Karina Bliss, Mr. Imperfect

Mr. Imperfect

Karina Bliss

Harlequin Super Romance, September 2006, $5.50

ISBN: 0373713703

Bad boy Christian Kelly vowed to never return to his dried out hometown of Waterview, New Zealand, as he feels he has nothing there. However, when he learns that Muriel Medina Rose, the only person to show the orphaned Christian kindness, he has to attend her funeral, though he knows that means seeing her granddaughter Kezia, his first and only love, who he hurt so badly as a teen.

Rose gave Kezia the familys over one hundred year old hotel to run two months before she died. The place is in trouble and Kezia fears she will lose it. Out of love for the grandmother and granddaughter Christian remains in town to help Kezia make a go of the hotel, but she does not want his assistance, as he deserted her when he left the last time. As he tries to tell her he fled for her sake, as she could have done better than a worthless person like him, their teen love reignites into an adult passion, but she fears he will leave again, and he still believes he is not good enough for her.

This is a warm contemporary New Zealand romance starring a likable lead duo and a matchmaker from the grave. She was the one person who loved nurtured (or tried to) and cared for both of them. Kezia is a kind girl next door while Christian has a bad boy wild reputation. Though a stronger descriptive inclusion of the Hauraki Plains setting would have enhanced this fine tale, sub-genre fans will enjoy MR. IMPERFECT.