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Wreck My Plans
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 26Age isn’t a number.
It’s a state of chaos.
When publicist Mia Andrews becomes the face of a viral disaster dubbed #PantyGate, her career implodes along with her reputation.
Now jobless and single, Mia lands in the last place she expected—her grandmother’s anything-but-quiet retirement community in Florida. It’s chaos. It’s hilarious. It’s exactly what she didn’t know she needed.
Even worse? The meddling retirees are determined to fix Mia’s love life. Somehow, they find time to play matchmaker—with not one but two bachelors under thirty-five.
But amid the mayhem, Mia’s learning that the best second chances come when—and where—you least expect them.
For fans of witty banter, lovable troublemakers, and slow-burn romance, this is the laugh-out-loud novel that proves love never gets old.
It’s a state of chaos.
When publicist Mia Andrews becomes the face of a viral disaster dubbed #PantyGate, her career implodes along with her reputation.
Now jobless and single, Mia lands in the last place she expected—her grandmother’s anything-but-quiet retirement community in Florida. It’s chaos. It’s hilarious. It’s exactly what she didn’t know she needed.
Even worse? The meddling retirees are determined to fix Mia’s love life. Somehow, they find time to play matchmaker—with not one but two bachelors under thirty-five.
But amid the mayhem, Mia’s learning that the best second chances come when—and where—you least expect them.
For fans of witty banter, lovable troublemakers, and slow-burn romance, this is the laugh-out-loud novel that proves love never gets old.
- GenresRomance
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 12, 2026
64 people want to read
About the author
Cindi Madsen
66 books2,264 followersCindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She and her family also take their Marvel addiction very seriously, as their one-eyed cat, Agent Fury, and their kitty named Valkyrie can attest.
You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books.
Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen
Find her on FB: Cindi Madsen Books
See her inspiration pins on Pinterest.
You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books.
Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen
Find her on FB: Cindi Madsen Books
See her inspiration pins on Pinterest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 28, 2025
The way this book had me cackling… I absolutely adored the grannies and I feel like everybody needs some of them in their lives. I loved this book and how they made all the character stories come together. It was absolutely precious.
The FMC is a character building throughout the story is something that I feel like we can all relate to especially if you have OCD. And I love how the love story comes about throughout the story. I won’t give away anymore than that, but if you want a fun romantic comedy with hysterical meddling grannies , and an ending that leaves your cup, feeling so full in the trials of life…. Then this is the book for you!
The FMC is a character building throughout the story is something that I feel like we can all relate to especially if you have OCD. And I love how the love story comes about throughout the story. I won’t give away anymore than that, but if you want a fun romantic comedy with hysterical meddling grannies , and an ending that leaves your cup, feeling so full in the trials of life…. Then this is the book for you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So this is a cute idea... Mia needs an escape from her former job/life, after it fell apart. What better place to regroup than with your Granny.
The highlight of this story is are the inhabitants of the retirement community where her Granny lives. The shenanigans and situations Mia finds herself in (and a part of) certainly kept me chuckling.
My 3.5 star rating has to do with the slow burn mess of Mia dating one guy for a bit, but realizing another guy is a better fit, and how the final relationship settled out.
I wanted something different, but this is completely a ME problem.
I do recommend this read, as it was entertaining and I enjoyed my time with these characters.
The highlight of this story is are the inhabitants of the retirement community where her Granny lives. The shenanigans and situations Mia finds herself in (and a part of) certainly kept me chuckling.
My 3.5 star rating has to do with the slow burn mess of Mia dating one guy for a bit, but realizing another guy is a better fit, and how the final relationship settled out.
I wanted something different, but this is completely a ME problem.
I do recommend this read, as it was entertaining and I enjoyed my time with these characters.
December 2, 2025
This one ended up being a not for me read. I went in expecting a slow-burn romance, but the MMC barely appears in the first half of the book, which made it hard for me to feel connected once the romance finally picked up. The meddling grandma storyline was genuinely fun, though — she definitely added some charm. I just found myself skimming because I never fully clicked with the pacing or the dynamic.
That said, I can see a lot of readers enjoying this one. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.
That said, I can see a lot of readers enjoying this one. It just wasn’t the right fit for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc.
December 4, 2025
This book has it all...emotional breakdown, meddling grandmas, is funny, and has a swoony man. Our leading lady is so relatable and a hot mess, her family far from perfect, but together they learn to always live life and not let it pass you by...Including that hot man that is now part of your life.
December 3, 2025
I am so glad I got an ARC for this book. it is so adorable. I laughed and cackled and cried at the same time. this book is a perfect balance of lessons and plot. I love the romance later and its just great! I highly reccomend this book so much. I needed this laugh and high jinx of grannies and other generations. love this book so much.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wreck My Plans by Cindi Madsen is the kind of book that pretends it’s a lighthearted rom-com and then quietly sits you down to discuss burnout, perfectionism, and why your nervous system deserves a snack and a nap.
Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Mia Andrews is a publicist whose life detonates in very public fashion thanks to a viral fiasco dubbed #PantyGate, which is both mortifying and, frankly, an unhinged thing to trend over. One minute she’s managing crises for a living, the next she is the crisis. Unemployed, single, and emotionally fried, she retreats to her grandmother’s retirement community in Florida thinking this will be quiet, temporary, and safe. Reader, it is none of those things.
Instead, Mia is dropped into a community powered entirely by gossip, golf carts, unsolicited advice, and retirees who have decided that if they can’t live vicariously through her love life, then what is even the point of aging. The grandmas absolutely steal the show. They are chaotic, meddling, well-meaning, occasionally exhausting, and somehow still deeply comforting. At times they are a lot, but honestly, so is healing, and that feels intentional.
This book is funny in a very grounded way. Not joke-joke funny, but “I laughed because this is painfully true” funny. The humor comes from situations spiraling out of control, from Mia’s inner monologue, and from watching someone who has tied their entire self-worth to productivity be forced to sit still and confront herself. It’s cozy, but it’s also sharp. Comforting, but not shallow.
The romance is a slow burn, and yes, it takes its time. If you’re coming in expecting constant swooning from page one, this might test your patience. But the emotional pacing makes sense. This story is far more invested in Mia rebuilding her sense of self than rushing her into a relationship to prove she’s okay now. When the romance does come into focus, it feels earned, gentle, and supportive rather than flashy.
One of the strongest aspects of this book is how it handles anxiety and OCD. Mia’s struggles are woven into her character in a way that feels honest and lived-in, not performative or reduced to a single trait. Her perfectionism, her spirals, her constant need to control outcomes all connect back to how she’s learned to survive. Watching her slowly loosen her grip, make mistakes, and still be loved is incredibly satisfying.
“Sometimes the plan falling apart is the only reason you finally get to breathe.”
By the end, Wreck My Plans feels less like a traditional rom-com and more like a warm, slightly sarcastic reminder that starting over doesn’t mean you failed. It means you lived long enough to realize something wasn’t working. Between the found family, the growth arc, the slow-burn romance, and the unapologetic chaos of the retirement community, this book left me smiling, a little emotional, and oddly comforted.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
If you love cozy romance novels with witty banter, found family vibes, emotional growth, and meddling grandmas who refuse to mind their business, this is absolutely one to add to your list.
#wreckmyplans #cindimadsen #romancebooks #romcomreads #slowburnromance #foundfamily #netgalleyarc #entangledpublishing #bookreview #2026books
Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
Mia Andrews is a publicist whose life detonates in very public fashion thanks to a viral fiasco dubbed #PantyGate, which is both mortifying and, frankly, an unhinged thing to trend over. One minute she’s managing crises for a living, the next she is the crisis. Unemployed, single, and emotionally fried, she retreats to her grandmother’s retirement community in Florida thinking this will be quiet, temporary, and safe. Reader, it is none of those things.
Instead, Mia is dropped into a community powered entirely by gossip, golf carts, unsolicited advice, and retirees who have decided that if they can’t live vicariously through her love life, then what is even the point of aging. The grandmas absolutely steal the show. They are chaotic, meddling, well-meaning, occasionally exhausting, and somehow still deeply comforting. At times they are a lot, but honestly, so is healing, and that feels intentional.
This book is funny in a very grounded way. Not joke-joke funny, but “I laughed because this is painfully true” funny. The humor comes from situations spiraling out of control, from Mia’s inner monologue, and from watching someone who has tied their entire self-worth to productivity be forced to sit still and confront herself. It’s cozy, but it’s also sharp. Comforting, but not shallow.
The romance is a slow burn, and yes, it takes its time. If you’re coming in expecting constant swooning from page one, this might test your patience. But the emotional pacing makes sense. This story is far more invested in Mia rebuilding her sense of self than rushing her into a relationship to prove she’s okay now. When the romance does come into focus, it feels earned, gentle, and supportive rather than flashy.
One of the strongest aspects of this book is how it handles anxiety and OCD. Mia’s struggles are woven into her character in a way that feels honest and lived-in, not performative or reduced to a single trait. Her perfectionism, her spirals, her constant need to control outcomes all connect back to how she’s learned to survive. Watching her slowly loosen her grip, make mistakes, and still be loved is incredibly satisfying.
“Sometimes the plan falling apart is the only reason you finally get to breathe.”
By the end, Wreck My Plans feels less like a traditional rom-com and more like a warm, slightly sarcastic reminder that starting over doesn’t mean you failed. It means you lived long enough to realize something wasn’t working. Between the found family, the growth arc, the slow-burn romance, and the unapologetic chaos of the retirement community, this book left me smiling, a little emotional, and oddly comforted.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
If you love cozy romance novels with witty banter, found family vibes, emotional growth, and meddling grandmas who refuse to mind their business, this is absolutely one to add to your list.
#wreckmyplans #cindimadsen #romancebooks #romcomreads #slowburnromance #foundfamily #netgalleyarc #entangledpublishing #bookreview #2026books
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After getting fired from her job, Mia moves in with her grandmother and works as a publicist for the retirement community. There, with the help of her grandmother’s friends, Mia discovers two potential suitors and a renewed sense of self-esteem.
I really liked the focus on self-esteem and body positivity and how the grandmother’s cat Fifi figured into the book. Both of the love interests are good guys with Mia’s best interests at heart. Her grandmother and the various members of the retirement community are lovely, maybe especially when they are misbehaving.
This delightful elements of this book quickly become overwhelming. Mia’s grandmother’s friends, for example, are so numerous, their identities get muddled. The two love interests dilute the romantic subplot, allowing for relatively little time with either man as the focus is her journey rather than finding a happily-ever-after.
Mia’s difficult relationship with her mother is reduced to a thread that seems to get resolved behind the scenes as is Mia’s break up with one of her suitors. Mia’s given several siblings but none are named, and they only figure into the book peripherally. Mia is shown having multiple jobs, most of which seem to fall into her lap.
Mia is a bit hard to root for because her grandmother’s friends are always doing things for her, but she is rarely returning the favor. Her OCD and generalized anxiety disorder seem more part of the book to increase empathy for Mia as she runs around the retirement community in four inch heels, than something Mia grapples with.
All in all, I liked Mia’s character arc, but I would have preferred less distractions and more focus on fewer characters and plot lines, which could have turned this book from a good read to a great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Amara, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC., for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.
I really liked the focus on self-esteem and body positivity and how the grandmother’s cat Fifi figured into the book. Both of the love interests are good guys with Mia’s best interests at heart. Her grandmother and the various members of the retirement community are lovely, maybe especially when they are misbehaving.
This delightful elements of this book quickly become overwhelming. Mia’s grandmother’s friends, for example, are so numerous, their identities get muddled. The two love interests dilute the romantic subplot, allowing for relatively little time with either man as the focus is her journey rather than finding a happily-ever-after.
Mia’s difficult relationship with her mother is reduced to a thread that seems to get resolved behind the scenes as is Mia’s break up with one of her suitors. Mia’s given several siblings but none are named, and they only figure into the book peripherally. Mia is shown having multiple jobs, most of which seem to fall into her lap.
Mia is a bit hard to root for because her grandmother’s friends are always doing things for her, but she is rarely returning the favor. Her OCD and generalized anxiety disorder seem more part of the book to increase empathy for Mia as she runs around the retirement community in four inch heels, than something Mia grapples with.
All in all, I liked Mia’s character arc, but I would have preferred less distractions and more focus on fewer characters and plot lines, which could have turned this book from a good read to a great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks to Amara, an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC., for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, Netgalley, Entagled: Amara, and Cindi Madsen for the ARC!
Mia finds herself at her grandmother's retirement community after getting fired from her job as a publicist. Mia comes with a lot of baggage-- she has anxiety, a rocky relationship with her mother, and lots of internal dilemmas. This book is labeled as a romance, but I think it is more women's literature and a journey of self-discovery.
This wasn't a terrible book by any means. I thought the writing was good. I think where the book fell short was with the story and the first 70% of the book felt rather slow. We're introduced to a large group of meddling grannies who take Mia out of her comfort zone. Some of these scenes were entertaining whilst others felt dragged on.
A lot of prior concerns from other reviews were related to the romance, and I'd have to agree and disagree. Many say that the love interest isn't introduced until halfway through the book. The main love interest is introduced around 20%, but Mia spends some time dating someone else, which makes it hard to root for either of the guys because as you're reading it, you don't know which one she's going to pick. Though the relationships never overlap, it's still hard to root for one guy over the other. We only have such a limited amount of pages to see a relationship blossom, and I do think having her officially get together with the MMC at the 50% mark makes it hard. And when they do, it's very much instant-love. They say that they've been noticing each other, but we don't get to see any of it.
The main reason why I give this book two stars is because of the last 20%. It actually made me feel a little choked up. It explores a lot of big themes related to family and perspectives on sacrifice. This part was definitely the best part.
Mia finds herself at her grandmother's retirement community after getting fired from her job as a publicist. Mia comes with a lot of baggage-- she has anxiety, a rocky relationship with her mother, and lots of internal dilemmas. This book is labeled as a romance, but I think it is more women's literature and a journey of self-discovery.
This wasn't a terrible book by any means. I thought the writing was good. I think where the book fell short was with the story and the first 70% of the book felt rather slow. We're introduced to a large group of meddling grannies who take Mia out of her comfort zone. Some of these scenes were entertaining whilst others felt dragged on.
A lot of prior concerns from other reviews were related to the romance, and I'd have to agree and disagree. Many say that the love interest isn't introduced until halfway through the book. The main love interest is introduced around 20%, but Mia spends some time dating someone else, which makes it hard to root for either of the guys because as you're reading it, you don't know which one she's going to pick. Though the relationships never overlap, it's still hard to root for one guy over the other. We only have such a limited amount of pages to see a relationship blossom, and I do think having her officially get together with the MMC at the 50% mark makes it hard. And when they do, it's very much instant-love. They say that they've been noticing each other, but we don't get to see any of it.
The main reason why I give this book two stars is because of the last 20%. It actually made me feel a little choked up. It explores a lot of big themes related to family and perspectives on sacrifice. This part was definitely the best part.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 / 5 🌟
0.5 / 5 🌶️
Prepare for lighthearted belly laughs and over the top shenanigans lead by a group of grannies. Don’t underestimate the tenacity and passion of the seniors, when they put their mind to something chaos ensues. Mia Andrews loses her high profile publicist job with a professional athlete over a fashion mishaps dubbed #PantyGate. Now desperate for employment, she accepts the only job offer she can find, improving the reputation of her grannies retirement community from recent bad press. The future of the development hinges on the improved resident occupancy rate which is hard to recover from after the recent STD scandal. The grannies suggest a quid pro quo, they’ll get the other residents to improve their act and start participating if Mia lightens up on her workaholic tendencies and starts living her life, including going on dates.
It’s a cosy, quick read, that will have you laughing from the silliness. I loved how ridiculous the grannies were, honestly they are the grandparent we all wish we had! Vibrant and full of life, they don’t let their age hold them back from enjoying life to the fullest and have no filter on their opinions. I love how this book explores real life problems without feeling preachy! It explores OCD and anxiety in a way that feels realistic and approachable. It highlights the importance of balance between career goals and success with slowing down to experience the little moments of life. The romance was mostly in the latter half and then felt rushed. I liked the semi triangle love potential but wanted more of the slow burn romance and cute date moments.
The grannies stole the show! Definitely an enjoyable quick read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Amara for my eARC. These are my honest thoughts, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read this early
0.5 / 5 🌶️
Prepare for lighthearted belly laughs and over the top shenanigans lead by a group of grannies. Don’t underestimate the tenacity and passion of the seniors, when they put their mind to something chaos ensues. Mia Andrews loses her high profile publicist job with a professional athlete over a fashion mishaps dubbed #PantyGate. Now desperate for employment, she accepts the only job offer she can find, improving the reputation of her grannies retirement community from recent bad press. The future of the development hinges on the improved resident occupancy rate which is hard to recover from after the recent STD scandal. The grannies suggest a quid pro quo, they’ll get the other residents to improve their act and start participating if Mia lightens up on her workaholic tendencies and starts living her life, including going on dates.
It’s a cosy, quick read, that will have you laughing from the silliness. I loved how ridiculous the grannies were, honestly they are the grandparent we all wish we had! Vibrant and full of life, they don’t let their age hold them back from enjoying life to the fullest and have no filter on their opinions. I love how this book explores real life problems without feeling preachy! It explores OCD and anxiety in a way that feels realistic and approachable. It highlights the importance of balance between career goals and success with slowing down to experience the little moments of life. The romance was mostly in the latter half and then felt rushed. I liked the semi triangle love potential but wanted more of the slow burn romance and cute date moments.
The grannies stole the show! Definitely an enjoyable quick read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Amara for my eARC. These are my honest thoughts, and I’m so glad I got the chance to read this early
December 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC Review: Wreck My Plans by Cindi Madsen
📅 Expected Release: January 12, 2026
Cindi Madsen has done it again—this book is equal parts chaos, comedy, and heart. Wreck My Plans introduces us to Mia Andrews, a publicist whose career implodes after the viral disaster known as #PantyGate. With her reputation in shambles, she retreats to her grandmother’s retirement community in Florida… only to discover it’s less “quiet shuffleboard” and more “wild matchmaking circus.”
The meddling retirees are a riot, determined to fix Mia’s love life whether she wants them to or not. Between two charming bachelors, endless hijinks, and laugh‑out‑loud moments, Mia’s journey is both hilarious and unexpectedly tender. What really shines is the balance between witty banter and genuine emotion, Madsen reminds us that second chances often come when we least expect them, and that love doesn’t have an expiration date.
I adored the quirky cast, the slow‑burn romance, and the way the story leaned into the chaos of starting over. While a few moments felt slightly over‑the‑top, the humor and heart more than made up for it. This is the kind of rom‑com that leaves you smiling long after the last page.
A charming, funny, and heartfelt read perfect for fans of romantic comedies with lovable troublemakers and plenty of banter.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
🎶lovefool by cardigans
🎶style by taylor swift
ARC Review: Wreck My Plans by Cindi Madsen
📅 Expected Release: January 12, 2026
Cindi Madsen has done it again—this book is equal parts chaos, comedy, and heart. Wreck My Plans introduces us to Mia Andrews, a publicist whose career implodes after the viral disaster known as #PantyGate. With her reputation in shambles, she retreats to her grandmother’s retirement community in Florida… only to discover it’s less “quiet shuffleboard” and more “wild matchmaking circus.”
The meddling retirees are a riot, determined to fix Mia’s love life whether she wants them to or not. Between two charming bachelors, endless hijinks, and laugh‑out‑loud moments, Mia’s journey is both hilarious and unexpectedly tender. What really shines is the balance between witty banter and genuine emotion, Madsen reminds us that second chances often come when we least expect them, and that love doesn’t have an expiration date.
I adored the quirky cast, the slow‑burn romance, and the way the story leaned into the chaos of starting over. While a few moments felt slightly over‑the‑top, the humor and heart more than made up for it. This is the kind of rom‑com that leaves you smiling long after the last page.
A charming, funny, and heartfelt read perfect for fans of romantic comedies with lovable troublemakers and plenty of banter.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
🎶lovefool by cardigans
🎶style by taylor swift
December 6, 2025
I found this book, with its interesting cast of characters and unique setting, to be pretty amusing, though it felt like the actual romance took a back seat to the shenanigans of the grannies. The premise had me really excited because I always enjoy books involving older characters getting up to mischief, and at least on that front, the author delivered, to the point that there were even a few too many bubbies to keep track of! The anxiety/OCD discussion was also a nice inclusion, and I felt like the matter was handled in a sensitive way.
That said, I found it really hard to enjoy this book fully because of its seemingly stream-of-consciousness writing style. The sentences were either long and full of parentheticals, or fragmented, and I frequently found myself having to go back several paragraphs to comprehend what was happening. (Though, to be honest, my ADHD brain could completely relate to the storytelling style!) I might give this one another go as an audiobook and update my review later based on that because I think I might be able to appreciate it better without all the re-reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
That said, I found it really hard to enjoy this book fully because of its seemingly stream-of-consciousness writing style. The sentences were either long and full of parentheticals, or fragmented, and I frequently found myself having to go back several paragraphs to comprehend what was happening. (Though, to be honest, my ADHD brain could completely relate to the storytelling style!) I might give this one another go as an audiobook and update my review later based on that because I think I might be able to appreciate it better without all the re-reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was listed as a romance. There is some romance in here, but I really don't think that's what it's about and in all honesty I wasn't really that in to the kind of book that it is. he story We're introduced to not one, but two potential love interests for our heroine Mia within the first few pages of Wreck My Plans. However, nothing really happens until over halfway through the book. Most of the action revolves around Mia finding her way in the world and her grandmother and other assorted older women who live with the her grandmother in a retirement home. There were funny bits, but overall it just didn't grab me and I think had I know what the book was really, I wouldn't have picked it up. It was well written though and I can see that some people would love this.
Although there was a romantic element, because it didn't get underway until the last bit of the book, I didn't really get the chemistry between Mia and him. In many ways, it would have been better without the romance element.
I'm sure that some people will love this, but it just wasn't for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Although there was a romantic element, because it didn't get underway until the last bit of the book, I didn't really get the chemistry between Mia and him. In many ways, it would have been better without the romance element.
I'm sure that some people will love this, but it just wasn't for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC review - thank you to Entangled Publishing for the early access!
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was witty and just kind of dropped you right into the drama. While the main character is 26-year-old Mia, I genuinely enjoyed the banter and meddling from Mia's grandmother and the other ladies in the retirement community, as it brought a dimension of what society usually thinks about older people and turned it on its head. If anything, imagine if the Golden Girls did a live run-through of Sabrina Carpenter's recent albums with you with a straight face. It's like that.
I'd say my only "grievance" would be a mix of the pacing and the background behind some characters, as it becomes obvious that some parts just felt a bit jumpy, and that some characters obviously were important, but you didn't know exactly why until later. It didn't severely impact my understanding of the story, but I think it would have been nicer for some parts to have been slowed down/sped up, or some characters to have expanded backgrounds!
Overall, it was a 4.5/5 for me, and I wish Goodreads would let me relay that more genuinely lol.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was witty and just kind of dropped you right into the drama. While the main character is 26-year-old Mia, I genuinely enjoyed the banter and meddling from Mia's grandmother and the other ladies in the retirement community, as it brought a dimension of what society usually thinks about older people and turned it on its head. If anything, imagine if the Golden Girls did a live run-through of Sabrina Carpenter's recent albums with you with a straight face. It's like that.
I'd say my only "grievance" would be a mix of the pacing and the background behind some characters, as it becomes obvious that some parts just felt a bit jumpy, and that some characters obviously were important, but you didn't know exactly why until later. It didn't severely impact my understanding of the story, but I think it would have been nicer for some parts to have been slowed down/sped up, or some characters to have expanded backgrounds!
Overall, it was a 4.5/5 for me, and I wish Goodreads would let me relay that more genuinely lol.
December 5, 2025
As a romance reader, I really wanted to fall for this one. The setup is adorable — a chaotic retirement community, meddling grandmas, and a heroine trying to rebuild her life — and those parts genuinely had my heart. The grandmas were hilarious, the community vibe was warm, and Mia’s anxiety/OCD rep was handled with care. There is charm here but for a book marketed as a romance, the actual love story starts so late that it never fully landed for me. The MMC barely appears in the first half, and as someone who lives for that slow-burn tension, the glances, the build-up, the “oh no I’m catching feelings” moments… I really missed that. By the time the romance finally kicked in, I just didn’t have enough time with him to feel the chemistry or root for them as a couple. I found myself wishing for more scenes together, more emotional groundwork — something to make their getting together feel earned.
All that said, the concept really is cute, the retirement-home chaos is fun, and I can absolutely see other readers enjoying the cosy, quirky vibe. It just didn’t give me the romance hit I was hoping for.
All that said, the concept really is cute, the retirement-home chaos is fun, and I can absolutely see other readers enjoying the cosy, quirky vibe. It just didn’t give me the romance hit I was hoping for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've been a BIG fan of Cindi Madsen for a while & her latest story #WreckMyPlans is a cute romance set in a setting you don't see often in this genre, a retirement community. The female lead character, Mia is overworked, stressed, & still dealing with childhood trauma. She gets fired from her big PR firm & stays with her grandma for the summer, taking a part-time position at the retirement community to boost occupancy as well as decrease drama. Mia's grandma & her "cronies" are hilarious & do what they can to help Mia find that work/life balance she desperately needs.
The romance component of this book involves two men & you can't help, but cheer for Mia & the teddy bear she falls in love with. No spoilers, but it'll make you swoon.
Thank you, #NetGalley! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book with all thoughts and opinions being my own. If you're a romantic at heart, & enjoy seeing the character come into their own happiness as well as falling in love, then you'll enjoy Wreck My Plans by Cindi Madsen.
The romance component of this book involves two men & you can't help, but cheer for Mia & the teddy bear she falls in love with. No spoilers, but it'll make you swoon.
Thank you, #NetGalley! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book with all thoughts and opinions being my own. If you're a romantic at heart, & enjoy seeing the character come into their own happiness as well as falling in love, then you'll enjoy Wreck My Plans by Cindi Madsen.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After a viral disaster destroys (newly single) publicist Mia Andrews’ career, she retreats to her grandmother’s chaotic Florida retirement community. Between the eccentric residents and their relentless attempts to match her with two local bachelors, Mia discovers that a messy second chance is exactly what she needed.
This was a cute, witty romance – with a unique storyline. I enjoyed the banter between the residents and the FMC, along with the provided background stories for each of them. However, the love story missed the mark for me a bit, which is my main reason for the 3 stars. There was a confusing triangle element to it, and I felt some parts were missing to provide true closure on all sides. I agree with another reader (@Suz Jay) who noted in her review “I would have preferred less distractions and more focus on fewer characters, which could have turned this book from a good read to a great read.”
Thanks to Entangled Publishing/Amara and NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
This was a cute, witty romance – with a unique storyline. I enjoyed the banter between the residents and the FMC, along with the provided background stories for each of them. However, the love story missed the mark for me a bit, which is my main reason for the 3 stars. There was a confusing triangle element to it, and I felt some parts were missing to provide true closure on all sides. I agree with another reader (@Suz Jay) who noted in her review “I would have preferred less distractions and more focus on fewer characters, which could have turned this book from a good read to a great read.”
Thanks to Entangled Publishing/Amara and NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5 stars rounded down. Wreck My Plans is about Mia, who is a publicist who lost her job after her previous client has a major mess-up that she didn't react quickly enough to. In response to the burnout from her PR job and her current unemployment, she ends up working at the retirement community where her grandmother lives and trying to spruce up the community's reputation, while also trying to juggle living out her several grandmother's regrets so they can live vicariously.
The premise for this book was really cute, getting some meddling grandmas involved in your love and work life to try to set you on the right path sounds hilarious, but the pacing and mix of characters felt a little bit off for me. There were so many grandma characters getting a say in Mia's life that I started to lose track of who was who. Also, Mia's love interests feel like they're kind of on the back-burner and her attraction to them feels very tell and not show. This might be a good fit for someone, it just wasn't personally my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC!
The premise for this book was really cute, getting some meddling grandmas involved in your love and work life to try to set you on the right path sounds hilarious, but the pacing and mix of characters felt a little bit off for me. There were so many grandma characters getting a say in Mia's life that I started to lose track of who was who. Also, Mia's love interests feel like they're kind of on the back-burner and her attraction to them feels very tell and not show. This might be a good fit for someone, it just wasn't personally my cup of tea.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wreck My Plans is laugh-out-loud funny while still being incredibly tender and sweet. That balance is not easy to pull off, but Cindi Madsen absolutely nails it.
I immediately connected with Mia, especially when it came to her relationship with her grandmother. I had a grandmother who spoke her mind and never held back what she was thinking, so those moments felt extra real to me and made the story even more enjoyable.
This book does such a beautiful job of touching on two important themes at the same time: learning how to slow down and truly enjoy life (something Mia desperately needed), while also reminding us to live fully so we don’t look back with regrets later on; something the grandmothers in this story embody perfectly. The humor, heart, and wisdom woven throughout made this such a joy to read.
I loved every minute of this book and highly recommend picking it up when it releases on January 12, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
I immediately connected with Mia, especially when it came to her relationship with her grandmother. I had a grandmother who spoke her mind and never held back what she was thinking, so those moments felt extra real to me and made the story even more enjoyable.
This book does such a beautiful job of touching on two important themes at the same time: learning how to slow down and truly enjoy life (something Mia desperately needed), while also reminding us to live fully so we don’t look back with regrets later on; something the grandmothers in this story embody perfectly. The humor, heart, and wisdom woven throughout made this such a joy to read.
I loved every minute of this book and highly recommend picking it up when it releases on January 12, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 8, 2025
Wreck My Plans is the newest release from Cindi Madsen whom I’ve read in the past and really enjoyed. Unfortunately, this read just didn’t measure up to the previous books I’ve read by Ms. Madsen and I’m feeling kind of disappointed because the blurb really sounded like it would be a fun, playful read. At first, I thought the whole grandmother and aunts living in a retirement community would be hilarious to say the least, but honestly, I didn’t find it all that funny. And then I thought once I got to “know” this group of Mia’s relatives I would become invested in the story, but I just couldn’t connect for some reason. I don’t like to write negative reviews and because of that, I’m going to say that it just wasn’t my cup of tea, but it may be yours! If you usually enjoy Ms. Madsen’s writing, please don’t shy away from this one because of my review. Give it a chance – it might just be me. I’m grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
December 8, 2025
Wreck My Plans had me hooked from page one—because honestly, how does one NOT need to know every drop of tea behind something called Panty Gate?
Mia Andrews is a publicist and a workaholic, running on fumes while trying to prove herself in her career. She’s pouring without ever refilling her own cup… until one tiny incident gets her fired. Suddenly, she’s accepting a job at her grandma's senior living community.
The cast of elders in this story? Outlandish, vibrant, chaotic, and hilarious in the BEST way. I’m talking full-on menace-to-society grandmas. I am an absolute sucker for baddie grandmas.
The romance definitely takes a backseat to the hijinks, but a grumpy MMC, slow burn, and meddling grannies? Chef’s kiss.
This book had me laughing out loud, smiling like an idiot, and turning pages. If you love chaotic seniors and found family vibes add this one to your list.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley & Cindi Madsen for the ARC.
Mia Andrews is a publicist and a workaholic, running on fumes while trying to prove herself in her career. She’s pouring without ever refilling her own cup… until one tiny incident gets her fired. Suddenly, she’s accepting a job at her grandma's senior living community.
The cast of elders in this story? Outlandish, vibrant, chaotic, and hilarious in the BEST way. I’m talking full-on menace-to-society grandmas. I am an absolute sucker for baddie grandmas.
The romance definitely takes a backseat to the hijinks, but a grumpy MMC, slow burn, and meddling grannies? Chef’s kiss.
This book had me laughing out loud, smiling like an idiot, and turning pages. If you love chaotic seniors and found family vibes add this one to your list.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley & Cindi Madsen for the ARC.
December 10, 2025
I was a little nervous about Mia but in the end I found her beyond retable. She suffers from anxiety and OCD, and paired with her upbringing has lead to overachieving, perfectionism, and the lack of any sort of healthy boundaries.
The premise of this is so interesting. Truly there are some moments in life that carry more consequences, and unfortunately Mia found out the hard way. I am thrilled that she had her grandmas though; they really are ride-or-die. The granny bucket list was fascinating. The love story was slow burn but so worth the wait.
I also think the author did a wonderful job of portraying the difficulties of working with senior citizens; the stubbornness, the experience, and a bit of the recklessness. I genuinely enjoyed Mia's growth and development as a character.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The premise of this is so interesting. Truly there are some moments in life that carry more consequences, and unfortunately Mia found out the hard way. I am thrilled that she had her grandmas though; they really are ride-or-die. The granny bucket list was fascinating. The love story was slow burn but so worth the wait.
I also think the author did a wonderful job of portraying the difficulties of working with senior citizens; the stubbornness, the experience, and a bit of the recklessness. I genuinely enjoyed Mia's growth and development as a character.
Thank you Entangled Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
December 24, 2025
Wreck My Plans was such a fun, feel-good read. This lighthearted romantic comedy had me genuinely laughing out loud more than once. The premise of a granddaughter living with her grandmother in a retirement community was refreshing and unexpected, and it led to some truly hilarious moments and endearing interactions.
Beyond the humor and slow-burn romance, the story carries a lovely message about living life to the fullest at any age and embracing opportunities without regret. The residents of the retirement community add warmth and wisdom, reminding us that it’s never too late to take chances, fall in love, or shake up the plans you thought you had. The writing was easy to follow, great plot, memorable main and side-characters.
If you’re in the mood for something witty, uplifting, and easy to fall into, this one is a great pick. A joyful, laugh-out-loud read that earns a solid 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC.
Beyond the humor and slow-burn romance, the story carries a lovely message about living life to the fullest at any age and embracing opportunities without regret. The residents of the retirement community add warmth and wisdom, reminding us that it’s never too late to take chances, fall in love, or shake up the plans you thought you had. The writing was easy to follow, great plot, memorable main and side-characters.
If you’re in the mood for something witty, uplifting, and easy to fall into, this one is a great pick. A joyful, laugh-out-loud read that earns a solid 4 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own. Mia is a complicated character with trauma and a tough home life in her past. Her grandma has always been her person, and so, when she goes to her retirement community to start a new job (her last one was very unhealthy for her), we get to spend some time with all the old cronies who are a delight. I enjoyed the witty dialogue and the cast of retirement village characters. Mia slowly finds herself and also falls in love while also working to improve client numbers at the village and fulfilling some of the cronies’ unfulfilled dreams. It was a bit of a stretch to fit all that in one book, and I can’t say I found the basis of the love very convincing as they don’t spend a ton of time together (seems to me she’s just happy someone is attractive and attracted and nice to her), but I did enjoy it enough for 3 stars. FYI profanity, sexual situations, talk of STDs, etc.
December 11, 2025
What is not to like about a book that handles delicate themes such as being afraid you are broken, the desperate need for stability, the painful dismissing of other people’s struggles, acknowledging there are absurd expectations of girls in general… leaving the reader wonder indeed if the world doesn’t like girls at all?
Good thing I've got a special shelf on Goodreads for books that tells us we are good enough.
Admittedly, I do think the grandmothers were a bit much: opinionated and very much pressing Mia’s buttons. Even though well-intended, it did make me like them less than she did.
But hey, there was romance, self-discovery and lots of shenanigans, so all in all: no regrets :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Good thing I've got a special shelf on Goodreads for books that tells us we are good enough.
Admittedly, I do think the grandmothers were a bit much: opinionated and very much pressing Mia’s buttons. Even though well-intended, it did make me like them less than she did.
But hey, there was romance, self-discovery and lots of shenanigans, so all in all: no regrets :)
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
December 21, 2025
This was such a cute and hilarious read! Mia lost her job and takes a temporary position at her grandmother’s retirement community to try to fix the reputation of the community and get more residents. She quickly become victim to her grandmother and the other “bubbies” on their quest to get her to do all the things they never got to do. They force her out of her comfort zone and try to insist she has work/life balance by setting her up with two different men. This book is funny, heartwarming and emotional all in one. Definitely a cute read that shows that life is about more than career success. Often you find your place in the world when and where it’s not expected. Thank you Entangled Publishing & Cindi Madsen for providing a review copy.
December 29, 2025
Imagine Golden Girls vibes in a retirement community while being just a bit bolder, raunchier, and completely unapologetic.
The FMC's inner monologue was repetitive, but for anyone with anxiety, that's exactly how our mind works. Breaking out of those loops isn't easy. However, it leads to the grandmas playing a key role, nudging her out of her comfort zone, and reminding her that life holds more than just work. At the core of this story are the grandmas. Funny, chaotic in the best way, and rich with wisdom, sass, and love. They bring so much heart to the pages. It makes you want to be there. Sprinkled throughout is the romance that enhances everything and unfolds in a genuinely beautiful way.
The FMC's inner monologue was repetitive, but for anyone with anxiety, that's exactly how our mind works. Breaking out of those loops isn't easy. However, it leads to the grandmas playing a key role, nudging her out of her comfort zone, and reminding her that life holds more than just work. At the core of this story are the grandmas. Funny, chaotic in the best way, and rich with wisdom, sass, and love. They bring so much heart to the pages. It makes you want to be there. Sprinkled throughout is the romance that enhances everything and unfolds in a genuinely beautiful way.
November 29, 2025
3.25/5
This was another fun, easy, and quick to read story for me.
I love meddling old lady side characters. Who doesn't? They were so much fun. Retirement community drama is like none other.
I wasn't obsessed with this story, I did find it lacking in some areas. There was always something going on (which I liked), but it wasn't always relevant. Like at the start. Stuff was happening from the start, but it took a while for that stuff to be related to the main point of the story.
I did find the FMC to be a bit annoying at times, but it didn't take away that much from my reading experience.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was another fun, easy, and quick to read story for me.
I love meddling old lady side characters. Who doesn't? They were so much fun. Retirement community drama is like none other.
I wasn't obsessed with this story, I did find it lacking in some areas. There was always something going on (which I liked), but it wasn't always relevant. Like at the start. Stuff was happening from the start, but it took a while for that stuff to be related to the main point of the story.
I did find the FMC to be a bit annoying at times, but it didn't take away that much from my reading experience.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
December 2, 2025
3,5 ⭐️
This was a nice rom-com. The grandmothers definitely made it funny. Mia is lucky to have them. This book is pitched as a romance, but it does take some time for the romance to start, and the MMC is barely there at the beginning. Mia is a complex character and deals anxiety and OCD. I feel like the author did a good job in depicting them. Mia goes through a lot of growth during her time at Lakeview retirement community and I enjoyed seeing that. Overall, it’s a good rom-com that also touches on serious topics.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own
This was a nice rom-com. The grandmothers definitely made it funny. Mia is lucky to have them. This book is pitched as a romance, but it does take some time for the romance to start, and the MMC is barely there at the beginning. Mia is a complex character and deals anxiety and OCD. I feel like the author did a good job in depicting them. Mia goes through a lot of growth during her time at Lakeview retirement community and I enjoyed seeing that. Overall, it’s a good rom-com that also touches on serious topics.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own
December 3, 2025
Wreck My Plans was a fun read! There were some laugh out loud moments and I'll be honest, the grannies kind of stole the show...loved them!
It's kind of hard to classify this as a rom-com for me, just because the romance aspect really didn't come into play until well into the story. Yes, there was dating and flirting early on but the actually romance/love interest situation took it's time to develop. I actually preferred it this way. There was more of a focus on Mia and her personal growth and development. I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what the author has in store next!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
It's kind of hard to classify this as a rom-com for me, just because the romance aspect really didn't come into play until well into the story. Yes, there was dating and flirting early on but the actually romance/love interest situation took it's time to develop. I actually preferred it this way. There was more of a focus on Mia and her personal growth and development. I truly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what the author has in store next!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
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December 10, 2025DNF
Unfortunately, I was not connecting with the writing and found the characters a bit disconnected which made it hard to keep my interest. As a Floridian in health care, I’m well aware of The Villages, which was all I could think of whenever the fictional Lakeview Retirement Village was mentioned, so I wasn’t as surprised or amused by the quirky golf carts, loofah’s, etc. as someone who is less familiar. Overall, I’m sure the book will find its audience, and I can see its potential, but this one was simply not for me.
—
Thank you Entangled: Amara | NetGalley for this complimentary ARC - all thoughts are my own! 📚
Publishers release date 1/12/2026
Unfortunately, I was not connecting with the writing and found the characters a bit disconnected which made it hard to keep my interest. As a Floridian in health care, I’m well aware of The Villages, which was all I could think of whenever the fictional Lakeview Retirement Village was mentioned, so I wasn’t as surprised or amused by the quirky golf carts, loofah’s, etc. as someone who is less familiar. Overall, I’m sure the book will find its audience, and I can see its potential, but this one was simply not for me.
—
Thank you Entangled: Amara | NetGalley for this complimentary ARC - all thoughts are my own! 📚
Publishers release date 1/12/2026
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