Julie Mathison, a small-town woman with a troubled past, is kidnapped by Zachary Benedict, a former Hollywood actor convicted of murder. As they spend time together, Julie begins to believe in Zach's innocence, leading to a complex romance between the two. The book is filled with suspense, drama, and romance, exploring themes of trust, redemption, and self-discovery. The writing style is described as engaging, emotional, and captivating, with a mix of action and heartfelt moments that keep readers hooked from beginning to end.

Characters:

Characters grapple with complexity, showcasing both admirable traits and frustrating weaknesses. The protagonist's perfection and the hero's aggression play pivotal roles in the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The prose combines emotional depth with detailed characterization, though it often suffers from melodramatic dialogue and excessive detail.

Plot/Storyline:

The storyline centers around a kidnapping and features a mix of romance and suspense. It is filled with themes of innocence, character development, and a convoluted plot with numerous subplots.

Setting:

The narrative is set against contrasting backdrops of glamorous Hollywood and a serene Colorado cabin, enriching the story's context.

Pacing:

While initially engaging, where the pacing slows significantly, leading to a less coherent flow in the middle of the narrative.

The receptionist smiled at the youngster. “Dr. Wilmer will be with you in a little while, Julie. In the meantime, you can sit over there and fill out as much of this card as you can. I forgot to give ...

Notes:

Judith McNaught's 'Perfect' was published in 1993 and is part of the Second Opportunities series.

The story features a Hollywood movie star, Zack Benedict, who is wrongfully convicted of murder and escapes from prison.

The heroine, Julie Mathison, has a traumatic background, having grown up in the foster care system and being illiterate until age 11.

Julie becomes a school teacher and also teaches adult women to read, highlighting the theme of illiteracy.

The plot involves Julie being kidnapped by Zack, who initially takes her hostage but eventually wins her trust.

Julie's boyfriend Greg and an FBI agent, Paul, also play roles, but their storylines are considered underdeveloped by some readers.

The book includes many tropes common in older romance novels, leading to mixed reviews on its contemporary relevance.

Critics note the relationship dynamics and problems related to consent in the context of kidnapping, prompting discussions on Stockholm Syndrome.

Despite flaws, the romance between Zack and Julie is characterized as tender, with memorable emotional scenes.

The book is seen as having both dramatic tension and moments of humor, especially through dialogues and character interactions.

The narrative shifts between several secondary characters, which some readers felt detracted from the main storyline.

McNaught's writing style was praised for its character development and ability to engage readers throughout the lengthy 700-page novel.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes related to imprisonment, violence, and abusive relationships, which some readers may find triggering.

Has Romance?

The romance between the protagonists is central to the plot and is heavily developed throughout the storyline.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Paradise and Westmoreland Dynasty series comes a romantic adventure that seamlessly melds danger and desire.

A rootless foster child, Julie Mathison has blossomed under the love showered upon her by her adoptive family. Now a lovely and vivacious young woman, she is a respected teacher in her small Texas town and is determined to give back all the kindness she has received, believing that nothing can ever shatter the perfect life she has fashioned.

Zachary Benedict is an actor whose Academy Award-winning career was shattered when he was wrongly convicted of murdering his wife. After the tall, ruggedly handsome Zack escapes from a Texas prison, he abducts Julie and forces her to drive him to his Colorado mountain hideout. She's outraged, cautious, and unable to ignore the instincts that whispers of his innocence. He's cynical, wary, and increasingly attracted to her. Desire is about to capture them both in its fierce embrace but the journey to trust, true commitment, and proving Zack's innocence is just beginning. "A mixture of virtue and passion that is almost-ahem-perfect" (Kirkus Reviews), this is a captivating tale that fans will adore.

Ratings (7)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (3)
It Was OK (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (3)
Not Interested (1)

What can you read after
Perfect?

See the list (97 books)

About the Author:

Judith McNaught is the #1 New York Times bestselling author who first soared to stardom with her stunning bestseller Whitney, My Love, and went on to win the hearts of millions of readers with Once and Always, Something Wonderful, A Kingdom of Dreams, Almost Heaven, Paradise, Perfect, Until You, Remember When, Someone to Watch Over Me, the #1 New York Times bestseller Night Whispers, and many other novels. There are more than thirty million copies of her books in print. She lives in Texas.

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Perfect

Judith McNaught

Book 2 in the series:Second Opportunities