How Freaking Romantic
A Novel
Published on 14. August 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-6680-8274-4 (ISBN)
Description
In this sharply funny solo debut, an aspiring lawyer is forced to work alongside the opposing counsel in her best friend's divorce case, which leads to the biggest irreconcilable difference of all: love.
Beatrice Nilsson is what some might call "feisty" (those who love her) and others "combative" (those who don't). But no matter what you call her, she's a good lawyer and an even better friend. So when the marriage of her two closest pals ends in divorce, Bea picks a side and storms the office of attorney Nathan Asher to tell him exactly what he can do with his alimony petition. Unfortunately, what should end with a few choice words soon spirals into uncharted territory when Nate shows up at her NYU Law office a few days later as a newly-minted adjunct professor-and her new colleague.
Bea still hates Nathan, of course. But between weekly meetings and networking events, walks around Washington Square Park and late-night pizza, that hate begins to feel a lot like something else. And as uncomfortable truths emerge about the divorce that started it all, she might have to choose between her friends' happily ever after and her own for the very first time.
Beatrice Nilsson is what some might call "feisty" (those who love her) and others "combative" (those who don't). But no matter what you call her, she's a good lawyer and an even better friend. So when the marriage of her two closest pals ends in divorce, Bea picks a side and storms the office of attorney Nathan Asher to tell him exactly what he can do with his alimony petition. Unfortunately, what should end with a few choice words soon spirals into uncharted territory when Nate shows up at her NYU Law office a few days later as a newly-minted adjunct professor-and her new colleague.
Bea still hates Nathan, of course. But between weekly meetings and networking events, walks around Washington Square Park and late-night pizza, that hate begins to feel a lot like something else. And as uncomfortable truths emerge about the divorce that started it all, she might have to choose between her friends' happily ever after and her own for the very first time.
Reviews / Votes
"A perfect balm for the love-shy heart." * <i><b>Library Journal </b></i><b>(starred review)</b> * "[A] witty debut. The zippy plot and endearing love story will leave readers wanting more." * <b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b> * "The humorous chemistry and enemies-to-lovers trope between Beatrice and Nathan makes the story a fun read from a promising author." * <I><B>Booklist</B></I> * "Flawless. Harding is set to be a rom-com powerhouse." -- <b>Lauren Layne, <i>New York Times </i>bestselling author of <i>Made in Manhattan</i></b> "The set-up! The snark! The spice! Emily Harding had me at 'storming the office of her best friend's ex-husband's divorce lawyer' and kept me cackling all the way through. This book is an absolute delight." -- <B>Colleen Oakley, <I>USA Today</I> bestselling author of <I>The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise</I></B> "With razor sharp wit and perfect prose, Emily Harding has crafted a romance that had me laughing one minute and crying the next. Harding's characters are heart-breakingly real, and Bea is the exact kind of heroine I love to root for. How Freaking Romantic is sexy and smart and completely captivating!" -- <b>Falon Ballard, <i>USA Today </i>bestselling author of <i>Change of Heart</i></b> "Inject this cynical angry woman into my veins! How Freaking Romantic is truly for the ragey girls among us, and I loved every second of it. Emily Harding writes the scrappiest, wittiest, most heartfelt characters to root for, and we're all the luckier for it." -- <B>Ali Rosen, bestselling author of <I>Recipe for Second Chances</I></B> "With biting wit, a tender and truthful take on modern adulthood, and a romance that threatens to burn up the pages, How Freaking Romantic is one of my favorite reads this year. This book made me an Emily Harding fan for life." -- <B>Sarah Dubb, author of <I>Birding with Benefits</I></B> "The verdict is in: Emily Harding's How Freaking Romantic delivers with snarky banter and steamy sexual tension. This book takes enemies-to-lovers to law school and schools us all-on the complexity of evolving friendships, on dropping our defenses in the name of love and on what to do when that new co-professor is hot as hell. (Give in! That's what!)." -- <B>Nora Dahlia, author of <I>Pick-Up</I></B> "Emily Harding has a forever fan in me! Harding's prose absolutely sparkles in her delightful yet deeply resonant solo debut. I fell in love with her heroine Beatrice from the very first page. Heart-strong, hilarious, and hard-wired to her principles even when most might waver, Bea is used to being the friend who takes care of everyone else. Watching her relationship with Nathan bloom is the perfect antidote for anyone who ever wondered if they are too loud, too quirky, or just too much. With Bea and Nathan's exceptionally original, oh-so-swoon-worthy love story, readers will be reminded that even when life is complicated, the best type of romance should be simple. I simply loved this book." -- <B>Becky Chalsen, author of <I>Kismet</I></B>More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York, NY
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 201 mm
Width: 134 mm
Thickness: 27 mm
Weight
269 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6680-8274-4 (9781668082744)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Emily Harding is one-half of the writing duo behind the For the Love of Austen series, including Emma of 83rd Street and Elizabeth of East Hampton. She is a graduate of Emerson College with degrees in both creative writing and film. After working over fifteen years in television development and production, she found her way back to writing. Emily lives in Dallas with her husband, two children, and an incredibly spoiled Texas heeler.