Wreck My Plans

by Jillian Meadows

Holiday Romance

Contemporary

Brother's Best Friend

289 Pages

"Cozy, steamy, and heartfelt—Meadows delivers the perfect holiday romance with chemistry that melts the snow."

Synopsis

A sweet and spicy holiday romance between a spirited artist who returns to her small town for Christmas and her older brother's best friend, a serious architect who pushes all her buttons—but whom she can't seem to stay away from. Lena's plans are simple: surprise her family for Christmas, don't tell them she lost her job, and most importantly, spend the week relaxing with the people she cares about. But when she arrives in Juniper, she discovers she's not the only unexpected guest this year. Her older brother's best friend, Gavin, is back after disappearing three years ago without a word. He has the kind of charm Lena has always been drawn to, but she knows he's also the kind of temptation she needs to stay far away from. Gavin has built his architecture career out of planning strategies for dealing with the unexpected—but he didn't have a strategy for the possibility of seeing Lena again. Though he's been dreaming of her since the day he left, he can't risk giving in to his feelings when they could upend the only family and home he has ever known. They try to be friends again. Just friends. But as the pieces fall into place about why Gavin left, staying friends is the last thing on his mind—and on Lena's. All the plans they've made might end up completely wrecked. And for once, maybe they want it that way.

Our Take

Wreck My Plans is the perfect holiday romance—cozy small-town setting, forbidden attraction, and just enough angst to make the payoff satisfying. Jillian Meadows nails the brother's best friend trope, giving it emotional depth beyond the taboo appeal. What makes this work so well is that Gavin's three-year absence isn't just a plot device—his reasons for leaving are genuinely compelling and add real stakes to their reconnection. The chemistry between Lena and Gavin crackles from their first awkward reunion, all forced smiles and lingering glances that fool no one. Meadows balances the sweet (small-town Christmas traditions, family gatherings, winter coziness) with the spicy (the tension finally breaking in deeply satisfying ways) without letting either overwhelm the story. Lena is a great protagonist—dealing with career setbacks while hiding her struggles from her family feels relatable, and her artistic spirit provides nice contrast to Gavin's structured architect life. The mystery of why Gavin left unfolds at the right pace, revealing layers to his character and making his return more meaningful. The supporting cast of family and townspeople adds warmth without cluttering the central romance. The small-town setting feels lived-in rather than twee, and the holiday atmosphere enhances rather than dominates. This is comfort reading at its finest—you know they'll get together, but the journey there is engaging enough to keep pages turning. Fans of In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren or The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox will devour this. Wreck My Plans delivers exactly what holiday romance readers want: heart, heat, and a happily-ever-after that feels earned.