"heartwarming novella about trust"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted December 23, 2012
Women's Fiction Contemporary
This novella written by Phillips brings a lovely conclusion to
the interwoven lives of the friends and family we met
previously in Serendipity, Destiny and Karma. All stories
take place in Serendipity a tightly knit community where
the inhabitants take care of their own but the gossip is
pretty non-stop. All part of a small town. Phillips infuses
her entertaining sense of humor in this wonderful tale of
love and trust albeit short tale that bridges the gap
between the original Serendipity series and her new
Serendipity's Finest.
Kate's best friend Faith's life has evolved into a happy,
newly married one. Kate's not envious of her friend's good
fortune in finally finding the one man who can be entrusted
with her heart. But the one guy who has definitely caught
Kate's eye is probably the one she should continuing
keeping at arm's length. Nick is definitely eye candy and
attracted his share of women over the years. His first
love -- high school sweetheart -- was Faith. This is a fact
Kate just can't dismiss even as she admits to being very
attracted to Nick. Kate's determined to protect her heart
from another man who sees her as second best or choice.
But Nick is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to get
Kate to recognize the future the two of them could share if
only she would get to know how deep his feelings for her
are. Throwing caution to the wind he concocts a plan to
make sure he has Kate's undivided attention. Hopefully he
and Kate will have a happily ever ending like their friends
Faith and Ethan.
FATED revisits friends we met in Phillips previous series
and there's even a short glimpse into what to look forward
to it her next book Perfect Fit. Phillips is always one of
my favorite
authors that never disappoints and often puts a smile on my
face.
Learn more about Fated
SUMMARY
Kate and Nick danced around
each other in SERENDIPITY but in FATED Nick is finished with
niceties. He's getting his girl, no matter what it takes! No
worries about book order. Just dive in and enjoy this steamy
story meant to warm you right up as well as show you just
how far a man will go to win the woman of his dreams! Happy Reading!
Carly Phillips
ExcerptFated
A Serendipity Short (short) StoryChapter Three "Do you believe in love at first sight?"
"What?" Surprised by the question, Kate glanced at
the teenager she'd just finished tutoring. Tess needed
help on an English paper on Romeo and Juliet, after which,
Kate, Tess and Faith were supposed to go to the mall for
shopping and dinner.
"You heard me. Do you believe in love at first
sight?"
Kate glanced at the clock on the classroom wall. "Umm,
Faith is waiting for us outside," Kate reminded Tess.
Tess shrugged. "That's okay. She won't mind. She's
used to you being late. She says so all the time." Tess
looked up at Kate from a fringe of light brown hair.
"Nice," Kate muttered, even though her best friend only
spoke the truth.
"So can you answer me?" Tess asked. "Because Ethan says
if he were smarter, he'd have known Faith was it for him
back when he was in high school. And I can't imagine
taking one look at any guy and falling in love. But I hope
it's true for Ethan and Faith because they need to stay
together."
Kate glanced at Tess and her heart softened in
understanding. She might not be the tough kid who'd
arrived in Serendipity with a chip on her shoulder, but she
still possessed a personality roughened by the life she led
before her older half brother had taken her in. Beneath
the exterior lived a young girl afraid no one cared enough
to stick around, and she counted on Ethan and Faith, and
the home they provided.
"You gonna answer me?" Tess asked, nudging Kate in
the arm.
"I'll answer you." As soon as Kate figured out how
to reply without disillusioning the teenager further. "I
do believe in love at first sight," she said
carefully. "The problem is both people have to feel it for
it to work." Something Kate had never had any luck with.
Ever. "As for Ethan and Faith, I promise you they're
solid."
Tess blew out a breath and fiddled with the ragged
hem of her tee shirt. "Yeah, since they came back from
their honeymoon they're still all lovey dovey but what
about when the sex stuff gets old?"
Kate tried not to choke on her own
saliva. "Umm ... the sex stuff is none of your business
and love has to do with a lot more than just ... umm ...
sex." Uncomfortable with the subject, she dug into her
purse for gum, unwrapping it and popping the mint stick in
her mouth. "Want some?" She offered some to the teen.
"No. I want to know more about sex and love."
Ack! You had to adore Tess, her endless questions
and the mouth with no filter. What could Kate tell her?
Sex was easy. Love wasn't.
Love, when not reciprocated, hurt. Badly. Kate's
thoughts went to Nick and his sexy swagger, intense brown
eyes and easy charm. Too easy.
In the months since the softball game, she'd run
into him around town and he'd always been friendly. Always
stopped to talk. And always asked her out. She was so
tempted to give in but she still vividly remembered her
college boyfriend who she'd been in love with, telling her
she'd been nothing more than a poor substitute for his girl
back home. She'd do everything in her power to protect
herself from feeling that kind of betrayal and pain ever
again. No matter how much Nick Mancini tempted her.
So if Tess wanted to know about sex and love ... "I
think you should ask Faith about that," Kate said,
carefully. "Or Kelly," Kate said of Tess's sister on her
mother's side.
"Chicken," Tess muttered.
Kate groaned at the same time her phone buzzed and
she glanced at the screen. A reprieve, she thought
gratefully.
"Ready to go? Faith's getting antsy," Kate asked Tess.
The girl nodded.
"Did you get all the help you needed on
Shakespeare?"
"Yeah, thanks. I am so ready to hit the mall."
Tess grinned, already on to the next subject.
Thank God.
"Okay I'll tell Faith we're coming out." Kate
texted Faith back, then gathered her book bag and jacket,
ready to brave both the November chill and the mall.
A few minutes later, both Kate and Tess were seated
in Faith's warm, brand new, Cadillac Escalade truck,
courtesy of her husband. Ethan, once the town bad boy on a
motorcycle, had returned, determined to make good. He'd
also gotten his girl. If Kate didn't know how much Faith
had suffered in the past, she'd almost be jealous of her
best friend and the love she'd found.
"Sorry we're late," Kate said, settling into the
seat.
Faith glanced heavenward "Save it. You're always
late." She softened the words with an understanding
laugh. "Buckle up." She glanced at Tess via the rear view
mirror.
Kate did the same and Faith pulled out of the
school parking lot.
"Listen, I have to make a quick stop on the way to
the mall," Faith said apologetically.
From the back seat, Tess groaned.
"Hey I waited for you. It'll just take a minute.
I have to drop something off for a client." Faith adjusted
her sunglasses as she drove.
"For who? And why can't it wait till tomorrow?"
Tess was nothing if not persistent.
"Customers come first. The only way a startup
business works is if you keep your word," Faith patiently
explained.
Tess muttered something under her breath.
"Give Faith a break," Kate said to the still
grumbling teen. "Text your friends or something until we
get there."
"Thanks," Faith said to her.
"No problem. So who is this person? A new
customer?" Kate swiveled to face the driver's seat.
"You could say that."
Kate shrugged, not too concerned with her friend's
customer base.
They settled into silence and Kate looked out the
window, watching the town of Serendipity as they passed
through. To her surprise, they drove almost to the edge of
town, arriving at Serendipity Lake, where some of residents
had summer cabins. Kate's parents were one of them until
they decided they'd rather have a second home down south,
and sold the cabin where they'd spent many summers while
Kate was growing up. She hadn't thought of the place in
years but she'd always loved the freedom of her time there.
But suddenly Kate realized just who they were going
to see. "We're going to Nick's?" she asked, her stomach
flipping uncomfortably.
Faith didn't answer, merely drove past the
well–spaced houses and pulled into the driveway of a
completely remodeled cabin set off from the others.
The driveway was fully paved, not gravel like the older
homes had. Though the structure itself retained a rustic
feel, the outside possessed a completely modern, newer
look, and sat on more land than the other houses were
allotted. The house was obviously new, charming, and
very–Nick.
"Faith?" Kate asked again.
"One sec." Faith turned around and reached for a small
shopping bag behind her seat. "Do me a favor and leave
this on the porch? I need to call Ethan before we get lost
in the mall for hours."
Kate narrowed her gaze. "I really don't want to run
into Nick."
Faith waved away her concern. "He's not home. That's
why you can just leave it on the porch." She dangled the
bag. "Please?"
Kate let out a sigh. "Fine. As long as he's not
here," she muttered.
"Thanks." Faith reached for her phone. Tess
remained quiet in the back seat. A quick glance showed
she'd put her iPod and headphones on, so she'd be satisfied
until they arrived at the mall.
Kate opened the car door and hopped out, the cold
wind hitting her in the face. "You owe me," she called out
to her friend.
Faith met her gaze and shot her a smile before Kate
slammed the door shut. No sooner had she reached the front
porch when she heard the roar of the engine and turned to
see Faith's truck backing out of the driveway.
"What the –" Kate waved and started down the
steps. "Faith!" she called out, panic mixed with confusion.
Faith rolled down her window. "It's for your own
good!"
"What is? Get back here!"
"Calm down," a deep, familiar masculine voice said
from behind her. "I can explain everything."
Her heart beating rapidly, Kate turned to see the
man who haunted her dreams – day dreams and night ones too –
standing in the entryway of the cabin.
He leaned against the doorframe, arms folded over his
chest, a look of sheer determination and masculinity on his
face. "Welcome, Kate."
What do you think about this review?
Comments
No comments posted.
Registered users may leave comments.
Log in or register now!
|