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The Romance Revival is Christina Lauren’s 34th book. And while this romance has many of the hallmarks long time CLo readers would expect: science-y FMC, San Diego setting, great chemistry, it feels like a new direction for the author duo.
In addition to being a romance, there’s some light thriller elements at work in their latest. It reads like a movie right out of the gate, with FMC Emery revealing that her job at a medical laser company isn’t quite what it seems. The coastal San Diego-type cover dotted with California poppies is as much a front as Emery’s job. There’s definitely more than meets the eye going on here. (I’ll let the Barnes & Noble dust jacket give you the hints).
What you get in The Romance Revival is an amnesia plot, a do-over for someone who’s been a crappy partner, a nosy neighbor, a little quasi-corporate/government intrigue, and a fun summer read. For readers who’ve been along for the ride for much of Christina Lauren’s career, The Romance Revival is a natural progression of their storytelling. We’ve done the dating in your 20s and early 30s phases, the dating when you have a precocious kid phase, the modern marriage of convenience, and now, these characters are re-finding their relationship footing in a marriage. And its 100% still a romance.
I loved it. I love that there’s a bit of an about-face in who’s the partner consumed by their work to the point of rudeness. I love that CLo explores reviving the romance and respect in a relationship that’s never been short on sexual chemistry. This is a toe into grown folks romance in a way we haven’t quite seen them write before. Don’t get me wrong, they’re staying on brand, but maybe they’re exploring more new directions than I thought. It’s gonna be fun to stay tuned.
Christina Lauren is hitting the road (in an RV!) to tour The Romance Revival, with stops including Naperville, IL; St. Louis and Kansas City, MO; Ames, IA; and San Diego, CA. Tickets required and include the book. The full list with info is here.
Audiobook narrated by Julia Whalen and Vas Eli.
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