The Planner

by Jen A. Durand

"There is nothing wrong with having a plan. Just keep it simple."

There was nothing simple about the plan Cain had proposed to Lilia Carriere. With the Christmas holiday baring down on her. She has to produce a boyfriend or end up her Mother's pet project list for the year. Beverly Carriere had decided her daughter needed to start on the marriage path.

Doctor Cain Farrow just need a few days in Meadow Memorial’s research lab. Unfortunately the hospital toughest administrator's approval was needed. Hardass Carriere ran the hospital with her take charge attitude and willingness to stand up to any doctor. But Cain had something she needed. So he struck a deal.

"I pretend to be the perfect boyfriend for one dinner and you approve my extra lab time. That way we all win.”

Little did he know that the founding member of Blue Grove’s Virgins Club was the girl he never knew he wanted.

153 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 7, 2016

About the author

Jen A Durand was born in New York. Her parents were immigrants turned citizens. She was raised in South Carolina by a single mother. One of five children and a current graduate student, she currently lives in NY with her books and wine. She writes as a release. She loves to read and wants to contribute to the literary world by providing a different view point. Plus, she has a lot of school debt. Joking! But not really. If you want to know more please visit www.DurandPublishing.net
Twitter: Jinxs_Corner
Instagram: NovembreRises
Facebook Page: Wintr's Homecoming
Pintrest: Durand Publishing or
Email: AndreaDurand32@gmail.com

Reviews

[Vera mallard · Rating 4 out of 5]

STORY-LINE THE PLANNER BY JEN A. DURAND:

In The Planner, we find Lilia Carriere. At work she's known as Hard A--- Carriere for her unbending rules and attention to detail. She has a plan for everything along with list, lots of list. She even had a 10 year plan on which all her goals except one have been met; a permanent man in her life with love like her parents. Unfortunately, her love life is nonexistent as she can't keep a man for more than a few weeks.

She and two friends jokingly formed the Blue Grove Virgin's Club as they are virgins, single, and man-less. At 28 her mother wants her settled, married, and having babies. Time at home with her parents, can be trying as they question and quiz her about her dating life; which doesn't exist. With no man on the horizon and family Christmas gathering around the corner she needs a stand-in man to take home to mama. Alas, where to find one?

Single Doctor Cain Farrow, needs Lilia to sign off on his request for research time in the lab; which she has denied. Deciding to strike a deal, Cain suggest, if Lilia will approve his time in the research lab, he will come to the family Christmas gathering as her boyfriend. Cain likes the look of Lilia but she is not his usual type of date. Boy, is he in for a surprise! My romance book review of The Planner follows.

CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:

Author Jen Durand create a wonderful romance between a man who some would term a player and the virgin of Blue Grove, North Carolina. Slowly building the attraction between Lilia and Cain, Durand allowed them to learn each other's likes, dislikes, dreams, and family history. Closeness breed friendship and friendship breeds love. Will Cain and Lilia find a forever kind of love or stay close friends?

Lilia has issues from the past she must face as well as her insecurities. Cain must decide if he is ready for a real relationship rather than work, work, work, and the occasional hook up. I loved Lilia's interfering noisy mother and her two friends were Rocks of Gibraltar; standing behind her but willing to take a risk for Lilia's own good. Throwing in a rival for Cain, Durand allowed him to face what he really wanted in life.

In concluding my romance book review of The Planner, I found the plotting was well done with pacing smooth and steady. Although I found a few very minor editing errors, they did not affect my enjoyment of this book. A solid romance, The Planner is perfect for a lazy afternoon read. Also, please note, this book does not contain erotica or explicit sex. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
THE PLANNER RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4

FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE:

Additionally, I borrowed this book from ----- and chose to voluntarily review the book with an honest romance book review. Lastly, reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. No one influenced my voluntary romance book review.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cain and Lilia story touched me so much as her family dynamics I could easily relate to.

Loved the way that they got to know each other.

Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeanne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Jen Durand; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the chemistry between the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria Elmvang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 3.5 star review. Rounded up, because I really was quite charmed despite the occasional eye-roll ;-).

This was a short and sweet novella. Filled with cliches, but I've never minded a good cliche, as long as it's well executed. I wasn't sure about neither Lilia nor Cain at first, but they both grew on me and I adored Prissy for being so no-nonsense about everything - I love friends like that :-)

I wish the book had been just a tad longer though. I was really disappointed not to see how Cain's visit with Lilia's family turned out. The pacing until then had worked really well, so it was a bit jarring to have the end come so abruptly.

The ebook version I received had quite a number of small mistakes ('two' instead of 'too', 'here' instead of 'hear', a random 'and' in the middle of a sentence etc.). Nothing major, so I haven't rated the book lower because of it, but enough that it became a bit of a game to find them ;-)

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute quick read.

Lilia has been set up on a blind date thinking this could be the one and she’d finally stop being the pitied little sister. Or she will end up being set with her mother’s pity list. After being stood up she comes up with a plan with a fellow work colleague who happens to be a Dr, in return for being the perfect date he gets the lab time that he needs to complete his research.

As the founding member of the virgin’s club Lila is holding out for the perfect man, Cain isn’t expecting to fall for her or wanting more from what she has offered but it soon becomes clear that they have growing feelings for one another. After a misunderstanding can they see how perfect they can be together…….

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would make an excellent Christmas movie! Christmas movies and stories are a weakness of mine and I dive into them from Thanksgiving till New Years. Mine is the house with 10 Christmas trees, lights everywhere, and Christmas villages on every bookshelf. So I will definitely be adding this to my yearly Christmas celebration. Although there are a few typos the story is a lovely romance. This writer has a wonderful style and a gift for bringing her characters to life. I'll be reading more by her!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading anything by this author and I though this was a really nice story. The main female character Lilia is a strong female who has been hurt in the past. Cain has recently moved to the area and is drawn to Lilia. The author takes the reader through the development of their relationship in a down to earth way. The characters dialogue is believable as are their actions. I love how this is so down to earth, believable and relatable to most people. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Jeanette Book-Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4 Stars!***

Review to follow shortly..

[L Holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me just say that this is my first time reading anything by this author. Even as I'm sometimes hesitant with trying out an author who is new to me, I try to go into a new work of fiction with an open mind. The Planner was a tough read for me because I didn't feel any chemistry between the hero and heroine. It felt like the author was working to get there, but the main characters never really experienced that slow burn to draw the reader into the story. I also felt like the heroine, Lilia, was not written as a multi-dimensional character, which is unfortunate because there could have been so much more to explore with this woman of color heading up a prestigious hospital department. One of the things that bothers me the most about this book is the author's use of formal dialogue. I can't point to any instance of dialogue where the author uses any contractions or slang anywhere in this work. I get authors using formal language in the descriptions of action, but no one speaks in proper English all the time. In my opinion, the dialogue just feels a bit stilted and distracting which trips up the reader. I applaud anyone willing to write a book and then put it out into the world for public consumption knowing that he/she may get negative feedback. I'm sure it's not easy to give of yourself in that way, but this novel is just not a good fit for me.

[JLH · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a compromise, Cain was getting when her offered his himself as a date for Lilia. She is the last of her mothers daughters who are not made it or has a boyfriend. When her blind date does not show up, she’s upset about this. But with mom‘s constant inquiries, she’s just stretched the truth and said that they were going on their second or third date. As a result she was to bring a date for Christmas. Cain overheard her having a conversation with her mom and because he needed research hours in the lab and exchange for being a date for Christmas. Once that starts she has made a plan in order to make sure as long as she makes it to Christmas whatever happens happens.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book quite enjoyable. Lilia is a strong character, single, and in need of a boyfriend at family's Christmas gathering. Dr. Cain Farrow needs Lilia to sign off on research time in the lab. He suggests that if she signs off on the lab time he will go to her family Christmas as her boyfriend. I loved Lilia and Cain's story, their character development and interactions. The story is well written and the story engaging. I recommend you read it for yourself you won't be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book seems to be apart of a series, it read as a stand alone. A story about Lila, who has a hard exterior at work, but doesn't have a lot of luck in love. After being stood up for a blind date, and caught in a web of lies to her worrysome mother, Lila and Dr. Cain work together to get through the holidays with her family.

It was a short, but cute story. I would like to have more on the story, especially what happens to them as their relationship develops.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every time you call yourself making plans something always goes wrong. Even the most thought out and organized plans can backfire on the best of us. It doesn’t even have to end badly. It could end in a HEA.

Cain and Lilah’s story will totally keep you on your toes. On to Book 2.

I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review.

[SEng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Lilia and Cain. She needs a date for Christmas to stop her mom from meddling in her love life. He needs extra hours in the lab that requires her signature. So when her date falls through, Cain offers to be her date in exchange for the lab hours. What they don’t count on is the attraction they feel for each other. I enjoyed this romance. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story with lots of lol moments. Enjoyed the theme and characters. Only wish this book was longer, I really enjoyed reading it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of the book started out good. There was good chemistry between Cain and Lilia. The build up to this Christmas dinner with Lilia's family was good then the book abruptly ended. So disappointing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story, written in the third person's point of view. I'm not the biggest fan of those, because it makes the story impersonal in my opinion. Plus the book suddenly ended out of the blue.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I've read written by Jen Durand, it was an interesting read.
The story line Was believable as was the chemistry. The characters were well defined.
The storyline believable. Enjoy

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.