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jigsawgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audiobook. I'm not sure if I would feel the same reading the book. I think I will read the book and see if it hits me the same.
Joe Arden and Erin Mallon brought the book to life. I really like this duet narration. It flows so much better and I feel more engaged. I don't know what the other form of narration is called with both make and female narrators.
As for the story, it was ok. The characters were likable. They played off of each other well, and they were funny. I appreciate the build-up of romantic and/or sexual tension, but it went on a tad too long for me.
I did appreciate the epilogues, both one and two. I would give it four stars because of the narration. Otherwise, I would rate this book a 3 or 3.5 stars.
Joe Arden and Erin Mallon brought the book to life. I really like this duet narration. It flows so much better and I feel more engaged. I don't know what the other form of narration is called with both make and female narrators.
As for the story, it was ok. The characters were likable. They played off of each other well, and they were funny. I appreciate the build-up of romantic and/or sexual tension, but it went on a tad too long for me.
I did appreciate the epilogues, both one and two. I would give it four stars because of the narration. Otherwise, I would rate this book a 3 or 3.5 stars.
sbreedlove14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bookishblasian's review against another edition
4.0
Aghhhh what is it with these book endings lately? This book started out so well for me! I can certainly relate to being too much of a good girl. I could relate to Arden from the very start. Also, I typically hate weird names but I loved this one for her! It wasn't too out there, and it definitely fit her character. This book reminded me a lot of Love Machine by Kendall Ryan. I loved the girl's name in there too - Keaton. What is it about these names!? Anyways, these friends-to-lovers books were very similar. While super predictable, these books certainly have their place. They would both make awesome Hallmark movies! I'm getting off topic...
I loved the dynamic between Arden and Gabe. How cute are they!? As a reader, I definitely enjoyed the fact that Arden owned a book store. I also watch two firefighter shows, so I could I not love Gabe as a fireman?! They had a very easy going friendship, but it's clear that they were both longing for each other. I have to say the lead up of them getting together actually ended up being better than them actually getting together. The first time with the apron was pretty hot, but the second time the "I'm on the pill" rightfully ruined it for me. That and "thank fuck" are probably my least favorite lines in the books that I read. I can't quite explain it. And while his proposal idea at the book club was super cute, I feel like it was a little soon for a proposal!! I'm such a cynic though... Overall, this book was super cute but the ending left me wanting a little more from it.
I loved the dynamic between Arden and Gabe. How cute are they!? As a reader, I definitely enjoyed the fact that Arden owned a book store. I also watch two firefighter shows, so I could I not love Gabe as a fireman?! They had a very easy going friendship, but it's clear that they were both longing for each other. I have to say the lead up of them getting together actually ended up being better than them actually getting together. The first time with the apron was pretty hot, but the second time the "I'm on the pill" rightfully ruined it for me. That and "thank fuck" are probably my least favorite lines in the books that I read. I can't quite explain it. And while his proposal idea at the book club was super cute, I feel like it was a little soon for a proposal!! I'm such a cynic though... Overall, this book was super cute but the ending left me wanting a little more from it.
gabbysreading's review against another edition
5.0
If you're looking for wonderful character chemistry, sexy, witty dialogue, and a delightfully fun and flirty storyline, then let me direct you towards Lauren Blakely's brilliant new release - Best Laid Plans. I loved this book. Love, love, love!! It gave me all the good time feels. This swoony, smile inducing love story is everything I love about Lauren Blakely' writing. It didn't feel like a typical friends to lovers. I don't know how to explain it. It just felt like more.
I fell for Gabe almost instantly. The way he cared for Arden when she was down and his overall good guy vibe made him to be an amazing hero. This guy was seriously sexy as can be. Lauren Blakely writes the best nice guys.
Arden is another favorite Blakely heroine. She's super cute and very relatable. Oh my gosh, I'm so jealous of her job - books and wine... hello heaven. She's inexperience in many aspects of her love life, but she's not naive or weak. I love her demeanor and her attitude even when she unsure.
Gabe and Arden's friendship was my favorite thing. I was addicted to their flirting and hot back and forth interactions. This book was so deliciously sexy without being over the top.
I can never get enough of Lauren Blakely's books. They make me so dang happy. Best Laid Plans is no different. I highly highly highly recommend picking it up.
I fell for Gabe almost instantly. The way he cared for Arden when she was down and his overall good guy vibe made him to be an amazing hero. This guy was seriously sexy as can be. Lauren Blakely writes the best nice guys.
Arden is another favorite Blakely heroine. She's super cute and very relatable. Oh my gosh, I'm so jealous of her job - books and wine... hello heaven. She's inexperience in many aspects of her love life, but she's not naive or weak. I love her demeanor and her attitude even when she unsure.
Gabe and Arden's friendship was my favorite thing. I was addicted to their flirting and hot back and forth interactions. This book was so deliciously sexy without being over the top.
I can never get enough of Lauren Blakely's books. They make me so dang happy. Best Laid Plans is no different. I highly highly highly recommend picking it up.
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Best Laid Plans by Lauren Blakely
Narrated by Erin Mallon and Joe Arden (Duet style)
Standalone Romantic Comedy
Shirtless, sweaty and covered with cheese, Lauren Blakely made me fall in love with another one of her heroes. This time it’s Gabe the firefighter. Lauren Blakely releases so many books, and she uses the friends-to-lovers trope a lot. She has also used the “teach me about sex” trope. Yet every single book feels fresh and new, and I have loved every one of them.
Arden is a planner. She plans a beautiful picnic for her boyfriend, and he dumps her because she is too much of a good girl. And the asshole still eats! Arden doesn’t necessarily want to be a good girl, but she doesn’t know any other way. When she meets Gabe, he is interested but knows she is on the rebound, so they become best friends.
Arden wants to change. She wants to explore her inner bad girl, so she comes up with a solid plan, and recruits her best friend Gabe to help her out to see what she likes.
“This is going to be the toughest game of charades I’ve ever played.”
As their game of charades continues, dirty talk ensues.
"Because if we were together, my number one goal would be to make sure you were…satisfied."
Gabe doesn’t know how to get out of the friend zone, and Arden doesn’t think he would ever want her that way. But he does.
“I want to know the landscape of her body. Want to slide my hands up and down her legs, nibble on her ass, and make her whimper.”
Yes, please! I loved the way he got her to loosen up and talk about sex. She was totally down with “pretending” to try anything.
I point a thumb at my chest. “Big fan of spanking.”
“You are?” Her tone drenched with curiosity.
“Hell, yeah. if it’s done right….”
But will she ever stop thinking of him as a friend?
Once again, Lauren’s amazing dialog and banter made me laugh out loud, and it was made even more special by the duet style narration. I want to be friends with every one of her characters…AND their pets (Lauren does great animals too!) She introduced great side characters and has some fun cameos from other books.
Likes:
- •Arden is a bookstore owner, and I loved her book club meetings there!
- •Amazing banter and dialog.
- •Slow burn with lots of build-up.
- •Dirty talking.
- •A hot and sexy firefighter.
- •I smiled the entire time I listened.
- •The cast of characters and friends.
- •Gabe is sweet and sexy and a little less business than many of Lauren’s heroes. It was a nice change.
- •I loved their friendship and how they trusted each other.
Dislikes:
- •Lauren Blakely is ruining me for other audiobooks!
The Narration:
Lauren Blakely does THE BEST audiobooks HANDS DOWN. She clearly writes for audio and has said herself that she can hear the narrator’s voice in her head as she writes, and you can tell. This is her first full-length duet style book (not including the 12 narrator Birthday Suit) and I loved it. Something about it was different than most duets and I can’t put my finger on the difference—almost like it maybe wasn’t full duet, only conversations? Because unless I’m crazy (I was driving 6 hours when I listened), I could swear Erin Mallon did her sexy male voice. The narrators were perfect. They had great timing together and I really enjoyed the duet. Sometimes they seem weird and jarring to listen to, but that was not the case at all with Best Laid Plans.
The Down & Dirty:
Once again, Lauren Blakely delivered a fantastic romantic comedy with humor, heart, and heat. The amazing banter was enhanced by the fabulous duet narration, and Lauren just nails the friends-to-lovers trope every time. I’m not sure how she can possibly keep every book fresh and unique despite similar settings and tropes, but she does, and I have never felt one second of repetitive storytelling. I loved every second of Best Laid Plans and recommend it highly!
Rating: 4.5 Stars, 4 Heat, 5+ Narration
Best Laid Plans by Lauren Blakely
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Arden was just dumped, she was planning to ask the guy to move in with her, but he told her she was to nice and he wants naughty even though he's never mentioned it before. So after he leaves, taking a snack with him, she needs to vent so she begins throwing cheese and crackers down the trail he disappeared down and accidentally hits Gabe in the chest with the cheese. It's not really a meet cute because they've met before but they become really good friends post cheesing.
The friendship is really sweet between these 2, he's a ladies man(but has been pining for her since they met the first time) and she's the sweet book nerd who's only ever really had sex in missionary and she desperately wants to try and broaden her horizons. So she asks Gabe to play what amounts to sex charades with her so she can try things but not cross the friendship boundary.
The progression of what they try and how hot they get for each other was sweet and spicy. This book is a good lesson on asking for what you want if you aren't being fulfilled by your love life and the amazing things that can happen when you communicate.
The friendship is really sweet between these 2, he's a ladies man(but has been pining for her since they met the first time) and she's the sweet book nerd who's only ever really had sex in missionary and she desperately wants to try and broaden her horizons. So she asks Gabe to play what amounts to sex charades with her so she can try things but not cross the friendship boundary.
The progression of what they try and how hot they get for each other was sweet and spicy. This book is a good lesson on asking for what you want if you aren't being fulfilled by your love life and the amazing things that can happen when you communicate.
tessanne's review against another edition
2.0
This book is not bad, but the cover and blurb are extremely misleading. There is some spicy talk and planning but really only one sex scene and it’s not at all detailed.
I will try another by this author, but now I’m nervous that all these hot-looking books are just a bunch of false advertising.
As for the characters, they are sweet but don’t have a lot of depth and their chemistry is also rather lacking. It’s a lot of same old same old. I was surprised when I noticed I was 3/4 finished and there was not much progress or change. That said, it sure is a quick read.
I will try another by this author, but now I’m nervous that all these hot-looking books are just a bunch of false advertising.
As for the characters, they are sweet but don’t have a lot of depth and their chemistry is also rather lacking. It’s a lot of same old same old. I was surprised when I noticed I was 3/4 finished and there was not much progress or change. That said, it sure is a quick read.
indreamsandnightmares's review against another edition
3.0
This was overall a very cute and steamy romance! One of my favorite proses in romance, but while i liked the story it wasn't very much memorable to me. Can´t wait for more of the author.
modrallj's review against another edition
5.0
This just WORKED. I really enjoyed Gabe and Arden and their story.
booksandladders's review against another edition
3.0
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
This was okay and had some cute (and sexy) moments, but I felt it was kind of bland. And definitely too predictable. I enjoyed it enough but it didn't WOW me like I wanted it to. But for an Audible Daily Deal, it was fine.
This was okay and had some cute (and sexy) moments, but I felt it was kind of bland. And definitely too predictable. I enjoyed it enough but it didn't WOW me like I wanted it to. But for an Audible Daily Deal, it was fine.