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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