Not the Plan has a great premise. Two smart, accomplished people (Isadora and Karim) meet on a plane and are instantly drawn to one another. However, they soon find out their bosses are political rivals!

There is plenty to like about the story and Isadora and Karim have good chemistry which leads to some steamy scenes. They also have serious issues they are respectively dealing with which adds to their characterizations and our understanding of their actions.

I enjoyed the romance though I could have done without the excessive use of “beautiful” and “baby” (and “gorgeous”) - maybe once or twice a novel is enough. Recommended to those looking for a snappy, insta-love (with depth) plot full of political intrigue. 3.5 stars.

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

A huge thank you to Gia De Cadenet, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for an eACR in exchange for an honest review. Not the Plan comes out February 7, 2023!

Not the Plan is an work place romance filled with so much warmth and heart. Isadora is an ambitious chief of staff to a California Senator, who also has an intense fear of flying. Karim is a man making a new life for himself after a nasty divorce, to do that he decides he is going to move to California to be a legal aide to a California Senator. After the two have a chance encounter at the airport they believe that it is the last time they will be seeing one another, even with the budding attraction they both felt. That is until Karim walks into a meeting with Isadora and they find out that not only will they be working in the same building, they work for two Senators with a rivalry that gives the Montagues and the Capulets a run for their money. Will they two be able to resist the attraction that is brewing between them, or will they find that their possible future is more important than a fued.

I really really loved this book, I though it had moments of humor and romance but as also able to explore some heavier topics without smothering you in it. Both charcaters experence toxic relationships that they have to extract themselves from. Isadora is a strong, intelligent and ambitious FMC who also had some beautiful moments of vulnerability. Karim was an absolute cinnamon roll, who worked though alot of his insecurities that his ex-wife made him feel. They both went through chacater development that they got to indenpendentky but with the perfect support from each other. I really loved the political games that were at first going on in the background but then get resolved later in the book. Over all I thought that Not the Plan was a fun, heartwarming story that packed in so much romance.

Let me start off by thanking the publisher for sending me an early copy of this one. Getting to read Not the Plan early was pretty freaking cool.

As I mentioned before, the plotline for this one is unique. This follows Isadora and Karim who have a disastrous meet-cute in an airport before finding out the two are seated together on their flight. The two can’t stop talking and enjoying each other’s company. It all comes to a head when they find out they’re working for two politicians who can’t seem to get along.

Despite their bosses, the attraction between the two is undeniable and as much as they try to fight it, they can’t stay away from each other. Honestly, I adored seeing Isadora and Karim together as they brought the best out in each other. Seeing them both open up and work on themselves, was incredible.

Aside from the romance, this book tackled a lot of topics yet nothing felt like it was overshadowed. Isadora is dealing with a toxic mother while Karim is dealing with a toxic ex-wife who won’t grant him the divorce he so desperately wants. Despite those hiccups, these two put in a lot of work, both separately and together to grow from those experiences.

The major crux of the plot is actually about the two senators and finding out what’s been going on behind closed doors. While I don’t want to give away much, this storyline did feel a bit much toward the end of the novel. However, I did enjoy how things worked out for our characters despite that blip.

All in all, Not the Plan was a terrific romance with well-developed characters and a solid plot amidst all of that. It was incredibly cool to see Isadora at work as a chief of staff because I’ve never read a book featuring that and I learned a lot. I will say that I’m incredibly happy I decided to read Not the Plan and I’ll for sure be diving into Gia de Cadenet’s debut book ASAP.

NOT The PLAN by Gia De Cadenet is a good, solid romance book. The political scene of this book is fun and well thought-out. The end is intertwined with a "whodunit" element that is interesting, but wish it didn't come with a 3rd act breakup tied to it. Isadora and Karim are both likable characters and their "meet-cute" is perfect. Overall, I like the book more than GETTING HIS GAME BACK. It's not a bad book but I'm also not in love with it either.

This book isn’t my normal cup of tea. Maybe that’s why I was drawn into the cover and description the way that I was. So to say I was surprised how much I enjoyed this was an understatement. I’ll just say that from now on Gia will be at the top of my list when it comes to books and everyone else should do the same!

Not the Plan is about Isadora, an up-and-coming leader in the California state political scene. Isadora has a plan and nothing is going to stop her dream of working in Washington DC. Enter Karim, a new to the California political scene, trying to start over after a messy marriage.

I was excited to get the second book of Gia de Cadenet after reading her debut release. I enjoyed Getting His Game back and the way de Cadenet did not shy away from the more challenging topic of mental health. Once again, mental health was high priority in this story line. While I did enjoy this book, I felt that the story line was a bit rushed the last third of the book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

OMG OMG OMG OMG!!

The romance, the political suspense, the ROMANCE, the mystery, the relationships, the ROMANCE!!

Like Karim is so gone for her from the get 😍😍😍😭😭 he only gets shy on her because he adores her. Karim is perfect. *chefs kiss*. Also, give me a hot guy in glasses with emotional range and I'm DONE FOR.

Isadora...do I need to say anything? look at her name. She's a Black Queen.

I will warn anyone with family or relationship issues, the book has a way of bringing them up to the front and center, but seeing the characters work through it brings me so much joy.

My favorite read of 2022!

This book was good but predictable. It was a quick read and the writer did a really nice job making it flow and building the characters. I enjoyed seeing both points of view of the main characters and the similarities in their background. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book. I was sad when it was over. I love her writing. She makes me laugh and cry and fall in love .

These two loved making the other blush and they had me blushing. So sweet.

Work place romance
Their bosses are enemies
Mental health rep
Emotional, sweet and steamy

I loved her first book with Khalil and Vanessa and now Khalid’s twin brother, Karim and Isadora’s book!! Both are 5⭐️s for me and Gia de Cadenet is an auto buy author. 💖

I read Gia de Cadenet's debut book (Getting His Game Back) last year and really liked the way she incorporated mental health and race into her romance story. The characters and supporting characters all did a wonderful job with their roles in that book. Not the Plan is about the brother of the main character from her first book, so I knew I was going to have to read it too. Just know that these are both complete standalones and the only connection is that they are brothers. You DO NOT have to read one to read the other.

Not the Plan started out with a super cute meet-cute between Karim and Isadora on a plane. But they leave that scenario without any way of connecting. I thought they had a good rapport and just hit it off. I was kind of disappointed they left it at that. But a meet-cute like theirs was surely going to have them connecting again. Fast forward to their political jobs in California and finding out they are working as aides to rivals. You definitely cannot mix politics with pleasure in their world. Or so Isadora thinks. She is a woman that is successful and will not let her personal life ruin her chances at succeeding in her professional life. But with their obvious chemistry and being pushed toward one another, these two give in to their attraction.

I have to say that although I liked the characters and their devotion to their jobs, I felt something a little off in their romance. Not sure what it was, but it may have been all the politics? Not sure, but apparently I'm not one to like an abundance of political terminology and politics in general with my romance. It was obviously going to be something that they had to work through being on opposite sides of the same coin, and I knew there was going to be some scandal, but I wasn't 100% on board with them.

With the addition of Karim's ex and Isadora's mother having similar if not the same personality disorders, that also was a dark note on their story but also a way they could understand one another and where they were coming from. It was a negative part in both of their lives and effected them in their daily life until it broke who they were. I wish we could've gotten some sort of positive feedback or other ways to look to BPD or even having those characters seek help, but I guess that wasn't the journey for these two.

Overall, if you like politics with your romance and two very smart and supportive characters that once they realize where their journey lies moves quite quickly, you'll enjoy this book. Karim is that boyfriend that will do everything within his power to protect you, even against loved ones. He definitely had me when he spoke up to Isa's mother. You always want people in your corner, but that was something else. Isadora listened to the ones she trusted most and didn't let her head get in the way of her heart after realizing where both of those things came together. I was pleased that they didn't let their differences pull them apart, but I also wasn't a fan of how quickly the ending coalesced.

Not the Plan is a romance book filled with depth and well developed characters. Isadora and Karin start off as a meet cute at the airport who later learn are political rivals. They try to put their work first and their attraction second but it's no use.

I knew after reading Getting His Game back that there would be triggers to watch for. What I really appreciate is how realistic the author portrayed the trauma of mental and emotional abuse. Both characters helped the other to grow and flourish despite the trauma they experienced.

This boom started a little Slowly for me and I wasn’t sure I would finish it but I am so glad that I persevered. The story was magnificent. I loved the characters as well as the story line.

After really enjoying the first book in this series, I was so excited to see Karim getting his own book in Not the Plan. Karim features prominently in the first book, so seeing him get an HEA was particularly sweet. Not the Plan features a workplace romance among aides to dueling state senators.

Isadora is the chief of staff with her eye on moving to DC to serve as a Congressional aide. She just has to successfully get the Senator she works for through one more election and she’ll have accomplished her goals. Not in the plan was Karim, the new legislative director for another Senator who had been consuming her thoughts since they sat next to each other on a cross country trip. As they work together and get to know each other, both of them have to work through some baggage before they are willing to take a chance.

Like the first book, I appreciate that this series has really great representation for mental health and healthy relationships. Karim and Isadora have excellent chemistry and thought the political intrigue added a fun element to the story as well.

Content warnings: Karim was in an abusive marriage and the ending of that plays out in this book. Similarly, Isadora’s mother is manipulative and emotionally abusive. There is also a subplot involving blackmail involving sexual exploitation of a female staffer.

I voluntarily read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

Cute premise but the writing just wasn't there for me. The romance was all around boring and it needed to be brought into today's dating world.

Loved this book!
As someone with a growing love for politics, this was right up my alley. I loved how strong willed both the characters were. Isadora and Karim were delightful, with such undeniable chemistry and tension. This is such a great rivals to lovers; I definitely recommend it.

4/5
I thought Not the Plan had fantastic mental health and toxic relationship representation. Anyone who grew up in a toxic household or experienced domestic abuse will identify heavily with both of the main characters. I think that was the main selling point for me. Although, I would issue a trigger warning for anyone who is sensitive to severe manipulation. Isadora's relationship with her mother definitely made me uncomfortable so be safe. .I was seriously invested in both Isadora and Karim getting their happily ever after. I feel like the book was really complex, but still easy to read. The subplot of political enemies and scheming added an interesting spin, so it wasn't just all about romance and falling in love. Although, don't get me wrong there was plenty of romance! The author packed in a whole bunch of spice. I admired the fact that the balance was perfect though, I don't feel like there were any plot holes. Sometimes with really spicy books I feel that there is something lacking in the plot, where if the author just cut out one sex scene, it could have been tied up better. That certainly didn't happen with Not the Plan. I would recommend Not the Plan for anyone who is juggling coming to terms with their childhood and/or relationship being abusive and setting up a life they want to live. It does a great job of pointing out that abuse is real, and all of the feelings you have about your experience are valid. It was great to follow Isadora and Karim growing in their own confidence and taking the political world by storm.

This was my first Gia de Cadenet novel, and it definitely won't be my last. It was a steamy novel with an original meet cute that had the background of the political world. It was nice to see the inner workings of the world of Congress and everything that goes into it as Karim and Isadora figure things out. This story is not slow burn at all in my opinion. It touches a lot on mental health, and I really appreciate how de Cadenet touches on how abuse can affect us with our daily lives and the long-term effects it can have on us. She put them in such different relationships that were so hard to even pinpoint, and it was so well done.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review as always, all words are my own

Isadora and Karim work for rival California senators but are unable to deny their attraction to each other. I love a good workplace romance, and this book had several steamy scenes and lots of sexual tension. On the other hand, Isadora and Karim also had difficult conversations regarding their own mental health and that of those in their lives. Having this balance in a romance felt like a breath of fresh air.

Not the Plan ended up being a middle-of-the-road romance for me for several reasons. Although both of the main characters had their own struggles, I didn't feel much of a connection to them, which caused the book to lag (this might be more of a personal problem though!) and the representation of BPD was a bit concerning to me. We need more stories of those with BPD getting the help they need! I also prefer a bit more of a slow burn, and I felt like the characters got together too quickly. I also wouldn't exactly characterize this book as enemies to lovers because there wasn't really a point in the book where Karim and Isadora really hated each other.

I feel pretty mixed about this one. There were some great moments, and the initial meet cute was done so well. The main couple had good chemistry, and the spicy scenes were well written and flowed in a believable way. There was a lot to like in these aspects.

However, I also found a lot that didn’t work for me at all. Despite the chemistry between the couple when they were together, j didn’t feel very connected to them as characters otherwise. I’m not entirely sure why, because they both did have back stories that were decently explored. I think I just never felt *attached* to them. I also found some things to be incredibly repetitive, such as the pet names. And the pacing was all over the place, rushing through moments that felt like there was a ton of build up, as well as spending a ton of time on little to no plot (ie. The couple doesn’t really even reconnect after the meet cute for… a LONG time.)

But more than anything, I had a lot of difficulty with the mental health rep. Specifically, there was one confirmed character that had Borderline Personality Disorder, as well as a second that was hinted to have it as well, and both of these characters were absolute villains to the story. As a therapist, I am very aware of the harmful stigma surrounding this diagnosis, and I didn’t need an entire book that pained not one, but TWO characters with it in a negative light. I’m unsure what the author’s personal experience with this was, but I feel confident that this story tells only one very harmful side of what is very often a complicated and misunderstood condition.

I wanted to like this more, and I’m open to reading this author again in the future. This just ultimately felt “okay” for me, and sometimes downright not good.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title before publishing!

Isadora is a driven, successful chief of staff for a California state Senator. When she literally crashes into Karim, spilling coffee all over him, only to discover he is her seatmate for her flight to Sacramento. They get to know each other superficially, then part ways at the airport, each expecting to never see the other again. So, naturally, Karim ends up being the new legislative director to another Senator. The Senators, while on the same side of the aisle, are at odds, referring to themselves as Capulets and Montagues. When they cross paths again, only to find they are on opposite teams, can they find a way to work together, or maybe even more?

Drawn together, they find themselves embroiled in a scandal that could affect Isadora's boss', and by extension, her own, futures. Can they solve things in a way that protects their jobs and allows them to be together?

This story was enjoyable reading. I would not call myself an expert on politics, but I found the job-related portions easy to follow. There is a lot of emotional growth, for both Isadora and Karim, as well. It was engaging, at times full of tension, and sensitive with handling what it can be like to experience gaslighting. Isadora and Karim were sweet, endearing characters, and I couldn't put the story down until I found out how everything ended.

*I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.