When I read the blurb, I thought it was something that I would enjoy. However I did not like it as much as I thought. There was just something missing for me. Jason was a good guy and I liked him but the romance between him and Erin just felt off, especially with her. I liked the supporting characters of the friends and family. We got some background on them and I hope they get their own stories. They added some funny and sweet moments. Overall the romance was lacking to me because of a variety of things. It did have some promise but I just wasn't feeling it. However with the other reviewers it seemed I am in the minority. I will chalk this up to its a "me thing" as I did not connect much with the story. This does not discourage me from reading Jaci in the future. I hope others can enjoy this more than I did.

Erin Bellini’s fiancé jilts her, electronically, only days before their wedding, and there’s only one person who wants to soothe the pain. The best man, Jason Callum. He’s also Erin’s childhood friend and has has secret feelings fo her for years. The hot veterinarian stepped aside to do what he thought was right back then, but if anyone is going to safeguard Erin’s heart now, it’s going to be him. These friends-to-lovers officially kick off Burton’s Boots and Bouquets Novel series. Charming locale and fab supporting characters round out the story perfectly. Grab some wine and settle in for a great time

What a fantastic way to kick off a new series! I thoroughly enjoyed The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton. As always, the author weaves a well written story with strong characters that you can't help but love... a jilted bride, a gorgeous best man aka friend, and a lot of years "silent" love... what more could you ask for?

When Erin gets dumped before her wedding, by email no less, Jason, the best man and her childhood friend is there to offer support. Erin has the bright idea of burning off some steam with her sexy friend, and what starts as a rebound fling, turns into something amazing. Jason is the GO-TO guy for real... I fell head over heels in love with him, his heart of gold, and the way that he proved time and time again what a great man he was. Erin really stood no chance at resisting him. From the sexy times to the deep conversations, it was evident that Jason was IT. I loved seeing their no-strings attached sex turn into more, so much more. Jason deserved the girl of his dreams and Erin deserved to have all her dreams come true, even when they were not who she originally envisioned herself with. 

I really liked this book... the family dynamics, the small town feel, the romance that no one saw coming (well, except for the reader), and the absolute gorgeous veterinarian/best man/best friend/childhood friend/lover/ EVERYTHING about Jason was utter perfection! Jaci Burton brings her romance magic to this brand new series... definitely recommend!

This is a very sweet romance featuring the friends to lovers trope, and I’d categorize it as a beachy kind of read - easy to pick up, easy to put down but still enjoyable. It’s set in a vineyard with three sisters and their friends at its core, and it’s a very familiar kind of a read. I didn’t realize that vineyards are becoming a subgenre, but I’ve read several now, so who knows. If you’re looking for a small town/vineyard romance, and if you like that glimpse into what is essentially a very privileged kind of life, you may really dig this.

I think I couldn’t rate it higher because instead of feeling how much of a connection there was between the MCs, it ultimately felt more like an afterthought. The “revenge” against the ex-fiance that dumped the heroine felt more front and center. Now is this the consequence of setting the romance to begin immediately after the heroine was dumped at the altar? Perhaps. All I know is alot of the heroine’s inner thoughts centered around that betrayal for a long time, I didn’t think she was ready to move on into another romance, and she clearly didn’t accept the end until very, very late into the story and well after she’d begun with the hero. It set up a very imbalanced relationship between the MCs, and I struggled to connect with it.

This group of friends is ripe for more books though, and again, if you’re into vineyard romances with that Nancy Meyers aesthetic, you may love this more than I did.

This was a fun friends to lovers story. When I read the prequel novella The Matchmaker's Mistletoe Mission, I got the feeling that things were a little off in Erin and Owen's engagement. As this book opens, the wedding is two days away, Erin is up to her neck in last-minute details, and she gets a break-up email from Owen. Shock doesn't begin to cover her reaction and angry would be an understatement. But she refuses to look pitiful in front of their friends, so she insists on holding the reception anyway. It's there that she decides the best revenge would be a fling with her best friend, Jason, who was also Owen's best man.

Unfortunately for Erin, Jason is not cooperative. It's not that he doesn't want to sleep with her. He does. But he wants more than that. Jason has been in love with Erin for years but lost out to Owen because he didn't want to risk their friendship. Now he has a second chance, but he wants to be careful about it. Rather than take Erin up on her offer while she is vulnerable, Jason goes the friendship route first.

I loved watching the relationship between Erin and Jason develop. Erin is hot to carry out her revenge right away and isn't too pleased when Jason resists. Instead, Jason finds ways for them to spend time together doing other things until he can be sure she isn't quite so vulnerable. Because they have been friends for so long, they are very comfortable with each other. Jason didn't hold out very long against Erin's advances, just long enough for her to convince him that she knew what she was doing. I ached for Jason because he knew that he was risking heartbreak giving in to her, but he loves her too much not to help her. Erin goes into the whole thing only wanting a short fling, then going back to friends as usual. But the more time they spend together, the more her feelings start to change. This freaks her out, and she does everything she can to resist admitting to those feelings. She also has trouble believing that what she feels is real. After all, she thought she had loved Owen, and look where that ended up.

Lingering in the background is Erin's knowledge that she is going to have to face Owen sooner or later. Something that comes up time and again is that Owen's actions were completely out of character for him. More than one person wonders what was going through his mind. When he came back and contacted Erin, I wasn't terribly surprised at the reasons he gave. He handled it badly, causing more heartache than there would have been if he'd been honest to start with. I was frustrated by Erin's actions afterward because she wasn't thinking of the effect on Jason, who was left wondering where he stood. Her kick in the pants came from an unexpected source. I liked that she saw the error of her ways and took immediate steps to fix it. The ending was sweet.

THE BEST MAN PLAN is the first book in Jaci Burton’s “Boots and Bouquets” series about a family that owns a vineyard and wedding venue. Having read the prequel to this series, THE MATCHMAKER’S MISTLETOE MISSION, I was really looking forward to this book. Jaci Burton doesn’t disappoint. This story will appeal to romance fans who enjoy the “friends-to-lovers” and “jilted” tropes. This story also has a hero who has had an attraction to the heroine for years but never said anything because his buddy beat him to the punch in asking her out. I adore stories in which the hero has carried a torch for the heroine without her knowing it. At the opening of THE BEST MAN PLAN, Erin Bellini’s fiancé breaks up with her via email just a few days before the intended wedding. The reason behind the sudden change of heart from the fiancé is not revealed until almost the very end.

This is very much a character-driven story. There are romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships all demanding attention, and all written superbly well. If Erin’s fiancé Owen were a garden variety jerk, with no connections to any other characters, this wouldn’t be as complex a tale. The reality is that Erin, Owen, and veterinarian hottie Jason have been friends since forever ago. After radio silence from Owen, Jason becomes a huge emotional support for Erin. Having no clue about Jason’s deeper feelings for her, Erin is set on having some erotic fun with her buddy. This leads to a somewhat confused and beguiled Jason as Erin works her charms on him. It’s at once everything he always wanted and nowhere near enough. I love it! Jason has the right amount of good guy and hottie mix. This story is told from alternating perspectives. This is helpful since both characters are slow in revealing everything they’re feeling. Bellini family friend, and one of Jason’s BFFs Clay, becomes Jason’s much-needed sounding board as he tries to navigate his ever-changing relationship with the woman of his dreams. For Erin, her two sisters offer support and encouragement as she ponders what direction to take next.

THE BEST MAN PLAN has a story you can sink your teeth into, great characters, and an exhilarating love story. The two canine characters added a little humor and sweetness to this book. I can’t wait to read the next installment in this “Boots and Bouquets” series!

3.5⭐️
When Erin is dumped OVER EMAIL by her fiancé two days before her wedding, she turns to her longtime friend Jason for comfort - and maybe a revenge fling.... Will years of feelings and emotions turn it into more than just a fling??

This was my first Jaci Burton book and it did not disappoint! Sometimes you need a light and steamy romance and this one fit the bill. Erin’s family owns a vineyard where they host weddings - it was fun to read about wine and the wedding planning business. It was perfectly steamy and Jason was dreamy (like my rhyme??) I love any book with dogs as significant characters in the story! There was a bit too much back and forth in the middle, making it feel slightly redundant. But then the end had a surprising twist, which honestly you don’t get very often in a romance!

Super fun romance to hold you over until we can actually go to weddings again!

Thank you to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the #gifted copy of this book for me to review! All opinions are my own.

4. 5 Stars!

The Best Man Plan is author Jaci Burton's latest book offering. It is a well-written love story, with hot romantic scenes and characters that I really liked getting to know. This is the first book from Ms. Burton's Boots and Bouquets series, and it can be enjoyed as a standalone. However the prequel, The Matchmaker's Mistletoe Mission, is an excellent novella about two of the secondary characters from this book.

Erin Bellini and Jason Callum grew up together and shared the same friends. Jason was always in love with Erin, while Erin thought she found love with their mutual best friend Owen. Three days before Erin and Owen's wedding, Owen breaks up with Erin through an email. Jason is there to comfort her, and shortly thereafter, their friendship evolves into sexy times, which develops into much more. Erin realizes that what she had with Owen wasn't true love.

Erin handles the business end of her family's winery and wedding venue. Jason is the local vet, and is chock-full of compassion and patience.

There is a lot going on in this novel and Ms. Burton does a terrific job of keeping the plot fresh and exciting. The author evolves the relationship between Erin and Jason with a seductiveness that kept me wanting more. Furthermore, I found many of the secondary characters to be quite engaging, especially Erin's sisters. Their love and support is felt throughout the book. Overall, a great start to a brand new series!

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Imagine planning the wedding of your dreams and getting the shock of your life just days before the ceremony. For Erin Bellini – and email would be the nemesis that made all of her wedding plans crumble. Without any cause or reason, Erin finds herself without a groom or honeymoon. All of the plans were in place, so Erin chose to have the party of a lifetime. Why let a wedding celebration go to waste?

Determined to make her former fiancé regret the decision to leave her jilted, Erin decides that her best course of action is to have a fling with none other than the best man. Did I mention that Jason Callum was the local vet and a longtime friend of Erin’s? The course of action Erin has chosen involves more than her broken heart. A one-night stand should take all of the stress away. Unless you are Jason and have been coveting Erin from afar. It’s a tangled web that Jason and Erin have found themselves tangled within. Can the jilted bride and former friend find comfort in each other’s arms?

The Best Man Plan is the first book in a new series by Jaci Burton. From the blurb – this novel sounds like it will be full of mischief and making mistakes. While there were plenty of cute moments, this book lacked a connection between Erin and Jason that was sorely lacking. Add to that the lace of attention paid to the broken engagement and Owen’s explanation, and you have a novel that often times seems ‘choppy’ and not completely put together. Don’t get me wrong – there were plenty of sweet and sexy moments. They just lacked the complexity that this story was conveying from the first chapter.

All in all – The Best Man Plan is an ‘okay’ read that fits the bill if you are looking for a quick happily ever after. This is one of those middle of the road novels that you definitely would have to be in the mood for to enjoy completely.

Erin is all set to marry Owen when she gets an email from him stating he no longer wishes to marry her. She is furious as the whole entire town is ready to celebrate their nuptials. Not allowing herself any time to mourn over the relationship, Erin decides to throw her own reception and invite everyone including, her and Owen’s friend, Jason.

Erin gets this bright idea to get revenge on Owen by sleeping with Jason. Of course, Jason is not entirely on board with the idea despite secretly liking Erin for years. But they have been friend their entire lives so he decides to be there for her. Then one things leads to another and they are both wondering how to manage their newfound feelings.

There are several issues with this story. First, Erin didn’t seem as if she really cared that Owen dumped her. Soon as she read the email and stomped around the house and told her family, she decides to throw herself a party. I get not wanting to lose the money on the reception but it didn’t feel authentic. I think she didn’t even care about him.

I didn’t like the idea of Erin wanted to use Jason since she states she knew him before Owen. Owen and Jason are best friends. She is friends with Jason but will risk losing that just to get “revenge” on Owen. She drops that idea quickly but she does acknowledge that Jason is cute and she makes her move on the man.

They get tangled in a relationship and most people are aware in this town but Erin is still cautious with sharing this bit of information. Bam! The ex-fiancé arrives back in town and things get very awkward. He explains why he left which I could understand. However, how Erin handles it made me question did she even like Jason. It got very weird at the end which makes it hard to root for the couple in the story.

I normally enjoy books by this author but I couldn’t connect with the characters. I hope others will enjoy this far better than I did. I’m not totally put off from reading future works by her.

~ Samantha

I really enjoyed this book. I like Erin and loved Jason. Jason paid the price for being the nice guy back when Erin started dating her ex, their mutual friend, but he's going to do it better this time. And boy does he. What a sweetheart. Erin's family is great too. I got irritated with her at times but ultimately she realizes Jason is her destiny and the HEA is on.

If that adorable cover hadn't convinced me to give this book a try, the blurb would have. Best friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes but Burton takes it a step further in this first book of her new Boots & Bouquets contemporary romance series. Not only do we have best friends to lovers, we also have a jilted bride, and a bit of a love triangle. With the three main characters (jilted bride, jilting groom, and best man) all being best friends since childhood, it has the potential for a whole lot of emotion, chaos, and hurt feelings. Burton manages to avoid expected pitfalls, keeping things realistic while also creating a fun, sexy, and heartwarming romance that, in the end, secures a happy ending for two of the friends, without permanently alienating the third. And even making me forgive, and hope for a happy ending, for a character that I spent most of the book actively disliking.

I adored Jason and was in his corner from the beginning. I loved his staunch support of Erin and his determination to not take advantage of her. He's such a good guy, a good friend, a great puppy dad, and sexy as all get out. And he cooks! My feelings for Erin evolved along with her character. I appreciated the time she was given to work through her emotions concerning both Jason and Owen. I liked her and while I didn't always agree with her actions, I understood them. I loved Erin and Jason together, enjoying both the sweet and the sexy times as their friendship slowly transitioned to new territory. By the end of the book, I was fully confident in the love between them that had been tested and emerged strong and sure.

I love the Bellini's Italian-Irish family dynamic and am looking forward to getting to know all of them better, especially Erin's sisters. I have hopes for a match between one of the sisters and a certain Irishman and am curious to see if my thoughts about the other sister also pan out.

I'm not sure when book two will be released but after finishing this one I did some searching and discovered a novella, The Matchmaker's Mistletoe Mission, that introduces this series with the story of Clay and Alice, two of my favorite secondary characters from The Best Man Plan. I've already downloaded it and am ready to dive in while I wait for the next Red Moss Vineyard couple to take center stage.

I was surpised at how much I enjoyed this book. Of course having a main character with my name is a plus. I read this book quickly - the chapters were fairly short and it kept the story moving for me. I enjoyed the friends to lovers premise and the pacing of their stories. The reason that Erin was broken up with over email seemed a little too easily resolved for me, I would have liked a more realistic conflict with that.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Erin Bellini had been planning her perfect wedding for months. Everything had been set and they were in the home stretch. Until she got the email that changed everything. Her fiancé, Owen, sent her a break-up email two days before the wedding! TWO. DAYS. And, to add insult to injury he had already left on the honeymoon they were supposed to take together! Erin was devastated and confused. Luckily she has an amazing support system of family and friends to help her through the hardest time in her life.

Jason Callum has always carried a torch for Erin. He had planned to make a move for her before she and Owen started dating, but stepped aside when his friend showed interest. Now he’s kicking himself for it knowing how bad Erin is hurting. He has some choice words for Owen, but he’s not answering his phone. Then, Erin tells Jason how she wants to have a revenge fling with him. He knows it will only lead to his own broken-heart, but he just can’t resist giving in to having the one thing he always wanted, even if only for a little while.

I’m sad to write this review because I do like Jaci Burton, but this book just didn’t speak to me at all. It started out feeling like a cozy mystery. You had Erin living at her family’s vineyard and the local veterinarian, Jason. Then, there was everybody with their dogs and the mystery of why Owen did what he did when it’s so out of character for him. It was all wholesome and … boring.

I found Erin to be obnoxious with not knowing how to deal with her feelings and Jason was too understanding. She kept just ignoring him for weeks on end and then boom back in his bed only for her to freak out again later. With all her talk of wishing Owen had talked to her, she can’t even verbalize anything with Jason and she doesn’t see the similarities? And, who can’t figure out what to buy a puppy? Does she really need a vet to go to the store with her because she’s never owned a dog before? Most people figure it out, sweetheart.

Then, when Owen came clean to everyone, I thought everyone was way too forgiving. Yes, it was horrible, but it doesn’t erase what he did completely. Jason was also too forgiving with Erin and how she treated him during … the whole book really. You deserve better, Jason!

I wanted to like this book. I wanted to lose myself in some senseless fun with this story. I wanted to enjoy an entertaining romance that would leave me with a light feeling and a stupid grin on my face. Unfortunately, none of that happened. This was my least favorite book I’ve read from this author and it’s just sad and disappointing.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Just days before her wedding, Erin Bellini's upcoming marriage is called off, and she tumbles into confusion and sadness over why her ex had to call it off in the way he did. As she decides to have a reception party for a wedding she didn't have, Jason Callum steps up to help her. He's always been there for Erin, and he isn't about to change. He's loved her from afar and this is his chance to get her to see how good they could be together even if the timing is not ideal.

There's just one problem -- Erin isn't looking for anything permanent or a relationship -- she just wants to have a revenge affair on her ex, and decides that Jason is just the guy to do it. He's got the good sense to know that he wants more from her than just a quick fling without feelings.

There's some nice back-and-forth between these two as Jason helps Erin find the good in life again and he begins to show her how he feels about her. Everyone else can see that he's in love with her but Erin, and that turns into a problem when Erin's ex returns on the scene.

I have to say I wasn't expecting to like the ex (even though I didn't like how he did what he did) but his circumstances were a surprise that I wasn't expecting. I love how this provided the conflict that forces Erin and Jason to look at what they want and to make some decisions on what their future would look like. I also thought that Erin's work as a wedding planner for their family business added a nice twist to the story.

The Best Man Plan was a quick, easy, light story that I devoured in a day or two. I liked Erin and Jason together, and the hints about what might be in store for Erin's sisters has me interested in what is to come. It was great to revisit with Alice and Clay from the previous novella in the series. Overall, The Best Man Plan is an enjoyable story with two sweet characters set in a world that is ripe for additional stories. Great start to the series.

An ARC was provided. This is my honest review.

Well, I was absolutely here for that cover and premise.

I liked Erin and Jason well enough. I liked that they had been friends since they were kids and had some history. I really liked Erin’s sisters and the relationship the three of them had. Annnnd the entire situation with Owen didn’t sit with me.

Plot wise, it was a bit repetitive. There are a lot of phrases and words used over and over and a few of the scenes in the first half felt exactly the same. On top of that, both Erin and Jason were sort of bland and I didn’t see the chemistry between them or believe the jump from friends to more.

Overall, I was eager to see the HEA and that’s what kept me reading. Sadly, I wanted a lot more from the ending and I’m left wondering if 3 stars is too high of a rating.

**Huge thanks to Berkley for providing the arc free of charge**

When Erin Bellini gets a text from her fiancé Owen, breaking up with her, she’s on the phone with his best man, Jason. The three of them have been friends their whole lives and Jason rushes right over to see Erin. He also tries unsuccessfully to reach Owen and find out what the heck is going on.
All they find out is Owen is off to Aruba on what would’ve been his and Erin’s honeymoon.
In the days that follow, Jason, who has secretly been in love with Erin for sometime, finds himself spending a lot of time with her. She has decided that she deserves to have a flaming hot sex affair with someone and it might as well be Jason. After all they’re friends, right…
I really enjoyed this book. I’m not usually a big fan of the friends to lovers theme but this one was done really well. I loved the setting of a family owned vineyard that is also a wedding destinations. Erin gets tons of support from her sisters Honor and Brenna as well as her other friends and family. No one thinks anything of her spending a lot of time with Jason and when they do figure out what’s going on, nobody seems to mind. The biggest issue is how will Erin balance the hot sex with her longtime friend and not get her heartbroken again.
Ms. Burton even manages to have the final resolution between Erin and Owen work out in a way that it’s all good with a twist. The dating misadventures of Honor and Brenna set up anticipation for the next few books in the series. This book is a great start to the new series.

The Best Man Plan comes out tomorrow on 07/07/2020, and I was lucky enough to get an ARC from @NetGalley and @berkleyromance.
So I wanted to love this and it wasn’t bad, but I just kinda felt letdown by it. 🤷‍♀️ It’s a solid romance - sweet, sexy - with an independent heroine, an irresistible hero, an impossible situation - but I felt like it was a little too blah. Erin gets dumped before her wedding, so she decides a revenge fling with the best man is the best plan of action. However, Jason has always been in love with her. (Of course, he has.) It just felt too predictable - the one thing that surprised me was why Erin’s fiancé dumped her, but I honestly could have done without that part. Maybe it was the cover?

3.5 What There All Along Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
Jaci Burton's reputation in the Romance World is first class. She can take a troupe and turn it on its ear. In starting her new series, we have the jilted bride who finds out what's what through email.

Yes, you read that right, email. And since the wedding was supposed to be at the family's place, our gal figures, What the Hell...Let's have a Wing Ding Party. Her other genius idea is to get a little revenge and pleasure while at it. Let's have a one night stand with who was the Best Man.

Now, this soon-to-be-lucky-guy is in a pickle because he the gal's bestie and the stinkin' ex's best friend. The other thing that is complicating things is he doesn't want a one night stand. He wants all the coming nights.

What happens under Jaci Burton's guidance is a man willing to take the time necessary to heal the heart of the woman he wants.

I love this author's work, though this one wasn't my faves. 3.5 Stars.

Erin Bellini gets dumped by her fiance, in an EMAIL, 3 days before her wedding. So, since everything is already paid for, and the venue is her family's vineyard in small town Oklahoma, she decides to throw a party anyway, to not let all the food, music, etc. go to waste. Also, she wants revenge. A revenge fling, to be exact, with her fiance's best friend, who is also her very good friend since childhood. What could go wrong, right?!

Jason Callum is in a bit of a difficult position. His best friend just broke up with his other best friend, 3 days before their wedding. Now, Erin is making noise about wanting to sleep with him, and that puts him in an even more difficult spot, as he's had feelings for her for years, but stepped back when she and Owen started dating. Now his feelings are popping back up, and he doesn't think he'll be able to handle just being her rebound fling, when he wants so much more from her.

Jason and Erin had mega chemistry, since their small part in the prequel novella, The Matchmaker's Mistletoe Mission. Even back then, I could see that she was likely engaged to the wrong man, and it was fascinating watching how it all worked out. I really enjoyed their connection, but Erin seemed oblivious to the strength of it, which was interesting to me. Also, even later when it comes out that he's cared for her, as more than friends, for a long time, she's surprised, and they don't really discuss it further. She just doesn't seem like the most insightful woman, when it comes to people and relationships, where as in business, she's awesome. Also, her avoidance tactics started to get a little bit tiresome for me, when it came to facing her ex.

The side characters (and PETS!) here were great, especially the couple from the first novella, along with Erin's sisters. I'm definitely looking forward to getting their stories in the future. The "villain" here, the ex-fiance, Owen, isn't actually IN much of the book, so you're left wondering for quite a while what his reasons were for leaving, especially since all these great people were good friends with him, and were shocked by his actions, as Erin was. That whole situation, without giving any spoilers, threw me a bit. It made it hard to know how to feel about him, and I'm not sure I loved that choice. I'm wondering if this is because he'll be getting his own book later, or something? We shall see.

I really loved the Bellini family, and their awesome family business. They really made you fall for them, and want the sisters' stories too. Jason and Erin had a lot to come to terms with in order to be together, and I liked their slow journey into love. But, there were other things that weren't my favorite, and for me, that balanced me out at 3.5 Stars.