The Romance Revival

The Romance Revival by Christina Lauren is a second chance romance with a magical realism feel. Did I like it, and will you?

Review of The Romance Revival

Christina Lauren likes to mix it up, from spicy romance to YA, from m/f to m/m, from contemporary stories to magical realism. Lately their books have been leaning into science and tech themes, like the DNA-based matchmaking in The Soulmate Equation.

The Romance Revival goes even further, using science to create the most unusual second chance at love romance I’ve read. Emery pretends she’s a laser scientist, but instead she’s doing secret, cutting-edge research in regenerative medicine. She and her husband Luca have a great physical connection, but her workaholic tendencies (and the airtight secrecy around her research) have created emotional distance between them.

When tragedy strikes, a panicked Emery makes an impulsive decision. Now Luca can’t remember her. Can they fall in love all over again?

When I realized what The Romance Revival was about, I was fully prepared to hate this book. Magical realism romance (or sci fi romance?) is really not my thing.

But I really enjoyed reading it!

The Romance Revival had:

• A tech-y second chance at romance premise
• Themes of not taking your loved ones for granted
• Some very spicy bedroom scenes (their books don’t always!)
• Publication date: July 14 2026 by Gallery Books. Thanks so much to them for the advance review copy.

This book is perfect For:

• Fans of magical realism romance books by Rebecca Serle
• Readers who like plot-driven romance
• Fans of a second chance romance that goes deep into the couple’s relationship and how they can make it stronger in their second chance iteration.

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