In an effort to defend her friend, Bea confronts her ex's divorce lawyer, Nathan. Never expecting to see him, Bea finds herself crossing paths with Nate and her feelings for him evolving from hate to love.

I adore Harding's For the Love of Austen series and was excited to read her solo debut. I am happy to report that How Freaking Romantic was a hit!

Bea was one of those very layered characters. I think her mother said it best when she described Bea as a coconut - hard on the outside, sweet on the inside. Bea struggle with connection due to her childhood, but when she found her core group of friends at NYU, she held tight to them. But everything was changing. Two left the city and the other two were getting divorced. This upheaval was very upsetting for Bea, and as the fixer of the group, she wanted to do what she could to make things better. Little did she know that her outburst would catch the attention of Nate.

Nate was a high powered family lawyer who was representing Bea's ex-friend. She saw him as the enemy, but when circumstances push them together, she begins to see the outstanding and kind man beneath the shiny veneer.

There was something special about this couple. Bea was intense. She had big emotions and would fight to the death for those in her circle, but she also seemed to keep others out of her world. She came off as prickly, but this was how she protected herself. Under it all, she was scared of all the changes and the thought of losing her friends. She was also lonely, but more afraid to make new connections due to the fear of losing them. I beg you readers - give Bea a chance because I believe she can capture your heart.

I was overjoyed that Bea piqued Nate's interest. He was a great foil for her and did a good job of balancing her out. He could see beyond her defenses to provide her with the type of support she needed. Together, they delighted me. I loved their banter and chemistry, and the way they seemed to complete each other.

Reading How Freaking Romantic was a grand experience. Packed with humor, fantastic characters, a worthy personal journey, and a stellar romance, I found myself glued to the pages with a smile on my face.

I’ve read one previous book by Emily Harding and her writing partner Audrey Bellezza, which made me a fan. “How Freaking Romantic” stands on its own as a rom com with some substance. Bea is a law student who is realizing that her friend group is going through real life changes and challenges when she meets Nathan Asher, who just so happens to be the divorce attorney for her best friend’s soon to be ex-husband. I really enjoyed this one, especially the group of friends who stick with Bea (and vice versa) through everything they are dealing with. This one has great pacing, too!
Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Every story has its audience, and I’m sure this one will find its readers. The characters in this one were just a bit of a miss for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.

This book was freaking adorable! I am always in the mood for an enemies to lovers story, always. I am even more in the mood if it is clear that he boy falls first, and that is what we have here. Nathan is one of Bea's best friend's divorce attorney and she is about to give him a piece of her mind on how that is going. She confonts him, yells at him and storms out, thinking she will never see him again.
Soon though, she learns how wrong she was. Nathan is taking over the class that she is TA for while the prof. is on medical leave. She has to learn to be nice to him and work with him, all while fighting the feelings growing for him.
We don't get Nathan's POV but we can easily see just how much he cares for Bea. He won't stop trying to figure out a way for them to be together even if it doesn't seem possible. I absolutely adored the friend group that Bea was a part of. She was willing to do whatever it took to be there for them.
The one part I didn't love was how it ended between Josh and Jillian. I felt like it needed to be more wrapped up but I am formally requesting a Josh and Jillian book, no matter how heartbreaking it will be.
Thanks to Gallery, Netgalley and Emily Harding for an early copy.

How Freaking Romantic is a charming story that combines classic rom-com elements with a healthy dose of realism. It follows Bea, a law student who accidentally ends up in the crosshairs of her college friend's divorce when Nathan, the lawyer representing her friend's soon to be ex-husband, takes over a medical leave as the professor for the class she is a TA for. Forced proximity is one of my favorite romance tropes, and somehow a law class at NYU provided a perfect backdrop for it. Of course, Bea thinks Nathan is an a-hole at first but as they're forced to work together on a professional level she has to reckon with her attraction to him.

Where the realism comes in is in how Harding doesn't hold back in how this romance impacts Bea's relationship with her college friend and her perception of the divorce case. We see how Bea attempts to keep her budding relationship with Nathan a secret from her friends (giving the story a shade of the forbidden romance trope) and how getting to know Nathan forces her to see this divorce she's been thrust into in a more nuanced light. Bea also struggles because her college friendships look different than they once did, and as a postgrad, that hit hard.

Subtly funny and emotionally resonant, I think romance enthusiasts of all tropes will enjoy this.

This book was a witty, heartfelt, and slow-burn delight that had me grinning, swooning, and rooting for Bea from start to finish. Bea is the kind of main character you instantly want to be friends with... fierce, opinionated, wildly loyal, and just messy enough to feel real. She’s always the one fighting for everyone else’s happily ever after… but what happens when it’s finally her turn?

Enter Nathan Asher: calm, collected, infuriatingly attractive, and the opposing counsel in her best friend’s messy divorce. So yeah, not exactly a meet-cute. Their tension is immediate, their banter is chef’s kiss, and when they’re suddenly thrown into each other’s professional worlds, things get complicated in the best way.

What I loved most is that this isn’t just a romance, it’s also about Bea figuring out who she is when she’s not fighting someone else’s battles. It’s funny, vulnerable, and so refreshingly smart. It really captures that feeling of trying to protect everyone else while forgetting to protect your own heart.

Smart, searingly funny, and deeply romantic, How Freaking Romantic is the kind of debut that leaves a mark. Emily Harding crafts a slow-burn workplace rom-com that’s equal parts blistering tension, emotional vulnerability, and swoon-worthy payoff.

Beatrice Nilsson is sharp, sardonic, and fiercely loyal—the kind of heroine who’ll storm a lawyer’s office to defend her best friend, only to find herself reluctantly falling for the enemy. Enter Nathan Asher: an infuriatingly patient, unfairly attractive family law attorney who gives off morally gray heartthrob energy... and falls hard for Bea in return.

The banter? Top-tier. The sexual tension? A masterclass in slow-burn payoff. The spice? A very hot, very earned 🌶️🌶️🌶️. And at the center of it all is a story that explores emotional intimacy in the most satisfying way—through small, quiet acts of care. Harding’s writing is razor-sharp, but never cynical. She understands that true romance isn’t about declarations or grand gestures—it’s about umbrellas in a rainstorm, warm Buicks in the snow, and showing up when it matters.

This book made me laugh, cry, and blush—sometimes all on the same page. For anyone who’s ever been the fixer, the protector, the one who laughs it off instead of letting someone in—this book sees you. It’s snarky, sexy, and unexpectedly tender. A love story for the ones who don’t ask for help but secretly wish someone would show up anyway.

I ate this up! If enemies to lovers is your jam, read this! I enjoyed the characters and their growth together. Looking for more from this author!

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing this advance reader's copy for an honest review.

Two lawyers from opposing sides quickly fond themselves fighting feelings of attraction in this delightful rom com. I quickly became invested in the characters and storyline.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I couldn’t put this one down! This book is smart, funny, and so well written that I was shocked to find out this is a debut novel. I loved Nate and although grumpy, Bea was hilarious. Great chemistry and tension with a touch of spice. There were two miscommunications that seemed a bit forced, but I was able to suspend reality for the sake of the trope. I can’t wait to see what’s next for this author!

Loved this story. Really enjoyed the writing. Deducting a star for so many f bombs. I can appreciate a couple well placed f bombs but this was like a lot. Also deducting another star because I hate a 4th quarter breakup. They avoided so many opportunities to let a miscommunication derail them throughout the book only to let one catch them in the end.

What a delightful, busy, entertaining story that takes a look
at life at its’ busiest, The story and characters are just perfect.
By the time I read the last sentence, I was just delighted.
I recommend this to everyone who wants a lite, fun book.
My thanks to Galley Books for the download of the book
for review purposes.

This was such a cute and complicated story. I loved Bea and her personality. She loves fiercely, and very few understand her. Bea feels strongly about so much and comes across as the angry friend instead of being seen as passionate, strong, and the backbone of their group.

The banter was perfect, not just with the main characters but with all the characters. And I loved the friendship group and their drama filled dynamic.

Nathan and Bea have a complex relationship, and I liked how they progressed throughout the story. I wish we could've had insight into Nathan's thoughts and feelings, I think that would've added a little extra depth to the story, but that's just me. I love knowing what the guy is thinking when our crazy comes out 🤣

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.

How Freaking Romantic by Emily Harding
Writing: B
Story: B-
Characters: C-
Setting: B-
Best Aspect: There were good scenes, and it moved fast.
Worst Aspect: Did not love the FMC at all, and since I am into character driver stories this was hard on me.
Recommend: Yes.

I don’t know where to begin. It wasn’t a bad read, though Beatrice is a bit negative for my liking- I do understand the circumstances. She is the true definition of grumpy.

This book is wacky! I mean, the setup…

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.

But the plot is more straightforward than the summary makes it seem, I have to say. Yes, he is managing her friends’ divorce. Yes, they do start working together. But the divorce proceedings are not as much of a thing as I thought they would be. You definitely do not get bogged down in legal jargon. This book is much more about the emotional journey of Beatrice and her friends.

This book deals with divorce, addiction, and a lot of quite emotional topics. It does have funny moments, but it is much more focused on the growth of the characters. And communication is a huge part of the struggles! Huge! For so many characters!

Bea is a quite solid romance lead. She is flawed and makes mistakes. She has to endure and grow through the course of the novel, but in doing so, she does not become a different person, but a more realized, mature adult. She is near the end of law school, trying to figure out her next steps while facing quite a lot of stress in her personal life. I enjoyed reading this from her perspective.

And Nathan was a lovely male lead. Again, not a perfect human being, but far from waving red flags by any means.

This was a delightful romance, with personal growth and funny and sad bits all around.

Overall, I enjoyed How Freaking Romantic. Quick little rom-com with some spice and a HEA. A solid 2.75 stars

I appreciated that this was a more grown-up story with characters with real jobs and responsibilities. So often, novels like these devolve in a constant dereliction of duty in favor of the relationship, which really doesn’t equate with real life.

Where I had issue with this novel was the FMC’s insistence that nothing change in her friend group. Adulthood and long term relationships alter college friend groups, and it’s up to the friend group to evolve or drift apart. It seemed that the FMC was far to worried about drifting apart from her friends than embracing the evolution of the friendships. But she got there in the end. And I’ve literally never heard of anyone looking for a job by just sending out dozens of random emails and crossing their fingers.

The MMC seemed like a good guy, with a real job and real responsibilities. As a big fan of a dual POV narration, I would have been curious to have a handful of chapters from his perspective thrown in there for fun, as I at times had a hard time understanding why he was remotely interested in the FMC at the beginning.

Still, a good read and would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley & Gallery Books for the opportunity to read & review the ARC.

📚 How Freaking Romantic
✍ Emily Harding
📖 Contemporary Romance
⭐3.5/5
🌶️ 🌶️
📆 Out 7/1/25

🎯 What I loved: I breezed through this book and found the writing easy and propulsive. I love a main character with ambition and Bea definitely fit the bill. This was a great enemies to lovers trope with fun banter and I really loved Nate as a character. He had such warmth and depth and oozed kindness, even when Bea didn't reciprocate. I've enjoyed all of Harding's previously published co-written books and found her banter and steam to be on par with what I loved about those books.

🙅‍♀️ What I didn't: A lot of this book was about Bea learning to let herself be loved and while I appreciated that journey, there were so many moments when Bea was just plain mean to Nate for no reason. I didn't like that she called him an a**hole over and over again and never gave him an opportunity to talk and that she expected him to communicate and make sacrifices while she never did. Love is a two-way street and this story wasn't always representative of that- it honestly felt like Bea was somewhat abusive to Nate and wasn't as much character growth as I hoped for. I'm also not super sure how well the addiction subplot fit into things and why it drove
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Read if you love:
*found family
*enemies to lovers
*teasing as flirting
*adjunct professor + TA (both lawyers)
*he's her best friend's ex's lawyer in their divorce
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See also: One Star Romance, Change of Heart, Perfect Fit