The antics/misunderstandings in enemies-to-lovers stories can get a bit ridiculous. Does that mean I'll stop reading them and loving them? NOPE!

This was a fun, flirty read with a touch of science, quite a few laughs, and a generous handful of spice, two MCs who unapologetically want something that goes against the status quo, and - of course - the ending everybody wants when they're reading a rom com.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t tell how how much I enjoyed this book. Ah this is just what I needed to read after being I a. Slump for a while. This book just shows the lengths some people will go for love while I’m like liz in a sense where I don’t even realise it or I’m in denial. I really really loved this book!

This was my first book by author Macfarlane and I was completely charmed and delighted. The story follows academics Tom and Liz who have instant sparks fly at a work mixer only to find out the next day that Tom is now the PhD assessor for Liz… for the next 4 years. The story begins at the end of Liz’s PhD when they must decide if the sparks that started their acquaintance were able to last.

Macfarlane creates two flawed and entirely human characters who I equally cheered for and shook my head at for their decision making skills. I could not put this book down. Often, I don’t feel like the reasons for the obligatory miscommunication in romance stories hold up to what would happen in real life. However, I completely understood why Liz and Tom were making the decisions they did which made the tension so much more enjoyable.

All in all, a delightful and charming book.

Book Review: The Unbalanced Equation by H.L. Macfarlane
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Rating: 4/5 stars
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Perfect for fans of the Love Hypothesis looking for another academic romance. Enemies to lovers with plenty of spice!
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Only negative things I have to say are that the book was a tad lengthy for my taste at 465 pages. And lastly, no matter how much I enjoyed the book I couldn't get over how manipulative Tom was. Personally I think he took it a little too far that it was hard to get over that as easily as Liz did.

Liz is so insanely relatable. The author saying a mix between Jennifer Connelly and Hayley Atwell? I can see her so clearly now. I loved her character.

I really also enjoyed the interchanging POVs between Tom and Liz. I found it rare to see both the LI’s perspectives so that was really fun.

Plus. I love banter!

*I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This is a perfect academic enemies-to-lovers with a twist! When a trio of impossibly unlucky events brings Liz and Tom into each other's lives again, the two don't want anything to do with each other. From attraction at first sight to mortal enemies, these two have the perfect coming together story. I loved this book, and between the plot, setting, and atmosphere I was engrossed until the last page. Plus, this has a healthy dose of spice! A must read for romcom lovers!

This book only mastered so many tropes and let me just say that it was amazing!

It looked at the age gap, enemies to lovers, stem workplace and forced proximity- all of which made for a fab read!

It’s perfect for fans of the kiss quotient, The brown sisters trilogy the love hypothesis and love on the brain.

The prologue was great, and I loved humor at first, but deeper I went into the book less I liked it. I stopped loving the author’s voice, and to be honest, there were a few things she said that just ticked me off. I barely could finish it. I’m sorry, but it wasn’t my favorite. I really hoped I’ll like it, but I didn’t.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

The Unbalanced Equation is smart, funny, and oh so swoon worthy! I fell in love with both Liz and Tom,from the very first page, i was absolutely hooked and only felt more and more endeared throughout! This was a fantastic book and I already can’t wait for more from H. L. Macfarlane!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was adorable! I loved the dialog, the sex was steamy without being awkward and the character growth felt genuine.
The pacing was great, I got sucked in and pulled along for the ride. Definitely want to read more from this author!

OMG
where do I even begin? This book was amazing. It really hit the spot when it comes to romance, cheese and all-around warmth.
This book is perfect for fans of the Kiss Quotient and the love hypothesis.
4.9/5 stars

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc

(Thank you to NetGalley for giving us this ARC in exchange for an honest review!)
I think that this book was slightly better than what I was expecting. It gave me "Love Hypothesis" vibes with all the science relation (but I think it's only the STEM aspect that they're similar) and it was an easy read. I wasn't a huge fan of the relationship because it was meant to be enemies-to-lovers, but I couldn't really find the "enemies" part within the book. The love interest, Tom, was overall a terrible person. He was incredibly manipulative and somehow forced the "forced proximity". I also wasn't a fan of the age gap and that their parents were planning on marrying. I liked the side characters, Jim and Jenny, and I think they brought a lot more quirk to the book. Overall, nothing absolutely stood out to me from this book and I wasn't super attached to the relationship.

Instant approval on NetGalley? Yes please.

Was this the best book I’ve ever read? I’m going to have to be honest and say no (but how does one compare after reading Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez)? Was it the worst though? Also no. It’s an easy read, enemies to lovers trope (which I’m a sucker for), and has a lot of witty banter.

So let’s get started. What did I like?

I love a good workplace romance. Trying to sneak around, trying to hide your true feelings. Hot as fuck.

Both Liz and Tom are huge nerds. Relatable. Pop culture references. Not afraid to be the nerds that they are. I mean they are scientists after all.

Enemies to lovers. Need I say more?

Unique family dynamic, almost step siblings. This was a pro and a con. It kind of reminded me of Clueless. I love Clueless, but the step sibling thing is weird for me. I don’t know if I love or hate it.

The book had a similar vibe to Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren, which I adore. So comparing Tom to the great Bennett Ryan, made it more enjoyable.


Now what held me back on the five stars?

The meddling was a little much for me. It’s to show Tom’s “caring for Liz,” but he was controlling. It was a slight turn off for me. He didn’t allow her to make her own decisions, and repeatedly goes behind her back. It’s not terrible, but I wasn’t a complete fan of that aspect.


Overall, easy read, mostly enjoyable. You can see for yourself (:

This was a fun read that I literally couldn't put down, read all in one day. Interesting throwing the family wedding / drama in on top of the enemies to lovers elements.
Definitely a bit cringey on some of bits by Tom, but all in all ended exactly the way I expected/wanted.
Would love to read more in this series with more of the supporting characters.

The Unbalanced Equation
By:H. L. Macfarlane

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 1.5/5

Not your typical enemies to lovers, the twists and turns will leave you wanting to read until you’re done. I grew attached to Liz and Tom, their chemistry was spicy.
The first chapter led me to believe I had just started reading a cute romance book. Once Tom found out Liz was his student, things took a turn. He had to erase all romantic thoughts in order to keep his career.
Liz was unaware and questioned why Tom was always a jerk to her, little did she know he was falling more and more in love with her.
The lab catching fire led Liz to work with Daichi, Tom’s best friend. His character had me cheering him on when he kept teasing Tom about Liz. The most shocking twist was their parents relationship that brought them to live under the same roof.
They tried to hide their feelings from each other but Tom kept falling deeper.
What I loved about Liz is she did not want kids or marriage she wanted to experience being in love.
Tom stole my heart when he went to get her period snacks and set up everything so she could be comfortable, it was then I knew it was a matter of time before she let herself fall.

I seriously need a book for Daichi to have his own book it would be chefs kiss, please!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

If you are into step siblings having crushes on each other... go ahead, this book is for you! My problem is that I kinda forgot that I wasn't a huge fan of Clueless :) Also if you like The Love Hypothesis you will probably like this book!

Reminds me of Ali Hazelwood’s books! A fun read; I’m quickly becoming a fan of romance novels set in grad school. I had a little trouble buying Tom’s decision to be cruel, but I still enjoyed the story.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Very much enjoyed this book.

The Unbalanced Equation
I gave this books ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

This book was a good read all around. It had all lot of my favorite tropes including,

Enemies to Lovers
Age Gap
Forced Proximity
STEM workplace
Guy falls FIRST
Second Chance Love

It was definitely a slow burn and took me forever to get into it. The ending however was perfect! I did love the grumpy PhD Assessor and Liz was an amazing and fun main character. The banter and sas between Liz and Tom is phenomenal, I couldn’t get enough of it!

I just wish it didn’t drag as long as it did, and I think that’s why I couldn’t get into the book as much as I wanted to.

Thank you NetGalley for the E-Arc for exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

Liz and Tom have a great meet cute but then things go off course. Tom is assigned to oversee Liz's PhD for 3 years and decides to be an asshole the whole time to prevent anything unprofessional from taking place. The problem is, now the PhD is complete, Liz despises Tom. After their parents announce their plan to marry, Liz and Tom are forced to get to know each other again. Can Tom show Liz what he's really like?

A perfectly enjoyable book, BUT, Tom did some pretty terrible things to Liz to manipulate her. Let's just say I won't be adding Tom to any "book boyfriend" lists. I definitely enjoyed reading it and had fun with the many tropes packed into this book!