Romantic Hero

by Kirsty Greenwood

A heartbroken romance novelist is forced to address her writer's block when the villainous cowboy character from her books shows up in the real world, desperately in need of his own Happily Ever After. . . from the bestselling author of GMA book club pick The Love of My Afterlife.

Gertie Bickerstaff writes happily-ever-afters for a living. . . . Or she did, until her own love life fell apart. Now her ex is thriving, her deadline is looming, and she can’t write a single word.

The last thing Gertie needs is more drama—like waking up to find a confused and rugged cowboy on her sofa. And not just any cowboy, but River Oakley, the villain from her unfinished novel. Somehow very real . . . and very shirtless.

River wants to go home. Gertie wants her life back. So they strike a deal: he’ll use his cunning ways to help her win back her ex, she’ll finish the novel, and, surely, he’ll return to whatever world he rode in from.

But as River Oakley proves to be so much more than just the bad guy, Gertie has to choose: the ending she thought she wanted . . . or the plot twist she never saw coming.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Adult, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 2, 2026

About the author

Kirsty Greenwood is a top ten bestselling author of funny, fearless and fast-paced romantic comedies about extraordinary love.

When she's not writing books she composes musicals, cooks new recipes with varying success, walks the blustery hills where she lives, buys too much glittery eyeshadow, sings to her dog, kisses her husband and reads all of the books she can get her grabby hands on.

If you want to find out about Kirsty's new releases and discounted books you can sign up to the newsletter here: www.kirstygreenwood.com/newsletter

Kirsty Instagrams at @kirsty_greenwood and can be found on Facebook at KirstyGreenwoodBooks. Say hi! She loves a natter.

Reviews

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

while i did not cry as much as i did while reading the love of my afterlife, i felt a lot more complex emotions reading romantic hero.

this was such a beautiful magical realism romance — and i am especially proud of our fmc gertie; she really scared me for a second because of how much of a meek pushover she was, especially regarding that windbag henry, but boy did she really grow into herself!!

i loved river as the mmc — he was gruff and snarky but also really encouraged gertie to stick up for herself, and showed her how to be her own person. i loved that he never allowed her to put herself down and supported her, but was very clear in his communication when he felt wronged by her. not to mention he was sexyyy and made gertie feel just as sexy too😌🙂‍↕️

not to mention his letter to her😭 THAT’S when i cried…

overall i really enjoy kirsty greenwood’s writing and i am chomping for another book by her asap. i’ll have to dive into her backlist!!

not to mention there was an easter egg from the love of my afterlife😭🩵

——

beyond excited to dive into this next book by kirsty greenwood because the love of my afterlife completely rewired my brain

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED! 💕💕💕💕 Review to come.

[Bree Doby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️! kirsty greenwood does it again and delivers a magical romance! my main gripe is the main character’s name being gertie bickerstaff (lol) & her needing to throw hands way quicker and more often than she did. but who knows maybe she grows into herself eventually ;)

thank you netgalley & berkley publishing group for the arc!!!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ — A wildly charming, reality-bending romance full of humor, heart, and swoony surprises 🤠📚💖

Romantic Hero is a clever, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional rom-com that plays with the idea of fiction coming to life in the most delightful way. Kirsty Greenwood delivers a story packed with laugh-out-loud moments, swoony surprises, and a genuinely heartfelt journey about healing after heartbreak.

Gertie Bickerstaff is a romance writer who no longer believes in her own happily-ever-afters 💔✍️. Reeling from a breakup, drowning in writer’s block, and staring down a brutal deadline, she’s already at her limit—until she wakes up to find a very real, very confused, and very shirtless cowboy on her couch 🤠🔥. River Oakley, the villain from her unfinished novel, is somehow alive in the real world, and the chaos that follows is pure romantic-comedy gold.

Their deal—to use River to help Gertie win back her ex while she finishes his story—sets up a deliciously messy, emotionally charged situation 💥❤️. What makes it shine is how River slowly proves that he’s far more than just a fictional bad guy. Beneath the bravado is vulnerability, loyalty, and a longing for his own happily ever after that’s impossible not to root for.

The story balances absurdity and emotional depth beautifully. There’s humor in every chapter, but also genuine reflection on heartbreak, self-worth, and the danger of clinging to the wrong ending just because it feels familiar 🥺📖. Watching Gertie question everything she thought she wanted is both funny and quietly powerful.

A witty, swoon-worthy rom-com about rewriting your own story and choosing the love you never expected 🤠💞✨. Romantic Hero is perfect for readers who love fictional-meets-real chaos, heartfelt humor, and happily-ever-afters with a twist.

[Meagan (Meagansbookclub) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, not enough banter and tension. But it was a fun read and would be great on a summer TBR.

[Katie McNeely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kristy Greenwood take all of my money I trust your books with my life. Kristy did it again ya’ll.

[Martina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the gifted ARC!

Love of My Afterlife was one of my top reads in 2024 and I was beyond excited to get the opportunity to read an ARC of Romantic Hero. It was also my first Berkley approval on NetGalley so that makes this one even more special!

Once I saw that this was magical realism, I said sign me up! This was everything I wanted A Novel Love Story to be. Gertie is an author, who after her longtime boyfriend wants to put their relationship on a break, ends up sad and with writer’s block. Enter River, the villain side character from Gertie’s unfinished romance series. Every single character in this book was a blast, from her hilarious neighbor to an adorable loving dog.

I was so nervous about how this would all play out; there were so many different options Kirsty could have gone with. I am so happy to say the ending was EVERYTHING I WANTED and more. I am also not afraid to admit that I may have read this with a margarita and I may have cried at the end, but that was definitely the tequila talking 🤣

It’s really hard to get across just how much I loved this without spoiling anything. Love of My Afterlife is still my number 1 but this was a very close second!

[Katie (katieladyreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my fav brand of silly
Romance!

[maddie's reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc!

Rtc

[noémie - goldenliterature · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

ARC review:

romantic hero was an absolute joy from start to finish. kirsty greenwood has such a unique way of writing, and this book perfectly balances absurd humor with real emotional depth. after loving the love of my afterlife, i was so excited to read this, and it did not disappoint. gertie is a romance novelist trying to finish the final book in her series while dealing with heartbreak and writer’s block. when she wakes up to find river oakley, the antagonist from her novels, sitting in her living room, the story takes off in the most unexpected and delightful way. what follows is absurd, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional. the beginning had me laughing out loud, but the second half took a deeper turn, exploring self-worth, people-pleasing, grief, and learning to take up space. following gertie’s journey was emotional and deeply satisfying, and i loved how river challenged her, supported her, and made her feel truly seen and loved. this book made me laugh, cry, and fall completely in love. it was heartfelt, funny, and just beautiful.

read if you like:
- magical realism
- absurd hilarious situations
- emotional journey
- a heartbroken romance novelist who believes in HEA
- a flirty, womanizer cowboy who doesn't believe in love
- fake dating
- only one bed

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 I am sure that every writer hopes their stories are so vivid that they jump off the pages…maybe just not literally right onto their couch. Gertie is a romance writer afflicted with recent heartbreak and a major case of writer’s block; and unfortunately deadlines do not wait for our personal grievances to work out. And so the show, or in this case, book series, must go on. But when a shirtless cowboy from her novel appears on the couch, it must all be a farce…

Perpetual people pleaser Gertie is challenged when this bold man in boots pushes her out of her comfort zone in this charming tale sprinkled with humor and magical realism. Kirsty Greenwood delivers top level comedic gold that is delicately layered with heavier topics as Gertie and her cowboy River Oakley face their personal demons, creating a beautifully balanced story. Romantic Hero is one heartfelt story, whisking the reader along an enchanting journey of hope and self-love.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Days into 2026 and I think I’ve already read my favorite romance book of the year.

[ahmeeka]

thank you random house / cornerstone for an arc !!!! I’m so excited for some magical realism 🧚🏼💫⭐️🪩

[Samantha Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsty Greenwood has done it again 🥹😭 brilliant, heartwarming, and so much fun. I can’t recommend this book enough! Out June 2, 2026.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Gertie Bickerstaff is an author battling writer’s block after a recent heartbreak, with the final book in her Texas romance series due in just two weeks! Desperate and stuck, she turns to an extreme solution: a manifestation ceremony with her neighbor, hoping to heal her heart, finish her book, and win back her love.

When she wakes up to find River Oakley, the villain from her novels, alive and standing in her flat, things take a wildly unexpected turn. Together, they must figure out how to send him back to the pages where he belongs and maybe fix Gertie’s love life along the way.

This story was such a joy to read. Another slam dunk by Kirsty. The characters felt incredibly real, the adventure was delightful, and the book beautifully explores grief, finding your voice, and healing•••with plenty of laughs and an unforgettable dog named Squish 😂

[Jamie Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kristy Greenwood does a really great job again creating a fun whimsical love story. I really enjoy Greenwood’s magical elements that she weaves into all of her stories. As a reader, you have to suspend disbelief and just roll with it, but that’s part of the charm.

Things that work really well in this book include the author trope with a character that comes to life. I also appreciated that it was more than just a silly fun romance. The story delved into deeper themes of grief and learning how to move on and forgive yourself. These emotional layers added real depth to what could have been a purely lighthearted tale.

The characters were truly loveable, which made up for some of the story’s other shortcomings. I enjoyed seeing both main characters grow and get out of their comfort zones throughout the book. Their development felt genuine and earned. The dynamic between the dog and River was really funny and sweet, adding another layer of charm to the story. Those moments provided some of the book’s most heartwarming and entertaining scenes.

However, the plot itself felt a little bit lacking. While the premise was intriguing, the actual story structure didn’t always deliver on its potential. The conflict felt underdeveloped at times, and some plot points seemed to resolve too easily or conveniently. I found myself wanting more complications or obstacles to keep the tension high throughout the story.

The pacing was also a bit all over the place. It felt like the last third of the book dragged quite a bit, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The story seemed to lose some of its momentum just when it should have been building toward the climax. While the beginning and middle sections moved along nicely with good energy and development, the end felt drawn out. Some scenes could have been tightened up or cut entirely to keep the narrative moving at a more consistent pace. Despite these issues with plot and pacing, the emotional payoff, loveable characters, and the unique premise still made it a worthwhile read overall.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t stop laughing. That was a very funny, silly book that made me feel all soft and squidgy like the middle of a perfectly cooked brownie.

River Oakley is a perfect rom-com hero. When he arrives in Gertie Bickerstaff’s life with just his Stetson, a bag of jeans and his Daddy’s harmonica, he’s half naked and totally confused. Gertie plies him with custard creams and the love of a Chug called Squish, and lo and behold, could he possibly be the gruff cowboy character from her books come to life?

Yes the book is silly and book characters can’t come to life no matter the colour of kaftan you wear at a manifestation ceremony. Praying to Princess Diana is not going to make Xaden Riorson appear in my living room, not even his shadow - more is the pity.

It’s a walk on the wild and wacky side but it made me smile.

[Mallory Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ☆

thank you berkeley and netgalley for the arc!

i will say that maybe i can’t do pure romance anymore (at least for right now) and that impacted my reading of this book but it def was silly and cute and had some good moments! magical realism is always fun & i loved the fleabag reference bc me too gertie me too. i liked love of my afterlife more which i think is partially time and place and also that i love the good place so much. (second review in a row that the good place is mentioned OOPS)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the free ARC! I think it’s really hard to pull off fictional character written by author comes to life stories. This is the second or third I’ve tried, and I have to say, it’s the most well done. I thought this was well-paced, and interesting, and the characters felt incredibly fleshed out and realistic. The FMC was not really my cup of tea—I found her to be a bit too clueless in love when she was clearly otherwise competent. But I still really enjoyed the book and would recommend to any romance reader!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved Romantic Hero by Kristy Greenwood. The premise alone had me hooked: a romance author named Gertie, somehow manifests the villain from her own book series—River Oakley—into real life.

I was completely obsessed from the very first chapter. Kristy Greenwood has a rare talent for blending laugh-out-loud humor with genuinely tough, emotional subjects. Gertie is reeling from a recent breakup while also grieving the loss of her sister, Josie—topics that might normally make me hesitate to pick up a book.

But Kristy works magic. She adds a swoony fictional hunk, razor-sharp wit, and nonstop comedic moments that make the story a joy rather than a downer.

After a manifestation ceremony with her quirky neighbor, River Oakley—the antagonist from Gertie’s novels—suddenly appears in her London flat. No one knows how or why he’s there, but the two must team up to figure out how to send him back where he belongs.

Gertie’s writer’s block began the moment her boyfriend dumped her, leaving her unable to finish her beloved series. Enter Operation True Love: River takes charge, coaching Gertie on how to win back her ex. What follows is pure chaos, chemistry, and comedy. Hilarity and hijinks absolutely ensue.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Five stars. All the stars.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsty Greenwood’s characters, banter, and whimsical plots just work for me! I’ve read a few books with this trope (fictional characters turn real), and this one was VERY well done and had a twist/version of this trope that I haven’t yet seen. An easy read that I looked forward to returning to each reading session!

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Berkley for the ARC via NetGalley

This is the second book by Kirsty I've read and she seems to have a special talent for writing a heart-felt story that makes me laugh while also making me feel all the emotions. Kirsty's storytelling is whimsical and hopeful, which is a great summary of Romantic Hero.

Gertie is a successful, established author in a bit of a slump. Insert River Oakley, a moody cowboy character from her books. Where did he come from? How does he get back home? Our main characters learn a lot about themselves in their efforts to help each other. The pop culture references (hello Enchanted!) are fun, the struggles are human and relatable, and I cycled through so many feelings while reading this book. It's refreshing, romantic, and worth the read!

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

"Romantic Hero" by Kirsty Greenwood is so much fun! I am slowly but surely becoming a fan of the "magical realism in romance" subgenre. This is such a cute, entertaining book. It never lost me as a reader, and I remained engaged throughout its page length. I felt like I was kicking my heels and giggling and enjoying every minute of it from the very first sentence. Endlessly charming, witty, and full of fresh banter. I loved the characters, Gertie and River. Gertie is so relatable! She is the writer of a well-known, popular romance series who has a book due very, very soon. Unfortunately, ever since her terrible, horrible, no-good, very-bad boyfriend, Henry, broke up with her, she has been totally and completely blocked and cannot hear her protagonist in her head anymore. With a deadline looming and no way to fix it, Gertie is desperate and turns to a wild solution to try to fix her problem. Everyone has gone through a period of either "writer's block" and/or heartbreak in their life, and Gertie's recovery/character arc is hard-fought and well-earned. I must admit, I was a little nervous for a second that she was going to make some truly bad decisions all in the name of keeping the peace and maintaining her comfortable, safe life, but she really surprised me. I loved watching her journey throughout this book! River is her main character's arch nemesis in her popular romance series, and he basically comes to life, in England, as the cowboy he is, with no knowledge of how he got there, and throws her world in disarray. The fish-out-of-water scenario makes for some truly uproarious moments of chaos and hilarity. Gertie and River have off-the-charts chemistry with one another. I loved watching them figure out how and why he got sent to her! She and River embark upon a fake relationship, initially to make Henry jealous, but they end of slowy but surely falling for one another. They couldn't be more opposite, but somehow, they worked so well together on the page. There is also a fantastic commentary about grief and losing someone close to you, how grief doesn't operate on a set timeline, and how not dealing with grief can infiltrate like a splinter. I laughed, I cried, I had a blast reading this. I absolutely loved this book. I found that the prose flowed well, I loved the banter between characters, and I truly enjoyed my time in this world with these people in these situations. PLEASE CHECK THIS ONE OUT!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kirsty Greenwood, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Buried_in_Fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to extend a big thank you to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the advanced copy of this book. My thoughts are my own.

After reading The Love of My Afterlife, I was so excited to receive this book. I absolutely love the mix of romance, humor and heart with the magical realism- Kirsty Greenwood has a way of crafting such a wonderfully unique story with the type of characters that will draw you right in.

What I loved:

The premise of the book really captures your attention- it is such an intriguing concept. There are also a lot more layers than initially meets the eye- from the heart and deep, emotional character growth to the science and interdimensional aspects that the story touches upon.

While I struggled with the FMCs codependency, insecurities and self-depreciating humor, I could appreciate the character as possibly being relatable- Especially looking back on my younger self, learning to love and accept yourself or not being defined by or needing a relationship. While her journey wasn’t always pretty to witness, it was a relief to see the person she became.

Of course I liked River as well- who doesn’t love a hunky, sweet man who loves animals? BUT… shoulder length hair? No… it’s time for a trip to the barber, Fabio. 💈✂️


What I didn’t love:

Henry. Jackass. Need I say more?

The Prologue and the beginning of chapter Seven were exactly the same. I found myself skimming over it because it was word for word- like they copied the beginning of chapter Seven and pasted it to the Prologue section. In my opinion, if you’re going to use that as the prologue, chapter Seven should be written differently.

I also came across a few misspellings that hadn’t been corrected yet as well as one possible discrepancy. In chapter Thirty Eight Gertie asks to borrow Rivers phone but they made it a point in the beginning to note that he did not have a phone and then noted again that he left his phone in his truck on the dash board. It’s possible that I missed him getting a new one but I didn’t see this. I just wanted to point it out.

River also states that he has never seen or heard of the show Friends but later while taking the Friends test with Gertie- after she gets Phoebe and states that she feels like she’s a Monica- without knowing the characters, he tells her “I reckon you’re a Rachel”?

Overall, this was a fun, sweet rom com with more heart and depth than you would expect. If you enjoyed The Love of My Afterlife or books like Good Spirits, The Seven Year Slip or A Novel Love Story- I would definitely recommend this!

[Elizabeth Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely adorable—and so unexpectedly original.

The premise sounds delightfully absurd: a heartbroken romance novelist wakes up to find the villain from her unfinished manuscript—very real and very shirtless—sitting on her couch. But what unfolds is far more than a gimmick. The Love of My Afterlife author Kirsty Greenwood delivers a magical realism romance that feels fresh rather than trope-driven.

The story balances humor and emotional depth beautifully. There’s something laugh-out-loud funny in nearly every chapter, yet beneath the absurdity is a thoughtful exploration of heartbreak, self-worth, and the subtle danger of clinging to an ending simply because it’s the one you’ve already imagined.

Gertie, our heroine, is stuck—not just with writer’s block, but with a narrative about her own life that may not actually serve her. Watching her slowly question everything she thought she wanted is both hilarious and quietly powerful. In many ways, this novel feels like a booster shot for recovering people pleasers. It gently asks: What if the story you’ve been trying to force isn’t the one that will make you whole?

River—the so-called villain who steps out of fiction and into reality—is more than a charming plot device. He challenges Gertie. He supports her. He sees her. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching a heroine be truly noticed, appreciated, and cherished—not for who she performs herself to be, but for who she actually is.

I also loved the fictionalized peek into the writing process. There’s something particularly delightful about a story that plays with story itself—about characters who know they’re shaped by narrative, and who dare to revise it. Even River, the literal fictional character come to life, feels layered and real.

The adventure elements are whimsical without being chaotic. The emotional arc—grief, healing, finding your voice—lands with sincerity. And the ending? Neither cheesy nor rushed. It feels earned. Thoughtful. Worthy of the journey.

I will note that the spice level runs a bit higher than my usual comfort zone. That said, those scenes are easy enough to skim without losing anything essential to the story or the emotional arc.

If you’re in the mood for something inventive, funny, and surprisingly moving—a romance that plays with magical realism while still grounding itself in emotional truth—this one is such a delight.

I'm ever so grateful to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a review copy.

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, silly, entertaining read! This book leans all the way into its absurd, reality-bending premise—and somehow makes it feel both hilarious and heartfelt.

Gertie Bickerstaff used to write sweeping happily-ever-afters, but after a brutal breakup, she can’t even fake believing in love anymore. She’s behind on her deadline, watching her ex thrive without her, and completely stuck in her own story. Then she wakes up to find River Oakley—the literal villain from her unfinished manuscript—very real and very shirtless on her couch.

Yup! The villain! From her book!

What follows is chaotic in the best way. Gertie and River strike a bargain: he’ll help her win back her ex (using all that morally gray cowboy charm), and she’ll finish writing his story so he can go home. It’s messy and ridiculous, but I loved watching River navigate the modern world with intense, dramatic sincerity.

But what surprised me most was the emotional depth. Underneath the bravado, River isn’t just a tropey bad boy—he’s layered, loyal, and quietly aching for his own happy ending. And Gertie’s journey hits harder than expected. Her struggle with writer’s block mirrors her fear of rewriting her own life. She’s clinging to the ending she thought she wanted, even when it clearly doesn’t fit anymore.

The story balances whimsy and vulnerability really well. It’s playful, but it also explores heartbreak, self-worth, and what it means to choose a new narrative for yourself. Watching Gertie slowly question the version of love she’s been chasing felt both funny and empowering.

Why 4 stars instead of 5? At times the premise requires you to just go with it (logic is not the main character here), and a few moments felt slightly repetitive. I also prefer my romance books to have more banter and tension, and there wasn’t a whole lot of that here. Also… I hate the name Gertie. Every single time it was said, it took me out of the story for 0.5 seconds. That is definitely a me thing, though, and I can guarantee there will be people that aren’t bothered by it.

If you love fiction-comes-to-life chaos, morally gray cowboys who may not be so villainous after all, and rom-coms that are as heartfelt as they are hilarious, this one is absolutely worth picking up!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for this eARC!

[Kell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ROMANTIC HERO has one of the most unique plots I've read. Gertie, a best-selling author has been overcome by writer's block after a sudden breakup and needs to finish the manuscript for the last novel in her small-town romance series. Knowing she has nothing to lose, Gertie and her eccentric neighbor take part in a manifestation ceremony, hoping she can not only get back into her writing groove before her deadline, but also get her boyfriend back. Except, the manifestation works a little too well and Gertie finds the villain of her series, her main character's handsome but ruthless cowboy brother, River, shirtless in her living room.

There was a lot to love about ROMANTIC HERO. I really loved the whole cast of characters and how much all of them grew throughout the novel. Gertie and River really brought out the best in each other, helping one another overcome the grief Gertie felt over the loss of her sister--something she'd avoided dealing with for four years--and River discover that he deserved to live a life he loved rather than one he felt obligated to.

Kirsty Greenwood's writing is beautiful and full of humor, but I especially loved how she took the idea of the evil villain and turned it on its head. River, from the very beginning, is only ever viewed from one lens, the one Gertie wrote him through, yet as she gets to know him (and fall in love with him!), Gertie and the readers see that people aren't ever just one thing. River was the villain in her stories, but in his own, he was just a man doing everything he could to look after his sister, his family's legacy, and his town.

I loved getting to read Gertie and River's antics as they tried to get back to their "normal" lives, including a fake-dating scheme and going out of their way to experience new things. It did feel as if there were a lot of moving parts to the story and, at times, those parts made it feel as if the novel dragged a bit, but in the end, I really enjoyed the magical realism of ROMANTIC HERO and I'll be looking out for more of Kirsty Greenwood's books!

[Julia Soniat · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY GOD did I love this book!! This book was made for me. Whimsical, silly, funny, charming, swoony, tear inducing!!! Kirsty Greenwood just gets me. A magical realism romcom will always be everything to me.

Our FMC, Gertie, fresh off an almost maybe breakup, is in a major writers block while finishing the final book in her cowboy romance series. She can’t write a single word. Her kooky neighbor plans to fix it. She’s going to host a manifestation ceremony under the full moon to get her out of her block and back into her creative mind. So they do the ceremony and at the last minute Gertie throws in that she wants her boyfriend back.

Post ceremony, Gertie showers, walks into her living room and there on her couch is a shirtless, dreamboat of a cowboy. (My dream date.) But this isn’t just any shirtless cowboy, this cowboy is straight out of her novels. He’s the villain. Her protagonist’s evil half brother, River Oakley. He has no idea where he is or how he got there, and how he can get home. They are both endlessly confused. She tried to explain everything to him. He thinks he’s real and lives in the real world, with real happenings, and she thinks he’s just accidentally manifested from her books to the real world. It’s not simple.

River is convinced the breakup is the cause of the block so maybe he’s here to fix it. Get them back together and then he’ll be sent home. So these two will fake date, make her ex jealous, show him what he’s missing…she’ll get back with him and River will head home. Drama, trauma, tension, flirting, angst, forced proximity, overall hotness…maybe the realization that her ex sucks(?) will lead them down a path neither of them ever saw coming.

There is so much heart in this story!!!! So much growth of these characters. There’s magic and swooning. I fell so hard for Gertie and River. I was rooting so hard for them. The way he encouraged so much good from her. He wanted her to heal and be ok. Always wants her to be ok. And River coming out of his no feeling feels?! I could not get enough.

I love love loved this book. 6 stars. Can already tell this will be a favorite of the year.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsty Greenwood is quickly becoming an auto-buy, favorite author for me. She is the queen of high-concept romance and her nods to the greats of rom-com (both literary and cinematic) are so fun to connect with as a reader and show she is a brilliant student of the genre.

Romantic Hero is another incredible example of Kirsty writing heroines who “explore themes of loneliness, grief, women self-actualizing, and having the courage to step out of the confines of the structures they never intended to create around themselves.”

In a GMA interview, Kirsty gave this advice to young writers: “When you’re writing fiction, what’s most important is how big your imagination is. The magical thing about writing is you can make up anything you want and no one gets to tell you that you can’t.” Kirsty’s creative abilities are what make her books impossible to put down. She seamlessly blends her bold, mystical elements into the lives of her relatable characters who find themselves in crazy predicaments.

In Romantic Hero, Gertie goes on a beautiful journey to rid herself of writer’s block after heartbreak and River Oakley, the rugged, handsome cowboy who’s come-to-life from her novels, is the perfect guide to escort her. After an unexpected break up that left her reeling, Gertie can’t find her way back to herself and the universe intervenes. Seeing her work to step into bravery, confidence, and boundary-setting felt powerful. Gertie humbles herself for the sake of her growth and learns important lessons about who she is and what she wants. She faces grief head on and comes out more independent and stronger for it. (Also - totally stealing that ‘errant eyelash’ flirting lesson to see if it works in real life. 🔥) It’s refreshing to see a FMC who does the work to save herself and knows she’s fully whole on her own.

Seeing characters from The Love of My After Life pop in was also a fun surprise. It’s always great to see when old friends are doing well. 🥰

Romantic Hero is a must-read and is fully expected to be one of my favorite reads of 2026!

[caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would strongly recommend Romantic Hero to anyone that enjoyed The Love of My Afterlife. Seriously, go preorder it now. What are you waiting for?

Gertie is a bit hapless and easily lovable from the start, and she did remind me of Delphie in some ways. They aren't the same character in different fonts, but maybe like distant cousins or future besties.

Gertie is working through writer's block after the abrupt pause of her 3+ year relationship (they're "on a break" according to Henry) and indulges in a little sauced manifestation ceremony with her neighbor. River, a side character and sort of villain, from her book series pops up (shirtless!) in her apartment the next day. They are forced to work together to figure out how to send River back home. Neither his phone nor his wallet made the trip, so the proximity is deliciously forced.

They work through a few options, including a plan to get Henry (barf) back. I hated Henry. My notes from this book were as follows:

44%
I hate Henry. In my head he is [redacted politician name] with a British accent, and somehow MORE smug.

47%
I hate Henry even more now.

50%
Gertie should sit on that smug little b******d's chest and shove blades of grass up his nose.

So, safe to say I was rooting for Gertie to get over that little man pretty early on.

I loved River. He was a "fictional" character that could have easily been flat and one-dimensional, but the cowboy had depth. He read books, befriended a certain librarian that may be familiar to The Love of My Afterlife readers, connected with a naughty rescue pup, and quietly became a really solid support for Gertie.

A few tears were shed in the second half of the book. I was pretty anxious for the ending, because these two weren't even remotely from the same timeline. Without spoiling anything, I will just confirm this book fits in the romance genre, and is worth a read.

5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for ARC access 💕

[Stella Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review!

Tropes: Cozy Romance, Magical Realism, Forced Proximity, Fake Dating, One Bed, Opposites Attract, She Falls First But He Falls Harder

Kristy Greenwood is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I adored her first novel, "The Love of My Afterlife", and I could not wait for this one. I was so happy to receive an ARC from NetGalley, which felt like a dream come true for me. The premise sounded so fun, and Greenwood definitely delivered. This was such a five-star read for me.

Our FMC, Gertie (omg, I love this name), is a romance author who falls into a nasty bout of writer’s block after her long-time boyfriend tells her he wants a “break” to think about their relationship. She is heartbroken. She met him right after her sister died, so this is an especially painful blow. Her romance series has one book left to finish, but she cannot seem to write it. Then her wacky but lovable neighbor hosts a séance of sorts with her and does some manifesting, and suddenly the villainous cowboy from her series, River Oakley, comes to life and appears in her apartment.

River is described as a villainous brute in the series, but he is also tall, handsome, and a womanizer. Umm, yes please. He is understandably furious and believes he is completely real, which, honestly, makes sense. They quickly come to the agreement that if he helps Gertie get back together with her ex, it might send him home. Enter the fake dating trope.

Gertie is such an English woman, and I mean that in the most loving way. She pokes fun at herself throughout the book for being so British. Meanwhile, River is your stereotypical Texas cowboy. I absolutely loved him. I loved how River sticks up for Gertie, helps her come into her own, build confidence, and feel sexy. You can see him slowly falling for her, and then it all goes downhill for him pretty quickly as he falls hard.

Gertie’s ex-boyfriend is a little shit, and he gets exactly what he deserves in the end. There was a major plot twist that I did not see coming, and it was perfect. I had a hard time predicting how this book would end or how they would end up together, but it was done beautifully. The ending was so perfect that I reread it a couple of times because it was that swoon-worthy.

Overall, this book was perfection. There was so much character growth, the romance was beautiful, and the plot twist was unexpected but flawless.