I enjoy the idea of the When in Rome series but unfortunately I think the books are a little too sweet for my tastes. I didn’t feel as compelled to read this one as I did with the first book. DNF at 27%

Cheers for a romance that felt very realistic and we love it for that!

Our character has her hands full; Between taking care of her little brother, keeping an eye on her father, and trying to run her business, Beckett doesn't have much going on for herself. That's why flirting with Levi, the owner of the bar, is making her feel something new, something that she's not sure she can handle right now.

The romance was beautiful, realistic and raw, with its ups and downs and obviously an act for conflict. The other part of the story has to do with Beckett taking care of his brother, who suffers from an autism spectrum disorder. I personally have no experience with this topic, but based on the author's writing alone, I think she made it feel quite credible, as if you could feel the weight that this girl carried on her shoulders by taking charge of so many things at the same time.

Fantastic, feel-good story. Romance at it's finest!

Marina Adair has a way of drawing a reader in and making them fall in love with all the characters she's created.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a few hours of reading entertainment. Fair warning, you are going to want a Levi of your own.

This story took me a little by surprise! I really liked some parts, but others were just okay. Levi and Beckett both seem very genuine, but they just cannot get out of their own way. I loved that the author used humor and solid life lessons in the story. I especially love the rooster!

This might have been a trope-y rom-com except for the inclusion of neuro-atypical characters. Beckett and Levi are fated to be but they both have issues they must deal with. How they get there is at the heart of this. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Thanks for the ARC. This was a bland book. The plot and tone did not resonate with me at all. I loved the concept of the book, but it just didn’t live up to the concept.

You can't go wrong with this book! I loved the challenges the characters had to face with autism and family dynamics working around and with autistic family members. The romance was so, much. He was so understanding and willing to help in any way and make sure she was taking care of herself of making her let him take care of her.

Not sure where to start... I liked parts of this book but others not so much. I didn’t understand why Beckett was so stretched thin that she had no time for herself that she allowed people to take advantage of her. Why entertain the thought of expanding her business, agree to plan and organize her friend’s wedding, help Levi with staffing issues, etc. it didn’t make sense. I really wanted to yell at her father, highly functioning or not, Beckett came across as an enabler. There are multiple resources available for caregivers dealing with neurodevelopmental disabilities family and she really did her brother and father a disservice for not exploring them. The about face her father had at the end was too rushed. Where was that aha moment all the other times? It really was irritating!

This is a super fun read. I really enjoyed this one!

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

Hopeless Romantic (When in Rome #2). By Marina Adair. 2021. Kensington (ARC eBook).

Hopeless Romantic was my first read by Adair. I believed the attraction but didn’t find Beckett and Levi that engaging when together. Both start out with misconceptions about the other, but both of them are good, responsible people. But the focus seemed too one-sided on Beckett’s life. Levi’s niece just seemed to be around just enough to be a plot device, yet her existence was what had a significant effect on Levi’s life. There were some parts that felt jarring and others that fell flat, and the last act basically had inconsistencies for Levi’s and Beckett’s dad’s character in order to up the drama (which I think could have presented both Levi’s and Beckett’s ‘light bulb’ moments better), and wrap-up-with-a-bow, respectively. Overall the book could be a recommend for those looking for a story riffed with familial struggles.

For those of you would like Marina Adair's work, this one is a light quick addition to the When in Rome series.

This book had me laughing out loud but also some truly raw and vulnerable parts.
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Beckett runs a concierge business in her small town of Rome, Rhode Island while also caring for her autistic brother. She also is becomes some what of a special needs advocate in town and training service animals like Gregory Pecker the service......ummmmmmm rooster.
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Handsome bar and marina runner Levi helps take care of his sixteen year old Niece but is finally ready to set sail until Beckett steps into the bar and his life.
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With confident demeanor and wanting to keep things light they both realize they want more underneath. Neither one of them are used to putting themselves or their needs first and together they come to terms with what it means to live versus just survive.
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Thank you #NetGalley and #Kensingtonbooks for an arc in exchange for an honest review

WOW this book had everything from the cool and collected handsome barkeep itching to get out of town to the frenetic energy of the town concierge who leaves chaos in her wake and maybe chicken feathers too. It was sweet and swoony and also steamy and emotional. As the 2nd book in the When In Rome series we get to continue some storylines for return readers however it is entirely a stand alone.

Levi and Beckett seem like they might be total opposites but when they start to get to know one another it turns out that they have the really important things in common. The author gave voice to Autism and Asperger's and specifically to the caretaker and what their life can be when they devote themselves entirely. It was a beautiful illustration of how impactful the disorder can be and how little the outside world can assume to know about what someone else might be going through as the caretaker.

Levi's family dynamic was such a key aspect of the overall story as well from his dad/uncle status to his greek mom and her need to have him visit.

I'm looking forward to more books by Marina Adair!

Oh Marina I so LOVE your books. They make feel all of my emotions and you write about some real life events that could happen to anyone (sort of) but you add humor to it. I can read your books every day and I want everyone else to read them to! They are fantastic! Thank you for writing such a wonderful book!

Beckett is trying to keep her head above water while running her business and caring for her autistic father and brother. Levi is dreaming of the open seas while he cares for everyone around him. Can they learn to take the time to care for themselves? This is a romantic story set in picturesque Rome, RI. It’s full of quirky characters and fun banter. I loved getting peeks in to Beckett’s home life with Jeffrey and Tommy. The ending felt rushed, and I closed the book with so many questions. How did the wedding go? Did Levi take his sailing trip or stay? Did Beckett go with him? Overall a fun little romance with very unique characters.

Oh I was so so happy to be able to read the second book in the When in Rome series. Beckett was easily my favorite. She is so stinking wonderful and her constant need to put everyone and everything above her own needs. She happens to find the perfect partner to help with the wedding with Levi. He challenges her to feel and be in the moment.

I loved so much about this book. Both characters work through some barriers. The talk of inclusivity in regards to understanding autistic needs and I loved how it shows Levi tentatively attempting to bond with Tommy in a respectful way.

The romance was just right with plenty of fun and sarcastic banter. Can't wait to see what comes next from Marina Adair.

Annie and Emmitt became my favorite couple in Adair's first book in the When in Rome series. Levi and Beckett became fast seconds because, really, Emmitt and Annie are still the best couples.

Beckett is known as the town flake. Always taking on too much and never delivering on any of it. Levi is the cool bartender. Awesome uncle, caring son, and the best friend a person can have. The problem is both of them put other people ahead of their own happiness.

Levi has crushed on Beckett for years, but when they are thrown together to plan the wedding of their best friends, sexual tension builds, sparks fly, the flirting is fierce, and hearts are on the line. As the two grow closer, each learns that they had let their assumptions about the other rule their interactions. Levi realizes that Beckett isn't a flake. She is a strong, young businesswoman responsible for running the household of her father and brother, who both experience life on the autism spectrum.

Levi isn't just the town flirt. He is a man who loves his family, his bar, and the boat he and his father never got to sail on.

This slow build romance has you cheering for the couple and wanting to annihilate anyone or anything that gets in the way of their love. Of course, their biggest enemies are their own insecurities.

There were a few points where the pacing was off. The characters would say one thing but do another. I almost thought we would get through the book with no major conflicts, and then the author threw the reader into a tailspin in the last chapters, building to a HEA that will make your heart melt. Not as good as the first in the series, but delightful all the same. Adair writes a nice small-town romance and knows how to build heat and leave readers cheering for the couple to the very last page.

A worthwhile romance to have on the shelves. Perfect for readers who like ocean settings, men who are emotionally aware, and strong female characters. There is never anything sexier than a man who asks for consent every step of the way and a woman who doesn't settle for less.

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you

I love Marina Adair's books so I was super excited to be approved for this one. It did not disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning and will definitely be adding more from this author to my TBR.