Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh

Paperback, 416 pages

Published February 20th 2007 by Multnomah Books (first published 2007)

ISBN 1590529278 (ISBN13: 9781590529270)

Kate’s Creed: Thou shalt embrace singledom and be unbelievably, inconceivably happy.

YEAH, RIGHT.

Kate Meadows is a successful San Francisco artist looking for a nice, solid Christian man. So when not one, but two handsome bachelors enter her orbit in rapid succession, her head is spinning just a bit. Michael Palmier is a hunky and famous makeup artist who actually seems to be flirting with her–rather than her physically flawless housemate, Maia. Trouble is, he keeps handing her business cards from various beauty professionals and plastic surgeons. Is he trying to stamp out every last bit of self-esteem she has?

Then there’s Dr. Clive Alexander, good-looking enough to be mistaken for Brad Pitt, who sends Kate’s pulse skittering every time he comes near. Too bad he’s only interested in her work–and doesn’t think she’s much to look at. It’s enough to send a girl running for her paint-splattered, relaxed-fit jeans and swearing off men altogether! But after undergoing a makeover from Michael’s staff, Kate can’t be oblivious to the admiring glances men throw her way. Maybe she should try contacts…consider some fancy dental work…and you know, that mole really could stand to go. The question now is, what kind of work will Kate do on herself…and who exactly is she trying to please?

I really enjoyed the overall message of this book.  Kate is successful at doing something she loves.  She is well grounded and mostly happy until people keep telling her she is not skinny enough or pretty enough or well groomed enough.  How hard would that be?  One thing leads to another and soon Kate finds herself going out of her way to change things about herself for other people.  

I think most women can relate to many of the self esteem issues that Kate has.  I know I can.  I can't imagine how difficult it would be to have people pointing out all my flaws all the time.  Ouch.  I was able to connect with Kate and empathize with her struggles.

Kate is a witty and fun character.  Her humor and internal dialogues kept me interested and lightened the mood considerably when it threatened to become overbearing.  Kate felt like someone I would hang out with in real life.

This is a Christian Fiction book so there is a lot of talk about God.  It is the whole basis of the book.  Kate is struggling to please others and loses her focus on ultimately pleasing God first.  I loved how Clive always tells Kate that it isn't bad to change things you may not like about yourself as long as you are doing it for the right reasons and not just to please other people.

Overall a good book.  I sure don't like the cover at all but I'm glad that I didn't judge the book based on the cover.  :)  

You can find out more about this book and it's author at the following places:

Author Website
More Info
Read Chapter One
Author Bio

You can purchase this book at Amazon.