A review by jessicaeevee
Romantic Friction: A Novel by Lori Gold

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

 I was excited and honored to receive an ARC of *Romantic Friction* by Lori Gold. Thank you to NetGalley for this opportunity. 

Sofie Wilde is the bestselling author of a fantasy romance series that is concluding with her tenth book. She is thrilled that her hard work is finally paying off and that she is receiving the recognition she has long deserved. However, a debut author named Hartley West is gaining attention with a book that closely resembles Sofie's writing style. Hartley openly admits to using AI to mimic Sofie's voice. 

*Romantic Friction* addresses a unique and timely debate surrounding the use of AI in writing and other creative works, featuring both hilarious and cringeworthy moments. Several parts of the book had me laughing out loud. 

I also enjoyed learning more about the publishing industry, writers, and book conventions. I went into the book expecting a romance, but it turned out to be more of a humorous fiction piece, with only a small hint of romance. 

I listened to the book as an audiobook and wondered if I would have enjoyed reading it more. At times, I struggled to differentiate between Sofie's dialogue and her internal thoughts. I felt that Sofie and Hartley were unlikable characters, likely by design, until the last few chapters. I found Cooper-Bradley to be the most enjoyable character. In the end, I was glad I didn’t DNF the book.