REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly
NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
Erin Bellini finds herself dumped just days before her wedding. After a few seconds of freaking out Erin does what she does best. She puts on a brave face and pulls herself together and moves on. But moving on is not going to be as easy as she thinks.
Jason Callum can’t believe what his best friend just did, by email no less. But Jason is determined to be there for Erin no matter what it might cost him.
Jason and Erin have been best friends since they were kids and have always had each other's backs no matter what. This time will be no different. The only issue is that Jason is not holding back on his feelings any more.

The Best Man Plan is the first full novel in Jaci Burton’s new Boots and Bouquets series. This was a great story and a wonderful start to a new series by Mrs. Burton.

I am already looking forward to more books in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

I wanted to love this one, the synopsis sounded so fun. I didn’t really enjoy the novella prior to this book and unfortunately felt the same way about this. The pacing felt off and I never connected with the characters. DNF at 22%

@ stars
HUGE Jaci Burton fam. but this book just....just didn't work for me at all. Case in point 10 percent in and 52 percent in, I felt like I was reading the same thing over agin that I read at the beginning, all over again. It was very repetitive.

The second thing that I had a problem with was the main character herself, Erin. She was very unlikeable from page one. Her fiancee leaves her, and she didn't seem to care. It was weird. She came off very unlikeable. I just felt a disconnect with her from the start.

As a Jaci Burton fan, I was excited to read The Best Man Plan. It's been a while since I read one of Burton's book sbut I was a fan of the Hope series so I was looking forward to her new series. I enjoyed The Best Man Plan; it was sweet and a nice small town romance that has the quintessential Burton touchstones - a hot hero, a great and large group of friends and of course, DOGS!

Erin Bellini is all set to marry her fiance Owen when she receives an email and all her carefully made plans are thrown out since Owen says he won't be marrying her and is also going on their honeymoon - without her. As any bride would be if her fiance up and decided to jilt her just days before her wedding, Erin is upset, angry, confused and most of all, determined to put on a brave face. Her first call is to her good friend Jason, who just happens to have held a torch for Erin for years.

Jason is a best friend to both Erin and Owen, putting him in an uncomfortable position. He too is surprised by Owen's sudden decision to cancel the wedding but he's also been wanting Erin for years and runs to help out his friend.

The Best Man Plan follows a predictable but fun path as Jason and Erin circle each other, having a fling and then of course, getting the feels for each other. There is lots of good wine, good food and good friends along the way to happily ever after.

There were a lot of things about this book I loved. First and foremost the relationship between Erin and her two sisters. It was so wonderful to read a book that had such a strong sibling relationship at the centre. I loved the way that Erin's sisters stick up for, offer to go fight Owen for standing her up and being the biggest support system. It reminded me of my close relationship with my sister and it was great to see such close sisters in a book.

Jason is a great heroine - an alpha with a heart of gold. He's been friends with Erin since they were kids and he has loved her forever. He's a noble guy, stepping aside when he sees Owen's interest in Erin and has contented himself with knowing that he missed out on her. Jason was a stand up guy; he loves his family, his friends and does whatever he can to help them. He never pushes Erin to rush their relationship, taking his time to win over his lady.

As with any of Burton's books, there have to be dogs and there are some cuties in this one. Erin rescues Agatha, finding the puppy on the side of road and instinctively rushes to help her and adopt her. The puppy is SO adorable charming everyone in Erin's family and the reader too.

There's one part of the book i take issue with, which is Erin's original idea to sleep with Jason out of revenge. She's devises the idea thinking that it's the perfect way to get back at Owen by sleeping with his best friend. I didn't like having this be a part of Erin and Jason's story in any way. It felt cruel and not something I enjoy in my romance novels. While Erin changes her tune to suggesting they just have a fling, this left a sour taste in my mouth.

Overall this was a sweet romance that hit the spot. It was a light, fun read and I enjoyed getting spend time in this story.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley for approving me for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

When I read the blurb for The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton it sounded exactly like the book I'd enjoy. Fiancé breaks up a few days before wedding, heartbroken and angry heroine decides to have a whirlwind rebound romance with the guy supposed to be best man at her wedding - oh yes, that's a fun premise! I love a good romance and am not even bothered by cliches and those typical tropes used in a lot of romantic fiction, as long as it is well executed. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for The Best Man Plan. 

The writing felt disjointed with repetitive dialogues and a choppy pacing. The chemistry was seriously lacking between the two main characters, Erin and Jason, and frankly I did not buy the romance between these two either, nor was I satisfied by how Owen's (the ex-fiancé) breakup and the reason behind it was handled, particularly the aftermath and Erin's behavior after she found out about it. 

And finally, I know I read an uncorrected proof, and damn I hope this gets fixed in the final copy, but damn was I irritated by the damn number of times the word "damn" was used in the first half of this book! I don't DNF but this itself would have been reason enough to stop reading before the book even reached the halfway mark.

Sadly, will not recommend, nor would be continuing with the series.

This was a fun, sweet, friends to lovers story. Erin, jilted by email (!) two days before her wedding, decides to have a revenge affair with the best man, Jason, who is also her best friend. But Jason has always been rather in love with Erin, so he's not really up for that. Still, they do wind up spending a lot of time together, which slowly morphs into a less revengey sort of fling, and there are adopted puppies and house renovations, and fishing expeditions and it's all very summery and slow and sweet.
What there is not a lot of is... plot. And actually I was pretty OK with that. Sometimes a gentler pace works really well for a romance, and it can be particularly effective when you are tracing the slow evolution of a friendship into a love affair. And Jason and Erin were lovely people to spend time with, and their world is a fairly idyllic one.
However, there is a sudden plot twist at about the 90% mark of the story which I really didn't care for. It changed the whole complexion of the book and introduced a fairly massive emotional complication into the mix. I think this might have worked if it had happened sooner, but to me it felt like there wasn't really enough time for everyone to recover from this particular bombshell, and so when they did, it felt a bit rushed, particularly in contrast to the relaxed, almost lazy pace of emotional development earlier in the book.
I'm giving this one three stars, because I did enjoy it, but I'm just not sure it works as a story, which is a pity.

The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton is the first book in her new Boots and Bouquets series. Erin Bellini, our heroine, is devastated when her fiancé breaks up with her three days before the wedding. Erin’s family runs a vineyard, and they also handle weddings, as the girls (sisters) are wedding planners. Erin is determined to still have a party, since their venue is now available, and she puts on a strong face. Erin decides she wants revenge sex, and looks at her best friend, Jason.

Jason Callum, our hero, has always loved Erin, but was willing to step aside to allow his friend Owen to woo and win Erin’s heart. Now with him gone with the wind, no one can understand why Owen left Erin holding the bag without talking to her, having sent an email. Jason has always been there for Erin, and now with her falling all over him, he doesn’t know how to handle her advances, assuming she is acting on the rebound.

Erin has an amazing family, great group of friends, including Jason, and they all are there to help support her. I also loved both Jason and Erin’s puppies, who were so cute. This is a friend to lovers’ story, and Erin has no idea that Jason has always loved her. She is determined to have friends with benefits with Jason, as she finds him very sexy; but of course, no plans to become a relationship. Jason himself is trying his best to avoid Erin’s advances, as he feels she is acting irrationally. Best laid plans. Lol

I will say that Erin and Jason were fantastic together, as they made a super couple, with sizzling chemistry. Erin begins to realize that what she had with Owen wasn’t love, and Jason is the man for her. Will she step out of denial and own up to her growing feelings for Jason?

The Best Man Plan was a fun, sweet, enjoyable story. Besides Jason and Erin, I loved all the other wonderful characters, whom I expect to find more stories in the future books of this series. I also loved the vineyard and wedding planning background. Once again Jaci Burton gives us another wonderful romance, and a series I will need to keep reading. I wholly recommend that you read this book.

Thank you Berkley for sending me this ARC & I actually won this one too! I thought it sounded so cute! We follow the story of Erin, her fiance breaks up with her three days before their wedding, I would have killed my fiancé if he did this to me and it was completely out of his character. So what’s a girl to do? In comes her best friend Jason, and the best man! who swoops in and makes sure shes okay!
Can she fall for Jason, and risk losing their friendship if things don't work out? I think when considering dating your best friend, this is something that makes everyone hesitant to take that leap. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and this one just made me swoon!

This was first book by this author, and I loved the story & characters! 5 stars for this one!
We follow the story of Erin, her fiance breaks up with her three days before their wedding, this is not like him at all, but thank god for her best friend Jason, who swoops in and makes sure shes okay!
Follow their story as Erin realizes maybe things were supposed to be this way? Can she fall for Jason, and risk losing their friendship if things don't work out? Grab this and read along and find out!

***ARC Provided by the Publisher***

I really enjoyed this title, a lot of it because of how much I really liked Jason. He was solid, and sexy, and absolutely in love with Erin. So in love with her, in fact, that he was willing to step aside to let her find her happiness. And he was enough in love with her to respect that the timing of something she proposed was not the best...but willing to follow what he wanted enough to set parameters around which he would consider a relationship with her.

I know that is a little vague, but it's a wonderful part of the plot so I didn't want to spoil it.

I did have one *tiny* plot issue, and that was around something that was said in a certain letter that events and reactions didn't also seem to support. But, it was small enough that it didn't really pull me entirely out of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this title and I recommend it.

Erin's fiancé, Owen breaks up with her in an email right before her wedding so she decides to have a fling with his best man, Jason. Jason actually saw Erin first but when Owen expressed interest he didn't stand in his way. Now is Jason's chance to show Erin how much he has always loved her and that he's in this relationship for good. Enjoyable romance.

This was just the romance I needed. I found myself relating a lot to Erin even though I don't have a childhood friend I see myself falling in love with. She is an independent woman who doesn't let bad circumstances hold her back. She puts her chin up and moves on. This is a classic romance that follows the formula perfectly with just the right amount of romance, conflict and resolution. Jaci Burton books are always ones I enjoy and can count on to make me feel good.

Erin and Owen are supposed ed to be getting married in a few days when Owen dumps Erin over email. Erin decides to still have the non-wedding reception so she can just have some fun after heart break. Well, here comes the best man... Jason Callum.

First of all, I’m still swooning over Jason! From the first description of him in a tux, I had heart eyes for the guy. I read this book in a matter of hours. I just loved it. I loved the relationship between Jason and Erin. Burton just wrote it so well. I loved that they were falling in love with each other but also still working their differing issues. This was a great friends for lovers romance. The only thing I didn’t love was the reason Owen broke up with her over email. It just seemed like everyone forgave him really quickly, including Erin.

Another winner by Jaci Burton! I adore her story arcs, and this one did not disappoint. When a female friend is virtually left at the altar, the Best Man steps up in extraordinary fashion. Giving the jilted bride time to reassess her circumstances, a long-simmering romance begins to take flight. Can't wait for the next installment!

3.5 stars -- Jaci Burton is one of those authors that I think of as an "old reliable" in the romance genre. Her books are always well written with a nice balance of character development, plot, and sexiness, and this book is no different. This is a nicely executed friends to lovers story combined with a left at the altar trope. I will say that there wasn't much that I felt was special or unique about this book, which kept me from fully loving it, and I though it was a little slow getting going. Nevertheless, this was a lovely way to pass some time, and if the trope combo here sounds good to you, I think you'll get along nicely with this book

Let me preface this review with I am a HUGE Jaci Burton fan, have been since I first read her Wild Rider series.

However, this story just left me feeling wary. Erin, while a solid character, seems entirely out of touch with everyone around her - maybe a little too self-involved. I adored Jason, but I do not let him off-the-hook either. Jason is a bad boy (and not in that sexy take me now kind of way) hooking up with his, supposedly, best friends girl.

The author set up some future installments...hoping things improve.

If there’s one thing this author has in spades, is the ability to create characters who you find yourself emotionally attached to long before the story has ended...Jaci Burton’s second book, The Best Man Plan, in the Boots and Bouquet series is no different. Between Jason and Erin, et al., I found myself quickly invested emotionally in finding their way to a HEA...as well as in the evolving stories of the secondary characters, which balanced out the story very nicely.

Rife with heat, and heart, this was a story I found myself engrossed in from the initial attention grabbing first paragraph...Ms Burton did a remarkable job of spinning the story to keep me wondering when Owen would appear. Even though he hadn’t made an appearance throughout a majority of the book, his specter hovered in the background, creating enough conflict to give the story added dimension and keep it from being just another jilted at the alter tale.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next installment of the series, and wondering who the main characters will be.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

This was a good, steamy read- a great distraction book.

Erin’s fiancé breaks up with her in an email just days before her wedding. Jason, who’s loved her in silence for years, is ready to give her everything.

There’s puppies, there’s heat, there’s drama. I did see the “twist” coming from a mile away, but I wasn’t fussy about it. This is a smooth, easy read and you won’t be sorry.

**Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.**

What a cute, light love story! I loved reading about Erin and Jason's chemistry. I loved the characters in the book, especially Erin's family and people at the vineyard. I can already picture the coming books in the series! I will definitely be reading more.

Erin is about to get married to Owen, until he dumps her days before their wedding. Looking for revenge, Erin turns to her childhood friend and Owen's best friend, Jason. Soon things with Jason turn more serious, when it was supposed to be fun and casual. The slow burn romance was perfect for their story.

The one slight thing that bothered me... was that in the book, Erin had "raven black" hair, and the girl on the cover is very much brown. Small detail. 😊

Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow for Erin and Jason. And wow to Jaci Burton for this wonderful story. It shows that life long friends can be more if the situation is just right or true love can be standing right in front of you. I found Erin to be a bit annoying with her should I shouldn't I mentality but it was a great story none the less.