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Barbara Longley
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Close to Perfect: Book 5, Perfect, Indiana Kindle Edition

by Barbara Longley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 635 ratings
The much-anticipated prequel to the award-winning, bestselling Perfect, Indiana series ...
She gave her promise to one man, and her heart to another, and now, she must choose between her word of honor and her heart's desire.
After losing everything during the war, Mary Stewart is haunted by tragedy and grief. She longs to leave Atlanta behind. Her fiancé—who was bound for Houston, Texas—has left her without a word for more than a year, and she fears the worst. When she learns of Tobias Lovejoy's plans to lead a wagon train to Texas, she's determined to join him. She'll either find her fiancé or discover what became of him. Until then, she cannot move on with her life, and her growing attraction to Tobias Lovejoy weighs upon her conscience.
Tortured by his past, Tobias Lovejoy longs for a fresh start in a place that holds no memories or ghosts from the war he barely survived. When Mary Stewart asks to join his wagon train, he refuses. He doesn't want the distraction or the responsibility of having an attractive single woman in his camp. When he learns of her reasons for heading west, he relents. As he gets to know Mary better, his desire to discover what became of her missing fiancé grows stronger … for entirely different reasons. Tobias wants Mary for himself. He writes to a Texas Ranger he knows, enlisting his aid in finding out what became of Mary's errant fiancé.
Tobias and Mary learn to lean on each other through one disaster after another. Their feelings for one another grow, and passion ignites. When Mary's Fiancé appears, wanting to rekindle what they had, the future happiness of three people hangs in the balance.
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  1. Part of series
    Perfect, Indiana
  2. Print length
    232 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    November 18, 2023
  5. File size
    1.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A must-read for fans of Barbara Longley's Perfect series. CLOSE TO PERFECT captured my heart from the first chapter. I loved the story of the founding of Perfect, Indiana. Tobias and Mary came alive on the pages, and if anyone deserved their happily-ever-after, it was this couple. CLOSE TO PERFECT is a beautifully engrossing story you won't want to miss. - Sandra Owens, author of the bestselling K2 Special Services seriesBeautifully written, Longley's post civil war era novel had me devouring pages.With a sweeping landscape and well constructed character-driven plot, CLOSE TO PERFECT carries readers on a sweet wave of adventure and romance. Longley's latest novel is...well, close to perfect! - Heather Burch, bestselling author of One Lavender Ribbon

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CNP3GNBR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barbara Longley
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 18, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 232 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Part of series ‏ : ‎ Perfect, Indiana
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 635 ratings

About the author

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Barbara Longley

Barbara Longley

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Barbara Longley is listed on Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll of Bestselling Authors, and her books have garnered many awards, including a Maggie, the Holt Medallion, a National Readers’ Choice, two Heart of Excellence awards, a Bookseller’s Best award, and a Diamond Award from her publisher for reaching more than a million readers. Ms. Longley creates memorable heroes and heroines who grow into their strengths and go on to save the day.

Barbara Longley graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education/Human Relations, and holds a Master’s in Ed./SLD from the University of Minnesota. She taught k-12 for twenty-one years before transitioning into writing full time.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
635 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with a plot that moves right along and keeps readers interested. They appreciate the well-developed characters and consider it a wonderful prequel, with one customer noting it's a perfect beginning to the series. Customers describe the book as heartwarming, with one review mentioning how it immerses readers in the activities, and they praise the writing quality.

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20 customers mention "Story quality"20 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as an adventurous narrative that moves right along and keeps readers interested.

"...sex, there is minimal cursing, but what there is is one heck of a great story...." Read more

"This is an interesting story that takes place after the American Civil War...." Read more

"...What ensues is a wonderful story of finding love, the history of the south and the strong nature of people who have survived war...." Read more

"...Barbara Longley gives readers an adventurous story with strong, lovable characters who captured my heart from the start!..." Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book.

"...story was one fraught with struggle and pain, but he was still a seriously good guy who I found myself rooting for from the very start...." Read more

"...But the characters are engaging, and it has a sweet HEA. Well written and edited." Read more

"...Barbara Longley gives readers an adventurous story with strong, lovable characters who captured my heart from the start!..." Read more

"This is a great story with compelling characters and a heartfelt plot. The heroine had to make huge changes in her life.I loved her determination ...." Read more

6 customers mention "Heartwarming"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, describing it as a sweet HEA that will warm your heart, with one customer noting how it immerses you in the activities.

"This book is a “sweet and clean” book – there is mild cussing and no sex so if those things bother you, you have nothing to worry about here...." Read more

"...But the characters are engaging, and it has a sweet HEA. Well written and edited." Read more

"...I must say Barbara Longley delivered on a well written story that warmed my heart. Loved Tobias and Mary and the give and take between them...." Read more

"...I loved her determination . She is a perfect pioneer. Happy ☺reading 📚!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Writing quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one noting it is well fleshed out.

"...But the characters are engaging, and it has a sweet HEA. Well written and edited." Read more

"...I never lost interest in CLOSE TO PERFECT since it is exceptionally written and is faithful to the period of time in which it takes place...." Read more

"...The main "stars" of the book were interesting, and well fleshed out...." Read more

"...Don't miss this beautifully written peek into post-Civil War history." Read more

5 customers mention "Love of series"5 positive0 negative

Customers love this book as a prequel to the Perfect series, with one customer describing it as the perfect beginning to the series.

"...I loved her determination . She is a perfect pioneer. Happy ☺reading 📚!..." Read more

"A perfect prequel to the Perfect, Indiana series...." Read more

"A "perfect" beginning to this series. The story of Tobias and Mary Lovejoy is filled with heart and, ultimately, joy." Read more

"Loved the original three but this one was disappointing. Lost interest and didn't finish reading it." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Heather
    5.0 out of 5 stars a really great story written by an author who can just flat-out write
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a “sweet and clean” book – there is mild cussing and no sex so if those things bother you, you have nothing to worry about here.

    I must confess that I went into this book not really sure what to expect from a book set in the 1800's but from the moment I started this book, I was absolutely hooked. There is no sex, there is minimal cursing, but what there is is one heck of a great story. Mary Stewart was a self-rescuing damsel who became self-reliant due to the war and her unfortunate circumstances, and from the very start I loved her spunk and the way that she stood up for herself at every stumbling block. Mary was unique and bad to the bone and she was exactly the kind of book heroine I want to read about. Tobias was also fantastic – his back story was one fraught with struggle and pain, but he was still a seriously good guy who I found myself rooting for from the very start. As the book went on I fell more and more for him. He's my kind of hero.

    Although this story is a love triangle of sorts, it is so in the very loosest of terms, so if that kind of plot line is a turn off for you, this one shouldn't be terribly offensive. Mary's relationship with her wayward fiance is explained well, and there is no cheating.

    I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a historical story or to someone like me who just enjoys a really great story written by an author who can just flat-out write.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Married and happy
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great story
    Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    This is an interesting story that takes place after the American Civil War. The whole thing hinges on the main character's engagement to one man, who hasn't contacted her for nearly two years, and her growing feelings for another man.
    There is no overt sex in the story. Her new man doesn't kiss her until half the story is over.
    But the characters are engaging, and it has a sweet HEA. Well written and edited.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • June49
    5.0 out of 5 stars This book was like a breath of fresh air! Will warm your heart and embrace the human spirit!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    It has been a long time since I have read a romance book set in this time period and I must say Barbara Longley delivered on a well written story that warmed my heart. Loved Tobias and Mary and the give and take between them. Mary is a little spark plug that could live in todays world and fit right in. She has a will and a way to make things good for everyone around her. She is most definitely a nurturing person and wants everyone to be happy. Tobias fought in the Civil War and it is a long journey for him to get home to Atlanta. His life will never be the same and he wants to take a wagon train to Texas and start over. Mary wants to join the wagon train but Tobias has misgivings about a single women traveling with her cousin and son. He doesn't want to be responsible for her and Mary has to set him straight on how she can take care of herself. What ensues is a wonderful story of finding love, the history of the south and the strong nature of people who have survived war. Depending on each other to start over in a new place is a challenge they are all up for. Loved the story and will read it again in the future as I do with all my favorite books. I highly recommend this book!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Beverly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Perfectly Perfect
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    CLOSE TO PERFECT is a perfectly perfect read! I absolutely loved both Mary and Tobias and found their journey to each other overwhelmingly satisfying!

    Barbara Longley gives readers an adventurous story with strong, lovable characters who captured my heart from the start! I never lost interest in CLOSE TO PERFECT since it is exceptionally written and is faithful to the period of time in which it takes place.

    CLOSE TO PERFECT is the perfectly perfect prequel for the PERFECT INDIANA series! It makes me want to re-read each book in the series and think about the influences Tobias and Mary had and continue to have on the modern town of Perfect, Indiana its residents and businesses.

    Well done Ms Longley!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Cindy Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Two troubled people find peace in one another's company.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I had never read a Barbara Longley book before CLOSE TO PERFECT, but I shall certainly read more of her books, and I look forward to more in this new series. It was a little different twist to a "wagon train" as it started in Atlanta and was going to Texas. There are several glitches along the route for them, which is how the real wagon trains were. The main "stars" of the book were interesting, and well fleshed out. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction set just after the Civil War, and enjoys wagon train stories.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reader Lady
    4.0 out of 5 stars My Musings
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a great story with compelling characters and a heartfelt plot. The heroine had to make huge changes in her life.I loved her determination . She is a perfect pioneer. Happy ☺reading 📚!
    Helpful
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  • Christine
    5.0 out of 5 stars I'm just sorry it's finished 😭
    Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    What can I say but hats off to Barbara Longley! Once again she makes me want to live in Perfect, IN and it does not even exist until the end of the book. I loved reading this book and once again was not disappointed with the story.
    I will admit in the beginning I was wondering how a wagon train could go from Georgia to Texas and end up in Indiana (I even Googled maps to make sure my knowledge of the US States was right😃) but all was answered.
    All in all yet another lovely read and I have no problems recommending this book to anyone (and if you have not read any of the other Perfect, IN stories get reading 'cos you will not be disappointed - promise!)
    2 people found this helpful
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  • lucygirl7
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sappy
    Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the book. Not the swearing. It wasn't necessary. I liked the characters and the story line was not really exciting. I felt the male lead just didn't fit in with the way he spoke like a 40 year old instead of 26 as I recall. Anyway not bad but save it for when you run out of great authors.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Annie M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book, in fact I love the whole series.
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  • Elske de Visch Eybergen
    4.0 out of 5 stars light read
    Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Unfortunately it was awhile ago, when I read this book but I have chosen to read books I can escape in and relax. This is one of those!!
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  • cheyenne
    1.0 out of 5 stars Bisschen sehr flach
    Reviewed in Germany on June 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Eigentlich genauso wie die Indiana/Perfekt Serie, nur in reichlich flach. Auch hier aus dem Krieg, Albträume what ever. Wenn einem nichts mehr einfällt sollte man den Beruf wechseln, Leser kaufen etwas, was sie im Prinzip schon gelesen haben, ich bin geneigt, es als eine Art von Betrug zu sehen. Wobei ich nicht weiss, was eher geschrieben wurde. Mir gefiel die Indiana Serie ja sehr gut, nun habe ich keine Lust mehr, von dieser Autorin weitere Bücher zu lesen.
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  • Yvonne M Karger
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on June 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great book could not put it down
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  • Pippa Morley
    2.0 out of 5 stars Prequel? A very long time before the other books.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this assuming it was set in the recent past (my fault for not reading the synopsis) and perhaps because historical fiction is not something I normally read, I did not enjoy this at all. I didn't connect to the characters and lost interest. I liked the other books but not this one.
    Report

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