Olivia Carmichael leaves a scandalous past behind to become a teacher in the small ranching community of Washton, California, in 1869. She’s determined to build a new life, support herself, and never depend on anyone again. Her teaching contract, which forbids her to marry, fits perfectly with her plans for an independent future.
Unfortunately, Olivia’s plans have a habit of going awry.Trouble seems to find her, and much to her frustration, Luke Taylor is often nearby to lend a hand.
Luke has plans of his own. After losing his parents, he’s responsible for raising his two young sisters. He’s sent for a mail-order bride, hoping she will help him care for the girls and create the family they need.
Falling in love with Olivia definitely isn’t part of his plan.
One of the things I loved most about When Plans Go Awry was how emotionally invested I became in both Olivia and Luke. I understood Olivia’s fierce desire for independence and a fresh start, but I also felt Luke’s sense of responsibility for his sisters and his determination to provide a stable home for them. With each new complication, I found myself rooting for both of them—even when what one wanted seemed to conflict with what the other needed.
Colby does a great job using journal entries to reveal parts of the story and add another layer to their struggles, hopes, and growing faith.
The faith element was especially meaningful to me. Olivia and Luke both have moments when they must wrestle with their own plans and come to terms with God. Those scenes never felt forced or added simply because this is Christian fiction. Their spiritual struggles grew naturally from what they were experiencing, making their moments of surrender credible and moving.
And then there are the animals!
Bert the rooster and Ol’ Fred the bull provide some of my favorite humorous moments. Their antics bring just the right amount of lightness to the story without distracting from the romance or the more serious themes.
At its heart, When Plans Go Awry asks a question most of us can relate to: What happens when the future we carefully planned isn’t the future God has for us?
With characters I cared about, a sweet romance, genuine faith, and plenty of humor, this story kept me emotionally involved from beginning to end. I highly recommend When Plans Go Awry to readers who enjoy Christian historical romance filled with heart, faith, and characters—both human and animal—they won’t soon forget.
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