Heartwarming, adorable with great banter and chemistry! I really enjoyed this book, fake relationship is one of my faves tropes and author definitely hadn't disappointed me. Star and Rafe were amazing and it is hard to say goodbye to them!

Author is delivering romantic story that kept me entertainment until the last pages. It's rather slow burn romance, but when Rafe and Star getting to the steamy action... well, it's hitting all the right places. It's hot and emotional just in the perfect way. Rafe and Star are TOTALLY opposite ! Lives they are living, family dynamic and all things that are connected with it. That's why, I love how author connected story line with romance between this couple. It was evolution of love and trust, and author done it in beautifully way. Star is optimistic girl with such a big heart. She seems to be always happy but knowing why she is like that... Well, I wish I be that strong as she is. Rafe really needed her in his life. Maybe he looks like Mr Perfect, and has a perfect life but it's also little empty. I'm glad that author gave him beautiful madness that has Star's name on it. I loved it so so much. If You love slow burn and fake relationship - this book is for You !

I loved this one so much!! It was swoony, sweet, and so much fun! There was so much grumpy/sunshine, opposites attract, and fake dating goodness in this one. Rafe was so serious and I felt so bad for him. Having to hire a fake gf to avoid the women his mom and sister-in-law keep trying to thrust into his life had to be stressful for someone like him, who struggles around new people and just wants to focus on his business. Star is the total opposite, with lots of sunshine and happy vibes, a go-with-the-flow attitude, and totally extroverted. (Even though she also had her own struggles with family problems.) These two were perfect for each other. She brings a totally different energy to Rafe's life and he shows her that people can stay and love you.

I honestly love Samantha Young's work and writing style. I find her to be very good at building up tension between characters. Her plotting in how she gets her leads to an HEA always makes me smile and appreciative of the work she's putting in.

Can't wait to get more of Samantha Young's work by going through her backlist.

Rafe’s family is continuously reminding him that being part of the wealthy Whitman family means that he needs to settle down. His busy job as a veterinarian and somewhat grumpy attitude leave him without much room or desire to meet Mrs. Right. When he meets Star Meadows, an outgoing part-time actress, at his niece’s birthday party, he offers her a role that could change her life. Star enjoys her handful of odd jobs and living in the moment but when Rafe offers to pay her to be his fake girlfriend, she reluctantly agrees. Together they decide upon a strict schedule and rules to guide their pretend relationship.

The Love Plot is a contemporary, stand-alone romance. There are a handful of open-door scenes.

I love a grumpy/sunshine romance and the more opposite the characters are the better. Rafe is stern and broody while Star is a sweet, social butterfly. They may seem a little too different at first but I think that’s what makes them work so well together. They balance each other out and bring out the best in one another. Like most fake dating romances, the harder they try to stay professional, the harder they fall.

I’ve read several of Samantha Young’s books in the past and truly enjoy the style of her writing. She has a delightful sense of humor that always peeks out in her dialogue, especially the banter. I look forward to seeing what she has next for her readers.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Berkley for providing me with the early copy!

Final Score - 4 Stars!

This story was absolutely cute and highly enjoyable to read! Although I did struggle to get involved with the book (didn't start it for a while after receiving the ARC due to RL issues), once I started to read - I was ALL in. This was everything that I was looking for and Samantha once again delivered. This meet-cute story had all the tropes needed: a big city setting, a grump vet doc, a free-spirited heroine, a meddling family, and a plot that draws you in from its brilliantly executed beginning until it's sappy, sweet-hearted end. I hate that this one is over. I am SO going to read it again.

If you need an escape from life, as I did, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for an advance copy!

This book will be published on August 29th.

"...You don’t need to make sense to him. You need to make sense to me, and you fucking do.”

This is my first Samantha Young book and definitely will not be my last. I absolutely LOVED this book! I was away when I started listening to this and I wanted to keep listening because I was so hooked to the story.

I am also fascinated by how romance authors come up with their meet cutes for their love interest and this one was so unique! Star was working as a character actor and Rafe was a family member at the child's birthday party - like come on!!

There was just something about how different the lives of the two characters were and somehow it worked. Rafe just loved everything about Star and her unconventional way of living and as much as she was proud of that life, she also felt like she was not good enough for him. That was the biggest conflict and I was happy that she did talk to him about it. I just love when we can feel how much the male character feels for the female character. Or taking the gender out of the statement - I just love when we feel when one love interest feelings are SO strong for the other. It just makes me my heart smile so so much. And I felt that with Rafe in how he spoke to Star and his actions.

As like any fake dating, you know what is going to happen so when that moment hits, it hits! I was devouring it all. Rafe came off as such a sexy man and of course he is a veterinarian so that is an added bonus in his hotness. Even though he was the grumpy to her sunshine, it wasn't a grumpy where you were totally put off. Quickly his attitude would change the more they interacted and his anger more was when he was around his family. Spoilerish ahead - There was a moment where Star has to go be with her dad who is getting a major surgery and he appears at the door. MY HEART.

“Because you don’t need any backups. I’m your fucking ‘in case of emergency.’”

I felt like the pacing was great between the meet cute, to the arrangement to the romance and so forth. I was also happy that there really wasn't a 4th quarter conflict. There was a small blip but it wasn't enough to make me angry that it happened.

I also love the side characters even with Rafe's family whom were not the best people. They still brought that angst in the book. I loved Star's friend group!!!

If you are a fan of opposites attract, fake dating, meddling family members - this one is for you!

Swoon: 10/10
Karaoke: Sadly no

This is my second Samantha Young book, and she’s quickly becoming a favorite! The writing was excellent, the pacing was great, and the story was engaging. I do feel like this was a perfect timing book for me because I related so much with Star. Her character made me feel seen and understood. This book made me laugh , swoon and cry. An absolute delight!

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for an early copy of The Love Plot by @authorsamanthayoung. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Check out the blurb here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63946922-the-love-plot?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=6WnCVbdrwl&rank=1

The Love Plot is by far the most wholesome and heartwarming romance I have ever read. It demonstrated one of the most important green flags in a relationship for me – communication, and delighted me with by far the most interesting FMC I have ever encountered in a book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 for me and adding this to one of my top reads this year. Don’t miss out on this heartwarming and wholesome novel, releasing August 29th, 2023!

🛑Swipe for the full review; may contain spoilers🛑

I’ll go right out and say it – The Love Plot is by far the most wholesome romance I have ever read. Star’s opinions and outlook in life, carefree with having no stressful ambition but just be happy with no expectations, seems like an eccentric person. It would be the first thing you would think of describing her when you first meet her, as evidenced by Rafe’s family and his family’s friends. But as I dived deeper into the novel, she’s much more than that. Despite her unfortunate upbringing, she’s interesting, and fun, and her opinions, while mostly positive, are not usually the norm but another way to look at things. She’s a no-pressure kind of woman and chooses not to be affected by others’ opinions of her. She knows what she wants and stands by what she believes in. I also found Rafe to be the most endearing, considerate, and understanding boyfriend despite their difference. Sure, he initially judged Star with her career and outlook in life, but I’m glad she won him over by just being herself.

Though at some point in the story they just chose to be considerate of each other and missed outright saying how they truly feel, I have never met two book characters who are as wholesome and very communicative as Rafe and Star. For the most part, they communicated with each other how they felt and tried to understand where each came from. I love how they can openly express what they want and don’t want in their relationship.

I also enjoyed the interaction Star has with Rafe’s family. Although initially strained as his family judged her when they first met, I loved that they put Rafe’s happiness first and grew to enjoy Star’s company as they welcomed her into their family.

The Love Plot gives importance to communication and compromise in all relationships, but most of all, just being happy with what you have and who you’re with. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 for me and adding this to one of my top reads this year. Don’t miss out on this heartwarming and wholesome novel, releasing August 29th, 2023!

I love the fake dating trope and this one delivers. Rafe and Star are complete opposites but they end up working out well together. I loved how their relationship evolved and grew. And how Star learned so much about herself and grew as a character. Overall a good read.

What a fun book. A broody, hot, guy and a happy, go lucky girl. Who end up being a perfect match for one another. It definitely took some convincing on both sides. Star is positive she can commit and be in a relationship. And Rafe is determined (after some time) that she can and he’s her person. I love how Star could care less about what people thought of her. She was happy! And she lived that way, to ensure her happiness. Rafe wasn’t so sure about her at first, but began to understand why she is the way she is. And she was perfect to him. Others in his family had a different idea how Rafe’s woman should be. That caused tension amongst them. Until, it all came to light. I had a hard a hard time putting this book down. I laughed out loud in some parts. Shake my fist in others. Oh, and let’s not forget that I had to fan myself too. There is some spice in this book too. An all around great book that I highly recommend.

The Love Plot by Samantha Young
Narrator: Savannah Peachwood
Rating: 5 stars
Steam: 2 chilis
Pub Date: 8/29

Samantha Young does it again! This sizzling romantic comedy is an absolute gem that delivers all the heartwarming and steamy goodness you crave in a contemporary romance.

From the very first page, you'll be drawn into the world of Star Shine Meadows, a sunshiney gig worker with a heart of gold and an irresistible charm. Sparks fly when she crosses paths with the grumpy yet incredibly handsome Rafe Whitman, and the stage is set for a fake dating, opposites attract masterpiece. While their personalities clash at first, Rafe can’t help but be charmed by Star’s carefree spirit and refreshing honesty. He needs to get his family off his back about finding a girlfriend, so he offers to pay Star to play the part. Star is relationship-averse, so she never suspects how hard she’ll start to fall for the grumpy veterinarian.

Wow, did I love this book! Star's bohemian style clashes beautifully with Rafe's more reserved demeanor, creating a tension between them that crackles with chemistry. Their banter is absolutely electric, and you'll find yourself rooting for their happiness right from the start.

And oh, Rafe Whitman. Prepare to swoon and sigh over this incredibly complex and endearing man. His unwavering devotion to Star and his own personal growth journey will make your heart skip a beat. As for Star, she's a refreshing female lead. Her independence and compassion make her relatable and loveable, and you'll wish you could be her best friend.

But this isn’t just steamy moments and witty banter. It delves deep into the challenges of navigating a new relationship when both parties come from different worlds. Young explores the vulnerabilities and insecurities that come with falling in love, making the characters' journey all the more authentic and relatable.

I went back and forth between the audio and my physical copy, and I loved both! Savannah Peachwood did an incredible job bringing all of Young’s characters to life.

I have become a big fan of Samantha Young’s this year, and I can’t wait to read her entire backlist! I adored this book and think it’s a must-read for romance enthusiasts seeking a perfect blend of humor, heart, and heat.

Read if you like:
*grumpy/sunshine
*forced proximity
*fake dating
*NYC setting
*opposites attract
*single POV

💕Ｔｈｅ Ｌｏｖｅ Ｐｌｏｔ💕
By: @authorsamanthayoung
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read this if you...
💕Need inspiration to be yourself no matter what
💕Are ready to laugh, cry, and everything in between
💕 Want a quick read that you can't put down

💕Wow. Just wow. I can count the amount of book hangovers I've had in life on one hand (sad, I know). But I can easily say this book gave me one...and more. For starters, I have been in a bit of a reading slump, and I was eager to dive into a lighthearted rom-com that would hopefully get me out of my funk. And, sure enough, it accomplished that. I'm speechless. I'm tired. I'm giddy. I haven't stayed up late or read a book this fast in SO long. The Love Plot is ADORABLE. And Rafe? Can I get a hell yeah?! 😍

💕Meet Star. Star Shine Meadows. A free-spirited, happy-go-lucky, boho gal embracing New York life for all it is while just trying to get by. Enter Rafe. Rafferty Whitman. A wealthy, jaw-droppingly gorgeous veterinarian who has grown up surrounded with the glam many dream of. While there is instant chemistry, both are too stubborn to admit that any ounce of attraction exists between them. However, when Rafe asks Star to be his fake girlfriend for 6 months to get his nosy family off his back, the tension becomes unbearable. Will Star and Rafe part after their "fake" fling, or will they give into what both of them have been fearing most?

💕I am in LOVE with this book, and truly think Samantha Young knocked it out of the park. The Love Plot grabbed my attention right from the get-go, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times throughout. The characters were all incredibly built, and I was able to relate to little things with each one - of course, Star the most. This book easily moves to my top five favorite RomComs. Everyone...and I mean everyone...should read this book!!

💕Here's to finding the peanut butter to your jelly.💕

Credit:
💕Thank you @netgalley and @valentine_pr_ for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Plot is an amazing read. I loved this one so much. Star will pull you right in with her sunshine ways. Rafe is grumpy with reason. As you get to know Rafe and Star you see how these two opposite people just fit so well. I love the chemistry build as they take their fake relationship to more. There are so many cute moments that will have you glued to the pages and giggling along with the couple. Emotions run all over the place when it comes to Rafe and Stars growing together and learning how to navigate together. I love Rafe and Star so much. This is such a fun read that I could not get enough of. You may never look at peanutbutter and jelly the same again. Go and one click this one now.

From the moment I read the blurb for The Love Plot, I was excited but nothing could prepare me for this entertaining journey that captivated me from the first line and was still with me long after the final word was read. You know you are reading something very special read when the story and the characters stay with you long after finishing the book and that’s exactly how I’m feeling about Star Shine Meadows and Rafe Whitman’s journey in The Love Plot.
This couple are polar opposite’s, Star is all sunshine and light and Rafe is grumpy and dark but they work well together. Rafe is the local veterinarian and Star is doing what is needed to survive so when Rafe offers her a deal to become his fake girlfriend for family events she has no hesitation in agreeing. What follows is an entertaining journey as fake becomes real and Star brings light into Rafe’s dark world.
The Love Plot has all the feels, it’s entertaining, witty and at times I laughed so hard I cried, the characters are easy to love and I really didn’t want this book to end. If you love romantic comedy look no further than this gem of a read.

This was so much fun! The epitome of grumpy/sunshine and with great character build. No shallow personalities; the grump is exhausted and exasperated and has earned his grump/ the sunshine has to work for her happy and positive outlook despite careless circumstances. And they’re both likable within an appropriate number of pages. It’s delightful… plus fake dating! Swoon.

I’ve had a few of these storylines lately, in which the male lead is a committed relationship only guy (even if he’s not currently looking for one) and the leading lady is no strings, only flings, and it’s really hitting with me. Love the dynamic so much. Which leads here too, both have baggage but even when the physical attraction is easily acknowledged, the slow-burn of emotional intimacy and barrier breakthroughs is everything. There is sneaky depth to what can otherwise easily be described as pure rom-com. Great layers.

There were a couple moments when I got a little frustrated with the family dynamics and wanted a small tweak but overall, Star and Rafe’s story was everything I was hoping for in a summer read. It’s definitely one I’ll reread and recommend.

* I received a free copy from the publisher

DNF @ 18% // I wasn’t a fan of the sickly sweet and always positive FMC or her inner monologue, nor did I care for the rude, brash, and grumpy MMC. I absolutely love grumpy sunshine but each character was on the clear opposite side of the spectrum.

Thank you to Valentine PR, Net Galley, and the author for the advanced e-reader copy, all of my opinions are my own.

“What it is about bad boys that turns intelligent people into hormone-driven fools?”
If you haven’t read a Samatha Young romance yet then I have just one question for you: how is that possible in 2023? The Love Plot is Samatha Young’s latest release and will immediately charm you from the very first page. This grumpy sunshine, fake dating, romantic comedy is a perfect blend of swoony romance and hilarious fun.

Let’s start off with the fact that Samantha Young has given us the human embodiment of literal sunshine in our female main character, Star Shine Meadows. Not only is she straight out of a Disney movie, but Star is also a character actor for parties and gatherings, as well as a professional line sitter. She’s carved out her own life and family in New York in a way that’s pretty respectable for a woman who was raised as a bohemian tumbleweed.

I was not East Coast society chic. I was Star Shine Meadows and I enjoyed dressing like I was a half-fae princess.
Rafe Whitman is the epitome of East Coast Elite. Even his name a level of cool that I’ll never achieve with my Midwestern roots. He’s ultra-professional. He’s partner in his own veterinary business. He and his business partner could have one of those hotties of the month calendars with puppies and kitties where none of his clientele would bat an eye because it would obviously be for charity and all photos would be taken by a photographer that socialites could name drop at mixers. Unfortunately for Rafe, being single with a good job obviously means that he needs a wife, so his family has taken it upon themselves to play matchmaker.

Which, obviously, circles us back to Star. Rafe meets Star at his niece’s birthday party. She’s slaying it with her rendition of Merida (complete with accent and bright red wig), and Rafe’s sourpuss attitude encounters Star’s happy go-lucky lifestyle. As fate would have it, days later, Star runs into Rafe again. Instead of another battle of wits, Rafe propositions her for a 6 month job of pretending to be his girlfriend.

He met my gaze. “Oh, it’s definitely working out better than I’d hoped.”
Friends, this is your classic case of the fake relationship definitely feels too good to be fake kind of a situation and it is every bit as delicious as all of that insinuates. Star and Rafe decide to make their fake into the real thing, but Star’s luster begins to dull thanks to that East Coast Blue Blood pressure. The Love Plot is a case of West Coast Bohemia ideals meets East Coast Elite snobbery. The only question is who will survive the mingling of these very different lifestyles?

I’m going to leave you all here for now, but let’s just say that Rafe is a book boyfriend that would give any swarthy romance hero a run for his money. Even I was ready to insert myself into his life by the end of The Love Plot. Star’s emotional journey hit all the right notes for me, and I adored her transformation. I honestly love how every plot hole was wrapped up, and this HEA is fantastic. Samantha Young is a go-to author for a reason.

gotta love samantha young, and i love a good fake dating trope. star and rafe's dynamic was so incredibly heartwarming. he loved her for who she was!! one of the parts i loved the most about this was that the "third act breakup" didnt feel as formulaic as some others in the romance genre.

Another winner from Samantha Young!!!

A grumpy vet meets sunshiny women for an adorable fake dating story. These two couldn't be more different as Star enjoys a bohemian lifestyle and Rafe enjoys structure. A meet cute dressed as a Disney princess finds Star being offered the job of fake girlfriend. Rafe's family won't let up with constantly sending single women to his clinic with mysterious illnesses with their pets.

The Love Plot is adorable, funny and sexy. Star's positive attitude is just what Rafe needs to shift his perspective to being open to a relationship. Their chemistry is palpable, and devoured this read. And, who doesn't love a romance set in NYC!!!

Thank you Berkley Publishing for the complimentary copy.

4.5 stars rounded up! Ok, so this is my first book by this author, and it definitely will not be my last!! Star and Rafe have a rough first meeting when she is performing at his niece’s birthday. He’s a wealthy grump, she’s pure boho sunshine, and their lifestyles could not be more opposite. His mother and sister-in-law will not leave him alone about finding a wife, so he decides to pay Star very well to fake date him. To her, this is her ticket to more freedom and travel. I really enjoyed this one a whole lot. I have to admit that at first I was not loving Star nearly as much as Rafe. Her sunshine, boho, need to be completely free from anything personality was a little over the top and immature for me. When I learned her history though and why she was the way she was, my heart broke for her. She grew on me a lot.

Oh, this man Rafe. I don’t think he could get more perfect!! A hot veterinarian who communicates really well, loves his family, is incredibly swoony with Star, and is fantastic in the bedroom?! Definitely a top tier book boyfriend for me. I loved him so much. The found family element that Star has with her three friends was really cool, I loved the representation that the three friends were in this happy, super healthy polyamorous relationship.

The way it all ended had me squealing, I loved how everything was resolved. This was such a fantastic romance of two people from completely different worlds falling madly in love, and finding their common ground.