First and foremost, I feel I should lead with the opinion that this book needs to be included in a LGBTQ+ category. Like it or not, Sophie is part of that community, and it should be noted as such. Frankly, I would not have chosen this book had I known this ahead of time. It’s not my thing, and I certainly can’t relate to it. I wouldn’t necessarily expect a reader who is part of that community to read a romance about two straight characters and find the story relatable. This situation definitely knocked my overall experience, and therefore my review, down a peg.

That aside, while the story has the appearance of a good flow, it still felt choppy. I wish I could offer constructive criticism here, but I’m not sure why. It seemed as though the characters were thrown into situations and it worked because it HAD to. The whole thing was very tropey, which La Rosa even acknowledges as part of the story, but not in a good way. There is also the whole T!ȼk T0ȼk thing, which felt highly unnecessary. There are so many other ways that could’ve been done.

It wasn’t a bad story, but I’m glad I was granted the opportunity to read this for free, because I’d definitely have buyer’s remorse. Would I recommend this to a friend? Meh. Probably not.

Thank you to NetGalley, Canary Street Press, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for granting me permission to read this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Love a HEA!! Really enjoyed this one! The characters were likable and interesting. For me it was not a book that breaks you, but I appreciated it for what it was. Some scenes were 🔥🔥 but I missed an emotional pull.

I loved the flawed characters and the chemistry - there was FAR too much smirking but the sex scenes were A+. I didn't know smirking was my hill to die on but it's the second book that it's so noticeable, it drove me crazy. Twice on the same page? Love absolutely everything else.

Not my typical romance read (usually prefer dark romance) but this may have sent down a new bookworm hole. I loved the twists and turns, character development between Sophie and Dash. With an imperfect love story, Plot Twist really captured the truth about love: it’s perfectly imperfect. This book had me hooked and I couldn’t put it down. Heartwarming and funny, just what I needed.

Romance author Sophie has writer’s block. Her second novel is due in just a few weeks and she can’t quite figure out how to write the ending because she has never been in love. When’s video of her proclaiming she has never experienced love goes viral, she has a chance to gain more followers which should help her sell more books.
Her neighbor just so happens to be Sophie’s best friend’s brother. Dash, is a former child actor from a famous Hollywood family and all he wants to do is stay sober. He’s made it 18 months during which he has taken up posting his pottery videos on TikTok. But now his overbearing mother wants to push him back into the public eye and has demanded Dash give a speech for his father’s Walk of Fame induction.

When Sophie agrees to help Dash write his speech in exchange for TikTok advice, they can’t help but feel an attraction and agree to try friends with benefits arrangement. But do either of them really want to stay friends?

Sophie and Dash were relatable characters with big, real world problems. Plot Twist isn’t a fairytale, it’s a realistic look at how to find a happily ever through acceptance, trust and love. They aren’t perfect and they never will be but they are committed to trying to figure it all out. LaRosa expertly handled their very complex issues as well as their growth and this book is a beautiful exploration of how to have a mature relationship.

I did find the grand gesture at the end a little over the top and rushed. Also everyone was famous. There were so many famous characters it came to feel a bit unreal, which was unfortunate given the very real issues that were explored.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.


Things readers might like:
Tropes (so many tropes)
Best friend’s brother
Boy next door
Friends with benefits
Only one bed
Celebrity crush becomes real life
He falls first
Dual POV

CW: main character alcoholism, death of parent, dysfunctional family dynamics

Dnf 50%

I really tried to like this book but it just wasn’t for me. First off, the entire book was filled with tropes. I enjoy a trope or two in romance novels but this was one trope to the next, so much so that there wasn’t much plot underneath. And the plot that was left was all over the place. Second, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. They didn’t seem fleshed out enough. Third, I felt like the characters hooked up too fast and that there wasn’t enough time for the tension to grow. There are more things about this book that I didn’t get into (such as why are most of the characters famous?) but the three reasons mentioned are the main reasons why I couldn’t finish the book. I only made it halfway since I was hoping it would get better, but it just wasn’t for me.

Sophie is at risk of being a one-hit-wonder romance writer if she can't get past her writer's block by her deadline. Her landlord is her best-friend's brother, Dash, who is a former child-star from a Hollywood-dynasty-family trying to avoid the spotlight and any stressors as he secretly struggles with new-found sobriety. As they face their own battles, they are there for each other, and their acquaintanceship turns into friendship, which turns into something more that they're both afraid to face - but they can't stop being drawn into each other's orbit.

The chemistry between Sophie and Dash is fierce and fun. Their sexual attraction and interactions are scorching and satisfying. But those interactions can be easily eclipsed by their witty banter and genuine appreciation of who each other is as a person. They are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders, which is a very wholesome dynamic.

The characters (friends and family included) are also imperfect, so they do hurt each other. The ways in which hurt and conflict is handled varies in detail, but each time one or both of the main characters communicates, learns, and grows.

Despite the end-game pairing being hetero-presenting, there is natural and casual inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters. Sophie is confirmed to be pansexual - which is nice representation to see! I always adore bisexual representation, but I haven't seen enough pansexual characters, so this was really refreshing.

The narration is a fun, casual third-person voice that took me a couple of pages to get into, but I feel is important to the tone of the story. There is a sense of light-heartedness amongst some serious issues that eases the reader through the storm and into the HEA.

Fans of contemporary and quirky romance stories will enjoy Plot Twist. It is tropes-galore.

I expected this to be a typical rom-com and I am so pleasantly surprised that it actually went deeper.

Sophie has writer's block and can't get out of her head. Dash is from a famous family and he previously acted but chose a life away from the limelight after alcoholism took over his life.

Of course Sophie lives on his property and they aren't friends. She's best friends with his sister, Poppy (who is fantastic), but has no relationship with Dash. Until the day she does.

That's the main basis for the book but this author took it to another level and brought so much vulnerability and truth to both their stories I can't help but swoon a little. It's easy to write a love story and gloss over the hard stuff or ignore it entirely but Erin went there and I'm thrilled she did.

I think this book might open some eyes for readers who aren't aware they, or someone they love, might have a problem with alcohol. I've been sober for years, not because I had a problem but to make sure it didn't become one. Alcoholism is in my family, many generations now, and I've fought long and hard against it. The beast that alcoholism is can definitely be hard to fight but I hope people will see that it's worth it.

I love when a romance author writes about a romance author and acknowledges typical romance book tropes. Which in and of itself, could be another trope. Anyway, in Plot Twist, author Erin La Rosa (who also wrote the adorable For Butter or Worse) does just that. This cute novel is light-hearted, but manages to touch on some complex issues and tricky family dynamics. It was easy to become invested in the main characters, and genuinely root for them. Overall, it’s a worthwhile way to spend a few hours!

Special thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Such a cute story. Lots of tropes. I really enjoyed the ending. However I felt like it took awhile to get there. Character development was slow till the end. I would have liked a more slow burn with these characters because of where they were in life and would have been better when they finally did get together. I really liked Dash for all his flaws. The grand gesture at the end was so cute but felt rushed.

Plot Twist is one where I have some mixed feelings about.
On one hand, I liked how the struggle with addiction and sobriety was portrayed. It was more realistic than most. The struggle wasn't glossed over, the happy ending didn't happen in seconds. It showed the constant struggle and slips.
Also, the steamy scenes were steamy in a more realistic way than what can often be found in romance books.
On the other hand, I felt like the characters were not very relatable. They're all these pretty rich Hollywood folks. Yes Sophie is struggling with her book, but she's still a published author with a famous sister and famous friends and famous love interest with a famous family... You get the point. However, I believe that's more of a "me" thing than a "book" thing, and overall it was a cute quick read.

OMG! I was hooked by the cover and blurb and was hoping it would meet my expectations… it totally did! Loved the chemistry between Sophie and Dash and the way the author truly crafted a relationship that was natural and not too forced

Could not put this one down, and really loved reading the personal journey that Dash and Sophie went on to eventually find each other. At times hilarious, and at others heartbreaking—I just found their love to be unique and powerful and I'll be thinking about these two for some time.

this was so hyped and for what. it was filled with tropes and cringe worthy references (can authors please stop mentioned social media sites and whatnot PUH LEASE) and i honestly could’ve forgiven these if the romance was written decently and it just…was not

This book surprised me. I did not expect to like it as much as I did, esp bc of the trope talk and pop culture references BUT it was done in a way that I really liked and it didn’t take me out of the book.

The characters (but mainly Sophie and Dash) were super relatable and easy to empathize with and their banter was *chefs kiss*. Especially as an “adult” who still sometimes doesn’t feel like an adult. Basically- I loved them individually and together.

I don’t always like dual povs, but this one was great. Their inner monologues weren’t too repetitive and at times were really funny. Sophie, especially, felt like a friend.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Sophie is a romance writer who is struggling to finish her second book. She has never been in love, and she can't figure out how to write the HEA for her characters in her novel. She decides to visit her exes to determine why she didn't love them and what went wrong. As she begins her journey, she realizes things about herself that lead her to make some changes in her life.

Dash is her landlord/neighbor, but he is also her best friend, Poppy's, brother. He is a former teen heartthrob who has left the spotlight of Hollywood to focus on creating anonymous TikTok videos to show his crafty side. He starts to spend more time with Sophie, and he helps her chronicle her reunions with her exes on TikTok.

The spark between Sophie and Dash is undeniable, and their scenes were steamy! Their chemistry jumped off the pages and burst into flames. Dash doesn't want commitment yet because he is focused on his sobriety. Dash hasn't told anyone about his sobriety. He wants to keep it that way, at least for now, because has an overbearing mother who keeps pushing him to go back into the spotlight.

Sophie and Dash went through it together, and there were some parts of their story that really brought me to tears. At times the story felt too real, which is an amazing thing for the author, Erin La Rosa, to achieve. I loved every step of the journey that Sophie and Dash went on together, and their HEA was so well earned and deserved.

This book was extremely cute and super easy to read! For those looking for a book that will make you laugh, has flawed and relatable character, with a touch of some spice, then this one is for you!!

Following a romance author who believes she has never been in love, Sophie sets out to get an autopsy on all her past relationships. Her landlord/best friends brother gets caught up in the mix of giving her social media advice to help boost her ratings while also aiding in the recovery of a drunk karaoke night gone wrong.

While meeting up with her exes, Sophie starts to build up a picture of what went wrong in her relationships, and potentially what could be causing her massive writers block now. As she continues on this journey, she becomes inexplicably drawn to Dash, who has secrets of his own plaguing his life.

I’m not super into social media pop culture references in books, and since this one heavily relies on them for the plot, it wasn’t my fave to see, but I applaud the author in this fun and unique story that also explores some heavy topics.

3.5⭐️
1/3🌶️

Read if you love:
-tropes, tropes, tropes!
-best friends brother
-themes of substance abuse
-romance author FMC
-one bed
-friends with benefits
-he falls first
-happy ending massages

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK

It was so fun and unique! The whole romance author who hasn't been in love was so interesting to read! (And very relatable). Sophie and Dash were just so special and I love them!

Great read!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book would be perfect to read in the summer by the pool. It truly is a relaxing book to read. It still has deeper themes some of us need to stay interested but it is also light and fluffy. I like Dash's vulnerability about his struggle with alcohol. I think it added a needed element to the story. I love how none of these characters are perfect, especially not Sophie. I can't wait to see everyone's reaction. If you're looking for a romance novel that will make your heart happy, this is defiently the book for you.

This was such a cute romance! A must read for anyone who loves celeb family drama and social media. Just the right level of spice and love- with some heavy topics and family dynamics thrown in. Highly recommend for an easy entertaining read!