Once Perfect by Cecy Robson Review

His life was never easy. Hers wasn’t supposed to be this hard. They come from different worlds, but fate lures them together in a way neither expected in Cecy Robson’s raw, steamy series debut—perfect for fans of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn.

Evelyn Preston’s future once looked perfect—until her wealthy father was caught in an embezzlement scandal and took his own life. Alone and struggling to pay her college tuition and bills, Evelyn finds a job as a waitress at the ultra-hip nightclub Excess, where she used to have more in common with the privileged private-school clientele than her fellow staff members. But something attracts her to the sexy six-foot-four bouncer and underground MMA fighter Mateo Tres Santos. Although they’ve led different lives, their troubled pasts bonds them in both survival and love.

Mateo is ex-army who wound up in prison for assaulting the man who harmed his sister. Now he’s feeling the same protective impulse for this petite blond waitress. When Evelyn experiences a panic attack at the club, Mateo comes to her rescue. And when Mateo is wounded shielding her from a brawl, Evelyn returns the favor and comes to his aid.

As their attraction intensifies, Mateo is determined to find out what nightmares are lurking in Evelyn’s past—even if that means tackling his own to save her.

Once Perfect is a story of a very ex-damaged rich girl and an equally damaged poor boy. Both have been dealt rough lives and are still struggling to come to terms with it.

Eve's Past lives with her every day and even though she is very attracted to Mateo, she is scare of him, because of his prison past. But once Ant shares why Teo went to jail, Eve pushes aside he fear and extends the olive branch and from that moment, Eve and Teo embark on a relationship. But when the past rears its ugly head, will they be able to stay together.

To say that I loved this book is a true understatement, the only thing I would change, would be to have the Author expand on the ending. Despite its disturbing and painful subject, the story flowed beautifully and was well informed. The characters of Mateo and Evelyn were wonderfully described and brought to life. The Author also did an amazing job on all of the support characters and I am hoping that each of them have their own books.

I give Once Perfect a 9 1/2 out of 10, but I recommend that you have your tissues ready and maybe drink with a glass of wine to get though some of the tougher issues.