Tag: Serendipity Series

Throwback Thursday Review: Serendipity by Carly Phillips

Posted November 19, 2020 by Rowena in Reviews | 1 Comment

Throwback Thursday Review: Serendipity by Carly PhillipsReviewer: Rowena
Serendipity by Carly Phillips
Series: Serendipity #1
Also in this series: Serendipity
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: September 6, 2011
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 283
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

Faith Harrington is a classic girl of privilege-until her father is convicted for running a Ponzi scheme. Now she's back in her hometown, where she runs into her teenage crush-dark, brooding Ethan Barron, who's no stranger to scandal himself.

This review was originally posted on September 8, 2011.

I was in the mood for a contemporary romance and this fit the bill so I picked it up. I wasn’t sorry that I did either. This book was cute and I was pleased with my selection. I haven’t absolutely loved every single book that I’ve read by Carly Phillips but I was delighted with this book. Getting to know both Ethan and Faith made for an entertaining day of reading and this book made me thirsty for more. I’m more than a little anxious for Dare and Nash’s story.

This book follows Ethan Barron and Faith Harrington as they make their way back to their hometown of Serendipity, New York. Faith Harrington is looking for a fresh start and Ethan is looking to repair the relationship between him and his brothers.

Things don’t start out so promising for either of them since Faith’s father is responsible for the making a lot of families in Serendipity broke and Ethan’s brothers aren’t at all interested in repairing their estranged relationship. While I understood Ethan’s brothers reasons for not wanting to have anything to do with him, I didn’t understand the town’s reaction to Faith. I wasn’t a fan of them making their little snide remarks to Faith like she had anything to do with her father’s actions.

Of the two brothers, I didn’t like Nash the most. While I understood why he was so angry with Ethan, his attitude throughout the entire book grated on my nerves and more than anything, I wanted to punch him in the nuts and go on my merry way. To hell with him and to hell with his stupid, woe is me attitude. I think what made him worse was that he held Faith accountable for her father’s actions and all of the shit that he gave her about it made me want to karate chop him in balls. I liked that Dare was more accepting at giving Ethan a chance even though it took some effort on Ethan’s part for him to come around. It was only right that Ethan made an effort to get his brothers to forgive him.
The relationship that blossomed between Faith and Ethan was my favorite part of the book. I enjoyed watching these two come together because they weren’t stupid about their feelings. They were both mature about it and dealt with their growing attraction and then feelings the way that you would hope mature adults would deal with their feelings. They were both upfront and honest about their reservations but they didn’t use their past betrayals and hurts to dissuade them from giving their relationship a go. I liked that even though both of them weren’t looking for a relationship, they didn’t run away from each other with idiotic excuses.

My second favorite part of this story was the addition of Tess. I loved Tess like she was my own little sister and I enjoyed watching her thaw and then let Ethan in. I loved how protective she was over Ethan and Faith and I loved how she did what she thought was right even when it caused bigger problems for those she had come to love. She was a good kid and she made this book all the more enjoyable because she was in it.

This book was good and I’m glad that I picked it up. Even though the next book is Nash’s story, I’m still looking forward to it. Nash is my least favorite brother but I’m interested in seeing Carly Phillips work Nash’s magic on me. Fans of Carly Phillips will enjoy this new addition to her back list and people looking for a good, fun and steamy romance to take with them to the beach should pick this one up. They won’t be sorry.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

four-half-stars

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Lightning Review: Serendipity by Carly Phillips

Posted March 21, 2016 by Holly in Reviews | 1 Comment

Lightning Review: Serendipity by Carly PhillipsReviewer: Holly
Serendipity by Carly Phillips
Series: Serendipity #1
Also in this series: Serendipity
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: September 6th 2011
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 304
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
three-half-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

Faith Harrington is a classic girl of privilege-until her father is convicted for running a Ponzi scheme. Now she's back in her hometown, where she runs into her teenage crush-dark, brooding Ethan Barron, who's no stranger to scandal himself.

This was a sweet contemporary romance. Ethan was a bad boy in high school. When his family needed him most he disappeared. Now he’s back and looking to make amends. Faith was the golden girl growing up but the mighty have fallen..hard. She’s looking to rebuild her life after her father was arrested for his part in a ponzi scheme that affected a lot of the town. Together they have enough issues to fill a warehouse, but they just might be what the other needs…

I really liked how well Ethan and Faith fit. I also liked that they didn’t gloss over or make light of their issues. Both were willing to accept responsibility for their own actions, both past and present. I really love it when characters own their mistakes and work to atone for them.

I did think Faith took things a little too far in the end, but overall I enjoyed the story and the romance.

3.5 out of 5

three-half-stars

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Review: Perfect Together by Carly Phillips

Posted March 25, 2014 by Rowena in Reviews | 1 Comment

Rowena’s review of Perfect Together (Serendipity’s Finest #3) by Carly Phillips.

In the picturesque town of Serendipity, New York, three siblings have grown up in the shadow of their proud and respected police chief father. But what do love, fate, and fortune have in store for the next generation of Serendipity’s finest?

Tired of being the easygoing daughter, always ignored in favor of her high-maintenance sister, and no longer interested in being her fiancé’s trophy wife, Nicole Farnsworth calls off her wedding. All she wants is to be herself. And where better to find her destiny than Serendipity? The place where she met the one man who made her heart beat faster, and gave her the courage to reinvent her life—even if he doesn’t know it.

Officer Sam Marsden calls Serendipity home and he loves it there—even though his childhood sweetheart was stolen by his best friend. After such heartbreak, Sam fears he can’t trust his instincts when it comes to love. Yet he’s so tempted by Nicole, a woman he met only briefly but who has starred in his dreams ever since. For Nicole and Sam, opening their hearts one more time could change their lives forever. But who’ll be the first to take that chance?

Sam Marsden finally gets his happily ever after here in Perfect Together.  You’ll remember Sam from being both Mike and Erin’s brother from the previous books in this series.  The last time we saw him was in Erin’s book and he was making googly eyes at Nicole Farnsworth.  The same Nicole who just happens to be sister to the girl who stalked his sister’s life.  You’ll also remember that Nicole was actually the one that came to Serendipity to warn Erin about Victoria (Nicole’s twin).  Then Nicole’s good deed was done and she went back home, never to be seen again.

Until she comes back to town a few months later, to stay.

Nicole’s looking for a new start and she liked the small town of Serendipity and hopes that the people there would be forgiving of her and what her sister did. It doesn’t take long for Nicole to realize that she made the right decision in breaking up with her fiance and make that move.  She’s slowly building a life for herself in this new town and she’s going after what she wants in life instead of living up to the expectations her parents have put on her, her whole life.

Sam has wanted Nicole since she came rushing into his life trying to warn his sister of her crazy sister. It’s one of those things where the body wants what it wants and his wanted Nicole.  In a bad way.  When she booked it out of town as soon as she came in, Sam chalked it up to not meant to be but now that she’s back? Sam’s itch for her is back and this time? She’s going to scratch it.

What started as something temporary, quickly becomes more than either of them were expecting and when Nicole’s ex comes back into town and danger quickly behind him, Sam’s protective instincts kick in.

I enjoyed this book.  I haven’t been reading a lot to start the new year out but what I am reading, I’m really liking and this book is part of that.  I liked getting to know both Sam and Nicole.  Separately and together, I liked them.  I liked that Nicole was a city girl who wanted a place that was all hers and I really liked that she was a baker.  I’ve got a soft spot for bakers and Nicole was a good one.   Sam was everything that I like in a hero.  Strong and sexy.

I really enjoyed the secondary romance between Tyler and Macy.  I would have liked a bit more for them in terms of page time but in the end, I was glad that they found each other and that they found a happiness that they both deserved.  Too cute.

I’m kind of sad to see that this series is all wrapped up nicely, I’m going to miss these characters.  I’ve come to love the heck out of the folks of Serendipity and I thank Carly Phillips for bringing those people alive for me through these books.  It was a fun trip.  A definite recommend.

Grade: 4 out of 5

This book is available from Berkley. You can purchase it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips

Posted August 5, 2013 by Rowena in Reviews | 1 Comment

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Rowena’s review of Perfect Fling (Serendipity’s Finest #2) by Carly Phillips.

Hero: Cole Sanders
Heroine: Erin Marsden

Erin … The Good Girl
Assistant District Attorney, Erin Marsden, is Serendipity’s quintessential good girl. The only daughter of the ex-police chief, she has never made a misstep, content with her quiet, predictable life … or so she thinks. Until Cole Sanders returns to town with heated interest in his eyes and shadows in his past.

Cole … The Bad Boy
After seven years of deep undercover work in New York City, Cole returns to Serendipity to help his aging father and to find his moral compass once more. Not to get involved with wholesome Erin Marsden. Even as a rebellious teen, he knew a girl like Erin was off limits and that hasn’t changed. But neither one of them can resist their off-the-charts chemistry and a one night stand brings complications neither Erin nor Cole expected.

The Attraction … Off the Charts!
Then Erin’s current case plunges her into a killer’s crosshairs. With more at stake than anyone knows, Erin succumbs to Cole’s take-charge attitude. As a bodyguard, he’s the best. As a lover, he’s even better. But there’s more than the matter of Erin’s safety at stake. And Cole must forgive the sins of his past and prove to himself – and to Erin – that he’s capable of the love and the forever she – and their baby – desperately need.

This is the second book in the Serendipity’s Finest book and it features Mike’s (from Book 1) younger sister, Erin.  At Mike and Cara’s wedding, Erin was feeling lonely and didn’t want to go home just yet so she found herself at Joe’s bar after the wedding, getting pretty cozy with Cole Sanders.  The guy that she used to have a huge crush on back in the day.  They agreed that it was going to be a one night deal and Cole kept his word on that.  Even though he can’t stop thinking about her and even though she can’t get that night out of her head.

Things get interesting when a few months later, Erin finds herself…in a situation where Cole will probably be in her life forever.  On top of that situation, she finds herself being stalked, shot and under the protection of the very guy that she’s trying to stay away from.  She knows that she’s in for a world of hurt because even though the chemistry between Cole and Erin, Cole is still adamant about returning to his life once Erin is safe.  But the longer they stay together, the closer they get and the harder it is to imagine life without the other.

I really like this series.  I like the characters, the small town of Serendipity and in this book, I really liked getting to know Cole and Erin.  Their story was cute and I zipped right through it.

Cole was a dreamboat who came around to the idea of a future with Erin in a way that was believable and fun.  I loved that he wasn’t afraid of Erin’s brothers and that he understood where they were coming from with how pissed they were at him.  I loved the way that he took care of Erin when she needed it and I loved the way that he took care of business.  He’s all manly man and studmuffin-y and I loved the hell out of him.

Erin was a great heroine too.  She was a lady on the streets but a freak in the sheets and Cole was addicted.  She was an all around good person and she was interesting too.  She had a great support system in her family and in her friends.  I loved how she stuck up for Cole at every turn and she didn’t care who she was tearing down in defense of her man.  She was great for Cole and he was great for her.  And seriously, I thought the title fit the story perfectly.  More often than not, the title of the book that I’m reading doesn’t really fit the story but that wasn’t the case with this one.

This was solid contemporary story and I’m glad that I read it.  I’m looking forward to Sam’s story even though I rolled my eyes when I found out who his love interest was.  Still, it’s a Carly Phillips so I’m going to read it.  I definitely recommend this book.

Grade: 4.25 out of 5

This book is available from Jove.  You can buy it here or here in e-format.  This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Fated by Carly Phillips.

Posted January 15, 2013 by Rowena in Reviews | 3 Comments

Genres: Anthologies (multiple authors)

Rowena’s review of Fated (Serendipity #1.75) by Carly Phillips.

Hero: Nick Mancini
Heroine: Kate Andrews

New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips presents a never-before-published novella set in a quaint upstate New York town—where Serendipity’s finest show exactly what they’re made of…

Kate Andews is the original rebound girl. But she has had enough and has vowed to never be someone’s second choice again. Unfortunately, her undeniably intense desire for Nick Mancini is testing her best laid plans because Kate has carried a torch for Nick since high school– but she’s always been permanently in the friend zone.

Lately, Nick has definitely noticed Kate. Unfortunately he can’t get her to take him seriously. He knows he’s made some stupid moves in the past but he’s determined to get Kate to act on their obvious and mutual attraction. However Kate’s stubborn and she’s been hurt before, which means Nick will have to pull out all the stops in order to convince her he’s not the same boy she used to know, and she’s not second best… she’s everything.

I’m really getting into this series and I’m really coming to love the people of Serendipity.  This short story follows Nick Mancini and Kate Andrews as they finally get to their happy ending.  Even though I thought this book was too short, I still enjoyed it.

If you read the other books in this series then you’ll remember Nick from Ethan and Faith’s story.  He was the contractor that helped Faith with her store but he’s also Faith’s high school sweetheart who tried to get at her again when she popped right back up in Serendipity, much to Ethan’s chagrin.  In this book, you’ll see that Nick has moved on from Faith…to her best friend Kate Andrews but Kate isn’t having anything to do with Nick.  No matter how many times Nick asks her out, she finds reasons to not go out with him.

Kate’s been burned before and she’ll be damned if she’ll be someone else’s second choice and with Nick, she’s the second choice because he just tried to rekindle his high school romance with her best friend.  As attracted as Kate is to Nick, she’s not going there.  She doesn’t want the hurt and humiliation that comes from that kind of relationship.

But Nick’s interest in her isn’t going away and he hasn’t stopped pursuing her so with a little help from the same best friend that Kate swears Nick still has feelings for, they get Kate to stick around and talk things out with Nick.

This was a cute story.  I was happy that Nick finally got his girl in the end because I remember liking him in Ethan and Faith’s book so it was good to see him again and even though I wanted a little more from this story, it was still a good read.  Everything happens so fast in this book but I didn’t think it was necessarily a bad thing considering, I knew about them from previous books.

After finishing Perfect Fit, I was itching for more Serendipity goodness and this was a great way to scratch that itch.  Now, if only I can stay patient for Erin’s book which comes out this year, woot!

3.75 out of 5

This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review.

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