Planning for Love by Christi Barth – a Review

Planning for Love is Christi Barth’s first novel in her Aisle Bound trilogy.  This is a contemporary romance with the theme being Wedding Planners.  I picked up this book because I loved Nora’s Bride Quartet series, and thought this might be a good relaxing and fun read.  Having finished this book, I am happy to say that I really enjoyed Christi Barth’s take on Love, Romance, and Weddings.

Our awesome heroine is Ivy Rhodes, whom we meet at the start, having fallen on the steps, during her preparation for an upcoming wedding.  Little did she know, her  rescuer, would become the man of her own dreams, the very handsome and sexy Bennett Westcott.

Ivy is the perfect heroine, who also makes a super wedding planner, as she is all about romance & love.  Ivy grew up in a family filled with happiness and successful marriages.  Ivy runs Aisle Bound Wedding Planning business with her best friend Daphne, and they are considered the best in the business.  Ivy with her strong belief in marriage, is also a miracle worker, as she always is a step ahead, being prepared for any mishap that might occur.

When she meets Bennett, she is appalled that he works for the trashy reality tv show that makes it business to show wedding disasters. But by the time the wedding is over, the two find themselves attracted to one another.  Their chemistry clicks immediately, and they spend the night in Bennett’s hotel room, having mindless intense sex.  The next day, Ivy takes Bennett on a tour through Chicago, and the fun day comes to an immediate halt, as Ivy discusses her belief in love and marriage.  Bennett, who is a believer of one night stands,  immediately walks away and flies home.  Ivy stunned, realizes Bennett was against relationships, and though very hurt, she pushes herself back into work mode to forget him.

A couple of months later, Bennett returns as a producer of a different, but nice wedding planning reality show.  Ivy having agreed to participate in this show, she needed the money, did not know Bennett was part of it.  They agreed to work together, but no relationships.  As Ivy begins to realize, Bennett has a fear of any kind of relationship, knowing his family has been cursed on any chance of happiness.  She sets on a plan to make Bennett open himself to love, and a chance at happiness. Bennett wants Ivy back in his bed, and Ivy plans to make Bennett fall in love with her by holding back the one thing he wants…sex.

It was a lot of fun watching Ivy work her charms and seduction on Bennett, and at the same time, shut the door on him, causing him to go back to his hotel and take cold showers. Bennett began to enjoy being with Ivy, hanging around all her friends, and unconsciously doing things a suitor would normally do.  

One of the nice things about this story, is that Barth has created some very likable secondarily characters.  She has a great group of friends, some of whom are her co-workers.  They are fun, and add to the story.  There are two more books to come, and it should be interesting to see whom will be the leads.   

The ending was exciting, sad and fun, as Bennett’s fears take control, and Ivy has to step back, breaking her heart.  But Bennett is clueless and only real friends can possibly make him see the error of his ways.  What are friends for?

If you love romance, and want an enjoyable read, the Planning for Love is the book for you.  Christi Barth has done a wonderful job in writing this novel, and I for one look forward to book 2 of Aisle Bound.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author