“I become aware of something much more profound: Our bodies have long known each other in a way that our minds haven’t, at least not until recently. They were simply holding this secret for us, keeping it safe and sacred, waiting for our minds to catch up to the depth of what we have.”
― Christina Lauren, The Romance Revival

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren is a hard book to describe without ruining the plot. If you’re familiar with Christina Lauren’s books, this book is very different than what they traditionally write, although it is still a romance. At its core, The Romance Revival is about two people who must put their lives on the line to find their way back to each other.

Three years ago, Emery Finch stepped outside of her comfort zone and got married. Her husband Luca couldn’t be more her opposite. He is an outgoing, yet laid-back, landscaper while she is tightly-wound and consumed by her job, missing plans consistently. Emery is a workaholic absolutely dedicated to her top-secret job with hopes to change the world.

The two have been plugging along in their relationship until a tragic accident hurts Luca and has the capability to destroy their lives forever. Emery makes a drastic decision utilizing the knowledge that she has gained at her top-secret job. Her decision alters Luca’s prognosis, bringing him back to her. How Emery and Luca deal with the aftermath of this change consumes their lives.

While I enjoyed The Romance Revival, it took me some time to realize what bothered me about this book. First off, it was very different than what I expect from Christina Lauren. Most importantly, I didn’t find myself emotionally connected to any of the characters, except the dog. The chemistry between the two main characters was spicy, but other than that, their relationship felt more superficial. Was that enough to stop me from finishing? Absolutely not. I still enjoyed this book and will keep recommending it! Read this book if you enjoy steamy romance, women in STEM, speculative fiction, and marriage in crisis / second chance at romance themes.

This title is also available in large print.