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The Scheme
After several months abroad, Madison Goldstein struggles to adjust back into her life. Work isn’t as easy as it used to be, her friends’ lives have taken unexpected turns, and Ben Ackerman, with his usual rambunctious and carefree attitude, seems hell bent on inserting himself into her safe space. Ben is as loud as she is quiet, as social as she is private, and as playful as she is serious. In short, they are complete opposites. It doesn’t take long before she gets to know the mischievous player a little better, and she quickly finds out that there is much more to him than meets the eye. Beneath his cocky attitude is a man that is almost impossible for her to resist. Not that she tries really hard. Their mutual attraction is completely unexpected and something they want to keep firmly hidden. Secret affairs are a delicacy Madison had always wanted to try, and, after all, their little fling is only temporary… right? This book is a stand-alone novel.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 9, 2019
10 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Ayman
3 books51 followersCynthia Ayman lives in Belgium with a spin bike that she hasn't used in months. She loves stories that make you laugh, cry, gasp, and pace around the dining table because you don't know how to deal with all the emotions.
Romantic comedies and raunchy romances are what she prefers, especially if there is a swoon-worthy alpha male thrown into the mix.
The Old-Fashioned Way was her debut novel. She is currently writing Ben's story (one of the secondary characters).
She also started an MC series, The Last Sinners. Wild Side is definitely on the steamy side, with plenty of humor. If you enjoy your male character a little on the bad boy side, with a weakness for the good girl, it might be just for you ;)
Romantic comedies and raunchy romances are what she prefers, especially if there is a swoon-worthy alpha male thrown into the mix.
The Old-Fashioned Way was her debut novel. She is currently writing Ben's story (one of the secondary characters).
She also started an MC series, The Last Sinners. Wild Side is definitely on the steamy side, with plenty of humor. If you enjoy your male character a little on the bad boy side, with a weakness for the good girl, it might be just for you ;)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
January 16, 2019
This is a light, funny & well written story about Madison & Ben who are in a circle of a close group of friends. Both have things in their past that they struggle with and while Madison is a bit serious & closed off, Ben is her polar opposite. They become friends, and then friends with benefits. They are sleeping together for 9 months when things begin to change
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this, so I ended up reading only the last few chapters which were amazingly funny! I am not going to give any more spoilers or quotes because there were so many that I couldn't make up my mind! Suffice it to say, I had to go backwards and read the chapters that I had left out, but honestly, this one was a good one! Loved the scenes in the kitchen, the dog & condom talk, the many, many proposals, Lamaze class and so much more!
Safety: Totally safe. No OP drama. Hero is a reformed playboy & there are girls throughout who try to come on to him but he is steadfast in remaining loyal to heroine. There is a scene in the beginning in which he goes to pick up some woman in the gym but nothing is said later about it..... Once H & h hook up, they remain faithful.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to read this, so I ended up reading only the last few chapters which were amazingly funny! I am not going to give any more spoilers or quotes because there were so many that I couldn't make up my mind! Suffice it to say, I had to go backwards and read the chapters that I had left out, but honestly, this one was a good one! Loved the scenes in the kitchen, the dog & condom talk, the many, many proposals, Lamaze class and so much more!
Safety: Totally safe. No OP drama. Hero is a reformed playboy & there are girls throughout who try to come on to him but he is steadfast in remaining loyal to heroine. There is a scene in the beginning in which he goes to pick up some woman in the gym but nothing is said later about it..... Once H & h hook up, they remain faithful.
August 26, 2020
“No other guy had ever made her feel as happy as Ben. Joyful, giddy, content.”
ngl best friends to lovers trope is the best 😩 🥰 like fr
ben ackerman is the best thing since sliced bread y’all
(edit: ok!!! im changing my actual rating to 5 stars!!! im rereading it for the second time and the more i realize how soft ben is since the beginning!!! 😩 im always a sucker for those type of heroes man wooOOOooooOo 😩)
~tropes~:
-(acquaintances to) friends to lovers
(they have the same circle of friends because their friends are each other’s significant other)
-friends with benefits
-fake dating (i mean it was just a short period of time but i enjoyed it wooOoo)
-aaand *that* trope that i love catch me crying in the frickin club man????? mygoodness????
-secret relationship (or yeah their secret arrangement) theyre hiding from their friends it was like entertaining when hey sneak out and hide their relationship somehow it reminded of robin and barney lowkey??? bc w the friends to lovers + fwb trope + being in the same circle of friends omg???? :”) lol when there were times that ben would be kinda obvious or he was slipping lol
-unlikely couple trope,,, i love it when,,, they’re just opposites,,, ben’s loud, he’s outgoing, he doesnt really do relationships while madison is an introvert, she’s quiet, she’s a relationship person,,, and they’re not each other’s type,,, i mean??? WoOoOoO
-they balance each other nicely i love it,,, i mean yeah also opposites attract trope woOoo 😩✈️
++
-it’s like pretty rare for a H to be goofball so yeah i love him man and for some unknown reason, (esp w the first few chapters) i cannot stop giggling like a schoolgirl because of ben???? i cant believe it y’all lol xD
-he’s also such softie like he maybe made me cry like a few times 😩 i just love how he cares w people 😩 (esp w madison :((( ) man, he’s just such a sweetheart!! and so caring and thoughtful!!! 😩
-i love that he seems to be like a rich playboy but he has so much depth woOoOoo
-AND ohmygas when ben wrote a poem to madison bwhahahaja peak comedy y’all hahahaahahahahahahah
,,, yep that scene hahahhahahahaah
(-lol this may be random but madison is a curvy, petite, bespectacled woman awee)
+++
-so first ben initiated that they fake date
-he also first thought that he would want to kiss madison woOoOoo
-he also first said i love u 🥰
-so yeah he pines for her first *oh yeaaah 🤟🏻🥰*
-when it’s ben pov and the way he describes her sometimes,,, it just gets me man (it’s 3rd pov but yeah) makes me tear up a little bit 😩
-omg guys so many cute/soft moments 😩
-that part when madison started to talk like ben that one time and when ben also unconsciously mimics how madison texts,,, they start to mirror each other bc they like each other y’all thats cute 🤧
-theyre so intuitive w each other like they just get each other well 😩
-sheepish!Ben is my fave he adorable or whatevah 😩
-the domestic parts y’all *screeches into the void*
-the scene where madison’s sick and ben’s taking care of her it was just really soft i was like literally crying,,, wow 😩 *chef’s kiss*
-the heart to heart talk w chris x ben it made my heart turn into a mush
-the facetime scene y’all that was uwu and funny hahahaha xD
Aaaaaaaand!!!
-lowkey ben reminds me of barney stinson like omg 😩😩 he can be overdramatic and over the top,,, with some stuff hahahaha and there was that part when w madison that is kinda is like the ‘you’re an idiot’ scene w robin x barney,,, what the fudge??? (w madison she said ‘you look ridiculous’ + her smiling) maybe i cried???
ngl best friends to lovers trope is the best 😩 🥰 like fr
ben ackerman is the best thing since sliced bread y’all
(edit: ok!!! im changing my actual rating to 5 stars!!! im rereading it for the second time and the more i realize how soft ben is since the beginning!!! 😩 im always a sucker for those type of heroes man wooOOOooooOo 😩)
~tropes~:
-(acquaintances to) friends to lovers
(they have the same circle of friends because their friends are each other’s significant other)
-friends with benefits
-fake dating (i mean it was just a short period of time but i enjoyed it wooOoo)
-aaand *that* trope that i love catch me crying in the frickin club man????? mygoodness????
-secret relationship (or yeah their secret arrangement) theyre hiding from their friends it was like entertaining when hey sneak out and hide their relationship somehow it reminded of robin and barney lowkey??? bc w the friends to lovers + fwb trope + being in the same circle of friends omg???? :”) lol when there were times that ben would be kinda obvious or he was slipping lol
-unlikely couple trope,,, i love it when,,, they’re just opposites,,, ben’s loud, he’s outgoing, he doesnt really do relationships while madison is an introvert, she’s quiet, she’s a relationship person,,, and they’re not each other’s type,,, i mean??? WoOoOoO
-they balance each other nicely i love it,,, i mean yeah also opposites attract trope woOoo 😩✈️
++
-it’s like pretty rare for a H to be goofball so yeah i love him man and for some unknown reason, (esp w the first few chapters) i cannot stop giggling like a schoolgirl because of ben???? i cant believe it y’all lol xD
-he’s also such softie like he maybe made me cry like a few times 😩 i just love how he cares w people 😩 (esp w madison :((( ) man, he’s just such a sweetheart!! and so caring and thoughtful!!! 😩
-i love that he seems to be like a rich playboy but he has so much depth woOoOoo
-AND ohmygas when ben wrote a poem to madison bwhahahaja peak comedy y’all hahahaahahahahahahah
,,, yep that scene hahahhahahahaah
(-lol this may be random but madison is a curvy, petite, bespectacled woman awee)
+++
-so first ben initiated that they fake date
-he also first thought that he would want to kiss madison woOoOoo
-he also first said i love u 🥰
-so yeah he pines for her first *oh yeaaah 🤟🏻🥰*
-when it’s ben pov and the way he describes her sometimes,,, it just gets me man (it’s 3rd pov but yeah) makes me tear up a little bit 😩
-omg guys so many cute/soft moments 😩
-that part when madison started to talk like ben that one time and when ben also unconsciously mimics how madison texts,,, they start to mirror each other bc they like each other y’all thats cute 🤧
-theyre so intuitive w each other like they just get each other well 😩
-sheepish!Ben is my fave he adorable or whatevah 😩
-the domestic parts y’all *screeches into the void*
-the scene where madison’s sick and ben’s taking care of her it was just really soft i was like literally crying,,, wow 😩 *chef’s kiss*
-the heart to heart talk w chris x ben it made my heart turn into a mush
-the facetime scene y’all that was uwu and funny hahahaha xD
Aaaaaaaand!!!
-lowkey ben reminds me of barney stinson like omg 😩😩 he can be overdramatic and over the top,,, with some stuff hahahaha and there was that part when w madison that is kinda is like the ‘you’re an idiot’ scene w robin x barney,,, what the fudge??? (w madison she said ‘you look ridiculous’ + her smiling) maybe i cried???
April 12, 2020
☆☆☆☆
I want to start by saying that this book was such a pleasant AND unexpected surprise for me. It is, in fact, the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m so glad I’ve picked it. I loved this book so much that I will probably struggle to describe it and the way I felt about it, but I will try to show my love for it and its characters as best as I can.
This is a light, soft, funny and romantic story that developed Madison and Ben’s strong emotional thread, with depth and intensity. They have been part of the same close group of friends for some time, but they haven’t really talked that much to each other. After Madison comes back from her trip to UK, they start bonding and becoming friends. While they are clearly opposites, they seem to understand each other pretty well when they are together.
Madison is serious, independent, overthinker that prefers all low key and nerdy things. She has dealt with a dark incident in UK, coming back to New York to her friends in order to escape from the recurrent thoughts that the event brings her every day. Ben, on the other hand, is defined as the ‘life of the party’ kind of guy, having issued with the idea of settling down and not really caring about what goes on in his day. However, he too has demons to run from. The two of them might seem like opposites, but from the moment they start talking more and more to each other, they just click. From that point on, they give us way to a path of discovery, laughter, growth, heart-melting and heart-breaking moments.
I loved the writing style of the author, she offered substantial characters accompanied by a fast-paced humour and witty dialogue. Apart from that, there also the emotional side of the story and the twist she gives us in between the middle and the ending of the book. Moreover, I absolutely loved how the book had space for both the characters’ struggles, there was a part in which we were learning about Madison’s struggles, but we got to know about Ben’s too, with the constant presence of their changing and evolving relationship.
I would recommend this to anyone that likes the friends-to-lovers trope. The characters have their own storyline separately and as a couple, with depth and personality. The story feels very realistic and healthy, and in no time you will be able to realize that you have arrived to the end of the book.
I want to start by saying that this book was such a pleasant AND unexpected surprise for me. It is, in fact, the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m so glad I’ve picked it. I loved this book so much that I will probably struggle to describe it and the way I felt about it, but I will try to show my love for it and its characters as best as I can.
This is a light, soft, funny and romantic story that developed Madison and Ben’s strong emotional thread, with depth and intensity. They have been part of the same close group of friends for some time, but they haven’t really talked that much to each other. After Madison comes back from her trip to UK, they start bonding and becoming friends. While they are clearly opposites, they seem to understand each other pretty well when they are together.
Madison is serious, independent, overthinker that prefers all low key and nerdy things. She has dealt with a dark incident in UK, coming back to New York to her friends in order to escape from the recurrent thoughts that the event brings her every day. Ben, on the other hand, is defined as the ‘life of the party’ kind of guy, having issued with the idea of settling down and not really caring about what goes on in his day. However, he too has demons to run from. The two of them might seem like opposites, but from the moment they start talking more and more to each other, they just click. From that point on, they give us way to a path of discovery, laughter, growth, heart-melting and heart-breaking moments.
I loved the writing style of the author, she offered substantial characters accompanied by a fast-paced humour and witty dialogue. Apart from that, there also the emotional side of the story and the twist she gives us in between the middle and the ending of the book. Moreover, I absolutely loved how the book had space for both the characters’ struggles, there was a part in which we were learning about Madison’s struggles, but we got to know about Ben’s too, with the constant presence of their changing and evolving relationship.
I would recommend this to anyone that likes the friends-to-lovers trope. The characters have their own storyline separately and as a couple, with depth and personality. The story feels very realistic and healthy, and in no time you will be able to realize that you have arrived to the end of the book.
dnf
January 28, 2019DNF
'Humorously' written OTT manwhore. I didn't find him funny, but disgusting. The way he spoke about women... I would kick him in the nuts, but the heroine only thought:
"She did like humor, but she also didn’t want to deal with a man who had the mind of a sixteen-year-old boy."
I wish she followed her own advice, coz he was soooo pathetic...
'Humorously' written OTT manwhore. I didn't find him funny, but disgusting. The way he spoke about women... I would kick him in the nuts, but the heroine only thought:
"She did like humor, but she also didn’t want to deal with a man who had the mind of a sixteen-year-old boy."
I wish she followed her own advice, coz he was soooo pathetic...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2020
I ended up having mixed feelings with this book because it dragged so much and I paused my reading a lot. I didn’t know if I was going to actually finish it.
I ADORED all the characters but there was something about the story that wasn’t fluid but I liked it a lot.
Ben and Madison were absolutely amazing together and I am in love with them and their friends.
It was an overall nice read. Very fluffy, light and cute.
I ADORED all the characters but there was something about the story that wasn’t fluid but I liked it a lot.
Ben and Madison were absolutely amazing together and I am in love with them and their friends.
It was an overall nice read. Very fluffy, light and cute.
August 9, 2024
The hero is so babygirl coded that he single-handedly saves this book from being a snooze fest. He steals the show while the heroine was pissing me the fuck off. The playful banter was a refreshing, but honestly, I only made it through the book because of him.
-2.5 stars
-2.5 stars
September 10, 2020
4/5 ⭐
This was such a lovely reading!!
Madison and Ben had my attention from page 1, and I loved their story and how it slowly but surely developed into their beautiful romance 💛
This was such a lovely reading!!
Madison and Ben had my attention from page 1, and I loved their story and how it slowly but surely developed into their beautiful romance 💛
September 12, 2020
just three things:
1. Why hasn't anyone told me the tropes in this book before? I WOULD HAVE READ IT LONG BEFORE IF I HAD KNOWN.
2. Ben Ackerman Day has to be a worldwide holiday.
3. Dr. Madison Goldstein thank you for existing.
1. Why hasn't anyone told me the tropes in this book before? I WOULD HAVE READ IT LONG BEFORE IF I HAD KNOWN.
2. Ben Ackerman Day has to be a worldwide holiday.
3. Dr. Madison Goldstein thank you for existing.
August 11, 2020
— 𝟒.𝟒𝟓/𝟓
the way this book was a perfect mixture of soft romance and humor as well as wholesome dynamics between a group of friends— exactly what i needed. and ben ackerman? he’s really a chaotic dumbass and annoyingly so cute PLEASE I LOVE BEN ACKERMAN SO MUCH.
the way this book was a perfect mixture of soft romance and humor as well as wholesome dynamics between a group of friends— exactly what i needed. and ben ackerman? he’s really a chaotic dumbass and annoyingly so cute PLEASE I LOVE BEN ACKERMAN SO MUCH.
April 15, 2020
GUYS!!!!! READ THIS BOOK!!!!! ITS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
October 16, 2019
This book was good, REALLY, REALLY GOOD. Definitely one of my favorites.
Ben Ackerman i love you so much
Ben Ackerman i love you so much
March 9, 2020
comedic excellence 5/5⭐❤
September 14, 2020
i loved it so much 💖
April 6, 2020
I THINK I FOUND MY NEW FAVOURITE BOOK U I GUYS OMG THIS WAS PERFECT IT WARMED MY HEART MADE MY CRY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A BEN IN MY LIFE ALSO THEIR GROUP OF FRIENDS UGH MY HHEEEEAAAARRRTTT ❤❤❤❤❤
October 16, 2019
ben ackerman i love you so much
February 19, 2020
“She had always thought that the man was easy to like.
She was finding out that he was just as easy to love.”
She was finding out that he was just as easy to love.”
September 2, 2020
i never thought i would find a book with ALL of my favorite tropes at the same time... i was wrong, this book EXISTS
February 21, 2021
It was a cute book. It did felt dragged at some points and I didn't know it had the accidental pregnancy so that was a surprise. Ben and Madison were cute tho and I loved the friend group.
April 20, 2020
Okay first off, the reviews in this book are so misleading. I was very excited in reading this because of the glowing reviews, and I enjoyed it solely because of Ben Ackerman's humor. But this book is boring. So many things keep happening, there's the fake relationship, then slowly becoming best friends while having amazing sex (which kinda freaked me out because it was waaay too soon), . I mean, I don't know, maybe stick to one trope and then go from there. Not jam it all in one book.
One thing I liked about this book is the relationship between the two mains. It was sweet, funny and entertaining. But after 75% I was hoping for something more, because it was just so boring and I could not care less anymore. Another one for the DNF pile.
One thing I liked about this book is the relationship between the two mains. It was sweet, funny and entertaining. But after 75% I was hoping for something more, because it was just so boring and I could not care less anymore. Another one for the DNF pile.
June 14, 2021
“I’ve called you Pumpkin every single time I’ve wanted to kiss you. That’s what you tasted like the first time we kissed. That’s why I call you that. Because you remind me of sugar and spices and because sugar and spices are exactly what I crave, even though…I really had no idea.”
this book was so good, funny and soft!! ben and madison seriously deserve the world
4.5 stars
this book was so good, funny and soft!! ben and madison seriously deserve the world
4.5 stars
January 24, 2019
4.25 stars
November 2, 2019
I laughed out loud. Ben and Madison are so good!
November 30, 2020
[3.5]
i loved the first half but i don't like accidental pregnancy trope :(
i loved the first half but i don't like accidental pregnancy trope :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2021
Really cute story. I found this randomly on KU and decided to try. It’s my first book by this author and I enjoyed it.
Ben is the funny guy of the group. He’s energetic, funny, always excited and happy. He’s like a Labrador puppy lol. But besides all that, he has a huge heart and always puts his friends first. He’s also a player. Never settling down and always accompanied.
Madison is the nerdy friend. The statistician. The smart cute girl. She’s sweet, super smart and sure of herself.
After a drunken night, the lives of these two will forever change.
Cute story. I enjoyed reading and I laughed a lot with Madison and Ben, they were so funny!
Ben is the funny guy of the group. He’s energetic, funny, always excited and happy. He’s like a Labrador puppy lol. But besides all that, he has a huge heart and always puts his friends first. He’s also a player. Never settling down and always accompanied.
Madison is the nerdy friend. The statistician. The smart cute girl. She’s sweet, super smart and sure of herself.
After a drunken night, the lives of these two will forever change.
Cute story. I enjoyed reading and I laughed a lot with Madison and Ben, they were so funny!
January 22, 2023
3.25 ˚✩ ⋆｡˚
if you see my buying tickets to the friends to lovers show, mind ur business! i just came for the snacks alright you can barely see me in the back 😶🌫️
they’re literally that fic tag that’s like the 4+ times he asks her to marry him and the one time she actually says yes (+ but he stopped carrying the ring with him)
anyways had so many laugh out loud moments reading this i love me a dumbass man <3 (that .25 is for the ben angst) also if it’s fwb there’s literally a 68% chance of accidental pregnancy like lets think here yall
(not tagging this as fake dating bc it was a pretty minor plot)
if you see my buying tickets to the friends to lovers show, mind ur business! i just came for the snacks alright you can barely see me in the back 😶🌫️
they’re literally that fic tag that’s like the 4+ times he asks her to marry him and the one time she actually says yes (+ but he stopped carrying the ring with him)
anyways had so many laugh out loud moments reading this i love me a dumbass man <3 (that .25 is for the ben angst) also if it’s fwb there’s literally a 68% chance of accidental pregnancy like lets think here yall
(not tagging this as fake dating bc it was a pretty minor plot)
April 16, 2020
This was such a cute read! I’m not a big fan of friends to lovers books, but when they’re done right and catch my attention I can’t help but love them.
It kind of reminded me of Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, Ben being Hazel and all, and it was the funniest thing ever. Ben is one of the best love interests i’ve read about in a while.
Their dynamic was adorable and I found myself giggling many times at their banter.
I felt like the ending dragged a bit, tho, but it was adorable nonetheless.
It kind of reminded me of Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating, Ben being Hazel and all, and it was the funniest thing ever. Ben is one of the best love interests i’ve read about in a while.
Their dynamic was adorable and I found myself giggling many times at their banter.
I felt like the ending dragged a bit, tho, but it was adorable nonetheless.
September 22, 2020
the scheme is everything i ever wanted from a rom-com. i didn’t expect anything much so i was pleasantly surprised by how much i enjoyed reading this book.
i loved the characters and their personal growth. i enjoyed how the relationship had evolved between two individuals who weren’t particularly close friends, and whose personalities are at two ends of a spectrum. it made sense how they balanced out and filled each other’s gaps. their relationship wasn’t rushed, but it didn’t feel draggy.
i loved the characters and their personal growth. i enjoyed how the relationship had evolved between two individuals who weren’t particularly close friends, and whose personalities are at two ends of a spectrum. it made sense how they balanced out and filled each other’s gaps. their relationship wasn’t rushed, but it didn’t feel draggy.
August 10, 2020
I loved the characters and although the story was dragging a little bit, it was a quick and funny friends to lovers-story that I really enjoyed. Especially because Ben Ackerman is the sweetest man alive, absolutely loooved him
December 20, 2020
this was so cute!! ben is the himbo we love and deserve
May 10, 2021
it was so cute and funny ! benmadison’s dynamic is amazing i absolutely love these two .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews