RomeAntically Challenged by Marina Adair

5 Stars Straight Up Fun
 
I’ve been a fan of Marina Adair for years. She writes cute, fun, sexy romances, but this newest book, RomeAntically Challenged was something more. Something better.
 
While it was in no doubt a romance, it was also about family, friends, loss, and discovery. 
 
I loved the friendship between the “3 dads” (bio, step and uncle). The razzing, the not putting up with each other’s excuses and the total love and support they had for “their” daughter. They were fiercely protective. Totally at a loss of dealing with a teen. But most importantly, they loved her unconditionally.
 
Annie’s journey was a bit heart-breaking at times to read. All you have to do is read the author’s letter to understand how close to home this was for her. I would think her being stuck between two worlds, not quite feeling like she fit in with either, might resonate with many people out there, especially those adopted or even raised in blended families. I loved watching her discover more of her culture. I also loved that while she’s had some rotten luck in romantic love and she’s feeling caught in-between, she’s still a strong woman. She’s smart, funny, kind and just the kind of woman to rock Emmitt’s world.
 
Emmitt has his own issues to deal with (his two co-parents, his daughter, his dad, his job, and his own insecurities). It’s a lot to tackle in a novel, but I thought the author did a great job of balancing all that baggage the characters were lugging around with the romance, which was fun and sexy. The banter and texting between Ahn (Annie) and Emmitt was spot-on funny to smoking hot.
 
This was definitely a feel good, funny, warm, breath of fresh air and I’m really looking forward to Gray and Levi’s stories.