What a unique premise. What would happen if a young author used AI to copy a seasoned author’s work and she eclipsed the famous author’s fame. It’s touching on a relevant topic of our times and I found it an interesting basis for a novel. I also thought the main character started off snarky but likeable. It soon devolved and there really wasn’t any remaining redeemable qualities to be found. The narrator is goo and I enjoyed the audiobook. I found the idea of this book a great topic to explore.

3.5

The narration for this story was good.

This story starts off with a new author admitting to using AI to write her new book and I expected this book to center more around the topic of AI in publishing. There was a debate about the topic, but it didn't seem like it was the main point of the story. Instead it was about an established author who learns she unintentionally shuts people out and only cares about herself despite having a great group of female authors on her side.

This story is entertaining when it takes an unexpected twist with a kidnapping and a plan to take over an author panel.

There are some funny parts to the story.

Thank you Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.

I really liked this novel that examines the use of AI in writing by setting up a newbie writer “in the style of” a famous romantasy writer on the eve of a bookselling convention. We see things from the famous writer’s perspective. Sophie Wilde is a middle-aged woman “with pancaked breasts and gray pubic hair” about to reach a career pinnacle … until a much younger woman with an AI-generated novel is stealing the spotlight as #TheNextSophieWilde.
This all sounds serious (and of course the use of AI in literature is very much so), but the story is told in Sophie’s droll and sarcastic voice, expertly narrated in the audiobook. At times it even gets silly, like a classic Dortmunder caper (read Donald E. Westlake).
If you read this thinking it’s going to be a romance novel, you will be disappointed. (There’s just one kiss in the entire book.) Approach it as a modern novel following the Socratic method in which we learn to question our beliefs and examine a topic from multiple perspectives. In fact, I’m bumping up my star rating to 5 to hopefully help offset lower ratings from disappointed people who were expecting steamy sex scenes based on the title alone. 4.5 rounded up.
If you wonder about the future of AI-written books, listen or read (and enjoy) this one.
I now understand why many of the audiobooks I’ve listened to recently have a new type of disclaimer: that the book is not to be used for the training of AI. Good luck to us all in stopping that runaway train.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarlequinAudio, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook for review purposes. This title is currently available.

🎧 Just finished listening to Romantic Friction by Lori Gold and… wow, this one had TEETH. From cutthroat book conventions to the chaos of AI in publishing, I was hooked.

Sofie’s ego? YIKES. Blair deserved better. But let’s talk about Hartley West the “next Sofie Wilde” who doesn’t actually write anything. The AI twist was such a wild and timely choice, especially with how the story mirrors real drama happening in publishing right now 👀📚

And can we give Rosie Gardens her flowers?! That one line alone? Brutal honesty at its finest…She’s the truth-teller Sofie desperately needed cutting through ego with this gem:

“Look, I like you Sophie, we could have been actual friends if your ego didn’t make you the most grotesquely judgmental person I’ve ever met.”

Sofie’s character arc is deeply flawed and at times hard to stomach especially the way she hurt Blair. Her entitlement and ego made her difficult to root for, but that was kind of the point. This isn’t your typical “likable heroine” story. It’s sharp, uncomfortable, and layered.

The AI subplot was perfectly timed. With real-life stories about plagiarism and AI-authored content popping up almost weekly, Lori Gold’s commentary felt urgent and relevant. It’s not just a plot device—it opens a conversation about creative ownership, authenticity, and what it means to be a writer today.

Romantic Friction manages to be both a juicy behind-the-scenes publishing drama and a reflection on how tech is transforming storytelling. It’s bold, messy, and very now.

Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Romantic Friction.

Unfortunately, this was not for me. Here's why:

1) The main characters were insufferable. I love flawed characters making complex choices. I love "authors behaving badly". (i.e.: Yellowface is a top pick for me) However, Sofie's entire personality is "pulling the ladder up behind her" and "chip on her shoulder" because she struggled as an up and coming author before being a major hit. Her defining characteristic is insecurity... coupled with Hartley -- a walking "woman using the system for her benefit" trope, and neither of the characters really spoke to me. I really wanted to like the story - and I felt like the first few chapters hooked me, but got boring by like, 40%, especially because I didn't see the payoff with character growth. Both of the main characters just kept on being awful people until the brutal end.

2) The book revolved around inequality and issues within the publishing industry, especially around growing threats from AI which felt timely and relevant. The arguments for and against AI were clearly laid out in a compelling dialog. However, the story resolved by the main character saying "sure maybe I'll use AI" if it comes to it, after spending 95% of the book railing on it. Something about it felt icky. It just felt very apologist towards AI by the end of the story, whether that was the intent or not.

On the positive, the narrator did a wonderful job bringing the story to life. This is the first book I've listened to that's narrated by Courtney Patterson, and I would seek her out in future. Thank you for a chance to listen to an advanced copy of Romantic Friction. I liked the concept, however, I think there were some choices I just couldn't overlook.

2.5 stars: This was so close to a 3 star read! The last quarter of this book reminded me of the Finlay Donovan series with goofy characters and outlandish events that are entertaining. Unfortunately, the build up took a little too long. I liked all of the “behind the scenes” plot points about publishing and books. However, most of this book left me feeling annoyed by the female main character and her attitude toward everything. Narrator was good, she didn’t really add or take away from the story but clearly differentiated between character voices. Also, internet references/millennial language took me out of the story several times.

A Rom-Com With a Brain! Romantic Friction by Lori Gold surprised me. It’s funny, it’s sharp, and it’s got things to say—about creativity, comparison culture, and what it means to be a “real” writer in an AI swamped world.

Sofie Wilde is basically every author’s worst day come to life: viral cancellation, industry drama, and someone trying to one-up her with an AI-written romance. Enter chaos. Enter Hartley. Enter… kidnapping?? 😂 Oh boy, it gets wild!

But here’s what I loved: underneath the satire and the wild hijinks, there are real messages. About finding your voice, letting people in, and not letting algorithms define your worth. The publishing tea was hot, the dialogue was snappy, and the emotional growth hit hard. I loved it!

The audiobook is such a fun listen. The narration brought all the drama and dry humor to life, and I flew through it in an afternoon of cleaning house. It's an excellent listen!

4 stars from me. It’s a smart rom-com with just the right amount of bite, and if you’ve ever questioned your creativity or compared yourself to someone else’s highlight reel…this one's for you.

This story isn’t my taste. It tries to have an important conversation but goes sideways. The narrator did a good job.

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

📚 Book Review: Romantic Friction by Lori Gold

Okay, I devoured this one and if you’re even remotely interested in the intersection of creativity and technology (or just love a snappy, smart read), this one should rocket to the top of your summer stack.
This book is:
Clever
Timely-really makes you think
Dialogue-driven in the best way
And yes, it has something to say

I loved how Lori Gold tackled the conversation around AI in publishing…it felt smart and nuanced without being preachy. The characters felt real, the pacing was perfection, and I found myself pausing just to reflect on the bigger questions it raised. But don’t worry it never loses its charm. There’s plenty of flirty/witty banter, romantic tension, and “wait, did they just say that?” moments to keep you hooked.

Would I recommend it?
Absolutely! This is the kind of read that sticks with you. It’s thought-provoking and perfect for beach bags, book club chats, or anyone who’s ever wondered if creativity can truly be replicated. Add it to your TBR you won’t regret it.

I also highly recommend enjoying the Audio…it was well done and some the banter really delivers with these narrators.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the opportunity to listen and review.

My week was a little hectic, and I needed a fun, fast-paced book to get lost in, and 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 delivered.

Sofie Wilde is a bestselling fantasy romance author, and she is about to release her next book and headline a convention. But she has some big competition with Hartley West, dubbed “the next Sofie Wilde.”

I love books about books, especially those that include details about writers and the publishing world. Here, we get to see all aspects, including social media and the book community.

𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is a whirlwind of humor, featuring rants, admissions of using AI, and even a kidnapping. It’s all in good fun, taking lighthearted jabs at the book world, and it's a riot. The book also explores some timely and relevant topics, making for a thought-provoking read about what the future may hold for the publishing world.

There’s not much in the way of romance; it’s truly more about an author’s love for her work and what she’ll do to protect it. Filled with a lot of wild fiction-loving fun, this was a great read!

🎧 I loved sharing my reading time with the audiobook. Courtney Patterson did a phenomenal job giving emotion and snarky humor to all the characters.


Thank you @getredprbooks @lorigoldsteinbooks and @readMirabooks for the gifted book.
Thank you @harlequinbooks #harlequinaudio for the gifted audiobook via #Netgalley.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the review copy, this audiobook is a great way to explore the story and themes in Lori Gold's Romantic Friction, read earlier this year;I listened to this audio today to get back to the story and have a sense about how the audio was compared to the physical copy! I have to say I preferred the audio and would recommend that format!

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.

Unfortunately I requested the e-book and not the audio version so I never listened. Once I read this I will post a review.

I really enjoyed this, it was a good thought provoking read while being fun and engaging. 5 stars. Enjoyed the plot twist at the end.

I honestly wanted to like this. The synopsis and entire premise of the book seems very interesting and relevant to current times but I just didn’t vibe with this much. I found the FMC to be a very annoying and unlikeable character. Unfortunately for me, an unlikeable FMC can break a book for me. I understand her frustrations but she came off as whiny and “complainy”(yes I know l, I know, not a real word) throughout the whole book. The fact that I did this on audio could have contributed to the irritation of it and perhaps I should have left it and tried to read without audio. I did enjoy the concept of the publishing, book lingo etc. As a book influencer I found that portion interesting. But overall, I found myself ready for the book to end.

Ok wow, this book was totally unhinged. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but it's definitely left an impression. I went into this audiobook thinking it was a romcom so I was surprised when it turned out to be about an independent author using AI and trying to dethrone a very successful and beloved romance writer. Initially my surprise was pleasant, this was a fun twist and an unexpected plot. I love the unexpected, bring on the feuding novelists! But soon this story took a turn, then another, then went diagonal, sideways, did some loops, tumbles, spins, and then jumped (why does this sound like I'm talking about ice skating???) the shark. Nope, that;' not accurate. saying "the shark" makes it seem mild. This story jumped a shiver of sharks. A SHIVER!! There is a point Romantic Friction when a choice is made that is so absurd and unbelievable that the rest of the story was lost for me. I love suspending reality and embracing ridiculousness, but this was cringy and then doubled down on the cringe. I will say I never stopped listening and was intrigued by how far the madness would go. Overall this was actually a nice bit of fun, but I was more baffled than entertained.

This book was a wild and fun ride. I honestly never knew what was going to happen next. The topic of AI is very relevant to the book industry today and it was a little eye-opening to some of the publishing world. I ended the book not knowing how I felt about any of the characters and it made for a good and realistic book. It was a fun and funny book. I could easily picture the scenes that were written. I did think the romance part could have been cut out, but other than that,t it was fun.

The narration for this book was so good and kept me engaged in the story.

I really wanted to love this book. I thought the synopsis sounded really fun and engaging, but unfortunately, getting past how annoying Sofie's character is, was a really high bar. I found myself connecting more with side characters than I did Sofie's character and while I thought the plot shift at the end was well done, I was too deep into wanting it to end that it didn't matter. The thing about unlikable characters is you have to want to root for somebody, but no side character was developed enough for me to chose one. This would have benefitted from being a shorter read or to develop the side characters so readers had someone to really champion. I was excited when it ended. Courtney Patterson did a great job narrating.

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC.

I loved this book! I loved this deep dive into the world of publishing and the look at the dangers Ai poses to the creation of real art. This story is fast-paced, hilarious, and so captivating! This definitely felt similar to a Finlay Donovan novel, which I loved! Full of hi-jinks, quick-paced plot lines and witty dialogue. And many important and interesting reflections on the publishing world at large. I also loved the audiobook narration!

A Hilarious, Wild Ride Through the World of Words!

Romantic Friction by Lori Gold was such a blast to read—I truly enjoyed every minute of it! From the opening chapter to the completely unhinged (and brilliant) finale, this book was a rollercoaster of laughs, drama, and surprisingly heartfelt moments.

Sophie Wilde, our main character and an author herself, gets caught up in a viral rant, a romance convention, and a chaotic kidnapping plot that somehow blends satire, suspense, and sincere emotion perfectly. The behind-the-scenes look at the publishing industry felt fresh and fascinating—especially with all the buzz around AI and artistic integrity worked into the plot.

It’s not just about books, though. At its core, this story celebrates the power of friendship and staying true to your creative voice. The light romance sprinkled in was charming, but the true heart of the story lies in its wit and insight.

The audiobook was absolutely fantastic! Courtney Patterson brought so much flair to the narration—nailing every dramatic beat with comedic gold. Her performance elevated an already entertaining story into something truly memorable.

This is the perfect pick for a book club—there’s so much to talk (and laugh) about. Authors as main characters, industry shenanigans, viral chaos, and a side of emotional depth? Count me in.

I loved this book! Kidnapping, romance, AI generated literature...this book has it all!! Definitely read this one!!