Wreck My Plans by Cindi Madsen is the kind of book that pretends it’s a lighthearted rom-com and then quietly sits you down to discuss burnout, perfectionism, and why your nervous system deserves a snack and a nap.
Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Amara, thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Mia Andrews is a publicist whose life detonates in very public fashion thanks to a viral fiasco dubbed #PantyGate, which is both mortifying and, frankly, an unhinged thing to trend over. One minute she’s managing crises for a living, the next she is the crisis. Unemployed, single, and emotionally fried, she retreats to her grandmother’s retirement community in Florida thinking this will be quiet, temporary, and safe. Reader, it is none of those things.

Instead, Mia is dropped into a community powered entirely by gossip, golf carts, unsolicited advice, and retirees who have decided that if they can’t live vicariously through her love life, then what is even the point of aging. The grandmas absolutely steal the show. They are chaotic, meddling, well-meaning, occasionally exhausting, and somehow still deeply comforting. At times they are a lot, but honestly, so is healing, and that feels intentional.

This book is funny in a very grounded way. Not joke-joke funny, but “I laughed because this is painfully true” funny. The humor comes from situations spiraling out of control, from Mia’s inner monologue, and from watching someone who has tied their entire self-worth to productivity be forced to sit still and confront herself. It’s cozy, but it’s also sharp. Comforting, but not shallow.

The romance is a slow burn, and yes, it takes its time. If you’re coming in expecting constant swooning from page one, this might test your patience. But the emotional pacing makes sense. This story is far more invested in Mia rebuilding her sense of self than rushing her into a relationship to prove she’s okay now. When the romance does come into focus, it feels earned, gentle, and supportive rather than flashy.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is how it handles anxiety and OCD. Mia’s struggles are woven into her character in a way that feels honest and lived-in, not performative or reduced to a single trait. Her perfectionism, her spirals, her constant need to control outcomes all connect back to how she’s learned to survive. Watching her slowly loosen her grip, make mistakes, and still be loved is incredibly satisfying.

“Sometimes the plan falling apart is the only reason you finally get to breathe.”

By the end, Wreck My Plans feels less like a traditional rom-com and more like a warm, slightly sarcastic reminder that starting over doesn’t mean you failed. It means you lived long enough to realize something wasn’t working. Between the found family, the growth arc, the slow-burn romance, and the unapologetic chaos of the retirement community, this book left me smiling, a little emotional, and oddly comforted.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

If you love cozy romance novels with witty banter, found family vibes, emotional growth, and meddling grandmas who refuse to mind their business, this is absolutely one to add to your list.

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I was a little nervous about Mia but in the end I found her beyond retable. She suffers from anxiety and OCD, and paired with her upbringing has lead to overachieving, perfectionism, and the lack of any sort of healthy boundaries.

The premise of this is so interesting. Truly there are some moments in life that carry more consequences, and unfortunately Mia found out the hard way. I am thrilled that she had her grandmas though; they really are ride-or-die. The granny bucket list was fascinating. The love story was slow burn but so worth the wait.

I also think the author did a wonderful job of portraying the difficulties of working with senior citizens; the stubbornness, the experience, and a bit of the recklessness. I genuinely enjoyed Mia's growth and development as a character.

Thank you Entangled Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Shake your head and roll your eyes - this poor girl!
This book was hilariously amusing and entertaining.
Also, utterly heartbreaking and soul wrenching.
This covers love and loss, moving on, and realizing the important things in life before it's too late.
I absolutely loved all Mia's "grandma's" I aspire to be as bold, stubborn and independent as them.

This book reminds you to find your dreams, have no regrets and life your life to the fullest each and every day.