Review: Perfect Mess, Perfect Story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 31, 2013
*received a copy for an honest reviewA Perfect Mess was a perfect read.  It had a really hot lead male, but the best part was he was a triplet.  That means there were three good looking and interesting males on the scene.  Be still my heart *swoon*.  The story line was a good one with a little intrigue, mystery, secrets, and romance.  I love secrets and there were plenty to be had.  Some were revealed and dealt with, but some were left out there to continue with another character's story.  The setting was probably what I loved best about this story possibly because it reminded me of Duck Dynasty.  I'll tell you about that later as I give a run-down of my thoughts.Aubree is the female lead.  She's 19 and in her first year of college.  She has some secrets that keep her wrapped up in work so she can forget what happened 8 months earlier.  Her childhood has shaped her into a perfectionist.  Thinking if she can be perfect, get perfect grades, then the people she loves will love her back.  She's afraid of being left alone. To say she has built walls around her heart would be an understatement.  She's built a fortress.  She does have a weakness for one of the Outlaw boys.  However, she's chosen to run and hide at college than to confront her feelings.  She's gorgeous but doesn't see it.  Booker Outlaw sees her and has put her on a rather high pedestal.The Outlaw brothers, mmmm, how to describe all that male goodness.  Booker Outlaw has loved Aubree ever since he could remember.  He has his own childhood memories that have shaped his beliefs.  He believes that he is like his father; a father who left his mom and brothers and never came back.  When good things happen for Booker he doesn't let it make him happy.  His thoughts are always "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."  The name Outlaw does not carry a positive connotation.  In the family tree there was a confederate relative that set the tone for how the family would be viewed throughout the generations.  Booker and his brothers, Braxton and Boone, were labeled as bad boys, "The Unholy Trinity".  Oh, to my delight, the bad boy was just a cover.  Booker was totally taken by Aubree.  He'd do anything for her, even keep her secret.  He had me swooning with all the talents that he had.  He could sing, play the piano, write stories, take care of his family, be Aubree's hero, and all in a day's work, or so it seemed.  The only thing that I couldn't wrap my head around was Booker's age.  He had to be the same age as Aubree since they went to school together.  He just seemed older than 19.  I was picturing him in his twenties.  Maybe he seemed older because of all he had accomplished and he takes care of his family.  It's not a big deal.  I just had to remind myself that he wasn't that much older than Aubree.Booker's brothers were a nice addition to this story.  They were all talented in one way or another.  They were all musically inclined.  Each had a talent that they turned into a profession.  Booker was an author, Boone was a landscape architect, and Braxton was a chef/cook.  Aubree remembered how they were in high school and gave the reader insight into the boys.  Booker was quiet, unpredictable, and elusive.  Boone was the reckless one, the charismatic party animal.  He liked living fast, almost as if he was afraid to slow down.  Braxton was the skirt-chaser, the sweet-talker.  He always had a string of girls after him.  Aubree had two friends that she interacted with in the story.  River Pearl and Verity seemed to have a connection with Booker's brothers.  Interesting, very interesting.This perfect mess of a story was set in Louisiana.  The men had a southern drawl and were hot.  I watch Duck Dynasty, which is set in Louisiana.  I don't think I have seen a "Hot" guy on that show.  I'm not sure where they keep them.  Maybe they are only in books, but that's fine with me because the ones in this book gave my imagination quite an image.  Anyway, moving on.  Swamps, frogging, alligators, and talk of Boudin were all things that I have seen on Duck Dynasty.  It was the perfect setting for me to really get into the story.  I could picture Aubree and Booker out on the water catching frogs then heading home to prepare them for the party.  When Aubree mentioned she liked Boudin I thought about the episode where Ms. Kay made too much Boudin and they went around in an ice cream truck to sell them.  When Booker was talking about being out on the water at night with his brothers and they had mistaken an alligator eye for a frog, I thought of Jase talking about alligator's eyes being red when a flashlight was put on them at night.  I loved that I had a point of reference to really get into the story.Zoe Dawson created a story that had me turning the page and devouring every word.  Her characters were real, the setting was perfect, and the story was captivating.  I definitely enjoyed getting to know the Outlaw brothers and the women who had them, literally and figuratively.  Like I mentioned in the beginning.  Not all secrets were exposed.  I'm thinking that Verity and Boone have a few secrets to get out.  So I am delighted to see that their story will be told in book 2, A Perfect Mistake.  It should be a good one.  Did I mention that Verity is the preacher's daughter?  No, well that alone is enough to have my attention, especially since Boone is the one that gets to her.  It should be totally delicious.  Do yourself a favor and get a copy of A Perfect Mess.  You won't regret it.