For whatever reason, I stopped reading contemporary category romances. I used to devour them when I was in university. But when I was done school I stopped reading them, which is a shame because they are fun, fast reads. For those unfamiliar with the term category romance, think of books that are short (less than 250 pages), cheaper in price, and come out more frequently. They have also been called a series romance, but it's not a series in that typical bookish sense that many would associate with that word. Book series in most rom-coms, historical, and fantasy genres have something linking them, whether it be the world they are set in or the characters that exist within the over-arching storyline. This isn't the case when it comes to category romance series. Different authors often write these books; the stories are stand-alone and have no connection to each other. The word "series" refers to the fact that these books are released under a specific category, and often, a certain number of books will be published in that category every month or quarter. Publishers known for releasing category romances are Harlequin and Mills and Boon. There are many different categories depending on what you like to read: historical, spicy, sweet, thriller/action romance, etc. There really is something for everyone.

Now that you better understand what a category romance is let's talk about Unexpected Family for the Rebel Tycoon. I enjoyed this book. It's a quick and easy read. I could just sit back and get lost in the story without having to overthink what I was reading. Like in most category romances, the story moves along at a brisk pace, which means that I never find my mind wandering. I am a sucker for a single parent or, in this case, single garden romance, especially when the love interest is a rich, charismatic millionaire. The beginning of this story was great. Matteo is minding his own business in his backyard when, all of a sudden, a bra falls on his head. Matteo goes over to his neighbours to return the bra, only to face a chaotic scene. Poor Porsha is at her wit's end; her nephew Finlay has run off another nanny, and she has no idea how she is going to balance her work life and taking care of her nephew. I was instantly drawn into this story, and I didn't want to put it down. It has humour, drama, warmth, and, of course, delicious romance.

I loved the characters. Finlay was adorable, and he gave this story a joyous tone to it at times. He is a kid bursting with fun and chaotic energy, and watching him interact with Matteo was delightful. Matteo was a bit of a surprise to me. I was expecting a hero who was a bit more gruff and standoff-ish. But that was not the case with Matteo's character. He was warm, charming, and just that perfect hero for Porsha and Finlay. Porsha was also a great character. She is learning to balance this new responsibility of being her nephew's guardian. She has a lot on her plate, and it was wonderful watching her learn to trust Matteo and share some of that responsibility with him. The romance was enjoyable. It's a short read, which means things happen fast, but that's ok. I really loved the chemistry between these two and loved the banter that existed between them.

Unexpected Family for the Rebel Tycoon is an easy, breezy read and reminded me why I love category romances so much.

This was really cute. I love how he just kind of inserted himself into the family. He was making them dinners and planning them vacations, what a man.

I received an arc through netgalley.

This novel was very well-written, and the characters were that perfect mix of realistic and mature, but also romantic. In short, I was rooting for them.

I think the best thing was that both characters helped each other become the best versions of
themselves, without it being a therapy session. It was more like, "hey, you have this misguided belief about yourself, but you are so much more than what you define yourself." Which is what healthy relationships look like, but which you seldom see in romance novels, much less have that come off as romantic.

Also, the kid character was also realistic, but he wasn't annoying. A bonus for me.

The title is a bit misleading, and I'm not a fan of the cover (as neither really capture what this book is about). But otherwise, a strong romance novel by a good writer.

Unexpected Family for the Rebel Tycoon by Rachel Stewart is an engaging and entertaining romance as neighbors connect; becoming more. Join Matteo and Porsha as they travel from Notting Hill to Italy; seeing how the rich live. Handsome retired soccer player Matteo De Luca is attempting to relax in his backyard. The loss of his soccer career has left him looking for something to fill the hole in his life. When a frilly item of lingerie sails over the fence and lands on his head he heads next door to return said item, he is nearly bowled over by a woman in a hurry to leave, followed by one begging her to stay. Porsha Lang became guardian of her seven year old energetic nephew Fin, two years ago after her sister was killed in a tragic accident. She tries her best to give him a good life while keeping her job, but Fin is hard on his nannies; this was the fifteenth. From their first meeting Fin and Matteo's immediate connection gave him a chance to alleviate his boredom by offering to watch Fin while Porsha works; becoming his a manny.

Matteo is determined to help Porsha learn to have fun, with Matteo and Fin encouraging her; inviting her and Fin to his island home near Capri. There were some intensely emotional scenes as Porsha worked through the fears that have kept her prisoner. With undeniable chemistry, Porsha was falling for Matteo, knowing he didn't believe in lasting love; especially as it became evident he was falling for her, but refusing to accept it. Everyone around them was able to see how they belong together. Both of them have fears and insecurities to overcome before they can journey the path to their HEA. I love how Fin is always the priority.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #Harlequin

We get stuck straight into the story when Matteo, stuck bored out of his mind in his London town house, gets assaulted by a shocking pink bra flung at him from across his garden fence. On tracking down the owner, he comes across his frazzled, uptight neighbour, Porsha, and her nephew, Fin. Without missing a beat, this newly retired super star football player soon finds himself mannying a 7 year old while fighting off a deep connection to his neighbour.

Matteo himself is known as a bit of a playboy and rebel - but it’s very early on that we learn that he’s so much more than that. He’s definitely a charmer but there’s something so boyishly adorable about him that I didn’t even try not to fall in love with him. But fear not, the man does have his issues. Luckily these are dealt with respectfully, honestly and just made him more real and even more likeable.

Porsha is nothing if not a romance heroine in the making. She’s a workaholic struggling with the responsibility and guilt of suddenly finding herself in the role of permanent guardian for her 7 year old nephew. Which also means dealing with both their grief. But she was stoic, solid and showed just enough cracks in her armour to be someone I was urging to get her happily ever after.

There was something so gentle about the relationship between Matteo and Porsha and how it changed and grew. But that’s not to say that they didn’t have chemistry from the very start because almost from the moment our couple meet, little hearts were appearing in both their eyes. But nothing is ever plain sailing (thankfully - because how boring would that be?) and there are definitely plenty of ups and downs for our couple. I honestly wondered how they would work things out, on occasion, but thankfully I know Rachael Stewart and Mills and Boon - so I knew all would be well. Once our pairing went through a little torture!

While we start off in London, we’re soon transported to sunny Italy. Rachael Stewart’s writing easily bring to life the landscape, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the people. It all appears before us as if we’re really there and just adds to the fresh, chilled, summer vibe that this book evokes. Ms Stewart also writes with her whole heart. You can feel the emotion, the love, the urgency - the highs and the lows. She makes me cry and then makes everything in the world right again.

Emotional story of an unwillingly retired football (soccer) player, a frazzled executive, and the seven-year-old boy who brings them together.

The story opens with Matteo attempting to relax in his backyard. The loss of his soccer career has left him looking for something to fill the hole in his life. He is bored until a frilly item of lingerie sails over the fence and lands on his head. When he heads next door to return said item, he is nearly bowled over by a woman in a hurry to leave, followed by one begging her to stay.

Porsha became guardian to her nephew, Fin, two years ago when her sister was killed in a tragic accident. She does her best to give him a good life while keeping her job, but Fin is hard on his nannies. This was the fifteenth nanny in as many months.

I loved this first meeting between Matteo and Porsha. The flying bra, the water balloon, and Fin's starstruck recognition of Matteo made me laugh out loud. Fin and Matteo's immediate connection gave him a chance to relieve his boredom. I loved his shock when he heard himself offer to watch Fin while Porsha works, becoming, in essence, a "manny." The scenes with Fin and Matteo were terrific as they bonded over their love of football.

Matteo had a difficult childhood and refused to open up to the potential hurt of loving someone. He is attracted to Porsha but tries to resist. Porsha's childhood was spent with a family that flew by the seat of their pants, taking risks and living day by day. As a result, she thinks everything through, often focusing on the negatives, resulting in very little fun in her life. Matteo is determined to help her learn to let go. He invites her and Fin to his island home near Capri. I loved watching Porsha learn to have fun, with Matteo and Fin encouraging her. There were some intensely emotional scenes as Porsha worked through the fears that have kept her prisoner, and I loved seeing the changes in her.

Spending that much time together gave the sparks between them a chance to grow. I ached for Porsha, who knew she was falling for Matteo but also that he didn't believe in lasting love. It is also evident that Matteo is falling for her, but he refuses to accept it. Everyone around them can see how they belong together. But both have fears and insecurities to overcome, and the path to their HEA hits a few bumps. The ending was terrific, and I loved the epilogue.

An engaging and entertaining romance. A bit of soccer and Italian added for spice. Speaking of spice, I do skip all intimate details as I prefer closed door. Some laughs, some tears, and some delightful fantasy as to how the rich live. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I really enjoy Rachael Stewart’s books. The story of Matteo and Porsha is sweet and spicy. Tycoon and soccer star Matteo becomes a Manny… from rebel to Mr right next door….

Matteo... a gorgeous soccer (football) star now a manny? Matteo who isn't playing soccer any more due to an injury has plenty of time on his hands so he decides to step in and help out his neighbor Porsha and her nephew Fin. Porsha is the guardian to Fin after her sister passed but she is struggling. Especially since Fin runs off every nanny he has. Enter in Matteo... You can feel the connection between Porsha and Matteo from the beginning. And the relationship that Fin and Matteo share is so special. Matteo's life growing up wasn't easy, he was headed down the wrong path until someone found him playing soccer. Together these 3 make a perfect story. Finding love, balance, dealing with fame and family, and finding true happiness.