Tag: Serendipity’s FInest

Review: Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips

Posted July 27, 2014 by Holly in Reviews | 0 Comments

Review: Perfect Fling by Carly PhillipsReviewer: Holly
Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips
Series: Serendipity's Finest #2
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: July 30th 2013
Genres: Fiction
Pages: 336
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four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

Dear Readers:
Thank you for loving the small town of Serendipity. Because of you, I’m able to continue what I started…and introduce you to Serendipity’s Finest—the cops of Serendipity…
Best wishes, Carly
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?
Assistant D.A. Erin Marsden is Serendipity’s quintessential good girl. The daughter of the ex–police chief, she’s never made a misstep, content with her quiet, predictable life...or so she thinks. Until Cole Sanders shows up with heated interest in his eyes and shadows in his past.
After seven years of deep undercover work in New York, Cole returns to town to help his aging father and find his moral compass again. Not to get involved with wholesome Erin Marsden. Even as a rebellious teen, he knew a girl like Erin was off limits. But neither can resist their off-the-charts chemistry, and a one-night stand brings complications neither expected.
Then a case puts Erin in a killer’s crosshairs, and 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 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 so desperately needs.

I needed to take a break from small town romance for awhile so I didn’t read this when it was first released. I’m glad I did, because I was able to appreciate the story in a way I wouldn’t have a few months ago.

Cole and Erin had a one-night-stand.  She wouldn’t have minded more, but Cole made it clear that’s all he was interested in. Until she was shot and he found out she was pregnant.  Now he wants nothing more than to keep her and their baby safe.

Forced to live together for safety, neither can deny their attraction.  They embark on an affair, but Cole makes it clear he’s not interested in a long term relationship.  He wants to be involved with his child, but he works undercover and knows that’s no life for a wife.

Erin would prefer to make her own decisions about what’s best for her, but she realizes early on Cole is too stubborn to let her. She makes a play for him, hoping they’ll have a future together,  but quickly realizes he isn’t going to budge.

Cole’s feelings were so all over the place even he didn’t know what he wanted. The mixed signals he was sending were enough to confuse anyone. Erin was quick to call him out when he said one thing but acted in a conflicting manor. It was good to see her push,  since that was clearly what he needed. Seeing the way his father was with it, plus factoring in his job, made his actions understandable. I don’t know if I’d have been so forgiving if Erin had let him get away with blowing hot and cold, but as it stands I was able to relate.

Erin was an optimist who could have become annoying,  but she had a temper that balanced out her innate goodness. She wasn’t perfect, but she owned her flaws and mistakes.  She was established in her career, had good friends and tight family bonds and wasn’t afraid to stand on her own two feet. She was a little mixed up about Cole – and who wouldn’t be with all his mixed signals? – but overall she was a great character.

They had a good support system. Many characters from past books showed up, but not in an obtrusive way.

The town of Serendipity is one I’d like to live in and its inhabitants people I could call friends. Phillips really drew me into her world and made me want to stay.

4.25 out of 5

This book is available from Jove. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

four-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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