“… you are all you need. You’re not the sidekick, or the lesser sister or the back-up or the girlfriend forever revolving around what other people want from you. You’re the leading lady.”
― Kirsty Greenwood, Romantic Hero

Gertie Bickerstaff is working on the latest book in her popular Bedlam Creek romance book series. In the past, the characters have always been at the front of her mind, but they refuse to help her while writing her latest book. Suffering from major writer’s block, Gertie is at a loss of what to do. When her boyfriend suddenly tells her he wants to take a break, Gertie spirals further. Her neighbor across the hall decides a manifestation ceremony is what Gertie needs to get her motivation back. What happens instead? Gertie wakes up one morning to discover River Oakley, the swoony badboy cowboy from her Bedlam Creek series, in her apartment. Chaos and confusion ensues.

Kirsty Greenwood is one of my favorite magical realism romance authors. Her latest novel, Romantic Hero, is witty, hilarious, and full of whimsy. Usually I have trouble suspending reality when I read, but this story didn’t feel rushed and the magical realism actually made sense in my mind. Greenwood also includes characters and Easter eggs from her other novels, which I enjoyed! Full of fake dating, intense discussions on grief, and multiple ways to get over writer’s block, there is much to enjoy in Romantic Hero. In case you need another reason to read this title, read it for Squish, the chug (chihuahua + pug mix) and his relationship with River. The eccentric characters lifted up this story, but it’s still an intense read.