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Carolina Magnolia #2
Almost Perfect
Bestselling author Patricia Rice shares her most treasured novel yet– a warm and witty romantic journey of a single mother running out of second chances, and the irresistible man who dares her to believe in miracles. . . .
Celebrated cartoonist Jared McCloud is plumb out of laughs. So he rents a secluded beach house for the fall to unblock his creative juices–and ends up falling for the reluctant landlady whose beautiful green-eyed glare reads like a “No Trespassing” sign against the world.
Cleo Alyssum isn’t exactly a recluse, though living on an island and avoiding people aren’t the actions of a social butterfly. Cleo simply has more important things to do than to chat with the sexy, artistic, impossibly bullheaded hunk living in her guest house. Yet somehow Jared and his devilish charm inch their way into her life, reaching the warm places her cold exterior cleverly hides. Will Cleo open her heart to a man who falls short of her expectations? After all, it wasn’t her intention to fall for someone who is almost perfect. . . .
Celebrated cartoonist Jared McCloud is plumb out of laughs. So he rents a secluded beach house for the fall to unblock his creative juices–and ends up falling for the reluctant landlady whose beautiful green-eyed glare reads like a “No Trespassing” sign against the world.
Cleo Alyssum isn’t exactly a recluse, though living on an island and avoiding people aren’t the actions of a social butterfly. Cleo simply has more important things to do than to chat with the sexy, artistic, impossibly bullheaded hunk living in her guest house. Yet somehow Jared and his devilish charm inch their way into her life, reaching the warm places her cold exterior cleverly hides. Will Cleo open her heart to a man who falls short of her expectations? After all, it wasn’t her intention to fall for someone who is almost perfect. . . .
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 26, 2002
About the author
Patricia Rice
163 books515 followersWith several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice writes emotionally-charged contemporary and historical romances which have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards.
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories.
A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself.
She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 27, 2012
Cleo Alyssum has had a tough life. Recovered from a bad marriage, drug addiction and jail time, she is trying to keep her life stable so she can get custody of her son back. Into her life intrudes Jared MCloud, a cartoonist looking for some quiet space to finish a movie script. He quickly becomes involved in the chaos that is Cleo's life and finds himself losing his loner inclinations.
I nejoyed this book and thought the characters were well done. Cleo is closed and defensive with Jared and everyone else except her neighbor's children, Gene and kismet. Their mom is an addict and they live a hand to mouth life. Cleo is one of the few people in her town who understands what their life is like and how even thought it is bad,it's preferable to going into the foster care system. Jared is privileged and devil may care and needs to learn that actions have consequences sometimes unintended ones.
It is interesting to see how Ms. Rice has these two people learn about each other and themselves in order to work out their relationship. The subplot with Gene and kismet is also very well done and true to how children would behave in the same situation. This was a good read and I am happy to find that it is the first book in a series-now I need to get the other two!
I nejoyed this book and thought the characters were well done. Cleo is closed and defensive with Jared and everyone else except her neighbor's children, Gene and kismet. Their mom is an addict and they live a hand to mouth life. Cleo is one of the few people in her town who understands what their life is like and how even thought it is bad,it's preferable to going into the foster care system. Jared is privileged and devil may care and needs to learn that actions have consequences sometimes unintended ones.
It is interesting to see how Ms. Rice has these two people learn about each other and themselves in order to work out their relationship. The subplot with Gene and kismet is also very well done and true to how children would behave in the same situation. This was a good read and I am happy to find that it is the first book in a series-now I need to get the other two!
August 7, 2016
a little dark for my taste. a little depressing. drug addiction. the unfairness of the justice system. the inadequacies of the foster care system. prejudices. it was a very interesting story. i have to admit i'm interested in reading the next one in the series which will (obviously) be about the hero's brother. the story made a lot of good points about what is really important in (your) life, and setting priorities. good romance and good "steam".
January 12, 2012
Cleo Alyssum has moved to a small seaside town in South Carolina to try to get her life in order. She has a bit of a checkered past. Cleo is on probation and her sister has custody of her son Matty. She has purchased the local hardware store and her past is a secret to her customers. Cleo has befriended a neighbor woman who has her own problems, if for no other reason to help out the woman’s teenage kids. She just has to keep her nose clean and she will get her son back in time for Christmas. The last thing she needs in her life is a man.
Along comes Jared McCloud wanting to rent the beach house on the property. He even offers to pay for repairs and upgrades to the house. Cleo is an extremely private person, she agrees to let him rent the place as long as he respects her privacy. Their lives quickly become intertwined with her holding back and him trying to push forward. Can they have a future in spite of her past?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story. Cleo is a woman trying to turn her life around and it isn’t easy especially because she has shut everyone out. Jared is the man that just may be able to break through her barriers while knocking down a few of his own. Their interplay is entertaining and captivating.
Cleo is also very unconventional with her “zoo” and her wonderful inventions to keep trespassers off her property.
This is more than love story, it does have romance and a few sexy scenes, but there is also humor, drama and even a bit of mystery. This may be my first Patricia Rice novel but it definitely is not my last. I have added the entire Carolina Series to my wish list.
Along comes Jared McCloud wanting to rent the beach house on the property. He even offers to pay for repairs and upgrades to the house. Cleo is an extremely private person, she agrees to let him rent the place as long as he respects her privacy. Their lives quickly become intertwined with her holding back and him trying to push forward. Can they have a future in spite of her past?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I really enjoyed this story. Cleo is a woman trying to turn her life around and it isn’t easy especially because she has shut everyone out. Jared is the man that just may be able to break through her barriers while knocking down a few of his own. Their interplay is entertaining and captivating.
Cleo is also very unconventional with her “zoo” and her wonderful inventions to keep trespassers off her property.
This is more than love story, it does have romance and a few sexy scenes, but there is also humor, drama and even a bit of mystery. This may be my first Patricia Rice novel but it definitely is not my last. I have added the entire Carolina Series to my wish list.
March 11, 2025
I am not sure about the title of this book, because it is far from idyllic. Ms. Rice does an amazing job of putting the reader in Chloe's shoes. At first you take the position that she is making her life harder than it needs to be and she shouldn't let the "system" put her in a prison of her own making, not involving herself with the community, staying away from people, doing her job and nothing more, but when events prove her right, you discover that it is almost impossible for someone who has had an easy life to "get" what it's like for someone like Chloe. This book certainly made me appreciate how good my life has been. Even Jared eventually gains depth and character as the book progresses. There are some silly moments but for the most part, this book will get you thinking about those people that we write off as "lazy", the homeless, the addicted, alcoholics, jobless, etc. I doubt that I will make an off-the-cuff judgment again after reading this book. I certainly hope not, at least. If you want a book that will broaden your horizons, choose this one.
June 30, 2018
Funny, quirky, and poinient
Great read. Book dealt with hard issues of child abuse/neglect along with substance abuse. Story is filled with flying witches and warnings to trespassers to go away as Cleo attempts to maintain her safety and put the past behind her. Then the renter arrives and privacy goes sideways. Worth staying with it to the end.
Great read. Book dealt with hard issues of child abuse/neglect along with substance abuse. Story is filled with flying witches and warnings to trespassers to go away as Cleo attempts to maintain her safety and put the past behind her. Then the renter arrives and privacy goes sideways. Worth staying with it to the end.
June 25, 2018
Heart Sore...
This is my first book by Patricia Rice and I have to say what a great find!!
I absolutely loved this story. Loved Jared and his strength of character and how he grew through this story. His love for Cleo was lovely to read it unfold. How he quickly stepped up when Gene and Kismet needed him
Cleo was also lovely to see her grow under Jareds love and attention. Her love for her sister, her son Matty and also Gene and Kismet was beautiful. It was great to see her turn her life around and flourish.
Together, Jared and Cleo filled each other's needs perfectly and to read it unfold was very enjoyable.
Patricia's writing style was great and her depth of characters was brilliant and insightful. Can't wait to read more.
This is my first book by Patricia Rice and I have to say what a great find!!
I absolutely loved this story. Loved Jared and his strength of character and how he grew through this story. His love for Cleo was lovely to read it unfold. How he quickly stepped up when Gene and Kismet needed him
Cleo was also lovely to see her grow under Jareds love and attention. Her love for her sister, her son Matty and also Gene and Kismet was beautiful. It was great to see her turn her life around and flourish.
Together, Jared and Cleo filled each other's needs perfectly and to read it unfold was very enjoyable.
Patricia's writing style was great and her depth of characters was brilliant and insightful. Can't wait to read more.
June 21, 2018
this was a pleasant enough read - a few too many weird characters, but, hey, I'm on holiday and I can suspend disbelief sometimes, and then I read this:
Sliding his fingers to frame her jaw, Jared deepened the contact, asking for the next step, the gentleness before the lust, permission before the taking. (with me so far? he is NOT forcing himself on her, and it's pretty clear that if she pulls away he will take it as a 'no' and then this happens....) She returned his kiss with more than interest, with a hungry need that shook him and pushed him faster than he'd anticipated. When she parted her lips on an exhalation of pleasure, he rejoiced and took possession of her mouth.
Cleo bit his tongue. Hard.
WTF HAPPENED?? I mean - wtf???? SHE WANTED HIM
WHAT an utter B!£&H. She led him on and then she bites his tongue?? And please don't give me that crap about her being psychologically damaged, blah, blah, blah it doesn't wash. She gave him permission. She could have pulled away but oh no -- She fecking well bites his tongue.
God give me strength. I have had enough of stupid, idiotic abusive women who seem to think its okay to treat a man like shit, but will running crying for the police as soon as a man even looks sideways at her.
This demeans women.
DNF at 27%
What a load of ...................
Sliding his fingers to frame her jaw, Jared deepened the contact, asking for the next step, the gentleness before the lust, permission before the taking. (with me so far? he is NOT forcing himself on her, and it's pretty clear that if she pulls away he will take it as a 'no' and then this happens....) She returned his kiss with more than interest, with a hungry need that shook him and pushed him faster than he'd anticipated. When she parted her lips on an exhalation of pleasure, he rejoiced and took possession of her mouth.
Cleo bit his tongue. Hard.
WTF HAPPENED?? I mean - wtf???? SHE WANTED HIM
WHAT an utter B!£&H. She led him on and then she bites his tongue?? And please don't give me that crap about her being psychologically damaged, blah, blah, blah it doesn't wash. She gave him permission. She could have pulled away but oh no -- She fecking well bites his tongue.
God give me strength. I have had enough of stupid, idiotic abusive women who seem to think its okay to treat a man like shit, but will running crying for the police as soon as a man even looks sideways at her.
This demeans women.
DNF at 27%
What a load of ...................
November 26, 2018
This is a love story, but not your typical love story. The characters are very different and flawed. Cleo had a hard life growing up and she made some bad choices along the way. Now she is trying to get her life together so she can get her son back. Just when she thinks she might be getting a little bit better at life, Jared sweeps into her life and upends it. Jared is used to getting what he wants through persistence. Everyone has underestimated him his whole life, they think he is very shallow. Cleo helps him to realize that he doesn't need to worry about what others think of him, he just has to be himself. He falls hard for Cleo but she is so stubborn that she won't admit to loving him back because she knows that she is bad for him. He finds new depths to himself because of Cleo and a couple of teenagers. Will he be able to keep Cleo? Will she let herself love him?
June 25, 2018
I obtained this free e-book from Amazon and I am voluntarily writing a review. Wow this really packs a punch broaching subjects such a drug addiction, criminal neglect, child molestation, and second chances. Cleo has lost custody of her seven year old son due to drug addiction and being convicted with intent to sell crack. She is on probation and is working hard at getting him back and keeping walls up to prevent people from getting close and cracking the protective barrier around her heart. Jared is a famous cartoonist on a deadline and needs peace and isolation to cultivate inspiration and creativity to meet his deadline. He does not know the meaning of the word no and is set on Cleo's beach house that is in poor repair.
July 17, 2020
Amazing Author, Amazing Stor
Amazing Author, Amazing Story. I just finished reading Imperfect Rebel, I'm so excited about Patricia Rice. Ms Rice is an incredible wordsmith. Frankly, after reading only about the first ten percent of the novel, I was comparing her to Sandra Brown and Elin Hildebrand, already knowing I'd be writing a review!!!
There is no chance I'll be passing on any of her books. Gotta read every book she has written.
This is a story that will grab you immediately. Putting it down will be difficult. And the setting! The sea island, the beach house, the beach cottage, the sand and thicket, the characters! It's a whole other world.
You will love this book. Get it, read it!!!
Amazing Author, Amazing Story. I just finished reading Imperfect Rebel, I'm so excited about Patricia Rice. Ms Rice is an incredible wordsmith. Frankly, after reading only about the first ten percent of the novel, I was comparing her to Sandra Brown and Elin Hildebrand, already knowing I'd be writing a review!!!
There is no chance I'll be passing on any of her books. Gotta read every book she has written.
This is a story that will grab you immediately. Putting it down will be difficult. And the setting! The sea island, the beach house, the beach cottage, the sand and thicket, the characters! It's a whole other world.
You will love this book. Get it, read it!!!
December 7, 2020
Unusual protagonists and a good plot make this a book that I found difficult to put away until I read the last page.
Not sure if this was a story about overcoming obstacles caused by the way the protagonists grew up, or of growing up themselves and accept that being an adult also means to take responsibility, or maybe even a bit of both. In any case, the protagonists had depth and were, I think, mostly realistic (if a bit crazy...). I loved the narration style and the way it got our protagonists through yet another problem, balancing on the edge between too overly dramatic and too glossing over, and never, like some authors like to do, swimming and eventually drowning in the thought processes of their characters.
I really liked this book and would like to see more in this series.
Not sure if this was a story about overcoming obstacles caused by the way the protagonists grew up, or of growing up themselves and accept that being an adult also means to take responsibility, or maybe even a bit of both. In any case, the protagonists had depth and were, I think, mostly realistic (if a bit crazy...). I loved the narration style and the way it got our protagonists through yet another problem, balancing on the edge between too overly dramatic and too glossing over, and never, like some authors like to do, swimming and eventually drowning in the thought processes of their characters.
I really liked this book and would like to see more in this series.
January 16, 2020
perfectly imperfect
I loved this book. I read the first book in the series and without stopping went to kindle and bought the second one. I love that the characters are real and believable. It is awesome that Ms. Rice has taken regular people and given them happy endings. Here it is not the rich, the beautiful, the smart, the creme de la creme. Or, is it? What is hiding within these characters? Read this book and al of the books in the series to find out.
I loved this book. I read the first book in the series and without stopping went to kindle and bought the second one. I love that the characters are real and believable. It is awesome that Ms. Rice has taken regular people and given them happy endings. Here it is not the rich, the beautiful, the smart, the creme de la creme. Or, is it? What is hiding within these characters? Read this book and al of the books in the series to find out.
July 19, 2020
Gripping Rebel Personality
This book held my interest all the way through. Cleo is hurt, damaged and broken but she grabs Jareds heart in a way he never imagined possible. She believes she is worthless and scares people away with her brusque and nasty personality. Only Jared sees through it. It is a painful and fascinating journey this book takes you on but stick with it....it is worth it!
This book held my interest all the way through. Cleo is hurt, damaged and broken but she grabs Jareds heart in a way he never imagined possible. She believes she is worthless and scares people away with her brusque and nasty personality. Only Jared sees through it. It is a painful and fascinating journey this book takes you on but stick with it....it is worth it!
September 11, 2018
Jared is a comic strip artist. Cleo is a young mother who has a history which means she doesn’t have custody of her son. She is very distrustful of everyone. How these two meet and get along makes for an interesting story. Add two teens who are caught in a nightmare of their own and life just gets more complicated.
You will enjoy this book.
You will enjoy this book.
July 21, 2020
Clio and Jared
Clio had a rough childhood and rougher early adult life. She finally was trying to live a clean life and regain custody of her son. Jared was a cartoonist whose family were all over-achievers. He came to her South Carolina island to escape from life. He found more life and excitement then he ever thought was possible.
Clio had a rough childhood and rougher early adult life. She finally was trying to live a clean life and regain custody of her son. Jared was a cartoonist whose family were all over-achievers. He came to her South Carolina island to escape from life. He found more life and excitement then he ever thought was possible.
September 4, 2020
Set free
Cleo is working hard to overcome her past and that includes making sure she behaves so she can get her son back. Then cartoonist Jared walks into her house and life and nothing else will ever be the same.
A beautiful book filled with care and compassion for others as well as love few get to experience. Don't miss your chance to read/love this book!
Cleo is working hard to overcome her past and that includes making sure she behaves so she can get her son back. Then cartoonist Jared walks into her house and life and nothing else will ever be the same.
A beautiful book filled with care and compassion for others as well as love few get to experience. Don't miss your chance to read/love this book!
June 19, 2018
Great Story
Great story full of wonderful characters. Started reading and stayed up half the night to finish. Definitely recommend this book. I will now have to get the rest of the series. Have read and enjoyed many books by Patricia Rice and will continue to do so.
Great story full of wonderful characters. Started reading and stayed up half the night to finish. Definitely recommend this book. I will now have to get the rest of the series. Have read and enjoyed many books by Patricia Rice and will continue to do so.
July 9, 2018
Good reading
Loved the characters. The story was heartwarming. Loved the ending. I really enjoy this author. I believe in family and happy endings. This book has it all and was delightfully entertaining to read and enjoy for me.
Loved the characters. The story was heartwarming. Loved the ending. I really enjoy this author. I believe in family and happy endings. This book has it all and was delightfully entertaining to read and enjoy for me.
July 25, 2018
A lot of work
The characters in these books are intriguing but the choppy writing and annoying dialogue leaves the reader unsatisfied and unwilling to stand any more. Painful to get through.
The characters in these books are intriguing but the choppy writing and annoying dialogue leaves the reader unsatisfied and unwilling to stand any more. Painful to get through.
October 12, 2018
A great Southern story.
A totally different story placed in a southern town that you will love reading. I always look for great stories not a regular formula story. I almost hated to see it end.
A totally different story placed in a southern town that you will love reading. I always look for great stories not a regular formula story. I almost hated to see it end.
June 3, 2020
Excellent Novel
Patricia Rice is an amazing author who writes involving in-depth characters. This novel described the emotional living of normal people dealing with the challenges of their entertwing lives which result in helping each other.
Patricia Rice is an amazing author who writes involving in-depth characters. This novel described the emotional living of normal people dealing with the challenges of their entertwing lives which result in helping each other.
September 19, 2020
imperfect rebel
The author has come up with two very unique characters and a very unique story line. She has done a commendable job building the characters and taking them through a metamorphosis.
The author has come up with two very unique characters and a very unique story line. She has done a commendable job building the characters and taking them through a metamorphosis.
January 17, 2021
Quirky couple
This was a different story. The characters are quirky. She does more fighting him then anything. He fights for her then gives up. I felt bad for him most of the story. But it all turns out good in the end.
This was a different story. The characters are quirky. She does more fighting him then anything. He fights for her then gives up. I felt bad for him most of the story. But it all turns out good in the end.
June 21, 2018
Fantastic
This is a fantastic story from start to finish. I couldn't put it
down. I'm gutted to have finished it. - Thanks Helentogs.
This is a fantastic story from start to finish. I couldn't put it
down. I'm gutted to have finished it. - Thanks Helentogs.
June 24, 2018
Loved the characters! Great story of people helping each other and finding love along the way!
June 29, 2018
Excellent
Very good book with in-depth character development. You are rooting for them from the beginning, knowing that somehow it will all work out in the end.
Very good book with in-depth character development. You are rooting for them from the beginning, knowing that somehow it will all work out in the end.
August 23, 2018
Was ok.
October 2, 2018
I enjoyed the quirky Cleo and her strength.
December 22, 2018
Couldn't put this down
With unique characters, unexoected plot twists, a setting so realistic I could smell the seaweed, this book is an unexpected treasure.
With unique characters, unexoected plot twists, a setting so realistic I could smell the seaweed, this book is an unexpected treasure.
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April 1, 2020A fun distraction - romance with a big dose of social justice!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews