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Romantic Hero
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Expected 4 Jun 26A 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.
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.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 2, 2026
19065 people want to read
About the author
Kirsty Greenwood
19 books2,301 followersKirsty 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
April 30, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up! 🌟
Alright 👏🏻this is what I’m talking about! Loved loveddd! This book was exactly what I needed after not having a romance really hit in what feels like forever for me 😩
But lemme gush about this one!
Gertie is such a relatable, quirky, and lovable FMC- struggling with heartbreak, writer’s block, and a looming deadline.
Then, in a burst of magic, a little moon action and manifestations- boom her villainous cowboy character, River Oakley, literally shows up shirtless on her couch. From there, the story is equal parts funny, charming, and surprisingly heartfelt.
I laughed out loud multiple times, just cheesing at the banter, and even teared up. 🥹 The characters (including the cute dog!) are so endearing, and I loved how Greenwood wove the magical realism elements together so seamlessly. It’s sweet, funny, and full of heart.
Idk how else to explain it… it’s just one of those stories that feels like magic ✨
I wanted to squeeze this book and dance around the room with it. I wanted to hold hands and skip with it down the road.
Pure joy. Y’all should definitely add River Oakley to your TBR 💓
Highly recommend if you’re looking for something cute, quirky, and emotionally satisfying. 💖
Many thanks to my besties at Berkley Pub for the advanced digital copy - all thoughts are my own.
Pub Date - 06/17/26
💖Fictional Character Comes to Life
💛Fake Dating
💖Forced Proximity
💛One Bed
💖Opposites Attract
💛Fish Out of Water
💖Magical Realism
💛Grumpy / Protective MMC
💖Author FMC
💛Cowboy MMC
✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Alright 👏🏻this is what I’m talking about! Loved loveddd! This book was exactly what I needed after not having a romance really hit in what feels like forever for me 😩
But lemme gush about this one!
Gertie is such a relatable, quirky, and lovable FMC- struggling with heartbreak, writer’s block, and a looming deadline.
Then, in a burst of magic, a little moon action and manifestations- boom her villainous cowboy character, River Oakley, literally shows up shirtless on her couch. From there, the story is equal parts funny, charming, and surprisingly heartfelt.
I laughed out loud multiple times, just cheesing at the banter, and even teared up. 🥹 The characters (including the cute dog!) are so endearing, and I loved how Greenwood wove the magical realism elements together so seamlessly. It’s sweet, funny, and full of heart.
Idk how else to explain it… it’s just one of those stories that feels like magic ✨
I wanted to squeeze this book and dance around the room with it. I wanted to hold hands and skip with it down the road.
Pure joy. Y’all should definitely add River Oakley to your TBR 💓
Highly recommend if you’re looking for something cute, quirky, and emotionally satisfying. 💖
Many thanks to my besties at Berkley Pub for the advanced digital copy - all thoughts are my own.
Pub Date - 06/17/26
💖Fictional Character Comes to Life
💛Fake Dating
💖Forced Proximity
💛One Bed
💖Opposites Attract
💛Fish Out of Water
💖Magical Realism
💛Grumpy / Protective MMC
💖Author FMC
💛Cowboy MMC
✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
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
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
January 24, 2026
LOVED! 💕💕💕💕 Review to come.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Henry sucks. River is a caricature of a cowboy, which fine given the narrative, but biscuits and grits are not a thing, it’s way too hot in central Texas for a cowboy to not know how to swim, and I know it might be shocking but a cowboy from a town an hour outside of a major US city, would know what a small dog is.
If I wasn’t a Texas resident who spent a big chunk of my adult life an hour away from the fictional town the MMC is from I might have enjoyed this more. As of now I’m just annoyed. This is why I’m always apprehensive to read books set in places I’ve lived written by authors who have not lived there. 😑
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
If I wasn’t a Texas resident who spent a big chunk of my adult life an hour away from the fictional town the MMC is from I might have enjoyed this more. As of now I’m just annoyed. This is why I’m always apprehensive to read books set in places I’ve lived written by authors who have not lived there. 😑
| IG | TikTok |
Thank you Berkley for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.
February 22, 2026
[arc review] I so badly wanted to enjoy this and I’m annoyed at myself for not liking it!
romantic hero follows gertie. the main focus of the book is how she’s navigating a breakup, and finding herself in a writing slump because of it. in comes river—the book boyfriend she created herself, except he’s fallen out of the pages of her book and is very real.
I really wanted to enjoy this but I didn’t enjoy how gertie was pining after her shitty ex for most of the book. I wanted to empathise for her, I really did—but it got to a point where I wanted to give her a good shake and tell her to get up. I understand it’s a plot point, but it served its purpose and went far too into the book.
it’s a cute romance nonetheless, with a different spin on magical realism to what I’m used to. I just found myself not engaged because the fmc felt whiny and didn’t really care to put herself first for once, and only did so at an unreasonable part of the book.
thank you cornerstone / random house UK for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
romantic hero follows gertie. the main focus of the book is how she’s navigating a breakup, and finding herself in a writing slump because of it. in comes river—the book boyfriend she created herself, except he’s fallen out of the pages of her book and is very real.
I really wanted to enjoy this but I didn’t enjoy how gertie was pining after her shitty ex for most of the book. I wanted to empathise for her, I really did—but it got to a point where I wanted to give her a good shake and tell her to get up. I understand it’s a plot point, but it served its purpose and went far too into the book.
it’s a cute romance nonetheless, with a different spin on magical realism to what I’m used to. I just found myself not engaged because the fmc felt whiny and didn’t really care to put herself first for once, and only did so at an unreasonable part of the book.
thank you cornerstone / random house UK for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
April 24, 2026
Loved it! Review to come.
March 4, 2026
🤠 Bookish Thoughts
✨💖 Gertie & River foreverrr 💖✨
Ugh, I loved this book. I had a feeling I would since I loved The Love of My Afterlife, but this one really delivered. It’s such a cozy, funny romcom with just a little bit of magical realism mixed in.
Gertie absolutely needed River to show up and shake up her very prim and proper life with his cowboy maverick attitude. Just the idea of River being dropped into Gertie’s social circles is funny enough. Watching him casually break every social rule while somehow still charming everyone around him was hilarious. Him and his damn hat 🤠
What I loved most though is how River really sees Gertie. After being with that loser Henry, she desperately needed someone to see her, value her, and actually want her. I also loved that he helped her process her sister's death. She really needed that.
The ending had me a little nervous for a minute, but it ended up being one of my favorite endings. I closed the book very happy.
Also lowkey… I would absolutely read a book about Cassidy and the Bedlam Creek crew.
💫What to Expect
• Author FMC
• Cowboy MMC
• Fake dating
• Forced proximity
• Magical realism
• Villain gets the girl
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
✨💖 Gertie & River foreverrr 💖✨
Ugh, I loved this book. I had a feeling I would since I loved The Love of My Afterlife, but this one really delivered. It’s such a cozy, funny romcom with just a little bit of magical realism mixed in.
Gertie absolutely needed River to show up and shake up her very prim and proper life with his cowboy maverick attitude. Just the idea of River being dropped into Gertie’s social circles is funny enough. Watching him casually break every social rule while somehow still charming everyone around him was hilarious. Him and his damn hat 🤠
What I loved most though is how River really sees Gertie. After being with that loser Henry, she desperately needed someone to see her, value her, and actually want her. I also loved that he helped her process her sister's death. She really needed that.
The ending had me a little nervous for a minute, but it ended up being one of my favorite endings. I closed the book very happy.
Also lowkey… I would absolutely read a book about Cassidy and the Bedlam Creek crew.
💫What to Expect
• Author FMC
• Cowboy MMC
• Fake dating
• Forced proximity
• Magical realism
• Villain gets the girl
_ _ _
⭐ Final Score: 5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: June 16, 2026
📝 Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
coming-soon
April 8, 2026Thanks for the arc!
February 3, 2026
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!!!
thank you netgalley & berkley publishing group for the arc!!!
December 25, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ — 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.
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.
January 1, 2026
Kristy Greenwood take all of my money I trust your books with my life. Kristy did it again ya’ll.
February 8, 2026
Sadly, not enough banter and tension. But it was a fun read and would be great on a summer TBR.
February 2, 2026
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!
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!
April 26, 2026
(ARC) 4⭐️ SOLID magical realism read. Very cute and exactly what you’d expect from the genre, with a bit of a twist. The plot was a lot of fun, and I’d definitely recommend it if you enjoy magical realism.
“A romance novelist Gertie Bickerstaff is suffering from a massive case of writer's block. Desperate to fix her life and meet her looming deadline, she performs a manifestation ceremony with her eccentric neighbor.
The next morning, she wakes up to find River Oakley, the rugged, shirtless cowboy villain from her unfinished novel sitting on her sofa”
“A romance novelist Gertie Bickerstaff is suffering from a massive case of writer's block. Desperate to fix her life and meet her looming deadline, she performs a manifestation ceremony with her eccentric neighbor.
The next morning, she wakes up to find River Oakley, the rugged, shirtless cowboy villain from her unfinished novel sitting on her sofa”
February 6, 2026
This is my fav brand of silly
Romance!
Romance!
February 7, 2026
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the arc!
Rtc
Rtc
January 13, 2026
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
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
January 10, 2026
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.
📖 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.
March 29, 2026
4.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 just like The Love Of My Afterlife, this is fun and silly with an amazing cast of characters and the perfect amount of magical realism! I really enjoyed this book, only dropped a tiny bit of a star because I wanted a little bit more romantic tension and giddy longing.
January 12, 2026
Days into 2026 and I think I’ve already read my favorite romance book of the year.
January 6, 2026
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 😂
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 😂
February 18, 2026
Romantic Hero follows Gertie Bickerstaff, a romance author who is struggling to meet her deadline after a breakup. After performing a manifestation ceremony to get rid of her writer's block and get her ex back, she wakes 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. River wants to go home, and Gertie wants her life back. So they strike a deal: he’ll help her win back her ex, and she’ll finish her novel, and hopefully he’ll return to his own world.
I adored The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood, so as soon as I saw that Romantic Hero was available on NetGalley, I had to request it!
Kirsty Greenwood has a gift for writing hilarious, swoony romances with lovable characters and fun magical realism. The parallel universe aspect of this story was really interesting, and it was so funny to read about a rugged Texan cowboy experiencing England and all of its oddities for the first time.
Speaking of rugged Texan cowboys, I adored River Oakley so much. He is the definition of more than meets the eye, and I loved seeing him soften over time. He had such great character development, and it was so entertaining seeing him discover Beyoncé and custard creams! I loved the way he supported Gertie and encouraged her to stop being such a pushover and to become her own person.
I also really enjoyed Gertie’s character (although I cannot get over her name or the nickname River has for her?!), and it was so satisfying seeing her grow a backbone, especially when it came to her ex, Henry. She was struggling both with processing and feeling guilt over her sister’s death, and the portrayal of grief was done well.
There were also several side characters I enjoyed, especially the eccentric Mrs Casablancas and her lovable (but naughty!) dog Squish. It was also lovely to see Aled the librarian from The Love of My Afterlife make a cameo!
Gertie and River had such a great strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance, with fantastic chemistry and tension. From what I remember, there was slightly more spice than in The Love of My Afterlife, but it was not excessive and was well written.
The ending had me absolutely bawling (I’m a sucker for letters to each other!), and I loved where the characters ended up; their ending felt earned.
The only reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me is that one of the characters does something in the third act that felt very out of character and like it was added in for drama’s sake. I also felt like Gertie’s relationship with her parents was glossed over, and we didn’t get any kind of resolution there. The parallel universe hopping also felt a little too easy, but seeing as this is a romance book and not a sci-fi book, I can let that slide!
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book. If you’re looking for a fun, slightly silly (but in a good way!) romance with lovable characters and emotional depth, I would 100% recommend Romantic Hero. Kirsty Greenwood is now an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with an eARC. This review is being left voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
I adored The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood, so as soon as I saw that Romantic Hero was available on NetGalley, I had to request it!
Kirsty Greenwood has a gift for writing hilarious, swoony romances with lovable characters and fun magical realism. The parallel universe aspect of this story was really interesting, and it was so funny to read about a rugged Texan cowboy experiencing England and all of its oddities for the first time.
Speaking of rugged Texan cowboys, I adored River Oakley so much. He is the definition of more than meets the eye, and I loved seeing him soften over time. He had such great character development, and it was so entertaining seeing him discover Beyoncé and custard creams! I loved the way he supported Gertie and encouraged her to stop being such a pushover and to become her own person.
I also really enjoyed Gertie’s character (although I cannot get over her name or the nickname River has for her?!), and it was so satisfying seeing her grow a backbone, especially when it came to her ex, Henry. She was struggling both with processing and feeling guilt over her sister’s death, and the portrayal of grief was done well.
There were also several side characters I enjoyed, especially the eccentric Mrs Casablancas and her lovable (but naughty!) dog Squish. It was also lovely to see Aled the librarian from The Love of My Afterlife make a cameo!
Gertie and River had such a great strangers-to-friends-to-lovers romance, with fantastic chemistry and tension. From what I remember, there was slightly more spice than in The Love of My Afterlife, but it was not excessive and was well written.
The ending had me absolutely bawling (I’m a sucker for letters to each other!), and I loved where the characters ended up; their ending felt earned.
The only reason this wasn’t quite a five-star read for me is that one of the characters does something in the third act that felt very out of character and like it was added in for drama’s sake. I also felt like Gertie’s relationship with her parents was glossed over, and we didn’t get any kind of resolution there. The parallel universe hopping also felt a little too easy, but seeing as this is a romance book and not a sci-fi book, I can let that slide!
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with this book. If you’re looking for a fun, slightly silly (but in a good way!) romance with lovable characters and emotional depth, I would 100% recommend Romantic Hero. Kirsty Greenwood is now an auto-buy author for me, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for providing me with an eARC. This review is being left voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.
January 15, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨Magical Realism Romcom
✨Author with baggage and a deadline
✨Manifesting gone right
✨Fake dating
✨Cowboy in London
✨He's literally a character from her book
Gertie is in a pickle. Her heart is broken, and she can't finish her book. Her sweet neighbor suggests they do a manifestation ceremony on the roof to make things better. At the very least, try to get Gertie to stop wailing in the tub at night. Gertie has no faith that it will work but writes down her wishes.
WELLLL, it did work, not how Gertie had planned, though, because there is a SHIRTLESS COWBOY ON HER COUCH! River Oakley. RIVEROAKLEY?! The River from her novel?! The very one! Her villain is on her couch - very kindly asking where he is. He is quite nice to look at- but Gertie knows all too well what kind of character he is.
Gertie just wanted to lose her writers block so she could finish her book. Now, she also needs to figure out how to get River home. Maybe they can help each other in the meantime. If she can get her ex back, she can finish her novel and get River home. He’ll come along to a getaway party and help Gertie woo Henry back.
As long as there are no surprises in that one bedroom, they must share.
As long as River doesn't keep looking at her like that.
As long as everything goes according to plan, it’ll all be worth it.
I loved this book. I was reading it at night after everyone had gone to bed trying to keep my laughing to a minimum. It was so silly and funny and heartfelt. It dealt with some sad bits, big life decisions, and overcoming people pleasing. I loved the characters. They felt so real- almost like they’re alive in an alternate reality, and we just get to look in on them.
It is open door romance, but the descriptions are fairly mild. Semi-detailed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing group for allowing me to read to an early copy and give my honest opinion.
original post:
I loved, loooved this. It was such a fun book. It had humor and heartfelt moments. It delt with grief and overcoming being a people pleaser. It is open door, semi described.
Full review to come
✨Author with baggage and a deadline
✨Manifesting gone right
✨Fake dating
✨Cowboy in London
✨He's literally a character from her book
Gertie is in a pickle. Her heart is broken, and she can't finish her book. Her sweet neighbor suggests they do a manifestation ceremony on the roof to make things better. At the very least, try to get Gertie to stop wailing in the tub at night. Gertie has no faith that it will work but writes down her wishes.
WELLLL, it did work, not how Gertie had planned, though, because there is a SHIRTLESS COWBOY ON HER COUCH! River Oakley. RIVEROAKLEY?! The River from her novel?! The very one! Her villain is on her couch - very kindly asking where he is. He is quite nice to look at- but Gertie knows all too well what kind of character he is.
Gertie just wanted to lose her writers block so she could finish her book. Now, she also needs to figure out how to get River home. Maybe they can help each other in the meantime. If she can get her ex back, she can finish her novel and get River home. He’ll come along to a getaway party and help Gertie woo Henry back.
As long as there are no surprises in that one bedroom, they must share.
As long as River doesn't keep looking at her like that.
As long as everything goes according to plan, it’ll all be worth it.
I loved this book. I was reading it at night after everyone had gone to bed trying to keep my laughing to a minimum. It was so silly and funny and heartfelt. It dealt with some sad bits, big life decisions, and overcoming people pleasing. I loved the characters. They felt so real- almost like they’re alive in an alternate reality, and we just get to look in on them.
It is open door romance, but the descriptions are fairly mild. Semi-detailed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing group for allowing me to read to an early copy and give my honest opinion.
original post:
I loved, loooved this. It was such a fun book. It had humor and heartfelt moments. It delt with grief and overcoming being a people pleaser. It is open door, semi described.
Full review to come
April 10, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️
Kirsty Greenwood is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She writes magical realism rom-coms with so much heart and emotional depth. I definitely didn’t expect this one to get me a little teary, but here we are.
The characters were quirky, chaotic, and so much fun. Between Gertie’s neighbor and their ridiculous (but kind of amazing) ideas to cure her writer’s block—hello, manifestation ceremony—and the grumpy cowboy who literally steps out of the book she’s struggling to write after her breakup with her absolute windbag of an ex, Henry… it’s a full-on comedy of errors. Watching River and Gertie try to get him back to the right timeline was equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.
What really stood out to me, though, was Gertie’s journey back to herself. After years of dimming her light following her sister’s death and losing herself in her relationship with Henry, seeing her slowly rediscover her worth was so powerful. River pushes her to see herself clearly, and honestly, he’s the ultimate green flag. The way he shows up for her, supports her, and handles her heart? Swoon.
I genuinely had no idea how this story was going to resolve, and that letter River writes to Gertie had me emotional. But Kirsty delivered, wrapping everything up in such a satisfying, beautiful way without leaving the HEA in question.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Kirsty Greenwood for the eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.
Kirsty Greenwood is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She writes magical realism rom-coms with so much heart and emotional depth. I definitely didn’t expect this one to get me a little teary, but here we are.
The characters were quirky, chaotic, and so much fun. Between Gertie’s neighbor and their ridiculous (but kind of amazing) ideas to cure her writer’s block—hello, manifestation ceremony—and the grumpy cowboy who literally steps out of the book she’s struggling to write after her breakup with her absolute windbag of an ex, Henry… it’s a full-on comedy of errors. Watching River and Gertie try to get him back to the right timeline was equal parts hilarious and heartfelt.
What really stood out to me, though, was Gertie’s journey back to herself. After years of dimming her light following her sister’s death and losing herself in her relationship with Henry, seeing her slowly rediscover her worth was so powerful. River pushes her to see herself clearly, and honestly, he’s the ultimate green flag. The way he shows up for her, supports her, and handles her heart? Swoon.
I genuinely had no idea how this story was going to resolve, and that letter River writes to Gertie had me emotional. But Kirsty delivered, wrapping everything up in such a satisfying, beautiful way without leaving the HEA in question.
Big thanks to NetGalley, Berkley, and Kirsty Greenwood for the eARC. All thoughts expressed are my own.
April 18, 2026
THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!!
I knew after reading Love of My Afterlife (shoutout to the easter eggs to it in this one!!) that i’d want to read more from Kristy Greenwood and I am SO happy I got to read this one!!! I absolutely loved the premise of this book—because who hasn’t dreamt of a book boy coming to life—and I was so pleased with the execution! Kristy Greenwood is a wonderful, vibrant, and humorous writer and I felt like this book really let that shine 🌟
There was such a great cast of quirky characters and I had a blast being in their orbit! I also ended up loving Gertie! I will admit, in the beginning, I was getting quite frustrated with her, especially in relation to all things Henry related (this is the thing that bumped down my rating a bit), but I was so pleasantly surprised with her growth and coming into her own 💞 Likewise, the romance in this one was a very lovely surprise for me!! I really liked River, but I especially liked him with Gertie! They clearly make each other better, and I truly got teary over them in the last few chapters :,) His letter (and hers that followed) was so beautiful and that last 10% of the book was perfect to me.
Such a fun, unique book that serves all the feelings you want from a romance, with a wonderful magical twist!
thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Berkley, for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review!!
I knew after reading Love of My Afterlife (shoutout to the easter eggs to it in this one!!) that i’d want to read more from Kristy Greenwood and I am SO happy I got to read this one!!! I absolutely loved the premise of this book—because who hasn’t dreamt of a book boy coming to life—and I was so pleased with the execution! Kristy Greenwood is a wonderful, vibrant, and humorous writer and I felt like this book really let that shine 🌟
There was such a great cast of quirky characters and I had a blast being in their orbit! I also ended up loving Gertie! I will admit, in the beginning, I was getting quite frustrated with her, especially in relation to all things Henry related (this is the thing that bumped down my rating a bit), but I was so pleasantly surprised with her growth and coming into her own 💞 Likewise, the romance in this one was a very lovely surprise for me!! I really liked River, but I especially liked him with Gertie! They clearly make each other better, and I truly got teary over them in the last few chapters :,) His letter (and hers that followed) was so beautiful and that last 10% of the book was perfect to me.
Such a fun, unique book that serves all the feelings you want from a romance, with a wonderful magical twist!
thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher Berkley, for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review!!
April 19, 2026
ROMANTIC HERO
📖 book review • out 06.16.26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
thank you @berkleyromance for my ARC
kirsty’s writing style is an immediate five stars for me. magical realism with the perfect amount of romance is my absolute favorite in a feel good and boy did she deliver 🤌🏻 I went from falling quickly into a reading slump to laughing and cackling at every page. her FMCs are my favorite, with all the wit and charm you could need.
gertie bickerstaff is down in the dumps.. recently “on a break” with the love of her life, and as the deadline quickly approaches for her newest novel (of which she has writer’s block and has written zero words) she decides to do a “manifestation ceremony” at the behest of her quirky next door neighbor. so she’s thrown for quite a loop when she walks into her living room to find a shirtless cowboy on her couch, only to find out he is *the* cowboy from her book series she created
love love LOVED this book and loved how everything played out (there were SO many possibilities) the way Gertie and River just molded to each other, the instant protectiveness he felt for her, the fake dating aspect. All of it was utter perfection 👌🏻
📖 book review • out 06.16.26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
thank you @berkleyromance for my ARC
kirsty’s writing style is an immediate five stars for me. magical realism with the perfect amount of romance is my absolute favorite in a feel good and boy did she deliver 🤌🏻 I went from falling quickly into a reading slump to laughing and cackling at every page. her FMCs are my favorite, with all the wit and charm you could need.
gertie bickerstaff is down in the dumps.. recently “on a break” with the love of her life, and as the deadline quickly approaches for her newest novel (of which she has writer’s block and has written zero words) she decides to do a “manifestation ceremony” at the behest of her quirky next door neighbor. so she’s thrown for quite a loop when she walks into her living room to find a shirtless cowboy on her couch, only to find out he is *the* cowboy from her book series she created
love love LOVED this book and loved how everything played out (there were SO many possibilities) the way Gertie and River just molded to each other, the instant protectiveness he felt for her, the fake dating aspect. All of it was utter perfection 👌🏻
February 9, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, @Netgalley, for this ARC.
Okay, I am in love with Kristy's writing. I don't know how this author reads fun, deep female characters. She adds so much flavor in her books.
In this book, I love the self-awareness of romance tropes. The Female Lead, Gertie, is a romance writer, and one of her characters, male villain (River), comes into her world. I found that their reactions felt realistic and funny. I found the spice was great. Even romance between the leads made me swoon. I love the ending!
The only negative is how the magic was described, and I felt disconnected from the story at times. It was TOO self-aware at times. The balance wasn't there.
Overall, I'm going to keep reading Kristy's books. Please, keep making me laugh 😃
Okay, I am in love with Kristy's writing. I don't know how this author reads fun, deep female characters. She adds so much flavor in her books.
In this book, I love the self-awareness of romance tropes. The Female Lead, Gertie, is a romance writer, and one of her characters, male villain (River), comes into her world. I found that their reactions felt realistic and funny. I found the spice was great. Even romance between the leads made me swoon. I love the ending!
The only negative is how the magic was described, and I felt disconnected from the story at times. It was TOO self-aware at times. The balance wasn't there.
Overall, I'm going to keep reading Kristy's books. Please, keep making me laugh 😃
January 19, 2026
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)
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)
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