The Romantic Comedy Book Club
Once again, Carrie takes a typical trope, puts her wickedly clever spin on it, and makes it refreshingly new and insanely entertaining. When I saw Blueprint for Falling in Love was the second book in the series, focusing on Josh and Greer, I immediately went “Who?” Not able to recall them, I did a quick scan of The Art of Falling in Love and reacquainted myself with their brief injection into the story. I remember laughing along with Nick and thinking - yeah there is definitely something going on with Josh and Will’s sister! While I am not sure of the exact timeline, The Art for Falling in Love overlaps with Blueprint for Falling in Love, giving a sneak peek to readers on the insanity that is about to go down between Josh and Greer.
It’s been 10 years since Josh left Sydney in his rear view mirror. Troubled youth, detached parents, low expectations - outside of the love and support of his best friend's family, the Carters - there was nothing keeping him there. Now, a decade later - an opportunity has arisen that is allowing him to return home and set down roots. New job, old friends, clean slate - what more could he ask for? How about the number of a gorgeous redhead he spots while disembarking the plane. Never one to pass up an opportunity, Josh gets her number but not her name. Upon exiting the airport, he finds a wonderful surprise - his best friend Will and the rest of the Carters. Although he doesn’t remember telling them his flight information, he can’t believe his luck - or lack there of when the gorgeous redhead interrupts his reunion by greeting her parents and her brother. Floored, Josh quickly realizes his airport pickup is Greer, Will’s little sister! Apparently 10 years can do wonders as Greer is a knockout BUT still his best friend's sister which means - hands off. Greer, on the other hand, has a better idea. She isn’t fourteen anymore and with a crush that hasn't waned in the 10+ year she has known Josh, coupled with his obvious interest, she is about to put the Carter stubbornness to the test and prove to Josh, once and for all, they are meant to be together.
There is so much I enjoyed about this book. The character development, the dialogue, the family dynamic, the supporting characters and the roles they play in moving the story forward - I could gush about the writing all day. What I realized about Carrie’s writing is that you don’t notice how deep and invested you are until you find yourself commenting out loud as you are reading!
This book is a high energy, high impact mental workout. Josh and Greer's back of forth tug of war of knowing why but not knowing why will make your brain hurt!
I loved how Greer was the aggressor when it came to the two of them getting together. Poor Josh didn’t stand a chance! In a lot of best friend’s sister to love troupes, the female protagonist just accepts her fate, secretly pining, until the male protagonist finally breaks and makes a move; then she deals with the his internal struggle passively until she gives up or he comes to terms. Greer refused to sit on the sidelines. She started plotting from the beginning! She knew what she wanted and she went for it.
There absolutely no question that Carrie can write heat! The spiciness of this story was summer heatwave level. The moments they connected, you could feel these two people giving each other everything they had.
While there were an abundance of ups and moments of sheer joy in this story, there were a lot of downs. I hated how Greer still had to deal with bullying, even as an adult. It just shows that some people never outgrow high school. I am proud that she eventually stood up for herself but to watch the paralyzing crippling fear and helplessness goes to show that the effects of bullying don’t just simply go away as we get older and leave school behind - it follows us, taunts us, haunts us, and waits to remind us that we are less than.
Removed to avoid spoilers for this post - this book touches on bullying and abandonment issues.
Shifting back to the humor, I absolutely love the call back Carrie does to The Art of Falling in Love when Josh meets Will, Ben, and Nick for a day of sailing. To experience it again through Josh’s eyes was so much fun! I am hoping book three is Ben’s story and Carrie does another call back to that day so we get an inside look on what’s happening with him.
My brain would not let go of Blueprint for Falling in Love for days after I finished reading it. This author definitely is an auto-buy for me and I can’t wait to see what else she writes.