The Planner By Jen A. Durand

[Birdlady1950]

STORY-LINE THE PLANNER BY JEN A. DURAND:

In The Planner, we find Lilia Carriere. At work she's known as Hard Ass Carriere for her unbending rules and attention to detail. She has a plan for everything along with list, lots of list. She even had a 10 year plan on which all her goals except one have been met; a permanent man in her life with love like her parents. Unfortunately, her love life is nonexistent as she can't keep a man for more than a few weeks.

She and two friends jokingly formed the Blue Grove Virgin's Club as they are virgins, single, and man-less. At 28 her mother wants her settled, married, and having babies. Time at home with her parents, can be trying as they question and quiz her about her dating life; which doesn't exist. With no man on the horizon and family Christmas gathering around the corner she needs a stand-in man to take home to mama. Alas, where to find one?

Single Doctor Cain Farrow, needs Lilia to sign off on his request for research time in the lab; which she has denied. Deciding to strike a deal, Cain suggest, if Lilia will approve his time in the research lab, he will come to the family Christmas gathering as her boyfriend. Cain likes the look of Lilia but she is not his usual type of date. Boy, is he in for a surprise! My romance book review of The Planner follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Author Jen Durand create a wonderful romance between a man who some would term a player and the virgin of Blue Grove, North Carolina. Slowly building the attraction between Lilia and Cain, Durand allowed them to learn each other's likes, dislikes, dreams, and family history. Closeness breed friendship and friendship breeds love. Will Cain and Lilia find a forever kind of love or stay close friends?

Lilia has issues from the past she must face as well as her insecurities. Cain must decide if he is ready for a real relationship rather than work, work, work, and the occasional hook up. I loved Lilia's interfering noisy mother and her two friends were Rocks of Gibraltar; standing behind her but willing to take a risk for Lilia's own good. Throwing in a rival for Cain, Durand allowed him to face what he really wanted in life.

In concluding my romance book review of The Planner, I found the plotting was well done with pacing smooth and steady. Although I found a few very minor editing errors, they did not affect my enjoyment of this book. A solid romance, The Planner is perfect for a lazy afternoon read. Also, please note, this book does not contain erotica or explicit sex. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
THE PLANNER RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I borrowed this book from ------ and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest romance book review. Lastly, reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. No one influenced my voluntary romance book review.

[shish_by_design]

I love your review. I'm definitely putting it on my shelves