The Hookup Plan

May 2, 2022
Rochon charms in her multilayered, heart-stealing final Boyfriend Project rom-com (after The Dating Playbook). When hotshot pediatric surgeon London Kelley bumps into her childhood nemesis, Drew Sullivan, at their 15-year high school reunion in Austin, Tex., their chemistry propels them into the cushy bed of Drew’s hotel suite. Later, she learns that hedge fund manager Drew is in town to conduct an audit aimed at saving the hospital where London works. Though London has sworn to herself that their connection would only ever lead to hookups, Drew, who’s lusted after London since their high school days, is determined to make London see how great a relationship could be. Used to being ignored by her narcissist father, feisty but vulnerable London has low expectations when it comes to men—and Drew, a millionaire with a heart of gold and eyes only for her, may be just the thing to overcome them. Rochon’s skillful handling of her lead couple’s sexual fast-burn and emotional slow-burn, coupled with her well-rounded characters, make it impossible not to fall in love with this smart story. Returning readers will be especially delighted to be reunited one last time with London’s besties, Taylor and Samiah. This is a worthy finale. Agent: Evan Marshall, Evan Marshall Agency.

July 1, 2022

London Kelly is a celebrated pediatric surgeon and the last in her trio of friends to meet her match, although all she's really looking for is a stress-busting series of no-strings hookups. Drew Sullivan is not only the unlikeliest of hookup partners since he was London's biggest high school rival, but he is also in town to assess whether London's hospital should be sold to a private company. Their antagonistic working relationship translates into explosive nights together, although London can't see any way for their fulfilling physical relationship to develop into something lasting, especially when Drew may end up recommending that her hospital be sold. Both London and Drew are driven, high-performing professionals with hidden trauma in their past that influences their behavior and decisions. Readers looking for a love story between grown-ups facing serious decisions will find satisfaction in the slow emotional burn without sacrificing the spiciness of the fast-moving physical relationship. Equally satisfying is the rich depiction of female friendship. VERDICT Rochon wraps up her "Boyfriend Project" series (following previous installment The Dating Playbook) with this engaging enemies-to-lovers romance. A fulfilling end to a strong trilogy.--Meagan Day

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2022
Overachiever London Kelley is a pediatric surgeon in her final year of residency at an underfunded county hospital in her hometown of Austin, Texas. She's being actively recruited by world-class institutions, but leaving her best friends, family, and the hospital she's worked so hard to save may be the right choice for her career if the wrong choice for her soul. At her high-school reunion, London runs into her arch nemesis, Drew Sullivan, whom she despised for always stealing her academic glory, but Drew sees it differently. He's been pining for London for years, and now, this is his chance to seize the moment. What was supposed to be a casual hookup turns into a complicated mess when his firm is tasked with assessing her hospital's dire finances. In her most fully developed contemporary romance to date, Rochon touchingly concludes the Boyfriend Project series (The Dating Playbook, 2021) with a happily-ever-after send-off for the series' anchors, best friends London, Samiah, and Taylor, who have all achieved their wildest dreams. Rochon's fans will be eager to see what she does next.

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Starred review from July 1, 2022
High school rivals reconnect at their 15-year reunion. London Kelley is in the last few months of her residency in pediatric surgery in her hometown of Austin, Texas. She loves her work and has her pick of jobs anywhere in the country, but her strong personal ties to friends and family make it hard to imagine moving. Her two best friends, Samiah and Taylor, encourage her to find a hookup partner to relieve some stress, but London is too busy for dating. At her high school reunion, she runs into her nemesis, Drew Sullivan, the boy she competed with for valedictorian in her senior year. They fall right back into their old pattern of exchanging banter and barbs, but things take a turn, and the two end up in bed. Drew has just retired from a hedge fund as a multimillionaire, but he's founded a new firm that audits hospitals and health care providers. When London discovers that Drew will be auditing her hospital, they agree to extend their "just one night" arrangement into a monthlong hookup. London is surprised to find her animosity for Drew evolving into affection and love. Although the novel is full of interesting side characters and real-life problems, it is Rochon's masterful exploration of internal conflict that makes this such a winning romance. London and Drew are successful professionals who still have to manage difficult personal relationships. London is learning to stop seeking her father's approval, while Drew has to forgive himself for prioritizing work over family obligations. This is a perfect example of how personal growth fuels the fire of the rivals-to-lovers trope. A terrific ending to a series that highlights how strong career women juggle work and relationships in the modern world.

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