Not as Planned

The Ladies Who Brunch, Book 4

By: Harlow James

Narrated by: Connor Crais, CJ BLoom

“So you’re single?”

“Are you seriously hitting on me right now while I have breastmilk all over my shirt?”

When Grant Thomas, the handsome stranger standing in front of me in line at the coffee shop, stripped his uniform shirt off and handed it to me, I could have sworn I was on an episode of Punked. Not only was the man Gabe Kapler’s doppelganger, but he was also a pilot and good with babies, which my six month-old daughter could attest to as she settled in his arms while I changed into his shirt, contemplating all of my life choices at that moment.

Being a single mom is a lot harder than I thought it would be, but that was the decision I made when I chose to have a child via sperm donor since I was tired of waiting on Mr. Right.

But suddenly, Mr. I’m-Too-Sexy-for-my-Shirt appears in my life—not only once, but twice—and has me wondering where the hell he’s been and why I didn’t meet him sooner?

Grant demonstrates time and again that he’s invested in me and my daughter, shows up for me when I need him the most, and makes my toes curl in a way I didn’t know was possible.

He’s perfect. Our relationship is perfect.
Until it’s not.

When the inkling that I’m missing something comes to fruition, there’s only one question I need to answer…

Will my heart end up broken like every time before, leaving me destined to be alone?

Or could our path to find one another prove that not everything happens as planned?

©2023 Harlow James (P)2024 Harlow James

Grant & Noelle

Is there anything sexier than a man who would offer you the shirt off his back?! Grant and Noelle’s story definitely had a unique start. A handsome man in uniform showing off his gentlemanly ways and don’t get me started on his sweet interactions with Scarlett. Noelle always seemed to be the quietest of the brunch ladies, but the love of a good man helps her find her voice. It was entertaining listening to CJ Bloom and Connor Crais bring this series to a close.

I really love this series

Oh how I have loved this series! Noelle's story is such a beautiful one. Finally taking things into her own control she is making plans for her life without waiting for Mr perfect to be in the picture. She may be finding parenthood is tougher than expected bit she is such a strong woman she is making things work better than she realizes.
A meet cute usually held for the movies enters in Grant. Though there is definitely more to him than he seems to let on he is ready to make sure to show Noelle exactly how special she really is.
I loved the growth and development both of them had through this story. As I said it was such a beautiful story to read. I love these Ladies Who Brunch and all the ways they stand up and support each other through all that life brings.

Great Series!

Not as planned is the fourth book in The Ladies Who Brunch Series! This is Noelle’s story. Although this can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend you read the whole series and get to know each of these amazing women!

Noelle is a literary agent who was tired of waiting for Mr. Right and decides to have a baby via donation. Grant is a pilot with past trauma who is not sure he wants to date again due to some past health problems. Noelle and Grant have an embarrassingly cute meet cute but don’t exchange numbers! Fate steps in and they meet again!

I really enjoyed this book especially the audiobook! This isn’t your typical single mom read as Noelle chooses to have a baby without a partner. We do see her struggle but she has an amazing support system. I absolutely love her friend group! Grant and Noelle have amazing chemistry from the moment they meet. You can tell from the beginning Grant would do anything to support Noelle and her daughter! I love the relationship between Grant and Noelle’s daughter, they have a connection from the start. It was so sweet! Swoon Worthy!

The narration was absolute perfection! Connor did an amazing job handling all the emotional stuff from Grant’s past. CJ did an amazing job portraying Noelle and displaying Noelle’s emotions through her struggles as a single mom.

I loved this series! I can’t wait to read more by Harlow James!

What to expect:
Single Mom
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Best Friend Group
He Falls First
Strangers to Lovers

Grant and Noelle

Not as Planned by @harlowjamesauthor

Ladies Who Brunch Book 4

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this book the first time and I loved it the second time. Getting to listen to the book has been great and I could cry without having to stop.

Connor Crais and CJ Bloom did amazing as Grant and Noelle.

If you want a single mom who has a great group of friends and stumbles upon the greatest man in a coffee shop, who is too sexy for his shirt. Then this book is for you.

I can’t wait to relive Newberry Springs through audio.

The perfect ending to one of my favorite series!

I absolutely loved The Ladies Who Brunch series in audio. This series has stolen my heart and I love all these ladies so much, but Noelle and Grants story has to be my favorite. Their journey was relatable in so many ways and touched on real life struggles that couples face every day. Harlow James did an amazing job writing such a painstaking journey for this couple. Their story will give you hope that a happily ever after is out there, even when you're close to losing faith.

Not as planned is so raw and real and Conner Crais & CJ Bloom did a phenomenal job narrating Grant and Noelle. They brought so much emotion to these characters and narrated their story beautifully.

Noelle and Grant were each so vulnerable because of what they had been through before meeting. They may have found forever with one another but it was a long road there, and the most perfect coffee shop meet cute to ever exist. I don't think either of them thought a chance encounter involving leaking breast milk would lead to happily ever after.

Through their individual struggles amidst navigating a new relationship we see this couple grow and form a genuine, honest, unconditional love. The bond that Grant formed with Scarlett is the stuff single moms dream of finding. When a man can love your child as much as he loves you, he's a keeper. Let's not forget the steamy time...Grant and Noelle's chemistry and passion was off the charts! That sweet man had a dirty mouth and I was here for it! They completed one another in every single way.

Having the other Ladies who Brunch, and their hubby's make cameos to have their girls back made this well rounded story even better! I will forever love this found family and group of friends and know I will find myself re-listening to the series. I highly recommend Not As Planned - as well as the rest of the series in audio. You will not be disappointed!