Title: RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair
When in Rome Series Book One
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Growing up the lone Asian in a community of WASPs, Annie has always felt out of place. Her solution? Start a family of her own. Not easy when every man she’s dated, including her ex-fiancé, finds “his person” right after breaking up with Annie. Even worse than canceling the wedding eight weeks beforehand? Learning the “other woman” plans to walk down the aisle wearing her wedding gown. New plan—find a fresh, man-free start. Too bad her exit strategy unexpectedly lands her working at a hospital in Rome, Rhode Island, rather than Rome, Italy, and sharing a cabin with a big, brooding, and annoyingly hot male roommate.
Home on medical leave after covering a literally explosive story in China, investigative photojournalist Emmitt embarks on his most important assignment—cementing his place in his daughter’s life. Three men and a baby might work in the movies, but with a stepdad and devoted uncle competing for Paisley’s attention, Emmitt has lost his place at the family table. Then there’s the adorably sexy squatter in his cabin, who poses another problem, one he’d very much like to solve up close and personal. But he can’t win—Annie has sworn off men, Paisley’s gone boy crazy, and Emmitt’s estranged father reappears with a secret that changes everything.
Annie and Emmitt are about to discover love comes in many forms, and sometimes the best families are the ones we make.
Review:
RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair is a charming contemporary romance.
Anh Nhi “Annie” Walsh relocated to Rome, Rhode Island after her fiancé dumped her and immediately found someone new. She is enjoying her new job and friends but she is still struggling to figure out where she fits in. Annie adores her parents but she wants to know more about her Vietnamese culture and heritage. She is also not looking for love so when her should have been absent landlord Emmitt Bradley appears, Annie resists her attraction to the appealing but irritating man.
After being seriously injured while on assignment in China, Emmitt has no choice but to return to Rome to recover. Since he cannot convince Annie’s boss to clear him so he can go back to work, Emmitt tries to work his magic on his unexpected roommate. He is a likable man but Emmitt comes across as a little superficial at first.
Emmitt is a little shocked by his fifteen year old daughter Paisley’s reaction when they are reunited. He is used to being the “fun” dad since he spends most of his life traveling the globe. They have always shared a special bond but Paisley is not at all pleased to see him. Since Emmitt will be in town much longer than usual he must learn to navigate co-parent with his daughter’s stepdad. Thankfully Annie offers sound advice that proves to be invaluable.
RomeAntically Challenged is a sweet romance with engaging characters and well-developed storyline. Both Annie and Emmitt grow and evolve throughout the story. Their romance is a slow burn but their scenes together and their witty exchanges are quite enjoyable. In spite of a late in the story conflict, Marina Adair brings this wonderful romance to a sighworthy conclusion. An outstanding first installment in the When in Rome series that will leave readers eagerly awaiting book two.
