Three Men and a Baby meets Regarding Henry in this charming romance from Marina Adair (RomeAntically Challenged). Levi Rhodes meant to leave the tiny town of Rome, R.I., 16 years ago to sail around the world. But his sister got pregnant, and Levi couldn't leave her alone. So, he stayed and ran the family marina and bar. Now, however, his niece has both her stepdad and her bio dad back in her life, so she doesn't really need Levi. It would be the perfect time to set off on that round-the-world sailing trip. Except, it seems to Levi that maybe Beckett Hayes needs him instead.
As the primary caretaker for a brother and father with autism, Beckett considers herself a master of handling tricky situations. She opened her own concierge business, so she could best work around family needs, as well as her side gig training therapy animals. She has been happily juggling things for years. Her busy life leaves no room for serious dating, which is fine, except that she can't stop glancing at Levi.
Sweet and sensitive, Hopeless Romantic is a funny romance that gently manages heavy issues like loss of a sibling, parental abandonment and caring for loved ones on the autism spectrum. Can two people who have spent a lifetime putting other people first finally find love for themselves? Readers will hope so, as they enjoy Levi and Beckett's flirting and laugh out loud at the antics of Rome's zany residents and Beckett's many animals. --Jessica Howard, bookseller at Bookmans, Tucson, Ariz.