When Annika starts her app, Make Up, to help bring people back together, she butts heads with CEO of Break Up, an app to break people apart.

This was a cute rom com. I enjoy the enemies to friends trope, similar to the Hating Game. This book was a bit more mature than some rom coms I’ve read in the past. The main character, Annika, is very motivated and driven to start her app. We get into the difficulties of a being a woman of color entrepreneur in a male dominated tech field. The idea of the make up (and break up) software is really cool and loved hearing about it. This was a bit like the romance of the Hating Game and You’ve Got Mail, and the career aspirations of the Boyfriend Project, but with its own unique story and plot.

“It was one of life’s secret truths that almost all evil could be blamed on Vegas, margaritas, and gorgeous men”.

Make Up Break Up comes out 2/2/2021.

2.5 rounded up

I loved the idea of rival app developers, and yay for more POC heroines!

I also really love enemies to lovers romances, but there needs to be a balance between the main characters, each giving as good as they get. I don't care for bickering (repeating the same insults over and over) instead of sitting down for one adult conversation to clear the air. Instead, we keep getting repeated descriptions of how hot Hudson is, while gets old, especially when he keeps winning intellectually--until he gives in at last and lets her win. No, not the ending I wanted to read.

Of course other readers will disagree.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found this novel to be light hearted and heart wrenching. Annika designs the Make Up app designed to bring exes together while her one time hook up drives the competition with a Break Up app. Things get hilariously heated when he moves into the same business building and they attempt to outsmart the other with childish pranks. Annika struggles to understand her compulsion to get a rise out of Hudson while Hudson intensifies his need to be around her. The novel has explosive sexual tension and emotional angst. Hudson and Annika have so much to unpack as they attempt to figure out what's truly important to them.

Overall, a well written and well paced novel with two likeable characters in search of a second chance at love.

The premise of the plot was *promising* with the rival apps that stand for opposite ideologies. One brings people together, and the other pushes them apart. It didn’t execute well.

First the romance element: I read way more about June and Annika on the page than Hudson and Annika. I wasn’t even remotely interested in the romance because the buildup wasn’t there. It felt contrived. It was also the classic misunderstanding that could have been solved by having *one conversation.*

I don’t know how I felt that the white hero tried to undermine the POC heroine. I understand office pranks a la The Hating Game, but Hudson letting the laptop die on purpose at the conference where she was presenting was over the line. Now on the other side, when he *is* being nice like with the Times interview, Annika actions are not mature while in an interview.

There was also inconsistent narration on Annika’s part. She thinks he stole her app idea so whenever she confronts hims about it, he says no he didn’t steal it and she genuinely believes him, But then two pages later we’re back to square one when she thinks he stole her app.

Hudson is a one dimensional character. His characterization left more to be desired. They were only so many times I could read his husky smile or confident smile, Annika seemed more determined to best Hudson rather than make her app the best it can be which felt juvenile. ***Spoiler*** Although he is the one to withdraw from their professional war, I didn’t like that he *let* her win. The win was on the basis of the man withdrawing rather than merit of the stronger app.

All in all, I think both characters needed a bit more depth to make me feel for them.

*ARC from Netgalley in exchange for honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley books, St. Martin’s Griffin Publishing, and Lily Menon for giving me such a sweet read in exchange for an honest review! I loved this take on enemies to lovers. Annika is a go-getter entrepreneur with a whole lot of heart, which feels like the foil to Hudson’s soulless millionaire persona, made to match with a company that focuses on depersonalizing break-ups. But more than being a slow-burn romance, the heart of Make Up Break Up comes through in other love stories, between Annika’s parents, between her best-friend-who’s-like-a-sister, between Annika and her father.

Mechanically, the pacing of the plot was really nice, there were several dramatic parts (either interpersonal tension or competition or suspenseful medical scares). This copy was still an uncorrected proof, so there were a few slightly strange word choices and transitions I’d change, and will mention to the publisher.

But overall, this was a fun read, with all the lighthearted love of a good romance with the meaningful, deeper connections promised by Annika’s own app. A debut novel I’d love to see turn into a series! Where do June and Ziggy go next…?

Ok! I had no clue this was Sandhya Menon until I did a bit of research, but I really should have picked up on it! Reminded me a bit of the premise of Beach Read but it turned out to be so much lighter and more fun. Authors of color have such a wonderful touch that I always end up enjoying.

What's that quote? "Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular"? Yeah, that one. That's how I feel about this book. I loved it sooo much. Let's be real though, it's a haters to lovers trope, so it had me written all over it.

This book is more lovers to enemies back to lovers, for a little bit of a switch up. This started off as two tech developers who hooked up and then realized that the core of their careers could not be more opposite. I loved the progression of this book and it made it so quick and easy to read. You could definitely feel their connection and spark even through them haring each other.

I loved the strong female protagonist and her motivation for her professional career and how she wouldn't settle. I loved how the characters were on equal playing fields as well and how that affected their relationship.

This book gave me all the warm and fuzzies. I started it at 11pm and legitimately could not put it down. Highly recommend!!

This ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! I loved this book so much! The passion and smoking chemistry between the characters, their sassy, hot, smart banters, the high tension enemies to lovers premise stole my heart!

I couldn’t put it down. It was so much better than so many romantic comedies that I’ve lately read. There is reasonable angst parts, lots of misunderstandings, clever pranks both of MCs pull on each other. It’s emotional, funny, passionate, intriguing.

What if your worst enemy who ruined your career and stole your idea would be your office neighbor next door? The very same enemy you’ve spent one week with in Vegas ( the passionate one week reminds you of Basinger and Rourke’s 9 and 1/2 weeks)! Yes, let the hating games begin!!!

Annika is smart, determined, hard worker, proud. She believes true love, happy endings and second chances. That’s why she created “Make Up” to fix the failing relationships and give them a new chance.

And Hudson Craft, ambitious, playful, visionary, charismatic who designs “ Break Up” to end the failing relationships to get rid of emotional burdens easily. He sees relationships as business deals. Time is essence: no need to deal with relationship therapists or additional heartbreaking dramas. Just the agents they hire inform the other party that: things are over so both parties can move on without fights and getting things uglier. So robotic, logical, emotionless , cutthroat solution!

You keep chanting to the characters stop playing games and kiss each till they get out of breath! Their sizzling, pant melting, drooling chemistry may be the best thing about the book. Especially the part about their accidental yoga seance was hotter than hell! Okay, I’m stopping, no more spoilers!

There is upcoming EPIC Investment Pitch Contest and as you may imagine: both of them needs to win: Annika needs to prove her father she can chase her dreams without bankruptcy and eviction ( if she cannot win the prize of the contest, she will suffer from these situations) and she needs to prove Hudson, everything is not about money and power. She wants to change people’s lives by bringing back happiness they need.

I loved both of the characters and they were both strong, powerful but when it comes to face their own feelings, both of them are vulnerable.

Normally I would give four stars to this story because there are still some foreseeable cliches and immature attitudes of characters but I loved the dynamics of characters’ relationship and their fantastic chemistry melted my heart. So I’m giving extra half stars and rounding up my 4.5 stars to 5!

Well, another fastest romcom devouring just ended! I truly had wonderful time!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this incredible ARC with me in exchange my honest review.

I would like to first say thank you to Lily Menon, Netgalley, and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read an early ARC of Make UP, Break Up in exchange for my honest review.

Why did you have to break my heart the way you did? Once again! It was in a very good way though. Lily Menon coming in WAY HOT with her debut adult romance about 2 app developers.

Annika is the founder of a new app that she believes is the best way to give couples the second chance they might not have otherwise called Make Up.
Hudson Craft is the very successful founder of a very heartbreaking app called Break Up.

From the beginning I felt for Annika and hated everything about Hudson and his app, it's so hurtful and then his sexiness....man that just really grows on you.
Every step of the way though while Break Up is a very successful running app in the world, Annika is doing everything in her power to make sure that Make Up and the system it runs on is perfection. Mr. Hudson was always their what felt like he was being very rude and trying to ruin her start up. Many parties and he always had some kind of successful write up about his app.
I can tell you, after reading this book, I wanted to say I saw it coming but, I truly didn't my emotions were 1000% invested and it sucked me in. I couldn't put this book down to save my life.
The character development not only between Annika and Hudson but with June and her new friend was always such a thrill.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

OH !! I loved this book. It was a lovers > enemies > lovers story that kept me engaged on every page. The writing was solid. I appreciated the business challenges the strong heroine faced and thought the relationship with her father was very special. Overall, this book had all the feels and made me smile.

I absolutely adore Annika and Hudson! I'm going to be talking about this on my podcast, Raise Your Words in February, closer to the release date. I'm so excited for it and I have already posted about it on my bookstagram account, @mischiefmanagedbibliophile! I will also be doing a blog post and an in-depth review on GoodReads! I will be reading ALL of Lilly Menon's books.

4.25 stars!

Make up Break Up is an enemies-to-lovers romance about these 2 characters Annika and Hudson who have 2 absolutely rival apps,that is One is Make up to help people fall in love and the other is Break Up to help people break up. Annika and Hudson also know each other from the past when they spent one entire week in the best way together. But now they are enemies and well, we all know what happens after that.

This was a breath of fresh air! It has such a badass character Annika, at the centre of it all. Her relationship with June, her best friend and her app developer was one of the best parts about this book! I am living for those strong female friendships and truth to be told, WE NEED MORE OF SUCH POSITIVE BADASS RELATIONSHIPS IN BOOKS! Annika is so passionate about this app, her passion and determination is something you can't NOT LOVE. Her relationship with her father was So carefree amd loving aah! One of the biggest things I relate with Annika is her problem of not being able to open up or be vulnerable with people, because that is me. I loved how the author beautifully weaved in mental health rep aka Annika's anxiety in the story and helped her embrace it using yoga!

Now, Hudson. Is there there a sweeter guy than Hudson around? Oof. The fact that he actually took the time to understand and embrace Annika's needs, ahh *swoon* He is such a strong character himself, and just so loving by nature! His character growth was SO EPIC. We don't generally find character developments in romcoms but this one had it to THE BRIM. I really wanted more of Hudson, and his life honestly. We really just focused on Annika, it would've been GREAT to see a bit more of Hudson!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BEAUTY. I was so emotional throughout the book, i mean who gets emotional while reading romcoms?! me, that's who. Loved this book, the characters, the relationships, and everything! I,can positively say this is going to be a HIT in the enemies-to-lovers world when it comes out! I cannot wait for everyone to read this once its out!

Annika’s app, Make Up, is an app designed to help couples find true love. Hudson’s app, Break Up, helps couples break up without all the messy emotions. Annika and Hudson are competing for funding and have a history of one glorious week in Vegas together. When Hudson moves into an office next to Annika her feelings resurface, and she does the best to get him out of her mind. This book has delightful characters, creative events that bring out the best and worst of the characters and is fun to read. This book proves relationships are tricky and communicating is key. I really enjoyed this book.

I love office romance so when my favorite rom com ya author ventures into the adult genre, I'm here for it.

Annika and Hudson's story is one we've heard before but that's what makes rom coms the best. I loved the lover to enemy to lover storyline set within the tech world! The writing is great and the plot moves at a great pace.

And not to mention those will they won't they moments!

“Annika reached a hand forward, her fingertips grazing the corner of his mouth. His eyes closed as he let out a long, slow breath.”

Yes, yes, YES. What a book! I’m a sucker for the enemies to lovers trope, but lovers to enemies back to lovers? Ugh, that made my heart so happy.

Make Up Break Up has the perfect balance of unresolved sexual tension, awkwardness and yearning. Having Annika feeling so strongly towards her creation Make Up was great because that level of passion is something that fuelled her *hatred* for Hudson and his Break Up app. It also helped fuel the moments of denial of what Annika desperately wanted ... a certain someone *wink wink* Oh, how I loved incompatible businesses pitting against each other whilst their CEOs pretend that they aren’t fazed by each other.

There’s this added layer to the story that I enjoyed - and that’s the nitty gritty bits. The emotional baggage both Hudson and Annika carry on their shoulders and the true reasons behind the creation of their apps - oh I COULD EAT IT UP FOR DAYS.

This is a brilliant adult rom-com debut for Menon! I’m a fan of her YA works and now also a fan of her adult works too!

*I was granted an ARC of this book by St. Martin's Press/Macmillan and Menon within the Swoon Squad group. Proud Swoonie!*

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

*Spoiler free, 4.5 stars*

I've been looking forward to reading this book since the deal announcement. Two people, with opposing apps about relationships, and they're competing for in the same investment contest. And it's by an author whose other books I've loved. It seemed like such a fantastic enemies-to-lovers romance and I couldn't wait to read it!

Dang, seriously dang, can Menon write romance. She's amazing at YA, but she's just as amazing at romance. I completely fell in love with this book.

Alright, I'm starting off with the sex scenes, even though that's incredibly awkward. Yes, they were that good. But, it's not just the sex. Menon is an absolute master at writer sexual tension and sexual yearning. Seriously, the heat between Annika and Hudson feels like it could sizzle off the page. The wanting they both feel is so potent. Seriously, I could sing praise about this aspect of the book for hours. It was that well done.

This book is also just full of love and passion. Not the sex kind, even though there is plenty of that! Annika is so passionate about her company. She is so passionate about what she does and even why she does it. She wants to help make the world a better place in the ways that she can. She's good at what she does and she wants the chance to own that.

I also really, really loved June, and all the side characters. It kind of felt like June and Ziggy could have had their own book! Plus, June and Annika's friendship was so amazing. They were so supportive and they work so well together. I also loved June's relationship with her dad! It was rocky, but they love each other so much. It was such a great familial relationship.

The writing was also so spectacular. Menon has a way with words. It was light and fluffy and yet it felt had this deepness to it, a way of pulling feeling out of you. Her writing style is just so amazing to read.

While I loved Hudson, he's cocky and the best kind of irritating and a guy with a hidden soft side, I felt like he could have had so much development. I felt like his story just came to an end. I feel like where it ended could have been a good place, but the book didn't dive deep enough into his head. I loved Annika's point of view and I think the book worked really well with just her as the narrator, I felt like a lot of Hudson's story was shoved to the back burner. I wanted to see more. I wanted to see more of his emotional growth. I wanted to learn more about him. It made it seem like it was just a flipped switch on his decisions, instead of an accumulation of other events that changed him.

I think that also bled into how I felt about the conflict. It kind of felt like the same thing was happening, just in different scenarios. I would have liked more interactions with Hudson and Annika. I would have liked different kinds of conflicts to come up, to see different sides of all the characters.

And this brings me to my final qualm with this book, the ending. It felt so abrupt. I wanted more. It felt like it just ended right when everything wrapped up. There wasn't enough of a knot at the end to tie everything up for me. I would have liked an epilogue, but this is an ARC, so perhaps there will be one in the final book!

I know there were a lot of things I talked about that I didn't love about this book, but they were honestly small things. They just took up a lot of words to talk about.

I truly, truly LOVED this book. It's full of passion and tech and relationships and amazing sexual tension and absolutely amazing characters. It's incredibly amazing.

Review will be available on my blog, The Reading Fairy on January 30th, 2021

TW: Sex, death of parent(s) (mentioned), car accident, blood, hospitalization, smoking (mentioned), mention of surgery, mention of cancer

Rep: Indian MC, Indian side character, Korean side character, Black side character

Disclaimer: I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, this does not affect my opinion. 

""And you almost convinced me them you're human. Let's hope you learned your less, Mr. Craft. I'm invincible. I'm unstoppable. And I will kick your ass at EPIC.""


I'm not going to lie: I FUCKING SCREAMED when I saw an email in my inbox notifying me that I had an ARC. I immediately jumped into it (because my priorities are so low), and the fact that I been seeing some very cool lines that I just wanted to read right away, and it's by my FAVORITE AUTHOR! ♥♥♥. 

Once in a while, I will read an Adult Rom-Com and after reading this book, I want to read more because frankly, this rom-com was so good and it was a huge highlight to read. There was also not much smut in this book which surprised me quite a bit as I expected there to be a couple of scenes, but it was really unlike any other adult rom-coms I read that was filled with a lot of smut. 

I was a huge fan of Annika, the girl to girl power and female business owners! Both of them are really rare in fiction, and it was a really good surprise and I really hope we get a lot more female STEM and females in their own business because we need to have those books! 

I loved that Annika had a huge PASSION with her business, Make Up, and wanted to see her business succeed. I loved the way Menon wrote her passion, and the reasons why she was shown and honestly it was perfect. I kinda wished that her business was real because it seems really plausible for it to happen. 

And the fact that all she just wanted to see couples and help them out when they are in the deep end. Compared to the competition, who breaks up with people and helps end things. But like the reasons why they each built their company was so genius and really interesting! 

I think the one thing that made me lose it completely is the RIVALS TO LOVERS AND THE YEARNING THERE IS! I was freaking out, and the way Menon wrote it, I just wanted them to fall in love quickly. They were really rivals including when they were learning stuff about each other and it was just so damn good. 

Hudson & Annika are really interesting characters, and the romance between the two shows it. 

I'm still breathless because this book was so damn good and I was HOOKED. Mainly because imagine me reading a rom-com and wanting them to kiss when I typically am not a huge rom-com fan, but I was so curious and interested in this love story that I was really sad that this book ended. 

I did  not expect to be that hooked, but it was so INTERESTING AND I CAN NOT WAIT UNTIL IT COMES OUT!