Review: Wonderful start to a new fun romance series.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 9, 2012
Planning for Love is Christi Barth's first novel in her Aisle Bound trilogy.  This is a contemporary romance with the theme being Wedding Planners. Our awesome heroine is Ivy Rhodes, whom we meet at the start, having fallen on the steps, during her preparation for an upcoming wedding.  Little did she know, her  rescuer, would become the man of her own dreams, the very handsome and sexy Bennett Westcott.Ivy is the perfect heroine, who also makes a super wedding planner, as she is all about romance & love.  Ivy grew up in a family filled with happiness and successful marriages.  Ivy runs Aisle Bound Wedding Planning business with her best friend Daphne, and they are considered the best in the business.  Ivy with her strong belief in marriage, is also a miracle worker, as she always is a step ahead, being prepared for any mishap that might occur.When she meets Bennett, she is appalled that he works for the trashy reality tv show that makes it business to show wedding disasters. But by the time the wedding is over, the two find themselves attracted to one another.  Their chemistry clicks immediately, and they spend the night Bennett's hotel room, having mindless intense sex.  The next day, Ivy takes Bennett on a tour through Chicago, and the fun day comes to an immediate halt, as Ivy discusses her belief in love and marriage.  Bennett, who is a believer of one night stands,  immediately walks away and flies home.  Ivy stunned, realizes Bennett was against relationships, and though very hurt, she pushes herself back into work mode to forget him.A couple of months later, Bennett returns as a producer of a different, but nice wedding planning reality show.  Ivy having agreed to participate in this show, she needed the money, did not know Bennett was part of it.  They agreed to work together, but no relationships.  As Ivy begins to realize, Bennett has a fear of any kind of relationship, knowing his family has been cursed on any chance of happiness.  She sets on a plan to make Bennett open himself to love, and a chance at happiness. Bennett wants Ivy back in his bed, and Ivy plans to make Bennett fall in love with her by holding back the one thing he wants...sex.It was a lot of fun watching Ivy work her charms and seduction on Bennett, and at the same time, shut the door on him, causing him to go back to his hotel and take cold showers. The ending was exciting, emotional, and fun. It will take everyone,including friends to try and help Ivy & Bennett have a HEA.One of the nice things about this story, is that Barth has created some very likable secondarily characters.  She has a great group of friends, some of whom are her co-workers.  They are fun, and add to the story.  There are two more books to come, and it should be interesting to see whom will be the leads.If you love romance, and want an enjoyable read, the Planning for Love is the book for you.  Christi Barth has done a wonderful job in writing this novel, and I for one look forward to book 2 of Aisle Bound.