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A brilliant professor. A bestselling author. A slow-burn sapphic romance set against the wild beauty of the Canadian Rockies.

When brilliant biology professor Elodie McCarthy is forced to juggle her research and her family’s impending sale of the Butterfly Lake Lodge, she finds her focus, for the first time in her life, fractured.

Best-selling first time author Kendra Green fears a sophomore slump. She retreats to the gorgeous Canadian Rockies in search of inspiration. Instead, she finds herself captivated by Elodie—the enigmatic professor whose sharp intellect and magnetic presence make concentrating on her manuscript nearly impossible.

Neither woman came to Butterfly Lake looking for love but their connection grows into something neither can resist. Elodie needs to prove herself to earn tenure, and Kendra has to finish her book. But as professional boundaries blur in the wilderness, will Elodie and Kendra discover that love really can make the impossible possible?

Perfect for fans of sapphic small town romance, slow-burn chemistry, opposites attract, and heartfelt F/F happily-ever-afters.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2025

1 person is currently reading
24 people want to read

About the author

Elle Douglas

25 books50 followers
Elle Douglas writes small-town contemporary romance for lovers of warm, feel-good stories that are on the sweeter side. Elle’s novels feature strong, relatable characters living in tight-knit communities, with a backdrop of stunning Canadian wilderness.

Elle is a lover of 90’s alternative music, a wannabe chef specializing in comfort food and a sometimes reluctant but usually dedicated gym-goer who lives in Toronto with her wife and their cat Lucy (or Lucifer, depending on the day). Between writing romance novels and working as a high school guidance counsellor, Elle works exclusively in helping others find their happily-ever-afters. 

She is a graduate of TMU's Radio and Television Arts program, OISE at U of T, and the U of T Creative Writing program, and is a member of Toronto Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. 

Find her on Instagram at @elledouglaswriter

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5 stars
17 (51%)
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11 (33%)
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Luna.
105 reviews20 followers
May 26, 2025
I mean…it was all right. The events that unfolded were too predictable, and I guessed just about all of them. Kendra and Elodie were both queer women who were attracted to each other, but there wasn’t an emotional connection that made me believe they were falling for each other. Elodie and Kendra both gave me whiplash from how often their thoughts and actions changed. The ending felt rushed and there was not a lot of room to root for Kendra and Elodie. There was something I liked about the book, but I can’t say what it is without spoiling it. Overall, it was all right, but it's not something I'd reread. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nicole.
389 reviews54 followers
July 2, 2025
The Love Plot by Elle Douglas is a sweet, low-angst contemporary sapphic romance that makes for a great palate cleanser. I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere of the Canadian wilderness and the lovely scenery that Douglas expertly describes. The two main love interests are mature and career-focused, and the relationship feels organic, even though the time period is short. It feels natural in the way that a couple who experiences immediate attraction might be cautiously optimistic about a future together.
Elodie McCarthy is a biology professor on a research sabbatical and is tasked with accompanying crime fiction author Kendra Green, who seeks answers about the forest and inspiration for her next novel. The two are opposites in many ways, particularly in that one enjoys the outdoors while the other prefers city life. Their career choices and situational dynamics make for interesting interactions.
There are a couple of repetitive phrases and the occasional odd word choice, but overall, the writing is very well done. It flowed a bit slowly, like a lazy river. It was pleasant, though perhaps not particularly memorable. Still, I would be happy to read more by this author. There is a right time for this type of story.
#summer #Canada #UniversityofCalgary #wilderness #biologyprofessor #crimewriter #oppositesattract #lowangst #biologyresearch #lowspice
I received a free ARC from BookSirens. This is my honest opinion.
920 reviews31 followers
July 2, 2025
This is a cute story where science meets crime novel. Kendra Green, whose debut novel hit the bestseller list, is facing a deadline on her second novel. She’s also facing a killer case of writer’s block. Her agent, in an attempt to help, hooks Kendra up with a college, Dr. Elodie McCarthy. The plan is for Kendra to join Elodie’s team as they head out into the woods to do their research. Kendra’s a city girl, so roughing it isn’t her thing. Will the camping trip and new companions help Kendra break the wall she’s facing? And what surprises might she discover in the forests of Western Canada?

This book involves a LGBTQ relationship. There are also references to alcoholism and child neglect. However, the book is filled with romance, friendships, and a loving family. I thought the writing was very good, and the characters interesting if a little flat. It's an engaging tale of two people looking for love and finding it in the most unlikely place.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s short, sweet, and a quick read. This is book three in The McCarthy Sisters series. It's the first book I read in this series. I didn't realize it was part of a series until I opened Goodreads to write this review. This book worked perfectly as a standalone.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, Tule. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
Profile Image for Maria S..
42 reviews
July 8, 2025
The Love Plot (The McCarthy Sisters Book 3) by Elle Douglas is a read that captivates from the first page. The descriptions of nature engage the senses and you can't put the book down until the very end. The main characters are intriguing, deep personalities, radiating charm and authority - their emotions imperceptibly tug at the strings of empathy, and you can't help but fall in love with them. The smell of pine needles and fire is like ghostly caress in the background. The song of birds, the buzz of bugs and the rustling of leaves echo in the subconscious, while your heart flutters in desire to see Kendra and Elodie together. The rhythm of the book is moderate, pleasant without being suffocating with haste or being boring. The expressive means are lyrical but not pompous. Everything is in perfect equilibrium like in nature, and this confirms Elle Douglas' mastery as a storyteller.

After “The End,” written on the last page, I felt like a child who had returned from a week of camping in the deep greenery of Canada. This book is a journey I will return to again and again. I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who, like me, has a soul born in the mountains, and to those who love a comfortable bed and have never been obsessed with the addictive vitality of nature. Courtesy of “The Love Story,” the latter can try it without the insect bites.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Amanda Marlowe.
2,437 reviews25 followers
June 30, 2025
Kendra is experiencing writer's block, she's received an advance for her second book but can't work out the basics, so her agent arranges for her to go into the forest with Elodie and her team. Elodie is not happy but she's trying to get tenure and has been overlooked twice already.
Kendra isn't really a camping in the woods type but she's prepared to go if it helps her book.
When she meets Elodie the chemistry is instant buy she needs to concentrate on her book and Elodie needs to concentrate on her job.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Another great read in the series from Elle.
381 reviews
June 2, 2025
Elodie McCarthy is a biology professor in a Canadian province who is preparing to do her next forest field research. Her boss asks her to allow best-selling author Kendra Green to tag along on the four-day research trip. Kendra is facing writer's block following her blockbuster first book and needs some inspiration for her second draft. Elodie reluctantly agrees to allow Kendra to accompany her and two of her colleagues. Once in the field, there is immediate attraction between the two women.

I enjoyed that both of the main characters were intelligent, successful women who have overcome obstacles unique to their own situations. Elle Douglas' descriptions of the Canadian forest environment outside of Calgary were vivid and made me believe that I was part of the unique environment. The plot was a little predictable and the one love scene was rather tame. 3.5 stars

I received an ARC from BookSirens and Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
401 reviews3 followers
June 16, 2025
Elodie is a scientist doctor teacher person who is afraid of dying and has a large boisterous family.

Kendra is a crime writer with serious writers block who gets invited to go into the woods with Elodie and her team of two who are looking at trees and fungus affecting them.

This was a fun book, the two characters were well fleshed out and instantly likeable.

The scenery was brought to life by the authors words and the subject of trees was made to sound interesting rather than yawn worthy.

I was a little disappointed that there was the obligatory 3rd act breakup as this always spoils my enjoyment of a book. I get why it was done but it put me off Kendra at that point.

Good book all the same.
Profile Image for Kaidee McMillan.
47 reviews2 followers
July 9, 2025
Two exceptional women who are at crossroads in their professional lives are forced together on a research trip in the Canadian Rockies by circumstance.  Both need to maintain focus on their work to save their respective careers, however with the growing attraction between them, that will be easier said than done.


Elle does a very good job at weaving excellent descriptions of environments and individuals to create deep and enchanting backdrops upon which these two women battle their growing attraction and their need to focus on their work to keep from failing and falling flat.  


The fact that the attraction builds as quickly as it does, over just a few days, feels organic, given the close proximity the women are forced to stay in while out in the woods.  


And the move that Kendra makes was a huge shock, but the way that Elle brings it back around using an item from earlier in the book to tie it together and not only mend the hurt but move forward was inspired.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kanan Jain.
840 reviews
August 13, 2025
When brilliant biology professor Elodie McCarthy is forced to juggle her research and her family’s impending sale of the Butterfly Lake Lodge, she finds her focus, for the first time in her life, fractured.

Best-selling first time author Kendra Green fears a sophomore slump. She retreats to the gorgeous Canadian Rockies in the guise of research and meets the enigmatic professor, whose sharp intellect and magnetic presence make concentrating on her manuscript nearly impossible.

An affair is out of the question. Elodie needs to prove herself to earn tenure, and Kendra has to finish her book. But as professional boundaries blur in the wilderness, will Elodie and Kendra discover that love really can make the impossible possible?
Profile Image for Jamie (TheRebelliousReader).
6,966 reviews30 followers
June 2, 2025
3 stars. Elodie and Kendra were pleasant enough characters as individuals, not the most interesting people, but nice. They were both successful and I liked some of the conversations that they had. I just wasn’t into their romance. They lacked chemistry to me unfortunately. This is a quiet and easy type of story and I like Douglas’s writing style but the romance left so much to be desired. Needed more spark and depth. I think the page length hindered this but it's a quick read and it's well written so three stars.



*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jennie Fortna.
2,550 reviews29 followers
June 30, 2025
The Love Plot is book 3 in the McCarthy Sisters series by Elle Douglas 4.5 stars

Up Next is Professor Elodie McCarthy juggling the impending sale of the families’ lodge and her research in the forest in the hopes of tenure at the university. when she’s asked to include Kendra Green, an up-and-coming author who has hit writers block on her second novel to possible help with her research. What happens next is finding confidence, inspiration, a deep connection, both are career driven, family, time apart and a growing love.

I voluntarily read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,216 reviews206 followers
June 10, 2025
The Love Plot by Elle Douglas
Elodie is on leave from teaching at the college. She has a planned trip to the forest with her two students. Love how everyone has their job and knows how to do it.
Love learning about the new birds I had never heard of.
Book is set in Canada and although it's not far from the US some of the birds/animals are a bit different. Elodie also has thoughts of dying and even visited a therapist to help her through it.
Story also follows Kendra will also be camping with them. She is a best selling author and has no clue how to make book #2 be the dame but different than the first one. She thought a change of location would help. She has no idea about camping nor anything about it, never mind the forest but she plans to take a lot of notes. Super up to date: microplastics!
Women are physically attracted to each other, in their own way.
Love learning about fire restoration procedures. Open fire food while camping, nothing better.
698 reviews
June 19, 2025
Firstly I love a good Canadian story, so many Canadianisms added in that I felt like I was reading about my friends!!! Right down to the worst spot to get a mosquito bite!!

Elodie and Kendra were sweet. I was worried that Elodie was going to be the stereotypical nerdy professor but I'm so glad she was written the way she was!

I definitely wanted more time to get to know each woman as I didn't feel their connection to each other as strongly as it was described but all in all it was an enjoyable read and was entertaining.
Profile Image for Fran Sappharc.
829 reviews47 followers
June 6, 2025
Chapter one didn’t grab me, but I was pulled in more by 2. I think perhaps the detail of one mains job went a bit over my head.
The less detailed bits appealed more! Funnily enough though I would have liked a bit more depth in some areas of the book. I have to say, watching how much of the book was left, and what was going on, I wasn’t convinced I was going to get a happy ending. I did, but perhaps a bit brief.
Profile Image for Shari.
1,862 reviews24 followers
August 19, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed The Love Plot. Enjoyed the slow build of Kendra, author and Elodie, biologist romance. Loved the Canadian wilderness, great descriptive writing. Kendra is in a writing slump when she joins Elodie for wilderness outing. Both busy with their careers will they have time for a budding romance? It was great to catch up with the other McCarthy sisters. This is part of a series but van be read as a stand alone. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
843 reviews5 followers
June 29, 2025
Elodie and Kendra are two very different women from very different backgrounds but put them in the wilderness and they have to share their experiences and skills. Elodie comes from a very supportive family that welcomed Kendra and that was good for her to accept. I liked the characters and how their relationship developed.
Profile Image for Louise Bird.
671 reviews5 followers
July 5, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading an advance reader copy of this book. This is book three in The McCarthy sisters series. I loved the setting of the book (The Canadian Rookie’s). Specifically the references to Alberta and British Columbia. The main characters were woven into the story line and gave us a sense of how complicated falling in love can be.
824 reviews9 followers
July 7, 2025
This was a good story with two strong female characters each facing a dilemma. Elodie is a biology professor working on field research and has author Kendra tagging along for inspiration. The story seemed a little bit predictable but overall a good story.
Profile Image for Shelagh.
1,795 reviews25 followers
July 24, 2025
Second in the series, The Love Plot is mostly set in the Canadian wilderness where university professor Dr Elodie McCarthy is conducting research. Elodie is in a romantic slump and is also hoping that her current project will help her secure a promotion. She is less than impressed to find her boss has organised for writer Kendra Green to join her research team. Kendra is there to observe and ask questions to create background for her new book and she is equally unimpressed that her publisher had arranged this. A city girl by nature, Kendra is definitely a fish out of water when she meets Elodie and her team. I loved the instant attraction between Elodie and Kendra and their efforts to resist it. I also loved the way that Kendra slowly unwound and began to embrace the wilderness in which she found herself. I don’t usually read gay romance but love is love and author Elle Douglas has done a good job of creating a believable and entertaining story.
Profile Image for Naito Diamond.
Author 3 books14 followers
June 21, 2025
I picked up The Love Plot because I was craving a good f/f romance, and I’m happy to say it completely delivered. Elle Douglas weaves a tender, wholesome story between Kendra, a writer struggling with creative block, and Elodie, an environment scientist whose passion for nature is as compelling as her quiet charm. The dynamic between the two women is beautifully balanced—both career-driven, but with enough room in their hearts to grow toward love.

Their journey into the Canadian wilderness made for an atmospheric and engaging backdrop, with survival know-how adding real-world depth. I found myself genuinely curious about the science, which made the story feel unexpectedly educational in the best way. Elodie's students, Mike and Bo, were delightful additions to the cast, and Elodie's warm, supportive family gave the story an extra dose of comfort.

Kendra’s search for inspiration turning into the discovery of connection was such a relatable arc. It’s one of those soft summer reads that leaves a smile on your face—light, sweet, and emotionally satisfying. If you're in the mood for a gentle romance with a dose of nature and a lot of heart, The Love Plot is definitely worth your time.

Highly recommended.
957 reviews14 followers
July 7, 2025
Book 3 in this fun series focuses on the McCarthy sister Elodie. Elodie is a brilliant Biology Professor who is increasingly becoming frustrated trying to prove herself for a promotion. The Dean of Elodie's Department arranges for best-selling author Kendra Green (who is experiencing writer's block) to accompany her team on the upcoming research expedition. These two successful, ambitious women make for interesting characters and I enjoyed seeing their relationship play out. The author dealt with the F/F relationship in a compassionate way and I loved how Elodie's sisters support her. The camping scenes and the Butterfly Lodge are the perfect backdrop and my favorite part of this book. Looking forward to reading the next in this series.
Profile Image for Michael Wells.
1,092 reviews6 followers
July 5, 2025
This review takes a different approach. The book is about a love story set in the Canadian wilderness. Kendra, a writer struggling with writer's block, embarks on a vision retreat with researchers from a Canadian university. I found the plot of the story very engaging and captivating. The detailed descriptions of life in the wilderness added depth to the narrative. Kendra falls in love with Elodie, which forms the heart of the story and makes it truly romantic. I highly recommend this book to all romance enthusiasts.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for DeeAnn.
802 reviews26 followers
July 9, 2025
This book is part of a series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.
I liked Ellie‘s description of the Canadian scenery. Definitely makes you want to spend some time in Canada.
I found the writing to be good but a little predictable. I like a little more suspense. I have read other books by Elle this one didn’t catch me as much as the other ones did. But it definitely will not stop me from reading her upcoming books.

Thank you Tule Publishing for this ARC in return for my honest review.
65 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2025
A Charming, Slow-Burn Romance

The Love Plot by Elle Douglas is a heartfelt, slow-burn romance set against the stunning Canadian Rockies. Elodie and Kendra’s chemistry is both tender and real, with emotional depth that makes their journey feel authentic. Douglas’s writing is warm and witty, and the setting adds a cozy, immersive charm. A perfect read for fans of smart, character-driven love stories.
Profile Image for Elaine Coghlan .
1,498 reviews14 followers
July 1, 2025
The Love Plot by Elle Douglas is the third book in the series, and it’s just as enjoyable as the others. It’s beautifully written with great characters who have amazing chemistry.

The storyline is easy to follow, engaging, and full of heart. Whether you’ve read the previous books or are jumping in here, you’ll enjoy the warmth and charm this story brings. I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys clean, heartfelt romance.
1,608 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2025
I loved Elodie and Kendra’s story. I would have to say that their story started out a little slow but the more I read the more I was pulled in. Their story is sweet and heartwarming. There was definite chemistry between them. All in all, I felt it was a great read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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