In Love All Over Again has many of the romance tropes fans of the genre would enjoy. The star-crossed lovers, the gay best friend, the absent-minded but well-meaning parent, and the classic romance drama jobs are present in the series. However, unlike other series, the show literally starts off with a bang. The main couple don’t get separated because of toxic dynamics or tragedy, but literally because of the 2004 Madrid train bombings. But this isn’t just a one-off event, it’s the event that shifts Irene’s life forever, as she tries to heal and process the event as best as she can. Some of the series’ plot points may not be new, but it’s sincere in examining how that event affected people’s lives, without being overly dramatic. The resulting series is sweet and it captures the Y2K nostalgia that’s currently en vogue.

Series creator Carlos Montero insists that the show is not autobiographical, but In Love All Over Again feels deeply personal. Irene makes the classic romcom mistakes, but part of it could be explained through uncertainty over what could have been if not for what happened, on top of regular self-doubt all young adults feel. The chemistry between Georgina Amorós and Franco Masini makes their actions believable, but it’s clear that parallels to Montero’s life gives the show’s writing – both dialogue and plot points – a certain groundedness that makes it feel real.