ARC REVIEW: Serendipity & Giveaway (Serendipity #1) by Carly Phillips

"Faith Harrington was the classic girl of privilege–until her father was convicted of running a Ponzi scheme and then her marriage crashed and burned.

Now Faith is back in her hometown, hoping for a fresh start. But her father’s betrayal has rocked Serendipity—and not everyone is ready to welcome her with open arms. Then she runs into her teenage crush—the dark, brooding Ethan Barron. Ethan, no stranger to scandal himself, never imagined he’d own the mansion on the hill, much less ever again come face to face with Faith—the princess he once kissed senseless. The chance meeting reignites the electric charge between them.

Still, when Ethan hires her to redecorate what was once her childhood home, Faith is sure that getting involved with the town’s notorious bad boy will only lead to trouble. But her heart has other ideas. And so do the townspeople of Serendipity…"

Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages

Expected publication: September 6th 2011 by Berkley

more details...

ISBN 0425243834 (ISBN13: 9780425243831)

primary language English

series Serendipity #1

I really enjoyed reading Serendipity! Carly created an amazing story about two people who were so different but with one thing in common which is that they want to prove they are good enough not only for themselves but each other.

Ten years ago , Ethan Barron was an eighteen year old who dared a sixteen year old  Faith Harrington to let him take her home. They were drawn to each other from the beginning.  Now Faith has moved back to Serendipity after her world has started falling apart before her eyes. It is time to rebuild her world  piece by piece. The first priority is to start  her own business as a interior designer to get back on track and prove she doesn't need daddy's money to make it in the world. She can do it on her own.

Ten years ago Ethan had left town because of his parents were hit by a car coming to pick him up one night. So he has blamed himself time, time again. Now it is time to rebuild his world and the family he has been avoiding since the tragic accident. More than anything he wants to rebuild the relationship he used to have with his two brothers. He knows it wont be a walk in the park but he is willing to work at it to make it what he has dreamed of over the years and make everything right. Ethan is willing to give into whatever it takes to earn their forgiveness back.

Phillips brings a fresh and exciting twist to the story line that will keep you on your toes and wanting more! It is not only heart felt but emotional. It was honestly hard to put down. I loved each and every character in there own way. The way the main characters stood out was just amazingly done, I really wanted them to go on forever. I especially liked the bond and tension that was building between them scene after scene. And since I love the tension this was just the perfect fix for me. It was utterly priceless and kept me begging for more and more.

I did tend to feel bad for Ethan and the way his own brothers treated him pretty much throughout the story. Mostly I loved the fact it was about a good girl that falls in love with the bad boy who ends up turning to be the best thing for her in the world. The characters were witty and will have your undivided attention every step of the way. Watching these characters develop will surly pull you in.  I mean who wouldn't want to read about a classic bad boy who not only can turn heads but change his ways.

The ending had me more than excited to get my hands on the next book, Destiny, which is due to release January 2012. I cant wait wait to see what else is in store for the town of Serendipity.

Because Carly is so awesome she will be giving away a set of romance trading cards to a lucky commenter. 

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