That time I had the brilliant idea to ask my good friend for lessons in sex-ploration… our friendship, I have some specific requirements for his instruction. I want these classes to be hypothetical more than hands-on. So what if he’s hella sexy? I can handle that, no problem.
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I have it bad for Arden. She’s bright, brilliant, insanely fun, and I want to take her home and spend all night together—and then spend the day with her, too. When she asks for my help, I see my chance to win her sweet heart by showing her how much fun we can have getting spicy. Trouble is, she has a different idea of what “sex-ploration” should mean. Now I’m going to have to get really clever to win her over.
Good thing I know exactly how to upend her best laid plans.
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Guaranteed to make you smile!
I loved Arden & Gage!! She’s a planner and a nice girl but after meeting Gage, and asking for his help…she explores her naughty side too. And Gage has been in the friend zone with her since comforting her on their first meeting, but he wants to be so much more. Eventually their ‘practice’ becomes so much more. They are sweet, steamy, and tender. I loved their friendship, their interactions with their friends and family, and I loved the friends and family we met. Oh and I love the Heartbreakers mention. 😉 And the narration in duet style is awesome. I liked the audio as much as the story
I’m an unrepentant, loud-and-proud Lauren Blakely fan. Immersed in any of her books is a happy place for me. She’s a slam dunk for me because she consistently gives me what I’m hoping for when I reach for a romantic comedy or a contemporary romance. Just when I think she can’t top her last book, she comes out with the next one, and it steals my heart in a whole different way. Lauren Blakely always gives me what I want to read, and she does it with a writing style that is an addictive and creative blend of warmth, wit and romance. The kinds of stories that make me smile and swoon and that leave me happy when I’m done.
The friends-to-lovers trope is a top favorite of mine, near and dear to my heart, and Blakely put a fun spin on it here with a good-girl who wants to be naughty and her fireman best friend who she enlists to help her learn how. Arden and Gabe had a solid foundation of friendship to build on, and it was the comfort of this relationship that gave Arden the guts to approach Gabe with her plan. She had no idea that Gabe was harboring more than just friendly feelings for her, and in approaching him with her request, she gave him the opening he’d been hoping for. These two knew each other well, and their comfortable and easy-going relationship made for some witty, finish-each-other’s-sentences, back-and-forth bantering. Gabe’s Greek God good looks and charming personality didn’t escape Arden’s notice, but she had him pegged all wrong with some of the assumptions she’d made about him, and I enjoyed the heck out of him dispelling them.
Blakely has a fantastic sense of humor that she uses liberally in her storytelling, and it was plentiful in this book. I pretty much perma-grinned my way through most of this story largely because of Arden’s utterly pragmatic approach to her proposal. The things she want to try and learn, and the specific ways she proposed that they tackle them, really showed the reader exactly why she needed these lusty lessons in first place. Sweet and oh-so-sexually-naïve Arden just never factored romance—or even attraction—into this scenario because she was totally oblivious to the possibility that sexy, ladies-man Gabe could be interested in her.
One of the things I love most about Blakely’s novels is how richly she develops her heroes and the special insight into her male leads she gives her readers. Gabe’s inner dialogue was five-alarm-fire hot during his titillating torture sessions with Arden, and it was there that readers got a glimpse at his vulnerable side, too, when his thoughts moved to the what he really wanted with her. He also had an endearing side, something he showed repeatedly not only with Arden, but also in his relationships with his family and in his natural calling to help others. While Blakely doesn’t hesitate to put obstacles in her characters’ paths to happily-ever-after, she doesn’t draw it out with painful or angst-fueled plot devices to do it. Her stories have the right amount of conflict—just enough to keep things interesting—before she brings her characters to the other side of it together. Honestly, one of the reasons I read is to escape real-life, real-world drama, so I find Lauren’s approach in that aspect of her plots a much needed and very refreshing change of pace.
Flirty, fiery and a whole lot of fun, Best Laid Plans was a feel-good story about what happens when friendship is set on fire. Arden and Gabe’s love story was full of heart, humor and heat, and I simply didn’t want to put it down. Five smooches from me for Lauren Blakely’s Best Laid Plans!
~Danielle, Red Cheeks Reads
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and Lauren Blakely really knows how to do it right! Arden & Gabe won my heart over from the very beginning. Arden owns a bookstore and is very sweet and that is her problem. Well at least she believes that is a problem, since her self-esteem and confidence have taken a huge hit from her ex. Gabe is a fireman, a very sexy fireman, and he happens upon Arden after her ex has just dumped her and this is the start of a beautiful friendship. They have instant chemistry but Arden needs time. So, despite the fact that they both have a thing for each other, they continue to just be friends for quite some time until Arden has a plan and only Gabe can help her. Things certainly heat up between these two!! I love these two characters so much and I adore their story. Their relationship morphs organically and slowly and it is a beautiful thing to see where they end up! This is such a fun, flirty and very sexy story that left a huge smile on my face! And the epilogues are fantastic!!!
A great friends to lovers story
Gabe and Arden
Lauren, you have done it again. I love Gabe and Arden’s story. Wonderful, warm characters. No horrible characters or anyone acting immature. This is really a gem and deserves everyone buying it.
This book is funny, and sweet and all the things a good romance book should be. I really enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed this book. Arden and Gabe were a fun couple to read about.
I loved the character of Arden. She was a “good” girl who wanted to learn to be a little more naughty. She wanted to see what she was missing and learn how to ask for it. However the only person she felt comfortable with was her best friend Gabe. Nevermind, that she has a huge crush on him.
Gabe was very standup guy. From the first moment we meet him, we know that he is new book boyfriend material. He checks all the boxes on any woman’s list. I love his relationship with his parents expecially his dad and grandpa.
Watching these two dance around each other before it gets to be too much was fun to read.
A brilliant, fun, scorching hot romance. Loved every tantalizing moment of Gabe and Arden’s journey together.
Loved it. Easy to read and took my mind off of what is happening to this world.
Great story! The premise is cute–Arden wants guidance in expanding her steam-quotient, as everything to this point has been blah. Her best friend, Gabe, is more than happy to oblige, but has a secret: he’s in love with Arden. Sparks fly and one thing leads to another…
Love the mans man who is a sexy alpha firefighter who is secretly in love with his best friend. Gabe and Arden have been friends but he has always had feelings for her but didn’t know how to venture out of the friend zone. Arden need help breaking out of her shell and gaining confidence in the bedroom and experience of the naughtier nature. Due to lack luster former partners. This story has all the feels. Friends, laughter, family. Live their relationship. Good relationships build on a foundation of trust and friendship.
I love the friends to lovers troupe! Makes me a total sap, but there is just something wonderful about trusting someone with your mundane and your forever! Arden’s best laid plans are no match for Gabe’s determination. My favorite Lauren Blakely yet! Happy Reading!
This was a lovely, light-hearted read with great banter and a hero who somehow managed to be both swoony and adorable.
Hot, Hot, Hot! This book was so much better than the synopsis! I always trust that Lauren Blakely will deliver an amazingly entertaining book that makes me laugh and blush but this one was way hotter than I was expecting. I also listened to the Audible audio version that was narrated in a duet method which was great! It made it feel like a play almost or a radio show the way they shifted back and forth. Totally cute and sexy.
This was such a fun read!!!! From the beginning when gorgeous Gabe, the fireman meets beautiful and funny Arden. Her boyfriend just broke up with her and they end up eating her picnic!
I literally cracked up, laughed out loud! Arden owns a bookstore and wants to be adventurous in her sex life. She convinces Gabe to help her with her list!! And it’s so funny how (Joe Arden) reacts to her list!!! Also, (Erin Mallon) is the best!!
She portrays Arden so well.
This was a slowburn romance, a beautiful and funny friends to lovers romance!!!
I listened to this on Audible!!
I listened to the audiobook. I’m not sure if I would feel the same reading the book. I think I will read the book and see if it hits me the same.
Joe Arden and Erin Mallon brought the book to life. I really like this duet narration. It flows so much better and I feel more engaged. I don’t know what the other form of narration is called with both make and female narrators.
As for the story, it was ok. The characters were likable. They played off of each other well, and they were funny. I appreciate the build-up of romantic and/or sexual tension, but it went on a tad too long for me.
I did appreciate the epilogues, both one and two. I would give it four stars because of the narration. Otherwise, I would rate this book a 3 or 3.5 stars.
I’m a total sucker for a romance built on a foundation of friendship. Lauren Blakely has a knack for crafting the sweetest characters, and Best Laid Plans is no exception. If you’re looking for a fun, uplifting read with a satisfying happily ever after, this should definitely be on your TBR list.
Best Laid Plans is everything I love about Lauren Blakey’s books. It was funny, had a witty and relatable heroine and a strong, loyal and handsome hero.
Arden and Gabe were friends, but when Arden needs some help with embracing her naughty side she comes up with a plan to get some help from her best friend, Gabe. Of course, little does Arden know that Gabe has had a thing for her for some time.
This story was a SLOW, SLOW burn but worth every single minute. Gabe and Arden’s friendship was amazing and I loved it, but when they finally jumped into the deep end with each other it was EXPLOSIVE. Of course, it wasn’t a simple decision to take the plunge, especially for Arden.
Not only did I love Arden and Gabe’s relationship, but I love Arden’s friendship with her two besties, Perri and Vanessa. Those girls seem like such a blast and I can’t wait for their stories!
Another FANTASTIC story and a MUST READ by Lauren Blakely.
The new releases from Lauren Blakely this year have made me a huge fan. I am coming to realize that her books are so cute and funny they always put me in good, light mood when I need a break from the darker romances.
Arden might be one of my favorite characters with her love of books and ability to pick the perfect wine to go with the book! Even though Arden owns her own book store, has a great group of friends and can be friendly and outgoing with customers she still has a shy and insecure side when it comes to anything sexual. Gabe is a hot as heck fire fighter who strikes up a friendship with Arden when he witnesses her meltdown after a breakup. Gabe and Arden’s friendship is full of such easy lighthearted banter that I couldn’t help but root for those two to be together. Even without being full of sex, the chemistry and conversations (hello dirty talk) between Arden and Gabe make it HOT while he helps her explore her wants and desires.