⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Absolutely love Caitlin Weaver’s books! Alice, Liz & Fabi have been friends since college. When Liz & her husband Peter are looking for a surrogate to have a baby, Fabi jumps at the chance to help out her friends. However Fabi and Peter have a past together….which makes things a little tricky. Lots of friend/family drama in this one - I couldn’t put it down! Releases mid January. Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC. #booksbyashleynicole

I wasn’t the right reader for this. It gave me the ick the whole time reading.

The authors last book was a 4 star for me, so I’m disappointed but it just wasn’t the right book for me, I couldn’t get past the infertility, lusting over her best friends husband and secret pregnancy of the baby planted for surrogacy.
The ending was also not realistic. I really struggled with this

Again, not an author thing, it was a book thing for me.

Fabiola lived a good life as a child, always the perfect daughter. Her single father raised her to be the person she became. She supported her husband as he devoted all his time to launching a start-up company so his family would have the best. Her number one priority was the care of her three beautiful children.
When her childhood friend Peter married Liz, Fabiola became her closest friend. Liz and Peter wanted to start a family but could not become pregnant. After having three children, Fabiola felt she would be the perfect person to help Liz and her long-time best friend, Peter, whom she still had strong feelings for.
Soon after the plan was set, things began to fall apart. Fabiola fell victim to an irresponsible move. She not only destroyed the perfect plan, but her close friendship with Liz was threatened, and her marriage was falling apart. She must now decide how to protect her best friend, her marriage, and Peter, a man she had never stopped loving.

I am definitely a huge fan of Caitlin Weaver and this book did not disappoint!! It was twisty, thrilling and absolutely enjoyable!!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader’s copy!

While the book was awfully predictable I did enjoy it. Sort of like. Low stakes, don’t have to think but go along for the ride type book. While from the start you could tell how things would ultimately unfold, I was interested in easing the small details. So there had to be something that drew me in.

I do enjoy reading books that are entertaining but have an undercurrent of something deeper which this book did with the characters individual self discovery.

I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Storm Publishing through NetGalley to enjoy which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review. The book comes out January 15, 2025.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

My first read by Caitlin Weaver, definitely not my last. While listed as a thriller, it felt closer to women's lit and had an unraveling of mysteries similar to Jodi Picolt and Lianne Moriarty- two of my favs.

When Fabiola's best friend Liz needs help with the surrogacy of a child, Fab feels she's the perfect candidate. She's has several of her own already and adores her friend- whats the worst that can happen?

Well, things get interesting as the history between Fab and Liz unfolds- specifically that of Peter- Liz's husband, and the unrequited love of Fab's life.
It begs the question: who is Fab really doing this for?

There's a lot going on in this, but the arc of the story lies in the friendship between these two women. It held my attention and even while reading intermittently around the holiday I felt my mind returning to this book, a great sign! This one comes out on January 15th and will be a recommendation to mystery lovers.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and the author for the chance to read and review prior to publication.

This was my first book by this author but I have heard many good things about her other books so I really went into this book with excitement and I am happy to say that I truly enjoyed this book ! It had me hooked from the beginning of the story up until the end. I shared the emotions with all the characters and I really enjoyed my time with them. This really shows the depth of motherhood and friendship and I will honestly recommend this book to anyone who wants to lose themselves in a good book!

I really enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read that caught my attention right away. It kept me in suspense not knowing what could happen next.

As a big fan of thriller books, especially ones with female protagonists, I was very excited to get my hands on this. Something about this concept well I've heard similar things written before this one really stood out. When our main character is asked to be a surrogate mother for her best friend she jumps at the chance. What could possibly go wrong? Fabiola has given birth multiple times to healthy children and this would also give her friend the gift that she's been desperately wanting. Not only that but would also give Liz's husband something that he's always been dreaming of. And being able to fulfill his wishes is something that Fabolia can't help do. However what should be a simple transaction between the couple and a friend quickly turns upside down, and when friendships are put to the limits we really see everyone's true colors. And Fabiola must decide which relationship is truly worth saving. I love this book because there weren't too many side characters and the plot was fantastic. It was an easy read that really pulled you in and there wasn't too much unnecessary information. Another thing I loved about this book was seeing everyone's reactions to the girls decision both before and after the blow out. Each character had such different opinion on the situation and what I liked was that I found each one to be completely valid and understandable however maybe not in that situation. Each character was so realistic that I had to remind myself that this was a fiction novel. It was almost like I was hearing things from my friends and people I knew in real time not made up characters in a book. What made the story perfect however was all of the twists so many of them I couldn't see coming.The characters were written with so much depth and passion I loved hearing about all of them. This was a great read and I'm so glad I got the chance to check it out even if the beginning was a little bit on the slow side. If you love thrillers then this is a book for you and an author that I will definitely be keeping my eyes on in the future.

Wow! This book was amazing and fantastic it was like fireworks going off so many twists and surprises, my head was spinning! I loved it!

I could NOT put this down! I finished it all in one sitting... I lost count of how many times I said "OMG!" and "WHAT!?"

I’d highly recommend this book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars

This was a fast paced read! A couple is ready to begin the journey of choosing a surrogate to create the family they always dreamed of. Their best friend decides she would want nothing more than to offer to carry their baby. However, things change fast.This book is incredibly layered with different plots that all intertwine. I could not put it down!

Great book stayed up way too late because I could not put it down! Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a quick page turning read! Already looking at more books by this author can’t wait to read another one.

My first book by Caitlin Weaver but I will certainly look out her others. I thoroughly enjoyed The Perfect Plan from the first page. Three friends whose friendship is stretched over the years, will it survive the ultimate betrayal and the greatest sacrifice they make for each other. The characters are very believable and the narrative tense enough to hold the readers attention. A great finish as well! Happy to recommend as a 5* read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

The Perfect Plan
by Caitlin Weaver
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2025
Thanks to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
A deeply moving and unforgettable exploration of motherhood, friendship, and the complex choices women make in the name of love, perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Lucinda Berry and Liane Moriarty.
When I saw Weaver had written another novel I immediately reequested an ARC. I loved her first two books.
I was NOT immediately drawn in by this story, which took awhile to become interesting, although eventually, I became engaged and wanted to find out how it would all end. While it is still a good book-I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first two.

What a book. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. Totally loved it

Thanks for the opportunity to review

I just read the best thriller. The Perfect Plan by Caitlyn Weaver was such a good book. It kept me turning the pages until the very end.

This is my first time of experiencing this author’s work and i was pleasantly surprised. It was all about family, friendship, marriage and parenting. It was thoroughly engrossing, i loved all the characters and they gelled together really well. The writing was great how it proved friendship could be so strong, it was beautiful. I really didn’t know where this journey was going to end up and i was completely satisfied as i love a good ending. I devoured the book within 24 hours and I will certainly read more by Caitlin Weaver.

Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advanced copy to read in exchange for my open and honest review. As always, my reviews will also be posted on Amazon, Goodreads and Waterstones and interaction on Facebook and instagram where possible.

My first book by this author but I will definitely be looking for more by them, I really enjoyed it, it utterly absorbed me

I loved this book so much. I adore Caitlin's books and binged them all . This might be my new fave from her. Her ability to tell a dark tale that kept me guessing is uncanny. I loved this one so much!

Fabiola has spent her life striving to be good: the perfect daughter to her single father, a supportive wife to her entrepreneurial husband Aron, a devoted mother to her three children, and a loyal best friend to Liz. When Liz, married to Fabiola’s childhood friend Peter, struggles to start a family, Fabiola steps in with what she believes is the ultimate act of friendship—offering to be their surrogate. After all, she loves being pregnant, and helping Liz and Peter feels like the greatest gift she could give.

But what begins as a selfless act quickly unravels into a storm of complicated emotions and relationships. A single reckless moment changes everything, forcing Fabiola to choose between her best friend, the man she’s never stopped loving, and the child growing inside her. As her marriage begins to crumble and her teenage daughter Vivi becomes increasingly distant and rebellious, Fabiola finds herself questioning the promises she has made to others—and to herself.

The book intricately weaves together themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, and the challenges of modern family life. Fabiola’s life feels authentic and multifaceted, from her struggles to connect with her daughter Vivi, who is navigating the turbulence of adolescence, to the growing strain on her marriage as Aron pours everything into his tech start-up, hoping for success that always feels just out of reach.

What stands out most is the depth of the characters. Fabiola, Liz, and Peter are entangled in a web of complex emotions, made all the more compelling by the flashbacks to their college years and the long-standing bonds they share. The dynamic between Fabiola and Vivi adds an additional layer of realism, as Fabiola grapples with the echoes of her own mother’s abandonment while trying to support her daughter’s journey.

The story is packed with plot twists, and while some might seem dramatic, they are woven skilfully into the narrative. The ending is unexpected yet satisfying, offering a conclusion that feels earned and thought-provoking.

This is a heartfelt and layered book that delves into the messy realities of love and friendship, showing how even the best intentions can lead to life-changing consequences.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.