Serendipity [Mass Market Paperback]

Carly Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 6, 2011 | Series: Serendipity (Book 1)

Dear Readers,

Welcome to SERENDIPITY!

SERENDIPITY is a new contemporary romance series in the more heartfelt style I developed in novels like CROSS MY HEART and SEALED WITH A KISS. I will be introducing you to the town of Serendipity, its landmark Harrington Mansion, and a vibrant cast of characters from both sides of the tracks. Like any other town, Serendipity has its secrets, scandals, pain, heartache and love, but there is also an implied promise of fortune and good luck, along with people at changes and crossroads in their lives.

First up, Ethan Barron, the bad boy who has come home to make good and Faith Harrington, the girl who got away.  Next is Nash  Barron in Destiny (1/12) and Dare Barron in Karma (5/12).

I hope you'll take this new journey with me!
Happy Reading,
Carly Phillips

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Susan Mallery Reviews Serendipity

Susan Mallery is the author of the New York Times best-selling series of Fool’s Gold romances, including Only Mine, Only Yours, and Only His.

What I love most about contemporary romance is the fact that, at its best, the characters could live next door, be my best friend, and the girl always gets the guy. Serendipity is a funny, sexy story with exactly the right mix of sass and heart.

Faith Harrington is back in Serendipity with something to prove and a life to fix. Circumstances haven't been exactly kind, and Faith herself is a bit to blame. She's smart, she's willing to take responsibility for what she did wrong and she's facing down those who want to call her out on who she was and what her father did to the town.

Ethan Barron is one yummy hero. A reformed bad boy with a couple of brothers who want nothing to do with him and a whole lot of people willing to assume the worst. If it sounds like a fun ride, it is. There are wonderful secondary characters, and the promise for more books to come. I think the other Barron brothers are going to be as toe-curling as Ethan and I can't wait for the next installment in the series.

--Susan Mallery

Review

Publisher's Weekly
Prolific bestseller Phillips kicks off a trilogy with this sexy, thought-provoking contemporary romance. Phillips creates likable characters with realistic problems and conflicts that don't  smother them in angst, and readers will root for the happy ending that Faith and Ethan have earned. (Sept.)
Reviewed on: 07/11/2011

AWESOME.  ... Serendipity blew my mind away. ... Carly has a way of bringing this little town to life and Ethan is definitely one bad boy worth reading. ... talk about sexual chemistry. Woohoo Carly for  bringing that to life. Carly did a great job and I definitely can't wait for Nash's story next.  Melinda, Night Owl Reviews

4 1/2 STARS, HOT - An intriguing story with wonderful interactions ... The challenges the hero and heroine face are relatable and the ways they handle them make for an entertaining and often heart-warming tale. By the end the reader knows many of the characters well and will be hoping to visiting them again in future books. Romantic Times Magazine

Prolific bestseller Phillips (the Bachelor Blog series) kicks off a trilogy with this sexy, thought-provoking contemporary romance. Phillips creates likable characters with realistic problems and conflicts that don't smother them in angst, and readers will root for the happy ending that Faith and Ethan have earned.  Publishers Weekly

With her trademark style and grace, Carly Phillips offers us the beginning of a new trilogy about three estranged brothers. This book is everything we love about Carly Phillips' writing--heartfelt, romantic, funny, serious and thoughtful. Fans of Ms. Phillips will delight in her newest series. Eye on Romance

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (September 6, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780425243831
• ISBN-13: 978-0425243831
• ASIN: 0425243834
• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 0.9 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #511,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

First a lawyer, then a stay-at-home-mom - Carly Phillips - is the New York Times bestselling author of over 35 contemporary romance novels. Carly hit the big time when her 2002 novel, The Bachelor, became Kelly Ripa's "Reading with Ripa" pick on Live with Regis and Kelly, making it the first romance ever chosen on a nationally televised bookclub. These days her focus is the SERENDIPITY series with engaging and lovable small town characters, striking a balance between entertainment, humor and the emotion her readers have come to expect and enjoy. You can find out more about Carly and her books at: www.carlyphillips.com and www.facebook.com/carlyphillipsfanpage ... Carly hopes to see you there!

Meanwhile, Carly knows readers like to know about the authors they love to read, so here is all about Carly ... in a nutshell:

Carly was born ... a 3 pound 7 ounce preemie and as she grew up, her hair didn't grow with her. Today she is hair obsessed and has been many colors, styles, and even textures over the years. People often ask her what my natural color is. She's not telling. It's more fun for you to guess. Obviously the hair grew. Some say it overgrew. And then the color fetish started and it continues.

Carly was raised ... in Spring Valley, New York and attended Ramapo Senior High School. When she stepped onto the campus of Brandeis University (Waltham, MA) as a high school junior, she swore she wouldn't go anywhere else. Good thing she got in because she met her future husband there and her oldest daughter attends now.

Carly has two girls ... Two daughters, four years apart. Well planned for someone who knows their own limitations. She adore her girls, loves their "Mommy Movie Days", and shopping, and hanging out with them.
Then added two furkids ... For those of you who don't know, Carly has two dogs, Bailey a soft coated Wheaten terrier and Brady a Havanese. Carly is obsessed with her dogs and will show you pictures if you ask, and even if you don't!

A King size bed isn't big enough ... because Carly and her husband, girls and dogs are a family of couch potatoes. OK not exactly but close. They can be found watching shows, Tivo-ing what they miss, and doing so from the comfort of the bedroom. Carly loves to read, browse fashion magazines, knit and watch what's left of ABC soaps.

To Sum Up ... Carly is grateful for her blessings of which you, the reader are a part of!

For more information, visit Carly's always updated web site at www.carlyphillips.com where she has monthly contests, excerpts and much more.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#26 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary

#26 in Books > Romance > Contemporary

#33 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#38 in Books > Romance

#77 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction

#26 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance > Contemporary

#26 in Books > Romance > Contemporary

#33 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Romance

#38 in Books > Romance

#77 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 4 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies September 6, 2011

By Lily

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Faith Harrington grew up in the lap of luxury and never left it...until her father being sent to prison for running a Ponzi scheme was followed up by finding out that her husband was a cheating jerk. Faith needs a fresh start, and she's determined to get it in her home town of Serendipity where she wants to start her interior design business. Unfortunately, some people in Serendipity are putting the blame for the sins of the father on Faith. What's more, the mansion Faith grew up in is now home to notorious bad boy Ethan Barron. What's a woman to do? Well, when Ethan hires her to redecorate his home, a woman like Faith takes the chance. But will she also take a chance on the scoundrel who's always sent her heart racing?

Author Carly Phillips starts off her SERENDIPITY series with a bang! SERENDIPITY is passion and fun, past mistakes and new beginnings all rolled into one.

Faith is a woman who is determined to claim her life as her own, and she'll work her butt off to make a success of herself. Faith is beautiful, intelligent and wealthy, but what makes her a fantastic heroine is her hard work and likeability. Ethan, in turn, is a former bad boy who has returned to Serendipity to make amends and reconnect with his family. Sadly, his past makes it hard for people - especially his brothers - to see the man he has become. I flat-out adored Ethan and not only did I want him to find love with Faith, I wanted him to get the acceptance he craves. To her credit, Ms. Phillips doesn't make it easy for Ethan. I was every bit as invested in Ethan and Faith's individual journeys as I was in their romance.

Ms. Phillips could have easily fallen into one of the well-known contemporary romance patterns with SERENDIPITY - ex-bad boy falls for good girl/princess. But Ms. Phillips takes the best parts of that romance archetype and then spins her own unique story from here. There are twists and turns in SERENDIPITY that I didn't see coming, and I LOVED them. I finished SERENDIPITY with a smile on my face, delighted by Ethan and Faith's utterly charming romance. Bring on the next SERENDIPITY novel, DESTINY!

Lily
Reviewed for Romance Junkies

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars entertaining contemporary romance September 7, 2011

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Mass Market Paperback

In Serendipity, New York, former wealthy Faith Harrington disowned her father Martin when he accepted a plea bargain after a Bernie Madoff level financial fraud; she also divorced her womanizing husband Carter Moreland who knew all before dumping her. She and her family are broke having to sell everything including the mansion on the hill through an SEC auction to pay back investors.

After a decade away Ethan Barron returns home too. He owes his younger brothers Nash and Dare having deserted them to foster care when their parents died and he couldn't cope; he knows he will need to be patient to win them over as they no longer need him like they did when he ran. Although the victim of her father's crime the townsfolk refuse to hire interior designer Faith; that is until Ethan hires the Princess on the hill to renovate his new purchase, her family's former mansion. Back in high school, they had a heated moment, but that seems tundra compared to how the former princess and the entrepreneur feel today.

The first of the Barron brothers' contemporary romances is an entertaining tale starring two strong obstinate protagonists and a powerful mostly extended families' support cast. The lead couple and their siblings have realistic issues including family dynamics that may keep them apart. With a nod to the headlines and some late suspense, Carly Phillips opens her upstate New York tale with a strong entry.

Harriet Klausner

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars told, not shown May 21, 2012

By kezermezer

Format:Mass Market Paperback

When her father is convicted of running a ponzi scheme and her marriage implodes, Faith Harrington heads back to her hometown of Serendipity to regroup and find herself. Along the way, she also finds Ethan Barron, the sexy bad boy from her past who has a few skeletons of his own in his closet.

Serendipity has a decent enough plot (even if things with a certain teenager are resolved a little too easily). It has pretty likable characters. It has some nice sex scenes (aside from the use of the words 'penis' and 'member', which are just not sexy to me at all).

What it does not have is good writing, and the problem can be summed up in this simple statement: Show, don't tell. God, it was frustrating! This book could have been so much better. Why did Phillips' editor not sit her down and tell her? As Anton Chekov once said, don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass. If you like having everything artlessly shoved down your throat, this is the book for you. Such a shame!

Phillips and her editor also would have done well to pay closer attention to grammer. Too often we were confronted with mistakes like turning two sentences into one, i.e. "Though hopefully Nash and Dare would bury their real feelings for Tess's sake, he was about to find out."

Phillips can do better.