Review: Searching For Perfect (#2, Searching For) by Jennifer Probst - Vilma Iris | Lifestyle Blogger

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I’ll receive a small commission should you purchase using those links. All opinions expressed are my own. I receive no compensation for reviews.

Review: Searching For Perfect (#2, Searching For) by Jennifer Probst

My Thoughts

The perfect balance of sweet and sexy, witty and heartfelt.
I continue to fall in love with these heartwarming characters in the delightful second installment of the Searching For series.

4halfstars

Synopsis

searching for perfectThe highly anticipated second novel in the new Searching For series from Jennifer Probst, “one of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA TODAY)—a spin-off of the bestselling Marriage to a Billionaire series—featuring a sexy matchmaker, and the rocket scientist who becomes her special project…

The up-and-coming matchmaking agency Kinnections is the hottest thing to hit Verily, New York—just like Kennedy Ashe, social director for the service she owns with her two best girlfriends. A coach, consultant, and cheerleader rolled into one super-sizzling package, Kennedy creates dream dates, encourages singles to shine, and never refuses a challenge—not even Nate Ellison Raymond Dunkle, rocket scientist, nerd extraordinaire, and Kennedy’s newest client.

Kennedy vows to work her magic and transform this hot mess in a lab coat with a disastrous relationship track record into the most wanted man on the Verily dating scene. If only she could turn the wand on herself…though she radiates confidence and sex appeal, Kennedy harbors deep-seated insecurities from a tormented past and lifelong struggle with weight issues. When she realizes she and Nate are cut from the same cloth and might be perfect together, can Kennedy learn to let her heart lead the way? Or will her fears sentence her to the sidelines as Nate finds love—with someone else?

My Review

“Love has nothing to do with perfect. It has to do with flaws, and overcoming failure, and fighting for what you want.”

I had been waiting anxiously for this book! Ever since I read Searching For Someday, I immediately fell in love with this cast of characters whom were witty and fun, real and loving, but with their own set of issues to overcome as they find the perfect kind of love. Their troubles are relatable and it makes you root for them all the harder as they embark on their search for their elusive happy ever after. First it was Kate, but now, it’s Kennedy’s story. She’s beautiful, always perfectly dressed and perfectly poised to conquer the world, one match at a time. Kennedy is all about fashion, health and beauty, responsible for making sure her clients are presentable when looking for love. But for a girl that is sheer perfection on the outside, she’s anything but on the inside. Kennedy has been scarred by a past that has been defined by her exterior, which wasn’t always as perfect as it is now. She thrust herself out of the ugliness of her past by transforming herself into beauty personified … a person that no one could berate. A person who apparently valued beauty over brains… fashion above substance. But Kennedy was hiding a secret. She wasn’t happy. She wasn’t herself. And she was certainly not okay.

“…her entire life was about remaking herself to the person she’s always dreamed to be.”

Kennedy truly believed in helping others find love. She was good at transforming them to into the best version of themselves. So when aerospace engineer Nate Dunkle fails epically at one of Kinnections’ speed dating event, she is determined to help this twisted-up scientist find the perfect woman.

“… his days had melded together in a long line of formulas and research… His dating life, slow to begin with, ground to a big fat zero. Three months ago, he had celebrated his thirty-second birthday and realized he had no one to invite over… Pathetic. That’s when he made his decision to change.”

Nate wants a wife. It’s time. His unfailingly scientific mind did the research, read the books and consulted Cosmo to help him in his pursuit for the perfect mate, but when his first effort at a speed dating event crashes and burns, he can’t understand the outcome. Kennedy Ashe, matchmaker at Kinnections, decides to take him on. And this means the kind of project that involves spending lots of time with this beautiful woman doing all kinds of things that no male would choose to do voluntarily. But in the name of love, he jumps in willingly.

“I’m going to find you a wife. Someone you can love forever. Someone perfect.”

As these two seemingly opposite people start to get to know each other in the process, a sizzling, unexpected kind of chemistry crackles. Nate is absolutely entranced by Kennedy, but she immediately blows him off. No way. No how. Long-term love isn’t in the cards for Kennedy. She struggles too much inside to be ready for that kind of thing and this man, this scientist, wasn’t going to change that.

“You don’t want me, Nate. I don’t do forever. I’m not looking for marriage or security or children right now. I just do… now.”

And Nate, well, he doesn’t think that someone as perfect as Kennedy could ever go for him. But somehow, the more he’s around her, the more he realizes she’s hiding something. There are times when bits and pieces of a different person come through and he begins to unravel her truths, moment by moment.

“You lie about yourself, Kennedy. Pretend to be someone you’re not because you think it’s easier. You think it’ll protect you.”

Kennedy’s obsession with perfection begins to falter in the arms of Nate. She finds herself becoming too attached, happy, carefree, when she’s with him. And it turns out they are a lot more alike than meets the eye. I absolutely loved seeing them together. I loved seeing Nate’s confidence grow and Kennedy gradually become more vulnerable and real. Kennedy has had to endure some really traumatic things, but Nate is so incredibly supportive and caring that he pierces through her facade.

“You’re both. Smart and beautiful. On the inside and the outside. You don’t have to choose one over the other anymore.You can just be exactly who you were mean to be. And I think that’s damn perfect.”

This is a story about letting go of all the ugly stuff that holds us down. About letting go of all those preconceived notions of perfection. About being brave enough to fight for the person we love despite the fear that feels consuming. Jennifer Probst does an amazing job once again creating these wonderful, real characters that are intrinsically good, but a little broken. I absolutely love seeing characters from the Marriage to a Billionaire series continue to pop up in these stories. It feels like I’m a part of this continuing story of people I’ve come to love and I can’t wait to see what’s next. If you’re looking for a wonderfully romantic and refreshingly lighthearted series,  look no further than these books.

“I am perfect. For you. With you. I don’t want half measures anymore. I don’t want safety. I want you. Only you.”

addseriestogoodreads

searching for perfect BANNER

searching for someday searching for perfect

Connect with Jennifer

Facebook Twitter

 

 

Subscribe for Updates:

Share This Post

One Comment:


  1. Caitlin Kerry said:

    I had no idea the other characters were from another series. Well, that makes much more sense now! I kept thinking, why all these side characters! I don’t get it lol.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

On Instagram