Genre: Women's FictionPublisher: Vessell's Publishing
Publication Date: 7/25/13
Format: Kindle
Pages: 282
Source: Received from author for review
Rating: 4.5 stars
When twenty-eight year old Haley Simpson, a sales associate for her best friend’s clothing boutique in Columbus, Ohio, begins a secret affair with the boutique’s potential New York City business partner, she digs a cavernous hole of deception that not only threatens to end her blossoming career, but to destroy a life-long friendship.
Jennifer Vessells's debut novel, LIFE IN PLAN B, encompasses everything classic chick lit should: the dynamics of friendship, the nuances of high-reaching career aspirations, and the struggles – both usual and unique – presented by romantic and familial relationships. An entertaining story at every turn, LIFE IN PLAN B is identifiable for readers of any age. In short, Ms. Vessells hits her debut novel out of the park!
Life in Plan B was a really great surprise in both the story and that it is Jennifer Vessells' debut novel. Haley considers herself to be living "Life in Plan B" because her plan A life that she envisioned for herself as a designer in New York City didn't quite work out. She's since moved home to Ohio and works as an account manager for her best friend Alex who is an up and coming designer. Her work for him brings her into contact with Keegan. He's a shoe designer and gorgeous and wants to keep their relationship under wraps until he gets the contract with Alex. Perfect idea, right?
As the story goes along, you can see that it is really a train wreck waiting to happen. The lies and deceitful road that she goes down is very wearing on her. It wouldn't seem so bad, but crossing business with pleasure can always end in a sticky situation if things don't work out. Her best friends Alex, Patrick and Lindsey are always there for her in every way (awesome friends) and only Lindsey knows the truth about Haley's horizontal activities. Along the way she makes a new friend in Nick, who is an amazing guy but friend zones her fairly quickly because he just went through a painful divorce. (Hmpf..I wanted them to hit it off in a bad way) When things finally hit the fan she truly finds a way to alienate every single person that she loves, and it would be very hard to be in her shoes.
I am seriously struggling right now, because I really, really enjoyed this book but I am worried I will spoil it by saying too much...and at the same time feel like this is the first review I've ever written as I read through it! Sorry guys if it is painful...but really this is a fun chick lit book with a strong supporting group of characters and a girl who is just trying to find someone to be her person in life. Easy idea, very hard to actually find...and poor Haley just has the worst luck imaginable. Worst. Seriously, read it and you will see!
Haley and Alex are the best of friends and I loved their dynamic and honesty (well, on Alex's part..) but how when she goes up a creek without a paddle he is awesome. In these stories it is my favorite to watch a heroine figure out how to be in love with herself before she can love someone else, and this debut hit the mark!
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I haven't heard of this one but chick-lit is something I tend to avoid. It sounds like an interesting read and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteI really love the title to this one, its very intriguing because lets be honest, not everyone gets to live out their dreams. This sounds like a great read. Great review!
ReplyDeleteFabulous review, Courtney! Now you have me itching to know who Haley ends up with! Sounds like a lot of poor decisions are made, but sometimes it takes a while to get it right! I'll have to check this one out! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review. This sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like it would be really fun. Great review.
ReplyDeleteChick lit! Man I can relate to this Haley girl. Lovely cover too!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I'd like. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSome reviews are so hard to write without spoiling something, it seems like you did good here! This sounds like a good read!
ReplyDeleteYou did a fine job avoiding spoilers, Courtney. And this sounds like an awesome read! I really want to see how things turn out for Haley! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good Courtney and this statement sold me "this is a fun chick lit book with a strong supporting group of characters and a girl who is just trying to find someone to be her person in life."
ReplyDeleteSo is it really chick lit or romance? I'm not a chick lit kinda girl.
ReplyDeleteWell....it has romance! I thought it was more chick lit, but I could be wrong. I don't think it goes into detail on any sex scenes that I remember...pretty sure its all very fade to black and more about her trying to keep her life together because of her decisions...if that makes any sense at all!
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