Grand Gestures

Planners and Dreamers #1

by Lynne Hancock Pearson

She will grit her teeth and smile at the snobby and suspicious CFO if it means landing the contract. But she won’t put on a dress and definitely not heels. Event planner Jane Beckett has big dreams for her small company and is bending over backward to accommodate demanding clients. Jane doesn’t have to like them. She doesn’t have to spend her free time with them. But she wants to tease the grumpy pencil-pushing executive who always seems to be in her way, muss up his hair and show him that there’s more to life than boardrooms and bottom lines. That is, when she doesn’t want to yell at him. Or punch him. Liam Cross believes every woman has a hidden agenda, one that involves taking advantage of big hearted, clueless billionaires like his best friend and coworker. He’s watching Jane and her sister to ensure that party planning is all that’s going on. Even though she manages to steal his assistant, he likes what he sees in the smart-mouthed brunette, admires her stubborn independence, and wants to help her fledgling firm succeed despite his misapprehensions. Paintballs, punches, and sparks fly when inflated egos and miscommunication threaten relationships between friends, family, and partners.

Genres: Chick Lit

274 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2023

About the author

Lynne Hancock Pearson writes fun, flirty, feel-good fiction that simmers at a low heat. She lives near Seattle with two finicky felines and one long-suffering husband. She is a left-handed middle child who grew up in the Great White North and is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Canada.

Reviews

[Shafira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished Grand Gestures, a book that promises to be perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers. Sadly, it doesn't deliver on the fantastic. The romantic tension between the main characters is lacking, which is a bummer.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book delivers on what it promises. It works for the genre. For some reason, I saw the title (and had forgotten the blurb when I was about to pick it up) and assumed it would be a kind of uplit/historical fiction. It is neither of those things. It is the kind of contemporary romance that ends up with an interesting ending for all the multiple characters introduced to us.
In this story, we have a pair of siblings who are trying to get their party-planning services off the ground. They cook in-house, which is a key feature of what they offer clients. Due to last-minute issues, a bigger party than they are used to lands on their doorstep. With this deal, so do two men who have been friends for a long time.
It does not take long for the scene to be set. We know what all the people in the story are hoping for and what they are working towards. The feelings that sprout up and how they deal with it makes it an entertaining read. The sibling dynamic and the friendship dynamic also come under scrutiny before the end of the book.
I like such stories which have a strong foundation in the setup. The process of event management, along with the issues of catering and sourcing of staff, all of it make a good base for the rest of the story to function appropriately.
The people are interesting and hard-working, making it easy to root for them to find their way. I ended up starting this book later in the day than I should have, not expecting that I would want to reach the end before calling it a night.
I would love to read the next book in the series, and I highly recommend this to fans of the genre.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar debut!
I love being surprised by a book or an author, and this book did both! Grand Gestures is a debut novel and you’d never know it, I couldn’t put it down and found myself thinking about the characters long after I finished.
Jane and her sister Beth run a small party-planning business. Liam and his best friend Chuck run a successful commercial real estate company. Liam is protective of Chuck, and Jane is protective of Beth. When Chuck and Beth become attracted to each other while planning a party for Chuck’s parents, both Jane and Liam become suspicious. And that’s when we’re off the races!
One of the many things I loved about this book was the rich backstory for all the characters, even the main side characters. I got to know them, and I loved them.
I thought the pacing was perfect, the story engrossing, the characters engaging, and the writing was smooth. Lynn Hancock Pearson has a great career ahead of her!

[LJT · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

Grand Gestures is about two sisters that are making a go of it in the event planning business. Jane and Beth Beckett cater to the small group, about fifty people is their max. Jane handles the marketing and Beth handles the culinary. They work out of their home and are hopeful to move into larger quarters once their clientele expands. Duncan Properties, a real estate firm, hires them for their CEO's parents' anniversary party. The gathering is a success in more ways than one. The CFO ends up falling in love with Beth and the CEO falls for Jane. The hurdles they conquer together keep the story moving along. A little light on the romance, but overall a solid debut for author Lynn Hancock Pearson.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Leanna Retterath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such a sweet and lighthearted retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Sisters, Jane and Beth have such a lovely friendship that really sucks you right in. When the sister’s small event business causes them to cross paths with friends and coworkers Liam and Chuck, all sorts of shenanigans unfold. Liam is the quintessential grumpy Mr. Darcy, whose banter with the spunky Jane had me desperate to read what would happen next. Set in Seattle, this book is breath of fresh air. Read this romance if you love Pride and Prejudice, good banter, the PNW, and are looking for a feel-good story.

This is a fade-to-black romance with great representation.

[A.L. Goulden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies-to-Lovers is always a great time and Grand Gestures throws in a good sister story too. Jane and Beth come at love in different ways with very different attitudes but when they meet Liam & Chuck, it seems like they've found their match, in more ways than one. They get under each other's skin yet also balance their differences, which makes a great spark. There's fun banter and plenty of backstory to make you fall in love with these characters and root for their dreams to succeed. Perfect for those who like to keep it light and clean but aren't afraid of some paintball messes and a few good arguments.

[Jackie Uhrmacher]

Grand Gestures has a fun premise that will attract fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope. Jane and Liam engage in witty banter and find themselves in funny enough situations that many fans of the genre will love them.

They just weren't my cup of tea, and that's going to happen every now and then. Their characters seemed a bit two-dimensional, and I struggled to care about them and what happened in their story. Romances are a very subjective genre, so I hesitated in how I wrote this review because I think many people will love the book. I simply didn't.

[Stephanie Burnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really lovely debut novel!! I do love an enemy to lovers story and Lynne delivered in this one. Hard to believe it’s her first novel!! Liam and Jane are both stubborn in their ideas surrounding relationships and that just added to the storyline. I also enjoyed the other storyline of Chuck and Beth - both of whom have been badly burned in past relationships. The interactions and banter between all of the characters is what makes this a great read ♥️
I read all spice levels so if you’re someone who likes to know what to expect, this is a very low spice level.

[Joy Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful from start to finish. I love the descriptions of locations! Having grown up in the Seattle area, it's wonderful to see a spotlight on those areas.

I adore the Beckett sisters, they balance each other perfectly. Watching them work to expand their business was so satisfying, I was cheering for them at the end!

You want a cozy and sweet novel set in the PNW? Well this is for you!

PS: Get ready to fall head over heels in love with Kevin, he's the GOAT!!!

[Katelyn Welytok · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute read. It was an enemies to lovers vibe, and it was really fun and engaging. It was a quick read. It was well written, and had great attention to detail. I loved the sisters bond in this story. They really balanced each other out, they were each others yin and Yang so to speak. I also loved the business aspect in the novel and the struggles and obstacles they had to overcome. As well as their successes as well. Also I seriously loved Kevin. Enough said.

[Lori Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand Gestures was a great read. The first part of the book set the backstory and the second half of the book I couldn't put down. The bond and protective loyalties really stands out in this book. Once the trusts were built the characters just blossomed. Kevin is the friend every girl wants and I hope he gets his own story and this series continues. A cozy refreshing read with a lower descriptive spice scale. Looking forward to more books from this author!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The main characters of Jane & Liam have a fun and dynamic chemistry and their romance develops at a lively pace. The secondary characters are worthy of their own story, and the setting of Seattle is a great choice for this modern romance.

[Elaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful romance is fun and engaging, I read it in about 2 days. The Seattle setting is well written, and as an event planner myself, the attention to detail was well done. Looking forward to the sequel!

[Vikki Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book I thought Liam & Jane were a good match I enjoyed the side character’s but my gosh was Jane one stubborn mare. this was and excellent debut novel I enjoyed the side characters as well this book was well rounded I can’t wait too see what books she releases next

[Jennifer Holms · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I liked the story line and the strong women in the book. And that it is local set in Seattle. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a feel good story with a very happy ending.

[Mary Keenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly fun read from this first-time author! The characters are quirky and likable, even when they are making choices we know are bad! I can't wait for her next book to come out!

[Isabelle Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much the romance was so sweet between the two of them and I loved the communication back and forth excited for the next book

[Cindy Topinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel good light hearted novel. We’ll written, funny and relatable. Read it cover to cover, laughed out loud and can’t wait for the next release!

[Lauren | TransportedLFL · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. This felt like a mix of romance and women's fiction. It featured two couples - two sisters and their respective MMCs. Parts actually reminded me of a Pride and Prejudice retelling with the interactions of the male main characters. I really enjoyed the character growth and the setting.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great debut! I loved this story. It was well written, I never would have guessed it was the author’s first novel. There was no instalove for the main characters which I enjoyed. It was back and forth and up and down. Both the main and side characters were well written, they just felt real. Mistakes, misunderstandings, apologies and character growth, not just for the main characters, but other characters as well. I loved the diversity represented in the book. It was light on the spice which is different from typical books I read, but the book didn’t need it. I’m really looking forward to the next book!

[Rita Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand Gestures is the perfect read while lounging beside a pool. Just enough drama and romance to whisk me away to a happy place. Thanks for bringing these characters into my life. I enjoyed every minute of the friendly family banter between sisters. And then there’s the flirting romance between two unlikely people from different worlds. It’s a great story. I look forward to reading the author’s next book I want to become friends with any characters this author creates.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Debut

I really enjoyed this debut novel. It was well written with an engaging story and characters. Excellent character building. I really want stories for the secondary characters and am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Dana C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many happily ever afters

Grand Gestures was a very enjoyable read, offering all the feels. Just wish there was a Smash Sisters near me!

[Wencke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this debut a lot!
And you get two love stories in one.
It is a little tame for my taste, though. 😉
Well done!