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My Best Plan
Architect Gene López-Pérez has everything she’s ever a daughter, a thriving career, and a stable relationship with the love of her life, Isa. But the moment she’s banned from an emergency room because her daughter is not biologically hers, Gene wonders if she’ll ever be legally recognized as her daughter’s other mother.
Biomedical Engineer Isa keeps her home and work lives separate, lest she risk losing funding for important medical research in a homophobic, male-dominated industry. The secrecy is a price she’s resigned herself to paying, but it strains her home life.
When Spain legalizes same-sex marriage, Gene proposes the move to Spain and get married so she can adopt her daughter and receive the parental recognition denied to her in America. When Isa refuses, Gene does the unthinkable and leaves, desperate to move out from under Isa’s shadow and find her own path. Is the love Gene and Isa share enough to heal their differences and bring them back to each other?
Biomedical Engineer Isa keeps her home and work lives separate, lest she risk losing funding for important medical research in a homophobic, male-dominated industry. The secrecy is a price she’s resigned herself to paying, but it strains her home life.
When Spain legalizes same-sex marriage, Gene proposes the move to Spain and get married so she can adopt her daughter and receive the parental recognition denied to her in America. When Isa refuses, Gene does the unthinkable and leaves, desperate to move out from under Isa’s shadow and find her own path. Is the love Gene and Isa share enough to heal their differences and bring them back to each other?
278 pages, Paperback
Published March 19, 2024
3 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Cris Ascunce
1 book4 followersA Miami native, Cris Ascunce was born to Cuban immigrants. Author of the novel My Best Plan, Cris is a voracious LGBTQ rights advocate and hopes to enlighten her readers on the struggles, advancements, and setbacks the community has endured and still faces, as well as what the long road ahead has in store to reach full equity with her writing. A graphic designer by trade, she once designed collateral with catchy headlines to lure visitors to Miami; now, she writes about it in her prose. A lover of travel, reading, and animals, Cris divides her time between Miami and Spain with her wife and their canine and feline daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 1, 2025
**'Tell anyone who has the need/want to write a story or just anything, to go ahead -- because just that act of telling that story sometimes turns out to be very rewarding. You never know..'
Compelling read!
It's such a well outlined love story or i might consider it more leaning towards memoir-ish from chapter one to the very end. A torturous journey of trying to find one's inner strength & self, of fighting for your causes, of your rights as a parent, rediscovering that magnetic Love for your person etc.. This couple's (Gene & Isa) chemistry was so electrifying -- any reader will be incline as to their attraction --- how it started and why it's continued for so many years (their daughter is sure a part of that love)
A highly recommended book!
Compelling read!
It's such a well outlined love story or i might consider it more leaning towards memoir-ish from chapter one to the very end. A torturous journey of trying to find one's inner strength & self, of fighting for your causes, of your rights as a parent, rediscovering that magnetic Love for your person etc.. This couple's (Gene & Isa) chemistry was so electrifying -- any reader will be incline as to their attraction --- how it started and why it's continued for so many years (their daughter is sure a part of that love)
A highly recommended book!
May 19, 2024
This book blew me away. Cris Ascunce’s narrative dives deep into the relationships people build and the connections they share with one another. Through her poignantly scripted prose, she relates the importance of family and how it not only shapes one’s life, but their romantic relationships as well. Both Isa and Gene’s family members have a strong presence in their lives. This is especially true of Martha, Isa’s mother. Martha provides a strong support system for the women as they find their way back to one another, and it’s touchingly beautiful to see. The compassion she shows towards Gene is especially heartwarming; their interactions are inspiring as well as comforting. Their bond is undeniably close and adds an emotional depth that’s real and meaningful.
It’s apparent that Ascunce has done her homework before sitting down to write this one. It comes through clearly in the text. She intricately threads culture, tradition and history into the storytelling, making it absorbing as well as compelling. Furthermore, she neatly ties it into the setting to push the narrative, honoring the LGBTQ history in honest and emotional ways. Ascunce’s approach quietly draws readers in, inspiring them to care about the characters and their families. She’s a smart storyteller, too; she provides readers with a story within a story, as this isn’t just about Gene and Isa’s journey. It is a reflection of something bigger. Through it, one might say she tells a grand love story, a tribute to all the real-life Genes and Isas that have traveled the same path and triumphed.
Final remarks…
This is a fantastic debut. It’s intelligent and insightful. Ascunce lets readers get to know these characters on a deep and visceral level. Readers understand them and care about them. And because they do, they appreciate their joy as well as their pain as they grow and change. Gene and Isa’s backstory—as well as relevant lgbtq historical markers—is neatly woven into the narrative, making their journey compelling as well as page turning. Ascunce tells this tale with gracious compassion and respect, squeezing readers’ hearts at times. In many ways, this story represents many queer couple’s. Narratives like these are so important and need to be more present in the world. I can’t recommend My Best Plan enough. I am excited to see what Ascunce writes next.
Strengths…
Intelligently written
Compelling narrative
Well-developed characters
Soundly constructed plot
Enticing writing style
It’s apparent that Ascunce has done her homework before sitting down to write this one. It comes through clearly in the text. She intricately threads culture, tradition and history into the storytelling, making it absorbing as well as compelling. Furthermore, she neatly ties it into the setting to push the narrative, honoring the LGBTQ history in honest and emotional ways. Ascunce’s approach quietly draws readers in, inspiring them to care about the characters and their families. She’s a smart storyteller, too; she provides readers with a story within a story, as this isn’t just about Gene and Isa’s journey. It is a reflection of something bigger. Through it, one might say she tells a grand love story, a tribute to all the real-life Genes and Isas that have traveled the same path and triumphed.
Final remarks…
This is a fantastic debut. It’s intelligent and insightful. Ascunce lets readers get to know these characters on a deep and visceral level. Readers understand them and care about them. And because they do, they appreciate their joy as well as their pain as they grow and change. Gene and Isa’s backstory—as well as relevant lgbtq historical markers—is neatly woven into the narrative, making their journey compelling as well as page turning. Ascunce tells this tale with gracious compassion and respect, squeezing readers’ hearts at times. In many ways, this story represents many queer couple’s. Narratives like these are so important and need to be more present in the world. I can’t recommend My Best Plan enough. I am excited to see what Ascunce writes next.
Strengths…
Intelligently written
Compelling narrative
Well-developed characters
Soundly constructed plot
Enticing writing style
May 3, 2024
I believed this is a debut book by Cris Ascune. You may find some similar story plots in other books, but give My Best Plan a chance. Ascune did a great job in weaving this story together, with a right amount of angst laced with humor and reality. I have not been impressed with a book for some time, this is one scintillating book.
March 21, 2024
Gene Lopez-Perez is a successful architect living in Florida She has loved Isa since they were young teens. They have followed each other through college and have a young daughter Susana. Isa is a biomedical engineer and is closeted at work. The story begins in 2005 as Spain legalizes same sex marriage. Gene holds citizenship in Spain and suggests moving to her family there so they can marry. She knows from experience that she has no legal claim on the Susana should something happen to her. Isa as the biological mother is satisfied with the status quo and feels they have palimony (I’ve almost forgotten how normal this term once was) papers for contingencies. Gene’s desires and Isa’s rejection causes a great divide in the pair that still love each other.
The story is told in alternating chapters from each other's POVs. In the narrative there are flashbacks to give the background for the couple. I didn’t get much emotion from Isa, especially her feelings when she begins dating someone else. But I could understand the pressure of working for a sexist employer and having her career at stake. This is a story that heartbreakingly reflects many families' struggles, wanting their relationships legally recognized. And sadly rights given only a decade ago are still under attack today. I love that the two were able to co-parent and put the needs of Susana first. And the story gives an idea of things going on at the time in the Florida legal system. I was moved by the story and wanted a HEA for Gene and Isa. This isn’t a light book, but I am glad to have read it.
The story is told in alternating chapters from each other's POVs. In the narrative there are flashbacks to give the background for the couple. I didn’t get much emotion from Isa, especially her feelings when she begins dating someone else. But I could understand the pressure of working for a sexist employer and having her career at stake. This is a story that heartbreakingly reflects many families' struggles, wanting their relationships legally recognized. And sadly rights given only a decade ago are still under attack today. I love that the two were able to co-parent and put the needs of Susana first. And the story gives an idea of things going on at the time in the Florida legal system. I was moved by the story and wanted a HEA for Gene and Isa. This isn’t a light book, but I am glad to have read it.
March 11, 2024
It seems clear already in the dedication to "those affected by discriminatory legislation": This book has a mission. It is 2005, the year Spain legalized same-sex marriage and adoption. It is also the the time of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act. Five years before the end of the Florida ban on adoption by gay people and ten years before same-sex marriage and adoption became legal in the state.
Gene has been in love with Isa since she was thirteen and they have been living together for fifteen years since college, now with a five years old daughter. They are the loves of each other's lives and they have supportive families. But the idyll is flawed by external influences and the cracks show in small details of daily life. A misogynist climate and a sexist boss at Isa's work, leading to her keeping her family a secret. The constant and discriminating need for paperwork to guarantee Gene's, the non-biological mother's access to her daughter in every detail of daily life. A homophobic nurse. Gene being denied to be with her daughter when it matters most, after rushing to the hospital.
The strain comes to culmination when Spain legalizes same-sex marriage and adoption. Gene sees suddenly an open road to legalize her family. She has Spanish roots and Spanish citizenship. A prolonged stay in Spain for the three of them would allow them to get married and to legalize Gene's status as a parent. But Isa will not endanger her career by committing to this desperate scheme. Discouraged and without hope, Gene comes to a drastic conclusion--her "Best Plan". She cannot continue with her life like this. She wants to fight for their rights. She breaks up with the love of her life and seeks ways to fight the legal system. So she seems on a mission, too.
This looks drastic and abrupt. They love each other and they have a good life. This is not happening in real life, right? But what seems at first sight to be a constructed twist to illustrate a political point becomes quickly logical and inevitable in this well-written novel. Gene's drastic decision reflects the harsh reality of same-sex couples with children at the time. By moving back and forth in time, the story is underpinned with complex detail. Gene's drastic decision becomes more reflected and understandable. It becomes also clear how hard this is for both Isa and Gene. They are clearly still in love with each other and lovingly co-parent their daughter. Gene's "Best Plan" is all the time questioned by self-doubt and agony about whether this was really a wise decision. Is it really "My Best Pan"? Both protagonists constantly question their actions and struggle with their current situation. Sometimes I found it hard to read on, given the heart-breaking plot. But it is complex, warm, and captivating and kept me reading.
The protagonists' relationship reflects in a nutshell wider society. Many people afflicted by unfairness and inequality do not share the activists' mission to fight for more liberal and inclusive legislation. Many are resigned to their fate.
By coincidence and out of context, I read in parallel Yelena Kostyuchenko's, the unbelievably brave investigative journalist's book "I love Russia". Alongside with reports from a country that drifts unstoppably into dictatorship, fascism, and war, there is always an undercurrent of how much harsher this hellish environment hits the underprivileged, the minorities, and gay people. Even in the sparsely shared details of Kostyuchenko's private life as a lesbian in a same-sex relationship in Russia. We have come a long way with equal right and opportunity. But equality is not achieved and it is under constant threat in many other places. Even here we can see similar attempts to take away liberties and freedom for all.
Cris Ascunce's novel is of course not a piece of political activism--for that it is much too complex, multilayered, and heart warming. There is no "mission", just life not happening in a societal vacuum. Nevertheless, I found "My Best Plan" an important read in these times.
(based on an ARC from NetGalley)
Gene has been in love with Isa since she was thirteen and they have been living together for fifteen years since college, now with a five years old daughter. They are the loves of each other's lives and they have supportive families. But the idyll is flawed by external influences and the cracks show in small details of daily life. A misogynist climate and a sexist boss at Isa's work, leading to her keeping her family a secret. The constant and discriminating need for paperwork to guarantee Gene's, the non-biological mother's access to her daughter in every detail of daily life. A homophobic nurse. Gene being denied to be with her daughter when it matters most, after rushing to the hospital.
The strain comes to culmination when Spain legalizes same-sex marriage and adoption. Gene sees suddenly an open road to legalize her family. She has Spanish roots and Spanish citizenship. A prolonged stay in Spain for the three of them would allow them to get married and to legalize Gene's status as a parent. But Isa will not endanger her career by committing to this desperate scheme. Discouraged and without hope, Gene comes to a drastic conclusion--her "Best Plan". She cannot continue with her life like this. She wants to fight for their rights. She breaks up with the love of her life and seeks ways to fight the legal system. So she seems on a mission, too.
This looks drastic and abrupt. They love each other and they have a good life. This is not happening in real life, right? But what seems at first sight to be a constructed twist to illustrate a political point becomes quickly logical and inevitable in this well-written novel. Gene's drastic decision reflects the harsh reality of same-sex couples with children at the time. By moving back and forth in time, the story is underpinned with complex detail. Gene's drastic decision becomes more reflected and understandable. It becomes also clear how hard this is for both Isa and Gene. They are clearly still in love with each other and lovingly co-parent their daughter. Gene's "Best Plan" is all the time questioned by self-doubt and agony about whether this was really a wise decision. Is it really "My Best Pan"? Both protagonists constantly question their actions and struggle with their current situation. Sometimes I found it hard to read on, given the heart-breaking plot. But it is complex, warm, and captivating and kept me reading.
The protagonists' relationship reflects in a nutshell wider society. Many people afflicted by unfairness and inequality do not share the activists' mission to fight for more liberal and inclusive legislation. Many are resigned to their fate.
By coincidence and out of context, I read in parallel Yelena Kostyuchenko's, the unbelievably brave investigative journalist's book "I love Russia". Alongside with reports from a country that drifts unstoppably into dictatorship, fascism, and war, there is always an undercurrent of how much harsher this hellish environment hits the underprivileged, the minorities, and gay people. Even in the sparsely shared details of Kostyuchenko's private life as a lesbian in a same-sex relationship in Russia. We have come a long way with equal right and opportunity. But equality is not achieved and it is under constant threat in many other places. Even here we can see similar attempts to take away liberties and freedom for all.
Cris Ascunce's novel is of course not a piece of political activism--for that it is much too complex, multilayered, and heart warming. There is no "mission", just life not happening in a societal vacuum. Nevertheless, I found "My Best Plan" an important read in these times.
(based on an ARC from NetGalley)
March 17, 2024
Architect Gene López-Pérez cherishes her life with her daughter and partner, Isa, but faces legal barriers as a non-biological mother. Isa, a Biomedical Engineer, maintains secrecy at work to protect funding and faces discrimination in a male-dominated industry. When Spain legalizes same-sex marriage, Gene suggests moving for recognition and adoption, but Isa hesitates. Gene's decision to leave in pursuit of legal rights reflects the struggles of same-sex couples. The novel delves into societal injustices and personal sacrifices faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, mirroring broader societal challenges. The narrative of Gene and Isa portrays the complexities and hurdles experienced by same-sex couples navigating legal and societal norms. It sheds light on the ongoing battle for equality and highlights the emotional turmoil and difficult choices individuals face in pursuit of recognition and rights. Through their story, the novel resonates with the broader fight for inclusion and justice, urging readers to reflect on the ongoing struggles of marginalized communities worldwide. I really enjoyed delving into the main characters. The characters were well developed and continued to evolve throughout the novel. I didn’t enjoy the “racy” scenes between Gene and Isa. I didn’t realize explicit scenes were in this novel, as I thought it more a novel of family, and relationships, not as a romance. Perhaps, that was because the novel was more than a romance novel, with complex themes. I did enjoy this book. Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2024
This is a fantastic debut from Cris Ascune!
It started off with a bang right from the beginning and had me going “will they? won’t they?” for the entirety of the book.
And as someone who had to get married in one location for it be formally legal while living in another location where it wasn’t recognized AND having to take extra steps so that my wife could be legally and lawfully seen as a parent to our son, this book hit HOME for me.
Not only was it a complex and emotional story with multiple timelines and POVs, there was a solid balance of angst, humor, a bit of spice, and LGBTQ+ history.
The book serves as a good reminder of what we continue to fight for.
Looking forward to the next book!
It started off with a bang right from the beginning and had me going “will they? won’t they?” for the entirety of the book.
And as someone who had to get married in one location for it be formally legal while living in another location where it wasn’t recognized AND having to take extra steps so that my wife could be legally and lawfully seen as a parent to our son, this book hit HOME for me.
Not only was it a complex and emotional story with multiple timelines and POVs, there was a solid balance of angst, humor, a bit of spice, and LGBTQ+ history.
The book serves as a good reminder of what we continue to fight for.
Looking forward to the next book!
October 18, 2024
I received a digital ARC of this from the lovely author.
Isa and Gene are such strong, beautiful characters and I loved following their story.
The plot covers a lot of challenges along with the highs and lows of being LQBTQ+, particularly when it comes to marriage and being parents. It definitely felt important to read and I particularly loved the way the epilogue tied everything up.
Overall I think it was beautifully written and the plot is very interesting and made me feel all the feelings!
Isa and Gene are such strong, beautiful characters and I loved following their story.
The plot covers a lot of challenges along with the highs and lows of being LQBTQ+, particularly when it comes to marriage and being parents. It definitely felt important to read and I particularly loved the way the epilogue tied everything up.
Overall I think it was beautifully written and the plot is very interesting and made me feel all the feelings!
April 8, 2024
I love reading debut fiction and this book reminds me why- the author has well developed character and created a story that immediately pulls you in. As a south Florida guy and Soain traveler I enjoyed the Spanglish and all the references to Cuban and Spanish foods. Maybe some recipes included in a future book? Mami’s Arroz con pollo??
Anyway, the story and characters resonated and I think readers will enjoy this book immensely!
Anyway, the story and characters resonated and I think readers will enjoy this book immensely!
January 12, 2025
This book tore me apart. In all the ways I believe the author meant for it to. Cris Ascunce’s did such an amazing job switching between each character POV's that as soon as you were feeling one way towards an event/situation, you were forced to see it from another perspective and wonder if there was any right or wrong answer at all.
This story takes a deep lung into the core of the same sex relationship between Gene and Isa. Two women at very different ends of the spectrum of their "out" journey's. The one thing they undoubtable on the same page about was the love for their daughter and the recognition of their joint partnership as Susana's mother's.
Cris's descriptions of grief when watching Isa move on with her life without her was incredibly real and such a tear jerker. On the flip side of these heart wrenching moments, there were so many beautiful, tender moments of love and support between these women when family needs would come calling. The bond between Gene and her ex mother-in-law is so powerful. It speaks of unconditional love and friendship that doesn't have to go away because of a breakup. Martha was there for her family, no matter what stage in life it was in.
The way the LGBTQIA+ Community came together to fight for adoption rights in this read was so powerful. Jay was a beautiful character who represents so many real life souls out there fighting every day for the rights of our community. I loved this quirky bow-tie wearing character so much!
The queer community needs this book right now as the world continues to become a place of hopelessness and despair for same sex families with children and what their future may hold. This book should be a remind for those families that we did it once and we will be it again! We are stronger together!
Amazing Read! Highly recommended!
This story takes a deep lung into the core of the same sex relationship between Gene and Isa. Two women at very different ends of the spectrum of their "out" journey's. The one thing they undoubtable on the same page about was the love for their daughter and the recognition of their joint partnership as Susana's mother's.
Cris's descriptions of grief when watching Isa move on with her life without her was incredibly real and such a tear jerker. On the flip side of these heart wrenching moments, there were so many beautiful, tender moments of love and support between these women when family needs would come calling. The bond between Gene and her ex mother-in-law is so powerful. It speaks of unconditional love and friendship that doesn't have to go away because of a breakup. Martha was there for her family, no matter what stage in life it was in.
The way the LGBTQIA+ Community came together to fight for adoption rights in this read was so powerful. Jay was a beautiful character who represents so many real life souls out there fighting every day for the rights of our community. I loved this quirky bow-tie wearing character so much!
The queer community needs this book right now as the world continues to become a place of hopelessness and despair for same sex families with children and what their future may hold. This book should be a remind for those families that we did it once and we will be it again! We are stronger together!
Amazing Read! Highly recommended!
June 30, 2025
This is somewhat of an angst overload as it starts with the MC’s breaking up. This isn’t due to any lack of love but due to one of them (Gene) wanting to live out, marry and have parental rights over the daughter they have raised together. Her partner, Isa, is their daughter’s biological mother, so she already has parental rights and she is scared what impact it will have on her job if she comes out. When same sex marriage is allowed in Gene’s home country (Spain) Gene wants to go there to get married but Isa refuses. This leads to them breaking up and spending 2 years apart. This is told in alternate chapters and there are definitely some frustrations eg. Isa’s attempt to live a supposedly ‘normal’ life by dating a man and Gene’s absolute stubbornness and occasional lack of communication. It’s obvious to the reader that these two are soulmates, but their mutual failure to accept the inevitable makes for a story with plenty of angst! So, if you like that in your reads, then you’ll like this!
June 14, 2024
Told in alternating perspectives, My Best Plan follows lesbian couple Gene and Isa through their struggle to have their family legally recognized, both in terms of marriage and second-parent adoption. It's hard to believe that stories like theirs were common just 20 years ago. It's even harder to believe that the fight continues, even after landmark court decisions and increasing societal awareness. As LGBTQ+ rights continue to be challenged in the United States and abroad, books like this are more relevant than ever.
I appreciated Ascunce's relatable, lovable characters, well-paced story-telling, and layered narrative (in addition to learning some LGBTQ+ history, there's plenty of colloquial Spanish, and mouth-watering food references).
I appreciated Ascunce's relatable, lovable characters, well-paced story-telling, and layered narrative (in addition to learning some LGBTQ+ history, there's plenty of colloquial Spanish, and mouth-watering food references).
March 17, 2024
To be honest, I almost DNF’d this book half way through but I'm so glad I didn’t! I ended up enjoying this novel. The characters were well developed and the plot flowed in a way that made sense. Gene and Isa definitely deserve that happy ending!
Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 19, 2024
Love Tested, Family Defined: The Fight for Equality in a World That Won’t Bend
Gene has spent her life building a future defined by love, family, and unwavering commitment. As an architect, she crafts structures that stand the test of time, but in her personal life, the foundations of her family feel fragile. Bound by love yet constrained by discriminatory laws, Gene and her long-time partner Isa have built a life together, raising their daughter, Susana, in Miami. Yet Gene’s role as a mother exists only in practice, not on paper—a reality that becomes harder to ignore with every passing day.
When Spain, Gene’s ancestral home, legalizes same-sex marriage and adoption, a radical idea takes shape. If the U.S. won’t recognize their family, perhaps Spain will. But Isa is deeply rooted in her groundbreaking work as a medical researcher, reluctant to leave her career behind—and even more reluctant to publicly declare their union. As tensions mount, the cracks in their relationship widen, forcing Gene to confront what she’s willing to sacrifice for her family and Isa to reckon with her own fears.
Set against the backdrop of the mid-2000s fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, My Best Plan is a heartfelt exploration of love, resilience, and the lengths we go to for those we call family. Cris Ascunce’s debut novel weaves a tender yet urgent story of two women grappling with the intersections of identity, love, and parenthood in a world that demands they fight for every inch of equality. Will Gene and Isa’s love withstand the pressures of a world unwilling to see their family? Or will the cost of their dreams be more than they can bear?
What sets My Best Plan apart from other LGBTQIA+ romance novels is its seamless blend of personal storytelling and social commentary, offering a narrative that is both deeply emotional and profoundly relevant.
My Best Plan offers more than just a love story—it’s a portrait of resilience, a call for justice, and a tribute to the enduring strength of chosen family. It stands out by showing that LGBTQIA+ romance is not just about falling in love but about fighting for the right to keep it.
Gene’s voice is full of wit, vulnerability, and determination, making her both relatable and inspiring. Gene is not only a compelling protagonist but also a lens through which readers experience the emotional and legal challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ families.
Perfect for readers who loved “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and “This Is How It Always Is,” “My Best Plan” is a compelling, emotional story of heartbreak, hope, and the pursuit of justice.
Gene has spent her life building a future defined by love, family, and unwavering commitment. As an architect, she crafts structures that stand the test of time, but in her personal life, the foundations of her family feel fragile. Bound by love yet constrained by discriminatory laws, Gene and her long-time partner Isa have built a life together, raising their daughter, Susana, in Miami. Yet Gene’s role as a mother exists only in practice, not on paper—a reality that becomes harder to ignore with every passing day.
When Spain, Gene’s ancestral home, legalizes same-sex marriage and adoption, a radical idea takes shape. If the U.S. won’t recognize their family, perhaps Spain will. But Isa is deeply rooted in her groundbreaking work as a medical researcher, reluctant to leave her career behind—and even more reluctant to publicly declare their union. As tensions mount, the cracks in their relationship widen, forcing Gene to confront what she’s willing to sacrifice for her family and Isa to reckon with her own fears.
Set against the backdrop of the mid-2000s fight for LGBTQIA+ rights, My Best Plan is a heartfelt exploration of love, resilience, and the lengths we go to for those we call family. Cris Ascunce’s debut novel weaves a tender yet urgent story of two women grappling with the intersections of identity, love, and parenthood in a world that demands they fight for every inch of equality. Will Gene and Isa’s love withstand the pressures of a world unwilling to see their family? Or will the cost of their dreams be more than they can bear?
What sets My Best Plan apart from other LGBTQIA+ romance novels is its seamless blend of personal storytelling and social commentary, offering a narrative that is both deeply emotional and profoundly relevant.
My Best Plan offers more than just a love story—it’s a portrait of resilience, a call for justice, and a tribute to the enduring strength of chosen family. It stands out by showing that LGBTQIA+ romance is not just about falling in love but about fighting for the right to keep it.
Gene’s voice is full of wit, vulnerability, and determination, making her both relatable and inspiring. Gene is not only a compelling protagonist but also a lens through which readers experience the emotional and legal challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ families.
Perfect for readers who loved “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and “This Is How It Always Is,” “My Best Plan” is a compelling, emotional story of heartbreak, hope, and the pursuit of justice.
September 19, 2024
My Best Plan is not your typical love story. This is the story of a woman fighting against the laws, the state and bigotry for her daughter and her parental rights. This is a story of resilience and perseverance when all odds are against you, a story of fighting for your family and for what you want.
My Best Plan caught me off guard. In fact, it took me a bit a time to fully get into the story. A good book in my books is book that leaves you feeling reflective, invested in the story and make you feeling things. My Best Plan definitely achieved that. It made me mad. It made me sad. It made me frustrated. It made me want to become part of the story to knock some sense into some characters (yes Isa, I’m looking at you).
The historical and cultural details and aspects brought the story forward and to another level.
Each of the side characters made the story move forward and the family dynamics were interesting to discover especially as Isa and Gene navigated their separation.
My Best Plan was a bit different than the romance book I usually navigate around but this difference also made the story stood out.
My Best Plan caught me off guard. In fact, it took me a bit a time to fully get into the story. A good book in my books is book that leaves you feeling reflective, invested in the story and make you feeling things. My Best Plan definitely achieved that. It made me mad. It made me sad. It made me frustrated. It made me want to become part of the story to knock some sense into some characters (yes Isa, I’m looking at you).
The historical and cultural details and aspects brought the story forward and to another level.
Each of the side characters made the story move forward and the family dynamics were interesting to discover especially as Isa and Gene navigated their separation.
My Best Plan was a bit different than the romance book I usually navigate around but this difference also made the story stood out.
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