Loved this book and now I want to read everything by this author, I’ve been recommending it to friends as a quick and fun flirty read. Will be waiting anxiously for more Lucy Score books!

I really liked the banter and dynamics between all the characters in this one, although I never fully connected with Emmaline as her issues weren't all that unique, and she basically cuts her own nose off to spite her face on more than one occasion thanks to not dealing with her abandonment issues...

I really enjoyed Not Part of the Plan! Lucy Score delivers her signature blend of humor, slow-burn romance, and emotional depth in a story that’s both entertaining and genuinely touching.

The dynamic between the main characters is electric—they’re strong, stubborn, and full of snappy banter that made me laugh out loud more than once. What I especially appreciated was how the story balanced the fun, flirty moments with deeper themes like personal growth, emotional vulnerability, and learning to let go of control when life throws curveballs.

There were a few spots where the pacing dragged just a bit, and I found myself wanting the story to move along a little faster in the middle. But the characters were so well-drawn and the payoff so satisfying that it didn’t take much away from my overall enjoyment.

If you're a fan of smart romantic comedies with heart, a bit of heat, and characters who feel real, this one’s definitely worth picking up. Not everything went according to plan—but that’s kind of the point, right?

A great addition to the Blue Moon series!!! Fantastic chemistry and a compelling story. Loved Niko and Emma!

I like some works by Lucy Score, but this was not one of them. DNF this as I lost interest after the first 5 or so chapters.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I usually love this author, and while this book wasn’t my absolute favorite, it was still an enjoyable read. The small town setting of Blue Moon was charming as always, and the side characters added a lot of warmth and humor to the story. Niko and Emma definitely had chemistry; their banter and tension made for some fun, steamy moments.

That said, I didn’t always connect with Niko’s bad boy persona, and at times the “we shouldn’t, but we will” dynamic felt a little repetitive. Still, I appreciated the way both characters grew as the story unfolded, and by the end, their relationship felt more grounded and believable.

Another great story by Lucy Score. I enjoyed this one. The angst was great, as was the banter between the characters. I loved everything about this

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read and loved several other books by Lucy Score and this one was no exception. I enjoyed it as much as all of the others!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC. This is the 4th book in the Blue Moon series of interconnected novels (meaning you can read it as a standalone, but it may be confusing with a lack of side characters' backstories.) Lucy Score is the queen of writing a good, cozy, small-town romance, and she came through once again with Not Part of the Plan! This was a cute and slightly predictable story, filled with cheeky side characters, found family, and parallel storylines. The main characters are relatable enough, though I feel they could've been written better. Score has a habit of trying to add character depth, but accidentally adds way too many extra pages. Sometimes, I find that her novels could've been cut 100-200 words, and it would've been much more concise and deep. Overall, I enjoyed this one, but still prefer the Knockemount series.

While I'm still giving it a 3 star rating, I think this is one of Lucy Score's weaker romances. It's pretty insta-lovey but then our FMC resists the entire book and that was exhausting. Her reasons were iffy and just didn't mesh with the story I think. Still, another solid romance from Lucy Score.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Bloom Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Always have a great time with Lucy's book. This was a fast read for me. I found myself completely drawn into her world and the storyline.

I enjoyed this book even if the characters could be frustrating at times. Blue moon and all the side characters make for a fun read.

This book is the quintessential small town romance. The storyline is somewhat predictable and cliche at times but I still found it very enjoyable. Nico and Emma were such a sweet couple and I loved seeing the other characters in the blue moon series. A sweet read!

Lucy Score has sucked me in, to this whole series!!!! Not Part of the Plan was a fun read filled with romantic chemistry. Thank you NetGally for this advanced copy. Niko, a NYC photographer, comes to the small town of Blue Moon where his friends live to get away and recharge. He lost his passion for taking photos and does not know what to do. Enter Emma. She is the towns' brewery manager and filled with fire and spice. Niko wants to date Emma but she puts him in the friend zone. But Niko and the town beautification committee have different plans for them! I laughed out loud a lot with this book. Love all of the characters from the other books being apart of Niko and Emma's journey. Can't wait to start the next book in the series, Holding on to Chaos!

I love Lucy Score's small town romances! Once again we're back in Blue Moon with Emma and her friends and family. Niko comes to town to see his best friend Summer and falls for Emma when he meets her working at the family brewery. He's a big time photographer whose work isn't cutting it lately and he needs a change of scenery for a bit. I found it fun watching them fall in love and of course seeing all the other characters from the previous books in this series. I'll be reading Holding on to Chaos (Book 5 and about Emma's sister Eva) ASAP! I can't wait to go back to this amazing little town where there's a committee to help people fall in love! Fun, easy read and best to be read in order so you get everyone else's story too.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 8 July 2025

Oh my heart! I love Lucy Score books and this one did not disappoint! Family, friends, life and love are at the heart of this book. It is about learning that love doesn’t follow a plan or look like you think it should and not letting fear keep you from everything that you love. Emma has come to Blue Moon because her sister and father have found love there and she wants to be part of their lives. She has a plan and it includes protecting her heart from heartbreak so she wants a stable and dependable partner. Niko comes to Blue Moon to visit his best friend Summer and to try and rediscover his passion for his work. What he doesn’t expect is to be folded into the chaos of family and the quirky town of BLue Moon or to meet Emma that changes everything for him. Will they be able to open their hearts and embrace what they find in Blue Moon? I love, love, love Emma and Niko together. They truly see each and embrace all the difficult and messy parts of the other, plus sparks fly when they are together. Their friends and families are such a part of their story and add so much depth and humor, especially the kids and animals. It was all so messy, chaotic, and joyful just like life. Blue Moon is such a quirky community and I can’t get enough of it! These are people I want to hang out with and returning to Blue Moon is like coming home. This is part of a series but they can be read as standalones, but once you read one you will want to read them all. Highly, highly recommend you read this book and this series if you enjoy books about family and life and love and quirky towns.

Cue hilarious town drama, a slow-burn friends-to-lovers, and yes—a third-act meltdown that had me screaming. It’s funny, flirty, and full of heart. This book explores themes of finding your place, letting go of control, and the power of unexpected connections. The writing is engaging, the characters are relatable, and the overall experience is incredibly satisfying. Definitely a must-read for romance fans!

Emma has plans for her life. For now she is working at the brewery with her sisters and father nearby. When Niko comes around, he upsets everything. Arc from NetGalley..

I always find Lucy Score books very entertaining and fast paced. I have read the previous 3 books of the Blue moon series and after reading this one I can tell it only gets better with each new book. The story building is well written and had me laughing throughout the whole story. I must say I fell in love with Niko and Emma love story. Ahhh I will definitely be reading the rest of the series and recommend it to everyone!