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Serendipity
Spend an entire week alone in a private villa with a man I just met on an airport layover?
Crazy?
Yes.
Worth it?
Absolutely.
There was something about Cillian that drew me in from the moment he took the bar stool next to mine. That layover was nothing short of fate, and the fact we each have a plus one to two different weddings, seems like Serendipity.
But what happens when the week ends, can we each go back to our separate lives on opposite coasts?
Crazy?
Yes.
Worth it?
Absolutely.
There was something about Cillian that drew me in from the moment he took the bar stool next to mine. That layover was nothing short of fate, and the fact we each have a plus one to two different weddings, seems like Serendipity.
But what happens when the week ends, can we each go back to our separate lives on opposite coasts?
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2021
19 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 27, 2020
A lovely "fake relationship" romcom
Jade and Cillian meet in an airport bar and when they learn they are heading for separate "destination weddings" at the same location they decide to be one another's "plus ones" for the events.
This sounds like a great setup for a romantic comedy and I could see this unfolding on a screen as I read. Lisa Chalmers brings her two leads to life in alternating first person chapters and both are quirky and fun to spend time with. Jade's emotional rollercoaster runs a little wild and there were times I felt she needed a good smack, but some of us are wired that way.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this book and I have no hesitation recommending it to fans of sweet romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Jade and Cillian meet in an airport bar and when they learn they are heading for separate "destination weddings" at the same location they decide to be one another's "plus ones" for the events.
This sounds like a great setup for a romantic comedy and I could see this unfolding on a screen as I read. Lisa Chalmers brings her two leads to life in alternating first person chapters and both are quirky and fun to spend time with. Jade's emotional rollercoaster runs a little wild and there were times I felt she needed a good smack, but some of us are wired that way.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to read this book and I have no hesitation recommending it to fans of sweet romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 7, 2020
““𝑰 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒚.” ”— 𝑺𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝑳𝒊𝒔𝒂 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒔.
This book holds one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read.
Never did the smile on my face drop, nor did the racing beats of my heart calm down while I read about Cillian and Jade's journey.
It's one of those books which make you feel like you're in hallmark movie.
It's warm, light, sexy and filled with love and amazing characters who will grab your heart while grabbing some gummie bears.
Jade is filled with a fire in her humorous, spunky, so loveable and challenging, with a little sadness, a little pain, but she has a spark that will light you up like she did Cillian.
Cillain was the definition of a workaholic, but he so charming and understanding that he'll woo you from the very second he opens his mouth.
From Jamaica to two coasts of the US, if its fated it'll happen, there's no stopping it.
I absolutely love and adore these characters and I can't wait to read more of Lisa Chalmers' books!
(𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳.)
This book holds one of the most beautiful love stories I have ever read.
Never did the smile on my face drop, nor did the racing beats of my heart calm down while I read about Cillian and Jade's journey.
It's one of those books which make you feel like you're in hallmark movie.
It's warm, light, sexy and filled with love and amazing characters who will grab your heart while grabbing some gummie bears.
Jade is filled with a fire in her humorous, spunky, so loveable and challenging, with a little sadness, a little pain, but she has a spark that will light you up like she did Cillian.
Cillain was the definition of a workaholic, but he so charming and understanding that he'll woo you from the very second he opens his mouth.
From Jamaica to two coasts of the US, if its fated it'll happen, there's no stopping it.
I absolutely love and adore these characters and I can't wait to read more of Lisa Chalmers' books!
(𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳.)
June 25, 2020
Coming here and seeing no reviews, I was almost discouraged. I'm delighted I decided to read this novel.
August 18, 2020
What an amazing book! Serendipity is a story about two people, Cillian and Jade, that find each other in the bar of an airport, both going to weddings in Jamaica and decide to take a chance spending time together during a week.
This love story speaks about destiny and chances, about the possibility to find THAT special someone for you in a random place like an airport and grab that chance for happiness with both hands.
This book gives you hope; makes you feel so many beautiful things. You enjoy their time together like an outsider, but at the same time the reader can feel their happiness and their commitment to make their future works.
I love that it´s soooo romantic and sexy but not full of hot scenes (that I mostly like in other books) because it´s a warm book, and like a summer day or a glass of wine, it must be relished.
Do yourself a favor and go for this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This love story speaks about destiny and chances, about the possibility to find THAT special someone for you in a random place like an airport and grab that chance for happiness with both hands.
This book gives you hope; makes you feel so many beautiful things. You enjoy their time together like an outsider, but at the same time the reader can feel their happiness and their commitment to make their future works.
I love that it´s soooo romantic and sexy but not full of hot scenes (that I mostly like in other books) because it´s a warm book, and like a summer day or a glass of wine, it must be relished.
Do yourself a favor and go for this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 14, 2020
This was my first time reading a book by Lisa Chalmers. I loved the character growth and the story that developed between the two main characters. While I overall loved the first 75% of the book, the last 25% I felt like everything was trying to get wrapped up a happy ending. I would have liked those last few chapters to have been expanded a little with more storyline/plot. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 9, 2020
Serendipity is a story of finding unexpected romance and learning to make it work long distance. I really enjoyed this book and read it in less than a day. It keeps you entertained from beginning to end. I loved the descriptions of the locations and the surroundings, it allowed me to picture the scene so well. The romance is hot very quick fall in love story with a great HEA and well worth the read. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 6, 2020
This book, y'all, it owned me! Not only are the characters endearing, but they have a level of maturity that appeals to those of us who are no longer young adults, and their evolving love is a beautiful thing to behold. Charming, beautifully written, and hopelessly romantic. I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2021
Utterly Romantic!
A sweet story, nicely developed characters. Well written and puts you in mind of a Hallmark movie. Easy read and hard to put down.
A sweet story, nicely developed characters. Well written and puts you in mind of a Hallmark movie. Easy read and hard to put down.
September 12, 2020
Light, sweet and full of romance. A great beach read. Two separate individuals traveling to a destination wedding site ( one for his friends and one for her friends) have a chance meeting at the connecting airport terminal that will take them to the resort which is the venue for both weddings. The couple hit it off and decide to join together and be the other's plus one for the weddings. Jade has a happy bubbly personality and an unusual occupation. Cillian (where do authors come up with these names) is a high powered real estate agent, runs his own business and has made time for his friends wedding but has brought work with him. After meeting Jade and making the deal to attend two weddings, Cillian is taken with Jade and finds himself taking time to relax and enjoy the time at the resort with Jade. The biggest question to be answered is how does a long distance romance work out when one person lives on the East coast and one lives the West coast. Now you know there's a happy ending but you need to read the story to see what happens. Enjoy. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 5, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this fun, insta-connection story between two likable characters. The two meet in an airport bar while waiting to board the same flight to Jamaica to attend different destination weddings. They form an instant connection and have great chemistry. Right before they board, H makes an interesting proposition - that they hang out in Jamaica for the week and be each other’s plus one to the two weddings. What follows is a week of good conversation, fun activities, meeting each other’s friends, and falling in love. The problem? She lives in LA and he goes home to NYC to their busy careers. No spoilers, but there is angst with their separation and busy work schedules. However, I can promise you a fun and satisfying HEA. This was a mostly light and fun read, and I recommend it. The plot may sound trite or far-fetched, but I thought the author pulled it off and kept it fresh.Lisa Chalmers
October 20, 2020
What an absolutely delightful and delicious book. I was pleasantly surprised when I began reading Serendipity. I have never read Ms. Chalmers before, and I will be looking up more of her books.
Cillian and Jade meet in an airport layover and embark on a week together as plus ones for their friend's weddings. Cillian asks Jade to spend the week with him at his villa and the rest was history.
It's been a long while since I enjoyed a romance so much. I read into the wee hours and couldn't put the book down. What a sweet, sexy story with fun characters and a beautiful location.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
Cillian and Jade meet in an airport layover and embark on a week together as plus ones for their friend's weddings. Cillian asks Jade to spend the week with him at his villa and the rest was history.
It's been a long while since I enjoyed a romance so much. I read into the wee hours and couldn't put the book down. What a sweet, sexy story with fun characters and a beautiful location.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book
July 2, 2020
If you’re into Hallmark romances/movies, then this book is definitely for you! This is the first book I’ve read by Lisa Chalmers, and it was so cute! I was instantly pulled in and loved how easy the characters were to relate to.
Here’s a little run down: Jade meets a handsome stranger during her layover in an airport bar, and doesn’t expect to share more than this brief encounter with him. Upon further conversation, she and the stranger, Cillian, realize they are both headed to Jamaica for destination weddings on the same day at the same resort—how serendipitous 😉
I won’t spoil the book for y’all, but I definitely recommend.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Here’s a little run down: Jade meets a handsome stranger during her layover in an airport bar, and doesn’t expect to share more than this brief encounter with him. Upon further conversation, she and the stranger, Cillian, realize they are both headed to Jamaica for destination weddings on the same day at the same resort—how serendipitous 😉
I won’t spoil the book for y’all, but I definitely recommend.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 16, 2020
This is the first and only story I have read by Lisa Chalmers. I really enjoyed it actually but it was a bit unrealistic to me. I LOVED being able to dream about this actually happening but I doubt it would ever really happen in this day and age.
The setting and the characters were fantastic. I loved the chemistry between Cillian and Jade; even the names were unique.
I didn’t fully understand why either of them needed to be in Jamaica that early besides Cillian was just going to work the whole week. It was fate that these two were in the same place at the same time. I was almost waiting for them to be going to the same wedding(instead of two separate ones) with how things were working out for them.
I felt that this story was just a little longer than it needed to be. Obviously things had to go back to reality and they lived on opposite coasts from one another. It was just back and forth with them until one of them FINALLY decided to do something about it.
The ending was good but I felt it could have been more exciting. More of meeting the parents. More of what happened to them in the end. More of an epilogue I guess would have been nice.
The setting and the characters were fantastic. I loved the chemistry between Cillian and Jade; even the names were unique.
I didn’t fully understand why either of them needed to be in Jamaica that early besides Cillian was just going to work the whole week. It was fate that these two were in the same place at the same time. I was almost waiting for them to be going to the same wedding(instead of two separate ones) with how things were working out for them.
I felt that this story was just a little longer than it needed to be. Obviously things had to go back to reality and they lived on opposite coasts from one another. It was just back and forth with them until one of them FINALLY decided to do something about it.
The ending was good but I felt it could have been more exciting. More of meeting the parents. More of what happened to them in the end. More of an epilogue I guess would have been nice.
November 9, 2020
I loved the cute trope of this book. Cillian (a New York real estate mogul) meets Jade (a Hollywood make-up artist) at an airport during a layover to Jamaica.
They were each attending a wedding on the island and decided to be each other's plus one. Cute, right? Even more exciting--Cillian invited Jade to stay with him at his amazing villa and essentially gave her a week long ticket to paradise.
It didn't take long before their attraction to each other led to falling in love, but unfortunately they had to part ways to opposite coasts of the United States after their paradise vacation. Once they returned to their pre-Jamaica lives, they soon realize 3000 miles makes a relationship very difficult and they are met with barriers and resistance to seeing each other again.
This was reality and I was very engaged in finding out how they were going to make their relationship work, but I felt the ending was rushed, and I would have liked to know more of what happened. Maybe an epilogue?
I still very much enjoyed reading this book, and I would read other works by this author.
I was given a free copy of this book by BookSirens, in exchange for an honest review.
They were each attending a wedding on the island and decided to be each other's plus one. Cute, right? Even more exciting--Cillian invited Jade to stay with him at his amazing villa and essentially gave her a week long ticket to paradise.
It didn't take long before their attraction to each other led to falling in love, but unfortunately they had to part ways to opposite coasts of the United States after their paradise vacation. Once they returned to their pre-Jamaica lives, they soon realize 3000 miles makes a relationship very difficult and they are met with barriers and resistance to seeing each other again.
This was reality and I was very engaged in finding out how they were going to make their relationship work, but I felt the ending was rushed, and I would have liked to know more of what happened. Maybe an epilogue?
I still very much enjoyed reading this book, and I would read other works by this author.
I was given a free copy of this book by BookSirens, in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2020
4 STAR ROMANCE!
The writing draws you in and keeps you involved throughout the whole story, I found myself in love with not only the characters but also the world that was created.
The descriptions of the characters and their feelings are so involved, you can truly picture it in your mind.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
The writing draws you in and keeps you involved throughout the whole story, I found myself in love with not only the characters but also the world that was created.
The descriptions of the characters and their feelings are so involved, you can truly picture it in your mind.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
July 13, 2020
Normally, I won't read a book if it's not part of a series, but I took a chance on this one and it paid off. I loved the idea of a love story that didn't have too much of you know what going on. I love when it's implied. I wanted to be best friends with Jade and Cillian. I appreciate a good book when I find one. I'll be looking for more from Lisa.
July 5, 2020
This is the 1st book I've read written by Lisa Chalmers; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
November 10, 2020
Love at first sight can happen, and sometimes it’s over first drink.
Jade has found her plane is delayed due to weather and while passing the time meets Cillian. And he comes up with the idea that since they are going to the same place for different weddings, why not be each other’s plus-ones. And after a week together they know it’s love. But they live on different sides of the country and aren’t sure how they are going to make it work.
Jade and Cillian get their happy ending in this stand-alone book.
I loved the idea of falling in love in a tropical place while at a destination wedding. What really got me, and lowered the score to a four-star, was how much Cillian seemed to use ‘he’s a workaholic’ as an excuse for everything. Even his friends made fun of him for it. And realistically, being on different coasts was a huge obstacle to overcome, and neither really seemed to want to put the work in.
I received an advanced review copy for free via Book Sirens, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Jade has found her plane is delayed due to weather and while passing the time meets Cillian. And he comes up with the idea that since they are going to the same place for different weddings, why not be each other’s plus-ones. And after a week together they know it’s love. But they live on different sides of the country and aren’t sure how they are going to make it work.
Jade and Cillian get their happy ending in this stand-alone book.
I loved the idea of falling in love in a tropical place while at a destination wedding. What really got me, and lowered the score to a four-star, was how much Cillian seemed to use ‘he’s a workaholic’ as an excuse for everything. Even his friends made fun of him for it. And realistically, being on different coasts was a huge obstacle to overcome, and neither really seemed to want to put the work in.
I received an advanced review copy for free via Book Sirens, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
June 27, 2020
Interesting read that starts with two strangers with a connection who find more possibly if they let it happen. I voluntarily received this book for an honest review.
October 24, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It’s just a lovely read. It’s pure romance from start to finish. I received this book from Booksirens. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
February 20, 2021
Loved this story. Lisa Chalmers did a great job writing these two characters and their story. Jade and Cillian meet in the airport bar before a flight to Jamaica. Their attraction was instant and they both took a crazy risk and decided to spend the week together so they didn't have to attend the weddings they were invited to alone. The love develops quickly, and I was living this love story right along with them. I want to swing on the beach. Living on opposite coasts just throws in more challenges for them to overcome. Really cute, feel-good story. If I could change anything, I would want more sex scenes detailed out...hehe...guess I am a dirty girl. If you want to escape to love on an island, read Serendipity!
August 17, 2020
3 and 1/2 stars The story line was good and I enjoyed that. Spelling and grammar was good. I thought they kept going over the same thoughts a little too much and the timing was off in some places. EXAMPLE/SPOILERS? They made plans to go to the spa the following day but then it wasn't mentioned again. There were a couple places where all the things they did couldn't be done in the timeline stated, I didn't think. Later in the story said they would go to Napa 3 days before the wedding, then they were there the night before. Also thought the h was a little whiny.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
unfinished
December 30, 2020While the excerpt was promising, Serendipity didn’t pan out for me. It’s both very low stakes and imbalanced.
Jade and Cillian’s day-to-day uneventful decisions/actions are covered in overwhelming detail that often amounts to little payoff. Yet their mutual attraction isn’t backed up with things the reader can connect with, like emotional responses or physical attributes (admiring muscles, eyes, sway of hips, etc.). Instead, they use broad-sweeping adjectives like amazing, good-looking, or beautiful.
Lisa Chalmers has great ideas, and I hope we see more from her. The execution just didn’t work out for me here.
Romance level rating: warm (vague scenes that sometimes fade to black).
I received a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Jade and Cillian’s day-to-day uneventful decisions/actions are covered in overwhelming detail that often amounts to little payoff. Yet their mutual attraction isn’t backed up with things the reader can connect with, like emotional responses or physical attributes (admiring muscles, eyes, sway of hips, etc.). Instead, they use broad-sweeping adjectives like amazing, good-looking, or beautiful.
Lisa Chalmers has great ideas, and I hope we see more from her. The execution just didn’t work out for me here.
Romance level rating: warm (vague scenes that sometimes fade to black).
I received a free ARC and am voluntarily leaving this review.
May 17, 2022
This is a lovely romance and so well written that will have you hooked. There is no unnecessary drama as Jade and Cillian get on so well. They meet by chance when their flight is delayed and Cillian takes a chance to ask Jade to stay with him for a week before they attend the weddings they were flying to the same place for. Seemed a strange thing to do to someone you’d just met but they both took a chance and it led to a great experience and maybe the love of their life.
I received a copy from Booksirens and leave my review voluntarily
I received a copy from Booksirens and leave my review voluntarily
February 17, 2021
"Here I was... setting myself up for a disastrous heartbreak I knew was destined to come."
I liked the book. Although, it wasn't very realistic it was still good. Jade and Cillian's whirlwind romance.
So the book should've been longer or less of the book should've been about Jamaica. I absolutely did not like how rushed the ending was. I knew I was approaching the end of the book and began to wonder how it would be a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.
I liked the book. Although, it wasn't very realistic it was still good. Jade and Cillian's whirlwind romance.
So the book should've been longer or less of the book should've been about Jamaica. I absolutely did not like how rushed the ending was. I knew I was approaching the end of the book and began to wonder how it would be a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book for my honest review.
July 15, 2021
A crazy love story that really works. Two people who were going to yet another wedding.
Stranger's in the night or airport who were on their way for a week and not half into it, a wedding actually two with no plus one. So they agree to be each others plus one.
Great cast of characters and very believable. Jamaica is a great place for a wedding and adventure.
A true love story, highly recommend!!
PG-16 but still suitable for mature young people.
Stranger's in the night or airport who were on their way for a week and not half into it, a wedding actually two with no plus one. So they agree to be each others plus one.
Great cast of characters and very believable. Jamaica is a great place for a wedding and adventure.
A true love story, highly recommend!!
PG-16 but still suitable for mature young people.
March 31, 2022
A very romantic "fake boyfriend/girlfriend" story. Cillian was a fake boyfriend who really fell in love with Jade and vise versa. They had a special connection that grew as they spent more time together. She taught him how to relax and enjoy life because he described himself as a "workaholic." She was a typical "California Girl" who finally met her Prince Charming. Sometimes the POV writing was too detail and boring, but the overall story was sweet. Would recommend it to a friend.
October 18, 2023
Sweet little PG13 romance. boy meets girl at airport, and discovers they are both going solo to a destination wedding in Jamaica. On a whim he invites her to stay in his over the water bungalow. She says yes.
.
Admittedly its been awhile since I have read this genre, but is the trend now to have no villain, no mistaken identity, no peril? No drama?
.
Admittedly its been awhile since I have read this genre, but is the trend now to have no villain, no mistaken identity, no peril? No drama?
September 14, 2020
It was an okay story. Reading it in my head the characters were kinda whiny but as a whole it wasn't a total waste of time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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