The Plan

by Jenn Faulk

Eli Lucas and Charlotte Jackson have always had big plans.Succeed in business. Prepare for a bright future. Live the great American dream. Fall in love with someone somewhere… eventually.When life doesn’t go according to the plan, they both learn to put their faith in Christ, His plan for their lives, and each other…

Genres: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Christian, Contemporary, Romance, Fiction

332 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2016

About the author

Jenn Faulk is a native Texan who enjoys reading and writing chick lit. She's a pastor's wife, a stay-at-home mom, and a marathon enthusiast who loves talking about Jesus and what a difference He's made in her life. She has a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston and a MA in Missiology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

While all of Jenn's books are standalone novels with no cliffhanger endings, incomplete plots, or questions left unanswered, there is a suggested reading order that might be helpful as you get into the books...

Resolutions
Different Stars
Just Breathe
Best Day Ever
Even Still
Ready or Not
A Little Faith
Promises Kept
Beyond the Game
Just Friends
A New Tune
Pure Fiction
Home to You
Something Better
From Here on Out
Anywhere
Happily Ever After
Perfectly Pretend
Take Heart
So Like Us
Christmas Surprises
Tis the Season
The Plan
A Big Summer
Taking Chances
Destination Wedding
Crushed
Run (with L.N. Cronk)
Childish Ways
The New Girl
You and Me, Baby
Obsessed (with L.N. Cronk)
What a Christmas
Romance, Reality, and Blog Writers
Meet in the Middle
The Same Place (with L.N. Cronk)
Always
Lost and Found
Who You Know
The Mrs. Degree
You Again
Taken (with L.N. Cronk)
First Love
All My Days
Picture Perfect
Worth It
Wasted Time
Holiday Town
The One That Got Away
Meant To Be
All I Ever Wanted
Stuck on You
Pieced Together
Where You Are
Close Enough
All I Want for Christmas
Unexpected
Magical
Broken
Extraordinary
Wanted
Mine
More
Becoming Us (with Jaycee Weaver)
Maybe
Unmasked
Lucky
Called
Forever

Reviews

[AKA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical about this one even though I usually enjoy Jenn Faulk's books because Charlotte and Eli are both in relationships at the beginning. Charlotte's ends in a shouldn't-be-hilarious-but-is blaze of glory (the second hand embarrassment was so real). Unfortunately, Eli's lasts longer than I would have liked but it was never serious so I couldn't get annoyed with him (though I could have done without him tepidly kissing Alicia on page ).

This is the first time in a very long time that I have read a friends to lovers romance where the leads felt like genuine friends. It's clear that they are meant to be from the beginning but insecurity, fear, and leaning to their own understanding keeps them from really seeing what everyone else sees.

Eli was subconsciously waiting for Charlotte to notice him and Charlotte wasn't going to be with a guy who was more focused on success than on his faith. They both come to embrace God's plans for them individually and collectively.

We see the development of their friendship in a few flashbacks but the jump from "you're my bff" to "I love you" is on page and it's incredibly romantic. I liked them together and I liked "watching" them realize they could have everything they wanted. And Eli referring to Charlotte as being everything a man could ever want to her ex without even thinking about what that meant? That was fantastic.

I am glad I gave this one a chance.

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've read Craig and Hope's story in Perfectly Pretend, you've met Craig's brother Eli. This is his story. Faulk uses the "best friends finally figure out they're in love" trope again, but it's a fun read, and you get to follow up on lots of characters from other books. Good stuff on how God's plans are better than ours too.

[LaShunda · Rating 4 out of 5]

... I cant really ignore this any more. I love the characters and the story and the way a genuine faith in Christ is clearly portrayed as the characters try their best to honor God with what they are and what they have, but there are random question marks throughout the story and some paragraphs are so jumbled that I am inferring more of the story that actually reading it. There. I said it. And it's not just this book, all the ones I have read are pretty much the same.

BUT I am so charmed with what apparently is and isn't a series, that I must read more. Jenn Faulk has the ability to create characters that feel familiar and lovable and their stories are more than worth telling. Putting back on my blinders because really it's still a good read.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte and Eli ❤️

Sweet, fun story of two best friends who don't realize they are meant to be together. They even start seeing other people for a time, but both of those relationships are very casual with no affection or romance. Really laughed out loud at how Eli called Tyler stupid face so often lol

Unfortunately, dumbo Eli lets his go on for much too long. Really didn't understand that at all. Are all the Lucas men missing a few brain cells? Alicia was not very kind to him at all and wimpy Eli let her walk all over him.

Thankfully it all worked out in the end. Really wish there would have been a wedding...

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story and a Great Romamce

This book got a five star rating, because it hit all the areas of importance i.loom.for in a book. The book has a great storyline, great characters , the book is believable,it's a great romance that is well written and clean in nature. This book takes you several different directions, even the ending has a surprise.
I recommend you.read this book if you like romances with clean interesting romance that will keep you engaged though out the book, even to the end!
Hesustains

[Audrey Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sweet Christian Story

This is one of those sweet romance stories you don't want to rush through because they fall in love slowly.

And while the physical attraction is there, the more important piece is their strong friendship.

I can't wait to read Mark's story.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Enjoyed reading "The Plan". Love this authors' style. She keeps you entertained while telling a story. This one was really good without being to heavy or dramatic. Will look for more of her work.

[Julie Malcolm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to put down

[Toni Shiloh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is so fitting for the lesson in this romance. A sweet read.

[Shannon Sappington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engrossed

That's what I become when reading your books! I laugh, I choke up and I grin all in one book!

[Dawn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great clean tale

I loved reading this story. It had all the drama of a regular story line but written in a clean manner.

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series of books and the Lucas family.

[Erika Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the strong Christian tone. A few words I didn't care for. Written for adults, but well done.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read about two friends who don't realize what's right in front of their faces. They each have a plan but learn that the important plan is the one God has for their lives.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean, pleasant and re-readable. Enjoyable and author is new to me, I hope to read more of this series. Nice beach / fireplace read. Recommended for anyone.

[Dana Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Plan was so good!

I loved this story. It was funny, romantic and I even teared up once. This book has it all. I loved the hero and the heroine. This was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite by this author, but nothing wrong with it either. A little exasperating.