The Engagement Plot

By: Krista Phillips
Publisher: Pocket Books, Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: October 2017
ISBN: 978-1683223160
Reviewed by: Diana Buss
Review Date: October 17, 2017

Once a contestant on "The Price of Love," a reality show where women compete to win the heart of an eligible bachelor, Hanna is spending her life in quiet. After going against her father’s wishes, and her own common sense, Hanna realizes that going on a reality show to find love may not have exactly been the best thing for her. Although she did in fact find love, she also found herself in a world of trouble. While many of the contestants would portray themselves in compromising ways, Hanna vowed to stay just as she was, with all her Christian values intact. Dubbed Holy Hanna, she was happy with her new love, Will, until she wasn’t. During an interview with a reporter, Will answered a question in a very ambiguous way, leaving lots to the imagination. The media took it and ran with it, crushing the image Hanna had made for herself and her love for Will in the process. Now, living back at home with her father in Minnesota, her teaching career is put on hold as she tries to stay out of the limelight.

Trying to win her back, both for himself and for his career, Will makes his way to Minnesota, just as a blizzard hits. Forced to stay with Hanna and her father for a few days, he begs forgiveness and explains that he wants to right what has happened in the past. While Hanna may be able to reluctantly forgive, it’s just not possible right now. As the media catches on that Will is in Minnesota with Hanna, even more tabloids begin to print untrue stories. While Will may not be able to go back in time to right the wrongs, they may be able to fix it by pretending they are engaged, that she’s forgiven him for his error and coming clean about what actually happened. After the media calms down, they’ll break off the engagement and go back to living their completely normal lives, apart from each other. There’s no chance of them falling in love again, anyway, so what’s the harm, right?

The Engagement Plot was easy to get into right from the very beginning. While many books are slower to start and people may have a little trouble getting into them, this jumped right into Hanna and Will’s story without being confusing. Phillips was able to take this bachelor-like book and show what happens in the aftermath in a way that was both funny and understandable. Even the romance was expertly described without being overbearingly cliche. Although it’s easy to think you know how this book will end, sudden twists do come out to throw the ideas you had out the window. A relatable book and a perfectly light read, I can’t wait for more, and I only hope there is because I would love to keep following Hanna and Will’s love story.

Quill says: Charming, cute and just a little dramatic, The Engagement Plot is the perfect book to read when you just need to relax.