Perfect Plans by J. T. Tierney
A Contemporary Rom-Com Novel published by Curtiss Street Press (08/12/25)
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery
Summary:
“I’m beginning to see that human variables, though messier, have their own kind of structure. Like snowflakes—unique, ephemeral, and shaped by invisible principles.”
Ryan Porter sees the world through spreadsheets and systems—thanks to a childhood spent in an Arctic research station with scientist parents. People? Still confusing. When he starts working at a chaotic New York event-planning company, he’s thrown into a world of bizarre clients and unpredictable drama. Sofie Chen, his coworker, is his total opposite—intuitive, people-smart, and quick on her feet. As they deal with event disasters and office messes, they both start to question how they see the world—and each other.
Keywords:
Romance, Rom-Com, New York, Data, Convention Planning, Event Planning, Rivalry, Ex
My Review:
The very first sentence was a strong hook, and I couldn’t put the book down from there. The story pulled me in with its compelling plot, sharp dialogue, and a pair of main characters (the two love interests) who feel mismatched and yet absolutely perfect for each other.
Ryan is the human embodiment of a spreadsheet—precise and data-driven. If a computer and Mr. Darcy had a baby who was raised in a remote research station, you’d get Ryan. He’s brilliant, baffling, and charming in his rigidity. He struggles with unexpected change and chaos, but he’s learning to adapt. He’s genuinely adorable to watch. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be neurodivergent, Ryan is a fantastic lens. He sees the world in patterns, but can’t “turn off” that thinking, which creates tension. He will have to learn to accept the chaos and to find joy in the illogical to grow as a person.
Sofie, although not as different from Ryan, is neurodivergent in a distinctly different way. She’s empathy personified. She feels everything deeply and relies on instinct, nuance, and emotional intelligence. Her world is ruled by relationships and perception. She’s learned the hard way that the most dangerous people at work aren’t the obvious bullies, but the manipulators—the ones who make you feel special until you realize you’re just playing a part in their one-man show.
Then there’s Trevor. The perfect catalyst. The perfect ex. The perfect bit of drama. But he’s not one-note—we get a few chapters from his perspective that add layers and nuance. I loved the depth we get into his backstory, even if it doesn’t excuse his behavior.
I also have to mention the workplace/convention space itself—it practically functions as a third main character. The chaos and hilarity of event planning are part of why I couldn’t stop reading. It’s unpredictable, it’s messy, and it’s revenue-driven chaos at its best. The conventions themselves are often celebrations of people’s niche obsessions, which is just fun to read about.
Every sentence in this book feels deliberate and sharp. The writing distills big truths about human behavior and relationships with clarity and heart. I did a lot of highlighting as I read. It’s the most fun I’ve had reading in a while, and also one of the most insightful portrayals of how two wildly different brains navigate the same chaos. If you’re a fan of rom-coms or just love reading about flawed, fascinating humans figuring things out, you’ll enjoy this contemporary novel.
This novel was published by Curtiss Street Press 08/12/25 and is available on Amazon here.
TL;DR Star Rating: 5.00
Links for more information:
Rachel Author Barnard 