Review: Smitten by Lauren Rowe
Sometimes you pick up a book at exactly the right moment, and it feels like a warm hug from beginning to end. Smitten by Lauren Rowe was that book for me.
I absolutely drowned in the sweetness of this story. It's one of those romances that leaves you grinning from ear to ear, and by the time I reached the final page, I was completely smitten right alongside the characters.
At its heart, Smitten follows Matthew "Fish" Fishberger, the guitarist in an up-and-coming band. If you're expecting the stereotypical tattooed, arrogant rock star, think again. Fish is refreshingly down-to-earth, wonderfully awkward, and incredibly genuine. Opposite him is Alessandra "Ally," a shy, introverted young musician who struggles with confidence but possesses an undeniable talent of her own.
Watching these two slowly find each other was simply adorable.
Both Fish and Ally felt incredibly real. They're awkward in the most lovable way, and their relationship develops with a sincerity that's impossible not to fall for. Beyond the romance, the story has a lovely coming-of-age feel as both characters learn to embrace who they are, find their confidence, and discover that being yourself is more than enough.
I will admit the story took a little while to get going. The beginning felt slightly slower than I expected, but once Lauren Rowe peeled back the layers of Fish and Ally's personalities, I was completely invested. Every awkward interaction, every sweet conversation, and every moment of second-hand embarrassment only made me love them more.
One of my favourite things about Smitten was just how low-angst it is. Sometimes you don't want an emotionally devastating romance—you want something that makes you smile. This book delivers exactly that. It's full of heartwarming moments, gentle humour, and enough sweetness to brighten even the gloomiest day.
As a music lover, I also adored how music is woven throughout the story. The original song featured in the book has been living rent-free in my head ever since I finished reading. I've had it on repeat, and honestly, if I had to describe this entire novel with a single song, it would be that one. It perfectly captures the hopeful, feel-good energy of the story.
If you're looking for a romance that's light, charming, and guaranteed to leave you feeling happier than when you started, Smitten is an easy recommendation. It's a reminder that sometimes the sweetest love stories don't need dramatic twists—they simply need two wonderfully imperfect people finding their way to each other.
If this was my introduction to Lauren Rowe's writing, it certainly won't be my last.
If you enjoyed it and want more you can check out the Morgan Brothers series (Book 5, ‘Rockstar’ is Dax & Violet’s story) and the Reed Rivers Trilogy by Lauren Rowe. I’ve read that these are set in the same world, interconnected stand alone books.
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