Picture Imperfectby Jelsa Mepsey
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Release date: September 22nd 2015
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Max Prescott knows all too well the joys of cheating girlfriends and traitorous friends. He’s not eager to have his heart trampled again, but money and a fresh start can mean the difference between happiness and a dark path with his name on it.
So when Melly Hewson, a perky and enigmatic classmate, asks him to be her model for a year-long photography project, Max agrees. Melly Hewson is everything Max isn’t. She’s outgoing, witty and always knows the right words to say. And despite his best efforts, Max finds himself drawn to her.
Still, he isn’t stupid. He knows a girl like Melly will only use him and then never speak to him again. Besides, he’s been to that rodeo. As long as he keeps his feelings off the market, he won’t make the same mistakes as last time.
Yet underneath Melly’s sweet smiles lies a secret she’d rather kept hidden. And as the year goes on and the photos pile up, Max and Melly will find themselves developing through the negatives, a story that when told could push them to opposite ends of their world. But the only thing worst than the truth is, the facade that surrounds them.
by Jelsa Mepsey
Seeing as I don’t have much advice from personal experience about heartbreak, I thought I would look to some songs other people have written. Many of these couldn’t be in Picture Imperfect’s official playlist due to limited space and how well the song fit Max’s situation, so I thought this would be a good place to provide additional music selections.
Speed Dial – Mitchel Musso
The overall sound and the story in this song makes this one of my favorite Mitchel Musso songs, and in the future I could see it easily inspiring a short story.
Cry Me a River – Ella Fitzgerald
I first heard this song in a vocal instruction class and appreciated the different perspective it brought. It’s also one of the few songs from the 1900s that I know.
In Case – Demi Lovato
As you date someone, each of you accumulates the other’s items. The focus on many of these physical aspects is very well done.
Someone Else Before – Hawk Nelson
The phone conversation in the middle of the song functions both as a bridge and as clarification for listeners. There’s lots of breakup songs out there, but the way this one is presented is unique.
The One that Got Away – Katy Perry
I’ve always found the music video for this song to be very profound. This is definitely one of my favorite Katy Perry songs.
When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars covered by Sam Tsui
There are many times when I think about how I can be a better friend and/or girlfriend, and I love the way this song gets very specific in the ways the narrator wishes he had treasured what he had before it was gone.
Heart Heart Heartbreak – Boys Like Girls
Boys Like Girls has a lot of breakup songs, so I went for one with a simpler chorus and great instrumentals.
Pretend – Secondhand Serenade
This song really emphasizes that when people come into our lives, it’s difficult when they leave.
Heartbreak Therapy – Tanner Patrick
This song is very upbeat considering its content, but shows that the narrator is hopeful about the future.
Just a Little Bit of Your Heart – Ariana Grande
While it’s not necessarily a breakup song, this is a feeling many people can probably relate to if they are in a loveless relationship before ending it.
I hope you enjoyed these songs as much as I do and that if you need them right now, at least one of them was helpful. After all, this list has a large variety of viewpoints, and one of them is bound to resonate with each of us.
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Jelsa Mepsey writes young adult contemporary romance fiction, drawing inspiration from daily life. With her work, she is dedicated to spurring people to think about what they have taken for granted and to shed light on the issues people avoid talking about. As an Asian-American in her 20s, she is excited to explore more of the human experience as she herself journeys through life. Writing, rock climbing 5.12 routes, and playing various instruments have resulted in the formation of many calluses on her hands over the years. When not engaging in her previously mentioned hobbies, Jelsa can be found at her local library with a stack of at least ten books, naming her various pens, or staring at her dog Waffles for inspiration.
