PERFECT TOGETHER is a wonderfully romantic story about second chances and finding your own self-worth. It also teaches us that not all people are equipped to be parents -- that whole nature or nurture philosophy is illustrated in spades in Carly Phillips new book.

PERFECT TOGETHER is the newest book that takes place in Serendipity involving the last remaining single Marsden sibling -- Sam. In short Sam has deep issues with trust. Now a detective he relies on his instinct and gut to root through the obvious and get to the meat of an issue or case. Unfortunately Sam also thinks he can rely on these same methods to protect his heart which had been truly tromped on by his fiancé Jenna.

Jenna was the one that got away -- literally left Sam at the altar. Hard to figure out what is worse, losing the love of your life or the fact that it was basically telecast throughout your home town. Suffice it to say Sam was poised to make sure that never happened again. What he didn't count on was Nicole Farnsworth who caught Sam's attention during her brief albeit life changing stay in Serendipity.

Nicole originally came to town to stop her twin sister Victoria from hurting anyone. Victoria had a history of mental illness and her fixation on a resident of Serendipity made her presence there dangerous.

Once again Nicole managed to come between her sister and the unlucky object of her attention. This was something Nicole has been doing her entire life predicated by the absence of involved, caring parents. The Farnsworth's are a self- evolved rich couple whose own relationship was one of cold indifference. It was no stretch of the imagination to foresee their lack of involvement in the lives of their twin daughters -- except when it served their purpose.

The adult Farnsworth's seem to fit the definition of narcissism. Which made it all the more amazing that Nicole turned out to be a warm caring person. And that's what made Sam sit up and notice when Nicole unexpectedly returns to Serendipity.

Nicole faced many challenges coming back to the small town that was still reeling from their problems with Victoria. But Nicole had returned home only to find herself missing the charm and warmth of this small community. She needed that in her life and if it meant facing down naysayers then she felt up for that challenge. She was going to make a new beginning in this town and was determined to succeed. She needed to prove to herself that she mattered and could accomplish what she set out to do which was to open a bakery for her dessert specialties. She wanted to be judged and not come out wanting. She wanted to belong. Serendipity could give her that chance -- in her heart she just believed that. What she didn't expect was finding so much more.

The one thing Nicole never had was the love and support of a family. In a small town like Serendipity everyone seems to be an extension of a large family of caring people. Of course you do have to deal with the ever present gossip but Nicole was ready for that too. If you carefully mask your feelings than no one can hurt you. This was a well learned lesson that Nicole was going to practice upon her move. Nicole and Sam were adults. They decided that they could act on their mutual attraction with a non-committed relationship of a sort -- friends with benefits. But their respective pasts were repeatedly popping up at the most inopportune times leaving Nicole even more vulnerable and Sam more protective.

Nicole was determined to not expect anything more than friendship and caring from Sam who was outspoken about his reluctance to ever get truly involved. Sam was beginning to feel much more than he wanted for this brave loving woman. The problem was could they out run their pasts and wind up at the finish line with their relationship intact.

Carly Phillips faced a challenge with PERFECT TOGETHER. She had to reintroduce a character that hadn't really captured the readers heart in a previous story and somehow make us not only like her but love her. Philips loves a challenge. PERFECT TOGETHER +is a perfect story about imperfect people. Once again we are treated to Phillips special brand of witty engaging dialog that moves this story along in a very fast pace.