There are three thing I know about a Roan Parrish book before I open it.
- It will be queerly m/m.
- It will be rich in emotion.
- The two main characters will be messes who make each other better people.
My only consistent critique of her work is that I wish her characters went to therapy more often. In real life, I would insist on it, but in fiction I can sink into their emotional lives and become mushy with them.
Rye Jannsen is at the end of his rope. He has been unemployed and couch surfing in Seattle for months. He gets a call telling him he has inherited a house in Wyoming from the grandfather he never met. He arrives in Garnet Run with his cat, Marmot, his two duffle bags, and a car that is on the verge of dying. Also on the verge of dying, the house he inherited. Rye lacks the skills and the money to make the house habitable. All he has is a willingness to watch YouTube videos and a reluctance to ask for help.
Charlie Matheson grew up fast when his parents died and he had a business and younger brother to care for. Charlie has kept the family hardware store going, works construction and for fun does woodworking. He worries about people, and when the surly stranger keeps coming in, clearly not knowing what he’s doing, Charlie gently interferes. He also has a cat, a big floofer named Jane.
Rye has a hard time trusting that Charlie wants to help for nothing in return and Charlie is so shut down emotionally that he can’t believe Rye is attracted to him for himself. Both of these sweet babies need to go to therapy. In a fictional world they are able to heal each other through love and understanding.
Best Laid Plans will not disappoint fans of Roan Parrish. Though it is the second book in the series, it wouldn’t be a bad place to start either.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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