A steamy start to a new series
5 stars

I’m always game for a new series - or any new offering - from Carly Phillips, so I was excited to delve into this new Serendipity’s Finest series. This is an off-shoot from the Serendipity series which focussed mainly on the Barron brothers from Serendipity. Dare Barron, the third brother (from xxx) was a cop so we got to meet some of his fellow officers. Now they get their own stories. And while said officers may have popped up in that previous book, and the Barron brothers make cameos in this one, you really don’t have to have read any other book to enjoy and understand this one. And obviously this one comes with its very own HEA.

Mike Marsden is back in his home town of Serendipity to temporarily stand in for his father as police chief. And temporary is the key word here as Mike likes to think of himself as a nomadic, lone wolf kinda guy. He feels out of place in a small town and in his own family so he holds himself back. He even did that with us readers as it took me a wee while to warm up to him. Once he interacted with Cara, that’s when I started to fall for, like and root for Mike. It might take him a while to catch up with his own feelings but he makes up for it in the end.

Cara is a strong, independent woman and a cop to boot, but I liked her from the very first. Not that I don’t like strong, successful, kick-ass women but I always worry that my weak, cowardly ass self wouldn’t have much in common with them! But Cara’s a really likeable character and definitely has and shows all her layers. It didn’t take a split second before I was rooting for her and willing her to fall in love with Mike despite her determination not to do so!

Mike and Cara had a steamy one-night stand the last time he was in town and although we only hear about that encounter, this book more than makes up for that fact later on. And we don’t even have to wait for them to get together again as you get that delicious jump in your tummy even just with the looks, touches and thoughts each of our main characters has about the other. It whets the appetite and as I said, when it gets good, it gets very good. Very steamy and just what I’ve come to expect from Ms Phillips.

Alongside the romance, our pair are involved in solving the cold case of some missing marked bills from the police evidence locker that involves Mike’s biological father as well as his dad. It was an interesting side point, helped us to know more about Mike, meant that our couple could spend some time together but never detracted from the love story. There was also the young woman that Cara was trying to help escape an abusive relationship which did the same as above but for Cara. Both were nicely woven into the story but never overwhelmed what we’re all really here for.

Much like the Serendipity series from which this series spins off, these books are a re-release from around 2012. Having never read them in their original form, I can’t speak to whether they’ve changed much - apart from the smouldering cover - yum! Either way, you’re getting a classic Carly Phillips with this story. It’s got everything you expect - a likeable couple that have just enough barriers in their way to make it interesting, scorching chemistry and a satisfying ending after a few bumps on the road. Oh and the well-crafted, engaging writing that Ms Phillips is known for. I really enjoyed this story and would happily recommend. ( )

Another great Serendipity book. All the old great characters and a whole bunch of new ones. This is the story of Mike and Cara and everyone should read it. I highly recommend it. ( )

Mike Marsden
Cara Hartley


I really like Mike and Cara. Boy do they both have their own personal demons but now they have each other too and that makes me all girly and swoony inside. ( )

Very good book. Mike is back in Serendipity to fill in as police chief while his dad recovers from cancer treatments. He can't wait to get back to the city where his restlessness isn't a problem. But he soon finds that restlessness is lessened by the presence of Cara, with whom he had one awesome night three months earlier. The attraction is still there and just as hot as it was before. As they start a short term relationship both are convinced that anything long term is impossible.

I really liked both Cara and Mike. Cara is a straightforward woman who doesn't play games. She enjoyed her night with Mike but really didn't expect to see much more of him. When he came back to town to fill in as police chief, he became her boss. It was awkward at first until they cleared the air between them and admitted that the attraction was still there. Cara knows she is risking her heart, but she can't resist Mike. I really loved Cara's honesty. She tells Mike straight out that she doesn't expect commitment from him, that she will take what he's willing to give her for as long as he's around. Things are going pretty smoothly until her work on a cold case unearths information about his biological father. The more time they spend together the more she feels an emotional connection to Mike and that connection has her understanding a lot more than he is sometimes comfortable with. I loved seeing the way that she understood so much of what Mike was feeling and was able to give him just what he needed. When she finally admits her feelings to herself she knows she has to be true to her own needs, even if that means not seeing Mike anymore. Cara also has some family issues of her own. She grew up with an abusive father which has caused her to have some trust issues with men. She has to feel that they will keep their promises, unlike her father who would constantly promise to stop the abuse, but then keep on doing it. She has tried to get her mother away from him and is frustrated by her refusal to do so. Cara uses her knowledge to help other abused women which helps her deal with it.

Mike has always felt a little out of place in his family. His dad is actually his adoptive father and Mike feels like he doesn't really fit in. He knows his biological father ran out on his mom and feels like he has inherited those same tendencies. He has never been able to truly settle down anywhere and doesn't have real relationships with women. He does love his family and when his dad asks him to come fill in as police chief he does it. He figures he can handle staying in Serendipity for as long as needed because he knows there is an end to it. He does have to face Cara again, knowing that she's the one woman he hasn't been able to stop thinking about. When they admit their attraction is still as hot as it had been, he makes sure she knows that he doesn't do commitment, that there are "no hearts involved". As they work on a cold case together that involves his biological father Cara is the one who helps him deal with the things he is feeling. He is also starting to feel things for her that he's never experienced with another woman, things that make him wonder if maybe he's not as much like his old man as he thought. I really loved seeing the softer side of him that came out when he was with Cara. When he finally admitted his feelings to himself he panicked and disappeared, leaving Cara exactly as he had said he would. I loved seeing his brother try to help both Cara and Mike, and how he made Mike see what was important. I loved Mike's "go big" moment. ( )

I really enjoyed the first there books in Phillips' Serendipity series and I'm glad she's continuing on. Though this is set in the same town as the first three books, it's the start of a new trilogy and can be read as a standalone.

Cara is a great heroine. She's tough but still has a vulnerable side. She isn't afraid to speak her mind or stand up for herself, but also realizes sometimes it's better to let things go. As the novel progressed I came to respect her independence and sharp wit.

Mike has insecurities of his own. His biological father bailed on his mom before he was born. His step-father adopted him and raised him as his own, but he's always felt separated from the rest of his family. He knows he has his father's blood running through his veins, and just like the man who abandoned him, he's not made for permanence. His redeeming qualities were his tenderness toward Cara and his internal struggle with his feelings for her and his hometown.

The characters from previous books popped up, but weren't a distraction from the main protagonists and their story. I enjoyed seeing them again. I also enjoyed the new cast of secondary characters - Mike's family and Cara's friends - and look forward to learning more about them in the future.

Phillips has created a strong contemporary series with real-life characters and situations. ( )