Rafe did not make the greatest of first impressions as a MMC! He was rude, surly and condescending. His only redeeming quality was the love he showed his niece. Star made sure that when they next bumped into each other she made a solid impression on him and cause major embarrassment in the process!

Star Shine Meadows, that's her actual given name honest, makes a living as a line sitter and character actor in NY. She is the epitome of hippy-dippy, live for the moment, no ties - no plans.

So when the attractive but oh so annoying Rafe makes her a deal, she figures it couldn't hurt.

She'll get the money to travel and he'll get his matrimony pushing relatives off his back.

Rafe could easily have been the arrogant, wealthy playboy but he chose to take a different path. He's aware of his wealth and privilege and tries to limit shoving it in people's faces. Star is also the product of her upbringing: less than involved parents who left her to her own devices. So much so the thought of a long term relationship has her breaking out in hives.

Star and Rafe both have baggage to deal with and I feel Star had the bigger obstacles to overcome, Rafe at least had family support. Their HEA is certainly hard worn and not an easy path. Rafe puts his foot in it several times and Star is just as bad - she's great at giving advice to others about staying true to themselves and then goes and tries to mould herself into someone else's version of her that was more "palatable".

Rafe has this crusty curmudgeon façade which hides complete goo inside. Stick with him though he does come good in the end!

Thanks to Berkley Publishing for sending me this copy of The Love Plot. As always, the opinions about the book are entirely my own.

After growing up with hippie parents who ignored her, Star Shine Meadows is happy bouncing between jobs as a line sitter and costume character actor, until she meets Rafe, who makes her think about the future for the first time in her adult life. Rafe doesn't understand this woman, making her living this way, but decides that she might be the answer to getting his mother and sister off his back, so he asks her to be his fake girlfriend for 6 months at a rate of $10,000 a month. Star isn't sure she can tolerate stuffed-shirt Rafe for 6 months, but the money convinces her to take the job. However, after awhile, Star realizes spending time with Rafe is worth more than the money.

The Love Plot starts out like most books that use the fake dating and grumpy/sunshine tropes, but soon personalizes the story with Star's quirky characteristics and unique jobs as well as Rafe's interesting family. As the two get to know each other though, it becomes clear that their similarities matter more than their differences. There are some emotional moments that elevate the plot even though more humor and conflicts might have kept the book from starting out a little slow. Overall however, The Love Plot is a simple but fun story with entertaining characters.