Chasing Perfect

Written by Susan Mallery

Narrated by Tanya Eby

Welcome to Fool’s Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There’s lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there’s just one tiny problem in Fool’s Gold: the men don’t seem to stick around. Maybe it’s the lure of big-city life, or maybe it’s plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may be just the city planner to do it.

Charity’s nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer—everything, that is, except its sexiest and most famous resident, former world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she’s not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he’s perfect just the way he is. But maybe that’s just what he needs—someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he’s just chasing perfect.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Apr 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781441839794

Susan Mallery

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives—family, friendship, romance. She's known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages.Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

Reviews for Chasing Perfect

[elkehannover · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Inhaltsangabe:Charitiy Jones ist gerade mal erst ein paar Minuten in ihrem neuen Job als Stadtplanerin, als sie dem heldenhaften und berühmten Josh Golden kennen lernt. Und obwohl er ihr aus der Patsche hilft und zähe Verhandlungen verhindert, kann sie nicht anders als erstmal auf Abstand zu ihm zu gehen. Denn sie kennt diese Art von Männern schon: Sie brechen einem nur das Herz. Aber es gibt noch ein Problem: In Fool’s Gold herrscht Männermangel. Nicht nur, das sie in ihrem Job neue Männer in die Stadt locken soll, trotz allem möchte sie sesshaft werden und eine Familie gründen. Aber bloß mit wem?Josh Golden ist ein Kind der Stadt Fool’s Gold. Und ein sehr berühmter Rad-Rennfahrer. Und bis vor zwei Jahren auch als würdiger Nachfolger von Lance Armstrong gehandelt. Doch ein Unfall erschütterte ihn und lässt ihn seither ansich selbst zweifeln. Charitiy ist in seinem Hotel einquartiert und so geschieht es zwangsläufig, dass sie sich immer wieder über den Weg laufen.Charity kann sich seinem Charme und Charisma kaum entziehen und eigentlich sollten die Gerüchte über ihn sie warnen, schließlich schwärmen ausnahmslose alle Frauen von ihm. Doch die Hormone spielen in seiner Gegenwart verrückt …Mein Fazit:Ich liebe die Geschichten von dieser Autorin. Seelig und glücklich, sie für mich entdeckt zu haben, verschlinge ich ihre Geschichten fast ohne Unterbrechung und vergesse die Welt um mich herum. Natürlich ist es seichte Unterhaltung, aber genau das ist es auch für mich: Unterhaltung und Ablenkung, ohne groß nachdenken zu müssen. Und ein bißchen träumen wird ja wohl erlaubt auch sein.Natürlich ist diese Geschichte ein bißchen vorhersehbar und eigentlich gar nicht so richtig spannend. Wenn man schon einige Bücher von Susan Mallery gelesen hat, erkennt man schon ein gewisses Muster. Mir persönlich ist es schnuppe. Mir gefallen der lockere Schreibstil, die moderne Denkweise der Helden, der Humor und die prickelnde Erotik. Die Helden sind auch für mich durchweg sympathisch und es bauen sich immer wieder vor meinem inneren Auge die Szenen auf und ich habe oft das Gefühl, ich bin mitten drin in den Szenen. Dabei lässt die Autorin dem Leser sehr viel Raum für die eigene Fantasie.Inzwischen habe ich auch schon die Homepage über Fool’s Gold für mich entdeckt und ich stöbere immer wieder darin rum. Die Karte von Fool’s Gold Downtown hängt an meiner Ego-Wand, damit ich die Bücher, die ich gelesen habe, abhaken kann. Definitiv – diese Serie werde ich weiterlessen.Anmerkung: Ich habe es als eBook gelesen.Veröffentlicht am 06.09.15!

[Rachel Schultz Dickerson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Already sad that I will have listened to all of Susan Mallery’s books soon!

[krisinkw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like this series. Romances with strong female characters.

[Karen Chandler · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book with likeable believable characters. The storyline maintains your interest and you want more. Loved this book.

[other_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed Mallery's last 2 series so I had high hopes for this -- which were not filled. The storyline is highly improbable and the coincidences hard to swallow. The characters themselves were likable but not a stellar start.

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Charity Jones is looking for a home when she comes to Fool's Gold, California, as its city planner. After a childhood with a mother who was always sure that the next man and the next place would be better, Charity longs for roots. She falls in love with the town and the people she meets including local boy-made good Josh Golden.Josh had a career as a world-class cyclist before giving up the sport and coming home. An accident in a race has shaken his confidence. Josh also had a difficult childhood. He was abandoned by his mother at a local hotel when he was ten and still recovering from a serious accident that had him in pain and on crutches. He was adopted by the town and aided in his recovery. He has always felt that it was some lack in him that caused his mother to abandon him.While Fool's Gold looks perfect, there are a couple of problems. First of all, it has a severe shortage of men and one of Charity's jobs in to lure business to the city - especially if those businesses employ lots of men. Second, somehow $750,000 that was supposedly sent to the city by the State government has gone missing. No one really suspects Robert, the city financial officer and one of the few single men in town, of the crime but answers need to be found soon.I liked the setting and look forward to reading more stories set in Fool's Gold. I liked both Charity and Josh very much and was rooting for their romance. I could understand why they were reluctant to share their goals for their futures with each other since both were more intrinsic than overt. The story had a nice blend of characters from the matchmaking mayor to the barracuda television reporter who really wanted to rekindle her relationship with Josh. I liked that the attraction was instant between Charity and Josh and that both of them were reluctant to pursue it until they got to know each other. I loved the happily-ever-after ending.

[shannon.allen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book felt sort of familiar as I read through most of it. The female lead (Charity Jones) falls for a man that, while single, doesn't seem to be totally "attainable" in her eyes. Josh Golden was a celebrity and supposedly lives a lifestyle full of fast women and fast bikes. But Charity finds out that her perception of him was not true. They spend time together and she falls in love. For some reason I felt as though I had read this same basic story before (woman meets man, learns he has a secret, falls for him, etc). It was almost a sense of deja vu and I though I knew exactly what was going to happen next. The last sentence in chapter 16 proved me right...Charity was pregnant. I had to take a break from the book and look at other books by this author that I have previously read. Most of them had a point where the woman found out she was pregnant and assumed she was alone in taking care of the child. I felt like I wanted to stop reading as soon as I saw that this was one of those books. The story was engaging and well written but I couldn't seem to get past the fact that it was the same thing I have read before. I really do love this author's books but I would like to see something different. Maybe a woman that doesn't assume she is alone? Maybe no pregnancy in the story? Maybe a couple that is trying to conceive but finds that it isn't as easy as having unprotected sex one time? I really hope that the next Fool's Gold story that I read switches it up a little.

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Chasing Perfect
4 Stars

Love the charming small town vibe with everyone knowing everyone else's business but dislike the way that most of the women treat Josh as if he were a piece of meat. Sexism is unacceptable whether it is directed toward women or men.

The writing is smooth and immersing although there is some unnecessary repetition of plot points - perhaps the author thinks that her readers have a short attention span and need to be reminded of something they read 20 pages before.

Charity and Josh have good chemistry and their romance is engaging without the silly misunderstandings that usually turn me off this genre. That said, Charity is somewhat judgmental and her tendency toward jumping to conclusions based on surface appearances is very irritating. Josh, on the other hand, is a perfect combination of sexy vulnerability and fierce determination.

Overall, a good start to the series and the secondary characters are sufficiently interesting to continue on to the next book.

[karenvg3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Susan Mallery book and I loved it. A good romance story for anyone.

[kelleylizak · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

*This book had been sitting on my shelf for about two years. I randomly picked it up one day because I was in the mood for something light and quick. I am now on a path of reading the entire series, in order, probably for the rest of the year.*The Hero: Sexy athlete with a cocky attitude and a "tragic" past. But it works for him. And the story of his past isn't too angst-y or over the top, which I appreciate. The Heroine: Let me start out my saying I am the same age as this heroine and what looks like most of the heroines of this series, so that may affect my view point. She's smart and I like her. I would be friends with this girl IRL. She has a string failed relationships and "mommy-issues". This combined with out heroes "past" is the catalyst of the relationship conflict. I have to give her credit for not being a jealous type while the entire town is obsessing and fantasizing over her man. She just goes with it. Props for not being insure or petty.The Relationship: Basically realistic. Maybe a little "insta-lovey", but who am I to talk when my husband and I have been together for 9 years and we were totally insta-love. They did develop a real friendship, however, and got to know each other and had real conversations.The Setting: Contemporary in a small town. Described as a small town but yet they have a lot of typically city things, like a hospital and college. Things my small town does not have. But everyone knows everybody, which means a lot of gossip and no secrets. Steam Factor: The perfect amount. It's there without being over the top or forced. Doesn't affect the storyline and it makes sense. Not there just for the sake of being there.

[rosetyper9 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was actually the first book by Susan Mallery. I wasn't awed but I also wasn't disappointed. It lacked the deep all engrossing story that Victoria Dahl's books inspire in me but it was still a decent and believable story.

I felt that the "makeover" Charity does was a tad cliche. I did like Josh, he was strong, compassionate, and he didn't turn into what everyone just thought of him. He kept his beliefs and his morals.

I will say I wasn't happy with the climax. I can understand Charity's thinking but she didn't even give Josh a chance in the situation and that pissed me off. I guess I really didn't like Charity all that much. I like her friend Pia a lot though.

I haven't decided if I am going to continue with this series or not. Do you think I should?

[aubreygross · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Liked it enough to want to read more in the series.

[whitreidtan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I went to the Romantic Times Convention this year with a couple of friends. As we perused the schedule of events, one of them was thrilled to see that there were several sessions with Susan Mallery and focused on her small town romances set in Fool's Gold, California. The other two of us had never read any of the books but we were happy enough to tag along and listen. As I'd been looking for a few more contemporary romances to balance out my not so secret historical Regency obsession, I decided that I'd give these romances by the funny and charming Ms. Mallery a try. And of course, true to form, I had to start at the beginning of the ever increasing series with the first book, Chasing Perfect. Charity Jones is new to Fool's Gold. She's just been hired as the new city planner for the small town and she's been tasked with bringing new business to the area, especially businesses run by men. Because Fool's Gold has a serious lack of young, single men and a preponderance of single women. But somehow, Charity manages to interest the two bachelors that the town does have, Robert, the town treasurer, and local retired cycling celebrity Josh Golden. The former is a solid guy but he just doesn't make sparks fly for Charity the way that Josh does. However, Charity is reluctant to get involved with Josh because he's too famous, too perfect. She has a deep desire for the family she's been missing her whole life, having lived with just her mother, moving from pillar to post as she grew up, never setting down roots so a boyfriend who chases fame around the world is not ideal for her. Josh might be a famous cyclist and the town's golden child but he has his own issues. He gave up cycling after an accident left a young rider, to whom he was a mentor, dead. He hasn't spoken to his best friend Ethan in years even though he desperately misses him. And he harbors abandonment issues stemming from his mother leaving him in Fool's Gold when he was just a young child. Rather than admit his fears and face his demons, he rides his bike only at night and prefers to let the town think that he's a playboy. He never counted on the complication that is Charity, his lightning hot attraction to her, and his growing feelings for the lovely new town planner. The fact that she is very much behind a push to hold a bike race in town to elevate Fool's Gold's profile doesn't help matters at all either. As Charity and Josh get to know each other and end up hot and heavy, there is a lot more going on in the town as well. A hospital is considering building a branch in the town, a massive amount of money given to the town by the state has gone missing and must be tracked down, and Charity discovers that her expertise is not the only reason that she was considered for her job. The chemistry between Charity and Josh is immediate and steamy. Fool's Gold as a location is charming; it's the ideal small town, welcoming and friendly. As this is the first in a long running series, there are lots of unfinished plot lines left to tease out in future books but none of them are left in a frustrating or unsatisfying way. The fact that Charity is unable to see Josh's point of view when he presents it but accepts it almost immediately when Mayor Marsha lays it out at the end of the book is a bit too convenient in resolving their difference of opinion but aside from that hiccup, this is a warm and satisfying story.

[courtney_chance-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this book a tons. so many little plot twist. such great towns people. I did give it 4 stars because I feel the town is a little unrealistic. they are a small town everyone knows everyone. usually people from small towns are a little more reserved with new people. they usually take longer to warm up and trust them. you through this girl into a new town and everyone just loves her and accepts her. I just find it a tad bit inrealistic. otherwise I love it

[jnut1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another good book By Susan Mallery.

This is the first in her Fool's Gold series. I learned to care about the characters and I felt that although there were issues that had to be worked through it was done well. Falling in love so quickly is an issue I have but what can you do in a 300 page book.

I have already started on the second one Almost Perfect.

[tahleen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've found a new series! This romance is the first in the Fool's Gold series, and we're introduced to very likable characters and a lovely small town in California near the mountains. A little steamy, so maybe not for young teens, though possibly older, mature teens even though this is technically an adult romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next books in the series, to fill the void of Virgin River, which has ceased to impress me.

[cranberrytarts · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book started out very well. I loved the small town of Fool's Gold and both the main characters.

Until the last 1/4 of the book or so. Then Charity starts making assumptions about Josh and his character based on..I'm not exactly sure what and Josh acts like a complete and total moron. I was really loving the way the characters were falling in love and the progression of the story, along with the setting and secondary characters, but the end very nearly ruined it for me.

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was really enjoying this book (first in the author's Fool's Gold series) until I got within 50 pages of the end. The main character had already started with her unaccountable obtuseness where her love interest was concerned (no matter how many times Josh told her he didn't want to go back to being the big sports celebrity he used to be, she just refused to believe him--why? it made zero sense to me), but then the ending just went into total rediculousness. I'd give it 3 and a half because of the strength of the rest of the novel, but just can't seem to round it up to a 4.

[annehudson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is light-hearted romance writing at its best. Charity, the town planner, and Josh, the local business man and ex-cyclist, are engaging characters with the expected troubled pasts. Fool's Gold is an interesting small, American town with a few too many women and not enough men and it is Charity's job to attract business and tourism. There are plenty of well-developed peripheral characters.This is not a demanding read but the story is well done and the writing flows well. A good, light and enjoyable book.

[glenajo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun, better than average romance.

[kanwrites · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I like this series. Romances with strong female characters.

[thebooknerd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As much as I enjoy Susan Mallery's books, this one was less-interesting to me than some others I've read. I never really took to either Charity or Josh, but Charity particularly didn't resonate with me. Her character fell a bit flat, her motives and reasoning never really ringing true. And some parts of the story just didn't fit smoothly with the rest. This book introduces a series based around the small town of Fool's Gold, and I have moved on the second book, which I enjoyed more than this one. If possible, I would recommend reading all three books in succession like one larger novel to even out experience.

[gryph_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the characters in and of themselves; Mallery wrote in some interesting character quirks that made them less one-dimensional than your average romance character (a professional cyclist hero? Really?). However, I have to say that the interactions between characters was a little lacking in energy, verve, what have you, particularly between the hero and heroine. Nice enough story. I couldn't tell you why I liked the entirely contrived town's problem of having men move away - to the extent that there is a severe gender imbalance - and the equally contrived meeting of the long-lost/never-known-of grandmother of the heroine was annoying. Three stars because it was a nice read but I probably won't feel the need to re-read it.

[imlilie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good read, but a bit predictable. Liked the characters,plot and enjoyed the read. I would recommend this book to those who are looking for a light romantic read.

[rdh123 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Charity gets new job in Fools Gold. Josh, bike racer. Charity finds her grandmother in that town. Ok book, but slow to finish reading. Has interesting 2nd characters.

[books007_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good read even though it was completely predictable. Girl moves to small town, meets town hunk/hero (who has issues), they fall in love & work through the tuff stuff. etc., etc.

[hcross9820_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My RatingsPlot: 4/5Setting: 5/5Writing: 4/5Originality of Plot: 4/5Characters Development: 4/5Ending: 4/5Cover Art: 4/5Overall: 29/35 = 82%SynopsisPerfection is in the eye of the beholderWelcome to Fool's Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There's lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there's just one tiny problem in Fool's Gold: the men don't seem to stick around. Maybe it's the lure of big-city life, or maybe it's plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may just be the city planner to do it.Charity's nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer - everything, that is, except cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she's not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he's perfect just the way he is. But maybe that's just what he needs - someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he's just chasing perfect.My ReviewCharity Jones had come to Fool’s Gold looking for three things: a new job, a fresh start, and a place to call home. I think that Charity may have ended up with more then she bargained for.Day one of Charity’s new job: She has to close a deal to get a major collage put down roots in Fool‘s Gold. Her laptop, with her power point presentation, blows up right before the meeting. And to top it off, a cocky, attractive man walks in and takes control of her meeting and impress the clients. If she only knew that that cocky stranger was non-other then cycling ‘golden-boy’ Josh Golden. (yes, I know bad pun)As much as she tried not to, Charity finds herself drawn to Josh. Even though the town thought of Josh as the town’s very own playboy, that was far from the truth. Since his divorce, Josh for the most part has been alone. That was until, he walked in on Charity meeting.I really enjoyed this book. It’s a story of second chances for everyone involved. Whether it was Josh’s coming to grips with his guilt over losing a teammate, Charity’s search for somewhere to belong, or Mayor Marsha finally finding the family she’s always longed to have.I was very fond of the setting of this story, I love the small town feel of Fool’s Gold. Yes, everyone knows their business, but also you have a lot of people supporting you when things go bad. Now matter the tragedy, the locals of Fool’s Gold rallied together. The book kind of made me wish I have grown-up in a small town, too.I really enjoyed the 3rd person POV in this story. I do sometimes get annoyed while reading most romance books, I just never know why the guy is doing what they are doing. I think it just lends to a more open story.I only have only one small complaint. I felt that the subplot about the missing town funds, was unnecessary. I didn’t feel that it moved the story or the characters along. It was like it was cut and pasted into the story. The story would have been just fine without it.I spend a lot of my reading time wrapped up in series, where the characters are always in life and death struggles. For a change of pace, I really enjoyed reading a light-hearted, touching, sweet romance novel. When I do, Susan Mallery is always an amazing choice. Let’s say her books are my guilty pleasure. If you enjoy The Fool’s Gold Series, you might also enjoy her Buchanans’ Series.Fool’s Gold Series1) Chasing Perfect2) Almost Perfect3) Finding Perfect (Release Date 8/31/10)

[anyother-758154 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed Mallery's last 2 series so I had high hopes for this -- which were not filled. The storyline is highly improbable and the coincidences hard to swallow. The characters themselves were likable but not a stellar start.

[lrobe190 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charity Jones accepted the job as a city planner in Fool's Gold, California because she wanted to settle down in a small town where she knew everybody. Her mother had moved them from place to place when she was growing up and she craved a stable family life. Josh Golden is the town's "golden" boy...a championship cyclist who put Fool's Gold on the map. He is also an orphan adopted by the town when he was a young child. Charity and Josh keep running into each other in the small town and soon everyone considers them a couple. Josh and Charity both have past demons and bad relationships to overcome, but they are strongly attracted to each other. Then Charity learns a secret about her family which changes everything.Chasing Perfect is a fun, enjoyable read. Charity and Josh are strong, likable characters and readers will be rooting for them from the beginning. There are more books on the way about life in Fool's Gold, California and I'm looking forward to the next installment.Read in e-book format provided by HQN books through netgalley.com

[booksandbutter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book. It was predictable, but grabbed you right away and was a great read.