Penny Reid has done it again! I simply adored this book. Homecoming King is the first in a planned trilogy about the reigning kings from high school, where they are now, and if they can find love. First up is Rex “TW” McMurtry. Told exclusively from the girl who had a giant crush on him in school, the story unfolds. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and then you’ll swoon as Rex sweeps his girl off her feet.

Abigail McNerny’s life isn’t at all what she pictured it would be. Divorced before she was twenty, in debt up to her eyeballs, and still working at the same bar, Gail is treading water, pretending everything is fine, and convincing herself, though not her friends, that she is happy. Then, a man enters her bar near closing and takes up residence in one of the seats. Little did she know it would be the boy she used to fantasize about, who took up all of her daydreaming time as a kid. Rex is as handsome as she remembers him to be, but conflicts with her “no dating” rule. When he proposes, quite literarlly, Gail finds herself in over her head.

As I already said, I adored this one! Gail and Rex’s chemistry is evident from their first encounter in the book. I found myself encouraging Gail to give him a chance and was even ok with the fake-marriage trope. In fact, I kind of loved the curveball that Reid throws in. Rex is dealing with relentless teasing and bad media coverage as his nickname “Training Wheels” has been applied to the girls he previously dated as each one of them marries the next guy she dates. Rex wants to stop the rumors and focus on what matters to him: football and family. It doesn’t hurt that he is clearly attracted to Gail. I love the two of them together. Their banter makes this book.

Overall, I loved Homecoming King. The character growth and the relationship that builds between the two will make your heart smile. I highly recommend this one if you enjoy contemporary romance.