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Losing the Plot: Your new favourite gorgeously uplifting bookish rom-com
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26Will these two ever get on the same page, or will they refuse to read between the lines…📚❤️Jess is an Instafamous book blogger whose career is going from strength to strength, but she secretly harbours dreams of becoming a full-time novelist
Once a literary darling , former bestselling author Alex hasn’t written a hit in years. With his final contracted book deadline looming and his creativity at an all-time low, he’s on the brink of becoming yesterday’s news.
Both are stubborn and used to working alone, in exactly their own way – so, when they are coerced into writing together to try and fulfil both their bookish dreams, what could possibly go wrong?
Tropes
❤️🤏Forced proximity
❤️🔥 Rivals-to-lovers
❤️📚 Books about books
❤️🌟HEA guaranteed
Once a literary darling , former bestselling author Alex hasn’t written a hit in years. With his final contracted book deadline looming and his creativity at an all-time low, he’s on the brink of becoming yesterday’s news.
Both are stubborn and used to working alone, in exactly their own way – so, when they are coerced into writing together to try and fulfil both their bookish dreams, what could possibly go wrong?
Tropes
❤️🤏Forced proximity
❤️🔥 Rivals-to-lovers
❤️📚 Books about books
❤️🌟HEA guaranteed
- GenresRomance
352 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 9, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As far as rom-coms go, this one was a bit disappointing. While I appreciated how this book appealed to its readers by defending romance as a respectable genre and celebrated a love for reading, it nearly felt like the author forgot about actually writing a romance in the first place. The time lines didn't make sense to me - neither for how quickly Jess and Alex caught feelings nor for how easily an entire novel could have been read and edited. I was missing the delightful will-they-won't-they that I associate with romance novels, and I would hesitate to call this an enemies-to-lovers story seeing that the characters were adversaries at best and this stage lasted for all of three seconds. There were still some things I liked about this story, such as the familiarity of having a story set in London, the book lovers theme (obviously) and the acknowledgement of mental health, but it doesn't really itch the scratch if you're in search of a can't-stop-grinning toe-curling romance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Losing the Plot by Mia Page is one of those romances that feels tailor-made for book lovers—the kind that understands both the magic of stories and the vulnerability of trying to write one yourself.
Jess has built her identity around books. As an Instafamous blogger, she’s confident in her taste, her platform, and her ability to champion other people’s stories—but when it comes to her own writing dreams, she’s full of doubt. There’s this quiet tension in her character between how visible she is online and how uncertain she feels behind the scenes, and it makes her incredibly relatable.
Then there’s Alex, who is essentially Jess’s opposite in every way. Once celebrated, now stalled, he’s carrying the weight of expectations he can’t seem to meet anymore. His frustration comes through in sharp edges—his defensiveness, his need for control, the way he pushes people away before they can see him struggle. But underneath that is someone who still deeply cares about storytelling… he just doesn’t know how to find his way back to it.
When they’re forced into a co-writing arrangement, the setup is pure chaos in the best way. Their creative differences aren’t just surface-level disagreements—they reflect who they are at their core. Jess writes with heart and instinct; Alex writes with precision and structure. Every scene they build together becomes a negotiation, and the tension that creates? So good.
What I loved most is how their relationship develops through the act of creating something together. It’s not instant or easy—it’s messy, frustrating, and filled with moments where they almost walk away. But it’s also intimate in a way that feels unique to this kind of story. Writing together forces honesty. It strips away their defenses little by little, until what’s left is something real.
The romance itself is a slow burn that simmers beneath all the banter and conflict. The chemistry builds in glances, in late-night writing sessions, in those moments where they start to understand each other in ways no one else has. And when it finally tips into something more, it feels earned—like the natural culmination of everything they’ve been through together.
Beyond the romance, this book really shines in how it explores creative identity—what it means to lose your voice, to chase it, and to risk sharing it with someone else. It’s about ego and insecurity, about the fear of not being “good enough,” and about finding the courage to try anyway.
Warm, witty, and full of heart, Losing the Plot is perfect for anyone who’s ever loved a book so much it made them want to write one—or who’s wondered what might happen if they let someone else into that process.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my honest review.
Jess has built her identity around books. As an Instafamous blogger, she’s confident in her taste, her platform, and her ability to champion other people’s stories—but when it comes to her own writing dreams, she’s full of doubt. There’s this quiet tension in her character between how visible she is online and how uncertain she feels behind the scenes, and it makes her incredibly relatable.
Then there’s Alex, who is essentially Jess’s opposite in every way. Once celebrated, now stalled, he’s carrying the weight of expectations he can’t seem to meet anymore. His frustration comes through in sharp edges—his defensiveness, his need for control, the way he pushes people away before they can see him struggle. But underneath that is someone who still deeply cares about storytelling… he just doesn’t know how to find his way back to it.
When they’re forced into a co-writing arrangement, the setup is pure chaos in the best way. Their creative differences aren’t just surface-level disagreements—they reflect who they are at their core. Jess writes with heart and instinct; Alex writes with precision and structure. Every scene they build together becomes a negotiation, and the tension that creates? So good.
What I loved most is how their relationship develops through the act of creating something together. It’s not instant or easy—it’s messy, frustrating, and filled with moments where they almost walk away. But it’s also intimate in a way that feels unique to this kind of story. Writing together forces honesty. It strips away their defenses little by little, until what’s left is something real.
The romance itself is a slow burn that simmers beneath all the banter and conflict. The chemistry builds in glances, in late-night writing sessions, in those moments where they start to understand each other in ways no one else has. And when it finally tips into something more, it feels earned—like the natural culmination of everything they’ve been through together.
Beyond the romance, this book really shines in how it explores creative identity—what it means to lose your voice, to chase it, and to risk sharing it with someone else. It’s about ego and insecurity, about the fear of not being “good enough,” and about finding the courage to try anyway.
Warm, witty, and full of heart, Losing the Plot is perfect for anyone who’s ever loved a book so much it made them want to write one—or who’s wondered what might happen if they let someone else into that process.
I received a complimentary copy and am sharing my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I read this a few months ago and apparently never finished the review, so forgive me as I’m piecing my chaotic thoughts back together 😬
This ended up being a 3 ⭐️ read for me. Not bad, not great, just very “this could’ve been more” the entire time.
I went in expecting enemies-to-lovers, bookish chaos, and serious chemistry between an instafamous book blogger trying to become a novelist and a once-successful author who’s lost his spark. On paper? I should’ve been obsessed. In reality… the “enemies” part barely lasted long enough to register, and the romance never fully sparked the way I wanted.
The chemistry just wasn’t really there for me. I kept waiting for that pull between Jess and Alex, but it stayed kind of flat, like I was watching it happen instead of feeling it. 🤷🏼♀️ I also think the 3rd person POV made it harder to connect emotionally with either of them so everything felt a bit distant.
The timeline was another thing that kept throwing me off, especially how quickly everything escalated emotionally and professionally. It didn’t always feel grounded or believable in its pacing. 🤔
That said, I didn’t hate it. There is something interesting in the way it explores creative identity. Like losing your voice, trying to find it again, and the pressure of being “good enough”. I also liked the quieter focus on self-growth and the idea that both characters had to sort out their own insecurities before anything real could work between them. 😌 so good
The side characters honestly did a lot of heavy lifting. Lily and Nathan especially felt like the most grounded, like they were holding everything together while Jess and Alex spiraled in different directions. 😭 (also got kinda annoyed with Jess and how she treated Lily *sigh*)
There were definitely moments I genuinely laughed, and it is a very easy, bingeable read. (although super tropey), But it's very light, and easy to fall into.
So yeah… not bad, just underwhelming. I wanted more depth, more chemistry, more something that really stuck.
things to know about the book ↓
🩷 reviewer x author
🩷 grumpy x sunshine
🩷 forced proximity / one bed
🩷 rivals to lovers (kinda??)
🩷 insta love
🩷 bookish romance
🩷 anxiety rep
🩷 self-growth
🩷 dual POV (3rd person)
Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK & Mia Page for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This ended up being a 3 ⭐️ read for me. Not bad, not great, just very “this could’ve been more” the entire time.
I went in expecting enemies-to-lovers, bookish chaos, and serious chemistry between an instafamous book blogger trying to become a novelist and a once-successful author who’s lost his spark. On paper? I should’ve been obsessed. In reality… the “enemies” part barely lasted long enough to register, and the romance never fully sparked the way I wanted.
The chemistry just wasn’t really there for me. I kept waiting for that pull between Jess and Alex, but it stayed kind of flat, like I was watching it happen instead of feeling it. 🤷🏼♀️ I also think the 3rd person POV made it harder to connect emotionally with either of them so everything felt a bit distant.
The timeline was another thing that kept throwing me off, especially how quickly everything escalated emotionally and professionally. It didn’t always feel grounded or believable in its pacing. 🤔
That said, I didn’t hate it. There is something interesting in the way it explores creative identity. Like losing your voice, trying to find it again, and the pressure of being “good enough”. I also liked the quieter focus on self-growth and the idea that both characters had to sort out their own insecurities before anything real could work between them. 😌 so good
The side characters honestly did a lot of heavy lifting. Lily and Nathan especially felt like the most grounded, like they were holding everything together while Jess and Alex spiraled in different directions. 😭 (also got kinda annoyed with Jess and how she treated Lily *sigh*)
There were definitely moments I genuinely laughed, and it is a very easy, bingeable read. (although super tropey), But it's very light, and easy to fall into.
So yeah… not bad, just underwhelming. I wanted more depth, more chemistry, more something that really stuck.
things to know about the book ↓
🩷 reviewer x author
🩷 grumpy x sunshine
🩷 forced proximity / one bed
🩷 rivals to lovers (kinda??)
🩷 insta love
🩷 bookish romance
🩷 anxiety rep
🩷 self-growth
🩷 dual POV (3rd person)
Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books UK & Mia Page for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am a longtime romance lover, and I always enjoy picking up stories that explore something a little different within the genre. In the age of BookTok and Bookstagram, there are so many readers who dream about becoming authors themselves, so seeing a story centered around a book influencer was immediately intriguing to me. It felt like a fun and modern angle that made this book stand out right away.
Even though the story is not told in first person, I really liked that the chapters alternate perspectives between the two main characters. Being able to see inside both of their heads helped me understand their motivations and the decisions they were making, especially during moments where the other character did not have the full picture. That added an extra layer of tension and emotional depth to their interactions.
At first, I connected with Jess very quickly and found her easy to root for. Alex took a little longer to grow on me, but once he did, he actually became my favorite character in the book. As someone who has struggled with anxiety myself, even though I tend to hide it well, I found parts of his journey incredibly relatable. His role as someone who often feels responsible for taking care of everyone else in his life also struck a chord with me. It felt like seeing a small reflection of my own experiences on the page, which made his character even more meaningful to read about.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story and was happy to see both characters eventually find their way forward. Their growth, both individually and together, made the ending feel satisfying. I would absolutely love to see these characters pop up again in a future book, because I would gladly spend more time in their world.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Even though the story is not told in first person, I really liked that the chapters alternate perspectives between the two main characters. Being able to see inside both of their heads helped me understand their motivations and the decisions they were making, especially during moments where the other character did not have the full picture. That added an extra layer of tension and emotional depth to their interactions.
At first, I connected with Jess very quickly and found her easy to root for. Alex took a little longer to grow on me, but once he did, he actually became my favorite character in the book. As someone who has struggled with anxiety myself, even though I tend to hide it well, I found parts of his journey incredibly relatable. His role as someone who often feels responsible for taking care of everyone else in his life also struck a chord with me. It felt like seeing a small reflection of my own experiences on the page, which made his character even more meaningful to read about.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story and was happy to see both characters eventually find their way forward. Their growth, both individually and together, made the ending feel satisfying. I would absolutely love to see these characters pop up again in a future book, because I would gladly spend more time in their world.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
April 10, 2026
Jess has always been a huge book lover and has always wanted to write a book. She’s well-known for her book reviews and also has a great sense of humor.
She’s been invited by Nathan Thomas, Senior Acquiring Editor at a major imprint to meet with him. He has a project he wants to work with her on.
Alex Maxwell is a well-known author who is having a difficult time getting his latest book written. Nathan is not only his editor, but also his good friend. Nathan wants him to work with Jess as he feels the book needs some injections of humor that Jess is known for. She will be his editorial consultant. Alex is taken aback about this and rather insulted as well. But he knows he has to agree to this or his editor may pass on his book. He also doesn’t really take her seriously as she likes romance novels that he looks down upon.
Nathan asks them to spend a weekend together at his Airbnb and work to fix things to make the book better. They agree.
As a huge book lover and reviewer, I could click with Jess very well. I also understand Alex’s resistance to having a book influencer help him rewrite his book. The times they actually seemed to work well together for the sake of the book were great. It’s the personal feelings of both of them that I felt was overdone. Everyone has a past from our growing up days and we just get over it and move on. So, too much time spent on this in the book would have been edited out by me. I am giving the book 3 stars and look forward to seeing what other readers think about the story.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
She’s been invited by Nathan Thomas, Senior Acquiring Editor at a major imprint to meet with him. He has a project he wants to work with her on.
Alex Maxwell is a well-known author who is having a difficult time getting his latest book written. Nathan is not only his editor, but also his good friend. Nathan wants him to work with Jess as he feels the book needs some injections of humor that Jess is known for. She will be his editorial consultant. Alex is taken aback about this and rather insulted as well. But he knows he has to agree to this or his editor may pass on his book. He also doesn’t really take her seriously as she likes romance novels that he looks down upon.
Nathan asks them to spend a weekend together at his Airbnb and work to fix things to make the book better. They agree.
As a huge book lover and reviewer, I could click with Jess very well. I also understand Alex’s resistance to having a book influencer help him rewrite his book. The times they actually seemed to work well together for the sake of the book were great. It’s the personal feelings of both of them that I felt was overdone. Everyone has a past from our growing up days and we just get over it and move on. So, too much time spent on this in the book would have been edited out by me. I am giving the book 3 stars and look forward to seeing what other readers think about the story.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Oh how I love a cute rivals to lovers romance especially one centred around books.
Jess and Alex’s story was so much fun to read.
Jess’ life is all books. She loves them and shares her passion for them through her well known blog. She knows what she loves, knows what makes a book good and enjoys championing authors on about their books but when it comes to herself there’s a whole lot of doubt.
Alex is a successful writer but these past years have seen his writing mojo take a hit. Now he’s back with a book and story outlined but not everything is that easy, when he’s told an arrangement has been made with another to co-write the book with him, Alex is thrown and worried the story won’t be want he wants it to be.
These two characters seem so different but after the not so successful first meeting these two end up spending more time together and we see just how alike they are.
I loved seeing their relationship develop whilst writing together. Having them share their truths and experiences was beautiful. This author brought us two brilliant characters.
My heart went out to Alex because that feeling, the trapped one is daunting and crushing. I feel like I could easily connect with this character which just made me love him more.
This is my first read from Mia Page and what a brilliant one it’s been. I loved the writing style and the way the characters were brought to life. It’s been fun reading their story.
Losing The Plot is adorable, warm and full of heart. It’s a beautiful rivals to lovers with a few hard but relatable moments thrown in there.
Jess and Alex’s story was so much fun to read.
Jess’ life is all books. She loves them and shares her passion for them through her well known blog. She knows what she loves, knows what makes a book good and enjoys championing authors on about their books but when it comes to herself there’s a whole lot of doubt.
Alex is a successful writer but these past years have seen his writing mojo take a hit. Now he’s back with a book and story outlined but not everything is that easy, when he’s told an arrangement has been made with another to co-write the book with him, Alex is thrown and worried the story won’t be want he wants it to be.
These two characters seem so different but after the not so successful first meeting these two end up spending more time together and we see just how alike they are.
I loved seeing their relationship develop whilst writing together. Having them share their truths and experiences was beautiful. This author brought us two brilliant characters.
My heart went out to Alex because that feeling, the trapped one is daunting and crushing. I feel like I could easily connect with this character which just made me love him more.
This is my first read from Mia Page and what a brilliant one it’s been. I loved the writing style and the way the characters were brought to life. It’s been fun reading their story.
Losing The Plot is adorable, warm and full of heart. It’s a beautiful rivals to lovers with a few hard but relatable moments thrown in there.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved the premise of this book! A reviewer and an author with writer’s block being forced to team up is such a fun concept. Add into that Alex and Jess’ grumpy x sunshine dynamic and we’re off to a great start.
However, the romance ended up falling a little flat for me. I’m not the biggest fan of insta-love and after a couple of days together the characters were throwing around the word ‘love’ and assuming the other person was planning their lives together. The forced proximity and only one bed tropes can work miracles, but this just felt unrealistic and a little absurd. Especially for Alex’s character. It’s a bit of a shame because it was the perfect set up for some great tension, but it just never came. I’m being told there’s lots of chemistry, but I wasn’t seeing it.
The side characters shine, though. Particularly Lily and Nathan. They put up with a lot and were the sensible guiding lights for Jess and Alex. Lily is a really great friend and I enjoyed what we got of her story.
Overall, I felt like the main characters needed more maturity and the romance needed more development. But the jokes were funny, it was an easy read and when you’re passionate about books, stories set in the literary world are always a fun time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions are my own.
However, the romance ended up falling a little flat for me. I’m not the biggest fan of insta-love and after a couple of days together the characters were throwing around the word ‘love’ and assuming the other person was planning their lives together. The forced proximity and only one bed tropes can work miracles, but this just felt unrealistic and a little absurd. Especially for Alex’s character. It’s a bit of a shame because it was the perfect set up for some great tension, but it just never came. I’m being told there’s lots of chemistry, but I wasn’t seeing it.
The side characters shine, though. Particularly Lily and Nathan. They put up with a lot and were the sensible guiding lights for Jess and Alex. Lily is a really great friend and I enjoyed what we got of her story.
Overall, I felt like the main characters needed more maturity and the romance needed more development. But the jokes were funny, it was an easy read and when you’re passionate about books, stories set in the literary world are always a fun time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this ARC! All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Story:
Jess is an instagram book influencer whose dream is to write her own story. So when she’s paired with former best selling author Alex to cowrite a book, she thinks all her dreams are about to come true. But Alex is set in his own ways and Jess is just as stubborn so the two clash right away. Will they be able to finish this book, or will Jess’s literary dream crash and burn?
Rating:⭐️⭐️
While this book presented itself as right in my wheel house (I LOVE books about books) I was really disappointed. The story starts out well enough but Jess as a character is fairly 2 dimensional and doesn’t have anything to hook you in as a main character. Alex too feels a bit copy paste. As a result the romance portion of this rom com falls far below my expectations.
I was also a bit upset that this is marked as an “enemies to lovers” story but I couldn’t see where? They were rivals to lovers at BEST and even that part of it felt rushed to the point that it’s reading more insta love/insta lust than anything else. The relationship was so rushed that it felt almost robotic in a sense.
That being said, if I had gone into it KNOWING it read more instalove I do feel like I’d have enjoyed it more. The relationship was cute at points and I could have maybe gotten on board with it.
Jess is an instagram book influencer whose dream is to write her own story. So when she’s paired with former best selling author Alex to cowrite a book, she thinks all her dreams are about to come true. But Alex is set in his own ways and Jess is just as stubborn so the two clash right away. Will they be able to finish this book, or will Jess’s literary dream crash and burn?
Rating:⭐️⭐️
While this book presented itself as right in my wheel house (I LOVE books about books) I was really disappointed. The story starts out well enough but Jess as a character is fairly 2 dimensional and doesn’t have anything to hook you in as a main character. Alex too feels a bit copy paste. As a result the romance portion of this rom com falls far below my expectations.
I was also a bit upset that this is marked as an “enemies to lovers” story but I couldn’t see where? They were rivals to lovers at BEST and even that part of it felt rushed to the point that it’s reading more insta love/insta lust than anything else. The relationship was so rushed that it felt almost robotic in a sense.
That being said, if I had gone into it KNOWING it read more instalove I do feel like I’d have enjoyed it more. The relationship was cute at points and I could have maybe gotten on board with it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to love this one, but unfortunately, it just didn't hit for me. While there were flashes of potential where I thought the author was finally going to hook me, the execution ultimately fell short of my expectations.
The biggest hurdle for me was the lead duo. I never quite found a reason to root for Jess and Alex; they both felt a bit unlikable as the story progressed, which made it hard to stay invested in their journey.
The romance itself felt incredibly rushed. Because the relationship developed so quickly, it never really "grabbed hold" of me or gave me that emotional payoff I look for in a love story. It felt more like I was being told they were in love rather than getting to feel the chemistry build.
I loved seeing Jess stand her ground and advocate for romance as a respectable, valid form of literature. Those moments of conviction were the strongest parts of her character and felt very authentic.
Final Verdict: It was "just okay." It had a great message about the importance of romance novels, but the central relationship and character development missed the mark for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the eARC.
The biggest hurdle for me was the lead duo. I never quite found a reason to root for Jess and Alex; they both felt a bit unlikable as the story progressed, which made it hard to stay invested in their journey.
The romance itself felt incredibly rushed. Because the relationship developed so quickly, it never really "grabbed hold" of me or gave me that emotional payoff I look for in a love story. It felt more like I was being told they were in love rather than getting to feel the chemistry build.
I loved seeing Jess stand her ground and advocate for romance as a respectable, valid form of literature. Those moments of conviction were the strongest parts of her character and felt very authentic.
Final Verdict: It was "just okay." It had a great message about the importance of romance novels, but the central relationship and character development missed the mark for me.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I want to preface this review by saying that I love romance novels. I read so many and while my enjoyment level of them may vary, I usually like most of them.
This one was...not great. I didn't overly dislike it but there's a lot that was left to be desired and I think the main reason was that it simply was trying to do too much. Rather than trying to squeeze every single trope imaginable into this book, focusing on a few would have worked so much better.
Jess and Alex have zero chemistry, they just seemed to me like they would be better off as friends. They're both also really surface level, we never get into the meat of either of their characters or really understand what they see in each other- particularly on Jess' side- yes, we understand you think Alex is hot but what else??? We don't have to be told 100 times. And once they do get together about halfway through, I'm not entirely sure what happens with the writing but it comes off a lot more juvenile.
There's also multiple name drops of several of my favorite romance authors (and multiple mentions of The Holiday) but while it was meant to be relatable, every time it happened it just made me wish this book was more like some of theirs.
I wanted to like this, but overall it was hugely disappointing.
This one was...not great. I didn't overly dislike it but there's a lot that was left to be desired and I think the main reason was that it simply was trying to do too much. Rather than trying to squeeze every single trope imaginable into this book, focusing on a few would have worked so much better.
Jess and Alex have zero chemistry, they just seemed to me like they would be better off as friends. They're both also really surface level, we never get into the meat of either of their characters or really understand what they see in each other- particularly on Jess' side- yes, we understand you think Alex is hot but what else??? We don't have to be told 100 times. And once they do get together about halfway through, I'm not entirely sure what happens with the writing but it comes off a lot more juvenile.
There's also multiple name drops of several of my favorite romance authors (and multiple mentions of The Holiday) but while it was meant to be relatable, every time it happened it just made me wish this book was more like some of theirs.
I wanted to like this, but overall it was hugely disappointing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This one is very much TikTok romance core — trope-heavy, bingeable, super easy to slip into, and honestly a good time if you’re craving something light and low-effort. It hits all the familiar beats and very clearly knows its audience.
That said… we need to talk about the “enemies to lovers” label. Because where were the enemies? They lasted, what, a chapter? Maybe two? Before the tension turned into feelings. At best this was mildly annoyed to lovers, and if you’re going to promise enemies to lovers, I want angst, I want tension, I want at least a solid stretch of genuine dislike before the softening starts.
Honestly, the real question became: will Jesse and Alex ever get on the same page, or will they keep refusing to read between the lines? Because the miscommunication was doing more heavy lifting than the supposed rivalry.
It’s cute. It’s enjoyable. But somewhere along the way it lost me a bit, and it didn’t do anything especially fresh or memorable. A perfectly fine, run-of-the-mill romance — fun for the moment, but not one that will live rent-free in my head.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Page, and Avon for the eARC.
That said… we need to talk about the “enemies to lovers” label. Because where were the enemies? They lasted, what, a chapter? Maybe two? Before the tension turned into feelings. At best this was mildly annoyed to lovers, and if you’re going to promise enemies to lovers, I want angst, I want tension, I want at least a solid stretch of genuine dislike before the softening starts.
Honestly, the real question became: will Jesse and Alex ever get on the same page, or will they keep refusing to read between the lines? Because the miscommunication was doing more heavy lifting than the supposed rivalry.
It’s cute. It’s enjoyable. But somewhere along the way it lost me a bit, and it didn’t do anything especially fresh or memorable. A perfectly fine, run-of-the-mill romance — fun for the moment, but not one that will live rent-free in my head.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Page, and Avon for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Losing the Plot, by Mia Page, is the story of an influencer and an author forced to work together to co-write a novel. Jess is a Bookstagrammer who has always dreamed of writing her own work, and Alex is a popular author struggling to write his next book. This was my first novel featuring an Instagram book influencer, so I was excited to read this story.
This romance has tropes I love - enemies (rivals) to lovers, forced proximity, and the main characters are authors. However, I had trouble connecting with these characters. The tension and banter between them was lacking, and it felt like they fell for each other quickly without any reason. I appreciated the mental health representation, but overall found both main characters to not be very interesting.
I think my favorite part of this novel was Jess’ vigorous support for the romance genre, which I totally agree with. Overall, this is a light read, but the romance fell short of my expectations.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This romance has tropes I love - enemies (rivals) to lovers, forced proximity, and the main characters are authors. However, I had trouble connecting with these characters. The tension and banter between them was lacking, and it felt like they fell for each other quickly without any reason. I appreciated the mental health representation, but overall found both main characters to not be very interesting.
I think my favorite part of this novel was Jess’ vigorous support for the romance genre, which I totally agree with. Overall, this is a light read, but the romance fell short of my expectations.
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy
I listened to this on the Chirp audiobook app. I wanted to love this, as I deeply related to both mains with their past traumas/neglect making their relationship choices fraught. The speed of the romance definitely threw me off. Maybe I’m projecting, but if you are deeply anxious and use being a good time gal as a means to not face your issues, I would find falling into something deep so fast a little questionable. I’ve always needed things to go at a snail’s pace before I would even consider trusting someone enough to know me and for the “L” word to come into play. I just had this strange sensation when I finished it, like… ok? I wanted them to have more time at odds with each other as the initial impressions being negative and the email mishap could have made for more antics. This was maybe just marketed wrong. It’s not much of an enemies to lovers trope. It is more of two emotionally stunted but hopeful people find one another. Worth a listen/read, but don’t get too excited for the typical building of tension you find in true enemies to lovers stories.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon books, and Mia Page for sending me a copy of this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
3 stars for Losing the Plot by Mia Page
I’m always a sucker for romance novels set in the book world, but this one didn’t quite hit the spot for me. The overall premise was intriguing and included some of my favourite tropes: forced proximity and the classic “one bed”. However, yet something didn’t fully click. I think the third-person POV created a bit of distance for me, I never quite felt immersed in the story and found it harder to stay engaged throughout.
That said, I still enjoyed the read. I appreciated the character growth from both main characters, and the mental health representation stood out, especially from a male perspective, which I feel isn’t explored nearly enough.
Overall, this is a sweet, springtime, bookish romance with a closed-door love story set in the writing world.
3 stars for Losing the Plot by Mia Page
I’m always a sucker for romance novels set in the book world, but this one didn’t quite hit the spot for me. The overall premise was intriguing and included some of my favourite tropes: forced proximity and the classic “one bed”. However, yet something didn’t fully click. I think the third-person POV created a bit of distance for me, I never quite felt immersed in the story and found it harder to stay engaged throughout.
That said, I still enjoyed the read. I appreciated the character growth from both main characters, and the mental health representation stood out, especially from a male perspective, which I feel isn’t explored nearly enough.
Overall, this is a sweet, springtime, bookish romance with a closed-door love story set in the writing world.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is very much a TikTok romance... trope heavy, easy to read, super palatable, and honestly a fun enough time if you’re in the mood for something light. It hits all the familiar vibes and definitely feels written to cater to that audience.
That said, my biggest gripe is the “enemies to lovers” (or rivals to lovers) label, because… where? They’re barely enemies for more than a chapter or two before feelings start creeping in, and at that point it’s more like annoyed to lovers. If you’re going to sell me on enemies to lovers, I need more tension and way more time spent actually disliking each other.
It’s cute and enjoyable, but it kind of lost me along the way and didn’t do anything particularly new or memorable. A perfectly fine, run of the mill romance, but nothing that truly stands out from the crowd.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Page, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
That said, my biggest gripe is the “enemies to lovers” (or rivals to lovers) label, because… where? They’re barely enemies for more than a chapter or two before feelings start creeping in, and at that point it’s more like annoyed to lovers. If you’re going to sell me on enemies to lovers, I need more tension and way more time spent actually disliking each other.
It’s cute and enjoyable, but it kind of lost me along the way and didn’t do anything particularly new or memorable. A perfectly fine, run of the mill romance, but nothing that truly stands out from the crowd.
Thank you to NetGalley, Mia Page, and Avon for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jess vive rodeada de libros, reseñas y recomendaciones que se viralizan mientras su propio sueño de escribir una novela sigue guardado en borradores olvidados. Todo cambia cuando un editor importante la invita a participar en un proyecto inesperado: ayudar a uno de los autores más respetados del panorama literario a darle un giro más ligero y accesible a su nuevo libro. El problema es que Alex, el escritor en cuestión, desprecia justo el tipo de historias que Jess ama y defiende. Obligados a trabajar juntos, ambos chocan constantemente mientras intentan salvar un manuscrito que no termina de funcionar. Lo que empieza como una colaboración incómoda se transforma en una experiencia que pone en duda sus prejuicios, su forma de ver la literatura y la historia que cada uno cree estar destinado a contar.
Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.
Gracias NetGalley por el ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this. There wasn't a traditional and clichéd third-act twist; instead, we had little moments of misunderstanding caused by an inability to communicate, due to anxiety.
Both Jess and Alex had childhood stresses, not trauma, but anxiety, distress and fear because of expectation (mostly their own).
The book was a quick and enjoyable read, and their issues were relatable. There were a number of time jumps, but these contributed rather than detracted from the story, as did the use of a few of my favourite tropes, especially forced proximity and only one bed. Both of which I know many will absolutely love.
I liked that the author used the bookstagram influencer life and experiences, and found them insightful.
This was a great introduction to the author, and I'd like to pick up her first.
Both Jess and Alex had childhood stresses, not trauma, but anxiety, distress and fear because of expectation (mostly their own).
The book was a quick and enjoyable read, and their issues were relatable. There were a number of time jumps, but these contributed rather than detracted from the story, as did the use of a few of my favourite tropes, especially forced proximity and only one bed. Both of which I know many will absolutely love.
I liked that the author used the bookstagram influencer life and experiences, and found them insightful.
This was a great introduction to the author, and I'd like to pick up her first.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for early access to "Losing the Plot" by Mia Page. This book about a ghost writer and established author made me smile the whole way through. Perfectly cheeky is how I would describe the author's tongue-in-cheek nod to writing tropes while his characters fall right into a delicious rom com. The plot points were fun and somewhat predictable, while still leaving you feeling like you took a good bite into a character sandwich. I have been disappointed lately with novels where the characters describe the writing process, sometimes it comes off as bossy or arrogant. This book does it in a perfectly enjoyable way, having the characters realize that there is more than one way to skin a cat. It is full of compromise, active listening, and conscientious suggestion and was a joy to read!
April 22, 2026
3.25 stars
This was a fun, bingeable read.
I liked how both of the characters were aware the whole book that they were living out classic romance troupes, but didn’t care anyways.
Some reasons I didn’t love the book; I felt like the timeline was so confusing. At one point I thought they had only know each other a few days to week but one character mentioned it had been months. Another time they had an argument and the FMC said that it happened weeks ago and they had not talked since even though they were working together? It was kind of confusing.
Another thing was the MMC in the beginning was dogging on romance books and book influences. I felt like suddenly he had a change of heart but it was told to us and not shown.
However, this book was so binge able I finished it in like 3 sittings. This would be an awesome beach/pool read.
This was a fun, bingeable read.
I liked how both of the characters were aware the whole book that they were living out classic romance troupes, but didn’t care anyways.
Some reasons I didn’t love the book; I felt like the timeline was so confusing. At one point I thought they had only know each other a few days to week but one character mentioned it had been months. Another time they had an argument and the FMC said that it happened weeks ago and they had not talked since even though they were working together? It was kind of confusing.
Another thing was the MMC in the beginning was dogging on romance books and book influences. I felt like suddenly he had a change of heart but it was told to us and not shown.
However, this book was so binge able I finished it in like 3 sittings. This would be an awesome beach/pool read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Jess is a book blogger who loves romance. Alex is a successful author who needs some help with his latest book. Alex’s Editor Nathan enlists Jess to help Alex with the romance elements of his book. He sends them away for a weekend together so that they can work together to get the book finished. The only trouble is, they get off to a bad start and don’t like each other!
The weekend away together felt rushed, I would’ve liked a bigger build up of tension between the characters. I really liked both Jess and Alex as characters but struggled to follow the book at times as it seemed to skip about. I loved the concept of the plot but overall the romance was too flat for me. I expect tension and angst when reading an enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Two of my favourite tropes which just didn’t come off for me in this particular book. I think the third person narratives made it harder to follow and made me feel more disconnected from the characters. For me this was an ok read.
The weekend away together felt rushed, I would’ve liked a bigger build up of tension between the characters. I really liked both Jess and Alex as characters but struggled to follow the book at times as it seemed to skip about. I loved the concept of the plot but overall the romance was too flat for me. I expect tension and angst when reading an enemies to lovers and forced proximity. Two of my favourite tropes which just didn’t come off for me in this particular book. I think the third person narratives made it harder to follow and made me feel more disconnected from the characters. For me this was an ok read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon books UK for the Arc🫶🏻
This one hooked me right from the start, the way it was written in a witty and engaging way. I was so excited to continue reading!
But halfway through the book, it got boring and slow for me and a bit repetitive.
The romance was too fast, too soon so I can’t really say that I rooted for them, and the amount of third act breakups in here is insane, I get why but still too much.
Aside from that, I loved how the author showcased heavy topics, such as anxiety, childhood trauma, depression, feeling used and having to grow up early. Some of them really touched me, she wrote them in a very realistic, emotional way.
And as a reader, I enjoyed reading about books.
Overall it was a fun read.
“Losing the plot” comes out: 9 Apr 2026🫶🏻
This one hooked me right from the start, the way it was written in a witty and engaging way. I was so excited to continue reading!
But halfway through the book, it got boring and slow for me and a bit repetitive.
The romance was too fast, too soon so I can’t really say that I rooted for them, and the amount of third act breakups in here is insane, I get why but still too much.
Aside from that, I loved how the author showcased heavy topics, such as anxiety, childhood trauma, depression, feeling used and having to grow up early. Some of them really touched me, she wrote them in a very realistic, emotional way.
And as a reader, I enjoyed reading about books.
Overall it was a fun read.
“Losing the plot” comes out: 9 Apr 2026🫶🏻
April 19, 2026
This book follows famous author Alex and popular book reviewer Jess as they work together to write a book, trying to avoid the electricity between them.
I absolutely loved this authors previous book and felt like this one fell a little flat. Whilst the characters were well written and very likeable it felt like nothing really ever happened and that the romance was a little forced. The book is a set in London and unfortunately it feels like something that is overly exaggerated with small portions of text solely describing local cafes and parks and it just felt so unnecessary.
Overall I just felt a little deflated and underwhelmed as a lover of romance I’m not fully convinced they should have ended up together.
I absolutely loved this authors previous book and felt like this one fell a little flat. Whilst the characters were well written and very likeable it felt like nothing really ever happened and that the romance was a little forced. The book is a set in London and unfortunately it feels like something that is overly exaggerated with small portions of text solely describing local cafes and parks and it just felt so unnecessary.
Overall I just felt a little deflated and underwhelmed as a lover of romance I’m not fully convinced they should have ended up together.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I guess if I had to sum up my review in one word it would be “eh”. Ironically enough, the author seems to have lost the plot a bit. It’s very stilted in the middle and I didn’t laugh out loud once. The interactions felt stiff and third person prose didn’t allow you to connect with the characters closely. The books reads like a trope heavy check-the-box romance, instead of having heart and soul. The craziest part is that there are other books and authors mentioned in the book that do romance in a way I’d recommend, but this book definitely didn’t.
Book provided by NetGalley for advanced copy review.
March 20, 2026
I really wanted to love this book—the premise hooked me right away. I’ve been especially drawn to stories about writers lately, so a novel centered on two authors, packed with tropes I usually enjoy, seemed like a guaranteed win.
Unfortunately, I struggled to get through the first few chapters. The writing leaned heavily on narration, with very little dialogue to bring the characters to life. I kept going, hoping that balance would shift, but by then I was already finding it hard to stay engaged.
In the end, this one just wasn’t for me—but it still might be exactly what someone else is looking for!
Thank you Net Galley, Mia Page, and Avon publishing for an ARC read of Losing the Plot.
Unfortunately, I struggled to get through the first few chapters. The writing leaned heavily on narration, with very little dialogue to bring the characters to life. I kept going, hoping that balance would shift, but by then I was already finding it hard to stay engaged.
In the end, this one just wasn’t for me—but it still might be exactly what someone else is looking for!
Thank you Net Galley, Mia Page, and Avon publishing for an ARC read of Losing the Plot.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.25/5
A quick and easy to read romance between a book influencer turned author (Jess) and an author struggling to write another book (Alex). And the two end up reluctantly working together.
I did find that the pacing of their relationship was weird and quick, to the point where I would not consider them to be enemies to lovers.
I think because their relationship moved that fast, I couldn't get really invested in it. So I did want more oomph.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
A quick and easy to read romance between a book influencer turned author (Jess) and an author struggling to write another book (Alex). And the two end up reluctantly working together.
I did find that the pacing of their relationship was weird and quick, to the point where I would not consider them to be enemies to lovers.
I think because their relationship moved that fast, I couldn't get really invested in it. So I did want more oomph.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a sweet rom com designed for book lovers and those who love the cosy hallmark romance vibes. It brings together an opposites attract and grumpy sunshine dynamic, into a forced proximity collaboration writing project.
It's cosy and low drama, with characters you know can't help but fall for each other. I loved seeing them work together on the book and add their different styles, Alex with his more serious critique and outlook on life, and Jess with her optimism and joy.
It also works as a way for them both to navigate their family issues and have a common goal to ground them.
It's cosy and low drama, with characters you know can't help but fall for each other. I loved seeing them work together on the book and add their different styles, Alex with his more serious critique and outlook on life, and Jess with her optimism and joy.
It also works as a way for them both to navigate their family issues and have a common goal to ground them.
April 10, 2026
This was my first book by Mia Page and I was excited to read it. I enjoyed reading it and thought it was a sweet story. I think I would have preferred a little more development of the two of them spending time together before they actually got together for the first time. I could really relate to both of the main characters with some of their issues holding them back, so I was invested in their story. I look forward to reading future books by the author.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this advanced review copy.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for this advanced review copy.
April 19, 2026
This book pleased my inner nerd with the amount of media references it had!
It had such a cosy vibe with touches of early 2000s romcom nostalgia that made it such a cute romance read!
I loved the two characters and their initial silly little rivalry and how their relationship formed in the end 🥰
I especially loved the importance of self growth in this book too - showing that the characters had their own barriers to overcome before being able to commit themselves to a healthy relationship as you don’t really that in books nowadays 🥹
It had such a cosy vibe with touches of early 2000s romcom nostalgia that made it such a cute romance read!
I loved the two characters and their initial silly little rivalry and how their relationship formed in the end 🥰
I especially loved the importance of self growth in this book too - showing that the characters had their own barriers to overcome before being able to commit themselves to a healthy relationship as you don’t really that in books nowadays 🥹
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC gifted in exchange for review.
I wanted to like this so badly. I really really did but we lost the plot. I found both characters to be pretty unlikeable and irritating. I didn’t find Jess to be a good friend to Lily at all. Alex definitely needs to put boundaries in place with his family. The end felt meh. It feels like neither of them made any real progress or growth in the story at all. I was really disappointed with this one.
I wanted to like this so badly. I really really did but we lost the plot. I found both characters to be pretty unlikeable and irritating. I didn’t find Jess to be a good friend to Lily at all. Alex definitely needs to put boundaries in place with his family. The end felt meh. It feels like neither of them made any real progress or growth in the story at all. I was really disappointed with this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jess is asked to help Alex with his book and add more romance and fun to it and she happily agrees, Alex reluctantly so. Jess is fun and sparkle with Alex being straight and serious but he needs her help.
There were some moments that made me smile and as a romance lover I was rooting for them both throughout although the romance felt a little rushed at times.
Overall this was a quick and easy fun read.
Thank you for my advanced copy to read and review.
There were some moments that made me smile and as a romance lover I was rooting for them both throughout although the romance felt a little rushed at times.
Overall this was a quick and easy fun read.
Thank you for my advanced copy to read and review.
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