I'm so sorry, I've prided myself on never doing this on Netgalley but I can't get past the second chapter of this book. I have trieddddd but this book is just not for me. I'm giving it 3 stars because it is probably for some people. If "Hot Mess Quirky Woman takes chicken (yes, actual living chicken) into bar with Hot But Unattainable Barman" sounds like the recipe for HILARITY to you, then you're probably gonna love this. If it makes your eyeballs roll the entire way into the back of your skull, it's probably not for you. The author's mention of controversial organisation Autism Speaks in her dedication, and the use of the concept of emotional service animals as basically the prop of the joke in the first chapter just feels... off to me. I can't bring myself to continue. Thank you for the opportunity to give it a try.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC of Hopeless RomeAntic by Marina Adair. Since I hadn't read the first book in the series, RomeAntically Challenged, I decided to start with that book. Honestly, I didn't love that one and wasn't looking forward to reading this one but I was pleasantly surprised and liked this one much better. I think it helps that I was familiar with the characters and the relationship between Emmitt, Levi, Grey, and Paisley as well as Annie and Beckett so not as much background was needed in this book as the first one.

I loved Levi and Beckett as a couple. Their banter was amazing and had me laughing out loud. He had such patience and was sympathetic to Beckett's needs and obligations but he also recognized her need to take time for herself. The interesting thing was, it also helped him realize that he also needed to take the same time for himself. it reminds us all that while we are all so busy taking care of our families, its important that we are taking care of ourselves as well.

This book also did a wonderful job showing how families of people with autism live their everyday lives. It shows how people struggle starting their own business and also running their own business. It brings to light the work/life balance and also the guilt parents often put on their children, even if they aren't meaning to. The book just felt like real life, at times. I mean, the emotional support chicken was HILARIOUS but definitely not real life. :)

There were a few loose ends I would have like to have tied up but they didn't take away from the story overall. Hoping there is a third book in the series so that Grey can have another chance at love.
#MarinaAdair #RomeRhodeIsland #Autism #Family #Obligations #Love #Friends #WorkLifeBalance #AdultFiction #BeachRead

This started out really sweet and funny. However, it started to drag in the middle but then rushed right through tohe end. I thought there might be an epilogue for a few months later but nope.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been hooked by Marina from the first book I read of hers. Her witty humor and family dynamics will hook you from the beginning and keep you coming back for more. She has a way that makes you really want to be a character in that book. This series is no different. As hopeless romantic is the second book in her new series she has managed to yet again captivate me with some out loud laughing and a few tears along the way. I’m very thankful to be apart of her advanced reading group

This book is hopelessly romantic, and passionate, and silly, and touching, and frustrating, and absolutely wonderful. I felt all the tension and emotion, fear and affection, love and responsibility that Levi and Beckett both dealt with in their daily lives, and I loved watching their relationship grow and unfold. A heartwarming story with laughs, tears, and all the feels. Excellent!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for proving me with this ARC!

I didn't realize this was the second book in a series! I found the story heartwarming and sweet. I really enjoyed the banter from the beginning and found that Beckett and Levi had a lot of chemistry; I especially enjoyed how they worked well, to be honest, and to hold each other accountable. However, I really wish I had read Book 1 first. I think it would've given me better insight into the characters and their history. This book gave us just enough of a recap but I still wish I read Book 1.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed seeing Beckett handle her family dynamic. I found her feelings very relatable (as someone who also has a family that requires extra care). Her insistent that everything is fine, having to drop everything to make pick up another family issue. You really sympathized with her greatly. Levi was also great. His thought-process was nice to read. I loved his relationship with his family members and how the author realistically portrayed him dealing with his grief.

I have a little issue with the pace of the story though. Most of the beginning of the book felt really slow and dragged, not much going on besides highlighting the many family obligations that both Beckett and Levi have to deal with and how they are both so very overwhelmed with it all. The second half picks up but everything starts going too fast. I think a neater finish was needed to entice us to read the next book.

Overall, it was a good read! It had humor and romance. I appreciated how the author brought awareness to autism spectrum disorder.

I will skip my synopsis that I usually begin with since I’m not recommending this to my patrons. My comments are only for the editors.
I was never able to warm up to the main character. True, she was quirky and vulnerable, two thing that really endear me to a character but she didn’t seem authentic to me. I found her brother endearing and real but not so her father. Levi was more of an engaging character but still not so real because I couldn’t see his interest in Beckett. I absolutely loved the concept of three dads for Paisley! That was a fun subplot that really worked.

I really liked Romeantically Charged so I jumped at the chance to read Hopeless Romeantic, the second book in the series, and I was not disappointed. I adored the connection between Beckett and Levi so much, his slow and steady, reliable nature and her flighty, sometimes spastic exterior and fiercely loyal countenance were the perfect combination! I actually thought that Hopeless Romeantic was even better than the first book!

LOVED IT. it's probably technically a stand alone, but definitely helped by reading the first one in the series before it, which was also excellent. Quick easy read, very fun read while still handling important things, as the first book did. CAN NOT WAIT for the next in the series.

I loved traveling back to Rome, Rhode Island. Following this trip of "dads" is such a highlight.

In this installment we follow the Uncle Dad Levi and watch him slowly realize his life partner had been in the same town all along.

We come to really fall for Beckett and how chaotic her life is. Watching her find a balance for her self and her family was at times really difficult. Adair really helps the reader understand how taxing, and yet wonderful, living with special needs family members can be.

My only criticism is that this was so slow for a quite a while whilst the plot built and then it rushed downhill. I feel like I missed out on quite a bit. I still have many questions.

I hope we soon get Grays story and can have a bit of closure for this one.

Thank you Kensington and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is adorable! I mean I loved it it’s a perfect romantic comedy with some deeper issues involved. I loved both the main characters and was rooting for them the entire time -
The pacing was well done and the character development was great. I have to read the first book now (and enjoyed that you didn’t have to read the first book to follow along with this storyline). Coming from an east coaster I always am thrown towards East coast storylines also.
My only gripe is I need an epilogue ! What happened next :) can we have that added in! I just didn’t want it to end.
For discussing mental health and autism the writer did An amazing job as well. It has depth and added to the characters needs and objectives.
Overall I recommend will be recommending to friends and will now be reading book 1 also.

I hate to use the overused phrase “I couldn’t put it down” but seriously - I couldn’t put it down! The laundry didn’t get done and dinner was cereal or whatever the family could get for themselves. It is a tear jerker which I’m not really a fan of but the happy ending makes up for it! This is the 2nd in the series (3 books?). I do think reading the books in order is best. This could probably be a stand alone but knowing some background does help understand some situations. Definitely add this to your must read list!

Quirky, lighthearted and funny- I enjoyed Adair’s Hopeless Romantic. It was just what I needed to curl up with this weekend and it did not disappoint! I was not expecting so much humor and the characters were well developed and real- including the animals: Gregory Pecker! HA!

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of Hopeless Romantic. This was a cute fun romance. It was a quick read and i was done in no time.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It was a very sweet romance! The main female character, Beckett, was quirky, energetic and loads of fun! And Levi? What a man! The author did an excellent job in creating all characters (even Gregory Pecker the chicken)! This book made me laugh (a lot!), cry, and sigh....every woman should have a Levi in their life! This was the first book I've read by Marina Adair and it most definitely won't be the last! Most definitely a book you're going to want to read!

Hopeless Romantic is book two in the When in Rome Series by Marina Adair. This book is anything but hopeless and ALL romantic. In this story we see the relationship develop between Levi and Beckett. We met them in book one as Levi is Paisley's uncle and Emmitt's best friend and part of the dad squad. Beckett is friends with Annie.

Throughout this book we learn more about Levi and what he has gone through the last several years losing his dad, sister, helping to raise his niece, and keep his families bar, restaurant, and marina going. His big dreams and trip to sail for 6 months is put on hold. Beckett is struggling to take care of her brother with autism and dad who has aspergers. Where her mother walked out when they were young, she was left to run the family along with several jobs.

Levi and Beckett form a bond and further their connect when they learn to trust each other and take care of themselves instead of others first. This is a fun rom-com full of ups and downs but mostly love.

I received this book from Netgalley as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

*A big huge thank you to Marina Adair, Kensington and NetGalley for a extending an ARC in exchange for an honest review of this book*

This book made me smile. From the very first chapter, with Beckett and her menage of support animals in training and her quirky way of doing business, she is automatically such a lovable character.

Beckett is a girl in her mid twenties who has a lot on her plate. Abandoned by her Mother in her teens, she is responsible for her teenage Autistic brother and her Musician Father, who also has Aspergers, She makes sure they get everything they need while she runs her own concierge business and volunteers to train support animals such as Gregory the Duck. Levi has taken over his Father's restaurant, while mourning the death of his beloved Sister and taking care of her teenage daughter and his very needy Mother. Together, Levi and Beckett find love together while helping each other out.

I loved this book. It was lighthearted, funny and while there was a little angst, I was rooting for Beckett and Levi so much that the angst didn't get me down. This book is a slow burn which is nice sometimes.

You can never go wrong with a Marina Adair book. I have loved all her stories with this towns. Go read this one.

This book made me smile so much! The heroine’s emotional therapy cockerel, fir example, gave endless opportunities for cheeky one liners! I love how the author covers difficult topics such as supporting an autistic family member, but mixes it so deftly with quirky humour, emotional intensity and sizzling chemistry between the two main characters. Reading this book is as comforting and uplifting as a warm hug on a cold day!

I really enjoyed this book. It was charming and well written. It is part of a series and I feel like I would have connected with the characters more If I had read the others. I also had some issues with pacing. Overall I give it 3.5 stars. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.