Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. I can’t stand when there’s a romance book with seemingly no basis for the romance. These people have known each other for years because the sister of the guy is her best friend. And yet…it takes some writer’s block and her living in a rental he owns for her to all of a sudden find him incredibly attractive? Weird. I know a lot of adult romance books have sexual content more often than not, but I’m not into this kind where the descriptions are over the top. I just couldn’t care about them enough because I didn’t like them enough together, separately they seemed fine (not sure I believed the artsy tattooed guy secretly doing professional crafts but ok, seemed likable; the kindhearted author just trying to make her mom proud and live her dream-I can dig it). Overall, I think my favorite part was the idea of him struggling to stay sober and it being a true struggle with great supports but still having moments of weakness. So, not the romance, which is weird. I’m sure there’s people out there that will love it and call it swoon worthy and everything else, but those people aren’t me.

Normally with my reviews I start with a summary, but not this one.

I felt like this book had a lot of potential, but it didn't sit right with me for the most part. Besides Dash being a recovering alcoholic and the seriousness of that situation, everything felt like a first world problem. I never connected with Sophie. She was slightly annoying. I like tropey books, but I felt this was all the story was (hang in there with me) the tropes weren't entirely fleshed out enough. The MCs and their friends are all in their early to mid-thirties but some of the miscommunication issues felt more in the teenage realm.

Another thing that was too much for me was all the social media influences, which granted is a HUGE part of the plot and I don't have an issue with that, BUT, it felt too mansplaining to me. Audiences nowadays know at least the basics of the big social media platforms and the explanations in the story are spoon feeding to an infant.

This rom com also took a sharp turn in the last half of the book, which I didn't mind but it didn't feel like it matched the first part of it. I honestly wish the first half matched more of the back half because I did love the ending resolution.

Overall, 2.5 stars.

My thanks to Netgalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

WELL, IM FINALLY GETTING MY ROM COM OPEN DOOR BABIES IVE BEEN WANTING. Between this from Net Galley and the other book I recently read, I'm topped up on the spice (nothing lethal, but perfectly hot if I do say so myself).

This book had a lot going for it. Insecure MC with alcohol problems, FMC with trust/romance issues.. both artists in their own ways. I truly enjoyed this book. The only thing I didn't particularly like was that there seemed to be a fast turn to love even though it was building at a lovely pace prior to the onset of feelings and then the ending. It felt kind of quick, and I was invested enough that I wanted to get more of the soul-searching from Dash and contemplation about love from Sophie. I plowed through this thing like I didn't have a regular job, though, so 4 cute romcom

I felt the story was cliche and the intimacy between Dash and Sophie was rushed. I wish the chemistry had been more developed.

The story is cute and fairly easy to read. The characters work well together as they are pretty opposite in personalities. Although, some of the topics of the novel - sobriety, anxiety, parental death - to name just a few - pull the novel away from the rom-com genre. Yet again, it is easy to read and get through the novel quickly.

My Rating: 3/5 Stars

My Thoughts: Sophie is a romance novelist with a big secret — she’s never been in love. She teams up with her best friend’s brother Dash, who is battling some demons of his own, to confront her past and find out why love has eluded her. This was a cute story with likable characters, and I loved seeing the relationship between Sophie and Dash develop.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing and the author for an advanced copy of this book!

Love love love love LOVE!! This book was such a great rom-com and I loved all the parts about it. Sweet romance, steamy scenes, and the right amount of drama to keep you reading for the plot and not just the smut. Such a great read for the summer on a beach or a bookstore.

Romance author Sophie Lyon wakes up terribly hungover and faced with the fact that while drunk the night before, she has gone viral on TikTok with a very embarrassing and cringey video of her drunken karaoke shenanigans confessing that she’s a fraud of a romance author, having never been in love. With the encouragement of her landlord Dash Montrose (who just so happens to be an extremely hot and famous former child-star ), she examines her past relationships that have failed to determine what has been the roadblock to her never falling in love. As she meets with all of her exes and documents her results for all of her new TikTok followers, Sophie hopes this public examination of love and the lack of it will help her to finally finish the novel that has a deadline rapidly approaching. Newly sober Dash finds himself fighting his attraction to Sophie while he helps her figure out why she has never been in love. As they grow closer Dash finds himself wanting to be the one she finally falls in love with, while at the same time knowing his own personal issues make him the last person she should find her happily ever after with.

—-------------------------------------------------------

A little deeper and heavier than most romance novels, I liked the depth and sincerity of the plot and the main characters Sophie and Dash. It was a well-balanced book with a great mix of humor, spicy scenes, and emotional drama. Sophie’s sexuality was never a focal point and her bi-sexuality wasn’t glossed over, and both characters expressed their wants, desires, and their limits, and were confident in it. That being said, it fell just a touch flat for me with a lot of extra bits contributing to the story that I felt didn’t necessarily add to the overall plot. Parts felt rushed. I wasn’t particularly invested in the whole “will they/or won’t they” aspect of Sophie and Dash getting together. While I enjoyed the book, it’s not one that will stick with me for long after reading, and if asked to recommend it wouldn’t be overly enthusiastic about it.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings: Sexual content, alcoholism, addiction, anxiety, panic attacks, toxic relationships [both familial and romantic], Verbal and mental abuse, and constant feelings of inadequacy.
Mention of: cheating, ableism, death of a parent, and parental abandonment.

***I received an ARC, ahead of release, through Netgalley. I also submitted my TT handle to be one of the handles Erin used in the book. ***

The POV characters:
Sophie has never been in love...a romance author that's never experienced love. When she's struggling to write her second novel she decides that maybe the past can give her the knowledge to inspire her to finish her book ...and maybe find love in the future?
Dash is part of Hollywood royalty...his family is known far and wide for their acting. Dash leaned more into indie films but the stress of living up to his families image and constantly being compared to his older brother led him down a dark path of alcohol addiction. Now 18 months sober, which he still hasn't told his family about, he's found a love of crafting and has an anonymous Tiktok where he's able to share his love without judgement.

The story: Two people who've always felt not quite good enough team up to help each other. Though they struggle to share their real feelings and thoughts with their family and friends...there's just something about the ease of their friendship that allows them to share things free of judgement. Unable to deny their chemistry but feeling like a relationship is unwise they decide... FWB is okay right? [his main focus is his sobriety and he doesn't feel like he's ready for a relationship and she's looking for love...oh and he just happens to be her BFF's brother which would add another level of complications]

The relationship: I LOVE the relationship that Sophie and Dash form. It's so natural and judge free...something they both desperately need in their lives. Also the way that they care about each other and are constantly trying to encourage and support each other was so beautiful.

The spice: OMG THE SPICE! *fans face* Literally every sexual scene was AMAZING. I cannot wait until my friends get their hands on this book so I'll have someone to talk to about these scenes. *daydreams back to each scene*

My thoughts: I adore both Sophie and Dash and could relate to their feelings of inadequacy. There were so many moments that I just wanted to reach through the book and hug them and tell them they're amazing and wonderful just as they are. This will definitely be a book that I'll want to reread...between the emotions, self discovery, romance, and friendship...this will be a book I tell everyone about. 🥰

Plot Twist is a delightful Rom Com about romance author, Sophie, with writers block and a secret. She’s never been in love. Dash, her best friends brother helps her to discover why while battling his own inner demons. A journey of self discovery for both of the main characters as they find out where they both belong.

I recommend this book if you’re a big social media fan, love TikTok, or spend a lot of time following various influencers. The social media presence is heavy, with a huge part of their relationship focused on him basically explaining TikTok to her (and I guess us?). There’s also a lot of random astrology focus for everything. I was unable to finish but it would be more interesting for those who like these things.

When I read the blurb, I was excited to read this one, but I spoke to fast.
The plot reminded me of a recent reading about a girl with writer's block, but this book doesn't work for me. The plot twist instead of going up, goes down.

I really wished I liked this book more. I LOVED Sophie's story of being a romance writer who has never been in love and wants to figure out why and Dash's ongoing struggle with addiction. This book is centered around Sophie becoming an internet sensation after declaring to the world that she, a romance writer, has never been in love. This leads to her going on a quest to reconnect with her past partners to see why that connection never became strong enough. Meanwhile, washed up actor Dash is independently struggling with addiction while his Hollywood family is pushing him to start acting again.
The ideas shown in this book along with the characters that appear throughout have so much potential to be lovable and iconic, but something was just off for me. The pacing seemed a little funky and unnatural and I cannot see any of these characters existing outside of the strict guidelines of the story.

I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it. It did take me a bit to get into the story but once I got into the story it was hard to put down. The characters are compelling, dealing with relatable issues of love, alcoholism, relationships and all three combined while trying to find out who they are and who they could be together. It’s a cute story about love, plot twists at every turn (hello one bed trope), family and protecting your peace and happiness.

Thank you Netgalley and Erin La Rosa for the ARC!

This book took me out of my reading slump! I loved the openness of Sophie’s dating life and her journey meeting up with them. Dash and his own healing journey definitely had me in all of my feels. The amount of times I felt the characters pain or happiness was too many to count. You definitely need a box of tissues next to you for this one!

It is written in the third person POV, which is different than what I normally read. But we were still given plenty of inner thoughts and feelings through out. I definitely recommend this book when it comes out!

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

TW: alcoholism, sobriety, relapse.

Sophie is a romance author with writers block. She's also never been in love. After an embarrassing night that goes viral, she decides to lean in and go visit each of exes to see if she can figure out what went wrong and why she wouldn't allow herself to fall in love.

Dash is a former actor who is white knuckling his sobriety by isolating himself from the world and secretly making pottery.

After some time in forced proximity and sharing one bed, Dash and Sophie feel electricity. Just when they think everything will work out, all hell breaks loose.

I was so looking forward to this book but I just didn't connect as much as I hoped. I had trouble connecting with the main characters and actually found myself hoping they wouldn't end up together in the end because they both had a ton of work to do to love themselves, let alone someone else.

I am a huge Erin La Rosa fan! I loved her first book and this book was just the same calibre! I love the fact that this book was so unique. I don't know if I've ever read a plot for a romance novel quite like this and I am obsessed! I this that anyone loves a good romance novel that is funny, charming and full of STEAM then this is for you!

Also can I just say love the title!!!!! If you're looking for your next beach read, look no further!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

**TW: alcoholism, sobriety, addiction**
This was a fun, easy read with characters that you can easily get attached to. A little grumpy-sunshine at first but the main male character does not give off "I hate you" vibes which was honestly nice and refreshing.

TikTok is very prevalent in this book, which can be annoying to some but I found it very well fitting with the story line and not overly used.
There is some spice as well, which adds to the fun of this book.

The subject matter did become a bit more serious as the book developed but still a good read.

Preface: I am not usually a romance reader. I typically like reading a fantasy or thriller or mystery novel that INCLUDES romance. However, I really liked this book way more than I thought I would.

The plot was charming and light. It was a cute love story, a nice easy read for a day at the beach or for those times you want something cozy and sweet. Easy book to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and indulge in.

It wasn't anything particularly special though. The storyline was unique but not the most memorable. I'm not suffering from a book hangover where I'm stuck on this book and neeeeeed more from this couple. It is tied up pretty well, I'm satisfied by the ending and enjoyed my time reading it.

I recommend romance lovers and pessimists alike to read this one.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

I was really excited about this one, but didn’t connect with the story or characters at all. It felt jumpy somehow? I think this story wasn’t for me.