The Love Plot

By: Samantha Young

Narrated by: Savannah Peachwood

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

There’s a magnetic attraction when a happy-go-lucky gig worker agrees to a fake relationship with a rich, uptight New Yorker in this steamy romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.

Star Shine Meadows is all about freedom, thanks to the hippie parents who raised her. Juggling her jobs as a professional costume character actor and a line sitter, she believes in no expectations, no stressful ambitions, and no-strings-attached relationships. So when she meets a birthday girl’s grumpy uncle while working a princess party, she can’t help but needle him. She’ll never see him again, and honestly, he's pretty hot.

Rafe Whitman may be a veterinarian with a great bedside manner, but that doesn’t mean his patience extends to anyone with opposable thumbs. His family will not stop nagging him about finding “the one,” so when he runs into obnoxiously cheery Star again, he makes her an offer: He’ll pay her more than she would make doing her odd jobs if she’ll pretend to be his girlfriend at family gatherings. She can stop sitting in line waiting for someone else’s new phone, and he’ll get his family off his back.

When the tension between them heats to a breaking point, Star’s desire for "no strings" is tested against Rafe’s staunch stability. They say opposites attract, after all....

©2023 Samantha Young (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Full of charm, humor and swoon, The Love Plot is the grumpy/sunshine book that I didn’t know I needed! Young’s writing shines in this trope-heavy rom-com, and I never wanted it to end!”—Lynn Painter, New York Times bestselling author of The Love Wager

"Young’s take on the fake dating trope is sexy and charmingly unpretentious. This is sure to leave readers smiling.”—Publishers Weekly

"A steamy, tension-filled read.”—Library Journal

Great Road Trip Listen!

I had a 36 hour road trip and this book made me laugh and cry. So perfectly written!

Fun!

Fun heartwarming sexy read. love the Hero! The heroin is eccentric but real. Hero is my favorite

Her happiness

I really liked that Star just wanted to be happy. She didn’t have an agenda or wanted to climb the ladder. She just simply wanted to exist and make others happy. I really needed more of that perspective as I had some self reflection on my own accord and happiness is what we should all strive for but are unable to because we are all one paycheck away from homelessness. So it’s really had to find that happiness and only want simplicity when our environment creates chaos and stress. But a very sweet and great plot definitely FB (finished book). Highly recommended

SO CUTE

* fake dating
* grumpy / sunshine
* cinnamon roll hero
* Only One Bed
* No 3rd Act Break-Up

Oh my, this was so enjoyable! It's hard to not enjoy Rafe and Star - they had such great banter and chemistry. I loved watching these two fall for each other while pretending to date. Both characters had their flaws, which was imbedded into the story line, which I appreciated. It felt very real and raw, at times. Star carries some baggage from her family and Rafe is right there to show her how being loved feels. He was also super protective of her and it was so cute how he always had her back.

I always enjoy Samantha Young's books and this is no exception!

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book - all opinions are my own!

3 Stars⭐⭐⭐🎧

Overall, I enjoyed it as I do with most of Samantha's books.
I was a little disappointed in Rafe and his whole freaking family, add in Star's lack of family and the way they belittle the family she chooses kinda drove me nuts.

The brother needed a good olé smack across his head.
The narration was the best part.

A delightful romcom!

•Fake dating
•Grumpy/Sunshine
•Opposites attract
•Forced Proximity

What’s a young woman to do when a handsome, brooding man offers her a tempting sum of $10k to pretend to be his girlfriend? Well, why not give it a shot?

Star Shine Meadows isn't exactly thrilled at the idea of getting involved with the grumpy veterinarian, Rafe Whitman, but there's something about him that piques her curiosity.

Reluctantly, they strike up an agreement to fake a relationship for a few months, hoping to put an end to Rafe's family's meddling and the constant pressure to find a partner.

Little did they expect to be blindsided by an intense attraction and find themselves caught in their own game. Will the fiercely independent Star be willing to give up her freedom for a chance at settling down with the strait-laced vet?

✨Thoughts✨
This audiobook made me giddy! Samantha Young never fails to captivate with her beautiful storytelling.

I enjoyed the witty exchanges between Star and Rafe. The author balanced lightheartedness with deeper, more profound themes that really kept me eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

Our MMC, Rafe, was a complete grump, and Star came to throw some light into his gloom. The fact that he was a pet vet made him so irresistible.

Enter our MFC, Star. She was hilarious and relatable, and I just want Star Shine Meadows as a bestie!

As for the narration, Savannah Peachwood's voice is one I never get tired of listening to. I couldn't imagine a more perfect voice to give life to our sunshine girl, Star.

I recommend this audiobook to all romance readers. However, if you prefer books/ebooks, don't hesitate to pick this title. This story has everything a romance reader loves.

Cliché

Like the narrator sometimes but other times she’s too dramatic, when it’s not needed. The story is pure cliché.