Almost Perfect

Almost Perfect is a story which steps on a lot of taboos and twists some conventions into pretzels. I'm a supporter of all trailblazing, whether it's 100% successful or not, so I really liked this book. This book picks up where Ms. Rice's Impossible Dreams left off (I recommend reading them in order, but it's not necessary), with a heroine who is possibly the least heroic character you could imagine. At least, so it seems. Cleo Alyssum is a reclusive recovering addict who has lost her son's custody because of her past history and is struggling to rebuild her life so she can be worthy of having him with her again. She has zero interest in men, little interest in most people at all, and really just wants to be left alone to renovate her isolated house on the South Carolina coast. This is an anti-romance heroine for the ages and I liked her a lot, even when she did a couple really stupid things (they're in character, so I forgive her). Enter the hero, Jared McCloud, who is a down-on-his-luck cartoonist with a history of swimming in shallow emotional waters and running when the water starts to get deep. At first he just wants to rent Cleo's beach house. Then he really wants Cleo too, who wants absolutely nothing to do with him. General conflict and mayhem ensue, including a hurricane.Despite having a cartoonist for a hero, this is not an airy, light book. There are many funny scenes and moments, but this novel deals with some major issues, and for the most part handles them sensitively and honestly. To me, Cleo is a fascinating character of great depth, and Jared surpassed my expectations by turning into a man worthy of her trust. I found the emotional journey these two took - along with the two abused/neglected teenagers they take under their wings - to be affecting and real. I've read several of Ms. Rice's previous novels, and Almost Perfect is my new favorite work by her. As Cleo and Jared learn, the risks in becoming emotionally involved with each other (and others) are great, but so are the rewards. It a lesson we can all stand to think about now and then.

With her record, Cleo Alyssum knows she needs to remain perfectly clean if she is to regain custody of her seven-year-old son Matty. Thus, she finds contentment and isolation from her past on a secluded South Carolina island until renowned cartoonist Jared McCloud of Scapegrace fame arrives asking to rent the dilapidated guesthouse. Cleo refuses until a teenage neighbor playing a prank causes an accident involving Jared. To keep thirteen-year-old Gene out of trouble with the law, Cleo rents the property to Jared. Jared is very attracted to Cleo, but she rejects his advances, as she does not need a new man in her house except for her Matty. However, she admits that Jared is nice and seems to care about others when he begins to help Gene and the lad's sister with their personal problems. Still his efforts to reach Cleo constantly fail leaving it up to a natural disaster like the hurricane that descends on the island to show her that Jared is nothing like her deceased husband was. ALMOST PERFECT is a superb relationship drama that stars two strong lead characters and a deeply wounded but a bit over-characterized support cast. The story line predominantly spins around Jared and Cleo, but also provides a deep look at other relationships especially when a caring adult gets involved with teens. Patricia Rice has written an angst laden relationship drama that hard core fans will fully relish.Harriet Klausner