This novel is a decent read by author Carly Phillips, who once again takes us to her fictional town of Serendipity. There are not a lot of ups and downs in this book and rather than traveling full speed ahead with the narrative, the author is content to let this one meander down the river a bit.

Nicole Farnsworth was a secondary hero in Phillip’s Perfect Fling when she came to Serendipity to help the police apprehend her homicidal twin. While working with the Serendipity police, Nicole finds herself drawn to Officer Sam Marsden (the brother of her twin’s intended victim). Despite the uncomfortable situation that brought Nicole to Serendipity, she liked the feel of the small town. Her strong physical feelings for Sam cause her to rethink her relationship with her fiancé Tyler Stanton and she breaks off their engagement. When she overhears her father’s business partner (Tyler Stanton’s father) discussing doing business with the New York mob, Nicole decides it is time to pull up stakes and move on until she can discover just how much her father and Tyler know about these illegal activities. So Nicole moves to Serendipity, plans to open a bakery and begins a tentative relationship with Sam.

Sam Marsden’s life is progressing nicely in the employment department as he has just been promoted to detective within the Serendipity Police Department. His personal life is not doing so well. Several years ago, his fiancé left him at the altar for his best friend and Sam no longer trusts his judgment when it comes to women. The last woman he had any strong feelings for was Nicole Farnsworth, the identical twin of the woman who tried to kill Sam’s sister Erin. Sam knows it was hard for Nicole to help the police in arresting her own sister and he did not hold it against her. When she suddenly turns up in Serendipity for good, Sam is torn. He is really attracted to Nicole, but he does not want a permanent relationship with anyone. When he finds out she just broke off another engagement, he is even more cynical about their relationship. Then Tyler Stanton turns up in Serendipity to try and win Nicole back. Sam gets a big case of the green-eyed monster and instead of backing off, he gets possessive. Another love triangle is not what he wants or needs. He does want to help Nicole fit in with the people of Serendipity but he ends up assisting her in integrating into the town while beginning a casual, sexual relationship with her. Tyler Stanton however, will not go away and it soon becomes apparent that he has an agenda other than getting Nicole back.

The writing in this book is even and the plot develops at a good pace. The characters are likeable if a little on the bland side. The author gives enough background that reading earlier books in the series is not necessary. There really are not a lot of negatives about this book other than it just does not sizzle. I like chocolate ice cream, but every now and then vanilla is nice. This book is the equivalent of good vanilla ice cream with just a few sprinkles on top. It is not going to satisfy your craving for chocolate, but it is sweet just the same.