romance_book_obsessed's review
4.0
I liked this story a lot, but I just didn’t get the 5 star feeling.
Star Shine Meadows is a birthday party princess and line sitter. Rafe is a grumpy vegetarian. After meeting at his niece’s birthday and Rafe being a jerk to Star, they bump into each other in the city. Rafe asks Star to be his fake girlfriend to get his family off his back. Star agrees a bit later and we begin the fake dating story.
Star comes from a non traditional family who have no commitments or strings. She doesn’t want them either. However Rafe and Star of course get real feelings.
I appreciated how early on the relationship became real. I didn’t like how Star began to change herself. The story was told from one pov and I really wanted Rafe’s side. Especially at times the couple were strained.
I loved Rafe. He was delightfully grumpy and he definitely fell first! I wanted more of him! Star was a little annoying letting others’ opinions of her change her entire view of her life.
Star Shine Meadows is a birthday party princess and line sitter. Rafe is a grumpy vegetarian. After meeting at his niece’s birthday and Rafe being a jerk to Star, they bump into each other in the city. Rafe asks Star to be his fake girlfriend to get his family off his back. Star agrees a bit later and we begin the fake dating story.
Star comes from a non traditional family who have no commitments or strings. She doesn’t want them either. However Rafe and Star of course get real feelings.
I appreciated how early on the relationship became real. I didn’t like how Star began to change herself. The story was told from one pov and I really wanted Rafe’s side. Especially at times the couple were strained.
I loved Rafe. He was delightfully grumpy and he definitely fell first! I wanted more of him! Star was a little annoying letting others’ opinions of her change her entire view of her life.
amargarida's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bookishlynomes's review
5.0
I am a huge fan of Samantha Young's books. She's a fabulous writer who crafts beautiful romances between some unlikely (and absolutely perfect for each other) characters. So going into this book, I knew I was going to love it--and oh, did I ever!
I ended up reading this in one sitting because I just could not put it down! The Love Plot is the epitome of sunshine and grump.
The FMC, Star Shine Meadows, was "raised" by hippie parents who believes in freedom in all things (from places, people, jobs, etc.) and always thinking the best in everyone. She is the definition of happy-go-lucky. Star juggles working as a costume character actor and a line sitter, and its during one of her work days that she meets the MMC: grumpy, grumpy Rafe.
Rafe is a hard-working veterinarian who prefers the company of animals to people. He's content to be alone, running his vet business, and occasionally helping out his family with their monthly dinners or various charity events.
One of the reasons for Rafe's perpetual frown? His family's constant nagging and blind set-ups to help him find "the one." When Rafe discovers Star's interesting job choices and ability to handle anything that life throws her way, he offers her a new job: fake date him to get his family off his back.
Two people who could not be more opposite... Well, I won't go into detail--you'll need to read The Love Plot for yourself--but if you enjoy opposites attract, fake dating, grumpy & sunshine, or simply romantic comedies (with some moments of heavier, emotional undertones), you need to pick this one up immediately!
I enjoyed every minute of this book and spent a good portion of it laughing at Star's antics. (Peanut butter and jelly, anyone? *hehe*). It was such a delight, and I think it's going to be one of those books I'll keep thinking about for years to come. (Any excuse for a re-read, right?!).
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Berkley.
I ended up reading this in one sitting because I just could not put it down! The Love Plot is the epitome of sunshine and grump.
The FMC, Star Shine Meadows, was "raised" by hippie parents who believes in freedom in all things (from places, people, jobs, etc.) and always thinking the best in everyone. She is the definition of happy-go-lucky. Star juggles working as a costume character actor and a line sitter, and its during one of her work days that she meets the MMC: grumpy, grumpy Rafe.
Rafe is a hard-working veterinarian who prefers the company of animals to people. He's content to be alone, running his vet business, and occasionally helping out his family with their monthly dinners or various charity events.
One of the reasons for Rafe's perpetual frown? His family's constant nagging and blind set-ups to help him find "the one." When Rafe discovers Star's interesting job choices and ability to handle anything that life throws her way, he offers her a new job: fake date him to get his family off his back.
Two people who could not be more opposite... Well, I won't go into detail--you'll need to read The Love Plot for yourself--but if you enjoy opposites attract, fake dating, grumpy & sunshine, or simply romantic comedies (with some moments of heavier, emotional undertones), you need to pick this one up immediately!
I enjoyed every minute of this book and spent a good portion of it laughing at Star's antics. (Peanut butter and jelly, anyone? *hehe*). It was such a delight, and I think it's going to be one of those books I'll keep thinking about for years to come. (Any excuse for a re-read, right?!).
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Berkley.
beer_books_shadowdaddies's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
miss_soup's review against another edition
3.0
The Love Plot by Samantha Young is a beautiful story about a free-spirited young woman named Star. She is not interested in a career or school and prefers to work odd jobs and travel. Enter Rafe, a veterinarian who has to deal with his overbearing family. Together, they hatch a plan to fake a date so that Star can earn the money she needs to travel and Rafe can get his family off his back. As they spent more time together, they developed feelings for each other, and I loved watching their relationship grow. It is a heartwarming read.
adalvr's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
stucknbooks14's review
4.0
(I received an ARC for this book)
Trigger Warnings include:
discussions of child abandonment/neglect, lack of parenting, physical aggression by a parent, cardiac event, mentions of pets/animals dying (veterinary situations)
This book is more about the female main lead figuring out who she is, and who she’s supposed to be than anything else. Rafe is just the poor, lovesick fool who tries his damnedest to love her through it. Not that he struggles. Because for him, loving Star is easy. Even when she drove me (and Rafe) crazy, I loved Star. Her inner thoughts, her quirks, her desire to drive Rafe absolutely insane. Rafe is 100% a storm cloud, and she was absolutely 100% as bright as the sun. She embarrassed him to get his attention, and I LOVED it! I needed to know everything about this grumpy man. I was not prepared for him to be so thoughtful, considerate, and gentle!! My heart wasn’t sure what to do about him making me swoon. Star didn’t believe in anything more than lust and cute crushes. But then Rafe storms in and rudely changes that. And it makes her rethink everything she’s ever known. The only thing I liked about either of their families was his sister. All my other thoughts about them are spoilers. Rafe didn’t have any issue saying exactly how he felt, never spared her feelings. Considering what he was feeling, I applauded him. I had a weird protective mother bear thing going on, while also simultaneously having a crush on him. The missing star? I spent too much of the book hoping there would be therapy involved.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “She already knows I’m not a man who shares.”
• “Oh, it’s definitely working out better than I’d hoped.”
• “It’s not nothing to me.”
• “You’re so fucking beautiful. I swear it’s going to kill me.”
• “I hoped you’d see you missed me. Like I missed you.”
• “You’re perfect.”
• “I’ve fantasized about doing this to you for weeks.”
• “That was for me too, trust me.”
• “If it were just a blinding attraction, I’d fuck you right here in this elevator.”
• “I want you because you’re you, differences and all.”
• “But I also remember thinking that I’d really like to lick peanut butter off your nipples.”
• “My fantasy doesn’t even begin to live up to the reality of you.”
• “Just honored I get to be there to watch you find what it is you want.”
• “I’m always sure with you.”
• “I’m yours, baby, take everything I have.”
• “This is yours, only yours.”
• “I would take any part of you over having nothing at all.”
• “I’ve never felt like I belonged more than when I’m with you.”
8/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Fake Relationship
5/10 Forced Proximity
6/10 Slow Burn
8/10 The CEO Type
Trigger Warnings include:
discussions of child abandonment/neglect, lack of parenting, physical aggression by a parent, cardiac event, mentions of pets/animals dying (veterinary situations)
This book is more about the female main lead figuring out who she is, and who she’s supposed to be than anything else. Rafe is just the poor, lovesick fool who tries his damnedest to love her through it. Not that he struggles. Because for him, loving Star is easy. Even when she drove me (and Rafe) crazy, I loved Star. Her inner thoughts, her quirks, her desire to drive Rafe absolutely insane. Rafe is 100% a storm cloud, and she was absolutely 100% as bright as the sun. She embarrassed him to get his attention, and I LOVED it! I needed to know everything about this grumpy man. I was not prepared for him to be so thoughtful, considerate, and gentle!! My heart wasn’t sure what to do about him making me swoon. Star didn’t believe in anything more than lust and cute crushes. But then Rafe storms in and rudely changes that. And it makes her rethink everything she’s ever known. The only thing I liked about either of their families was his sister. All my other thoughts about them are spoilers. Rafe didn’t have any issue saying exactly how he felt, never spared her feelings. Considering what he was feeling, I applauded him. I had a weird protective mother bear thing going on, while also simultaneously having a crush on him. The missing star? I spent too much of the book hoping there would be therapy involved.
My Favorite Quotes:
• “She already knows I’m not a man who shares.”
• “Oh, it’s definitely working out better than I’d hoped.”
• “It’s not nothing to me.”
• “You’re so fucking beautiful. I swear it’s going to kill me.”
• “I hoped you’d see you missed me. Like I missed you.”
• “You’re perfect.”
• “I’ve fantasized about doing this to you for weeks.”
• “That was for me too, trust me.”
• “If it were just a blinding attraction, I’d fuck you right here in this elevator.”
• “I want you because you’re you, differences and all.”
• “But I also remember thinking that I’d really like to lick peanut butter off your nipples.”
• “My fantasy doesn’t even begin to live up to the reality of you.”
• “Just honored I get to be there to watch you find what it is you want.”
• “I’m always sure with you.”
• “I’m yours, baby, take everything I have.”
• “This is yours, only yours.”
• “I would take any part of you over having nothing at all.”
• “I’ve never felt like I belonged more than when I’m with you.”
8/10 Dirty Birdy
7/10 Fake Relationship
5/10 Forced Proximity
6/10 Slow Burn
8/10 The CEO Type
reeveslm's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
abrannen08's review
4.0
This was a very cute story in my opinion! I’m not good at writing reviews because I never know quite how to describe the story or why I enjoyed it, all i can think of to say is everyone needs a Rafe in their life
kcrutch's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5