The Romance Revival

Bestseller Lauren, the pen name for writing partners Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings (Tangled Up in You), delivers tender vulnerability and meaningful character growth in this sweetly spicy romance. Dr. Emery Martín has it all: a job at a biomedical company that allows her to follow her passion; a fierce best friend in veterinarian Annie; and a husband, Luca, who perfectly balances her out. But due to the top secret nature of her work developing technology that, she hopes, might have prevented the deaths of her parents, she’s forced to keep things from Luca, straining their marriage. Then Luca dies and a desperate Emery uses the experimental procedure she’s developed to bring him back. It works—but he doesn’t remember anything about their life together. For such an intense setup, the ensuing romance is surprisingly fluffy as Emery gets a second chance to be the partner she wishes she could have been and build a better, stronger relationship with Luca. As they endearingly rediscover the chemistry and love that brought them together in the first place, they’re able to grow both as people and as a couple. Readers hoping for a more high-octane plot involving Emery’s secret lab work may be disappointed by how little is done with it, but it’s impossible not to root for this devoted couple. Luca and Emery are adorable. (July)