dnf at 6%
I just know if I keep reading this I'm gonna hate it so I'm not gonna even try it's just all the conspiracy things it's so overwhelming

4.5 ⭐️
If you know me you know I love conspiracy theories and this did not disappoint in the slightest! Like I'm low-key obsessed (the romance was cute and fun too)

I’m not sure exactly why but this novel fell a little flat for me. I appreciated that it tried to tackle some heavier themes such as loss of a parent and leaving abusive relationships. In some ways the book felt oddly dated, yet it was trying to be trendy with its Buzzfeed-like workplace. There just seemed to be a disconnect for me, though it was an enjoyable enough read.

DNF at 50 percent. Loved the premise. The writing and tension just wasn’t there. Sadly the romance was so boring :/

3.5, rounding up due to cuteness and my love for cryptids

Hayden is a perfect MMC and geek, I love him. Another reviewer called him a “bit, tall cinnamon roll” and that is a perfect description. It reminds me much more of Buzzfeed Unsolved Supernatural then it does X-files, but that is a good thing. Hallie and Hayden have a great joking dynamic between them.

Overall, the book was cute and funny. The writing and pace could use some improvement, but considering this is a debut novel, I’m sure that will come. I’m happy I read it and will likely read future books by Marlowe, since a lot of good elements were in the story and it was a fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Mallory Marlowe, and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A kick-ass kind of story, where the good guys win and there is a statue of Mothman apparently modeled after Jason Momoa or the Rock... this is also a really sweet romance with two people who truly support each other through a lot of struggle...I would love to watch this web series :)

This was my first Mallory Marlowe experience and it definitely won't be my last!!

I loved every second of this cryptid-lover x cryptid critic romance--these two were so freaking cute together!! Every time either of them loosened up or felt more at ease because of the others' company I had the biggest grin on my face and felt those bubbly feelings I always hope for when reading a good romcom.

A+ to Love and Other Conspiracies, and I can't wait to read whatever Mallory Marlowe writes next!

Love and Other Conspiracies is the perfect book for someone whose free time is full of romance books, podcasts, cryptids, conspiracy theories, and all things strange and unexplained. (AKA me)

Love and Other Conspiracies delivers all the aspects of a fun rom-com with added information about all the strange and unexplained things Hallie and Hayden are covering during their web series. Author Mallory Marlowe has written characters with top tier banter and chemistry during the depiction of a budding healthy relationship. Both Hallie and Hayden have emotional depth as characters, making them much more relatable and likable. The discussions in the book surrounding societal issues within the workplace add an additional layer of depth to this fun rom-com.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advanced copy of Love and Other Conspiracies in exchange for my honest review.

I was so happy to be approved to read this book through NetGalley! It sounded cute, quirky and right up my alley! It was a fun read and I loved Hayden and Hallie’s chemistry and banter. Definitely worth a read!

I enjoyed this read! I loved the concept and thought it was delivered really well! I’ll be recommending this to friends

A lo largo del libro podemos ver como Hallie y Hayden se convierten en amigos y luego en novios, me gustó como se contaban todo incluidos temas muy personales que nadie más sabía.

Lo de los fantasmas, criaturas raras y extraterrestres no fue tan raro como creía,


Odie al ex , ojalá los extraterrestres lo abdujeran y cuando vieran que era una basura, lo botaran en el espacio o que pie grande se lo comiera.


En el capítulo 21 hay un error en el nombre de un personaje, al principio la presentan como Chloe y luego como Madi.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First off I wanna say thank you to Berkley Publishing, Netgalley and Mallory Marlowe for providing me a copy of this arc!

I believe this is my first book read by Mallory Marlowe, and also my first conspiracy theory based book. I've never really read a book with that type of concept so I was kind of worried I wouldn't enjoy it, I was very iffy upon starting it but I truly enjoyed it!

I loved Hallie and Hayden's relationship. He believed so strongly in something and even though she didn't believe in the same - she still saw purpose in him and supported him the whole way. He hadn't let someone in his life in so long - she had just left her toxic ex (who still obsessively manipluates her and I think he can kick rocks barefoot) so they both came from a spot of vulnerability and they really grew together and their chemistry meshed perfectly.

I usually hate the third act breakup trope BUT this one was tolerable - even though Cade was INSUFFERABLE. I'm just so glad it didn't last too long and she came to realize just how much she belonged with Hayden and that she cannot let Cade's words affect her anymore (easier said than done but) they had come so far, it would've sucked to see it all break apart.

This book didn't give 5 star vibes but it was such an easy read, I found myself flying through the chapters just wanting more everytime I picked it up so I would absolutely recommend this - especially if you're in a slump and need something easy and fun to read.

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6405645618

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was cute and fun! I like the twist on a normal romance, and the characters were engaging. It felt like a refreshing addition to a seemingly over saturated genre.

Where to begin! I just loved everything about this. The romance was really romancing. Hallie and Hayden felt like two people who genuinely LIKED each other, and it was such a breath of fresh air.

The general plot is: Hallie has to come up with a new online show at her job and finds Hayden, a conspiracy theorist with a podcast who she thinks will be a perfect star. As they film, we follow the two as they hunt cryptids, share haunted hotel rooms, and camp (much to Hallie's disgust!). It's impossible not to ship this couple right along with their adoring audience (the snippets from the show's fans was such a delightful inclusion!).

These characters just felt really real, and I couldn't help but root for them (except for Cade; who I loved to hate). The way they were so kind to each other warmed my heart and gave me all the fuzzy feelings (again, except for Cade lol).

If you're looking for a guy who's passionate about his interests, has tattoos, and adores his cat, you need to get you a book boyfriend like Hayden. Thank me later!

✨Close Encounters of the Tattooed and Shirtless Kind✨

I really really loved this book. The concept was just so clever and fun??? I did find myself wishing that they encountered some real ghosts and cryptids and aliens, oh my! But there was a bit at the end there that gave me hope (👀)!! I definitely feel like I’m missing out by not being a conspiracy theorist!! I’m also very much missing my own super hot cryptidly tattooed conspiracy podcast host, but that goes without saying.

I really enjoyed reading about the different conspiracy theories and desperately wish The Out There was a real show. I flew through half of the book in a night and woke up eager to finish it—something I haven’t felt in a while! The entire book felt like *romance reasons* disguised as monster hunting which was thoroughly entertaining. If you like a tropey-to-the-point-of-campy kind of romance, this one’s definitely for you:

✨Banter as foreplay
✨Only one (haunted) bed
✨Ooposites attract
✨”So sick you act drunk” scene
✨Post shower collision (with his damp, shirtless body)
✨He gives her a niche nickname
✨Forced proximity
✨They defend each other
✨Mutual Pining

The book is first person (present tense), single POV from Hallie’s perspective, so she’s definitely the main character with the most to lose/gain. But even then, we learned a good amount about Hayden, with just the right amount of mystery surrounding his feelings—until they fell into bed, obviously. I really enjoyed the scene at his mother’s house, as we got to see a bit of his depth as well.

While this was pretty close to a five-star read for me, I did have just a few things that tripped me up. The first thing was her horrible and toxic co-worker/ex, Cade. He was very unsettling and I could’ve done without him in my cute cryptid romcom!! He didn’t add much to the plot besides stress. Like, I know what he ~technically added to the story, but if I’m being real, I just didn’t want to deal with him and the third act ruckus I KNEW he’d cause. For my health, I skipped over like every section where he was spewing vitriol, but I WAS seated for Hayden threatening him at every turn.

Further, I loved their dynamic, but I wanted a bit more depth or tension within the relationship. It was instant attraction for them both and they fit together almost a little too well. Or maybe I just needed Hayden to really crack from the sexual tension, you know? Like go kinda feral. He was maybe a ~bit too respectful? And since the third act was caused by Cade and not a conflict between the couple, the romance took a back seat at the end, which is the opposite of how I want to feel. The end was a bit anticlimactic in the romance department, but I did enjoy Cade’s breakdown.

Overall, the third act was rather annoying and the romance didn’t drive me to complete distraction, but I still had a LOT of fun. I can’t wait to reread this one via audio, as I really adore the narrator, Alex Finke, and it read like a book meant to be listened to. (I do wish they got a guy to narrate some of the episode transcripts, but I’ll definitely survive.) The teaser we got for book two kinda threw me, but I’m actually kind of obsessed?? We didn’t even meet the love interest, but I’m sold.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶️🌶️*/5

*A couple of open-door scenes with low-to-medium level of detail. I could’ve used a bit more in this department, but the writing felt natural and fun with good chemistry.


Content notes from the author: Overcoming a past toxic relationship, workplace harassment by an ex-partner, past death of a parent from a terminal illness, mentions of caretaking for an ill family member, discussions of depression, recreational alcohol and marijuana usage, sexual content, and language.


I received and eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.

“You should know that of all the ridiculous conspiracy theories and monsters I believe in? I believe in you the most.”

The best way to describe this is “Buzzfeed Unsolved but make it a romance,” and I don’t mean that in a bad way. The banter between Hayden and Hallie was adorable, and I loved the interludes of their show transcripts.

I can’t say any character really stuck with me— while Hayden is a fun character, a lot of the theories he was spouting were ones any surface level cryptid hunter could tell you— but I’m sure to those new to this world, his stuff was truly crazy and novel, so I’ll let it slide.

My one big complaint however was the outdated memes and millennial lingo in this book. Like I know they work at BuzzFeed, but using the #Xisoverparty hashtag or the “ayy lmao” alien meme felt very dated.

Other than that, a cute book! The concept was executed as I’d expected and I did enjoy this one a lot.

"Love and Other Conspiracies” by Mallory Marlowe is a delightful romantic comedy that blends humour, mystery, and heartwarming moments. Marlowe's writing is fresh, witty, and utterly captivating. The enemies-to-lovers trope is flawlessly executed, and the tension crackles off the page. The banter is sharp, chemistry electric, and the journey from skepticism to love is beautifully portrayed.

Meet Hallie Barrett. In the world of paranormal conspiracy theories and late-night web series, her life takes an unexpected turn. Dumped by her hotshot ex, who also happens to be her coworker and the star of the online show she was producing, Hallie's professional and personal life implodes. But sometimes inspiration strikes in the most unlikely places.

Meet Hayden Hargrove, a cryptid expert with a hit podcast. When Hallie offers him the chance to lead his own web show, their chemistry ignites the screen. But Hayden's solo on-screen presence leaves much to be desired, so Hallie jumps in front of the camera too. Together, they investigate the unknown, from Mothman to aliens, all while unearthing feelings that challenge their beliefs to the core.

Marlowe's Los Angeles backdrop adds an extra layer of charm to the story. The city's quirky characters, conspiracy theorists, and hidden secrets create a vivid setting that feels like a character in itself. And let's not forget the blue-haired Hallie. She's a relatable, strong-willed heroine who steals the show.

The pacing is spot-on, keeping readers engaged from the first page to the last. Whether you're a fan of cryptids or simply enjoy a swoon-worthy romance, this book delivers. Prepare to laugh, swoon, and maybe even question your own beliefs as you follow Hallie and Hayden on their quirky adventure.

"Love and Other Conspiracies" is a must-read for anyone who craves a delightful escape into a world where love and mystery collide. Marlowe has crafted a debut that will leave you grinning, believing in the impossible, and eagerly awaiting her next novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sadly this one is sort of a miss for me. With the cover and description I expected a much lighter and funny story with lots of paranormal. Really this is two very hurt people finding solace with each other. Which is great- just not at all what I’m looking for right now. The MC dated a co worker for 3 years and finally she broke up with him he kills her career. He was crappy and abusive. I really hated him and didnt want to keep seeing his character show up. I preferred Hayden’s character and him healing after his father’s death. My father was just diagnosed with cancer so it was all very triggering. So, I think others will appreciate this book far more than I did. I didnt feel chemistry between Hailee or Hayden and it left me sad and wishing for laughs and paranormal.

I thought this was a fun read, though it wasn't totally perfect. It was still a goofy romance which was up my alley. We will be buying for the collection as I'm sure we have some readers who will love it.

Omg!

Where do I start, I absolutely loved this book. I felt like this was what I needed to pull me out of a reading slump; extremely fast paced and the main characters are so likable. You truly did feel their chemistry.. I also absolutely loved the topics covered in this book, I love anything spooky creepy so I just ate this up!!!

Thank you Berkeley publishing for the E-Arc of this book!!!

Out in August 2024!! Read it also the cover is SOOOO CUTE!! I can’t wait to get the physical copy!!