Life After Perfect was far from the perfect book for me. The story started out with the main character Katherine/Katy having an emotional week. The husband of a good friend has died and another friend has decided to divorce her husband for his many infidelities. A few days later, she finds out that she too is married to a cheating husband. All that in itself doesn't make the book so bad, it is how the story goes on from there that didn't work for me. I can't explain what bothered me without giving spoilers so don't read them if you don't want to find out what happens next. The rest of the book mainly takes place in the space of two weeks. We go from Katherine snuggling on the couch with her husband Ron and thinking how she's glad he is not like Peggy's husband. Things aren't perfect, but she loves him. She decides to make some effort towards their relationship and goes to surprise him at his work and go out for lunch with him. Well, of course I knew where that was going. Yes, she sees him cheating on her and gathers photographic evidence. I'm still ok at this point. She goes and gets her stuff and half of their savings account and takes off for parts unknown. The next day she is in this cute little town and getting some gas where she is spotted by widowed fire fighter and doctor Derek who is immediately drawn to her. Katy - which is the name she gives Derek - finds a cute inn to stay at while pursuing a legal separation/divorce. She prays to God making me think the book was taking an inspirational/religious turn but no, Katy and Derek sleep together not once but twice in the next week. Derek is clueless as to her recently separated status all during this. There is a scene where Katy jumps on Derek for not revealing that his is a doctor right away and yet, she lets him tell her all about losing his wife to cancer and she doesn't tell him anything about her. Nope, this was SO not good. Now, she does finally tell him and even admits that she was wrong and made some bad choices but it is not even an hour later that he is back and you can see that everything is going to be ok. This could have been a good book. I liked Derek's character a lot and was so annoyed with how she was being with him. It was too fast and just not realistic at all. I don't usually take time to leave detailed reviews for books I don't like, but I just had to with this one. I'll probably try another Nancy Naigle book at some point. I hope it is better than this one. ( )

Awesome read! Jam packed with great characters and various storylines. It was a hell of a week for Katherine Barclift. Her good friend's husband dies, another friend decides to divorce her cheating husband, and then she is faced with her own husbands infidelity. When her seemingly perfect world begins to crumble she decides to just get away from it all. When she lands in Boot Creek, NC she has no idea the impact the little town and it's residents will have on her. This is a wonderfully written story, and if you love small town romances this is an absolute must read. I highly recommend it. ( )

When she discovered her husband, Ron, was cheating with another woman, Katherine Barclift, a financial business project manager, decided it was time to pull the plug on her ten-year marriage. By chance, she ends up in Boot Creek, NC, a sleepy little town where, as is the case in all small towns, everyone knows everyone and pitches in to help each other out when necessary. Complicating matters for Katherine, or Kate as she really prefers to be called, is her chance encounter with Derek Hansen a newly returned-to-his-hometown doctor struggling with his past. The two hit it off almost immediately. However, their pasts keep each of them from acknowledging this as well as letting their relationship grow and mature. Along their way, numerous townsfolk help things along, and both learn that letting go of the past is not all that bad as is moving on with newly forged relationships and friendships.

This is a well written, interesting romance. I loved every page of it. I found myself captivated on page one. The chemistry between Kate and Derek was clearly present from the start. I loved the way the townsfolk encouraged their relationship, without being over bearing. Boot Creek is a fabulous place to live, work and raise a family. I immediately disliked Kate’s soon-to-be ex-husband and immediately loved Derek, her staunch lawyer and friends, both old and new. The book presents the picture of a feisty, successful woman, who faces major challenges inn her personal life and, as can be expected, overcomes the challenges with aplomb and style. Kate is truly a heroine in her own way, to be admired and emulated in today’s world. This is the start of a new series by the author, and I can hardly wait for the next installment and to see where Kate and Derek take their relationship. I have read most of this author’s other books, and this one is just as good and enjoyable, or even more so, than the others are, though I have loved and enjoyed each and every one of them.

This is a great summer read for the avid romance readers looking for a fantastic chick lit book to curly up with by the pool, on the beach, on a vacation or for just a quiet afternoon. I highly recommend it—but, then, I highly recommend any of the author’s books. She never fails to come through with a wonderful story. I received this from NetGalley to read and review. ( )