Dana on the sidelines, Cassie is determined to help keep her friend’s vision on track. It comes as quite the shock when she is asked to be the one in front of the camera instead of the one taking the photos. Learning that her professional rival Reid will be behind the camera doesn’t help. Still she’s determined to bring her vision for Dana’s launch to life.

This was a steamy and easily bingeable romance. I loved Cassie’s takes on lighting and photography that we got to see throughout the book. Being put on the spot to be a model in skimpy barely there lingerie was a big ask and absolutely not one I could have gotten on board with, no matter how much I love my friends!

This book does weigh heavily on miscommunication. Reid is brought in to work with Cassie with the idea that Cassie still maintains some semblance of being in charge of the vision, but he’s also working behind her back with the company to give some handholding and guidance to make sure the company ultimate gets what it wants. Miscommunication isn’t my favorite thing to find in books, so it is something I had to look past a bit with this story.

The Accidental Pinup is a debut by Danielle Jackson. When a black, plus-size, woman photographer ends up on the other side of the lens modeling her best friend's hot new size-inclusive lingerie, sparks (and clothes) will fly. I loved this new take on a body positive woman in an enemies to lovers trope. Overall a cute and fun read!

This was a okay read. Didn't see Cassie and Reid as a couple, like at all. Their "romance" wasnt believable at all. And honestly, I don't know where this story was attempting to go. Too much gunk and not enough of a building of a story.

Cassie is a boudoir photographer who is very used to being behind the camera- until she’s suddenly in front of it as a model for her friend’s lingerie line when her friend is put on bed rest. If that wasn’t already outside of her comfort zone, the photographer for her shoots is none other than Reid, her nemesis who has stolen several jobs from her in the past.

This was cute! I appreciated the plus sized representation and discussion around privilege. I had a hard time getting over Reid’s actions and to see how a relationship would be possible after the events that transpired. The relationship between the people who worked at the studio was so cute and I wanted to know more about them, especially Sam!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the advanced reading copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

When a plus-size, black photographer ends up on the other side of the lens for her friend’s lingerie campaign, sparks fly!

Cute, debut romance that made me smile and enjoy the ride. 3.5 stars

Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity,

Danielle Jackson brings humor and heat to her debut romance, The Accidental Pinup, a body-positive love letter to Chicago, photography and found family. When Cassie Harris's pregnant best friend Dana, a queer fashion influencer and designer, is put on bed rest, Cassie sets her dream job to the side to take on Dana's role as model for a new line of lingerie and swimwear. Luscious Lingerie had promised that Cassie would be photographing Dana's line, finally guaranteeing Cassie a prestige role long denied her as a Black female photographer in a competitive niche, but now Cassie must work with the man she's lost countless jobs to, Reid Montgomery.
As Cassie and Reid explore the city, looking for the perfect backdrops for Dana's inclusive, quirky line, their initial impressions are replaced by respect, artistic admiration and a simmering heat that boils over in a rather unprofessional way. The Accidental Pinup is told in dual perspectives, meaning that while readers will develop a quick and powerful protectiveness toward Cassie, they'll empathize with Reid as they learn of his difficult upbringing and sense of familial and financial obligation to his much younger brother.
The romance remains central, but readers will savor the moments Jackson dedicates to the way Cassie captures light, joy and quiet beauty in her photographs. With a cheeky, subversive lens, The Accidental Pinup claims space for Cassie's dreams, gives readers a satisfying happily ever after and neatly sets up several possible sequels.--Suzanne Krohn, Librarian and Freelance Reviewer

Discover: This debut Chicago-set interracial romance will delight readers interested in pinup photography, intimate fashion, steadfast friendships and women finding love while making space for their dreams.

In THE ACCIDENTAL PINUP, when a plus-size Black woman photographer ends up on the other side of the lens modeling her best friend's hot new size-inclusive lingerie, sparks (and clothes) will fly.

Danielle Jackson flips the negative in this sexy, body-positive romance centered around alternative fashion, found families, and photography.

#enemiestolovers #slowburn #hea

The Accidental Pinup is a cute and fun story about Cassie who is a boudoir photographer. Always getting in the way of potential clients, is Reid Montgomery. So what happens when the two are forced to work together for a common goal? Sparks fly and emotions run high!

This book was very fun and easy to read! I did feel as though the romance was missing some chemistry between the love interests. But other than that, the plot was well done! And all the supporting characters were amazing! (is there going to be follow up stories for kit and Sam cause I am here for it)

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this book, primarily for the body positivity, sex positivity, and Cassie. I loved Cassie, Dana, Sam and Kit - I am truly excited to see if Kit and Sam have stories (but I am a little annoyed that every romance is interracial with one person being white. Would love to interracial relationships outside of the Black/white dynamic as that is so prevalent.)

This is a great example of a book with body inclusion that is real, without a focus on fitness, losing weight, etc. There are some CWs for fatphobia, but it was most body positivity. There was a significant amount of knowledge dump in the beginning that I found annoying but once the story got going it got going. I did have some concerns about timelines (timelines of Dana's pregnancy - like she had a baby bump but then we find out she was still in the first trimester which for most people, especially plus sized folks, that is not accurate. And then later in the story, Cassie mentions her baby bump not visible yet.) But I loved Cassie's drive, her desire to give folks the ability to love feel sexy. Loveeeedddd BB.

What I struggled with most was Reid. And I truly don't think Cassie should have forgiven him. The entire conflict is built on him being shady - how do you ever trust him after that? He didn't seem all that and for me, mediocre white men need to be OUT of romance. But overall I would recommend because it's nice to have a Black woman, plus sized, body positivity not focused on fitness/food, be the focus of a romance novel.

Ok, I liked this one. But I also wanted more.

I liked the overall story - Cass and Reid building a relationship during a big ad campaign. I liked how they supported each other, and encouraged each other’s art. I especially loved the friendships, especially those of the Buxom Budoir women.

I do feel like I missed some of how Cass and Reid fell for each other so quick, but that could me more due to the writing. And towards the end, I was starting feel a bit bored. I am not sure if that was the book or just my mood at the time.

Overall, enjoyable and will definitely still recommend. (3.5ish)

This book was absolutely delightful. Danielle Jackson crafts likeable characters who it is immediately easy to root for-- realistically complicated but kind-hearted and good. Our protagonists Cassie and Reid are accompanied by a loveable supporting cast of friends-- some of the most fun parts of this book are hangout scenes where you can just bask in the good vibes. In addition to a really heartwarming romance, Jackson provides interesting glimpses into the world of fashion photography and the night life of Chicago. Top it off with body positivity and a diverse cast-- this book is a good time you don't want to miss!

Great body positivity. I enjoyed learning about the world of fashion and photography. The main character was fierce and I really enjoyed her story.