New York Times bestselling author Jaci Burton kicks off a dreamy new series with a sweep-you-off-your-feet friends-to-lovers romance. Three days before Erin Bellini’s wedding, her fiancé breaks up with her–in an email! Hurt and embarrassed, she decides to have a fling with veterinarian Jason Callum, who’s both the best man and the hottest guy she knows. But Jason wants a lot more than just a … lot more than just a one-night stand with the woman he’s cared about for years. So he’s taking things slow. And hot. And showing Erin what real love can look like.
Suddenly Erin finds herself spending a lot more time with Jason than she intended. Feelings she never planned on having again are wrapping around her heart, refusing to let go. Erin isn’t sure she can trust her instincts, though. After all, she made a terrible choice with her ex-fiancé. But Jason intends to convince her that he’s the best man for her, and that what they have together is a real love that will last forever.
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When I reviewed the introductory novella to this series, I spoke of how I had all but given up on this author. An author, I want to note, was once a go-to of mine. I’m happy to report that my enjoyment of that novella wasn’t a fluke, I liked this full-length story just as much.
In The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission, it was already apparent that Erin and Jason have chemistry, even if they’re oblivious to that chemistry. In this story, we learn that Jason isn’t oblivious at all, but he’s being a good friend to both Erin and her fiancé, all of whom have been friends since childhood. He’ll do anything for Erin, but always keeps it friendly and totally above board. But what’s a guy to do when one best friend leaves the other days before the wedding, and the one left behind is practically begging for a fling? Even a stand-up guy like Jason can only resist for so long.
One of the things I absolutely love about a friends to lovers romance is when one or both of the characters thinks they’ll “get it out of their system” and things will go back to normal. Every time I read that scene played out in a book, I shake my head at the character’s naïveté. Then I sit back and enjoy the ride.
The level of need the rolls off of this couple is palpable. They are so used to being friends, decades of growing up together, that they really don’t know how to proceed with the feelings they are experiencing. There were plenty of butterflies involved in the early chapters, waiting for them to both give in. Totally and completely give in and let nature take its course.
Jason and Erin are definitely a two steps forward, one step back type of couple. But overall, things move quickly. That’s quite alright since their relationship has been a long time coming in the grand scheme of things. I’m not always on board with Erin’s reticence, but I can understand when these thoughts pop into her head. Her confusion and the questions everything has brought up about how she’s lived her life up to this point are a natural thing. Jason is truly the best man in so many ways. Patient and kind and non-judgmental. We can all use a Jason in our lives, that’s for sure.
I’m glad I was able to find my way back to this author. I’m really having a great time reading this series so far.
Well, it has been years since I’ve read any books by this author, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t excited to see this new release. In fact, I was really looking forward to it. By Chapter 9 though, she didn’t give me good enough reasons to say “I do” to the rest of it. With script that seemed to have the charisma of rolling off a robotic teleprompter, I saw no point in sticking around to find out how things worked out for this jilted leading lady, who wasn’t exactly winning me over either. Sure, I felt really bad for her getting dumped right before her wedding in such a cowardly way. Not wallowing in self pity but instead choosing to woman up and move on was top notch commendable, as well. But deciding on, what felt like a shrug of the shoulders, hey, why not, determined whim, to talk her good guy hero friend into a revenge, meaningless fling, when he said no to begin with, felt wrong. Especially since he was also her ex’s best friend and has had a crush on her for years. Jason deserved better, and I did, too. I felt my time would be better spent elsewhere.
I wish this author continued writing success and hope others enjoy this storyline. For me, even throwing in an injured, defenseless, abandoned, fur baby puppy wasn’t enough to get over what I just mentioned. Oh, I’m quite sure Owen, the ex, will come back groveling and likely regret his actions and, for a brief time, want to duke it out with Jason to win her back. Of course, we all know how that is likely to pan out.
Title: The Best Man Plan, Author: Jaci Burton, library edition.
(I voluntarily read and reviewed a library edition of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/PR firm.)
The Best Man Plan is the first book in the Boots and Bouquets series. It’s a Contemporary Romance with a friends to lovers trope. This book has some family drama, interesting characters, dogs and a HEA.
Erin Bellini’s fiance breaks up with her in an email three days before their wedding. Embarrassed, she wants revenge by having a fling with the best man also, her life long friend Jason Callum who is a veterinarian and a hottie. Jason has always had feelings for Erin and wants more than one night, he rather be her friend than lose her. But he does set out to show her that he can be the man for her if she would just be willing to take things slow.
Erin finds herself spending more time and thinking more of Jason than what she’s comfortable with. She develops feelings pretty quickly for Jason and she knows they are deeper and more meaningful than what she had for her former fiance. These feelings frighten Erin and she isn’t to sure she can trust her own instincts. But Jason insists on showing her that he’s the The Best Man for the plan of spending the rest of their lives together in love.
I’m a huge fan of Jaci Burton’s sports romance, so I was excited to try this new series! It’s small town romances with steam–reminding me a bit of Jenny Holiday’s books, which I also love. In this series starter, Erin is dumped by her fiancé OVER EMAIL just a few days before her would-be wedding. Of course, her childhood best friend and the best man, Jason, is there as a shoulder to cry on. Of course he’s had a secrete crush on her since they were kids that she doesn’t realize…
I really enjoyed this one! I thought the characters were great and the vineyard setting was beautiful. The ending actually surprised me, which I always appreciate, though I could have done without the lighting-speed engagement (is this really a spoiler in a book like this? I don’t think so). I love the mix of sweet and heat I can count on in Burton’s books and look forward to reading the next in the series.
4 stars – 8/10
Love all Jaci Burtons books
Anything by Jaci Burton is a good read.
Eek! I was so excited to see this in my mailbox. I love Jaci’s writing and this new series is going to be fabulous. This book brought all the swoon with just enough laughs and I loved every word of it.
This was a slow build just fun read for me and came in at a solid 4 star read. The main character is a jilted bride and as you can see, based off the title it is a best man hookup. I loved that I knew I was going to get an HEA at the end of it, and even though the build up was slower then I usually like, It was perfect for these characters. You end up really loving the cast and the plot is a nice chance of pace on this trope.
I NEED Erin’s sisters to get books and I already have some other grouping ideas after finishing this story. This series is going to be a must read for me.
It’s been a hot moment since I’ve read a contemporary romance with so much fun and light angst overall.
I enjoyed it quite a lot, the family dynamics, the friends to lovers plot, great banter and steamy scenes, everything was well mixed for a great few hours of reading in a Saturday afternoon.
It actually felt like seeing a Hallmark movie with a happily ever after.
I’m looking foreword to the next books in the series because the secondary characters have done a great impression on me in this book.
This is Erin & Jason’s story in Jaci Burton’s new series. While I really didn’t care for Erin for a good part of the book, I really liked Jason (I think we all need a Jason in our lives!!). Erin gets dumped by her fiancé Owen via email two days before their wedding & her childhood friend Jason (also Owen’s best friend) is there to pick up the pieces and be there for Erin. It starts with Erin wanting to hook up with Jason to get revenge on Owen, which I didn’t like because friends shouldn’t do that to each other. While Jason has always had a thing for her, she realizes after spending time with Jason that it’s more than just hooking up & she has real feelings for him that she didn’t have with Owen. I also loved the family dynamics of Erin’s family, they are always there for each other. We also can’t forget the adorable dogs Puddy & Agatha. I did like Erin by the end of the book & am happy her & Jason got their HEA. I’m looking forward to the next book!!
This is book #1 in the Boots and Bouquets series.
It is the story of Erin Bellini and Jason Callum.
Erin has just gotten the worst news… her fiance breaks up with her and cancels the wedding 3 days prior to the date. Even worse, he does it by email. Erin isn’t sure what to do about the wedding reception, but what she is sure of is that she is going to have a fling with the best man. Jason just happens to be the hottest guy she knows.
Jason has cared about Erin for years. He was the one who stood back when Erin and Owen started dating. He wants a lot more than one night with her, especially now that he has his chance to show Erin what real love can look like.
Jason is taking it slow. He is trying to convince her that he is the best man for her. Erin finds herself spending more time with him… more than she intended. She starts to have feelings that she isn’t sure what to do about. She isn’t sure if she can trust her instincts. She made such a horrible choice with her ex. Jason intends to show her that what they have together is real and will last forever.
I love the chemistry Jason has with Erin. I love how he steps in again as a friend to help her when Owen suddenly calls off their wedding. I love how their dogs are included in their story. I enjoyed this friend to lovers book. This is the first book of this author’s that i have read and i really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
4.5 Stars!
The Best Man Plan is author Jaci Burton’s latest book offering. It is a well-written love story, with hot romantic scenes and characters that I really liked getting to know. This is the first book from Ms. Burton’s Boots and Bouquets series, and it can be enjoyed as a standalone. However the prequel, The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission, is an excellent novella about two of the secondary characters from this book.
Erin Bellini and Jason Callum grew up together and shared the same friends. Jason was always in love with Erin, while Erin thought she found love with their mutual best friend Owen. Three days before Erin and Owen’s wedding, Owen breaks up with Erin through an email. Jason is there to comfort her, and shortly thereafter, their friendship evolves into sexy times, which develops into much more. Erin realizes that what she had with Owen wasn’t true love.
Erin handles the business end of her family’s winery and wedding venue. Jason is the local vet, and is chock-full of compassion and patience.
There is a lot going on in this novel and Ms. Burton does a terrific job of keeping the plot fresh and exciting. The author evolves the relationship between Erin and Jason with a seductiveness that kept me wanting more. Furthermore, I found many of the secondary characters to be quite engaging, especially Erin’s sisters. Their love and support is felt throughout the book. Overall, a great start to a brand new series!
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Erin Bellini was set to wed Owen in just two days when he sent her an email to break things off. Erin decided since everything was paid for they would have a non-wedding party. Erin also decided what would be the best revenge on Owen……have a fling with Jason Callum, who just happens to be Owen’s best friend and who would have been the best man in their wedding. Problem was Jason has always had strong feelings for Erin and he wants more than just a quick fling…..he wants it all.
As Erin and Jason spend more time together, she starts to realize that there is more to Jason than she ever realized. When her heart starts to get involved, Erin starts to pull back but then quickly realizes that she misses Jason. Just as Erin is ready to have a relationship with Jason, Owen finally shows his face and tries to explain why he broke things off. Erin feels guilty about being with Jason and it will take a lot of soul searching for her to realize who she truly belongs with. The best part is she makes peace with both Owen and Jason and is ultimately happy with her choice.
I really enjoyed this story. It was fun seeing how a non-wedding would throw people’s lives into a tailspin. It was cute seeing Erin and Jason together, as well as the relationship between Erin and Owen. I also loved both of Erin’s sisters….hopefully they will both be getting their own stories! Overall this was a fun story that kept me entertained.
Just days before her wedding, Erin Bellini’s upcoming marriage is called off, and she tumbles into confusion and sadness over why her ex had to call it off in the way he did. As she decides to have a reception party for a wedding she didn’t have, Jason Callum steps up to help her. He’s always been there for Erin, and he isn’t about to change. He’s loved her from afar and this is his chance to get her to see how good they could be together even if the timing is not ideal.
There’s just one problem — Erin isn’t looking for anything permanent or a relationship — she just wants to have a revenge affair on her ex, and decides that Jason is just the guy to do it. He’s got the good sense to know that he wants more from her than just a quick fling without feelings.
There’s some nice back-and-forth between these two as Jason helps Erin find the good in life again and he begins to show her how he feels about her. Everyone else can see that he’s in love with her but Erin, and that turns into a problem when Erin’s ex returns on the scene.
I have to say I wasn’t expecting to like the ex (even though I didn’t like how he did what he did) but his circumstances were a surprise that I wasn’t expecting. I love how this provided the conflict that forces Erin and Jason to look at what they want and to make some decisions on what their future would look like. I also thought that Erin’s work as a wedding planner for their family business added a nice twist to the story.
The Best Man Plan was a quick, easy, light story that I devoured in a day or two. I liked Erin and Jason together, and the hints about what might be in store for Erin’s sisters has me interested in what is to come. It was great to revisit with Alice and Clay from the previous novella in the series. Overall, The Best Man Plan is an enjoyable story with two sweet characters set in a world that is ripe for additional stories. Great start to the series.
An ARC was provided. This is my honest review.
When Erin Bellini gets a text from her fiancé Owen, breaking up with her, she’s on the phone with his best man, Jason. The three of them have been friends their whole lives and Jason rushes right over to see Erin. He also tries unsuccessfully to reach Owen and find out what the heck is going on.
All they find out is Owen is off to Aruba on what would’ve been his and Erin’s honeymoon.
In the days that follow, Jason, who has secretly been in love with Erin for sometime, finds himself spending a lot of time with her. She has decided that she deserves to have a flaming hot sex affair with someone and it might as well be Jason. After all they’re friends, right…
I really enjoyed this book. I’m not usually a big fan of the friends to lovers theme but this one was done really well. I loved the setting of a family owned vineyard that is also a wedding destinations. Erin gets tons of support from her sisters Honor and Brenna as well as her other friends and family. No one thinks anything of her spending a lot of time with Jason and when they do figure out what’s going on, nobody seems to mind. The biggest issue is how will Erin balance the hot sex with her longtime friend and not get her heartbroken again.
Ms. Burton even manages to have the final resolution between Erin and Owen work out in a way that it’s all good with a twist. The dating misadventures of Honor and Brenna set up anticipation for the next few books in the series. This book is a great start to the new series.
I love this author’s work, though this one wasn’t my faves. 3.5 Stars.
Erin Bellini gets dumped by her fiance, in an EMAIL, 3 days before her wedding. So, since everything is already paid for, and the venue is her family’s vineyard in small town Oklahoma, she decides to throw a party anyway, to not let all the food, music, etc. go to waste. Also, she wants revenge. A revenge fling, to be exact, with her fiance’s best friend, who is also her very good friend since childhood. What could go wrong, right?!
Jason Callum is in a bit of a difficult position. His best friend just broke up with his other best friend, 3 days before their wedding. Now, Erin is making noise about wanting to sleep with him, and that puts him in an even more difficult spot, as he’s had feelings for her for years, but stepped back when she and Owen started dating. Now his feelings are popping back up, and he doesn’t think he’ll be able to handle just being her rebound fling, when he wants so much more from her.
Jason and Erin had mega chemistry, since their small part in the prequel novella, The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission. Even back then, I could see that she was likely engaged to the wrong man, and it was fascinating watching how it all worked out. I really enjoyed their connection, but Erin seemed oblivious to the strength of it, which was interesting to me. Also, even later when it comes out that he’s cared for her, as more than friends, for a long time, she’s surprised, and they don’t really discuss it further. She just doesn’t seem like the most insightful woman, when it comes to people and relationships, where as in business, she’s awesome. Also, her avoidance tactics started to get a little bit tiresome for me, when it came to facing her ex.
The side characters (and PETS!) here were great, especially the couple from the first novella, along with Erin’s sisters. I’m definitely looking forward to getting their stories in the future. The “villain” here, the ex-fiance, Owen, isn’t actually IN much of the book, so you’re left wondering for quite a while what his reasons were for leaving, especially since all these great people were good friends with him, and were shocked by his actions, as Erin was. That whole situation, without giving any spoilers, threw me a bit. It made it hard to know how to feel about him, and I’m not sure I loved that choice. I’m wondering if this is because he’ll be getting his own book later, or something? We shall see.
I really loved the Bellini family, and their awesome family business. They really made you fall for them, and want the sisters’ stories too. Jason and Erin had a lot to come to terms with in order to be together, and I liked their slow journey into love. But, there were other things that weren’t my favorite, and for me, that balanced me out at 3.5 Stars.
4.5 stars!! I really liked this first book in this new Jaci Burton series. Erin and Jason are both wonderful and complex characters. I thoroughly enjoyed this storyline, the Bellini family and the setting. I also really liked the twist that is thrown in towards the end of the story. It is difficult for Jason and Erin at first to give in to their feelings given he is her ex-fiance’s best friend and they definitely do struggle with that in different ways. All in all though this is such a nice feel-good romance with an easy flowing story that is so easy to get caught up in. I look forward to more in this series and more of the Bellini family.
There is no way to look at this cover and not fall in love with it. This is a great cover that tells you what is going on inside the book. I was so excited to start this new series by Jaci Burton. I read the novella that started it and really enjoyed it and got to know the family a little bit. Just that small glimpse told me that I wanted more.
Knowing from the novella that Erin was engaged I wasn’t sure how the author going to tell her story. I never read the description of the authors that I read all the time so I went in blind. I didn’t even know who was next.
Right away when I figured out it was Erin’s book I wasn’t sure what would happen but kinda knew the marriage wasn’t going to happen and I was right. I felt so bad for Erin and what she was going through. You could feel her hurt come off the pages. I along with her family and friends wanted to smash him in the face.
I got a little too into the story can you tell. Ha!
Right away I could see that Jason is perfect for her. He loves her and stands by her so that tells me everything. He wouldn’t even talk to Owen until after he explained everything to Erin first. I liked that about him. He’s such a great guy.
Together these two work. I can’t say that Owen and she wouldn’t have worked because you don’t see much of them together.
Even though this is a great story I did have one or two issues with it. At times the story moved slowly but I was okay with that because I really liked all the characters and I didn’t care for how the Owen story was handled. I won’t say much because I don’t want to ruin it for you but I knew it would happen the way it did and I wasn’t wrong. It didn’t make it or breast the story for me but it didn’t sit right either.
In the end, all turned out the way it should have. I’m glad we got a better taste of the family and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Her sister’s stories should be good.
4.5 Stars
I could not put this book once I started. I was so excited to start this new series and loved every minute of The Best Man Plan.
Erin is all set to get married and it’s almost the day to walk down the aisle. When she gets an email from her fiancé, she wasn’t expecting him to call off the wedding. She has no clue what’s going on and why he called off the wedding.
Jason is there for Erin and was supposed to be the best man in her wedding. He grew up with Erin and her fiancé. Jason has always wanted more from Erin, he didn’t just want to be her friend. Erin leans on Jason and realizes there is more there between them. He doesn’t want to be just a one night stand he wants more with her.
I loved watching Jason and Erin’s relationship change. I can’t wait for more in this series.
Imagine planning the wedding of your dreams and getting the shock of your life just days before the ceremony. For Erin Bellini – and email would be the nemesis that made all of her wedding plans crumble. Without any cause or reason, Erin finds herself without a groom or honeymoon. All of the plans were in place, so Erin chose to have the party of a lifetime. Why let a wedding celebration go to waste?
Determined to make her former fiancé regret the decision to leave her jilted, Erin decides that her best course of action is to have a fling with none other than the best man. Did I mention that Jason Callum was the local vet and a longtime friend of Erin’s? The course of action Erin has chosen involves more than her broken heart. A one-night stand should take all of the stress away. Unless you are Jason and have been coveting Erin from afar. It’s a tangled web that Jason and Erin have found themselves tangled within. Can the jilted bride and former friend find comfort in each other’s arms?
The Best Man Plan is the first book in a new series by Jaci Burton. From the blurb – this novel sounds like it will be full of mischief and making mistakes. While there were plenty of cute moments, this book lacked a connection between Erin and Jason that was sorely lacking. Add to that the lace of attention paid to the broken engagement and Owen’s explanation, and you have a novel that often times seems ‘choppy’ and not completely put together. Don’t get me wrong – there were plenty of sweet and sexy moments. They just lacked the complexity that this story was conveying from the first chapter.
All in all – The Best Man Plan is an ‘okay’ read that fits the bill if you are looking for a quick happily ever after. This is one of those middle of the road novels that you definitely would have to be in the mood for to enjoy completely.
This was a fun friends to lovers story. When I read the prequel novella The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission, I got the feeling that things were a little off in Erin and Owen’s engagement. As this book opens, the wedding is two days away, Erin is up to her neck in last-minute details, and she gets a break-up email from Owen. Shock doesn’t begin to cover her reaction and angry would be an understatement. But she refuses to look pitiful in front of their friends, so she insists on holding the reception anyway. It’s there that she decides the best revenge would be a fling with her best friend, Jason, who was also Owen’s best man.
Unfortunately for Erin, Jason is not cooperative. It’s not that he doesn’t want to sleep with her. He does. But he wants more than that. Jason has been in love with Erin for years but lost out to Owen because he didn’t want to risk their friendship. Now he has a second chance, but he wants to be careful about it. Rather than take Erin up on her offer while she is vulnerable, Jason goes the friendship route first.
I loved watching the relationship between Erin and Jason develop. Erin is hot to carry out her revenge right away and isn’t too pleased when Jason resists. Instead, Jason finds ways for them to spend time together doing other things until he can be sure she isn’t quite so vulnerable. Because they have been friends for so long, they are very comfortable with each other. Jason didn’t hold out very long against Erin’s advances, just long enough for her to convince him that she knew what she was doing. I ached for Jason because he knew that he was risking heartbreak giving in to her, but he loves her too much not to help her. Erin goes into the whole thing only wanting a short fling, then going back to friends as usual. But the more time they spend together, the more her feelings start to change. This freaks her out, and she does everything she can to resist admitting to those feelings. She also has trouble believing that what she feels is real. After all, she thought she had loved Owen, and look where that ended up.
Lingering in the background is Erin’s knowledge that she is going to have to face Owen sooner or later. Something that comes up time and again is that Owen’s actions were completely out of character for him. More than one person wonders what was going through his mind. When he came back and contacted Erin, I wasn’t terribly surprised at the reasons he gave. He handled it badly, causing more heartache than there would have been if he’d been honest to start with. I was frustrated by Erin’s actions afterward because she wasn’t thinking of the effect on Jason, who was left wondering where he stood. Her kick in the pants came from an unexpected source. I liked that she saw the error of her ways and took immediate steps to fix it. The ending was sweet.