The Backup Plan

A Novel (The Sunrise Cove Series, Book 3)

By: Jill Shalvis

Narrated by: Andi Arndt

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a heartwarming tale of three people who are brought together when they’re bequeathed an old Wild West inn that has the potential to pull their lives apart, but instead turns into the gift of a lifetime.

When Alice receives a call about an unexpected windfall, she’s stunned to learn the gift is a falling-apart-at-the-seams old Wild West B&B she once considered home—and she’s inherited it along with two strangers. Except they weren’t always strangers. Once upon a time, they were friends. One is her ex-BFF Lauren. The other is Knox, the only guy to ever break her heart, all while never even knowing she existed.

It turns out their lives are unknowingly entangled because they once separately helped the same woman without expecting anything in return. Years later, Alice, Lauren, and Knox are broken in their own way, with their own history—and secrets— causing them to start out on the wrong foot with each other. But according to the will, they must renovate and be partners in the inn for one year or else lose their inheritance.

Stuck together, they make a list of rules to keep the peace—rules that end up doing the opposite, but by some miracle they find what they didn’t even know they were looking for—acceptance, true friendship, and in a case (or two!), true love.

©2023 Jill Shalvis (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Sweetly, hilarious

Jill Shelvis delivers another laugh out loud sweet and heartfelt, romantic comedy. I highly recommend.

Wonderland

this was just wonderful. snarky, funny, romantic. it has it all. highly recommend this book and any of Jill Shalvis

The back up plan

What a lovely story this turned out to be. I like the premise and how the plot twisted and turned. I love the outcome. Can’t wait to read more of Jill Shalvis stories.

Three engaging characters with complications

What I love about Jill shalvis books, not typical story, characters have complicated relationships that intersect yet they have their own issues, topics include grief, abandonment, friendship, mentoring and it takes a village to raise children and a sprinkle of love, love and more love as the story builds.❤️

The tough part is listening to a new narrator (sorry andy arndt). I adore listening to erin mallon and karen white. Ive literally snorted soda up my nose I laughed so hard in the wildstone series (mallon as narrator) and animal attraction series (white as narrator). My husband rolled his eyes and said it cant be that funny! I told him dont be jealous - jill shalvis plus these ladies delivering the line are hilarious! What does he know all his fav narrators sound like darth vader.
In this book the funny lines come off more serious and sometimes I laughed a line or two later. Ive heard andi in her own book she wrote and she was funny. So she can narrate funny!!I just widh she narrated more like that here.

Also Jill usually has an 70ish character who says alot of funny things that only a eccentric aunt or uncle could get a way with- I missed that too in this story. Theres a little of that here!

All that said- Honestly if jill shalvis writes it I know Im in for a treat anyway- this book came out on my bday and my gift to myself was coffee, a new throw, warm socks and this book😍. The hubby n kids were- well who knows I was listening to this book! This is my 30th shalvis title and I cant wait to read more- Ive started to go back and read her lucky harbor series!! Im a first grade teacher and I have to recoup on weekends🤪🤪. Jill shalvis books are great for recoup-ing!
Keya shumpert
4 exits from Windsor
Ypsi mi

A feel good romance!

Inheriting an old inn forces three childhood friends to return to their hometown and mend fences. I liked each of the three: Alice, a sassy, independent woman who’s been on the go, never in one place for long since her brother's death. Lauren, Alice’s ex-best friend, who stayed in Sunrise Cove, pitied as the sort of “widow” of Alice’s brother after he died. And then there’s Knox, Alice’s teenage crush, who left and went on to start a successful construction business. He loved the inn and Sunrise Cove, but has his own painful memories drudged up by coming home.

The Backup Plan was a low-angst story with two romances, and a second-chance-at-bes-friends with Lauren and Alice. They let time and distance get between them but the forced proximity had them remembering how close they were, how much the friendship meant. Knox and Alice tip toe around mutual attraction while working on the inn, and Lauren finds love at the hardware store. Both romances made me smile.

I enjoyed the lessons they learned from Eleanor’s emails. Some of the revelations they had from them were painful to hear but helped the three face things they wouldn’t have normally.

The story is book three of the series, but it’s not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy it.

The Backup Plan was a feel-good story with friendship, love, and the comfort of finding home again.

Andi Arndt is one of my all-time favorite narrators for romance! Male or female voices she's awesome. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

Jill does it again …

Once again Jill has told me a story that makes me smile, laugh, and cry. As always, the story is engaging and enjoyable.

Sweet novel and a great happy ending!

This is my new favorite Jill Shalvis novel!
I love the individual stories that make the main plot.

Amazing

I have been enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next release in June.

Fun book

A really good story. I recommend it. Characters all interesting. Shows we all have baggage and can overcome obstacles that were presented in our lives.

The back up plan

The story was OK. It wasn’t as good as some of her other. The narration wasn’t great and the storyline was a little cliché. Definitely not my favorite from this author.