Phenomenal! I devoured it it one sitting! Very relatable and appealing protagonists. Nathan is sort of a unicorn book boyfriend - very mature, well mannered, swoon worthy and did I say SUPER patient?! I loved the character development of both protagonists. Also, great side characters. I liked that there was just about enough detail about the side characters, which complemented the story line without being distractors.

The tension between the protagonists was quite palpable in every page & this was a wonderful slow burn romance! NYC has been captured in full glory with vivid details, kudos to the author! As a reader I felt like the author was virtually taking us through all the nooks and corners of NYC and I could almost feel like I was physically present :)

For some reason Nathan here, reminded me of the male protagonist in Devon Daniels' "Meet you in the middle" (another favorite book of mine), just that Nathan felt less cockier :) Although Bea had her anger issues, by the end, the author beautifully depicts the character's growth. The third act breakup felt organic and was tied into the story beautifully.

Overall, loved it! Eagerly looking forward to checking out the author's next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#NetGalley, #HowFreakingRomantic

When I saw Emily Harding was coming out with a standalone novel, I was eager to see how it would turn out. How Freaking Romantic was a great solo debut! I liked the premise of the story. It was fun watching Bea and Nathan go from "enemies" to friends to lovers. I enjoyed the way Harding set-up and progressed their relationship. It was cute watching Bea and Nathan become more comfortable as work colleagues. Bea was a complex character. At first, I wasn't the biggest fan of hers. Bea comes out hot at the beginning of the book. Her reaction to the divorce and Nathan came across as rude and inappropriate. Once I got to know her character better, I understood where she was coming from. Bea got better over time. She is the type of character that feels everything and is trying so hard to keep everything together. Stick with her...she'll change your mind! I adored Nathan's character. He was a fantastic book boyfriend. He was mature, intelligent, and well-developed. His scarf was 😍...step aside Jake! I didn't mind the supporting cast of friends. I would have liked a few more scenes with the friend group together. I thought Mrs. Seigel's character added a comedic layer to the story. The Frank storyline felt incomplete. We never did get an update about what was going on with Frank. I liked the ending, especially the epilogue. Overall, this was a captivating and quick read.

How Freaking Romantic by Emily Harding was such a delightful, sharp, and funny read that I couldn't put down! The story follows Beatrice Nilsson, an aspiring lawyer who’s always had her friends' backs but never focused on her own happiness. When her best friend's divorce turns ugly, Bea ends up working alongside Nathan Asher, the opposing counsel, and—surprise—he's annoyingly smart, patient, and way too attractive. What starts as pure disdain quickly turns into undeniable chemistry, and Bea has to grapple with her growing feelings while sorting out everyone else’s mess. The tension, witty banter, and emotional depth in this book kept me hooked as Bea navigates the challenges of love, friendship, and self-discovery. If you love a funny and heartfelt romance with a bit of legal drama, this one’s definitely worth reading!