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A review by ashlynanderson
Wreck My Plans by Jillian Meadows
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
This was a fun read!
I have to add the disclaimer that I read this Christmas book in April, but despite that, it was really cozy and heartwarming. The holiday setting (hot tub, baking, peppermint mochas, snow, cabins, picking out a Christmas tree) was so warm, fuzzy, and nostalgic, and I wish I had read this in December! The author really encapsulated the holiday season in the best way in this story!
I liked the characters of Gavin and Lena, and found them to be realistic and endearing.
I appreciated the storyline of Gavin having formerly been in foster care. It really added to his character and helped to explain why he was so attached to Lena’s family and didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his relationship with them.
I found Lena to be relatable and appreciated her struggles with feeling a little bit lost in life, because that’s so real for so many people in their late twenties.
I liked Lena’s family. Their home and relationships felt very cozy and really fit with the setting of the story, especially at Christmastime. It was also nice to see Millie (and Finn!) from Give Me Butterflies again!
I liked the spice. There was more than expected, and it was well done. The mouth on Gavin!
The miscommunication that informed much of the plot of the book felt pretty contrived though. The entire conflict could have been solved through a quick and honest conversation, which realistically should have happened between the two main characters three years ago.
I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t feel realistic for Gavin, a nearly 40 year old man, leave suddenly and proceed to skip spending two Christmases with Lena’s family because he saw her kissing someone else at a party. And it doesn’t feel realistic for Lena to have such an angry, hostile, and aggressive reaction to him showing up this Christmas (when he thought she wouldn’t be there). Like, this whole thing really shouldn’t have been such a big deal.
And one other personal nitpicky thing. It really bothers me when an author chooses a career for a character and clearly doesn’t know much about said career. Like Gavin, I am an architect. Not all of us wear all black all the time, and we really don’t use the term blueprints anymore! But this is a minor personal grievance that few people would take note of or have an issue with!
Overall, this was a cute and fun book. I did have to suspend disbelief about some of the plot devices, but I had a good time overall and would probably reread it for a festive vibe over the holidays sometime.
I have to add the disclaimer that I read this Christmas book in April, but despite that, it was really cozy and heartwarming. The holiday setting (hot tub, baking, peppermint mochas, snow, cabins, picking out a Christmas tree) was so warm, fuzzy, and nostalgic, and I wish I had read this in December! The author really encapsulated the holiday season in the best way in this story!
I liked the characters of Gavin and Lena, and found them to be realistic and endearing.
I appreciated the storyline of Gavin having formerly been in foster care. It really added to his character and helped to explain why he was so attached to Lena’s family and didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his relationship with them.
I found Lena to be relatable and appreciated her struggles with feeling a little bit lost in life, because that’s so real for so many people in their late twenties.
I liked Lena’s family. Their home and relationships felt very cozy and really fit with the setting of the story, especially at Christmastime. It was also nice to see Millie (and Finn!) from Give Me Butterflies again!
I liked the spice. There was more than expected, and it was well done. The mouth on Gavin!
The miscommunication that informed much of the plot of the book felt pretty contrived though. The entire conflict could have been solved through a quick and honest conversation, which realistically should have happened between the two main characters three years ago.
I’m sorry, but it just doesn’t feel realistic for Gavin, a nearly 40 year old man, leave suddenly and proceed to skip spending two Christmases with Lena’s family because he saw her kissing someone else at a party. And it doesn’t feel realistic for Lena to have such an angry, hostile, and aggressive reaction to him showing up this Christmas (when he thought she wouldn’t be there). Like, this whole thing really shouldn’t have been such a big deal.
And one other personal nitpicky thing. It really bothers me when an author chooses a career for a character and clearly doesn’t know much about said career. Like Gavin, I am an architect. Not all of us wear all black all the time, and we really don’t use the term blueprints anymore! But this is a minor personal grievance that few people would take note of or have an issue with!
Overall, this was a cute and fun book. I did have to suspend disbelief about some of the plot devices, but I had a good time overall and would probably reread it for a festive vibe over the holidays sometime.