***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
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.
The Backup Plan by Jill Shalvis is the third book in her popular Sunrise Cove series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. I’ve enjoyed The Sunrise Cove series, and The Backup Plan is a wonderful addition.
Story Recap:
Alice, Knox, and Lauren each inherit a part of the Last Chance Inn after Eleneour passes away. Alice and Lauren used to be best friends until an incident caused a rift, and they have never spoken to each other since. Alice had a huge crush on Knox for years, but he never gave her a second look.
Part of the will stipulates they must fix up the Inn and live in it for a year. But, with so many secrets and misunderstandings between them, just being civil towards each other is hard enough. So, they make a list of rules to keep the peace while they work on the inn.
My Thoughts:
I’ve been loving the Sunrise Cove series and this addition did not disappoint. I like that instead of just two people, it was three people who inherited the inn. This made for a more lively dynamic in my opinion. All of the relationships are strained a the beginning so that made for some funny moments.
I liked that all three characters had a very different relationship with Eleanor and each have a different perspective of her character. It’s almost like Eleanor was three different women. All three characters have secrets as well as some misunderstandings and it takes some time for everything to come out and for these characters to learn to like and trust each other.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend The Backup Plan to anyone who enjoys fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Jill Shalvis
Multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is … mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning heartwarming and full of humor novels wherever books are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures. Her most recent book, Almost Just Friends, was just published last month and her next book, The Summer Deal, comes out in June.
MORE ABOUT JILL
Jill lives with her family in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters (Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is mostly coincidental). She does most of her writing on her deck surrounded by more animals than humans. Which is quite astonishing considering she’s a city girl who was plucked from the wilds of L.A. to the wilds of the Sierra’s. Most of her books come from a combination of hard work, cookies, and hot guy pics, and not necessarily in that order.
Jill often travels to reader weekends & conventions where she LOVES getting to meet and hang-out with readers. The only problem being she tends to get lost in her hotels. So if you ever see NYTimes Bestselling author Jill Shalvis roaming the halls, someone please return her immediately.
I really struggled with Alice’s character and that had an impact on my reading experience, but overall I really enjoyed this one, too. Shalvis is dependable for a feel-good story.
I just read another reviews of this book and you also make it sound like a lovely read. I also really like that three people inherited the inn instead of the usual two you see in a story.
It is interesting how people can be different with different people, reflecting the various shades that make a person perhaps. This sounds a good read. Glad you enjoyed it, Wendy🙂🙂
These kinds of stories are always such a good time. The small-town vibes, the reconnection, the old flame (even if he never knew she existed haha). I might have to pick this one up when I’m craving something truly feel-good!
Wonderful review, Wendy. I love this series, but was not approved for this one, so will wait until my library gets it.
Great review. This is on my list.
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I really need to read more Jill Shalvis books! I do love the doggie on the cover of this too. Great review!
I really struggled with Alice’s character and that had an impact on my reading experience, but overall I really enjoyed this one, too. Shalvis is dependable for a feel-good story.
I really liked the friendship element in this story. I haven’t read any of the Sunrise Cove books but I’m so excited to pick them up.
Such a good book. Wonderful review Wendy!
I have this but was planning to wait for the audio. So maybe I’ll end up reading it yet anyway.
The audio might be great!
This sounds lovely with a few laughs too, great review 😊
Thank you, Jenny! It was a good one!
This was such a beautiful story.
It really was! Thank you, Nadene
I haven’t been reading this series but it sounds like one I would enjoy! Nice review Wendy!
I think you would enjoy it too, Jodie. So many wonderful books out there and never enough time.
This sounds like a nice addition to this series, I’m glad you enjoyed it. I like the thought of inheriting a wild west inn!
I know! A wild west inn would be awesome!
Nice to see you loved this one. I hope to read it this week.
Oh good. I hope you enjoy it too!
I haven’t read any of the books in the series, but glad you’re enjoying it. Maybe they’ll make it to my TBR by the end of the year.
I hope you enjoy the series if you get to it!
I just read another reviews of this book and you also make it sound like a lovely read. I also really like that three people inherited the inn instead of the usual two you see in a story.
Yes, it’s nice to have the extra person there who acts as a buffer and get’s her own story too.
This does sound like a good one. But then Jill Shalvis writes enjoyable books.
She’s so good!
It is interesting how people can be different with different people, reflecting the various shades that make a person perhaps. This sounds a good read. Glad you enjoyed it, Wendy🙂🙂
Thank you, Mallika!
I like that the characters were brought together because of helping someone in the past. Nice!
Yes, it made for a good story
This sounds like such a heartwarming series. Excellent review, Wendy!
Thank you, Tessa!
These kinds of stories are always such a good time. The small-town vibes, the reconnection, the old flame (even if he never knew she existed haha). I might have to pick this one up when I’m craving something truly feel-good!
Jill Shalvis writes really good feel good books.
This sounds really good. I like the idea of three characters being made to do something together rather than the usual two.
Yes! It made for a more interesting book.
Glad the series is still going strong! Great review as always.
Thank you, Joanna!
Wonderful review Wendy. I’m hoping to get to this one very soon!☕🤗🌞📚💜
It’s a good one, Susan. I know you’re crazy busy right now.
Why can’t I just inherit a rustic inn? I’m so jealous. Lovely review Wendy.
I know! Right! In books everyone has some surprise relative who gives them something.