I was so excited to be able to start this series after putting it off for so long (why, I don't now). The pictures were such an interesting element and really seemed to ground a sense of history and reality into the books making you wonder if truth really is stranger than fiction. I've seen lots of strange and peculiar (hah) old pictures before and I loved how much of the characters were inspired by some odd old photos. 
 I did find the romance really insta-lovey which was disappointing but I have super high hopes for the rest of the trilogy!