Halfway Perfect by Julie Cross and Mark Perini

Halfway PerfectI picked up an ARC copy of “Halfway Perfect” by Julie Cross and Mark Perini with trepidation. As a fashion editor (that’s my day job), I am usually disappointed with fictional works that deal with fashion because more often than not, the author got it wrong.

But not with “Halfway Perfect”; authors Julie Cross and Mark Perini hit it right on the head. And though the situations described in the book might be very sad, there is also a tinge of truth in it.

The story of three models – Eve, Alex and Elana, “Halfway Perfect” emphasizes the very short shelf life of a high street fashion model.

At 18, Eve had “retired” and currently a student at Columbia University, while Alex who is also 18 is just getting his stride. Both of them started at 15, same as French model Elana who is just starting her career.

A tight story, well edited and great storytelling overall, “Halfway Perfect” is a great read. Just be aware though that this is still a work of fiction because the voice it is told feel autobiographical.

Halfway Perfect is Rated T for Teen due to adult situations. Though there are sex scenes in the book, they are implied and not graphic

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Description

Bestselling author Julie Cross teams up with Ford model Mark Perini to pen a poignant and gritty YA novel about love and the dark side of modeling and the fashion industry

Eve’s time as a fashion model nearly destroyed her-now she’s determined to build a career behind the camera lens. But landing a coveted photography internship brings her face to face with her dark past-and her ex.

While Eve is snapping pictures, up-and-coming male model Alex is launching his career-which, for him, involves maintaining a fake relationship with his (secretly) underage co-star, Elana.

But Alex is falling for Eve, and Eve won’t let herself get hurt again. If Alex can pull off a fake love with Elana, can he convince Eve to risk a secret affair with him?