⭐️⭐️⭐️½ – A Sweet, Slow-Burn Romance with Heartfelt Moments

Not in the Plan by Dana Hawkins is a charming romance about unexpected love, personal growth, and taking chances. The story follows two characters whose lives take an unplanned turn, forcing them to navigate new challenges and emotions. Hawkins’ writing is warm and engaging, making it easy to root for the protagonists as they slowly find their way to each other.

While the book delivers plenty of heartfelt moments and chemistry, the pacing can feel a bit slow in places, and some plot points are predictable. The characters are likable, but a little more depth in their development could have made their journey even more compelling.

Overall, Not in the Plan is an enjoyable, feel-good read that romance lovers will appreciate, even if it doesn’t bring anything groundbreaking to the genre. Perfect for fans of slow-burn love stories with a touch of fate!

I really enjoyed Not in the Plan! From the very beginning, I was hooked by the charming writing style and the relatable main character. The story had just the right balance of humor, romance, and emotional depth, making it a fun yet heartfelt read.

One of my favorite things about this book was how well the characters were developed. The protagonist felt real—flawed but lovable, with a journey that I truly cared about. I loved watching her navigate unexpected changes in her life and relationships, making tough choices while also learning to embrace the unexpected. The romantic chemistry was also a highlight. The connection between the leads felt natural and authentic, and I enjoyed their banter and emotional moments.

That being said, some parts of the story were a bit predictable. While that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment, I did find myself anticipating certain plot points before they happened. However, the writing was engaging enough that I didn’t mind too much—it was more about the journey than the surprise factor.

Overall, Not in the Plan is a heartwarming, feel-good read that left me with a smile.
The love interest was equally compelling. He wasn’t just a one-dimensional romantic lead; he had depth, charm, and his own challenges to face. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I really enjoyed the way their relationship developed. Their banter was fun, their emotional moments were heartfelt, and their dynamic felt natural rather than forced.

Even the side characters stood out. They weren’t just background fillers—they had their own personalities and added to the story in meaningful ways. Whether it was a supportive friend, a difficult family member, or an unexpected ally, each character played a role in shaping the protagonist’s journey.

If I had one minor complaint, it would be that some character arcs felt a little predictable. But even so, the writing was engaging enough that I didn’t mind knowing where things were headed.

Overall, Not in the Plan is a character-driven story with heart, humor, and a romance worth rooting for.

What a cute story! I enjoyed Not In the Plan, the first of Dana Hawkins’ novels I’ve read.

Not in the Plan follows Mac, an author attempting to follow through on her second novel, and Charlie, owner of Seattle cafe, Sugar Mugs. After Mac returns to Seattle in attempts to push through her writer’s block while staying with her parents, she stumbles across a cute cafe with an even cuter barista.

It was fun to read the dynamic unfold between Mac and Charlie, but I really struggle when there’s a third act breakup with 35 mins left in the story. Things seem to wrap up too perfectly and then jump right into the epilogue.

I enjoyed Not in the Plan and look forward to reading Hawkins’ other novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of Not in the Plan in exchange for my honest review.

Things I loved: The queer coffee shop in Seattle that Charlie lovingly cultivated with a vibrant, colorful community (I kind of wish the community had come together to help rescue the struggling shop instead of Mack's parents, but I digress). The love for coffee dripping off the page. The butch/femme dynamic between Charlie and Mack, and how they were opposites who brought out the best in each other. I loved Mack's butch character and connected to her extreme social anxiety.

I even didn't mind the instalove, my least favorite trope, because it was a plausible meet-cute for a divorced coffee shop owner and a writer using the coffee shop as her office. The chemistry between them was sizzling and I wanted more open door sex scenes, I felt they were cut short. And I don't usually say that because spice isn't my favorite.

What I didn't like: This had a lot of colorful scenes of Seattle but it wasn't Seattle like a local would do it. Locals avoid Pike's Place Market like a plague because it's such a tourist trap and more of a shopping center than a working wharf these days. I'm from Portland and I went there a few times as a kid and never once wanted to go back as an adult. The author had in mind Pike's Place Market of the 70s, perhaps. I am now surprised that she'd lived there for 20 years. It felt like I was reading a tourist's vision of Seattle. The part about Seattleites refusing umbrellas was spot on though.

I liked the idea of how Mack used Charlie as inspiration for her book and then fell in love with her, but this wasn't just inspiration. This was a violation, like Charlie had expressed to her she was afraid of. Mack ripped stories and characters scene for scene from Charlie's life. Love made her a total sap. And she waited until she wanted her part of her family and to move to Seattle from New York and thought she was her soulmate AND SHE STILL DIDN'T WANT TO TELL HER THE TRUTH??? MACK!! I didn't forgive her. There's tension and then there's a betrayal that puts the relationship on rocky ground. And from the excerpts we got from the book the writing wasn't even good. It read like a high school kid's personal diary.

I loved the first half and the potential of their dynamic. I hate-skimmed the last 30%. I lost all respect for Mack, no matter how helpful her parents were to Charlie.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book I loved how complex and real the characters felt. It sucked me in from the very beginning and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend especially if you’re looking for something to get you back into reading

While this was a cute story, the characters didn't really connect with me. There was a very slow burn and then after it was more like instalove. I did enjoy the overall plot though and the easy way the book read, just would've loved a bit more of a connection to the main characters.

Loved this book! I loved that one of the main characters was a writer (I can relate). I also loved how the author described and dealed with that character's anxiety and overwhelm. All around, it was just a great book. It had me rooting for the characters to get together and it wasn't an insta-love trope which I appreciate.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Not in the Plan. Unfortunately I did not get to this before it was archived. I'm looking forward to checking it out at my local library or independent bookstore!

Thank you Storm Publishing, Dana Hawkins, and NetGalley for this e-ARC! Not in the Plan follows a queer love story in Seattle between Mack, a small business coffee shop owner, and Charlie, a published author experiencing writer's block that is currently back in her hometown.

To be honest, this read a little too millennial-y for me. I thought the beginning was too slow in a way. There was interest from both characters but nothing was happening. It only really started to pick up 40% through but by that time, many readers would've DNF-ed. The dialogue between Mack and Charlie didn't feel realistic because it was quite one-sided. The romance felt rushed at times and I do think they fell in love too quickly. From the beginning until the reveal, I thought that Mack was using Charlie simply for inspiration but how she actually used her was crazy. The resolution was also too quick. Reading other reviews, I can understand how Mack wasn't well-received.

I thought Hawkins handled how the characters dealt with parental abandonment and illnesses well. The parts that explored those themes were pretty solid. If you're into cosy reads or a fan of the Pacific Northwest, you'd like this book.

I do love a book set in a coffee shop, and the fact this was a sapphic romance made me want to read it. This was a cute read, especially loved the fun chapter titles .

Thank you for my earc of this book. Whilst I enjoyed this for the most part, I found the pace a little sluggish and didn’t really get invested in the characters so I DNF

"Not in the Plan" by Dana Hawkins is a contemporary romance novel that explores the unpredictability of life and love. The story likely centers around a protagonist who is a meticulous planner, someone who likes to have everything figured out—until life throws them an unexpected curveball. Whether it's a career change, an unexpected relationship, or a major life event, the protagonist is forced to navigate a new path that wasn't part of their carefully laid plans.

Hawkins' writing is probably filled with relatable characters, witty dialogue, and emotional depth. The novel delves into themes of flexibility, personal growth, and the beauty of embracing the unexpected. As the protagonist learns to let go of their rigid control over life and opens up to new possibilities, the story becomes a heartwarming journey of self-discovery and love.

"Not in the Plan" is perfect for readers who enjoy contemporary romance with strong, relatable characters and a storyline that balances humor with heartfelt moments. It's an engaging read for anyone who has ever had to pivot from their original plans and found something even better along the way.

This was a sweet Sapphic romance. If you’re looking for an opposites attract rom-com - you’ll find it here

3/5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Dana Hawkins for allowing me to read and review this book.

This is a lesbian opposites attract romance story. A free spirited coffee shop owner meets an uptight coffee addict. Writers block, a muse, heartbreak, storms, optimists, worriers, secrets, serial monogamists, and players: these are just some of the topics touched on in this book. There is some spice in this book.

I enjoyed this book to an extent. It just wasn't the type of romance I was hoping it would be. I was hoping for a little more back and forth between the characters, a little more butting of heads, because the characters are opposites of each other. However, the book is still well written and the characters are interesting. I would still recommend this book to anyone looking for a steamy lesbian romance.

This book sounded so fun when I read the premise. I really enjoyed the beginning, I was hooked from the start! But it did get a little slower toward the end. I would love to give this author another try and read other books from her too! Thank you so much for this chance to read this book!

I love a good sapphic romance. AND this is a good one. I loved the writer falling for with the owner. I think that neither of the characters were annoying, and they complimented each other very well. I could not put this down. I can't wait to read more from this author.

Both characters are touching and complement each other well. Charlie is a coffee shop owner, so she is at ease with people. Her past is heartbreaking, and seeing her accomplishments and working on herself is touching. Mack is an introvert; she likes the company of her words more than anything, and a one-night stand is all she has to offer. Charlie has no one except her best friend, and Mack has overbearing but really endearing parents.
The fact that Mack is using Charlie as a muse brings the touch of angst we need.Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to connect deeply with the characters. The internal musings from the characters were a bit too present for my taste, sometimes repetitively. I wish there were a bit more actual scenes or dialogues. It prevented me from being totally hooked. It’s a matter of personal taste.

An author walks into a coffee shop and falls in love with the owner who became her muse…

Six months after opening her coffee shop - Sugar Mugs - and owner Charlie is already drowning in bills and the threat of having to close her business. But despite the anxiety, she get in the zone and puts on a happy face every day to greet her regulars and welcome newbies. And one newbie who immediately catches her eye is Mack, a writer who spends her days sipping coffee and working on her newest novel. After escaping New York, Mack is in Seattle visiting her parents with the hope of shaking her writers block on her already overdue manuscript. And just when Mack thinks she’s never going to get her book started, let alone finished, she meets Charlie who instantly becomes her muse and the words suddenly start flowing in a way they hadn’t before. With Charlie still overcoming the heartbreak of her divorce and Mack only ever pursuing one-night-stands, neither are looking to dive into a relationship. But the chemistry between them in undeniable, and after a night shacked up in Charlie’s apartment during a severe storm, they can’t not see where that chemistry leads them.

Dana has served up a delectably coffee-filled cute and swoony sapphic romance, with lots of love for writers, book nerds and coffee connoisseurs! I could not put this beauty down and loved getting swept up in the world of Seattle coffee culture and the queer community. Dana has such a fun and easy writing style that makes it so easy to fall into this world and the lives of the characters and not realise you’ve been reading for much longer than you had anticipated.

Mack and Charlie’s relationship was super sweet as both opened themselves up to romance and a relationship. Their chemistry was certainly oozing off the page from the moment they met, and I really enjoyed getting to follow the development of their friendship-turned-flirtation-turned-romance. Their relationship was so much more than just romantic - it was a found-family relationship on the part of Charlie, who finally felt familiar love as well as true romantic love. Dana was also such a tease when it came to the spice - the small snippets we got were top tier before it faded to black.

A few slight trigger warnings for anxiety, mentions of alcoholism and abandonment, and mentions of a parent with cancer. Both characters have moments to discuss, overcome, and move on from the latter two - Charlie is still learning to overcome the childhood trauma of her father leaving her to fend for herself night after night, while Mack has come to terms with her mother’s previous cancer diagnosis and the guilt of having withdrawn from her family because she was scared to lose her mother. Both are such raw feelings and experiences that add a layer of depth to an otherwise sweet and fun romance.

With this being Dana’s debut novel, I thoroughly enjoyed getting into the lives of the characters she developed and the story she crafted for them, and I am extremely eager to dive into more of Dana’s work in the future - I’m already eying off book two in this Seattle series. Sign me up for ALL the sweet and swoony sapphic romances!

If you need another queer book to read this Pride Month, get this on your TBR ASAP and get ready to run off to Seattle to enjoy the local queer coffee scene!

This was a very cute sapphic romance that I enjoyed! This felt like the truest opposites attract romance that I've ever read. I will definitely be picking up Dana Hawkins' future books!

This was a really fun and light-hearted read with a gripping storyline. I really enjoyed both our main characters and their chemistry.