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Safe Harbors #1
A Change of Plans
It was a relaxing vacation-until the pirates. And the shipwreck. And the falling in love.
Lyn North just wants to move past the anniversary of her heartbreak. Swearing off any romance, she embarks on a South Pacific cruise. But the handsome surgeon in the cabin next door revives emotions she's tried to forget.
Braedon Randolph desperately needs this vacation to escape his workaholic life. He finds himself captivated by the beautiful schoolteacher next door. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, he moves to take their relationship beyond friendship and is surprised when Lyn ghosts him-hard to do on a small ship. Yet the haunted look in her eyes draws him closer and awakens a need in him to protect her.
Then they're thrown together on a snorkeling excursion where paradise turns to piracy. With the man she rejected, Lyn must fight for survival through storms, sharks, and shipwreck-while her heart whispers she may have been wrong.
Books in theSafe Harbors Series
A Change of Plans (#1)
Torn Canvas (#2)
Swing Vote (#3)
The Widow and the Professor (#4)
Whispers of Forever (#5)
Lyn North just wants to move past the anniversary of her heartbreak. Swearing off any romance, she embarks on a South Pacific cruise. But the handsome surgeon in the cabin next door revives emotions she's tried to forget.
Braedon Randolph desperately needs this vacation to escape his workaholic life. He finds himself captivated by the beautiful schoolteacher next door. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, he moves to take their relationship beyond friendship and is surprised when Lyn ghosts him-hard to do on a small ship. Yet the haunted look in her eyes draws him closer and awakens a need in him to protect her.
Then they're thrown together on a snorkeling excursion where paradise turns to piracy. With the man she rejected, Lyn must fight for survival through storms, sharks, and shipwreck-while her heart whispers she may have been wrong.
Books in theSafe Harbors Series
A Change of Plans (#1)
Torn Canvas (#2)
Swing Vote (#3)
The Widow and the Professor (#4)
Whispers of Forever (#5)
Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2013
384 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Donna K. Weaver
87 books459 followersUSA Today best-selling and award-winning author - wife-mother-grandmother-Navy brat-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd-online gamer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
July 4, 2019
This is weird for me to be writing this since I'm the author. What I'm reviewing is the audiobook. I'm a huge audiobook lover, and I'm picky about narrators.
As authors, we create this world in our minds. We know how we think each of the characters are saying things, the emphasis they give.
I've heard many other authors say they hate hearing their books in an audiobook. So, it was with some trepidation that I started listening to Karen Kruper's interpretation of MY characters.
It was such a relief because I really enjoyed it! Kruper catches Elle's bubbly enthusiasm, Lyn's more low-key tone, and Braedon's seriousness. She gives Jori a fun Finnish accent, Jimmy a great Texas drawl, and Maria a Spanish accent. Jack's voice is rougher and gruffer, just like it should be. Emily was brisker than I had imagined, but it fit her character, so I was able to move easily from the voice in my head to the one in my ear.
As for the story itself. Well, I'm biased. :D
As authors, we create this world in our minds. We know how we think each of the characters are saying things, the emphasis they give.
I've heard many other authors say they hate hearing their books in an audiobook. So, it was with some trepidation that I started listening to Karen Kruper's interpretation of MY characters.
It was such a relief because I really enjoyed it! Kruper catches Elle's bubbly enthusiasm, Lyn's more low-key tone, and Braedon's seriousness. She gives Jori a fun Finnish accent, Jimmy a great Texas drawl, and Maria a Spanish accent. Jack's voice is rougher and gruffer, just like it should be. Emily was brisker than I had imagined, but it fit her character, so I was able to move easily from the voice in my head to the one in my ear.
As for the story itself. Well, I'm biased. :D
December 31, 2020
Oh my heavens! This book! It was fabulous! I listened to it a few weeks ago and I'm still thinking about it. I absolutely loved it! The characters, the storyline, the ups and downs, the suspense, the emotions, the heartache, the friendships, the sweet romance, the healing and moving on. All of it!!! I just don't want to spoil anything for you because you have to experience it all from beginning to end. The ride isn't over when you think it's over. These characters endeared themselves to me and I didn't want to put it down when I was out of reading time. When real life called for me, I was longingly thinking about this book. Lol! You all know what I'm talking about. When you find a good book that just pulls you in and consumes your thoughts. Yep. This book was that for me!
Lyn and Braedon have some heartaches in their pasts, and they have some coming in their future. I loved their initial meeting and their budding friendship. Even past all the hiccups and uncertainties. I love their characters! I cheered them on and I cried a little too!
My brain is remembering all these different scenes from the movie. Oh, I think I just need to go back and listen to it again. I even had my family listening with me and they were fully invested as well. If you can't already tell, this is a high recommendation book from me to you! Especially if you enjoy some suspense and struggles and finding peace in your reading.
Content: Clean. There is some mild suspense, pirates, guns, death, characters being stranded on an island, health issues, married couple implied intimacy but not graphic or detailed.
I received an audiobook from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Lyn and Braedon have some heartaches in their pasts, and they have some coming in their future. I loved their initial meeting and their budding friendship. Even past all the hiccups and uncertainties. I love their characters! I cheered them on and I cried a little too!
My brain is remembering all these different scenes from the movie. Oh, I think I just need to go back and listen to it again. I even had my family listening with me and they were fully invested as well. If you can't already tell, this is a high recommendation book from me to you! Especially if you enjoy some suspense and struggles and finding peace in your reading.
Content: Clean. There is some mild suspense, pirates, guns, death, characters being stranded on an island, health issues, married couple implied intimacy but not graphic or detailed.
I received an audiobook from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
June 3, 2013
Lyn and her best friend Elle take a cruise as the year anniversary of Lyn's finacees death and betrayal approach. Lyn is not interested in romance...period. She is still stunned and suffering from trust issues.
Enter the dashing Doctor. Braedon gives her that sparkly, tingly feeling with just a touch. She is afraid of a fairy tale and shipboard romance and runs. Unfortunately (fortunately in my opinion) you can't run far on a ship.
A run in with pirates and being stranded on an uninhabited island make running impossible, and romance commences.
I enjoyed this book. I kept on reading and at times near tears as I read the struggle for survival that Braedon and Lyn endured. This book isn't as much about the romance as it is about the journey and trials. The techniques for survival are something to keep in mind for any kind of emergency situation.
It is a clean romance.
Enter the dashing Doctor. Braedon gives her that sparkly, tingly feeling with just a touch. She is afraid of a fairy tale and shipboard romance and runs. Unfortunately (fortunately in my opinion) you can't run far on a ship.
A run in with pirates and being stranded on an uninhabited island make running impossible, and romance commences.
I enjoyed this book. I kept on reading and at times near tears as I read the struggle for survival that Braedon and Lyn endured. This book isn't as much about the romance as it is about the journey and trials. The techniques for survival are something to keep in mind for any kind of emergency situation.
It is a clean romance.
April 4, 2021
Yep, I'm the author, so I'm biased, but I loved these characters. I cried plenty of tears right along with Lyn.
April 14, 2018
This action romantic suspense was so much deeper, serious, realistic, emotionally heart wretching, and filled with incredible adversity for the characters than I expected, before the beautiful worth the journey HEA "fairy tale" ending finally happens. I just LOVED it, but if you are only into sunshine and rainbows super happy escape romance this isn't for you.
Violence: There are deaths related to the pirate attack kidnapping by gun fire and drowning. There are injuries of characters due to natural weather phenomenon like monsoons and other outdoor nature survival situations.
Sensuality: A fairly, but not squeaky clean romance. The pirates are human traffickers. They have the women go on to the pirate ship topless for examination. There is no physical description or details of the women's bodies when this happens. There are two wedding nights that there is zero details or anything happening on the page, but there is implied innuendo in a reader's mind what will and did happen. There is a pregnant character and again no details how, but the reader knows how.
Moral note: Two of the characters made covenants of marital commitment to each other without the authority either of the laws of God or the laws of the land, because there is no such authority around. This may bother some sensitive religious readers. You have been warned if you are one of them.
Source: Languished in my personal purchased library for years. Should have read sooner.
Violence: There are deaths related to the pirate attack kidnapping by gun fire and drowning. There are injuries of characters due to natural weather phenomenon like monsoons and other outdoor nature survival situations.
Sensuality: A fairly, but not squeaky clean romance. The pirates are human traffickers. They have the women go on to the pirate ship topless for examination. There is no physical description or details of the women's bodies when this happens. There are two wedding nights that there is zero details or anything happening on the page, but there is implied innuendo in a reader's mind what will and did happen. There is a pregnant character and again no details how, but the reader knows how.
Moral note: Two of the characters made covenants of marital commitment to each other without the authority either of the laws of God or the laws of the land, because there is no such authority around. This may bother some sensitive religious readers. You have been warned if you are one of them.
Source: Languished in my personal purchased library for years. Should have read sooner.
March 27, 2013
I loved this book. I couldn't put it down, even when it made me cry. Not very many books make me cry, but this one did.
Terrific.
Terrific.
May 1, 2020
3.5
I saw another review on Amazon label this as “Love Boat meets Pirates of the Caribbean meets Castaway meets Blue Lagoon meets Man vs. Wild” and thought that was pretty accurate. The overall story was a lot of fun, totally unique from anything I’ve read before. I appreciate the change and at times was totally sucked into the story. At other times I thought the execution fell a little flat. Some of the dialog and behavior seemed unrealistic.
The book opens with two best friends going on a cruise. Lyn has had a rough year and they’ve decided to take a cruise to get away from it all. I wish this part had been a little more upbeat, since the rest of the book can get serious. I had a hard time connecting to Lyn, I get that she has had a rough year, but I had a hard time warming up to her throughout the book. I didn’t like how so much time was spent on things like her interest in karate. I suppose it has some small relevance to the story, but I thought it was kind of boring. I also didn’t feel a whole lot of chemistry between Lyn and Braedon in this first part and would have liked to have a little more built up with them. I think her back story could have been left out, in the end the issues from her past didn’t seem that relevant and I personally would have liked if it had opened with clean slates and butterflies, instead of baggage and misunderstandings. Owell.
I guess it’s not too much of a spoiler to talk about what happens next, since it’s in the synopsis anyway. They make friends with other singles on the boat and all go on a snorkeling excursion. While they are out their small boat is overtaken by pirates. Not the yummy Johnny Depp verity, more of the evil human trafficking kind. Lyn, Braedon and two others are separated from their party and end up stranded on an island. The next section of the book is their time on the island. I thought this was kind of fun. I’m a big fan of Survivor and also liked the movie Cast Away, so it was fun to see how they adapt and try to make the best of things. I liked that it was a bit more realistic; they fight, disagree, stink and really have to learn to rely on each other to make it through and to build each other up. There isn’t too much time spent with them on the island but, I suppose there is only so much you can write about. I do think it would have been a good time to show some conversation between them and build up the romance, chemistry and their overall relationship a bit more.
Finally, the third section of the book focuses on…well, I’ll just put this whole section in spoilers so I won’t give it away to those who haven’t read it yet.
Overall, I liked the story and how the plot is carried out from start to finish. Their time on the boat, on the island and after. All our questions are answered and things are wrapped up nicely. I liked that it stayed clean and was never a downer or too dark. It was a fun and would actually make a fun movie. I will check out more from Ms. Weaver.
Content: Clean, PG. Mild kidnapping violence. Any sex was behind closed doors and even then still really vague.
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I saw another review on Amazon label this as “Love Boat meets Pirates of the Caribbean meets Castaway meets Blue Lagoon meets Man vs. Wild” and thought that was pretty accurate. The overall story was a lot of fun, totally unique from anything I’ve read before. I appreciate the change and at times was totally sucked into the story. At other times I thought the execution fell a little flat. Some of the dialog and behavior seemed unrealistic.
The book opens with two best friends going on a cruise. Lyn has had a rough year and they’ve decided to take a cruise to get away from it all. I wish this part had been a little more upbeat, since the rest of the book can get serious. I had a hard time connecting to Lyn, I get that she has had a rough year, but I had a hard time warming up to her throughout the book. I didn’t like how so much time was spent on things like her interest in karate. I suppose it has some small relevance to the story, but I thought it was kind of boring. I also didn’t feel a whole lot of chemistry between Lyn and Braedon in this first part and would have liked to have a little more built up with them. I think her back story could have been left out, in the end the issues from her past didn’t seem that relevant and I personally would have liked if it had opened with clean slates and butterflies, instead of baggage and misunderstandings. Owell.
I guess it’s not too much of a spoiler to talk about what happens next, since it’s in the synopsis anyway. They make friends with other singles on the boat and all go on a snorkeling excursion. While they are out their small boat is overtaken by pirates. Not the yummy Johnny Depp verity, more of the evil human trafficking kind. Lyn, Braedon and two others are separated from their party and end up stranded on an island. The next section of the book is their time on the island. I thought this was kind of fun. I’m a big fan of Survivor and also liked the movie Cast Away, so it was fun to see how they adapt and try to make the best of things. I liked that it was a bit more realistic; they fight, disagree, stink and really have to learn to rely on each other to make it through and to build each other up. There isn’t too much time spent with them on the island but, I suppose there is only so much you can write about. I do think it would have been a good time to show some conversation between them and build up the romance, chemistry and their overall relationship a bit more.
Finally, the third section of the book focuses on…well, I’ll just put this whole section in spoilers so I won’t give it away to those who haven’t read it yet.
Overall, I liked the story and how the plot is carried out from start to finish. Their time on the boat, on the island and after. All our questions are answered and things are wrapped up nicely. I liked that it stayed clean and was never a downer or too dark. It was a fun and would actually make a fun movie. I will check out more from Ms. Weaver.
Content: Clean, PG. Mild kidnapping violence. Any sex was behind closed doors and even then still really vague.
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June 2, 2013
A Change Of Plans is a remarkable story of love, loss, and survival. It is about healing when the past hurts you and you have no where to go and nothing to do. It is about taking chances on new loves and allowing someone in when there is so much pain and hurt. What do you do when your heart has been broken by the one person you trusted? How do you heal from a betrayal like that?
Lyn is going on a cruise to try and forget her past. She wants to have a great time and make new memories that will not haunt her. What she gets instead is something she never ever expected. She meets Braedon who is nothing like her dead fiance who was a lying cheating grade one tool! Braedon is a surgeon and he is the sweetest guy you will ever meet. He is interested and intrigued by Lyn but she keeps herself closed off so no one knows that even after a year of her fiances betrayal and death she is still hurting. It's only been a year cut her some slack people but everyone is like move on and she is just at a snails pace until she meets Braedon. She likes him but she is very cautious and refuses to let the wall she has placed around her heart to come down.
Braedon is determined to win Lyn over and he is prepared to do whatever it takes to get her. He sees beyond the pain and hurt she has survived and sees a beautiful woman he wants on his side no matter the consequences. Just as Braedon and Lyn start to get to know each other they are kidnapped by pirates. As they fight for survival Lyn and Braedon get closer to one another and what unfolds from there is the crux of this story. This is a story about love and survival. Will Lyn and Braedon be rescued? Will they be together? Will Lyn let Braedon in? What unfolds after the kidnapping is brilliant and this story will stay with you always! Happy Reading!
Lyn is going on a cruise to try and forget her past. She wants to have a great time and make new memories that will not haunt her. What she gets instead is something she never ever expected. She meets Braedon who is nothing like her dead fiance who was a lying cheating grade one tool! Braedon is a surgeon and he is the sweetest guy you will ever meet. He is interested and intrigued by Lyn but she keeps herself closed off so no one knows that even after a year of her fiances betrayal and death she is still hurting. It's only been a year cut her some slack people but everyone is like move on and she is just at a snails pace until she meets Braedon. She likes him but she is very cautious and refuses to let the wall she has placed around her heart to come down.
Braedon is determined to win Lyn over and he is prepared to do whatever it takes to get her. He sees beyond the pain and hurt she has survived and sees a beautiful woman he wants on his side no matter the consequences. Just as Braedon and Lyn start to get to know each other they are kidnapped by pirates. As they fight for survival Lyn and Braedon get closer to one another and what unfolds from there is the crux of this story. This is a story about love and survival. Will Lyn and Braedon be rescued? Will they be together? Will Lyn let Braedon in? What unfolds after the kidnapping is brilliant and this story will stay with you always! Happy Reading!
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June 15, 2013
This review just goes to show you what a good blog tour can do. I saw this book all over the blogs for a blog tour and I read lots of great reviews for it so I decided to buy it. I was a little ahead in my review reading and decided to take a few days to read some books that were in my "feel good zone". This is one I decided to read because I always head to clean romance when I want to escape.
Ummm Hummm. There was some good tension and build up. Good romance. I love how the story unfolded and became a true love story. It's a typical romance in a lot of ways- girl meets boy, girl has baggage and runs away from boy, boy is patient, some unseen thing pops up to make things tough, girl realizes she loves boy and they work things out. But, in addition to being a typical romance this has lots more to offer after we get to the realization and work things out part. :) I'm not going to give anything away. You should just read it. But maybe you shouldn't read this book while on a cruise ship. . .
This book was exactly what I was looking for. A romantic escape. I was all in and read through this book quickly. Yipee for a great read this week!
Ummm Hummm. There was some good tension and build up. Good romance. I love how the story unfolded and became a true love story. It's a typical romance in a lot of ways- girl meets boy, girl has baggage and runs away from boy, boy is patient, some unseen thing pops up to make things tough, girl realizes she loves boy and they work things out. But, in addition to being a typical romance this has lots more to offer after we get to the realization and work things out part. :) I'm not going to give anything away. You should just read it. But maybe you shouldn't read this book while on a cruise ship. . .
This book was exactly what I was looking for. A romantic escape. I was all in and read through this book quickly. Yipee for a great read this week!
July 22, 2013
This wasn't for me. Long-winded and uninteresting, even the promise of pirates could not convince me to read on. The characters just sat wrong with me. The hero did everything right but he was just so unattractive I couldn't imagine reading a whole book trying to fall in love with him.
I think it really says something that me, a lover of kickass heroines, could put a book like this down. Elle whipped Braedon but the book still didn't hold my attention.
I've given this book a 2 star rating because Lyn's real name was Gwendolyn.
I think it really says something that me, a lover of kickass heroines, could put a book like this down. Elle whipped Braedon but the book still didn't hold my attention.
I've given this book a 2 star rating because Lyn's real name was Gwendolyn.
May 30, 2013
This is a sweet story about opening up a heart after it has been betrayed, plus some cruise line luxury, a little pirate adventure, and a story that reminded me of Swiss Family Robinson. It is a quick read, but your heart will be a little happier at the end.
May 20, 2013
What an adventure! Part cruise romance, part survival story. I totally enjoyed it.
May 30, 2013
*ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review*
For most of the book I was engaged and interested and really enjoying everything. However, after awhile the time each time jump left me feeling off kilter and separated from the story. I still loved it I guess I just wish there was more... I understand with everything that happens it’s inevitable to showcase a long time in any other way but for me, the transition was not as smooth as I would have liked. I think honestly, I would have liked more detail and more time before and after each time jump. Even the romance did not seem so detailed. The romance between Elle and Braedon was more secondary to the story and everything that was happening. It’s you’re your worst fears on everything you don’t want to go wrong on a cruise that inevitably happens. Everyone thinks being shipwrecked on a island is romantic but A Change of Plans shows how that is not the case and everyday is a battle to survive. This vacation is anything but fun in the sun.
This seemed more a tale of survival with romance thrown in. The love-story is not the main point here nor should it be. In ways it’s refreshing to take a step back from all the glitz and glam of new love. These two Elle and Braedon are thrust together in dire circumstances and they must learn to work together and to just get along to make it through another day. Luckily the attraction is there from the start so it’s not a case of last man and woman on earth syndrome. Adding in the fact that he is a surgeon and a very adept MacGyver Elle doesn’t make out too badly.
When Elle and her friend embark on the cruise it has been a year since the devastating betrayal/death of an ex and she is trying to move on. The first time they meet the sparks fly and Elle tries her hardest to avoid his advances, her past sheltering her from further pain. Then they’re thrown on an island together and have no choice but to work together and eventually Braedon helps erase Elle’s pain. He had his really adorable and sweet moments like when he carves a wooden ring with a pearl in it for a ‘wedding band.’
Guess it’s good to be prepared for anything because in many ways their combined skills keep them alive. Elle finds a way to make soap, repair their clothing, and make sanitary products out of some sort of root. I thought that was a genius addition to the story because that is something that every female stranded on an island would encounter and without smart thinking they’d have to spend a week in the ocean.
Considering how long they are on the island, that portion of the story is not really long. We get snippets of things that happened in between the skips like her breaking her collar bone and them creating numerous vessels to try to escape but we don’t get to see it and that’s a shame.
When Elle is rescued thing went a little downhill for me mostly because I wondered how things could possibly keep getting worse. First she is separated from Braedon then she is returned to a world she is no longer familiar with. Her friend has moved on and gotten married and her parents, the only family she has is gone as well as her home. Absolutely heartbreaking.
At times this book is like bad thing after another. People die, brutally no less, they get taken by pirates, stranded on an island and lost at sea. Some people have it bad but these two just have no luck. But Elle doesn’t make it seem that way. Being on the island changes her or maybe it’s Braedon. She becomes more alive and determined. She has no shame in going to visit Braedon’s father knowing that man thinks little of her and views their marriage as a sham. She doesn’t hide like she would have but instead becomes a fixture in his life, the two quickly bonding over their shared love for Braedon.
The end was beautiful and romantic but felt a bit rushed. I would have like to see more of Braedon and Elle after they are reunited. At the very least an epilogue but by this point in the story we all can see the HEA happening before our eyes so it’s not truly necessary.
This book makes me want to pick up a survival guide, just in case. Aside from the choppiness of the time jumps I really enjoyed A Change of Plans, the cruise definitely changed a lot of plans for both Elle and Braedon but in the end I’d say everything worked out. This was a contemporary romance so if that’s your thing, A Change of Plans is for you…
For most of the book I was engaged and interested and really enjoying everything. However, after awhile the time each time jump left me feeling off kilter and separated from the story. I still loved it I guess I just wish there was more... I understand with everything that happens it’s inevitable to showcase a long time in any other way but for me, the transition was not as smooth as I would have liked. I think honestly, I would have liked more detail and more time before and after each time jump. Even the romance did not seem so detailed. The romance between Elle and Braedon was more secondary to the story and everything that was happening. It’s you’re your worst fears on everything you don’t want to go wrong on a cruise that inevitably happens. Everyone thinks being shipwrecked on a island is romantic but A Change of Plans shows how that is not the case and everyday is a battle to survive. This vacation is anything but fun in the sun.
This seemed more a tale of survival with romance thrown in. The love-story is not the main point here nor should it be. In ways it’s refreshing to take a step back from all the glitz and glam of new love. These two Elle and Braedon are thrust together in dire circumstances and they must learn to work together and to just get along to make it through another day. Luckily the attraction is there from the start so it’s not a case of last man and woman on earth syndrome. Adding in the fact that he is a surgeon and a very adept MacGyver Elle doesn’t make out too badly.
When Elle and her friend embark on the cruise it has been a year since the devastating betrayal/death of an ex and she is trying to move on. The first time they meet the sparks fly and Elle tries her hardest to avoid his advances, her past sheltering her from further pain. Then they’re thrown on an island together and have no choice but to work together and eventually Braedon helps erase Elle’s pain. He had his really adorable and sweet moments like when he carves a wooden ring with a pearl in it for a ‘wedding band.’
Guess it’s good to be prepared for anything because in many ways their combined skills keep them alive. Elle finds a way to make soap, repair their clothing, and make sanitary products out of some sort of root. I thought that was a genius addition to the story because that is something that every female stranded on an island would encounter and without smart thinking they’d have to spend a week in the ocean.
Considering how long they are on the island, that portion of the story is not really long. We get snippets of things that happened in between the skips like her breaking her collar bone and them creating numerous vessels to try to escape but we don’t get to see it and that’s a shame.
When Elle is rescued thing went a little downhill for me mostly because I wondered how things could possibly keep getting worse. First she is separated from Braedon then she is returned to a world she is no longer familiar with. Her friend has moved on and gotten married and her parents, the only family she has is gone as well as her home. Absolutely heartbreaking.
At times this book is like bad thing after another. People die, brutally no less, they get taken by pirates, stranded on an island and lost at sea. Some people have it bad but these two just have no luck. But Elle doesn’t make it seem that way. Being on the island changes her or maybe it’s Braedon. She becomes more alive and determined. She has no shame in going to visit Braedon’s father knowing that man thinks little of her and views their marriage as a sham. She doesn’t hide like she would have but instead becomes a fixture in his life, the two quickly bonding over their shared love for Braedon.
The end was beautiful and romantic but felt a bit rushed. I would have like to see more of Braedon and Elle after they are reunited. At the very least an epilogue but by this point in the story we all can see the HEA happening before our eyes so it’s not truly necessary.
This book makes me want to pick up a survival guide, just in case. Aside from the choppiness of the time jumps I really enjoyed A Change of Plans, the cruise definitely changed a lot of plans for both Elle and Braedon but in the end I’d say everything worked out. This was a contemporary romance so if that’s your thing, A Change of Plans is for you…
May 23, 2013
Let me start off by saying I am a fantasy girl. Contemporary romance isn't my genre, but a few sentences in and I was hooked. I loved it.
There is a lot of emotion in this book - pain, healing, hope, despair. I don't cry, hardly ever, but I was bawling through a lot of this. The main character, Lyn, is hurting after her fiance broke her heart -- after death, so she never even got any closure. Braedon is adorable, and they have a connection right off that left me swooning. But she pushes him away. I wanted to throttle her, but at the same time, I understood. I've been hurt before and Donna drew her emotion out so well that I could completely empathize with Lyn.
Then, they get kidnapped by pirates, and eventually end up stranded on an island. This was my favorite part of the story. I loved the way their relationship grew and they were able to let go of the pain from their pasts. I can't tell you the rest because of spoilers, but holy hannah I had to read the whole last section in one sitting because I couldn't move away from the computer.
I suggest you pick this book up immediately, and find a quiet corner to curl up in and read for the next several hours. You won't regret it!
There is a lot of emotion in this book - pain, healing, hope, despair. I don't cry, hardly ever, but I was bawling through a lot of this. The main character, Lyn, is hurting after her fiance broke her heart -- after death, so she never even got any closure. Braedon is adorable, and they have a connection right off that left me swooning. But she pushes him away. I wanted to throttle her, but at the same time, I understood. I've been hurt before and Donna drew her emotion out so well that I could completely empathize with Lyn.
Then, they get kidnapped by pirates, and eventually end up stranded on an island. This was my favorite part of the story. I loved the way their relationship grew and they were able to let go of the pain from their pasts. I can't tell you the rest because of spoilers, but holy hannah I had to read the whole last section in one sitting because I couldn't move away from the computer.
I suggest you pick this book up immediately, and find a quiet corner to curl up in and read for the next several hours. You won't regret it!
January 3, 2015
I thought this book was brilliant. I loved it. I also loved how Donna threw some of my favorite movie references in it. Especially Hobbits. But, I didn't love the book just for those reasons.
I really didn't know what to expect when I was reading A Change of Plans, but immediately I was drawn to the cover, and while reading, what was inside it. This book has everything a reader could ask for. Romance, humor, suspense, love, hope, strong, likeable characters, and a great fast-paced plot that will keep you reading until the end. I read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down. I don't want to give things away, but my heart would break for Lyn. Many things happened to here, but I loved how her stunning character would help her through it. Braedon was also a fav, and Jori too. I could tell that all of Donna's characters were important to her through her writing because of the way they all shine. Am I gushing? I'm gushing, but this book deserves it. This book has it all, I laughed and I cried.
I really didn't know what to expect when I was reading A Change of Plans, but immediately I was drawn to the cover, and while reading, what was inside it. This book has everything a reader could ask for. Romance, humor, suspense, love, hope, strong, likeable characters, and a great fast-paced plot that will keep you reading until the end. I read this book in one day because I couldn't put it down. I don't want to give things away, but my heart would break for Lyn. Many things happened to here, but I loved how her stunning character would help her through it. Braedon was also a fav, and Jori too. I could tell that all of Donna's characters were important to her through her writing because of the way they all shine. Am I gushing? I'm gushing, but this book deserves it. This book has it all, I laughed and I cried.
March 11, 2023
Wow, this is an emotional book. There were times I felt it was a little choppy, but then I just fell into the story. So much happened in this book it's kind of hard to wrap my head around it all. I loved Lyn and Braedon and the friends they made on the cruise. There were some fun moments, some sweet moments, some scary ones and definitely some sad ones. There were times I needed to take a little break from all that was going on and other times I didn't want to put the book down. I had read other reviews that said this was an intense book and I kept putting it off for that reason. I agree it was intense, but it was good too. I am excited now about reading the rest of the series.
July 12, 2013
A Change of Plans is one of those books that grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go. Ms Weaver gets right into the mind of her characters so you feel you are living and breathing their lives. This book has everything - romance, adventure, tenderness, hope, heartbreak, loss, and deep, abiding love. It's a rollercoaster ride that you won't want to end. I really hope there's a sequel!
July 14, 2016
I decided to read this book because it had high ratings but oh god it's missing such big part of the story line and the plot like the author skips parts and then they're suddenly engaged and getting married it makes no sense. I had high expectations for it but i was honestly so disappointed
May 21, 2014
2.5 stars. A little too quick with the fast forwarding and everything happening. Not bad; I'm just a little perplexed and not sure how I feel.
January 25, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up
Lyn goes on a cruise with a friend to start fresh. It's been a year since her cheating fiancé was killed. She wants a simple vacation not romance, but she catches the eye of Braedon, a young handsome surgeon. While their group enjoys snorkling, they're kidnapped by pirates--Lyn, Braedon and another couple get away but end up shipwrecked on an uncharted island.
This story takes place over several years as Lyn and Braedon are stranded for more than 2 years. It tells of their struggle to survive--finding food, building shelters--yes, more than one because of hurricanes and monsoons--making clothes, etc. Thankfully Lyn and Braedon have complementary survival skills--she's a science teacher and knows plants and he knows survival techniques. Working together is their only chance to get through until they're rescued.
The story mostly kept my interest, but right when I thought they had their happy ending and were headed back to civilization, disaster struck again. I wondered how it would all be resolved by the end of the book.
I listened to the audiobook but was distracted by the narrator's voice. It's the same narrator that did the author's western series which kind of bothered me. Her voice was suited for the western series, but it took me awhile to get used to it for this story, and stop thinking about the other series.
Lyn goes on a cruise with a friend to start fresh. It's been a year since her cheating fiancé was killed. She wants a simple vacation not romance, but she catches the eye of Braedon, a young handsome surgeon. While their group enjoys snorkling, they're kidnapped by pirates--Lyn, Braedon and another couple get away but end up shipwrecked on an uncharted island.
This story takes place over several years as Lyn and Braedon are stranded for more than 2 years. It tells of their struggle to survive--finding food, building shelters--yes, more than one because of hurricanes and monsoons--making clothes, etc. Thankfully Lyn and Braedon have complementary survival skills--she's a science teacher and knows plants and he knows survival techniques. Working together is their only chance to get through until they're rescued.
The story mostly kept my interest, but right when I thought they had their happy ending and were headed back to civilization, disaster struck again. I wondered how it would all be resolved by the end of the book.
I listened to the audiobook but was distracted by the narrator's voice. It's the same narrator that did the author's western series which kind of bothered me. Her voice was suited for the western series, but it took me awhile to get used to it for this story, and stop thinking about the other series.
March 22, 2021
A Change of Plans is a very long story about Lyn North, who agrees to go on a cruise with her best friend to try to get over her heartbreak. On the cruise she meets Braedon, but isn't ready for a new relationship -- until they're stranded on a deserted island. Which would be enough for most books, but instead, when they're rescued, Braedon is on a separate boat which is also lost at sea, and he's presumed dead, leaving Lyn to try to make a life without him.
This isn't a bad book, but I do think it would have been better as a duology, because it really seems like two separate books -- before and after the island. Lyn's a great character, and a lot of the supporting characters have interest and depth, but the book just seemed to go on and on.
This isn't a bad book, but I do think it would have been better as a duology, because it really seems like two separate books -- before and after the island. Lyn's a great character, and a lot of the supporting characters have interest and depth, but the book just seemed to go on and on.
June 5, 2013
"Wind-swept tale of past pains and longing forced to change by unforseen dangers. The main characters, Lyn & Braedon, add heart and soul with their moving glances and silent embraces."
From the moment these two meet, it's obvious attraction has struck them both. Braedon is curious and treads lightly. Lyn constantly tries to talk herself out of her budding preoccupation with Braedon. Weaver does a wonderful job laying down a solid foundation from the start, keeping their dialog real and appropriate. Although I was unaware, I was, not only along for a cruise ride, but also romance step by step.
Story breaths with a strong cast of secondary characters, adding to the scenery of vacationing on a cruise ship. Friendships add a great external view of Lyn and Braedon's interactions; sometimes humorous, other times more serious. The more Lyn denies her new feelings, the more I wanted her to give in and just let go. Eventually she does, but not on her own accord. Unexpected danger suddenly cuts off most of her emotional options, pushing her to slowly face the pain she's buried deep within her heart. Having to fight for her life and freedom from thieves, only makes that harder. But she, Braedon, and another female friend and her boyfriend end up escaping.
Gut-wrenching decisions bring the three together in the middle of the ocean, dropping a loved-one into the water because he'd died from injuries suffered during their escape and then losing the other friend. This is when I knew this was not your ordinary cruise-pirates-shipwrecked story. Action at sea, fear, and terror drew me deeper into the story, investing me more intimately with each character.
Once stranded on a deserted island with Braedon--Alone--Lyn finds it impossible to fight her feelings for Braedon or hide from the betrayal of her previous relationship. I love how Braedon helps Lyn break free of her self-induced social isolation in a place so isolated. One element most readers might not notice but I did was how often Lyn and Braedon refer to lessons taught to them by their parents, lessons which help them survive on the island.
This story goes so much deeper: them being found, being separated again, family members becoming part of the story, and Lyn standing up for herself. Lyn's dialog and actions in this scene was brilliant and moving. Yes, I did. I ended up shedding sweat tears. And so will you. Oh, and there's a few more surprises, but I won't spoil it for you.
From the moment these two meet, it's obvious attraction has struck them both. Braedon is curious and treads lightly. Lyn constantly tries to talk herself out of her budding preoccupation with Braedon. Weaver does a wonderful job laying down a solid foundation from the start, keeping their dialog real and appropriate. Although I was unaware, I was, not only along for a cruise ride, but also romance step by step.
Story breaths with a strong cast of secondary characters, adding to the scenery of vacationing on a cruise ship. Friendships add a great external view of Lyn and Braedon's interactions; sometimes humorous, other times more serious. The more Lyn denies her new feelings, the more I wanted her to give in and just let go. Eventually she does, but not on her own accord. Unexpected danger suddenly cuts off most of her emotional options, pushing her to slowly face the pain she's buried deep within her heart. Having to fight for her life and freedom from thieves, only makes that harder. But she, Braedon, and another female friend and her boyfriend end up escaping.
Gut-wrenching decisions bring the three together in the middle of the ocean, dropping a loved-one into the water because he'd died from injuries suffered during their escape and then losing the other friend. This is when I knew this was not your ordinary cruise-pirates-shipwrecked story. Action at sea, fear, and terror drew me deeper into the story, investing me more intimately with each character.
Once stranded on a deserted island with Braedon--Alone--Lyn finds it impossible to fight her feelings for Braedon or hide from the betrayal of her previous relationship. I love how Braedon helps Lyn break free of her self-induced social isolation in a place so isolated. One element most readers might not notice but I did was how often Lyn and Braedon refer to lessons taught to them by their parents, lessons which help them survive on the island.
This story goes so much deeper: them being found, being separated again, family members becoming part of the story, and Lyn standing up for herself. Lyn's dialog and actions in this scene was brilliant and moving. Yes, I did. I ended up shedding sweat tears. And so will you. Oh, and there's a few more surprises, but I won't spoil it for you.
December 12, 2013
This was a rollicking book and I enjoyed it greatly. It was well-written and entertaining. I would love to have read this one at the beach this summer.
I wish I could say that when I was on my own cruise ship I would have welcomed the embraces of a hunk such as Braedon, but I was only four. For me, just keeping dinner from erupting all down the side of the ship would have been agreeable. But for school teacher, Lyn North, Braedon Randolph would figure large in both her cruise and her life.
Despite Lyn's wish to be a social hermit in order to get her ex out of her head, Braedon takes root in her mind and heart and won't be weeded out. I have to hand it to the guy. He's tenacious and dedicated. I can't think of a better guy to have on one's deserted island (unless it's my husband).
What a great romance! I was right there being traumatized along with Lyn in the months following her rescue. What a horrible situation to find herself in. She couldn't give up because she, herself, took two years to surface. How can she give up on the love of her life?
It did, however, leave me wanting a bit more beef from the pirates to make them more believable and from life on the island. Maybe a child on the island would have been good. A birth would have thrown all kinds of tension into the story.
I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to boot Jori out of the way when he got too close, just like Braedon would have.
I definitely enjoyed this, my end-of-summer mental cruise. It was the next best thing to being on an ocean liner headed for adventure and love.
I look forward to reading more by Donna K. Weaver because this book ROCKED!
I wish I could say that when I was on my own cruise ship I would have welcomed the embraces of a hunk such as Braedon, but I was only four. For me, just keeping dinner from erupting all down the side of the ship would have been agreeable. But for school teacher, Lyn North, Braedon Randolph would figure large in both her cruise and her life.
Despite Lyn's wish to be a social hermit in order to get her ex out of her head, Braedon takes root in her mind and heart and won't be weeded out. I have to hand it to the guy. He's tenacious and dedicated. I can't think of a better guy to have on one's deserted island (unless it's my husband).
What a great romance! I was right there being traumatized along with Lyn in the months following her rescue. What a horrible situation to find herself in. She couldn't give up because she, herself, took two years to surface. How can she give up on the love of her life?
It did, however, leave me wanting a bit more beef from the pirates to make them more believable and from life on the island. Maybe a child on the island would have been good. A birth would have thrown all kinds of tension into the story.
I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to boot Jori out of the way when he got too close, just like Braedon would have.
I definitely enjoyed this, my end-of-summer mental cruise. It was the next best thing to being on an ocean liner headed for adventure and love.
I look forward to reading more by Donna K. Weaver because this book ROCKED!
June 14, 2015
Well...I don't read romance. Okay, a lot of the books I read (or listen to, in this case) have romance in them but they are thrillers, sci-fi, or fantasy (which is the genre I write). After my wife scolding me for not having quite the romance writing chops she'd like to see, I decided to go on a hunt for clean romance and sort of "study it". Right, well, it's hard to study something when you keep getting distracted by the story. A Change of Plans is an endearing tale that's part Cast Away, part Hope Floats, part Captain Phillips, and even part Grey's Anatomy. I just super-impressed my wife, I think. Anyway...
Bottom line, the story was genuine. It felt authentic. It is romance, but not your typical, predictable plot line. Thank goodness there was adventure. Lynn, the main character, has dealt with betrayal and loss, but isn't a wilting flower (not a helpless Bella Swan, thank the gods). Sometimes characters who have dealt with those things come off wimpy as the deal with their issues. While there are things she must overcome, she has lots of spunk and is a tough character.
The process of thawing her heart was fun to follow. The situations on the cruise ship didn't feel contrived and the Pirates gave a real world feel to things as we hear about those things from time to time still in today's world. I felt connected to the characters and cared about them. Being a musician who used to pray that I'd become a rockstar one day, Jimmy found a place in my heart.
Very glad I stepped outside my normal wheelhouse.
Bottom line, the story was genuine. It felt authentic. It is romance, but not your typical, predictable plot line. Thank goodness there was adventure. Lynn, the main character, has dealt with betrayal and loss, but isn't a wilting flower (not a helpless Bella Swan, thank the gods). Sometimes characters who have dealt with those things come off wimpy as the deal with their issues. While there are things she must overcome, she has lots of spunk and is a tough character.
The process of thawing her heart was fun to follow. The situations on the cruise ship didn't feel contrived and the Pirates gave a real world feel to things as we hear about those things from time to time still in today's world. I felt connected to the characters and cared about them. Being a musician who used to pray that I'd become a rockstar one day, Jimmy found a place in my heart.
Very glad I stepped outside my normal wheelhouse.
November 18, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm not sure just why this story resonated with me so well, but it just did. The whole story, characters and setting just really worked for me I loved it all.
I loved Lyn. I liked her at the beginning, but I really liked her more and more as she kind of woke up from the shock she was in from her ex-fiance's betrayal. Her character was kind, loving - and best of all - spunky! There's a scene late in the book when she throws up on someone's shoes and then takes that person down with her karate moves that made me cheer for her. After all she had been through - ex-fiance, piracy, shipwreck, loss, love - she didn't let anything get her down and she was still the same amazing character throughout everything.
Braedon was a great character too. Things with him were a little harder to read because you didn't get to see what he was thinking during the story. But he was a great guy, a hard worker and he didn't let Lyn's prickliness get to him and make him run the other way.
I loved the whole plot line of this one. I didn't realize that there are more of this author's books that kind of deal with the same story. You can bet I'm going to be reading those soon!
I loved Lyn. I liked her at the beginning, but I really liked her more and more as she kind of woke up from the shock she was in from her ex-fiance's betrayal. Her character was kind, loving - and best of all - spunky! There's a scene late in the book when she throws up on someone's shoes and then takes that person down with her karate moves that made me cheer for her. After all she had been through - ex-fiance, piracy, shipwreck, loss, love - she didn't let anything get her down and she was still the same amazing character throughout everything.
Braedon was a great character too. Things with him were a little harder to read because you didn't get to see what he was thinking during the story. But he was a great guy, a hard worker and he didn't let Lyn's prickliness get to him and make him run the other way.
I loved the whole plot line of this one. I didn't realize that there are more of this author's books that kind of deal with the same story. You can bet I'm going to be reading those soon!
October 6, 2014
A Change of Plans is not an ordinary romance that takes place on a cruise ship—after all, in addition to normal cruise fare (sightseeing, formal dinners, and the like) it includes sharks, pirates, and a shipwreck. First and foremost, the book is a beautiful romance between a woman who has been hurt to the point of breaking and a man who wants to help her pick up the pieces of her life and put them back together. The book is filled with breathtaking scenes of romance and action-adventure, but it was the characters and the relationships that really sold me on it. I particularly loved that in addition to the relationship between the two main characters, there’s a solid half dozen other relationships (most of them not romantic) that are developed.
This was a great read that had me hooked from cover to cover. At midnight I forced myself to put it down, but it took me forever to fall asleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters. The moment I woke up, I picked up the book and couldn’t put it back down.
This is an awesome debut novel by Donna K. Weaver, and now I will have to wait, impatiently, until she publishes another novel.
This was a great read that had me hooked from cover to cover. At midnight I forced myself to put it down, but it took me forever to fall asleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about the characters. The moment I woke up, I picked up the book and couldn’t put it back down.
This is an awesome debut novel by Donna K. Weaver, and now I will have to wait, impatiently, until she publishes another novel.
June 26, 2013
I read a summary of this book before I bought it (who doesn't?), so I knew that the main characters get stranded on an island. Besides that, I knew to expect romance.
When you first start the book, it reads like a regular contemporary romance. It isn't until a fourth of the way into it that some action begins. Then, when you're 3/4 through, it starts to drag and you really don't know where the story is going. Basically, it doesn't have a regular story arc and reads more like a memoir. I'll admit that this did bother me some.
That being said, the story was very well written, especially for a debut novel. And I did get sucked into the character's dilemmas. In fact, there were two different parts of the book that actually made me cry (I take this as a good sign, since the author is able to pluck my emotions with their story). And since I did cry, I gave it four stars instead of the three that I was planning on.
So, if you can prepare yourself for more of a personal account than an actual story arc, then I think you will love this book!
When you first start the book, it reads like a regular contemporary romance. It isn't until a fourth of the way into it that some action begins. Then, when you're 3/4 through, it starts to drag and you really don't know where the story is going. Basically, it doesn't have a regular story arc and reads more like a memoir. I'll admit that this did bother me some.
That being said, the story was very well written, especially for a debut novel. And I did get sucked into the character's dilemmas. In fact, there were two different parts of the book that actually made me cry (I take this as a good sign, since the author is able to pluck my emotions with their story). And since I did cry, I gave it four stars instead of the three that I was planning on.
So, if you can prepare yourself for more of a personal account than an actual story arc, then I think you will love this book!
June 10, 2013
Donna K. Weaver begins her book: A Change of Plans in a very conversational tone as if the reader was at a sleep-over with your best friend. The story quickly ratchets up several notches and kept me turning pages through the night. This is sweet romantic suspense at it’s best – a Romantic Shipwreck Story more exciting than Cast-a-Way with Tom Hanks.
March 3, 2015
I read this book out of order. I think I would have liked to have read this one first - but it didn't really change how much I loved the book! Both of them! I am a fan of Donna! Great writing and I really love a good ship wreck...well catamaran wreck - although I am glad I read this after my trip to VI and our awesome Cruise on a catamaran. Loved this story!
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