Funny, emotional, and utterly magical from beginning to end.
Release date: June 16, 2026
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
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.
Review:
Kirsty Greenwood has done it again with Romantic Hero, a whimsical, heartfelt romance that completely swept me away. Blending magical realism with emotional depth, this story feels effortless in the best possible way—equal parts charming, funny, romantic, and surprisingly moving. What begins as a quirky premise about a fictional cowboy stepping off the page quickly becomes a beautiful exploration of grief, healing, self worth, and finding happiness where you least expect it.
Gertie Bickerstaff stole my heart from the very first chapter. She’s the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for, flaws and all. Watching her navigate heartbreak, self doubt, and loss while slowly rediscovering her own value was incredibly emotional. More than once I wanted to reach into the pages, give her a hug, and remind her that she deserves so much more than she’s settling for. And then there’s River Oakley, the supposedly villainous cowboy who proves that first impressions don’t always tell the whole story. He’s funny, swoony, protective, and absolutely worthy of book boyfriend status.
What truly made Romantic Hero shine for me was its characterization. Greenwood creates characters who feel wonderfully real despite the fantastical premise, making every emotional moment land with impact. I laughed, smiled, teared up, and ultimately finished the book with a full heart. It’s the kind of story that reminds you why romance can be so magical. A joyful, emotional, and utterly enchanting five star read.
Perfect for readers who love:
- Magical realism romance
- Quirky heroines
- Cowboy book boyfriends
- Stories about grief and healing
- Character-driven love stories
- Books that make you laugh and cry
- Writer protagonists
- Heartwarming happily-ever-afters
Overall rating: 5/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 