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Get your eggnog ready and curl up with this little delightful stocking stuffer of a romance
Take one very damaged man who puts his most heartfelt emotions into a song for the woman he loves. What happens when that very song, an expression of his newfound love, becomes the thing that threatens to keep them apart? This is the predicament in which Jimmy Sullivan finds himself.

After fleeing with his mother and younger brother from a home where an "abusive and drunk father hung like a noxious, poisonous cloud over their lives" as a teenager, Jimmy Sullivan never planned on returning to Palmetto Pointe, South Carolina, and wouldn't dream of doing so if it wasn't for his younger brother, Jack. Jimmy is used to feeling unsettled, so his career as a country singer/songwriter suits him just fine. Along with Jack and some friends, Jimmy's band, The Unknown Souls, makes their living touring the country, playing every bar, state fair and roadhouse you can name. But when Jack returns for his childhood girlfriend, Kara, Jimmy tags along and inadvertently finds himself head over heels in love with Charlotte, Kara's best friend.

Jack and Kara's love had a lengthy and arduous path. After a long childhood flirtation with Jack, Kara began dating professional golfer Peyton --- a match that pleased her father. But it took a visit to a local nursing home and a prophetic woman named Mauve Mahoney for Kara to finally realize that she wasn't listening to her heart. Despite the glamorous and comfortable life Peyton could offer, Kara knew deep down that she was still in love with Jack, and wise old Mauve gave her a gentle nudge in the right direction. Hearing the woman's tales of Irish lore and love made Kara see that she could never be happy with anyone but Jack. After professing their love to each other, the couple soon became engaged, and plans for an elaborate wedding in Ireland were in the works.

And for this, Kara would need Charlotte by her side. The pair became good friends after the death of Kara's mom --- a time in their young lives when "a mother's death leaves a hollowed-out hole in the soul." When Jack returns to Palmetto Pointe with his brother and bandmate Jimmy in tow, they find themselves an unlikely foursome. With Jack and Kara busy making plans for a Christmas wedding in Ireland, Jimmy and Charlotte start spending a good amount of time together, and it isn't long before the two are falling for each other. Jimmy has always been a quiet, nomadic soul who has a hard time expressing himself when he's not onstage. So he does what any good musician does --- he pours his heart out in a song. But not just any song; "this was so perfect a song that it almost ruined him."

Jimmy pens "Undeserved" for Charlotte, hoping to encapsulate his deep feelings for her. Charlotte is so moved by his display of true emotion and admits she feels the same. And when Jimmy plays it at a concert, it's clear his song moves a lot of people, including Milton Bartholomew, a high-powered country music impresario who invites Jimmy to sing his powerful ballad on an upcoming Christmas tour headlined by Rusk & Hope, the super-successful husband-and-wife singing duo. But in life, as in love, the course never runs smoothly. Milton only wants Jimmy. He would have to leave behind his brother and bandmates for this once-in-a-lifetime shot at fame. And just as things were getting serious with Charlotte, he'd have to leave for weeks for the tour. How can the one thing --- the manifestation of his love for Charlotte --- now be the wedge that's driving them apart? The holiday tour puts Jimmy in New York City, all alone on Christmas Eve, and there he must make a painful choice between his heart and his career.

Patti Callahan Henry, known for celebrating the Low Country of South Carolina in her novels, puts her well-established charms to work on this holiday tale of life and love, with a little Celtic flavor thrown in for good measure. THE PERFECT LOVE SONG taps into the sappy romantic in all of us. And who doesn't want to believe in love triumphing over all, especially around the holidays? Fans of Fern Michaels, Debbie Macomber and Dorothea Benton Frank will enthusiastically agree. So get your eggnog ready and curl up with this little delightful stocking stuffer of a romance.

--- Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller

That Was Fun
A very rich and enjoyable read.If you love the woven tales of the low country in the style of Conroy and Siddons than this is another great journey to take.I was sad to finish and can't wait to share with my book club this holiday season.I'm sure we will all have a thought on our Perfect Love Song.

entertaining character study
Jimmy Sullivan writes a beautiful Perfect Love Song for his beloved girlfriend Charlotte Carrington.The lyrics are so well received; he leaves Palmetto Pointe, South Carolina to go on tour with his brother Jack, their band The Unknown Souls and a who's who of country music.He enjoys the glitter of the bright lights, the fame of people remembering his name, and the side benefits of being with the legends.

However, his family and that girlfriend who he wrote his original song for are upset with Jimmy.Indifferent to their pleading, he chooses to perform on Christmas Eve at Radio City Music Hall instead of being the best man at his brother's wedding.Will success spoil Jimmy Sullivan as he wanders alone in Manhattan on Christmas Eve?

The Perfect Love Song is an entertaining character study that modernizes the movie Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?Jimmy is an intriguing lead protagonist who chose career over love so we naive romance fans will feel no empathy for him though logically we understand his opportunity choice.Fans who enjoy a warm relationship drama will want to read Patti Callahan Henry's tender tale.

Harriet Klausner

"The Perfect Love Song"
This book is another winner from Patti Callahan Henry.Congrats!!I have yet to read anything from her that I didn't like.My absolute favorite is "When Light Breaks", so when I found out she was doing a "sequel" book to this you don't know how excited I was.Pre-ordered from day one when I could and when I received the book read it in one sitting.This book not only gives you insight with previous characters but entails one man's journey (Jimmy) to self-enlightenment.Patti is a GREAT storyteller....that incorporates everything from the five senses....and she does it in true "Irish" spirit!!I love that she wrote this book in Maeve's voice!!This book would be a must read for any PCH fan....After reading "When Light Breaks" as a prequel.I would recommend this book to anyone!!

Great new book for the holiday!
Patti has such a unique way of combining the rich Irish history of story telling and myth in this beautiful new novella. This seasonal story takes the meaning of real love and weaves it through this tale of freindships and family relationships with such giftedness. It will make you laugh and cry as you identify with real life issues. How I love the theme of redemption that runs through all her novels. She is truly a 'master storyteller' as Cassandra King writes in her comments about Patti.
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