Okay this could have been a lifetime movie!! Fabiola wants to help out her best friend by carrying a child for them. I was hooked right from the beginning! So much drama and twists! There was always so much going on that it kept my attention. Fabiola’s like was starting to unravel! I was shocked by the ending! This is the first book I’ve read by Caitlin but I enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you NetGalley, Caitlin and Storm Publishing for E-ARC!!

I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. It is brilliantly written and plotted with totally believable characters, especially Fabi with whom I became so invested that I shed a few tears along the way. It’s a story of what friendship means and what family means, warts and all. Fabi has two female friends from school/college, Liz and Alice and Peter a friend from school who met and married Liz after Fabi’s wedding to Aron. Fast forward 16 years and Fabi is a mother of a 14 year old girl and twin boys aged 9. Liz announces that despite having had a hysterectomy in her youth, she and Peter are looking for a surrogate to give birth to Liz’s frozen eggs. I’m not going to give plot details but suffice to say that things don’t unfold as anyone would expect.

This surrogacy was not The Perfect Plan!

And this was not a spoiler, it was abundantly clear in the first few pages. So, we have Fabiola, who is married with three children, and her best friend Liz who is unable to conceive due to medical issues. Liz is married to Peter, Fabiola’s oldest friend since middle school. Fabiola’s more-than-twenty-year infatuation and codependency over Peter is all kinds of icky and wrong, made even worse by the fact that Fabiola’s married to someone else, and her friendship with Liz. It was the ultimate betrayal! No one involved was doing this for the right reasons. Anyway, because Fabiola thinks motherhood is the ultimate, since she enjoyed being pregnant with her own kids, and because she would do anything for Peter, and way down the list of reasons, because she wants to give the gift of a child to her friend Liz, Fabiola offers to be their surrogate. As you can imagine, it’s a train wreck. Red flags all over the place.

This one was fairly predictable, especially if you happened to read the book blurb, which fortunately I didn’t until after I’d finished reading, so please avoid it if you can as it gave so much away. Having said this, there were still some surprising twists that I didn’t foresee. Predictable or not I excitedly anticipated where this was going, was never bored, and was always eager to pick up where I left off. This author is known for writing novels that deal with real-life, relatable social issues, and The Perfect Plan was no exception, there were some heavy and emotional moments. However, I did find this one tended towards family and friendship drama/soap opera, more so than her previous books, and I was 100% here for the deception. Fabiola’s life unraveled fast.

I was in two minds regarding Fabiola. At times she came across as naïve, selfish and self-centred, and her obsession with Peter was very unhealthy. But she was a good mother, she was juggling a lot, she was surrounded by people whose love and supportiveness was inconsistent or withheld, and she was just trying to do the best she could. This one was narrated solely by Fabiola, which again was different to Caitlin Weaver’s other two books which utilised multiple POV’s. I was completely invested in Fabiola’s storyline and predicament, so much so that when Part Two flashed across my screen I was momentarily worried that we were going to shift to another character’s perspective and I didn’t want that, so was relieved when it didn’t. I loved that this one was set in New York, rather than the suburbs – as it offered up a different take on lifestyle, work/home balance, and parenting in the city.

The Perfect Plan was my third read by Caitlin Weaver in the past six months, and I’ve rated them all 4.5 ⭐️. I admire how fast she writes and releases these books – no complaints from me. Caitlin Weaver is now an auto- read/acquire/buy author for me.

I’d like to thank Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Caitlin Weaver for the e-ARC.

Release Date: 15 January 2025.

I devoured about 75% of this book. The writing was done so well between the characters. I enjoyed the angst between friends Fabiola, Liz and Alice. It felt like I immediately dived into their lives, problems and feelings so easily and things played out before me like a movie screen. Then, something just happened and things fell flat for me. The angst between Peter and Fabiola, and their history together really came off of the pages. Due to me not liking the last part of the book, my rating drops by 2 stars. 3 stars from me for this. I wish I could give it more.

This was a great read about surrogacy. Friends Fabiola and Liz are talking about surrogacy when Fabiola decides to do it for Liz. Will their relationship survive the strain of pregnancy? It’s a quick read that got me hooked really quickly. The main characters are a perfect match to the plot and shows the trials of raising older children while pregnant. A perfect afternoon read. 4 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Weaver does it again. I have yet to read a book of hers that I haven't loved. Her character development is spot on- characters that you love, hate, empathize with, all at the same time. A story reminiscent of The Paper Palace, is a novel about love, loss, secrets, and betrayal. Like all of her domestic fiction, Weaver slides in and out of the lives of several characters flawlessly. Main character, Fabiola, is a perfectly flawed woman who navigates the challenges of motherhood, friendship, and love found in wrong places. It is a tale of how even those who seem to have it all together can royally mess up and have their lives come tumbling down right before their eyes. It's a story of true love standing the test of time and betrayal. Highly recommend everyone gets ahold of Weaver's novels- you will not be disappointed.

When Fabiola finds out her best friends need a surrogate, she offers to carry their baby. But when life starts to get more and more difficult to navigate, will she continue to be such a good person?

The Perfect Plan is a gripping read. The story kept me turning the pages much later than I should have. And it keeps the reader asking, How far can friendship go?

Thank you Storm Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Solid 4 stars. I enjoyed this family drama. It felt realistic, not over-blown, with people I could identify with. The dialogue was true-to-life, and didn't feel contrived.

This was my first book from the author, and yes, I'd read more.

My one complaint, and it's minor, is the cover; I don't think it fit with the book at all, even though I liked the image.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Domestic Drama at its finest! This is the type of book that, no matter how it ends, you don't know how you will feel. One thing rings true: Caitlin Weaver is an amazing writer who can get you invested in the story from the beginning.

As for the story, without giving anything away, I will say that one of my friends is a better person than me; I could NEVER. The first 50% of the book is engaging, but in the second half, you cannot put it down. You will be attached, consumed, and astonished by how things evolved through the story. I recommend this book, but you have been warned it will capture your attention; make time to read because you will be canceling plans to learn what's next!

Caitlin Weaver wrote a strong story and had realistic characters that I was looking for from the description. It had that element that I was looking for and was glad it was so well done and realistic. It was heartbreaking and worked overall.

I enjoyed reading this book. Though at times it was hard to watch the choices Fabi made and her betrayals. But I do like how the author wrapped up all the pieces in the end. The book is well written and it kept me engaged.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read this Book.

Although not my normal genre, I would say this book had just enough of everything to keep you interested, making for a pretty fast paced read. VERY entertaining plot, once you realize what all is going on, You kinda of have to see the fallout through, Who doesn't love a train wreck while they ignore whats blowing up in their own lives! lol

Decent set of characters, I wouldn't pick anyone out I really disliked, except for maybe her husband later on in the book, and then maybe the other one. Couldn't face living in the bed he made, but their men so that's par for the course.

"The perfect Plan" seems to be making your way through life without the men in it haha

THE PERFECT PLAN by Caitlin Weaver is the third book that I’ve read from the author, and I know one thing for sure. Weaver certainly excels at writing binge-worthy novels about motherhood, marriage, and female friendship. Her latest juicy and addictive read had me tap, tap, tapping away on my kindle well into the night.

I’d best describe THE PERFECT PLAN as a domestic drama with a good mix of complicated friendships, messy relationships, and jaw-dropping moments. It explores modern marriage, gender roles, societal pressures and expectations, surrogacy, parenthood, and infidelity. There’s absolutely no shortage of drama, secrets, lies, and betrayal—trust me! You’ll definitely need a bag of popcorn with this one.

Weaver crafted Fabiola, the main character expertly. She’s a character that the reader is somewhat expected to hate. I definitely had a love/hate relationship with her. Even though she means well and comes across as an absolute sweetheart, she makes some questionable decisions that will make you grit your teeth. Yet somehow, I related to her and understood her point of view—especially with everything she was dealing with in her life. She is only human, after all.

The way I whiz through Caitlin Weaver’s novels proves that she’s a new favorite author of mine, and I’ll definitely read anything she writes. THE PERFECT PLAN releases on January 15th, and it gets 4/5 stars from me!

This one was a slower start but still kept me wanting more! Once all the real family got started I couldn’t read quick enough! The ending definitely wasn’t what I expected, but I loved how this one played out! Between family and friends drama intertwined I really enjoyed this one!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

The Perfect Plan was a solid family drama that kept me interested until the end. The characters were generally relatable and believable, and I enjoyed the book overall. I was a bit disappointed in the ending; I wish there had been more time spent showing the fallout from the events of the book, rather than skipping ahead to "6 Months Later" and just quickly relating what had happened in that 6 months.

What a rollercoaster of a journey of a gripping story of marriage, motherhood, friendship and forgiveness. Not something I would normally read as I am into crime thrillers and who done it. However, I did read it and enjoyed it. Definitely emotional at times

Highly recommended

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

The three lead women, Fabiola, Alice and Liz seemingly don't seem to fit together as a friendship group at first escription but are steadfast in their feelings, until things start to come apart when Fabiola becomes a surrogate for Liz, showing just how fragile friendship can be in the face of life-changing moments.
The characters, particularly Fabiola, are refreshingly real...not quite together, a bit of a mess, normal in other words!
The story has lots of complex interwoven strands, some tough moments for all of the characters and an oddly satisfying ending.

Caitlin Weaver is another new author to me and one that I will look out for in the future.
This is a very complex story that pulls at the heartstrings, it is a story of deep friendship, deep love and absolute betrayal.
Fabiola, Liz and Alice were very different people from very different backgrounds but became lifelong friends after being room mates at university.
Fabiola was now married to Aron, an entrepreneur who had given up his regular job to chase his dream. Fabiola loved being a mother to nine year old twins, Liam and Ben and fourteen year old Vivi but was running on fumes as she juggled working full time and looking after the family single handed while Aron continued to do his own thing.
Alice was a well to do mother but wasn't very maternal, she had her own strict regime with food, fashion and family, Liz was a busy partner in a successful private equity company, she was married to neurosurgeon, Peter, Fabiola's lifelong friend.
Understandably, Alice and Fabiola were astounded when Liz revealed that she wanted to start a family, Liz had never hinted at wanting a baby, she had never seemed maternal, after previous surgery meant that she couldn't conceive a child the three of them started the search for a surrogate, when non of the applicants came up to their exacting standards, Fabiola had a lightbulb moment.........she would do it, she enjoyed being pregnant, Liz was her best friend, it would be a gift for Peter, the man she had had a liaison with when they were younger, a liaison that she had never forgotten.
This story becomes very complicated when the twisted lives of Peter, Aron and Vivi become involved, secrets, lies, betrayal, devastation and heartbreak. I found this book very difficult to put down, the characters are well written, the plot is intriguing and the end perfect.
Thank you to Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is voluntary.

The Perfect Plan
By: Caitlin Weaver

4 Stars

Wow. This book was a wild ride. Fabiola agrees to be her best friends, Liz and Peter's surrogate. Soon, the plan turns from perfect to perfectly messy. Affairs, secrets, family drama; this book really has it all.

By the end of this book, I was shocked! Throughout, I found myself very emotionally wrapped in Fabiolas' story. Wow. It is crazy. I loved the characters some more than others. I love the storyline. It had so many ups and downs that kept me engaged and intrigued. I was a bit shocked by the ending, not at ALL like I thought it would end. It ended so much better.

Awesome story start to finish.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author as well as Storm Publishing for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

Caitlin Weaver’s The Perfect Plan is a riveting tale of friendship, family, and the chaos that ensues when good intentions go awry. Weaver masterfully explores the complexities of relationships, motherhood, and loyalty, crafting a story that is as heartfelt as it is suspenseful.

The story follows Fabiola, a devoted mother of three and a supportive wife navigating her husband’s entrepreneurial dreams. When her best friend Liz, married to Fabiola’s childhood confidant Peter, struggles with infertility, Fabiola offers to be their surrogate. At first, this act of generosity seems like the ultimate gift of friendship. However, the lingering history between Fabiola and Peter complicates matters, creating emotional tensions that threaten to unravel all their lives.

What makes this book stand out is Weaver’s deft characterization. Fabiola is a strong, relatable protagonist whose flaws make her feel deeply human. Her struggles with her rebellious teenage daughter, Vivi, and her strained marriage to Aron add layers of authenticity to the narrative. The dynamic between Fabiola, Liz, and Peter is filled with tension and vulnerability, pulling readers into a web of love, betrayal, and self-discovery.

Weaver’s writing shines in her ability to depict the messy, nuanced realities of life. The dialogue feels genuine, and the interactions between Fabiola and her children are refreshingly realistic, capturing the chaos and charm of parenthood. The twists in the plot are compelling, and while some might see them coming, they are executed in a way that keeps the story engaging.

The novel also touches on broader themes, such as the sacrifices women make for family, the societal pressures of being "perfect," and the fragile balance of friendships tested by life-altering decisions. These elements elevate The Perfect Plan beyond a simple family drama, making it a thought-provoking read.

With a satisfying and unexpected conclusion, The Perfect Plan cements Caitlin Weaver as a storyteller who understands the intricacies of human connections. Fans of Jodi Picoult and Liane Moriarty will find much to admire in this book. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories about strong women navigating life’s toughest challenges.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Perfect Plan is set to release on January 15, 2025—mark your calendars!