Beatrice "Bea" Nilsson is in her final semester of law school, she has enough going on without adding an aggravating and annoyingly attractive divorce lawyer to the mix, and yet here they are. Nathan Asher is the counsel for her friend's soon to be ex-husband, and after a rage fueled first meeting, he's been firmly labeled as 'The Enemy.' But when she suddenly finds herself colleagues with said enemy, spending hours with a man who turns out to be not only funny and intelligent, but frustratingly patient with her, Bea's previous feelings of hate begin to waver.

I cannot get enough of Emily Harding's writing! I've been a fan of her 'For the Love of Austen' series with Audrey Bellezza, and was thrilled to get the opportunity to read her first solo work. HOW FREAKING ROMANTIC, filled with it's messy characters, snarky banter, and heartwarming relationships, was absolutely everything I hoped it would be and more. Bea is such a fantastic character and I would read an entire series of her life post-BAR in NYC because, let's be real, she's going to kill it as a lawyer. Then there's Nate - charming, sweet, and so perfect for her it hurts. Their romance was an expertly done enemies-to-lovers between characters who felt so real in their conflicts with each other and their struggles with themselves. Similarly, I adored Bea's relationships with her friends because, even when they were pissing her off with their divorce antics - looking at you Josh - she was one hundred percent there for them when they needed her. Bea is truly the friend we all hope we make in life.

I feel like I could talk about this book for so many more paragraphs, but don't want to give everything away, so, in summary, I cannot recommend this novel enough, and I sincerely hope we get more of these masterpieces from Harding in the future!

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I fell in love with Emily Harding when I read Elizabeth of East Hampton, a book she co-authored with Audrey Bellezza, and this is her solo debut! And what a debut it is!!
Bea Nilsson is unapologetically cranky, and I loved her for it! Not only has she had it tough, she is tough. Putting herself through law school, studying for the bar, and living in a building that probably should be condemned, she’s at the end of her rope emotionally and actually has reason to indulge in some self-pity. She doesn’t expect any help while being the support system to not only her mom, but her friend group as well. And in that vein, when she marches into the office of divorce lawyer, Nathan Asher in defense of her friend she never expects to have to work along side of him just a few days later. The more time she spends with Nathan, she realizes her preconceived notions about him might have been unfounded.
Nate might be confident and ruthless in the courtroom, but there’s a totally different side to him, personally. I was as enamored with Nathan as he was with Bea. He’s protective without smothering, patient, vulnerable and willing to accept Bea as she is, snark and all .
I’m not usually a fan of the third act break-up, but this is one of the first that was reasonable and was so well written that it made perfect sense.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing the ARC.

This book and the vibes it brings are absolutely, 1000% immaculate. A million stars, no notes. Perfection.

Bea is a hardass that seems to just be angry all the time, so much that no one lets her forget it. But that anger is just armor protecting a soft and fragile human who loves and cares deeply for her people, she's their ride or die, and maybe could use someone in her corner to back her up when she needs it. When two of her best friends are going through a nasty divorce, Bea takes it upon herself to chase down the guy responsible for so much pain and turmoil to her friends. Enter Nate, the divorce attorney, and after getting dragged to filth by Bea in his own office, manages to insert himself into her life in a variety of ways.

These two are explosive in the best way. Their chemistry is off the charts, their banter is top notch, with Nate being the cool, calm, and collected to Bea's scathing sarcasm. Although there are moments where Bea is harsh, it never feels like their conversations veer off into mean or rude for the sake of being those things. It is affectionate roasting, with moments where the anger Bea exhibits feels justified. But where Bea is lighter fluid on gas, Nate is a balm that soothes her jagged edges. He knows exactly who she is, and doesn't cower from it or hide behind bitter words. He appreciates the fact that she sees through the bullshit and calls people out on theirs. He knows when to push her and when to be a shield. He provides her a safe place to shed her armor, so that she can be vulnerable. These two are probably my new favorite book couple.

Excellent book from Emily Harding. I am excitedly looking forward to more from her.

A solid solo contemporary romance debut that sees Bea, a passionate law student defending her best friend and verbally attacking her ex's lawyer, Nate who she believes is trying to take advantage of her. Of course this kicks off with a series of misunderstandings, lots of heated chemistry and forced proximity between the two leads when Nate steps in for the Law Professor Bea is TAing for. I liked the NYC, Suits vibes in this story but I felt more focus was spent on Bea's relationships with her friends than Nate. It was good on audio and recommended for fans of books like Overruled by Lana Ferguson (another romcom featuring rival lawyers) or Laws of attraction, the movie with Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @simon.audio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.

I’m sure this is a fun story, but Bea’s anger issues are too much for me. I prefer novels that are more plot-driven and don’t open with so much exposition. DNF.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Wow, did I love this one!

Emily Harding's solo novel focuses on a feisty soon-to-be lawyer who is intent on helping her friend go through a divorce by first verbally assaulting the opposing lawyer. Then she can't seem to escape him.

In Bea, we meet an older law student, fiercely loyal to her friends and fiercely anti-marriage after a childhood of her mother's wedding hopping. This childhood created a shell around her, and now in Nate (the divorce lawyer), she's fighting the urge to break her shell.

Harding's trademark banter shines through in these two enemies/friends/soulmates. The focus on other relationships beyond the romantic ones also sets this book apart. Bea needs to learn how to communicate not just with Nate but with herself, her mother and the friends she holds so dear.

It's a beautiful tale about letting people in and feeling stagnant.

I loved this! How Freaking Romantic brings new life to the romance genre. It feels so real. The characters are messy, they have baggage, they deal with real issues, and they don't always act rationally, but these two did show up for each other and their loved ones. It was also an interesting take on the "forbidden" trope. Nate is Bea's best friends divorce lawyer and then the substitute professor for the class she's TA-ing. It isn't strictly forbidden but it also isn't necessarily right.
Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for this eARC!

I have really enjoyed the books that Emily Harding has written with Audrey Bellezza, so was excited to see that she had a solo debut. How Freaking Romantic was a really fun and quick read with workplace romance and enemies to lovers vibes. I will not lie that Beatrice drove me insane at times but the way that Nate loved her through it all was really sweet. I wanted to see a little more of the friend group together, but overall this was a solid debut and I would definitely read more from Harding.

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I love the enemies to lovers trope, I just wish in this one I liked Bea more. There were times she was incredibly rude to Nathan for no reason other than being hired by her friend as his divorce attorney,

Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a fan of Emily Harding and her writing partner Audrey Bellezza and was so excited to read Emily Harding’s debut “How Freaking Romantic”. This enemies to lovers story was a slow-burn delight with plenty of tension, banter and swoon-worthy moments.

Beatrice Nelson, an aspiring lawyer is forced to work alongside the opposing counsel in her best friend’s divorce case. Nathan Asher is the attorney for her best friend’s soon to be ex-husband. Beatrice or Bea to her friends is opinionated, angry and fiercely loyal to those she loves. Nathan Asher is cool, calm, collected and gorgeous. The tension is immediate and things are about to get complicated in the best way.

This book was funny, snarky, well-paced and an absolute delight! Can’t wait to read more from the author!

How Freaking Romantic is right! This book was so FUN. A not so meet-cute between sexy lawyer, Nate and fiery law student, Bea sets off such a deliciously slow burning enemies to lovers romcom. This book got me out of my slump and is an absolute must read come July!

What to expect:
-NYC setting
-“but who takes care of you?”
-he falls first
-so much tension
-addiction representation
-forced proximity

Heartfelt, witty, slow-burn romance, and personal growth... This was such a fun read! I adored the banter and flirting between Bea and Nathan. I enjoyed how Nathan didn’t play her along or act uninterested and instead was more open about his feelings than Bea. The plot surrounding Bea’s friend group was also touching. I really enjoyed Harding’s writing style, pacing, and character development. I wasn’t a huge fan of the end (pre-epilogue), because I thought Nathan should’ve gone after Bea but I suppose the ending was more fitting to the characters personalities.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ohhhh Beatrice you prickly little cactus, who has bubble wrapped her heart up and then locked it away – how you tried to fight your actual feelings for Nate Asher – you tried and failed magnificently and we as the reader of How Freaking Romantic benefited greatly. This is Emily Harding’s debut standalone novel (if you haven’t read her retellings of Jane Austen novels that she co-authors with her writing partner Audrey Bellezza – what are you doing??) and it is absolutely worth reading. This is enemies to lovers perfection, and don’t let Bea’s prickly personality put you off – she’s really a big old softy who’s looking for love and someone who understands who she is at her core – and Nate is up for the job from the moment she storms into his office to give him a piece of her mind. I absolutely enjoyed reading Bea and Asher’s story (all the bantering and arguing was *chef’s kiss*), and honestly couldn’t put this one down. Add it to your TBR!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Emily Harding and Gallery Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

THIS IS MY JAM!!!! Enemies to lovers, a LAWYER who can ARGUEEE, DRAMA and TENSION, and a real, complicated heroine who is a mess and yet so relatable (I LOVED HER)? I gobbled this UP, y’all. I have long been a fan of Emily Harding’s co-written Austen retellings, and so obviously I needed to read this too. My stomach was flipping multiple times. I implore you! Read this!

Thank you to Gallery at NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review 🙂

A delightful book I read in one fun sitting. I was into two lawyers arguing and having sexy fun banter.

This was fun if you enjoy the enemies to lovers trope. The dialogue between the two main characters is amusing. The problem I had is that the MFC, Bea, is generally rather unlikeable. She doesn’t even seem to like herself. The MMC, Nate, seems like a great guy. He has a little bit of insecurities from his past romantic history. But I found it unbelievable that he fell for Bea after one meeting when she came into his fancy lawyer’s office and screeched at him while wearing stained sweat clothes and with unwashed hair. I could see why she would fall for him, but he would have had to know her personal history and a lot more about her character to have fallen for her after that one scene. I wish the author had made the heroine a bit more appealing.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

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.