Romantic Friction
Ambition, friendship and artistic integrity collide in
Romantic Friction (Harper Collins, May 6, 2025; $18.99),
Lori Gold’s hilarious debut about finding success, and staying afloat, in the book industry in the age of AI.
About Romantic Friction
Sofie Wilde's bestselling fantasy romance series is a cultural phenomenon, breaking bestseller records and readers' hearts for years. As buzz builds for the release of the tenth ands final book in the series, Sofie is asked to headline the premier romance readers’ convention in Chicago, 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 Al, Sofie's ready to watch Hartley be skewered on social media. Except in this unpredictable world, Hartley is instead lauded for being innovative.
After an unhinged rant unintentionally goes viral, Sofie is on the verge of losing her headliner status—and her fans. As the convention begins, Sofie is surrounded by her fellow authors who fear their futures, their livelihoods, their art will be stripped away, one Al prompt at a time.
Something must be done. Now. With the clock ticking, Sofie enlists her fellow authors in a plan to stop Hartley, vowing, "The next Sofie Wilde'—over my dead body. Or hers."
Praise for Romantic Friction
"A Most Anticipated Book of 2025" — Zibby Media
"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, NYT bestselling author of
Listen for the Lie
"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, NYT best-selling author
of Whisper Network, The Husbands, and
Cutting Teeth
"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 is not to love about this book? Relatable characters, sharp writing, and emotional turbulence will make you laugh and cry.”
— Sally Hepworth, NYT bestselling author
of Darling Girls.
"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
"A fun romp through the book world, full of humor, hijinks, and envy — welcome to being a writer! Will life imitate art? Read on to find out!"
— Catherine Mack, USA TODAY bestselling author of
Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies
"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 and The Girls Are All So Nice Here
“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, a GMA Buzz Pick