This one was a mixed bag for me. I loved the premise—especially the meta-ish angle of a story centered around books, authors, and the inner workings of the publishing world—but the execution didn’t quite land. The FMC was incredibly unlikeable, and the further I got, the harder it became to root for her. As the plot progressed, the scenes felt increasingly outlandish, pulling me out of the story rather than drawing me in.

That said, the underlying message about AI’s growing impact on the creative industry is timely and important. I just wish the delivery had resonated more.

🤔 𝕎𝕙𝕪 𝔻𝕚𝕕 𝕀 ℝ𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕥: I did skim the synopsis for this, but I was mostly pulled in by the title and cover!

🍿 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: Right away I knew it was going to be funny and oh was it. I laughed a lot, and it is in-your-face dramatic at times, but it was the perfect escape while also being incredibly timely in our world of AI and ChatGPT.

👏🏼 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒫𝑜𝓈𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓈: Nobody I’ve seen is calling this satire, but that’s kind of the feel I got from it. I loved the way Gold could take something serious and infuse it with that much humor and drama. The story brings up some great talking points about the current climate for authors and it would probably make for a great book club discussion.

🫤 🇹‌🇭‌🇪‌ 🇳‌🇪‌🇬‌🇦‌🇹‌🇮‌🇻‌🇪‌🇸‌: There is a lot going on but sometimes the book dragged just a bit. I also found my attention wandering in some spots before the author pulled me back in again.

🎧 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒩𝒶𝓇𝓇𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃: I don’t think I’ve ever listened to Courtney Patterson before and man does she get into it. She really was the perfect person to voice this book, and I thought she nailed the drama factor. Sometimes she was a touch loud for my ears, but I have to hand it to her for bringing the story and characters to life so well.

💭 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Some of the insights that Gold shares through the book really struck a chord with me and had me saying “omg YES” out loud. Clearly, I am not an author or writer, but it felt honest, and I love this idea for a debut novel. The plot itself can get pretty out there, but this was a romp of a good time, and I was here for it.

T͏h͏i͏s͏ B͏o͏o͏k͏ i͏n͏ 5͏ E͏m͏o͏j͏i͏’s͏ o͏r͏ L͏e͏s͏s͏: 🥜😂🔊📖

𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

I found the premise of this book really interesting, but it didn't really work for me. Sofie Wilde is a best-selling fantasy romance author whose last book in her famous series is about to come out, and as a favor to her hometown bookstore, she agrees to share the stage at an event with an up-and-coming author named Hartley West, who's being touted as "the next Sofie Wilde." But when Hartley admits that her hit novel was written by AI, Sofie goes on a viral rant and is danger of losing her tour and book sales. At the country's biggest romance convention, Sofie bands together with her fellow authors to take Hartley down.

This book went off the rails pretty quickly in terms of plot, which I didn't love. But more than that, Sofie was extremely, extremely unlikable. That was obviously very much the point - Sofie is a lone wolf and focused only on her own success, and the plot and her character arc hinge on her reckoning with those things - but it did not work for me. From the very beginning, her internal monologue was wildly selfish, calculating, and manipulative, and I just didn't buy it. Maybe the author was trying to attack the trope of overly self-involved businesswoman and make the point that that is sexist - which it is - but to me Sofie was just mean. I didn't buy her backstory or why she was so rude to her fellow authors, and I wasn't invested in what happened to her. Her self-centeredness also meant that we didn't really get a nuanced view of any of the other characters, and it all just kind of fell flat.

It was clear this book was trying to make a point about the commodification of creativity and the perils of AI, and I really appreciate that message. But this to me wasn't the right vehicle for that message and it didn't work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!

This one started with an interesting premise for me but ultimately got a little unbelievable for me to follow along. If youre just here for a good time, may be perfect.

3.5⭐️ Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

It was a fun read and I’ll definitely be looking for more Lori Gold books in the future! I enjoyed this story and all the bits and references to the book/publishing world! Sofie is coming to a pivotal point in her career with then end of her series with the release of her new book and is feeling a little threatened by the new comer Hartley West… ESPECIALLY when Hartley admits her debut book is written with AI! It’s up to Sofie and her friends to try and stop Hartley, but the more they work together the more things change.

This was a fun plot and I really liked the storyline!

Let me start off by saying this is the first book I read by this Author. I love drama and this one definitely had it! I did get a little confused at some points, but I still really enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

This was a dnf for me. I just didn’t enjoy the fmc - I felt that she was completely self absorbed and I could not get past that… thank you for the opportunity to read this though.

This book came on my radar when I was asked to join a book tour for it! I love books about books and found this premise to be intriguing.

This one started very promising for me, but my interest in the story started declining the more I read. I rarely DNF books, so I tried to keep pushing through, but I had no interest in picking it back up. I ended up DNF'ing at 25%, but I hope to go back and try it again sometime!

DnF at 50% Sofie was so irritating and the premise of writing a book using AI is just so ridiculous and insulting, I really couldn’t get into this one at all

We live in a world where AI seems to be present at every turn. As a reader and reviewer, I genuinely hope that AI doesn’t intrude upon my personal sphere of existence. However, Lori Gold has presented just that for me. Hartley West, a new author, is grappling with the challenge of comparing her writing style to that of a renowned author. Moreover, she easily admits that her novel is not her own creation; she used AI to write it, and she believes that readers are too blind to recognize it.

Sofie Wilde, a bestselling author of a fantasy series, is intrigued if not annoyed and concerned by the up-and-coming Hartley West. When Hartley’s talent is compared to Sofie’s, Sofie is determined to uncover the secrets behind her success. However, her quest takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that Hartley didn’t even write the book herself. Sofie is convinced that Hartley will fail, fearing that a public relations disaster could lead to both her and Hartley’s downfall. However, Sofie is in for a surprise.

This story offers a unique perspective on the art of writing. While AI is undoubtedly here to stay, the novel raises the intriguing question of how it can be utilized in the publishing industry without compromising the authenticity of talent. The concept presented in this story kept me engaged, even though Sofie’s definitely went off the rails. I thoroughly enjoyed the glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of the publishing industry.

Many thanks to MIRA and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Thank you GetRedPR, Lori Gold, HTP, and Harper Collins for my #gifted copy of Romantic Friction! #RomanticFriction #LoriGold #LoriGoldstein #GetRedPR #getredprbooks

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐢 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

3.5★

Sofia Wilde is about to release her 10th and final book in her popular fantasy romance series and she’s at the top of her career and headlining a romance readers’ convention. She is not going to let anyone take this moment from her, including Sofie Wilde, a self-published debut author who everyone is saying is the next big thing. Except, she doesn’t actually write anything. Hartley has admitted to using AI to write her book and instead of being ridiculed, she is being praised for being innovative! Now, Sofie is on the verge of losing her headliner status after a rant about the entire situation has gone viral. As the convention continues, Sofie and other authors now fear that AI will take over everything they’ve worked so hard to achieve. Sofie and a cohort of authors are determined to stop Hartley!

This was definitely a very relevant and timely book and it posed a lot of important questions. It tackled the topic with humor and in a relatable way and I appreciated how it showed the book community aspect of AI, which is something I have definitely seen on bookstagram. It was certainly an interesting and thought-provoking read and gave me more to think about! I enjoyed the author’s writing style and would definitely read more from her in the future!

Posted on Goodreads on May 5, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around May 5, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on May 6, 2025
**-will post on designated date

I was excited to read this book based on the advanced reviews but I found this one to be a bit of a miss for me. It was hard to parse out if the author was advocating for AI or not until the very end so that was a bit confusing. I also found it very unrealistic that a huge group of readers would not immediately riot over the AI use. Ultimately, this book didn't work for me.

Romantic Friction, by Lori Gold, is a rom-com that I was looking forward to reading. Gold delves into the world of AI, which I find interesting, but the overall book was just an okay read. I didn't struggle to finish it, but it was easy to walk away from when I completed it. I loved the cover! I appreciate NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

This was a nuanced, timely, adult fiction debut that has a best-selling romance author getting challenged by an up and comer who uses AI to 'copy' from one of her books and ends up getting praised by the reading community. Mixing a blend of genres, this had romance, suspense and a thought-provoking plot about the role and use of AI in book publishing. It was also good on audio and I look forward to reading more from Lori Gold in the future. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

ROMANTIC FRICTION – Lori Gold
MIRA
ISBN: 978-0778387657
May 6, 2025
Contemporary Fiction

Chicago – Present Day

Sofie Wilde is a bestselling fantasy romance author at the top of her game. However, she recently has had competition in the name of debut author Hartley West, whose writing has been compared to Sofie’s. This annoys Sofie because there is only one Sofie Wilde. The two first run into each other at a book signing event. Let’s just say it wasn’t pleasant, especially when Sofie gets Hartley to admit that she wrote her book using AI (Artificial intelligence), prompting it to “write” like Sofie Wilde. It should be a huge scandal, and it is, but only because Sofie is seen as the mean person in their feud. Then, both are set to appear at a romance readers convention in Chicago. Sofie, who was the scheduled headline speaker, is pushed aside for Hartley. She declares war and starts planning on how to take out Hartley so that she can get her rightful position as head speaker restored.

In ROMANTIC FRICTION we get to see how the publishing world and attracting fans is like dog eat dog. There is lots of competition because if an author is toppled from the top of the bestselling lists, it likely means their star is waning and is trouble for the author. The publisher might decide to drop that author. Hartley is seen as Sofie’s newest and fiercest competitor. Sofie will do whatever it takes to remain on top. Even accidentally taking out Hartley. This tale is quirky and will have readers wondering what is going to happen next. It’s clear that the two women do not like each other. Will something happen in this tale to change all that?

As readers can figure out, Sofie has pride in her work and a big ego. There will only be one Sofie Wilde, and it’s her. Both women have their fans and supporters. Who will readers support in this feud? We get a look at the inside of romance reader conventions and the amusing and quirky people who attend. ROMANTIC FRICTION will have your head spinning at times to keep up with Sofie’s frantic thoughts and plans. Hartley appears to be her perfect match. Along for the ride is Cooper-Brad, who helps Sofie even though he is a friend of Hartley. Will secrets be revealed? Will Sofie get what she wants…the top speaking spot at the convention? Who will win? You will have to read this tale to find out.

A quirky and interesting tale, don’t miss ROMANTIC FRICTION.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

2.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for this gifted Arc copy of Romantic Friction. My opinions are my own.

I requested a copy of Romantic Friction because the premise was super interesting and relevant to what is going on right now with writing and AI. I also really like the cover. This book is about an author, Sofie Wilde who is at the top of her game and becomes threatened by this new author, Hartley who make similar books to her using AI.

I almost dnf'd 10% in because the first couple chapters were really hard to read for me. I continued, due to all of the good reviews. About 50% in it started to get better with all of the scheming that is going on. The ending was ok. This fell flat for me. I feel like I may be in the minority, but the story could've been a lot better. I really wanted to like this.

Thank you to GetRedPR for the gifted copy of Romantic Friction by Lori Gold.


Come for the timely probing of AI; read on stay for the sharp, if cutting, look inside one author's complex response to AI and competition for her audience. Romantic Friction is a timely and conversation-sparking read. 4.0 plot, perhaps more a 3.0 execution, but heck it's an interesting read!

At the heart of the story is Sofie, a bestselling author watching the ground shift beneath her. As AI-generated writing starts to blur the lines of originality and creativity, Sofie and her fellow writers must decide how far they’ll go to protect their work — and their identities. The novel doesn't shy away from today's emerging controversies: what happens when readers crave more stories "in the style of" their favorite author — without the actual voice behind the work?

⭐ Read for:

Thoughtful exploration of AI’s real-world impact on writers' lives and livelihoods

Raising smart, urgent questions about creativity, ownership, and art in an AI-driven world

A bold, imperfect, and fiercely determined main character who will definitely get readers talking — about her decisions, the plot’s twists, and where it all leads.

Fun novel, liked seeing inside the crazy and hard-to-know publishing world. A bit fantastical but fun.

This was an odd, interesting book. No characters was particularly likeable — including the MC Sofie — which made them fascinating to read but sometimes made me struggle to feel engrossed in the story.

Admittedly I came in already having strong feelings against the use of AI to write books, but still felt it was explored really thoroughly and fascinatingly (with nuance) through this fictional lens. It was a quick read that managed to be a commentary on art and publishing, a lot of grey morality, and a mystery all in one.

A cute fast paced rom com! Story was easy to follow, characters were likable, and there were some highlight worthy quotes and moments. Nothing groundbreaking but a perfect palette cleanser..