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THE HOOKUP PLAN by Farrah Rochon Kirkus Star

THE HOOKUP PLAN

by Farrah Rochon

Pub Date: Aug. 2nd, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-538-71668-7
Publisher: Forever

High school rivals reconnect at their 15-year reunion.

London Kelley is in the last few months of her residency in pediatric surgery in her hometown of Austin, Texas. She loves her work and has her pick of jobs anywhere in the country, but her strong personal ties to friends and family make it hard to imagine moving. Her two best friends, Samiah and Taylor, encourage her to find a hookup partner to relieve some stress, but London is too busy for dating. At her high school reunion, she runs into her nemesis, Drew Sullivan, the boy she competed with for valedictorian in her senior year. They fall right back into their old pattern of exchanging banter and barbs, but things take a turn, and the two end up in bed. Drew has just retired from a hedge fund as a multimillionaire, but he’s founded a new firm that audits hospitals and health care providers. When London discovers that Drew will be auditing her hospital, they agree to extend their “just one night” arrangement into a monthlong hookup. London is surprised to find her animosity for Drew evolving into affection and love. Although the novel is full of interesting side characters and real-life problems, it is Rochon’s masterful exploration of internal conflict that makes this such a winning romance. London and Drew are successful professionals who still have to manage difficult personal relationships. London is learning to stop seeking her father’s approval, while Drew has to forgive himself for prioritizing work over family obligations. This is a perfect example of how personal growth fuels the fire of the rivals-to-lovers trope.

A terrific ending to a series that highlights how strong career women juggle work and relationships in the modern world.