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shelf_checkout367's review against another edition
5.0
Let me start out by saying I’m beyond lucky to have had the chance to read an ARC of The Best Laid Plans.
This book is considered YA but, I almost believe it boarders on New Adult. The main characters are 18 graduating high school and in their early 20’s.
This book is the truest definition of a Rom-Com. It was the perfect mixture of romance and comedy. There were definitely more than one occasion where I caught myself smiling like and idiot at this book because it was so cute and I definitely laughed out loud (maybe even snorted).
The writing style was super easy to read and I felt that I was able to really connect with the characters. The dialogue between the characters felt so realistic.
I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Rom-Com or is looking transition from YA to more New Adult genre.
This book is considered YA but, I almost believe it boarders on New Adult. The main characters are 18 graduating high school and in their early 20’s.
This book is the truest definition of a Rom-Com. It was the perfect mixture of romance and comedy. There were definitely more than one occasion where I caught myself smiling like and idiot at this book because it was so cute and I definitely laughed out loud (maybe even snorted).
The writing style was super easy to read and I felt that I was able to really connect with the characters. The dialogue between the characters felt so realistic.
I definitely enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Rom-Com or is looking transition from YA to more New Adult genre.
_camk_'s review against another edition
2.0
I can't tell if this book is labelled sex-positive because it based around the issues of sex and virginity but the book was definitely not positive.
There is so much slut shaming and misogyny - which is brushed off as 'if everyone else is laughing, I should too'.
I did not like Keely and I couldn't believe her friendship with Andrew because when Lund decided inner monologue would be better than setting some groundwork between the leads and building chemistry.
There is so much slut shaming and misogyny - which is brushed off as 'if everyone else is laughing, I should too'.
I did not like Keely and I couldn't believe her friendship with Andrew because when Lund decided inner monologue would be better than setting some groundwork between the leads and building chemistry.
maddieg's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a little but to get into the book because I wasn't wholeheartedly sure at where the story was going, but once I got about 150 pages in, I was hooked and I had a hard time putting it down. I loved how you could tell just how interested both Keely and Andrew were into each other even though they took a while to admit it out loud. Their interactions were so genuine and sweet that you could tell Keely was just always thinking about Andrew in the back of her mind when she was with Dean. I loved the approach Cameron Lind took to the whole situation present in the book because most authors don't approach it that way and it was refreshing. I really enjoyed the story and characters and would recommend it to others.
Favorite Quote: "Here's what I've realized about moments: you can't plan for them. The best ones are always the ones that take you by surprise."
Favorite Quote: "Here's what I've realized about moments: you can't plan for them. The best ones are always the ones that take you by surprise."
marina31sanchez's review against another edition
1.0
Things this book is kinda good at: the friends to lover theme.
Things this book could do without: toxic relationships, misogynistic messages, and girls being super mean to each other for no other reason than there needs to be a mean girl and "oh she's my friend I can be mean to her", is that the message you want young girls to get?
I'm reading this from the point of view of maturity and adulthood, I know what High School is like and this should not be the takeaway. I think if I had read this while I was a teenager it would have made me (much more) insecure about my choices. And even though the ending kind of fixes it, it doesn't help that throughout the book you get messages like: "it's ok if the boy I like tells me not to hang out with my friends", or "I can't tell the guy I'm kind of seeing (not really because even that wasn't discussed seriously) that I'm a virgin because he won't like me anymore", "I have to have sex to be a proper, grown woman.
These are messages that young girls (and boys!) should not be reading about. They should know it's crucial to discuss these things with a potential partner, if you're embarassed about being a virgin should you even be thinking about having sex? There's nothing to be embarassed about. And even though, the author tried to get that message through with the ending it reads as Keely being pressured to loose her virginity either way. It should be about the love between these two friends not about the sex. Losing their virginity to each other should be a special and beautiful experience if they love each other, right? They almost had sex in a hotel closet!
Also.. Do you really think being a virgin excuses Andrew's behaviour of being all "Party Andrew"? You get toxic masculinity throughout the book excused by "oh, it's High School in a small town, wait until we get to the big city" or "boys will be boys"... Excuse you, there's the same amount of bs in and out of small towns, being in a city has nothing to do with this. I think the author should have tried to show that even though they live in a small town it doesn't make it ok for guys to be assholes and for girls to bully each other.
I couldn't really even see if Andrew and Keely loved each other. What I like about the friends-to-lovers theme is that you can see that evolution, you can see the characters grow. I didn't see that in this book and it was kind of annoying taking into account it was the whole point.
I'm sorry but I'm just so disappointed.
Things this book could do without: toxic relationships, misogynistic messages, and girls being super mean to each other for no other reason than there needs to be a mean girl and "oh she's my friend I can be mean to her", is that the message you want young girls to get?
I'm reading this from the point of view of maturity and adulthood, I know what High School is like and this should not be the takeaway. I think if I had read this while I was a teenager it would have made me (much more) insecure about my choices. And even though the ending kind of fixes it, it doesn't help that throughout the book you get messages like: "it's ok if the boy I like tells me not to hang out with my friends", or "I can't tell the guy I'm kind of seeing (not really because even that wasn't discussed seriously) that I'm a virgin because he won't like me anymore", "I have to have sex to be a proper, grown woman.
These are messages that young girls (and boys!) should not be reading about. They should know it's crucial to discuss these things with a potential partner, if you're embarassed about being a virgin should you even be thinking about having sex? There's nothing to be embarassed about. And even though, the author tried to get that message through with the ending it reads as Keely being pressured to loose her virginity either way. It should be about the love between these two friends not about the sex. Losing their virginity to each other should be a special and beautiful experience if they love each other, right? They almost had sex in a hotel closet!
Also.. Do you really think being a virgin excuses Andrew's behaviour of being all "Party Andrew"? You get toxic masculinity throughout the book excused by "oh, it's High School in a small town, wait until we get to the big city" or "boys will be boys"... Excuse you, there's the same amount of bs in and out of small towns, being in a city has nothing to do with this. I think the author should have tried to show that even though they live in a small town it doesn't make it ok for guys to be assholes and for girls to bully each other.
I couldn't really even see if Andrew and Keely loved each other. What I like about the friends-to-lovers theme is that you can see that evolution, you can see the characters grow. I didn't see that in this book and it was kind of annoying taking into account it was the whole point.
I'm sorry but I'm just so disappointed.
lookinabook's review against another edition
5.0
This book was addicting! I couldn’t put it down. The pacing was perfect, the characters were well developed and interesting, the writing was great. Felt like I was in the head of my teenage self again. Crazy! But just so impressively executed. Plus the romance is so cute. I found myself with stomach flutters at the same time our MC Keely did. My heart raced when her heart raced. I even felt that old familiar sting of rejection when she did.
Very impressive novel and super addicting. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
P.S. just to address those who may find some elements of this book as problematic: I can see how some people may feel like there were problematic moments. However, those moments fell apart with a touch of scrutiny. At no point does this book tell teens it’s not okay to be a virgin, or that giving your virginity to a guy is so crucial it affects your whole life, or that there’s something wrong with “other girls”, or that gay & lesbian sex isn’t ‘losing it’, etc. in fact, the story makes a point to address all of these things and more in a relatable way that fits the MC’s first person narrative. If anything I feel this is a book teens should read, as opposed to watching stuff like Gossip Girl (okay I’m old but whatever). I wish I had a Hannah in my friend group growing up. And I definitely wish I was as bold as Danielle. All I’m saying is don’t let the “problematic” label from other reviewers food you. Read it for yourself and make up your own mind. It’s really quite insightful and I loved it.
Very impressive novel and super addicting. Can’t wait to read more by this author.
P.S. just to address those who may find some elements of this book as problematic: I can see how some people may feel like there were problematic moments. However, those moments fell apart with a touch of scrutiny. At no point does this book tell teens it’s not okay to be a virgin, or that giving your virginity to a guy is so crucial it affects your whole life, or that there’s something wrong with “other girls”, or that gay & lesbian sex isn’t ‘losing it’, etc. in fact, the story makes a point to address all of these things and more in a relatable way that fits the MC’s first person narrative. If anything I feel this is a book teens should read, as opposed to watching stuff like Gossip Girl (okay I’m old but whatever). I wish I had a Hannah in my friend group growing up. And I definitely wish I was as bold as Danielle. All I’m saying is don’t let the “problematic” label from other reviewers food you. Read it for yourself and make up your own mind. It’s really quite insightful and I loved it.
prers13's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lisamarie89's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a little conflicted about this book. Overall, I liked it. However, it was supposed to be a sex-positive book, but there was slut-shaming, an obsession with losing virginity, and just so much focus on who was sleeping with who that it seemed like that was the only thing these high schoolers did. Dean was a total creep but I understand Keely's naiveite in thinking that he was this cool older guy. It was also so obvious that Andrew loved Keely but it took her sooooo long to realize it, which was frustrating and made the book longer than necessary. I liked Keely and Andrew's relationship, but I feel like the transition between friends and a couple was done better.
cwetzz's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0