Not in the Plan

‘Not in the Plan’ is Dana Hawkins's debut novel and the first in the ‘Single in Seattle’ series that focuses on opposites-attract, sapphic romance stories. This book centres around Charlie and Mack. Charlie is a 27-year-old whimsical and kind-hearted coffee shop owner in Seattle whose dreams of running her business are slowly crumbling under the pressure of mounting debt and poor customer turnover. Mack, a 26-year-old author from New York suffering from writer's block, hopes that through visiting her parents in Seattle, she will find the inspiration she needs to complete her second novel before her publishers demand the return of an advance she has already spent. Charlie has sunk every cent to her name into opening her coffee shop, ‘Sugar Mugs’ six months ago. Her passion and dream have been to create a safe space where everyone is welcome to hang out and enjoy the elixir of life, otherwise known as coffee. However, she is overwhelmed by the growing pile of debt the renovations have accrued, and although she has a steady clientele of regulars, they are not enough to keep the lights on and doors open for much longer. Apart from her snarky but fabulous best friend and barista, Ben, Charlie doesn’t have a comprehensive support system. “Her mom, whom she hadn’t seen in twenty years. Her dad, who looked her up every few months and asked her to spot him a fifty. Jess, who fell into another woman’s bed the moment Charlie suggested they think about a family.” Mack, on the other…

OK, I'll be honest....I only read this book because it's based in my home state of WA. Turns out, it was a very good story! Charlie and Mack are so cute together. I loved their banter and their chemistry. It was nice to see them step out of their comfort zones to get to know each other, in spite of their struggles with their own personal issues and insecurities. It was pretty romantic as well. And of course, added ingredients to a nice romcom - a supportive BFF and lame/doting parents. So worth the read!