emmdahl 's review for:

Loving Romeo by Laura Pavlov

4.5

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Tropes:

Small town romance

Boxer coming out of retirement

Found family

Opposite sides of the tracks

Dislike to Love

My Thoughts

4.5/5 stars ⭐️

2/5 spice level 🌶️

Loving Romeo kicks off the Magnolia Falls series, and it's a stellar introduction. This may top my list of Laura Pavlov's works!

What drew me in was the enemies-to-lovers dynamic between the two main characters, evolving into a heartwarming friendship and then blooming into something more. The romance depicted was simply beautiful, and both characters captured my heart, especially the way Romeo falls for her – it's sweet and profound.

Demi stands out as a strong and independent character, determined to run her coffee shop on her terms, without relying on her family. Her ability to assert herself and confront challenges adds depth to her character. On the other hand, Romeo's past has left him slow to trust, but when he does, his protectiveness and love shine through. I couldn't help but fall for him.

In this book, you will find a lot of family conflicts, a family that thought that nothing could separate them until all the dirty secrets were revealed. The added layer of family dynamics adds a compelling twist to the storyline.

A standout feature for me was the concept of found family, and Romeo's close-knit group of brothers was a highlight of the book. The camaraderie among them, especially in their hilarious group chats, added an extra layer of enjoyment. I'm rooting for each of them to get their own books – the chemistry among the friends is too good to pass up.

While some of the drama at the end was a bit predictable for me, it didn't take away from the overall wonderful experience of the book. If you love any of the tropes listed above, pick this one up!