Fool's Gold #2
Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery
"Back in high school, Liz Sutton was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Then she'd stolen the heart of the most popular boy in town, and their secret romance helped her through the worst of times. Until Ethan Hendrix betrayed her and everything they'd ever meant to each other. Devastated and pregnant, Liz left Fool's Gold, California—forever, she thought….
Now Liz must return to town and face the man who doesn't know of their son's existence. And this time she won't have the option of making a quick getaway. Ethan and Liz can't deny their passionate attraction, even after all these years. But will their desire be enough to spark a second chance at love?"
I was very pleased by the story of Liz and Ethan in Almost Perfect, both characters having been hardened by reality one way or the other, some time or the other. Liz, being birthed by a mother who was mostly drunk, grew up in an unstable environment, vulnerable and jeered - I liked that she was a good enough person to go back to the town that housed so many bad memories to help her nieces, knowing that she would very possibly be rebuked. I applaud Liz's character as she was a strong woman who learnt from her mistakes and handled situations graciously, however, I did get agitated when she didn't stand up for herself in some cases; I mean, sure, she kept her son a secret, plain wrong, but barely anyone looked into Ethan's hand in the situation. I liked Ethan and, other than when he's angry, he's a great guy with his "aww" moments - I so enjoyed him trying to play 'the responsible parent'(although it was likely humiliating for him). The book continued the small town feel, I especially liked how Susan Mallery included the gossip and lack of secrecy - very realistic - in small towns it's almost impossible to keep anything a secret for long. I thoroughly enjoyed Almost Perfect, as I did Chasing Perfect and look forward to more books from the series. I would definitely recommend it.
Now Liz must return to town and face the man who doesn't know of their son's existence. And this time she won't have the option of making a quick getaway. Ethan and Liz can't deny their passionate attraction, even after all these years. But will their desire be enough to spark a second chance at love?"
I was very pleased by the story of Liz and Ethan in Almost Perfect, both characters having been hardened by reality one way or the other, some time or the other. Liz, being birthed by a mother who was mostly drunk, grew up in an unstable environment, vulnerable and jeered - I liked that she was a good enough person to go back to the town that housed so many bad memories to help her nieces, knowing that she would very possibly be rebuked. I applaud Liz's character as she was a strong woman who learnt from her mistakes and handled situations graciously, however, I did get agitated when she didn't stand up for herself in some cases; I mean, sure, she kept her son a secret, plain wrong, but barely anyone looked into Ethan's hand in the situation. I liked Ethan and, other than when he's angry, he's a great guy with his "aww" moments - I so enjoyed him trying to play 'the responsible parent'(although it was likely humiliating for him). The book continued the small town feel, I especially liked how Susan Mallery included the gossip and lack of secrecy - very realistic - in small towns it's almost impossible to keep anything a secret for long. I thoroughly enjoyed Almost Perfect, as I did Chasing Perfect and look forward to more books from the series. I would definitely recommend it.