The Backup Plan is one of the best books Jill Shalvis has written. There’s so much to delve into as Knox, Lauren and Alice must learn to work together to keep the inheritance of one third of an old historic inn each received. This is a story about secrets, self-realization, acceptance, forgiveness of others as well as self. I loved the way Ms. Shalvis plotted her story as each one learns the true story of their benefactor. No spoilers. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.

I’m a huge fan of Jill Shalvis's romantic work, but I really feel she’s come into a perfect season with her women’s fiction, her latest book exemplifying that beautifully.

Three people at crossroads in their lives are thrown together for 1 month. They’ve inherited a Wild West Inn used in a fictional television series from back in the day. Each of the trio has ties to the Inn and the late owner, Eleanor, a woman with as much angst as the pimpliest of teenagers.

Eleanor dies and leaves a 1/3 equal share of the inn to Knox Rawlings, Alice Moore, and Lauren ( Sorry, I forgot her last name).

Alice and Lauren used to be BFFs when they were teens. Then a tragedy struck and Alice left town- and Lauren and Eleanor

Knox worked at the Inn along with his alcoholic mother when he was a teen. Alice had a huge crush on him that she hoped he never knew.

Three adults now, each has a secret and a sad past they’d rather leave in the past. The only problem is, that they have to live and work side by side at the inn for one month. Thrown together now, those pasts are going to collide.

Shalvis writes each scene with emotion and fire you can’t help but wonder if she has first-hand knowledge of someone with alcoholism; if she lost someone tragically in her past; if she ever felt less than as a human being; and if she harbors extreme guilt over an event.

This book had me laughing on one page, crying in the next chapter, and rooting for all three of these wounded, wonderful people to get their deserved happy ending.

Another sure-fire winner from Jill Shalvis. I read it in one sitting because I didn’t want to put it down until I knew what happened. 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Harper for the chance to read an ARC of one of my one-click authors.