Thanks to #NetGalley and HarlequinAudio for an advance listening copy of #RomanticFriction. I really liked the discussion around the timely topic of AI and art. Beyond that, the plot was rather silly. I can see how it may appeal to some readers. 3 stars.

I was not sure what to expect going into this as this is not my usual genre but I was pleasantly surprised! This book was overall entertaining and basically listened to the audiobook in one sitting. The narrator was entertaining!

This book poses very relevant analysis about the morality and implications of using AI, in particular in the art space. Our main character Sofia was quite prickly and ultimately I did not mind that I found her to be an interesting character even though at times she's extremely unlikable. The plot that unfolds at the book convention is silly and I found to be a lot of fun.

I also appreciate the commentary on how challenging it is for authors to break into the publishing space and how sometimes scandal, including the manufactured variety, can aid in getting an author noticed. I also really enjoyed how this ended, it was twisty and satisfying!

What a fun take and a unique listen. I had no expectations going in and was pleasantly surprised I’m so glad I took a chance on this one.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing the chance to read this ARC!
"Romantic Friction" offered a fun and unique reading experience. While some sections were fast-paced and thrilling, others could have benefitted from a quicker tempo. I didn't feel a strong attachment to any of the characters, but I also didn't find them unlikable. The concept of the book was solid; however, the storyline could have been more engaging with less internal dialogue. Overall, I appreciated how the narrative concluded!

I don’t know if it was the narrator or just the tone of the book itself but it just wasn’t for me. The premise was interesting but the FMC’s attitude and overall demeanor didn’t sit right with me. I think ai stealing work is a valid concern, but if your attitude toward other authors is so bad you have no one on your side.. well it’s just not the kind of thing I wanted to continue reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advanced audio book.

When Sophie Wilde, a best selling romantasy author, finds herself upstaged by a self published writer Hartley West, she is annoyed. She becomes even more irate when she finds out that Hartley has used AI to write the book that is making others call her "the next Sophie Wilde." Sophie goes on an internet rant about the use of AI in creative writing pursuits and finds camaraderie with others writers who fear being replaced by AI and they work to take down authors like Hartley West.

The premise of this book sounded fun and funny. Unfortunately, it was neither. Sophie is immediately both unlikeable and uninteresting in her unlikeability. Secondarily, the narrator for the audio book didn't provide any differentiation in the voices for different characters, which made the story hard to follow, in terms of who was speaking when. This was a book I just couldn't stick with.

I listened to the audiobook of Romantic Friction and really enjoyed it. The narrator was awesome—she really brought the characters to life, especially Sophie and Hartley. You could feel the tension between them, and it made the story even more interesting.

The plot was really relevant, especially with how AI is changing the world of writing. It got me thinking about how far people will go to succeed. Sophie and Hartley’s relationship felt real and complex, which made me pay attention to the whole story.

That said, there were a few parts that felt a little too over-the-top, but overall the audiobook kept me hooked. Romantic Friction is worth a listen, but it has a couple of moments that might make you roll your eyes.

Overall, I recommend.