Plan On Me

The Big Five #3

by Katie West

She’s rebuilding what life broke. He’s the unexpected piece that fits.

Willa Taylor is starting over in Moab, sober, guarded, and trying to find her footing after a few years that nearly broke her. The chaos is gone, replaced by quiet mornings, sketchbooks, and balancing a job at her sister’s coffee shop with a new opportunity helping teens find their way through the same kind of pain she’s still learning to live with.

Then there’s Carter James. He’s the wilderness therapist who’s supposed to keep things steady - sunny, grounded, and entirely too good at seeing through her walls. What starts as a friendship turns into something deeper. Something neither of them planned.

But Carter has his own lines to hold, and Willa has wounds that don’t heal in straight lines. When snow starts to fall in the desert, they both feel it.. the beauty in what shouldn’t be, and the pull toward something they promised themselves they’d avoid.

Because some things aren’t meant to be planned.
They’re meant to change everything.

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2025

About the author

Katie West grew up in the suburbs of Ohio and now calls the red rocks of Southern Utah home. She shares her chaotic, love-filled life with two kids, two dogs, a cat, and a very supportive husband - none of whom will ever read her books. When she’s not writing slow-burn romances with a spicy kick, she’s getting lost on bumpy backroads and fueling up on way too much caffeine.

Reviews

[Sarah Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie has done it again. Another five star read that had me laughing, giggling and crying in the best ways. This one hit a bit harder than the others with some heavier topics but Katie navigated them so gracefully. If you want a book that feels like a deep breath on a crisp fall day, this is it.

Willa was a character I was excited to really get to meet during the first two books. I could tell there was more to her and she had something special. Turns out she really is something special. She has a gift for creating a safe space for others to open up. Her past is heavy but she is working through it one day at a time. The support system around her is unmatched and it’s so refreshing. Willa is artsy and quiet but loves her people fiercely.

I definitely thought Carter was just some goofy, happy-go-lucky man from the last two books who was just an expert at making people smile. This book showed how much more than that he is. He holds space for those who need it to breathe and heal, especially Willa. He’s more stoic than I thought, constantly thinking and observing. And he’s proof that you can make all the plans you want, but that doesn’t mean that’s how life is going to turn out.

I love this book so much, I swear each one feels even better than the last. Katie immerses you in their world where you can see, hear and almost smell and feel what they’re feeling. Moab sounds like a place I’d absolutely want to visit from her descriptions.

Some quotes that I really loved:

•Maybe beauty and loneliness had always been the same thing - just seen from different distances.
•I had thought he was the kind of confident that filled a room and left no oxygen. But he wasn’t. He was the kind who made space in one to let people breathe.
•Willa Taylor always looked like she’d rather blend into the wall, but somehow, she made the air shift around her.
•Need to remember that peace and loud can coexist.
•Sometimes, the people who need the most help are the ones who don’t ask for it out loud. Sometimes they show you instead.
•“Recovery. Healing. Whatever you want to call this shit. When the noise stops, it’s like your brain doesn’t know what to do. The quiet’s too loud.”
•I’d think about snow falling in the desert. How beautiful it was, how temporary. How it always melted before you could prove it happened. That’s what we felt like now. Something rare. Quiet. Impossible. Gone before it could last.
•She’s the way the desert smells after rain. Quiet and alive and fighting to bloom.
•It wasn’t lust - not really. It was gravity. That slow, certain pull toward something you didn’t even realize you’d been missing.
•God, I wanted her. Every part of me did. But what I wanted more was for her to wake up in a world where she never had to question if she was safe. And if that meant I had to wait, I would.
•One cot. Just one.
•“I don’t just think it. I know it. You and me. We’re not just broken pieces trying to fit. We do fit. I think you’re my missing piece.”
•Under that wide sky, passion rose like the weather - elemental but certain. Wild and raw, but never careless.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Actual Rating: 3.5/5 Moab Stars***

As usual, my most favorite part about this series was all the vivid descriptions of desert life. In Plan on Me, I got to experience stargazing in the desert, night hiking, and even rare snowy weather in Moab, Utah, which honestly was the most perfect itinerary for desert lovers or anyone who wanted to live there for a short period of time. Again, it would be really awesome to see all of the National Park gift shops in Utah sell this entire series when it was complete. :D

Anyways, back to Willa and Carter's story. Being the littlest sister in the Taylor Family, Willa was surrounded by an incredibly strong support system and even more loving found family with folks in the coffee shop she worked in, including our sunshiny boy, Carter James, a wildlife therapist/barista. What I adored most about their encounter was how they'd trade stories by sketching and writing/journaling. It was such a cute touch to their relationship when both of them were trying to find the "right" words. Aside from the adorable interaction, I also enjoyed reading about all of their therapy sessions, both in wildlife and in the form of art. It was amazing to see Carter and Willa help local kids get through their hardship and at the same time, open the door to new possibilities for both of them. It truly melted my heart when they decided to plan on each other...that was literally the most perfect happy ending beginning.

The reason this book didn't get a solid five-star was because the story itself was just too sweet for me. Granted, Willa deserved to have such supportive friends and family, especially after enduring a terribly traumatic incident in college, but I'd appreciate more if her relationship with Carter weren't based on mutual understanding in the first place. I meant, it felt as if they were already on the same page prior to sharing anything personal, which left me not so connected with them throughout the book.

That being said, Plan on Me was still an enjoyable read with great characters, positivity overload, and a wonderful desert/wildlife journey. The Big Five series was getting more and more intriguing and I couldn't wait to read Wren's allegedly SPICIEST story next! Please go pick this up and let's fangirl over men written by Katie, shall we?

***Thanks to the author for kindly providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

[findingthebook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willa came to her older sister for help, she was spiraling and found a bit of a balance in Moab, Utah. She tries to stuff her trauma deep down inside, occupying herself with things.
Carter is the towns sunshine, he’s planned his life to perfection and knows what he wants. He’s in Moab getting the experience to be the best therapist he can be. Carter sees something in Willa something, he asks for her help in something that could benefit the kids he’s trying to help and help her overcome her own difficulties that she keeps inside

We go through the motions in this book, we see how someone that can look put together can also be at their lowest at the same time. It’s not easy overcoming your fears and your past but finding the right ones and the right environment can benefit someone with so much hurt in their heart.

[Brendasbooksandhobbies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful for the opportunity to have received this ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks so much Katie West!
This book is what I am ultimately looking for in a romance book. Depth and meaning and real life. Slow burn and healing. I haven’t read the first two books in this series but after finishing this one I definitely will be! I loved Carter and Willa’s story. This book sucked me in and I had the best time reading it.

[Addy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plan on Me by Katie West was an emotional, sweet, and hard-hitting read. Thank you for allowing me to ARC read! We meet the MCs Willa and Carter through Dual POV narration. Their relationship was such a beautiful slow burn, and I really fell in love with each character individually. It ended up being a 4-star read, and I want to look into the other Big Five books!

The chapters were short and sweet for the most part, which made it an easy read. One thing that was done unbelievably well was how the deeper topics, conversations, and situations were written and represented. This book was absolutely an emotional roller coaster, but it was such a good read!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very appreciative of Katie West and their team for the opportunity to read an e-ARC of Plan On Me!

This was such a heartwarming, fast-paced read that I could not put down! I loved the gentle, healing themes throughout the story: making space for yourself and the ones you love to heal, and learning to trust yourself.

I like how Katie West highlighted the significance and value of nature, art, and heading. I also loved the notes and drawings Willa and Carter shared!

[Kelsey Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willa and Carter 4ever ❤️ Three books into The Big Five series and I just keep falling in love with these characters again and again!

Now, I'll be honest... I had my own doubts about Carter from meeting him in book two because I was really afraid he was going to try to "fix" Willa. Because sometimes, when you're brand new in your line of work and it's something you love, you can't help but apply what you know to your personal life. But this was not that!!!

We get the hint in book two that something happened to Willa in college that's caused her to spiral. This book is her recovery, and it's BEAUTIFUL. Going from not having a direction and feeling lost to finding a job that's meaningful and people who are your support system was everything we wanted for Willa and more 🤍

We get a slowwwww burn but it's worth the wait! And it's so fitting for this story and these characters because the storyline is so much more. Katie took a topic like SA and handled it with such care while making you feel every emotion as if you're in Willa's shoes 😭 And Carter... Carter is just there for her. No overanalyzing, no picking her emotions apart and playing therapist. Just being her shoulder to cry on and loving her because of her strength.

Thank you SO much, Katie, for letting me beta read for you again ❤️

TWs: SA, alcohol addiction

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to fall this hard for Carter and Willa… but somewhere between their awkward beginnings, their quiet confessions, and the way they kept choosing each other even when it scared them, I realized I was fully gone. This book didn’t just give me butterflies, it gave me that warm, aching, slow‑burn feeling that settles in your chest and refuses to leave.

Willa is the kind of FMC who feels so real you want to reach into the pages and hug her. She’s tender, hopeful, a little bruised around the edges, and trying so hard to keep her world afloat. And then there’s Carter, he’s steady, patient, quietly protective in a way that made my heart do that embarrassing little flip. He’s not loud about his feelings, but every action, every look, every moment he shows up for her says everything.

Their chemistry isn’t explosive; it’s inevitable. It’s that soft pull you feel before either of them admits what’s happening. The banter, the tension, the vulnerability, it all builds in this beautifully understated way until suddenly you’re holding your breath, waiting for them to finally let themselves have what’s been growing between them from the start.

What really sealed their connection for me was how solid it felt; not rushed, not forced, just built piece by piece through the quiet things. The notes and sketches they shared became this constant tether between them, a private little world where they could say the things they weren’t ready to voice out loud. Those moments offered such intimate insight into who they were beneath the surface. And their trips working with the kids? Easily some of my favorite parts. Watching them fall into an easy rhythm, seeing how naturally they teamed up, how they softened around each other in that environment, it made their bond feel even more undeniable.

What surprised me most was how tender this book is. The emotional punches hit with this gentle precision focused on grief, hope, fear, longing; they all woven into a story that feels deeply human. There’s a line where Carter admits he didn’t realize how lonely he was until Willa, and I swear I had to put the book down because wow, that hit me so hard.

By the end, I wasn’t just rooting for them, I was invested. A little wrecked. The kind of wrecked that makes you sit in silence after finishing because you’re not ready to leave their world yet. The characters and Moab itself left a deep impression. If you love romances built on emotional intimacy, quiet devotion, and two people learning to choose each other with their whole hearts, Plan on Me is absolutely worth it.

A huge thank you to Katie West for the early copy!!

[Jen’s Book Village · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive the ARC edition of PLAN ON ME by Katie West. This is book #3 in the Big Five Series, set in Utah around the five national parks in the state. I loved book #2 and I couldn’t wait to revisit “friends” in the latest book. PLAN ON ME lived up to my expectations. With this book, the reader gets to know Willa and Carter better. Willa is staying with her sister in Moab while she works through some tough issues and decides if she wants to return to college. Carter is like everybody’s breath of fresh air. He is a super positive and genuine guy who is at the tail end of working on his licensure as a therapist. The two are friends and both work at the local coffee shop owned by Willa’s sister. Willa is often sketching on any and everything while Carter is rarely seen without his journal. Carter knows there is something beneath Willa’s quiet exterior but never pushes her to share. Willa does not want to be fixed, but she wants to feel like herself again. Friendship blossoms, but the pair isn’t sure what, or if, they should be more than friends.

West weaves a very good story and brings the reader close to the characters. I felt like I got to know all the characters, but especially here, Willa and Carter. We know them at a deeper level, and I think many will relate to them. Some readers might experience some difficulty when reading about Willa’s trauma, but the author handles and reveals it with honesty and respect. As a former school counselor and as someone who used to work with children in foster care, I also liked the way Carter’s character worked with the teens in his group therapy sessions and during therapy hikes. The way he spoke to and listened was spot on for getting kids to open up. On a different note, I can’t get enough of the descriptors of the Utah desert. I’ve visited a few times, and it works its way in to your heart and soul. There’s something incredibly special about snow in the desert, even when it is fleeting. It leaves an ephemeral impression for sure. And if all of this isn’t enough, the story is set during the holidays! All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will eagerly be waiting for the next installment.

[Niquole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not expect this book to become my favorite in The Big Five series… but here we are.

Willa’s and Carters story is more than just a love story. This is a story about starting over, healing, and finding purpose after feeling lost. This book is written with so much care and emotion. It’s absolutely beautiful to read.

The slow burn is slowwwww but 150% worth it. Carter is prepping to be a counselor and he’s quiet, intentional, and so worth the wait. He sees Willa’s pain without trying to fix her and simply becomes a safe place. This book is the definition of love is love regardless of anything else. Willa needs the space to heal and Carter gives her that while letting her know that he wants to be a part of her journey.

Carter being a Black male lead meant so much to me. He’s portrayed as kind, sensitive, well educated, and self-aware, and it was genuinely beautiful to read about. We don’t see enough representation like this and it made this story feel even more meaningful for me. Especially living in a small town as a POC.

Don’t even get me started on chapter 27🤭🤭🤭
I reread it twice before moving on 😂 The spice is spicing. It just fits their vibe. One bed in a snowstorm. The cuteness and the awkwardness. Oh man. I was giggling and blushing.

I cried happy tears by the end of the book. I honestly cried multiple times. I’ve read the other books in the series and loved them, but this one is hands down my favorite.

Carter loves Willa where she is at. He has no expectations and Willa falls in love with Carter for that reason. Willa and Carter have my whole heart. 🤍

My favorite quotes: ( I have way too many)
“You’re the place my plans keep leading back to. The home I didn’t know I was missing until you opened the door.”

“She had that kind of quiet beauty that snuck up on you. Not loud. Not deliberate. Just... present.
Like she didn't realize she was the most interesting thing in the room.”

“I both craved and avoided his attention” This line somehow broke me

This book and the characters have etched their way into my heart and I will never forget them.

Thank you, Katie, for the ARC and for writing characters that truly stay with you. 🥹✨

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨.”

Plan on Me by Katie West
4☆

This book is softer & deeper than the other two in The Big Five series and I LOVED it. It holds your attention in a quiet way, giving you something you didn’t even realize you needed.

Willa was a character I INSTANTLY had my eye on since the first two books — I KNEW there was more to her story and geesh... what a story. What amazed me about Willa was that even with a heavy past, she has a gift for creating safety for others— the kind that makes people feel seen without pressure, heard without question. She’s gentle but fierce in her love & empathy, and incredibly easy to root for.

“𝙄’𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙨𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚-𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙩𝙮, 𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣-𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄’𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙨.”

Beneath Carter’s easy charm is someone steady & quietly observant—a man who doesn’t take up space but makes space. And I LOVE that he shows us that even having a plan, a path, a blueprint for your life — you can still be beautifully undone by the way things unfold if you’re willing to step back and just see.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙤. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧.”

Their relationship 😭 It’s the kind of connection that builds slowly, in the eye contact, in the shared silence, and in the courage it takes to allow someone to truly see you as you are—beautifully broken but whole. Watching them fall into rhythm together, soften around each other, and show who they are when love finds its home was tear-worthy.

“𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙. 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙗𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜.”

This book is tender, no other words necessary. It doesn’t pull but presses—in the grief, hope, fear, loneliness, and longing. The moment when they realize they didn’t know how lonely they were UNTIL they found each other 😮‍💨 just two people learning that sometimes the best plans are the ones you never saw coming.

*Thank you to Katie West for this advanced reader copy!

[Cassandra Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I’d finally stepped off my planned trajectory. I wasn’t searching for where I was meant to be. I was already there.”

Willa and Carter’s story in Plan on Me is the slow burn done RIGHT 🔥. From friendship → admiration → longing → finally love… every single beat is earned, and I swear I was clutching my heart the entire time 🥹💖.

This book isn’t just romance, it’s healing, messy growth, and learning to let someone in. Willa and Carter navigate trauma, trust, and their own insecurities in the most painfully beautiful way. I laughed, I swooned, I cried quietly at 2 a.m. in bed staring at the ceiling 😭✨.

Katie West’s writing makes intimacy feel real. A glance, a shared joke, lingering thoughts, it’s like you can feel their connection in your chest. The desert setting 🌵☀️ is absolutely gorgeous, making every scene glow with warmth and atmosphere.

Also… first book I’ve read by Katie West and WOW, I am officially hooked on this series! Going back to read the first two immediately because I need to binge EVERYTHING she’s written 😍🔥

Slow burn lovers, this one’s for you. Gentle, soft, chaotic, intimate, and yes, the spice hits just right 🌶️💥. I am living for this love story, and I honestly can’t stop thinking about it.

Thank you to Katie West for the ARC — I’m officially obsessed 😭💜

[Nicole Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You and me. We’re not just broken pieces trying to fit. We do fit. I think you’re my missing piece.”

I have no words for this book. Every time I think I can’t love one of Katie West’s books more than the previous, she proves me wrong. Plan On Me is the most delish slow burn romance. The way Willa and Carter’s relationship forms from just the mutual understanding that not everything needs to be ok, is just perfection. Their love is best seen in the quiet moments when you aren’t paying attention.

Carter is a therapist completing training in Moab while also working at the coffee shop. He notices Willa in a way that nobody ever has. He sees her pain and trauma and doesn’t try to fix her, but just allows her to have a safe space in him. Willa comes to Moab for a fresh start , to get away from her traumatic past. She never expected to find comfort in another person.

Willa and Carter are my new favorite couple in the Big Five Series. This book had me yearning for these two from the very beginning. You could just tell from Katie’s writing that they were going to be something special.

Thank you Katie for the advance copy and creating the most amazing characters in this book series. I can’t wait for what’s next.

[Kira Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie, you’ve done it again. With every book I grow more in love with the characters you’ve built.

While some might say this is another typical romance book, I would say otherwise. You brought some very important and heavy themes into this that shouldn’t be something we hide or don’t talk about.

Willa was your typical girl, goes to college had fun, until she was taken advantage of. Sexual assault seems to be something people don’t want to know or talk about. I appreciate that you brought this to light. Also, alcoholism and depression were brought on from the event and Willa was trying to work through both, this leads her to move to Moab with her sister and figure out where to go from there.

Carter, the happy sunshine of the town, tries to balance his feelings for Willa while staying professional as a therapist and not cross lines. Whole figuring out his next steps in his own life.

Reading how these two characters grow separately and together brought on happiness, tears and laughter.

I say this after each book in this series, but I think this is my favorite by far.

The hard topics aren’t always the easiest to write, but you did well in combining them and showing that the hard can balance out with the happy.

[Jocelynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plan on Me is a quietly emotional romance that centers healing, patience, and personal growth. The story follows Carter, a therapy student with a genuine desire to help others, and Willa, who dropped out of college after surviving a sexual assault and is trying to figure out who she is outside of her trauma.

What I appreciated most about this book was Willa’s character development. Her journey doesn’t feel rushed or romanticized — it’s messy, slow, and very real. Meeting Carter and joining him as a chaperone in a therapy program for kids becomes a turning point for her, giving her purpose, confidence, and a sense of control she had lost. Watching her slowly reclaim herself was one of the strongest parts of the story.

Carter is a refreshing male main character. His background in therapy shows in the way he treats Willa — with respect, patience, and emotional awareness. Their relationship builds naturally as they work together, and the feelings that develop between them feel earned rather than forced.

Overall, Plan on Me is a tender, character-driven romance that focuses on healing just as much as love. If you enjoy stories about growth after trauma, emotionally intelligent MMCs, and slow-burn connections, this one is worth picking up.

[Read_with_Beans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest review in exchange for the author providing an eARC

4.5 / 5 stars!

This is book #3 in The Big Five series by Katie West, and my first book by the author. As soon as I turned off my Kindle, I knew that I had to go back and read the first two books in the series. This book packs an emotional punch and is a wonderful story about finding and loving yourself enough to open your heart to love and others. This book contains sensitive and potentially triggering topics, so please read with care.

Willa is trying to cope with something she experienced, but has never discussed in the four years since, while also trying to find her place in the world. With her sketchbook in hand, she spends more time making coffee than small talk at her sister’s coffee shop until a chance offer to assist with an art therapy program for kids is offered. This allows her to find trust, friendship, home, and maybe even love.

Please pick up a copy of this book – you will not be disappointed! Maybe you will have eyes full of tears, but difinately will not be disappointed.

TW/CW: sexual assault (off page), child abuse/neglect (off page)

[Alma’s books · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(ARC READ)
Katie West’s Plan on Me | Workplace Romance

This book completely stole my heart.

Carter and Willa’s love story is rooted in something so rare and beautiful—emotional connection before physical attraction. Their relationship unfolds gently, intentionally, and with so much care. Carter never tries to fix Willa or rush her healing; he simply shows up and loves her as she is. And Willa is given the space to rediscover herself without judgment,allowed to slip, grow, and breathe without anyone making her feel small for it.

The emotional awareness in this story left me in awe. Every interaction felt thoughtful, honest, and deeply human. Carter and Willa truly complement each other, fitting together like puzzle pieces that were always meant to find one another.

The small-town setting adds a cozy, grounding layer to the story, making the emotional journey feel even more intimate. With a spice level around a 2, this book leans far more into tenderness, connection, and heart than heat and it’s better for it.

If you love romances that prioritize emotional safety, mutual respect, and quiet healing, this one is absolutely worth picking up 🤍

[Megan Soria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Umm did you say Michael B Jordan?!

F*ck YESSS, PLEASEEE! Let's just let that hunky image of a man marinate for a minute...

I sounds like a broken record when I say this but Book 3 from this Big Five series did NOT disappoint. Katie has quickly become one of my fav authors. I swear the level of depth & REAL life struggles she's able to get in her pages just hit you.

First off I do think reading through books 1&2 helped lead up to Willa & Carter's story. Though each book is soo good on its own, Katie has stitched these characters throughout the series so you actually get to know them.

The only reason I'm not giving this 5 stars is because I just didn't burn as much for Carter & Willa as much as I did for Lainey, Jack, Sadie & Wes. But I did love their story.

4.5

[alexa navarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

i’m giving this a 3.5 out of 5 (goodreads im begging you let us rate half stars)

i liked it enough. as some one with a sister i love that willa is so close to her sisters. im the oldest so i can relate a little more to lainey but it was still a great story.

i was a bit surprised that the love interest is black! my only issue is that when non poc write poc characters they always fall a little flat for me :/ like if they didn’t change anything about the character and just made him white, the story would still make sense. from poc characters i feel like i’d like to see a little more into their lives and how being poc affects them.

another thing is im not a huge fan of an age gap romance. anything over 4-5 years makes me squirm, even if they’re both adults that met AS adults. but that’s just me. overall, this book was enjoyable and a cutesy story, just a little too therapist-y for me if that makes sense. it felt like too much of that words of wisdom tidbits from carter. like i know he’s a therapist but please 😭

[Mari Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plan On Me ARC review.

Rating ❄️: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have to say that I have to say that this book was one of the most touching and lovely books I have read this year. The way that I cried and connected with Willa is literally insane. I do have to say,

The characters and story it beautiful, it’s a story about the journey of healing, of learning that it’s it never to late to learn how to love and heal. Carter and Willa’s relationship it’s wholesome and beautiful, and I have to say that I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series.

“Because pain doesn’t care about theories. You can’t hide behind textbooks when a kid looks you in the eye and tells you the worst thing that’s ever happened to them. You just have to be there.”
-Carter 🤍🥲

Thank you @authorkatiewest for this opportunity; this book made me tear up and it’s now the owner of a part of my heart. Katie I hope that your pillow is always cold and that your house is always warm and cozy in the cold winter because you have wrote one of the best reads of my 2025. 🤍🥲

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plan on Me (The Big Five) #3)
By @authorkatiewest
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
🌶️

This book completely blew me away. It’s one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read.

Willa Taylor, a college student, unexpectedly visits her sister at the end of Book 2 without any clear plans. She’s not talking about her troubles, and I love that she’s given herself the space and time to process them.

Carter James, a part-time coffee shop worker and aspiring therapist, also works with teens as a wilderness therapist. He asks Willa to help with some art therapy since she’s always drawing.

Through glances, shared experiences, and building trust, Willa gradually feels safe enough to confide in Carter. He tries to maintain professional boundaries but knows he cares for her deeply.

The will they, won’t they tension keeps you on the edge of your seat, building anticipation for their relationship. This series keeps getting better with each book which is saying quite a bit since I loved Book 1. I look forward to Book 4 and seeing where all the characters are doing.

[Becky Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written book about healing, love, and the promise of forever.

This book made me cry, laugh, and feel the love that Carter has for Willa. The slow burn was sooo worth it! It truly is a work of art!
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity to read and review this arc @authorkatiewest.

Now I am going to go back and read the rest of Katie's books!

Quotes I loved and a couple of Carters journal notes:

And the echo of what I hadn’t said, but wanted to. You’re not alone. In your hurt, or in wanting us.

Healing isn’t a straight line. You don’t owe anyone any part of you. You’re already doing the hard part.

“Now we start making plans.” I smiled faintly. “Plans?” He grinned, that crooked, earnest one that never failed to undo me. “Yeah. Like, where we go next. What we do. What we build. How many snowstorms it takes before we take them for granted.”

I rested my forehead against his, closing my eyes. “I like this version of us,” I whispered. “Me too,” he said. “Let’s keep it.”

Story: 5⭐️
Characters: 5⭐️
Character growth: 5⭐️
Spice: 1🌶️

[Kristin Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plan on Me was incredible! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book and Katie West is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance authors. Her characters are relatable, I love that she’s not afraid to be raw and honest about things like trauma, anxiety, depression, etc. Plan on Me was book three in the series and we follow Willa and Carter’s story. I love both of these characters and getting to follow them as they navigate their own struggles, especially Willa who is trying to recover from a trauma a few years back, while connecting and finding safety in each other. Their story is beautiful.

Plus all the characters from books one and two in the series are in this one as well. The family/found family element is one of favorite things about the series, I love getting to continue to follow their stories as well.

Plan on Me is a must read!

[Mikhaila Kizer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew just from the dedication that this book was going to hit hard, and wow was I right.

Willa's story is heartbreaking and all too real. She is carrying so much weight all on her own, but seeing her step into healing so openly is inspiring. Then bring in Carter whose strong and steady presence is just what Willa needs and is truly so perfect.

This book is a slooooow burn, but in all of the right ways. I never felt like I was waiting for more to happen because the emotional part really was everything for me.

Very rarely do I come across a book that feels like it is holding a piece of me... like the author almost wrote it just for me. I have felt that way reading all three books in the Big Five series. Katie just has a way of writing characters and love and real life that is wonderful and heartbreaking, happy and healing, and the perfect mix of emotional intimacy and spice.

[Hannah Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’d finally stepped off my planned trajectory. I wasn’t searching for where I was meant to be. I was already there.”

I have a love hate relationship with Slow Burn Romances, they’ve gotta be done right. Plan on Me is the slow burn that other slow burn romances are supposed to be. From friendship, to attraction, to admiration to longing. Willa and Carter’s slow burn relationship was so beautifully written and you really feel like you’ve earned it!

This story is about healing, about taking two steps forward and one step back, and overcoming the hiccups on your path forward. It’s about learning how to heal, learning how to live with your trauma, how to let others be there for you and how to grow from your pain rather than move on from it.

[Mandy Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for Plan on Me...I'm so glad I got to read this book. I love it. It was so emotional. They are beautiful stories.

This is Willa and Carter's story...
Dang Poor Willa has been though so much she is staying with her sister. She left school and trying to figure out her next steps.
Carter is just about to finish his Test to become a Therapist. He asks Willa to help with a Therapy Art program for teens.
This really helps her move forward.
Willa and Carter are so cute together. Carter has liked Willa from the first time he saw her he literally tripped on a curb. It was beautiful to watch Willa learn to trust again. And Carter was there even if he wasn't physically there.
Can't wait for the next book.

[Maddy Hutchings · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Actual rating 3.75*
Thank you Katie West for this ARC!
Okay so honestly, I DNFd this fairly early into the book. HOWEVER, I enjoyed the writing style of it and I do think it has potential, so I don’t have anything really negative to say about it! I just wasn’t super hooked by it, and I personally didn’t love how quickly the characters relationship seemed to start picking up. But that’s just a me thing, I’ve never liked fast relationships in books! I’d encourage anyone to read this, because like I said, while it might not be for me, the writing style seemed pretty good from what I read, and it seems like it’ll have a good storyline!

[Jess Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Katie West for this ARC (pub. 12/16)

“And somewhere deep down, I knew it wasn’t just the desert that felt like home. It was her.” The perfect slow-burn romance between Carter and Willa. I haven’t read the other books in this series, but intend to ASAP because these were delicious in every way. That combination of trauma mixed with cozy, a little bit of spice with a whole lot of sweet moments. The setting is from Halloween 2025 through the holidays and even into spring of 2026 which I loved so much for my personal reads this time of year. 4 ⭐️

[Abby Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this! I was so lucky to receive an ARC for this and I am so so grateful! This story was everything I needed it to be. It was raw and honest and real. This was fast-paced, and I loved the healing and acceptance throughout the entirety of Willa and Carter’s story.

“And somewhere deep down, I knew it wasn’t just the desert that felt like home anymore. It was her.”

“When she smiled at Sophie or Rowan or anyone she loved, it was the kind of thing that could stop a heart mid-beat.”

[Sara Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plan on Me ARC Review

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️

I think I needed this right at this moment. This was a slow burn romance and for the themes and topics discussed in it, it was so necessary for it to be that. Carter and Willa are great characters and how they come together was phenomenal. They saw each other and realized what home was to them.

Thank you Katie West for the opportunity to read book 3 in the Big Five series. I’ve loved every book you’ve written so far and this did not disappoint. Looking forward to the next being Wren’s story.