When best laid plans go awry, it might be time to make a new plan.
Former SEAL Hugh “Heff” Bradley has put aside his womanizing ways to focus on making the Sanctuary a place for veterans in need. He knows how difficult the transition back to civilian life can be; he’s walked the razor’s edge himself a few times.
His plan: Use his special skills to make the project a reality and stop those … reality and stop those trying to sabotage it. That means keeping his head down and his hands to himself. Then he meets her.
Sandy Summers knows exactly what she wants: to get out of Sumneyville for good. Fate seems to be conspiring against her, however, throwing up one obstacle after another. Her plan: Work two jobs, attend night school to earn a degree, accept a job offer in the city, and never look back.
Impulsively hooking-up with the sexy, skilled SEAL before she leaves wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was her absentee father showing up on her doorstep after fifteen years with another game changer. But she’s worked too hard and too long not to stick to her plan, even if it means walking away from the only good thing that’s happened to her in years.
Heff and Sandy know firsthand what can happen to the best laid plans. But when getting back on track means sacrificing a chance at true happiness, do they take it? Or do they make a new plan?
Best Laid Plans is a contemporary love story with enough steam, suspense, and humor to give you all the feels and leave you smiling.
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This was the second book in the series. Sandy wants out of town and decides to be spontaneous one night right before leaving for good. She and Heff have a great night together. They were supposed to have just one night before her dad drops by unexpectedly. Plans change and she and Heff have the chance to get to know one another. Sandy finally gets a chance to leave. Will she go or will she find that what she really needs is back home. This was such a pleasure to read!
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done
Emotional “When Life Throws You Curves” Romance!!
Sandy works two jobs, just finished her degree and is about to take a dream job in NY. Her deadbeat father shows up on her doorstep with an autistic half-brother asking her to watch him “for a few days”. Weeks later she is resigned to staying in her small town. She loves her brother, and with the interactions of the therapy horses has become verbal and made some friends.
Heff is working with his fellow vets to build Sanctuary, a place for vets to transition into civilian life. When Sandy and Heff meet, it is incendiary. Would asking her to stay mean asking her to give up her dreams??
Beautifully written, full of emotions as you take the journey with these two very special people.
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
Hugh (Heff) Bradley is in Sumneyville in order to help his friend’s get Sanctuary built and up and running. He knows how hard it is to transition from the military back into civilian life and Sanctuary will be prefect to help vets make that transition. Sandy Summers is on the verge of finally getting out of Sumneyville and following her dreams when her absentee father shows up on her doorstep with a brother she never knew about. Now she has to change all of her plans and hope that she can still make them come true in the future. And no matter how close she has gotten to Heff, she is not going to change her plans for someone else yet again.
I absolutely loved this book!! Heff has dealt with his fair share of things, and has struggled with them all without anyone truly knowing that. But he still goes about doing what he feels is right and helps others even when he doesn’t ask for help himself. Sandy has put off her own hope and dreams for years due to circumstances beyond her control, and she does it again even while it is breaking her heart just because it is the right thing to do. And reading about her learning how to deal with her brother’s issues was great! Especially the fact that she may not know what to do but she never stops trying!! I loved that they both learn to let go in order for what they truly want and need to come to fruition! And then you throw in characters from previous books in others series (which you absolutely should read but it’s not required to before reading this book) and I loved it even more! Now I need Church’s book because I really need to know what happened to make him the man he is now!!!
Best laid plans 5
Sandy is packing up to blow out of her small town to New York with a new job and apartment. Since she is leaving, she has a one nighter. She’s ready to go until her gambling, con artist father shows up with her 14 year old autistic half brother, Kevin in tow. Could she watch him for a few days? She’s a sucker for a sad story and even though she knows better, she agrees. Imagine her surprise when she finds out Heff/Hugh is part of of the new veterans center, Sanctuary. What a hot mess! She finds a horse therapy ranch where she can take Kevin. In a short time, he is growing and thriving. The Sanctuary project is struggling with the town not wanting them there. Equipment, permits and inspections don’t show up or conveniently lost. There are accidents caused by sabotage and the guys are installing more surveillance equipment and are doing more perimeter security. In between all that is going on, the relationship between Sandy and Heff is growing. Whew! There is so much more to write about but you really just need to get this book and read it. It is well written, the characters are developed and there are some old friends who make an appearance. You can’t go wrong with an Abbie story!!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I loved this second chapter in the Sanctuary Series. Sandy is set to leave her small town existence for the big city of New York. A one night stand and then finding out she has a brother shot that to hell. She’s stuck, Heff is a player but realizes what Sandy has to offer and starts a slow all out campaign to win her heart. That’s whats so special about Heff, he’s very wise for his age and he knows he can’t curtail Sandy’s dreams as she would regret it and him for the rest of her life. It’s not a usual problem that keeps Sandy occupied while trying to stay above water in the small town, it’s real life and that’s what is awesome about Ms. Zanders writing, you can believe it and actually live the words that are in her stories.
I loved seeing the Callaghan’s, even just for a few pages. I loved Kevin and Danny’s connection and I also loved the family theme of this book. There is suspense, there is angst, there is romance, and there is a happily ever after. I do recommend this book/series and always, anything written by Ms. Zanders.
I received this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great book and series to be pulled into! The storyline and characters have multiple twists and turns that keep you cheering for them and occasionally changing sides!
It’s always a good day to read an Abbie Zanders book, so I’m excited we get a second book in a new series! “Protecting Sam” was so much fun, and “Best Laid Plans” is a great follow up. It’s interesting, because while it’s a standalone, you’ll really understand the story better if you’ve read “Protecting Sam” first. The timelines are somewhat concurrent, with events from the previous book taking place in a behind-the-scenes way during “Best Laid Plans.” It’s an ingenious interweaving without huge blocks of retelling that takes a lot of skill, and Abbie pulls it off with a deft hand.
The interweaving of stories works I think, because of the kinds of characters and the place that “Sanctuary” is intended to be. Heff and the rest of the men of Sanctuary served in the Military together for a long time. Church leads their group, and Heff’s been his Second in Command for at least 10 years. Men and women who serve together that long develop close ties – like family – even if they come and go from each other’s lives now and then. The theme of family is everywhere you look in “Best Laid Plans.”
Heff, Church and the rest of the men are family to each other; Sandy has members of her small-town community who think of her as family. Family-by-blood vs. family-by-choice is a powerful theme, as is the concept of understanding who you are and what you want vs. allowing others to limit or define you.
Sandy and Heff are at very different stages in their lives when they meet. They’ve both been through a lot, but they want different things. It’s interesting to watch them grow towards each other. It’s sometimes heartbreaking, even frustrating, but the journey is ultimately sweet and satisfying.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that along the way there’s a few cameo appearances made by a few favorite Zanders’ characters of mine. (That’s NEVER a bad thing, if you ask me.) Nor is it a bad thing to have the men of Sanctuary teaming up with the Hippotherapy center (and more awesome Zanders’ characters)! I’m looking forward to more “crossovers” with the riding center.
“Best Laid Plans” has a touch less “action” Suspense than you might expect than the average Abbie Zanders novel in this genre, but it’s absolutely just as good as the rest. Heff and Sandy are compelling characters with depths you’ll be glad you explored. By the end, like me, you’ll be itching to know even more about Sumneyville and the Sanctuary crew. Bring on the next book!
Abbie has a way of making you feel what her characters are feeling. Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down. Loved seeing “old” characters blend into this series as well. Looking forward to more of this series.
Oh goodness – I was hooked right from the start of this book. The sexual chemistry, humor, awkwardness of a one-night stand, not to mention a nosy neighbor. And that was all in the first chapter.
There are several storylines – with Sandy and Heff, and their potential relationship being the main thread. It was great to see Brian, Tori and Danny brought into this story. Then there was the small town politics, sabotague at the Santuary, an autistic half-brother, and so much more.
This story is so well-written and I can’t recommend it highly enough. There are challenging situations for the characters and the story does highlight how many in the military have a difficult time adjusting to civilian life. Hopefully more of the secondary characters will get their own stories.
As usual, Abbie Zanders has given us another amazing read.
This new series, Sanctuary, is wonderful. The reason behind Sanctuary is what makes it so wonderful. Her stories where these men have found meaning after defending our country and giving back to those who need it most, the vets.
After meeting Heff in the first story, you know the story will be out of this world. Sandy has worked her butt off in order to finally have what she wants.
Her and Heff had one night but neither can forget.
This story is amazing and just when I think I have it all figured out, Ms. Zanders throws me for a curve. Another thing I love about her stories. Hang on tight for an amazing ride.
I was so excited to to read this book and it certainly did not disappoint. Heff is the playboy of the group. Easy on the eyes and has an undeniable sex appeal. I love that his story wasn’t easy or cookie cutter. His story was so not what I was expecting and had twists and turns that I just didn’t see coming. Sandy wasn’t a wilting flower or looking for someone to solve her problems. I loved Heff and Sandy together and all the real life things they had to make it through. Even at the end, there was no guaranty of a HEA. Love Love Love!! Way to knock it out the park!!!
Count on Abbie Zanders for love stories with intrigue, suspense and some danger. Add in gorgeous, sexy, Alpha men with big hearts and vibrant, intelligent, sassy women and you’ve got a fabulous book. Heff and Sandy definitely meet all the criteria and included in their story are a couple of delightful special needs boys who will steal your heart. Trying to “live the dream,” Sandy realizes “there’s no place like home” and Heff finally finds his home again in Sandy.
I love the whole premise behind The Sanctuary series. Anything that involves helping our service men and women, even if it’s fictitious, gets my vote.
OMG! First I just want to run my fingers through his hair and stare into those beautiful green eyes forever.
Heff and Sandy are fantastic together. Their chemistry is hot, steamy, sweet and intense.
Heff is a retired Navy Seal and he’s currently focused on building and making the Sanctuary a safe place for Veterans. He doesn’t have the desire for random hook ups until he meets Sandy Summers. She’s like a breath of fresh air that he wants more and more of.
Sandy just wants to work her two jobs and get out of this small town where everything is the same. She just needs to forget about Heff, the gorgeous man she dreams about and the magical time they spent together. Her escape and dream job gets put on hold when she suddenly finds herself caring for her autistic brother that she never knew existed.
While Heff tries to get closer to Sandy, the beautiful woman that’s captured his heart, Sandy still has big dreams of her own.
Does Heff love her enough to let her go? Will Sandy realize her dreams was right in front of her the whole time?
“I voluntarily received this arc book for an honest review”
I really enjoyed this book. It was such a good read, I had a hard time putting it down. Heff and Sandy are such polar opposites and yet they both needed each other. I particularly loved the friendship that developed between Danny and Kevin. I am going to enjoy watching Sanctuary develop.
An amazing story. I fell in love with Hugh and Sandy. Abbie Zanders weaves a wonderful story that has everything. Great characters and supporting characters, intrigue, romance and side storylines, all together make for a read you won’t want to put down. Definitely recommend reading. I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review
Santuary book 2 brings Heff and Sandy together in midst of life changes, new adventures, and continuing intrigue from the town. Really enjoy this author with her characters, town, and interactions along with suspense following their journeys to love.
Having read the first book in this series I knew Heff’s book would be good. The sparks flew between him and Sandy from their first meeting. Nothing is as it seems with this group of guys. Ms Zanders throws quite a few curveballs each time you think you know whats coming! This was a great read and I loved not only watching their story unfold but catching up with old favourites the Callaghan’s and Tori and Brian. This had everything, intrigue love and of course tho sexy Alphas. Great book I can’t wait to see who’s next!
Loved every minute of this fast paced book. The love story is fantastic with a little excitement along the way. Reminds you that what we wish for is not always what we need.
I started this book and just did not want to put it down. There were so many good things about this book: The stunningly gorgeous manwhore just gets side-swiped by his feelings and commitment, Sandy’s brother Kevin, who is autistic (I have a huge soft spot for autistic children and their everyday struggles), and reconnecting with characters from other series. Great book and looking forward to the next book.