Customer Reviews

Almost Perfect (McCloud Brothers)

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4 star:		(3)
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Almost Perfect is a story which steps on a lot of taboos and twists some conventions into pretzels. I'm a supporter of all trailblazing, whether it's 100% successful or not, so I really liked this book.

This book picks up where Ms. Rice's Impossible Dreams left off (I recommend reading them in order, but it's not necessary), with a heroine who is possibly the least heroic character you could imagine. At least, so it seems.

Cleo Alyssum is a reclusive recovering addict who has lost her son's custody because of her past history and is struggling to rebuild her life so she can be worthy of having him with her again. She has zero interest in men, little interest in most people at all, and really just wants to be left alone to renovate her isolated house on the South Carolina coast. This is an anti-romance heroine for the ages and I liked her a lot, even when she did a couple really stupid things (they're in character, so I forgive her).

Enter the hero, Jared McCloud, who is a down-on-his-luck cartoonist with a history of swimming in shallow emotional waters and running when the water starts to get deep. At first he just wants to rent Cleo's beach house. Then he really wants Cleo too, who wants absolutely nothing to do with him. General conflict and mayhem ensue, including a hurricane.

Despite having a cartoonist for a hero, this is not an airy, light book. There are many funny scenes and moments, but this novel deals with some major issues, and for the most part handles them sensitively and honestly. To me, Cleo is a fascinating character of great depth, and Jared surpassed my expectations by turning into a man worthy of her trust. I found the emotional journey these two took - along with the two abused/neglected teenagers they take under their wings - to be affecting and real.

I've read several of Ms. Rice's previous novels, and Almost Perfect is my new favorite work by her. As Cleo and Jared learn, the risks in becoming emotionally involved with each other (and others) are great, but so are the rewards. It a lesson we can all stand to think about now and then.

I love reading about characters who pull themselves out of really bad situations and thrive in their new lives. It's even sweeter when they can find true love.

Cleo Alyssum has moved to a small seaside town in South Carolina to try to get her life in order. She has a bit of a checkered past. Cleo is on probation and her sister has custody of her son Matty. She has purchased the local hardware store and her past is a secret to her customers. Cleo has befriended a neighbor woman who has her own problems, if for no other reason to help out the woman's teenage kids. She just has to keep her nose clean and she will get her son back in time for Christmas. The last thing she needs in her life is a man.

Along comes Jared McCloud wanting to rent the beach house on the property. He even offers to pay for repairs and upgrades to the house. Cleo is an extremely private person, she agrees to let him rent the place as long as he respects her privacy. Their lives quickly become intertwined with her holding back and him trying to push forward. Can they have a future in spite of her past?

Dollycas's Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story. Cleo is a woman trying to turn her life around and it isn't easy especially because she has shut everyone out. Jared is the man that just may be able to break through her barriers while knocking down a few of his own. Their interplay is entertaining and captivating.

Cleo is also very unconventional with her "zoo" and her wonderful inventions to keep trespassers off her property.

This is more than love story, it does have romance and a few sexy scenes, but there is also humor, drama and even a bit of mystery. This may be my first Patricia Rice novel but it definitely is not my last. I have added the entire Carolina Series to my wish list.

With her record, Cleo Alyssum knows she needs to remain perfectly clean if she is to regain custody of her seven-year-old son Matty. Thus, she finds contentment and isolation from her past on a secluded South Carolina island until renowned cartoonist Jared McCloud of Scapegrace fame arrives asking to rent the dilapidated guesthouse. Cleo refuses until a teenage neighbor playing a prank causes an accident involving Jared. To keep thirteen-year-old Gene out of trouble with the law, Cleo rents the property to Jared.

Jared is very attracted to Cleo, but she rejects his advances, as she does not need a new man in her house except for her Matty. However, she admits that Jared is nice and seems to care about others when he begins to help Gene and the lad's sister with their personal problems. Still his efforts to reach Cleo constantly fail leaving it up to a natural disaster like the hurricane that descends on the island to show her that Jared is nothing like her deceased husband was.

ALMOST PERFECT is a superb relationship drama that stars two strong lead characters and a deeply wounded but a bit over-characterized support cast. The story line predominantly spins around Jared and Cleo, but also provides a deep look at other relationships especially when a caring adult gets involved with teens. Patricia Rice has written an angst laden relationship drama that hard core fans will fully relish.

Harriet Klausner

I finished it, but it took some time. I found the all the characters dull and their motivations unbelievable. And I know I had read Cleo's sister Maya's story a while ago, but for the life of me couldn't remember one bit of it, so that book obviously had the same impact on me as this one. Hard to finish and easily forgettable.