I forgot how much I love reading YA romance. This one, not so much for the romance (I wasn’t super invested in the romance but I enjoyed the HEA and the epilogue scene) but the sheer fun of this book made it a solid 4 stars for me. As pointed out by one of my friends who is a woman in STEM, Naleem deserved better. Her anger and antagonism was so so justified and I am so glad she called Bel on her privilege, I just wish it had been made more obvious, sooner. Like I said, this book was a blast from start to finish. So quotable, I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. I just hope the double standard for Brown women in STEM has been addressed better.

Something about this book went tinkering around in my heart because apparently it's feeling things again.

This is one of the rare contemporary YA novels that sank its cute little claws into me from page one and never let go. It is so sweet and thoughtful and smart and funny that I genuinely couldn't have hated it if I tried. I was fortunate enough to receive an early audio copy from the publisher and absolutely loved it. The narrators could not have done any better and made this such an enjoyable reading experience.

The book is told in dual POV from Bel Mayer and Teo Luna, two students on the same high school robotics team with very different ideas of the future.

Bel is a new transfer student to a fancy high school after her parents' divorce and has no idea what to do with her future. Every time someone asks her what she'll be doing when she graduates, what she'll study in university, she panics. She hasn't yet found the thing she wants to spend the rest of her life doing, and how are you supposed to have everything figured out at age 17? She's very smart and funny, but faces a lot of adversity in the STEM field for simply being a girl, and even more so for not really having to try to get on the team.

Teo is the complete opposite of Bel and has everything figured out. Soccer, robotics, MIT early-acceptance--nothing is out of his control, and that's part of the problem. Being the son of a tech CEO, there hasn't been room for Teo to be anything but what his Dad wants to see from him. That doesn't mean he doesn't love engineering, but there's little grace for him not to do well and reach the same heights. He is on top of everything and everyone, and the boy needs to let go just a little bit and let other people help him out.

Together, the pair are absolutely adorable. I mean, I wanted them to work out so badly because they seemed to complement each other really well. They come from entirely different backgrounds but share a unique passion that lets them get to know the other and understand the struggles they each face. And the epilogue? Be still my beating heart because I nearly died from the cuteness and utter satisfaction of how their story panned out.

I am loving seeing so many more books with a STEM focus, and this was no exception. High school robotics is not something I ever considered, but it creates such a fun premise for the characters to live and grow within. Do I understand much of the specifics when it comes to physics and such? Absolutely not, but I still enjoyed the heck out of this. And of course, with most STEM-centric books, there is the feminist angle of women trying to fit in with the boys after so very long of being excluded to shield their fragile masculinities. Which means we get some great kick-ass scenes of boys being allies to girls that wipe the floor with those doubting assh*les.

I absolutely recommend this one if you're looking for a quick but fun and smart read!

3,6

Essa foi uma leitura bem inesperada. Não porque eu não quisesse fazê-la, porque eu queria sim, mas por tudo que encontrei nela.

A história começa num clichê de hate to lovers ao mesmo tempo em que temos os dois personagens lidando com perspectivas de futuro distintas mas que os pressionam (quase) igualmente. Gostei de ter o ponto de vista de ambos, ainda que o da Bel tenha me envolvido e agradado mais, já que em alguns momentos o Teo me irritava por uma atitude ou fala.

E associado à eles, temos o clube de robótica que foi um tema que eu lembro de ter visto pouquíssimas vezes em livros, e foi bacana como a autora o abordou e explorou, de forma natural e infelizmente tão real, o machismo em meio à essas áreas tão comumente dominada por homens. Personagens como a Bel, Neelam, Jamie e Lora crescem de forma tão sutil mas significativas pra esse debate na trama que me fizeram envolver à história até mais do que ao romance.

Romance este que, por sua vez, já não me cativou tanto. Na verdade, a interação entre Bel e Teo pareceu ter me prendido mais antes do romance surgir, porque depois dele eu senti as coisas meio distantes? Não sei, foi como soou pra mim. Talvez o fato de ele ter existido por rão pouco tempo no livro, comparado ao tempo dele no total, tenha me feito apegar mais aos personagens individualmente do que juntos também. Em meio à isso, ainda tiveram uns capítulos meio parados e outros em que as coisas pareceram fluir rápido demais, e eu ficava meio perdida.

Mas, no geral, é uma leitura bacana para quem curte YA e debate sobre machismo em meio à engenharia e afins. Também tem uma base interessante de diálogos da Bel com sua orientadora, Sra. Voss, que, junto com questões sobre os pais dela, queria que tivessem desenvolvido mais; o dilema de o que fazer no futuro, faculdade ou não, e como lidar com as pressões dos pais e dos demais ao nosso redor é muito válido.

You can tell I'm in my YA era and indeed I'm having the time of my life.

I haven't actually read The Atlas Six yet, though I've been meaning to, so this is my first read from this author, and it was a wonderful time. I'm definitely more eager to read her other work! I wasn't shocked necessarily but I didn't have many expectations and it was so nice to just thoroughly enjoy this book.

The writing was really good and the author has such a memorable writing style. Some of the quotes were just *chefs kiss* and I absolutely adored some of the conversations in this book. The discussions of women in STEM and also just growing up and leaving high school were by far some of my favourite aspects about this book. That being said, another reviewer mentioned that the author used the word "hetenormativity" in place of "patriarchy" and I did pick up on that, so slightly weird. Plus, I found the third act breakup rushed, and whilst I felt like the conflict was necessary, I didn't love that bit. Either way, the writing was easy to read and Follmuth just put certain feelings to words so well! As someone who has no knowledge of robotics, I also found that element very fascinating and such an interesting element of the book, so love how she's brought this to the YA genre.

Bel was such a stunning main character and I ADORED her. Teo was cute, but didn't get as much page time? No, rather I do feel like he could've been developed more. But the romance was so so adorable and the ending was like an absolute warm hug <3<3<3

Overall, this was such a perfect escape and I highly enjoyed my time with this YA romance. If you're looking for a fun academic rivals to lovers romance that brings feminist themes to the table, this book is the perfect pick!

ACADEMIC RIVALS WHERE THEY SECRETLY START FALLING FOR EACH. OTHER AND THEY HELP EACH OTHER GROW THROUGH A FORCED ALLIANCE?!?!?!?!??! HELLLOOOOO COUNT ME IN.

Love Love loved this book! Such a great women in STEM story. And I love that it really dives into the familial, social, and educational pressures of senior year of high school. Each student has their own unique circumstances - from pressure to bet he best, overcoming parents divorce, having to work twice as hard for half as much recognition. The book alternated perspectives between the two main characters - Bel and Teo - as they navigate senior year and their robotics championships. Teo is the "it" boy - popular, smart, attractive, rich. Bel is the new girl who kind of accidentally fell into robotics and even though she has great instincts, doesn't have the foundation to be great....yet. The two of them navigate senior year and develop feelings for each other along the way.

I can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

Ugh this book was SO cute! I LOVE a good young women in STEM story - and this book delivered! I loved how relatable the book was, diving into the different familiar, social and school pressures associated with senior year. The book also dives into the prejudices against women in STEM and I love that the main characters grappled and struggled with it - and then overcame it.

This was so cute - huge fan o the story and can't wait to read more from this author in the future.

Thanks NetGalley for eARC copy.

A good Young adult novel from the author of The Atlas Six.
Bel and Teo are two young students who love engineering and robotics.
Teo is the golden boy with a perfect future ahead of him, while Bel has more doubts.
There are reflections on the future, doubts about the choice of college and the first love. Super interesting reflection about women in STEM and their role and considerations within society.
The characters are well developed: Bel and Teo are the main characters, but others like Neelam, Luke, Dash and Jamie are important end are of great support to the storytelling and the development of the plot.
There isn't too much romance because individual development is more important, but there is no lack of romantic moments and the ending is satisfying.

I got YA Real Steel vibes, I love the robotics throughout this book and I'm so glad it played a front seat roll to the romance.

Bel and Teo were a cute fun romance, though I wish we had more of the rival build up before their relationship became more.

I LOVED the supporting cast, I would really like to follow Dash's story, I feel he could become a chef!

As much as I enjoyed this story, I felt like something was missing, it didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Special thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review

This book was just so perfect!

Bel and Teo were just so perfect for each other, from the beginning when they first hated each other to when they started dating.

Both characters were dealing with their own issues, but watching them grow into themselves and their potential was what made this book 4 stars for me.

Also the fact that Neelam always stood up for herself time after time knowing how she was being treated as a woman in STEM. i love women!

Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for something lighthearted with robots, and romance!


Thank you to Holiday House Books and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

5 stars
The coming of age book that everyone needs to read
Right from the beginning, the writing style was immersive. The easygoing aspect made the content so enjoyable that I could hardly keep the book away. The internal commentary was equally humorous as it was eye-opening. The author was well-informed on robotics, which at the beginning was a little difficult to understand with all the technicalities, but I got used to it soon.
It was Bel's story though and through. She is portrayed as a directionless high school student who is wading through her time of growing (and she definitely glowed). Personally, reading Bel's perspective on things took me back to my childhood, and I couldn't help but resonate with her. The dual point of view showed the other side of the story too, which helped me better understand the plot and characters. Teo Luna was the perfect love interest, especially as he was eighteen in the book. I would especially like to mention Neelam here, who wasn't very likeable at the start but she grows on you.
The plot has a realistic tone to it, despite the laidback style among the characters. The book was made of a slow budding romance (which was so so good), instant and tentative friendships (I loved both the kinds), the journey of self discovery through the 'real' world, competitiveness and feminism. I don't think I have cried reading a book in a long time, but this was it (happy tears obviously).
The author did an amazing job bringing everything together in such a way that it was incredibly hypnotizing.
Thank you Netgalley and Holiday House for the ARC for an honest review.

My Mechanical Romance was a cute, fun read! I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers premise. It was the perfect read for any teenager and I enjoyed reading it myself even as an adult. Both of the main characters were very believable and were fun to follow. They both faced real world struggles that a normal teenager today would face themselves such as dealing with perfectionism, confidence, divorced parents and finding yourself. Of course, to top it all off I loved that it also promoted woman in STEM! I would love to put this book in my classroom for my own students.

On a random side note, I also really appreciated the way both of the teachers were portrayed in this book. While their relationship with them was not always perfect, I liked the fact that both of the main characters were comfortable talking to their teachers and in Ms. Voss's case she became an ally to help lead Bel towards things that she thought she would be passionate about and enjoy. I found it refreshing versus a lot of teen novels that make a teacher a villain or someone to dislike.

This book had me smiling so hard! It was such a fun read that made me never wanna out it down! I loved how it was enemies to friends to lovers! Their story development was so natural and easy! I never thought robots could be so cool! The ending was realistic and wasn’t trying to be too perfect!

A swoon-worthy YA STEM romance perfect for those who love the opposites attract trope.
🤖
Bel hates thinking about the future, but as a senior she can’t avoid it much longer. All Teo does is think about the future, but the thing he loves to do most is hang with his friends at robotics club. When Bel is voluntold to try out for the robotics team, her natural skill for engineering starts to come out. Teo and Bel are very different people, but spending time in robotics club brings them closer together.
🤖
I adore books that deal with issues girls face, particularly those in male-dominated fields like engineering and STEM. This novel tackled that, plus feminism, race and more and I was here for it! This is a great title to add to any middle or high school collection!

CW: racism, infidelity, vomiting, illness

I absolutely enjoyed Alexene Farol Follmuth's YA debut about enemies to lovers in STEM. It was refreshing to read and inspiring to read about a young woman of color in STEM. Bel is a new student at her school and to an extent feels like she is out of place in the advanced courses she is being pushed to take. Her POV of the book even begins with her comparing how big a difference all of this is from her old school. As she eases into AP Physics and the robotics team, Bel learns a lot about the field and about Teo, who she ultimately ends up falling in love with. Teo's POV is also written into the story and we get a sense of his struggles as well. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it.

Loveley and empowering, this STEM oriented YA romance deals with the systematic problems a girl like our heroine faces when joining a men dominated feild. Bel, the heroine, has a talent for design and good engeneering skills, but she doesn.t have the nessesary background and eductation to comunicate her ideas. When she first joins the robotics team, she is not exactly welcomed and embraced until the captain of the team, Theo Luna, takes a better notice of her. But while I understood the difficulty of breaking into a boy's club, I did not understand the hostility of Neelam, the only other girl doing robotics in the club.
Both Bel and Theo deal with emotional baggage and family pressures. Bel had to change school because of her parents' divorce and she feels she must choose sides. While Theo faces a cold overacheiving father who drives him hard. Theo's character isn't as cool as Bel's, he is has everything going for him and his main trouble is being to involved and controlling.
There is nice effortless represntation in the book, and the so called "nerdy" characters were well fleshed out and not the sterotypical geeks. And though it was a bit didactic, I can wholeheartedly recommend the story. Plus it was preaching to the choir as far as feminism and girls in STEM go.
A huge thank you to publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of My Mechanical Romance by in exchange for an honest review.

In many ways this book brought me back to my days of doing college applications and I kind of have a weird nostalgia for that time my life. I thought this was fun and I really liked hot explored woman of color in STEM. Well done!

A fun rom com read that was a nice, easy flow storyline with some good laughs thrown in. The pairing was sweet with just that side of sass and ofcourse who doesn't love robots

A Bel trocou de escola no último ano do ensino médio e não faz ideia alguma do que fazer quando se formar, não sabe se deve fazer faculdade e se escolher esse lado nem sabe qual área deveria escolher, mas uma professora da nova escola parece ver os tico e teco trabalhando na cabeça da menina e a encaminha para a turma de robótica da escola.
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É lá que ela acaba se encontrando, tendo um olho bom para o mecanismo das coisas, assim ela acaba batendo de frente com Teo, que só vem acumulando coisas nas costas nesse último ano escolar.
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My Mechanical Romance trabalha bem com a questão de coming-of-age (histórias de amadurecimento), por ser um romancinho que se passa no último ano do ensino médio americano, em que seguindo os pontos de vista da Bel e do Teo, vemos eles lidando com seus hobbies, amores e as grandes decisões que ocorrem nessa época da vida.
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A Bel é meio de família filipina e o Teo é meio de família latina, e enquanto temos uns costumes aqui e acolá da herança da Bel, esse ponto é pouco trabalhado nos pontos de vistas do Teo.
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Uma curiosidade dessa autora é que ela escreve histórias de fantasia para o público adulto sob o pseudônimo de Olivie Blake, e o seu maior sucesso é o The Atlas Six (que chega em breve pela Intrínseca), um livro dark academia que fez sucesso no TikTok.

This was a really cute Academic rivals to lovers type book and I really loved all the characters! It was a pretty easy read and I really loved how uniquely relatable the main character Bel was and how it had a touch of girl power in STEM Vibe ♥️