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.

The third Caitlin Weaver book I have read and again thoroughly enjoyed. Brilliant idea for a book which clearly identified how friendship can survive almost anything that happens but marriages don't. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Talk about a family DRAMA. Fabiola could not have a stress free day if she tried (spoiler, she doesn’t). I have mixed feelings about this book. I will say it was well written and engaging, but the plot itself wasn’t my favorite ONLY because of how everything ended up. It was too neat to a fault, almost unrealistic. Not that much of this story is realistic or that stories NEED to be realistic. A story with SO much conflict just feels weird wrapping up so nicely.

Fabiola and Liz have been best friends for years. Fabiola offers and agrees to do something major for Liz. This complicates things, changes the family relations and forces both women to reassess.
I really liked the family drama. It showed the complexity of human relations and how family can be what we make it.

Best friends Fabiola, Alice and Liz. have been close for some time and will do almost anything for each other.

Liz and her husband peter are having difficulties concieving so Fabiola steps in as a surrogate. This is when things go awry.
Fabiola and Pete have history and things don't go as planned as secrets and lies come between the couples.

This is a drama filled read and one that is quite emotional at times.
Families are breaking apart and friendships are tried.

I loved this read. It is a well told story and the writing is superb. I loved the characters and really felt for their individual journeys.

An intriguing tale with a lot of reality ..

The Perfect Plan is the story of three friends Fabiola, Alice and Liz. Three best friends who would do anything for each other. Especially Fabiola who tries to do a wonderful thing for one of them. When Liz decides it’s time for her and her husband Peter to have a child she starts the process. Liz is unable to become pregnant so she needs a surrogate so Fabiola decides to help her best friend. Even with her husband Aron not on board with this idea they go ahead with this plan. The plan is going along until it doesn’t. Fabiola and Peter Liz’s husband have some history together. A history that comes back to haunt them. As Fabiola’s pregnancy progresses her family life is falling apart. Her husband Aron is losing everything they own, ,her daughter hates her, her long lost mother returns and she loses the one person she could count on her father.
This book is about friendship and how can you save it when one friend decides another. I always enjoy a book about strong women. Women who will do anything for their family. Fabiola was a strong woman who tried her best to fix the life she destroyed. Trying to keep her children happy while wondering what she will do with this new baby.? How will Liz feel when the truth comes out?
I enjoyed this story. At times it was a little predictable, I liked the characters the love of family and the art of forgiveness. I would recommend to my fellow readers. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I look forward to Ms Weavers next book.

I really love Caitlin Weaver’s books. The depth of her characters is top notch. The Perfect Plan is a realistic story of friendship and betrayal.

When Liz decides to have a baby her best friend steps up to be her surrogate. For Fabiola, the choice is an easy one. It’s a way to pay Liz back for all that she has done for her over the years. But sometimes, even the best intentions go awry.

The husbands in this story both needed to be punched in the face. The way that things played out broke my heart for people that don’t even exist. The ending was very Emily Gilmore in the reboot. Can’t wait to see what Caitlin comes up with next.

My thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Perfect Plan’ written by Caitlin Weaver in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Fabiola, Liz and Alice have been best friends for many years and as Liz can’t have children
she and her husband Peter are looking for a surrogate. Fabiola has already had three easy pregnancies with her husband Aron and loves being pregnant so has offered them the ultimate gift of having a baby for them. But just one reckless and unexpected moment can change all their lives - but for the better or worse?

‘The Perfect Plan’ is an emotional story that explores friendship, family dynamics and trust as the friendship between three women is put at risk. From the beginning I’ve been deeply involved in the life of Fabiola who didn’t have an easy childhood but now runs her own business as well as looking after her children and putting up with her selfish egotistic husband. The further I read the more consumed I became by the story, the characters and the choices they made. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading this rollercoaster of a novel that had me hooked from the beginning with a conclusion that showed the strength of friendship and put a smile on my face.