Hello! Now that I’ve finally posted my favorite book of June, I can start talking about all of the advanced copies I was able to read in the month of July. I never cease to be grateful for the arcs I win / receive / am approved for across all outlets, and acknowledge my privilege in getting to read books before their release. As always, here is the link to click in order to support the Black Lives Matter movement in any way you can, and thank you to StarlahReads for compiling these resources.
The post will be talking all about the contemporary romance RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair, which all sites and documents continually tell me I’ve spelled wrong (the cover says it’s right, Google, chill). I was able to trade in my points for this book on BookishFirst, after writing first impressions every Monday and reviewing books that they’ve previously featured on their site. I was really excited to see an adult romance on there, and that excitement grew when I was able to read the first few chapters and see the chemistry between our two main characters. It was a lot deeper than I initially believed, however I was on board almost immediately.
Adopted from China by a white family and growing up in America, Anh Nhi (Annie) Walsh has always felt out of place. She has tried to make a family of her own, but always finds herself “not enough,” in some way. It doesn’t help that every guy she’s dated has found “their person” immediately after they break up. After her ex-fiance calls off their wedding, Annie needs a change of scenery and accepts a job in Rome, only to find herself working at a hospital in Rome, Rhode Island (instead of, you know, Italy) renting out a cabin whose owner may or may not have returned unexpectantly. Photojournalist Emmitt Bradley has been sent back to Rhode Island after covering a legitimately explosive story in China, only to find his his daughter all grown up, and he’s worried that she no longer wants him to be a part of her life. He also finds his cabin rented out to a stranger, a rather cute stranger. Emmitt and Annie may be able to help each other gain the confidence they need to fight for what they want, and they can definitely achieve their goals without falling in love. Or can they?
My first impression of this book was that it was going to be a cute rom-com with the “there’s only one bed” trope that would end with a happily ever after. There is absolutely nothing wrong with those kinds of books, and I’ll read them any day of the week. There was just so much more substance to this novel than I had expected. Yes, the chemistry between Anh and Emmitt is undeniable from their first unexpected encounter, and yes, there are a few steamy scenes, but I’d have to agree with other reviewers that the romance doesn’t seem like the main focus of this novel. Anh and Emmitt are both struggling with different aspects of their lives, and find themselves leaning on each other to come to much needed realizations. Anh has grappled with her identity every since she was little – feeling too “white” in some circles, too “Asian” in others. She also finds it difficult to understand how every ex-partner has seemingly found “their person” immediately after breaking up with her. Emmitt, on the other hand, feeds off his image that he is a womanizer, but actually only has room in his heart for Paisley, his daughter. He so desperately wants to be a part of her life, but it’s hard with a job that requires constant lengthy travel, and the fact that she already has a stepdad and uncle who would do anything to make her happy. They both yearn for a sense of belonging, in the town, in their family, in their society, and maybe, just maybe, through self-depricating humor, roommate agreements, and sticky note arguments, they’re able to work through their feelings and achieve just that.
If you’re looking for a book with “small-town sweetness, endearing characters, and a unique quirky flair,” (in the words of NYT best-selling author Carly Phillips whose blurb is on the back), then I’d definitely recommend picking up RomeAntically Challenged. Marina Adair has crafted a novel with adult characters who are still trying to figure out where to belong in the world, and that’s something we love to see. I can’t wait for the next installment, Hopeless RomeAntic, when I can dive back into this world surrounding Rome, Rhode Island. RomeAntically Challenged releases on July 28th, 2020 (which should be the day this post goes live if everything works out), and a quick thanks to BookishFirst and the publisher, Kensington Books, for the copy – all thoughts and feelings are my own.
Places to find RomeAntically Challenged:
Amazon
Goodreads
Marina Adair’s site
Thoughts About Things 