Book Review: Perfect Fit by Carly Phillips

Title: Perfect Fit
Series: Serendipity’s Finest, Book 1
Author: Carly Phillips
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Steamy
Source: review copy from publisher via NetGalley
Published: December 2012 by Berkley

MIKE
Always feeling like the odd man out in his family, Michael Marsden wanted to make it on his own. So he escaped Serendipity to become an undercover cop in Manhattan, where the Marsden name wasn't known. But Michael's independence is compromised when he returns home to replace his sick father as chief of police. Back in the shadow of his family, he's as lost and restless as ever, until he's challenged by someone he never anticipated.

CARA
Cara Hartley is the Serendipity cop with whom Mike had a one night stand three months earlier. Neither expected anything more but fate has other things in store. When Mike returns as Cara's boss, the sexual tension between them is impossible to ignore - and the unexpected emotional connection continues to grow. But Cara's a small town girl while Mike has a wanderer's blood in his veins.

Together their chemistry explodes but ...
Both are convinced a future together is impossible. Until Mike's real father's secrets come back to haunt him and he realizes there are some things worth staying and fighting for. Including Cara.

Why I Read this Book: I’ve been wanting to try a Carly Phillips novel so I decided to start with Perfect Fit. It wasn’t perfect but it was an enjoyable read.

What I Liked: The hero and heroine are likeable characters. Mike is a bit of a drifter; he never stays in one place too long and he doesn’t like to be tied down. But he’s close to his family and comes back to town to fill in for his father as the chief of police when his father becomes ill. Cara is an officer and can handle herself. She’s very independent and doesn’t rely on anyone too much; she relies on herself to take care of herself. Mike and Cara are great together. I just wish there had been a little more tension.

I also enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Ella and Simon (Mike's parents). Oh, who am I kidding? I liked the entire Marsden family. They're a close and loving bunch who look after each other.

There was a mystery element in this story that was interesting to read. The cold case that Sam, Cara, and Mike were working on meshed well with the main story and it unraveled nice and evenly.

Carly Phillips adds a nice touch of reality to the storyline. In one instance when our characters are in the hospital, the author interrupts Mike's internal thinking with an overhead page for a doctor. It’s small details like this that brings a story to life and make it feel real.

What I Didn’t Like: There wasn’t much of a conflict as far as Mike and Cara’s relationship was concerned. It was almost too easy for them. There is something that’s holds Mike back a bit but he quickly (almost too quickly) changes his mind and thus makes the story pretty predictable. I like tension. Tension makes for some fiery passion and Perfect Fit was lacking in that department.

Memorable Moment:

“Unless you want me to make you a member of the mile-high club, I suggest you cut that out.”

Overall Impression: Perfect Fit was a good read though I wish there had been more of a conflict between Mike and Cara. But I enjoyed it enough that I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Perfect Fling, which will be Erin's (Mike's sister) book. And I definitely want to read Sam's (Mike's brother) book as well, which I'm guessing (and hoping) will come after Erin's.

Brianna’s Rating: