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mckellstar's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars! This was super cute and steeeeeamy...! A slow burn romance that kept heating up until the fourth act! The ending was a little cheesy, but that’s sort of to be expected. I really enjoyed this one! Very quick read, and we love a feminist man who actually *cares* about his partner!
sarajane11's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet sexy story. I loved that there was a friendship first and that there were familiar characters to catch up with.
sasha2599's review against another edition
5.0
There's no trope I love more than friends to lovers and Lauren Blakely is absolutely the master at it. Her characters are so damn likable- I always want to be in their friend group! Arden and Gabe were fabulous characters, had lots of fun witty banter, and off the charts chemistry. This was a slow burn romance well worth the wait. Side characters and settings were delightful. Best of all, Arden is a BOOKSTORE OWNER and Blakely threw in so many literary references and popular titles-- so fun to read! I enjoyed the epilogues and am so glad we will get Perri and Derek's story next in The Feel Good Factor.
andreacaro's review against another edition
I'm going to preamble all my romance audiobook reads by saying that the romance package is a 6.95 add-on with Audible and you have a huge library of titles to check out. It's worth the money, if you're an audio reader.
Not rating this because it wasn't a bad book, just a not-for-me book. It has the friends to lovers trope and a ridiculous woman who recruits help learning the ins and outs (lol) of Teh Sex. I had to stop listening when she explained earnestly that she expected to learn how to appreciate being spanked while still in her close. It was juuuuust a little cringey.
Not rating this because it wasn't a bad book, just a not-for-me book. It has the friends to lovers trope and a ridiculous woman who recruits help learning the ins and outs (lol) of Teh Sex. I had to stop listening when she explained earnestly that she expected to learn how to appreciate being spanked while still in her close. It was juuuuust a little cringey.
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
Best Laid Plans is Lauren Blakely's newest romantic, sexy comedy. As you know, I'm Lauren's biggest fan. I'm a huge fan of the woman, her writing, her characters, her sense of humor, her witty banter, her storytelling and the way she keeps coming up with new, fresh and exciting ways to entertain us. Best Laid Plans is Gabe and Arden's story. We briefly met Gabe and Arden in [b:Unzipped|40793242|Unzipped|Lauren Blakely|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1535574743s/40793242.jpg|63514047] and I was instantly intrigued by the sexy fireman and the pretty bookstore owner. Gabe and Arden are friends. Just friends. They have fun together, talking, bowling. When Arden decides she wants to know what it's like to be naughty, she enlists the help of her handsome friend, Gabe. He is ecstatic and thinks this is finally his chance to show her he thinks about her more than a friend. Until she tells him it's a "hands-off" lesson. What the what? Ok, he can do this. He'll just tell her, lead her and then maybe get the chance to actually show her. What could go wrong? Their friendship is strong and it will survive and if he has his way they will become more than friends. Arden didn't really think this plan through. She didn't realize how much just Gabe talking to her about sex would turn her on. But of course he's a player so he's good at this. He's just a friend helping out another friend. Right? Once they touch for real and can't seem to keep their hands off each other, Gabe knows this is his chance. But Arden is freaking out. She doesn't think he truly cares about her. But he does. He so does. Will Gabe fight for his woman? Will Arden finally see what their future could look like? I loved this story. So much! It's fun, sexy, sweet, romantic and swoony. Gabe isn't just a sexy, gorgeous fireman. He cares about people. Wants to help them, save them and provide for them. Arden is smart, funny and knows just the right wine to pair with a great book. I wish I could go visit her bookstore and ask her advice! I loved that Gabe was the one who wanted to jump in feet first from friendship to much more! Overall, I laughed, cried, laughed, swooned, laughed some more and had to fan myself. Lauren never disappoints with her sexy characters, fun stories and romantic words. Sometimes your best laid plans turn out the way you never thought they would. Backwards. Upside down. Even better.
The man has charm for miles - a playboy with a heart of gold.
"Because if we were together, my number one goal would be to make sure you were…satisfied."
Merged review:
Best Laid Plans is Lauren Blakely's newest romantic, sexy comedy. As you know, I'm Lauren's biggest fan. I'm a huge fan of the woman, her writing, her characters, her sense of humor, her witty banter, her storytelling and the way she keeps coming up with new, fresh and exciting ways to entertain us. Best Laid Plans is Gabe and Arden's story. We briefly met Gabe and Arden in Unzipped and I was instantly intrigued by the sexy fireman and the pretty bookstore owner. Gabe and Arden are friends. Just friends. They have fun together, talking, bowling. When Arden decides she wants to know what it's like to be naughty, she enlists the help of her handsome friend, Gabe. He is ecstatic and thinks this is finally his chance to show her he thinks about her more than a friend. Until she tells him it's a "hands-off" lesson. What the what? Ok, he can do this. He'll just tell her, lead her and then maybe get the chance to actually show her. What could go wrong? Their friendship is strong and it will survive and if he has his way they will become more than friends. Arden didn't really think this plan through. She didn't realize how much just Gabe talking to her about sex would turn her on. But of course he's a player so he's good at this. He's just a friend helping out another friend. Right? Once they touch for real and can't seem to keep their hands off each other, Gabe knows this is his chance. But Arden is freaking out. She doesn't think he truly cares about her. But he does. He so does. Will Gabe fight for his woman? Will Arden finally see what their future could look like? I loved this story. So much! It's fun, sexy, sweet, romantic and swoony. Gabe isn't just a sexy, gorgeous fireman. He cares about people. Wants to help them, save them and provide for them. Arden is smart, funny and knows just the right wine to pair with a great book. I wish I could go visit her bookstore and ask her advice! I loved that Gabe was the one who wanted to jump in feet first from friendship to much more! Overall, I laughed, cried, laughed, swooned, laughed some more and had to fan myself. Lauren never disappoints with her sexy characters, fun stories and romantic words. Sometimes your best laid plans turn out the way you never thought they would. Backwards. Upside down. Even better.
The man has charm for miles - a playboy with a heart of gold.
"Because if we were together, my number one goal would be to make sure you were…satisfied."
The man has charm for miles - a playboy with a heart of gold.
"Because if we were together, my number one goal would be to make sure you were…satisfied."
Merged review:
Best Laid Plans is Lauren Blakely's newest romantic, sexy comedy. As you know, I'm Lauren's biggest fan. I'm a huge fan of the woman, her writing, her characters, her sense of humor, her witty banter, her storytelling and the way she keeps coming up with new, fresh and exciting ways to entertain us. Best Laid Plans is Gabe and Arden's story. We briefly met Gabe and Arden in Unzipped and I was instantly intrigued by the sexy fireman and the pretty bookstore owner. Gabe and Arden are friends. Just friends. They have fun together, talking, bowling. When Arden decides she wants to know what it's like to be naughty, she enlists the help of her handsome friend, Gabe. He is ecstatic and thinks this is finally his chance to show her he thinks about her more than a friend. Until she tells him it's a "hands-off" lesson. What the what? Ok, he can do this. He'll just tell her, lead her and then maybe get the chance to actually show her. What could go wrong? Their friendship is strong and it will survive and if he has his way they will become more than friends. Arden didn't really think this plan through. She didn't realize how much just Gabe talking to her about sex would turn her on. But of course he's a player so he's good at this. He's just a friend helping out another friend. Right? Once they touch for real and can't seem to keep their hands off each other, Gabe knows this is his chance. But Arden is freaking out. She doesn't think he truly cares about her. But he does. He so does. Will Gabe fight for his woman? Will Arden finally see what their future could look like? I loved this story. So much! It's fun, sexy, sweet, romantic and swoony. Gabe isn't just a sexy, gorgeous fireman. He cares about people. Wants to help them, save them and provide for them. Arden is smart, funny and knows just the right wine to pair with a great book. I wish I could go visit her bookstore and ask her advice! I loved that Gabe was the one who wanted to jump in feet first from friendship to much more! Overall, I laughed, cried, laughed, swooned, laughed some more and had to fan myself. Lauren never disappoints with her sexy characters, fun stories and romantic words. Sometimes your best laid plans turn out the way you never thought they would. Backwards. Upside down. Even better.
The man has charm for miles - a playboy with a heart of gold.
"Because if we were together, my number one goal would be to make sure you were…satisfied."
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
5.0
What a fun and witty book. I enjoyed Arden’s approach to learning who and what she likes.
Her job! I want her job like please can I own a book shop and know the people who come in that would be awesome.
Gabe the firefighter is so sweet and so amazing he just gets Arden. Probably why friends to lovers, is my favorite sub-genre in books is because of couples like this.
They both secretly love each other but for the sake of friendship neither wants to take the chance. But Arden can’t stop thinking about spicing up her love life and who better to ask than her good friend.
The way this is done, make the book fun and quirky but no something that has been done before or at least not in this way. I really enjoyed how open and honest they were with themselves.
It also makes me miss playing Words with Friends!!
I loved this narration, Joe and Erin doing a duet! It was awesome and fun to listen to. Before I knew it the book was over and I wanted more!
Her job! I want her job like please can I own a book shop and know the people who come in that would be awesome.
Gabe the firefighter is so sweet and so amazing he just gets Arden. Probably why friends to lovers, is my favorite sub-genre in books is because of couples like this.
They both secretly love each other but for the sake of friendship neither wants to take the chance. But Arden can’t stop thinking about spicing up her love life and who better to ask than her good friend.
The way this is done, make the book fun and quirky but no something that has been done before or at least not in this way. I really enjoyed how open and honest they were with themselves.
It also makes me miss playing Words with Friends!!
I loved this narration, Joe and Erin doing a duet! It was awesome and fun to listen to. Before I knew it the book was over and I wanted more!
charmaineac's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favourite... the writing was a bit awkward at times, and the pacing felt off.
msmathy's review against another edition
5.0
I wish this book was longer. It am such a sucker for books where the hero falls in love first. I also enjoyed Arden's empowerment journey. I just wish there had been more! It was over too fast.
I listened to the Audible book and really enjoyed the dual narration.
I listened to the Audible book and really enjoyed the dual narration.
bookedandbusybookblog's review against another edition
5.0
Lauren Blakely has a gift that no other person on this planet can do. She can make me sit, perfectly content, for hours on end, and read her hilariously sexy stories from start to finish. Best Laid Plans is most definitely my favorite book of hers to date! A friends to lovers romance that made me swoon, made me laugh and had me begging Arden to REALLY tell Gabe what she wanted ;) I mean, a hot fireman and a bookstore owner? Every woman’s fantasy! The slow burn in this book...oh my...so much fun, so incredibly HOT! I truly loved everything about Best Laid Plans and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for just a good, fun, sexy story <3