The Love Plot by Samantha Young

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The publisher kindly provided me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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 …

The Love Plot Book Review

While I’ve only read one of Samantha Young’s books before, I was really interested in picking up her newest release. It’s a fun and enjoyable romance with the grumpy sunshine trope that many will love.

The Love Plot follows Star, a professional costume character and line sitter who values her freedom in life. When she’s working as a princess for a little girl’s birthday party, she meets her grumpy uncle and doesn’t expect for him to propose they fake date.

Star is a really fun and enjoyable main characters. She values her freedom and her outlook on life is just so entertaining. She certainly exceeds the definition of “sunshine” in this romance trope!

Rafe is an interesting love interest and to be honest, he’s not one of my favourites. While he does fit the “grumpy” part of the trope, I really didn’t like him. He can be really frustrating at times, both with his lack of (and sometimes too much) communication and his arrogance.

I think the romance aspect of this book kind of fell flat to me because of my dislike for Rafe. At times, it’s enjoyable and it definitely kept me reading until the end. But, it also felt like something was missing.

The plot is fun and entertaining — I love the fake dating element. Rafe’s family is overbearing so it completely makes sense as to why he wants to have Star around. The plot is definitely where the book shines for me.

Overall, The Love Plot is an enjoyable book, despite my issues with Rafe and the romance. I definitely recommend picking it up if you’re a fan of fake dating and the grumpy sunshine trope. While it’s not a newfound favourite of mine, it’s still a solid book that many will love.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

About the Author

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Scotland. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. She writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction. Currently published in 31 countries, Samantha is a #1 international bestselling author.

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