Title: The Five Year Plan
Author: Carla Burgess
Publication Date: 20 March 2020
Publsher: HQ Digital
Standalone Novel
Estimated Page Count – 312
Purchase Link: mybook.to/FiveYearPlan
My Review:
This is a contemporary romance involving a journalist with a plan and a wildlife photographer . . . . and five years apart.
The story starts in the present then goes back five years to reflect on everything that happened then for Orla’s point of view……. Have you been to interviews where one of the questions is, “Where do you see yourself in five years time?” Well, Orla has her five year plan in place and knows exactly where she wants to be. Unfortunately, meeting an attractive Irish wildlife photographer and falling in love with him just aren’t going to make her change her plans, “That wouldn’t be practical!”. We then return to the present when the two meet again. Will this be a second chance for romance for the two of them – or will it still not be practical for Orla?
This is a story of contrasts. Orla is so focussed on what she wants to achieve she’s scared of letting go or taking a chance, whilst Aiden is much less concerned, though he’s obviously hard working, independent, very patient and talented, he’s willing to go with the flow and make the most of life’s opportunities. She wants security and comfort. He enjoys getting close to nature and camping. There are also contrasts between their families, though many are resolved in the Epilogue. There are some vivid descriptions of the otters he’s filming when we first meet him, making it easy to imagine actually being there to see their antics. It is a heartwarming story, a cute contemporary romance that is lovely to escape into with some laughs along the way.
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and thoroughly enjoying doing so!
Synopsis:
Orla is a trainee reporter with a five-year plan: work her way up the career ladder, move to London and secure a job on a big national newspaper. She doesn’t want a boyfriend, he’s only going to hold her back anyway.
Aiden spends his life travelling the world and living in a tent. He knows his goal: to photograph animals and raise awareness of global warming and wildlife conservation. He’s definitely not looking for a relationship past the odd casual hook-up!
So when Orla and Aiden’s lives collide, they do everything to not fall for each other – with the opposite effect. But they stick to their plans, and go their separate ways…
Five years later, they meet again…
About Carla Burgess
Carla Burgess was born in Solihull and now lives in Chester, UK, with her husband, three children, dog and bearded dragon. She has a degree in English Literature and Psychology and started her working life as an editor on a magazine. She now works for the NHS.
Follow Carla Burgess
Website: www.carlaburgessauthor.com
Many thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for providing materials for this post and organising the tour it is part of.