Best Laid Plans (Lucky in Love, #1) by Lauren Blakely Series: Lucky in Love #1
Published by Lauren Blakely Books on February 20, 2019
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Erin Mallon, Joe Arden
Length: 6 hours and 25 mins
Genres: Romance, Romantic Comedy
Amazon Audible
That time I had the brilliant idea to ask my good friend for lessons in seduction…
Awkward? Maybe. But how else is a good girl going to find out if she likes being naughty? I might be sweet as cherry pie, but I'm also bold and damn curious. And Gabe is charming, trustworthy, aces at seduction (or so I hear) and—bonus!— willing to give me lessons. But to guarantee it won’t ruin 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.
***
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 “bedroom exploration” 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.
Best Laid Plans is a standalone romance!
Purely in terms of story execution, Best Laid Plans is pretty average. It’s not particularly original and, honestly, it’s predictable. Arden and Gabe are sweet characters and I really liked their bond. However, their denial/blindness, lack of communication, and Arden’s incessant worrying over potentially losing her friend are exhausting. The romantic build-up is nice and slow, and I appreciated the delayed gratification. While the book is fine for a light read, it’s the narration that makes the story most enjoyable.
About the Audiobook
This was my first experience with duet narration, and I’m already a fan. An audiobook can be ruined for me if the male narrator’s “female” voice is cartoonish or grating. Ditto with female narrators impersonating men. In this audiobook, regardless of the point of view, Erin Mallon speaks whenever her character Arden talks and Joe Arden talks whenever Gabe speaks. I enjoyed hearing the two narrators interact. I happen to love Erin Mallon’s male impersonations, but duet narration seems like a safe and fun way to avoid potential problems. After the book ends, Erin Mallon and Joe Arden have a discussion about the ins and outs of audiobook narrating. It’s very entertaining and enlightening so be sure to listen all the way to the end.
Recommended for fans of:
Friends to lovers tropes
Book stores
Firemen
Words with Friends
About Lauren Blakely
A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, sweet, and witty. She also writes USA Today bestselling LGBTQ romance.
With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than 100 times, with more than 55 titles on the USA Today Bestsellers list alone. She’s sold more than 4.5 million books. A Brown University graduate, Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and is the vegetarian at your dinner party.
Duet narration is my fave! I’m sorry this one wasn’t better for you, though.