The Forever Plan

Landry Love #3

by Amy Alves

One broody bartender, one vet student returning home, one more chance at the forever they once sacrificed.

High school sweethearts don’t last. That’s what everyone told me after she left. Willa and I were supposed to, though. We had plans, goals, dreams. All of which went up in flames—as most things in my life tend to.
Like always, I’m fine. My friends and the nosey residents of Landry might not think so, but being dubbed the broody bartender has its perks—it keeps people and distractions away.
But then she walks into my bar.
Her beauty, her touch, it haunts me. Having Willa back here is nothing but a tempting distraction.
She returned home for her veterinary internship, and is relentless. She acts like we’re friends. No matter how much I glower, brush her off, or walk away, she’s always there. A cruel reminder of what could have been.
Of what may never be.
Because I have commitments. I’ve made promises. And they don’t include getting involved with Willa again, no matter how my body reacts when she’s around. No matter how her heated stares, alluring curves, and provocative sweetness call to me.
She might be the light to my darkness. The woman I still love. But none of that matters.
Because she’s not staying and I can’t leave.

THE FOREVER PLAN is a 80,000 word small-town, sweet but steamy, new adult, second chance romance.
The LANDRY LOVE SERIES is a set of interconnected, standalone, small-town romance novels with no cheating or cliffhangers, but always has a HEA.

Landry Love Series Books:
The Experiment (Book 1): Emma & Jess
The Denial Game (Book 2): Lauren & Taylor
The Forever Plan (Book 3): Evan & Willa

Genres: Small Town Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance, Romance

ebook

First published June 10, 2021

About the author

Follow her: https://amyalvesbooks.com/links
Amy is an avid reader of romance, fantasy, and science fiction. Fine, mostly romance, but she sprinkles in other genres now and then.
She began writing a couple of years ago and it’s been a journey she didn’t know she was meant to take. Now she writes the stories she craves and the characters she hopes are real to someone, somewhere.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING 4.5 STARS

The Forever Plan is book three in the Landry Love series by Amy Alves. If you enjoy small town romance, you really need to check out this series! This is a second chance romance and it was both heart breaking and humorous. Both sweet and sexy. It was wonderful!



When this story starts, Willa Moore and Evan James are in high school. Evan is a football player. He has a horrible home life, a drunk of a father who is also a trucker so he is away from home more than present. Evan has stepped up to care for his younger brother, while holding down a part time job and trying to get good grades. So there has been no time for much else. But he couldn’t help but to notice Willa when she tried out unsuccessfully for the cheer squad. She was awkward and adorable. He fell in love.



Willa on the other hand, has a wonderful home life. Her dad is a cop and both her parents are supportive. Willa loves animals and has dreams of becoming a veterinarian. This girl! I loved her so much. She knows just how to talk someone down, or talk them into doing just about anything. She takes her pets with her to help to calm people. She’s magical and wonderful. She’s everything Evan and his little brother, Trent, need in their lives.



Willa and Evan’s love is real and it’s forever. But circumstances interrupt their dreams. Life happens, and their forever plan is dashed. Hearts are broken. Evan’s life is in Landry, taking care of his brother. He’s bartending and providing the best life he can for Trent when there she is, in his bar and back in his life.

“You’re what happy and forever looks like.”



I just don’t want to spoil anything but these two were just so wonderful. Life wasn’t kind to Evan and his brother but you have to love Evan for his sense of responsibility. He went from a young man in love to a broody, grumpy bartender when Willa comes back into his life. Willa is nothing if not determined to turn things around. This really is a story of true love. I have to add that I adored Evan’s younger brother, Trent. The next book in the series is Chloe and Hayden’s story in book four, The Love Words. I can’t wait to read it.

“Always Willa.”

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Lou Loves Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

Landry is my favourite place, and Evan is my favourite grumpy bartender.
I also now have a new favourite vet!
Willa is the opposite of how we all know Evan to be. They balance each other out wonderfully, and are perfect for each other.
I started reading and fell in love with them both... then my heart was shattered!
I sobbed my heart out. I was a complete mess.
Then my heart got mended piece by piece, and I am once again whole (and still completely in love with the residents of Landry)!
I can't wait for the next trip back to town ❤🥰❤

[Renee (BookLoveWithRenee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever Plan • The Landry Love series - Book 3
*ARC Review*
🌟🌟🌟🌟
@amyalves.author

I just love all these Landrians so much! Evan and Willa’s story is so angsty and emotional. Evan is swoon-worthy, but you’ll want to smack him. This is such a great next installment with the Landry crew. Amy’s writing never disappoints ❤️

[loves.romance.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded up

Despite this being book 3 in a series and not having read the first two books I really enjoyed my first visit to Landry. The two main characters Willa & Evan were just *chefs kiss* Their high school romance was just beautiful but the second chance part of the book just *ugh* I looooooved it. Be still my heart!

Evan, oh my darling Evan, I just want to take you home and look after you (and some other not so PG stuff obvs! Come on, he's FIIIIIIIIIINE as all hell!) I love me a grump and Evan is right up there with the best of them.

Willa was a kickass heroine. Sometimes I find it hard to connect to the "sunshine" in stories like this. I find they are a bit too opposite our H but Willa is the perfect mix. She is just so perfect for Evan. I think I developed a girl crush!! I loved her feistiness,her strength, her all round kindness. She was written with such heart. I loved her almost as much as I loved her surly grump of a bartender lol.

Evans brother Trent is a great character too. I'd love to see more of him in the rest of the series.

Just a heads up for anyone yet to take a trip to Landry, I can tell I would gain even further enjoyment from this book had I read the first two books so I'm off to enjoy the previous two books now cause I haven't had my fill of the antics in Landry quite yet.

Thanks to the author for gifting me with an early copy.

[Jenny The Spine Is Stitched · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥🔥🔥

When I say I’m obsessed with @amyalves.author Landry Love Series thats an understatment. Each book is wildly different, and amazingly awesome.

The Forever Plan was no different. I had a frown on my face 50% of the book, was heartbroken by the events that lead Evan to change his plans. The other 50% had a huge smile on my face when Evan was able to get his Forever plan.

You can tell from the beginning that Evan is just a amazing guy.

Willa just makes you want to be her friend. She is the sweet girl with sass!

I love when a series has crossover characters!

This book can’t be decribed as anything other than amazingly sweet.❤️

[Liz Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance romance is my jam so I was happy to read this from a new-to-me author. It is a poignant story about a young man yearning for love and stability after making an extreme sacrifice, and a young woman who can provide it but is wary at first about admitting her true feelings to him. The characters and settings are well-crafted, although the back-and-forth nature of the story telling took me out of the narrative at times. I recommend this book to anyone who likes low to low-medium heat, super angsty, "grumpy/sunshine," second chance stories.

[annasbook nookk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished The Forever Plan and really enjoyed.
It was heartbreaking in some parts.
Great lead characters that suit each other perfectly.
I cried over Willa's heartbreak.
Evan made me want to throw my kindle as he had stubborn streaks lol.
The plot was good, well written and addictive.
Bring on the next Landry book.

[READ ME ROMANCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

We meet Evan and Willa in the beginning of this series, but the Forever Plan is a standalone if you want to dive right in as the author easily re-introduces you to the key interconnected characters we came to love in the Experiment and the Denial Game.

I love how they met in high school and became friends. Each had their own issues. Evan and his younger brother Trent were living in a very toxic household with their alcoholic father after their mom passed away, and Willa was the smart, nerdy type, working hard in school to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She was mature beyond her years and had so much love and compassion in her heart.

I loved how her parents were together and stepped in to help and serve as positive role models. Love this small town of Landry, and how these two were friends who became lovers with a very deep connection. The author does a wonderful job describing their feelings with many witty as well as heartbreaking moments. All the feels!

Evan makes they ultimate sacrifices to protect and care for his brother, and so that Willa may pursue her graduate studies with no distractions. I just loved him and my heart bled for him. I could empathize with him because my mom passed when I was young, and my husband was an alcoholic and I had to make the tough decision to leave for our safety and well being.

I also really loved Trent who was a senior in high school on the hockey team! The growth and change in this young man also tugged at my heartstrings and I loved his meddling and sense of humor. Hope Trent finds love one day in the future too!

Willa was such a strong, determined young woman, and although this book got off to a slow start to set the background, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and she showed Evan time and time again that she was here to stay and love him unconditionally. It was really beautiful and very emotional to read, proving that true love does stand the test of time.

[Mónica López · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The thing about dreams is they are worth only as much as the emphasis you put on them.”
- Amy Alves; The Forever Plan

Ok! So I just finished The Forever Plan by Amy Alves and this book; this book is AMAZING!

I love the way Amy builds the story, the characters, everything. The only thing that I don't like about this book is that Evan is not real. Like I really, really want an Evan for myself! Amy, can I have him?

And Willa, she's an amazing, strong, funny, sweet, badass character, I just love her.

So I just wanna said thank you Amy for writing such remarkable stories, and allow us to escape for a couple of hours to this magnificent world that you create.

Thanks to Amy Alves for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Spanish Review:

Ok! Acabo de terminar de leer The Forever Plan y puedo decir que estoy completamente enamorada de este libro, de los personajes, y especialmente de la forma en la que Amy escribe estas historias.

Debo de agradecer ya que siempre nos brinda historias muy cautivantes, y que nos enseñan lecciones importantes.

Muchas gracias Amy por escribir estás historias Yam increíble pero en especial por ayudarnos a escapar un poco de la realidad en la que se ha estado viviendo.

¡Feliz Lectura!

[Michelle Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so happy to be back in Landry and officially have a new favorite couple! I think I say that with every new book release for Amy - she does such a fantastic job with her character development and makes them so loveable and draws you in so that you can't help but be deeply invested in their story.

Evan and Willa are that couple that you just know are destined to be together. But of course, life gets in the way of that and they have to work their butts off to get that happy ever after. Evan is an absolute martyr that puts everyones needs before his own. He also carries a lot of guilt for past actions, or inactions.

Willa know what she wants and after some encouragement she goes right after it. She knows what she has to do and isn't afraid to go after it with passion and not taking no for an answer. I love the growth that they both went through individually and as a couple.

I LOVE the side characters and hope that Trent gets his own story at some point! It was so fun to see Lauren and Taylor and Emma and Jess again too.

Another amazing job Amy! I can't wait to see what comes next in Landry.

[Danielle Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was more than a little excited to head back to Landry for the third book in the Landry Love Series, Evan and Willa's story.

I'm a big new adult romance fan, so I was thrilled that the first few chapters of the book centred on the early stages of Willa and Evan's romance when they were teens. Amy really showcased the passion and desire between the two, and I loved that Willa breezed into Evan's life like a breath of fresh air and gave him the chance to behave like a carefree teen for a while.

The connection between the two was beautiful and intense, and even though I knew it was coming, it still hurt my heart a little when Evan did what he believed was the right thing to make everyone else happy. There may have been a few occasions when I wanted to shake the grumpy bartender with a heart of gold.

I sped through the pages of this book, delighted at Willa's perseverance and desperate to get to the HEA these two deserved.

This book is yet another great addition to the Landry Love Series!

[Devin Sloane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just preface this by saying that I already knew I would love this book going in. I’d read The Experiment, an all-time favourite, as well as The Denial Game, also a hoot. I’d already met the grumpy bartender, and adored his younger brother. The town of Landry was on my list of imaginary places I wanted to live, and I even wanted I join the legendary book club. I had big expectations for The Forever Plan going in, and I was not disappointed.
Amy Alves has a way of skewering the reader with the sharp end of a well written scene, then making them laugh ten minutes later. Evan and Willa travelled a tough road, pulling me along on a rollercoaster of emotion, that made me both laugh and cry. At times I wanted to shake some sense into somebody, but in the end, Alves soothed all my ruffled feathers. I got to check in with old friends from The Experiment and The Denial Game, and added Willa, Trent, and Evan to a beloved list of characters. I’m very much looking forward to Alves’ next book in this series, as always, with high expectations.

[FunUndertheCovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional ride!

I fell in love with Evan and Willa immediately, I mean, how could you not?! He’s an adorably grumpy bartender who goes above and beyond for his younger brother, while she’s the absolutely sweetest person who everyone loves, and that everyone includes all four-legged furry critters.

Their forever love veered off their forever plan...different paths, different futures and lots of tears. I wanted to hug Willa and smack Evan. I was not okay! My heart broke right along with theirs.

Years later, it seemed like a second chance just might be in the cards, but Willa just needed to get through all of Evan’s broody stubbornness first...a task only she could handle.

Amy Alves gives us enough entertaining wit and humour throughout all the emotional angst to get us to the HEA with our hearts intact.

So sweet, so steamy, and with so much heart...love love loved it!

[HarleQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story about the difficulties of growing up. Kudos for a very well-written love story that handles the effects of alcohol and child abuse. How support is such a key part for the abused who often act out as silent plea for help. Two brothers start spiraling out of control at different points in their life until they get the support from caring people. It definitely takes a village to raise them.

Evan's unexpected and life changing support system is Willa. Will as teaches the brothers about unconditional love and is often the much needed buffer handling the abuser. Evan is a bit too selfless which Willa and his brother try to get him to recognize.

The narrative describes mental and physical abuse but is not extremely graphic. Hopefully this is not a trigger for readers and this is a wonderful, great read.

I received an ARC and this is a voluntary review.

[Jennifer Felderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance romance in Landry. Evan’s love of his life is Willa, who’s adorable, great at defusing a hot situation, and loves animals. She has plans for her future, and those plans have always involved Evan. We know Evan from previous Landry books to be grumpy, but this books shows why.

Evan’s entire world changed in one day, when he realizes that his little brother is about to be homeless and he will do anything to keep that from happening…even give up his entire life…including Willa.

This book makes you want to swoon, clap for Willa and how optimistic and driven she is to fight for what she loves. I loved the next installment of the Landry series. This is very slow burn, but the make up sex is well worth it.

3 cheers for the Landry characters, they are one my favorite small town romance series.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forever Plan is the third book in the Landry Love Series . It was everything I could have asked for and more . This is a second chance romance , that focuses on Evan and Willa high school sweethearts . Unfortunately certain things happen that get in their way and things do not end up as planed or hoped for . Fast forward years later and Willa is back . They once again come face to face . This was such a emotionally beautiful love story . There is a back story to why Evan is the way he is , so many moments by heart broke for him . Willa is full of sunshine . This is definitely not a easy love story , there are plenty of obstacles they must overcome. This was such a awesome book , it should not be missed ❤️

[Sara Toerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good read! Evan is the embodiment of “If you love something let it go” as he makes some difficult decisions after being dealt an almost impossibly rough hand. Willa though is one of those characters that is sweet, sassy, full of heart, but very stubborn who won’t let Evan just walk away even though his heart is in the right place. These two characters are not only opposites that attract, they are also opposites that complement each other. I’ve loved all the Landry books so far, but this story really spoke to me as we are able to see two people love each other through the craziness that is life. If you love broody but loving men, animal obsessed and sassy women, sweet love stories with some steam then this book is definitely for you!

[LivingLovingReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything! I have had a soft spot for Evan since I first met him, but reading his story and reading everything he went through, everything he gave up, broke my heart. He is the absolute best, even if he’s a stubborn male who thinks he knows it all. I’m so glad Trent got involved and started his scheming because Evan and Willa are amazing together! I love that she never gives up on him even when she thinks she did! This book is one of my new favorites! I love them! You will not be able to read this book and not go through the heartache with them, not pull for them to win in the end, and not celebrate when they finally do!

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an unexpected emotional ride! I wasn’t prepared for all that this book was. Evan and Willa’s love started in high school when she invited him to come pet her kitty. The book tells the journey of their love in high school, the trouble that they had along the way, their college careers and eventually the end of their relationship. Evan and Willa thought they would be together forever but when things get in the way of their plans they are going to have to find their way back to each other and make a new Forever Plan. This book is an emotional journey dealing with hard family problems, sweet coming of age love and a second chance romance.

[thenerdybookworm_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Forever Plan is the 3rd book in the Landry Love series. This is a wonderful second chance romance.

Evan and Willa were high school sweethearts, with everything to gain and nothing to lose. Unfortunately things didn’t work out and now years later Willa is back in town.

Evan’s story hurt my heart and we learn why he is the way he is. Willa is the sunshine to his grumpiness and Evan’s perfect match. These two are put through the ringer, and in the end they come out stronger than ever.

This story was wonderful, I love all characters, and if there was ever a second chance romance to read The Forever Plan would be it.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evan and Willas story is beautiful. Of course you have to throw some heartache in there because it makes a good romance book 💙 For Evan family comes first and he “gives up” the love of his life to take care of his brother. If that doesn’t say commitment I don’t know what does. Willa goes off to love her dream but returns to Landry. Willa is a strong female character and once she has her sights on getting Evan back nothing will stop her.

[Barb Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a heart warming , heart breaking & funny story cannot wait for Trent's story it is a great writer who can make a secondary characters so loveable as a minor character that you look forward to reading their story with great anticipation. This is a story asking What would you sacrifice for the love of family ? , love and love lost love found again love redemption, forgiveness.

[Rachel - Read with Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great second chance romance! I loved coming back to Landry and adored Willa and Evan. I loved that we got to see the past and the present. It was very well done and brought me all the emotions. I laughed, I cried, and was definitely rooting for Evan and Willa the whole time. I can’t wait for book 4!

[Andrea Wimmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the feels and the tears🥺🥺🥺 I loved this second chance- grumpy/sunshine romance SO FREAKING MUCH!

I loved how emotional and deep this book was, the hard decision making, the importance of family and the loyalty that comes from that love.

Evan and Willa stole my heart from the very start! Their friendship and teenage love was so purr and it progressed beautifully as they grew up and learned together. I was able to empathize with both Evan and Willa in many ways, I felt the love they had for each other and the connection they shared, even though they had so different personalities.

Evan was so loyal and protective! I loved his relationship with his brother and how caring he was for him. He wanted to give him everything he didn’t get from his own dad and wanted to put Trent in the forst place always. That made me love him so much but at the same time broke my heart as he had to take so many tough decisions that affected Willa. He was the cutest grump with the biggest heart!

My heart was shattered for Willa a gazillion times! She was so positive and bubbly! Her passion for animals was so adorable and her love and patience for Evan was magical. I loved seeing her believing in their relationship even when it all seemed dark. She always saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

I have to mention Trent (Evan’s brother), he definitely was the best brother, I loved seeing him maturing as the story flowed, he loved Evan and Willa and wanted their happiness. I’m honestly hoping we can get his story and his own hapoy ending in the future!

This book was H O T🔥 the chemistry was off the charts and the intimacy they experienced was so swoony because of all the struggle they had to overcome in order to be together.

This book made me smile hard, cry and swoon. It was filled with true love and the hope it brings us when it keeps the faith!

Many thanks to Amy Alves for gifting me an early copy of this book!

[Lexy Dorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review

In the third installation of the Landry Love series, author Amy Alves gives us the story of the town’s broody bartender, Evan. Filled with the same small town charm as the rest of the series, The Forever Plan delivers steamy passion, second chances, and a few too many adopted furry friends.

Evan and Willa have been inseparable since high school—they’ve battled the ups and downs of Evan’s family situation, managed long distance, and supported each other through the thick of it. But when an unforeseen circumstance draws Evan back to Landry, his and Willa’s relationship gets put to the test, with neither of them knowing how things will play out. And with responsibilities coming to the forefront, putting love and future plans on the back burner, Evan and Willa need to decide if their love is strong enough to break the fall.

It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once the ball started rolling I fell SO hard. I loved Willa and her sweetness and her never-ending love for animals. And, of course, Evan’s broody bartender persona was the icing on the cake. This story is a tale of sacrifice, selflessness, and putting the ones you love before yourself. You can sense the longing and hurting within the Evan and Willa’s internal dialogue, especially when they began interacting with each other again. The slow burn was exquisite, and the animal calming techniques ingenious. It had me laughing, aching, and swooning all the way through.

If you’re looking for a small town, second chance love story, The Forever Plan is a great choice! And if you’re wanting to sink your teeth into a new series, I highly recommend the Landry Love Series. Believe me, you’ll love the quirkiness of this small town and its people.

[Lindsey Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Forever Plan • Amy Alves • June 10

High school sweethearts Willa and Evan have it all planned out, finish high school, attend college, for Willa her top choice veterinarian school in New York and for Evan he just wants to see her dreams come true and eventually buy lots of land for all the animals she plans to save and adopt. Unfortunately there is trouble at home and Evan has to stay behind and put his dreams on hold. After a few years Willa comes back and she is determined to get those goals and plans her and Evan always talked about back on track.

Now I must say this is the third book in a series and I wasn’t able to read the first two books but it is possible to read as a stand-alone book.

Overall I thought this book was alright. Near the end is when I finally did start to enjoy the book.
In the first couple chapters I found it a little hard to follow along it seemed like we were jumping back and forth but that didn’t last long. I felt that Evan was controlling as he didn’t include Willa in any decisions. I did enjoy when he finally comes to realize with the help of some friends that he needs to include her and communicate with her but that was basically near the end.
There definitely was some steamy moments 🔥🔥 however the moments they were still in high school didn’t make me feel a little uncomfortable.
Overall the only part I really enjoyed about this was the ending how finally everyone’s plans aligned.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I struggled with the first part of this book but I think that’s on me. It was about high school and college love affairs and as a public school employee at the end of a school year, I just am worn out by such children!! However, I enjoyed the second half of the book and the growth of the characters. It made me want to read more of this author’s books (this was my first one).

[Quinn Fforde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Willa and Evan's story. They had so many obstacles in their path, but determination and good friends saw them through. I was glad that the story was written over time so that we could see what they were like through each phase instead of just being written about as memories. It made the story richer and helped me feel along with them.

[Claire Hatwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, to be honest, I didn't think I'd enjoy this book as much as the last two in the Landry Love Series, mainly because we'd already met one of the characters.

I have to tell you though - it was probably my favourite of the three. I really enoyed it, and it was so real. You just root for the characters.

Great job Amy - looking forward to your next book! :)

[evieo17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Evan. Always getting the short end of the stick but sometimes I wanted to smack him upside the head for being so stubborn but you have to love a guy for making so many sacrifices. I’m glad that they got their HEA in the end.