The Best-Laid Plans (2021): A Mini-Review

About the Book

Book: The Best-Laid Plans

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Release Date: January 1, 2021

Newton Hughes has long dreamed of pursuing a career in law, an acceptable choice for a gentleman of status and wealth. His parents, however, disapprove of his ambition, urging him instead to take his rightful place as a gentleman of leisure—with a suitable wife of their choosing, of course.

Ellie Napper would like nothing more than for her parents to abandon their incessant efforts to marry her off to the greatest possible advantage. Her lack of matrimonial enthusiasm drives her family mad, but she refuses to feign frivolity in order to make herself more palatable to potential suitors.

When Ellie and Newton are introduced through their mutual acquaintance, Charlie Jonquil, they commiserate over their shared plight. In desperation, they hatch a plan: Ellie and Newton will feign an interest in each other—enough to convince their parents not to push them toward unwanted matches but not enough to cause whispers or expectations. Their plot quickly spirals out of control, but the greatest complication is the one they didn’t see coming: their plan never included falling in love.

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My Thoughts

I admit wholeheartedly that I purchased The Best-Laid Plans by Sarah M. Eden because of its beautiful cover. It draws the reader in and makes her want to know the young woman’s story. I am so glad I purchased a copy of this novel because I found it to be quite an outstanding escape. It’s only a little more than 100 pages, but The Best-Laid Plans packs quite the punch! I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative and hated those moments when I had to put the book down (stinkin’ chores!). I found the cast of characters to be well crafted; Artemis and Ellie are my favorites. I love how their acquaintance grows quickly and deeply into a best friendship, and I found they made quite a team. Newton is an adorable hero and I appreciate his character growth over the course of the story. He does make an excellent beau for Ellie! Ellie’s parents and older sister are absolutely awful humans — so self-focused and mean — and I loved how Ellie is able to escape them. It is a sad fact that more often than not, it seems, humans have to redefine what family looks like because biological families can be so hurtful and disappointing. I have never been as happy for a fictional character to escape her home life as I was for Ellie. Ellie is a great character and I loved her growth. She goes from a cowed young woman to one who is more than capable of standing on her own two feet. And, lastly, I loved the sweet romance that grows between Ellie and Newton. It was a lot of fun watching the two figure out that their “fake” relationship is actually quite more. The Best-Laid Plans is a highly engaging novella I recommend ardently. If you love a good Regency Romance then The Best-Laid Plans is the book for you!

I purchased a copy of this novel in eBook form from Amazon.com on January 1, 2021, in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.