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491st out of 1,796 books
—
4,049 voters
Almost Perfect (Perfect Trilogy #1)
Maddy, Christine, and Amy find that an old college roommate has written about them in her new self-help book-and they're furious that she's used them as examples of how women screw up their lives. And the worst part is, it's sort of true. Together they make a pact: they'll face down their fears-and maybe show Miss Perfect a thing or two!
Maddy rejected her high school swe...more
Maddy rejected her high school swe...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
September 6th 2005
by Signet
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Three friends decide to risk it all after a college roommate uses them as examples of how women let fear hold them back. In this first book, Maddy Hills sets out to get a piece of her art into a gallery, and as a stepping stone, she takes a job at the camp of her high school sweetheart, Joe, whose heart she broke when she put her independence ahead of his marriage proposal.
I enjoyed this book a lot, though I think it could have had about sixty more pages added to it. Joe and Maddy have undeniab...more
I enjoyed this book a lot, though I think it could have had about sixty more pages added to it. Joe and Maddy have undeniab...more
This book is about 3 girls who are friends that never have any problems between each other. so, one day they made a bet with each other that they must complete a fear they were never able to accomplish. This book is about one girl's accomplishment to over come her high school love, and to make her art into a gallery.
I think these series of books are more interesting then others. Instead of having the same thing repeating over and over again, they have a totally new setting and conflict to the n...more
I think these series of books are more interesting then others. Instead of having the same thing repeating over and over again, they have a totally new setting and conflict to the n...more
"Almost Perfect" is the perfect definition for a review of the book.
It's perfect ... just almost perfect. Normally I don't like such books too much (because no matter which author you're reading the style is the same, the stories are the same, ...) but I liked the book quite a lot. Sure you know how it'll end but it's a wee bit different than other books in that section.
I downloaded it for free via Amazon for my Kindle because I was in need of new books (and such light-hearted ones are nice if y...more
It's perfect ... just almost perfect. Normally I don't like such books too much (because no matter which author you're reading the style is the same, the stories are the same, ...) but I liked the book quite a lot. Sure you know how it'll end but it's a wee bit different than other books in that section.
I downloaded it for free via Amazon for my Kindle because I was in need of new books (and such light-hearted ones are nice if y...more
Who knew a formerly close friend's book could lead to an old flame re-ignited and the launch of a fabulous career!
After discovering their lives were represented in their former roommate's book, Madeline, Christine, and Amy challenge themselves to overcome a fear over the next year. This book covers Madeline's challenge to have her paintings in one gallery.
After her husband's 8 year battle with cancer and ultimate death, Madeline wonders how she should move on with her life. Her high school flam...more
After discovering their lives were represented in their former roommate's book, Madeline, Christine, and Amy challenge themselves to overcome a fear over the next year. This book covers Madeline's challenge to have her paintings in one gallery.
After her husband's 8 year battle with cancer and ultimate death, Madeline wonders how she should move on with her life. Her high school flam...more
College suite-mates gather together when one of them publishes a book on How to Have a Perfect Life. Maddy, Christine and Amy are thrilled that Jane has become successful. That is until they find out that Jane has used each of them as examples of what not to do in her book. Using the book as a impetus to do something about each of their lives, they collectively make a bet with each other to do something that they have been afraid of, and according to the book, holding them back from achieving th...more
Yes, I found this book to be good natured, and by that I mean the hero isn't so macho as to be obnoxious and the heroine's character is sympathetic. Mind you I wanted to slap them both as they bumbled around trying not to upset each other's applecart and getting nowhere, but as this novel is a romance, I passed that off as traditional behaviour.
However, this tale goes deeper than most of the romance genre. Julie Ortolon has produced a well-written, well-paced story which echoed many women's tend...more
However, this tale goes deeper than most of the romance genre. Julie Ortolon has produced a well-written, well-paced story which echoed many women's tend...more
Almost Perfect by Julie Ortolon
Reviewed by Michala T.
Maddy, Christine, and Amy have come to support their best friend, Jane Redding, who has just recently published her first book, “How to Have a Perfect Life”. They are amazed and just super thrilled for Jane but are also a bit envious that Jane has somehow done what they have yet to do, which is to have the perfect life.
The three of them get to talking and of course being best friends, they are quick to point out the other’s fears and obstacle...more
Reviewed by Michala T.
Maddy, Christine, and Amy have come to support their best friend, Jane Redding, who has just recently published her first book, “How to Have a Perfect Life”. They are amazed and just super thrilled for Jane but are also a bit envious that Jane has somehow done what they have yet to do, which is to have the perfect life.
The three of them get to talking and of course being best friends, they are quick to point out the other’s fears and obstacle...more
You are drawn in to this book from the beginning. You want to know if they will be able to overcome their fears and finally get their dreams. The story is fun, exciting and makes you want to overcome your fear.
Maddy has to get her artwork shown at at least one place, working at a summer camp near a bunch of galleries makes it easy. But there is one problem, Joe (her high school sweetheart) runs the camp and it didn't end well between them. As Maddy and Joe grow closer and apart again and then...more
Maddy has to get her artwork shown at at least one place, working at a summer camp near a bunch of galleries makes it easy. But there is one problem, Joe (her high school sweetheart) runs the camp and it didn't end well between them. As Maddy and Joe grow closer and apart again and then...more
This was my first time reading Julie Ortolon and I have to say it was a nice read. It’s definitely a lighter read, even for me, but it was a fun story nonetheless. We meet Maddy as she’s at a crossroads in her life. She’s a widow and has been out of the dating game for a while. She has been invited to work at a summer camp owned by the mother of a former boyfriend, Joe. Joe is a former Army Ranger that has had to cool it on his military career due to an injury. He doesn’t realize that his old M...more
Book 1...I LOVE this series! This trilogy starts great, the idea of the three best friends finding that their suite mate made them examples in her book and thusly creating the premise of the series was a great way to introduce the main characters. The love, loyalty and friendship that is seen throught the wholel series between these three women is phenominal. I wish I could find one friend who I could interact like these three do. I also like that this series isn't about teenagers or even twenty...more
The thing is about this book was that even though there were many things I disliked, there still existed many ideas worth exploring. Things i disliked were:
1. Maddy's character (she was kind of materialistic, I felt)
2. the unbelievableness of Joe as a character (what kind of guy talks the way he does internally and notices every scrap of clothing someone wears - I'm female and I don't even notice that)
3. the cheesy dialogue
4. hell, the purple prose in some parts
5. the shallowness of her friends...more
1. Maddy's character (she was kind of materialistic, I felt)
2. the unbelievableness of Joe as a character (what kind of guy talks the way he does internally and notices every scrap of clothing someone wears - I'm female and I don't even notice that)
3. the cheesy dialogue
4. hell, the purple prose in some parts
5. the shallowness of her friends...more
Dec 16, 2011
Rachel Thompson
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary-romance
I downloaded this for free for my Sony e-reader. Other reviewers have said this is considered a Christian fiction, but I would heavily disagree. After checking out Sony's online store, the two follow-up books are listed as contemporary romance, but I guess for those that don't like graphic sex scenes, be aware this book has plenty of that.
After one of Maddy's college friends releases a book, How to Have a Perfect Life, Maddy, Amy, and Christine reach an agreement to go out into the world and bes...more
After one of Maddy's college friends releases a book, How to Have a Perfect Life, Maddy, Amy, and Christine reach an agreement to go out into the world and bes...more
Almost Perfect by Julie Ortolon 4 college girl friends, now later in life are remembering their earlier lives. one of them has
written a book with the other 3 kiinda mentioned in it, no by names but what they did in college. as the ladies sit around and
chat about it, they realize the author is right. they challenge one another to overcome their fear, leading them off in different
directions to accomplish them within a years time. this book is about Maddy and how after she looses her husband after...more
written a book with the other 3 kiinda mentioned in it, no by names but what they did in college. as the ladies sit around and
chat about it, they realize the author is right. they challenge one another to overcome their fear, leading them off in different
directions to accomplish them within a years time. this book is about Maddy and how after she looses her husband after...more
May 20, 2011
Marcie pollack
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes a little laughter and romance
I really enjoyed this book. Julie Ortolon did a fabulous job creating the leading ladies for this Trilogy. I downloaded this for my Kindle thinking I would be a nice read and part way into the story I found myself looking for the other two installments. The girls, Maddy, Christine, and Amy found out that their college suite mate Julie used their fears and failures as a "what not to do" lesson in her new hit book about having a perfect life. The girls got together to commiserate once they realize...more
Very enjoyable and quick read. Its based on an old tried and true plot: four college roommates 10 years later. One writes a book called "How to Have the Perfect Life" and comments in it that her old friends had problems in their lives that kept them from living their perfect life. When the 3 written about friends find out, they challenge each other to make a change in their lives. They each have one year to do so.
Almost Perfect is the story of Maddy and how she reunites with Joe, her old high sc...more
Almost Perfect is the story of Maddy and how she reunites with Joe, her old high sc...more
Why do I keep doing this??? These books are free on the kindle and so easy to read. Like ramen. Or salt and vinegar kettle chips. I read it in one day.
Plot: 3 BFFs are outraged that their old college roommate has written a self-help book about them. They challenge each other to overcome their fears or...the loser must buy the other two lunch! Gasp. Maddy, the protagonist, must get her artwork in a gallery and to do so, becomes the Arts & Crafts coordinator at Camp Enchantment (you read that...more
Plot: 3 BFFs are outraged that their old college roommate has written a self-help book about them. They challenge each other to overcome their fears or...the loser must buy the other two lunch! Gasp. Maddy, the protagonist, must get her artwork in a gallery and to do so, becomes the Arts & Crafts coordinator at Camp Enchantment (you read that...more
Almost Perfect is the first of the "perfect trilogy" and is a good, quick read.
This is Maddy's story and centers around her desire to get her artwork accepted at a gallery and her fear to do so. All three books surround the premise of conquering fear, a feeling that we all share in different quantities!
Maddy's love interest is Joe. Her childhood sweetheart who proposed to Maddy and has never gotten over the rejection that she handed to him. He is now the director of the camp that Maddy has gon...more
This is Maddy's story and centers around her desire to get her artwork accepted at a gallery and her fear to do so. All three books surround the premise of conquering fear, a feeling that we all share in different quantities!
Maddy's love interest is Joe. Her childhood sweetheart who proposed to Maddy and has never gotten over the rejection that she handed to him. He is now the director of the camp that Maddy has gon...more
Jun 16, 2011
Mercedes Cordero
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ebook-freebies,
fiction
This one made me wish books came with ratings, just like the movies. To say it is racy is an understatement. If it were a movie I would classify it NC-17. I wasn't expecting that; of course, I should have read the reviews before downloading it, but it was free so I went for it.
It is not how they nonchalantly speak about sex. What made me skip ahead in this book was the incredibly detailed description of the main characters having sex. It was too much, at least for a novel that came with no warni...more
It is not how they nonchalantly speak about sex. What made me skip ahead in this book was the incredibly detailed description of the main characters having sex. It was too much, at least for a novel that came with no warni...more
This book was sitting in my kindle queue for at least 3 months i dont know why i waited so long to read it. i read it in 2 days and lost some sleep wanting to see it to the end. great characters that you end up loving with depth. he is a former Army Ranger (i am a sucker for a guy in uniform or out of his lol) she, now widowed wannabe artiest afraid to show her work, is his high school almost fiance meeting 15 years after she said no. there lots of moments when you just wanna yell at the couple...more
“Nothing comes without a price, so don’t whine when the bill arrives.
—How to Have a Perfect Life” (p.446)
Almost Perfect is about a woman named Maddie who was an aspiring artist when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and died. Left to fend for herself, she had to give up her dreams. After finding she has been used as a bad example in her formers friend's book, (How to Have a Perfect Life) she and her two best friends (also written about) decide to conquer their fears. When Maddie's quest take...more
—How to Have a Perfect Life” (p.446)
Almost Perfect is about a woman named Maddie who was an aspiring artist when her husband was diagnosed with cancer and died. Left to fend for herself, she had to give up her dreams. After finding she has been used as a bad example in her formers friend's book, (How to Have a Perfect Life) she and her two best friends (also written about) decide to conquer their fears. When Maddie's quest take...more
This was a great fun read, I couldn't put it down. The story begins with three college roommates, now well out of college, finding out their fourth roommate has used them as examples in her self-help book about conquering fears that hold one back from obtaining their dreams. In this story, Maddy, who is recently widowed, put off her dreams of being an artist to take care of her husband. As part of the pact the friends made, she is determined to give herself a year to conquer her fear of rejectio...more
I really liked this story. I loved the friendship between Maddy, Amy, and Christine. They had each others backs no matter what.
In this story Maddy goes to work at a Summer Camp run by her former, bad boy, high school sweetheart, Joe. Once there they both have to deal with how they relationship ended and the feelings that they may or may not still have for each other.
Like most romances there were some misunderstandings between the hero and heroine, but when they came up it didn't drag on throug...more
In this story Maddy goes to work at a Summer Camp run by her former, bad boy, high school sweetheart, Joe. Once there they both have to deal with how they relationship ended and the feelings that they may or may not still have for each other.
Like most romances there were some misunderstandings between the hero and heroine, but when they came up it didn't drag on throug...more
This little novel by Julie Ortolon turned out to be wonderful brain candy for me. Yes, we're talking chick lit here and yes, it comes along with all the necessary ingredients for the genre. But, as you'll surly know, stories can be told in a good or a bad way, and this one certainly stands out with well drawn characters and a fluent style that made me devour it in a day.
Maddie and Joe are immensely likeable and while this is certainly the kind of book with a rather predictable pattern, you'll b...more
Maddie and Joe are immensely likeable and while this is certainly the kind of book with a rather predictable pattern, you'll b...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I liked this book! Style is similar to Susan Mallery's, it has steam and humor. It's the first book in a trilogy about three friends who find themselves portrayed in another university room mate's book about failures to achieve your perfect life. When they face the fact that their fears prevent them from achieving their life ambitions, they make a pact to overcome their fears and give themselves a year to complete their mission. In this first book, Maddy has to conquer her fear of rejection and...more
This is a another contemporary romance that took me by surprise. The premise was kind of cute and so was the romance.
The three friends were a perfect balance for each other. They each had their strengths and weaknesses and they supported each other, no questions asked. They also weren’t afraid to be honest with each other. I liked that.
I think one of my favorite characters was Joe’s mom. She was the perfect role model for both Joe and Maddy. I loved her spunk that went hand in hand with her wisd...more
The three friends were a perfect balance for each other. They each had their strengths and weaknesses and they supported each other, no questions asked. They also weren’t afraid to be honest with each other. I liked that.
I think one of my favorite characters was Joe’s mom. She was the perfect role model for both Joe and Maddy. I loved her spunk that went hand in hand with her wisd...more
Jun 23, 2012
Nicola
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-books,
challenge-books
Spurred on by a self-help book written by a friend, three best friends challenge each other to face their fears and try the things they had dreamt of doing while in college together. Did they pick up this challenge to better themsleves, or to prove their other friend wrong? Who knows? Does it matter? Yes the characters seem a bit immature. Yes Maddy seems a bit materialistic and frivolous. Yes Joe is a bit unbelievable -the almost perfect man. So what? It was fun and entertaining. It took me awa...more
Very cute story! I have to admit, I was hesitant to get it a first because the product description did not "jump at me" like what I normally read. I'm glad I chose to go for it.
Maddie has decisions to make. After losing her husband to cancer and not having pursued her art career she finally decides (with some help from her friends) to take the leap. There are laughs and tears to be had from this story and a strong reality of what's meant to be is just meant to be.
I enjoyed all of the characters...more
Maddie has decisions to make. After losing her husband to cancer and not having pursued her art career she finally decides (with some help from her friends) to take the leap. There are laughs and tears to be had from this story and a strong reality of what's meant to be is just meant to be.
I enjoyed all of the characters...more
[Once again, I'm not writing a full review of this. However, I wanted to make a couple of notes about why I rated it the way I did. Firstly, I got this for free on Kindle which instantly earns it an extra half star because enjoyment is always increased when you know you are getting a free experience. Secondly, for a "chick lit" novel I was surprised by the fact that this novel actively has the man telling the woman to stop trying to "make less" of herself to make him feel like "more". That is th...more
This just felt flat to me. The hero comes across as too soft, the heroine often too hard, then completely opposite. Even the setup: three friends who challenge themselves to conquer their fears, revolves around more coincidence than anything proactive. Maddy has to sell an art work to a gallery and she just happens to get a job offer from the mother of her high school flame to run the arts and crafts for a summer camp. In Santa Fe. The hero, who cried when she left him to go to college, is a for...more
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Most authors will tell you they've been writing and reading since childhood. Not me. I hated reading and never imagined I'd someday be a writer. Of course, the fact that I have dyslexia probably has a tiny bit to do with my aversion to the written word.
Nonetheless, I had a very active imagination and spent most of my school years staring out the window dreaming up stories. When I finally escaped t...more
More about Julie Ortolon...
Nonetheless, I had a very active imagination and spent most of my school years staring out the window dreaming up stories. When I finally escaped t...more
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