Just finished reading…Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery
January 5, 2011 at 6:00 am 11 comments
Chasing Perfect (Fools Gold series, book 1) by Susan Mallery
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I was really disappointed in this, my first Susan Mallery book. It sounded like just what I was in the mood for: a light, contemporary romance about life in a small California town, in the vein of Jill Shalvis’ Wilder Adventure series.
Unfortunately, even though it felt like all of the elements were there, the complete package never did it for me. A lot of that was due to the heroine, Charity. She was so resistant to Josh’s public reputation and desire to race again due to her own personal insecurities, that she came across as selfish. In the very end, she understands that his need to race has absolutely nothing to do with her, but it was a little too little, a little too late.
I liked Josh’s character more, but the repetition over and over about how god-like Josh was: so handsome, so lusted after by every woman in town, so envied by the (few) men around him, and how extremely thunderstruck Charity was by him, it made it hard to believe in them as a couple.
******SPOLIER AHEAD (highlight area to read)******
When Charity tells him she’s pregnant, Josh walks out on her. He doesn’t call her for days trying to “work things out”. It felt really out of character for him to not even try to let her know why he left town.
And, when they do come back together, his actions–and her reactions–are never believably resolved. (At least to my satisfaction.)
******END SPOILER*******
In the end, I never really bought their HEA. Charity’s insecurities made the climactic scene seem more like a “happy for now”, and it never really felt like she actually trusted in him or in their relationship.
It might have worked for me more if I had seen more of them as a couple after their declarations: how they settle into their new lives with Josh’s career decisions and how Charity comes to terms with his fame.
The main reason I gave it the 2.5 stars at Goodreads (and not lower) was because I liked Josh, and I also liked the town of Fools Gold. I’m not sure yet if I’ll read book 2, but I might. I’m hoping that my failure to like the story more was due to Charity, who will not be the heroine in book 2.
- Susan Mallery’s site
This review cross-posted on Goodreads.
My Goodreads rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
View all my reviews at Goodreads.
I received this book from the
publisher for review purposes.
OK, so now I have some questions for you: Have you read Susan Mallery’s books? What do you think about them? I’d still like to read more by her, but think I might need a recommendation. Got any?
Entry filed under: Contemporary Romance, Just Finished Reading (Review), Reviews. Tags: Chasing Perfect, Fools Gold series, Susan Mallery.
1. Tweets that mention Just finished reading…Chasing Perfect by Susan Mallery « Renee's Book Addiction -- Topsy.com | January 5, 2011 at 1:51 pm
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2.
Chris | January 5, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Wow, that is a very cool way to do a spoiler!
3.
Renee | January 5, 2011 at 4:07 pm
lol. Thanks. Low-tech all the way, baby! That’s me!
4.
nath | January 5, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Hey Renee!! Happy New Year!!
Yeah, I thought this book was really so-so. It had potential, but I don’t know… I felt there wasn’t real sparks, no chemistry.
However, you should read Almost Perfect, the next book in the series. That one was good
5.
Renee | January 5, 2011 at 7:59 pm
Happy New Year, Nath!
Completely agree. The unrealized potential is what made it so frustrating for me. I had high expectations for it, and was pretty disappointed.
Really? I have Almost Perfect on my nook, already! SO glad to hear it’s better!
6.
Maija | January 6, 2011 at 6:12 am
I’ve read both this series and her Lone Star Sisters series. This one was an okay series, but I did love LSS series. I gave those books 4 and 5 stars. I think those books got better and better. You should try that one.
7.
Renee | January 7, 2011 at 8:58 am
Good to know, Maija!
I’ll be checking Lone Star Sisters out.
Thanks!
8.
Sabrina @ about happy books | January 10, 2011 at 10:57 pm
I enjoyed most books by Susan Mallery before her Lone Star series (hate all in the books in this series because they contain nearly every plot and character trait I dislike).
Now her books are hit or miss for more (lately more miss than hit). But I know that many readers still love her books so maybe you will also.
9.
Renee | January 18, 2011 at 8:27 pm
Early books, huh?
It really looks like I’ll have to take another look at her backlist.
10.
Nicola O. | January 18, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Yeah, Mallery is a bit hit or miss, usually due to the characters. I like the LSS; I liked the Seattle restaurant series (Delicious was one, can’t think of the other titles?) but then the last Seattle-based trio was meh for me.
For small town, northern CA, have you tried Robyn Carr?
11.
Renee | January 18, 2011 at 8:32 pm
I think I had heard some so-so things about the Keyes sisters trilogy, but didn’t know there was an earlier one.
I think I’m going to give book 2 in the series, then (depending on how that one goes) try some earlier books.
I haven’t yet read Robyn Carr, though I’ve been meaning to try the Virgin River series.