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.)


We don't respond to private messages here, so please contact us on instagram. Thank you!!

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.

[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

[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.

[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! 📚

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read many Christina Lauren books and always look forward to reading their new books. This one was good but not a favorite for me. Emery and Luca are married, but Emery's work has been keeping her away from her husband and their marriage is on the rocks. After an accident, Luca has amnesia and they have a second chance to rebuild their relationship. This didn't have the rom-com feel that I usually love about their books. It had more of a mystery type vibe to it. There was also a lot of science talk that sometimes was interesting, but unexpected and just didn't bring much to the story. Overall, still a decent read, and I'll continue reading their books, but this won't be a fav.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[ahmeeka]

one thing about christina lauren is that she’s going to write the perfect romance and I’m going to eat it up every time

[Sophie (lambsbooks)]

A memory loss trope!? Yes

[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 🤭

[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.

[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.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read! There were some classic CL moments where I laughed out loud, but I wouldn’t say it’s a funny book. It was reminiscent of the STEM vibes of Soulmate Equation and the mystery of Something Wilder. The premise was an interesting take on second chance romance and the cast of characters was all really fun. Overall, it was a short, easy read that was entertaining but not groundbreaking. I still love CL forever and will continue to read their books, I’m just not sure I’d need the hard copy of this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kaitlyn Myers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok... This love story just wasn't for me... The Romance Revival will however be a good read for fans of Ali Hazelwood's science romcoms. This love story follows a cutting-edge secretive scientist, Emery, who is working on a serum that can revitalize animals and humans. And yes, you guessed it, she has to use the serum on her husband, Luca, to bring him back from the dead, only he wakes up with no memory of her...

It's a fun premise and the science is clearly well researched. I found the interactions between Luca and Emery overly repetitive and the little bit of action/mystery behind the serum was a rushed, secondary plotline that could have been more of a focus.

Thank you Edelweiss for the digital ARC!

[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.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars I was thrilled to receive an ARC copy of this book! I love all things Christina Lauren, and this is no exception. Definitely different from their usual rom-com, but not in a bad way at all. It has a unique and interesting storyline, flawed but loveable characters, mystery, and of course… romance. It grabbed my attention from the first chapter, and I loved every minute of it!

[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!

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the gifted copy of this one; all thoughts are my own!

📖 Book Review 📖 We all know Christina Lauren can write one amazing love story, but can they bring one back from the dead? While this dynamic writing duo has gifted readers some wild adventures, The Romance Revival pushes boundaries like never before and undoubtedly these ladies know how to deliver an absolutely gripping, next-level five-star read.

Being married to a doctor comes with sacrifice and I got very comfortable attending events solo during our early years of dating and marriage, especially when my husband was in his residency. But I met my husband working together and signed up for this. When Luca met and fell hard for Emery, with her brilliant medical mind, he had no idea the extent of what she was working on behind closed doors. And even three years later, he still has no clue…until a horrible accident takes his life and only his wife can bring him back.

Christina Lauren makes the blurred lines between brilliant hero and mad scientist sexy in this absolutely enchanting charming romance with some hints of a psychological thriller. The Romance Revival resuscitates a beloved trope like never before; and I can genuinely say that I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation as this beautiful second-chance love story unfolded.

[Nicole Holdaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am blown away!! This might be my favorite book I’ve read so far this year. If you had told me a week ago that a science fiction romance would land on my personal “god-tier” list, I would have laughed in your face but this book made me happily eat my words. I could not put it down. It is my favorite trope of all time- second chance!! It had me on the edge of my seat one minute, laughing the next, and then suddenly crying with that deep ache in your chest that only the best love stories can deliver. The balance is incredible… action-packed and high-stakes while still delivering the witty humor and emotional depth Christina Lauren is known for.
It’s rare to find a book that blends thrilling momentum with such a powerful emotional core, but The Romance Revival does it flawlessly. An unforgettable read.

[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!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love!!!! Christina Lauren does it again. This is one of my favorites now. I read it all in one sitting. Great for an easy beach read.

I loved the characters (and picturing Luca in my head) and I don’t know how to summarize this book without spoiling so instead I will just say I enjoy a bad ass smart female protagonist , despite her flaws, and Emery was written so well.

No notes. Loved!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[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!

[Heather Slighter · Rating 5 out of 5]

When i first got this ARC and began to read… it took me a while to get into it! This is a different type of book that Christina Lauren has written. After the first few chapters I was enamored with Emery and Luca!! The character and relational development was fantastic. The storyline was definitely not what i expected but I loved the touches of STEM meshed within the book!! Thank you @netgalley for this early release copy. I loved this one!!