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The Best Laid Plans
Jayne Griffin isn’t looking for Mr. Right. She’s looking for Mr. RTFN and a toe-curling good time. She’s got the brains, the powerful job as a futures broker, and thanks to a makeover and a thin book of dating advice, the confidence to turn any man’s head.
Malcolm Black notices his high school crush, Jayne, from the stage of her company’s work party. His adolescent feelings for her died beneath months of abuse at the hands of bullies. Abuse that was Jayne’s fault. Though this scorching hot studio musician is unrecognizable as the band geek he used to be, the hurt still lives inside him, and he hatches a plan: Seduce Jayne into falling in love with him, and then shatter her heart.
The white-hot chemistry between them is a pleasant surprise. It all goes so smoothly until Feelings start to develop... and that invitation to their ten year high school reunion lands in their inboxes.
Jayne wants the perfect lover. Malcolm wants revenge. But you know what they say about The Best Laid Plans...
Malcolm Black notices his high school crush, Jayne, from the stage of her company’s work party. His adolescent feelings for her died beneath months of abuse at the hands of bullies. Abuse that was Jayne’s fault. Though this scorching hot studio musician is unrecognizable as the band geek he used to be, the hurt still lives inside him, and he hatches a plan: Seduce Jayne into falling in love with him, and then shatter her heart.
The white-hot chemistry between them is a pleasant surprise. It all goes so smoothly until Feelings start to develop... and that invitation to their ten year high school reunion lands in their inboxes.
Jayne wants the perfect lover. Malcolm wants revenge. But you know what they say about The Best Laid Plans...
172 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2013
22 people are currently reading
1406 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Mataya
13 books239 followersTamara Mataya is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a librarian, and a musician with synesthesia. Armed with a name tag and a thin veneer of credibility, she takes great delight in recommending books and shushing people. She puts the 'she' in TWSS and the B in LGBTQIA+. She’s the co-creator of Pitchmas, a bi-annual pitch contest for writers, and as a freelance editor, has worked with NYT Bestselling authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
November 8, 2013
4--Sweet and Sexy--Stars!!!
The Best Laid Plans. Malcolm and Jayne. Dylan and Jane. School classmates who were both bullied.
Known as Dylan and Jane growing up, both suffered through high school. Jane was a loner. Bullied verbally by her classmates. Dylan was a scrawny band geek. Bullied physically by his classmates.
Dylan always crushed on Jane. Jane neither encouraged or discouraged the bullying against Dylan. Dylan and Jane share a wrong place, wrong time moment. A moment where one wrong thing said resulted in one of the worst beatings for Dylan. Dylan blames Jane.
Fast forward over 12 years....now Dylan and Jane are Malcolm and Jayne. Malcolm is a successful studio musician with his own band and Jayne is a successful futures broker. Malcolm's band is playing at one of Jane's work functions so they see each other for the first time since that fateful day in high school.
Both have changed both emotionally and physically. Jayne doesn't recognize Malcolm. And now Malcolm wants revenge. He sets out to make Jayne fall in love with him so he can dumb her and break her heart. Hurting her like he thought she hurt him all of those years ago.
Gah...it wasn't even her fault Malcolm!
Physically, Malcolm and Jayne connect right away. Sexually they are beyond compatible (this was one HOT read)....but Jayne works really hard at keeping things on the physical level. Not opening up to Malcolm completely. Keeping her heart out of the picture.
Over time, Malcolm's feeling start to change for Jayne....as do Jayne's for Malcolm. He really likes her....and he has to keep reminding himself of this ultimate goal. He knows that once Jayne finds out his secret she's not going to be happy...but he can't find a way to tell her.
My heart really really broke for the way Malcolm (and Jayne) were treated in high school. The cruelty was astounding. And I was so scared reading to see how everything was going to turn out.
Jayne and Malcolm both get invited to their 10 year high school reunion. Jayne plays it off as a conference and Malcolm plays it off as a music gig. So what will happen when they both show up???
I thought this was a really sweet read. A great story of letting go of your past and moving forward. A second chance at friendship and love. It had some great steam to it. And both characters were really likable. Not to mention there was some great banter amongst the characters. It was a quick read....standalone...with a HEA. I would have liked an epilogue....but that's just me!
The Best Laid Plans. Malcolm and Jayne. Dylan and Jane. School classmates who were both bullied.
Known as Dylan and Jane growing up, both suffered through high school. Jane was a loner. Bullied verbally by her classmates. Dylan was a scrawny band geek. Bullied physically by his classmates.
Dylan always crushed on Jane. Jane neither encouraged or discouraged the bullying against Dylan. Dylan and Jane share a wrong place, wrong time moment. A moment where one wrong thing said resulted in one of the worst beatings for Dylan. Dylan blames Jane.
Fast forward over 12 years....now Dylan and Jane are Malcolm and Jayne. Malcolm is a successful studio musician with his own band and Jayne is a successful futures broker. Malcolm's band is playing at one of Jane's work functions so they see each other for the first time since that fateful day in high school.
Both have changed both emotionally and physically. Jayne doesn't recognize Malcolm. And now Malcolm wants revenge. He sets out to make Jayne fall in love with him so he can dumb her and break her heart. Hurting her like he thought she hurt him all of those years ago.
Gah...it wasn't even her fault Malcolm!
Physically, Malcolm and Jayne connect right away. Sexually they are beyond compatible (this was one HOT read)....but Jayne works really hard at keeping things on the physical level. Not opening up to Malcolm completely. Keeping her heart out of the picture.
Over time, Malcolm's feeling start to change for Jayne....as do Jayne's for Malcolm. He really likes her....and he has to keep reminding himself of this ultimate goal. He knows that once Jayne finds out his secret she's not going to be happy...but he can't find a way to tell her.
My heart really really broke for the way Malcolm (and Jayne) were treated in high school. The cruelty was astounding. And I was so scared reading to see how everything was going to turn out.
Jayne and Malcolm both get invited to their 10 year high school reunion. Jayne plays it off as a conference and Malcolm plays it off as a music gig. So what will happen when they both show up???
I thought this was a really sweet read. A great story of letting go of your past and moving forward. A second chance at friendship and love. It had some great steam to it. And both characters were really likable. Not to mention there was some great banter amongst the characters. It was a quick read....standalone...with a HEA. I would have liked an epilogue....but that's just me!
November 16, 2013
3 stars!
This was an okay book, nothing wonderful.
I felt that I've read stories like this before.
Malcolm is a musician and Jayne is a successful business woman.
When they meet, Malcolm realizes he knows her.
She was a girl who went to school with him.
It was her fault that he got bullied etc.
The Plan:
1) Seduce her
2)Make her fall in love with him
3) Break her heart
Jayne has an agenda of her own.
She doesn't get attached to anyone ever..
Until Malcolm...
So 65% of the book is sex, sex and more sex.
Its only towards the ending where they both realize they feel "more" for each other and the truth comes out at the end.
The irony of it is.. Everything is not what it seemed and there were no dramatics.
And the moral of the story- Nothing goes as planned.
Seriously this book did nothing for me.
I didn't even find Malcolm hot.
Good luck to everyone else reading this, hope you like it better than I did.
November 11, 2013
Brilliance of the Written Word!
5 FanGirling Stars! Fan-Freaking-Tabulous Debut!
I took a reflective period before writing this review. This is my first completed beta read! I have a Book Hangover! I LOVE this book so freaking hard. The writing is beautiful, intelligent, so witty, and tight. The flow and pacing is perfection. The characters come to life on the page, before your eyes,and you fall head over heels for both of them. Malcolm is panty melting sexy, talented, and he may be one of my all time favorite BB, *winks*. Jayne, is brilliantly smart, funny, strong, and independent!
My opinion here is that the author has handled a disturbing subject with fantastic ease. Bullying and violence. The violent scenes are written with a skilled hand, and make they you FEEL! OMG they make you feel!!! Anger, Pure Rage, Sympathy, all kinds of emotions, I still CANNOT even put into words.
The sexy scenes are EPIC! Hot and Tingle Inducing! Never repetitive, and are so beautifully written, they never become cheap or smutty. Most times, the sex is the story, in this book, the sex only enhances the story, it is interweaved flawlessly! It works, undeniably! The white hot chemistry and pull/push between Malcolm and Jayne is incredible!
My only critique here, I need an epilogue!
You will be rooting for both of these characters from the starting line, and cheering when they cross the finish line! I just want to scream from the mountain tops, how much I adored this book. This Canadian author is truly talented, and I cannot wait to see her fly! <3 <3 <3
5 FanGirling Stars! Fan-Freaking-Tabulous Debut!
I took a reflective period before writing this review. This is my first completed beta read! I have a Book Hangover! I LOVE this book so freaking hard. The writing is beautiful, intelligent, so witty, and tight. The flow and pacing is perfection. The characters come to life on the page, before your eyes,and you fall head over heels for both of them. Malcolm is panty melting sexy, talented, and he may be one of my all time favorite BB, *winks*. Jayne, is brilliantly smart, funny, strong, and independent!
My opinion here is that the author has handled a disturbing subject with fantastic ease. Bullying and violence. The violent scenes are written with a skilled hand, and make they you FEEL! OMG they make you feel!!! Anger, Pure Rage, Sympathy, all kinds of emotions, I still CANNOT even put into words.
The sexy scenes are EPIC! Hot and Tingle Inducing! Never repetitive, and are so beautifully written, they never become cheap or smutty. Most times, the sex is the story, in this book, the sex only enhances the story, it is interweaved flawlessly! It works, undeniably! The white hot chemistry and pull/push between Malcolm and Jayne is incredible!
My only critique here, I need an epilogue!
You will be rooting for both of these characters from the starting line, and cheering when they cross the finish line! I just want to scream from the mountain tops, how much I adored this book. This Canadian author is truly talented, and I cannot wait to see her fly! <3 <3 <3
September 20, 2013
With a plot born out of the insecurities that clothed us all in high school, The Best Laid Plans is a story all grown-up geeks can relate to. Tamara Mataya's writing is awesome, tight and HAWT. Her voice is as cheeky as the book's title, and the characters well-drawn and endearing. Except for all the words that she spells with a "U" (Mataya is from Canada), the book is perfect. Definitely an author to watch.
December 27, 2014
3.5 stars
November 8, 2013
What I like:
~Both MCs are likable
~No OTT drama
~A well-paced storyline that grab my attention
~Dylan/Malcolm character was well-developed. I liked him a lot.
Just okay:
Lack of supporting characters
Lack of memorable dialogue
This is a stand-alone read.
#short length# # super steamy # great for weekday read
~Both MCs are likable
~No OTT drama
~A well-paced storyline that grab my attention
~Dylan/Malcolm character was well-developed. I liked him a lot.
Just okay:
Lack of supporting characters
Lack of memorable dialogue
This is a stand-alone read.
#short length# # super steamy # great for weekday read
November 12, 2013
It's really a 4.5 score.
Basically the whole story is well written and the characters are very interesting. It's realistic enough for me to believe that the situation can result in that plot but the best of all are the sexy scenes (Malcolm could be my imaginary boyfriend)
The only problem was the ending, it did seem a little bit rush, like the author wanted to finish the book now. If it wasn't for that, and the relationship was left to develop some more I would've given it a 5.
Is it so too much to ask for a next book about Jayne and Malcolm?
Basically the whole story is well written and the characters are very interesting. It's realistic enough for me to believe that the situation can result in that plot but the best of all are the sexy scenes (Malcolm could be my imaginary boyfriend)
The only problem was the ending, it did seem a little bit rush, like the author wanted to finish the book now. If it wasn't for that, and the relationship was left to develop some more I would've given it a 5.
Is it so too much to ask for a next book about Jayne and Malcolm?
November 11, 2013
A fantastic read!!! The writing was beautifully written. Tamara Mataya not only shock me but, she's shocking the reading world with her new book the best laid plans!!
The best laid plans is a sexy, revengeful,book about how can you get back the people who tormented you the most in high school. Dylan(aka) Malcolm was bullied a lot in high school it was so bad I had to close my eyes reading it my heart was bleeding for him. The things he had to endure in school was shameless, and no one helped him just thought he was a punching bag. One time, when he was elementary school he was getting picked on and the one person who stuck up for him was the beautiful, feisty, smart, athletic Jayne.
Jayne, who seemed she has everything going for her had the world in her palms you would think she was self assure right? No, she was picked on as well. Jayne could of been with the popular kids as one told her if she just dumb herself down a little bit. Jayne said, she would never change who she is just to fit in. This is why I like her character so much she wasn't a doormat. Jayne thought it was a cliche to be in a popularity group. If you couldn't be who you are and speak your mind and have your opinions on issues what the sense of being in a group. So she started her own group being by her self.
Eventually, you can get where the story is heading can't give everything away. If you are wondering how Jayne and Malcolm get together and I mean they get together and a lot *wink*wink the chemistry between the two is hot your fanning yourself reading it because it's soooo hot the sex scenes are fire. This story has it all and a lesson that comes out of it too.
The past can either hurt you or it can motivate you into becoming the best person you can be. This is exactly what Malcolm and Jayne did becoming their better selves and falling in love in the process. A good read rated it 4stars!
The best laid plans is a sexy, revengeful,book about how can you get back the people who tormented you the most in high school. Dylan(aka) Malcolm was bullied a lot in high school it was so bad I had to close my eyes reading it my heart was bleeding for him. The things he had to endure in school was shameless, and no one helped him just thought he was a punching bag. One time, when he was elementary school he was getting picked on and the one person who stuck up for him was the beautiful, feisty, smart, athletic Jayne.
Jayne, who seemed she has everything going for her had the world in her palms you would think she was self assure right? No, she was picked on as well. Jayne could of been with the popular kids as one told her if she just dumb herself down a little bit. Jayne said, she would never change who she is just to fit in. This is why I like her character so much she wasn't a doormat. Jayne thought it was a cliche to be in a popularity group. If you couldn't be who you are and speak your mind and have your opinions on issues what the sense of being in a group. So she started her own group being by her self.
Eventually, you can get where the story is heading can't give everything away. If you are wondering how Jayne and Malcolm get together and I mean they get together and a lot *wink*wink the chemistry between the two is hot your fanning yourself reading it because it's soooo hot the sex scenes are fire. This story has it all and a lesson that comes out of it too.
The past can either hurt you or it can motivate you into becoming the best person you can be. This is exactly what Malcolm and Jayne did becoming their better selves and falling in love in the process. A good read rated it 4stars!
November 9, 2013
Wow that was a really good story. It seems revenge isn't as important or as sweet.
Dylan (Malcolm) and Jane (Jayne) are all grown up and meet at a function. Malcolm recognizes Jayne from his childhood. His memories are not all fond of Jayne. He blames her for all the beatings and bullying he received in high school. Now he's a hot, successful guitar player/singer. Since she doesn't recognize him, he decides on a plan for revenge. Seduce her, bed her, make her fall in love. Then the final blow will be to then break her heart.
Jayne just thinks guitar guy is sexy. She doesn't know his real name or that he's a person from his past. She has re invented her look, she no dorky girl but a hot, successful woman. She's mastered the art of seduction. She doesn't have relationships, but sexual escapades. She's done well for herself in a predominantly male profession.
They hit it off quote well in the bedroom. Malcolm satisfies her like she's been wanting. It's funny because she's been thinking and planning her moved and his reactions, and he's totally thrown her off her game because he's very aware of the game she's playing. The more time they spend together, the more they like each other. I loved these two and they were absolutely hot together.
Revenge was at the top of his list when it came to Jayne. Then he let his guard down and questioned his plan. He couldn't reconcile hurting her anymore.
Then there's the high school reunion. Oh boy.
At the reunion Jayne finds out that maybe bad people don't grow up to still be a bad person. Malcolm learns that maybe he's tired of being stuck in the past.
Once she finds out who he really is, will she be able to forgive him? Forgive that when they met he was wanting to hurt her? Maybe it's time to let go of all that pain and forge on. Together?
Dylan (Malcolm) and Jane (Jayne) are all grown up and meet at a function. Malcolm recognizes Jayne from his childhood. His memories are not all fond of Jayne. He blames her for all the beatings and bullying he received in high school. Now he's a hot, successful guitar player/singer. Since she doesn't recognize him, he decides on a plan for revenge. Seduce her, bed her, make her fall in love. Then the final blow will be to then break her heart.
Jayne just thinks guitar guy is sexy. She doesn't know his real name or that he's a person from his past. She has re invented her look, she no dorky girl but a hot, successful woman. She's mastered the art of seduction. She doesn't have relationships, but sexual escapades. She's done well for herself in a predominantly male profession.
They hit it off quote well in the bedroom. Malcolm satisfies her like she's been wanting. It's funny because she's been thinking and planning her moved and his reactions, and he's totally thrown her off her game because he's very aware of the game she's playing. The more time they spend together, the more they like each other. I loved these two and they were absolutely hot together.
Revenge was at the top of his list when it came to Jayne. Then he let his guard down and questioned his plan. He couldn't reconcile hurting her anymore.
Then there's the high school reunion. Oh boy.
At the reunion Jayne finds out that maybe bad people don't grow up to still be a bad person. Malcolm learns that maybe he's tired of being stuck in the past.
Once she finds out who he really is, will she be able to forgive him? Forgive that when they met he was wanting to hurt her? Maybe it's time to let go of all that pain and forge on. Together?
November 17, 2013
4,25
Yes! This book was a winner!!!
I wasn't expecting it to be so great!! I wasn't expecting anything at all.. But what a nice surprice it was!!
Very good!!
When i started reading it, the truth is i didn't connect right away.. I thought Jayne was an insecure person only, that took every advice on how to live her life from a book and Malcolm was a bitter child..
But i was so wrong!
And i'm so glad that i was so wrong!!
The characters are really nice people.. I liked them both after 30% in the book.. The sex scenes are great, but too many in my opinion, although i understand why the author went that way to make their lifestyles seem real.. and the truth is i wanted a little bit more..
Just a few more pages in the middle because i totally loved the end!!
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- I wanted to know more about what happened with her sister.
- Malcolm -Dylan- was so cute.. HOT and romantic!! A true artist!
- Jayne was a nice girl and i liked her almost right away..
- What Malcolm endured through high school.. God i hate bullies..
- That book she was saying, Is it a real book?? I wonder..
- Her tormentor changing so much was perfect..
- What happened to the other guy, Malcolm's tormentor was very fitting if you ask me..
- I loved that he played her The Reason.. i ADORE this song..
- And it was so cute how much in love he was, for so many years..
- Again i loved the end..
Yes! This book was a winner!!!
I wasn't expecting it to be so great!! I wasn't expecting anything at all.. But what a nice surprice it was!!
Very good!!
When i started reading it, the truth is i didn't connect right away.. I thought Jayne was an insecure person only, that took every advice on how to live her life from a book and Malcolm was a bitter child..
But i was so wrong!
And i'm so glad that i was so wrong!!
The characters are really nice people.. I liked them both after 30% in the book.. The sex scenes are great, but too many in my opinion, although i understand why the author went that way to make their lifestyles seem real.. and the truth is i wanted a little bit more..
Just a few more pages in the middle because i totally loved the end!!
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- I wanted to know more about what happened with her sister.
- Malcolm -Dylan- was so cute.. HOT and romantic!! A true artist!
- Jayne was a nice girl and i liked her almost right away..
- What Malcolm endured through high school.. God i hate bullies..
- That book she was saying, Is it a real book?? I wonder..
- Her tormentor changing so much was perfect..
- What happened to the other guy, Malcolm's tormentor was very fitting if you ask me..
- I loved that he played her The Reason.. i ADORE this song..
- And it was so cute how much in love he was, for so many years..
- Again i loved the end..
February 4, 2014
*review to come*
But I can say, MMMMMMMMMM Malcolm. <3
*Update*
Well, I pretty much summed it up with that one line I wrote before. Because, MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, Malcolm.
Holy hotness, he's quite the leading man. Mataya blends words and imagery so perfectly that the characters come to life in your mind so vividly that I can SEE Malcolm--the way he looks across the crowd at Jayne, the way his fingers caress the strings of his guitar . . . he's just delectable. *nods*
What I love about TBLOP, however, isn't just Malcolm's epic hotness, but that both characters are amazingly flawed. In a perfect, natural and believable way. They both have their strengths, their maturity, yet they're equally still hindered by their insecurities and the traumas of youth. They've carried these issues with them all these years, their personal burdens, their crosses to bare, like so many of us have, making them completely relatable. These are two MC's that you can and will want to root for.
Reading their story, and watching it unfold is both an escape from reality and a look into your own reality. Because I don't care who you are--someone in your past broke you, even if only a little bit--seeing these two individuals deal with those past mishaps is a wonderful bit of therapy.
Oh, and sex. So much sex. *grins*
Ah, Malcolm. SIGH. <3
But I can say, MMMMMMMMMM Malcolm. <3
*Update*
Well, I pretty much summed it up with that one line I wrote before. Because, MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, Malcolm.
Holy hotness, he's quite the leading man. Mataya blends words and imagery so perfectly that the characters come to life in your mind so vividly that I can SEE Malcolm--the way he looks across the crowd at Jayne, the way his fingers caress the strings of his guitar . . . he's just delectable. *nods*
What I love about TBLOP, however, isn't just Malcolm's epic hotness, but that both characters are amazingly flawed. In a perfect, natural and believable way. They both have their strengths, their maturity, yet they're equally still hindered by their insecurities and the traumas of youth. They've carried these issues with them all these years, their personal burdens, their crosses to bare, like so many of us have, making them completely relatable. These are two MC's that you can and will want to root for.
Reading their story, and watching it unfold is both an escape from reality and a look into your own reality. Because I don't care who you are--someone in your past broke you, even if only a little bit--seeing these two individuals deal with those past mishaps is a wonderful bit of therapy.
Oh, and sex. So much sex. *grins*
Ah, Malcolm. SIGH. <3
August 12, 2016
I love this book so hard! I don't give out the five stars too often,but this one deserves it. The characterization, Mataya's unique and in your face writing, the hotness! It's like fire in your hands. But it's not your typical NA. It's about much more than sex. It begins as revenge and becomes redemption. My favorite kind of story. And a musician? I'm sold; hook, line, and sinker.
Without spoilers, I love that this book deals with bullying. It's an issue close to my heart and I love seeing how it manifests in an adult's life. It's not something you see too often on the page and as usual, Tamara Mataya does her subject matter justice.
I'd recommend this book to anyone, not just readers of this genre. Five stars, all the way.
Without spoilers, I love that this book deals with bullying. It's an issue close to my heart and I love seeing how it manifests in an adult's life. It's not something you see too often on the page and as usual, Tamara Mataya does her subject matter justice.
I'd recommend this book to anyone, not just readers of this genre. Five stars, all the way.
November 18, 2013
First off, OMG! This book is all kinds of hottness.
High school brings back some terrible memories for me and its not different for these two. But what's not to like about a sexy musician who know how to use his hands? Jayne is raw and real and so different from what you read these days. Gimme more!!!
You need to read this NOW!!! GO!
High school brings back some terrible memories for me and its not different for these two. But what's not to like about a sexy musician who know how to use his hands? Jayne is raw and real and so different from what you read these days. Gimme more!!!
You need to read this NOW!!! GO!
September 19, 2013
Hot. Sexy.
The Best Laid Plans is a book you WON'T be able to put down. Malcolm and Jayne are characters you'll identify with, and Tamara's easy writing style will keep you up late at night turning the pages.
If you love hot romance, hot sex, and hot men, this is a book you MUST read.
The Best Laid Plans is a book you WON'T be able to put down. Malcolm and Jayne are characters you'll identify with, and Tamara's easy writing style will keep you up late at night turning the pages.
If you love hot romance, hot sex, and hot men, this is a book you MUST read.
December 2, 2018
Really sexy but the romance needed more...RTC...
July 24, 2014
**You can see this full review and more at Book Briefs: http://bookbriefs.net**
The Best Laid Plans is one of those books where you start out liking it, and then you see something about one of the characters and you think "oh, I don't know about that..." and it makes you nervous about how it will affect your view of the book, but then you keep reading and the book just keeps getting better and better and you are super excited that you finished it. The Best Laid Plans was so good overall. I ended up loving Malcolm and Jayne, and their story was satisfying and their character growth was so impressive. But at more than one point, I saw myself thinking that it was all going to blow up in their faces and I just didn't know if I could watch it happen. Does that sound weird? Well, you are just going to have to read it to see what I mean.
Jayne and Malcolm are so similar in so many ways. Their high school stories shaped so much of the people that they became. It was interesting to get glimpses into their past scattered throughout the story, so we could piece together why they are the way that they are. Watching the two of them have to overcome and make peace with their pasts was one of my favorite parts of the stories. Oh, that and the fact that the two of them had some sizzling chemistry! Watching the two of them together was something else. It was hot. The Best Laid Plans is categorized as both new adult and adult on goodreads. I personally think it is more adult. The characters are 10 years out of high school and it had a more adult feel to it.
The Best Laid Plans is the perfect book to grab cold drink and hang out by the pool with, or to curl up with a blanket on a rainy day. Either way, you will get lost in the sexy romance. You may want to smack Malcolm a few times, I know I did, but you also probably won't be able to not fall under the spell that Tamara Mataya casts. The characters are so fully fleshed out. Their insecurities, their personalities, their thoughts and feelings all feel so vivid. It was truly a feat. I felt what they were feeling. That is always a sign of great writing to me.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
The Best Laid Plans is one of those books where you start out liking it, and then you see something about one of the characters and you think "oh, I don't know about that..." and it makes you nervous about how it will affect your view of the book, but then you keep reading and the book just keeps getting better and better and you are super excited that you finished it. The Best Laid Plans was so good overall. I ended up loving Malcolm and Jayne, and their story was satisfying and their character growth was so impressive. But at more than one point, I saw myself thinking that it was all going to blow up in their faces and I just didn't know if I could watch it happen. Does that sound weird? Well, you are just going to have to read it to see what I mean.
Jayne and Malcolm are so similar in so many ways. Their high school stories shaped so much of the people that they became. It was interesting to get glimpses into their past scattered throughout the story, so we could piece together why they are the way that they are. Watching the two of them have to overcome and make peace with their pasts was one of my favorite parts of the stories. Oh, that and the fact that the two of them had some sizzling chemistry! Watching the two of them together was something else. It was hot. The Best Laid Plans is categorized as both new adult and adult on goodreads. I personally think it is more adult. The characters are 10 years out of high school and it had a more adult feel to it.
The Best Laid Plans is the perfect book to grab cold drink and hang out by the pool with, or to curl up with a blanket on a rainy day. Either way, you will get lost in the sexy romance. You may want to smack Malcolm a few times, I know I did, but you also probably won't be able to not fall under the spell that Tamara Mataya casts. The characters are so fully fleshed out. Their insecurities, their personalities, their thoughts and feelings all feel so vivid. It was truly a feat. I felt what they were feeling. That is always a sign of great writing to me.
This review was originally posted on Book Briefs
July 19, 2014
I would rate this book 3.5 stars but due to Amazon and Goodreads not allowing for half star ratings I have upped it to 4 stars.
Malcolm sees Jayne, the girl he had a major crush on back in high school in a club he is currently gigging at. In school he was a "loser", he was bullied by the jocks and ignored by everyone else, even Jayne. When Jayne doesn't recognise him Malcolm sees an opportunity to get his own back on her for drawing the bullies' attention to him. Malcolm has changed a lot physically since school, he has buffed up, had his teeth fixed and is now a successful musician. He gets a lot of attention from the ladies but he has never gotten over his treatment during high school. Malcolm's mission is to seduce Jayne and then break her heart, thereby getting his revenge.
The story was good, if a little predictable but it was really well written. I did feel a slight disconnect with this book whilst reading it and since finishing it I've been trying to think of why that was. The only reason I can come up with was that the characters seemed a little one dimensional to me. For me there wasn't enough exploration into the characters and the development of their relationship. There was a lot of sex in this book (which, hey, I'm not complaining about) but as it is such a short book it seemed to be in the place of the characters development and interaction. I feel if this book had been a bit longer I would have had the opportunity to connect with the characters more and therefore have been more invested in the story.
But like I said, the story is a good one, it's a short and sweet story that explores how bullying affects people even into adulthood. Kudos to the author for drawing attention to this problem.
Malcolm sees Jayne, the girl he had a major crush on back in high school in a club he is currently gigging at. In school he was a "loser", he was bullied by the jocks and ignored by everyone else, even Jayne. When Jayne doesn't recognise him Malcolm sees an opportunity to get his own back on her for drawing the bullies' attention to him. Malcolm has changed a lot physically since school, he has buffed up, had his teeth fixed and is now a successful musician. He gets a lot of attention from the ladies but he has never gotten over his treatment during high school. Malcolm's mission is to seduce Jayne and then break her heart, thereby getting his revenge.
The story was good, if a little predictable but it was really well written. I did feel a slight disconnect with this book whilst reading it and since finishing it I've been trying to think of why that was. The only reason I can come up with was that the characters seemed a little one dimensional to me. For me there wasn't enough exploration into the characters and the development of their relationship. There was a lot of sex in this book (which, hey, I'm not complaining about) but as it is such a short book it seemed to be in the place of the characters development and interaction. I feel if this book had been a bit longer I would have had the opportunity to connect with the characters more and therefore have been more invested in the story.
But like I said, the story is a good one, it's a short and sweet story that explores how bullying affects people even into adulthood. Kudos to the author for drawing attention to this problem.
November 17, 2013
Son of a gun! That was amazing!!! The Best Laid Plans has everything I could as for in a book. It's sizzling hot and sexy! Unlike some books with only steam--- there's actually a plot, and it's oh so good! I must not forget to mention… But there's also a sexy, sweet musician that I am sure will make any booklover's heart melt.
I love a book that is fun and steamy at the same, but I especially like it when I can also take some kind of lesson from what I've read. No, I didn't learn anything new from this book. But I loved how Malcolm and Jane reminded me of three important things:
A) Never put up with bullying. If you see someone who is being bullied, please help out if you can. No one deserves to be treated poorly.
B) Always stay true to yourself. Change is bound to happen at some point in your life. Regardless what the factors are that caused the change, always be true to yourself.
C) Always focus on the better, and forget the past.
Happy Reading!
I love a book that is fun and steamy at the same, but I especially like it when I can also take some kind of lesson from what I've read. No, I didn't learn anything new from this book. But I loved how Malcolm and Jane reminded me of three important things:
A) Never put up with bullying. If you see someone who is being bullied, please help out if you can. No one deserves to be treated poorly.
B) Always stay true to yourself. Change is bound to happen at some point in your life. Regardless what the factors are that caused the change, always be true to yourself.
C) Always focus on the better, and forget the past.
Happy Reading!
September 19, 2013
First off I need to say, ALL THE FEELS!!!
Seriously, I feel like I need to preface this with I've really never gotten into romance/sexy books. ::shrugs::
BUT, let me say that this book has won me over. I HEART THIS BOOK SO HARD. There was such an AMAZING story line and arc. And, I felt like I was falling in love with both MC's as I was reading.
The bullying was so HARD to read. Like I actually got physically mad/sick and saw red. I really think the author handled the subject well, and it is something that most readers are going to be able to relate to. So good job, wordsmith, good job!
Tamara's voice is so AMAZING & STRONG in this book, and Malcolm and Jayne jump right off the page. They are so beautifully flawed, and I am so jealous of the author's wit, charm, and beautiful writing!
Seriously, I feel like I need to preface this with I've really never gotten into romance/sexy books. ::shrugs::
BUT, let me say that this book has won me over. I HEART THIS BOOK SO HARD. There was such an AMAZING story line and arc. And, I felt like I was falling in love with both MC's as I was reading.
The bullying was so HARD to read. Like I actually got physically mad/sick and saw red. I really think the author handled the subject well, and it is something that most readers are going to be able to relate to. So good job, wordsmith, good job!
Tamara's voice is so AMAZING & STRONG in this book, and Malcolm and Jayne jump right off the page. They are so beautifully flawed, and I am so jealous of the author's wit, charm, and beautiful writing!
November 13, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It had a great back story and was actually pretty emotional. Bullying is a real thing and so much of it happens these days. I'm glad the author touched on this subject and showed us just how true bullying is. The characters...loved them. Jayne was a strong female and I LOVED that. There are a lot of books these days where the female lead is such a pushover and so damn whiney!!! Jayne is a ball buster and she could be my BFF. Malcolm is a sexy beast and I want him! Lol. I love musicians. Tamara developed these characters perfectly. Such great chemistry between these 2. The sex was HOT!!! I heard someone told Tamara that there was too much sex. Nope. Just the right amount. I would love more from Jayne and Malcolm but regardless, I will be reading more from this author. Congrats on your debut, Tamara!!!!
July 19, 2014
There was so much that I loved about this story. I am still trying to wrap my mind around it. There’s the bullying plotline, the seduce you for revenge plotline, falling for the enemy, red hot chemistry, hot as hell cover, the dirty talk and the make you sweat sexiness. This book was a hot roller coaster ride of who’s playing who and who will end up losing their heart first. The writing is fast paced, sharp, smart and sizzling. This was a very quick read for me because I didn’t want to put it down especially when it got to the naughty bits. And Malcolm- umm yummy. This book ending up being so much more everything. I found myself lost within its pages and not wanting to find my way out. I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future.
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
5 OUT OF 5 STARS
September 20, 2013
Oh, Malcolm and Jayne. *Whew* This is one hot story! The characters have history, only poor Jayne doesn't remember it right away. I love that they have a shared past that's a little cloudy, and as it all comes together, M & J fall into an emotional trap they can't get out of. Good thing that trap contains tons of hot sex, witty banter and emotional moments that pull you right into their world. The author is a talented writer, who has created complex, emotional characters. The plot has that human element that we can all relate to, and I loved that. You'll have to read it to see what I mean. This is going on my "to read over and again" list. An author to watch, for sure.
November 20, 2013
OMG I read this book on a recommendation from Angela McLain, all I can say is I'm so thankful I listened she has yet to lead me astray. My only wish is that I could walk into a hot guy like this from my past lol. This book brings back what high school was like even for the popular kids but it's more about hanging on to the past and learning to let go even when you weren't popular. I have to admit this is defiantly in my top reads for the year, it took me back and made me want to fight for them. If you haven't read this book go One-click NOW!!!! You will not regret it. Thanks girl for the good read!
September 19, 2013
*fans face* Malcolm and Jayne have the honor of being one of the hottest couples I've ever read. Once high school classmates, both of them are healing from past trauma when they encounter each other as successful adults. Determined to get what he sees as his due, Malcolm hides his true identity from Jayne, only to find that her hold on him is much, much stronger than he could ever have expected. Steamy and heart-tugging. I read this in less than a day!
September 19, 2013
I was lucky enough to get a chance to read this early. Absolutely amazing! She writes with such a beautiful literary style. A heroine I didn't expect to root for and Malcolm is just...delicious. Easily in my top five favorite romance novels.
November 11, 2013
God, this was was fucking depressing! It sure makes me grateful i got out of school without too much mental damage. The steam factor was HOT, but I didn't like the MCs until the final pages. I hope this doesn't make me a bully, the story just didn't resonate with me. :(
May 31, 2014
http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....
At A Glance
SEX SEX SEX! Read this for the sex. Nothing special about the story or plot, but a fun read nonetheless.
The Good
I had fun with this book. It aggravated the crap out of me, but it still left its mark at the end. I liked the characters and I liked the couple's connection.
I respected Jayne sooo much. She was a tough-ass businesswoman who knew her way around money (how to invest it and how to make it). She works on her body and looks, not in a superficial way, but in a "I want to feel sexy and confident way." She was bullied in school, and she wants her life to prove that those bullies were wrong about her. She also likes sex, and she openly admits it. She uses men like men use women. She doesn't want a relationship because of the whole Why Buy the Cow concept. She is confident but also vulnerable. Her past still pushes her old fears to the forefront. When she meets Malcolm, her cool demeanor starts to deteriorate. She can say she doesn't want more than sex all she wants but her feelings for Malcolm grow more and more through the whole book. It may have started out as just sex, but Malcolm had a way of breaking down Jayne's barriers and I loved that.
Malcolm recognizes Jayne right away. She is the girl responsible for being bullied in high school. Her words started it all. And now it's time for revenge. He is going to make her fall in love with him and then break her heart. But he didn't think about the possibilities of his old feelings resurfacing. And as he tries to break Jayne's shell, the more his own fractures. Soon he no longer wants revenge, he wants Jayne's love, but will she hate him for his original motives? Malcolm was a hot piece of ass. :D He is a musician/guitar player. Yum! I liked this dominate attitude. He knew how to take control in the bedroom and it only made him more sizzling. He was horribly bullied in high school, but he took that experience and learned how to fight, how to take care of his body, and how to be successful. He turned it all around for himself and I respected him for that. I think his motives for revenge were childish (you will understand why when you read how it all started) but I understood his resentment.
Except for the bullying part, this story was super fun. The connection between Jayne and Malcolm was palpable. You could see and feel it with every second they spent together. I loved their sexual connection the most. The games they played added the perfect amount of spice. There were some very serious topics covered, and though I didn't agree with how it was handled in the middle of the book, by the end, it worked out well.
The Bad
I do not like how this book handled the bullying situation. Nothing was done to help the victims and nothing was resolved when it came to the bullying. Malcolm was beaten, tortured, had his ribs cracked, nose broken, and was cut with a blade and he doesn't reveal who the cowards were that tormented him because "there were no laws against bullying back then." Um, yeah, I am sure there were laws about assault though. I mean, come on, that's ridiculous. The school did nothing to stop the abuse, and Malcolm did nothing to get help. I feel like people should report abuse not just for themselves but for the future victims that these bullies will torment if they are not held responsible for their actions.
The middle had great sex, but the plot suffered. Nothing happened to move this story forward in the middle of the book.
The ending was wrapped up too fast and too conveniently. It was also mushy for my tastes.
The Snuggly
SEX! This book has lots of sex, and hot sex to boot. It borders on erotica because the sex is graphic, and I loved every minute of it. It was real and messy. Jayne and Malcolm love sex and they are not afraid to explore each other sexually.
Final Thoughts
I would recommend this to anyone looking for hot sex without an erotica plotline. There is more substance in The Best Laid Plans than in most eroticas. This is also an emotional read with serious issues covered, so that might intrigue some people. Overall recommended.
Quotes
Questions flew out the window as he spun her around the stool, edging forward so his hips spread her legs. He leaned closer and winked so only she could see it. Cheeky ba--
His lips. He kissed her like she belonged to him, mouth demanding she respond in kind like they'd done it a thousand times before. His mouth says he knew she'd submit to him and her body vibrated with agreement, melding to his with complete abandon. Holy sh*t. She squeezed his hips with her knees.
"Come to my place?" she asked casually.
Yes! "I guess a gentleman would make sure you got home safely," he replied, just as casually, though he could have back flipped around the bar, screaming in victory.
Jayne smiled like a cat that had the mouse firmly in its slinky, little paws.
Little did she know, she wasn't the cat at all.
*Free book from author for honest review*
At A Glance
SEX SEX SEX! Read this for the sex. Nothing special about the story or plot, but a fun read nonetheless.
The Good
I had fun with this book. It aggravated the crap out of me, but it still left its mark at the end. I liked the characters and I liked the couple's connection.
I respected Jayne sooo much. She was a tough-ass businesswoman who knew her way around money (how to invest it and how to make it). She works on her body and looks, not in a superficial way, but in a "I want to feel sexy and confident way." She was bullied in school, and she wants her life to prove that those bullies were wrong about her. She also likes sex, and she openly admits it. She uses men like men use women. She doesn't want a relationship because of the whole Why Buy the Cow concept. She is confident but also vulnerable. Her past still pushes her old fears to the forefront. When she meets Malcolm, her cool demeanor starts to deteriorate. She can say she doesn't want more than sex all she wants but her feelings for Malcolm grow more and more through the whole book. It may have started out as just sex, but Malcolm had a way of breaking down Jayne's barriers and I loved that.
Malcolm recognizes Jayne right away. She is the girl responsible for being bullied in high school. Her words started it all. And now it's time for revenge. He is going to make her fall in love with him and then break her heart. But he didn't think about the possibilities of his old feelings resurfacing. And as he tries to break Jayne's shell, the more his own fractures. Soon he no longer wants revenge, he wants Jayne's love, but will she hate him for his original motives? Malcolm was a hot piece of ass. :D He is a musician/guitar player. Yum! I liked this dominate attitude. He knew how to take control in the bedroom and it only made him more sizzling. He was horribly bullied in high school, but he took that experience and learned how to fight, how to take care of his body, and how to be successful. He turned it all around for himself and I respected him for that. I think his motives for revenge were childish (you will understand why when you read how it all started) but I understood his resentment.
Except for the bullying part, this story was super fun. The connection between Jayne and Malcolm was palpable. You could see and feel it with every second they spent together. I loved their sexual connection the most. The games they played added the perfect amount of spice. There were some very serious topics covered, and though I didn't agree with how it was handled in the middle of the book, by the end, it worked out well.
The Bad
I do not like how this book handled the bullying situation. Nothing was done to help the victims and nothing was resolved when it came to the bullying. Malcolm was beaten, tortured, had his ribs cracked, nose broken, and was cut with a blade and he doesn't reveal who the cowards were that tormented him because "there were no laws against bullying back then." Um, yeah, I am sure there were laws about assault though. I mean, come on, that's ridiculous. The school did nothing to stop the abuse, and Malcolm did nothing to get help. I feel like people should report abuse not just for themselves but for the future victims that these bullies will torment if they are not held responsible for their actions.
The middle had great sex, but the plot suffered. Nothing happened to move this story forward in the middle of the book.
The ending was wrapped up too fast and too conveniently. It was also mushy for my tastes.
The Snuggly
SEX! This book has lots of sex, and hot sex to boot. It borders on erotica because the sex is graphic, and I loved every minute of it. It was real and messy. Jayne and Malcolm love sex and they are not afraid to explore each other sexually.
Final Thoughts
I would recommend this to anyone looking for hot sex without an erotica plotline. There is more substance in The Best Laid Plans than in most eroticas. This is also an emotional read with serious issues covered, so that might intrigue some people. Overall recommended.
Quotes
Questions flew out the window as he spun her around the stool, edging forward so his hips spread her legs. He leaned closer and winked so only she could see it. Cheeky ba--
His lips. He kissed her like she belonged to him, mouth demanding she respond in kind like they'd done it a thousand times before. His mouth says he knew she'd submit to him and her body vibrated with agreement, melding to his with complete abandon. Holy sh*t. She squeezed his hips with her knees.
"Come to my place?" she asked casually.
Yes! "I guess a gentleman would make sure you got home safely," he replied, just as casually, though he could have back flipped around the bar, screaming in victory.
Jayne smiled like a cat that had the mouse firmly in its slinky, little paws.
Little did she know, she wasn't the cat at all.
*Free book from author for honest review*
November 12, 2013
http://www.blue-moon.fr/spip.php?arti...
Voilà une romance qui ne paye pas de mine et qui commence sur une intrigue apparemment rebattue et peu riche mais qui va permettre de raconter une très belle histoire d’amour, très contemporaine et avec une vraie pointe d’érotisme.
Malcolm est un guitariste free-lance qui accepte de travailler pour des groupes ou des enregistrements. Lors d’une soirée où il accompagne l’un d’entre eux, il reconnaît une camarade de lycée, Jayne. Elle incarne pour lui le cauchemar de ces années. Maigrelet, isolé, il a subi les moqueries et bien plus de la part d’un certain nombre de copains de l’école. Jayne était pour lui une jolie adolescente dont il était amoureux mais à qui il n’a pas pardonné des paroles malheureuses qui ont conduit à une sévère raclée. Alors qu’il a maintenant, plus de dix ans après, une vie normale, pleine de succès et qu’il a bien changé, il décide pourtant de se venger de Jayne en la séduisant. Ce qu’il ne sait pas c’est que Jayne a elle-même eu son lot de problèmes, au point de se fabriquer littéralement un personnage nouveau. Elle a parfaitement réussi, est devenue courtière en bourse, métier qu’elle adore et qu’elle pratique avec succès. Sa vie sentimentale est inexistante mais pas sa vie sexuelle. C’est sur cette base, purement physique que va commencer leur relation.
Si cette histoire part sur une vengeance qu’on comprend mal, le ton change assez vite. Il est vrai que Malcolm, adulte à succès n’a plus grande raison de revenir sur son passé mais nous comprenons vite que le propos n’est pas là du tout. A chaque rencontre, Jayne et Malcolm approfondissent leur relation qui devient de plus en plus brûlante mais également tendre. Il n’y a pas grand chose d’autres dans ce roman mais cette montée lente et progressive de l’amour, de la passion entre eux est une superbe réussite. Les scènes sont belles, de moins en moins superficielles, chacun évoluant avec crainte vers un attachement qu’ils ne veulent pas.
En dehors de cette très belle romance, il y a aussi la dénonciation des violences que les adolescents peuvent s’infliger les uns aux autres. Le message n’est pas manichéen, loin de là. Il relativise au contraire ces douleurs sans jamais les ignorer ni les minimiser ; la dernière partie du roman permet de tirer des conclusions sur le passé des deux héros et c’est très bien vu.
Voilà une romance, simple, avec une intrigue qui n’est vraiment pas très compliquée mais qui pourtant captive car elle est intelligente et très bien écrite. A découvrir !
Voilà une romance qui ne paye pas de mine et qui commence sur une intrigue apparemment rebattue et peu riche mais qui va permettre de raconter une très belle histoire d’amour, très contemporaine et avec une vraie pointe d’érotisme.
Malcolm est un guitariste free-lance qui accepte de travailler pour des groupes ou des enregistrements. Lors d’une soirée où il accompagne l’un d’entre eux, il reconnaît une camarade de lycée, Jayne. Elle incarne pour lui le cauchemar de ces années. Maigrelet, isolé, il a subi les moqueries et bien plus de la part d’un certain nombre de copains de l’école. Jayne était pour lui une jolie adolescente dont il était amoureux mais à qui il n’a pas pardonné des paroles malheureuses qui ont conduit à une sévère raclée. Alors qu’il a maintenant, plus de dix ans après, une vie normale, pleine de succès et qu’il a bien changé, il décide pourtant de se venger de Jayne en la séduisant. Ce qu’il ne sait pas c’est que Jayne a elle-même eu son lot de problèmes, au point de se fabriquer littéralement un personnage nouveau. Elle a parfaitement réussi, est devenue courtière en bourse, métier qu’elle adore et qu’elle pratique avec succès. Sa vie sentimentale est inexistante mais pas sa vie sexuelle. C’est sur cette base, purement physique que va commencer leur relation.
Si cette histoire part sur une vengeance qu’on comprend mal, le ton change assez vite. Il est vrai que Malcolm, adulte à succès n’a plus grande raison de revenir sur son passé mais nous comprenons vite que le propos n’est pas là du tout. A chaque rencontre, Jayne et Malcolm approfondissent leur relation qui devient de plus en plus brûlante mais également tendre. Il n’y a pas grand chose d’autres dans ce roman mais cette montée lente et progressive de l’amour, de la passion entre eux est une superbe réussite. Les scènes sont belles, de moins en moins superficielles, chacun évoluant avec crainte vers un attachement qu’ils ne veulent pas.
En dehors de cette très belle romance, il y a aussi la dénonciation des violences que les adolescents peuvent s’infliger les uns aux autres. Le message n’est pas manichéen, loin de là. Il relativise au contraire ces douleurs sans jamais les ignorer ni les minimiser ; la dernière partie du roman permet de tirer des conclusions sur le passé des deux héros et c’est très bien vu.
Voilà une romance, simple, avec une intrigue qui n’est vraiment pas très compliquée mais qui pourtant captive car elle est intelligente et très bien écrite. A découvrir !
July 20, 2014
Originally given 3.5 hearts at Rookie Romance.
I always enjoy reading a book from a new-to-me author. You never quite know what to expect, but I'm pleased to say that I really enjoyed this book from Tamara Mataya which is the first I've read from her.
Malcolm was a really great main character. He suffered a lot at the hands of bullies when he was younger, but he overcame his painful past and emerged a stronger man. A very good-looking, sex-on-a-stick, strong man! I truly admired him and I enjoyed the way he seemed realistic. He still had flaws and one of them was definitely the resentment he holds onto against Jayne for (in his mind) instigating the worst of the bullying. The man is definitely temptation incarnate, and who can resist a man so clearly skilled with his hands....he's a guitar player, by the way.
Jayne wasn't as much of a stand out character, I think mainly because the story felt more focused on Malcolm. She also had a pretty rough time of it when she was at school and it made her feel very insecure. A makeover and some useful dating advice later, and Jayne has men eating out of her hand. She doesn't let any of them get close to her though and she pushes men away. Her vulnerabilities and insecurities are well hidden, but they're definitely still there.
I thought Malcolm and Jayne made a very well matched couple. They both knew how it felt to be bullied when they were younger, but they've also both made outstanding successes of their lives. They both are rather closed off emotionally to begin with, but together their feelings develop and can no longer be denied. They also had a crazy hot chemistry that was lighting a fire in my kindle!
This is a quick, sweet read that definitely gives you that feel good vibe. There are plenty of sexy times to have you fanning yourself! It definitely held my attention as you wait to see how Malcolm's plan backfires in the best way. I liked my first taste of Tamara Mataya's writing and I'm looking forward to reading more from her in the future.
*I received a review copy for my honest opinion. Thank you!
I always enjoy reading a book from a new-to-me author. You never quite know what to expect, but I'm pleased to say that I really enjoyed this book from Tamara Mataya which is the first I've read from her.
Malcolm was a really great main character. He suffered a lot at the hands of bullies when he was younger, but he overcame his painful past and emerged a stronger man. A very good-looking, sex-on-a-stick, strong man! I truly admired him and I enjoyed the way he seemed realistic. He still had flaws and one of them was definitely the resentment he holds onto against Jayne for (in his mind) instigating the worst of the bullying. The man is definitely temptation incarnate, and who can resist a man so clearly skilled with his hands....he's a guitar player, by the way.
Jayne wasn't as much of a stand out character, I think mainly because the story felt more focused on Malcolm. She also had a pretty rough time of it when she was at school and it made her feel very insecure. A makeover and some useful dating advice later, and Jayne has men eating out of her hand. She doesn't let any of them get close to her though and she pushes men away. Her vulnerabilities and insecurities are well hidden, but they're definitely still there.
I thought Malcolm and Jayne made a very well matched couple. They both knew how it felt to be bullied when they were younger, but they've also both made outstanding successes of their lives. They both are rather closed off emotionally to begin with, but together their feelings develop and can no longer be denied. They also had a crazy hot chemistry that was lighting a fire in my kindle!
This is a quick, sweet read that definitely gives you that feel good vibe. There are plenty of sexy times to have you fanning yourself! It definitely held my attention as you wait to see how Malcolm's plan backfires in the best way. I liked my first taste of Tamara Mataya's writing and I'm looking forward to reading more from her in the future.
*I received a review copy for my honest opinion. Thank you!
June 20, 2014
The Best Laid Plans by Tamara Mataya
4 Stars
This book was cute and the plot different from a lot that is out there right now and I can’t believe im gonna say this but there was too much sex. LOL…I know I know, am I crazy? I just felt like every other few pages it was sex scenes upon sex scenes and after the first 10 I got bored and just skimmed over them. I just wanted to get on with the story because the storyline was actually good but it just kinda seemed to fizzle out and not reach its potential because of all the sex LOL. Anyway…here is what it is about.
Malcolm is a pretty accomplished musician/songwriter and has grown into his body and nerdy looks. He goes by his middle name now and his life is pretty good right now. Now being the key word. His high school junior year was hell. Not just ordinary hell but HELL. He was bullied, beaten, teased, you name it, it happened. My heart broke for him reading some of the scenes and I actually found myself cringing. One particular scene took place because a girl assumed something she shouldn’t have and it ended up causing Malcolm the worst beating he ever had to endure and caused him to be home schooled for the rest of his high school career. Not just for fear of the bullies but because his injuries were so severe.
Jayne is a stock broker and a very successful one at that. She has also changed her look, the spelling of her name and style from hair color to clothes and is a bit of a maneater. Her high school years were also not that great but were far better than Malcolms. And yes, Jayne is the girl from Malcolm’s past that had inadvertently got him jumped and beat to a pulp.
Needless to say these to meet in a bar and Malcolm comes up with the ultimate plot of revenge when he recognizes Jayne but she doesn’t recognize him. He is going to take her home, have sex with her, get her to fall in love with him then break her heart. Or so he thinks so!! I’m not gonna say if his plot works or not but it was a fun ride to witness till the end!
4 Stars
This book was cute and the plot different from a lot that is out there right now and I can’t believe im gonna say this but there was too much sex. LOL…I know I know, am I crazy? I just felt like every other few pages it was sex scenes upon sex scenes and after the first 10 I got bored and just skimmed over them. I just wanted to get on with the story because the storyline was actually good but it just kinda seemed to fizzle out and not reach its potential because of all the sex LOL. Anyway…here is what it is about.
Malcolm is a pretty accomplished musician/songwriter and has grown into his body and nerdy looks. He goes by his middle name now and his life is pretty good right now. Now being the key word. His high school junior year was hell. Not just ordinary hell but HELL. He was bullied, beaten, teased, you name it, it happened. My heart broke for him reading some of the scenes and I actually found myself cringing. One particular scene took place because a girl assumed something she shouldn’t have and it ended up causing Malcolm the worst beating he ever had to endure and caused him to be home schooled for the rest of his high school career. Not just for fear of the bullies but because his injuries were so severe.
Jayne is a stock broker and a very successful one at that. She has also changed her look, the spelling of her name and style from hair color to clothes and is a bit of a maneater. Her high school years were also not that great but were far better than Malcolms. And yes, Jayne is the girl from Malcolm’s past that had inadvertently got him jumped and beat to a pulp.
Needless to say these to meet in a bar and Malcolm comes up with the ultimate plot of revenge when he recognizes Jayne but she doesn’t recognize him. He is going to take her home, have sex with her, get her to fall in love with him then break her heart. Or so he thinks so!! I’m not gonna say if his plot works or not but it was a fun ride to witness till the end!
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