The Romance Revival

by Christina Lauren

The instant New York Times bestselling authors of The Paradise Problem and The Unhoneymooners return with an unforgettable novel in which one fateful accident erases a troubled marriage from memory—and love gets one extraordinary do-over.

Three years ago, Emery Finch did something completely out of character: She got married. To Luca—the impossibly charming landscaper she met on one blistering night in Vegas who made her laugh, made her dance, made her feel.

But now, Emery is consumed by her top-secret job, missing dinners, forgetting anniversaries, and promising herself Luca will understand once her cutting-edge research comes to light. Until the unthinkable happens: A tragic accident takes Luca from her.

Desperate not to lose him, Emery breaks every rule to bring him back. And Luca would probably thank her for it, if only he could remember her. Their first kiss, their Sunny Sundays at the beach, the life they built together...all of it is gone.

It may be a miracle of science, but for Emery it’s her one shot at a second chance. And this time, she won’t waste it—because true love is always worth reviving.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Summer, Adult, Second Chance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

Christina Lauren is the combined pen name of long-time writing partners/best friends Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. The coauthor duo writes both Young Adult and Adult Fiction, and together has produced twenty New York Times bestselling novels. Their books have been translated into 30+ languages. (Some of these books have kissing. Some of these books have A LOT of kissing.)


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Reviews

[Abby Jimenez]

Where is my early copyyyyy, I NEED this!!! 😭

[rosie (jason todd's version)]

☆彡13 dec, pre-release:

i am BEYOND excited for this one. saw it pop up on my insta feed seconds after waking up and NOW I’M WIDE AWAKE. 🤭🫶🏻

[hailee]

#NEED #THAT

[Jill (readinginpjs)]

I NEED THIS SO BAD!! 😭😭😭

CHRISTINA (&) LAUREN are one of the main reasons I’m so obsessed with the romance genre - the Unhoneymooners was pretty much the start of this journey! 🏝

[Dallas Strawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ROMANCE REVIVAL is basically a medical thriller masquerading as a romance novel… in the weirdest, best way possible. I freaking loved it. It’s wildly unique and nothing like anything you’ve read from Christina Lauren… yes, the ultimate rom-com queens, and yet it still had me swooning, giggling, and straight up laughing out loud.

This is a second chance romance unlike anything else. Go in blind. Trust me. Thank me later.

[MillennialMomReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this STEM-y romance from Christina Lauren! They have written some of my favorite romances, and this books feels very fresh from them. It’s a little science-fiction-y in the best way possible and has a central mystery I really enjoyed. It was so fun to read them taking their classic stellar romance writing and putting a new twist on it. Somehow, I wanted even more science? I would have loved to see the book a bit longer and for it to expand on some of the core struggles/relationship dynamics with side characters, but I was so satisfied with this book as is as well.

[Kailey (kmc_reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVE C.Lo, but this was a miss for me. It started strong, but ultimately fell flat. This was a very different book for them IMO, and while I was intrigued, the overall execution didn't work. This was not a swoony, flirty romance typical of C.Lo - the stakes were higher, and towards the end this felt a bit.... over the top in a whodunit popcorn thriller kind of way? The bulk of the story (i.e. them trying to fall back in love) happened too quickly and honestly didn't seem realistic given all the issues they had prior to his death. I realize he had amnesia but it felt like he forgave too quickly, and just as quickly, she all of a sudden wasn't an enormous workaholic anymore?! I wasn't giddy reading this, like I normally am when I'm watching 2 main characters fall in love. Cool concept and the science stuff was interesting to read about, but this was not just what I was expecting from them. Rounding up to 3 stars

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book felt much different than the past Christina Lauren books that I’ve read. It was much more of a scientific mystery than a romance in my opinion. It almost felt like it could’ve been written by Ali Hazelwood (I think, I’ve only read one of her books but from what I’ve heard she writes a lot about the FMC being a smart mathematician/scientist)

My biggest thing was it lacked the humor that they typically add into their books! Which was such a letdown. The storyline itself was still very interesting and I wanted to see what happened next, but it just wasn’t what I was expecting. The pacing was off a bit and the ending was abrupt and a little cheesy, but overall, I still had a good time.

Thank you Gallery Books for the gifted Advanced Copy! Release date July 14, 2026!

[Arin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun read! I loved the premise and totally expected it to be predictable—but it wasn’t at all. I flew through this in just two days. I always enjoy this author's books, and this one was no exception. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy to read and review. If you’re looking for a rom-com with a little bit of mystery mixed in, you’ll definitely want to pick this one up! 📚

[Sophie (lambsbooks)]

A memory loss trope!? Yes

[liz ౨ৎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, this one’s a big no from me personally. It was too medical for me to comprehend effectively. I was so worried about the fact that I couldn’t understand things to the point where it took away from my reading experience.

I’m sure this is a great book that many people will love, but it just lacked the romance aspects that make a book enjoyable for me.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Gallery Books and Net Galley for the advance copy!

This book has one of the wildest premises I’ve read in a long time and somehow Christina Lauren makes it feel totally believable. Our heroine is a super driven scientist working on top-secret projects… including a resurrection compound that’s only ever been tested on dogs. Then her husband dies right in front of her and she actually uses it on him. I sat up straight in bed because I couldn’t believe the chaos.

She’s got a great work bestie backing her up while she tries to save him, but the first 25% is pure for the characters. At this point I was like, who’s the villian? Am I being gaslighted? I immediately had a million theories and the rest of the book didn’t disappoint.
It has that emotional, nostalgic vibe of Love & Other Words but with a thriller twist. It’s romantic, suspenseful, and slightly unhinged. I could not put it down. I absolutely loved it.

[A.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels like classic CLo while also feeling completely fresh and new. It was a crazy ride in the best possible way.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[britta ⋆˙⟡]

Sounds totally dishy and delish 🌼🌼🌼

[Kelsey H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me!!

At its core, The Romance Revival is about second chances, regret, and choosing your partner again even when everything familiar has been stripped away. Watching Emery and Luca slowly find their way back to each other was genuinely sweet, and I loved seeing Luca fall in love with her all over again while rediscovering who he is

The plot itself is definitely a little bizarre at times :p The science leans more “suspension of disbelief” than realism, and I went back and forth early on trying to decide how I felt about it. But as the story went on, I found myself caring less about plausibility and more about the characters. The mystery element ended up being engaging, and the final twist worked for me. I genuinely didn’t see it coming!

What really stood out were the lighter moments! The humor landed consistently, and the nosy neighbor ended up being an unexpected highlight 😀 The laugh-out-loud scenes hit harder for me than the emotional ones, which is probably why this didn’t quite tip into five-star territory. While I enjoyed the romance and the healing arc, some of the emotional beats didn’t hit as deeply as I wanted them to

The ending, though, was incredibly satisfying. After everything they went through, seeing Emery and Luca genuinely happy and grounded made my heart soar 💕

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I read the authors' previous work In A Holidaze for my book club, and although it's not my usual genre, I found it fun and lighthearted and just what I needed. This one has some semblance of the same romantic comedy, but it feels like it was written to be a series, and sometimes it's just too much (even though you obviously have to suspend disbelief for the entire concept). I don't generally read romance, so I could have also done without all of the intimacy, but hey, it was a fun read overall and I'd say if you like the authors' other works you might like this one too.

[Laura Twaroski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a much different but very welcome spin from the past romances of Christina Lauren.
It’s like they harnessed the soft crime whodunnit powers of Janet Evanovich and the supernatural whims of Ashley Poston, then tossed them in with their own brilliance and skill - to make this beauty.
Yes, the spice was spicin’ where it needed to, but more importantly, the arc from naive to self actualization was *chef’s kiss*

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to devour this ARC!

[Sarah Shelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 different vibes from the usual Christina Lauren, it was giving a lot of Ali Hazelwood moments. It was a really creative plot, I just wanted a little more of something to make it 4 stars. I see sci-fi type writing working for them in the future! (I want a Crash and Annie story).

They write it, I read it.

(Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity to read this book)

[Lisa Penninga · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! Think murder mystery meets science lab meets chemistry in this marriage! I was so excited to see the female protagonist as a rockstar Scientist/doctor and how hard it was to balance work and marriage. I think a lot of women can relate to that in their careers, and I loved the growth in Emery & Luca’s relationship. It’s definitely one of my new favorites of Christina Lauren!

[Olivia Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique take on second chance romance! I loved the setting, I loved the characters (as usual for a ChisLo book). I loved the passion between Emery and Luca. I enjoyed the science element of this story. It was cute and heartfelt. I’m so excited to got to read an ARC of this book 🥹 this is going to be a cutie summer read 🤭

[Sarah/DragonflyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smart and sexy and vulnerable and everything I love about Christina Lauren

[Tash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy concept but it works so well! Loved it!

[Cierra Ballew · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

review: I went into this book virtually blind. I requested it on NetGalley because I usually love Christina Lauren’s books, and this was no exception. The plot was very unique and honestly refreshing. Emery and “Lukey” show that if both parties are willing to put in the work, people can change and second chances can revive (pun intended) a relationship.

[Danielle Lemon]

No rating or review yet as I read an advance reader's edition. ☺️

[Kelly NuclearFiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

🎧Song Pairing: Forever - Mumford & Sons (a very special song! Jamie & I’s 1st dance song)

💭What I thought would happen:

I will always drop everything to be the first to read a new CLo! I am getting a bucket list tropical vibe👀 (I was soooooo wrong)

📖What actually happens:

🔒Have to read to find out🔒

🗯Thoughts/sassy musings:

Wooooah. I am keeping my lips zipped on the main plot and HIGHLY RECOMMEND YOU GO IN BLIND AS A BAT 😂 be surprised!

This book 120 degrees of suspended belief. For those analytical science girlies - just ride the wave and don’t think too much of it. I struggled 💀

I liked it! I love a marriage in crisis trope - it feels honest ya know? Especially when communication is the main problem. I have a husband of limited words and I very much want to be like what goes on in that noodle 👀

Can’t wait for the reviews to start pooling in! Of course I have to wait until JULY because again I have zero self control 🩷

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emery and Luca’s love story has been a whirlwind from the start. Three years into their marriage, the passion is still going strong, but cracks are starting to show around Emery’s lack of work-life balance. Everything is coming to a head when Emery’s secret career literally saves Luca’s life. In the aftermath, they work to find a way back to each other. This is a unique take on a second-chance love story with hints of suspense and danger.

Thank you to Christina Lauren, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

[Amanda Ferrante · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reminded me too much of The Vow by Nicholas Sparks except more scientific/fantasy. Also the ending doesn’t make sense and was really rushed.

[Genevieve (GenLikesToRead)]

Another summery romance from our iconic duo - count me in!

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a huge fan of this writer duo—so much so that I can honestly say I could read anything they create for years and never get bored. Their brand-new book comes with a wildly unique concept centered on resuscitation, and it asks a haunting, romantic question: What if your vows say “till death do us part”… but even death can’t keep you apart?

Emery and Luca meet in a Vegas wedding chapel, where Emery quite literally falls in love with Luca’s laugh. (Yes—literally.) She hears this lyrical, irresistible laugh from a distance and immediately wants to know who it belongs to. Cue fate doing its thing. They’re instantly drawn to each other like magnets—sharing dances, sparks, and eventually a one-night heat-filled escapade… or rather, a full-on sexcapade.

Only two months later, they decide to tie the knot—even though they couldn’t be more different. Luca is the embodiment of his Italian genes: extroverted, charming, endlessly patient, a social butterfly adored by everyone, and a laid-back landscaper. Emery, on the other hand, is an introverted, anxious, workaholic scientist who lives in her head and her lab. Opposites in every way… yet somehow perfect together.

Three years into their marriage, the attraction is still top-notch, even though their time together is painfully limited to Sunny Sundays. Emery spends far too many hours locked away in her lab, secretly working on a top-secret scientific project—so secret that she’s been lying to her husband about her true profession. As their anniversary approaches, she finally decides it’s time to come clean during their special night.

But everything goes wrong.

Her nemesis, Vince, sabotages her latest presentation to a board of financiers and drops a bombshell—exposing her illegal, boundary-crossing resuscitation project. On the very same night, Emery is late for their anniversary dinner. She’s driving to meet Luca when tragedy strikes in the most brutal, cinematic way—straight out of Meet Joe Black. Someone hits her husband right in front of her eyes.

Panic. Chaos. Horror.

Emery rushes to Luca, cradling him in her arms… and then she feels it. A pulse. A freaking pulse. There’s no time to call 911. No time to think. By sheer luck (or fate), she has a component of her experiment with her. Acting purely on instinct and love, she injects him.

With the help of Annie—her veterinarian best friend, colleague, and partner in crime—they secretly transport Luca to the lab. They cover up the crime scene. And then, in true Dr. Frankenstein fashion, they attempt something they’ve only ever tried on animals before.

A miracle happens.

Luca survives—but wakes up with no memory. His entire life is a blank slate.

Now Emery has to do the impossible: teach her husband who he is, help him rediscover their life together, and somehow make him fall in love with her all over again. It’s a second chance—one that forces her to confront her mistakes, her secrets, and her priorities. But danger still looms. The resuscitation project crosses too many legal, ethical, and moral lines, and someone is always watching, waiting to destroy everything.

In the end, Emery must make an impossible choice: the project of her life… or the love of her husband.

Overall thoughts:
The chemistry between Emery and Luca is absolutely top-notch, and I loved the second-chance romance and the rediscovery of each other. While I wasn’t entirely sold on the thriller elements—especially in the last third of the book, where some action sequences felt a bit forced and predictable—I truly appreciate the authors’ attempt to blend romance with suspense.

For me, the strongest parts were the emotional core: Luca navigating memory loss and Emery rediscovering the more relaxed, easygoing version of herself she had lost along the way. That emotional development is where this book really shines.

I’m rounding my rating up from 3.5 to a solid 4 stars. Even though the suspense didn’t fully work for me, I adored the main characters—and the supporting cast was fantastic. Nosey neighbor Betty, best friends Annie and Crash? Absolute gems. I would love to read Annie and Crash’s book next—especially with Annie’s legendary “ick list.”

And I have to admit: the steam level was perfect.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing one of the most anticipated romances of 2026 with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

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