Emily Harding’s debut solo novel How Freaking Romantic arrives like a perfectly timed objection in a courtroom drama—sharp, unexpected, and absolutely necessary. Following the explosive success of her collaborative work in the For the Love of Austen series, Harding steps into the spotlight with a contemporary romance that feels both familiar and refreshingly subversive.
The story centers on Beatrice “Bea” Nilsson, a third-year law student whose righteous anger burns as bright as her loyalty to her friends. When her best friend Jillian’s marriage to Josh crumbles into an ugly divorce, Bea does what she does best: she storms into battle, consequences be damned. Her target? Nathan Asher, the opposing counsel who seems determined to bleed Jillian dry through spousal support demands.
What should have been a simple tongue-lashing turns into something far more complicated when Nathan shows up at NYU Law as Bea’s new colleague. The enemies-to-lovers trope gets a legal twist that feels both inevitable and surprisingly earned.
The Art of Righteous Fury
Harding’s greatest strength lies in her ability to write anger—not the petty, shallow kind that feels performative, but the deep, justified fury that comes from watching the world repeatedly fail the people you love. Bea’s anger isn’t a character flaw to be fixed; it’s a superpower that’s been honed by years of watching her mother cycle through marriages and her friends navigate a world that consistently undervalues them.
The author’s background in writing Austen adaptations shows in her razor-sharp dialogue and her ability to build romantic tension through verbal sparring. When Bea and Nathan trade barbs, it crackles with the kind of intellectual foreplay that makes readers simultaneously want to throttle both characters and lock them in a room together.
Character Development That Hits Different
Bea emerges as a fully realized character whose flaws feel authentic rather than manufactured for plot convenience. Her tendency to fix everyone else’s problems while neglecting her own isn’t presented as quirky—it’s shown as the exhausting emotional labor it actually is. Harding doesn’t shy away from exploring how Bea’s childhood, marked by her mother’s serial marriages and broken promises, has shaped her into someone who finds it easier to fight for others than to fight for herself.
Nathan, meanwhile, could have easily fallen into the trap of being the reformed bad boy with a heart of gold. Instead, Harding gives him genuine flaws and a believable character arc. His evolution from antagonist to love interest feels earned rather than forced, largely because the author allows him to be genuinely wrong about some things while still being sympathetic.
The supporting characters—particularly the tight-knit friend group of Jillian, Maggie, Travis, and Josh—feel like real people with their own histories and motivations. The divorce subplot isn’t just a plot device; it’s a genuine exploration of how relationships can fracture and how those fractures ripple through entire friend groups.
The Messy Reality of Modern Love
Where How Freaking Romantic truly shines is in its unflinching look at modern relationships. The divorce at the center of the story isn’t clean or simple—it involves addiction, financial deception, and the kind of messy truths that make everyone uncomfortable. Harding doesn’t offer easy answers or tidy resolutions, which makes the romance feel all the more precious when it finally blooms.
The novel’s treatment of female friendship deserves particular praise. Bea’s relationships with Jillian and Maggie feel lived-in and authentic, complete with the kind of shorthand that comes from years of shared history. When the divorce threatens to tear apart their carefully constructed family, the pain is palpable.
Writing Style That Sparkles and Stings
Harding’s prose has a conversational quality that makes the book feel like a long chat with your wittiest friend. She has a gift for internal monologue that reveals character while keeping the pace moving. Bea’s voice is distinct and memorable—sarcastic without being mean-spirited, vulnerable without being self-pitying.
The author’s legal background shows in the authenticity of the law school and divorce proceedings details, but she never lets the technical aspects overwhelm the emotional core of the story. The courtroom scenes feel real without becoming boring, and the academic setting provides a perfect backdrop for the intellectual sparring that drives the romance.
Minor Stumbles in an Otherwise Stellar Performance
While How Freaking Romantic succeeds on most fronts, it’s not without its minor flaws. The pacing occasionally feels rushed, particularly in the middle section where Bea and Nathan’s relationship shifts from antagonistic to romantic. Some readers might find the resolution of the divorce subplot a bit too neat, given the complexity of the issues involved.
The book’s treatment of social issues—the wage gap, student debt, systemic inequality—sometimes feels slightly heavy-handed, though it’s clear these themes are central to Bea’s character and worldview. The anger that drives much of the narrative is justified, but occasionally it threatens to overwhelm the romantic elements.
A Romance That Earns Its Happy Ending
Despite these minor quibbles, How Freaking Romantic delivers on its promise of a satisfying romance. The chemistry between Bea and Nathan builds gradually and believably, fueled by intellectual compatibility and genuine respect for each other’s principles, even when those principles put them at odds.
The novel’s exploration of what it means to be worthy of love—and what it takes to believe you’re worthy of love—feels particularly relevant in our current cultural moment. Bea’s journey from someone who fights for everyone else to someone who learns to fight for herself is handled with nuance and care.
The Verdict on This Legal Romance
How Freaking Romantic announces Emily Harding as a solo voice worth watching in the contemporary romance space. While it may not reinvent the genre, it brings fresh perspective and authentic emotion to familiar tropes. The book succeeds because it trusts its readers to appreciate complex characters and messy situations, rather than offering simplified versions of both.
For readers who appreciate:
- Sharp, witty dialogue that crackles with intelligence
- Characters whose flaws feel authentic rather than manufactured
- Romance that builds on mutual respect and intellectual compatibility
- Unflinching looks at modern relationships and their complications
- Strong female friendships that feel real and lived-in
This novel will satisfy on multiple levels. It’s a romance that doesn’t insult its readers’ intelligence, a legal drama that doesn’t get bogged down in technicalities, and a story about friendship that acknowledges both its power and its limitations.
Similar Reads for Romance Lovers
If you enjoyed How Freaking Romantic, consider these comparable titles:
- The Hating Game by Sally Thorne – For enemies-to-lovers workplace romance
- Beach Read by Emily Henry – For witty banter and emotional depth
- The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang – For complex characters and authentic relationships
- The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory – For contemporary romance with substance
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – For smart heroines and swoon-worthy romance
Final Thoughts
Emily Harding has crafted a romance that respects both its characters and its readers. How Freaking Romantic proves that the genre is at its best when it grapples with real issues and real emotions, rather than offering escapist fantasy. It’s a book that will make you laugh, make you swoon, and maybe make you a little angry—in the best possible way.
While it may not achieve the absolute perfection that would earn it universal acclaim, it succeeds as both an entertaining romance and a thoughtful exploration of what it means to love and be loved in all our messy, complicated humanity. For readers looking for contemporary romance with both heart and brains, How Freaking Romantic delivers exactly what it promises—and then some.
- Perfect for: Fans of smart contemporary romance, anyone who’s ever felt like their anger was justified, and readers who appreciate complex characters working through real problems.
- Content notes: Contains mature themes including divorce, addiction, financial deception, and strong language. Adult situations and sexual content.
