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A Perfect Man
How far will she go to find her perfect man? How far will he go to be one?
When Karen Hardeman sets foot on the Foothills University campus, it’s her first step toward proving her abusive ex wrong. Just her luck, her first writing assignment in Intro to Romance sends her in search of the perfect hero—a quest she’s never managed to conquer. Worse, her professor forces her to collaborate with the most overconfident, annoying guy in the class.
Seth Sayers is also at Foothills to find new direction—preferably one that takes him far away from the family drama that’s followed him since his father’s death. He didn’t mean to humiliate Karen by rewriting her manuscript from the hero’s point of view. He blames the painkillers the ER doctor gave him after stitching up a wine-induced cut on his hand.
As their collaboration progresses, Karen begins to trust Seth with her manuscript, then maybe a little piece of her heart. But Seth’s half-brother resurrects Seth’s suspicions about his father’s death. Until he finds the truth, he can’t be the hero in anyone’s life. Even his own.
Warning: Some alcohol consumption. Okay, writer amounts of alcohol consumption.There are also some adult situations, but nothing too explicit. It is a romance-writing class,after all.
When Karen Hardeman sets foot on the Foothills University campus, it’s her first step toward proving her abusive ex wrong. Just her luck, her first writing assignment in Intro to Romance sends her in search of the perfect hero—a quest she’s never managed to conquer. Worse, her professor forces her to collaborate with the most overconfident, annoying guy in the class.
Seth Sayers is also at Foothills to find new direction—preferably one that takes him far away from the family drama that’s followed him since his father’s death. He didn’t mean to humiliate Karen by rewriting her manuscript from the hero’s point of view. He blames the painkillers the ER doctor gave him after stitching up a wine-induced cut on his hand.
As their collaboration progresses, Karen begins to trust Seth with her manuscript, then maybe a little piece of her heart. But Seth’s half-brother resurrects Seth’s suspicions about his father’s death. Until he finds the truth, he can’t be the hero in anyone’s life. Even his own.
Warning: Some alcohol consumption. Okay, writer amounts of alcohol consumption.There are also some adult situations, but nothing too explicit. It is a romance-writing class,after all.
- GenresContemporary
298 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2015
256 people want to read
About the author
Cecilia Dominic
34 books393 followersCecilia Dominic became a clinical psychologist because she's fascinated by people and their stories, but she couldn't stop making stuff up. By day, she helps people cure their insomnia. By night, she writes fiction that keeps her readers turning pages past bedtime. Yes, she recognizes the conflict of interest between her two careers, but she prefers to be called versatile, not conflicted. Cecilia has been published in short and novel-length fiction and currently writes urban fantasy and steampunk. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and the world’s cutest cat.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 3, 2015
Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy by the author for review. This did not effect my ranking.
This romantic comedy is a new departure for Cecilia Dominic as she has written paranormal romance previously. The contemporary comedic romance did not disappoint! I found it fit her style and voice perfectly.
Karen and Seth meet in a creative writing class and are paired together to write a romance. Everybody sees the chemistry between them - although they are the last to recognize it. There are plenty of interesting secondary characters and subplots ongoing which keep the pacing brisk. I especially liked learning of Seth's relationship with his stepfather.
The dialogue is excellent and the conflict between Karen and Seth is fun to watch unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed this read!
This romantic comedy is a new departure for Cecilia Dominic as she has written paranormal romance previously. The contemporary comedic romance did not disappoint! I found it fit her style and voice perfectly.
Karen and Seth meet in a creative writing class and are paired together to write a romance. Everybody sees the chemistry between them - although they are the last to recognize it. There are plenty of interesting secondary characters and subplots ongoing which keep the pacing brisk. I especially liked learning of Seth's relationship with his stepfather.
The dialogue is excellent and the conflict between Karen and Seth is fun to watch unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed this read!
June 20, 2021
This is a hard book for me to review. I loved the premise and the blurb sounded right up my ally. I liked some of the characters and the plot line, for the most part. Unfortunately I just did not really like one of the main characters. Both Seth and Karen have been involved in emotionally abusive relationships, Karen's romantic and Seth's familial. Both suffer confidence issues because of the relationships. Despite that, Seth is a great guy. Karen, on the other hand, came across as a bit self-centered. Karen did redeem herself a bit in the end and I was happy the couple found their HEA.
August 14, 2022
What a better way to start your new life than bumping into your abusive ex on your first day of that life. Karen is starting her delayed dream of becoming an author by attending a 2-year program at Foothills University. There she meets her other 5 classmates. These students work together pretty closely so secrets and pasts are going to come out. As the students learn more and more about each other they start to look out for each other. I liked the premise of Karen and Seth working on their story together.
May 19, 2015
Received a copy of this book for an honest review!
A Perfect Man is a dual perspective romance novel about a girl named Karen and a guy named Seth. They meet in a creative writing class in an MFA program where both are struggling to create their perfect stories. Sparks fly at first but then a trail of misunderstandings leads them apart until they get stuck collaborating on a romance story together for their class. It’s a bumpy ride at first but it definitely gets smoother!
A Perfect Man was just the read that I needed. I have been reading novels with some pretty heavy subjects recently and I really needed a good, light, funny, and romantic read. This book was just that for me.
I loved the dual perspective aspect of this book, as you know stories told in multiple perspectives are my favorite. I always love romance books told like this, in particular, because I love seeing the other party through the eyes of their admirer. It makes the story all the more interesting to me and just gives me another way to see the character myself. Without Seth’s perspective of Karen, I really wouldn’t have liked Karen. At first I thought she was far too dramatic but I also think that is a product of her past relationship with Marius, who sounds far too much like an ex of mine (which really made me laugh!). I’m sure we all have one of those under our belts. But, I really really liked Seth. He was a typical guy in some aspects but he was a rather sensitive type which I really loved and he was funny.
I loved how they both were attracted to each other at the beginning, sort of lose alot of that in their misunderstandings of each other (even though that aspect is still sort of there) but then start to fall for each other all over again. To me, the story that they are working on in class, is totally reflective of the evolution of their own story, which was really really cool. I also sort of liked Isaac, I think as we saw more and more of him in the story he grew on me…at first I thought he was just a jerk but no, I ended up liking him as a supporting character. I, however, detested Albie…I don’t think anyone can get more chauvinistic and I’ve definitely known these types in real life. Makes me laugh to think of him having read all those Romance novels for class!
Reading this book also made me want to go back to writing the novel I’ve been trying to write for years, so I think this book gave good writing advice which I think was inevitable since we are sort of sitting in on some of their writing classes and in their minds as they try to develop their stories. Really cool!
I ended up loving this book and read it just at the right time. I could totally see this book being made into romantic comedy movie. I’d definitely watch it and love it. I’d be interested to see who would play Seth and Karen. They are grad school students but for some reason I just kept picturing them as undergrads. I’m thinking it’s because they remind me of my friends and I when we were undergrads…probably because my grad school experience has been as a married distance education student which is vastly different from the book. Anyway, I am giving The Perfect Man a 4 star rating because I loved it. Please make this into a romantic comedy movie. That is all.
A Perfect Man is a dual perspective romance novel about a girl named Karen and a guy named Seth. They meet in a creative writing class in an MFA program where both are struggling to create their perfect stories. Sparks fly at first but then a trail of misunderstandings leads them apart until they get stuck collaborating on a romance story together for their class. It’s a bumpy ride at first but it definitely gets smoother!
A Perfect Man was just the read that I needed. I have been reading novels with some pretty heavy subjects recently and I really needed a good, light, funny, and romantic read. This book was just that for me.
I loved the dual perspective aspect of this book, as you know stories told in multiple perspectives are my favorite. I always love romance books told like this, in particular, because I love seeing the other party through the eyes of their admirer. It makes the story all the more interesting to me and just gives me another way to see the character myself. Without Seth’s perspective of Karen, I really wouldn’t have liked Karen. At first I thought she was far too dramatic but I also think that is a product of her past relationship with Marius, who sounds far too much like an ex of mine (which really made me laugh!). I’m sure we all have one of those under our belts. But, I really really liked Seth. He was a typical guy in some aspects but he was a rather sensitive type which I really loved and he was funny.
I loved how they both were attracted to each other at the beginning, sort of lose alot of that in their misunderstandings of each other (even though that aspect is still sort of there) but then start to fall for each other all over again. To me, the story that they are working on in class, is totally reflective of the evolution of their own story, which was really really cool. I also sort of liked Isaac, I think as we saw more and more of him in the story he grew on me…at first I thought he was just a jerk but no, I ended up liking him as a supporting character. I, however, detested Albie…I don’t think anyone can get more chauvinistic and I’ve definitely known these types in real life. Makes me laugh to think of him having read all those Romance novels for class!
Reading this book also made me want to go back to writing the novel I’ve been trying to write for years, so I think this book gave good writing advice which I think was inevitable since we are sort of sitting in on some of their writing classes and in their minds as they try to develop their stories. Really cool!
I ended up loving this book and read it just at the right time. I could totally see this book being made into romantic comedy movie. I’d definitely watch it and love it. I’d be interested to see who would play Seth and Karen. They are grad school students but for some reason I just kept picturing them as undergrads. I’m thinking it’s because they remind me of my friends and I when we were undergrads…probably because my grad school experience has been as a married distance education student which is vastly different from the book. Anyway, I am giving The Perfect Man a 4 star rating because I loved it. Please make this into a romantic comedy movie. That is all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2015
Review of A Perfect Man
Part romance, part women’s fiction, total good time.
Karen Hardeman has always dreamed of being a writer even while she worked in a medical office as its manager. When she hooked up with her ex-boyfriend, she thought she’d help him financially while he took time to become a writer and that he would return the favor. Instead, the two broke up, leaving Karen to pursue her dream on her own. What better way to learn how to write than through an MFA genre-writing program at Foothills University?
Before her first class starts, she runs into her ex who informs her that his good friend and former editor is her writing instructor. Now pumped with self-doubt and worry, Karen arrives to class wondering how she can keep her past in the past.
Also taking the class is Seth Sayers, a former computer programmer, who grabs this chance at writing, knowing he’ll never have a more perfect opportunity to write a book. Sure his roommate situation is shaky, and he finds himself offering his spare apartment bedroom to a fellow MFA student named Isaac who had been living out of his car. Sure his mother’s marriage to his stepfather is hanging on a thread, leaving his half-brother with questions and worries that Seth can only oh-too-well relate to. And sure he finds himself attracted to one of his classmates, but he finally has time to work on his novel although words seem to flow a lot more easily for Isaac.
The book has several fine moments. Some of the most real and tender moments, and my favorite ones, are those between Seth and his half-brother Cameron who is on the verge of adulthood. I liked Seth traveling to see his half-brother for his birthday and presenting him with tickets to a Braves game, all the while learning to accept his stepfather as part of his life.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I would have given it five stars if it had been a little shorter. Normally I want a good book to go on and on, and this was a good book. While I liked a lot of the subplots (the author does a good job creating individuals in the classroom and giving each character his or her own background, conflict, and problems), I would have liked a little more emphasis on the budding romance between Seth and Karen and more scenes with them together to amp up their chemistry.
I would absolutely read another book by this author and would recommend this book.
This book is appropriate for all readers of romance and women’s fiction-very clean cut.
Part romance, part women’s fiction, total good time.
Karen Hardeman has always dreamed of being a writer even while she worked in a medical office as its manager. When she hooked up with her ex-boyfriend, she thought she’d help him financially while he took time to become a writer and that he would return the favor. Instead, the two broke up, leaving Karen to pursue her dream on her own. What better way to learn how to write than through an MFA genre-writing program at Foothills University?
Before her first class starts, she runs into her ex who informs her that his good friend and former editor is her writing instructor. Now pumped with self-doubt and worry, Karen arrives to class wondering how she can keep her past in the past.
Also taking the class is Seth Sayers, a former computer programmer, who grabs this chance at writing, knowing he’ll never have a more perfect opportunity to write a book. Sure his roommate situation is shaky, and he finds himself offering his spare apartment bedroom to a fellow MFA student named Isaac who had been living out of his car. Sure his mother’s marriage to his stepfather is hanging on a thread, leaving his half-brother with questions and worries that Seth can only oh-too-well relate to. And sure he finds himself attracted to one of his classmates, but he finally has time to work on his novel although words seem to flow a lot more easily for Isaac.
The book has several fine moments. Some of the most real and tender moments, and my favorite ones, are those between Seth and his half-brother Cameron who is on the verge of adulthood. I liked Seth traveling to see his half-brother for his birthday and presenting him with tickets to a Braves game, all the while learning to accept his stepfather as part of his life.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I would have given it five stars if it had been a little shorter. Normally I want a good book to go on and on, and this was a good book. While I liked a lot of the subplots (the author does a good job creating individuals in the classroom and giving each character his or her own background, conflict, and problems), I would have liked a little more emphasis on the budding romance between Seth and Karen and more scenes with them together to amp up their chemistry.
I would absolutely read another book by this author and would recommend this book.
This book is appropriate for all readers of romance and women’s fiction-very clean cut.
June 18, 2015
Do you read Romance? I didn't until this week. Not counting the Shades of Grey, as I'm not talking about poorly written Romantic Porn here. We all read those three.
I'm giving Cecilia Dominic Four Stars for her first straight Romance novel (no werewolves), A Perfect Man. She flung herself against a genre-wall that is firmly mortared by a magnitude of authors, plots, love scenes, hard bodies, and more, and came out a winner. A good plot with believable characters (albeit so much emphasis on redheads). A sensitive understanding that great Romance writing is an art not a profession.
Feisty, fresh, and frankly funny in places - at least to this weathered reader who sees humor in many dusty corners that youth takes for granted - I'm sure that you will love A Perfect Man. Even if you don't really care for Romance, as a whole, read this author because she is going on to other places in her career and you aren't going to want to miss it.
The Fourth Star, Cecilia, is not for "the perfect man" but for the perfectly executed ending. Even the seasoned and notorious "best-selling" authors of today usually disappoint me at the end of the novel and leave me thinking of dozens of rewrites. Thanks and good job!
Note: Sometimes this, other times that. It isn't clear on the internet if your title is in caps, so old habits ruled me.
May 14, 2015
I received a review copy
What a treat of read! As a writer, I absolutely loved the aspects of the writing class that is talked about in this novel. But I don’t think you just need to be a fellow author to enjoy this book. You get a male and female POV, which I always think is fun, a lot of drama, romance, friendship and more. What I found really interesting about our main character, Karen, is that she wasn’t extremely loveable to me in the beginning. She has a lot going on, including a terrible ex-boyfriend, but it was nice to watch her grow throughout the book, make new friends with her fellow classmates and even possibly find love. She has a few relationship possibilities in the book, but you’ll have to read her story to find out how it ends. All in all, one I recommend!
What a treat of read! As a writer, I absolutely loved the aspects of the writing class that is talked about in this novel. But I don’t think you just need to be a fellow author to enjoy this book. You get a male and female POV, which I always think is fun, a lot of drama, romance, friendship and more. What I found really interesting about our main character, Karen, is that she wasn’t extremely loveable to me in the beginning. She has a lot going on, including a terrible ex-boyfriend, but it was nice to watch her grow throughout the book, make new friends with her fellow classmates and even possibly find love. She has a few relationship possibilities in the book, but you’ll have to read her story to find out how it ends. All in all, one I recommend!
December 7, 2023
This book is for people who like untraditional romances. The hero is not traditionally physically perfect, and at times he suffers with self-confidence issues. In fact, I would describe this as a journey through insecurity for both the hero and heroine. This book also portrays a more realistic version of dating than most romances. There was a nice, slow build to the relationship that I always appreciate. The author uses some unique humorous phrasing that I think a lot of people will love.
A unique look at the world of graduate writing students, their growing friendships, hesitant attractions, and past insecurities.
A unique look at the world of graduate writing students, their growing friendships, hesitant attractions, and past insecurities.
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May 19, 2016Know what? I think Seth is pretty darn close to being a perfect man. Fun story about grad school kids writing a romance while dabbling in the trials and tribulations of the real thing. There's chocolate and wine and a freaky preacher. Plenty of psychoanalysis, and interesting ER trip, and an inside meta look at writing. Fun times.
August 30, 2017
Karen Hardeman attends Foothills University to study writing but her first assignment in Intro to Romance is a joint one and in it she has to find the perfect hero. Unfortunately her allocated partner for this assignment is overconfident and annoying as hell. Seth Sayers is at the University to escape his family and find a new direction. However he ends up humiliating Karen by rewriting her manuscript from the heroes POV. As the work on the collaboration goes on, Karen starts to trust Seth both with the manuscript and her heart. But Seth needs to resolve the questions around his father's death before he can concentrate on himself let alone anything else.
I liked this story and as a first foray into a romance without any shifters etc it was ok but I did find it a little boring in places. Hopefully his will all be better for her next story like this.
I liked this story and as a first foray into a romance without any shifters etc it was ok but I did find it a little boring in places. Hopefully his will all be better for her next story like this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews