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The Lifeline Plan
Julia Thomas had a plan: promotion, proposal, maybe a cat.
Instead, her boyfriend cheats, she’s passed over at work, and her only lifeline is a three-month assignment that takes her from sunny L.A. to gloomy London.
She’s determined to prove she’s leadership material—no distractions allowed. But a stormy evening forces her into a quiet bar where she meets a witty, annoyingly charming, and oddly familiar Brit. Only later does she realize he’s Joshua Hollywood’s golden boy, currently laying low after a PR disaster.
Julia knows she should stay away. Yet what begins with handwritten notes, quickly builds into undeniable chemistry. Joshua’s past with the press, however, is the exact kind of mess her bosses don’t want. With her career on the line, and her return flight looming, Julia must choose whether to protect the future she’s rebuilding or risk everything for a love story that was never in the plan.
Instead, her boyfriend cheats, she’s passed over at work, and her only lifeline is a three-month assignment that takes her from sunny L.A. to gloomy London.
She’s determined to prove she’s leadership material—no distractions allowed. But a stormy evening forces her into a quiet bar where she meets a witty, annoyingly charming, and oddly familiar Brit. Only later does she realize he’s Joshua Hollywood’s golden boy, currently laying low after a PR disaster.
Julia knows she should stay away. Yet what begins with handwritten notes, quickly builds into undeniable chemistry. Joshua’s past with the press, however, is the exact kind of mess her bosses don’t want. With her career on the line, and her return flight looming, Julia must choose whether to protect the future she’s rebuilding or risk everything for a love story that was never in the plan.
- GenresRomance
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
37 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 13, 2025
I got my hands on an ARC copy of this book and really enjoyed it!!! This book made me giggle out loud and kick my feet! If you’re in the mood for a good romance, this is the book for you!
October 9, 2025
This was cute!
Maybe too cute?! If you’re not the biggest fan of soft romances don’t read this, but if you’re a heartfelt romantic then this is perfect for you.
Maybe too cute?! If you’re not the biggest fan of soft romances don’t read this, but if you’re a heartfelt romantic then this is perfect for you.
December 16, 2025
Thank you so much Ana Berbel for this read!
The tropes in this book immediately caught my attention, and once I started reading, I was completely hooked. Ana’s writing style is so engaging and immersive. Time just flew by while reading, and it constantly made me want to keep turning the pages.
The romance in this story was incredibly sweet and felt very genuine. The slow build through letter writing had me swooning. You truly see a realistic relationship develop, filled with doubts, patience, and honesty. I love it when a book portrays romance in such an authentic way, showing both the beautiful moments and the struggles that come with it.
Lastly, the character development was done so well. I really connected with the FMC, which made me even more invested in the story. The writing added so much depth, allowing you to feel both perspectives and fully immerse yourself in the story. 💕📖
The tropes in this book immediately caught my attention, and once I started reading, I was completely hooked. Ana’s writing style is so engaging and immersive. Time just flew by while reading, and it constantly made me want to keep turning the pages.
The romance in this story was incredibly sweet and felt very genuine. The slow build through letter writing had me swooning. You truly see a realistic relationship develop, filled with doubts, patience, and honesty. I love it when a book portrays romance in such an authentic way, showing both the beautiful moments and the struggles that come with it.
Lastly, the character development was done so well. I really connected with the FMC, which made me even more invested in the story. The writing added so much depth, allowing you to feel both perspectives and fully immerse yourself in the story. 💕📖
November 4, 2025
4.5 stars - I was gifted a copy of this book in return for an honest review, which of course I am happy to do!
Julia was sent to London to get her back on track with her career after a bad breakup, but she is not having the best of luck with her new surroundings, especially the weather! When she visits a quiet pub on a particularly rainy day on her way to her temporary home, she doesn’t expect to get chatting to a stranger that is both oddly familiar and handsome.
Josh is an actor trying to keep a low profile after some bad publicity involving his ex. When he starts a conversation with a beautiful, albeit dripping American woman sitting at another table in his favourite pub, he’s drawn to her in a way he can’t explain.
It all started with a few notes left with the bartender and extends to feelings that make things complicated for both of them. I enjoyed the friendship and flirty banter, the side characters and the environment created by their two very different worlds.
This book is out now, sorry I’m a little late on my review! 💙
Julia was sent to London to get her back on track with her career after a bad breakup, but she is not having the best of luck with her new surroundings, especially the weather! When she visits a quiet pub on a particularly rainy day on her way to her temporary home, she doesn’t expect to get chatting to a stranger that is both oddly familiar and handsome.
Josh is an actor trying to keep a low profile after some bad publicity involving his ex. When he starts a conversation with a beautiful, albeit dripping American woman sitting at another table in his favourite pub, he’s drawn to her in a way he can’t explain.
It all started with a few notes left with the bartender and extends to feelings that make things complicated for both of them. I enjoyed the friendship and flirty banter, the side characters and the environment created by their two very different worlds.
This book is out now, sorry I’m a little late on my review! 💙
October 11, 2025
this was the cutest book ever, it’s not like all of the other cheesy little romance books i have read. don’t get me wrong, i love a good cheesy romance every once in a while.
julia sounded wonderful, i loved all of her hard work and dedication. i was very frustrated that she let some lowlife man “Noah” ruin most of her life and her love life. i hate how he took photography from her, especially since it was something that she loved so dearly.
Joshua…. my oh my i could picture him so perfectly, he sounded amazing. i could HEAR his British accent as i read his parts. i instantly fell in love with that man and he was perfect for julia from the start!
i loved josh and julia so much, this story had my feet kicking like a little fangirl. every moment they shared together, every date and every moment spent away i loved it. now the ex of josh made me soooo mad. like how rude of her to completely overlook julia???? i mean, i get it because im sure she was trying to make her feel small in a big pond at the premier. but i was ready to jump through my kindle screen and beat her up for julia.
in the end, this was the cutest love story ever, i loved all the details, the characters and the story they built together. thank you for giving me the chance to read your book before it was published. 5/5 ⭐️
julia sounded wonderful, i loved all of her hard work and dedication. i was very frustrated that she let some lowlife man “Noah” ruin most of her life and her love life. i hate how he took photography from her, especially since it was something that she loved so dearly.
Joshua…. my oh my i could picture him so perfectly, he sounded amazing. i could HEAR his British accent as i read his parts. i instantly fell in love with that man and he was perfect for julia from the start!
i loved josh and julia so much, this story had my feet kicking like a little fangirl. every moment they shared together, every date and every moment spent away i loved it. now the ex of josh made me soooo mad. like how rude of her to completely overlook julia???? i mean, i get it because im sure she was trying to make her feel small in a big pond at the premier. but i was ready to jump through my kindle screen and beat her up for julia.
in the end, this was the cutest love story ever, i loved all the details, the characters and the story they built together. thank you for giving me the chance to read your book before it was published. 5/5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
first and foremost i’d like to thank Ana Berbel for allowing me an arc copy of this masterpiece she’s written.
to say i loved this book would be an understatement. i was hooked from the start, seeing our main character, julia, struggling with such difficult feelings while traveling to Landon for her job. The way real world issues were addressed and dealt with was so empowering, and how thoroughly understood these complex feelings were throughout the duration of the novel made me feel so seen. i yearn for something to make me feel the ups and downs the laughter and the tears this brought from me. i felt viscerally connected to the characters, and found bits of myself within them. they were so intricately layers in ways that made it feel all too real. this book really did do it for me, and i don’t hand out 5 stars lightly. overall, i adored this story, and am very satisfied with it as a whole; the writing, the characters, and the resolution.
to say i loved this book would be an understatement. i was hooked from the start, seeing our main character, julia, struggling with such difficult feelings while traveling to Landon for her job. The way real world issues were addressed and dealt with was so empowering, and how thoroughly understood these complex feelings were throughout the duration of the novel made me feel so seen. i yearn for something to make me feel the ups and downs the laughter and the tears this brought from me. i felt viscerally connected to the characters, and found bits of myself within them. they were so intricately layers in ways that made it feel all too real. this book really did do it for me, and i don’t hand out 5 stars lightly. overall, i adored this story, and am very satisfied with it as a whole; the writing, the characters, and the resolution.
October 8, 2025
The author does a great job developing the characters and their emotions. The book pulled me in with Julia working through her past breakup and finding her love story. I really liked when Julia stood up to Noah to finish relationship and developed her courage to speak her truth. I also liked how Julia developed her relationship with her new co-workers so the story wasn't only focused on finding love.
October 17, 2025
It's a delightful read. I like their banter and how she really just liked him for him and not for being a celebrity. I liked how their relationship grew and how she really was into her career because she was good at it. Her confidence had been shaken by having been in a prior relationship with a narcissist.
Very nicely done!! 👍
Very nicely done!! 👍
November 16, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
This was really frickin cute. I had seen a blurb about the book on social media and knew that I needed to read it right away.
I had so much fun reading this book, and really enjoyed the characters and story. I was kicking my feet and giggling like a school girl, even had a few tears.
Full recommend everyone to read this is they want a cute, cheesy romance 🥰
This was really frickin cute. I had seen a blurb about the book on social media and knew that I needed to read it right away.
I had so much fun reading this book, and really enjoyed the characters and story. I was kicking my feet and giggling like a school girl, even had a few tears.
Full recommend everyone to read this is they want a cute, cheesy romance 🥰
October 14, 2025
This book was cute!! I was an ARC reader and liked it a lot!! The writing was great and it was a breezy read!
October 28, 2025
Let me start with a huge thank you to Ana for letting me be a part of the ARC team (I’m sorry for the delay in reviewing).
I’m literally sobbing!!
This book made me long for the type of love they share. It’s a story about hurt and learning how to reinvent yourself. I had an amazing time reading this book, and I’m very excited about Ana’s next ideas and books.
I’m literally sobbing!!
This book made me long for the type of love they share. It’s a story about hurt and learning how to reinvent yourself. I had an amazing time reading this book, and I’m very excited about Ana’s next ideas and books.
October 29, 2025
First off a huge thank you to the amazing author for allowing me to read an arc of her amazing book!
This book was absolutely amazing! It gave me the same vibes as an early 2000s romcom. The pacing was amazing, the characters were all relatable in so many ways, and the writing was phenomenal!
Julia’s character as a whole just gave me early 2000s romcom. She was written beautifully and authentically! I wish we got to see her interact with her parents a bit more specifically her mom. I feel like some scenes would’ve been even more amazing if it included Julia talking to her mom. Having Emma and showing their friendship was amazing! I know lots of real life friendships like there’s.
Joshua’s character had me hooked from the start! I kinda thought he would have the plot of actually using Julia, but as i read the story i was obviously proven wrong! I do wish we had seen more of the relationship between Josh and Tony more. Separately they spoke highly of each other but it would’ve been nice to see them together a bit more !
I highly recommend this book !! It did not disappoint and i cannot wait to read more from this author!!
This book was absolutely amazing! It gave me the same vibes as an early 2000s romcom. The pacing was amazing, the characters were all relatable in so many ways, and the writing was phenomenal!
Julia’s character as a whole just gave me early 2000s romcom. She was written beautifully and authentically! I wish we got to see her interact with her parents a bit more specifically her mom. I feel like some scenes would’ve been even more amazing if it included Julia talking to her mom. Having Emma and showing their friendship was amazing! I know lots of real life friendships like there’s.
Joshua’s character had me hooked from the start! I kinda thought he would have the plot of actually using Julia, but as i read the story i was obviously proven wrong! I do wish we had seen more of the relationship between Josh and Tony more. Separately they spoke highly of each other but it would’ve been nice to see them together a bit more !
I highly recommend this book !! It did not disappoint and i cannot wait to read more from this author!!
October 8, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Okay, this book was like binge-watching a comfort rom-com mixed with Notting Hill and The Proposal, but with way better banter and 100 percent more chaos.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
The Lifeline Plan is witty, heartfelt, and full of laugh-out-loud moments. Julia’s inner monologue had me snort-laughing, and Joshua Harrison was the perfect mix of charming and emotionally wrecked. Their chemistry? Off the charts! The kind that makes you kick your lil feet.
The London setting gave it that cozy-rainy-city vibe I love, and the letter exchanges? Ugh, pure serotonin. The writing style is sharp, cinematic, and full of personality. I could see every scene like it was playing out on screen.
If you love slow burns, cheeky humor, and characters who feel real, this one’s for you.
Okay, this book was like binge-watching a comfort rom-com mixed with Notting Hill and The Proposal, but with way better banter and 100 percent more chaos.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
The Lifeline Plan is witty, heartfelt, and full of laugh-out-loud moments. Julia’s inner monologue had me snort-laughing, and Joshua Harrison was the perfect mix of charming and emotionally wrecked. Their chemistry? Off the charts! The kind that makes you kick your lil feet.
The London setting gave it that cozy-rainy-city vibe I love, and the letter exchanges? Ugh, pure serotonin. The writing style is sharp, cinematic, and full of personality. I could see every scene like it was playing out on screen.
If you love slow burns, cheeky humor, and characters who feel real, this one’s for you.
December 18, 2025
This was freaking adorable. Emily in Paris meets Knotting Hill…this is for the classic romcom lovers. Julia takes a career saving opportunity to work in London for a few months. This first bar she visits, after her first day of work, she meets a hollywood movie star, Joshua, who quickly becomes smitten with her. Now Julia is off a bad breakup. Her trust in men is at zero. She took this chance in London to refocus herself and recenter her life not around relationships. But Joshua is not going to make that easy on her. It starts with chance meetings, then letters, then texts and phone calls and then it snowballs to romantic dinners…and more and more. And it’s so cute and so dreamy. Can Julia handle a relationship, the spotlight, a career and friends? Can she get over all her past trauma?
This was a very fun, very light and happy read. Would recommend!
This was a very fun, very light and happy read. Would recommend!
October 21, 2025
This debut romcom felt like a nostalgic Amanda Bynes movie - famousXnormal, American overseas, and all the longing!
I am a SUCKER for flirty text exchanges and this book has it in spades! I adored the progression from letters being exchanged, to texts, to drop by in-person hangouts.
Truly enjoyed the adult flirtations, the fact that HE FELL FIRST, and the edgy romance without falling over into the explicit zone. Her friend, Emma, had me cracking up everytime she would call with an update.
Excited to see more books from this author in the future and to watch her writing grow. An absolutely fun debut to pick up!! ❣️
I am a SUCKER for flirty text exchanges and this book has it in spades! I adored the progression from letters being exchanged, to texts, to drop by in-person hangouts.
Truly enjoyed the adult flirtations, the fact that HE FELL FIRST, and the edgy romance without falling over into the explicit zone. Her friend, Emma, had me cracking up everytime she would call with an update.
Excited to see more books from this author in the future and to watch her writing grow. An absolutely fun debut to pick up!! ❣️
October 13, 2025
I was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC for The Lifeline Plan. I really enjoyed this book! I was in the mood for a feel-good romance, and this delivered with every word. Ana has a clean writing style that is fast-paced and entertaining. I was hooked from the start. This book is everything I wanted - London, romance, and the perfect level of spice (with no ick).
October 19, 2025
I adored this book! It’s the perfect mix of humor, heart, and slow-burn romance that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The writing is warm and witty, the chemistry between the characters feels so real, and the emotional payoff is absolutely worth the wait. It left me smiling, completely invested, and wishing I could read it again for the first time!
November 5, 2025
🥺I am a sucker for a romance book, including this one.
Definitely one of my favourite 2025 reads, it had me giggling and kicking my feet.
I loved the easiness to the book, the romance and the additional banta.
Julia and Harrison’s love and chemistry was so enjoyable to read.
This book will look lovely on my shelf.
Sign me up to Ana’s next book 💘
Definitely one of my favourite 2025 reads, it had me giggling and kicking my feet.
I loved the easiness to the book, the romance and the additional banta.
Julia and Harrison’s love and chemistry was so enjoyable to read.
This book will look lovely on my shelf.
Sign me up to Ana’s next book 💘
November 6, 2025
this was a perfect romance and had everything you could possibly want, and a man who yearns!! that will always do it for me! i’m shocked that this is ana’s debut novel because WOW!! if you want to read a fun, cute romance, pick this up right now!!
November 13, 2025
I loved this book so so much and he was so perfect to her ugh the way he wait for her for so so long omg I was so stressed near the end tho like there were barely any pages left and I cried bc like why would they break up 😞 (hated him for not communicating tho☹️)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
I love this book. It was definitely a cutesy vibe I was going for. Happily ever after, all around just as you would expect. I did love the romance. It didn’t feel rushed and it felt authentic. Definitely a cozy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2026
The lifeline plan was a fun book to take on vacation and enjoy! With my feet in the sand, i enjoyed getting to meet and know the relatable characters and followed their journey. Ana Berbel has a wonderful writing style and i can not wait for the next book! Money well spent on this book!
October 20, 2025
Amazing story!! Loved it from start to end❤️
November 11, 2025
grab the tissues
This is such a beautiful book and will have you all up in your feels. Everyone needs a man like Joshua Harrison in your life ❤️❤️
This is such a beautiful book and will have you all up in your feels. Everyone needs a man like Joshua Harrison in your life ❤️❤️
January 17, 2026
This was such a fun read , and so romantic and enjoyable. We named more MMC like Joshua !!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews