Hopeless Romantic: A Beautifully Written and Entertaining Romantic Comedy

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.

Levi Rhodes ALWAYS puts others first. Levi had dreams of sailing and still does, but that dream died with the unplanned pregnancy of his sister. His sister later married, but then died in an accident leaving behind a grieving spouse and daughter. With the sudden death of his father, his dream is again put on hold as his grieving mom needs help with their multiple businesses. But it’s been a year and he has a “countdown to sail” clock in the bar. He just has a few loose ends to tie up before he feels as though he can leave his mom and niece. First up...driving lessons, then his best friend’s wedding. That is, until a quirky Beckett walks into his bar... Beckett Hayes is the main caregiver to her autistic brother and father who has Asperger’s. While her dad is a highly accomplished musician, he’s not a reliable parent. Beckett would do anything for her family, including giving up her dreams. While Beckett’s true passion is to train animals to provide emotional support, she runs a concierge company full time. She has a huge heart and wants to help EVERYONE, but sometimes disappoints when there’s a family emergency. When Annie, her best friend, asks her to plan her dream wedding she reluctantly accepts. She does NOT want to disappoint Annie, so she enlists the help of Levi-her HUGE crush. This is one of the best Marina Adair novels I’ve read! I FELT as though I was “in” the story. I do not have special needs children, but was a teacher and know how extremely sensitive and patient you have to be. I loved how supportive Levi was and how good he was with Beckett’s brother (Tommy). I thought the rooster was hilarious and I pictured Hei Hei every time Beck brought him into the bar-mostly to just irritate Levi. I loved that Beckett wasn’t all put together and glamorous, but Levi still wanted her anyway. The driving lessons, Levi’s mom, the animals....HILARIOUS! I also enjoyed how “real” the story was. It wasn’t all happy, happy, happy. There were struggles and grieving. I highly recommend this novel and can’t wait to revisit Rome. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

This author once again delivers a story that will touch your hearts. Beckett Hayes is a woman that is juggling many hats and has created a business that allows her flexibility. She’s a sort of concierge for the locals. But she is more than that . From the moment her mother left her family behind, Beckett has become the caretaker of her autistic brother Tommy/Thomas and to a point, also the caretaker of her father . A talented man but one that is forgetful and has Asperger’s. Levi Rhodes owns the local marina as well as the bar and restaurant. He once had dreams of a sailing scholarship but all that came to a halt when his father died and most recently , his sister. But his dream might become a reality , at least he hopes. Both of these individuals had dreams but have put their lives on hold for their families. They love them with all their hearts, but not without consequences to their personal lives. As a friendship develops between Beckett and Levi, so do the feelings though they both know that a HEA is beyond their reach. Or is it? This is a story that is at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. It’s a story about family, responsibilities, dreams, hope, acceptance and love. Another winner in the series and one leaving this reader wondering if Gray will be getting his story next. I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.