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This Was Not the Plan
From the acclaimed author of The Darlings comes an incisive, hilarious, and tender exploration of fatherhood, love, and family life through the story of a widower who has to become the father he didn't know he could be.
Charlie Goldwyn's life hasn't exactly gone according to plan. Widowerhood at thirty-three and twelve-hour workdays have left a gap in his relationship with his quirky five-year-old son, Caleb, whose obsession with natural disasters and penchant for girls' clothing have made him something of a loner at his preschool. The only thing Charlie has going for him is his job at a prestigious law firm, where he is finally close to becoming a partner.
But when a slight lapse in judgment at an office party leaves him humiliatingly unemployed, stuck at home with Caleb for the summer, and forced to face his own estranged father, Charlie starts to realize that there's more to fatherhood than financially providing for his son, and more to being a son than overtaking his father's successes.
At turns heartbreaking and hilarious, This Was Not the Plan is a story about loss and love, parenthood, and friendship, and what true work-life balance means.
Charlie Goldwyn's life hasn't exactly gone according to plan. Widowerhood at thirty-three and twelve-hour workdays have left a gap in his relationship with his quirky five-year-old son, Caleb, whose obsession with natural disasters and penchant for girls' clothing have made him something of a loner at his preschool. The only thing Charlie has going for him is his job at a prestigious law firm, where he is finally close to becoming a partner.
But when a slight lapse in judgment at an office party leaves him humiliatingly unemployed, stuck at home with Caleb for the summer, and forced to face his own estranged father, Charlie starts to realize that there's more to fatherhood than financially providing for his son, and more to being a son than overtaking his father's successes.
At turns heartbreaking and hilarious, This Was Not the Plan is a story about loss and love, parenthood, and friendship, and what true work-life balance means.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 26, 2016
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3925 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 420 reviews
November 24, 2016
This book was EXACTLY what I needed this week. While moments were tense and heartbreaking, overall this was an upbeat, sweet story that left me with a glowing feeling and challenged me to take a closer look at my parenting and where I might be lacking. Really looking forward to more from Cristina Alger!
With all the stress and drama of an unwanted kitchen remodel due to a leak in our slab, I was really needing the reminder of being thankful for what I have and this book was just the ticket. Watching the transformation that occurs in Charlie over the period of this book was touching and convicting; even though I'm a stay at home mom I found myself thinking of how many times I have passed my children's pleas to play, laugh, and giggle over for housework and errands that seemed so important in the moment.
I fell in love with the Goldwyn family from the very beginning; I loved how diverse, unorganized, and flawed each member was. Caleb was an absolute delight and I found myself taking notes from him on just how to be myself without giving a care to other's opinions. While there aren't many big twists or surprises, I still found comfort and joy in reading this book. And who isn't drawn in by that gorgeous cover?! So grateful to have found this book at just the right moment it was needed and cannot wait to find out if there might be a sequel?! :)
Many thanks to Touchstone for my copy; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
With all the stress and drama of an unwanted kitchen remodel due to a leak in our slab, I was really needing the reminder of being thankful for what I have and this book was just the ticket. Watching the transformation that occurs in Charlie over the period of this book was touching and convicting; even though I'm a stay at home mom I found myself thinking of how many times I have passed my children's pleas to play, laugh, and giggle over for housework and errands that seemed so important in the moment.
I fell in love with the Goldwyn family from the very beginning; I loved how diverse, unorganized, and flawed each member was. Caleb was an absolute delight and I found myself taking notes from him on just how to be myself without giving a care to other's opinions. While there aren't many big twists or surprises, I still found comfort and joy in reading this book. And who isn't drawn in by that gorgeous cover?! So grateful to have found this book at just the right moment it was needed and cannot wait to find out if there might be a sequel?! :)
Many thanks to Touchstone for my copy; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review.
October 8, 2016
I'm pleasantly elated from reading "This Was Not The Plan". Fiona approves!!!
Whose Fiona you ask? Fiona brightens your day. She's a terrific supportive friend. She always has your back. She loves you exactly the way you are. She totally approves of pink clothes and purple sparkly nail polish on little boys and she loves donut holes--the sugar kind--not the ones with jelly inside. Fiona is Caleb's invisible friend. Caleb, 5-years-old, can use a friend like Fiona --( in the same way readers can use a book like this sometimes....as its subconsciously a readers invisible friend, too).
It's an easy reading heart felt story with sympathetic main characters.
Caleb's mother died in a terrorist plane crash. His dad, Charlie works overtime on top of overtime -- recently having just put in 72 straight hours -not once coming home for dinner or breakfast to see his son. Caleb also lost his grandmother recently to cancer. With so much loss in Caleb's little life comes Auntie Zadie. Caleb's 'rock'.
Zadie is Charlie's twin sister. She moves into Charlie's apt. after, Mira died in the plane crash to be the full time caretaker for Caleb while Charlie puts in long hours at "Hardwick, Mays, & Kellerman.
Charlie is a terrific attorney. He worked his ass off for 10 years as a litigation lawyer in one of the most prestigious law firms in New York. He's up for partnership. The only other person up for partnership from the litigation dept. is Todd Ellison. Todd's father was responsible for forty percent of the corporate business. Needless to say, the partners treat Todd with kid gloves. Todd takes the cushy assignments. He's certainly doesn't have Charlie's back. Todd is the kind of guy the word 'sabotage' was written for. He's basically a lazy - asshole -riding off daddy's coattail. Between the type of guy Todd is--'malicious' --and a 'to cringe'- embarrassing -'to-die' - drunken speech Charlie delivers at an office party, ( yet next to Trump's speeches this 'fiction' speech- which is terrific- was almost 'tame').....however it gets Charlie fired!
After Charlie is fired, we know where the story is basically headed. .. yet we still enjoy the journey very much. Why? We 'feel' something. We feel a connection to the characters. We are rooting for the sun to rise -for a lifestyle transformation- for inner growth - for deeper love and bonding.
Some books are healthy for our hearts. This is 'that' type of book....with some funny lines and dialogue. Engaging --enjoyable....and a breath of fresh air from heavy serious plots.
Thank You Touchtone Publishing, NetGalley, and Christina Alger
Whose Fiona you ask? Fiona brightens your day. She's a terrific supportive friend. She always has your back. She loves you exactly the way you are. She totally approves of pink clothes and purple sparkly nail polish on little boys and she loves donut holes--the sugar kind--not the ones with jelly inside. Fiona is Caleb's invisible friend. Caleb, 5-years-old, can use a friend like Fiona --( in the same way readers can use a book like this sometimes....as its subconsciously a readers invisible friend, too).
It's an easy reading heart felt story with sympathetic main characters.
Caleb's mother died in a terrorist plane crash. His dad, Charlie works overtime on top of overtime -- recently having just put in 72 straight hours -not once coming home for dinner or breakfast to see his son. Caleb also lost his grandmother recently to cancer. With so much loss in Caleb's little life comes Auntie Zadie. Caleb's 'rock'.
Zadie is Charlie's twin sister. She moves into Charlie's apt. after, Mira died in the plane crash to be the full time caretaker for Caleb while Charlie puts in long hours at "Hardwick, Mays, & Kellerman.
Charlie is a terrific attorney. He worked his ass off for 10 years as a litigation lawyer in one of the most prestigious law firms in New York. He's up for partnership. The only other person up for partnership from the litigation dept. is Todd Ellison. Todd's father was responsible for forty percent of the corporate business. Needless to say, the partners treat Todd with kid gloves. Todd takes the cushy assignments. He's certainly doesn't have Charlie's back. Todd is the kind of guy the word 'sabotage' was written for. He's basically a lazy - asshole -riding off daddy's coattail. Between the type of guy Todd is--'malicious' --and a 'to cringe'- embarrassing -'to-die' - drunken speech Charlie delivers at an office party, ( yet next to Trump's speeches this 'fiction' speech- which is terrific- was almost 'tame').....however it gets Charlie fired!
After Charlie is fired, we know where the story is basically headed. .. yet we still enjoy the journey very much. Why? We 'feel' something. We feel a connection to the characters. We are rooting for the sun to rise -for a lifestyle transformation- for inner growth - for deeper love and bonding.
Some books are healthy for our hearts. This is 'that' type of book....with some funny lines and dialogue. Engaging --enjoyable....and a breath of fresh air from heavy serious plots.
Thank You Touchtone Publishing, NetGalley, and Christina Alger
October 3, 2016
When Charlie Goldwyn's beloved wife Mira, the free spirit to his workaholic lawyer, dies unexpectedly and leaves him with a young son, he does the only thing he can think of—buries his grief in work. He has a few years to make partner, so he gives his all, and it doesn't matter that he has no work/life balance—it'll all pay off when Caleb is older and they have the money for everything he'll want.
Charlie is lucky that his twin sister Zadie is willing to give up her own life in order raise his son, and while he means to be there for outings and parties, work always seems to get in the way.
Two years after Mira's death, Caleb is a sunny five-year-old obsessed with natural disasters, who has a penchant for tiaras, brightly colored clothes, tutus, and sparkles. And thanks to some ill-advised comments made during a firm cocktail party, Charlie is now unemployed, trying to make sense of his future, his son, and his guilt over Mira's death. His time with Caleb teaches him what a great kid his son is, despite his being barely there, and how much he embodies all of the things everyone loved about Mira.
Is he capable of being a good father, especially when his relationship with his own father barely exists? Can he get his old job back, or at least find a better one? Is financially providing for your child the most important part of parenthood? Will he ever be able to move on with his own life, and should he try? This Was Not the Plan explores all of Charlie's questions, as it shifts from the start of his relationship with Mira to the present day.
This book was so enjoyable, so sweet (not in a bad way), and even if it wasn't really surprising, I was hooked from start to finish. Charlie isn't an entirely sympathetic character, and you wonder if he'll ever be able to completely overcome the traits that made him a great lawyer but not always a great husband, brother, or son. But I really was enamored of the way his relationship with Caleb changed, and I particularly liked the way Cristina Alger treated Caleb's five-year-old flamboyance with respect.
A book doesn't always have to dazzle me or cripple me emotionally to make me enjoy it. This Was Not the Plan is a well-written, engaging, and extremely likable story about family, friendship, love, and finding hope again. It may not break new ground but it's definitely a good read.
NetGalley and Touchstone provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
Charlie is lucky that his twin sister Zadie is willing to give up her own life in order raise his son, and while he means to be there for outings and parties, work always seems to get in the way.
Two years after Mira's death, Caleb is a sunny five-year-old obsessed with natural disasters, who has a penchant for tiaras, brightly colored clothes, tutus, and sparkles. And thanks to some ill-advised comments made during a firm cocktail party, Charlie is now unemployed, trying to make sense of his future, his son, and his guilt over Mira's death. His time with Caleb teaches him what a great kid his son is, despite his being barely there, and how much he embodies all of the things everyone loved about Mira.
Is he capable of being a good father, especially when his relationship with his own father barely exists? Can he get his old job back, or at least find a better one? Is financially providing for your child the most important part of parenthood? Will he ever be able to move on with his own life, and should he try? This Was Not the Plan explores all of Charlie's questions, as it shifts from the start of his relationship with Mira to the present day.
This book was so enjoyable, so sweet (not in a bad way), and even if it wasn't really surprising, I was hooked from start to finish. Charlie isn't an entirely sympathetic character, and you wonder if he'll ever be able to completely overcome the traits that made him a great lawyer but not always a great husband, brother, or son. But I really was enamored of the way his relationship with Caleb changed, and I particularly liked the way Cristina Alger treated Caleb's five-year-old flamboyance with respect.
A book doesn't always have to dazzle me or cripple me emotionally to make me enjoy it. This Was Not the Plan is a well-written, engaging, and extremely likable story about family, friendship, love, and finding hope again. It may not break new ground but it's definitely a good read.
NetGalley and Touchstone provided me an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making this available!
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
August 14, 2017
Charlie Goldwyn was happily married and living in Manhattan while working at a prestigious law firm. Two years ago everything changed when he lost his wife in a plane crash. Following her death, he became immersed in his professional life. Charlie blocked all of his personal relationships including the one with his five year old son, Caleb. While pursuing a firm partnership, he missed his son’s fifth birthday dinner and other milestone events.
One evening during a firm party, Charlie has too much too drink and is asked to make a speech. His unprofessional comments about clients gets him fired after someone leaked the video online. Out of work, Charlie is forced to start a new chapter in his life as a father. He realizes that he has a lot to learn navigating pre-school along with other parents. Along the way he discovers a lot about himself which leads to important decisions about their future.
This book is about the difficulty of balancing a career while raising a family. The themes apply to all parents regardless of their profession. Cristina Alger's next book, The Banker’s Wife, will be released in the summer of 2018.
One evening during a firm party, Charlie has too much too drink and is asked to make a speech. His unprofessional comments about clients gets him fired after someone leaked the video online. Out of work, Charlie is forced to start a new chapter in his life as a father. He realizes that he has a lot to learn navigating pre-school along with other parents. Along the way he discovers a lot about himself which leads to important decisions about their future.
This book is about the difficulty of balancing a career while raising a family. The themes apply to all parents regardless of their profession. Cristina Alger's next book, The Banker’s Wife, will be released in the summer of 2018.
October 8, 2016
3.5 stars. This Was Not The Plan is a fairly formulaic book, but good enough in the genre to keep me happily reading and engaged. Charley is a 35 year lawyer with a job that has him working all the time. He's also a widower with a 5 year old son Caleb. Charley's twin sister Zadie, who is very sweet but chronically unemployed and somewhat disorganized, lives with Charley and Caleb and looks after Caleb. After an impromptu drunken speech Charlie gives at a firm event goes viral, Charley's life which is already only held together by a thread goes into a tail spin. The rest of the book focuses on how Charley puts the pieces back together. As I say, it's fairly formulaic, but it worked well for me because of the characters. Charley is a pretty nice guy, with a few flaws and blind spots. His son, sister and deceased wife are lovely and not too unidimensional. Some of how the pieces get put back together is a bit too smooth, but this fits with the likability of the characters. Don't read this book if you like your lighter reads to have an edge of nastiness, but do read it if you need something lighter with likeable characters. A Goodreads friend recently referred to a lighter read as a "palate cleanser", and This Was Not The Plan would definitely fit that description. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
February 22, 2017
Very funny and emotional at times. I really liked how "realistic" this book was, it wasn't your typical HEA and I think that's what I most liked about this book. Great book!!
February 25, 2016
Charlie is a successful guy, lawyer at a big time firm, up for a partnership... on the road to the big time. Sounds great right?
Problem is, he's never let himself grieve for and wife's deaths (not a spoiler, it says in the summary he's a widower) and he hardly sees his son.
After a speech at work goes awry, Charlie gets fired and for the first time, he's forced to slow down and figure out what he's going to do.
This was just a great story, the characters are done well and Caleb is such a cute kid! I loved how the story just goes seamlessly from one thing to the next without feeling contrived.
Loved watching Charlie spend time with Caleb,the moments with them brought a smile to my face especially the one but getting ahead of myself :).
A few times, I wanted to lock Charlie in a room till he sorted himself out... I could see why he thought the way he did, but he still had me worried for him a few times. Holding onto the anger, grief, and guilt isn't good for anyone.
Watching Charlie grow and relax in degrees over the story was rewarding. He fought some of it (stubborn fool haha) but I was proud of him for trying.
There are a few surprises and revelations along the way, one was regarding
Zadie, I think we would gotten along just fine. A wonderful, free-spirited, and loving person.
Wish we would have gotten to know Buck better but he seems like a good guy.
Caleb's dress sense... I applaud him for having the courage to his own person. :)
Moose: Such a fun guy, loyal and a big heart
There was one point where I thought Charlie was going in the wrong direction with a certain offer ... thankfully, that all worked out. I did mentally smack someone though *glares at said character*
A "life-affirming" story... in a way, one of those tales you can enjoy while sitting on the couch with a blanket and a hot drink. You get involved in the lives of these people straight away and root for them.
The ending was perfect, with a hint of possible romance ;-). I have a feeling everyone will be just fine.
Would recommend!
*One of those took-a-look-at-the-summary-and-it-called-to-me type of book*
Problem is, he's never let himself grieve for and wife's deaths (not a spoiler, it says in the summary he's a widower) and he hardly sees his son.
After a speech at work goes awry, Charlie gets fired and for the first time, he's forced to slow down and figure out what he's going to do.
This was just a great story, the characters are done well and Caleb is such a cute kid! I loved how the story just goes seamlessly from one thing to the next without feeling contrived.
Loved watching Charlie spend time with Caleb,the moments with them brought a smile to my face especially the one but getting ahead of myself :).
A few times, I wanted to lock Charlie in a room till he sorted himself out... I could see why he thought the way he did, but he still had me worried for him a few times. Holding onto the anger, grief, and guilt isn't good for anyone.
Watching Charlie grow and relax in degrees over the story was rewarding. He fought some of it (stubborn fool haha) but I was proud of him for trying.
There are a few surprises and revelations along the way, one was regarding
Zadie, I think we would gotten along just fine. A wonderful, free-spirited, and loving person.
Wish we would have gotten to know Buck better but he seems like a good guy.
Caleb's dress sense... I applaud him for having the courage to his own person. :)
Moose: Such a fun guy, loyal and a big heart
There was one point where I thought Charlie was going in the wrong direction with a certain offer ... thankfully, that all worked out. I did mentally smack someone though *glares at said character*
A "life-affirming" story... in a way, one of those tales you can enjoy while sitting on the couch with a blanket and a hot drink. You get involved in the lives of these people straight away and root for them.
The ending was perfect, with a hint of possible romance ;-). I have a feeling everyone will be just fine.
Would recommend!
*One of those took-a-look-at-the-summary-and-it-called-to-me type of book*
January 1, 2016
Cute, light-heatered read about a grieving widower who is forced to bond with his 5 year old son.
Charlie Goldwyn, a widower and single father at the age of 35, is an over-worked lawyer who rarely sees his son, Caleb.Exhausted and drunk,Charlie is forced into giving a speech at a work event, which results in his firing. As a result, Charlie is finally available to spend time with Caleb and while doing so, he learns to face his grief and embrace what's important in life.
This Was Not the Plan is an enjoyable read. I was rooting for both Charlie and Caleb! There are some emotional moments, but it is not too sappy. I recommend for a fun, light-read in 2016!
I won this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie Goldwyn, a widower and single father at the age of 35, is an over-worked lawyer who rarely sees his son, Caleb.Exhausted and drunk,Charlie is forced into giving a speech at a work event, which results in his firing. As a result, Charlie is finally available to spend time with Caleb and while doing so, he learns to face his grief and embrace what's important in life.
This Was Not the Plan is an enjoyable read. I was rooting for both Charlie and Caleb! There are some emotional moments, but it is not too sappy. I recommend for a fun, light-read in 2016!
I won this book from Goodreads in exchange for an honest review.
February 23, 2017
Kind of a sweet but quirky story with lovable characters
December 3, 2015
Ik dacht dat dit een dertien-in-een-dozijn romantisch verhaaltje zou zijn. Prima, want daar stond mijn hoofd naar. Het had ook alle ingrediënten in zich: een jonge weduwnaar die zich stort op zijn werk, een tweelingzus met een hoek af, een schattig zoontje die de draad kwijt is na de dood van zijn moeder.
Maar al na het eerste hoofdstuk wou ik vrienden worden met de personages. En was ik benieuwd hoe hun leven verder zou verlopen. Eerlijk, het is een dertien-in-een-dozijn boekje. Maar een goeike. Want Charlie, Zadie en Caleb werden voor een weekje mijn maten. En over mijn maten, niets dan goeds.
Maar al na het eerste hoofdstuk wou ik vrienden worden met de personages. En was ik benieuwd hoe hun leven verder zou verlopen. Eerlijk, het is een dertien-in-een-dozijn boekje. Maar een goeike. Want Charlie, Zadie en Caleb werden voor een weekje mijn maten. En over mijn maten, niets dan goeds.
February 15, 2016
I've delayed writing this review because I don't really have a lot to say about This Was Not The Plan by Cristina Alger.
It's a quick, light read populated by charming characters (especially young Caleb), but there isn't anything particularly unique or memorable about it. Perhaps it is because it features a single father in a role more often relegated to a single mother, struggling with the work/life balance and difficult relationships, that it is receiving rave reviews online, or perhaps I have missed some profundity.
Not a bad read, just not a particularly special one.
October 16, 2016
This Was Not the Plan is a sweet story about a dad, Charlie Goldwyn, whose life takes a sharp turn off the path he had planned for himself. The story opens two years after his wife has died. Charlie works all the time and doesn’t get to spend much time with his son, Caleb. Reaching his boiling point at a company party after too many drinks, Charlie makes a speech that gets him fired. As a result, Charlie ends up at home with his son; he gets to know Caleb and realizes all he has been missing. Caleb is a wonderful character that readers will completely fall in love with and not want the book to end. Cristina Alger writes beautifully, and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Thanks to NetGalley and Touchstone for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2017
Interesting vacation read. Solid characters and people, but the end and especially the resolution of the relationship with the absent father was over the top.
October 16, 2016
Wonderful book!! Single dad Charlie Goldwyn, whose wife, Mira, tragically died in a plane crash a couple of years back, struggles with trying to balance life while working demanding hours as a lawyer in a prestigious law firm in New York City and raising his precocious five-year-old son Caleb. Luckily for him, his sister Zadie helps out with Caleb's care. Unfortunately (or perhaps not), Charlie loses his job after making a not-so-great speech at an office party in a somewhat drunken state. Now having free time, although he is a bit obsessed about getting his job back, he finds becomes more involved with Caleb's care, daily routine and activities. It doesn't always go well and that is what makes this story so relatable and believable. A lot of us who are parents have been through those days of raising a five-year-old, the meltdowns, getting sick while in the car, and so many other things that go along with life with a young child. Caleb is a adorable, quirky and fun and I really liked the relationship he had with Charlie and also his Aunt Zadie. The touch of humor in the book was wonderful and I found myself chuckling quite a bit, especially with the getting-sick-in-the-car scene!! I loved Caleb, Charlie (once he had things figured out), and Zadie, and a couple of other characters as well, Charlie's friend Moose and Zadie's boyfriend Buck. This is a very well-written book!! Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Touchstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Touchstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 23, 2016
3.5 I loved this at the beginning. I love relationship/family regular old drama and this seemed like it was just that..which the story was. But. towards the end something kept annoying me.
So we have this guy who's lost his wife. She died in a plane crash and he's mourning her. He's also a lawyer working tons of hours and he has a son.
Charles also has a sister Zadie who is living with him because she doesn't have much direction in her life and she spent the past recent years taking care of their mother who was dying. Charles and Zadie are twins and they didn't grow up with their father.
So it seems that there are a couple of story lines.
1) that Charles needs to deal with his grief and figure out what to do with his life.
2) he gets fired from his job and his work was everything to him
3) his sister has a boyfriend and she wants to take a vacation with him and how will charles handle it because she is the babysitter
4.) their father shows up in their life (well Charles' life because their father was in Zadies life before)
5.) dealing with his son's grief etc.
6.) he got fired and it's probably something that was set up.
The thing is.. none of the characters were developed. The writing was ok but it seemed like a first attempt at writing not a whole fleshed out novel.
The premise is good and the characters were okay but that's it, just ok.
I liked it enough to finish it but the last 50 pages blew.
So we have this guy who's lost his wife. She died in a plane crash and he's mourning her. He's also a lawyer working tons of hours and he has a son.
Charles also has a sister Zadie who is living with him because she doesn't have much direction in her life and she spent the past recent years taking care of their mother who was dying. Charles and Zadie are twins and they didn't grow up with their father.
So it seems that there are a couple of story lines.
1) that Charles needs to deal with his grief and figure out what to do with his life.
2) he gets fired from his job and his work was everything to him
3) his sister has a boyfriend and she wants to take a vacation with him and how will charles handle it because she is the babysitter
4.) their father shows up in their life (well Charles' life because their father was in Zadies life before)
5.) dealing with his son's grief etc.
6.) he got fired and it's probably something that was set up.
The thing is.. none of the characters were developed. The writing was ok but it seemed like a first attempt at writing not a whole fleshed out novel.
The premise is good and the characters were okay but that's it, just ok.
I liked it enough to finish it but the last 50 pages blew.
October 14, 2016
This is a beautiful, beautiful book. Alger writes a 5 year old with expertise. Read the first sentence about Caleb and you are in love. He steals your heart from the very beginning. His father is a flawed, lovable guy who has to make mistakes in order to learn from them. Still reeling from the loss of his wife in a plane crash, Charlie is one hot mess. His twin sister is raising his kid while he slaves away at work, he often makes the wrong decision, but when one of those decisions leaves him with a lot of free time, he discovers what really. matters. A heart warming, coming of age for a father and son, I highly recommend this book. It's a keeper on my shelf.
January 20, 2016
This review was originally posted on [www.125pages.com]
This Was Not the Plan sounds like a it will be a basic overwhelmed single parent tale. Luckily it was so much more. Charlie has been just fine since his wife died. His sister moved in and took over care of Caleb so he could continue on his upward path to partner. He has a plan and as long as he sticks to it everything will be fine. But in one instance, everything changes and as his world falls around him, he will realize what is truly important.
Cristina Alger is a writer that can craft a rich tale out of a few mundane facts. The world she created in This Was Not the Plan was rich. The pacing was quick and never lagged and the plot was solid. The characters are where she truly shone. Charlie played the dissociated father perfectly, the side characters were well fleshed out. Caleb, in particular was a standout. A young boy who is trying to figure out his place in the world, he was a standout. The writing was great. Nuanced and vibrant, it took the story to a deeper level than I imagined.
I went into This Was Not the Plan thinking it would be a typical single parent romance and it was not, in such a good way. The interplay of the characters was fantastic and the dialogue was the key to making this a great read. I was expecting a HEA ending and I am so glad I did not get the one I assumed was coming. Cristina Alger crafted a fun and inventive read and I am glad I had a chance to enter into the world she created.
Favorite lines - You truly believe that family should always have your back, and that no matter what, everyone deserves a second, a third, and maybe a fourth chance. You know that time is precious and that you can’t waste a single minute of it trying to be someone you’re not.
Biggest cliché - "As long as nothing changes, everything will be fine."
Have you read This Was Not the Plan, or added it to your TBR?
This Was Not the Plan sounds like a it will be a basic overwhelmed single parent tale. Luckily it was so much more. Charlie has been just fine since his wife died. His sister moved in and took over care of Caleb so he could continue on his upward path to partner. He has a plan and as long as he sticks to it everything will be fine. But in one instance, everything changes and as his world falls around him, he will realize what is truly important.Cristina Alger is a writer that can craft a rich tale out of a few mundane facts. The world she created in This Was Not the Plan was rich. The pacing was quick and never lagged and the plot was solid. The characters are where she truly shone. Charlie played the dissociated father perfectly, the side characters were well fleshed out. Caleb, in particular was a standout. A young boy who is trying to figure out his place in the world, he was a standout. The writing was great. Nuanced and vibrant, it took the story to a deeper level than I imagined.
I went into This Was Not the Plan thinking it would be a typical single parent romance and it was not, in such a good way. The interplay of the characters was fantastic and the dialogue was the key to making this a great read. I was expecting a HEA ending and I am so glad I did not get the one I assumed was coming. Cristina Alger crafted a fun and inventive read and I am glad I had a chance to enter into the world she created.
Favorite lines - You truly believe that family should always have your back, and that no matter what, everyone deserves a second, a third, and maybe a fourth chance. You know that time is precious and that you can’t waste a single minute of it trying to be someone you’re not.
Biggest cliché - "As long as nothing changes, everything will be fine."
Have you read This Was Not the Plan, or added it to your TBR?
August 17, 2017
"Every day, the world will grab you by the hand, yelling, "This is important! And this is important! And this is important! You need to worry about this! And this! And this!" And each day, it's up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, "No. This is what's important." -Iain Thomas
Although not from this novel, that quote (A great one, eh?!) just about sums up this book. And I simply adore books about folks who finally figure out that you get to decide how you want to live your ONE LIFE. That work & being busy does not define you. It's okay to be happy with a calm, simple life.
Although not from this novel, that quote (A great one, eh?!) just about sums up this book. And I simply adore books about folks who finally figure out that you get to decide how you want to live your ONE LIFE. That work & being busy does not define you. It's okay to be happy with a calm, simple life.
October 21, 2016
Charlie's life isn't going as he'd planned -and he was a planner and a person who expected himself to excel at everything. At the beginning of the novel, Charlie's life is in crisis - his sister who had taken care of his 5 year old son for the two years after his wife died in a plane accident, needs some vacation. Charlie has barely had time to spend with his son because he works 70+ hours a week at his law firm. After being fired from his job when he made some remarks in front of partners of the firm, Charlie doesn't know how to live his life. He misses his wife and doesn't know how to live without the stress of his job and definitely doesn't know how to be a father to Caleb. The novel is about how Charlie - with lots of mistakes along the way - learns how to become a better father and how to relax and enjoy life.
I really enjoyed this book - it was a fun, light read. My favorite character was Caleb. At five years old, he has lost his mom and is obsessed with natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes) and is just a quirky young kid. His style of dress makes his dad nervous because Caleb loves to wear tiaras, tutus and bright colored clothes. The other characters - Charlie and Zadie, being the main ones - were great but Caleb was the star of the book.
I plan to order Cristina's first book because I enjoyed this one so much. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
I really enjoyed this book - it was a fun, light read. My favorite character was Caleb. At five years old, he has lost his mom and is obsessed with natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes) and is just a quirky young kid. His style of dress makes his dad nervous because Caleb loves to wear tiaras, tutus and bright colored clothes. The other characters - Charlie and Zadie, being the main ones - were great but Caleb was the star of the book.
I plan to order Cristina's first book because I enjoyed this one so much. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
January 11, 2017
When I began reading this book, I expected it to be entertaining and witty, which it is; but what blew me away about this book was how emotionally invested I became in the lives of these characters and their stories. There were laugh out loud moments, cringe-worthy moments, but what I will remember most about this book are the tender, heartfelt scenes throughout. Charlie Goldwyn became a single dad to Caleb after losing his wife in a horrific plane crash, but he is also a corporate lawyer working 100 hours a week with no time or energy left for his son. Following a drunken tirade during a party hosted by his firm, Charlie suddenly finds himself with nothing but time to spend with Caleb, and he's torn between finding another job to financially support his family and getting to know his bright, wonderful son. This novel is filled with endearing characters, and Charlie and Caleb and the rest of them will worm their way into your hearts. A heartfelt book full of wit and warmth, This Was Not the Plan is a compelling book about families, parenthood, and finding that perfect balance in our lives that we all strive for.
February 25, 2016
Soms moet een verhaal niet super avontuurlijk, spannend of vernieuwend zijn. Soms moet een verhaal gewoon een verhaal zijn met toffe personages die hun fouten inzien en duidelijke beslissingen nemen. Personages die een familie vormen waar je misschien wel deel van zou willen uitmaken. Personages die geen karikatuur zijn, maar gewone mensen met hun goede kanten en minder goede kanten. Ik heb meegeleefd met Charlie, Zadie en Caleb en heb genoten van dit boek. Het is geen literatuur met de hoofdletter L, maar een heerlijk ontspannend boek dat ik graag heb gelezen.
Ideaal voor de liefhebbers van Jonathan Tropper en David Nicholls, lijkt me.
Ideaal voor de liefhebbers van Jonathan Tropper en David Nicholls, lijkt me.
March 7, 2016
Destined to become a rom-com for the big screen. Jason Bateman has his name written all over the part of Charlie. Or maybe Paul Rudd or Mark Ruffalo? Thinking Rashida Jones or Aubrey Plaza for Zadie. Cue the Sara Bareilles music.
March 13, 2016
I loved this book! Cristina Alger's second novel is witty and heart-breaking at the same time. Her characters are perfectly drawn and the writing is assured and funny in all the right places. Highly recommended!
October 19, 2016
A lawyer’s drunken office-party speech is captured on camera and goes viral leaving him humiliated and unemployed.
In THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN (Touchstone) by Cristina Alger, Charlie Goldwyn has been litigating night and day for nearly a decade at one of New York’s top law firms, defending some of the guiltiest white-collar offenders. He’s making a boatload of money and hoping to make partner, but his home life has suffered. His wife, Mira, whom he rarely ever saw, died in a plane crash going to a wedding he didn’t attend, because he had to work. Now his twin sister, Zadie is helping him raise his five-year old son, Caleb who he rarely sees.
After working seventy-two hours straight on a big case and hoping to get home to recognize the anniversary of Mira’s death, he is forced to stay at the office for the summer associate’s welcome party. Charlie proceeds to have too many vodkas, and just as he’s about to leave, one of the partners calls him up to make a speech to the associates. Charlie is totally drunk and he gives an unfiltered, bitter speech about life at the firm and working for clients he knows are guilty, which goes viral and gets him fired. Immediately, he wants to get revenge on whoever uploaded the video.
Stuck at home with his son Caleb, Charlie thinks it will be a cakewalk, until he learns about Caleb’s obsessions with possible disasters, his need to wear girl’s clothing in pinks and purples and being a loner in preschool. Charlie quickly realizes being a full-time dad, may be tougher than litigating. He meets some fellow stay-at-home-dads and begins to take a closer look at the life he’s been leading. Revenge begins to look a little less important, as well as being a tough powerful lawyer.
“Maybe it’s time to do things a little differently….Maybe I need to loosen up.”
Zadie gets engaged and this initiates her and Charlie to get in touch with their estranged lawyer father in the city, who has never acknowledged them. It’s interesting to note that when people slow down, they can “look around and smell the roses.” It may be a simple concept, but unfortunately, few of us embrace this reality before it’s too late. Charlie is blessed to be given a second chance, and readers are able to take away what they want from his experience, while enjoying a beautiful novel.
THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN is a sweet story about fatherhood and family. Alger does a lovely job creating a menagerie of characters that are unique and fully developed. This novel is yet another example of how “untraditional” – the traditional family has become. A family today is whomever comes together to love one another. In this case: father, son, sister/aunt/wife, brother-in-law/husband/uncle and numerous friends. The relationship between Charlie and Caleb is warm and delightful. I promise you will fall in love with Caleb.
In THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN (Touchstone) by Cristina Alger, Charlie Goldwyn has been litigating night and day for nearly a decade at one of New York’s top law firms, defending some of the guiltiest white-collar offenders. He’s making a boatload of money and hoping to make partner, but his home life has suffered. His wife, Mira, whom he rarely ever saw, died in a plane crash going to a wedding he didn’t attend, because he had to work. Now his twin sister, Zadie is helping him raise his five-year old son, Caleb who he rarely sees.
After working seventy-two hours straight on a big case and hoping to get home to recognize the anniversary of Mira’s death, he is forced to stay at the office for the summer associate’s welcome party. Charlie proceeds to have too many vodkas, and just as he’s about to leave, one of the partners calls him up to make a speech to the associates. Charlie is totally drunk and he gives an unfiltered, bitter speech about life at the firm and working for clients he knows are guilty, which goes viral and gets him fired. Immediately, he wants to get revenge on whoever uploaded the video.
Stuck at home with his son Caleb, Charlie thinks it will be a cakewalk, until he learns about Caleb’s obsessions with possible disasters, his need to wear girl’s clothing in pinks and purples and being a loner in preschool. Charlie quickly realizes being a full-time dad, may be tougher than litigating. He meets some fellow stay-at-home-dads and begins to take a closer look at the life he’s been leading. Revenge begins to look a little less important, as well as being a tough powerful lawyer.
“Maybe it’s time to do things a little differently….Maybe I need to loosen up.”
Zadie gets engaged and this initiates her and Charlie to get in touch with their estranged lawyer father in the city, who has never acknowledged them. It’s interesting to note that when people slow down, they can “look around and smell the roses.” It may be a simple concept, but unfortunately, few of us embrace this reality before it’s too late. Charlie is blessed to be given a second chance, and readers are able to take away what they want from his experience, while enjoying a beautiful novel.
THIS WAS NOT THE PLAN is a sweet story about fatherhood and family. Alger does a lovely job creating a menagerie of characters that are unique and fully developed. This novel is yet another example of how “untraditional” – the traditional family has become. A family today is whomever comes together to love one another. In this case: father, son, sister/aunt/wife, brother-in-law/husband/uncle and numerous friends. The relationship between Charlie and Caleb is warm and delightful. I promise you will fall in love with Caleb.
February 11, 2016
Three and a half stars.
Charlie is a lawyer with all the perks- the nice office, the money, and is up for partnership. And Charlie is also a widower with a son he never has time for, until the bottom falls out.
Charlie gets to know his kid and himself. Characters our well developed and the story line is engaging.
A good read.
Charlie is a lawyer with all the perks- the nice office, the money, and is up for partnership. And Charlie is also a widower with a son he never has time for, until the bottom falls out.
Charlie gets to know his kid and himself. Characters our well developed and the story line is engaging.
A good read.
February 28, 2016
Two stars is actually a bit generous.
Promising plotline, but no nuance to the characters, too many slapstick mishaps and overly contrived. It felt like a dot to dot puzzle when you know what the picture is going to be way before you finish.
Promising plotline, but no nuance to the characters, too many slapstick mishaps and overly contrived. It felt like a dot to dot puzzle when you know what the picture is going to be way before you finish.
January 2, 2018
Good pace, lots of dialogue and humor, characters that are flawed but likeable, and a timely message for all - Man plans, God laughs.
May 18, 2022
This might have not been the plan, but it sure was a good book! Sweet, sarcastic and witty story about dealing with the ups and downs that life hands you. I laughed so hard at times that I cried and at other times, I just simply cried. Charlie is very relatable and funny. Good additional cast of characters. Enjoyed this read.
October 22, 2016
This Was Not the Plan by Cristina Alger is a recommended novel about discovering what is important in life.
Charlie Goldwyn works long hours trying to make partner at the Manhattan corporate law firm where he works. Charlie is a widow whose 5 year-old son, Caleb, has been watched/raised by his twin sister, Zadie, since the death of his wife, Mira, two years ago. After spending a long 72 hours at work to complete a big case, Charlie just wants to go home, but he has to attend a party for the new associates at the firm. He ends up drinking too much and making a speech that is brutally honest about life at the firm. His drunken speech was being filmed and is put on YouTube, where it goes viral, resulting in Charlie being fired from the firm.
Now that Charlie's free to watch Caleb, Zadie asks to take a little vacation, leaving Charlie totally in charge of his son. What Charlie wants is his job back. Even when Mira was alive, she was the caregiver, not Charlie. Now it's all up to him to become the father his wife wanted him to be, but the one he hasn't been. The forced time off from work will also give him a chance to grieve the loss of his wife. But there are a lot more surprises in store for Charlie as he learns to become the father Caleb deserves.
Even though Charlie loses his job, you know that nothing really bad is going to happen here. Anything really bad has already happened, off the page, and is only discussed now. Charlie is really the only well-developed character while the rest of the characters are more caricatures of a type of person. The narrative alternates between present day actions and Charlie's memories of Mira. The story heads in a predictable, familiar direction, which isn't always bad.
In the final analysis, this is a pleasant, feel-good book. The writing is good. There is some substance to the story even though it's meant to be and written as light escapism. Many reviewers liked this one much more than I did. To be honest, I didn't really like the free spirited character of Mira, which sort of put a damper on my enjoyment.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
Charlie Goldwyn works long hours trying to make partner at the Manhattan corporate law firm where he works. Charlie is a widow whose 5 year-old son, Caleb, has been watched/raised by his twin sister, Zadie, since the death of his wife, Mira, two years ago. After spending a long 72 hours at work to complete a big case, Charlie just wants to go home, but he has to attend a party for the new associates at the firm. He ends up drinking too much and making a speech that is brutally honest about life at the firm. His drunken speech was being filmed and is put on YouTube, where it goes viral, resulting in Charlie being fired from the firm.
Now that Charlie's free to watch Caleb, Zadie asks to take a little vacation, leaving Charlie totally in charge of his son. What Charlie wants is his job back. Even when Mira was alive, she was the caregiver, not Charlie. Now it's all up to him to become the father his wife wanted him to be, but the one he hasn't been. The forced time off from work will also give him a chance to grieve the loss of his wife. But there are a lot more surprises in store for Charlie as he learns to become the father Caleb deserves.
Even though Charlie loses his job, you know that nothing really bad is going to happen here. Anything really bad has already happened, off the page, and is only discussed now. Charlie is really the only well-developed character while the rest of the characters are more caricatures of a type of person. The narrative alternates between present day actions and Charlie's memories of Mira. The story heads in a predictable, familiar direction, which isn't always bad.
In the final analysis, this is a pleasant, feel-good book. The writing is good. There is some substance to the story even though it's meant to be and written as light escapism. Many reviewers liked this one much more than I did. To be honest, I didn't really like the free spirited character of Mira, which sort of put a damper on my enjoyment.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
February 28, 2016
Think of every type of New Yorker you just can't stand. Then think of reading 337 pages about them.
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