Event Planner's Big Break

Olivia Grant, assistant event coordinator at Emerald City Events, is handed the chance of a lifetime: to plan the high-profile wedding of Brendon Lowell, creator of the OTP dating app, after a venue disaster leaves the couple scrambling. Eager to prove herself, Olivia steps up, determined to make the event a success. The wedding's tight timeline and media attention raise the stakes, but Olivia's meticulous nature and drive to succeed make her the perfect candidate. This professional leap is also a personal one, as it marks her fresh start in Seattle after a divorce and a move from her small hometown. The wedding becomes the axis around which her new life—and the story—will turn.

Old Flames, New Tensions

At the first wedding venue meeting, Olivia is stunned to discover that Margot Cooper, her estranged high school best friend and secret former lover, is the Best Woman in the wedding party. The shock is mutual, and both women are thrown into emotional turmoil. Their history is complicated: a week-long, passionate fling in high school ended in heartbreak and silence, with Olivia choosing her boyfriend Brad over Margot. Now, forced into close proximity by the wedding, old wounds and unresolved feelings bubble to the surface, setting the stage for a slow-burn, second-chance romance.

Roommates by Circumstance

When a plumbing disaster renders Olivia's apartment uninhabitable, Margot—despite her reservations—offers her spare room. The arrangement is meant to be temporary, but the forced intimacy of living together quickly blurs boundaries. Both women struggle to keep things professional and platonic, but their shared history and simmering attraction make it impossible to ignore the tension. The presence of Margot's cat (and Olivia's) adds comic relief and serves as a metaphor for their skittish, circling dynamic.

Cat, Chaos, and Chemistry

The new living situation is a minefield of sexual tension, miscommunication, and accidental intimacy. A series of comic mishaps—most notably involving a cat and a rogue vibrator—break the ice and force the women to confront their mutual attraction. Their banter is laced with innuendo, and their attempts to set boundaries only heighten the chemistry. The chapter explores how physical proximity and shared domesticity can reignite dormant feelings, making it clear that their connection is as much about emotional comfort as it is about desire.

Boundaries and Baggage

As Olivia and Margot attempt to navigate their new roommate dynamic, they set ground rules and share personal histories. Olivia reveals the pain of her failed marriage—her ex-husband Brad's infidelity and her refusal to have children—while Margot opens up about her string of disastrous roommates and her own relationship hang-ups. Their conversations are honest, sometimes raw, and reveal how much they still care about each other. The chapter delves into the ways past heartbreak shapes present fears, and how both women are haunted by the choices they made as teenagers.

Friends, Lovers, and Fears

Margot's insecurities about her place in her friend group intensify as her best friend Elle gets engaged, and everyone else seems to be pairing off. She feels like a fifth wheel, worried that her friends' new relationships will leave her behind. Olivia, meanwhile, is still adjusting to life in a new city and the loneliness of starting over. Their mutual vulnerability draws them closer, and they begin to rekindle their friendship—though both are acutely aware of the deeper feelings simmering beneath the surface.

Cake, Compatibility, and Confessions

At a wedding cake tasting, the group's playful banter about astrological compatibility and favorite flavors becomes a metaphor for Olivia and Margot's relationship: sweet, complex, and full of hidden layers. Brendon's matchmaking attempts and the presence of a new potential suitor for Olivia (Luke) stir jealousy in Margot, forcing her to confront her feelings. The chapter is a turning point, as both women begin to admit—to themselves and each other—that their connection is more than just friendship or nostalgia.

Jealousy on the Slopes

During the wedding party's ski trip, Margot's jealousy over Luke's interest in Olivia leads her to take reckless risks on the slopes, resulting in a minor injury. The incident becomes a catalyst for honesty: Margot admits her feelings for Olivia, and Olivia confesses that she wants Margot, not Luke. The near-miss on the mountain is a metaphor for the emotional risks they're both taking, and the aftermath is a moment of raw vulnerability and mutual reassurance.

Crashing Down, Opening Up

As the wedding approaches, Olivia receives troubling news about her father Gary and impulsively leaves to check on him, triggering a heated argument with Margot. Both women accuse each other of old patterns: Olivia of self-sacrifice and running away, Margot of fearing abandonment. The fight is painful but necessary, forcing them to articulate their needs and boundaries. Olivia's journey home becomes a crucible for self-discovery, as she realizes she must choose her own happiness and stop living for others' expectations.

The Fight and the Flight

Olivia's trip to her father's house is fraught with obstacles—her phone dies, her car breaks down, and she's forced to rely on her ex-husband Brad's truck to get back to Seattle. Meanwhile, Margot is left in limbo, anxiously waiting and fearing the worst. Both women are forced to confront their deepest insecurities: Olivia's fear of not being enough, Margot's fear of being left behind. The physical distance mirrors their emotional separation, but also gives them the space to realize what they truly want.

Stolen Truck, Stolen Hearts

In a dramatic, rain-soaked arrival, Olivia shows up at the wedding rehearsal in a stolen (borrowed) truck, disheveled but determined. Her willingness to break the rules and go to any length to be there is a declaration of love and commitment. Margot, who has been waiting outside in the rain, is overwhelmed with relief and joy. Their reunion is cathartic, as they apologize, forgive, and finally admit that they want to be together—not just as friends or lovers, but as partners who choose each other, always.

Showing Up, Starting Over

The wedding goes off beautifully, but the real celebration is Olivia and Margot's decision to be "all in" with each other. They acknowledge that love is not about grand gestures or perfect timing, but about showing up, again and again, even when it's hard. Their relationship is no longer defined by fear or the past, but by mutual trust, vulnerability, and the willingness to keep trying. The chapter is a testament to the power of second chances and the courage it takes to choose happiness.

Always, In All Ways

In the epilogue, time has passed: Olivia and Margot are engaged, their careers and friendships thriving. The found family they've built is stronger than ever, and the lessons they've learned—about boundaries, self-worth, and the importance of showing up—have become the foundation of their life together. The story ends not with a wedding, but with the promise of a shared future, full of laughter, love, and the knowledge that they are each other's "lucky stars."

Characters

Olivia Grant

Olivia is a talented event planner whose drive for perfection is matched only by her deep-seated need to care for others, often at her own expense. Recently divorced after a decade-long marriage defined by compromise and disappointment, she moves to Seattle for a fresh start. Olivia's greatest struggle is learning to put herself first and trust that she deserves happiness. Her relationship with Margot is both a source of comfort and a crucible for growth, forcing her to confront her fear of abandonment and her tendency to run from conflict. Over the course of the story, Olivia transforms from a people-pleaser into someone who can ask for what she wants and show up for herself as well as others.

Margot Cooper

Margot is Olivia's former best friend and secret high school lover, now a successful astrology influencer and entrepreneur. Outwardly confident and sarcastic, Margot hides deep insecurities about being left behind and not being enough. Her fear of abandonment is rooted in Olivia's past choices, and she struggles to trust that she can be someone's first choice. Margot's journey is about learning to be vulnerable, to ask for what she needs, and to believe that she is worthy of love—not just as a friend or a lover, but as a partner. Her relationship with Olivia is both a second chance and a test of her ability to let go of old wounds.

Elle

Elle is Margot's longtime best friend and business partner, recently engaged to Darcy. She is the emotional glue of the friend group, always ready with a listening ear and gentle advice. Elle's own happiness and stability serve as both a comfort and a source of anxiety for Margot, who fears being left behind as her friends pair off. Elle's unwavering support helps both Margot and Olivia find the courage to pursue their own happiness.

Brendon Lowell

Brendon is the creator of the OTP dating app and the groom whose wedding brings everyone together. A hopeless romantic, he is always trying to set up his friends and believes in happy endings for everyone. Brendon's faith in love and his gentle meddling serve as both comic relief and a catalyst for the main romance. He is the embodiment of the story's belief in second chances and the power of showing up.

Annie

Annie is Brendon's fiancée, a steadying presence in the group. She is supportive of both Olivia and Margot, and her own relationship with Brendon serves as a model of partnership and mutual respect. Annie's warmth and humor help diffuse tension and remind everyone of the joy at the heart of the story.

Darcy

Darcy is Elle's fiancée, known for her dry wit and no-nonsense attitude. She is fiercely loyal to her friends and quick to defend those she loves. Darcy's relationship with Elle is a touchstone for Margot, showing that love can be both passionate and stable.

Luke

Luke is Brendon's friend and a potential suitor for Olivia, introduced as a source of jealousy and competition for Margot. Though he is kind and attractive, he ultimately serves to highlight the depth of Olivia and Margot's connection and the futility of trying to force a new romance when the heart still belongs to someone else.

Brad

Brad is Olivia's ex, whose repeated intrusions into her life symbolize the baggage she must leave behind. His inability to respect boundaries and his expectation that Olivia will always be there for him are obstacles Olivia must overcome to claim her own happiness.

Cat

Margot's (and Olivia's) cat is both a source of comic relief and a symbol of the unpredictable, messy nature of love and domesticity. Cat's antics force the women into moments of vulnerability and connection, serving as a silent witness to their evolving relationship.

Gary Grant (Olivia's Dad)

Gary is Olivia's anchor and the source of her anxiety about caretaking and loss. His health scare and decision to sell the family home force Olivia to confront her fears about change, responsibility, and the need to let go. His gentle wisdom helps Olivia realize that she deserves to be cared for, too.

Plot Devices

Forced Proximity and Second Chances

The narrative hinges on the classic romance device of forced proximity: Olivia and Margot are thrown together by the wedding and then by Olivia's housing crisis. This setup creates a crucible for unresolved feelings, allowing the story to explore the tension between past and present, regret and hope. The second-chance trope is given depth by the characters' shared history and the emotional baggage they carry, making their eventual reunion feel both inevitable and hard-won.

Miscommunication and Emotional Honesty

The story is structured around a series of misunderstandings and unspoken truths—about why Olivia chose Brad, why Margot felt abandoned, and what each woman truly wants. These miscommunications are not just plot obstacles but reflections of the characters' deepest fears. The narrative uses these moments to build tension and to show that real intimacy requires vulnerability and the courage to speak hard truths.

Symbolism of Domesticity and Everyday Chaos

The recurring motifs of cats, shared meals, and household mishaps serve as metaphors for the unpredictability and messiness of real relationships. The story uses these small, everyday moments to ground the romance in reality and to show that love is built not on grand gestures but on the willingness to show up, again and again, even when things get messy.

Parallel Plotlines and Ensemble Cast

The narrative structure weaves together the main romance with the subplots of the wedding, Elle and Darcy's engagement, and the dynamics of the friend group. This ensemble approach highlights the importance of community and found family, showing that romantic love is only one part of a fulfilling life. The parallel plotlines also serve to contrast different models of partnership and to underscore the story's message about the value of showing up for the people you love.

Grand Gesture and Reversal

The climax of the story uses the classic romance device of the grand gesture—Olivia's desperate, rule-breaking journey to the wedding rehearsal—to symbolize her commitment and willingness to fight for what she wants. This reversal of her old pattern (running away, self-sacrifice) is the emotional payoff for both characters, proving that love is not about perfection but about persistence and choice.

Analysis

Count Your Lucky Stars is a heartfelt, witty, and deeply modern romance that explores the complexities of second chances, the messiness of real love, and the courage it takes to choose happiness. Alexandria Bellefleur uses the familiar tropes of forced proximity and friends-to-lovers, but infuses them with emotional honesty and a keen understanding of how past wounds shape present fears. The novel's true strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of boundaries, self-worth, and the importance of showing up—not just for others, but for oneself. Through Olivia and Margot's journey, the story argues that love is not about finding someone to complete you, but about finding someone who makes you want to be your fullest, truest self. The supporting cast and ensemble structure reinforce the theme of found family, while the humor and chaos of everyday life ground the romance in reality. Ultimately, the book is a celebration of vulnerability, resilience, and the transformative power of choosing—again and again—to show up for love.

Last updated: May 9, 2025