Chef Flora Deare; royal wedding caterer! When Flora’s childhood friend Hope asks her to design the menu for her upcoming royal wedding, Flora is quick to say yes. Hasebury Hall, the wedding venue may be dilapidated but it has all the kitchen space she needs, and she’ll happily make do even though the Hall’s owner and brooding brother-of-the-bride, Max Kennard is constantly underfoot. She’s known Max for years. Had a crush on him in her teens. Might have the teeniest wee soft spot for him still…
When his sister Hope announces that she’s going to marry a prince, Max is taken aback to discover that the royal wedding will not take place in the majestic principality of San Michele, but at their run-down Wiltshire family home, Hasebury Hall. Now Max has to fix up the manor, let royals and security officials have the run of the place… and find a suitable woman to accompany him to the wedding and all the other ridiculous events that surround it.
Max is single, Flora’s single. They could pair up and go together. What harm can a little pretense do if all it involves is a glamorous trip to San Michele and smiling together at the wedding itself? Apparently, a lot… Soon, it’s hard to remember what’s real and what’s not.
**Previously titled The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement in the Royal Wedding Invitation multi-author series of 2017-2018**
Titles in the (reissued/renamed) Royal Weddings multi-author series include – Falling for Charming by Sophie Weston – Best Made Plans by Jessica Hart – If the Shoe Fits by Liz Fielding – Miss You More by Anne McAllister
Title: Best Made Plans (previously: The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement)
Series: Royal Weddings #2 (previously: Royal Wedding Invitations #2)
Author: Jessica Hart
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published: 2nd edition reissue – first published: October 13, 2017
Publisher: Tule Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars
**Once upon a time, Best Made Plans was known as The Baronet’s Wedding Engagement in the Royal Wedding Invitation multi-author series from Tule Publishing. Back in 2017-18, I was fortunate to receive all four books as ARCs and what you’ll find here is that original review with a few necessary alterations due to title changes and such. No matter when it was reissued, renamed with a lovely new cover – Max and Flora’s romance is touching, emotional… and still well worth your time.**
In the second story of this series, Best Made Plans, we met the Crown Princess who is… shall we say politely a stickler for proper protocol – and getting her own way. Now she’s up to her old tricks trying to butt into Hope’s wedding plans. She’s finding she cannot control the wedding, but she can control the pre-wedding activities held in her country. When she insists that everyone attending has a plus one to keep the numbers even she inadvertently sets the stage for a romance. While unexpected, the situation is most definitely intriguing to Max, the bride’s brother, and Flora, one of the bride’s best friends. It might have started as a silly suggestion made in fun over the Crown Princess’ antics… but maybe pretend can turn into forever for two people who really deserve a happy ever after..
I enjoyed this romance very much. While Max may come off as grumpy, there are reasons for his attitude and a very strong and caring man beneath his gruff surface. Flora has set her own path doing what she loves. Neither was particularly looking for romance but slowly what started out as a fun experience became a chance at happiness – if they’d be willing to take that risk.
If you enjoy the pretend couple that turns into much more plot, then you’ll enjoy Best Made Plans. There were a couple of issues that were a bit of a hiccup for me, but they didn’t take away from the story one bit… just my own buttons, I’d guess you’d say. If you’re in the mood for a bit of a fairy tale romance, an interesting plot, engaging secondary characters, and a couple that you’ll be cheering on from the start – then this is a story you’d enjoy.
*I originally received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Available for your favorite e-reader (mine is the Kindle)
