I can always count on Roan Parrish for loads of feels and engaging characters that are absolutely lovable. Best Laid Plans certainly delivers. I love small-town romances, and the people of Garnet Run make it a place I want to revisit, so I'm really hoping for more from this series. This one brings us Charlie and Rye, and I loved these two together from the beginning - even before they figured out how good they'd be as a couple. Charlie is one of those characters who tugs at every heartstring, the kind that makes me want to just give him a big ol' hug. Fortunately, he had Rye for that, and Rye was much better at the whole comfort thing than he realized. We also get to visit with Jack and Simon from book 1, and there are even a few mentions of the author's rocker series. The romance is emotional, but the external angst is low, which is certainly appreciated in these stressful times. We're two for two now on terrific couples in this series. I don't know what, if anything, is planned for Garnet Run, but I'm hoping to visit these characters again soon.

In 'Best Laid Plans' we come back to Garnet Run with Parrish's sophmore novel in the eponymus series.
I have to admit Charlie intrigued me greatly during 'Better Than People' and I was positively giddy to finally read his story. But also. Ouch.

Charlie was dealt bad hand after bad hand, very early in life. He found himself the sole breadwinner and parental figure to a teenager, while he was still one himself.

I was curious about the kind of pairing that would attract, and I was not disappointed by Rye.

Rye is an equally damaged soul, for his own reasons, and finds himself unable, and somewhat unwilling, to stop depending on Charlie.

This isn't a steamy fast paced read, nor is it a slow burn per se - instead it was a quiet simmer, worthy of these characters. This was still quite unexpected, in its intimacy and reach.

The stars of the show however, are the cats! There, I said it! Marmot and Jane are incredible and always the perfect bit of humor during the darker parts of this story.

All in all, my stay in Garnet Run has been a pleasant one.

This is a small town romance set in Garnet Run, Wyoming. Rye moves from Seattle to Garnet Run after being evicted and finding out that his grandfather whom he never met left him a house. Unfortunately, when Rye arrives in Garnet Run, he discovers this house is falling apart and not really hospitable. With few options though, Rye decides that with YouTube's help he can definitely fix up the place. Charlie... is not so convinced.

Charlie owns the local hardware store and ever since his parents died two days shy of his 18th birthday and he took custody of his brother (one of the protagonists of book one), he's had a bit of a thing for saving people. Rye is initially extremely skeptical of Charlie so this slow burn romance is really, really lovely.

If you've ever listened to Taylor Swift's "Delicate" on repeat for hours or you know, even just a few times, I think this book will really call to you. Plus, there are cats! But in all honesty, Charlie and Rye's slow coming together feels so delicate because they're both sort of healing from things. Rye's had a pretty tough life, hence the eviction, and Charlie didn't even really know there was stuff to heal from. But slowly, the two of them really start learning more about one another and themselves and it's really, deeply romantic in a lot of ways. I think because of the slow nature of the build up, the conflict, when it came, was really jarring for me. It's not one of those third act break ups that ruined the book for me by any means, but it just threw the pacing off for me and brought me out of the book. Setting that one quibble aside, I think that Parrish wrote a gorgeous book, as per usual, and I'm really, really happy about it!

Oh, and important note! Rye is pansexual, which was really awesome representation to see. I think Charlie's exploration of sex feels sort of demisexual vibes, but it's not named on the page, and Charlie does not identify as ace.

CWs: intrusive thoughts, some discussion of parental abandonment/neglect related to not being straight or cis

This is the second book in the Garnet Run series. I love this series; the characters develop emotionally and it is wonderful to experience. The plot is interesting and involves pets so much in a wonderful way. The pace is wonderful keeping me enthralled. I hope there are more books in this series.

If you want to discover the difference between good and great writing, Roan Parrish’s “Best Laid Plans” will make the distinction clear. Here are two lost men who have never had the luxury to consider their futures. Within moments of my introduction to Rye and Charlie, I redid my entire schedule, so I could simply relish, uninterrupted, how Ms. Parrish would make them whole. Their kitties’ big personalities (kittenalities?) captured me as well.

First a warning about this standalone in the Garnet Run series. If you don’t enjoy deep, soul-quenching happiness, avoid “Best Laid Plans” like COVID. Because what else could come of Charlie and Rye’s first encounters with joy?

Rye Janssen is on his last friend’s couch, with no job or prospects, when he learns he has inherited a house in Wyoming from a grandfather he never met. Driving his barely trustworthy Barretta from Seattle, with cat Marmot as his only contact, he finds a run-down heap of rotting boards. Attempting to rebuild from internet tutorials, he meets Charlie Matheson, the local hardware store owner, who thinks of Rye, “He looked like ten miles of dirt road.”

Two weeks before Charlie turned eighteen, his parents died. He raised his thirteen year old brother (Jack, from Garnet Run’s first installment, the brilliant “Better Than People”) and turned their failing business into a profitable one, never considering his own needs. Now well into adulthood, Rye’s home becomes Charlie’s newest “hero complex” project – anything to avoid self-awareness. Poor, honorable Charlie needs “saving” as well.

Many romance plots rely on big events to bring characters together. Ms. Parrish creates characters who are lock and key in rhythm, opposites who don’t oppose, but complement each other. Rye is the color to Charlie’s pragmatism, Charlie the implementation of Rye’s dreams. And their sexual intimacy is equally unique, enhancing their self-acceptance, searing not because of the acts, but because of how they reveal these men’s quirks, fears and strengths.

Over and over, I was struck when Ms. Parrish expressed sentiments I could never quite capture into words:

“The depth of Charlie’s feeling was…humbling. It said: I am letting you affect me. I am letting you into the parts that I have never shared with anyone-not even myself.”

“The desire to fall into their future like a child into a pile of autumn leaves-cushioned, enveloped, with just a bit of chaos flying around the edges.”

Since I’m also in a relationship others might consider “odd,” I kept thinking, “yes, yes, that’s just what it’s like.” Love gently unveils their life paths by showing them what and whom they positively affect. Tendrils of Charlie and Rye’s journey linger in me, many a day since I finished “Best Laid Plans.” Now that’s great writing!

3.5* A solid tale that was mostly a 5* read until it lost itself a little :(

This is the second book in a duology, and though I have read book 1, I didn't really remember much of the characters until quite far into the tale and I wondered why their story - or rather, one's 'condition' (I hope I'm using this correctly) - was ringing bells. It's not necessary to read book 1, but in this, a character that I'd thought was rather ungrateful actually gets to see that he is, and apologises for it, and in fact he and Charlie, the lead from this tale, end up having an overdue heart to heart, that was sweet and genuine. That was one of the sweetest parts of the tale.

So, for most of the tale - at least about 60% gone - it was on track to be a 5* read, unencumbered by sex or drama... and then the sex started. Don't get me wrong, I regularly read MM and it wasn't unexpected for there to be sex in this, but it went from zero sex to nothing but sex and intimacy and it kind of took over the tale. I got Charlie's issues and I also got why Rye wanted to help, but they went from sexless friends to teacher-student in a role reversal that just felt a bit too much and too overpowering. It would have been fine if the exploration had happened naturally but one act led to so much introspective from Charlie's part that I began to get bored and skip quite a lot of the tale.

I did want to believe that Rye's project turned into what it did - a lovely shelter for cats, and maybe, too, more than one vulnerable person. But, being in finance, I struggled to believe that a credit union would help out like it did, and that the project could utterly change purpose like it did and the lenders not have an issue with it. For me, it required too much suspension of disbelief on top of the other instance of this with the 'act' mentioned above, so this is where the tale lost 1.5*. But it had sweet characters, lovely cats and it had a bunch of decent locals, to which the author's rather niche writing added warmth. I particularly liked the old boy character, a friend of Rye's late grandfather, who as the tale was ending, seemed to be becoming a surrogate grandfather to him, and, too, the lady at Charlie's store who didn't use words but instead her eyebrows spoke for her. It was unique, believable and low-key LOL.

This was a sweet tale that could have been a solid 5* read for me with a little more realism and a little less sex.

ARC courtesy of Carina Loves and NetGalley, for my reading pleasure.

I was intrigued by Charlie from his initial appearance in book one of the Garnet Run series. I wanted his backstory, his journey from typical high school student to parenting of his younger brother to the adult he was at present. I wasn't disappointed.

Parrish drops crumbs of Charlie's backstory throughout and I gobbled up every morsel. My heart broke many times over Charlie. His selflessness is endearing, and his loneliness is devastating. His story is tragic and sad, and I couldn't help but be optimistic that he would get all he dreamed of.

Rye is a feisty ball of sassiness that I just love for Charlie. Charlie patiently breaks through Rye's surly standoffishness, and Rye does the same with Charlie's barriers. To me, they are the perfect pairing.

As with Better Than People, Parrish manages to give the main characters' animal companions distinct personalities, and this adds another layer of depth to the story. This series wouldn't be complete without the dogs and cats.

***Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.***

One of the things I really love about Roan Parrish's books are the writing. They are just SO well written. I don't just mean edited well or a good story- although both are undeniably true. I mean she is a master of prose and narrative. She not only paints a picture that immerses you in the story, but the natural flow of language keeps you there.

I'm kind of gushing. But I know for a fact that I will have to look up at least 5 words that she uses. But the use of these words also flows. Because it is so well written. It's not like she pulled this 25 cent word out of a thesaurus to sound smart. The writing IS smart. Do you know how many times I read the phrase "boner killer" in books? Far, far too many. Ms. Parrish instead said "anaphrodisiac". It just elevates the narrative.

I'll stop now. Instead I will talk about swoony Charlie, who we met in Better Than People, and Rye, a guy with no direction in life who packs up his cat and moves from Seattle to Wyoming when he finds out a grandfather he didn't know he had, died and left him a house.

Being that Charlie owns the town's hardware store and the house is quite literally falling down around him, Rye and Charlie meet quickly. But Charlie's need to help is butting up against Rye's need to be independent.

So begins their story of finding each other, learning to accept help, learning to love yourself and 2 amazing cats in the mix.

Just read it. You won't be disappointed. You don't have to read the first book, Better Than People, but you should. Because it is also a treasure.

Best Laid Plans is such an adorable, sweet and heart-warming m/m romance about two very different men finding each other by chance and being brave enough to show their most vulnerable selves for a chance of love and happiness.

Charlie Matheson has spent his life taking care of others and putting his own dreams on hold. When his parents died two days before his eighteenth birthday, he gave up on his football career to take care of his younger brother and his father’s hardware store.

Rye Janssen on the other hand has spent his life breaking things and running away from obligations and relationships. He’s never experienced kindness and true generosity from others, or had a place to call home. Not until he inherits a crumbling house from a grandfather he’s never met and ends up in small town Garnet Run, where the handsome hardware store owner keeps offering his help.

This book had so many things I love like opposites attracts, small town originals, second chances, sexual awakening and cats. So many adorable cats! There was also the right amount of angst and a burning attraction, and some truly amazing character developments. I loved the way Charlie slowly realized that he was allowed to focus on himself and his own happiness for once, and how he was brave enough to put his heart on the line. And Rye grew on me so much in the way he pulled himself together, started to trust other people and letting them into his life and allowing himself to be “all mushy inside”.

I loved Roan Parrish’s writing style and how she made us readers come along on Charlie’s and Rye’s journey from emotionally damaged to living their life to the fullest. I loved the wonderful chemistry between Charlie and Rye, as well as the secondary characters in Charlie’s brother Jack and his boyfriend Simon. I read this book in one sitting, it was so addictive and I rooted so much for all characters that I just couldn’t bear to put it down until the very end! (Jack and Simon were the main characters in the first book in the Garnet Run series, Better Than People, and it was so great to meet them again, but Best Laid Plans can definitely be read as a standalone as without their backstory).

The only minor objection I have is how the book took a jump from sweet, awkward, inexperienced romance to a very explicit sexual thing happening. I won’t go into details, but there were a few scenes that just went in a direction I hadn’t expected, nor appreciated. But that’s just my personal reaction, and I can really understand the symbolism that Roan Parrish wanted to go for and how different others might interpret it, and thus appreciate it much more.

But all in all, Best Laid Plans, was such an uplifting, heart-warming, sweet and romantic story about second chances and awakenings; how it’s never too late to finally find that thing that makes you happy, to find new meanings in life and new people to love, if you’re just brave enough to let down the guard and be vulnerable and true.

4.5 adorable stars rounding up to 5

Thank you to Carina Press and NetGalley for the ARC and blog tour invitation for this wonderful book! A tour post will be published on my blog on the release day, February 23rd.

I expected to enjoy Best Laid Plans as the first in the Garnet Runs series was good, if quiet, romance. Whether it was my mood, these characters, or the story in general, I ended up liking Best Laid Plans even more than I anticipated. Although I think this story works nicely as a follow up to Better Than People, I also think it can work as a standalone…though I suspect the mention of Simon and Jack’s animals’ names might throw readers a bit. ;)

As with the other book in the Garnet Run series, I’d characterize Best Laid Plans as a quieter romance. There are big emotions and things to work through, but it never felt overly angsty or problematic. Instead, like everything Charlie seems to do, the problems he and Rye encounter are methodically worked through to create a happy resolution that left me comforted and satisfied. I loved the way the town pulled together to welcome and help Rye, and loved the sense of found family that permeated the story.

From a romantic standpoint, I was a little surprised at the physical relationship which developed between Charlie and Rye, but I thought it was explored fully and fit with the characters’ personalities. Overall, I’d characterize Best Laid Plans as an easy romance that focuses on a sense of community as well as deep-diving into the lasting impressions a childhood can have on a person. Though this isn’t quite a hurt-comfort style story because it never has that heavy feeling or tone, there is definitely a lot of emotion to unpack for both men so it’s not light on feelings in the least.

Rye's been living in dire straights since his latest eviction so when the universe drops a house into his lap, one inherited from a grandfather he never knew, Rye leaps at the chance for a fresh start, driving from Seattle, Washington to Garnet Run, Wyoming. Along for the ride is Rye's constant companion, his cat Marmot. But the promised house is more of a death trap than a dwelling, and Rye is once again in a bad spot, trying to DIY his new house into a livable place.

Charlie runs Matheson's Hardware, a store he inherited when his parents died shortly after Charlie's eighteenth birthday. While running the store isn't Charlie's passion, woodworking and construction is. So when he notices that the startlingly handsome and surly stranger in town is struggling with some secretive construction project, Charlie has to step in and offer his help. Although initially resistant to Charlie's help, Rye allows Charlie to give him advice and assistance. Before long the two are all tied up together, bonding over the house repair and their cats' antics.

Rye has never had a place to call home and Charlie has never had someone to come home to, but together they might find what they've been yearning for all along.

This book is overflowing with the softest feels! Rye and Charlie are two characters who are instantly endearing for completely different reasons. Rye, like his cat (Marmot), is fierce and independent but when treated with care and respect, becomes relaxed and loving. Charlie and his cat (Jane) are also similar: large, somewhat distant, but extremely lovable. Yes, this is a book for cat lovers! Prepare yourself for many cat shenanigans and cuddles.

I loved reading about these two vastly different men getting to know each other, trust each other, and fall in love. I really appreciated their conversations about sex and consent and intimacy, and the way that they explored things together. Charlie and Rye both have traumas and baggage that affect their relationships and the way they view they world, and while they don't always agree, they do talk things out and help each other navigate difficult situations.

While the first book in the Garnet Run series, Better Than People, has a more insular focus, Best Laid Plans properly introduces the town of Garnet Run, making the people who live there an important part of the story. Not only is this book about making a home with the person you love, it's about finding community and bringing about positive change.

Best Laid Plans is a book with a big heart and a lovely story -- I can't recommend it enough!

Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish
Garnet Run #2

What fun this charming story was! Two men so very different and yet seemingly puzzle pieces that fit together in perfectly meet in Wyoming and eventually end up with their very own happily ever after.

What I liked:
* Rye: independent, jobless, kind, forthright, feline lover, inherited house from unknown relative, difficult past, generous, kind, prickly but wonderful – I liked him a lot.
* Charlie: honorable, giving, kind, family oriented, generous, business owner, creative, woodworker, sometimes clueless, lost years of his life caring for his brother – I liked him.
* The interactions between Rye and Charlie. They made me smile, warmed my heart, made me happy, grew in maturity over time, clear communication, openness, caring, tenderness…all that should be in a good relationship.
* Marmot, Jane and Redrum: felines, characters, great support for their humans, and good with one another.
* Clive and his insight into Rye’s grandfather.
* Meeting Charlie’s brother and his significant other (missed their book)
* The small-town location and community support.
* Marie and her expressive eyebrows
* The compassion and understanding that rye had for the four youth he met.
* That Rye and Charlie were not cookie-cutter-characters.
* That both Rye and Charlie overcame difficult circumstances.
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Rye’s parents
* The loss Charlie suffered in his senior year of high school.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin – Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Roan Parrish’s ‘Best Laid Plans’ follows Rye and Charlie, two characters with very different experiences and different backgrounds, but loving animals equally. Rye moves to Wyoming having nothing left in Seattle – no job, no family, no prospects. When the grandfather he has never met leaves him his house, it seems like good things are coming. Only that the house in ruin, and Rye doesn’t have money or skills to make necessary improvements. Enter Charlie, who always end up helping everyone around.

‘Best Laid Plans’ feels like an uplifting and easy book, dealing with some more serious issues, but unfortunately, I felt rather disappointed by the narrative and the development of the two main characters. It felt like the characters were not entirely developed, and as a result, I found the narrative lucking. While the book wasn’t necessarily my favourite, the cats were definitely a lovely part of the story, and great companions to both Rye and Charlie.

Charlie is a good bloke, so we know good blokes are heroes. They like to save others. Rye needs saving. His life has crumbled just like the house he inherits. I would like to think that Charlie observes Rye in much detail before he helps as much as he does, and he does do so much for Rye.

But damaged boys are my catnip. Lucky because the cats in this story are front and centre so don't read it if you are not a cat fan. They are dangerously addictive.

I think the author does a good job of making us see through Rye's grunge and scowly face. And watching him learn to trust Charlie is quite lovely. But the attraction is instant, and I am not sure I condone Charlie's generosity.

But as a romance novel, it crept into my heart and I cheered them on to their glorious happiness. Thanks to publishers and Netgalley for advanced copy. Comes out on Feb 23.

The original phrase (in the original Scots) by the immortal Robbie Burns goes, “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley.” But in contemporary English it’s usually paraphrased as “the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray”. Or something along those lines.

The point is pretty clear, whatever the language.

There are two kinds of plans going astray in this second book in the Garnet Run series, after last year’s terrific series opener Better Than People. Even better, you don’t have to read the first to enjoy the second, although both books are lovely and well worth reading.

Rye Janssen comes to the tiny town of Garnet Run Wyoming with not much more than the ghost of a plan – a ghost that gets exorcised just about the minute he arrives in town.

Rye inherited a house in Garnet Run from the grandfather he never met. Rye has been couch-surfing in Seattle since his most recent eviction. He’s broke, unemployed and has no place left to turn when the news that he owns a whole house in what he thinks of as the middle of nowhere turns out to be true and not the scam he expected it to be.

With no ties left in Seattle except his cat Marmot (who will happily come with him), and no economic prospects whatsoever, he climbs into his barely functional car and sets out for the unknown. He’s thinking that a house has to be a better place to live than his current circumstances. His plan is to get to Garnet Run, move into the house and see what happens next.

As I said, a ghost of a plan that goes up in smoke when he sees the sagging, teetering house that is his legacy from his grandfather. But he has no place and nothing else, so Rye and Marmot haul in the sleeping bag they share and start making do – because that’s what they always do.

Charlie Matheson has done nothing but live his life according to a self-imposed plan since the day his parents were killed in a car accident, leaving the just barely 18-year-old Charlie with a decent house, a failing hardware store, and the custody of his then 13-year-old brother Jack. (Jack is the protagonist of Better Than People.)

20 years later, Charlie has completely refurbished the house, has turned the hardware store into a profitable business and managed to see Jack through to a successful adulthood, living his dream as a successful book illustrator and commercial artist.

But Charlie never got to live his own dreams. Actually, Charlie barely lets himself live. The only people who are part of his inner circle are his brother Jack and his Maine Coon cat Jane. Outside of them, he has acquaintances, he has colleagues, but no close friends and definitely no lovers.

Until Rye Janssen slinks into his hardware store looking for as few cheap parts as possible to keep that house from falling down around his ears. He’s already put his leg through the rotting floorboards.

Charlie loves projects and Rye desperately needs help that he’s both ashamed and afraid to accept. That shouldn’t be enough to start a relationship – even though their cats are all in on that front LONG before their humans are on board.

Can a man who has nothing but roots and one who is all wings have anything like a chance?

Escape Rating A-: A lot of this series, at least so far, is centered around not just the romance but about the romantic partners and their relationships with their marvelously well drawn companion animals. And I’ll confess that I loved this one just a bit more than the first book because most of the animals in that story were dogs, while the star animal attractions in this one are both cats – not that I didn’t like the dogs, too.

But cats. Definitely cats for the win.

There’s something else about this series that definitely needs a shout-out, and that’s the way that it shows and doesn’t just tell two important things. One of the protagonists in the first book is neuroatypical, and that’s not something we see nearly often enough in one of the main characters in a romance. Happy endings are for everyone – or at least they should be.

In this book, Charlie is possibly a bit on that scale, but mostly it feels like he’s a trauma survivor whose coping mechanisms are now getting in his way. What makes this story shine is its attitude of total sex positivity. This is a story that demonstrates, over and over and over again, until both Charlie and the reader get the message, that love and sex are whatever works for each person. There is no rule that says only certain acts are or are not sexual, and that only certain behaviors are or are not okay. As long as everyone involved freely consents, whatever does or does not float a particular person’s boat is just fine.

And if they choose not to put their boat out at all, that’s fine too.

There’s a saying “that love is all there is is all we know of love” and that’s at the heart of this book.

But it also tells a lovely story about someone who has never had a place to call his own discovering that he can put down roots and make a life in a place he can call home. And that someone who had to grow up much too scared and much too soon still can still find a person who can help him make new dreams and take new wings.

And that every town, no matter how small or remote, can use an absolutely kick-ass cat playground and shelter to help make a town into a community.

It’s not essential to have read book 1 in the Garnet Run series, but some of the characters and places also feature in this story. Reading Better Than People will provide background information on Charlie and the general setting for the series. You’ll be glad you’re getting Charlie’s story this time around as he was a supportive brother to Jack in book 1. We get to see Jack and Simon again in several scenes and see that they're still together and happy.

So… Charlie and Rye… In a way, Charlie is almost too good to be true. He is selfless, kind, supportive, giving...and yet, he’s had plenty of heartache in his life, spending his late teens and twenties supporting his younger brother—Jack. In all that time, he didn’t develop a romantic connection with anyone and as a result has issues with being intimate with another person.

Rye’s life is almost as sad. He’s been a drifter since he left home at an early age, with no roots and no real family. We’re hopeful from the start that his life is now on the up and up and that he will finally settle down. After all, he’s inherited a house from a grandfather he’s never met. And luckily, he meets Charlie, who is not only a kind and helpful caretaker, but also a superstar when it comes to working with wood and building things. He’s just the guy Rye needs—in more ways than one.

I particularly enjoyed the romance that builds between Charlie and Rye. There’s a little friction to start, but gradually Rye accepts Charlie’s offer of help and guidance. In fact, Charlie goes above and beyond in his support for Rye. These two characters are in need of love and companionship and it’s lovely to see them work things out and for Charlie to become more comfortable sharing sexual experiences with another person in several steamy scenes. And not only that, Rye helps Charlie deal with his past heartache and move forward.

Like book 1, animals play a key part in the plot of the story. This time around it’s cats that steer the story and take up many scenes/episodes.

You have to accept that this is fiction and events happen that perhaps wouldn’t happen so conveniently in real life. I’d say, go with the flow, suspend belief, and enjoy the romance for what it is rather than getting distracted by details.

I liked the easy-flowing writing style and enjoyed the overall story despite a few issues.

~ BLOG TOUR ~

Coming out next Tuesday !! GET YOUR COPY !!

Disclaimer : I received an ARC and it in no way affects my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Before I start this review I have to point something out:

Who did this ? Like who choose to make this cover with writing on it that had weird graph behind it ? Maybe I am the only one questioning that choice, but it made me wonder for a while before I started it ...

Another note, I am excited about this book and while it is a second book in the story, from what I had gathered before reading it, you do not need to have read the first one to read this one, which after reading it is very true since each book focuses on someone else.

Now the review:

This book was a very lovely valentine's day mood read. Not to say that I finished it that day, because unfortunately school waits for no one, but it was romantic. Now was it a 5 star romance, that I want to re-read again and again, unfortunately not. However I had a great time, and emotional time sometimes while reading this book. It is not a fluffy romance, not to say that it isn't romantic it just is sad at times and heart wrenching as we learn more about our main characters and their past. Thus, I would have to say; be in the right mood to pick this up, it is not a happy go lucky, unicorns and rainbows type of book. But that's what I liked about it, personally it added depth to the story I also enjoy sad books so right up my alley (it isn't a crying, all sad book no worries it's a romance).

While I was reading it, the resounding thought I had was that Rye and Charlie just fit together. They felt natural, they had this tangible chemistry. They both, by coming together, helped each other grow, not to say they did not also grow on their own. But by learning to trust each other they found a family within each other and build a home.

It was such a sweet story, even with the sadness contained within these pages, the overall feeling it left me with after the read was how warm it felt. Reading this felt like a warm hug, sometimes getting you through dark times and other times warming you up inside.

I don't want to got too much in details about this story because I believe it would be a shame to spoil and a true disservice to the overall experience you get when reading it.

I loved this, while not a new favorite of mine, one I truly enjoyed and a perfect Valentine's day story ! And it is a story I would love to re-read at some point in the future.

4/5

Bookarina

Love love love this book! The characters were so sweet and relatable. I love the plot and the chemistry and quite simply I want more from this author! While it was slow burn story at no point did it feel like the story was slow

Audio Review:
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Overall – 5

I loved the story and the narration.

Best Laid Plans really touched my heart. It’s book two of the Garnet Run series but it stands on its own with no problem. We did meet Charlie in Better Than People but I don’t think you will feel like you’ve missed anything if you start with Best Laid Plans. Better Than People is a great book too, though, so I don’t hesitate to recommend it.

I was fortunate to receive and advance copy of the audiobook, performed by Greg Boudreaux, as well as the eBook. Greg is an outstanding performer and one of my favorites. I really enjoyed listening to the way he interpreted this book.

Charlie gave up his late teen years to care for his younger brother after their parents died. He sacrificed his happiness to give Jack stability and an education. He’s never made time for a relationship so when Rye drops into his life and shows an interest, he’s not really sure how to handle it.

Rye has no roots and when he inherits a house from his grandfather he packs up and heads towards Garnet Run. Unfortunately, what he finds when he arrives is a house that is uninhabitable. He decides to fix it up himself even though he knows nothing about home repair/remodeling. He becomes a frequent visitor to Charlie’s hardware store and Charlie can’t resist going to see what Rye is doing with all of the seemingly random supplies he’s bought.

Poor Charlie is used to fixing things so he wants to help Rye. Rye, however, doesn’t trust easily and wants to fix things on his own. Once Rye gives in and lets Charlie help, he comes to realize how much of a good guy Charlie really is. I loved watching their relationship develop. It’s not all smooth sailing (Charlie is used to being in charge) but Rye helps him discover some surprising things about himself.

I loved the warm feelings this book gave me. Charlie and Rye really clicked and I loved reading their story. The epilogue was particularly wonderful. I don’t know if there are more books planned for this series but there was one character that I’d like to read more about. 😊 I almost forgot to tell readers to watch for the Easter egg that Roan wrote into the book. 😊

A review copy of the ebook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and a review copy of the audiobook was provided by Harlequin Audio, but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

***Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com***

Thank you to Carina Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love romance and was excited to read this book based on the synopsis. I did find out that this is the second book in the series, so I searched for the first one (Better Than People) in case I needed any background. Good news: Best Laid Plans can be read as a standalone! If possible, I do recommend reading the first one just because it's really sweet to see Jack and Simon's relationship unfold, but you can definitely jump into Best Laid Plans without worry.

Great Character Development
This story moves quick but it's lovely to see how Rye and Charlie change as individuals and in their relationship with each other. Rye especially comes off as aggressive and antagonistic in the beginning, but it's clear that he just needs some help. As he learns to trust Charlie, and vice versa, we see how they need each other. It was also lovely to see Simon and Jack again. Rye and Simon's friendship is awesome, and I adore seeing how Jack and Simon are doing as a couple. Parrish has also included additional secondary characters this time and gives them a real storyline, specifically connected to Rye. Representation matters and she does a wonderful job with it in this book.

Excellent Conversations Around Sex
I absolutely love how Rye approaches this conversation with Charlie. Charlie is clearly super nervous about everything to do with sex and Rye shows so much compassion and support. What's great about a character like Rye is that he's been through so much personally and is so open and sympathetic to what others are going through, so he literally does whatever he can to make the other person feel comfortable. I won't get away spoilers, but his frank and non-judgemental way of talking lets Charlie feel comfortable, which is amazing because this is someone who is so uncomfortable with sex so we're so happy when he finds someone he can be open with.

​Kindness is Key
The message of this book is kindness, specifically learning how to be kind to ourselves and to others. Rye is the epitome of someone who has been rejected and abandoned but continues to try to help others. Although he and Charlie get off to a rocky start, his kindness and protectiveness is what draws Charlie out of his shell. Both men may approach situations differently, but ultimately they do what they can to help others. Honestly, these are two very sweet characters.

Overall, this is a romance novel that attempts to remind readers that being kind - to ourselves and to others - is the most important thing we can do. While the book moves quickly (personally, I would've loved more time with the characters and bigger "fight" between them), there is still a great story here. I'd recommend this to those who are looking for a sexy LGBTQ+ love story, to anyone who has enjoyed other Carina Adores or Roan Parrish books, or for those looking for a sexy love story.