Here's Phillips at her best -- with a totally mismatched couple who separately are intriguing but together are endearing. It's hard not to fall in love with a Phillips character and Cole and Erin are no exception. Fun and sassy dialog abound in this tale about living down ones reputation -- and on the flip side -- pumping up a rather dull one. Here is a perfectly good romance blooming in an otherwise rather unfertilized garden of skepticism and distrust. And there's no better gardener than Carly Phillips.

There is no such thing as a perfect fling it is a classic example of an oxymoron. Returning home to Serendipity is less then auspicious for Cole. Hometown boy gone wrong if you ask the majority of its citizens. But Erin has always left that practice of indiscriminate judging to others. And perhaps that is why the window of opportunity for this so called perfect fling was there. Both were celebrating a wedding and at loose ends in their personal lives. Perfect time for an albeit imperfect or at any other time decidedly ill advised fling.

Erin was sick of her good girl reputation. She was a grown up, enough with everyone looking at her through rose colored glasses. Time to shed that image even if just for a fleeting and secret moment. And who better to do it with then the town's errant bad boy returning for a short time during a break in assignments.

Neither fit the profile for a good match, as a couple there was no reason for anyone to catch on to their one little moment of indiscretion. However things just didn't work out exactly as planned. That's life; full of unexplained events.

Coles return to Serendipity is met with less than open arms by the town's folks and especially his own father. Theirs has never been a healthy relationship. But his father needs some help right now and even uninvited Cole is determined to step up. Everyone acts guarded around Cole but he has learned to put on armor to face down these naysayers. They really don't know this adult Cole and he just doesn't feel the need to prove himself. Those days have gone.

But with Erin Cole is different. She brings out a side most people have never seen or is it that they've just been too close minded to acknowledge that people can change. Even the town wild boy has emerged from his tough cocoon to become a tough but kind and gentle when warranted man. And Erin seems to be the vehicle to bring out this gentler side.

If you are looking for a great beach read -- look no further. As usual Phillips delivers another page turner that will have you smiling and laughing out loud. PERFECT FLING is a great vehicle to display once again what a gifted writer she is.