I'm supposing Mercury was in Gatorade when I read this because absolutely nothing worked for me. It did not feel like this was the same author who wrote For Butter or Worse. This was a direct one-way flight to Cringe City and I felt very uncomfortable. There were so many elements that totally bombed and it felt like the author was floundering. There is a certain trend rearing its ugly head and I hope with all my heart it doesn't gain popularity, and it's TikTok-centric plotlines. Bringing social media into books is always a dicey move and it doesn't always pay off. I can understand the desire to garner younger readers, but it dates the book and makes it apparent that you're involving a popular app for clout. This unfortunately wasn't even the first TikTok plotline I've read this year and I hope it is the last.

Despite my fondness for freckles, I didn't like anything about the heroine. She came off as a dumpy Bridget Jones with her life careening directly into a wall. It was evident that none of her relationships flourished because of how erratically she lived her life. She was a "messy bench" and left her hunky landlord to pick up the pieces of her life. The novelty underwear, cringy dialogue, and long list of failed relationships all culminated into a human version of toilet paper sticking to your pants. I also thought the hero's tattoos were dumb and there was too much emphasis on the side characters. I don't know if I took a bite of a sour apple before reading this book, but this was a disaster.

The heroine went on a mission to confront her past relationships to determine what went wrong, but didn't consider that she was the common denominator? I haven't experienced such a strong negative reaction to a book in a hot minute, but this book wins the prize. I hate to be so sour about a new release, but I try to keep my reviews honest. I did like the coy reference to her previous book, but she laid it on too thick when she praised the author's writing knowing she was really tooting her own horn. Real subtle... I received this as Plot Twist, but it seems that it's been retitled as Exes and Prose? Even with a title change, it still didn't rise to the occasion. Perhaps with an elimination of the cringe dialogue, social media spotlight, and recasting of the heroine, we could twist the plot enough for me to like it.

I really enjoyed reading Plot Twist! Every now and then I need a palate cleanser from all the smut and this was a perfect balance. The book was trope heavy, but honestly I loved it! I would absolutely love to know more about Dash and everything that led him to where we meet him and I do wish we had a little more depth to the Dash/Cindy drama.

I know a lot of people may not like the inclusion of TikTok in the book, but I thought it was super relatable and made Sophie more endearing!

I honestly teared up a little bit near the end and it felt like a good conclusion for Dash and Sophie.

Rom-Com ARC read from NetGalley
Tropes in this book: next-door-neighbor, best-friend’s brother, grumpy-to-sunshine, one bed, friends-with-benefits, millionaire, celebrity male MC.

This is such a good story about two MCs that each have their own struggles and must overcome those in order to be better for the other. I’m not. A big fan of the self-deprecating male MC “she deserves better than me” but maybe that’s just because most people I know are a little selfish 🤷🏻‍♀️. I like that these two had a lot of chemistry and had a great sense of humor.

Sophie is a hot mess and is trying to write a romance novel, but has never really been in love. She has writers block and isn’t sure how to write the grand romantic ending she is hoping for. After a drunken night out and a viral video, she decides to explore that issue. She wants to revisit her past relationships and see what went wrong.

Dash is grew up in the limelight and was a child actor. He has quit acting because it lead him down a dark path. His mom is still trying to pressure him into the film industry. He is unsure of what he wants in life and his hot mess neighbor/tenant is tempting him with things he knows he shouldn’t indulge in.

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars Okay so this book is one that gets better as the reader progresses. The first third was difficult to get through with its focus on TikTok and the characters seeking the approval of others. The remaining 2/3 of the story was very good. The two main characters, Sophie and Dash, run into a slew of issues – how famous families and paps/public scrutiny go and in hand, (not) living up to parental expectations, commitment phobias, alcoholism, and trying to conceive issues. The characters are very realistic and well thought out. The banter is amusing and there are some steamy scenes which are well written. All in all, I would recommend the book as long as the reader has some patience to stick with it. The story is very well done, and I applaud the author for tackling so many true to life issues.

Thank you to the publisher, Harlequin Trade Publishing, the author Erin La Rosa and NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest and authentic opinion.

Hi! Hey! Hello! I adored this book.

A romance author, struggling with writer’s block, who happens to be renting a guest house from her best friend’s brother, who happens to be a former child star who has stepped back from—or is at least trying to step back from—the spotlight and who happens to be her teenage crush, decides to visit her exes to determine what went wrong in their relationships and why she has never been able to say, “I love you,” in a romantic way.

Whew. This premise has so many delicious things in it that I may have to break down the tropes from my— essentially—run-on sentence for you.

Here it goes:
- Landlord-renter / neighbors
- Best friend’s brother
- Celebrity
- Teenage crush
- But wait, there’s more: it’s a grumpy-sunshine pairing, too. (Stop a moment to squeal.)
- And there’s an only one bed situation.

As Sophie, the romance author, and Dash, the reluctant celebrity, begin to spend more time together, they realize they have chemistry sparking between them. “Let’s get this out of our systems,” they think. They don’t want to upset things with his sister, and due to some additional complications in his own life, Dash and Sophie decide to go the no-strings-fling / friends-with-benefits route instead.

And oh those benefits.

We’re talking dirty talk. And “book research” in the form of a massage with an—ahem—happy ending. And taking things outside—gotta love some enthusiastic al fresco activities. And a Ghost—as in the movie—moment. And more. (I have to leave some things for you to discover on your own, right?)

And—oh my goodness—between the banter and the sparks and the full-on heat, there was so much smirking going on while I was reading this book, and I mean that in the best way.

There are emotional journeys, too, of course, and not just tied to their burgeoning relationship. He has a whole slew of issues stemming from his family and from being a child celebrity and also is currently in recovery.

In addition to her work issues, she has family things to work through and a need to figure out what has been missing in the connection piece from past relationships.

She wants to find love, and he is not ready for it.

That’s a long-winded and somewhat rambling review, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. And Dash is a delicious book boyfriend. I loved watching him inadvertently drop his secrets and unintentionally open up to Sophie. And I loved watching Sophie learn to be herself. I think you’ll fall in love with them both.

I received an advance copy of the book from Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

This one started out grabbing my attention immediately, and it was a quick/fun read until about 60% through. Then, it was actually a little tough for me to finish. The characters seemed so immature for their supposed ages of mid 30's, and their relationship didn't have much depth. Their argument seemed forced, and I just felt like the book seemed forced. It was an entertaining read, but just didn't quite do it for me or provoke any real emotion to make the story seem believable.

This wasn’t my favorite favorite, but it was still a fun read. Enjoyed the characters and the romance.

I really struggled to get through this book. I was into it at the beginning but quickly lost interest. I appreciated Dash’s story of the struggle he faced with fame.

I realllly loved this book. The writing shows the depth and layers of the characters. There’s a few of the tropes, one bed, best friends older brother, but they’re done so well. I feel like so many books are coming out right now that many authors throw them in just to get the plot going but this author includes the tropes in such a way that it seems natural and right for the story. Additionally, without giving away spoilers there’s mention of someone going through recovery for alcohol and it is explored in a much better, more realistic way than many other books I’ve read. I feel like many books with this topic mention it, this say they went to rehab and okay yay all better. When that’s not how it is in real life and this author explains the inner turmoil of a real person going through recovery in a way that feels very authentic.

Also the LGBTQ plot points are thrown in the story very naturally not as if it’s some showboating way to be up to date with current trends. I really liked how authentic the characters seemed and the way they reflected on their feelings seemed very realistic. Will be going to find other books by this author now ❤️

While I normally am turned off by books that reference Tik Tok or other social media platforms, I did not mind it one bit in this book. I actually enjoyed the way the author worked it into the storyline. Dash and Sophie were a great couple who each had unique traits we don't normally get to see in a grumpy x sunshine Romcom-esque book. I loved how some of the side characters helped to move the story along, but never become the main focus for too long. Overall a fun, feel-good read!

3.5
Friends to Lovers is normally not my favorite - i love the angst - but Plot Twist was so heartwarming and sweet. Dash's dynamics with those around him was so interesting. From being a seemingly stereotypical grumpy, he was so much of a marshmallow that I honestly forgot that that was his character trait at the beginning. I genuinely enjoyed this book and loved the characters. Loved that Dash was a short king, all hail. Sophie has an absolute heart of gold and I actually really loved her little tiktok saga.

My only complaint is that I feel it was so subplots that tropes in such a short span of time that other than Dash's main conflict, the rest felt a little rushed and sometimes feel like they were dropped back into the story after the fact. The subplots were each interesting in their own right but I think if one or two were dropped to allow more depth/story to everything else it would have allowed me to sort of savor and enjoy them more.

I had a hard time getting into this. There was too much talk about TikTok that I wasn't in the mood for. I don't generally enjoy reading books that are so heavily dated like this one is. The writing wasn't bad, so if you don't mind constant references to social media, you may enjoy this more than me.

I loved this book from the start. I’m big into romance right now and this book hit the spot. I loved that the author didn’t make Sophie and Dash sit in their mutual pining too long. I hate when that happens and the story drags on. However this was perfect. Some spicy scenes involved as well. Definitely recommend.

This was quite a fun read, and there were aspects of it I really enjoyed. For example, I liked the casual inclusion of both male and female exes for the MC. The main things that brought it down from a 4-star read to a 3-star one were some specific writing quirks (especially overuse of the word "smirk") and the way the menacing TikTok follower just kind of... goes away. I wanted to see that plot thread end in a much more satisfying way.

I appreciate the opportunity to read the e-arc of Plot Twist!

This book was SO good. It hit all the right spots for a lovable, relatable romcom.

FMC Sophie is a romance writer who is stuck on deadline for her second book, and she has been waylaid by writer's block. Like - epic level writer's block. When she becomes an accidental TikTok sensation, her incredibly hot yet reclusive neighbor, former child actor Dash Montrose (that name!) offers to help her with social media. Despite his actual celebrity, Dash is an undercover TikTok star thanks to his popular crafting channel.

The story takes place in Los Angeles, with many famous and famous-adjacent types making appearances. I liked how the people who had these interesting jobs, IE a celebrity chef, were just normal people, friends and siblings, to our FMC and MMC. The challenges and stressors they dealt with were just like the ones any of us normies would have, and it added a layer of depth to the subplots.

Dash is both physically swoon-worthy and his emotional growth as a character makes him for-real swoonworthy. The man has had a difficult path through life, and reading along as he gets comfortable with being vulnerable was humanizing and real.

Sophie is a brave, confident, lovable person and we see her interview her exes to see where things went wrong in a bid to find out what her own issues are. Along the way, she sees her weaknesses reflected back to her, and it makes her think about what she wants out of life.

Dash and Sophie fall for each other against the backdrop of some deep, personal healing. You can't help but root for these two as they figure themselves, and each other, out.

The way that Dash's alcoholism and struggles with sobriety were written was kind and authentic. The scene where he wakes up after his relapse and the house is full of his friends and family making breakfast, allowing him to move through his mistake with grace, was such a beautiful demonstration of love.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest reviews.

Unfortunately this book was just not for me. Because of that, I will keep my review off of Goodreads.

I am not a TikTok user, nor will I ever be. I just could not get into the whole influencer things that takes up the entire first part of the book.

So sorry, it’s just not a book for me.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF this book at about 20%. While I understand that social media is a central point of the plot, the near-constant references to Tiktok, social media trends, etc. was a bit too much for me. While there were some aspects that I liked (normalizing therapy & sobriety, the chemistry between the main characters) it ultimately wasn't enough for me personally to slog through all of the pop culture references. I think that if reading about current trends/Tiktok isn't something that would bother you in a book, give this a shot!
Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the ARC.

3.5⭐️ So cute, fun, and lighthearted. Plot Twist follows author Sophie and ex-film star Dash. Sophie is battling writers block and the fact that she’s never been in love. Dash is battling his feeling of inadequacy after leaving the film industry that his family is prominent in. After a night of drinking Dash goes over to check on Sophie, and after seeing a viral video of her declaring she’s never been in love their journey to love and healing begins.

I felt that Dash and Sophie had good chemistry. Their friends to lovers trope progressed very smoothly and didn’t feel forced or rushed. It was nice (in an annoying way) to see how the mcs positively affected each other without realizing it. The couple spent so much time talking about the way they cared about each other before either made a move.

This was a quick and easy lighthearted read that tackled a few heavy topics in an appropriate manner. There was lqbtq+ representation. The book wasn’t overly steamy, it only had a few steamy scenes and some innuendos throughout.

Overall, I think this was a nice read and if you’re on the fence about picking it up, I say go for it.

I received an advance copy of this book, courtesy of Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC - it was a delight to read.
I appreciated the careful exploration on the topic of sobriety - the struggles felt believable and authentic and I felt for the MMC the entire book. The FMC was delightful as well, and I did not think the TikTok references were *too* cringey. Both characters were fleshed out well and I was interested in each of them and their interests. I particularly find the MMC's love of pottery super charming.

This book was just ok for me. I enjoyed the character of Dash more than Sophie, but I didn’t feel invested in their relationship. There were also quite a few minor characters that felt underdeveloped. Chris was interesting, but Poppy and Nina didn’t add much to the plot for me.