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Southern Comfort #1
Serendipity
It’s a dog eat dog world for Ava Martinez. On the surface her life seems charmed – beauty, brains, a successful veterinary practice – but Ava harbors a secret. And one rash act on a foggy night threatens to destroy it all. The niece of one of the most ruthless crime lords in the country, Ava has lived her life as an unwilling pawn in her uncle’s illegal game. When Ava accidentally stumbles upon an unknown man lying unconscious in the trunk of a car – a man destined for death at the hands of her uncle’s men – she risks her life to get him to safety and to thwart her uncle’s nefarious scheme. Little does she know that lifting the lid of that trunk will be like opening Pandora’s box. When Assistant District Attorney Jordan Wellington – the man she rescued – brings his dog to the door of her veterinary clinic, she does her best to thwart his amorous intentions, but fate has a different idea. When a walk in the park, a friend’s blind date, seemingly everything throws them together, the normally strong-willed Ava finds herself irrevocably drawn into a seductive and deadly game. Because if Jordan ever regains his memory of that night, both of their lives could be in danger.
399 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2012
224 people are currently reading
1279 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Clark O'Neill
23 books247 followersOne fine day in the not-too-distant past, Lisa Clark O’Neill left Wittenberg University with a BA in English, which she promptly neglected. After working as an interior designer, decorative artist, and Montessori art teacher (there may have been a BA in art as well,) she finally settled into the role of mother to two very fine children. However, two years of doing the stay-at-home-mom brain cell melt drove her to pull out a pen and one of her old college notebooks. That turned into six manuscripts. Lisa spent subsequent years avoiding housework by burying her nose in just about every romance novel she could get her hands on, after completely falling in love with the genre. Her own work falls into the romantic suspense sub-genre, with strong comedic undertones. Two of Lisa's recent novels, Circumstantial Evidence and Malice, were chosen as Best Reads of 2015.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
October 17, 2018
When I started this book I was curious as to how the story would explain the title. It soon became clear how aptly it was named as the two main characters' meeting was certainly serendipitous. Ava Martinez and Jordan Wellington were destined to connect in spite of their circumstances and the dramatic differences in their backgrounds.
She's a veterinarian and he's an assistant district attorney. She's from a fragmented, "colorful" family and he's from a close-knit, successful one. Ava's pretty tough and isn't afraid of the goons working for her uncle (she should be) and Jordan's got a strong sense of justice, even if it puts him in the crosshairs of some dangerous people.
There's lots of action and sexual tension as Ava tries to resist getting involved with Jordan for obvious reasons. He's tenacious though and I loved how he refused to back off. Their snappy dialogue and clever repartee is one of the many highlights. It's some of the best I've read in awhile. And, there's no lack of heat between these two.
Ava's failure to be upfront about her background almost derails their relationship but thankfully the story didn't go down a clichéd path or belabor the point. There was more of a romance balance than suspense but it was sufficient.
The bottom line
Jordan's got quite a few brothers, too, and I'm looking forward to seeing them in future stories. This was a wonderful find and I'm glad I trusted my friend and read it. It's a well-written, fast-paced story with surprises and twists throughout. The retro looking cover is completely in keeping with the storyline. You'll just have to read it and find out for yourself. It'll be worth it.
December 22, 2012
"I knew the minute I saw you walk into the bar in that red dress. My heart stopped. And when it started again, it beat for you."
This book was quite different than my usual reads but I really enjoyed it! I'd say its probably the perfect book to read if you are on vacation, or having a busy week or don't have time to fully commit 100% to a book because the odd thing about it was that despite finding it very put-down-able, while I was reading it, I really enjoyed it. It was kind of the perfect read for me at this time because I ended up having to take a trip at the same time as I started reading it and was really worried about not being able to fully commit to a book but I loved that I was able to pick this book up, fall right into the story, but easily set it aside without my heart falling to pieces or suffering a nervous zomg-neeeeed-to-keep-reading break down. It was just a fun, witty yet serious mystery romance that I enjoyed despite not being completely 'taken over' by it.
Lets start at the beginning, this book grabbed my attention right from the first line and by the end of the first page I was grinning to myself and totally knew that I had to read this book.
Ava is just trying to lead a normal life, but when she finds a badly beaten man in the trunk of a car outside her crime lord uncle's club (his goons had gotten the wrong dude!), she feels compelled to help him. She doesn't condone her uncle's illegal activities and besides, the bleeding guy is absolutely gorgeous and only barely conscious enough to be grumpy. So, she does what she considers to be the right thing and drops him off outside a hospital hoping he won't remember her and drives off.
When Jordan, who as it turns out is a prosecutor, wakes up in the hospital, he has no memory of what happened to him other than the fact that he was beaten and maybe some woman might have tried to help him. But the who, why, where, how questions are just coming up as blanks.
And a whole story is then built up involving a crime lord, a string of chilling serial murders, Ava's mother's mysterious disappearance and, of course, the budding romance that begins to develop when Ava and Jordan meet again by chance.
She of course, is forced to fight her attraction to him as the price for keeping the secret of her involvement in his 'accident' but Jordan is both persistent and determined to get to know this girl he feels drawn to better.
"Jordan Wellington was a complication she couldn't afford... And it was just her bad luck that he seemed to keep popping up whenever she least expected.
Did the man have to be so darn cute?
Why couldn't she have yanked a buck-toothed, mullet-sporting redneck out of the trunk?"
Ava and Jordan were wonderful, likable characters with great chemistry and some awesome banter. Ava was a strong, tough heroine, and Jordan was a sweet, lovable guy with a great sense of humor. I really loved their scenes together.
"You're like a damn Sheltie," she muttered.
"A Sheltie?"...
"You're all cute and playful, and though you look pretty easygoing, you're really not. You just nudge, nose, circle around and herd your quarry until you've got them boxed into whatever corner you've chosen. The damn sheep doesn't even realize what's happening..."
"I'm not sure which one of us should be more insulted by that analogy."
I really loved the writing style. The whole book was witty in a very subtle way. It wasn't funny per say, but had just the right kind of clever spark to keep me reading with a little half smile a lot of the time despite the seriousness of some of the situations. It just has a catchy feel to it, you know? Its all about the little things - the choice of one word over another that just brings a smile to your face.
The book almost a bit of a romance novel meets Law&Order/CSI kind of feel to it.
I have to admit though, this book was less romance heavy than I'd usually prefer but I liked the writing style enough to keep me interested even in the more mystery focused scenes. But at the same time, I had a bit of a harder time becoming quite as fully emotionally connected to the story as I normally do with a full-on romance. I do wish there had been a tad bit more focus on Ava and Jordan.
They were, however, functional as a couple and this book had no unnecessary stupidity or Kindle-throwing scenes. Its all safe!
The point of views switch up a lot without clear breaks - it was enough that I noticed it, but not enough to strongly detract from the story. But in the interest of honesty, I feel I should mention it. There are also some typos and such, but as per my usual way of looking at things, if the story rocks, I'm more than willing to be forgiving on that front.
The author also sets up a whole slew of Wellington brothers, all of whom are gorgeous, hot and alluring do-gooders... we've got a lawyer, a prosecutor, an FBI agent, a doctor... as well as other interesting main characters that I'm sure will end up getting their own books.
It was a pretty laid back book. Like I said, I found it easy to put down, but easy to pick back up again. There was a bit of an ending climax but everything was all wrapped up in a resolved HEA and epilogue. No cliffhangers here! *whew*
I'd consider it "New Adult" in terms of steam (despite the couple being in their 30's). There's sex and light steam - nothing overly graphic, but at the same time, no closed doors. Oh, and we get a little chapter at the end giving a teaser for the next book.
This is the author's debut novel and I really enjoyed her writing style and am looking forward to more of her books in the future.
Honest review requested by author.
CASTING:
September 27, 2014
Well I damn near died of swoons.
This is my second Lisa Clark O'Neill book and both have completely blown me away. Her books have everything you could possibly want in a romance novel. Every single character is so well fleshed out, the dialogue is fantastic as well as believable and she adds all these little details that just makes the setting and characters just come to life. The romance has just the perfect amount of push and pull to keep you hooked. The main lassie is never annoyingly reluctant or totally thick in dangerous situations. The lads, holy hell, the lads. THEY ARE BRILLIANT.
Serendipity was such a good romantic suspense. I'm a romance junkie and I must admit that the main reason I love suspense books is because you get to see a big tough lad being all over protective over his lass. I do like the mystery and action part to be there but I'm never really totally invested in it. BUT in this book I was going crazy trying to figure out all the different bits and pieces that were going on. There was one point where I was thinking it was a wee bit unbelievable that one of the bad guys was going after Ava and that it was just too big a coincidence, and then you find out why he was going after her and it was so bloody clever! The way all the threads came together was so, so good. I totally missed all the clues until the end. I loved that!
Now the good bit, the romance! Holy hell, the romance. Firstly, Jordan. He was literally perfect. In. Every. Single. Way. That is not an exaggeration. I swooned every time he opened his mouth. He was so sweet and charming. The way he pursued Ava without being a dick was amazing. I adore a man who knows what he wants, and goes after it but isn't an arrogant ass about it. The way he was with his family and his dog was just the icing on the cake. I love him.
Ava was wonderful. She had so much to deal with but never felt sorry for herself. Right from the start she was so brave and so strong trying to play the hand she was dealt with. I really appreciated that she tried her best to resist Jordan but didn't take it to a ridiculous level. She knew her heart and knew there was no point in fighting it anymore. She totally deserved a man like Jordan.
So, yeah, this book was AMAZING.
This is my second Lisa Clark O'Neill book and both have completely blown me away. Her books have everything you could possibly want in a romance novel. Every single character is so well fleshed out, the dialogue is fantastic as well as believable and she adds all these little details that just makes the setting and characters just come to life. The romance has just the perfect amount of push and pull to keep you hooked. The main lassie is never annoyingly reluctant or totally thick in dangerous situations. The lads, holy hell, the lads. THEY ARE BRILLIANT.
Serendipity was such a good romantic suspense. I'm a romance junkie and I must admit that the main reason I love suspense books is because you get to see a big tough lad being all over protective over his lass. I do like the mystery and action part to be there but I'm never really totally invested in it. BUT in this book I was going crazy trying to figure out all the different bits and pieces that were going on. There was one point where I was thinking it was a wee bit unbelievable that one of the bad guys was going after Ava and that it was just too big a coincidence, and then you find out why he was going after her and it was so bloody clever! The way all the threads came together was so, so good. I totally missed all the clues until the end. I loved that!
Now the good bit, the romance! Holy hell, the romance. Firstly, Jordan. He was literally perfect. In. Every. Single. Way. That is not an exaggeration. I swooned every time he opened his mouth. He was so sweet and charming. The way he pursued Ava without being a dick was amazing. I adore a man who knows what he wants, and goes after it but isn't an arrogant ass about it. The way he was with his family and his dog was just the icing on the cake. I love him.
Ava was wonderful. She had so much to deal with but never felt sorry for herself. Right from the start she was so brave and so strong trying to play the hand she was dealt with. I really appreciated that she tried her best to resist Jordan but didn't take it to a ridiculous level. She knew her heart and knew there was no point in fighting it anymore. She totally deserved a man like Jordan.
So, yeah, this book was AMAZING.
November 7, 2019
I loved this book from the unique opening sequence where veterinarian Ava (niece of a crime lord) finds ADA Jordan unconscious from an assault by her uncle’s “goons” in the trunk of a car, to their reconnection at her vet’s office, to Jordan’s relationship with his family, to their explosive chemistry, to Jordan not taking no for an answer and Ava’s half- assed attempt to hold him at arms length, to the mystery of who the serial killer is, to the action and twists and turns etc etc. I could go on and on. What I didn’t like is the time between the conclusion and the epilogue where I believe interesting events took place that I would have liked to experience instead of being told about. ( The trial for one), there are more but I don’t want to spoil it. Great start to the series. 4 1/2 stars.
December 12, 2022
4/5; 4 stars; A-
I really enjoyed this book. I like a romantic suspense with smart heroines, sympathetic alpha males, and quirky characters. Reading this book made me want to read all about the people in this series.
I really enjoyed this book. I like a romantic suspense with smart heroines, sympathetic alpha males, and quirky characters. Reading this book made me want to read all about the people in this series.
August 31, 2014
★★★★½ I probably should only give this book 4 stars; there were some minor editing errors in it, but I enjoyed it sooooooo much. Love the developing romance between Jordan and Ava (wonderful dialogue), blended with the pace of the mystery and suspense. It was hard for me not to gobble it up ahead of the “buddy read” schedule.
Love this author’s voice, so I’ve already gone on to the next book.
Love this author’s voice, so I’ve already gone on to the next book.
September 25, 2017
4.0+ RATING- A solid romantic suspense read from a "new to me" author. I was impressed with this one. It's not too often I stumble across an author that I haven't heard of, that has a full series of books I've never come across and that I'm excited to add to my TBR list. Everything about this book was good. I was pulled in from the very first page and liked both characters equally. It wasn't the sexiest romantic suspense story I've read (there was some heat, I just like mine super steamy!) but everything was so well done, it worked well as written. There's also several characters introduced that I'm guessing will be potential leads in future stories and that I'm looking forward to reading about.
I picked Serendipity up for free a while back but I wouldn't have a problem paying to read other books by the author. I did check and as of right now, several of the books in the series are available through Kindle Unlimited.
I picked Serendipity up for free a while back but I wouldn't have a problem paying to read other books by the author. I did check and as of right now, several of the books in the series are available through Kindle Unlimited.
July 25, 2017
This is a lighthearted, sexy, humorous romp with a bit of mystery thrown in. Unfortunately, given the cover and summary, I was expecting a darker, grittier, and more suspenseful story.
Well written and fun…as long as you fully understand what kind of a read you are getting. Sadly, I didn't...
Thank you to Christina for the loan...
Well written and fun…as long as you fully understand what kind of a read you are getting. Sadly, I didn't...
Thank you to Christina for the loan...
November 16, 2014
This is a story that I've had on the backburner for a while now. Lisa Clark O'Neill is a participant on our Facebook page and we seem to enjoy many of the same books. I knew she was a writer and when I first saw the covers of two of her books, Serendipity and Mr. Write, I thought they were beautiful and was very curious. I'm often hesitant though, to read any books from people who we've chatted with sporadically on Facebook because I like them, and I never quite know what I'm going to get with their writing. Luckily, another one of our readers read this first and told me how much she enjoyed it. I decided to give it a shot.
Upon reading the first page of the book, I had the immediate reaction of, "Oh, thank God!" because I could tell right away that Lisa was a good writer. I know that probably sounds stupid, but I was interested and amused right from the first page. As the story went along, I was impressed with the clever, witty dialogue and the engaging story. It had a mostly light, fun feel to it, and it quickly reminded me a bit of Sophie Kinsella. Now, I'd hate to spoil, but I need to reveal that it's not all puppies and kittens. There is a darker story here, involving a murder mystery. It didn't permeate the story, which was good, but I didn't want all of you to be thinking you were getting a sweet, funny, sexy story and then BAM! you were hit with The Sopranos. Okay, it's not quite The Sopraonos, but there is definitely a deeper story here then it first appears.
I flipped a little back and forth, while reading, trying to decide if I was going to give this a 3 or a 4 star rating. Both ratings mean that I enjoyed it, but there were definitely stronger and weaker moments in the book. This inconsistency made me go down the middle at 3.5 stars. Let me explain, there were some scenes in the book where I was completely engaged and very impressed with the beautiful writing. There were other parts when I thought that it needed a bit more polishing. Some of the plot points seemed rushed or awkward. I enjoyed the characters. Again, there were moments when I thought, "Wow! He's really wonderful, and HOT." LOL. There were other moments when I thought, "Hmmm... I wish she'd fleshed that out a little more."
Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely. I'm just not jumping up and down about it. I will definitely be reading the next book for sure, which I believe centres around one of the secondary characters in the first book. This was Lisa's first novel and I feel quite confident that her writing will only get better from here. She has a maturity and lightness to her writing that pulls you right in.
3.5 stars
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Upon reading the first page of the book, I had the immediate reaction of, "Oh, thank God!" because I could tell right away that Lisa was a good writer. I know that probably sounds stupid, but I was interested and amused right from the first page. As the story went along, I was impressed with the clever, witty dialogue and the engaging story. It had a mostly light, fun feel to it, and it quickly reminded me a bit of Sophie Kinsella. Now, I'd hate to spoil, but I need to reveal that it's not all puppies and kittens. There is a darker story here, involving a murder mystery. It didn't permeate the story, which was good, but I didn't want all of you to be thinking you were getting a sweet, funny, sexy story and then BAM! you were hit with The Sopranos. Okay, it's not quite The Sopraonos, but there is definitely a deeper story here then it first appears.
I flipped a little back and forth, while reading, trying to decide if I was going to give this a 3 or a 4 star rating. Both ratings mean that I enjoyed it, but there were definitely stronger and weaker moments in the book. This inconsistency made me go down the middle at 3.5 stars. Let me explain, there were some scenes in the book where I was completely engaged and very impressed with the beautiful writing. There were other parts when I thought that it needed a bit more polishing. Some of the plot points seemed rushed or awkward. I enjoyed the characters. Again, there were moments when I thought, "Wow! He's really wonderful, and HOT." LOL. There were other moments when I thought, "Hmmm... I wish she'd fleshed that out a little more."
Would I recommend it? Yes, absolutely. I'm just not jumping up and down about it. I will definitely be reading the next book for sure, which I believe centres around one of the secondary characters in the first book. This was Lisa's first novel and I feel quite confident that her writing will only get better from here. She has a maturity and lightness to her writing that pulls you right in.
3.5 stars
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December 4, 2012
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars considering I've read only good things about it. I think some of my hopes were a bit too high due to the fact that many reviews said this was a romance/suspense/thriller. I personally didn't feel the suspense or thriller part of the book, but rather more mystery. Just a personal opinion. This is also my very first ebook purchase, but for the amount I paid, it was well worth it.
The beginning of the book throws you directly into the action where there is no such thing as a slow start. We are immediately introduced to our two main characters and the situation almost becomes comical due to the witty remarks.
All our main characters are very likable. Ava and Jordan seem to have an interesting chemistry that works because of Jordan's arrogance and ego. How can Ava resist? the 'Serendipity' of things is also brought in early on and you can almost guess whats about to happen. But I would also love to mention that I was thrown a few unexpected curve balls here and there.
Overall, this was a very fun read and I look forward to book 2. This is Lisa Clark O'Neill's first novel and I get the feeling her books are only going to get better and better.
The beginning of the book throws you directly into the action where there is no such thing as a slow start. We are immediately introduced to our two main characters and the situation almost becomes comical due to the witty remarks.
All our main characters are very likable. Ava and Jordan seem to have an interesting chemistry that works because of Jordan's arrogance and ego. How can Ava resist? the 'Serendipity' of things is also brought in early on and you can almost guess whats about to happen. But I would also love to mention that I was thrown a few unexpected curve balls here and there.
Overall, this was a very fun read and I look forward to book 2. This is Lisa Clark O'Neill's first novel and I get the feeling her books are only going to get better and better.
April 9, 2015
I found Serendipity to be a delightful book. It had everything I want in a book - characters that I liked and rooted for, a storyline that quickly captured and held my attention, an interesting setting, and a style of writing that was smooth and enjoyable to read. I am so glad that this book is the 1st of the series, and that I have others to look forward to. I plan to read them very soon!
The main characters in this book, Ava and Jordan, were both great! I wanted only the best for them, and I loved the way they interacted and enjoyed watching their relationship develop. There was a very nice balance of romance and suspense in Serendipity. The storyline moved along quickly, and I was very happy with the way that everything in the book played out. It was a very satisfying story, and I enjoyed each moment spent reading it.
The main characters in this book, Ava and Jordan, were both great! I wanted only the best for them, and I loved the way they interacted and enjoyed watching their relationship develop. There was a very nice balance of romance and suspense in Serendipity. The storyline moved along quickly, and I was very happy with the way that everything in the book played out. It was a very satisfying story, and I enjoyed each moment spent reading it.
May 22, 2014
Good entertaining read, and aptly named.
I think that it has good and well balanced mix of romance, humour and thrill; though, I enjoyed the romance and especially humour more than thrill (both the mobster and the maniac were a bit unbelievable, in my opinion).
Well-written and nicely paced, the book grabs your attention from the very beginning and is easy to finish in one sitting (I surely would if I had time).
I think that it has good and well balanced mix of romance, humour and thrill; though, I enjoyed the romance and especially humour more than thrill (both the mobster and the maniac were a bit unbelievable, in my opinion).
Well-written and nicely paced, the book grabs your attention from the very beginning and is easy to finish in one sitting (I surely would if I had time).
August 15, 2017
4.5★
Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Humour & who can resist a guy who adopts a stray dog. A great start to this Romantic Suspense series. Really looking forward to reading the rest
Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Humour & who can resist a guy who adopts a stray dog. A great start to this Romantic Suspense series. Really looking forward to reading the rest
December 27, 2014
Serendipity
4 Stars
Ava Martinez is having a run of bad luck. Not only is she the niece of a ruthless mafia boss, but her mother has disappeared and her father is awaiting trial for murder. Things only get worse when she discovers the body of an unconscious man in the trunk of a car and knows for certain that if she doesn’t take action, he will be killed by her uncle’s goons. As fate would have it, the unknown man is Assistant District Attorney, Jordan Wellington, and his path continues to cross with Ava’s time and again as the two find themselves in the center of a dangerous circle of lies, deceit and murder.
Although this book is in dire need of some serious editing, the writing is wonderful with excellent characterization, witty dialogue and a good balance between the romance and the suspense.
Ava is an admirable heroine: intelligent, resilient and courageous. Given her family situation, her decision to rescue Jordan highlights her inner strength and integrity. Jordan is almost too perfect - charming and witty, loyal and persistent - it is rare to see a hero who is so open and honest about his feelings. Ava and Jordan have incredible chemistry and the development of their relationship is one of the highlights of the book.
My one small nitpick is the keeping secrets trope, which has never appealed to me as I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Thankfully, this issue is resolved quite efficiently and it does not detract from Jordan and Ava’s romance.
The suspense plot is comprised of two threads - the danger posed by Ava’s uncle and the serial killer targeting young women. While both develop at a solid pace throughout the book and have their moments of thrills and chills, they do tend to stutter toward the end with somewhat lackluster resolutions.
All in all, this is an entertaining story and a lovely romance with interesting secondary characters that make me want to read the next one very soon.
4 Stars
Ava Martinez is having a run of bad luck. Not only is she the niece of a ruthless mafia boss, but her mother has disappeared and her father is awaiting trial for murder. Things only get worse when she discovers the body of an unconscious man in the trunk of a car and knows for certain that if she doesn’t take action, he will be killed by her uncle’s goons. As fate would have it, the unknown man is Assistant District Attorney, Jordan Wellington, and his path continues to cross with Ava’s time and again as the two find themselves in the center of a dangerous circle of lies, deceit and murder.
Although this book is in dire need of some serious editing, the writing is wonderful with excellent characterization, witty dialogue and a good balance between the romance and the suspense.
Ava is an admirable heroine: intelligent, resilient and courageous. Given her family situation, her decision to rescue Jordan highlights her inner strength and integrity. Jordan is almost too perfect - charming and witty, loyal and persistent - it is rare to see a hero who is so open and honest about his feelings. Ava and Jordan have incredible chemistry and the development of their relationship is one of the highlights of the book.
My one small nitpick is the keeping secrets trope, which has never appealed to me as I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Thankfully, this issue is resolved quite efficiently and it does not detract from Jordan and Ava’s romance.
The suspense plot is comprised of two threads - the danger posed by Ava’s uncle and the serial killer targeting young women. While both develop at a solid pace throughout the book and have their moments of thrills and chills, they do tend to stutter toward the end with somewhat lackluster resolutions.
All in all, this is an entertaining story and a lovely romance with interesting secondary characters that make me want to read the next one very soon.
July 28, 2015
This is the first in the Southern Comfort series and I can't wait to dive into the rest of the series. It begins with a body, a live body, in a trunk and a woman trying to save him. I'm not going to give too much away but...the story that unfolds is engaging, HOT, mysterious, has you crying, laughing and this book is just damn hard to put down! I wish I could express how good this book and author are. Pick this series up and maybe the author too, she's a peach, give it a go and you will not regret it!
August 25, 2017
Loved it!
Want to read
November 27, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (11/27/2018)!💝
Blurb:
It’s a dog eat dog world for Ava Martinez. On the surface her life seems charmed – beauty, brains, a successful veterinary practice – but Ava harbors a secret. And one rash act on a foggy night threatens to destroy it all. The niece of one of the most ruthless crime lords in the country, Ava has lived her life as an unwilling pawn in her uncle’s illegal game. When Ava accidentally stumbles upon an unknown man lying unconscious in the trunk of a car – a man destined for death at the hands of her uncle’s men – she risks her life to get him to safety and to thwart her uncle’s nefarious scheme. Little does she know that lifting the lid of that trunk will be like opening Pandora’s box. When Assistant District Attorney Jordan Wellington – the man she rescued – brings his dog to the door of her veterinary clinic, she does her best to thwart his amorous intentions, but fate has a different idea. When a walk in the park, a friend’s blind date, seemingly everything throws them together, the normally strong-willed Ava finds herself irrevocably drawn into a seductive and deadly game. Because if Jordan ever regains his memory of that night, both of their lives could be in danger.
Blurb:
It’s a dog eat dog world for Ava Martinez. On the surface her life seems charmed – beauty, brains, a successful veterinary practice – but Ava harbors a secret. And one rash act on a foggy night threatens to destroy it all. The niece of one of the most ruthless crime lords in the country, Ava has lived her life as an unwilling pawn in her uncle’s illegal game. When Ava accidentally stumbles upon an unknown man lying unconscious in the trunk of a car – a man destined for death at the hands of her uncle’s men – she risks her life to get him to safety and to thwart her uncle’s nefarious scheme. Little does she know that lifting the lid of that trunk will be like opening Pandora’s box. When Assistant District Attorney Jordan Wellington – the man she rescued – brings his dog to the door of her veterinary clinic, she does her best to thwart his amorous intentions, but fate has a different idea. When a walk in the park, a friend’s blind date, seemingly everything throws them together, the normally strong-willed Ava finds herself irrevocably drawn into a seductive and deadly game. Because if Jordan ever regains his memory of that night, both of their lives could be in danger.
July 13, 2020
Wow! I can’t believe this is Lisa O’Neill’s debut novel as it’s absolutely terrific. A well-written and ingenious plot with a great cast of characters – all of which had me reading every word of every page in one sitting. It couldn’t be helped as it starts off with a bang, and after reading just a few passages, I knew this one was going to be a winner – and I was right. Its chalk full of suspense, mystery, and romance; a little action and humour – all of which I really enjoyed reading.
It starts off with Ava saving a man (Jordan) who was grabbed and thrown into the trunk of a car left beaten and unconscious by some “henchmen” who work for Ava’s Uncle Carlos who just happens to be the “Don” of the Mafia. Only one problem – they got the wrong guy.
I loved both Jordan and Ava, along with all the secondary characters that make up this entertaining story. There’s a lot of chemistry going on between the two; chemistry that Ava is doing her best to ignore; chemistry that Jordan wants to explore every which way. I loved everything about Jordan. Instead of being a big-shot, playing the field, a different girl every night, knowing he’s God’s gift to women type of guy, the author strays from the mainstream and gives her readers a regular guy who loves what he does; a guy who comes from a great family that’s full of love and support; a guy who’s charming, humorous, basically a mischievous fun-loving guy – all of which makes him so loveable (trust me, you’ll love him). I love how he never gave up his pursuit of Ava.
Ava may be strong, successful, and independent, but there are times her vulnerability does come thru making her more realistic. Ava also comes from a broken home; her father’s in jail, her mother has disappeared, and her cousins all work for her Uncle Carlos – someone Ava wants nothing to do with, or even be associated with, which at the moment isn’t working as one of her cousins is following her every move (in the open).
“First time I looked at her, it was like a lightning strike. Just… boom. All but blew me out of my sneakers.”
Now I’m sure many of you know that I’m not a huge fan (okay, it pisses me off) of the quick “I love you,” declared within 24-48 hours of meeting each other. In “Serendipity,” the first “I love you” was said after knowing each other for two weeks. I still think that’s really too soon; however, somehow O’Neill makes it work in this story so kudos to her.
”“LOOK at me, Ava. Look at me and know. This isn’t just sex.”
It was everything.” – Absolutely love that line.
A terrific book that I highly recommend. I so look forward to reading the next book in the “Southern Comfort” series. I just hope I don’t have to wait too long.
It starts off with Ava saving a man (Jordan) who was grabbed and thrown into the trunk of a car left beaten and unconscious by some “henchmen” who work for Ava’s Uncle Carlos who just happens to be the “Don” of the Mafia. Only one problem – they got the wrong guy.
I loved both Jordan and Ava, along with all the secondary characters that make up this entertaining story. There’s a lot of chemistry going on between the two; chemistry that Ava is doing her best to ignore; chemistry that Jordan wants to explore every which way. I loved everything about Jordan. Instead of being a big-shot, playing the field, a different girl every night, knowing he’s God’s gift to women type of guy, the author strays from the mainstream and gives her readers a regular guy who loves what he does; a guy who comes from a great family that’s full of love and support; a guy who’s charming, humorous, basically a mischievous fun-loving guy – all of which makes him so loveable (trust me, you’ll love him). I love how he never gave up his pursuit of Ava.
Ava may be strong, successful, and independent, but there are times her vulnerability does come thru making her more realistic. Ava also comes from a broken home; her father’s in jail, her mother has disappeared, and her cousins all work for her Uncle Carlos – someone Ava wants nothing to do with, or even be associated with, which at the moment isn’t working as one of her cousins is following her every move (in the open).
“First time I looked at her, it was like a lightning strike. Just… boom. All but blew me out of my sneakers.”
Now I’m sure many of you know that I’m not a huge fan (okay, it pisses me off) of the quick “I love you,” declared within 24-48 hours of meeting each other. In “Serendipity,” the first “I love you” was said after knowing each other for two weeks. I still think that’s really too soon; however, somehow O’Neill makes it work in this story so kudos to her.
”“LOOK at me, Ava. Look at me and know. This isn’t just sex.”
It was everything.” – Absolutely love that line.
A terrific book that I highly recommend. I so look forward to reading the next book in the “Southern Comfort” series. I just hope I don’t have to wait too long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2013
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Serendipity by Lisa Clark O’Neill is a suspense, thriller, romance novel and book one in the Southern Comfort Series.
In Serendipity you will meet Ava Martinez, a Veterinarian who has worked hard to distant herself from her uncle who is one of the leaders of crime in the country. Ava’s life gets put on hold because of her uncle and she cannot have a normal life. She is constantly being followed by one of her uncle’s “goons” to make sure she isn’t talking to the cops. She just wants to be normal and live her life. Then there is Jordan Wellington, a very handsome ADA who Ava saved one night when she found him unconscious. Fate has a funny way of working things out and Jordan reappears in Ava’s life. With her Uncle’s goon following her around, having Jordan around is the last thing Ava wants. Jordan is just irresistible, with his good looks, sexy profession, cooking skills (I love a guy who can cook), and constant pursuit of Ava she just can’t help but fall for him. I loved Jordan right away! Even with his cocky attitude and big ego he had total sex appeal. I really enjoyed the Willington brothers as well, they made me laugh out loud in some scenes.
The book immediately grabs your attention and keeps you wanting more. I was fascinated with Ava and Jordan’s first encounter just waiting to see if Jordan would remember Ava as the one who saved him. Ava is a strong woman and I loved the constant back and forth batter between Ava and Jordan throughout the book. They had a great chemistry and I enjoyed reading a real adult relationship with characters in their 30’s in a novel for once.
The writing was top notch and can’t believe this is Ms. Clark-O’Neill’s first novel. I loved the dialogue between the characters and did not find it over the top or cheesy. I enjoyed the crime, thriller aspect of the book with romance thrown in. it had me on my toes and I couldn’t wait to find out the “who done it”.
There were a few times in the book I felt was a bit slow but then a scene would come along and had my total attention and threw me back into the book. I look forward to reading the second book in the series Forbidden that will be released in February of 2013.
I give Serendipity 4 Stars.
This book was given to me by the author in return for an honest review.
Serendipity by Lisa Clark O’Neill is a suspense, thriller, romance novel and book one in the Southern Comfort Series.
In Serendipity you will meet Ava Martinez, a Veterinarian who has worked hard to distant herself from her uncle who is one of the leaders of crime in the country. Ava’s life gets put on hold because of her uncle and she cannot have a normal life. She is constantly being followed by one of her uncle’s “goons” to make sure she isn’t talking to the cops. She just wants to be normal and live her life. Then there is Jordan Wellington, a very handsome ADA who Ava saved one night when she found him unconscious. Fate has a funny way of working things out and Jordan reappears in Ava’s life. With her Uncle’s goon following her around, having Jordan around is the last thing Ava wants. Jordan is just irresistible, with his good looks, sexy profession, cooking skills (I love a guy who can cook), and constant pursuit of Ava she just can’t help but fall for him. I loved Jordan right away! Even with his cocky attitude and big ego he had total sex appeal. I really enjoyed the Willington brothers as well, they made me laugh out loud in some scenes.
The book immediately grabs your attention and keeps you wanting more. I was fascinated with Ava and Jordan’s first encounter just waiting to see if Jordan would remember Ava as the one who saved him. Ava is a strong woman and I loved the constant back and forth batter between Ava and Jordan throughout the book. They had a great chemistry and I enjoyed reading a real adult relationship with characters in their 30’s in a novel for once.
The writing was top notch and can’t believe this is Ms. Clark-O’Neill’s first novel. I loved the dialogue between the characters and did not find it over the top or cheesy. I enjoyed the crime, thriller aspect of the book with romance thrown in. it had me on my toes and I couldn’t wait to find out the “who done it”.
There were a few times in the book I felt was a bit slow but then a scene would come along and had my total attention and threw me back into the book. I look forward to reading the second book in the series Forbidden that will be released in February of 2013.
I give Serendipity 4 Stars.
This book was given to me by the author in return for an honest review.
February 25, 2017
4 stars
My first Lisa Clark O'Neill book and it certainly won't be the last. I like her writing style, quick and easy to read without overthinking things much. The dialogue between the H/h is also clever and fun with some tease and sarcasm. The main and secondary characters are all likable.
I had expected this to read more like a romantic suspense novel but I thought it leaned towards contemporary romance with a dash of mystery thrown in. For some reason, I thought this was a procedural book. While there was some elements of "detective" work, the focus was more on the relationships around these characters. The build up between Jordan and Ava's relationship was slow and sweet. Ava was a bit hesitant at Jordan's advances but he knows how to wear her down. I mean honestly, how do you turn away from a man who rescues and adopts a stray dog? :)
There wasn't much to go on to guess "whodunit" as you barely get a glimpse from the killer's POV but the author tied up the loose ends nicely at the end.
I'll be back to visit this series again soon.
My first Lisa Clark O'Neill book and it certainly won't be the last. I like her writing style, quick and easy to read without overthinking things much. The dialogue between the H/h is also clever and fun with some tease and sarcasm. The main and secondary characters are all likable.
I had expected this to read more like a romantic suspense novel but I thought it leaned towards contemporary romance with a dash of mystery thrown in. For some reason, I thought this was a procedural book. While there was some elements of "detective" work, the focus was more on the relationships around these characters. The build up between Jordan and Ava's relationship was slow and sweet. Ava was a bit hesitant at Jordan's advances but he knows how to wear her down. I mean honestly, how do you turn away from a man who rescues and adopts a stray dog? :)
There wasn't much to go on to guess "whodunit" as you barely get a glimpse from the killer's POV but the author tied up the loose ends nicely at the end.
I'll be back to visit this series again soon.
June 29, 2014
Mystery/suspense with a dose of humour.
How I met your Gran? She fished me out the trunk of a car I'd been abducted in.
Ava Martinez, beautiful, smart veterinarian with a criminal family she's tried to distance herself from. Ava's secret is her uncle's goons are harassing her.
Assistant District Attorney Jordan Wellington is focused, determined & Ava is someone he wants. Jordan recovering from abduction, professionally dealing with they have the wrong man personally someone is frightening Ava.
Their world's collide in more macabre ways. However, though heartbreaking Ava gets some resolution.
I like that Ava is strong & refuses to be patronized. Glimpses into happy childhood.
Real page turner. Enjoy
How I met your Gran? She fished me out the trunk of a car I'd been abducted in.
Ava Martinez, beautiful, smart veterinarian with a criminal family she's tried to distance herself from. Ava's secret is her uncle's goons are harassing her.
Assistant District Attorney Jordan Wellington is focused, determined & Ava is someone he wants. Jordan recovering from abduction, professionally dealing with they have the wrong man personally someone is frightening Ava.
Their world's collide in more macabre ways. However, though heartbreaking Ava gets some resolution.
I like that Ava is strong & refuses to be patronized. Glimpses into happy childhood.
Real page turner. Enjoy
June 15, 2014
Приятный роман с симпатичными героями и животными. Было забавно, как судьба снова и снова сводила вместе Эву и Джордана.
Немного намудрила автор с детективными линиями, чтобы сделать злодеев еще хуже, а хороших ребят еще лучше, но к этому можно не придираться.
Однозначно стоит перевести, очень поднимает настроение, от романа веет уютом.
Оценка: 5-
Немного намудрила автор с детективными линиями, чтобы сделать злодеев еще хуже, а хороших ребят еще лучше, но к этому можно не придираться.
Однозначно стоит перевести, очень поднимает настроение, от романа веет уютом.
Оценка: 5-
February 19, 2014
This one was a very nice surprise. Well written, well developed characters.
I was expecting some fluff, but found unexpected depth. Definitely will read more from this author.
Highly recomendable for those who like a good romantic suspense.
I was expecting some fluff, but found unexpected depth. Definitely will read more from this author.
Highly recomendable for those who like a good romantic suspense.
December 13, 2015
Замечательная книга! В книге есть все чтобы увлечься и насладится. Великолепный герой, острая на язычок героиня, отменный юмор, пушистые четырехногие друзья в виде замечательных собаки и кота, интересные второстепенные герои и классная семейка Ггероя, в меру эротичных сцен, интересный сюжет.
May 1, 2018
Applications for book boyfriend of the week - Status: Closed
WOW. I cannot lie and say that this story was everything I hoped it would be for a thriller, but on a oh-my-god-marry me-NOW level.... Jordan Wellington takes it this week.
The story line was ok, but not the best. I think it could have been better if i'd connected more with the main character Ava. I felt like instead, I wanted her to shut up and stop whining. I get that she was dealt a tough hand, through her uncle, but I also think she should be stronger BECAUSE of that.
All in all if you're looking for an adorable man who know's how to whisk up a lady with southern charm AND a domineering attitude in the bedroom, then look no further.
If you're looking for a twisted psychological thriller... keep scrolling.
S
WOW. I cannot lie and say that this story was everything I hoped it would be for a thriller, but on a oh-my-god-marry me-NOW level.... Jordan Wellington takes it this week.
The story line was ok, but not the best. I think it could have been better if i'd connected more with the main character Ava. I felt like instead, I wanted her to shut up and stop whining. I get that she was dealt a tough hand, through her uncle, but I also think she should be stronger BECAUSE of that.
All in all if you're looking for an adorable man who know's how to whisk up a lady with southern charm AND a domineering attitude in the bedroom, then look no further.
If you're looking for a twisted psychological thriller... keep scrolling.
S
February 4, 2019
3,75 stars
This was despite all the murder and mafia story very cute and charming read with great characters and really fast paced plot line.
I even didn't mind predictability.
Five stars for first meet of the lead that was great.
This was despite all the murder and mafia story very cute and charming read with great characters and really fast paced plot line.
I even didn't mind predictability.
Five stars for first meet of the lead that was great.
December 24, 2012
Reviewed on: http://readyourwrites.blogspot.com
For Read Your Writes Book Reviews
The cover of the car trunk being opened peeked my interest, but Serendipity was one of those books that when I read the overview I KNEW I was going to love it.
Serendipity is the first book of a new series by newcomer Lisa Clark O’Neill. I’m not sure what there is to not love about this book. You have humor, mistaken identity, romance, kidnapping, murder, hot guys, and a serial killer killing women who seem to have no connection to each other.
The story takes place in Savannah, Georgia. It starts out with Ava attempting to get an unconscious man who’s six and a half feet tall out of a trunk of a car by herself. Ava is only five feet three inches tall. Just imagine that scene. As it happens, Ava’s Uncle Carlos is attempting to help out Ava’s father who is currently sitting in jail for murder and racketeering charges. Uncle Carlos’ thought is that he will just kill the prosecutor and make things easier for his brother. Unfortunately, the bad guys get the wrong guy. It just so happens Ava is at the club where she overhears Carlos’ men discussing what has transpired. Not wanting someone to get killed, Ava attempts and succeeds in rescuing Jordan Wellington, who happens to be an Assistant District Attorney.
After a successful rescue and roll-by drop off at a hospital, Ava just wants to forget about what has happened. But just because you want something doesn’t always mean that you’re going to get it. It turns out her Uncle knows she helped the guy escape and he sends his men to follow her around, as a reminder that she needs to keep her mouth shout. Just when things are attempting to return to normal, the man Ava is trying to forget walks into her veterinary clinic. The kicker is Jordan has no memory of Ava or the events that transpired.
Jordan is a kind-hearted, intelligent, sexy, funny guy who wants to go out with Ava immediately. She figures out a way to get him to back off, so she thinks. Through a course of events, she ends up on a blind date with the guy. Finally, she ends up seeing him, knowing that at some point she’s going to have to tell him about herself and what she knows about what happened to him.
While attempting to make a love connection with Ava, Jordan is assigned to prosecute in the serial murder case. Wanting to make sure they have the right guy, Jordan enlists the help of longtime family friend and FBI profiler Clay Copeland (Clay’s story is told in Book 2, Forbidden). Suddenly what appears to be a slam dunk case is anything but. More questions arise than are answered.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Seems to me that if something isn’t touching you in this life-good, bad, what have you-you must not be living right.”
Serendipity is a wonderful book which is full of passion. It will have you laughing and longing for a great family like the Wellington’s. There is enough suspense to keep you guessing. I love that I’ve found a new author and a new series to read.
Source: Author
For Read Your Writes Book Reviews
The cover of the car trunk being opened peeked my interest, but Serendipity was one of those books that when I read the overview I KNEW I was going to love it.
Serendipity is the first book of a new series by newcomer Lisa Clark O’Neill. I’m not sure what there is to not love about this book. You have humor, mistaken identity, romance, kidnapping, murder, hot guys, and a serial killer killing women who seem to have no connection to each other.
The story takes place in Savannah, Georgia. It starts out with Ava attempting to get an unconscious man who’s six and a half feet tall out of a trunk of a car by herself. Ava is only five feet three inches tall. Just imagine that scene. As it happens, Ava’s Uncle Carlos is attempting to help out Ava’s father who is currently sitting in jail for murder and racketeering charges. Uncle Carlos’ thought is that he will just kill the prosecutor and make things easier for his brother. Unfortunately, the bad guys get the wrong guy. It just so happens Ava is at the club where she overhears Carlos’ men discussing what has transpired. Not wanting someone to get killed, Ava attempts and succeeds in rescuing Jordan Wellington, who happens to be an Assistant District Attorney.
After a successful rescue and roll-by drop off at a hospital, Ava just wants to forget about what has happened. But just because you want something doesn’t always mean that you’re going to get it. It turns out her Uncle knows she helped the guy escape and he sends his men to follow her around, as a reminder that she needs to keep her mouth shout. Just when things are attempting to return to normal, the man Ava is trying to forget walks into her veterinary clinic. The kicker is Jordan has no memory of Ava or the events that transpired.
Jordan is a kind-hearted, intelligent, sexy, funny guy who wants to go out with Ava immediately. She figures out a way to get him to back off, so she thinks. Through a course of events, she ends up on a blind date with the guy. Finally, she ends up seeing him, knowing that at some point she’s going to have to tell him about herself and what she knows about what happened to him.
While attempting to make a love connection with Ava, Jordan is assigned to prosecute in the serial murder case. Wanting to make sure they have the right guy, Jordan enlists the help of longtime family friend and FBI profiler Clay Copeland (Clay’s story is told in Book 2, Forbidden). Suddenly what appears to be a slam dunk case is anything but. More questions arise than are answered.
One of my favorite quotes from the book is, “Seems to me that if something isn’t touching you in this life-good, bad, what have you-you must not be living right.”
Serendipity is a wonderful book which is full of passion. It will have you laughing and longing for a great family like the Wellington’s. There is enough suspense to keep you guessing. I love that I’ve found a new author and a new series to read.
Source: Author
December 31, 2012
Ava Martinez hasn't really had it easy lately. As the niece of a well-known crime lord, she's been forced to live a life of solitude for the most part, only letting in a few trusted people.
A rash decision one evening changes everything.
Ava accidentally stumbles upon a man lying unconscious in the trunk of her uncle's henchmen and she makes the choice to help him. After depositing him at the local ER she assumes and hopes that will be the end of that.
She couldn't have been more wrong.
Jordan Wellington just happens to be the Assistant District Attorney and after taking a couple days to recuperate gets back into the swing of his routine, which, incidentally includes rescuing a dog. When he shows up at the local vet's office to get him checked out, he didn't expect to meet Ava and Ava certainly didn't expect to see the man she saved standing in front of her. Thankfully with no memory of her.
Ava tries to ignore him and his advances but his charm wins her over.
I knew the minute I saw you walk into the bar in that red dress. My heart stopped. And when it started again, it beat for you."
While this book had elements of romance, I wouldn't say that that was the bulk of the story, instead, O'Neill gives the reader quite the suspenseful mystery here. Jordan is working a case that has to do with a serial killer and he's pretty sure the murderer isn't the man they have behind bars... AND I'm not going to say much more because... well... it's a mystery and I'm not going to spoil anything for you!
Additionally, I really enjoyed reading about characters that were in their 30's. I usually do, probably because I'm in my thirties and there tends NOT to be any stupid. forced misunderstandings. I did find that while I enjoyed the characters, I wasn't emotionally attached to them in any way.
The book overall was a very enjoyable read. Also, as a reader, you're introduced to quite a few Wellington brothers that I'm happy to hear will make up a series. I really enjoyed the style and am definitely looking forward to more books by this author.
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
A rash decision one evening changes everything.
Ava accidentally stumbles upon a man lying unconscious in the trunk of her uncle's henchmen and she makes the choice to help him. After depositing him at the local ER she assumes and hopes that will be the end of that.
She couldn't have been more wrong.
Jordan Wellington just happens to be the Assistant District Attorney and after taking a couple days to recuperate gets back into the swing of his routine, which, incidentally includes rescuing a dog. When he shows up at the local vet's office to get him checked out, he didn't expect to meet Ava and Ava certainly didn't expect to see the man she saved standing in front of her. Thankfully with no memory of her.
Ava tries to ignore him and his advances but his charm wins her over.
I knew the minute I saw you walk into the bar in that red dress. My heart stopped. And when it started again, it beat for you."
While this book had elements of romance, I wouldn't say that that was the bulk of the story, instead, O'Neill gives the reader quite the suspenseful mystery here. Jordan is working a case that has to do with a serial killer and he's pretty sure the murderer isn't the man they have behind bars... AND I'm not going to say much more because... well... it's a mystery and I'm not going to spoil anything for you!
Additionally, I really enjoyed reading about characters that were in their 30's. I usually do, probably because I'm in my thirties and there tends NOT to be any stupid. forced misunderstandings. I did find that while I enjoyed the characters, I wasn't emotionally attached to them in any way.
The book overall was a very enjoyable read. Also, as a reader, you're introduced to quite a few Wellington brothers that I'm happy to hear will make up a series. I really enjoyed the style and am definitely looking forward to more books by this author.
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
October 28, 2014
Veterinarian Ava Martinez, is the niece of one of the South's biggest crime lords. She is determined not to get sucked into the underworld that has left her father in prison and her mother missing. One night she happens across an unconscious man in the trunk of a car outside one of her uncle's fronts. Risking her own life to do the right thing she helps him escape and delivers him to the emergency room. She hopes that's the last anyone knows or the event. Imagine her surprise a few days later when he shows up at her clinic with a stray dog that he is adopting and he turns out to be an Assistant District Attorney. The very persistent prosecutor, Jordan Wellington, is smitten at first sight and pursues Dr. Martinez doggedly (pun intended) though not knowing that she is the person who saved his life. He has no memory of the night that he was attacked.
There are mafia books and there are serial killer books, but this one includes both a mafia story line and a serial killer story line. You would think that those two stories might provide enough tension, but the real tension in this story is when Jordan will figure out exactly why Ava seems so familiar and when Ava will tell him. With all that is going on in the lives of these two characters, it would be easy for the plot to skim along the surface of the events. Fortunately, it doesn't. In addition to the intrigue surrounding the main characters, we also get a deep story about personal growth and transformation.
The thing I like best about this book is that the characters are not stupid or over-emotional. It's easy in a book where romance is the primary story to overwrite the emotions of the characters. Everything becomes overblown and characters react emotionally instead of intelligently. I frequently find myself yelling things like "You fool." or "Are you kidding me?" at my Kindle. If my Paperwhite had feelings, it would need therapy. I DID NOT find myself doing that with this book. I DID find myself rooting for these two likable, intelligent characters and their pets to find their way through their trials to some resolution. I was not disappointed and definitely recommend Serendipity to anyone who enjoys a good love story.
There are mafia books and there are serial killer books, but this one includes both a mafia story line and a serial killer story line. You would think that those two stories might provide enough tension, but the real tension in this story is when Jordan will figure out exactly why Ava seems so familiar and when Ava will tell him. With all that is going on in the lives of these two characters, it would be easy for the plot to skim along the surface of the events. Fortunately, it doesn't. In addition to the intrigue surrounding the main characters, we also get a deep story about personal growth and transformation.
The thing I like best about this book is that the characters are not stupid or over-emotional. It's easy in a book where romance is the primary story to overwrite the emotions of the characters. Everything becomes overblown and characters react emotionally instead of intelligently. I frequently find myself yelling things like "You fool." or "Are you kidding me?" at my Kindle. If my Paperwhite had feelings, it would need therapy. I DID NOT find myself doing that with this book. I DID find myself rooting for these two likable, intelligent characters and their pets to find their way through their trials to some resolution. I was not disappointed and definitely recommend Serendipity to anyone who enjoys a good love story.
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