What do you think?
Rate this book
Paradise Bay #3
Imperfect
Eden Lowery’s life is pretty close to perfect. She has a job she loves, loyal friends, and a supportive family. Yeah, she hasn’t stumbled across her dream man yet, and it’s been over six months since she’s even considered going on a date, but she’d rather be picky than end up with someone who bores her to tears. And most men tend to do exactly that.
But one night, one man, and one ill-conceived kiss changes everything, and Eden finds herself thinking far too often about a man who is wrong for her in every way.
Nathan Russo has done a great job of maintaining the walls he’s kept around himself since being betrayed by those he trusted. Injuries sustained in combat plus coming home to a life that was nothing like what he’d pictured have left him confining himself to the one thing he knows he can count on: himself.
He didn’t expect Eden Lowery and her laugh, her infectious love of life, or her refusal to do anything halfway to start chipping away at the barriers he’s been relying on for so long.
And once she finds her way in, he knows it’s only a matter of time before she realizes he’s not the man she deserves.
The question is whether he’ll be able to pull himself back together again after she’s gone.
But one night, one man, and one ill-conceived kiss changes everything, and Eden finds herself thinking far too often about a man who is wrong for her in every way.
Nathan Russo has done a great job of maintaining the walls he’s kept around himself since being betrayed by those he trusted. Injuries sustained in combat plus coming home to a life that was nothing like what he’d pictured have left him confining himself to the one thing he knows he can count on: himself.
He didn’t expect Eden Lowery and her laugh, her infectious love of life, or her refusal to do anything halfway to start chipping away at the barriers he’s been relying on for so long.
And once she finds her way in, he knows it’s only a matter of time before she realizes he’s not the man she deserves.
The question is whether he’ll be able to pull himself back together again after she’s gone.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2017
25 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 26, 2017
3.5 Stars
No other way to put it -- Nathan was a true curmudgeon and I never warmed up to him. Eden is a librarian and Nathan is a Tattoo Artist. They socialize in the same circle and have the same friends though they don't have much interaction with one another. Whenever they're thrust together Eden makes every effort to be friendly and Nathan holds her and most people at arms length. Why? He's been hurt in the past and it's easier to avoid relationships in order to avoid the pain of being rejected once again.
Nathan and Eden become more aware of each other after Nathan rescues her from an overzealous admirer and days later Eden rescues Nathan -- by kissing him in front of his barracuda ex-girlfriend. We learn they both can't stop thinking about the kiss.
Nathan needs a date for an upcoming family event that will put him in the same room as his ex who is now dating his cousin. Needing an anchor to help get him through the day he asks Eden to be his date. She's happy to help and it goes as well as can be expected. However, from that point on Eden is the aggressor in the budding relationship and IMO she comes on way too strong.
I wasn't totally sold on this couple because they were complete opposites (I know, they attract) with not much in common. The pacing of the book just didn't allow enough time for this couple to fall in love with each other or for me to fall in love with them.
No other way to put it -- Nathan was a true curmudgeon and I never warmed up to him. Eden is a librarian and Nathan is a Tattoo Artist. They socialize in the same circle and have the same friends though they don't have much interaction with one another. Whenever they're thrust together Eden makes every effort to be friendly and Nathan holds her and most people at arms length. Why? He's been hurt in the past and it's easier to avoid relationships in order to avoid the pain of being rejected once again.
Nathan and Eden become more aware of each other after Nathan rescues her from an overzealous admirer and days later Eden rescues Nathan -- by kissing him in front of his barracuda ex-girlfriend. We learn they both can't stop thinking about the kiss.
Nathan needs a date for an upcoming family event that will put him in the same room as his ex who is now dating his cousin. Needing an anchor to help get him through the day he asks Eden to be his date. She's happy to help and it goes as well as can be expected. However, from that point on Eden is the aggressor in the budding relationship and IMO she comes on way too strong.
I wasn't totally sold on this couple because they were complete opposites (I know, they attract) with not much in common. The pacing of the book just didn't allow enough time for this couple to fall in love with each other or for me to fall in love with them.
August 11, 2017
Easy romantic read. The heroine, Eden, is friendly and colorful and generally loving her life, The Hero, Nathan, is gruff and a little surly. Kind of a hermit and doesn't really make friends easily.
They know each other because her friends are friends and girlfriends of his friends and they kinda, sorta hang out at some of the same places. But generally they keep to their respective corners. Until he steps in when a guy is being a jerk to her in a bar. And then she returns the favor when a vengeful ex of his make a scene in the same bar.
They circle each other warily a bit now that the under-the-hood attraction and poked its head out. But then they make their way towards each other.
This wasn't exactly a friends-to-lover and not exactly and enemies-to-lovers but somewhere in between. The story was all romance no extraneous plots. Just the two of them working toward each other and getting over some internal conflicts.
I am kind of upset that the epilogue wasn't about this couple at all, but set up for the next book in the series. Boo. The epilogue should have been about Eden and Nathan if one had to be there at all. Set up for a new couple should have simply been a preview of the next book.
They know each other because her friends are friends and girlfriends of his friends and they kinda, sorta hang out at some of the same places. But generally they keep to their respective corners. Until he steps in when a guy is being a jerk to her in a bar. And then she returns the favor when a vengeful ex of his make a scene in the same bar.
They circle each other warily a bit now that the under-the-hood attraction and poked its head out. But then they make their way towards each other.
This wasn't exactly a friends-to-lover and not exactly and enemies-to-lovers but somewhere in between. The story was all romance no extraneous plots. Just the two of them working toward each other and getting over some internal conflicts.
I am kind of upset that the epilogue wasn't about this couple at all, but set up for the next book in the series. Boo. The epilogue should have been about Eden and Nathan if one had to be there at all. Set up for a new couple should have simply been a preview of the next book.
Want to read
September 15, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/15/2019)! 🎁
March 29, 2017
The book is aptly titled. This is a perfectly imperfect love story. Two opposites, who seemed destined for relationship heartbreak, are able to navigate their way in the darkness that life has thrown their way. I love how Eden sees the world. She not only sees it in full color but every shade of grey. She sees beyond what others do because she dares to look past the surface. Luckily for Nathan, she bothered to look deeper . He is practically a hermit, as he has drawn away from all others in his life. Few know him and those that do, luckily for him, love home in spite of his withdrawnness. He can be a total cantakerous jerk, but for Eden he loses his edge. They all know he has reasons for being the way he is but most never pry. Eden not only bothers to try and get to know him but she is relentless in her pursuit, she sees his worth and wants every bit of him. He feels damaged by war both physically and mentally and He doesn't appear to see his worth. He is a sexy bearded tattoo artist, who has given his all for his country and been left broken and imperfect. His redeeming angel comes in the form of a bubbly librarian, who is a force to be reckoned with. And his salvation begins with one kiss.
March 20, 2017
I think Nate and Eden might just be my favourite couple so far, their chemistry pretty much burned up my kindle. What is so wonderfully endearing about this series is that the characters are so very real, with ordinary every day crap cluttering up their lives. Nobody is perfect, and how relationships and friendships muddle along and manage to work is part of this small town charm. How Nathan and Eden come to see and love each other, with all the intensity and emotional baggage that that brings makes for the most delightful story. Yet again I am left wishing that Paradise Bay, with these warm and funny characters, was real enough to sit down and share a locally brewed beer in the Daniels Brewery and share a bit of nosy gossip. Delightful and sweet romance, highly recommended.
September 6, 2017
Really enjoyed this book.
June 13, 2017
Imperfect, book three of the Paradise Bay series by Elle Linden is sizzling. Featuring Nathan and Eden, friends of friends, they are not destined to be. He, a gruff tattoo artist with no interest in letting a woman into his life, she, a brainy and friendly librarian. Nothing in common. But dang if sparks don’t fly anyway. Imperfect baggage, imperfect histories, imperfectly aligned, but written with pure perfection. Definitely my favorite book in Paradise Bay so far.
July 29, 2025
Imperfect by Ella Linden is the third book in a series which follows a friend-group in the small town of Paradise Bay. A romantic pairing is featured in each story and some of the action crosses over; however, each story can be read as a standalone. Grumpy (but attractive) tattoo artist Nathan constantly has a scowl on his face. Eden, always cheerful and kind, has tried to be cordial while in Nathan’s company but he makes it hard to break through his cold and dismissive demeanor. While their friends couple up, Nathan can’t help but notice beautiful Eden, but he knows that as a grouchy AND wounded vet that he is astronomically out of her league! When Eden steps in to assist him in an awkward situation, they can find some common ground and explore the attraction that simmers between them. But Nathan, with his insecurities and emotional barriers seems determined to push Eden away! I enjoyed this opposites/enemies-to-lovers story very much. Eden is as blunt as she is beautiful, and her emotional clarity helped Nathan to see the beauty he possessed behind the scars.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/imperf...
https://theretiredreader.com/f/imperf...
March 20, 2017
I've enjoyed this book so much. I love Eden and Nathan's story. Not normally a real life kind of reader I am normally more into sci fi and stuff but this author writes so well I would literally read anything she wrote. Here are 2 other book in this series but you don't have to read them consecutively. Each book is about a different pair of characters but they all link in. Loved readi. This I couldn't put it down and managed to read it in 2 days. Can't wait to read the other two paradise bay books now
September 7, 2020
This was a really sweet book. It's nice to see a confident, beautiful heroine uplifting and flirting with the insecure, brooding hero. The sex and romance remains tasteful rather than get into some saucy details with the usual erotic lingo. I love the sexy tattoo moment that these lovebirds shared. I can see me cracking this open to re-read that part again.
February 1, 2020
Great Book!
I loved this story!The hero Nathan wounded from war thought he was unlovable.The heroine Eden proved him wrong.I loved both characters, and all their friends.This was a great book, and it will definitely be a reread for me.
I loved this story!The hero Nathan wounded from war thought he was unlovable.The heroine Eden proved him wrong.I loved both characters, and all their friends.This was a great book, and it will definitely be a reread for me.
March 20, 2017
Absolutely LOVED! I'll probably say this with each subsequent book in the series, but hands down, this was my favorite so far. Eden & Nathan make the perfectly imperfect couple ever.
March 21, 2017
Imperfect is the perfect name for this book. I get bored with cheesy, two-dimensional characters and Eden and Nathan are gloriously three-dimensional. The characters are so well developed that I feel like I know them because they are so relatable and real. I wasn't ready for their story to end, but then again I never am with any of the books in this series. Be prepared with tissues and start saving now because you will want a tattoo by the end of this book.
March 23, 2017
Linda Christiani
I was really impressed with this author I like that the love was not easy but still real the passion and heat not rushed but you know it's coming great read I just hope for more interracial stories from ms Linden
I was really impressed with this author I like that the love was not easy but still real the passion and heat not rushed but you know it's coming great read I just hope for more interracial stories from ms Linden
March 20, 2017
Yay! More Paradise Bay!
Another great story about all our favorite people in Paradise Bay! Eden is so damn adorable and Nathan so brooding. I will say there are some surprises in this book that I didn't know about Nathan and this made him a little bit deeper. And the epilogue...what about Holly?? Paradise Bay is getting to be addictive!
Another great story about all our favorite people in Paradise Bay! Eden is so damn adorable and Nathan so brooding. I will say there are some surprises in this book that I didn't know about Nathan and this made him a little bit deeper. And the epilogue...what about Holly?? Paradise Bay is getting to be addictive!
March 20, 2017
Imperfect, book three of the Paradise Bay series by Elle Linden is sizzling. Featuring Nathan and Eden, friends of friends, they are not destined to be. He, a gruff tattoo artist with no interest in letting a woman into his life, she, a brainy and friendly librarian. Nothing in common. But dang if sparks don’t fly anyway. Imperfect baggage, imperfect histories, imperfectly aligned, but written with pure perfection. Definitely my favorite book in Paradise Bay so far.
April 4, 2017
Really enjoyed this story from beginning to end. Nathan was leary of getting involved with anyone because of a prior relationship that ended bad. Eden is a confident, lovely, beautiful women who finds herself attracted to Nathan. They made a great couple with awesome chemistry. Also like the camaraderie between the group of friends.
April 6, 2017
Good story
Eden was independent, fierce and unafraid. She had no problem speaking her mind or displaying her feelings. Nathan was stubborn and withdrawn due to circumstances. Somehow they made it work.
Eden was independent, fierce and unafraid. She had no problem speaking her mind or displaying her feelings. Nathan was stubborn and withdrawn due to circumstances. Somehow they made it work.
April 12, 2017
Good Story
This is the first book that I've read by Ella Linden. I really enjoyed Eden and Nathan's story. Nathan had been through so much and he was so hard on himself. Eden was the perfect person to bring him out of his shell. I will have to read the other books in the series.
This is the first book that I've read by Ella Linden. I really enjoyed Eden and Nathan's story. Nathan had been through so much and he was so hard on himself. Eden was the perfect person to bring him out of his shell. I will have to read the other books in the series.
April 13, 2017
Enjoyable !!!
I enjoyed reading this story this was my first time reading anything by this author . I was surprised that it was so entertaining . I enjoyed Nathan as my hero and Eden as the Heroine look forward to more work by this author . Good read
I enjoyed reading this story this was my first time reading anything by this author . I was surprised that it was so entertaining . I enjoyed Nathan as my hero and Eden as the Heroine look forward to more work by this author . Good read
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews