Searching for Perfect by Jennifer Probst

 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?

I enjoyed this book; it wasn’t an intense read, but one that was filled with some humor and realistic story lines that we rarely read about.  While most books have the Alpha male as lead character, Jennifer gave us Ned the Nerd, who would soon become Nate, the man with a sensitive side who wanted commitment but was so socially awkward he repelled women instead of attracting them. 

Kennedy grew up over weight and bullied because of her early breasts and curvy body.  Going to drastic measures to lose that weight, she found her mother’s acceptance as a skinny girl with no personality and hiding her intelligence.  Those demons still haunt her to this day but she puts on the mask and runs a successful dating business with two of her friends.  Finding soul mates for others who struggle has become her goal in life, but what about her own happiness?  Feeling like she will never be able to trust a man enough to commit, she seeks the happiness for others and forgets her own needs.

She sees something in Ned and wants desperately to help him find his perfect match, but it won’t be easy.  When she meets him the first time there is a long list of items that needs fixed before she sends him out on another date.  He speaks his mind, researches what women want from magazines and gets advice from his playboy brother.  This isn’t going to be easy.  The first thing to go is that name, he will now be called Nate but that was probably the easiest thing he agreed to.  Pushing the limits of each other’s patience was comical to read about.  They both got along so well and each felt a spark for the other, but her nagging history would never let her completely give in to her desire for Nate. 

Nate could see past that mask and tried to get her to face her issues but he was always met with resistance from her. We watch as they get together and then fear tears them apart.  By the end my heart was so full of these two characters I was willing to do anything to get them together.  Jennifer writes with a great style that keeps the reader connected.  The only thing that kept me from giving it more than a four was the amount of push and pull between Nate and Kennedy.  I would have liked to have them realize their love and acted on it earlier so we could see more of them adjusting to life as a couple.  The secondary characters were brilliant as they added just enough to the story to keep it flowing well but not overshadowing the main couple.  If you are looking for a fun read with a true message of love and acceptance then I highly recommend this book.