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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Loved this good girl vs bad boy story. After her brother Mike's wedding, Erin was feeling pretty blue. It seemed like everyone was part of a couple except her, so she stopped in at Joe's Bar because she didn't want to go home yet. There she ran into Cole, the bad boy she had a crush on in high school. No one knows what Cole has been doing since he left town, but the bad boy still draws her attention. A few dances later the heat between them is sizzling and they decide to do something with it.
Even though they had agreed that it was a one-night thing, neither one has been able to forget that night. But Cole doesn't do relationships at all. As an undercover detective his life has no room for other people. Plus, he's well aware that his past makes him totally unsuitable to be anywhere near a woman as good as Erin. Meanwhile, Erin really doesn't care what Cole's reputation is, she knows he's a good man. That is made abundantly obvious when she ends up pregnant from that one night and Cole immediately accepts his responsibility.
I loved the two of them together. Erin may be the town good girl, but she's no pushover. Though stunned by her pregnancy, she's ready to do the best she can. She's not quite sure how she's going to tell Cole, but that gets taken out of her hands when she gets shot and he overhears her talking to the doctor. Cole is stunned, her brothers are furious, and she appears to have a stalker. I loved watching her stand up to all of them over what is best to be done, and finally accepting Cole's protection. When Cole finds out about the pregnancy, he's stunned, but refuses to just walk away. With the added need to protect Erin, he moves in with her. He tries very hard to maintain his emotional distance, but being with Erin 24/7 leaves him vulnerable to the way she makes him feel.
Cole really fought hard against the feelings he was beginning to have for Erin. As the son of an emotionally abusive man, Cole had spent a lot of time creating trouble as a teen. Even after he moved away and straightened up his life, becoming a detective, his father still belittles him at every turn. Added to the things he's done in the course of his undercover work, Cole feels that he is nowhere good enough for Erin. He is determined that he will leave after the danger to her is gone. But Erin constantly chips away at the walls around his heart, and dreams of what it could be like make him wonder if it could happen. In spite of his assertions that he is not a good man, Cole is very good at taking care of Erin. I loved the way he cooked for her, made sure she rested, and started getting really involved in the idea of the baby. He started to understand that he was falling for her, but the idea scared him to death and he worked harder at pushing her away, then admitting his unhappiness when he succeeded. He was stubborn about believing in his worthiness all the way to the end.
Erin seems to be the only person who can see the good in Cole. Even that first night, she never would have slept with him if she hadn't believed in him. Though they had agreed on one night, no strings, she hadn't been able to forget him, and kept trying to connect with him. Finding out she was pregnant threw her into confusion. She wanted the baby, but how could she tell him about it? With him not wanting any relationship, she would be on her own. But once she did tell him, he surprised her with his determination to be involved. Having him constantly underfoot was playing havoc with her peace of mind. He claimed that he was no good for her, but she certainly felt cherished when he was around. She quickly realized she had fallen for him, but had no idea how she was going to get him to want to stay. I loved her method of simply showing him what life with her would be like. I loved watching her get to him, and ached for her when it looked like he just wasn't going to believe. The ending was sweet, as Cole finally believed in what Erin saw.
The suspense was a good part of the story as it was the catalyst bringing Cole and Erin together. It wasn't super intense but still enough to keep me interested in seeing how it turned out. The identity of the stalker was no surprise, but there was a small twist about it. The final confrontation went quickly and Cole was able to protect Erin. I thought Erin's actions toward the stalker at the end were pretty classy.
Even though they had agreed that it was a one-night thing, neither one has been able to forget that night. But Cole doesn't do relationships at all. As an undercover detective his life has no room for other people. Plus, he's well aware that his past makes him totally unsuitable to be anywhere near a woman as good as Erin. Meanwhile, Erin really doesn't care what Cole's reputation is, she knows he's a good man. That is made abundantly obvious when she ends up pregnant from that one night and Cole immediately accepts his responsibility.
I loved the two of them together. Erin may be the town good girl, but she's no pushover. Though stunned by her pregnancy, she's ready to do the best she can. She's not quite sure how she's going to tell Cole, but that gets taken out of her hands when she gets shot and he overhears her talking to the doctor. Cole is stunned, her brothers are furious, and she appears to have a stalker. I loved watching her stand up to all of them over what is best to be done, and finally accepting Cole's protection. When Cole finds out about the pregnancy, he's stunned, but refuses to just walk away. With the added need to protect Erin, he moves in with her. He tries very hard to maintain his emotional distance, but being with Erin 24/7 leaves him vulnerable to the way she makes him feel.
Cole really fought hard against the feelings he was beginning to have for Erin. As the son of an emotionally abusive man, Cole had spent a lot of time creating trouble as a teen. Even after he moved away and straightened up his life, becoming a detective, his father still belittles him at every turn. Added to the things he's done in the course of his undercover work, Cole feels that he is nowhere good enough for Erin. He is determined that he will leave after the danger to her is gone. But Erin constantly chips away at the walls around his heart, and dreams of what it could be like make him wonder if it could happen. In spite of his assertions that he is not a good man, Cole is very good at taking care of Erin. I loved the way he cooked for her, made sure she rested, and started getting really involved in the idea of the baby. He started to understand that he was falling for her, but the idea scared him to death and he worked harder at pushing her away, then admitting his unhappiness when he succeeded. He was stubborn about believing in his worthiness all the way to the end.
Erin seems to be the only person who can see the good in Cole. Even that first night, she never would have slept with him if she hadn't believed in him. Though they had agreed on one night, no strings, she hadn't been able to forget him, and kept trying to connect with him. Finding out she was pregnant threw her into confusion. She wanted the baby, but how could she tell him about it? With him not wanting any relationship, she would be on her own. But once she did tell him, he surprised her with his determination to be involved. Having him constantly underfoot was playing havoc with her peace of mind. He claimed that he was no good for her, but she certainly felt cherished when he was around. She quickly realized she had fallen for him, but had no idea how she was going to get him to want to stay. I loved her method of simply showing him what life with her would be like. I loved watching her get to him, and ached for her when it looked like he just wasn't going to believe. The ending was sweet, as Cole finally believed in what Erin saw.
The suspense was a good part of the story as it was the catalyst bringing Cole and Erin together. It wasn't super intense but still enough to keep me interested in seeing how it turned out. The identity of the stalker was no surprise, but there was a small twist about it. The final confrontation went quickly and Cole was able to protect Erin. I thought Erin's actions toward the stalker at the end were pretty classy.
I received an early copy of Perfect Fling for an honest review. I enjoy reading stories that are a part of a series especially when they series has family ties to it. Carly Phillips you did NOT disappoint! I was happy when Erin received her own story. I liked how Erin's character was written as a strong heroine yet realistic. I've seen some strong heroines who feel they can do it all on their own. Cole your traditional alpha male (my favorite kind of male hero) took me on a roller coaster of emotions from laughing, then swooning, then upset with him and finally ending with way to go Cole! Together Erin and Cole made a great pair and hope to see them in future Serendipity stories :) I enjoy stories that make my heart flutter or find myself saying aww..
Perfect Fling did both of these. Thank you Carly Phillips for writing another success.
Perfect Fling did both of these. Thank you Carly Phillips for writing another success.
This is a great story. I devoured this book highly recommended
Again, a fun easy read... However, having read this book back-to-back with the first book in this series, Perfect Fit, I didn't like how similar the two main male characters were.
What even was this garbage and why the heck did I finish it. First, I didn't realize this was originally published 10 years ago (I personally hate when authors rebrand old work and don't explicitly make note of that in the description). This might explain the insulting use of bipolar disorder as a plot twist (you'd think Carly Phillips, if she wanted to republish this book, would rework this part to fit where we are culturally with mental health awareness, but alright). And then how could she label Cole's father as emotionally abusive for most of the book but then give him a redemption arc? Abusive people don't deserve redemption arcs, and this one was nonsensical and seemed to come out of nowhere.
I should also just learn and accept that Carly Phillips books aren't for me. I don't like the detached third person POV. I also felt like this book dragged on. ANYWAYS yeah don't read this, you'll thank me later.
I should also just learn and accept that Carly Phillips books aren't for me. I don't like the detached third person POV. I also felt like this book dragged on. ANYWAYS yeah don't read this, you'll thank me later.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“What do you need?” she asked. “You, sweetheart. I need you and everything that you bring with you."
I did not realise that this book was part of a series but still, keeping track of all the characters was pretty easy. Erin & Cole had good chemistry and I liked how they both grew individually but it took too long for Cole to realise what he really wanted. The beginning and end were good but the plot somewhat slowed down in the middle. It wasn't so hard to guess why was Erin being stalked when the message by the stalker was found and the entire plot was predictable. I liked the side characters and I enjoyed reading this book but I don't know if I'll continue reading this series. Overall, I will rate it as a 3.5 star read.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
I did not realise that this book was part of a series but still, keeping track of all the characters was pretty easy. Erin & Cole had good chemistry and I liked how they both grew individually but it took too long for Cole to realise what he really wanted. The beginning and end were good but the plot somewhat slowed down in the middle. It wasn't so hard to guess why was Erin being stalked when the message by the stalker was found and the entire plot was predictable. I liked the side characters and I enjoyed reading this book but I don't know if I'll continue reading this series. Overall, I will rate it as a 3.5 star read.
I received an ARC in exchange of an honest review
After all the Julie James books I've read, when I heard that Perfect Fling had a AUSA heroine I just had to read it. Well... it's like not a Julie James novel. I think I had wrong expectations for this book so that affected my overall enjoyment of it. I didn't really connect to any of the characters. Full review to come.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Perfect Fling, Serendipity #5, by Carly Phillips
Grade: B
“Because though she wouldn’t let herself use the word, not even in the most private recesses of her own mind, she was falling in.....everything with Cole Sanders.”
Cole Sanders is heading home to Serendipity, New York after years of working as an undercover agent in new York City. Cole doesn’t quite know why he’s back in his hometown but he wants to try and find something he lost and check on his father who is sick. Cole didn’t expect to find Erin Mardsen still irresistible or willing to go to bed with him. That one night changes both of their lives forever and throws them together to battle not only new demons but old ones.
Erin Mardsen is sick of being the good girl of Serendipity and when Cole Sanders comes back in town she finally goes for what she’s always wanted: one night with Cole. That one night turns Erin’s world upside down and she soon needs Cole to not only warm her bed but protect her from a crazy stalker. The more time Erin spends with Cole the more she knows she wants to keep him and she sets out to do just that.
I had only read the first book in the Serendipity series so I was a little nervous jumping to book five but turns out I had nothing to worry about. Perfect Fling is a super cute book that was easy to fall into and filled me in on what happened in Serendipity from book one to five. I never felt lost or confused about what was going on or who anyone was and was able to jump right into Cole and Erin’s story, which is adorable.
I really liked Erin right from the get go and I think she is the reason I liked the book so much. Cole rubbed me the wrong way for the majority of the time and sometimes I wanted Erin to tell him to just go away. I did love that these two had history together and that each one was so into the other, even though Erin was the only one who would show it. I wish that Cole didn’t have his guard up so much and even though I like a broken hero, he was a little much for me. What made up for Cole’s surly attitude was the way he was protective of Erin and the chemistry between these two lit up the pages.
A big part of this book focuses on Erin being stalked and what annoyed me was it was very easy to figure out who it was very early on. I think I wanted more of a guessing game with the character’s identity and was disappointed when I didn't get it. I did really enjoy Cole and his interaction with his father. Even though it was heartbreaking it showed why Cole is the way he is and why he keeps everyone at a distance. I liked how these two storylines balanced out the romance and made the book so enjoyable.
All in all Perfect Fling is what every Carly Phillips fan loves and once again she does not disappoint. This book has just the right amounts of romance, action and healing to melt anyone's heart and keep them reading well into the night.
Grade: B
“Because though she wouldn’t let herself use the word, not even in the most private recesses of her own mind, she was falling in.....everything with Cole Sanders.”
Cole Sanders is heading home to Serendipity, New York after years of working as an undercover agent in new York City. Cole doesn’t quite know why he’s back in his hometown but he wants to try and find something he lost and check on his father who is sick. Cole didn’t expect to find Erin Mardsen still irresistible or willing to go to bed with him. That one night changes both of their lives forever and throws them together to battle not only new demons but old ones.
Erin Mardsen is sick of being the good girl of Serendipity and when Cole Sanders comes back in town she finally goes for what she’s always wanted: one night with Cole. That one night turns Erin’s world upside down and she soon needs Cole to not only warm her bed but protect her from a crazy stalker. The more time Erin spends with Cole the more she knows she wants to keep him and she sets out to do just that.
I had only read the first book in the Serendipity series so I was a little nervous jumping to book five but turns out I had nothing to worry about. Perfect Fling is a super cute book that was easy to fall into and filled me in on what happened in Serendipity from book one to five. I never felt lost or confused about what was going on or who anyone was and was able to jump right into Cole and Erin’s story, which is adorable.
I really liked Erin right from the get go and I think she is the reason I liked the book so much. Cole rubbed me the wrong way for the majority of the time and sometimes I wanted Erin to tell him to just go away. I did love that these two had history together and that each one was so into the other, even though Erin was the only one who would show it. I wish that Cole didn’t have his guard up so much and even though I like a broken hero, he was a little much for me. What made up for Cole’s surly attitude was the way he was protective of Erin and the chemistry between these two lit up the pages.
A big part of this book focuses on Erin being stalked and what annoyed me was it was very easy to figure out who it was very early on. I think I wanted more of a guessing game with the character’s identity and was disappointed when I didn't get it. I did really enjoy Cole and his interaction with his father. Even though it was heartbreaking it showed why Cole is the way he is and why he keeps everyone at a distance. I liked how these two storylines balanced out the romance and made the book so enjoyable.
All in all Perfect Fling is what every Carly Phillips fan loves and once again she does not disappoint. This book has just the right amounts of romance, action and healing to melt anyone's heart and keep them reading well into the night.
A good girl is bad for one night with the bad boy. But one night was enough to change their lives forever.
Okay, I have to admit I'm a sucker for good-girl-turns-bad and bad-boy/good-girl romances. I really am. So I can't say I didn't enjoy this book beause that would be a lie. A huge one.
Okay, I have to admit I'm a sucker for good-girl-turns-bad and bad-boy/good-girl romances. I really am. So I can't say I didn't enjoy this book beause that would be a lie. A huge one.