Sunday, May 4, 2014

Searching For Perfect (Searching For #2) by Jennifer Probst {Review}


Genre: Women's fiction/Adult Contemporary Romance
Publication Date: April 29th 2014
Series: Searching For #2
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley


The highly anticipated second novel in the new Searching For series from Jennifer Probst, "one of the most exciting breakout novelists" (USA TODAY)—a spin-off of the bestselling Marriage to a Billionaire series—featuring a sexy matchmaker, and the rocket scientist who becomes her special project…The up-and-coming matchmaking agency Kinnections is the hottest thing to hit Verily, New York—just like Kennedy Ashe, social director for the service she owns with her two best girlfriends. A coach, consultant, and cheerleader rolled into one super-sizzling package, Kennedy creates dream dates, encourages singles to shine, and never refuses a challenge—not even Nate Ellison Raymond Dunkle, rocket scientist, nerd extraordinaire, and Kennedy’s newest client. Kennedy vows to work her magic and transform this hot mess in a lab coat with a disastrous relationship track record into the most wanted man on the Verily dating scene. If only she could turn the wand on herself…though she radiates confidence and sex appeal, Kennedy harbors deep-seated insecurities from a tormented past and lifelong struggle with weight issues. When she realizes she and Nate are cut from the same cloth and might be perfect together, can Kennedy learn to let her heart lead the way? Or will her fears sentence her to the sidelines as Nate finds love—with someone else?




My Review:

It's hard for me to collect my thoughts about this book because honestly, they're all over the place. Everything about Searching For Perfect is pinging around inside my gray matter making it hard to focus clearly and that's with letting it marinate for a few days! The Searching For series got off to a slow start for me. Kate and Slade's story in Someday was nice and I was happy they found each other but I didn't really connect with them. Fashionista Kennedy was the character I was most looking forward to getting to know because there was just something about her that called to me.


Of the three girls that run matchmaking agency Kinnections, Kennedy is the stylist of the group. She's the one who spruces up a clients look to help them make a good impression on their potential match because let's face it, you can't meet your forever someone if you look like a busted can of biscuits. When Ned Dunkle shows up Kennedy sees him as her "golden goose" that will snap her out of her latest funk. Poor Ned is a hot mess when he shows up. See, Ned is your average Nerd. Long shaggy hair, bulky glasses and a pocket protector. No. Shit. In true nerd fashion he's also very smart and works as an "Aerospace Engineer" or in Lehman's terms, a rocket scientist. Kennedy cleans him up, dresses him down and makes him go back to using his first name, Nate to do away with his more nerdy image. As they spend more time together at the gym getting him into shape, or at mixers teaching him how to talk to other women, they form a connection making it impossible to deny what's between them.



Two Words. Nate. Dunkle. It's not a very appealing sounding name but trust me, you want to be "Dunkled". Nate was one of the hottest guys hands down. How can a pocket protector wearing nerd melt your panties? First of all, nerds are incredibly smart. Anyone whose seen Revenge Of The Nerds knows that by default. Also, nerds are very dedicated and thorough in whatever task they fixate on. 9 times out of 10 it's video games but Nate is the exception. He's come to Kinnections to in search of finding a wife and has made it his mission to study a woman's body and her erogenous zones in order to please her endlessly. He's spent the better part of his youth in school and working that he's neglected his personal life. Nate is the quintessential nerd but under all the shaggy hair, food stains and way too outspoken demeanor was a very sexy and sweet guy. His personal growth was fun to watch and his transformation from Nerd to Knockout was a gradual process that was so exciting to see. He was a sensitive guy but manly enough to be sexy and that's a deadly combo. I wasn't expecting this book to be so funny but the banter between Kennedy and Nate was stellar and witty as hell.



That special something about Kennedy that drew me in was her struggle with body image. You couldn't tell from the outside with her immaculate style and sassy confidence but inside her lurked a young girl who was teased in school about her looks. I know all too well what it's like to develop before the other girls in school and what Kennedy went through. In her case she was bullied by the boys who taunted her about her chest size and made her life hell causing her to develop an eating disorder that took along time to conquer for her. What I loved most about Kennedy wasn't her fierce strength and determination to overcome and rise above her past circumstances but her gentle vulnerability just under the surface. It's hard for her to let go and let herself be in a relationship because of her self esteem issues that have kept her from finding love. If she keeps control of her dating life, only going for the outwardly attractive guys then she won't have to open up and let someone see her with all her faults and pain. Kennedy had a butt load of issues and at times she frustrated me but I loved her regardless.



Nate and Kennedy have a tenuous relationship with her being his matchmaker and it being against the rules to date him she keeps her distance. Nate was like a spider drawing her into his web. Once he turned on that Dunkle charm she was a goner. These two gave me such a warm feeling of happiness watching them slowly come together. It's not an easy road watching Nate see other people and Kennedy doing her damnedest to push him away. She can't hide from him for long because Nate is one perceptive dude and slowly opens her up and discovers what lies at the heart of her personality. What caught me off guard by these two was the sizzling sexual chemistry that when finally lived out left me overheated and in need of ice water. I mean I knew they had chemistry as a couple but their bedroom antics actually made me blush. All Nate's hard work and attention to detail made for some great steamy scenes and had me wanting to molest random nerds on the street.



Once again seeing all my favorite characters from the "Married To A Billionaire" series was just the icing on this cake. Not only did I see my aloof and mysterious Wolfe but there was some hinted at issues with Genevieve I hope involves him at some point. I'm still chomping at the bit like a coked out race horse to get a story about Wolfe and Genevieve. I loved that Kennedy had such a great support group in the other girls that run the business with her. Kate knew exactly what Kennedy was experiencing because she too pushed her man away and Arilyn being the counselor knew how to get past her issues and help her see things clearly. Aside from the main couple, Kennedy and Nate, I absolutely LOVED the addition of Connor, Nate's brother. He was cocky and sarcastic but he loved Nate and the two brothers had been through a lot together. He was one of those characters I couldn't help but love and want a story about him also. I get greedy with secondary characters and Connor just jumped out at me. His views on love and relationships was barbaric at times but his reasons were understandable. OH! I can't forget to mention the flamboyant hair dresser Benny either. Kennedy hires him to clean up Nate's shaggy hair and gives him pointers on his appearance. The two are like oil and water whenever they are around each other but it quickly develops into a sort of "Bromance" I couldn't resist.



Searching For Perfect, so far was my favorite book in the series. Falling in love with Nate and Kennedy was not hard at all and once I finished their story I had a serious hangover that is still trying to hang on. The humor in this book was so well written it surprised me a little bit. Not that Probst's other books haven't had funnier moments but the humor in SFP was well timed and witty. None of the jokes fell flat, all of the characters had amazing personalities and I couldn't have asked for more with the romance aspect. Every single thing worked to make this story exceptional and very memorable. It's absolutely a book I would read again because I was almost melancholy to say goodbye to Nate and Kennedy. You can read them as a stand alone or you can read them in the series but whatever you do, Just READ THEM!




Quotes:

~ "You have a coffee stain, you're wearing a lab coat, you haven't cut your hair since 2000, and I feel like I just got dragged into the woods and buried under a flock of pine trees to die. Is that your cologne?"

He gave up and began picking at his nail. "It's proven women are susceptible to the emotional power of scents. A leisurely walk in nature evokes feelings of happiness."

"Not with half a bottle. I'm experiencing more of a horrific run through the forest while a deadly black bear chases me."
eARC 6%

~ "Stop being a 'Mitch' and get your ass out of my salon."
"A what? A Mitch? What the hell is that?"

"A male bitch. Don't you get out enough? Learn the language."
Nate gaped. "That word doesn't exist and is not defined by Webster."

"Live your life by Webster's standards and you'll miss out on everything. Wake up."
 eARC 24%

~ "I love you bare here, it gives me full access to every delicious part of your anatomy." 

He nuzzled and stroked but never got to the most sensitive, critical parts that screamed for attention.

 "Caressing you here gives your body the signal to demand more, which increases your fluid, ah, like that. You're so beautifully wet and swollen." eARC 70%



 About The Author:
Jennifer Probst is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of both sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her novel, The Marriage Bargain, was the #6 Bestselling Book on Amazon for 2012. Her first children's book, Buffy and the Carrot, was co-written with her 12 year old niece, and her short story, "A Life Worth Living" chronicles the life of a shelter dog. She makes her home in New York with her sons, husband, two rescue dogs, and a house that never seems to be clean. She loves hearing from all readers! Stop by her website at http://www.jenniferprobst.com for all her upcoming releases, news and street team information.







2 comments:

  1. I'm reading this one this week, so I skimmed. I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yesssssss! Nate Dunkle, all day, all night. UNFF.

    "I'm still chomping at the bit like a coked out race horse to get a story about Wolfe and Genevieve." Hahahahaha

    ReplyDelete

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