——4.5⭐️
📚The Love Plot
Genre: Romance
Tropes: Fake Dating, Grumpy x Sunshine

Star Meadows jobs aren’t ‘traditional’ she’s a line sitter & a character actor. On one job playing as Merida for a little girls birthday party a grumpy looking man at the back of the party catches Stars eye, who happens to be the uncle (Rafe) of the birthday girl. During her break she talks to him out on the balcony only to realize he’s an ass.
A few days later while waiting in line during one of her jobs she sees Rafe and yells to him to purposely embarrass him. When he comes over to her he asks if she’d like another job to be his fake girlfriend in front of his family.

This was super cute & very fast paced! I’d definitely recommend to those who love the fake dating & grumpy x sunshine trope as I felt this executed it very well. And there’s also a bit of the one bed trope😏

Comes out- August 29th!
Thank you to Samantha Young & Valentine Pr for the Arc!!

I love an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine trope. It's two tropes that Samantha Young does exceptionally well. I adored Rafe. Talk about being relatable... it can be not very pleasant to constantly have your family meddling, so I loved him from the start. I also loved that they got along even though Star is the opposite of Rafe's family. The writing was excellent, and there were some absolutely swoon-worthy parts.

4.5 stars

This was such a sweet story

Fake dating
Grumpy sunshine
1 bed forced proximity .

Star is free spirt raised by self declared hippie parents who borderline on neglectful. Raffe is a vet coming from a wealthy family. Raffe wants to get his family of his back about settling down and shock them a little. He employs Star to be his girlfriend i front of his family.

I loved the story between Raffe and Star but Star’s finding herself journey was such a special part of this book.

When Star Meadows and Rafe Whitman meet at his niece's birthday party, they don't exactly hit it off. He disparages her job as a costumed character actor, and while she would normally try to let such things go, she can't help pushing back. As she's walking away from the encounter, she accidentally overhears a conversation between him and his sister-in-law and learns that at least some of his grumpiness is due to exhaustion from a rough night at work, as well as frustration with his family's incessant matchmaking efforts.

A few days later, Star is working her second job as a professional line sitter when she happens to see Rafe again and decides to tease him. She couldn't be more surprised when he responds by giving her his business card and telling her to call him if she's interested in making a lot of money. As it turns out, Rafe is looking to hire a temporary fake girlfriend to get a break from the constant setups and offers Star $10,000 per month to take the job. She's been feeling restless and dreaming of taking time off to go on an extended cross-country road trip, so despite her reservations, she agrees. The relationship may be fake, but the attraction between Rafe and Star is very real. Could real feelings be far behind?

I expected to enjoy this book, but I was honestly blown away by how much I loved it. The witty banter between Rafe and Star was pitch perfect, and the slow burn chemistry had me at the edge of my seat until the moment it finally boiled over. There was no way these two should have worked as a couple, but somehow they just fit, and I was rooting for them the whole way.

I highly recommend "The Love Plot" for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I look forward to picking up more of Samantha Young's books in the future.

*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley/Valentine PR. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a refreshing, upbeat, clever romance with plenty of charm and heated banter. There’s deep emotions and life lessons as well. It’s the total romance package for me.
Star Shine Meadows is the heroine and her name says a lot about her. She’s a bohemian spirited woman raised unconventionally by her non-conformist hippie parents. She’s also a woman who can put a snob in their place verbally without being unkind, she’s my hero!
Rafe Whitman, at first meeting seems grumpy, rude and a bit of snob…. Then he plays with his young niece in a way that let me know he was more sensitive and had more going on than his grumpy attitude. Then, discovering he’s a trust fund guy, yet he’s veterinarian who is super caring, kind to animals turned impressions upside down for Star and for me.
They begin a fake dating scheme to keep his affluent family from aggressive match making and to help Star get money for her dream of traveling the country.
It’s a really fun story with snarky banter that changes to flirty banter.
I love both characters so much, they get to know each other on their fake dates around Rafe’s family and “society” types. It makes for interesting interactions as some of the people are openly scornful towards Star and her very open minded personality.
The characters are immensely likable, the flirting is so entertaining and the chemistry is great.
I love that classism and life outside of the box society puts people in is a big part of the story, yet it’s still a bubbly, fun and sweet romance with spice.
The secondary characters are multi dimensional and some aren’t completely likable just like real life.
I really enjoyed this story so much.
It’s a really feel good story with unique characters. Star and Rafe will be forever favorite characters for me.

I absolutely adored The Love Plot. Such an entertaining fake dating, opposites attract romantic comedy.

Rafe’s grumpy to Star’s free spirited personality was a breath of fresh air. They were a perfectly balanced couple and I loved watching their connection grow. The witty banter and steamy chemistry was on point. Their story was well written with family drama and a beautiful happy ever after.

The Love Plot is a polar-opposites attract, fake dating, rom-com following free-spirit, Star Shine Meadows, and type- A veterinarian, Rafferty (Rafe) Whitman.

Friendly and eccentric, Star makes a living as a professional character actor and line sitter, enjoying the flexibility of her part time jobs. Her only goal in life is to be happy.

NYC vet, Rafe Whitman, is sick of being set up on dates by his overbearing (but kind) mother and pretentious sister-in-law. Having grown up extremely wealthy, he is tired of being dragged to social events while he is working to get his new clinic off the ground.

After a disastrous first meeting during his niece’s birthday party and embarrassing run-in days later, Rafe decides to enlist the help of Star and employs her as his fake girlfriend for a reprieve from the dating madness. But the more time he spends in her company, the more he enjoys her kindness and refreshing outlook on life. Can he convince Star that starting a real relationship with him is worth the commitment despite the lessons she has learned from her misguided and unconventional parents?

I am going to be honest, this one started off a little bit rough for me. Star is very QUIRKY, and I had a hard time connecting with her character. But as the story went on and we learnt more about her upbringing, I really started to like her and enjoyed her character growth. It takes her some time to sort out her true feelings on relationships after being brainwashed by her parents for so many years. She has such a wonderful outlook on life and her kindness is contagious; I am glad she was able to keep that piece of herself.

Rafe comes off as reserved, a little shy and grumpy. He starts off the book being very concerned about appearances. As the book goes on, spending time with Star really helps him to prioritize what is important in life. I love how he owns their relationship and doesn’t try to diminish her or her interests.

“I want you because you’re you, differences, and all. I already told you I like you just as you are.”

Overall, another extremely enjoyable rom com from Samantha Young. Despite being opposites in every way, Rafe and Star find common values and priorities by the end of the novel; they both evolve to be the best versions of themselves. Star helps Rafe loosen up and Rafe gives Star the stability and safe place to land she has always needed. Highly recommend for fans of opposites attract.

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the e-ARC; all thoughts are my own.

Samantha Young brings us the story of Star, a free spirited woman whose mission in life is to be happy. At one of her jobs as a costume character actor, she meets very straight-laced Rafe. How very different their personalities are is very evident when they run into each other at her other job as a line sitter and she tries to embarrass him. The tables get turned when Rafe offers her a job pretending to be his girlfriend.

Star is not prepared for all that is involved when she accepts the job and they spend time together. Will their pasts get in the way of a possible future? Are they too different that attempting a relationship is doomed from the start? Their attraction to each other brings them to a point where they have to make a choice. Can they trust in this new feeling, or revert to the tried and true?

Samantha Young brings us the story of two very different individuals. They remind me of other couples that Samantha has brought into my life. And again, I enjoyed reading Star and Rafe's story and being with them on this adventure. You never knew how they would react to each other and I enjoyed their friendly and sometimes even sexy banter. You can never go wrong with a Samantha Young story!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for this privilege.

4.5 stars - The perfect Grumpy/Sunshine RomCom! Samantha is one of my favorite one-click authors, and I love that I know I'll devour the story, whether it's a romcom or drama.

The characters were witty, charming, and complete opposites. With family dynamics that interfere on both sides, they're fake relationship turns sideways fast.

**Fake relationship
**Found family
**Grumpy/Sunshine
**Veterinarian

Let me tell you good communication and witty banter make for an amazing romance. I also loved the support that they both gave each other throughout the book on various subjects. Star was definitely a star that shines brightly and was uniquely herself and unapologetic about it as well. I loved the Rafe was a grump at first but he actually just needed to know people before he was comfortable(relatable). I have loved the stand-alone books I have read by Samantha Young and I will definitely be keeping a look for other ones by her.

This was my first book by Samantha Young and I absolutely love how she writes. From well rounded characters to snappy dialogue and interesting dynamics that move the plot forward, this book was such a joy to read!

Star Shine Meadows is such an interesting character. She’s free-spirited, but much of her world view comes from how she was raised by two hippie parents who didn’t believe in monogamy or really want a child, so they neglected her. Star’s one goal in life is to be happy, so she bucks the idea of committing to anything too strongly - career, odd jobs, and especially relationships. She meets Rafe, an uptight veterinarian from a wealthy NYC family - and a serial monogamist to boot - and agrees to start fake-dating him as a way to earn money for travel. When she begins to fall for him it propels her on a journey of self-discovery.

This starts out as an easy breezy grumpy/sunshine read, but it really becomes much more layered and emotionally complex. I wasn’t expecting the book to dive into class as much as it did, but I LOVE opposite-sides-of-the-track stories (hello 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, one of my forever faves) and I ate up every moment seeing Star hold her own as she navigates Rafe’s world. Of course the stakes get higher when real feelings develop and she starts questioning her whole identity.

Overall, this has a wonderful message about staying true to yourself. I loved Star’s growth throughout the story and thought Young did a great job looking at both the pros and cons of living life with no strings attached. Rafe is a great cinnamon roll MC who is true to himself as well. Although he falls HARD for Star, I love how he gives her the space to make her own choices. It’s very romantic and I would love to believe a relationship like this could happen in real life. There were a few minor things that kept this from being a solid 5 stars for me, but this was definitely one of the most fun rom coms I’ve read all year! 4.5 stars!

Thank you Valentine PR, Berkley, and NetGalley for the eARC for review!!

"But since you’re in a bad mood, I won’t hold it against you. As for me, I’m genuinely happy in life. I don’t know if many people can say the same, so I feel pretty awesome about the fact that I’m standing here rocking a Merida costume and a Scottish accent..”

This was such a great grump/sunshine and fake dating romance! I loved how upbeat and bubbly Star was. It was the total opposite to Rafe lol! Star and Rafe’s meet cute was a funny one! When Rafe hires Star to be his fake date for six months, that’s when things start to pick up! I loved how much Star’s personality would get on Rafe’s nerves. Once Star gets Rafe to come out of his shell, you really can’t help but fall for him! He’s so caring of Star and wants the best for her. He also falls for her and all of her crazy personalities! I love that we get a few steamy scenes in this romance!

Read if you like:
Heroine’s POV
Grump x Sunshine
Fake dating romance
Open door romance
Quirky heroine

5 Stars!
Star Shine Meadows is a quirky, independent woman that lives on Staten Island. She was raised by hippie parents and has always been a free spirit. She strives to live a life that makes her happy and tries to be her true authentic self. She's a laid back, people person that enjoys doing a variety of jobs that never get boring. From line sitting to being a professional costume character she has a good time. She likes having a laid back lifestyle with no pressure or expectations. Then one day while working at a party, she meets the birthday girl's grumpy uncle. She finds the gorgeous, uptight stranger captivating, and has some fun joking and picking on him.

Rafe Whitman is a bachelor in New York City from a wealthy, influential family. He's a veterinarian on the Upper West Side that just wants to live his life in peace on his own terms. Unfortunately his family is obsessed with him finding a wife and settling down. They won't let up, so he come's up with a plan to get them to leave him alone. He's decided he needs a pretend girlfriend, and when he runs into a woman he recently met, he makes her an offer she can't refuse.

Star is looking forward to saving up money from her newest job. It should be easy attending a few family functions, but with their extreme differences she quickly realizes she doesn't belong in Rafe's world. Soon lines get blurred with the sexy vet that's off limits, and things get complicated when she develops unexpected feelings for her fake boyfriend. After months together was it all pretending, or had their relationship turned into something real?

The Love Plot by Samantha Young is a grumpy/sunshine, fake dating romance about family, love and self discovery. Opposites attract and we get a fabulous story packed with heart, emotion, sizzling chemistry and hilarious banter. I really loved these characters and couldn't quit smiling while reading this book. <333

Sandy M’s review of The Love Plot by Samantha Young
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 29 Aug 23

Star Shine Meadows is definitely a product of her hippie parents. She juggles her two jobs, a character actor and standing in line for anything and everything someone else thinks they don’t have the time for, and has a blast doing so. Some grumpiness is about to invade her world and her need to be free in her own way pulls her in different directions, most of which she isn’t happy about. But that grump? He’s a whole ‘nother story, as far as Star is concerned.


Rafe Whitman is a stand-up guy, a veterinarian, and tired of his family trying to fix him up with the perfect woman. When he meets
Star at his niece’s princess-themed birthday party, he’s not impressed. He can’t understand someone who has no ambition beyond dress-up and freedom at all costs. They go their separate ways, and that’s the end of that. Isn’t it?

But they meet up again, and we see how opposites attract, despite their best efforts to keep that at bay. Eventually, after they’re able to have a discussion or two, they agree Star will be Rafe’s pretend girlfriend to hopefully keep his mother and sister-in-law off his back about getting married. She gets big bucks to finally do that traveling she’s always wanted to do. But slowly the relationship transitions through every emotion possible, something Samantha Young gets right every time.

I so enjoyed how Rafe begins to defend Star and her decisions in life. He becomes a more stand-up guy the better you get to know him. And Star Shine is absolutely fun and heart wrenching at the same time, when you learn more about her parents and their seeming disinterest in her. Suddenly Rafe sees her in the light of love, and changing her mind about feelings and romance is priority number one.

Once again, Ms.Young gives readers the perfect road to romance with characters who will steal your heart and never let go. This story is absolute perfection of why Samantha Young is a favorite of mine and I anxiously await each of her books.

Grade: A

3.5 Stars [rounded up] ⭐️

Many thanks to Valentine PR for the ARC!

✨Fake Dating
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
✨Opposites Attract
✨Only One Bed

The Love Plot was such a fun read - this was the first Samantha Young book I've read and I'll definitely check out her others!

Rafe Whitman & Star Shine Meadows could not be more different but they both have something to gain from a fake relationship. Rafe needs his mother and sister-in-law to stop trying to set him up with every elligible woman they come across & Star needs a stable income to make the travels in her daydreams a reality. So they make a deal and like a loving couple in front of Rafe's circle until it becomes clear that things aren't feeling so fake anymore...

I'd recommend this one to fans of the fake dating trope!

She's done it again!! I've never met a Samantha Young book I haven't loved! This story was an exceptionally, spectacular execution of the fake dating trope. It was funny and cute and spicy and swoony. The grumpiness of the MMC and how he's fighting his family's plans to set him up left, right, and center is almost comical if it wasn't sad. The independence and free spirit of the FMC would be something we all strive for, except for the fact that it comes with parental trauma and the buried need for stability. The growth of these two throughout the book and how their seemingly jarring differences are what make them work so well is so warm and swoony. Everything about these two and their story is 😍

This week I had the absolute pleasure of reading The Love Plot & I adored the heck out of it! It was quirky and funny and the romance was more than swoon-y!

The grumpy meets sunshine trope is one of my favorites and when the grump is the one who falls first? 😍 It’s what dreams are made of! This fake dating romance quickly turns into a real romance wherein the characters are so incredibly right for each other AND they get together early on in the book (love 😍)! Of course, there are some ups and downs otherwise it wouldn’t be a true rom-com but the characters get it together long enough for an amazing HEA.

Star Shine Meadows is not your average girl. She grew up with hippie parents and learned from a young age about always looking on the bright side, no stressful ambitions, and no-strings-attached relationships. She works two jobs, one as a professional line-sitter and one as a costume character actor. She enjoys juggling the jobs around and having her own free time. One day, while working a party, she meets the birthday girl's grumpy uncle and can't help herself. She wants to wind him up, because of how tight strung he appears. Who cares, she will never see him again, right?

Rafe Whitman, comes from a wealthy family but decides not to follow in his father's footsteps. Instead, he opens up his own veterinary clinic. While he may come across stern, it is only to the people he does not want to be bothered by. He has been bothered a lot lately, considering his mother and sister-in-law are set on helping him find the perfect girl. Star was the last girl he talked to, who wasn't being pushed on him, so when he runs into her on the street, he decides to make her an offer. He will pay her a large sum of money, if she pretends to be his girlfriend and comes with him to family gatherings. She is weary at first, since she thinks he's a little too uptight, but she eventually decided to go for it.

As the two fake their relationship strings start to form, she loves his family, they love her even though she is different from what they had thought. Her no-strings-attached are tested by his need for stability. The two soon find out that this fake relationship, may be harder to keep fake.

The Love Plot is a great romance read! I truly loved the characters. You got to watch as they navigated through relationships, work, and finding their true selves. Rafe is a man who comes across as mean and closed off, but we get to see him open up and show his emotional side to Star. Star on the other hand, is not only showing us her true self, but going on a journey to find out what she truly wants in life. This book is a perfect example of grumpy/sunshine. Thank you to Valentine PR and Net Galley for this ARC!

A sweet, funny read with some angst intertwined and mixed in with family, friendship and most of all love.

Samantha Young's The Love Plot is absolutely everything I wanted in a grump sunshine story. This contemporary romance is told in first person narrative, linking us directly to the female main character, making her feel like a friend and someone we can easily relate to. Young beautiful crafts this entertaining read with humor and heart, and falling for both the hero and heroine comes extremely easy. This novel is well paced, delightful and really well executed. I adore the way Young brought this world to life, this story was born out of tropes that Young wanted to explore and thrives in the story telling and the character development.

I was quickly and easily swept into Star's world, she is lively, bold and fun. She has a confidence and understanding and love for herself that is really admirable, and even though she gets tested along the way, she always has a deep care for who she is and who the people she loves are. I also adored Rafe, the broody hero who has also forged his own path in live and develops a beautiful understanding of Star and what it means to truly love someone for themselves. This love story is the growth of two opposites who learn that maybe they are not so different after all. This is the love story between two people who truly respect and care for the other and must learn to speak up about there feelings and needs. This love story is sensual and easy to get swept up into and I was delighted and charmed each and every step of the way. Their romance is truly one that brought joy to my heart and a smile to my face.

I love Samantha Young in all the different ways she brings her stories to life. If you are in the mood for a charming stand alone romance full of sweetness, sensuality and a happy and healthy relationship than The Love Plot is sure to meet the mark!