Finding Perfect

By Susan Mallery

From New York Times bestelling author Susan Mallery comes a new story set in the town of Fool's Gold...where a planned pregnancy and an unplanned proposal will change two people's lives forever.

When Pia O'Brian's best friend dies, Pia expects to inherit her cherished cat. Instead, the woman leaves Pia three frozen embryos. With a disastrous track record in the romance department and the parenting skills of a hamster, Pia doesn't think she's meant for motherhood. But determined to do the right thing, Pia decides to become a single mother. Only to meet a gorgeous, sexy, hunk the very same day.

A former foster–care kid now rich beyond his wildest dreams, Raoul Moreno runs a camp for needy children in Fool's Gold, California. After his last relationship, Raoul thought he was done with women and commitment. Still, he can't get sweet, sexy Pia out of his mind–and proposes a crazy plan. But can such an unconventional beginning really result in the perfect ending?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: May 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781488741661

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 Finding Perfect

[karenvg3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love everything that Susan mallery writes!

[damarisgcr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great series by Susan Mallery. Finding perfect is my favorite book in this series. Thanks to Susan Mallery I now have a dream of living in a small town. I am ready to pack my bags and head on over to Fool's Gold. In Finding Perfect you learn about the towns former bad girl Pia and her past. You meet Raoul, a football player who moves to Fool's Gold to start over. When Pia and Raoul cross paths immediately there is chemistry between the two. They both have a past and are both trying to not let it bring them down and destroy who they are today. Pia is under a lot of stress and has to make a very big decision about something that can change her life completely. Raoul who is just drawn to Pia, decides he will help her out and stand by her side no matter what.There were so many things about Pia that reminded me of myself. She was very sarcastic, had a great sense of humor, and did not really let anything get to her. She accepted the way her life was and everything shes done for herself. And talk about finding the perfect man, Raoul is everything a woman can dream for. He truly was perfect in every way. Susan, gives you a very strong & emotional story and very believable. The ending made me cry, but they were GOOD tears. A great beginning and great ending. This series really is "The Land of Happy Endings..." A great series and a must read!

[seasaw432 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the series. You should read all of the books

[shelleyraec · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If you can overlook some of the more unlikely scenarios in this novel, it's a sweet romance with an unusual premise. Pia's closest friend has passed away after a battle with cancer, and Pia has not inherited her cat as expected, but instead Crystal's three frozen and fertilised embryo's. Pia's agonising over the decision she now faces has some authenticity, though really it is never in doubt what she will choose to do. New to the town, Raoul by amazing coincidence, met Crystal's late husband in Afghanistan, and feeling partially responsible for his death, offers to support Pia through her pregnancy. Though unrealistic, it's a unique start to their burgeoning romance. Pia is sufficiently complex to be interesting and likeable. I liked Raoul too, yet his characterisation is awkward. I can see that Mallery tries to justify Raoul's contradictions between his emotions and his actions, but it didn't quite resolve for me. What I don't think was handled well were the realities of IVF. Too many women have had some sort of relationship to the process to be fobbed off with this more romantic view. Mallery has tried to justify the events with optimistic possibilities, but it doesn't work because the reality for most is so different, except in terms of the storyline.What I did appreciate is that Mallery writes with warmth and heart about her characters and the town. I did enjoy the story and would happily read more by the author. Finding Perfect is a thoroughly contemporary romance novel, with an unusual premise for the romantic at heart.

[glenajo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun, better than average romance.

[beckymmoe_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

There was just too much in this one that was hard to believe. The fact that a dying woman wouldn't tell her best friend that she's leaving her her three embryos is just the start. Who does that? And if Pia talked one more time about how she'd never have a relationship again once she got pregnant and had the baby/babies, I was going to scream. Sure, having kids may turn off some men, but women with children get into relationships and get married all the time. Yes, she was doing something selfless and caring, but yeesh, she was sure being a drama queen about it. Except for the part where she told NO ONE (except for a man she barely knew) about having the embryos and getting them implanted until it was done. Seriously, she has so many close friends--I can't believe she wouldn't want to talk any of this over with them before just running out and getting herself implanted. I finished it just so I could say I knew what had happened; but there was a lot of eye rolling on my part before I got there.

And what was up with the guy who grew up with her (Josh) showing her fiance the home she grew up in (where her father committed suicide and her mother left her) as a potential home for them to live in together? Even the most clueless guy couldn't be that insensitive, I'd like to hope.

[rdh123 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked this 3rd book the best. Story line unique. 3 embryos from dead best friend. quarterback Raoul Moreno, former foster care kid moves to fool's gold. pia former rich, mean girl, has lived there all her life. dad dies and mom leaves her there as a sr in high school. cute story, loved the ending. library book

[other_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While the plot is still improbable (the heroine has been left 3 embroyos in her friend's will), the characters are appealing and I enjoyed this book much more than the first book in the series.

[cranberrytarts · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure what to think going into this story. I could see what was coming a mile away and didn't know how to feel about it. The idea of someone leaving their frozen embryos to another person is mind boggling. Especially when that person does it without telling anyone, namely the person who's inheriting them.

That was my main issue with this book. Crystal didn't win me over by dropping that on Pia without thought or consideration. Having a baby is a huge thing. Asking someone else to carry and raise your babies after you're dead, without discussing it beforehand, is almost too much.

Otherwise I really enjoyed the book. I had problems with both Pia and Raoul, and how much they took on themselves, but mostly I was able to look past that. I adored how strong and giving Raoul was and how Pia had to learn to lean on him.

[krisinkw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another in a nice, contemporary romance sereis.

[courtney_chance-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is Pia's story. She was a former mean girl. tragedy struck her father killed himseof and her mother abandoned pia her senior year. She turned out to be a sweet enthusiastic kinda spastic young women. Which I love about her.

I liked this story. What I couldn't stand about this book is the editing.
There were so many mistakes. Usually this doesnt bother me, but there were so many.

Anyways I can see where some may find this story unrealistic with the IVF/invitro and how in reality its much harder than the book leads you to believe. You have to remember your reading a light happy romance not a documentary on IVF.

[kanwrites · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another in a nice, contemporary romance sereis.

[anyother-758154 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While the plot is still improbable (the heroine has been left 3 embroyos in her friend's will), the characters are appealing and I enjoyed this book much more than the first book in the series.

[elkehannover · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Inhaltsangabe:Pia O’Brien ist zutiefst geschockt. Gerade hat sie ihre Freundin Crystal verloren und glaubt, den Kater „geerbt“ zu haben, den sie bisher schon gehütet hat. Doch anstelle des Katers hat sie drei eingefrorene Embryonen vermacht bekommen. Crystal wollte sie selbst austragen, nachdem ihr Mann in Irak gefallen war. Doch ihre Krebserkrankung verhinderte dies.Gerade hat sie die Nachricht erfahren und ist völlig konfus, als sie mit Raoul Moreno ein Gesprächstermin hat. Sie bricht nervlich zusammen und erzählt ihm die Geschichte mit den drei eingefrorenen Babies.Eine Weile später, als sie sich dazu entschließt, sich der Herausforderung zu stellen, bietet Raoul sich als Schwangerschaftshelfer an. Und kurz vor dem Termin rät ihr die Ärztin, doch ruhig noch einmal Sex zu haben und auch dazu bietet sich Raoul großzügig an. Für Pia wird es eine unvergessliche Nacht.Schließlich ist sie tatsächlich schwanger und Raoul, noch ganz benommen von dieser Nachricht, macht ihr einen spontanen Heiratsantrag. Er meint es zwar ernst, aber seine Beweggründe sind andere und Liebe spielt für ihn eine sehr untergeordnete Rolle. Aber wird Pia das reichen? Kann sie sich ein Leben in Sicherheit und Wohlstand, aber ohne Liebe, vorstellen?Mein Fazit:Dies ist der dritte Teil der Fools Gold-Reihe und allmählich hat man sich ja an die Stadt und ihre Menschen gewöhnt. Die Hauptfiguren aus beiden vorherigen Bänden tauchen durchaus auf, wenn auch nur gelegentlich. Man mag inzwischen die Menschen und fühlt sich beim Lesen schon regelrecht heimisch und wohl.Allerdings muss ich gestehen, dass diese Geschichte der Autorin nicht sonderlich gut gelungen ist. Ich habe ganz stark den Eindruck, dass es irgendwie ein Lückenfüller ist. Es gab einige langatmige Stellen und manchmal nervten mich Pias Gedankengänge. Nach der Hälfte habe ich schon verstanden, dass sie noch immer nicht verstanden hatte, warum Crystal ihr die Embryonen vermacht hatte.Raoul Moreno ist ein Zugezogener, er spielte einst Football in der Profi-Liga und ist somit sehr reich. Nach einer gescheiterten Ehe sehnt er sich nach Ruhe und Zugehörigkeit und er ist durchaus bereit, seinen Teil der Gemeinschaft in Fools Gold zu geben. Das macht ihn sehr sympathisch. Auch die Beweggründe, warum er Pia den Heirats-Antrag gemacht hatte, sind durchaus einleuchtend. Aber das er es tatsächlich tat, war mir dann doch ein wenig zu dick aufgetragen. Erst recht, als Pia ihn annimmt.Ich habe den Roman zwar auch wieder verschlungen, aber auch nur, weil mir einiges schon vertraut ist und ich wissen wollte, wie es ausgeht (im Grunde weiß man ja, wie es ausgeht, aber der Weg dahin ist ja immer wieder interessant). Aber das allerbeste Werk war es nicht. Von mir bekommt der Roman nur vier Sterne.Und es gibt schon einen Hinweis auf den nächsten Teil, den ich bestimmt bald lesen werde.Anmerkung: Ich habe es als eBook gelesen.Veröffentlicht am 04.12.15!

[hcross9820_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pia O’Brian is still grieving over the losing her best friend Crystal to cancer. She is shocked to learn that Crystal didn’t leave her the cat as planned, but her frozen embryo. What is a single girl to do with a bunch of frozen embryos? To make things more difficult, here come the sexy and sweet ex-NFL player Raoul Moreno. Can Pia handle balance being a single mother? Can she handle being just friends with Raoul?Pia was the popular girl who had everything, that was until her parents died when she was still in high school. She lost everything, and had to rebuild her live in Fool’s Gold. She became a totally different person. She grew leaps and bounds emotionally. It takes a special kind of person to have the children you best friends was never allowed to have.I read Susan Mallery’s Sweet Spot a few years ago. I immediately fell in love with Raoul. He was this sweet, sensitive teen who just wanted a family to belong to. He found all that and more. Now Raoul is all grown up, and he’s lost none of his charm. He has only one big character flaw: He wants to do the right thing all the time, but he doesn’t always go about it in the best way. He see starts to see Pia and her embryo’s as his family. He wants to help her and her children. They just don’t make them like Raoul, cause if they did I’d snatch him right up.This book is my favorite of the Fool’s Gold series! It’s a very sweet and uplifting story. It’s a story of learning to trust and love someone. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, Susan Mallery is my favorite reading guilty pleasure! When she releases a new series, I run right out to purchase it. This series was no different. I enjoyed this series as a whole, and would really recommend this book for anyone looking for a very sweet contemporary romance. I’m hoping that this isn’t the end of the series, because I would love to see some of the lose ends tied up. I really do love this town! If you enjoyed Raoul, I would also recommend picking up Susan Mallery’s Sweet Spot Series.

[tahleen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Again, not as good as the first, mostly because there was a bit of preachiness and I didn't find the characters as compelling, but I did well up a few times—Peter is an adorable child.

[lauren2013_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Finding Perfect
2 Stars

On the day she learns that she has inherited her BFF's frozen embryos, Pia O'Brian meets sexy ex-quarterback Raoul Moreno. Considering that she can't even take care of a cat, Pia struggles with the idea of becoming a single mother, and her inconvenient attraction to Raoul isn't helping, especially as he has suggested becoming her "pregnancy buddy".

Oy! This has got to be the most ridiculous, plot hole ridden storyline ever.
Why would Crystal leave her unborn children to a woman she knows doesn't have a maternal bone in her body? Why does Pia insist that having the babies is the right thing to do? Since when is having children out of a sense of obligation appropriate? Why would a man with as many trust issues as Raoul be willing to take on a ready made family?

Add in to the mix the fact that Pia and Raoul have zero chemistry and this book is a recipe for disaster.

Hopefully the next book will be better.