Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for providing the ARC.

I feel like of torn with regards to The Love Plot. I loved Rafe and Star, and the dynamic of their relationship. However, I felt that the whole book was incredibly fast paced and it didn't give them time to fully develop. It is marketed as a "grumpy x sunshine" trope, however, Rafe is only really grumpy for maybe the first third? And you don't get to see all the great ways that the "sunshine" starts changing his worldview. It is marketed as a "fake dating" trope, however, these two throw off that mantle not even halfway through the book, and it becomes about Star's commitment phobia instead. I wish the author had focused on one thing instead of switching it halfway through.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed the story, very much. I loved seeing Rafe's rough exterior melt around Star, and his fierce defense of her when she doesn't exactly mesh with the people in his life. I loved seeing Star open up to Rafe and understand that she could feel safe with him. It was just all very rushed, so you lose out on all of the good things that make those two tropes so worthwhile to read.

I think this book suffered from not being dual POV. It would have allowed the reader the opportunity to see in Rafe's head exactly how he lowered his defenses for Star and fell in love with her. It may have extended the time they spent in this "fake dating" situation, but I think the story would have been stronger all the more for it.

This book was absolutely adorable and such a well-done fake dating book. I LOVE Star, the main character. She is the bubbly, eccentric, bohemian dress wearing character of my dreams. I love that she was so authentically herself throughout the book and Rafe loved her for that! I love how well they got along throughout the book - the author penned this book as grumpy sunshine and we do definitely see Rafe exhibit that "grumplike" personality, but in the end, he falls in love with Star for her and she wanted to change to "fit in" with his family but he didn't want her to do that. This book made me gush the entire time and I absolutely loved it.

I wanted to read this right away, as soon as I got my grubby little hands on it but I was in the middle of another really wonderful book and I don't like to cheat on my current reads. As soon as I finished, I dove into this one. I LOVE Samantha Young's other books that tend towards more drama but was excited to try something a little different, that might make me laugh. And I was not disappointed.

What a wonderful book -- full of captivating characters and interesting happenings. Star and Rafe are so great together. One of my favorite tropes is the overly serious hero who tries but fails to avoid falling for the wonderfully strong and funny heroine. I cannot encourage you enough to read this book. If you like Samantha Young the author, rom coms or just a really good story, this is one for you. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

I received this free eARC novel from the author and NetGalley. This is my honest review.

As always, I devoured this Samantha Young novel and fell in love with her new characters, Star and Rafe. These two are so so different from each other and I absolutely loved seeing them be with each other.

Star's life style freaks me out, personally, but I love that she loves it. She's good at it. She THRIVES in it. And that makes me so happy for her. And to bring that uniqueness into Rafe's life was fantastic.

Rafe may have been backed into a corner when he came up with his idea, but I'm glad he got to experience the amazingness that is Star. And honestly things would have done so much another is Pippa could just keep her nose in her own problems instead of causing issues for others.

Also? I think Star would be a fantastic bookseller... just saying, as a career choice, she would be amazing at that.... ;)

I'm so glad I got the chance to read this story and I can't wait for more by Samantha Young!

Samantha Young definitely gives us what we want, and that’s a very grumpy hero!

I fell in love with Star, she is such a sunshine character, and genuinely enjoys and loves her life. No one is perfect and she embodies that even though she can’t be perfect she is 100% ok being herself, and loving herself.

Rafe is the grumpiest of grumps, and he just makes me want to smother him with love. I love how Star slides right under his gruffness with her unapologetic pleasure of publicly embarrassing him. Their banter was excellent, and this book has just the right amount of spice.

There are a number of side characters in this book that you love to hate, but I appreciate how they give Star the growth opportunities throughout the book.

I feel inside out of my feelings!!!! From the moment I read I saw him I knew it was going to be THAT EPIC …Every word after the next is so beautifully crafted I could cry. The book is so amazing. No one does the intense push and pull tension like Sam! Are you sure this is a rom com! Ahhhh. I love everything about this book. I love how her family Jude Roger and Kendall love her and how Rafe loves her. Swoon I soaked in every word. I need a reread stat! This story is such perfection! I love how the story is so multi faceted and the problems are not only with their relationship but also with family and friends too. It’s so freaking good and relatable. Samantha always ALWAYS TEARS ME APART AND THENNNNN MAKES ME EVEN MORE WHOLE THEN WHEN I STARTED THE BOOK! SWOOOON! LOVE YOU FOREVER! There are discussion questions at the end and it really makes you think about the story over and over. I’m excited to do a reread! This book is ultimate goals. I loved every word, sentence, and tie in. It is def a masterpiece! I love how Sam explained how this idea consumed her and everyday turned into this story and you will definitely understand as you read! Love love love!

From the moment I started reading ‘The Love Plot’ I was hooked. I loved the characters so much. Especially Star’s character stole my heart right from the start. She was just so happy and fun and I loved how she did life. Star was determined to be happy and did whatever she wanted. I really admire that. And it also made for some very funny and entertaining moments.

And then there is Rafe’s character. Sure he seemed very grumpy and rude. But we soon learn there is a lot more to him. He loves animals, and is just a big introvert. I hear you Rafe! But most of all I loved how he was enchanted by Star right from the start and all he wanted for her was to stay her perfect happy self. I loved him.

The chemistry between Star and Rafe was amazing and I devoured every page of this book. ‘The Love Plot’ was definitely a slow burn one, and it was really exciting to read. There where plenty of steamy moments and at times I laughed my eyes out.

‘The Love Plot’ was a great romantic comedy I devoured right from the start.

Charming and delightful! This book perfectly encapsulates the essence of contemporary romance in our time - featuring a charming meet-cute, a bustling urban backdrop, familiar yet comforting tropes, and a narrative brimming with meaningful themes. The core of the story resonated with me profoundly. It's an engaging and pleasurable read, complete with moments that will make your heart flutter.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, thank you to Berkeley Publishing and Samantha Young for my copy!

I already knew I liked Samatha’s writing going into this one since I enjoyed Much Ado About You, but this took the win as my favorite. I can go ahead and say it’s in my top books of the year!

Star Shine Meadows is a quirky, lovable FMC who had an untraditional upbringing. Her “hippie” ways have always suited her, and she marches to the beat of her own drum. Enter Rafe, a traditionalist veterinarian looking to get his meddling family off his back about dating. He asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend for a few months before parting ways. But I think we all know how that ends, right?

I’m such a sucker for the fake dating trope, especially when everyone can see they’re falling in love before they’re ready to announce it. Star and Rafe are your typical opposites attract, but I felt like their emotional scars and past hurts shape them into rounded out characters beyond “rich boy falls for free-spirit girl.”

This was such a fun read, and I felt the harder plot points were handled well. The emotional and mental development on both characters was refreshing, and I found myself wanting to comfort Star during her spirals (we’ve all been there). Rafe is such a sweet cinnamon roll under his gruff exterior, and he’s a wonderful supporter for Star and her quirks. Their romance was truly so sweet and gave me the butterflies, even during the spicy parts.

I have other books by Samantha on my TBR, so it might be time to move them to my current reads!

I LOVED this book. My second book by Samantha Young and she does not disappoint!

Seriously, I will be recommending this book to everyone. I binged it in a day. I laughed, I cried, and my heart broke for Star. Her background was so broken and yet she found a way anyways. She broke the cycle. And Rafe... ahhh I love him. He never stopped supporting her (once he got past their initial meeting LOL).

They are the perfect pair and their fake dating relationship and steam... I was here for it all. Seriously, I want to be Star's friend just to hear what craziness she would say (or yell) next.

I want more of this group of friends & family! A book for Gigi would be perfection!

You are not ready for Rafe and Star. I’m not gonna lie. This is probably the most entertaining, grumpy-sunshine, swoony, fake dating story I’ve read in a long while. It’s simply brilliant. Every word. In every way. And I can’t stop smiling.

Rafe Whitman, single, wealthy, veterinarian hires Star Shine Meadows (yes that’s her name) professional line sitter and costume character actor to be his fake girlfriend to get his mother and sister-in-law to stop trying to fix him up with women. Shouldn’t be more than a 6 month “job” and Star will make enough money to travel as she’s always dreamed of doing. But it might be a bit difficult.

They are complete opposites. When they meet, she’s dressed in a Princess costume for his niece’s birthday party and he makes fun of her. Among other things, he scoffs “no one can be this happy”. She thinks he’s a grumpy, arrogant snob. Later she embarrasses him while sitting in line - and let the fake relationship/business agreement negotiations begin.

This story is an absolute delight from beginning to end. The banter is fabulous! Star struggles with emotions and relationships because of her neglectful hippie parents’ upbringing and this will touch your heart. Star shows such strength and resilience but most importantly, kindness. No matter what the situation so how could Rafe not fall for her. Now Rafe? Oh is he just the man of every woman’s dreams! He never gives up on Star. He wants her exactly as she is, his wealthy family and friends be damned. He defends her. He embraces all of her. Yea. Star never had a chance to resist him.

This book tugs at your heart strings. I was such a goner for this story from page 1. And. I’m still smiling an hour after reading the last words.

Rafe and Star FOREVER I say.

I really loved Rafe and Star’s story. This was an entertaining read. These two couldn’t be more different, but they had amazing chemistry from the start. I felt for Rafe and his need for the fake relationship. I couldn’t believe his family were so blatant about throwing women at him. I didn’t blame him for proposing this idea to Star. Star lived up to her name, because she was a bright shining light. I loved her independence and sassy personality. She was definitely a free spirit, which has a lot to do with how she was raised. Her childhood wasn’t typical and wasn’t a healthy way to grow up. My heart broke for her as she tried to defend those values at times, but that she herself maybe didn’t agree with. She did a lot of self reflection and growth in this story, which I really enjoyed. I wanted to shake some sense into her when she let it go too far, so much that she wasn’t herself any more. But, sometimes that is the journey that we have to go on to find our happiness. I thought Rafe was the anchor Star needed most in her life. He was steadfast in his support of her and trying to let her figure things out for herself. This story was fantastic, and I highly recommend it.

Star Shine Meadows (professional line sitter and costume character) and Rafe Whitman (rich New York veterinarian) couldn’t be more opposite. Star is very much happy hippy chic and Rafe is grumpy, smouldering and little bit obnoxious. That all changes when an opportunity comes about that could benefit them both. Rafe needs the meddling women in his family off his back, and Star needs money to travel. What’s the best way to stop those you love from trying to set you up? Yes, that’s right, start a fake relationship. The problem is Star and Rafe are poles apart on every level, how are they going to convince those closest to them that they are in a relationship? Turns out it’s not that hard once they actually take the time to get to know each other. What a heartwarming, sweet, funny and emotional story. What they both think they want isn’t necessarily what they actually need, and Star is left questioning all her life choices. Such a fun and entertaining story with characters that will pull at your heart strings, not all of them, some are downright annoying, all part of enjoyment. Highly recommend. I received an advanced copy of this book. This is my honest review.

Amazing grumpy meets sunshine love story

Opinion
This book follows Star, who is a free spirit with her own believes, fears and will to be happy in life. I like her the way she is. She is relatable to me in all her greatness and open mindset. I could instantly feel warm with her. Rafe in the other hand is the grumpy hero in this book, who made my day by being that grumpy. I love the interaction between both. It’s like salt to my tequila. It just fits and feels right. I felt all the connection, the chemistry on the fake dating, the rushes of flush and laughter’s proof this. It’s not only to the characters in this book or the well written story but also to the deep message inside of this: Stay true to yourself.
This just made my day! It is all I needed to hear today and a lot of other people too. It’s not only a book, but a story that I will cherish forever and got a highlighted spot on my heart. I love this.

Conclusion
I cannot recommend “The Love Plot” enough! It is all everyone needs. A love story that will light your mood and make you realize how important you truly are.

About the book:
There's a magnetic attraction when a happy-go-lucky gig worker agrees to a fake relationship with a rich, uptight New Yorker in this steamy romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.
Star Shine Meadows is all about freedom, thanks to the hippie parents who raised her. Juggling her jobs as a professional costume character actor and a line sitter, she believes in no expectations, no stressful ambitions, and no-strings-attached relationships. So when she meets a birthday girl's grumpy uncle while working a princess party, she can't help but needle him. She'll never see him again, and honestly, he's pretty hot.
Rafe Whitman may be a veterinarian with a great bedside manner, but that doesn't mean his patience extends to anyone with opposable thumbs. His family will not stop nagging him about finding "the one," so when he runs into obnoxiously cheery Star again, he makes her an offer: He'll pay her more than she would make doing her odd jobs if she'll pretend to be his girlfriend at family gatherings. She can stop sitting in line waiting for someone else's new phone, and he'll get his family off his back.
When the tension between them heats to a breaking point, Star's desire for "no strings" is tested against Rafe's staunch stability. They say opposites attract, after all....

O.M.G. How is it possible that I found yet another book that I absolutely adore?!

Seriously, this story hit all of my favorite tropes: fake relationship, grumpy vs. sunshine and opposites attract.

Rafferty Whitman. WHERE CAN I FIND MY OWN? This man owns my heart. So beautifully complicated, so intense, so steadfast in his love for Star. I might have actually sighed out loud when reading some of his lines.

And Star? She is one of my absolute favorite FMCs. So independent, self-sufficient and incredibly compassionate. And yet, the pain that she feels from basically being abandoned and neglected for most of her life is so deeply woven into all of her decisions.

Rafe and Star shouldn't make sense. But, you couldn't find two people who are more imperfectly perfect for each other. PB & J, amIrite? 😉 They might not understand the other's choices in life, but the way that they support each other through hardships is so beautifully written.

The way that Rafe challenges her to take a chance on them and refuses to let them settle for something casual is forever seared into my brain. What I absolutely loved about this story is that it didn't end when the feelings became real for them. Instead, it also explored the difficulties that each of them faced in trying to fit into each other's world. But, neither of them was shy about calling the other out on their sh*t, so it's pretty obvious that theirs is a relationship that's bound to last.

If you haven't read this one already, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

If I have anything negative to say about this story, it would be the way that the Kendall, Jude and (what's his name?) dynamic was handled. In every instance, it seemed like Star was trying to force it down the Whitman's throats, just to watch them squirm. In my opinion, the whole element was completely unnecessary. Star's upbringing and family issues alone would've provided sufficient weight to her non-traditional background.

4.5 Rafferty ⭐️

NOTE: ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5/5⭐️

•Review•

This was wonderful - fabulous tropes, hilarious banter, and full of hugging-my-pillow swoon.

Star and Rafe are the definitions of opposite. Rafe is a grumpy, reserved veterinarian who comes from money and Star is a sunshine hippy, with multiple jobs and a super unconventional (and sad) upbringing. Star is working one of her jobs as a character actor and meets Rafe at his niece’s birthday party. He’s so grumpy and stodgy, she can’t help but try to ruffle his feathers. After running into her while working her second job as a line sitter (who knew this was a thing?!), Rafe offers to pay her to be his fake girlfriend. He wants a break from the incessant matchmaking and she wants money to travel. Their ruse works a little too well and it becomes hard to determine what is fake and what’s reality. Will their differences drive them apart or will they realize that sometimes, two perfectly opposite people can be perfect for each other?

Y’ALL. This was so fun! I love this grumpy/sunshine duo and the way they interacted with each other. Star was such a sweet, lost soul but striving so hard to be positive and do the best she could with the way she was brought up. Oh sweet, grumpy Rafe with his dimples and sneaky sense of humor, I loved him. I loved the more serious topic of being yourself and not changing for people. Samantha Young did such a great job with bringing the readers on this journey! I CANNOT wait for others to get to read this one!

Thank you to Berkeley Romance and Samantha Young for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. The Love Plot releases August 29th.

My favourite book of 2023 so far!
I received this book as an ARC but my reviews are entirely my own.
This book has a grumpy-sunshine trope, and one that came across natural. I really enjoyed the main character as she’s strong, independent, but self-aware enough to recognize her flaws or rather needs that haven’t been met. This book does have a HEA and you’ll find yourself immersed in the feelings of characters and Star’s desire for a loving family. While I have enjoyed many of Samantha Young’s novels, this one made me smile, chuckle, want to toss my Kindle across the room as well as needing a cold glass of water from time to time ;). y favourite book of 2023 so far!
I received this book as an ARC but my reviews are entirely my own.
This book has a grumpy-sunshine trope, and one that came across natural. I really enjoyed the main character as she’s strong, independent, but self-aware enough to recognize her flaws or rather needs that haven’t been met. This book does have a HEA and you’ll find yourself immersed in the feelings of characters and Star’s desire for a loving family. While I have enjoyed many of Samantha Young’s novels, this one made me smile, chuckle, want to toss my Kindle across the room as well as needing a cold glass of water from time to time ;).
A few awkward words used or not used. Hopefully one more edit before publication.

Headlines:
Female commitment-phobe
Different sides of the tracks
Grumpy-sunshine
Fakey-datey

The Love Plot was all easy-breezy reading but with substance. Picture a bohemian, free soul of a New Yorker alongside a buttoned-up grumpy vet and you have Star and Rafe. Star's unconventional job choices and her kind and joyful demeanor where what set her in Rafe's path initally. Instead of a spark, there was irriation. Instead of a meet-cute, there was a grumpy collision.

I got a lot of joy from reading how these two started fake dating and how their interest in one another became authentic. Rafe's family were a key part of their story and bumps in the road; I really enjoyed that aspect. Star's family both parentage and found family, made the pages turn too.

These two had chemistry. They were so incredibly different as characters but they found a common ground of respect and affection; what a journey. I would have liked more wrap-up on Dawn to go along with the karma dump.

What a peanut butter and jelly pairing these two were (you had to be there).

Thanks to the author for the eARC; this is my honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Star is a literal ray of {emotionally unavailable} sunshine with two gig jobs: line sitting and character actor. Rafe is an absolute grump with a killer bod (oh, and he’s also a vet with a trust fund).

The first half of this book is a lighthearted, slow-burn romance that just makes you happy. Star is unapologetically herself and I love seeing Rafe fall for her, despite her not fitting into the “typical” mold of upper-crust girlfriend.

The absolute heart wrenching feelings that the author makes us feel in the second half of the book… Honestly, just masterful. You’re frustrated and angry with the characters; you kind of want to shake them and cry with them and fix them. You become invested in their happiness, their story, and their love.

There’s an amazing theme of being true to and loving yourself and I was here for it.

Thanks so much to Samantha Young and Berkley Publishing for the ARC of this book!

The Love Plot is my first from author Samantha Young but will definitely not be my last!

Star Meadows is a professional line sitter and character actress. She's quirky in the happiest way and enjoys hanging out with her three best friends. When Star meets Rafe at a birthday party dressed as Merida, she instantly dislikes him. Yet when he offers her a proposal to fake date and a monetary amount she cannot refuse, Star realizes that settling down may be the best course of action for her. Faking a relationship? Easy. Changing who she is to fit what society wants her to be? Well, that's about to get interesting.

I found myself flying through the pages of The Love Plot and needed to finish it in one sitting after hitting the fifty percent mark. I loved that Rafe is a veterinarian and Star a professional line sitter/ character actress. Their "meet cute" was hilarious and I could tell that one character had feelings for the other quite quickly while reading. While I would have enjoyed reading more about Star's fun polyamorous best friends, this book was a solid read for me and I hope to pick up another Samantha Young title soon!