What do you think?
Rate this book
Perfect Match
They're perfect for each other…
Desperate to save her family home from foreclosure, Hannah Olaniyi takes on a seemingly unwinnable case…for a substantial fee. But her new client is testing the North Carolina attorney in ways she never imagined. As tempers ignite over conflicting strategies, Hannah fights a desire that's taking her from the boardroom and into the bedroom of the town's most notorious playboy.
They just don't know it yet.
Amal Harper needs a lawyer fast…someone willing to go up against a powerful family. But there's a shocking secret in this hard-driving businessman's past. Amal doesn't want to lose Hannah, especially after she starts working her seductive magic. Is it too late to mend his bad-boy ways and claim his future with the woman who's his total opposite—except when it comes to love?
Desperate to save her family home from foreclosure, Hannah Olaniyi takes on a seemingly unwinnable case…for a substantial fee. But her new client is testing the North Carolina attorney in ways she never imagined. As tempers ignite over conflicting strategies, Hannah fights a desire that's taking her from the boardroom and into the bedroom of the town's most notorious playboy.
They just don't know it yet.
Amal Harper needs a lawyer fast…someone willing to go up against a powerful family. But there's a shocking secret in this hard-driving businessman's past. Amal doesn't want to lose Hannah, especially after she starts working her seductive magic. Is it too late to mend his bad-boy ways and claim his future with the woman who's his total opposite—except when it comes to love?
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Dara Girard
167 books53 followersDara Girard is a national bestselling and award-winning author. After many novels in various sub-genres from contemporary to paranormal romance, women’s fiction, and non-fiction Ms. Girard continues to win readers with each new book.
I was born many years ago in the American Midwest to a brave immigrant couple who decided to call themselves my parents. They moved around the country until they finally settled in Maryland. As a child I was always scribbling something and my family supported my efforts (with white knuckles and a lot of prayer).
After graduating from college, I worked various jobs and did some freelance writing hoping that one day my writing efforts would make me rich and famous and allow me to quit. That didn’t happen. Instead my last job was made redundant and I decided not to look for a new one. Instead I chose to live on my savings (and mild insanity) and write full time.
I would not recommend this route for other aspiring writers. Either marry well or have three years worth of salary saved. I took the risk because I wanted to and fortunately that same year I received an offer from a publisher for a two book contract–after a thirteen year effort, but that’s another story.
I was born many years ago in the American Midwest to a brave immigrant couple who decided to call themselves my parents. They moved around the country until they finally settled in Maryland. As a child I was always scribbling something and my family supported my efforts (with white knuckles and a lot of prayer).
After graduating from college, I worked various jobs and did some freelance writing hoping that one day my writing efforts would make me rich and famous and allow me to quit. That didn’t happen. Instead my last job was made redundant and I decided not to look for a new one. Instead I chose to live on my savings (and mild insanity) and write full time.
I would not recommend this route for other aspiring writers. Either marry well or have three years worth of salary saved. I took the risk because I wanted to and fortunately that same year I received an offer from a publisher for a two book contract–after a thirteen year effort, but that’s another story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 10, 2021
I love this book. It was one of the sweetest, funniest and most intriguing love story I ever read...I was fascinated by the depth and creative of our main characters, Hannah and Amal...
Highly recommend
Highly recommend
October 25, 2018
Good and interesting. I like the characters.
September 29, 2013
Hannah Olaniyi is a lawyer who could use some pick-me-up in her life. Her father has racked up some expensive medical bills, and Hannah herself hadn't hit the rat race long enough to make the money needed to pay off the debts. Her older sister is basically a leech who blames Hannah for everything wrong in her life, and the cow will jump over the moon before Abigail does anything to help the family. Of course, Hannah, being a virtuous darling, didn't exactly put herself in the fast track to earn lots of money, since she's following her heart and not where the dollar signs are, that kind of thing. In other words, Hannah needs money - badly - so she's just the perfect heroine for a romance novel. Love won't find a woman if she can find herself, that kind of thing, you know?
So, she is desperate enough to take on a case that is not going to be easily winnable. Amal Harper - that's an "M" in the name, people, just in case you aren't paying enough attention - needs some legal help to solve a mess left behind by his now broken-off relationship with his volatile ex-girlfriend. He's smart enough to go on a business venture with her, and now that they are no longer sucking face, she's not going to make it easy for him to make a clean break and collect what he feels is his from the debris of their business venture. Her family is said to be powerful, so he needs someone smart - or desperate - enough to take him on.
Perfect Match has a very flimsy premise. Hannah and Amal definitely aren't being very professional here, but that won't be so bad if their initial interactions weren't so awkward and bewildering. Amal immediately comes on to her in a manner that crosses the line into sexual harrassment if the other party wants to take offense in his behavior. Even he admits to himself that he doesn't understand why he is being so tactless with Hannah, so this is a case where the hero is as equally befuddled as me by his behavior. At least I'm not alone in my confusion, I guess.
This behavior doesn't make sense because, one, he needs her help so it is reckless to behave like Pepé Le Pew and risk driving her out the door, and two, she's a freaking lawyer who knows better than most on how to nail him for sexual harrassment if she put her mind to it. Am I to believe that the sight of a gorgeous woman turns Amal into a drooling randy creature bent on humping her leg, and this is fine because he has a flat stomach and a fat wallet?
Naturally, Hannah finds such behavior attractive enough to soon pucker up for a kiss and more, because. really, when you are so desperate for money and you certainly can't afford to jeopardize your reputation and credibility, it makes perfect sense to sleep with your client! And every other secondary character who isn't the obligatory Skanky Miley wannabe approves - heck, they are even matchmaking and practically forcing these two to have sex on the second date if they have their way. It is as if the author had little confidence in having her characters fall in love on their own, so every other secondary character here is created to push those two together, scold these two when they have some relationship drama, and cheer when they finally get married.
The romance itself isn't anything special. It's a collection of popular tropes put together in a lackluster manner. The secondary characters act like shrinks, the skanky hos show up to demonstrate how amazing and special Hannah is as a woman worthy of everyone's affections, and there is tedious "this won't work, we'll break up; I hate you but I really love you, but I hate you for not reading my mind" drama when things are starting to quiet down, and these two are practically nagged by secondary characters to kiss and make up instead of resolving things on their own. The last doesn't inspire confidence in the happily ever after.
Sure, the author can do romantic comedy if she puts her mind to it, but this one can't depend on the occasional amusing banter to carry it to the finish line. Too much about it is generic, half-baked, and, often, requires me to suspend my disbelief unnecessarily.
So, she is desperate enough to take on a case that is not going to be easily winnable. Amal Harper - that's an "M" in the name, people, just in case you aren't paying enough attention - needs some legal help to solve a mess left behind by his now broken-off relationship with his volatile ex-girlfriend. He's smart enough to go on a business venture with her, and now that they are no longer sucking face, she's not going to make it easy for him to make a clean break and collect what he feels is his from the debris of their business venture. Her family is said to be powerful, so he needs someone smart - or desperate - enough to take him on.
Perfect Match has a very flimsy premise. Hannah and Amal definitely aren't being very professional here, but that won't be so bad if their initial interactions weren't so awkward and bewildering. Amal immediately comes on to her in a manner that crosses the line into sexual harrassment if the other party wants to take offense in his behavior. Even he admits to himself that he doesn't understand why he is being so tactless with Hannah, so this is a case where the hero is as equally befuddled as me by his behavior. At least I'm not alone in my confusion, I guess.
This behavior doesn't make sense because, one, he needs her help so it is reckless to behave like Pepé Le Pew and risk driving her out the door, and two, she's a freaking lawyer who knows better than most on how to nail him for sexual harrassment if she put her mind to it. Am I to believe that the sight of a gorgeous woman turns Amal into a drooling randy creature bent on humping her leg, and this is fine because he has a flat stomach and a fat wallet?
Naturally, Hannah finds such behavior attractive enough to soon pucker up for a kiss and more, because. really, when you are so desperate for money and you certainly can't afford to jeopardize your reputation and credibility, it makes perfect sense to sleep with your client! And every other secondary character who isn't the obligatory Skanky Miley wannabe approves - heck, they are even matchmaking and practically forcing these two to have sex on the second date if they have their way. It is as if the author had little confidence in having her characters fall in love on their own, so every other secondary character here is created to push those two together, scold these two when they have some relationship drama, and cheer when they finally get married.
The romance itself isn't anything special. It's a collection of popular tropes put together in a lackluster manner. The secondary characters act like shrinks, the skanky hos show up to demonstrate how amazing and special Hannah is as a woman worthy of everyone's affections, and there is tedious "this won't work, we'll break up; I hate you but I really love you, but I hate you for not reading my mind" drama when things are starting to quiet down, and these two are practically nagged by secondary characters to kiss and make up instead of resolving things on their own. The last doesn't inspire confidence in the happily ever after.
Sure, the author can do romantic comedy if she puts her mind to it, but this one can't depend on the occasional amusing banter to carry it to the finish line. Too much about it is generic, half-baked, and, often, requires me to suspend my disbelief unnecessarily.
Read
December 29, 2014"Girard's writing is inspirational and poetic, with one-liners that will stick with readers long after they reach the final page. The characters are rich with depth, and it is a nice change to see both lead characters learn how to handle a relationship maturely." RT Book Reviews, rated 4 1/2 stars
August 10, 2013
What a great story of love lost and new love found. Amal and Hannah story was very good. Amal needed help and no one wanted to help him and Hannah needed a client. Together the sparks and the drama enfolded into a wonderful love affair.
December 8, 2013
Lawyer Hannah Olaniya has a small client list but she is making it. If her family would just stop asking for loans, and her sister would put forth a little effort to help. will th client and case of a life time get her in more trouble or out of the hole she is in?
December 31, 2013
Perfect Match
Data Girard does it again with another well written story of love. Hannah and Amal brought out the best in each other, and sometimes the worst when they keep secrets from each other.Love wins out in the end. Definitely would own this book.
Data Girard does it again with another well written story of love. Hannah and Amal brought out the best in each other, and sometimes the worst when they keep secrets from each other.Love wins out in the end. Definitely would own this book.
May 9, 2014
I really enjoyed this one. It takes a special kind of woman to heal years of hurt in a man so unwillingly. Hannah loved Amal flaws and all. Pride will ruin the best of relationships especially between two strong willed people.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews