musingsfromamandalyn's review
5.0
I had this book on my TBR but kept putting it off. When I received it in my library binge box, it was time to read it. It was so cute. I was wary at first because of the romance genre and sometimes that can be a little much and was why I kept delaying but it was so much more than that. It was about learning who you are, learning to stand up for yourself, finding the place you truly belong, family, and so much more. I am now looking forward to reading the next book in the series and hoping for more.
notaustralia's review
3.0
Although I don’t usually read romance, this was a decent read. I liked the humor and tension between Ahn and Emmitt and how we got to see both of their perspectives.
However, some of the flirting, euphemism, and sex was pretty cringy. It felt like it was written by a man.
I also did not like the way the autistic character was used. It felt out of place and poorly represented that community. I would have preferred better representation with a character that is in more than one scene, and with more research and not such a flat personality. He spends his one scene as a nuisance to the main character.
All that said, I really did have trouble putting this down. The pace and conversation flowed quite well and kept my attention to the end.
However, some of the flirting, euphemism, and sex was pretty cringy. It felt like it was written by a man.
I also did not like the way the autistic character was used. It felt out of place and poorly represented that community. I would have preferred better representation with a character that is in more than one scene, and with more research and not such a flat personality. He spends his one scene as a nuisance to the main character.
All that said, I really did have trouble putting this down. The pace and conversation flowed quite well and kept my attention to the end.
55_sallymander's review
5.0
ROMeANTICALLY CHALLENGED by Marina Adair
Published by: Kensington Books
Ahn Nhi (Annie) Walsh is a PA (a physician's assistant) who has abruptly relocated to Rome, Rhode Island to escape the heartbreak of her long time fiance breaking off the engagement by text. It infuriates her how everyone is trying to stay friends with the rogue and even assuming and making plans for her to attend his wedding with his new bride. When she arrived in Rome, Grayson who is a doctor at the hospital that they both work at offered her a place to stay at his friend's house, since the friend was working abroad in China.
Emmitt was injured in an accident in China and has come home to Rome to recover and to learn how to be a parent to his teenage daughter Paisley, age 16. Paisley's mom has recently died in an auto accident and she has been living with her step father Grayson. Her uncle Levi is helping Grayson with his parenting.
Annie has sworn off men and finds out she has a permanent house guest in the form of Emmitt. Grayson and Levi have told Emmitt to leave Annie alone, romantically and he agrees to, for a time.
The sparks begin to fly as they become closer and closer. Several instances of Paisley experiencing some teenage pitfalls and Emmitt finds out he has missed a lot by not being involved in Paisley's life.
This is a fun, summery read and it is much more than a quick read. It covers family relationships, attraction and secrets.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for the complimentary copy. I was under no obligation to post a review.
Published by: Kensington Books
Ahn Nhi (Annie) Walsh is a PA (a physician's assistant) who has abruptly relocated to Rome, Rhode Island to escape the heartbreak of her long time fiance breaking off the engagement by text. It infuriates her how everyone is trying to stay friends with the rogue and even assuming and making plans for her to attend his wedding with his new bride. When she arrived in Rome, Grayson who is a doctor at the hospital that they both work at offered her a place to stay at his friend's house, since the friend was working abroad in China.
Emmitt was injured in an accident in China and has come home to Rome to recover and to learn how to be a parent to his teenage daughter Paisley, age 16. Paisley's mom has recently died in an auto accident and she has been living with her step father Grayson. Her uncle Levi is helping Grayson with his parenting.
Annie has sworn off men and finds out she has a permanent house guest in the form of Emmitt. Grayson and Levi have told Emmitt to leave Annie alone, romantically and he agrees to, for a time.
The sparks begin to fly as they become closer and closer. Several instances of Paisley experiencing some teenage pitfalls and Emmitt finds out he has missed a lot by not being involved in Paisley's life.
This is a fun, summery read and it is much more than a quick read. It covers family relationships, attraction and secrets.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for the complimentary copy. I was under no obligation to post a review.
librovert's review
3.0
RomeAntically Challenged is a sweet love story, filled with emotion and great banter. It gets bonus points for attempting to tackle some more complex issues, but doesn't quite execute well enough to pull it out of the "it was a good book" pile.
Annie Walsh's dream wedding is about to take place. Her venue, her dress, her menu, her music, her groom... but not her. Finding herself in a habit of finding "the one" only to discover that she was their "practice one" Annie has had enough of men. Swearing them off, she signs off on a new Physicians Assistant job in Rome - Rome, Rhode Island that is - and with the help of her new boss finds an AirBnB to reside in for her tenure. Imagine her surprise when a brooding male unexpectedly lets himself in.
Emmitt Bradley, investigative photojournalist, is on medical leave after being caught in an explosion overseas. Imagine his surprise when he comes home and finds out that his home has been rented out to a hot woman who has sworn off men. But Emmitt has other issues, too. His teenage daughter Paisley is being a teenager. Paisley's step-father and uncle are vying for her attention. And there's something Emmitt's estranged father is keeping from him.
In terms of romantic tropes - RomeAntically Challenged is forced proximity that leads to a low-key hate to love situation. It has great flirty banter, solid character growth, and a good dash of brooding.
There is a lot going on in this book as the characters battle different things. Annie is a Vietnamese adoptee who has never felt like she belonged in the white neighborhood she grew up - or the community of Vietnamese women she finds in Rome. Annie also has a complex relationship with her parents (see: the fact that her mother is planning on attending the wedding that should be Annies but isn't, insists Annie attend as well and doesn't see any issues with this) and her ex (who still thinks their best friends). Emmitt didn't know he had a daughter until Paisley was a few years old - already with a devoted uncle (who spends the first few of Paisley's years as a stand-in father) and a stepfather. Now a teenager living through the death of her mother, Emmitt is struggling to figure out where he fits in the scheme of Paisley's life.
I loved that this story tried to tackle some of these more complicated issues of belonging and it gave it so much potential! However, I felt like there was just too much going on to really give any of these issues room to breathe.
When all was said and done it was a fun beachy kind of read that I would definitely recommend to contemporary romance fans!
Annie Walsh's dream wedding is about to take place. Her venue, her dress, her menu, her music, her groom... but not her. Finding herself in a habit of finding "the one" only to discover that she was their "practice one" Annie has had enough of men. Swearing them off, she signs off on a new Physicians Assistant job in Rome - Rome, Rhode Island that is - and with the help of her new boss finds an AirBnB to reside in for her tenure. Imagine her surprise when a brooding male unexpectedly lets himself in.
Emmitt Bradley, investigative photojournalist, is on medical leave after being caught in an explosion overseas. Imagine his surprise when he comes home and finds out that his home has been rented out to a hot woman who has sworn off men. But Emmitt has other issues, too. His teenage daughter Paisley is being a teenager. Paisley's step-father and uncle are vying for her attention. And there's something Emmitt's estranged father is keeping from him.
In terms of romantic tropes - RomeAntically Challenged is forced proximity that leads to a low-key hate to love situation. It has great flirty banter, solid character growth, and a good dash of brooding.
There is a lot going on in this book as the characters battle different things. Annie is a Vietnamese adoptee who has never felt like she belonged in the white neighborhood she grew up - or the community of Vietnamese women she finds in Rome. Annie also has a complex relationship with her parents (see: the fact that her mother is planning on attending the wedding that should be Annies but isn't, insists Annie attend as well and doesn't see any issues with this) and her ex (who still thinks their best friends). Emmitt didn't know he had a daughter until Paisley was a few years old - already with a devoted uncle (who spends the first few of Paisley's years as a stand-in father) and a stepfather. Now a teenager living through the death of her mother, Emmitt is struggling to figure out where he fits in the scheme of Paisley's life.
I loved that this story tried to tackle some of these more complicated issues of belonging and it gave it so much potential! However, I felt like there was just too much going on to really give any of these issues room to breathe.
When all was said and done it was a fun beachy kind of read that I would definitely recommend to contemporary romance fans!
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review
5.0
This is the first book be Adair that I've read and I really enjoyed it.
Annie needs a fresh start on life. After her fiance Clark breaks up with her and steals their wedding to marry someone else, she moves away. Thinking there was a job in Rome, Italy, she then sticks it out when its apparent that Rome, Rhode Island isn't quite the historic city of architecture and history as well as thousands of miles away from Clark. While still dealing with the aftermath of the next disaster resulting from Clark, she finds a stranger standing in her rented AirBnB.
Emmitt comes home to find a strange yet attractive woman in his bedroom. He's too jet-lagged as well as sore from his injury but he's not one to be unfriendly to the opposite sex. In fact he's quite for personal relations. Even Annie throwing her stilettos at him isn't enough to dissuade him.
This enemies to lovers, having to share a house included plenty of funny moments. I was shocked and happily surprised at the depth of the characters from their many hurts and how they helped each other to overcome them. This book brought up issues like race and rude assumptions, single parenting, what it means to trust, others actions aren't a reflection on you and love. When in Rome-even Rome, RI.
I received this book from the publisher and Net Galley and these opinions are my own. I am now looking up more books by this author.
Annie needs a fresh start on life. After her fiance Clark breaks up with her and steals their wedding to marry someone else, she moves away. Thinking there was a job in Rome, Italy, she then sticks it out when its apparent that Rome, Rhode Island isn't quite the historic city of architecture and history as well as thousands of miles away from Clark. While still dealing with the aftermath of the next disaster resulting from Clark, she finds a stranger standing in her rented AirBnB.
Emmitt comes home to find a strange yet attractive woman in his bedroom. He's too jet-lagged as well as sore from his injury but he's not one to be unfriendly to the opposite sex. In fact he's quite for personal relations. Even Annie throwing her stilettos at him isn't enough to dissuade him.
This enemies to lovers, having to share a house included plenty of funny moments. I was shocked and happily surprised at the depth of the characters from their many hurts and how they helped each other to overcome them. This book brought up issues like race and rude assumptions, single parenting, what it means to trust, others actions aren't a reflection on you and love. When in Rome-even Rome, RI.
I received this book from the publisher and Net Galley and these opinions are my own. I am now looking up more books by this author.
rotig813's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed how they eased into their relationship. And I'll admit that I teared up some at the end when the disagreement/break up happened.
bzzylz's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
giraffeinabookstore's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
angnay01's review
5.0
I loved this story, accidental Roommates turn lovers. Anh Nhi (or Annie) is looking for a fresh "man free" start in Rome, Rhode Island. It just so happens she is leasing the cabin and the owner, Emmitt returns home on a medical leave not knowing about her lease. They find themselves sharing a cabin with one bed and close quarters. It is funny and sweet. I love their texting and sticky notes. Annie's ex plans to marry using all their plans, won't pay her the money he owes her AND invites her to the wedding! Throw in the Family dynamic of Emmitt, Gray and Levi raising Paisley and that creates more craziness and laughter. I loved this story and would recommend it. I received a copy from Netgalley for my honest review.
jlkaad19's review against another edition
4.0
Good Story
This story was well written and lovely to read.
It took me a long time to find the hitch in the story that made me not want to stop reading lol
Also I felt there wasn’t enough steam in the book for as hot as these two were for each other but if basing of off her daughter that might be why lol
I loved the ending and loved that it was left opened ended to imagine where their life will take them together.
This story was well written and lovely to read.
It took me a long time to find the hitch in the story that made me not want to stop reading lol
Also I felt there wasn’t enough steam in the book for as hot as these two were for each other but if basing of off her daughter that might be why lol
I loved the ending and loved that it was left opened ended to imagine where their life will take them together.