REVIEW: Almost Perfect by Susan Mallery

Title: Almost Perfect (Fool’s Gold, #2)
Author: Susan Mallery
Format: eBook
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: NetGalley
Published: June 2010 by HQN Books

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?

Why I Read this Book: I had just finished reading Chasing Perfect (the 1st book in this series) and I was in love with Fool’s Gold and its residents. I was excited to read about Ethan’s former flame, who had just returned to town. I was on a happy-go-lucky kind of streak so I wanted to continue my stay in the town of Fool’s Gold. Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out like I had hoped.

What I Liked: Honestly, I didn’t like the main characters much in Almost Perfect. Liz had way too much going on to even be thinking of any type of romance and Ethan is an all-around jerk. I found myself more interested in what was going on with the secondary characters, like Ethan’s sisters and Jo. I’m waiting (and hoping for) their books.

What I Didn’t Like: Ethan was a real ass in this book. You couldn’t tell from the first book; in fact, I really liked him in the first book. And Pia, that girl was all sweet and innocent in the first book too. But when the past creeps up on people, it tends to give you a different prospective on them.

There were too many kids in the storyline for me. I usually shy away from books that have young characters. I read for an escape and part of that escape is a child-free zone (says the mama of 2 with one on the way, if you catch my drift). I wouldn’t have mind the story with just Tyler in the picture but there were two other children (one a teenager) involved in the storyline and it was just a bit too much for me.

Ethan and Liz kept going around and around about the same issues over and over again. It got tiresome real fast. There was just too much drama going on that I don’t feel was completely resolved. I’m not convinced of Ethan’s love for Liz either. Not in the beginning of their relationship nor at the end.

Overall Impression: While I really enjoyed the first book in this series, I thought Almost Perfect was just okay. I just didn’t really feel any connection with Ethan or Liz. I’m going to skip the next (and 3rd) book in this series, Finding Perfect, which is Pia’s story. I’m not feeling the storyline for that book. I am, however, really excited to reading the 4th book in this series, Only Mine, which is Dakota’s (one of Ethan’s sisters) story. I liked her in Almost Perfect and the premise for her book sounds fun so I can’t wait to read it.

The Book Vixen’s Rating: