Romantic Friction - by Lori Gold (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"Relatable characters, sharp writing, and emotional turbulence will make you laugh and cry." --Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of Darling Girls

Sofie Wilde's bestselling fantasy romance series has been breaking bestseller records and readers' hearts for years. She's primed to become a worldwide phenomenon as the tenth and final book is set to debut after the annual romance readers convention takes place in Chicago next week. As buzz continues to build toward the book's release, Sofie is asked to headline the event for the first time, a career milestone. One she won't let anyone take from her, especially "the next Sofie Wilde."

That's what they're calling her--Hartley West, the self-published debut author who writes in the style of Sofie Wilde. Except she doesn't actually "write" anything. After Hartley admits to using AI to create her novel, Sofie's ready to watch Hartley be skewered on social media. Except in this unpredictable world, Hartley is instead lauded for being innovative, for being such a skilled editor to take what the AI churned out and massage it into a story that's just as compelling as Sofie's--maybe even more so.

After her unhinged rant unintentionally goes viral, Sofie loses her keynote, and she's starting to lose all her support. That loss is Hartley's gain--as her book sales start soaring, she's given the headliner spot. Sofie is livid. And she's not the only one. As the convention begins, Sofie is surrounded by fellow authors who also fear for their futures, their livelihoods, their art being stripped away, one AI prompt at a time. Something must be done. This has to be stopped. Now. With the clock ticking down to the keynote, Sofie enlists her fellow authors in a plan to stop Hartley, vowing, "'The next Sofie Wilde'--over my dead body. Or hers."

Lori Gold has crafted a raucous romp through the world of publishing, asking what it really means to be a writer in the time of AI, perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan is Killing It and Emily Henry.

Review Quotes

"Smart, funny, and unpredictable--Romantic Friction is a wild ride that kept me guessing until the end. Readers will love this irreverent, timely novel!"
--Amy Tintera, New York Times bestselling author of Listen for the Lie

"Sharply written and impossible to put down. Kept me squirming in my seat with the unrelenting real-ness of it all!"
--Jesse Q. Sutanto, USA Today bestselling author of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

"Witty, heartfelt, and delightful with a side-serve of AI drama and book-world insider gossip -- what's not to love about this book? Relatable characters, sharp writing, and emotional turbulence will make you laugh and cry."
--Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of Darling Girls

"With prose that crackles and wit that leaps off the page, Romantic Friction opens the curtain to an irreverent, hilarious, and yet decidedly loving behind-the-scenes look at the world of publishing. Lori is a writer readers will be thrilled to discover."
--Chandler Baker, New York Times bestselling author of Whisper Network

Not since Elizabeth Peters's Die for Love (1984) has there been such a hilarious insider's take on the world of publishing as Sofie and her closest cadre of author friends plot an Ocean's Eight-style takedown of her literary nemesis."
--Booklist

"A singularly original, no-holds-barred exploration of art, life, and everything in between. What happens when publishing, art, and technology intersect? In Lori Gold's clever and hilarious Romantic Friction, a whole lot of hijinks that will have readers laughing out loud--and contemplating deeper truths about artistic integrity, female friendship, and beyond. You won't want to miss this dynamic, unapologetic, highly entertaining book."
--Laurie Elizabeth Flynn, USA Today bestselling author of Till Death Do Us Part

"A fun romp through the book world, which is full of humor, hijinks, and envy."
--Catherine Mack, USA Today bestselling author of Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

"Romantic Friction is a delightful romp that will be catnip for writers and book lovers alike. Lori Gold takes affectionate aim at the publishing industry with sly humor, fun twists, and plenty of hijinks."
--Laura Hankin, author of One-Star Romance

"When the literary world and AI collides, laughable drama ensues. Romantic Friction is a devilishly fun look inside the publishing industry. Gold seamlessly blends heart and wit with a timely dose of reality."
--Dana Elmendorf, author of In the Hour of Crows