Romance author Sophie has writer’s block. Her second novel is due in just a few weeks and she can’t quite figure out how to write the ending because she has never been in love. When’s video of her proclaiming she has never experienced love goes viral, she has a chance to gain more followers which should help her sell more books.
Her neighbor just so happens to be Sophie’s best friend’s brother. Dash, is a former child actor from a famous Hollywood family and all he wants to do is stay sober. He’s made it 18 months during which he has taken up posting his pottery videos on TikTok. But now his overbearing mother wants to push him back into the public eye and has demanded Dash give a speech for his father’s Walk of Fame induction.

When Sophie agrees to help Dash write his speech in exchange for TikTok advice, they can’t help but feel an attraction and agree to try friends with benefits arrangement. But do either of them really want to stay friends?

Sophie and Dash were relatable characters with big, real world problems. Plot Twist isn’t a fairytale, it’s a realistic look at how to find a happily ever through acceptance, trust and love. They aren’t perfect and they never will be but they are committed to trying to figure it all out. LaRosa expertly handled their very complex issues as well as their growth and this book is a beautiful exploration of how to have a mature relationship.

I did find the grand gesture at the end a little over the top and rushed. Also everyone was famous. There were so many famous characters it came to feel a bit unreal, which was unfortunate given the very real issues that were explored.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.


Things readers might like:
Tropes (so many tropes)
Best friend’s brother
Boy next door
Friends with benefits
Only one bed
Celebrity crush becomes real life
He falls first
Dual POV

CW: main character alcoholism, death of parent, dysfunctional family dynamics

Dnf 50%

I really tried to like this book but it just wasn’t for me. First off, the entire book was filled with tropes. I enjoy a trope or two in romance novels but this was one trope to the next, so much so that there wasn’t much plot underneath. And the plot that was left was all over the place. Second, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. They didn’t seem fleshed out enough. Third, I felt like the characters hooked up too fast and that there wasn’t enough time for the tension to grow. There are more things about this book that I didn’t get into (such as why are most of the characters famous?) but the three reasons mentioned are the main reasons why I couldn’t finish the book. I only made it halfway since I was hoping it would get better, but it just wasn’t for me.

Sophie is at risk of being a one-hit-wonder romance writer if she can't get past her writer's block by her deadline. Her landlord is her best-friend's brother, Dash, who is a former child-star from a Hollywood-dynasty-family trying to avoid the spotlight and any stressors as he secretly struggles with new-found sobriety. As they face their own battles, they are there for each other, and their acquaintanceship turns into friendship, which turns into something more that they're both afraid to face - but they can't stop being drawn into each other's orbit.

The chemistry between Sophie and Dash is fierce and fun. Their sexual attraction and interactions are scorching and satisfying. But those interactions can be easily eclipsed by their witty banter and genuine appreciation of who each other is as a person. They are each other's biggest fans and cheerleaders, which is a very wholesome dynamic.

The characters (friends and family included) are also imperfect, so they do hurt each other. The ways in which hurt and conflict is handled varies in detail, but each time one or both of the main characters communicates, learns, and grows.

Despite the end-game pairing being hetero-presenting, there is natural and casual inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters. Sophie is confirmed to be pansexual - which is nice representation to see! I always adore bisexual representation, but I haven't seen enough pansexual characters, so this was really refreshing.

The narration is a fun, casual third-person voice that took me a couple of pages to get into, but I feel is important to the tone of the story. There is a sense of light-heartedness amongst some serious issues that eases the reader through the storm and into the HEA.

Fans of contemporary and quirky romance stories will enjoy Plot Twist. It is tropes-galore.

I expected this to be a typical rom-com and I am so pleasantly surprised that it actually went deeper.

Sophie has writer's block and can't get out of her head. Dash is from a famous family and he previously acted but chose a life away from the limelight after alcoholism took over his life.

Of course Sophie lives on his property and they aren't friends. She's best friends with his sister, Poppy (who is fantastic), but has no relationship with Dash. Until the day she does.

That's the main basis for the book but this author took it to another level and brought so much vulnerability and truth to both their stories I can't help but swoon a little. It's easy to write a love story and gloss over the hard stuff or ignore it entirely but Erin went there and I'm thrilled she did.

I think this book might open some eyes for readers who aren't aware they, or someone they love, might have a problem with alcohol. I've been sober for years, not because I had a problem but to make sure it didn't become one. Alcoholism is in my family, many generations now, and I've fought long and hard against it. The beast that alcoholism is can definitely be hard to fight but I hope people will see that it's worth it.

I love when a romance author writes about a romance author and acknowledges typical romance book tropes. Which in and of itself, could be another trope. Anyway, in Plot Twist, author Erin La Rosa (who also wrote the adorable For Butter or Worse) does just that. This cute novel is light-hearted, but manages to touch on some complex issues and tricky family dynamics. It was easy to become invested in the main characters, and genuinely root for them. Overall, it’s a worthwhile way to spend a few hours!

Special thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Publishing for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Such a cute story. Lots of tropes. I really enjoyed the ending. However I felt like it took awhile to get there. Character development was slow till the end. I would have liked a more slow burn with these characters because of where they were in life and would have been better when they finally did get together. I really liked Dash for all his flaws. The grand gesture at the end was so cute but felt rushed.

Plot Twist is one where I have some mixed feelings about.
On one hand, I liked how the struggle with addiction and sobriety was portrayed. It was more realistic than most. The struggle wasn't glossed over, the happy ending didn't happen in seconds. It showed the constant struggle and slips.
Also, the steamy scenes were steamy in a more realistic way than what can often be found in romance books.
On the other hand, I felt like the characters were not very relatable. They're all these pretty rich Hollywood folks. Yes Sophie is struggling with her book, but she's still a published author with a famous sister and famous friends and famous love interest with a famous family... You get the point. However, I believe that's more of a "me" thing than a "book" thing, and overall it was a cute quick read.

OMG! I was hooked by the cover and blurb and was hoping it would meet my expectations… it totally did! Loved the chemistry between Sophie and Dash and the way the author truly crafted a relationship that was natural and not too forced

Could not put this one down, and really loved reading the personal journey that Dash and Sophie went on to eventually find each other. At times hilarious, and at others heartbreaking—I just found their love to be unique and powerful and I'll be thinking about these two for some time.

This book surprised me. I did not expect to like it as much as I did, esp bc of the trope talk and pop culture references BUT it was done in a way that I really liked and it didn’t take me out of the book.

The characters (but mainly Sophie and Dash) were super relatable and easy to empathize with and their banter was *chefs kiss*. Especially as an “adult” who still sometimes doesn’t feel like an adult. Basically- I loved them individually and together.

I don’t always like dual povs, but this one was great. Their inner monologues weren’t too repetitive and at times were really funny. Sophie, especially, felt like a friend.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This book was extremely cute and super easy to read! For those looking for a book that will make you laugh, has flawed and relatable character, with a touch of some spice, then this one is for you!!

Following a romance author who believes she has never been in love, Sophie sets out to get an autopsy on all her past relationships. Her landlord/best friends brother gets caught up in the mix of giving her social media advice to help boost her ratings while also aiding in the recovery of a drunk karaoke night gone wrong.

While meeting up with her exes, Sophie starts to build up a picture of what went wrong in her relationships, and potentially what could be causing her massive writers block now. As she continues on this journey, she becomes inexplicably drawn to Dash, who has secrets of his own plaguing his life.

I’m not super into social media pop culture references in books, and since this one heavily relies on them for the plot, it wasn’t my fave to see, but I applaud the author in this fun and unique story that also explores some heavy topics.

3.5⭐️
1/3🌶️

Read if you love:
-tropes, tropes, tropes!
-best friends brother
-themes of substance abuse
-romance author FMC
-one bed
-friends with benefits
-he falls first
-happy ending massages

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK

It was so fun and unique! The whole romance author who hasn't been in love was so interesting to read! (And very relatable). Sophie and Dash were just so special and I love them!

Great read!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book would be perfect to read in the summer by the pool. It truly is a relaxing book to read. It still has deeper themes some of us need to stay interested but it is also light and fluffy. I like Dash's vulnerability about his struggle with alcohol. I think it added a needed element to the story. I love how none of these characters are perfect, especially not Sophie. I can't wait to see everyone's reaction. If you're looking for a romance novel that will make your heart happy, this is defiently the book for you.

This was such a cute romance! A must read for anyone who loves celeb family drama and social media. Just the right level of spice and love- with some heavy topics and family dynamics thrown in. Highly recommend for an easy entertaining read!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book! Below is my honest review.

Summary of the book:

Sophie is a romance writer, sort of. She published one best selling book but is struggling to write her second. So she contacts all her exes and asks them what went wrong in their relationship. Turns out Sophie isn’t emotionally available.

Enter Dash. He’s the brother of Poppy, Sophie’s best friend. He’s struggling with some stuff: family, personal stuff, etc. He enters a FWB relationship with Sophie because he can’t enter a serious relationship right now. But we all know what happens next…

Pros of this book:
✅ LBGTQ+ representation
✅ characters who deal with problems outside of the romance plot

Cons of this book:
❌ romance felt like it could have used a little more angst; almost felt instantly-lovey to me
❌ conflicts between Sophie and other people felt rather forced and dramatic
❌ wasn’t a big fan how Sophie didn’t know why some of her relationships ended even when she was the one who broke up with them
❌ for a book called the plot twist, where was the plot twist?

Would I recommend this book? Meh

Sophie is a romance writer suffering from some tough writers block, and as a product a video of her very very drunk admitting shes never been in love ends up going viral. Obviously this doesn't look great for a romance writer, so Sophie sets off on meeting up with her ex's in order to find out what went wrong, vlogging along the way. Her ex-movie star landlord turns out to be a social media pro and begins to help her, but he has his own skeletons in the closet as well.

I was really excited for this book and thought I would love it, but I was really wrong. Everything about this story made me cringe.
The main love interest is really unbelievable… he’s a super hot tattooed ex movie star who does crafts on tiktok. I do not think I've ever met a man who remotely matches this ideal. The plot of meeting each of her exes is interesting to me and I understand the social media aspect but there was too many pop culture references. While I did like that Sophie was bi, her female ex's were overboard on stereotypes to the point where it felt aggressive. The dialogue in the book also felt awkward, and not like something any self respecting woman would say. “holy tingley lady bits” was the final straw for me.

Overall I struggled to get through this. I don't think I would recommend it and I for sure would not read it again.

4/5 stars

“Men tell women they have high standards when they can’t meet them. Your standards are exactly as they should be. He’s just not good enough for you.”

This book is essentially a love note to the BookTok community. It had all the tropes we love best (including the One Bed Trope), while being really honest and in touch with human emotions and human imperfections. I read this book in a matter of hours, and I look forward to it hitting the shelves in November!l

P.S. Dash Montrose is blonde, broody, and a short king, AND IT WORKS!

I love love love these kinds if books. This is another adorable rom Com story that's great for fans of fluffy romances in their books or their movies. The characters were fun and their romance was fun and spicy.

Bookish Thoughts

Last year I read For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa and it was one of my favorite romance reads of the year. So imagine my excitement when I saw Plot Twist on Netgalley... then imagine my reaction when I was approved.

Now, calling this book a disappointment is a bit harsh but *whispers* I was disappointed. This isn't a bad book at all but for me, it's missing those critical elements and troupes that give me all the feels when reading romance.

And for those that suffer from low self esteem and lack of confidence

The book touches on sensitive subjects so check for CW.

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this copy of the e-arc in exchange for a honest review.

Plot Twist follows romance writer Sophie who is having trouble finishing her second book due to her never actually being in love. As well as Dash, former teen heartthrob and Sophie's landlord and brother to Sophie's best friend.

Sophie decides to help her overcome her writers block to meet up with her exes and share on it tik tok after getting the encouragement for Dash.

Dash is struggling with maintaining his sobriety and has turned to crafting (mostly pottery) and has been posting to tiktok anonymously. With the dread of writing a speech for an upcoming event for his father, Sophie has offered to lead a had and write the speech for him.

I really loved reading Sophie's and Dash's love story, Erin is a great writer and I will be going back and reading her other books.