Tempting Fate (Serendipity, #2) by Brinda Berry – Review by Colleen Noyes
Tempting Fate by Brinda Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tempting Fate by Brinda Berry is her second book in the Serendipity Series and I absolutely loved it! This is the story of Collin Cordova who we met in the first book “Chasing Luck”, as Malerie’s friend and business partner. Collin, has a flourishing business, great friends, and he thought the love of his life in Raquel, but he soon discovers that she has betrayed him. He is left bitter, angry, and broken-hearted when Veronica Marshall literally crashes into his life. He can’t believe that she rear-ends him and then takes off, only to be found hitchhiking a short time later.
Veronica, is running scared from her life back home. She is fragile, broken, and clearly not in her right mind, but Collin sees something besides desperation behind her eyes. He can’t resist wanting to help her, even though he knows he may end up regretting it. “My urge to help her, fix her, know her… is a dangerous one. I can’t get involved.” When Collin notices bruises on her and that she won’t take any calls from her brother Gunnar, he assumes it must be her brother that has hurt her. The truth however, may be far worse.
When Collin offers to let Veronica stay with him one night she secretly wonders if he is a murderer. “What’s in your trunk?” “My what?” “Chainsaw? Garbage bags? Bleach?” Collin can’t help but smile and be a little amused. “You checking my supplies list?” “I’m a girl.” “You must watch a lot of crime drama.” After a few moments he realizes that she really is afraid “Hey, I’m going to call someone to vouch for me. Murderers don’t like witnesses.” “Okay. A girl. Call a girl, but not your mother. Your mother might lie to protect you.”
Both Collin and Veronica find themselves in a sticky situation with chemistry that seems to explode in a room. Since neither one of them had a great family life, they are both scared and hesitant to take a leap of faith. They begin a friendship that requires each of them to let down their walls a little and trust. Something they don’t even believe in considering all they have dealt with. Collin doesn’t believe that there is a woman who isn’t a lying cheat and Veronica doesn’t believe there is a man capable of being kind and good. “Is there such a thing as a nice jackass?” When their worlds collide they may soon discover their impressions are wrong, but will they be able to tear down the walls of protection? Can they find a compromise that allows them to be their own person, but also be together? Will Veronica continue on the run right out of Collin’s life and away from her troubles? Is there really such a thing as happily ever after when two people have been so hurt, betrayed, and let down?
This story has strong main characters and supporting characters. It updates us on Malerie and Ace from “Chasing Luck” and introduces us to Gunnar, Beck, Dylan, Emerson, and Jordy. The writing is captivating, smooth, and so funny at times. I think that Brinda Berry captures the essence of each character and lets us see them from the inside out. The story is told in Collin and Veronica’s POV’s. I can’t wait to get my hands on “Seducing Fortune”
Review by @colleennoyes
