on June 25, 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Publisher
It's the last day of junior year, and seventeen-year-old Ritzy--short for Maritza--is pretty sure she has a great plan. Summer job--check. Hang with friends at the beach--check. Keep looking after herself as she's been doing since her mom bailed to follow her bliss--check. Or no check?
After someone reports that Ritzy is living alone, a social worker shows up and puts her into foster care. That's surprise enough. Even more surprising? Ritzy has been in foster care before, as an infant, and the woman who cared for her then takes her in again. But maybe the greatest surprise of all for Ritzy is that living with her foster mother, Kristin, in Kristin's gorgeous house, isn't all that bad. And neither is the cute, friendly boy next door. If Ritzy's mom hadn't gotten her back all those years ago, this is the life she could have had. But is it the life she should have had?
When Ritzy's old life catches up with her new one, she has some decisions to make. Can she plan for the worst, but still hope for the best?
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Better Than the Best Plan hooked me from the first pages.
The characters fit into standard tropes. I never felt like I got to know them beyond a superficial level. Nevertheless, the protagonists are likable. Maritza is nice girl who enjoys to read, has a crush on a cute boy, and thinks carefully about her future. She’s mature for her age, having had to take on so many responsibilities at home. And she enjoys a good book. I loved seeing Martiza’s relationships with her foster parents and Spencer, the cute boy next door, blossom. Seeing her learn what it means for a parental figure to provide security and stability, even if it means placing boundaries on her freedom. And seeing her learn that the wealthy don’t all coast through life; the teens work during the summer too, if at nicer establishments, and experience conflicts with parental figures.
If any character breaks the tropes, it’s Spencer. Spencer initially comes off an the arrogant rich boy, but he’s actually not the troubled jerk hiding a nice heart. He’s a genuinely kind person, albeit with some issues of his own, who thinks about others and, like Maritza, is carefully considering his future. I especially love his relationship with his rowdy younger brother. Ryan was born with a gestational amputation and is missing one of his forearms, but he’s super hyperactive and finds ways to work around his disability. Spencer is an advocate for treating his younger brother normally, and he demonstrates this by example. He’s also fixing up a car and enjoys playing tennis competitively, though he doesn’t plan to go pro.
The book progresses quickly from scene to scene, never lingering long on any one character, activity, or setting. This causes some discontinuity in the story. For example, Maritza is roped into creating a children’s program for a July 4th celebration. After she accepts the role, the next time the program comes up is on the day of the performance. Still, enough is given that I understood where the story was going, and the end didn’t come as a surprise, though it felt rushed. Pretty much everything wraps up in the last few chapters, some a little too neatly and some given to us without showing us the process.
Although the problems and central conflicts of the novel resolve rather quickly and neatly, Better than the Best Plan is an enjoyable, heartwarming story about the importance of communication in relationships, finding first love and new love, and opening oneself to new beginnings. As it takes place during summer vacation and features some beach scenes (set in Florida, by the way), it’s perfect for a summer read.
Content
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π What are your thoughts on summer romances?
π Books featuring sibling relationships?
Marie @ Drizzle & Hurricane Books says
Oh this sounds like such a great summer read! I haven’t heard of it until just now, but it sounds fantastic and I really like that it deals with foster care as well, we too rarely see books with these kind of topics at heart. I’m sorry you felt like the ending was a little too neat, I’m all for happy endings though so I think I could love that one π thank you for sharing!
Crystal says
I agree. It’s rare to see a book that features foster care. I’m so glad to hear that this sounds like a book you’d love. I hope you enjoy Better Than the Best Plan, Marie!
Dani @ Perspective of a Writer says
Awww this sounds totally up my alley! I love books about foster care and you just don’t see them that often. It sounds like the tropes in this are really neatly handled. And I love the idea of Spencer and his brother’s relationship. β€οΈ
Crystal says
I agree. Foster care doesn’t come up that often in books, so it was cool to see that come into play. And yes, Spencer and his brother’s relationship is wonderful. I love books that feature sibling relationships since my brother and I had a pretty good relationship when we were younger β€οΈ
Grace Louise says
I swear all I’m reading this summer is YA romance haha! Gorgeous post Hun x
Grace Louise || http://www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
Crystal says
There’s something about the summer and romance novels! Thanks, Grace!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters says
Spencer sounds wonderful! Especially for being there for brother. I love the cover for this book. Glad you enjoyed it!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters
Crystal says
The cover is fantastic. It helped convince me to pick up this one. And yes, Spencer is a wonderful character. I love when a book features a good family relationship π
Sam@wlabb says
I have enjoyed Morril’s books in the past, and I liked the premise of this one a lot. I like neat endings, so I think I would be ok with this.
Crystal says
It’s a really cute read. I hope you enjoy this one, Sam!
Sophia Rose says
I like the sound of Spencer and how he advocates for his brother and supports him. Sounds like a cute one overall.
Crystal says
I adored the brotherly relationship and wish we got to see more of it. Spencer and Ryan are fantastic π
Melliane says
The communication is usually a big problem in books. In any case I didn’t know about this one but it looks good.
Crystal says
Yeah, learning to communicate is a part of life and relationships. This was a fun summer read.