RomeAntically Challenged

Written by Marina Adair

Narrated by Cindy Kay

Growing up the lone Asian in a community of WASPs, Annie has always felt out of place. Her solution? Start a family of her own. Not easy when every man she’s dated, including her ex-fiancé, finds “his person” right after breaking up with Annie. Even worse than canceling the wedding eight weeks beforehand? Learning the “other woman” plans to walk down the aisle wearing her wedding gown. New plan—find a fresh, man-free start. Too bad her exit strategy unexpectedly lands her working at a hospital in Rome, Rhode Island, rather than Rome, Italy, and sharing a cabin with a big, brooding, and annoyingly hot male roommate.

Home on medical leave after covering a literally explosive story in China, investigative photojournalist Emmitt embarks on his most important assignment—cementing his place in his daughter’s life. Three men and a baby might work in the movies, but with a stepdad and devoted uncle competing for Paisley’s attention, Emmitt has lost his place at the family table. Then there’s the adorably sexy squatter in his cabin, who poses another problem, one he’d very much like to solve up close and personal. But he can’t win—Annie has sworn off men, Paisley’s gone boy crazy, and Emmitt’s estranged father reappears with a secret that changes everything.

Annie and Emmitt are about to discover love comes in many forms, and sometimes the best families are the ones we make.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980077015

Marina Adair

Marina Adair is the bestselling author of beloved romances such as The Eastons series; the Heroes of St. Helena series; and the Sequoia Lake books, It Started with a Kiss and Every Little Kiss. Her St. Helena Vineyard series was the inspiration behind the Hallmark Channel original movie Autumn in the Vineyard. Marina enjoys writing contemporary romance novels in which the towns are small, the personalities are large, and the romance is explosive. She holds a master of fine arts in creative writing and lives with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats in Northern California. She loves interacting with her readers. You can follow her on Twitter @MarinaEAdair and sign up for her newsletter on her website at www.MarinaAdair.com/newsletter.

Reviews for RomeAntically Challenged

[Anita Warren Williams · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great reading it give hope for love. You will laugh and cry.

[managedbybooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not quite what I expected


'Growing up the lone Asian in a community of WASPs, Annie has always felt out of place. Her solution? Start a family of her own. Not easy when every man she’s dated, including her ex-fiancé, finds “his person” right after breaking up with Annie. Even worse than canceling the wedding eight weeks beforehand? Learning the “other woman” plans to walk down the aisle wearing her wedding gown. New plan—find a fresh, man-free start. Too bad her exit strategy unexpectedly lands her working at a hospital in Rome, Rhode Island, rather than Rome, Italy, and sharing a cabin with a big, brooding, and annoyingly hot male roommate.'

This premise (and the description of our love interest in the following paragraph) had me really excited for a down to earth, meet-awkward type of romance but unfortunately, the execution just didn't work for me. Emmitt was not the LI I hoped for and the chemistry between the two MCs didn't feel as organic as I'd hoped. It was overall, pretty okay but not my thing.

[ethel55_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

While I liked the three men and baby vibe from the hero, Emmitt and his daughter Paisley's step father and uncle, the heroine Annie wasn't as good a fit for me. Families are what you make of them, sometimes they are biological and sometimes not.

[donna.arnold · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

RomeAntically Challenged is a sexy, sassy, flirty romantic summer read that has a very cute, fun, colorful cover. The book has been described as cross between 3 man and a baby and 21 dresses which I consider to be an accurate way to describe it. It's an easy to get into this book, it flows with interesting characters and storyline. I totally enjoyed this book and highly recommend it as an escape from the current worldly events.

Thank you to BookishFirst and Kensington Books for providing me with the advanced reader copy.

[marquis784-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a complimentary print copy of this book from Bookish First Impressions in exchange for an unbiased review.

I enjoyed the light, playful cover which aptly displays the story you’re about to read. I fell in love with the characters right away. The confusion placing Ahn Nhi Walsh in the unexpected path of Emmitt Bradley is a perfect storm! This is the perfect escape from life for awhile book.

Anh Nhi Walsh is a physician’s assistant was adopted from Vietnam by two renowned therapists living in Hartford, CT. Most people call her “Annie” since saying her name often proves challenging. She thought her life was falling into place as she anxiously prepared for her wedding. She had just picked up her grandmother Hannah’s silk Grecian 1941 wedding gown which was bought in Ireland. She had it meticulously restored at Bliss boutique so she could feel comforted by her belated grandmother’s presence at her wedding.

Her life is turned sideways when she wakes up 3 months before her wedding, which also happens to be her grandparents wedding anniversary, to find her fiancé Dr Clark Atwood gone. He breaks their engagement via a text with a “it’s not you, it’s me” line. She doesn’t even have time to recover from the shock when she sees an Instagram post of her ex-fiancé and his “true love” newly engaged. While Annie is attempting to cancel venues and request refunds she is appalled to find that Clark has replaced her with Molly-Leigh.

It’s only when she tries on her wedding dress does she realizes that Clark has hijacked “her” wedding. He shared her wedding journal with Molly-Leigh who fell in love with all of Annie’s wedding plans including her grandmother’s heirloom gown! There was a mix up and her dress was restored to fit Molly-Leigh who is physically Annie’s opposite. If that weren’t enough, Clark tells her that her mother neglected to cancel the venue at the Hartford Club hoping they would reunite. After two years of waiting for a date she placed a $10k deposit which he states he will refund after his wedding there.

Annie finally thought she found her soul mate after five failed relationships. “Her life had been a nonstop revolving door of serial monogamists, each with a fatal flaw that kept him from finding the one.” Ultimately, when those relationships ended the men found their soul mate and married. Not wanting to face all the humiliation of the aftermath of this disaster, she gets a temporary travel position in Rome, RI.

Annie rents a cabin on the banks of Buzzard’s Bay where the owner is apparently oversees on assignment as a photojournalist. Emmitt Bradley is sent home from China after a concrete building explosion which resulted in a concussion, fractured ribs, and several shrapnel pieces that needed removal. Home on medical leave, he returns to his cottage unaware that his friend Levi rented it out to Annie for 6 months. As Annie is struggling to remove the too tight wedding gown after a heated phone call with Clark she is surprised by the presence of a big broad figure looming behind her. A hilarious interaction occurs between Emmitt and Annie which only escalates as they sort out the confusion.

Needless to say, there’s more to the playboy Emmitt than his banter and record of numerous women. He discovered he had a daughter when she was 5 years old and the mother was marrying Dr Grayson Tanner. He had known Michelle since childhood and her brother Levi is still his best friend. After Michelle’s untimely death the three men step up to care for 15 year old Paisley Rhodes-Bradley.

This is a delightful story about how 2 people discover a new perspective on love, family and friendship. How do you balance a work life and a social life? Is being a workaholic really an effective coping mechanism? Happiness often comes after self reflection.

[hotcha-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a hilarious story about an adopted Vietnamese girl who grew up in a white family, got Unengaged when her fiance' dumped her less than a month before the wedding to make matters worse, he had Her grandmother's dress altered to fit his NEW fiancee's double D's, stole their wedding site, and refused to reimburse her the money she had put down and she needed that ten grand! To make matters worse still, she accepted a temp position in what she thought was Rome ITALY, but it turned out to be Rhode Island! Annie is a mouse of a woman too afraid, to mean what she said to her mom that she was NOT going to her ex-fiance's wedding, nor did she try to sue him for the money he owed her or the repairs on her grandmother's dress. I really hated that Annie was made a fool of but I am glad that she got the ending that she never expected.

[arthistorychick · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Romeantically Challenged by Marina AdairBook #1: When in Rome SeriesSource: NetGalley and KensingtonRating: 4/5 starsThough her resume clearly states she is a physician’s assistant, Annie might as well change it to professional husband preparer. Her last several relationships have all felt good, felt right, right up to the moment her boyfriend unexpectedly dumped her and quickly moved on to his “One.” Perhaps the worst of all is her latest ex whose bride-to-be has not only hijacked Annie’s wedding but had Annie’s wedding dress altered to fit her much larger and bustier frame. That’s it . . . . .Clearly, Annie has nothing left to lose and in a moment of panic, she has quit her job and landed a temporary position in a clinic and hospital in Rome, Rhode Island. For the record, Annie thought she was signing on for a position in the other Rome. Yeah, Annie’s life is in the crapper and inexplicably, it’s about to get worse. Emmitt loves his home in Rhode Island, but he loves being abroad and chasing a story even more. Chasing a story, exposing the dirty details, and speaking up for those who cannot is where Emmitt is at his best. If it weren’t for his young daughter back in Rome, Emmitt would likely stay on the road forever. Unfortunately, thanks to a nasty head wound, Emmitt has been sidelined and sent home until he can be medically cleared for work. Coming home with a head wound only to find a complete stranger living in his house is not how Emmitt saw his day going. What’s more, the complete stranger is wearing a far too big wedding dress, throwing shoes, and using a very shouty voice. Could it get any worse? With a contract that has been signed, sealed, and delivered, both Annie and Emmitt are stuck with one another for the time being. To Emmitt’s mind, if he’s going to be stuck with the feisty, sexy lady he may as well make a play for her. Though Emmitt has every intention of seducing Annie, he quickly finds out she is virtually immune to his usual charms. What’s more, she’s perceptive and knows his injuries are far worse than he’s letting on. On the other hand, Emmitt has always enjoyed a good challenge. Annie sees her time in Rome as a way to get her life back on track. Her ex is being horrendously passive-aggressive, her parents can’t understand why she won’t patch things up with her ex, and her new roommate is so damn hot she can’t concentrate in his presence. If Annie is going to get her life back on track, avoiding men like Emmitt is a priority but that’s far easier said than done. Within just a few days, Emmitt begins to grow on Annie, and it isn’t long before the two discover they actually like one another. As long as the relationship stays platonic, Annie will be just fine, but that is also far easier said than done. In the days and weeks that Annie and Emmitt live together, they discover many mutual likes and dislikes, they have flirtatious fun, and they help one another with their collective life baggage. As one thing leads to another, friends become lovers and things really start to go awry in Rome, Rhode Island. The Bottom Line: I am a big fan of this book! I knew the minute I met Annie I was going to like watching her blossom and become the badass she truly is under all the self-doubt and worry. Annie is a thoroughly likeable character and a perfect match for Emmitt. I truly enjoyed the back and forth between Annie and Emmitt from their texts to their actual conversations. All the drama surrounding the pair made for a roller coaster of a ride that I really didn’t want to end. There’s a lot going on in this book and it is all well-written and flawlessly woven together into a cohesive story. Clearly, Rome, Rhode Island is the place to be and I can’t wait to go back for round two!

[elainehowlin · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a super cute and endearing story with elements of Three Men and a Baby and a gender swapped Good Luck Chuck. It will give you all the warm fuzzies if you're a fan of rom-coms and friends to lovers slow burn romances.

[madison_fairbanks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Romeantically Challenged by Marina Adair A Contemporary romance with so much heart. Finding “their person” is such a romantic concept. This novel filled me with joy. Ok, some tears and frustration as the story progressed but I tend to read slower the more I like a story. I really wanted to just stop at 80% and revel in the gooey feelings. But, of course, conflicts still needed to be resolved and men have to freak about something. It was so worth reading to the end. Absolutely loved this book and couple. Implied sentimentality. It melted my heart. “Right now he needed someone to listen, so she took his hand, which was like holding melting ice, and without hesitation, his fingers laced with hers.”I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy to share.

[huberk-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

ROMeANTICALLY CHALLENGED by Marina AdairPublished by: Kensington BooksAhn 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.

[coverloverbookreview · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This isn't exactly what I was expecting. I suppose I expected more of a light-hearted read, but the book has more depth than that. I've visited Rome several times, and love the culture and atmosphere, so I would've enjoyed a little more of that. I didn't really get the "feel" of the setting. On a good note, the chemistry and banter between the main characters was fun. I enjoy a friends-to-more story and this fit the bill. I really enjoyed Emmitt's storyline and connected best with him. I empathized with his situation with his daughter. Annie, on the other hand was more difficult to relate to. I sympathized with her being dumped before her wedding, but mainly due to the circumstance, rather than to her personally. Overall, this is a good read, but the romance fell a little flat for me. I needed more connection with Annie.

[m.belljackson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

RomeAntically Challenged delivered a fun moving along plot, with a lot of surprising wit and humor for the first 9/10ths of the book.The story then hinged on a stupid and predictable rookie choice which ended up changing BOTH of the two main characters into their pre-redemption status. Anh's decision not to tell Emmitt about his dying father was based on an unreal conflict of patient confidentiality which she did NOT have since Les was not her patient. This totally threw off any belief readers might have had in her developing self- confidence.As well, as part of the fallout from this lie, Emmitt, who had promised his daughter and family NOT to leave again suddenly, now betrays them and up and leaves.This is what many readers may feel like doing. We held on through Anh's overdone "tingling" as well as feeling that Emmitt would get really boring if he accepted the eternal love and marriage trope. He did. He did not say anything remotely funny in the final 9/10ths.