While this book dealt with some family issues such as a younger brother with autism and a father with developmental issues, the author made a realistic love story. She created a Heroine (Beckett) that was strong and independent. She then gave her a strong and gentle Hero In Levi add in some laugh out loud moments from a chicken made this a wonderful read.

Hallmark needs to make this into a movie.

Hopeless Romantic was full of witty banter, engaging characters (both main and side), a hot-mess heronie, a swoony hero, and some seriously quirky animals (yes, I'm talking about you Gregory Pecker!). I instantly loved these characters and read the whole book in a sitting - which is a high compliment because I'm easily distracted!

The reason I dropped this from a 4 star to a 3 was the pacing of the story. It drug for a while, then started to pick up, then everything happened all at once. The final "events" of the book happened so abruptly that it almost felt unfinished. The ending makes or breaks a book, at least for me, so after enjoying everything up until that point, the whole thing just kind of fell flat in the end.

Hopeless Romantic is the 2nd book in the When in Rome series, and while it is not 100% necessary to read RomeAntically Challenged first, I do think it helps immensely with understanding Levi's character and background.

I obviously wish the pacing had been better and the ending hadn't been so rushed, but overall, this was still a fun read. If you are a fan of small town romance with quirky characters and lots of laughs, this is one you should check out!

This is a beautiful love story with a lot of humor about two adults who are each intent on a future that will keep them apart.

Levi Rhodes is co-owner of a popular bar/restaurant and marina in the little town of Rome, Rhode Island. Years ago, he had to give up his dream of completing college and sailing around the world to come home and run the family business, after his father died unexpectedly. It's getting close to the time when Levi can make his dream of sailing away into a reality.

Beckett Hayes is a character like no other, scrappy, determined, brave, and incredibly soft-hearted. I fell in love with her as soon as I met the chicken she was training to be a service animal. Her brother is on the autism spectrum and she has her hands full at home. So full, that she started her own business instead of working for a company, as she needed the flexibility of being able to rush home at a moment's notice. Beckett can't imagine being unavailable to her family for a day, much less sailing away into the sunset.

This is book 2 of the Rome, Rhode Island series. Levi also appears in the first book. which is also a romantic love story with humor, wit, real problems, and a happy ending that will make you smile. I highly recommend both books. I don't think it is necessary to read the first book before reading this one.

I received an advance reading copy from the publisher and Netgalley. These are my own opinions.

Aww what a wonderfully emotional story full of love. My heart totally went out to Beckett. She had such a big heart. And so did Levi actually. Both of them loved their families so much that they placed them above their own happiness. Together they figure out how to find a balance to include their HEA that was just so swoon worthy to read.

*I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book*

I loved this book! I laughed outright so many times! It was also incredibly poignant and sweet. Just my kind of book!

I am a Marina Adair fan, I find her books to put a small on my face, however I didn't love this book. I found it to drag a little at the beginning and I understand slow burning but it was really burning slowly, and then I found that after that dragged for a bit then we were rushing and didn't get all of the answers, but since it is a series we might get them then, hopefully I dont like not knowing things. I do recommend that you read the first book, I did it backwards but was glad that I did.

I really enjoyed Marina Adair's first book in this series, RomeAntically Challenged, and was so excited to read this one next!

While Hopeless Romantic had some really wonderful aspects (I LOVE the incorporation of autism and the personal and familial struggles that go along with that), it fell short right at the end.

We had only a small handful of on-page interactions between the main characters, but not quite enough to get invested in their relationship. When the last chapter ended, I felt like it was WAY too abrupt. There was hardly a resolution! While some of that might end up in the last book (please, please wrap up these storylines), it just felt like one more chapter would have tied this story up better.

I give this one 3.5 overall, because the ending was too rushed and more interactions would have helped me feel invested.

Also, why didn't they keep the same format of spelling in this series to be "Hopeless RomeAntic"? I feel like that would be more consistent and charming.

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

Thank you Netgalley and Kesington Books for the ARC of this book, in exchanged for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this book. It follows Beckett and her crazy life taking care of her family and running her personal concierge business. The thing that I loved about her was her relationship with her brother, Their relationship was real

The very first thing that I loved was the banter between Beckett and Levi. It was so great and had me laughing so much. Their relationship was so natural no very realistic. Another thing that I loved was how accepting Levi was of Thomas, Beckett's brother, and how he treated him like he would treat any other person.

I absolutely loved this book and so far is the best in the series

I enjoyed this book, excellent writing, lovable characters though they have the subtlety of sledgehammers. Honestly, this book can be amazing with a good editor. There is a lot of repetitive rehashing of the past that needs to be slashed through.

After a sloooow start, the end felt rushed. I was very worried that my ARC accidentally cut off, because at 99% on my Kindle the hero and heroine weren't on speaking terms.

Overall I liked it though -- there were several laugh-out-loud moments -- and I'm looking forward to book 3 to finish out the series.

Another great read from Marina Adair. This is the second book in the series and tells the story of Levi and Beckett. I really enjoyed these two together because of how well they were able to understand one another and how it can be both rewarding and challenging to be the person your family depends on so heavily.. Beckett takes care of both her brother and father in different ways as each is on the ASD spectrum. Levi came home from college years ago to help his sister raise her baby and is now handling the family business since his sister’s death.

I love a small town romance and this one delivers. The banter is witty. The chemistry is great. And the outlying cast of characters is just as fun as they were in the first book. I’m really enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next book. If you are a fan of Jill Shalvis I believe you will love this book.

Great read. The author really draws the reader into the story. Will definitely read another book by this author. I felt like I was part of the story. The characters felt so real.

Thank you Netgalley and Kesington Books for the ARC of this book, in exchanged for an honest review.

I was so excited to read this book. I adored RomeAntically Challenged, so I could not wait to get a more in depth look at the lives of some of the other characters in Rome. It follows Beckett and her crazy life taking care of her family and running her personal concierge business. She such a love for her family and what she does, she doesn't have much time for herself. One of the things that I loved about her was her relationship with her brother, who is Autistic. Their relationship was real, and so heartwarming.

It also follows Levi, who put his dreams aside sixteen years ago to help care for his family's business and to aid his sister in raising her newborn baby. Now that his niece is older, he is ready to get his dream back on track, but first he needs to deal with his responsibilities at the family bar, helping his very Greek mother around her house, and his feelings for the hot mess that is Beckett.

The very first thing that I loved was the banter between Beckett and Levi. It was so great and had me laughing so much. Their chemistry was great, and you could really feel it. Their relationship was so natural and flowed at a very realistic pace. Another thing that I loved was how accepting Levi was of Thomas, Beckett's brother, and how he treated him like he would treat any other person.

My only negative about this book was I wanted more. The ending seemed sort of rushed to me, and I would have loved a bit more. Other than that, I would have to say that even though I really enjoyed the first book, this one is my favorite. I loved it so much, and I hope that she writes another book in this series!

This is my first Marina book and I totally enjoyed it. This is a slow burn and small town romance with a great plot and reliable characters .I highly recommend it to everyone that needs a slow burn and swoonworthy romance,I totally should have read towards Christmas.A huge thanks to the publisher for my ARC

Hopeless Romantic (When In Rome #2)
Marina Adair
Contemporary / Small Town Romance
4.5 stars

I received a copy of this ebook ARC from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I was so elated to receive an ARC, as I have read many Marina Adair books (including the first in this series RomeAntically Challenged – if you haven’t read it yet, put it on your TBR list!). I really love Marina Adair’s books and have come to count on them as a go to for feel good, heartwarming romantic comedies.

Hopeless Romantic did not disappoint, it was sweet, and full of heart. For those that enjoy a slow burn, romance – this book has you covered. Once again, the series returned to the small town of Rome, RI. This book focused on the stories of MCs Levi and Beckett (both of whom made appearances in book 1). I really loved both of the leads, and felt they were fleshed out so well in this story and both managed to feel very relatable. I loved how independent Beckett was, that she was fiercely loyal, and the fact that she was trying to keep it all together. Levi was of course a family guy, a charmer, and a sweetheart – definite contender for book boyfriend.

This was a feel good, slow burn romance and even offered a little steam (for those who like that). The love story progress felt realistic and satisfying and I just loved these two together, they just complimented each other so well. I was very happy they were able to find one another and that they were set on a path to have love, happiness, and balance.

(Another point in their favor, the obstacles they had to navigate and overcome felt realistic and relatable, in that they are ones many of us have to work through in relationships. This and the fact that the last hurdle did not feel contrived = extra appreciation from me. No spoilers, but I could understand and appreciate where each character was coming from and the reactions felt authentic.)

One thing I enjoyed about this book was the reflection on different family dynamics and how not every family is the ‘perfect’ made for tv one. Once again Adair showed an ability to look at families and know not all families are made up the same or have the same roles – but that they still are important to represent. It was great to see how the characters learned about boundaries, setting them, respecting them and how important they are.

Finally, last but not least, I really appreciated the fact that both of these leads, were in their early thirties and still figuring things out a bit. Yes, they had jobs, social lives, etc. – but they didn’t have it all together, which is always nice to see. I can’t wait to return to Rome again – so I really hope there is a third book coming! (Maybe for Grey?)

Hopeless RomeAntic by Marina Adair is the second installment to the When In Rome series. The book does stand alone, but you'll love the first book too :) The whole cast of characters are fantastic with a great story to go along. The book is well written and entertaining. It was really eye opening for me to see what like with autistic family can be like.

Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and Marina for the chance to read!

Marina Adair’s Hopeless Romantic should come with this warning label: “Before beginning this book, assure that you have sufficient time to complete it in one sitting because you will.” Marina Adair intersperses riotously funny scenes with drool-worthy descriptions that keep the story moving so fast the reader can’t turn pages quickly enough. Beckett Hayes seems flighty until her Asperger syndrome brother and father and emotional support animal training business reveal themselves. Adair presents the Asperger syndrome challenges with sensitivity and caring. She creates humor in situations that grow out of characters’ and animals’ juxtaposition, where readers would expect problems and find them. Hopeless Romantic is a wild ride into romance.

A great read!

Beckett has known Levi for years, but now that their friends are engaged, they are seeing each other more. Beckett is tied to the town, looking after her father and her younger brother, and Levi is on a countdown to leaving, wanting to take the trip on his boat that he has had planned for years. With such different plans do they stand a chance together?

Looking forward to Gray getting his own book next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC of Hopeless Romantic in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Marina Adair's first book in this series, RomeAntically Challenged, so I was thrilled to see that there was a sequel involving two of the characters from the same group of friends. This started out as a very sweet, cute romance between Levi and Beckett, and hit some deeper points with Beckett's business and her family. But the last 1/3 or so of the book was extremely rushed, with the ending seeming very abrupt. I expected to see some sort of epilogue, but no - the abrupt ending was it! Overall I do recommend this story but I would have appreciated more to the story/ending.

I am a member of Marina Adair's A-DAIRING Reader group and received a free ARC of Hopeless RomeAntic from NetGalley for an honest review. I can truly say, that I absolutely loved Hopeless RomeAntic the second book in the When in Rome series by Marina Adair. Hopeless RomeAntic is one of the best romantic comedies that I have read recently. Marina Adair has shown that she is a master storyteller and I love her romantic comedies. I love the characters and the setting of Rome, Rhode Island in Hopeless RomeAntic. I absolutely loved every page and could not put it down. I love that Hopeless RomeAntic is narrated from the viewpoint of the main characters. I really enjoy getting the perspective from those characters. I love getting inside their minds and knowing their thoughts and how they really feel. Hopeless RomeAntic is a love at first sight story, even though it took the main characters several years to admit their feelings for one another. It is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. I love the lighter moments where I find myself smiling and laughing out loud. It is also filled with bittersweet moments that cause me to sigh, say aww to myself with tears filling my eyes . Hopeless RomeAntic is filled with such moments, with so much emotion and so much more, including laughter. It is filled with all those things that we have come to love and expect in romantic comedy, especially the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner, and the surprise plot-twists. Hopeless RomeAntic is the story of Beckett Hayes, a caregiver for her father, Jeffrey and brother, Thomas, both on the autism spectrum and the owner of her own small business, Consider it Done, a personal concierge service and Levi Rhodes, who runs his family's bar, Crow's Nest and marina. Both Beckett and Levi have always put their family's wants and needs ahead of their own. Beckett is training a chicken to be a emotional support animal for a local girl and heads into the Crow's Nest, to pick up a to-go order, even though the Crow's Nest does not offer take out. Things change that night for her and Levi. The start a relationship, knowing there is a definite end date, Levi is planning on a sailing adventure, sixteen years in the making, one he had planned on taking with his late father before his death. He put his life on hold following the death of his father and then the unplanned pregnancy of his older sister, Michelle with Paisley. I love Levi's relationship with Paisley, and her other two Dads, Gray and Emmitt. I love that Beckett has changed Levi and therefore, changes his relationship with Paisley. I love the set of rules that they establish for their relationship. Levi is one of the first men who takes time with Thomas, and that warms Beckett's heart. Levi admits that he has had feelings for Beckett from the first time he saw her several years ago. My heart broke when Levi got so angry at Beckett for putting her family first, when he was celebrating Emmitt's bachelor party on his boat. I love how the plot twist gets resolved and how Beckett and Levi get the happily ever after that they deserve. Both Beckett and Levi change each other's lives because of their love. My favorite part of the story when both Levi and Beckett change their rules, it was truly a poignant moment when both of the walls that they built around their hearts tumbled down. It was an incredible love story with amazing characters. Once again, Hopeless RomeAntic is filled with all the things that I have come to love and expect in a Marina Adair romantic comedy, and she truly did not disappoint me with Hopeless RomeAntic. Looking forward to reading the next book in the When in Rome series. Highly recommend this incredible page turner.