*I received a free copy of The Backup Plan from Avon via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
The Backup Plan by Jill Shalvis Series: Sunrise Cove #3
Published by Avon on 17 January 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 381
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
When Alice receives a call about an unexpected windfall, she's stunned to learn the gift is a falling-apart-at-the-seams old Wild West B&B she once considered home--and she's inherited it along with two strangers. Except they weren't always strangers. Once upon a time, they were friends. One is her ex-BFF Lauren. The other is Knox, the only guy to ever break her heart, all while never even knowing she existed.
It turns out their lives are unknowingly entangled because they once separately helped the same woman without expecting anything in return. Years later, Alice, Lauren, and Knox are broken in their own way, with their own history--and secrets-- causing them to start out on the wrong foot with each other. But according to the will, they must renovate and be partners in the inn for one year or else lose their inheritance.
Stuck together, they make a list of rules to keep the peace--rules that end up doing the opposite, but by some miracle they find what they didn't even know they were looking for--acceptance, true friendship, and in a case (or two!), true love.
The Backup Plan hit me in the feels big time, both because of the romance and because of the friendships – as well as all the past hurts.
The Backup Plan is a story of three lost souls – two who left their home town when the going got tough while they were young – and one who stayed, but didn’t really live. It is filled with emotions! There’s joy, sadness, love, fear, humor, and a tiny little dash of hope.
I really enjoyed getting to know Alice, Lauren and Knox in The Backup Plan. They had all been deeply hurt when they were young, and as a result, they were cautious with their hearts, albeit in very different ways. Alice protected her heart by being as prickly as a scared hedgehog. Lauren tried to have difficult conversations, but then would either get defensive or start crying when the going got tough. Knox was seemingly impenetrable, and Alice’s nickname for him was spot-on with Fort Knox.
They were all back to Last Chance Inn because the former owner had passed away, and they all had history – or a lack thereof – with her. They became equal co-owners, and had to put the work in to make the place up to standards both when it came to electric and plumbing, and aesthetic. As they unraveled and put the inn back together, somehow, the same happened to the characters.
The Backup Plan was so enjoyable, as always, Shalvis’ writing was so good. The characters grew, their pasts were dealt with, and they could finally start to think about what they truly wanted to do with the rest of their lives.
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Great review, Linda! I love that this story follows three people. It really sounds like a wonderful story!
Thanks Stephanie. I loved it, I really did! And I enjoyed that there was both a friendship to mend and a budding romance, too.
Lot’s of us are reviewing this book today! I enjoyed your review and feel the same way!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, too, Wendy! Review twinsies 🙂
Twitter: BerlsS
Looks like this was a unanimous hit – Lark really enjoyed it too! I haven’t read enough Shalvis, but I do always enjoy her books. I will have to try to get to this series sooner than later!
I’m a HUGE Shalvis-fan, Berls! And I’m happy Lark enjoyed it as well 🙂 This series is at the beginning, and all of the novels are stand-alones.