Far From Perfect. Barbara Longley

Far From Perfect
Barbara Longley
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Date: 2012
Format: Kindle
Pages: 348
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Own book

Noah Langford narrowly survived the roadside bombing in Iraq that cost him his leg and forever his peace of mind. When his stepbrother Matt dies in a car accident, the loss feels like the final blow to Noah’s shattered soul. But then he learns about the girlfriend and baby living in Perfect, Indiana who Matt had never mentioned, and suddenly Noah has a new mission…

Ceejay Lovejoy was nineteen and pregnant when her boyfriend walked out. Since that day, Ceejay has devoted herself to giving her daughter a better life, avoiding any man who could threaten that security—until the day Noah Langford shows up on her doorstep in Perfect. His gentle spirit has an unexpected effect on Ceejay’s guarded heart, tempting her to take one last chance on love. But when a painful secret comes to light, it threatens to break the fragile bond growing between them…and to destroy a love powerful enough to heal them both.

Far From Perfect by Barbara Longley was an enjoyable read.  It is the first one in her Perfect, Indiana series.  I started with #3 when I read that one from NetGalley.  I liked that one sufficiently to go back and read the first two.

Noah is a returned soldier, wounded both in body, mind and soul.  He does not want to return to his father's major plumbing business.  Instead he elects to set out on a journey to find Ceejay and the baby his stepbrother fathered.  He finds Perfect a quiet wonderful place for healing and dealing for the PTSD he suffers from.  He soon falls in love with his little niece and she thinks he is rather special too.  They spend time together, and you just know Noah would make a great father.  He strikes up a friendship with Ceejay's cousin, Ted and as the story progresses they form an alliance that is going to take them into a new future. 

Ceejay has struggled pretty much all her life, but she is tough and she has reached important goals.  She has been brought up by her Aunt Jenny after her mother just dropped her there, then Matt her boyfriend on learning she was pregnant walked out.  With the help of her Aunt she has made a life for herself but she is not quite ready to accept on trust anyone, let alone Noah and later his family when they arrive.

I enjoyed the developing relationship between Ceejay and Noah, other family relationships and the way there were enough twists and turns in the plot to keep me engaged.  The values of family, love, trust and satisfying work shone through.  A very pleasant read.

Perfect, Indiana

Far From Perfect

The Difference a Day Makes

A Change of Heart