Almost Perfect

by Dianne Blacklock

The lives of three different people--Mac, whose perfect marriage is falling apart under the strain of infertility; bookstore owner Georgie, dealing with a deadbeat roommate and no romantic prospects; and Liam, a new customer whom Georgie believes might be the perfect man--collide in an unexpected way with unforeseen repercussions for all of them. Original.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Dianne Blacklock is the author of Call Waiting, Wife for Hire, Almost Perfect, False Advertising, Crossing Paths, Three’s a Crowd, The Right Time, and in November 2011, The Secret Ingredient.

When she's not writing she goes on rampages through the house, cleaning and emptying out cupboards and making everyone do extra chores. Needless to say, the family prefers it when she's writing.

Reviews

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not a case of hero or heroine but a pos husband cheating on his wife and falling in love with her and having a baby. And they have an HEA. Just not my type of book. It's not a romance and I hated the ending and the whole book really. Skimmed most of it. Writing is okay but content sucked unless you like to root for the cheaters

[Beeg Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite cheating trope: heroine is the other woman.
It read more like chick lit, though. Not much but more than I would like as I'm a Romance kinda gal.
Would've been a 4.5 star but for one I thought the h was too unforgiving for too long a time. We, however, get his pov and I know what he feels more than she does. So, I forgave earlier than she does.

[Steve lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t know about the sex! Don’t know about Anna’s rise to literary fame! Don’t know about an ending so clichéd as to be twee! What I do know is:-
For a long airport delay this was the perfect book – a book about relationships that rattles along like a high-paced thriller. It contains engaging characters coping with the machinations of falling in love with right or wrong people. Dianne Blacklock’s book I successfully bid for in an on-line auction in part organised by my author daughter in support of the Queensland flood victims. The descriptor sounded promising and it came signed by the author. I had no knowledge of the cover which would be enough to turn away any male from buying it off the shelves, being totally designed to attract its intended readership. Keeping this aspect discreetly covered it helped time pass smoothly at Hobart Airport.
None of the characters, despite their finer points, were indeed ‘almost perfect’ - but when it comes to the temptations of the heart, are any of us? Bouncy Georgie cannot let go of a tragic incident that took her parents from her, Liam tried to follow his conscience until said heart or penis got in the way and for Mac, highly strung Anna proved too much of a nightmare to remain attached to.
It took this reader a while to twig what I suspect a female reader would have been on to straight away, but the duplicity at the core of this readable love saga played out intriguingly, and even if I had no problem with the ultimate ending, that airport dash has been done to death Dianne.
With time to kill this book was the perfect antidote and I wouldn’t hesitate to read another by this author. As all have similar covers though, for this male the rest of Blacklock’s oeuvre will have to be indeed a guilty pleasure!

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

At one point I wanted to throw this book across the room. I really disliked one of the characters, or at least that character's actions, and felt that another central character was not fleshed out. It definitely got better, but not enough for me to say I enjoyed the book.

[Diane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was not perfect!!!!!! So frustrating.

[Sabrina K · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't my favorite book - I figured out almost immediately what was going on and didn't enjoy the path that the author took with this "romance" novel.
I felt sadness toward the characters facing infertility and could understand the frustration and sadness that comes with it but it doesn't excuse the behavior of the male MC in this. It didn't make me feel good to root for these characters because of the sticky web they were in.

[Adeline Kam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and romantic love story. I enjoyed reading this book but I find the story is too lengthy. I liked all the characters in this story. A family that sticks together, full of fun and laughter. And their banter are so humorous. Overall this is a good read.

[Colleen Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read. I like the way that the author engages her readers. It is interesting to read a book where the locations are familiar. I felt as if I were a part of the story and knew the characters.
Well written and I look forward to reading more of Dianne's books.

[Silvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Australian author recommended by Liane Moriarty. Pure chick lit, very light and fluffy (well, except if you're dealing with infertility), but so enjoyable. I'll definitely read more by her.

[Rachel Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not put this down BUT I also think it could’ve been half as long. Reminded me of Three Wishes by Liane Moriarty.

[Catsalive · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://bookcrossing.com/journal/12048...

[Lyn Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good twist...interesting characters

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story about everyday life. Laughs, sadness, true life. Page turner for me. I have not read this author before but will be looking for her other books. So easy to read.

[clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

ai amei 😪 achei o final meio abrupto é um livro com mt página podia ter desenvolvido a reconciliação dos pps um pouco melhor e n deixado pra última página

[Maxxxine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cheater get HEA with mistress 🤮

[Sky- A hopeless romantic girl :D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes i like to leave books in my currently reading shelves even though i have read them already, it's because i want to examine if i am underestimating or overestimating a book. In this book's case i was underestimating. It was different and the writing was great. I liked the h alot even though her later behavior in book annoyed me a bit. But i understand author was trying to keep it tru to her character. Epilogue was lacking big time. Overall i enjoyed it.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis: This is a novel that unravels the many layers of relationships in a truth-and consequence journey. Included are a beautiful house in an upscale Sydney suburb, with Mac, as he sees his picture-perfect marriage cracking under the strain of infertility. And in a near by suburb, thirty-something Georgie, a bookstore owner, is trying to deal with a deadbeat roommate and no romantic prospects in sight.

Pros: Great twist! Didn't figure it out until 2 paragraphs before it happened. Liked the contrast between the characters and the realistic fall out of choices made, steps taken and decisions made. Strong female characters and a well told story of IVF, families (siblings) and happy endings. Enjoyed the settings, locations and the dialogue.

Cons: Nothing

Cover art: 3 out of 5. Not much there besides the backside of a female model. Gah!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! Anna is a woman who is trying to get pregnant and has been doing IVF for seven years now with no luck, and her husband Mac is suffering the consequences as well. Their marriage isn’t what it used to be, and they no longer want the same things. Single Georgie, on the other hand, has just found Liam, and he seems perfect. But things aren’t always what they seem. What do these two couples have in common with each other? You’ll find out halfway through the book, and the shocking plot twist hit me like a ton of bricks! The changes in plot seemed unexpected to me, but looking back I feel like I should’ve seen them coming. This was a long book but a fast read, and I really enjoyed it and was able to (surprisingly) relate to every one of its characters.

[Siegrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick White's The Aunt's Story sits neglected on the bedside table while I gravitate to fluffy books. This is a very warm book. I loved the depiction of extended families. The main character Georgie has a lovely relationship with her brother Nick, her sister-in law and nieces. I think the depiction of being a thirty something singleton was spot on, complex and honest. There's an excellent aha moment in the novel (that I won't give away here of course. It's not a love story for the true romantics but for the messy realists.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book hard to get into but once you are into the swing of things its a really good read. It really teachers you that you cant have preconcieved ideas about life and love and sometimes you have to put up with the fact that things arent always perfect. This book aslo taught me about the realities of IVF and how emotionally hard it can be.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this really quickly while on holidays. A fantastic holiday read that I couldn't put down. There is a big Ah Ha moment in the middle of the book that I didn't see coming - but that may be just me. Loved the characters, loved the Sydney setting, and loved the story - even if a bit twee.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I am sad that this author only has 2 other books, and that they aren't sold very many places. I found this book on the bargain shelf and thought it looked worth $2. Now I really want to read her other books. Made for a great quick, light read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of my fave Australian authors, I think I like her books because the settings are familiar and the characters are easy to like, the books are also easy reads, which I a nice change sometimes. Would definitely recommend

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book, it was funny and witty and only had a handful of characters... I could relate to the book lovers here, a must read... great twists and turns and an insight into the world of IVF

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great read, even if I hate the premise of the book, husband wife at a crossroads, having difficulties in the marriage, husband strays, hated the premise, but it was a good read none the less.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does have language, if that bothers people, but I liked it a lot for a book I randomly chose off the library shelf in a hurry.

[Shelley Kowalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite Dianne Blacklock novel :)

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good holiday read.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a compelling read, and I found it hard to put down when i needed to feed the bubs. But I found myself gravitating back to it whenever there was a spare minute.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absorbing. Great to have the familiar Aussie places and expressions woven in. I got a bit teary, but maybe that's just me. Will have to look for Dianne Blacklock's other books now.