Too Perfect [Paperback]

Maddy, Amy, Christine, and Jane were roommates in college ten years ago. Jane became a TV anchor, but has now just published her first self-help book "How To Have The Perfect Life". Maddy, Amy, and Christine are thrilled for Jane, until they realize that Jane has used their lives as bad examples! The three decide to prove Jane wrong. They each have one year to face their biggest fear.

Amy Baker is the nurturer. Her mother is deceased and she cares for her grandmother, Meme, who is a consummate worrier. When not caring for Meme, she runs her business Traveling Nannies. Amy has so much love to give, but is way too shy about herself to risk getting to know anyone. She has battled her body weight most of her life and is extremely self conscious about her extra body fat. Ever since she decided to never date, much less marry, she has been able to stick to her diet. The weight is coming off. Not easily, because Amy LOVES to cook, but it IS melting away. Yet she still feels F-A-T and U-G-L-Y. Meme's worrying tendencies have rubbed off on Amy over the years. Amy has an awful sense of direction and is the only person who gets lost every single time she goes somewhere new. Maddy and Christine decide that Amy's challenge is to face her fear of strange places and go on a trip for about three weeks. So when a nanny is needed for a Caribbean cruise, Amy goes herself instead of sending an employee.

Amy is fired from her nanny position early on. She runs off to have a good cry, and ends up being left behind by the ship. Amy is stranded on St. Barts, one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean, and all she has is the clothes on her back. Determined not to run home, she decides to make this a working vacation. She takes a position as a live-in housekeeper at a secluded fort for a rich recluse named Guy Gaspar. The housekeepers before Amy never stayed, due to the "hauntings". Guy stays hidden away in his tower, never to be seen. Lance Beaufort, Guy's personal assistant is coordinating the renovation of the old fort into a mansion. So Amy sees Lance during the day while he they work. At night she sits in a study and chats with Guy on a monitor.

Byron Parks has always been hot news in the tabloids and magazines. He is touted as a bored billionaire with the touch of King Midas in all he does. Sick of the parties, the fake people, and to escape all the paparazzi, Byron decides to disappear for awhile and be alone. He ends up on St. Barts and falls in love with the fort. To keep kids away, and keep the press from finding him, Byron lets the locals believe the place haunted. During the day Byron disguises himself as "Lance". At night he stays in his plush tower and lets all believe him to be the disfigured rich owner. Byron finds himself intrigued by his new housekeeper and they spend many nights talking via camera and monitor. But as their attraction grows for each other Byron realizes that he can never tell Amy that he has deceived her. Should she ever find out who he really is, Byron will lose more than just a friend.

***** Talk about a twist on the old "Beauty & the Beast" tale. I have never read anything like this story. This is the last book in the "Perfect" series. Of the three, this one is definitely the best. I hated seeing this trilogy end. I feel as though I know these three ladies and I am going to miss them. Author Julie Ortolon is going to have a hard time topping this book though. She has made a life-long fan in me. Highly recommended reading. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

The story has a very nice setting. Its content is funny but not without depth. Happy reading for ive sure enjoyed every minute !!!

The final of the three 'Perfect' contemporary romances. The three novels tell the story of Maddy, Christine and Amy who find themselves as examples of want not to do in their university roommate `how to book.' They decide to show old roommate that they can face their fears. Maddy is first with `Almost Perfect' and must get her art into a gallery and move past her husband's death. Christine is second with `Just Perfect' must face her fear of chair lifts and her problems with always wanting to please her family. Amy in `Almost Perfect' is the final novel and Amy must travel outside of Austin TX and face her fear of always getting lost and leaving her protective home. All three novels have strong men who encourage and support the changes and choice the female character must conquer. Buy them all and take a weekend for yourself and Enjoy!

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