This was a cute romcom, I just didn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted to. I did like the tropes of friends to lovers and forced proximity. One thing I didn't like was the overuse of pop culture references.

Plot Twist by Erin La Rosa is the first book that I have read from the author. I wanted to like this. However, it bugs me when books use tiktok references or gen z slang. This book had so many tropes and themes. These tropes did not feel organic but more forced. One of the only things that I did like was that Sophie is pansexual. This isn't something I see in a lot of books. Thank you netgalley for an arc.

I loved this cutie little (sexy) romance! This was my first Erin La Rosa book and won't be my last!!! I loved the complexities with the characters and how there was more going on than just the romance. Friends to lovers is one of my FAVORITE tropes and add forced proximity in there- and this was an amazing story for me! I also absolutely adore when you have the "imperfect people" trope sprinkled in. Also from someone who works with kids with serious medical conditions, seeing our FMC have a pacemaker was awesome! Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity and Erin La Rosa and publishers for this ARC!

I really enjoyed certain aspects of this but unfortunately I didn’t like the way Dash’s alcoholism was handled. I really liked the inclusion of a character that is struggling with addiction I would like to read more books with that and I also really appreciated the inclusion of queer characters. I was so annoyed reading about Dash’s sponsor who is also his good friends. That’s a no go for recovery and having that sponsor hand Dash his baby and tell him to go to a meeting??? that was so odd. The whole grand gesture at the recovery center felt really weird also and dash was giving off the impression that his love could heal him which felt off to me. Overall I’d be interested in reading other books by this author that might not discuss recovery.

DNF 39%. I wanted to DNF at 4% (literally after chapter 1) but since I was gifted the ARC I wanted to stick around and give the author the benefit of the doubt, but I just couldn't do it. If I hadn't just read 2 other hopelessly bad books I might've been able to push myself further through this one, but after reading so many other poorly written books, I didn't have the patience to put myself through another one, so I DNF'd before 50%.

Sophie is cringey. But she's also perfect remember. And so she sets off on this cringe...journey? To talk to all of her exes to see why she couldn't find love with them. And that alone tells me everything I need to know about why she couldn't find love. She's like 26ish? And is still hung up on ALL of her exes? And this girl has a lot of them (and I'm not slut shaming, I also have a lot of exes at the ripe age of 27, but you don't see me hunting them down to ask what went wrong). And the fact that she documents this all on TikTok is also super cringe. I get it, TikTok is super popular and nearly everyone uses it or some form of it (even my dad watches YouTube shorts and he's 64 okay), but I don't need it in my books, I'm reading to avoid TikTok! There's nothing to note of the first ex, they were a fine introduction to how the story would pan out and I didn't hate it. I think if the book went this way without the TiKTok element and she was just documenting this journey for her own writing purposes I would've enjoyed this a little more. And then we have Ned, who might be the biggest reason I actually did DNF this book. He is MARRIED and his WIFE is expecting their first BABY after YEARS OF INFERTILITY AND IVF and he comments on his high school ex girlfriends TikTok page "you told me you loved me" (or something like that)??? I'm sorry I would divorce this man so fast. Then it's revealed they broke up because HE didn't LOVE HER BACK??? Bro give me a mf break. So Sophie stupidly shares private information that is not hers to share and she has to go all shocked Pikachu face when he sells said information to the press?? Duh. And Sophie's inability to see this outcome and being upset as she is was what ultimately caused me to DNF. She acts like a child and only cares about herself. She doesn't for a second stop to think about how her actions can effect those around her until after that action is already affecting someone. And I picked this up at 39% in!

Our MMC is also weird? He has 0 backbone, He's been sober for 18 months and instead of telling his alcoholic family and then cutting them off if they get weird with him about it, he instead endures weekly dinners where they all sling back drink after drink?? That's not healthy. And once again instead of being honest with his family about why he is not interested in acting anymore, he lies. Like brother. Just tell the mf truth and save yourself all this extra heartache!!

And this leads me to my biggest issue in the book: if you are going to put very specific things in your book, you need to make sure that the thing you are referencing is correct. Roger Moore's James Bond never drives a Volvo. In fact, there is only one time in the entire franchise that ANY Bond is in a Volvo, and it's not until 2008 with Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace, and that Volvo is an S40, not even the one La Rosa mentions in this book! Like dude, I get it, you wanted to make a niche reference that more than likely the average romance reader is not going to fact check you on. But this is the biggest and easiest way to lose a reader. You EASILY could've googled "cars James Bond drives" and found a car that Roger Moore actually drives as Bond that still fit the aesthetic you were trying to procure with this image (Ford Thunderbird, Ford Consul, and a Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II are all cars that I just quickly looked up that Roger Moore DOES drive as Bond that look/ give that same vintage feel as the aforementioned Volvo. Like it took 5 minutes!). Another issue I take is the unnecessary description of the specific tractor that comes to pull their car to the mechanic. A 7R 350??? That's a harvester tractor, there is no reason that massive tractor to be on a street PULLING A SEDAN? That is so unnecessary. If you wanted to name drop a tractor a 6110M would've been plenty big to get the job done that it was used for. But news flash. Even in small towns it's illegal to pull a car with a rope attached to another car or, yes, even a tractor. Dumb. That whole part was just so dumb.

At this point I think I did more research for this book than the author did for it.

Things this book does well: have a pansexual main character that does it naturally and without force. It feels honest. Sophie has a whole host of past relationships to go through and each one is brought up the same way as any of the other ones, regardless of if it was with a boy, girl, or someone nonbinary. SO I really appreciate that and I wish that this book overall had been better, because this was just not it.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between the MCs! That was super fun and captivated me from the start. Overall, I really liked the premise, I will definitely check out other titles by this author.

Erin La Rosa knocked it right out of the park yet again. The ability to craft characters that ooze tension, banter, complex relatability, and hot chemistry is far from lacking on her part. Featuring some of my favorite tropes- grumpy vs sunshine and one bed, this was fun and fast-paced leaving me not wanting it to be over.

I think often times when books handle modern day references it can really date a book but bringing in the Tiktok platform didn't overdo it for me. The topic of sobriety and alcoholism is important and despite being a heavy topic, La Rosa handles it with grace and it flows well within the story without becoming overbearing or taking away from the plot. We've got some chemistry and amazing self-growth with each of the characters, just enough of the drama to keep readers on their toes, and spice mixed in that was a treat,

It's been over a year already and yet, here I am, sitting in front of a computer again for the twentieth time and still cannot find the correct words to sum up this novel.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me at 60%. The writing was too predictable and the characters were flat. I didn't feel any chemistry between the two main characters and the writing was pretty cringe in spots.

a no hard feelings DNF at 80%, I’m just bored and the dialogue was borderline cringe in most places and I no longer believe in powering through - life is just too short

3.5⭐️ because it really was fun in the beginning and I think anyone looking for a quick & steamy read will have a good time if they don’t drag their heels like me & can get past some of the cringy dialogue

**technically this was an eARC even tho I missed the publication deadline - can’t win them all folks🤪 But thank you NetGalley & Harlequin Trade Publishing anyway!!**

OH MY GOD, I loved this book. As a newer reader of romance, this was one of the best books to reintroduce me to the genre. The chemistry was delicious; the story was adorable and hilarious,; and the characters were loveable. I adored that this book managed to avoid some annoying tropes, while also including some in a unique and fun way. Sophie being an author herself led to a lot of fun fourth-wall-breaking moments. I can't rave enough about this book and am wholeheartedly intent on picking up this book's companion.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book. My full review of this book will be available on Geekyst May 10, 2024

This is a supremely stunning book. Steamy, full of emotion, and gripping. I could not put this book down.

2.5 stars Ugh this one is hard to rate because I loved one half of the couple and really disliked the other. I was close to DNFing it early on until Dash’s story became more prominent and I got really invested in his character and what was going to happen with him. If he had been anyone else I probably wouldn’t have continued. I just had zero connection to Sofie, I couldn’t relate to her, she didn’t appeal to me as a FMC and I just didn’t care that much about her storyline. But Dash… Dash was the real star of this one. His arc, the things he’s going through, his family… all of it was what kept me in it. I want to rate it higher for him, but I was so detached from Sofie that I just can’t. Ugh I’m sorry Dash, I loved you I promise!

A writer protagonist, Sophie, is struggling with her second book, and her teenage crush, Dash, is a former movie star who's living next door. Their story, ripe with the promise of rekindled old flames and new beginnings, hooked me from the start.

Yet, the spark I was looking for between Sophie and Dash fizzled out. The narrative didn’t fully capture the depth of Sophie's teenage infatuation or its evolution into an adult connection, leaving me wanting more.

While the story takes a more realistic route, exploring healthy relationships amidst fame and personal growth, it missed some exciting plot opportunities I had hoped for. Despite this, the book's portrayal of healthy dynamics and character interactions is genuinely refreshing.

"Plot Twist" is a sweet, wholesome read, perfect for those seeking a heartwarming romance. Although it didn’t completely meet my high expectations, it's a good story with plenty of charm for readers looking for a light, uplifting story.

This engaging novel, reminiscent of the author's previous work, deftly blends heartwarming romance with the necessary complexities of emotional turmoil. The narrative explores sensitive subject matter such as addiction and troubled family dynamics, all within the framework of well-established romance tropes. The use of forced proximity and the friends-to-lovers trope is particularly effective in building tension and fostering intimacy between the characters.

The protagonist, Sophie Lyon, is a romance novelist facing a significant professional obstacle: writer's block. With only six weeks remaining to complete her next book under contract, she grapples with a lack of inspiration. Sophie attributes this to her stagnant love life and makes an unconventional decision to confront her past relationships. Through a series of meetings with her ex-partners, she hopes to gain insight into the factors that led to their failures. This introspective journey, documented on social media, unexpectedly propels her into online stardom.

Enter Dash Montrose, Sophie's landlord and a former teen heartthrob. Recognizing Sophie's predicament, Dash offers his assistance in her quest for renewed romantic inspiration. This proposition serves a dual purpose, as Dash himself is battling a long-standing struggle with alcoholism. Though his lineage positions him within Hollywood royalty, he is determined to maintain a low profile and avoid public scandal. Despite these intentions, a powerful attraction develops between Dash and Sophie, leading them to embark on a casual, friends-with-benefits arrangement. The undeniable chemistry between them is further complicated by their unacknowledged deeper feelings. Unfamiliar with romantic vulnerability, Sophie grapples with newfound emotions. Meanwhile, Dash, burdened by his personal demons, feels unworthy of Sophie's affection. Can they overcome their individual insecurities and embrace the possibility of lasting love?

The novel's cover art effectively captures the romantic essence of the story, and the central love story offers a satisfying emotional arc. This reviewer found the book to be a thoroughly enjoyable read and looks forward to exploring further works by Erin La Rosa.

This was a dnf for me. I really tried to like this one, but the writing was not for me. It was very Trope heavy from the start and I was jot a fan of the dialogue.

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

"Plot Twist" is a charming and uplifting read that reminds us to embrace the unexpected with open arms.

Loved it! I love books where the characters start out strong and come out stronger together, and this was one of them!

3.5 Stars: Plot Twist is a steamy, friends to lovers romance, which I liked, but could have done without the rather descriptive encounters between the two main characters. Romance author Sophie Lyon is experiencing writer's block. She is out partying with her best friend when she drinks too much and announces at karaoke night that she has never been in love. It is filmed and goes viral. Trying to get out of her slump, she decides to get in touch with her exes to see what went wrong. She will post about her journey to her new online followers. Her neighbour, landlord and BFF's brother, is a reclusive child actor and has social media all figured out. He agrees to help her post about her activities and revelations. This is where the story gets interesting. Sophie has had a crush on Dash since she was a teenager, and Dash is interested in her, but she is his sister's BFF and off limits. He is also a recovering alcoholic and doesn't think he is at a place where he can be in a serious relationship. He has been keeping this part of his life a secret, even from his family. Can Sophie and Dash get together?

Of course this is a romance so you know they will eventually get together, but there is a long journey before they get there. Sophie has so much baggage and she is so messed up as far as relationships go that she frustrated me. She waffled constantly and instead of trusting herself, forced herself to do things that didn't seem right. Dash was such a caring person and he wanted to help Sophie, even if it caused him some emotional pain. His family was also quite dysfunctional which added to his struggle with remaining sober. I liked the way Erin La Rosa depicted his fight with alcoholism. It was easy to see how someone can relapse when they have used alcohol to solve their problems in the past. The friends with benefits romance that Sophie and Dash fell into was just a bit to steamy and descriptive for me. I had to skim quite a bit. The romance itself was well written and I enjoyed that part of the story, the struggles and realizations they came to were realistic and honestly written. Because of this, I will not be continuing with this series, but if you enjoy a steamy romance, then it is right up your alley.