Bloggin' 'bout Books: 05/25/18

2023 Literary Escapes Challenge

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Perfect Set Brings All That Mel Does So Well to the Net (with a Giveaway!)

2:48 PM

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

As a sports reporter, Bree Mercer has embraced a hard-earned truth—pro athletes do not make good dating material. She sees enough of their inflated egos, childish temper tantrums, and slick-as-ice moves in her professional life; she wants none of that in her personal one. So, when a pro beach volleyball player in her new singles ward starts chatting her up, Bree shuts him down. Hard. Athletes—even incredibly hot ones, especially incredibly hot ones—are simply not an option.

It's only when she's assigned to write a feature article on the very guy she dissed that Bree begins to regret her rashness. Kade Townsend is famously press-adverse; Bree's likely just screwed up her big chance to get the story out of him that she needs to prove her worth at her new job.

Bree isn't about to give up, no matter how tough the assignment. She knows Kade's career and golden-boy reputation took a big hit when a reporter "friend" betrayed him by selling photos of Kade partying to a tabloid magazine, but she's not interested in tawdry gossip. Bree wants the truth. Who is Kade, really? A reformed man, who now takes his testimony as seriously as his athletic training? Or an unrepentant playboy who'll say anything to fix his tarnished image? The more time Bree spends with Kade, the more desperately she needs to know, and not only for her article. Allowing herself to fall for the handsome jock means risking not just her career but also her heart. Is she willing to put everything on the line in a match she might not win? When the truth about Kade comes out, she'll have to decide if it's game on or game over ...

Perfect Set, the newest LDS rom-com from Melanie Jacobson, sparkles with the author's trademark warmth and wit. All the things that Mel does so well are here—a fun, upbeat setting; smart, spunky characters; bright, humorous banter; and a sweet, swoony romance. Add in a singles ward full of faithful new adults who do real things like watch sports on Sunday, drink Coke (gasp!), flirt shamelessly, judge each other unfairly, even stab each other in the back (figuratively, of course), and you're pretty much guaranteed an entertaining read. Perfect Set is certainly that. Although I didn't love Bree and Kade could have used a stronger personality, I definitely felt the chemistry between the couple. Jacobson always delivers a satisfying HEA, so although the plot is predictable, it's still exciting. This isn't my favorite Jacobson novel (that would be Southern Charmed), but Perfect Set remains a light, enjoyable romance, the kind of well-written fluff that's made for beach reading and poolside indulging. If you're a fan of clean, engaging love stories, then you're definitely going to want to dip in.

(Readalikes: Reminds me of other rom-coms from Melanie Jacobson, especially Second Chances. It also reminds me of romances by Brittany Larsen, Tiffany Odekirk, and Jenny Proctor)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for mild innuendo and references to illegal drug use

To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Perfect Set from the generous folks at Covenant in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!