If you're in the mood for a romance that blends forced proximity, brother’s best friend angst, and a coastal small-town setting you’ll want to pack up and move to, Best Laid Plans should be at the top of your TBR.
Summary
Elle Pierce has always been the one with a plan until every part of her carefully structured life in Boston crumbles. Suddenly jobless, heartbroken, and out of options, she finds herself retreating to her hometown of Rock Harbor, Massachusetts. The catch? She’s crashing with her brother… and so is his best friend Cam Devers. Aka the walking, talking teenage crush of Elle’s dreams.
Cam, a rising star in the culinary world, is also in hiding after one punch too many upended his career. All he wants is some quiet time to figure out his next move but sharing an apartment with Elle, who’s no longer the awkward little sister he remembers, is making it very hard to keep things simple.
What begins as an awkward reunion quickly evolves into sizzling tension and unexpected feelings. But neither of them planned to stay in Rock Harbor long… and love definitely wasn’t part of the plan.
Review
4 stars| Small Town Romance
This book sucked me in immediately with the banter between Elle and Cam crackling from their first scene together! The forced proximity element adds just the right amount of tension. Their slow-burn progression had me flipping pages late into the night.
Elle is driven, a little emotionally guarded, and fiercely loyal exactly the kind of heroine you root for.
Cam is thoughtful, a little rough around the edges, and deeply self-aware. He may think Elle is out of his league, but their chemistry says otherwise (and so do we, Cam).
The town of Rock Harbor is practically a character itself. Think charming North Shore coastal vibes, quirky neighbors, a found-family dynamic, and a softness that makes you wish you could visit in real life. I adored how the author grounded the story in setting, making it feel warm and lived-in without slowing down the plot.
And yes… the spice level? Let’s just say this book delivers. Cam and Elle have chemistry that’s as emotional as it is physical, and their steamy scenes are written with heart, tension, and just enough heat to make your Kindle blush.
What Makes Best Laid Plans Stand Out
It’s a compelling mix of:
- Brother’s Best Friend done right
- Forced Proximity that feels natural and loaded with tension
- Small-town atmosphere that feels like a hug in book form
- Spicy romance with real emotional payoff
- Found family vibes that hint at future companion novels
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Final Thoughts:
I adored the cast, the setting, and the messy, real-life tension that gives this romance real depth. Elle and Cam’s story is sweet, spicy, and brimming with heart.
If you love cozy beach-town reads with a hefty dose of brother's best friend angst and slow-burn spice, this one will absolutely deliver. I cannot wait for more books set in Rock Harbor and more time with this found family!
1. When in Rome by Sarah Adams
If you loved the small-town charm of Rock Harbor, you'll adore Rome, Kentucky. This story features a grumpy small-town baker and a runaway pop star who ends up crashing in his guest room. It's sweet, funny, and has that irresistible forced proximity tension.
2. Love Redesigned by Jenny Proctor
This one has all the brother’s best friend tension and heart-flipping moments you could want. When a home renovation expert and her childhood crush (aka her brother’s best friend) team up on a TV show project, sparks fly in more ways than one. Bonus: it’s low-angst and emotionally satisfying.
3. Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score
Welcome to another small town full of drama, heartache, and swoon-worthy moments. Naomi and Knox’s love story has a similar mix of grumpy x sunshine, messy emotional growth, and found family. If you want a little more emotional grit but still crave that satisfying payoff this is it!
