Imperfect Rebel

“...both a love story and a story of personal growth.” —Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times, 41/2, Top Pick

Cleo Alyssum's plan is simple: stay sober, stay out of trouble, and bite her tongue until Social Services sees she’s pretty close to perfect and returns her little boy. But when an accident on her isolated property forces her to rent a cottage to celebrated cartoonist Jared McCloud, her carefully constructed comfort zone develops cracks.

Jared has a deadline to meet or he’ll forfeit still another lucrative career and be branded for life by his family as the loser in the family. Only, he wasn’t meant to be a hermit, and his cartoon characters aren’t nearly as fascinating as his quirky, enigmatic landlady.

When Jared discovers his island hideaway contains a drug-dealing neighbor’s two neglected, abused teens, he shoves Cleo into the real world that she fears in his effort to save the children.

Risking everything, the pair join forces to find a home for the kids and have their mother’s dangerous boyfriend locked up. In the process, they face a new realization that there’s more to life and love than either of them ever planned or dreamed.

Previously titled Almost Perfect, Ballantine 2001

CAROLINA MAGNOLIA series in order:

Dixie Rebel

Imperfect Rebel

Rebel Charm

Carolina Rebel

Rebel Girl

Home Town Rebel

“Superb, superb, superb!...You must read this excellent, excellent book.” —Heather Heath, The Old Book Barn Gazette

“...This book is not ALMOST PERFECT, it is perfect.” —Jaclyn Reding, Rendezvous

“...I highly recommend this book...a true high five!” —Deborah Barber, Escape to Romance Reviews

“...a must read...” —Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

“...Master storyteller Patricia Rice has a gift...Captivating, well-written, and almost impossible to put down...a strong contender for the best contemporary single title romance of the year. A Perfect 10"

—Susan Lantz, Romance Reviews Today,

“...another magical offering from Ms. Rice...” —The Romance Readers Connection

“Brilliant and riveting, edgy and funny,” Mary Jo Putney, author of Never Less Than A Lady

Keywords: small town North Carolina, single mom, humor, cartoonist, addiction