My rating: 5/5 stars
Not that I wasn’t already in love with Samantha and ADORE her series, but her stand-alones are a surprise for me. They are literally the best medicine for all of your problems and even for reading slumps. I haven’t had the best period lately and needed some stories to remind me why I love reading so much. “The Love Plot” reminded me precisely why I love Romance and a good comfort book.
This book has 2 tropes – fake dating and grumpy meets sunshine (or Star Shine). Rafe has had it with his family trying to hook him up with somebody and he needs a fake relationship in order to continue his life without constantly having to address this problem. After meeting Star at his niece’s birthday party and seeing her dressed like a Disney princess, he was not very impressed by her, even if Faith kept on arranging for them to meet. When he hears that Star is a professional line sitter, he has this great idea – to help her win some money and transform her into his fake girlfriend. When Star agrees, they begin a very funny relationship, which of course will develop into something more, as they usually do.
Rafe comes from a family of good money and Star was raised by a hippie one. As you can understand, the difference is big and this will be one of their biggest problems, the way the outside world is seeing their relationship. Even if they try not to be affected by it, this will alter Star’s perception of her upbringing and independence.
Star Shine is a special feminine character for me and if you ask me as a reader, one of Samantha’s best characters. The way Star was portrayed, her light and her mindset are true examples of independence and happiness. Even if she was raised in a very strange way and her perception of love and relationship are seriously altered, Star is really amazing to watch. She has standards, but not money and professional life – she just wants to be happy.
On the other side, Rafe was a male character I seriously wanted in my life, because his upbringing, character, and loyalty were amazing. I don’t have anything to write bad about him, because I was bewitched by him and by the way he developed his relationship with Star. He is direct and affectionate, he speaks his mind, and the way he perceives Star is amazing because he accepts her for who she really is, not trying to change her. Did I mention he is a vet? 😀
I loved this book because of the vibe and the love story, of the connection between the characters which was not only physical but also spiritually. They connected so well and made me swoon almost non-stop. Their communication was on point, with some problems through the end, but they were such a good combo for me. Intense, sexy and deep, “The Love Plot” is a book about acceptance, not wanting to change your loved one and seeing them for their soul, not their upbringing or family ties. I loved it and recommend it dearly.
Ramonisme 