Chasing Perfect by Susan MalleryReview (a late one!)

Susan Mallery
Pub. Date: April 2010
Publisher: Harlequin
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 376pp
Series: Fool's Gold Series, #1
ISBN-13: 9780373774524
ISBN: 0373774524

First let me explain that I read this book last year in July and was drafting & editing it then. But it took me until now to finally post it here. And I know I'm very late, but I hope readers enjoy the review.

I usually like Susan Mallery's older books and have enjoy some of the recent one too. I think my favorite would be the Buchanan family novel. It's something about that family that made me love them. I felt like I've grew up with them, in their everyday life. It was heartwarming, romantic, humor and made me fall in love. So I was excited when I learn that Susan had brand new Fool's Gold books. And I quickly bought the first book Chasing Perfect...

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 met, 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 the 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.

Charity was selected to be part of the community city planner. The community gather together to discuss the problem that needed their attention and make plan for upcoming events. In the community there are more female but zero men but with Charity help, she and the community plan to get more men involved. Upon moving in to Fool's Gold, California; Charity fell in love with the town and hope to stay in the town longer. Little did she know she going to fall head over heel with Josh Golden, the retired professional cyclist. Josh have been hiding himself and his secret from everyone ever since the accident that change the people he love the most. People couldn't see the real Josh, in their eyes he still the famous cyclist everyone love and admired. But only Charity knew the real Josh, and at first she didn't want to be like other girls who are always fawning over him. But she realized that nothing appear as it seem, and she know she can't deny her feeling for him any longer either. Sooner or later, Josh need to confront his own fears and only Charity can help him face that fears.

At first I did had problem with Charity, but then she grew on me. At the beginning she came across to me as if she was too judgmental about everything, even about the town of Fool's Gold. And then she made some assumptions about Josh over something that she seen and thought he no good for her. I can understand her reaction and would have reacted same way but I just didn't like the way she handle it. I wasn't sure if Josh would be likable enough for me. Not until I understood why he been quiet about the secret he been hiding, it made me feel sympathy for him. I enjoyed seeing them two fall in loves and trying to make the relationship work. I wasn't sure about them at first after I seen their first meet, but they had to work on it for me to decide. I also enjoyed seeing the town interaction with one another, including with Charity. I thought the secondary characters were more interesting to read about. In fact I thought there seem to be wide variety characters to have their own story told, that I would be interested to read more about them.

This is book #1 and its introduces a series based around the small town of Fool's Gold. Even though the story were a little predictable, I love the setting of the town in Fool's Gold. It just seem to be the place to hang out with friends, families the community and have fun. In this town, everyone know everyone business but the people are always there for each others to show them their love and support when someone going through a bad or good times. I love the friendship between the women in the community and learning how much they have changed over the years. There is some issues from the past that need to be confront and amend, so I hope that get solved in the next book.

Chasing Perfect was a cute, light and fun story. There is a small mystery that was easier to figure out and the problem doesn't play too much through the whole pages but is easy to solved. I did enjoyed the book and I laugh or smile at some part of the scenes too. Even though I enjoyed the book, it wasn't a wow factor for me. But I will buy Susan Mallery's next two installment, that is already out.

Grade: 4 stars

draft: 7-30-2010
edited: 9-26-2010