Series Week - Fool's Gold Trilogy by Susan Mallery

Today, I have the first 3 books ofeaturing the town of Fool's Gold by Susan Mallery.  I have the next 3, Only Mine, Only Yours, and Only His in my TBR pile!

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Book1:

Chasing Perfect

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: May 2010

Welcome to Fool's Gold, California, a charming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. There's lots to do and plenty of people to meet, especially women. Because there's just one tiny problem in Fool's Gold: the men don't seem to stick around. Maybe it's the lure of big-city life, or maybe it's plain old bad luck, but regardless of the reason, the problem has to be fixed, fast. And Charity Jones may be just the city planner to do it.


Charity's nomadic childhood has left her itching to settle down, and she immediately falls in love with all the storybook town has to offer--everything, that is, except its sexiest and most famous resident, former world-class cyclist Josh Golden. With her long list of romantic disasters, she's not about to take a chance on another bad boy, even if everyone else thinks he's perfect just the way he is. But maybe that's just what he needs--someone who knows the value of his flaws. Someone who knows that he's just "chasing perfect."

This is a great beginning to the series. Josh and Charity are great characters. I love to see when two people learn how to trust and fall in love. I really was hoping they would figure out that they were perfect for each other.  I loved the town and how close the residents are. Any town that rallies around it's people seems like a great place to live.  

Book 2:

Almost Perfect

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: June 2010

Back in high school, Liz Sutton was the girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Then she’d stolen the heart of the most popular boy in town, and their secret romance helped her through the worst of times. Until Ethan Hendrix betrayed her and everything they’d ever meant to each other. Devastated and pregnant, Liz left Fool’s Gold, California – forever, she thought…

Now Liz must return to town and face the man who doesn’t know of their son’s existence. And this time she won’t have the option of making a quick getaway. Ethan and Liz can’t deny their passionate attraction, even after all these years. But will their desire be enough to spark a second chance at love?

This one was very heartbreaking to read. I felt so badly for Liz and how everyone treats her when she comes back.  I had to give her a lot of credit for being able to hold her head high when everyone is keeps saying horrible things to her.  While I felt for Ethan and understood his anger over having missed 11 years with his son, I thought he was a total ass through most of the book.  Both characters are so obviously right for each other.  It just takes them a while to put past hurts aside and admit it to themselves.  I loved how Ethan sets things right in the end.

Book 3:

Finding Perfect

Author: Susan Mallery

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: May 2012

When Pia O'Brian's best friend dies, Pia expects to inherit her cherished cat. Instead, the woman leaves Pia three frozen embryos. With a disastrous track record in the romance department and the parenting skills of a hamster, Pia doesn't think she's meant for motherhood. But determined to do the right thing, Pia decides to become a single mother. Only to meet a gorgeous, sexy hunk the very same day.
A former foster-care kid now rich beyond his wildest dreams, Raoul Moreno runs a camp for needy children in Fool's Gold, California. After his last relationship, Raoul thought he was done with women and commitment. Still, he can't get sweet, sexy Pia out of his mind—and proposes a crazy plan. But can such an unconventional beginning really result in the perfect ending?

I'm not sure I liked this one as much as the first two books.  I thought that Pia jumped into her decision to have the babies implanted was a bit rushed, so I'm not sure I bought it. Despite that, I thought  Pia was a great character. I did sympathize with her over her fears of becoming a mother.  I loved how she was able to admit how much of a stuck up witch she was in high school and understand how wrong she was.  Raoul was very sweet and I thought they were great together.  I loved the scene where the older ladies of the town rally around him to save him from a stalker fan.  That scene had me giggling.

A great trilogy!  I look forward to reading more adventures in Fool's Gold!