The Backup Plan is a perfect feel good read. It's sweet, romantic Cinderella story. It's the story that when you finish you have a huge smile plastered on your face. You have the warm fuzzies and a craving for more.

He's a broody, unhappy jock.
She's the nerdy help.
They are an unlikely pair to most but exactly what this fairytale like story needs.

Friends who used to be. Strangers in the now.

It's absolutely Hallmark without the cheesy overtones. This college romance is exactly the pick me up you want.

Super angsty New Adult romance featuring an injured former football star.and his friend who brings him back from the edge. Steamy and lovely.

Chase did not kill his best friend even though everyone else believes that he did; therefore, he is an outcast. It was an accident which left his best friend dead and his shoulder damaged so he cannot play football anymore. As a result, he does not care about anything anymore and is doing poorly with his college courses. Taylor has known Chase forever and they were good friends, but she is the daughter of servants and he is the son of parents who are well off. Taylor is not seen as someone acceptable for Chase, but she comes back into his life at the time that he needs her most.

Will Taylor be able to help Chase out of the hole he is in? Will he ever be able to play football again? Will he ever be happy again? Can they be happy together? The odds are not in their favor but one never knows what life will bring.

I loved this story. It was realistic and had wonderful emotion. It pulled me right in and kept me interested right up until the last page. The characters were well-developed and interesting. The story moved at a very good pace. This is a second chance romance story. Read it and find out if the get their HEA.

emotional without being over-angsty and heavy on dramatics. Fast paced and sucks you in. Would recommend! 3.5/5

This book had some guilt, some angst, some of everything...People know I'm not a fan of guilt and angst, but I liked this book. Why? Because it had some football in it!!! But what really got me was the second chance romance of it all!! OMG - I really love second chance romance y'all. It is like my drug of choice.

Chase used to be this complete sweetheart and that's what Taylor loved about him but now he's a complete tool. He's a recluse and he's brash and wants nothing to do with people. There were times in this book I wanted to beat him with a stick and then beat him again. He never helped matters and it wasn't easy to like him. In fact, it was easier to just hate his guts but it was sooo good!!

I really liked the story a lot. My favorite part was the first half where Chase was a complete tool to Taylor. I enjoyed the back and forth banter and Taylor's sassiness and dedication to helping heal Chase. While I loved their connection and passion, I did feel that the story felt somewhat rushed at times. I also wished that his team wouldn't have held a grudge against him like they did and that there was some kind of resolution to that. Also, Chase's warming up to Taylor as quickly as he did seemed kind of improbable and only for the books sake. I would have liked to seen some growth on this. Otherwise, this was a cute book and I would rate it as such.

I wasn't able to connect to this story. The characters were immature and the plot was predictable. I did not finish this book.

A chance they were never given. Chase couldn't be dating the helps kid, but he could be her best friend, until they aren't anymore..
Chase's life changes one night. He goes from Mr. Popular to Mr. Pariah over night. No one knows the real story and he's not telling. He doesn't want the attention, he doesn't want anything. He's failing at college, his dreams of professional ball are gone and in walks Taylor. His best friend. She's sent by Chase's dad to get Chase on the right path, but Chase is broody and rude. Her job, her college degree depends on him passing his classes. She knows her friend from before is still there, but can she make him see he's worth it? He's not what the rumors say and he's more than a jock?

I've read Jen McLaughlin previously and really enjoyed the writing style and loved the characters. This one is no different.

Chase when from the big man on campus to the campus freak. Blamed by fellow students for his best friends car crash, Chase has made himself the campus loner. Blaming himself he continues to punish himself for the his best friends death. In comes Taylor a childhood best friend and old crush. Taylor is determined to save Chase from himself. With pressure from Chases dad, fellow students, and Chase's mood swings Taylor is spending all her time trying to save him. Taylor starts falling in love with the one person she can never have, Chase.

Oh my, I loved this story, this is a first time author for me and the writing was good, it flowed easily and the characters were great

I love reading books from authors I have not read before, you never know what you are gonna get!

Chase is in college and was used to being the man on the campus, but after an accident involving his best friend,  which he blames himself for, all of that is behind him. Taylor grew up with Chase since her parents work for Chase's dad.  She is sent to watch over Chase and get him back on his feet.  Only Taylor did not expect to have the connection to him like she does.  Now they both have to navigate these feelings together but with his overwhelming guilt it seems like it wont happen.  This was a great find, and I will totally be reading more by this author. The flow and pacing was great and the ending was predictable, but still good.

I am a big sucker for second-chance love stories. I mean who doesn't want a happy ending!?!
While I did enjoy parts of this story, I did feel like Chase made to much of a change to his personality too quickly and it didn't read very realistic to me.

While I did like this book, it wasn't one that I loved and I feel like the story could have been executed much better.

3.5 stars

The Backup Plan by Jen McLaughlin was a good read.
I found the storyline entertaining, it was well written and the drama was just enough to keep you turning the pages.
Watching Taylor and Chase's relationship unfold had me smiling one minute and wanting to punch Chase the next, I know he lashed out when he was hurting but I didn't like it.
I really enjoyed Taylor's character, she was feisty, smart and determined to get Chase out of the darkness he was in.
I liked them together and Taylor was the perfect girl for Chase.

The Backup Plan is the first book in the Back in the Game Series, looking forward to reading the next book.

*Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

I was enjoying the story but then Taylor’s secrets went on for too long. I just wanted to grab her and tell her to talk to Chase!!!!!! And Amanda... Ugh, just Ugh

Then the premise of the story... no one believed his story???? I don’t buy it. If he was a football star... why wasn’t the team insisting on physical therapy?? Everyone hated him and then they didn’t?

Chase and Taylor were once really good friends, but with her parents being employees of his rich family, there was no way they could be anything more. However, with Chase going through a rough time after the death of a friend and being on the wrong end of accusations, Taylor may be the only person that can help him. Will Taylor be able to help Chase get his life back on track, so they can achieve forever after; or will family pressure and his past demons keep them apart?

What a splendid and captivating read this author has delivered in this first book of her Back in the Game series where opposites attract; the main characters back stories were enthralling and had me reading quickly, determined to discover why they lost touch and whether the heroine would be able to help the hero begin to enjoy life again after everything he's been through; and the dialogue was compelling, as Taylor isn't about to let Chase get away with anything, especially not turning her away. She has a job to do and there's no way she's going to fail, especially when she has so much to lose if she does.

Both the main characters were relatable, likeable and I loved how their relationship blossoms from Chase being a tad rude to almost finding his way back to his old self because of Taylor. Moreover, the heroine is resilient, courageous and I like how determined she was to help the hero because it's palpable he needs a friend. I also liked how feisty Taylor was and that she didn't let Chase's attitude at times get to her, even though there are times when both need to walk away before they say something they regret. Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was her love for her family and that she wouldn't let anything interfere with them losing what they have in life. While the hero, he's been through so much and I liked his road to recovery, as it showed him who his true friends are. How could anyone think so badly of him when it came to the death of his friend? I also liked how protective the hero was of the heroine, especially when it comes to an arrogant jerk that gets a little nasty.

Overall, this author has penned a really good read in this New Adult Romance where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance nicely-detailed; and the ending had me loving the lengths the hero was willing for his relationship with the heroine. No way was anyone going to keep them apart. I would recommend The Back-Up Plan by Jen McLaughlin, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope, the friends to lovers trope, or books by authors Robin Bielman, Megan Westfield, Beth Anne Miller and Cindi Madsen.

It wasn't exactly the lighthearted romance I was hoping for, but it was just as great. I loved the story, although at times it was quite depressing (especially in the beginning). Chase's life was a mess, he was failing his classes, his social life was non-existent, and above all he was hated by many people. College was no fun for him until Taylor arrived. Suddenly both of them started hanging with each other, studying together, and soon realizing that they want more than just being friends, if they were even that...

It's an interesting and well-written story. I enjoyed both Chase and Taylor's characters. They both seemed perfect together. I think, it's a perfect mix of angst and romance. I quite enjoyed reading it and would recommend to those who like contemporary fiction.

This is a fun, light, YA romance. I liked the twists and turns the author put in the plot line; it certainly helped keep things interesting. The angst, steam & drama were well-orchestrated. I only wished that there was a little more explanation of some of the issues/situations brought up in the book, as I found that the pacing of the story felt a bit rushed.

This isn't a favourite, but it's not a book that I hated, either.

I voluntarily read & reviewed an ARC of this book.

This was a good read for me. The writing flowed well, and I thought that Chase and Taylor were okay together. I'm not a big fan of YA, but after reading the blurb I gave this one a try. I have to say that up until the drama with them started, they didn't read like immature high school kids. After that I wanted to shake both of them, and tell them to stop acting stupid. The drama was resolved fairly quickly, and I liked the way the story ended. This is a first for me from this author, but it won't be my last.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

The Back-Up Plan

**received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A second chance story about two people who grew up together but forced apart when they are younger, meeting again and finding out they were looking for one another in a way they didn’t even know. Chase isn’t willing to let the world in after an accident changed his life forever. Taylor is suppose to help Chase get back to his old self, but can she do that without letting old feelings come through. Jen McLaughlin weaves a great story about second chances and believing in yourself that you won’t want to put down.

Chase has had it all in life until a car accident leaves him without his best friend and with no future in football. And he isn’t willing to let anyone back in until Taylor shows up at his door.

Taylor has always had a crush on Chase since they were younger but never did anything about it. Now she is back in his world and she once again can’t help feel the pull of attraction but will Chase be willing to let her in again?

Together they will have to get through not only the challenges at school but also Chase’s Dad, who has plans of his own. Will they be able to lean on each other and make it through? Or will they once again lose what they have?