Reviews

Hopeless Romantic by Marina Adair

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keberwick's review

4.0

Review to come soon!

{Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!}

I really enjoyed Marina Adair's first book in this series, RomeAntically Challenged, and was so excited to read her upcoming sequel, Hopeless Romantic!

3.5 stars
Hopeless Romantic had some really wonderful aspects - I LOVE the incorporation of autism and the personal and familial struggles that go along with that. The characters were fun and had great chemistry. You see a little more of Beck and Levi’s separate struggles, than of their on-page interactions, which sets up really great personal journeys.

My main critique would be that the resolution was rushed. Because I love the story and characters, I just greedily wanted more of them - to savor the HEA more! I’ll be eagerly awaiting book 3 to see if some of these wonderful storylines might get wrapped up there.

Go give this fun, charming, series a try - it’s got so much heart!

sshouse's review

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2.0

DNF...maybe 1.5 stars (1 seems too harsh)

erinremen's review

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5.0

A sweet, funny and endearing small town romance with all the feels. Two selfless people with more than enough on their plates fight a growing attraction that takes them both by surprise. Beckett has more than enough on her plate with her father and brother, not to mention her business. There is no room for a man who will probably bail anyway when things gets complicated. But she bit off more than she can chew with Levi because he is all that is good and loving in the world and he won't let her say no. Selfless only goes so far when it may cost you the person you love. Can they find a way to love even in the midst of the chaos that is their lives? Definitely a great Sunday read!

electramourning's review

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3.0

A good premise, and a mostly good execution that fell apart at the end.

I really enjoyed approximately 2/3rds of this book. I liked the representation of ASD and the life of someone who trains emotional support animals. Levi’s interactions with Tommy were wonderful, and I think that’s an area of the book that had the opportunity for expansion.

Now. The third act was a mess, in my opinion. The conflict felt rushed and unlikely, especially for people as anal retentive as the ones the author described. Then, the way Levi handled the conflict was WAY out of character, and was, in my opinion, irredeemable. Big red flags. The author didn’t really leave themselves enough space for true resolution to be had, before we jump to six weeks later at the epilogue.

kbranfield's review

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4.0

Hopeless Romantic by Marina Adair is an endearing romance. This newest addition to the When in Rome series can easily be read as a standalone.

Beckett Hayes has shouldered caring for her brother, Thomas and dad Jeffery ever since her mother abandoned her family. Both are on the autism spectrum and while Jeffery is also a composer and performer, Thomas requires more support. Due to her sometimes chaotic home life, Beckett has to drop everything when things go wrong. A bit scarred by her first serious boyfriend, she instead dates men from out of town so if their relationships blow up, she does not run into them again. Beckett has been fighting her attraction to local Levi Rhodes for quite some time but will he convince her to change her mind?

Levi understands Beckett's devotion to her family. Years earlier, he gave up college to move back home to help his single sister raise her daughter, Paisley. Now his niece is in high school, Levi is planning the sailing trip he also postponed. However, the family business is currently lacking a few crucial employees and his best friend is marrying soon. Then there is his fascination with Beckett. Levi has not had a committed relationship for a few years and he would like to explore his desire for Beckett. But will she agree to give him a chance?

Hopeless Romantic is an entertaining romance with a quirky but loveable cast of characters. Beckett and Levi are beautifully developed with realistic issues to overcome. Thomas is easy to like but Jeffery is somewhat frustrating. Beckett and Levi's relationship is quite touching with an underlying simmering sexual tension. With an unexpected conflict, Marina Adair brings this charming romance to a heartfelt conclusion. Old and new fans will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in the When in Rome series.