The story was a little unusual and at first I was intrigued but about halfway through the main characters were a little hard to like.

* First time reading author

Not According to Plan is an interesting book. I read this book cover to cover and still, that is the best word for it. A.M takes you to a different romance level with this book. It is not a typical story of two people meeting and falling in love. This is a story about a complicated set of people that get pregnant after a one night stand then have to decide if they want to be more than parents to this child. 

So going into this book do not expect a love story right off the bat. Max and Jade have a lot to get through to find their love story. But if you are willing to go through a strange story this is the book for you.

3.75 stars-- NOT ACCORDING TO PLAN by A.M. Madden is a contemporary, adult, erotic romance story line focusing on twenty-seven year old, attorney Jade Easton and thirty –one  year old, gym owner Max Navarro.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Jade and Max) NOT ACCORDING TO PLAN follows the building relationship and romance between twenty-seven year old, attorney Jade Easton and thirty –one year old, gym owner Max Navarro. On the night of her twenty-seventh birthday, attorney Jade Easton spent a one-night stand with gym owner Max Navarro but a happily ever after wasn’t in the cards when reality rears up and slaps Jade not once, but twice in the proverbial a$$. Several weeks later Jade would discover she was pregnant but Max, as excited as he was to become a father, would not be a full-time daddy in his baby’s life. What ensues is the building but struggling relationship between Max and Jade; the revelation of Max’s other secret;  and the potential fall-out as Max is willing to sacrifice his own happiness for the woman he loves.

Jade Easton’s pregnancy lost her the junior partnership at the firm for which she works, and to add to her already spiral out of control, Max was about to open a second gym in Miami Florida, several thousand miles away from where Jade was hoping to establish her home. Months would pass as our couple started to build a life but Max’s business would separate our couple on more than one important occasion.

The relationship between Max and Jade is one of immediate attraction but neither one was looking for anything permanent. A one-night stand following an evening of karaoke, would find Jade’s future about to take an abrupt  turn, and Max having to reveal that his life was about to get more complicated than anyone could have ever imagined. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful secondary and supporting characters including Max’s brothers  lawyer Brad and bar owner Nate: Max’s best friend Tracey and her boyfriend Tristan; Jade’s parents Ruby and Lawrence , her sister Sapphire and husband Greg: and Max’s mother Monica, and her husband Mitch ; and Jade’s best friend, erotic romance author Amy Delton.

NOT ACCORDING TO PLAN is a story of family, friendships, surprises and love. The premise is engaging ; the characters are energetic and charismatic; the slow-building romance is passionate but struggles in the face of their time apart.


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I really enjoyed this fun entertaining read , it has characters I feel for and I loved the connection Max and Jade shared right from the moment they met to the final pages of this great beach read. 
It was meant to be a fun night with some karaoke, it was meant to get Jade living a little what it wasn’t meant to do was produce a baby ...... So what’s in store for Max and Jade will they agree to a future of co-parenting or will they want more. Is the instant attraction just attraction or is it love and has Max finally met the woman who will tame him.......
I wanted to hate this couple, I wanted to bang their heads together but what I ended up doing was loving everything about them and I was left wanting more for this dynamic two some. Not According to Plan is a fun, sweet yet steamy romance that has all the feels, at times it will drive you mad and at times it will have you swooning and sighing. Great read that left me wanting more and I hope we more from maybe Max’s brothers.....

What a fun, funny, and sizzling beginning to a story!  I loved how Jade and Max met, or set up.  They owned it!  And what a powerfully electric connection they had from the beginning.  I was a little surprised in the twist that this story had with secondary characters, but how they all handled it was responsible and heartwarming.  I hated how both Max and Jade were torn up on making their situation work.  Her career aspirations were very realistic as to what we women face.  And when you think about Max's predicament, it seemed at first he had no sacrifices to make, but on closer look, you could see how much he would truly miss.  That made his ordeal sadder.  He was in a tough situation but has the positive outlook the entire time.  He was selfless and supportive.  I loved the outcome and would love a sneak peek into their near future just to see how everyone was doing.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

Jude has a pristine perfect plan for her future. She is been working 18 hours a day to become the junior partner of her firm. After becoming the partner she will enjoy her life to the fullest. But for the time being, being boring is the only key.

But just for one night, she can live her life, after all, it's her birthday night. So drinking on the weeknights, participating in karaoke and having a one night stand with the hot and sexy karaoke partner is all fun and no harm. But what happens when one-night stand gets you pregnant? What about her future plans? More importantly, how will the hot and sexy one night stand will react?

Review-

The book gets you hooked from the start. The plot is relatable being today’s generation continuously oscillating between relationship and career. Though I will say it is not the answer for everyone as the situation is different for everyone but still, it gives you a perspective to think about.

Characters are very apt and are very close to reality. Not wanting to sacrifice career and trying to balance the long-distance relationship. But I thought at some point they lack maturity. Because the whole book revolves around one thing only so you are not able to see the different layers of the character.

The plot of the book has so much potential but I think the author didn’t use it fully. It just focused on one decision and stretched it till the end.

The chemistry between the characters is commendable. You can feel the love and romance between them. Max has most of my empathy because he tried his level best to do all things right but couldn’t achieve it which makes it more relatable.

The emotional connection is bang on. You can feel and understand the emotions of helplessness, guilt, confusion, anger, and love. I am slightly skeptical about the ending but I know at one point that it was inevitable.

All in all, it is a good book and definitely connects with the millennial. I would highly recommend if you are looking for not so sappy romance book and with a tip of parenting on the side.

I couldn’t put it down!  Talk about lots of road blocks to navigate!  A heartwarming love story with the perfect ending!

Hated it. Within the first chapter I hated the main character and thought there was nothing redeeming about him. When I hate a main character, there is really nothing helping me to finish the book. I struggle. This one I just threw in the towel.

Not According to Plan by A.M. Madden is a contemporary romance currently scheduled for release on March 23 2020. For one night of my life, I dared to do something reckless. My birthday. A bar. Karaoke. And a man so hot he could melt the sun. Sparks flew. Lust took over. For one night of my life, I felt alive. Then I was back to my “boring” life. Career-driven. Goal-oriented. Always planning ahead. But nothing could have prepared me for the positive pregnancy test. We weren’t that reckless.  There goes my “boring” life. And what happens when I tell the father?

Not According to Plan is a contemporary romance with plenty of complications, but recalled condoms seem to be the root of most. A one night stand resulting in a pregnancy is rough, add in split residency and another baby on the way and things are complicated right from the start. I liked Jade a lot, I could understand and connect with her desire to rock her job even when it did not meet her expectations, and actually agreed with her take on most of the issues in the story. Max was a nice guy, with way too much on his plate. I liked that he wanted to do right be everyone in his life, and understood how that might burn him out. I liked the extended family and friends for both characters, and thought that for the most part they offered support and advice that was heartfelt- and I thought that the naysayers were realistic and well done even when they made my heart hurt. I was not thrilled with the conclusion, they way they worked things out, but I cannot agree with everyone's choices even in fiction. I was hoping that a different solution would be found, even though I could not come up with a logical one either so what do I know. Overall I enjoyed the read, and it had some fantastic moments, but I was not wowed by it as a whole.

Not According to Plan is a romance with plenty of twists on the way to a happy ever after.

This is a twist on the unplanned pregnancy trope. When first meet Max we learn about his pending fatherhood with a close friend in Miami. When he meets Max is is juggling New York, Miami and a baby on the way. Jade is out to celebrate her birthday. One night of hot sex and a box of defective condoms later  and Jade is also pregnant. This may be a turn off for some but I was curious on how it would all play out. The story focused on Max and Jade. The other mother’s appearance was not a big factor physically but emotionally an issue for Jade. Insecurities, confusion, doubt, jobs and location cause a lot of anxiety. Both characters are career driven and have to make life altering decisions.

I certainly wasn't expecting the twist that came with this book but once again I loved it.

Jade had all her ducks in a row, successful career, promotion on the cards but her life was lacking a little spark, this all that changed in an instance thanks to her best friend and a few drinks to celebrate her birthday. 

Max was perusing his dream and opening a second gym, splitting his time between New York and Miami but life had a habit of throwing a curve ball and thanks to his brother his life was definitely changing once again.

Can these two find themselves on the same path without losing who they are ? Well go find out for yourselves and enjoy the ride.

This story will pull you in and make you part of it.  The characters were amazing, the romance was fabulous and really brings light to unconventional relationships.  Along with fun humor and more this one is a keeper!!

Man, just when you think you have your life figured out, Fate steps in to remind you that you’re really not the one in charge!

Which is exactly what happened to Jade and Max. And their little surprise bundle of joy arriving in approximately nine months. A one-night stand turned into at least eighteen years of co-parenting... or could they actually make their initial connection spark into something more. Something real. Something permanent.

Not According to Plan is a fun, sweet, sexy romance that’s also infuriating, crazy, annoying, and heartbreaking. Yeah, I know—the emotions run strong through out the whole book!

I loved the instant connection between Jade and Max. Loved how he brought her out of her shell and how she finally “lived a little” if only for one night! Loved how they really are perfect for each other.

And then I hated Jade and Max. Hated their inability to open their hearts and share their feelings. Hated their lack of communication over the big things, that their insecurities got the best of them at times.

And then I loved them again. That they finally got over themselves. And out of their own way and finally gave in to all their feelings. And that ultimately love won.

The story of Jade.  For once she is having a bit of fun, encouraged by her best friend. She ends up pregnant, by a man who has also got someone else pregnant.

As the story unfolds you start to understand more about each of them.

I hope their is a sequel so we see more of Max's brothers!

Book: Not According to Plan
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐💫
Steam: 🔥
Review: This was a different story line for me, but I enjoyed the one night stand that leads to a relationship/baby plot. While parts of this particular story was a bit unrealistic for me, it didn't take away from my enjoyment.

What I loved about this book:

1. The characters are very relatable and I found myself rooting for them the whole time. Max was such a great love interest (totally swoon worthy). Jade was an independent woman with a kind personality. Combined they made an amazing couple and I enjoyed reading about them.

2. This is a sweet love story with quite a bit of whit and I often found myself laughing at the conversations between Amy and Jade. I have a similar friendship with my best friends so it made me miss them even more than I already do.

3. This story has an unconventional family dynamic, but I feel like that's the normal these days. With so many blended families and single parents, this story rings true to life more than the fairy tale HEA.

Overall I enjoyed this complicated, but sweet story. It was different, but very well written. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a light romance.

If you’re looking for an unexpected pregnancy storyline you might enjoy this one. It has a good mix of chemistry and funny times with a twist.

I don't know how to feel about this one. I wished that the circumstances were not that complicated for Jade and Max to get their hea. There's unexpected twists in it. They both really tried to make things work, sacrifices and changes need to be made. I struggled a bit with the story, trying to make sense of everything. The circumstances were just too complicated for me.

A very unique take on the accidental pregnancy story.

Max and Jade meet one night in New York when they each have someone encouraging them to let loose a little bit. After one night together she finds out she's pregnant and gets in touch with Max. The twist - and this is not a spoiler as it's disclosed early on in the book - is that he is also expecting a baby with a friend who lives in Miami where he's planning to move. 

This certainly made for an interesting plot, but I felt that the actions and advice of some of the characters felt unrealistic. Jade's friend Amy, for example, kept saying there's nothing to worry about with him having a baby with another woman in another state. Things like that took me out of the story as it felt pretty unbelievable that she wouldn't think Jade should be even a bit cautious about it.

I read the book fairly quickly and was curious how it would all play out, but it was just an OK read for me.

5 Stars

Max Navarro is busy pursuing his dream of opening a second gym in Miami and doesn’t have a lot of free time. Hence why it’s been months since he was last with a woman. Agreeing to help his brother, he shows up at Brad’s Tavern to help bartend. Recognizing the beautiful girl across the room from his gym, he can’t stop staring. Jade is out with her bestie Amy to celebrate her birthday. Amy is trying to get her to hookup with someone to dust out the cobwebs, and what better way than Kismet Karaoke? With a little meddling help from his little brother, Max finds himself singing karaoke with the beauty across the room. Sparks instantly fly and what is supposed to only be a one night stand, turns into something way more. 

This story has an interesting twist, that although not my favorite part of the story, didn’t diminish by loving it any less. Max and Jade make a great couple, but I have to admit Amy and Brad stole the story for me, especially Brad lol. Overall, Not According to Plan is a fun, sweet and sexy story that left me wanting more. 

Angela - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

This was a delightfully fun romantic story, it made some dreary rainy days a lot more fun by its reading!!