Thanks to Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute highschool romcom!! 3.5 stars

It starts out a little slow, and the ending feels a bit rushed (which is something I find with most romances so maybe it's just a genre thing), but other than that this was a super engaging read.
I loved the characters' dynamic through the book, and I'm grateful that they had actual personalities and felt really fleshed out (even side characters did, which isn't always the case). Also, the STEM theme was cool, I was actually interested in the robotics aspect of it which is something I didn't expect to happen while reading this.
I do have to point out the massive amount of pop culture references and how many dialogues felt kind of permormative (i guess that's the word?) which is something that definitely puts me off in books, and at times made it feel like it was trying to hard to be "relatable" and "woke".
Overall, this was an adorable lighthearted which you'll enjoy if you like YA romance.

WOW. This book was unbelievably enjoyable. I was slightly apprehensive at first as this book was about robotics and I do not have a clue about it but that did not matter and this book took me by surprise.

‘My Mechanical Romance’ follows Bel, an apprehensive teen who doesn’t want to think about her future (relatable). She gets pushed onto the schools robotics team by her supportive teacher Ms. Voss and the rest takes off from there. She meets Teo on the team the schools heart throb and need I go on? ;)

I found the dynamic between the two main characters so fascinating and it was certainly a great one. They just MATCHED. There’s simply no other way to put it. I feel that the dual POV really added to the story and gave me a much better connection with both the characters rather than just one.

I think this book is really important because it is so inclusive of so many different people I feel as though it could really inspire many young girls into STEM. It covers so many different important topics in a relatable, digestible way. It shows that while things may be hard, if you persevere you can always achieve your goals.

With that in mind, this book also shows that it’s okay if you don’t have any certain goals and that while it may seem like everyone around you has their lives figured out, that it’s okay if you don’t and that whatever path you do decide to go down, things will always work themselves out eventually.

‘My Mechanical Romance’ is a dazzling read that every girl should pick up in their lives.

Thank you Netgalley and holiday house for the arc of this book!

Let me start by saying, I absolutely loved this book! It’s short and quick and a very fun book to read. Plus it’s academic rivals to lovers. Can it get any better??

Bel has just transferred to Essex Academy. Upon doing a physics project, she reveals her talent for designing and engineering. Bel is basically forced into joining her school robotics club, where she meets Mateo “Teo” Luna, the robotics captain. They disagree over everything and have to learn to work together to help the team.

I loved Teo so much, not only as a love interest but as a person. His character development was done very well and I loved watching him go from this kind of self-absorbed person who took everything on himself to being a team player and giving other people a chance to shine. He was always there for his team and Bel too.

Bel was so relatable. Girls are expected to know what they want to do with their lives and she didn’t. And that’s perfectly ok. Watching her explore her choices for after high school really made me reflect on my own.

Teo and Bel together were my everything. They had the best banter and I don’t think I’ve laughed so hard while reading in a while. They had some adorable moments together and I rooted for them every step of the way.

I also really enjoyed that this book wasn’t only about Bel and Teo’s romance. They both had lives and problems and friends outside of each other and I think that’s important in romances. (just my opinion of course!)

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes the academic rivals to lovers trope or STEM. It’s absolutely wonderful and I think I’ll even go buy the physical copy. :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Holiday House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved every single part of this book. There was never a dull moment and the pacing was done really well so it never felt like I would get bored. Bel and Teo were awesome and I'm so happy they both got their own versions of a happy ending.

<i>I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review</i>
<b>3.25/5 <3</b>
I came into this book really wanting to enjoy it so much because of the synopsis.

My Mechanical Romance follows Isabel ("Bel") as she discovers her passion for mechanical engineering and robotics while working in a male-dominated space at her school with Mateo "Teo" Luna, the hot-headed robotics captain.

I did enjoy the premise of this book, but there were a few things that rubbed me wrong. However, there were tons to love, so let's get started with that first.

I absolutely loved the great representation as someone who has gone to a primarily Asian STEM high school. There was a ton of diversity shown through the characters, but it wasn't really made obvious which I appreciated. Too often, books fall into this trap of overemphasizing the diversity of the characters which makes them seem like "others." However, in this book Follmuth did a great job of touching upon the different ethnicities represented, but not making that the character's only attribute, showing their multi-faceted personalities instead of making them straight robots.

Another thing I absolutely enjoyed was that Follmuth really brought this book as something more modern, especially with the behavior of the characters and some of the texts. They were extremely relatable to how I text with friends without being cringe and overusing slang, like a lot of authors do, so major props for that!

There was also pretty amazing attention to detail with the whole topic of mechanical engineering and the physics part. I love how Follmuth incorporated the part about the catapult because I think every single AP Physics course does that during their first semester!

It was also pretty relatable to me and I found myself drawing connections with my own high school experience, especially with how it was more of the smarter people who were the most popular.
I definitely respect the character arc that Bel was given and it was pretty realistic, and I do love how she wasn't shaped to drastically move across the country and be with her one, true love like a lot of books show.

Unfortunately, that was also where my problems with the book starts. I really disliked how Neelam, one of the only other girls on the team, was the scapegoat for all the hate and used to portray the "evil" character, with all the guys on the team constantly putting her down. I think I would be fine with that, only if she was given a much larger redemption arc and a chance to explain her behavior better because that part felt a bit rushed. By the end, I did really like Neelam and her motivations, while not explained properly, were definitely valid.

This segues into my major problem with the book which is that none of the guys are ever properly called out on or asked to fix their behavior. There are minor changes in Teo's behavior at the very end when somehow Neelam "proves" her worth as a skilled driver of the robot, but that isn't even ever talked about again. All of the guys have major problems with their egos, and while I agree that this happens a lot in STEM fields which corresponds to Neelam's rant to Bel near the end of the novel and how it is not going to change unless you work hard as a woman in STEM, I still feel like there should have been more done on Bel's part to bring up these injustices. However, this may just be on my side because I felt like yelling at them every 2 seconds during the novel.

This brings me to my last point on this which is that the book felt too short to cover this large volume of information over a time span of an entire school year. A lot of parts felt way too rushed, underdeveloped, and major plotline points were never really explained that well. In addition, some of the more minor parts were dragged out, especially some of the dialogue scenes which made the book feel all over the place and not well-paced. We definitely missed important details and scenes that could have been used as plot points to explain the relationship and dynamics much better.

Overall, I did really enjoy the book and the premise of it, it just was not as well-executed as I hoped it to be. Going in, as someone who immensely enjoyed <i>The Atlas Six</i>, I was really excited for this book, but ended up being slightly disappointed. I do love the understated diversity of the novel and some of the smaller things that really made my reading experience a bit better.
Excited to see some of Follmuth's upcoming works, though!

<i> if you read all the way down here, I'm surprised LOL </i>

Did I just binge the last 200 pages of this book in one sitting? Yes. Yes I did.

Thanks to Net Galley and Holiday House for this ARC of My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth, which comes out May 31.

This was SUCH a cute YA contemporary romance about two nerdy robotics students with rivals-to-lovers vibes.

Things I loved:
- STEM girls run the world 👏👏
- Adorable banter (gave me Beach Read vibes)
- Lovable side characters
- JUST KISS ALREADY vibes
- There was a lot of humor in the narrator’s voice, so I loved that and it made it breezy to read

When Bel and Teo finally kissed I just about died. Ughh they were soooo cute and belong together! 🥺

My only complaint is that the early middle felt a little slow. But everything else was solid. In fact, the 75% break up was SO WELL DONE that I genuinely panicked that this wasn’t a real romance book. 🤣 There was a HEA though! And I love how the author handled and resolved that breaking point. Flawless. 👏

Overall it was a solid read and I’d recommend it if you want a fluffy YA high school romance with all the pining and all the feels.

First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and Holiday House for giving me this ARC.
It my first time to read a book with dual POV, and honestly I like it, and then I seen girls in STEM that make me so happy.
I'm in love with the story. The two main character on this book is so fluffy, like other teenagers when they fall in love. They are from strangers to academic rivals to lovers so cute. Apart from that, the other characters also support each other in their own way. Make a new solid relationship. For example, in the beginning, i can say Neelam is an annoying person that always hate on Bel, but then we can agree with other perspective that she made.
Bel and Teo have their own problem and sometimes they even make a mistake and end up misunderstanding.
What i really like is Bel represents children from Asian families especially Southeast Asia (Philippines) which makes me fee agree with some problems the have start from parents, siblings, even self problem they have.

Lastly, if you really want to read romance book but with an slightly different, just read this book. Because from the story that girls on STEM, and then Southeast Asian Family represents.

4,3/5 stars

I loved this story!! I love the STEM aspect, the main characters, and the overall story. I think it was well developed and fun to read! The MC is smart, witty, funny, and sweet!

This book was really cute!!

I admit, at first I wasn't sure about this story. The beginning kinda bored me and the writing style was just okay. I had to push through, but, at around the 40% (which is probably a lot but I'm patient!) all the romcom-y began and it turned much more interesting!

The relationship between Teo and Bel was really cute and I loved their fights and banter. The robots fighting scenes were fun and it ended up being much more heartwarming than I thought it would be. Some parts really got to me and the message this story presents is so good. I think we can all relate to it and I really liked it. It also portrays the struggle girls, and specifically, girls of color have in the STEM field which I thought it's important to address and it gives hope and inspiration.

Overall it's a cute light story that I think you will enjoy if you like YA romcoms with STEM, funny banter, and cute romantic moments.

this book was so so cute, i was smiling throughout and read it practically in one go!! i absolutely loved the setting and how it explored important themes around inequality and sexism in STEM as well as a sweet romance between two rivals (at first).
i loved the character of bel; her quirkiness and intelligence and how she didn’t change herself when she started robotics to show that anyone and everyone of all personalities can enjoy and succeed in STEM. she was funny and witty, but also powerful and inspiring - a perfect combination.
teo’s character development from a slightly arrogant leader to a team player who realised the real importance behind robotics (the people) was done so well and i really enjoyed watching it happen. his inner monologue when he started to warm up to bel was super heartwarming, i especially loved the scenes when he met her family and when they played soccer together.
finally, bel and teo’s relationship had me smiling to myself as if i was actually there watching it happen like the rest of the robotics team. i thought their first kiss was beautifully written in a beautiful setting. the epilogue was realistic but heartwarming, with a happy ending for both bel and teo individually and as a couple.
they started as rivals, unsure if they would be able to work together, and ended as rivals, but using it to their advantage to push each other to be their best, and i loved it.

I truly enjoyed the style the author choose. I love love a STEAM Story line. With a duo POV. Such a cute story. I will recommend this story to all.

This is a cute YA romance that puts STEM centre stage. I liked the diversity in the characters but sometimes the dialogue felt a little forced. The cadence didn’t feel authentic and it would pull me out of the story at times. But, overall I enjoyed it, and think it would appeal to younger teens.

Five stars! This book was so cute and short. It had me smiling a lot because Bel and Teo are so adorable. Robotics and engineering were something I never had interest in but this book succeeded in making me feel invested in the whole story. Even got me thinking at some point during reading like “maybe I should switch majors to STEM”. Some parts of the story were kind of cliché but it’s cute so I’m not complaining about it.

Bel’s character development was done really nicely. Her struggle with not knowing what she wants is something I think a lot of people can relate to. Seeing her take up her own space as a woman of color in STEM is really satisfying. I also like her personality. She’s quirky and not-like-other-girls but not in an annoying way. Teo’s character development was also done nicely. Despite the burden of people’s expectations on him, he still gives everything he does a 100%, which is what makes me appreciate him so much. He just wants to do his very best, even when he doesn’t have to.

Bel and Teo’s relationship are surprisingly so mature for a pair of high schoolers. There was no unnecessary drama and both their issues were valid and wasn’t written in just for drama. The way they’re both so supportive of each other. My cute little geniuses.

Besides Bel and Teo, the rest of the characters are also well developed. Like Neelam and Dash, both their stories are important. And I LOVE the ending. I don’t know how to talk about it without spoilers so I’m just going to say it’s a verryy nice and cute ending.

Thank you NetGalley for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

WOMEN 👏🏼 IN 👏🏼 STEM 👏🏼

Firstly, I want to thank NetGalley and Holiday House for the arc in exchange for an honest review 4 stars —

I was a little skeptical to start this just because I was nervous some of the engineering/robotics stuff would go over my head, but it was so well written and explained that I was just as excited for those robot fights as they were! 😂 Now I wouldn’t necessarily say Bel and Teo were ever really enemies to lovers, but more like strangers to academic colleagues to lovers. They had their fair share of bickering but honestly, I loved the constant banter between them. I definitely found myself giggling at them a few times because their relationship was so adorable. And the scene at the Holi festival??? COME ON 🥺😍

I will always really appreciate a book where the characters are all so different, and yet so relatable. We have Bel (who was literally me my senior year) who struggles with the uncertainty of what she wants to do after high school. Teo, the complete opposite, who basically has his whole life planned ahead and stresses with taking on too much at once. And multiple side characters who felt just as real, relatable, and important as the mc’s. The diversity between all of the characters was just so refreshing to see.

Overall, a super cute read for YA. I do wish it was longer because the ending felt rushed, but still super enjoyable!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4604078663

Holy shit... okay let me get it together.

So I'm from Bolivia, education system is so different from how it is in USA. We keep our high school friends close, like really close. Because we don't have to move cities to go to college. But still I didn't think that 17YO me'd find herself in Bel's existential crisis.

When I was in college, I wish I had a plan, like every one of my classmates seemed to have. I remember trying hard. I remember never understanding why it was so easy for my friends to do homework, to have good grades, to wipe a freaking good grade acknowledgement every three months.
I did it once, and it was the time I burned out myself to ashes, so much that I didn't return to my last months in senior year.

Now I know that I'm wired differently (AHDH is fucking confusing bruh). But still when I read about girls that are different, that challenge the normative, that don't get it together just yet. I remember the feeling and I want to hug them. I still wish I could go back in time and try to be my best.

I loved My Mechanical Romance (not only because I loved MCR back in the day, what an outstanding title) but because I see it as the light for the girls that feel unwelcome in fields that are predominantly male. YA is important in so many ways, and this book is here to prove it.

Beautifully written with characters that feel like home, MMR will stay with me forever.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC ♥

a very big thank you to Netgalley and Holiday House publishing for the e-arc!

"I've never seen eyes that make me think about the mysteries of the universe the way hers do."

→ 4.5 stars rounded up

Now yall know I love me a good academic rivals to lovers book, but I truly did not expect to fall in love with this book, the characters, and the romance the way that I did. the relationship between Bel and Teo was so adorable and just pure blush-worthy LOVE full of funny jokes and banter. And if you love books with big friend groups full of personality, pick up this book! Bel was just such an amazing, unique, funny, and relatable character! And I loved the girls in stem rep in here, and to see characters like Teo and Mac learn and grow from from it by the end of the book was awesome. This book was just so amazingly written, all I can say is go read it because it's looking like my top ya romance of the year- what a debut!

The characters took a little bit of warming up but it paid off. The book was adorable with a very sweet portrayal of robotics competitions and the drama therein.

there are a few things about me that you guys should know.

first off, i'm a major swiftie. taylor's music makes me so happy and i adore it so much. secondly, part of me has no idea what to do with my life. third, i think nerds are hot.

now these may seem like pretty trivial things but when related to this book, they are more important than it seems. speaking of this book, reading it felt so... sweet.

this wholesome tale is about the journey and struggles of being a woman in stem. and there's so much i love about this novel.

teo luna and bel are such well-rounded characters. they're not perfect but that makes you love them even more. their flaws are so relatable and really make you understand the characters more. teo's main flaw is trying to solve other people's problems while i would say bel has a slight problem with working as a team along with not really knowing what her future offers (which is ok!! i mean she is just a senior in high school). these flaws are understandable with the ways they were brought up and are a great addition to their characters. their chemistry is undeniable as well. the romance was great!! and made me swoon multiple times. LIKE LISTEN. TEO LEARNS TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS
FOR BEL. THAT'S THE LITERAL DREAM OH MY. anyway, the side characters of this book are amazing and thought out as well. from neelam, the only other woman engineer on the team, (who seems like a jerk at first but you ultimately understand why she acts the way she does) to dash (teo's best friend who's just a great person overall). it was nice to see bel and teo's families as well and their struggles within them.

another thing i love about this book is the diversity!! it's really diverse and there's people from all different cultures within the book. there's even a scene where they go to a holi festival which was so fun to see as an indian reader!

i love the academic rivals to lover trope and this book did it so well! though, to be honest, the academic rival part of this novel doesn't really last that long since they become close teammates and friends quickly but i didn't really find a problem with it. the book is fastpaced and so lovable. it's dual povs and you can feel the vibe of each character while reading. from bel's brightness to teo's suaveness, it's a great read and easily 5 stars!

Never thought I’d get so passionate and stressed about robot combats, yet here I am!

To be honest, I was a bit skeptical at the beginning because Teo wasn’t very likable (in a privileged, entitled and kind of condescending way) and Bel’s “not like other girls” vibes scared me a little. I’m glad to say this first impression wore off!

The main characters were both endearing, with different types of struggles— and if you don’t necessarily identify with ALL of them, I definitely think each and every one of us can relate to at least one aspect of their issues at some point. My heart broke for Teo and all the weight of everyone’s expectations he had to wear on his shoulders. My chest hurt for Bel and the pressure of having to figure out so many things at such a young age.

The side characters were absolutely great and nice additions, from Jamie to Mrs Voss, without forgetting Luke or Dash.

Plot wise, as a French person and formerly lit student, I know NOTHING about STEMS, AP programs and robotics but I found myself quickly invested in the story’s setting and plot. Regarding the rhythm, I didn’t feel like the book was particularly slow considering it is relatively short as a whole.

I cannot finish this review without mentioning how this book hypes up girls in STEM, girls standing up for themselves, girls empowering other girls, girls who are not apologizing for being smart and exactly where they deserve to be! Absolutely love that. The epilogue felt amazing.

Pick My Mechanical Romance for a sweet, quick and lighthearted YA romance that, amongst the cuteness, still sheds some light on very common society’s issues as well as highschoolers’ struggles!

4.5 stars— rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley and Holiday House for this opportunity!

Sooooo this might be one of my favorite books I’ve read this year… I mean it’s an “enemies to academic colleagues to lovers” (quoting Jamie) so of course it’s going to be amazing!! The description and the imagery in this book is just perfect, like it really engages you in the story. But I also just really love this story about how Bel doesn’t quite know what she wants to do in her life and that’s okay. Plans change, and they keep changing and everything will work out in the end. Just seeing how Bel is at the beginning to where she is at in the epilogue is just so emotional to me. We really need more characters like her🥲 Its also so inspiring to see all the bad ass strong females do what they want and succeed in their own ways in this book 👑👑I just love it when I pick up a book and it just tells me what I need to hear at the perfect moment💕