I absolutely loved Loving Romeo by Laura Pavlov; it is an incredible opposites attracts small town love story. It is the first book in her new Manolia Falls series. Laura Pavlov continues to prove that she is an amazing storyteller and is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors to read. It was impossible to put Loving Romeo down and I loved every moment on every page. It filled me with a rollercoaster of emotions. Who does not love hot sexy men, strong females, loving families, and friends, who always support one another? I really enjoy how the book is told in the first person from the perspective of the main characters. I love getting the insight and feelings from the different characters. My favorite part of the book is how Laura Pavlov incorporates the picture on the cover and the title of the book into the love story. Loving Romeo is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming moments. Loving Romeo is filled with all those things that I have come to love and expect in a Laura Pavlov love story, and she did not disappoint with the delivery of those things, especially with the poignant and bittersweet moments that filled this page turner. I love how Laura Pavlov always manages to create the "perfect" heroine, who is a strong, sassy woman on her own, to balance out the sexy, swoon worthy man. Loving Romeo is the story of Romeo Knight, owner of the Knockout gym, Demi Crawford, owner of the new coffee shop, Magnolia Beans. Demi returns home to Magnolia Falls following her college graduation to open her coffee shop beside Romeo’s Knockout gym. Romeo is from the wrong sides of the tracks and Demi’s family is one of the more affluent families in the town. Romeo makes his opinion of Demi and her family known when he goes to her coffee shop to order drinks for his mother and grandmother. As a teenager, Romeo and his friend River took the blame for an incident involving Demi’s brother, Slade, and his friend. Romeo is bullied into a boxing match with Leo Burns, a professional fighter. Romeo is the person to defeat Gunner Waverly, in his only professional boxing match. Gunner recently defeated Leo for the championship belt. Romeo brings training, and Demi negotiates a deal with Romeo, she will supply him with protein shakes while he is training in exchange for self-defense classes for herself, following a recent encounter with Ronny Waterstone. I love the chemistry between Demi and Romeo, even when Romeo does not want to like Demi. As Demi and Romeo spend time working together training, things change between them. Romeo is not interested in a relationship with Demi because of her last name. Neither one is willing to admit their true feelings for each other. Conversation between Demi and Romeo flows so easily, with innuendos and playful banter, and Romeo constantly flirts with Demi. I love that both Demi and Romeo share secrets with one another that they have not shared with anyone before. One of my favorite parts is how Demi tells Romeo about her nickname “Beans” and that Romeo and his friends begin calling her Beans. I love that Romeo shares what happened when he was a teenager in exchange for what happened to Demi and Ronny. Some conversations between Demi and Romeo are truly heartbreaking, make sure you have your Kleenex nearby. A heart-breaking surprise plot twist occurs, which changes things between them, and Romeo blames himself for what happened. I love all the changes that Romeo is willing to make in his life to have a life and a future with Demi, wherever that may be. I love the text thread between Romeo and his friends and the texts between Romeo and Demi. I love the ride or die motto between Romeo and his friends. My favorite character in the book is Cutler, who is the five-year-old son of Romeo’s friend, Nash Heart. I love that Cutler has a romantic interest in Demi and wants to be called, “Beefcakes”. I love Cutler’s interactions with all the characters in the book. I loved that Loving Romeo is more than just a romance, there are issues that both Demi and Romeo are facing that need to be resolved. I love how the storylines get so beautifully resolved. I love the ending of their love story. My favorite part is the epilogue and how it goes above a happily ever after. My favorite part was the bonus scene download and the housewarming surprise gift from Demi’s grandparents. Loving Romeo is filled with poignant and bittersweet moments as well as plot twists that I have come to love and expect in a Laura Pavlov love story and was not disappointed with her delivery of those items. I also loved catching up with Romeo's brother, Lincoln Hendrix and his wife Brinkley. Loved the role that Linc and Brinkley played in their love story. I love the characters and the family dynamic in Loving Romeo, the characters feel like family and friends, especially Romeo relationship with his friends River, Kingston, Nash, and Hayes. I enjoyed all the interactions between the friends, it feels like real family love and makes me laugh at their teasing. I love the descriptions of the Magnolia Falls location. I loved all the characters in Loving Romeo, and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. Who does not love family and friends that always have each other’s backs? I thoroughly enjoyed Loving Romeo, who does not love an opposites attracts love story. Highly recommend this incredible love story and am so looking forward to reading the other books in the series. I received an advanced copy from the author.
Stephanie McClure
Cori / RomancingtheReader
Patti Lucas