Review: A Sweet, Clean Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 17, 2012
Review Copy Courtesy Of:  Felicia Rogers, Author, in exchange for an honest review.Saph's Review:So....the author sent this to me about a year ago.....No, I'm not behind on book reviews at all! (Hint of sarcasm with a smile).  I could actually kick myself for waiting this long to read "The Perfect Rose."It all begins with Mabel....a nice little lady that should wear a pin boldly declaring that she is a Matchmaker Extraordinaire.  Deciding that Caleb and his young son need a housekeeper, she recommends Ariel, to which Caleb accepts.  What's the harm in hiring an older woman to help around the house?  Well, you know what happens when you assume things, right?  When Ariel arrives for her interview of sorts, Caleb is shocked to discover that, instead a matronly woman, Ariel is young, beautiful, and may not be exactly what their household needs.  Employed on a trial basis, Ariel tries to prove her worth to a man with a son she absolutely adores (and the feeling is mutual).  As their arrangement progresses, Caleb finds himself becoming more and more attracted to the woman who stole his son's heart and brings a new found source of joy, life, and happiness to their home.  Enter said wife who abandoned Caleb and Joshua several years earlier.  Will Caleb return to the woman who shattered his heart and his life or will he choose the woman that brought him back from the brink of despair?This is one of the sweetest romantic tales that I've had the pleasure to read.  It is a clean, wholesome read that doesn't get so caught up in the sexuality of each character that it disrupts the entire plot.  Two down on their luck people, Caleb and Ariel, are brought together by a mutual acquaintance that feels deep down inside that the pair need each other.  Caleb was destroyed when his wife abandoned him and their son, Joshua.  Ariel has never had a family...ever!  Both Caleb and Ariel harbor self-doubt, mistrust, and a refusal to love.  What a horrible way to live life but as they say (whoever "they" is) we are products of our environment."The Perfect Rose" is a short read that keeps you engaged.  The plot is smooth and uniform with a slow build of the romantic elements.  Caleb's character is a strong hero that gets my vote for father of the year.  He took a situation where he suddenly became a single father and manned up, took the reins, did what any good parent would and should do--take of your child whether you're by yourself or not.  Ariel is strong as well.  For as much as she went through her entire life, she still was trying to succeed in a world that she felt clearly had it in for her.  She may have held most people as arm's length but her desire to push ever forward is inspiring.  Mabel, oh Mabel....who doesn't have someone like her in their lives?!  She wasn't the main focus of the story by any means but her little interjections were well placed and relevant to the development of the story--and I'm not just talking about the Matchmaking part.  Great little read!!