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meegzreads's review against another edition
4.0
*4 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren Blakely always has fun and entertaining books, and this one was no different. Gabe and Arden have been friends for a year but neither of them really wants to admit to, or risk their friendship, for feelings that are more than that. Of friends.
When Arden comes up with her little plan, things really heat up, and boy oh boy do they get fun. And that elevator scene? *fans self*
I loved that Arden is a bookstore owner and even though she's trying to find herself in certain ways, she's very true to herself in others. And Gabe is just an awesome male hero in this one. Plus he's a firefighter? I mean, who can resist a firefighter?
Lots of fun, an entertaining and easy read. Would recommend.
Review also on my blog - Best Laid Plans by Lauren Blakely
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ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
Lauren Blakely always has fun and entertaining books, and this one was no different. Gabe and Arden have been friends for a year but neither of them really wants to admit to, or risk their friendship, for feelings that are more than that. Of friends.
When Arden comes up with her little plan, things really heat up, and boy oh boy do they get fun. And that elevator scene? *fans self*
I loved that Arden is a bookstore owner and even though she's trying to find herself in certain ways, she's very true to herself in others. And Gabe is just an awesome male hero in this one. Plus he's a firefighter? I mean, who can resist a firefighter?
Lots of fun, an entertaining and easy read. Would recommend.
Review also on my blog - Best Laid Plans by Lauren Blakely
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tamtam's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
amandakoz's review against another edition
4.0
4.5☆
Best Laid Plans was super cute, sexy, and sweet all rolled in one. Arden is cute in all her naivete and how she wants to explore romance. Gabe isn't some stuck up firefighter, he is really genuine and I just adored his heart. I loved seeing how strong of a friendship they have and that undeniable bond they have. I really liked their story and I liked that it felt like Gabe was really pulling the relationship side of things and not just Arden. They are both well written characters and I was drawn to them both so much. I flew through the book and next thing I knew it was over and I am excited about the next one!
*I chose to review an early copy*
Best Laid Plans was super cute, sexy, and sweet all rolled in one. Arden is cute in all her naivete and how she wants to explore romance. Gabe isn't some stuck up firefighter, he is really genuine and I just adored his heart. I loved seeing how strong of a friendship they have and that undeniable bond they have. I really liked their story and I liked that it felt like Gabe was really pulling the relationship side of things and not just Arden. They are both well written characters and I was drawn to them both so much. I flew through the book and next thing I knew it was over and I am excited about the next one!
*I chose to review an early copy*
bookbruin's review against another edition
5.0
Edited 2/28/19
Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5+ stars
Story 4.5 stars
Joe Arden and Erin Mallon were perfect for this story and had just the right amount of sexy and playful to really bring this friends to lovers story to the next level. Mallon and Arden are 2 of the few narrators that I enjoy both their male and female voices, but the duet style narration worked really well with them. I wish more audiobooks were performed in the duet style. The interview and Q and A at the end was such a treat! I really enjoyed their candid and funny responses about the audiobook process and things that go on behind the scenes. I about died hearing them recite the phone book and a grocery list, in a way only Joe Arden and Erin Mallon can! LOL! I’m a dog person, so hearing Joe Arden’s opinion on cats was also hilarious. I can't wait to hear them in The Feel Good Factor next!
*****
Friends to lovers is one of my very favorite tropes and Lauren Blakely does it so damn well! I fell in love with Arden and Gabe from the moment the book opens (the cheese!!) and couldn't wait to see how everything unfolded. Blakely gives readers a little twist to the friends with benefits story line, that I found really fun and perfect for our characters. This book was exactly what I needed - a sexy and fun, but not too angsty, romcom.
I'm never a big fan of the manwhore hero, but Gabe definitely proves that though he has enjoyed the opposite sex, once he sets his sights on someone, he is all in. I really appreciated that he took the time to get to know Arden, and recognized that even if he wanted to explore more with her, emotionally she was not ready. I loved that he played the long game with Arden. She was such a fantastic heroine - smart, fun, loyal, witty, and extremely relatable. One of my favorite things about her (besides the fact that she loved books and owned a bookstore!) was how much she valued her girlfriends and friendships. Her Bawdy Ladies book club (what a hoot they were!), as well as Vanessa and Perri were such great additions to the story. Gabe's relationship with his family was wonderful too, especially his bond with Pops.
The slow burn build up between Gabe and Arden was exquisite and I about burst into flames when everything finally boiled over. (Side note: I NEVER in a million years would have thought a sentence with the word 'mime' in it could be so incredibly sexy!) I thought the concerns and bit of drama we encounter in the story were realistic and honest. Is it worth it to risk a rock solid amazing friendship for the possibility of an even more amazing love? There are a few miscommunications and missteps along the way for Gabe and Arden as they navigate the friends to more road, but the resolution was so sweet and perfect for these characters. The epilogues were the icing on the cake and I had a huge smile on my face as I turned the last page. Lots of seeds were planted for Blakely's next book, and I can't wait to read Perri and Derek's story next in The Feel Good Factor!
PS - I also love that Lauren Blakely threw a few easter eggs in for her fans by giving cameos to her characters in Unzipped and also nods to her Heartbreakers series. Such a fun tie in!
4.5 stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*
Audiobook Review
Overall 5 stars
Performance 5+ stars
Story 4.5 stars
Joe Arden and Erin Mallon were perfect for this story and had just the right amount of sexy and playful to really bring this friends to lovers story to the next level. Mallon and Arden are 2 of the few narrators that I enjoy both their male and female voices, but the duet style narration worked really well with them. I wish more audiobooks were performed in the duet style. The interview and Q and A at the end was such a treat! I really enjoyed their candid and funny responses about the audiobook process and things that go on behind the scenes. I about died hearing them recite the phone book and a grocery list, in a way only Joe Arden and Erin Mallon can! LOL! I’m a dog person, so hearing Joe Arden’s opinion on cats was also hilarious. I can't wait to hear them in The Feel Good Factor next!
*****
Friends to lovers is one of my very favorite tropes and Lauren Blakely does it so damn well! I fell in love with Arden and Gabe from the moment the book opens (the cheese!!) and couldn't wait to see how everything unfolded. Blakely gives readers a little twist to the friends with benefits story line, that I found really fun and perfect for our characters. This book was exactly what I needed - a sexy and fun, but not too angsty, romcom.
I'm never a big fan of the manwhore hero, but Gabe definitely proves that though he has enjoyed the opposite sex, once he sets his sights on someone, he is all in. I really appreciated that he took the time to get to know Arden, and recognized that even if he wanted to explore more with her, emotionally she was not ready. I loved that he played the long game with Arden. She was such a fantastic heroine - smart, fun, loyal, witty, and extremely relatable. One of my favorite things about her (besides the fact that she loved books and owned a bookstore!) was how much she valued her girlfriends and friendships. Her Bawdy Ladies book club (what a hoot they were!), as well as Vanessa and Perri were such great additions to the story. Gabe's relationship with his family was wonderful too, especially his bond with Pops.
The slow burn build up between Gabe and Arden was exquisite and I about burst into flames when everything finally boiled over. (Side note: I NEVER in a million years would have thought a sentence with the word 'mime' in it could be so incredibly sexy!) I thought the concerns and bit of drama we encounter in the story were realistic and honest. Is it worth it to risk a rock solid amazing friendship for the possibility of an even more amazing love? There are a few miscommunications and missteps along the way for Gabe and Arden as they navigate the friends to more road, but the resolution was so sweet and perfect for these characters. The epilogues were the icing on the cake and I had a huge smile on my face as I turned the last page. Lots of seeds were planted for Blakely's next book, and I can't wait to read Perri and Derek's story next in The Feel Good Factor!
PS - I also love that Lauren Blakely threw a few easter eggs in for her fans by giving cameos to her characters in Unzipped and also nods to her Heartbreakers series. Such a fun tie in!
4.5 stars
*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*
bribookish's review against another edition
5.0
This might be a new favorite friends to lovers! So stinking cute!!
overflowingshelf's review against another edition
2.0
This sounded so promising. From the beginning I felt like something was off, like we started in the middle of the story, in the middle of the relationship. I wanted more of a slow build and burn and instead it just kind of slowly simmered and then boiled over extremely quickly. Also, why does Gabe never question why Arden doesn’t want to be the nice girl anymore? Why she feels like she needs to change who she is? I don’t know. This just really didn’t work for me. Might be my least favorite Lauren Blakely book.
sandiereads's review against another edition
This might be up there with Wanderlust as my favorite of Blakely's contemporary romances so far. I read it mostly because the audiobook is part of Audible's Romance Package, but I enjoy best friends-to-more stories. And the heroine's an indie bookseller, and the hero's a firefighter -- what could be cuter. No one-percenter "businessman" in this one!
emlickliter's review against another edition
5.0
I love the friends to lovers troupe! Makes me a total sap, but there is just something wonderful about trusting someone with your mundane and your forever! Arden's best laid plans are no match for Gabe's determination. My favorite Lauren Blakely yet! Happy Reading!
proud_book_nerd's review against another edition
4.0
A Friedman's hold please!!!
I almost didn't get this book because I thought I already read it, but apparently a book by another author with the same title.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was that when the author switched perspectives the time was so very authentic to each character. This was that age old take of friend-zoned friends wanting more but unsure of how to get it. Or that was the case for Gabe when he befriended Arden. Arden just thought she wants his type. Their familiarity with each other was special and made the unusual request from Arden possible. I think many women often don't know what they would like in bed. I knew someone who once said he husband had mistresses because he couldn't do "those types of things" with her, she was his wife. It's a sad take but I'm glad Arden could find it all with Gabe. Great fast read.
I almost didn't get this book because I thought I already read it, but apparently a book by another author with the same title.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was that when the author switched perspectives the time was so very authentic to each character. This was that age old take of friend-zoned friends wanting more but unsure of how to get it. Or that was the case for Gabe when he befriended Arden. Arden just thought she wants his type. Their familiarity with each other was special and made the unusual request from Arden possible. I think many women often don't know what they would like in bed. I knew someone who once said he husband had mistresses because he couldn't do "those types of things" with her, she was his wife. It's a sad take but I'm glad Arden could find it all with Gabe. Great fast read.