I came to Whispering Key for a job. That was all. To show the world Mason Bloom could be more than a small-town doctor living a medium-sized life.
Private doctor on a swanky island with a posh resort? Check.
But from the moment I set foot on this island, nothing went according to plan.
I didn’t expect to find the resort falling apart.
I didn’t expect the people here to be so charming and crazy … didn’t expect the people here to be so charming and crazy and welcoming and real.
I didn’t expect legends about shipwrecks and buried treasure.
And I definitely didn’t expect Fenn Reardon, the island’s incredibly attractive, incredibly infuriating, incredibly male resident tour guide, to become the one person I can’t live without.
Thirty-five’s a bit late for me to realize I’m not straight, though, right? And I have big dreams that won’t fit on Whispering Key, anyway—dreams that do not include tying myself to a tiny island stuck in the past or to a man who refuses to think about the future.
My head’s telling me I have to leave Whispering Key…
My heart’s telling me there might be treasure on this island after all.
more
Mason needed a change, but boy, howdy, he gad no idea just how much his life was going to change when he accepted the job in Whispering Key. May really does know how to tell a story. Someone mentioned that Whispering Key was like a snarkier O’Leary, and I’d have to agree. Mason and Fenn went from hate to lust to love. The banter was my favorite part….oh, and the sex. I felt like the sex was even steamier. O’Leary has some serious competition in likability. Not only are the main characters amazing, but the side characters were very well developed. I loved this book, and I did not want it to end. I’m counting down the days until it shows up in audible. This is a must read
Loafers, stimulus & ferrymones
I love the worlds and towns that May Archer builds. Each time I read a book by her I find a place that feels like home and surrounded by family. Whispering Key is no different. It’s my new home and although it gives turtles a whole new meaning, it also brings me lots of laughs. Fenn and Mason are everything. They crash, they spark, they soar and they know how to play the hottest and most romantic game of Truth or Dare.
“No hashtags. No apologies. No explanations.” I would also add no walls. The impact that Fenn and Mason left on my life is everlasting. Their sarcasm and quick wit kept me on my toes and like Mason, I’d want Fenn to get rid of all his t-shirts too. It’s inevitable you will fall in love with them, the island and the people when you read this book. It’s gold and the perfect beginning to a series that is a treasure trove of love, family, humor, and passion. I can’t wait to return to see who’s next (adorable Beale, hint) and what Whispering Key will bring next.
It took me a while to get into Off Plan. I immediately felt terrible for Dr. Mason Bloom – he’s trying to take control of his life and do something that’s just his, but he didn’t do all of his homework and got taken advantage of. Add in that the other MC, Fenn Reardon, was constantly at odds with him, corrupting his sunshine-y personality with his grumpiness and dislike for his situation, and I couldn’t see how the two of them would end up together.
Once they finally moved past the enemies part and got more to the lovers, I was in. Their relationship was full of funny interactions, sweetness and some steam and I was there for it. I loved how open Mason ended up being after the initial shock of his situation wore off. He was open to trying something new, taking a chance and exploring new possibilities. And Fenn really turned it around, seeing his family and his circumstances in a new light, taking control of his future and letting Mason in even though he’d been burned before.
Whispering Key is full of a crazy cast of characters – I love me some quirky side characters…even kind totally out there ones like Dale and Lorenna – and I can’t wait to see what the Goodmans get into next while falling in love along the way!
I read this one out of order and read it last. So it was fun to see what a hot mess Whispering Key was before. I enjoyed this feisty, sexy, opposites-attract, bi-awakening, M/M love story. When Mason’s life implodes, he makes a bold move. He thinks he is going to an upscale resort to start a more prestigious job and make his own way. But from his first taste of the island which was the grungy and grumpy Fenn as his not-so-welcome wagon, the barbs start flying and the truth is shocking. But eventually in a twist, the sparks start flying too and Mason finds that the whole crazy, not-quite-as-expected Whispering Key, and one intense man might be off his plan but right where he is supposed to be.
I loved seeing Beale, Rafe, Gage, and the rest of the quirky peeps. This series is so much fun and the Key inhabitants have really become endearing.
I fell in love with Mason and Fenn right away. Their witty banter and sarcastic barbs made me chuckle. As much as these characters seemed to dislike each other, it was clear that there was underlying sexual tension as well. The people of Whispering Key were quirky, a little bit out there, but so incredibly charming. This book had some heartfelt emotions, passionate encounters, and intriguing characters.
I’m no longer a May Archer virgin
This was a fun, sassy, witty read that put a smile on my face the entire time. Fenn and Mason were opposites extraordinare, but they clicked in place so perfectly. The walls they built to protect their hearts slowly came down and watching them realize how in love they were with each other warmed my heart.
Their was small town goodness, great characters, lots of laugher and steamy firsts. I look for to seeing which cousins of Fenn’s get their chance at love next.
Thoroughly Enjoyable!!!
An action packed, emotional read that I will not soon forget. This was everything and more.
Floved!!!!
I heard the audiobook and the naration was superb.
I love GFYs and this is one of my favorites. It had me on edge just waiting for the MCs to get their head out of their behinds. Their back and forth and bickering was so entertaining that I couldn’t put the book down. I’ve never laughed so hard reading a book that is so cute. I wanted more drama before “the conflict” got resolved, but that’s just my preference and nothing to affect my rating.
Audiobook Review:
I really enjoyed Off Plan. The plot was cute, the characters likable, the dialogue fast and fun, and the romance sweet. Most of all, I was intrigued by the setting. I love quirky small towns, which is what made this author’s Love in O’Leary series a place I was always happy to visit. Whispering Keys comes complete with plenty of unique residents, fanciful businesses, and all-around charm, and I just know I’ll be back.
I loved the first scenes of Off Plan with Fenn and Mason at each other’s throats. The snarky banter had me giggling at times, and I was really happy that even once these two got together, that fun vibe persisted. I also liked the way the relationship grew between Mason and Fenn. While some things seemed overly simple especially for a bi-awakening romance, I never lost interest in the couple or their story. Admittedly, I groaned a little when the classic break-up over a misunderstanding occurred in Off Plan, but happily the resolution came along swiftly without creating a lot of undue angst. The narration in Off Plan is reliably steady. Although it didn’t blow me away, Mr. Dean delivered a good performance with plenty of emotion inserted into each scene.
Off Plan is perfect for those who like good romance with minor conflicts and minimal angst. I think many readers will enjoy getting to know Whispering Keys as Mason tries to make a new life and career on the island. If you are looking for a book that offers a fun, great escape with a summertime feel, I would certainly recommend it.
A rating. OMG…this book was SO FREAKING GOOD! I cannot wait for more in this series, as I’m in love with this little, broken down island and its people. When’s the next one coming?!?!?
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Mason and Fenn were amazing!
May Archer is back with her brand of gay Hallmark movie, but this time on an island! I absolutely loved this book. It has a colorful cast of characters, a fun element of mystery and a scorching hot relationship/chemistry. And May is so good at writing small towns (and this is the definition of small town, even more so than O’Leary!). I am very much looking forward to more in this universe. I NEED to know Beale’s story ASAP.
Kudos to May for the start to another great series. I highly, highly recommend this book!
Off Plan is an excellent start to a new series, and it tickles me that it is a spinoff of the Love in O’Leary series. I always like reading about old friends. And I have made new friends in Whispering Key. There are many interesting characters in this small, forgotten town. They have their own unique quirks, and I enjoyed getting to know them as they bumbled their way through the pages.
Mason and Fenn are a lovely couple. They each have a past from which to to learn and grow and watching them is both endearing and aggravating. It does not give their trip into a relationship a straightforward path. The obstacles, both real and imagined, provide a bit of angst to the piece that appeases my need for a couple to work for their HEA.
Masons’ innocence and sweetness play well against Fenn’s grumpy bitterness. They give what the other needs to become a well-rounded couple. The passion is strong, and the HEA is satisfying and believable.
I enjoyed this. The story is a little far-fetched at times, creating many humorous scenes, but it is still plausible and kept me engaged the entire time.
I look forward to more from this author.
Oh My God! This story is fun to read. I don’t know which parts I love the most because there were many. The banter between Fenn and Mason are epic!
A sexual-awakening, gay-for-you, enemies to friends to lovers story that will encite snorts, giggles, eventually laughter. Mason is so sweet, Fenn is something else, but I think I understand where he’s coming from. But they are so good together. I love this spin off, looking forward to the next one!
May Archer is one of its authors like Lucy Lennox who create Series around a small village where there are always lots of gay people and often from the same family. It is not always the most realistic and original, but it has the merit of offering us a rather utopian vision of the world that warms the heart. I love it.
I liked her Love in O’leary series. Around 5 books, the author had presented us with a small town in which I would love to live and characters I would like to have as friends. I had enjoyed reading it and it was with great expectation and enthusiasm that I started Off Plan, the first volume in this series which looks like a mix between Love in O’Leary and Made Marian by Lucy Lennox with the presence of of a colorful family.
This time towards Florida for the small town Whispering Key and Spoiler Alert, I loved it! I loved the characters. Mason and Fenn are two characters with opposite characters but just as adorable. There are sparks when they meet at the airport and I loved seeing their relationship evolve. May Archer offered us brilliant exchanges, with rather funny passages and others rather touching. There is also a real depth in them that will influence the course of the story. Mason needs to prove his worth, to himself and to others. Fenn is afraid that he will never be enough for the people who matter to him.
I also really liked the secondary characters. I loved Big Ralph and Ralph junior. Besides, I want a volume just for him. This guy was broken in love when his fiancée left him because she can’t bear living in the small town of Whispering key. I want to see him have a happy ending. Besides with the little clues that the author has deposited here and there, we risk having an explosive book.
I also had a great crush on the second of the siblings. Beale is such an exceptional character. I can only see one word to describe it, Mystic. Yes, this character is totally mystical.
Finally, to dive into a literary universe created by May Archer is to meet a swarm of locals just as wacky as each other. And above all, reading May Archer is giving yourself a timeless moment, refreshing, funny, and sexy. Off Plan is the perfect representative of the author’s style and the perfect heir to Love in O’Leary, a series for which I had a big crush in 2019.
This first book in a new series is an off shoot from the O’Leary series and stars Micah Bloom’s brother Mason. Mason has uprooted his life in upstate NY to take a new job in Florida after his fiancé leaves him. He’s in such a hurry to have a plan of his own that he doesn’t do due diligence and when he arrives in Florida it is the beginning of the revelations that all is not as he was led to believe, starting with the guy who is waiting to pick him up at the airport.
Fenn, who has some serious baggage of his own lives on Whispering Key but isn’t happy about it or much of anything else about his life. He and Mason instantly hate each other and are instantly attracted to each other. Cue the enemies to lovers trope.
As usual, Archer does a great job of world building here. She has created a great small town filled with quirky characters who not only help to advance the storyline but also, in different ways and to differing degrees, assist in the advancement of the romance. Mason’s and Fenn’s character development progresses nicely allowing us to gradually fall in love with the characters and root for them. And that’s a nice trick since neither of them is particularly likeable when we first meet them. And then we’ve got Big Rafe who comes across as a manipulative selfish jerk and you just want to punch him every time he appears. In the first part of the book the only truly likeable character is Beale, who is an odd duck!
But, and this is a huge credit to Archer, none of that is turn off. Normally, if I don’t like at least one of the MCs by 10% into a book I’m ready to bail. But there is that aura of something in the air with this book. It’s like you just know that things are going to get better and these characters are as self-involved as they appear. It’s almost like Archer is laying a trap for us and suckering us right in before we realize it.
The one thing I found irritating is the “I’m not good enough for him” trope. That one always annoys the crap out of me. I despise the whole “I’m going to make a decision for hm/her because I’m a martyr” thing. But in the scheme of things it is not a big enough negative for me to downgrade the rating.
The crisis point ratchets up the heart rate and the ending is emotional and sweet and funny. A perfect ending to the book, with some hints as to who and what may be next. I’m definitely looking forward to more of Whispering Key…and I definitely want a short story or something about Micah and Constantine’s trip to visit!!
**I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my objective review.**
I’ve been a fan of May Archer’s since I first started reading MM, and she just keeps getting better and better. If you loved the Love in O’Leary series, you’re going to adore Whispering Key, and Off Plan starts it off with a bang.
PSA: if you read in bed and have to be careful not to wake someone up, you’ll want to read this during the day because I laughed so hard I couldn’t see the page by the time I got to Chapter 4! But it’s not all laughs, there’s lots of tension and plenty of sweetness and a good bit of heat as well. I can’t wait to see who’s next!
I just loved Off Plan. Mason is just so darn sweet and Fenn is just ornery enough to be a great contrast between the two. Their dialogue was fantastic. It just made the story flow. I loved the whole of Whispering Key, such great characters. All of Fenn’s cousins were great too. I can’t wait to read their stories. This was a great book and I definitely recommend it.
Off Plan is a great start in the new Whispering Key series by May Archer. There is so much deliciousness to be found here! I just loved the community that May has created in Whispering Key. There are eccentric, interesting characters sprinkled throughout this story that I just fell in love with.
At the heart of Off Plan is Mason and Fenn. From their first meeting sparks flew, even though they both fought the pull. The chemistry and connection between these two jumps off the page. There is also humor, snark and FEELINGS! All the FEELINGS! Neither is prepared for it and keep blundering through until they finally realize they are meant for each other.
I was left eager for the next book in this series!
Doc Mason bound for days of paradise or purgatory on Whispering Key
This story had a range of good elements. It’s told in a wry, sort of tongue-in-cheek style, with some bursts of LOL situational humor. Although new arrival Doc Mason is struck with a slew of unpleasant surprises (including marauding geckos and snakes in the dryer!) the tone never gets dark and Fenn, his first and foremost nemesis, actually turns into a ray of personal sunshine on stormy Whispering Key.
The small-town setting on a fictional Florida Gulf key, with a hidden treasure legend attached and with some quirky, some just plain darling residents, added warmth. But I liked that the locals, even bossy, wheeler-dealer mayor Big Rafe, stayed, for the most part, in the background and let the romance take center stage.
There’s angst in Mason’s and Fenn’s backstories and the relevant details of their past that influence their ability to connect all come out organically as they exchange truths and grow closer. I liked both men, seemingly total opposites and incompatible, but both struck me as broken but repairable. With heart to heart confessons leading to the steam, the romance built realistically, too.
I can see more good times and relationships building on Whispering Key and I’d like to be there as the series continues.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review and the opinions expressed are my own.