Book Blog Tour: "Not In The Plans" by Erin Hawkins

 

Title: Not in the Plans

Series: Best Laid Plans Book 2

Author: Erin Hawkins

Release Date: August 10, 2021

Cover Design: Sarah Kil Creative Studio

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Steamy Romantic Comedy, Mature content 18+

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58545475-not-in-the-plans

Blurb:

Sam

I thought hiring Luke to help me build my athleisure boutique would help him see me as a woman and not just his best friend’s sister. Especially since my crush on him dates back to my days of braces and acne. Instead, he appears to find me intolerable. One-word responses. Avoiding me at all costs. It seems he can’t wait for the project to end. Unfortunately, he’s going to be stuck with me a while longer. An investor wants to open a second location for my boutique in Aspen and is demanding Luke’s one of a kind style for the storefront. Can I convince him to put up with me long enough to embrace this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

Luke

Three months. Three torturous months of enduring the sight of Sam's perfect ass in skintight leggings. Those alluring baby blues blinking my way as her delectable lips formed yet another smart-mouthed retort. All of it acting as daily reminders that my best friend’s little sister has grown up. She’s also off-limits. After helping her build her store, I’m ready for some much-needed distance. Until Sam shows up on my doorstep asking for another favor. Spending more time with her is dangerous to my weakening willpower, but the professional opportunity is too good to resist.

What I didn’t anticipate was living under the same roof with her. Now, she’s everywhere. Cleavage eye-level as she sits on the counter while I cook. Tiny sleep shorts giving me a tantalizing peek when she curls up on the couch. Even my pillow starts to smell like her. Still, I’m able to fight my impulses. All that changes the day building maintenance says the water is being shut off in ten minutes and we both race for the shower…

Not in the Plans is a standalone novel with overlapping characters from Best Laid Plans. It can be read as a standalone, but contains a spoiler from Best Laid Plans.

Buy Links: Kindle Unlimited

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3kjY8CH

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3zhkUPO

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3tOLr60

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3AptSvF

Excerpt:

“Congratulations, Sam.” My words are simple because my brain is having a hard time forming thoughts as her warm curves press into me. The smell of her hair, something vanilla and honey, invades my senses and makes me linger a moment longer. The temptation to turn my head and bury my nose into her hair is strong. Now, I’m wondering if the skin along her neck is sensitive, if she likes to be kissed there, and what sounds she makes when she’s turned on.

 

In The Series:

Best Laid Plans

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/35GdB8J

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3nxlD9W

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Knw0Px

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3lFqpSp

 

Series Link: https://amzn.to/39xWKGx

Author Bio:

Best Laid Plans is Erin Hawkins's debut novel. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children. When not writing, she enjoys reading, running, spending time in the mountains, and watching reality TV.

 

Social Media Links:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorerinhawkins

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17716051.Erin_Hawkins

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Hawkins/e/B08JS83YS4

My Review:

5 STARS

#BrothersBestFriend #WorkplaceRomance

Samantha and Luke's story is the second book by this author and I loved it. It is written in first person from an alternating dual POV.

Sam is a driven, determined and successful businesswoman. I loved her independence and her commitment to her ethics and beliefs. I love that she has had a crush on Luke for more than half of her life and when they meet up again for him to help her with opening her stores, the sparks fly. I love Luke and how he tries to resist his best friend's little sister. He is kind of grumpy to begin with. I love that once he decides to give into his feelings, he is all in. Luke is a successful businessman in his own right as he learns to pursue his real passion and find happiness over the course o the story. I love that family and friends are so important to both characters and are a big part of who they are as people.

There are funny moments, lots of hot times, and sweet romantic times as their relationship goes from frenemies, to friends, to lovers. I love the relationship they build so quickly and that makes their black moment even more devastating. The author does an excellent job of making the reader feel both the euphoria of new love and the heartbreak the characters feel before they get their HEA. The story is perfectly well-developed and the secondary characters are interesting and well-rounded. I found Samantha and Luke to be complete, likable characters with both flaws and redeeming qualities. I am impressed with this newer indie author and I highly recommend her work. Grab and read both her books: you will not be sorry.