Jill Shalvis takes us back to Sunrise Cove in her newest novel, The Backup Plan. As an avid reader of the series, I went into The Backup Plan with high expectations. Shalvis did not disappoint. The Backup Plan delivers a delightful mix of friendship, romance and humour designed to keep the reader entertained from start to finish.
Title: The Backup Plan
New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a heartwarming tale of three people who are bought together when they’re bequeathed an old Wild West inn that has the potential to pull their lives apart, but instead turns into the gift of a lifetime. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. This post contains affiliate links you can use to purchase the book. If you buy the book using that link, I will receive a small commission from the sale.
Author(s): Jill Shalvis
Series: Sunrise Cove #3
Also in this series: The Family You Make , The Friendship Pact , The Sweetheart List , The Bright Spot , The Summer Escape
Published by William Morrow on January 17, 2023
Pages: 384
Genre(s): Romance, Women's Fiction
Source: Author
Format: eArc
Purchase: Amazon|Audible
Rating:
Series Rating:
Heat Level:
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 had everything I’ve come to expect from Shalvis. This installment of the Sunrise Cove series introduces readers to Knox, Alice and Lauren. All three had a connection to Sunset Cove through the owner of the Last Chance Inn. Circumstances saw them going their separate ways and since then had no contact with each other. However, when Eleanor, the owner of the Inn passed away and left them each a third of the property their past collided with their present.
It was fascinating to see the three protagonists navigate their way through the secrets and misunderstandings of the past. This led to several emotional scenes. However, it was not all teary eyed moments. Shalvis infused humour in some of the situations leading to laugh out loud moments. It is easy for one to see they all cared for each other but painful and memories hindered the healing process.
The trio, although far from perfect were great characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. Eleanor may have passed but her impact was felt throughout the story. From the way she arranged their reunion, forcing them to face their fears, to the emails she had written providing insight into her personality and past actions.
The romance featured in The Backup Plan is of the slow burn variety. Now Alice had a crush on Knox in the past, but he didn’t feel the same way until now. They both have the chance to pursue the feelings brewing between them. However, Alice’s penchant to run and hide from her feelings placed their budding romance at risk. Knox’s patience, however proved to be their saving grace. The story also delivered an endearing secondary romance served on the side, which made me happy for Lauren.
As expected Shalvis delivered an entertaining story featuring relatable and endearing characters served up with not one but two romances designed to warm the heart.
Story Evaluation | |
---|---|
Plot | |
Characters | |
World Building | |
Writing Style | |
Pacing | |
Cover | |
Enjoyment | |
Ending | |
Overall: |
- The Wildfire Girl: Carolyn Arnold - December 6, 2024
- One Night With You: Carrie Ann Ryan - December 1, 2024
- The River Ghost: Dawn Merriman - November 23, 2024
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Wow there are a lot of reviews for this today and all positive ones from what I have seen. I have this and decided to wait for audio, maybe a mistake.
I am sure the audio version will be great.
That sounds perfect for me.
Mary, I am sure you would love this one.
We’re review twins today! I love your review as I have similar feelings about this book.
Yes we are. 😊
I do love the set up of this one with the three having to come back home and make peace plus get a romance.
Yes! It is a lovely setup.
I have this one too and I’m looking forward to it. Nice to see you loved it, Nadene!
I loved the slow burn. Great review Nadene!