Reluctantly Perfect

Perfectly Imperfect Love #5

by S.E. Rose

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

Clark Moore has his sight set on a coveted internship as he finishes college. The only problem is…Megan Lennox.

Megan Lennox once had the world’s biggest crush on the boy across the street. But somewhere between middle school and college, Clark Moore became her greatest rival.

Now, the two competitive former friends are about to be forced to work together if they want a chance at one of the most exclusive job opportunities in their field.

And they are about to find out that their arch enemy may just be their heart’s perfect match. Will they be able to see past their differences, or will they let their chance at happily ever after slip away?

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Romance

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2021

About the author

USA Today & International Bestselling romance author, S.E. Rose lives near Washington D.C. with her family. When she's not wrangling her cats or keeping up with her kids, she's plotting her next story.

She loves all things wine, coffee, and cats. In her non-existent free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, binging on her favorite shows, and reading, especially if it's a good mystery or comedy.

Reviews

[Sharon Moritz-rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely wonderful story and its probably the last one in the series as all the Moore's have now found love. While it was a fantastic story, the description of the book doesn't really do it justice so here is my take on it.

Its a story of two small town kids, Clark and Megan who grew up together as next door neighbors and whose parents were close friends and while both crushed on each other they never explored that until they are thrown together as seniors in college when they compete for a job at NASA.

This was a really wonderful way to end the series. Meg and Clark during their senior year of college start seeing each other in classes and they are reminded of how great friends they were in the past. This story brings us back to the Moore home and we get to see all the siblings and their significant others and their children as they redo their parents house as an anniversary present.

Megan to some degree grew up with Clark and was an honorary Moore. Her feelings for Clark scared her when she was younger but now in her senior year of college and an internship brings them back together again and they realize how special they are to each other.

This was such a sweet and romantic story and I absolutely loved it. I really liked how they were partners rather than adversaries in their internship and I enjoyed catching up with the whole Moore family.

I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Violet's Original Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the cherry on top of my sundae! A perfect ending to a hilariously enjoyable series of siblings. I love the banter from the siblings shenanigans to the grandparents grinder conversations. S.E. Rose keeps you up-to-date on Clark's over the top family all the while pulling you in for a romance for the ages.

Clark and Megan were the two best friends, practically from birth, separated by middle school antics & brought back together by their love of space. Space, as in NASA, not just stargazing on a summer's night trying to get to first base! With competing internships and the hope of lofty goals for the future, Clark & Megan are back to spending lots of time together. Forcing them to get over their past issues and try to move on to a positive future. They managed to spend time dancing around each other in high school and most of college. However, Megan wants to let loose her last semester of school and Clark couldn't be happier to be along side her for the experience.

This books has the laughs, steam, and more laughs. Good friends, questionable situations, and a touch of drama. A throw back to the days of young love from the 80s and you realize how happy you were spending your time wrapping up this series. Give it a shot, you won't be disappointed.

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Becky Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reluctantly Perfect is beyond amazing. I loved this one so much. This has to be my favorite Moore family book in the Perfectly Imperfect Love series. If you are keeping up with this series then you will know this is the youngest Moore sibling Clarks aka C-Dog's book. We get to finally know more about Clark and what his college life is about. He will put a smile on your face with his ways. He may be a college student but there is so much more to him then that. Then there is Megan who is smart and driven. It is fun to watch her come out of her shell just a little her last semester of school. I love the childhood friends to revivals to more with this one. Megan and Clark have known each other their whole lives and they are so cute together. I love the little added twist thrown in along the way. The Moore family is back with lots of giggle and sweet moments that you will not want to miss. I could not get enough of Clark and Megan and really didn't want to leave the Moore family at all. You need to one click this one.

[Jennifer Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan & Clark grew up together as they lived across the street from each other, and she harbored a secret crush on him, and he felt the same secret crush. However, somewhere along the line, they became competitors which really had a not so great effect on the friendship and anything more. They come face to face again in college as seniors so all kinds of feelings are coming into play as they are trying to get the same job at NASA. This time is different though because they're growing closer again instead of staying the cutthroat competitors, and learning how to work together has them catching some new feelings. Reluctantly Perfect is a great story that I loved so much, and I swear I don't believe I've come across any books that our MCs are trying to land a job at NASA, so that was totally an original factor since both are pretty smart. Please don't miss out on this story as I totally believe that you'll love it as much as I did, plus you simply can't go wrong with S.E. Rose! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND! 

[Danielle Monteleone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Gosh, where should I start. I love all the Moore’s in the Perfectly Imperfect Series. Clark and Megan were no different. 2 school aged friends that let their feelings get in the way drift them apart only to come back around full circle. Even with the reluctance of Megan Clark stood his ground. This book, even the whole series, shows you how true love is meant to be and to let it happen.

This book was so good. Megan let her feelings and insecurities drift her from her friends and hide behind books. But you should never hide anything from your friends. They will always be your biggest supporters. Rather that be, your childhood best friend, your family, their family, or Sorority family. They will always be there for you and help you see and deal with your life and true feelings.

I hope we get more of Moore Clan. There is so much love and craziness in this family and their little town of Banneker.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5

I enjoyed reading Reluctantly Perfect! Although it is an 'enemies to lovers' romance, there are aspects of family togetherness and how small-town relationship work that made it even more interesting.

Clark and Megan grew up in the same neighbourhood, they played together every day, were best friends until one day they just stopped talking. This continues until college where they are forced to work together. Can they overcome what caused them to become rivals and work together? Will working together allow them to redevelop that friendship and can that lead to more?

This book will have you laughing out loud, cheering on the couple and the many family members. This was my introduction to the series, so now I need to go back and read the rest of the series since I loved these characters.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Page-turner, Unpredictable, Wonderful characters

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this sweet story. It follows Clark and Megan as they navigate their way through life and realising that their past misunderstandings were centred on fear. Fear that their feelings wouldn't be returned. But as it turns out, both of them did have feelings for each other. Maybe the timing wasn't right but now the two of them are spending more time together because of their internship. It feels like now is their time. They really do make a fun and cute couple. Clark's family were great as well and the interactions with the family members were hilarious. Even though I haven't read the other books in the series, I loved meeting these characters and look forward to going back and reading their stories. Reluctantly Perfect was sweet, funny and heart warming.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m sad to see the end of this series, but Megan and Clark wrapped it all up so wonderfully. From friends to enemies to indifferent (or so they pretend) to friends again to lovers, these two had a lot of history between them. And the slow process of clearing the air and admitting long-held feelings for each other made their story feel all the more perfect to end it all.

And what Moore story would be complete without the antics of all the siblings and their parents? What with the perfect anniversary gift, a surprise renovation, and bigger surprises via accidents and ink, the series ended on a high note and gave me that content, “yeah, this was good” feeling by the last page. But I really do think that Kent’s “secret” addition of one very important sensor made everything hilariously right in the end. I’ll miss this family, but I look forward to whatever comes next from this author.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fun from start to finish; actually, the entire series is and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment with the Moore family. This book worked because there is plenty of history between Megan and Clark, given how long they've known each other. They've both learned to deal with the unrequited feelings they have for each other, and there was a chunk of time where they weren't the best of friends, but that changes now that they're competing for an internship. I liked that the more time they're spending together, the more it forces them to acknowledge what happened in the past, and even more importantly, is there a possibility of a future for them to become a couple. I liked how both Megan and Clark are developed as characters, it's obvious there's chemistry on both sides, they just need to acknowledge their feelings.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clark and Meg grew up across the street from each other and were friends forever... until they weren’t. A middle school party kiss and competition for school honors drove them apart. Thrown together for a NASA internship program, they reconnect and begin to remember all the good things about each other. Their long history with each other makes their connection and love story even sweeter.

There are some humorous aspects to this book - the text exchanges between Clark and his siblings is particularly funny. His grandparents and parents also provide some comedy relief.

I had read Book 4 in this series as well but not the rest of it. I do want to go back and read all of them because I liked books 4 and 5 so much. I thought the books were fine as standalones or read as a series.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy. This is my honest review.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clark and Megan were besties until they weren't and life became slightly awkward with their families being close, over time they started to loath each other until they are forced together. I loved learning more about what it was like growing up with the Moore clan as well as seeing where everyone was at now and the high jinks they all still get up to. Seeing Megan and Clark finally have to deal with their feelings for each other after trying to stay out of each others way was sweet and painful at times and seeing the past they had together you just know they are made for each other. Unfortunately there is a danger lurking and when we leaner the impact of it and how it is escalating you worry for Megan and Clark, but then you remember the Moore's are there soooo!

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in this amazing series and is Clark and Megan’s story. These two were best friends and inseparable in childhood, until 8th grade when Megan started to pull away from Clark. Now they are competing for the same internship and these rivals need to work together. The chemistry between them is sizzling and undeniable, but can they make amends along the way? This is a well written story which is sweet, romantic, and with family, witty banter, twists, emotions, and is a humorous and entertaining story. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this series, it's so easy and lighthearted with just the right amount of fire. I finished it in one sitting on long drive and it made time fly by!

Clark and Megan's relationship has its layers, from enemies to more you, you can't help but root for them. I loved all the bits you get of their lives apart and intertwined.

The text messages between the Moore siblings may have been my favorite parts of this series. The family all together is so special and makes you want to be a part of it! Couldn't think of a better ending for the family and seeing pieces of each of the relationships makes it perfect!

[Sharing My Book Boyfriends · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this couple! I loved the connection and history Megan and Clark shared. As childhood friends, they were inseparable, until something happens in the eighth grade that makes Megan put distance between them until they become adversaries. Competing for the same internship they are forced to work together. They find that they still have a connection, but could it be more? I loved the tight-knit Moore family, and am sad this series is done. I hope there will be spinoffs with supporting characters. Such a great cast of characters!

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc for honest review . This was such a cute read , I have not had the chance to read the rest of the series yet , but it was super easy to follow along .I loved Meg and Clark together , there was a past history between them and the fact that they are now getting the chance to reconnect made it feel like a second chance romance.I become completely invested in all the wonderful characters as well the story . I would absolutely recommend this amazing book. I cannot wait to go Start the series from book 1

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book of the Perfectly imperfect love series. Clark and Megan are so good and steamy together, but to come at this point, they need to overcome few issues from the past. Grown up together, and best friends, they separated in middle school and found themselves again in college. Furthermore, they need to spend lot of time together in an internship, in order to achieve their job goals. This will lead them to reconsider how good their friendship was… and now they feel something deeper…
A romantic and funny story, a truly enjoyable reading!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a absolute delight. It’s was super cute and so much fun. The last book in the series and it was one of my favorites. The story was captivating and heartwarming. I literally binge read this book and loved everything about it. Another small town story. Megan and Clark have known each other since childhood. I loved these two these two were so adorable and cute together. Definitely one of my favorite in this series. Definitely a must read!

[Jennifer Pinter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story! Once again we get to see the Moore family and how special they are! I loved Clark's love story. He was a clueless boy and morphed into a man who had no idea what went wrong with his and Megan's relationship. Megan was a little bit confusing when it came to why her and Clark's relationship went south. But you couldn't fight their magnetism to each other. Their stars had finally aligned.

[Loralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably one of the sweetest enemies to lovers that I've read. I loved the walk down memory lane with Clark and Megan, the good and the bad. It was a typical college story, but an internship made them competitive but yet brought them together. It had a bit of suspense, but I loved that it made the two start to work out what was wrong with their friendship. The Moore clan also brought fun, family, laughter, and a little chaos to the mix. This was a fun family series.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bring on the enemies to lovers because I'm here for it. I loved Clark and Megan's relationship from the competitive streak to when they became more. These two were close growing up and became enemies in middle school. Now, they are both vying for an esteemed internship. This story will make you laugh, want to scream and fall in love with these two.

[lowkeyreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Clark and Megan's story. It is a cute read. Their connection is still so strong no matter how many years passed by without them talking. I loved that it was so effortless of them to be together again. Their banter was a lot of fun. And I loved it even more because of his family's antics. I just loved this whole series!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - This was a lovely story that combined childhood friends/preteen crush with college "enemies". The banter and history for these two was wonderful to read. The family feel for this series has been absolutely a delight to read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Isabel Debono · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Moore Family series and I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the family and watching them all find their HEA’s.
This was a sweet romantic Clark and Megan were cute together.
The banter between the Moore family was once again a highlight for me... I needed to be part of the family.
Great read

I was given an ARC but voluntarily chose to review

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Oh my word did I enjoy this book!

Megan and Clark are fantastic together. They have all this history together, and even though they were enemies for so long, their families still spent time together. Therefore they still spent time together. Now they attend the same college, and are getting ready to graduate. Not only that, they have both applied for an internship, and the company is only taking 6 people. So naturally this is causing a bit of tension. Then there was the scene at the sorority house. No not that steamy one. The other one scene that happened a bit later. I immediately knew who was behind it. But that still didn't stop me from jumping a bit.

Just how everything played out, I was loving it. Cannot wait to read the other books in this series!

[There · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect love story of two friends who became enemies to become lovers.

Such a great connection between these two throughout the story. Though some parts did seem a bit rushed. I'm very happy they got their happy ending.

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute read. I haven’t read the other books in this series but it’s not hard to follow without reading them. The story was sweet and I loved that Meg and Clark got to reconnect. I did think the reason why they stopped talking was dumb but when you’re a kid you don’t really think.

[Lauren Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole family is amazing. I honestly did love Clark's story so much. I loved the second chance element and the way the story unfolded was absolutely perfect. I couldn't get enough of them. I absolutely want more books about them all.

[Pat Labrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Clark is the baby of the Moore family and now my favorite. He is funny and definitely swoon worthy. Meghan is strong woman and he comebacks are awesome. These characters feel so real it's like you are part of the family. I already miss them. Definitely a must read

[Crazy4more · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

The closure of a loving-fun-caring family. This one had everything in it. The youngest of the Moore, grew up with his One but grew apart… but never too far from his heart. Good plot with a bit of a psycho touch…

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute love story