Cover Image: The Five Year Plan

The Five Year Plan

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Member Reviews

Demi Moretti thought her five year plan was on track until her father passes over her for the café and her boyfriend Wil starts acting suspicious. She is in need of desperate need of a change of scenery and travels to Italy to work in her family’s café. But of course, that doesn’t go to plan either due to an intense family feud and a forbidden love.

Demi’s character development was incredible and truly a way to show women that it’s more than okay to put yourself first and allow your goals to change. She was so relatable and really encompassed the many emotions experienced at such a tumultuous time in her life. Sometimes our life doesn’t go as we originally planned but it turns out greater than we ever expected.

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I was pleasantly surprised by this book ! I was expecting a light & fun romantic read, but it was actually full of heart, centering on family & personal growth, with a side of romance. I also thoroughly enjoyed all the Italian food, and was salivating at the descriptions throughout the book. By the time I was finished, I wanted to book a plane ticket to Bari myself !

I will definitely be keeping an eye our for JG's next work !

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

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Loved this! It is a heartwarming romance with some lovely characters who stay with you long after you've finished the book. Its uper-relatable and easy breezy to read, I finished it in 2 sittings!

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Demi has a five year plan that it looks like she is close to reaching, until everything goes wrong. it causes her to flea to Bari in Italy where her parents are originally from. On the way she meets Leo, not realising that their families back in Italy are rivals. Will they have a chance together or will their families keep them apart?

A great read - makes me want to go to Bari now!

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Think I tried to read this at the wrong time. I just couldn’t get into it. As I’ve said before rarely happens but on this occasion it did. However I can see why people did enjoy it so may wel try to read again in weeks to come

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Demi's five-year plan seems to be working out - aged 33, she has a boyfriend, Wil, and is waiting patiently for her father to retire so she can take over the running of the Italian family café. However, her short-sighted Dad appoints her brother into the role she'd longed for, and he jumps at the chance to leave his stressful marketing and branding job - even though he has no feel for the world of cooking! Licking her wounds, Demi heads off to Italy where she uncovers old family feuds (and every Italian family has a few of those)! Entrancing stuff.

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Okay, I will admit it: reading Witchy Coffee made me want to read even more books set in cafes, restaurants, and all that lot. I was in the mood for it - and yes, I am still re-watching Gilmore Girls - so the five year plan just seemed to hit the spot.

I actually really liked Demi as a character; but, once again, I just could not care for the love interest. Was he sweet? Sure. But, apart from that (and being hot, of course), we know little about him, and he is very clearly there to be a love interest and not a compelling character on his own. The lack of characterization, combined with the - quite frankly - very stereotypical idea of an Italian family feud just made me very uninterested in the romance aspect of the story.

Similarly to my review for the Witchy Coffee, I think I would have enjoyed this book a whole lot more had it focused on the family dynamics and just skipped the romance altogether. The author already introduced us to a large family, so why not do something more with them? Explore all the sibling dynamics, the process of reconnecting with your family on the other side of the world, getting to know your heritage a bit better...

That being said, the book certainly benefits from its Italian setting. It's scenic, atmospheric, and sets the overall tone of the book. Some of the strongest scenes of the book included descriptions of Italian food and landscape, in moments that were truly magical.

Overall, a decent read, but nothing that stood out too much; definitely, a cute, quick read, and fairly enjoyable - especially if Italian food makes your mouth water!

** An ARC was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. **

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33-year-old Demi Moretti is pleased with the direction her life is heading. She helps her parents manage a quaint Italian café, has a wonderful best friend, and a loving boyfriend with who she can see herself settling down within the near future. Her father isn't getting any younger and she dreams of the day she can call the café hers.

Her Five Year Plan implodes when she notices Will, her boyfriend, acting suspiciously. He comes home late at night and takes mysterious phone calls. Could he be cheating on her? Then her father announces that he will be giving her most prized possession to her eldest brother. How could he? Nick wouldn't appreciate the beauty of the café, whereas she would cherish it and change it for the better. It's everything she has ever wanted since she was 18...

To find a new purpose, she decides to reach out to her estranged family in Italy. She is enthralled to try new food, travel, and work in their trattoria. Maybe then she could prove to her own that she is capable of running a successful business. On her way to Italy, she meets a gorgeous stranger with sparkling green eyes and beautiful, brown curls at the airport. The stranger introduces himself as Leo, and Demi is happy to meet a fellow Italian!

Finally in Bari, Italy, she meets her cousins and grandmother who treat her with kindness and warmth. This is exactly where she belongs. When she hears her name being called on her way to her temporary home, she is stunned to see Leo. She never expected to see him again. He surprisingly works across from the trattoria at his family's modern restaurant, Russo's. Their attraction to each other is undeniable, it's fate!

When they begin to see each other, she discovers their families are fierce rivals. She's falling for the enemy and feels that she is betraying her family, who are starting to trust her. During her time there she also uncovers family secrets that should've stayed buried in the past. Will Demi and Leo be torn apart by lies and a generational long feud?

A heartwarming 3.5 star read, rounded up to 4 stars! The beginning started slowly, but I enjoyed the descriptions of Italy's beautiful surroundings and the unfurling of Demi and Leo's forbidden love story. My favorite secondary characters were Demi's friends, Anna and Brad! Overall The Five Year Plan is a cute, Hallmark-style story about second chances and self-discovery.

tropes: clean contemporary, insta- love, & hint of forbidden romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read The Five Year Plan in exchange for my honest review.

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I loved this contemporary romance. Thank you net galley for the early copy to review! Would recommend this author! delightful read.

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Demi's life suddenly isn't going to plan. Her dream of taking over the family café is, quite unfairly, shattered, and she discovers her boyfriend is being shady, so she decides to leave Melbourne an go find her roots in Italy. Of course she finds more than just her familial and culinary roots; she also meets Leo. After that it gets into spoiler territory, but suffice it to say, there are complications, and it's a fun ride to see who the will be resolved. I really like Demi's character and the story is charming if a touch slow to get to the point at times. Overall, an charming read about going for what you want, and romance, of course.

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Demi who's passion is her family's cafe. She's in her 30s and her Five Year Plan isn't working out. She leaves her home in melbourne for Bari, Italy to meet her extended family she's never met and learn about their food and culture.

While in the end I didn't like this book, there were aspects I enjoyed. I could really relate to Demi's experience going to Italy to meet family you've never met - this is something I've experienced too and I think Gibson captured quite well. I think the descriptions of the food and setting were also done well.

What I really disliked was how the story was told rather than shown. When an important conversation or event was going to happen, the dialogue leading up to it abruptly stopped and Demi would then recount what happened. At first I thought it was a blip, but it kept happening again and again and I realised this was how the whole thing had been written. This really frustrated me, since what I enjoy about romance stories is the tension and banter that comes out of conversations, and this felt glossed over.

Because of this, I couldn't buy into the romance at all, I didn't feel any chemistry or have reason to ship them. Similarly, the characters felt really stilted (and also annoying).

It was quite a predictable story (especially with the photograph iykyk), and usually I don't mind this if the characters or romance give me something to work with, but this was lacking for me.

Despite the nice setting, the romance and family drama bored me. There were also so many *and everyone clapped* moments that only made my eyes roll.

I know others have enjoyed this more so if you want to read a fairly light book about Italian food and culture with some family drama this could interest you.

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It’s the perfect climate to read a book set in Italy, and to travel vicariously via our memories and imagination– on a journey of fabulous food, family and love.

Jodi Gibson’s delightful #TheFiveYearPlan is a light hearted, sweet tale about a young Australian girl born of Italian parents who thinks she has her life sorted. Demi Moretti is well on the way to ticking off her five year plan for life - but as we know - life doesn’t always deal us the hand we plan for.

Demi is a woman on a mission - inheriting the family cafe in Melbourne once her father retires is all she has ever wanted - but life changes when her father sees a different future.

With a few twists and turns, Demi ends in Bari, Puglia, on a research trip where she meet her grandparents and cousins and is welcomed into the extended Moretti family. Of course, the Morettis in Bari own a family restaurant too - in the old town. That’s where the fun really begins.

Set in a lovely part of Italy, Jodi Gibson does a great job of describing the setting and traditional experiences that are unique to the country. We inhabit Bari through Demi’s eyes, smelling the espresso or tasting the nonnas’ orecchiette as she uncovers a mystery and long held family feuds. As Demi learns more about the family’s lives - she faces challenges of her own.

Enter Leo, a gorgeous sexy Italian and the rest is a delightful, delicious and enjoyable read to smile about.

Perfetto!

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I did not enjoy this book. Aside from the incredible sounding dishes, there wasn't much for me to get excited about unfortunately. It's really hard for me when it takes about 50% of the book for it to actually get good, and that was the hardest part for me. I wasn't inclined to pick this one up as frequently, so it took me a while to read. The characters felt younger than what they're said to be. I was constantly frustrated with our main gal. It was really close to a DNF for me.

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The world building painted such vivid and lively pictures of Italy, and the descriptions of the food and coffee was mouthwatering. There was a lot of drama within Demi's family and between their rival restaurants. I didn't really connect with these characters but I still enjoyed the read.

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This was such a fun and quick read! I loved seeing Demi navigate what life throws at her and her sudden spontaneity to travel to Italy for months visiting her family she hasn't ever met. This book had me hooked from the second chapter when Demi watches Gilmore Girls to feel better and I knew this would be a good one! A very cozy and cute romance full of Italy and food and family.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

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I enjoyed this book. Personally I’ve never had a long term plan (or a short term one for that matter!) but it shows you whether it works or not. Well done!

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This was such an adorable read that made me feel sad, made me laugh and made me hope above all else, i couldnt stop reading i was rooting for the charcaters so bad. I loved it

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At 33, Demi’s five-year plan is on track. She’s moved in with boyfriend, Wil, and is waiting patiently for her father to retire so she can take over the running of the family café. But when her father blindsides her by handing the café to her older brother Nick, and discovers Wil is hiding something, Demi’s five-year plan crumbles like crostoli. Determined to get her life back on track, Demi travels to Italy to learn about her Italian heritage and mend her frayed heart — hoping her father will come to his senses while she’s away. However, Demi’s Italian escape isn’t so perfect. Long-held family feuds, a love triangle from the past, and a surprising new friend in Leo, find Demi questioning everything; especially her five-year plan. Will Demi get her plan back on track? Or will she learn that the best plans are the ones you don’t make?

This is a very enjoyable, light-hearted read. We follow our main character, Demi, from Australia to Italy and see her develop as a character and person along the way. Demi is a planner but is her plan the right one? I loved that this was set in beautiful locations, it allowed me to travel with Demi without getting on a plane. Gibson does a great job at describing the locations as well as the delicious food and I had no problem conjuring it up. This is such a good read for those longing to get away!

Ultimately, this is a read about family, love and finding yourself. I thought this was a very heart-warming read. This is never going to be the most exhilarating or shocking of reads but that is fine as sometimes you need a book that feels like a cosy hug. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with 'The Five Year Plan' and Gibson's charming characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brio Books for an advance copy.

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An engaging story with family drama, love drama, and decisions in upheaval. Demi has her life al planned out until surprises derail her five year plan. She decides to fly to Italy to meet long lost relatives and finds love. It is ups and downs for Demi as she learns her true calling.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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How excited was I to be given the opportunity to review Jodi Gibson's latest book as an ARC reader from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

In a time where the world is unsettled, I found this read to one that made me feel good , as well as, give me hope.

I was taken back to my roots of home with the story line being in Melbourne. I felt nostalgic of all the land marks and could easily picture times when i had visited them. I felt like I was at home in my heart.

This is a lovely contemporary women's fiction novel, with a touch of humour and a lot of heart. It is about Demi, who with her best friend, Anna make a five year plan - a road map of how they want in their lives in the next five years.

Demi had her plan for her life, yet sadly wasn't fulfilling it. Her world becomes to unravel, nothing it going like her five year plan. So she makes a decision to travel to her family's heritage town of Bari, in Italy to make a series of changes. Where she learns about resilience, family loyality, culture, their food and love.

While reading this book, it made me feel like I was walking the cobblestone streets of Bari and witnessing the Moretti family's trattoria through Demi's eyes - so vivid and descriptive. I felt like I was there. You cant help but fall in love with all the characters and the setting. The love between Demi and Leo is one that you want to continue reading about forever, it truely makes your heart swell, as everyone deserves that kind of love. Plus, all the Italian foods mentioned made my mouth water. So much so, l just wished the recipes were waiting at the end of the story, so I could actually enjoy.

I absolutely loved this book and I really loved the message of the story. In that, you don't need to plan every aspect of your life, just let it come and accept what life gives you. As they say, "the best plans are the one's you didn't make".

"Che Sara sara. Whatever will be, will be".

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