The Perfect Plan

by Jeri Gilchrist

"By all appearances, Jordan Whitfield has the kind of life people can only dream of. She is intelligent, beautiful, and an heiress to a fortune. However, underneath the surface lies a complex, cheerless young woman who lost her mother early in life, and was virtually abandoned by her busy father.

Enter Ethan Van Wagoner, a caring and handsome man, bringing hope and meaning into Jordan’s life. Even with some philosophical and religious differences, they fall in love. But when Jordan’s father uses his wealth and power to ruin the relationship, she severs all ties.

Four years later, Jordan has built her own name and career—thinking that she has finally found freedom from the people who tried to destroy her. Instead, she is met with the biggest challenge of her life. Surrounded by accusations and intrigue, Jordan is reunited with Ethan who promises to help her. Through legal battles, trauma, and a deadly hit-and-run, Ethan and Jordan draw ever closer— realizing that they may fall in love again, if only they can stay alive."

Genres: Lds Fiction, Mystery, Lds, Christian Fiction

243 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were parts of this book that I really liked. I do like Jordan and Ethan together. It's a story of a lot of things, including forgiveness, trust, and realizing who's the real enemy. Yet, there are a lot of places where the story didn't fit together quite right for me. I did listen to the audiobook version, so I'm not sure if this was an issue with the narrator, the author, or a combination of both, but the emotion felt off in a lot of the dialogue.

I'm generally a fan of LDS mysteries. Some of my favorite authors are LDS mystery writers. This one, though, didn't live up to my expectations. It was kind of fun to see the lack of technology in the book and be reminded that cell phones weren't nearly as prevalent 20 years ago.

This is a clean book. There's no swearing, sexual content, or graphic violence. It was an okay book. I don't regret reading it, but it wasn't a great book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read two books(so far) by Jeri Gilchrist, but I keep looking for more. I really enjoy her writing style, layering of character personalities, histories and outlooks.

This one involves the daughter of a wealthy businessman being charged with grand theft. She and her father are estranged but that is not well known, so people expect he will make it go away. She is surprised when her lawyer turns out to be a man she used to know and thought she'd never see again. This and other relationships have plenty of tension in the story, good and not so good.

She must find out who really took the money not only to protect herself, but the reputation of her employers who have full in her innocence, her father, and the law firm. Not just a simple mystery because there are several surprises, a hired assassin, a very unstable character, much devious behavior and a little bit of romance.

[Bettyjo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty predictable bad guys, but all in all I liked it!

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was an LDS book until I got it home and saw it was taped by covenant communications. Not a big fan of the LDS books, but I enjoyed the book by Abramson, so I thought I would give this a try. The story was quite trite and sometimes I thought I would gag on the sickly sweet messages the author was throwing at me. However, the biggest problem with this story was the reader. She was TERRIBLE!!! I thought I was listening to the general relief society president give a conference talk. Not enough inflection or drama put into the presentation. She kept laughing at the jokes in the text. I just hated the reader I thought I would never get through the book even though it was only 4 CD's.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Bright and beautiful Jordan Whitfield thinks she has finally found independence from the people who tried to destroy her. Instead, she is met with the biggest challenge of her life. Surrounded by accusations and intrigue, Jordan is reunited with Ethan, a former love. Through legal battles and personal trauma, they draw ever closer - learning the truth about one another, and realizing that they may fall in love again, if only they can stay alive.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jordan is accused of stealing money from a house where she is working on landscaping. Since she can't afford an attorney the court is ready to appoint one when her best friend calls an attorney for her. Jordan's old boyfriend is now a lawyer and determined to help her through this even though he is "almost engaged" to someone else. In a minor way it deals with forgiving and judging.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

For it's genre, this book it amoung my favorites. It's a fast,easy read (that's what I generally go for) and involves an underlying romance while solving a mystery (pretty much exclusively what I read). I enjoyed spending my day wrapped in its pages. Definitely on the top of my list of books to recommend.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book well enough. It was a quick read. The main characters did not bug me. However, I am not sure why the author hid the identities of Alex and Josie when it seemed from the start there were no other people who fit the descriptions of the anonymous menaces. I also felt like I was "on to" Cleo. I plan to read other books by Gilchrist.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read this book a long time ago, but totally forgot everything about it. It is a fun and quick read. Romance and mystery, with just a tad of the LDS stuff mentioned.

Moral Note: Just a few kisses, other than that clean as a whistle.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read full of mystery, romance and humor. Great heroine who seems to always look on the bright side, even when things look bleak. The spying scenes had me in stitches and the underlying themes of forgiveness, hope and 2nd chances tugged at my heartstrings!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan Whitfield is beautiful, intelligent, AMAZINGLY FUNNY, and just been arrested. Her attorney, Ethan Van Wagoner, also happens to be the man she feel in love with in college. Both have misconceptions after four years and will learn the truth as they fight to prove her innocence.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute romance story but the author adds in a mystery twist that was unbelievable. Not a very good writer though. Read it if you want some good quotes though.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very good. It makes you think about your life and what you would do if you were in the situation that the characters in this book are in.

[T.K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, quick read. It doesn't have much mystery, but the humor and romance are charming.

[Dariece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, another very light read. It doesn't take you away, it's predictible, but there are gems in the book that makes it worth reading.

[Cathi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt it was a little predictable, but overall it was still a good book and pretty well written.

[Hilary Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good book, but it didn't have nearly enough excitement for me. It kept my interest and was enjoyable, but I wouldn't have minded being on the edge of my seat a little more.

[Danica is Booked · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It was a good read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best, but not bad.

[Nicol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the sarcastic humor of the book. An enjoyable easy read but one I probably wouldn't read again.

[Shani · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fun and light, but very predictable.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 3 out of 5]

GS book. I had read this before but could not remember how it had ended so read it again. Again communication is the key to a family and life.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice audiobook because it kept my interest but pretty predictable and a little too sappy at times.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad there are so many LDS romance/mystery writers now. This was good enough to hold me to the end.

[*hannah* · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think this was an amazing love story about a girl who meets her old boyfriend but thinks she will be embarased because he is her defendant.

[Hannahkrumm · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is an amazing story if you like a love story and mystery stories.

[Ralynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about not casting judgement about people and to forgive and give people a second chance.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesey and somewhat romantic.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters, and a "kept me thinking" storyline. A very enjoyable read!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade: B-