He’s a wildlife photographer and she is a journalist. They met five years ago, but eventually life took them into different parts of the world. Now, they meet again. Will the present just be another repetition of the past?

Two book is split into two timelines, five years before and after with the exception of the epilogue which does another five year jump. Orla is an organised trainee-reporter with a five-year plan and Aiden a carefree wildlife photographer that she needs to interview, who lives in a tent. After an eventful and one-of-a-kind interview involving rabbit-holes, a friendship is born. It’s intense, beautiful and they’re almost inseparable. Eventually they both realise there might be something more going on there but almost as soon as they do, Aiden has to leave for India. Fast-forward to five years later to a Hayward gallery exhibition night, where Aiden’s work is on display, and the story almost restarts where it left off when the two re-unite.

The weren’t that many characters, so the focus lay mostly on the characters of Aiden and Orla, who were likeable enough. Throughout, the chemistry is palatable between the two and you just want to cheer them on, hoping they’ll end up together. The banter between the two was funny, making the pages flow by. It reads like a slightly cheesy 90s romantic comedy that you can’t help but love. Not surprisingly wildlife and nature plays a large part, which created a unique and interesting storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed its importance throughout the book; in fact, the descriptions of otters and foxes and birds, just left me wanting to venture out into the wilderness with my own sleeping bag in tow.

The reason why I didn’t give the book a higher rating is because I had a few problems with Aiden’s character. As sweet and attentive as he was, he could also be selfish and stubborn, with limited growth throughout the novel.

*Slight spoilers ahead*

He made life-changing decisions by himself however much he would sugar-coat it and expected Orla to go along with these. He didn’t respect her career choice and saw his as more important than hers, take the instance where he suggested that she should abandon her London reporter job and move to Ireland with him and become his PA. Is that complete respect? For me it would be moving outside of London, but within commuting distance. There wasn’t much of compromise going on on his side from my point of view, and that made me dislike him somewhat.
Another little thing that bothered me, was the repetition of the same arguments of why certain decisions couldn’t be taken, especially towards the end of the book. The two of them weren’t really listening to each other, just echoing their own arguments over and over.
And lastly, Orla despite being assertive in the first part of the book, loses that aspect of her personality. She just becomes submissive and eventually does what Aiden wants which is mind-boggling because that’s not who was at the beginning. You could argue that she wasn’t fully happy with living in London and that she loved Aiden, but her career was meant to mean a lot to her and I don’t believe that ambition just evaporated over the course of few days because Aiden decided to put down roots and come back to her life. It just didn’t seem that realistic, and instead of romantic, it felt dour and depressing when she so easily gave up her London life.

In conclusion, it’s a lovely and sweet romantic novel that can be read quickly. The storyline is quite original and will keep up your interest, however you need to bear in mind that the characters fall under the old stereotype of the man being the assertive one and the female despite starting out as strong, eventually becomes less so, as more in love she falls. If that’s not something you mind, go for it as it is a fun read (but just might not be everybody’s cup of tea).

I felt like this book was just a bit too long, so I was a bit apprehensive to start it. I had heard good stories from other people, so I had to start it at some point. I enjoyed it, and it read quicker than I anticipated, but it is still not my favorite book of the year! It’s unfortunately quite predictable like a lot of romance books, but it was an okay story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book!

Orla has always had a five year plan when it comes to her career as a journalist. When she is sent on a mission to interview Aiden Byrne, a successful wildlife photographer, her five year plan doesn't seem so clear. When he leaves for his next assignment with Orla behind, they don't reconnect until five years later, where Orla still isn't really sure what she wants.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was the perfect friends to lovers trope. I loved the cute and witty banter between Aiden and Orla. I also found Orla to be relatable. I am such a type A person that I always have a plan, just like her, whereas my husband is much more type B, just like Aiden.

My main issue is that there were a lot of parts that I felt like were drug out and could have been shortened. I also had the thought at about 30% into the book that not much had happened between Aiden and Orla. I just wanted one of them to make a move already!

Overall a cute romance novel. I would read more by Carla Burgess.

I think a lot of us get to a point in life where we look back and we wonder, what if. What if that one special first love who it didn’t work out with, came back into our life? What if we got a second chance?

This is the premise of The Five Year Plan. When journalist Orla is invited to an exhibition by wildlife photographer and old flame Aiden, the renewed attraction between them is unwelcome at best. Because five years ago, they were on very different paths - her determined to write for a major London newspaper, him happily travelling the world and sleeping in tents - and nothing really seems to have changed. They’re wonderful together, but they don’t want the same things. Their five year plans led them in very different directions.

Most of the first half of the book covers their original relationship, when Orla’s very first interview was with the guy tracking otters down by the river in her local town. Things actually go disastrously wrong when she sprains her ankle and Aiden comes to the rescue; they start what’s a very close friendship that Orla thinks can’t be anything more because he’s a free spirit. It progresses to a romance, but Orla was right… soon enough he’s off to India. He asks her to go with him, but doesn’t even really seem to have a plan for what exactly she might do with him there, and she says no, scared things won’t work out and she’ll be left stranded, alone and jobless halfway around the world.

To be honest I was uncomfortable with a lot of Aiden’s actions, both in the five years ago and the present timelines. He put a lot of pressure on Orla, and failed to make any meaningful moves himself. For example, when she confessed she still had feelings for him after they got back together and mentioned marriage, he immediately reacted with shock - what, marriage? Me? - leaving her wondering if she had stuck her neck out only for him to not reciprocate. He pressed her for honesty, getting angry with her when she was shy about her feelings, but he wasn’t honest himself. She was the one who had to say “I love you”, who had to make all the sacrifices, while he made subtle gestures and expected her to interpret them as grand declarations.

In the five years ago timeline, Aiden’s a free spirit and it was perfectly reasonable for Orla to have gently wistful thoughts of him as the one who got away. In the present day when he comes back into her life with an obvious agenda which he doesn’t state up front? He’s a manipulative jerk, and I wanted Orla to see right through him and find someone who didn’t want her to change anything about herself, who saw her as perfect just as she was. I didn’t want them to end up together, I was horrified by what their ‘happy ending’ as a couple looked like, and even though the writing here was very good, I just can’t bring myself to give it any more than two stars.

This book was nice, I liked Aiden but wasn't a fan of Orla. No matter how upfront or honest Aiden was through out Orla kept up the dialogue of oh what is he thinking. Well it was always exactly what he says I don't know why it took you five years to even start to understand that. I guess that's why i am not a huge fan of second chance romances they can just be frustrating. Loved the HEA ending though.

Thank you to Netgalley for an arc for this book in exchange for an honest review.

-3.5- ⭐

I really wanted to love this book but it was just okay for me. I didn't like Aiden too much. He was so selfish...

I enjoyed this a lot. I loved the banter between the two characters and their love story is just really sweet. They bond over watching otters because Aiden is over in the UK to study them for a project as he is a wildlife photographer. I think any thing with otters in it should be enjoyed because they are adorable. The story kicks off 5 years in the future and it really makes you want to continue reading about what happened in the past and their chemistry makes you root for them instantly. The book is mostly centered around their relationship in the past while the last quarter of the book is their relationship in the present. I felt that Aiden could be fairly opinionated about things sometimes and is at bordering on him being an ass but he never forces decisions on Orla she makes all the decisions herself. She doesn't go with him because she wanted to focus on her career and get into the big leagues which she did and so I was really happy when she decided to move with him to Ireland.

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me a copy for an honest review*

In these times of chaos and unrest, sometimes we just need to escape and go somewhere else. The Five-Year Plan lets you do just that. I was thoroughly hooked by the book after the first few pages! I totally escaped and didn't come up for air for hours! It's exactly what I needed, It's a fantastic book that has a twist that I never saw coming. The characters are so believable and lovable, that I was rooting for them all. I wasn't sure I knew who I wanted to end up with the guy. If you are looking for something light-hearted to allow you to escape - -this is it. You won't be disappointed.

This is a light, quick read. Slow in places but a nice, feel good story. Could do with an edit in some places as the plethora of exclamation marks in chapter 1 nearly meant I didn’t carry on.

The story-line is decent yet predictable. The flash-back became a little dull and monotonous as I felt like it was only focused on otters and tents! The ending was cute. Although, it is a sweet romance and the main characters shared good chemistry, I was not hooked. It is a light and easy read though, so I would recommend it to someone looking for a change in between heavy novels.

A romantic read that will have you on the edge of your seat, willing Orla and Aiden to get together!! Thoroughly enjoyable, funny and sweet!

Thanks Net Galley for this preview!

Orla and Aiden were the swooniest!! I loved their slow build up of a relationship and the flirting was hilarious! The intimacy flew off the page when they were watching the otters! I think they were destined to meet and fall in love. I thought Aiden was a little cloudy in his character development but it added to his brooding mysterious vibe. I'd love to see a sequel with these two and where their life was between the end of the story and the jump ahead 5 years. Also the scene where Aiden is in the shower and calls to Orla was epic and swoony and I loved it!

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC and; in exchange to that, I am writing my honest review for this book..
The book was just okay for me but I guess it's not my cuo of tea. I get bored with the career story all the time and it didn't clicked my attention and interest to it.

We have all been guilty of reading more than our fair share of ‘fluff’ during this time of quarantine, and thank goodness.  Sometimes you need something lighter to get you over the reading slump that often accompanies such uncertain times.   The Five Year Plan by Carla Burgess definitely fits that bill – the characters are likable, but flawed, the meet cute is charming, and the will-they-or-won’t-they factor is intriguing.  But while the beginning seems to churn with potential, the middle flags and the ending feels a bit rushed to feel like a true payoff.

As our story opens, we meet Orla, a successful journalist living in London and finally landing her dream job at a national newspaper.  But she is still haunted by the one that got away, namely, one Aiden Byrne, wildlife photographer and environmentalist.  So when a personal invitation arrives at her desk to attend the opening of his show, she is torn.  What if she still has all those feelings?  Deciding professionalism should win out, she decides to attend (looking drop-dead gorgeous, just in case).  The minute their eyes lock, she is thrust right back into the love she felt for this wild soul only five years before.   She races out of the building before he can corner her with more uncomfortable silences and sidelong glances.  But as she lands safely on the Tube on the way home – bam! – there he is.  Out of breath, and right next to her.  No escape now.

At this juicy plot twist, the author then thrusts us backwards in time, to when our two lovers first met.  Orla is just a cub reporter at a local newspaper in a small town, and Aiden is the first story she will be able to write on her own.  Aiden is living out of a tent photographing local otters.  On her way down to the riverbank, she injures herself, which inadvertently allows this hunky free spirit into her life.

There is much time spent on whether friends can be lovers without strings, and the importance of Orla pursuing her five year plan of making it big and moving to London, which tends to slow down the pace.  And when they do get together, we’re given very little detail, and very little time to enjoy their happiness, which makes it harder to invest in them getting back together later on.  The author is going for a second-chance romance, but spends so long on the first time that it doesn’t matter as much when we get to the second.

Orla and Aiden have an easy friendship and chemistry and that makes it impossible not to love them.  She is impish but determined, he is untamed yet gentle.  Their conversations and even their disputes are charming and witty, but often too drawn out.  Like Hamlet, I kept thinking “The Lady doth protest too much.”  And then when we – finally – get to the HEA, it seems like a let-down because the author immediately fast forwards us five more years into the future.

Overall, I liked The Five Year Plan, but not enough get giddy about it.  Still, you could do much worse than kill a few hours with these two, and if you love the outdoors, the sub-plots about enjoying nature and protecting its future will appeal to you. It’s the perfect kind of book you can take with you to the beach and pick up and put down at your leisure, but not squirm about wanting to know what comes next.

~ Jill Cluff

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A sweet romance with a bit of a spicy side! Definitely a book that makes you think. We certainly only have so much say so with our “plans”

Really enjoyed the storyline in this book. Have had a reading slump recently and this got me going again. Look forward to reading more from this author.

tw: brief mention of parent dying from cancer

This is a second chance romance following Orla and Aiden, who met up when Orla was in her early 20s and Aiden was in his late 20s while he was in her town photographing otters, as he's a wildlife photographer. We follow the couple that summer when they fall in love, and then 5 years later when their paths cross again.

This was overall cute and I was pulling for the couple, because I love my angst and second chance romance always deals that out. It's one of my favorite tropes. The problem I had with this was Aiden. His character felt so all over the place to me. This may also be because we don't get his POV, only Orla's. While Aiden does not come off as an alpha male or malicious, he has so many behaviors that were red flags for me: saying he doesn't date and that women get mad at him for 'leaving them behind'; being really into his job but not taking Orla's as seriously; continually steamrolling her decisions when she responds in a way he doesn't like (in a lighthearted, non-aggressive way- but he still refuses to take no for an answer); telling her to "figure out why he's mad" instead of using his words like a grown man...

The problem is, the narrative doesn't really correct these behaviors but it also paints him as a generally nice guy! It's so disconcerting because he has all of these behaviors that got under my skin, but since he wasn't using them maliciously (besides the not using his words), I didn't find myself hating him but mostly mildly annoyed with him. And it didn't prevent me from pulling for them overall. Again, I think this could have been solved (or his red flag behavior been fully proven as a red flag) if we got his POV.

The pacing of this is a little off, as there's slow and repetitive bits that could have probably been skipped and a lot of miscommunication that didn't need to happen if the characters just used their words instead of trying to cover up their emotions. But I still felt the spark between them, especially in the 5 years later bits, and ultimately rooted for them to figure it out.

tropes:
- second chance romance
- friends to lovers

Thanks to HQ Digital for the ARC!

These last few months have been tough for me. I'm not being able to focus on my reading as I would like to be. I apologize for not giving my feedback before the pub date. But, well, better late than never. I'm so glad I read this book, because it's such a beautiful story! And it's exactly what I needed right now.

Orla and Aiden know they have something special. But they're still young and want to go in different directions. They both have dreams, things they want to achieve in their careers, places they want to go... And they also have different opinions on getting married and having kids. So, even though their chemistry is amazing, they decide to part ways. Maybe it wasn't mean to be... Right?

Wrong.
Five years later, they meet again. So much has changed. But one thing is still the same. So what should they do now?

What I like about these characters is that they have a lot of respect for each other. They don't blame each other for their choices. Of course there's a lot of sadness and pain when they break up, but still, she never told him not to follow his dreams. He also never made her feel like hers weren't important. Nope!! They both recognize the good opportunities on their ways and know when to say yes/no.

They also show us how much we change as we grow older. Maybe that thing you said you'd never do when you were 20 might become what you want the most at 30. You don't have to live forever believing in the same old things. You are free to change.

Things always happen at the right moment, I truly believe in that. And this story warms my heart.

What is in your five year plan? Does it involve finding your soul mate and your partner for life?

I enjoy a friends to lovers stories and can get behind a slow burn romance with sometimes very frustrating characters who cannot see their happily ever after who is right in front of their face. I did enjoy this one a lot and love the swoons, the secondary characters and what else - being in the English country side.

What I loved about this book is the charming and sweet story of our protagonists journey in finding love. And yes, I did enjoy the animals too especially the Otters for an additional appeal. Burgess is a wonderful writer I am going to be keeping my eye on for her future releases. I really enjoyed this and had a fun time reading this fun book.

I was so sad to see this story end. This second chance romance at times was frustrating because I just wanted Orla to tell Aiden how she felt. It was clear he was madly in love with her. I was sad it took so long for them to both be on the same page a out the relationship but I loved the characters. I fell in love with them almost instantly.