Gene Lopez-Perez is a successful architect living in Florida She has loved Isa since they were young teens. They have followed each other through college and have a young daughter Susana. Isa is a biomedical engineer and is closeted at work. The story begins in 2005 as Spain legalizes same sex marriage. Gene holds citizenship in Spain and suggests moving to her family there so they can marry. She knows from experience that she has no legal claim on the Susana should something happen to her. Isa as the biological mother is satisfied with the status quo and feels they have palimony (I’ve almost forgotten how normal this term once was) papers for contingencies. Gene’s desires and Isa’s rejection causes a great divide in the pair that still love each other.

The story is told in alternating chapters from each other's POVs. In the narrative there are flashbacks to give the background for the couple. I didn’t get much emotion from Isa, especially her feelings when she begins dating someone else. But I could understand the pressure of working for a sexist employer and having her career at stake. This is a story that heartbreakingly reflects many families' struggles, wanting their relationships legally recognized. And sadly rights given only a decade ago are still under attack today. I love that the two were able to co-parent and put the needs of Susana first. And the story gives an idea of things going on at the time in the Florida legal system. I was moved by the story and wanted a HEA for Gene and Isa. This isn’t a light book, but I am glad to have read it.

Architect Gene López-Pérez cherishes her life with her daughter and partner, Isa, but faces legal barriers as a non-biological mother. Isa, a Biomedical Engineer, maintains secrecy at work to protect funding and faces discrimination in a male-dominated industry. When Spain legalizes same-sex marriage, Gene suggests moving for recognition and adoption, but Isa hesitates. Gene's decision to leave in pursuit of legal rights reflects the struggles of same-sex couples. The novel delves into societal injustices and personal sacrifices faced by LGBTQ+ individuals, mirroring broader societal challenges. The narrative of Gene and Isa portrays the complexities and hurdles experienced by same-sex couples navigating legal and societal norms. It sheds light on the ongoing battle for equality and highlights the emotional turmoil and difficult choices individuals face in pursuit of recognition and rights. Through their story, the novel resonates with the broader fight for inclusion and justice, urging readers to reflect on the ongoing struggles of marginalized communities worldwide. I really enjoyed delving into the main characters. The characters were well developed and continued to evolve throughout the novel. I didn’t enjoy the “racy” scenes between Gene and Isa. I didn’t realize explicit scenes were in this novel, as I thought it more a novel of family, and relationships, not as a romance. Perhaps, that was because the novel was more than a romance novel, with complex themes. I did enjoy this book. Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

It seems clear already in the dedication to "those affected by discriminatory legislation": This book has a mission. It is 2005, the year Spain legalized same-sex marriage and adoption. It is also the the time of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act. Five years before the end of the Florida ban on adoption by gay people and ten years before same-sex marriage and adoption became legal in the state.

Gene has been in love with Isa since she was thirteen and they have been living together for fifteen years since college, now with a five years old daughter. They are the loves of each other's lives and they have supportive families. But the idyll is flawed by external influences and the cracks show in small details of daily life. A misogynist climate and a sexist boss at Isa's work, leading to her keeping her family a secret. The constant and discriminating need for paperwork to guarantee Gene's, the non-biological mother's access to her daughter in every detail of daily life. A homophobic nurse. Gene being denied to be with her daughter when it matters most, after rushing to the hospital.

The strain comes to culmination when Spain legalizes same-sex marriage and adoption. Gene sees suddenly an open road to legalize her family. She has Spanish roots and Spanish citizenship. A prolonged stay in Spain for the three of them would allow them to get married and to legalize Gene's status as a parent. But Isa will not endanger her career by committing to this desperate scheme. Discouraged and without hope, Gene comes to a drastic conclusion--her "Best Plan". She cannot continue with her life like this. She wants to fight for their rights. She breaks up with the love of her life and seeks ways to fight the legal system. So she seems on a mission, too.

This looks drastic and abrupt. They love each other and they have a good life. This is not happening in real life, right? But what seems at first sight to be a constructed twist to illustrate a political point becomes quickly logical and inevitable in this well-written novel. Gene's drastic decision reflects the harsh reality of same-sex couples with children at the time. By moving back and forth in time, the story is underpinned with complex detail. Gene's drastic decision becomes more reflected and understandable. It becomes also clear how hard this is for both Isa and Gene. They are clearly still in love with each other and lovingly co-parent their daughter. Gene's "Best Plan" is all the time questioned by self-doubt and agony about whether this was really a wise decision. Is it really "My Best Pan"? Both protagonists constantly question their actions and struggle with their current situation. Sometimes I found it hard to read on, given the heart-breaking plot. But it is complex, warm, and captivating and kept me reading.

The protagonists' relationship reflects in a nutshell wider society. Many people afflicted by unfairness and inequality do not share the activists' mission to fight for more liberal and inclusive legislation. Many are resigned to their fate.

By coincidence and out of context, I read in parallel Yelena Kostyuchenko's, the unbelievably brave investigative journalist's book "I love Russia". Alongside with reports from a country that drifts unstoppably into dictatorship, fascism, and war, there is always an undercurrent of how much harsher this hellish environment hits the underprivileged, the minorities, and gay people. Even in the sparsely shared details of Kostyuchenko's private life as a lesbian in a same-sex relationship in Russia. We have come a long way with equal right and opportunity. But equality is not achieved and it is under constant threat in many other places. Even here we can see similar attempts to take away liberties and freedom for all.

Cris Ascunce's novel is of course not a piece of political activism--for that it is much too complex, multilayered, and heart warming. There is no "mission", just life not happening in a societal vacuum. Nevertheless, I found "My Best Plan" an important read in these times.

(based on an ARC from NetGalley)

To be honest, I almost DNF’d this book half way through but I'm so glad I didn’t! I ended up enjoying this novel. The characters were well developed and the plot flowed in a way that made sense. Gene and Isa definitely deserve that happy ending!

Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.