Thank you to Berkley Romance for an e-ARC of this title; all thoughts are my own.

Introducing the perfect read as we transition into fall! Love and Other Conspiracies is perfect for readers looking for some spooky vibes without going full on paranormal romance.

Love and Other Conspiracies follows struggling web show producer, Hallie Barrett, as she develops a new show after being kicked off her last one by her toxic ex. While searching for a new program idea, she comes across paranormal expert, Hayden Hargrove, who has made a name for himself discussing cryptids on his hit podcast. Hayden and Hallie team up together to bring his show to the next level and to secure her place at work. Will they find Bigfoot or a love that is out of this world?

My thoughts:
This book had no business being this cute! I could talk about Hayden all day; purest man to ever exist, heart of gold. He's the kind of man who'd give you the shirt off his back with no questions asked. I loved watching him take care of Hallie and give her the words of affirmation she needed after being gaslight by her trash bag of an ex. He is constantly telling and showing her how special she is and how much she means to him.

More reasons why you need to meet Hayden:
•He scolds his cat about manners
•His socks have tiny ghosts
•He always says good night
•The caretaking scene
•He is a consent king

I really liked Hallie’s character as well. I think most readers will be able to relate to her journey of healing from her toxic relationship. Although her relationship was romantic in nature, the way she was treated could easily be that of a friend or family member. I enjoyed watching her realize how strong she is to have removed herself from that situation and to be starting over. The way she supports Hayden is very special too!

I am counting down the days to read the next book in the series following Hallie’s roommate and best friend. Friends to lovers can be a tough trope for me, but I know we are in good hands after this outstanding debut!

These are 3 of my favorite quotes:
“Who’s been taking care of you this whole time?”
“You can consider yourself off duty for a little while,” Hayden murmurs.

"It’s the feeling of a warm bed, a crackling fire, a tight hug. It feels like being safe and brave at the same time.

"You’re not hard to work with or hard to love. Loving you has been the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

Tropes & things:
•Workplace romance
•The best caretaking scene I’ve read in years
•Next level swoon
•Lots of forced proximity & road trips
•A man who is very passionate about cryptids

I have mixed feelings about this one. I enjoyed the premise of a web series featuring conspiracy/paranormal investigations with a couple at the heart of it falling in love. However, I just didn’t feel any chemistry between the two.

The characters were dealing with deeper issues. Hallie had a toxic work relationship that factored into the story, as her ex worked at the same media company. Total jerk! I struggled with Hallie’s reactions to Cade’s behavior. Hayden had issues with his mother not supporting/diminishing his choice in career path, but the conflict became a non-issue almost as soon as it was introduced into the story.

I did like their on-location episode investigations.

The pace dragged in spots, and it just felt like it took me forever to get through it.

This one was just so CUTE — great chemistry between the leads from the get-go, and something that felt really nice to return to whenever I had a break for reading. I can see where the inspiration came from in terms of real paranormal web series, but if there was ever a version of The Out There that existed in real life with a duo this into each other, I’d watch the hell out of it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I had no idea what to expect when I first read the book description and was curious how a conspiracy theory romance would play out. It was refreshing and I loved the friends-to-lovers trope in a workplace setting. Hayden was perfect in every way for Hallie. He was always considerate of her despite his own personal wants and feelings, overall a huge green flag! I also enjoyed the BuzzFeed Unsolved vibes of Hallie and Hayden’s show The Out There. It was interesting to learn about some conspiracy theories through their adventures together. I think the author did an amazing job of portraying Hallie and Hayden’s dynamic on the show as the skeptic and the believer which made things more fun and was a clever way to grow their chemistry.

This book has a great balance of emotion, humor, and romance. As Hallie is navigating through the trauma of an emotionally abusive past relationship, Hayden also learns how to find himself after dealing with the death of his father. They both fit together like puzzle pieces and complimented each other. I enjoyed the pacing of their romance, but I do feel like the ending was a bit anticlimactic especially since I’m not a huge fan of third act breakup/separation and always expect a huge gesture for the MCs to come back together. There was a minimal (but it’s there!!) amount of spicy scenes but I didn’t think it ruined the story for me in anyway just because I loved the characters. This book came out on August 20th so grab and copy and lose yourself in a quirky yet heartfelt romance that’s perfect for the fall season!

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐒, 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦

Love and Other Conspiracies is a such a treat! From the very start, I was drawn into the friends-to-lovers narrative, which showcases a legitimately healthy relationship between the male main character (MMC) and female main character (FMC). It’s refreshing to see a couple that communicates well and faces external challenges instead of unnecessary drama between them.

The FMC’s journey is particularly compelling. Her struggles with self-doubt and a messy headspace are relatable, and witnessing her growth throughout the story is inspiring. Marlowe does an excellent job of portraying this character’s development in a way that feels genuine and profound. However, some of her internal monologues were frustrating and repetitive- but I suppose mine are too. 🙈 Marlowe also makes a strong feminist statement throughout the book, offering empowering themes that resonate with contemporary readers.

Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, the story cleverly incorporates the city’s unique culture and quirky charm. As a local, I appreciated how the city added an extra layer to the narrative, making it feel alive and vibrant—not just a setting, but a character in its own right.

And I can’t forget to mention the fun lessons on cryptids! This intriguing element added an unexpected twist that kept me engaged and entertained, making the plot even more dynamic.

Overall, Love and Other Conspiracies is a delightful blend of romance, character growth, and LA charm. Mallory Marlowe has crafted a charming story that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking a well-rounded and uplifting read!

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleyromance for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really cute romcom! There are more serious moments too (please be sure to check CW’s), but they’re balanced well with humor.

Things to look forward to:
- forced proximity
- slow burn
- caretaker/sickness
- opposites attract
- road trip
- only one bed
- an all in, adorkably nerdy, cinnamon roll, consent king, glasses wearing, tattooed MMC
- lots of interesting and fun info about different supernatural creatures as well as various conspiracy theories

There was a little too much ex drama, but I understood why it was so traumatic and painful for Hallie. It wrapped up mainly off page though, which made the resolution feel anticlimactic and not as satisfying. I would have loved if Hayden got that punch in lol. Overall, this was a fun read and I’m looking forward to reading more by Mallory Marlowe in the future.

I mainly listened to the audiobook and the narration by Alex Finke was fantastic! She’s so talented and truly elevated the story. The variation in her character voices and the emotions she infuses into her performances have made her one of my favorite narrators. I definitely recommend the audiobook!

Audiobook Review
Overall 4.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 4 stars

CW’s (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 voluntarily read and listened to an advance review copy of this book*

4.4 ⭐️
Such a delightful, cozy and quick read for a debut novel. It left my heart filled with inspiration.

The characters themselves weren’t super deep, but there was depth in the insightfulness. They had their issues to work through and the MC worked through her problems and showed character growth at the end.

Hayden was my favorite character. He is a class act, and exactly the type of man I would want for my loved ones. Tall, handsome, respectful, patient, level headed, pays attention, listens, and defends her honor. He knew all the right things to say, to help the MC in her growth journey and really makes a girl wanna swoon.

I originally picked this book up because I am always up to hear a good conspiracy theory, but truthfully, this is a book about believing in yourself and your worth, and not letting other’s words trick you into believing them. Words hold power. And the words we choose to believe can hold us captive. (That goes for conspiracy theories too)

I can relate to listening to false words someone else said me, and believing those things about myself, letting it pour into my self esteem and future relationships. I can relate to later finding someone that truly and selflessly loves me for who I am, and gives me the space to be myself, and helped me see I wasn’t the words I allowed myself to believe. So if you are someone struggling with lingering words from an ex, just remember…

“And if you let him dictate your happiness, you’ll never be happy”

I found myself highlighting so many sentences, and I’m not a huge highlighter, especially for cozy reads like this.

But back to the conspiracies. This isn’t a book where they are trying to convince you to believe in conspiracy theories, so fear not. It was more light and playful, and covered the gamut on mentioning some popular theories that have been rumoring around for years. I will say, though…Lemon Verbena? They aren’t wrong… 😂

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and Mallory Marlowe for providing me with a complimentary ARC to review.

An absolute fucking delight. Laugh-out-loud funny. Tender. No third-act breakup but strong conflict that the characters make it through together. Lots of inside jokes for and nods to those of us who love the paranormal community.

I loved this book! It was so much fun and had all the romance stuff I love, but was in a u pique setting/premise and was the perfect combination of what I wanted from a romance while giving me something new. I’ve recommended it to so many people!

Short synopsis: Hallie pitches a new tv series to produce after she finds Hayden animatedly discussing Bigfoot on late night tv.

My thoughts: Okay, to be honest I did not expect to like this one as much as I did. I was immediately drawn into the premise of the book. And man, these characters are just so great!

I loved how nerdy but completely sure of himself Hayden was. And how skeptical but accepting Hallie was. Their chemistry was instant, and their banter was outta this world (see what I did there).

Read if you love:
- Forced proximity
- Ghost hunting
- Bigfoot, moth man, aliens and other conspiracies
- Workplace romance
- Opposites attract

That was really cute. 4.5 stars

Light hearted, goofy, fun. I haven’t been a huge fan in the past of stories incorporating podcasts into the story, but this hit for me. The little clips that were included were full of banter & showcased the chemistry between the two main characters.

When we meet Hallie Barrett, she has just escaped from a toxic relationship. Unfortunately, her ex was also the star of the online series she was producing so now she has to find a new series idea to pitch to her bosses so she doesn’t lose her job.

While doing her research, she discovers Hayden Hargrove, a handsome podcaster and cryptid expert who uses his platform to discuss popular conspiracy theories. Bigfoot, Mothman, Area 51, you name it, Hayden has plenty to say about it. That is, until Hallie manages to get him to agree to film a pilot and he absolutely tanks. Hallie panics and jumps on camera with him, really ramping up the banter and playing the skeptic regarding conspiracy theories. Hallie and Hayden together are such a winning combo that Hallie’s bosses decide the two of them should cohost the show, which they dub The Out There.

This book was so much fun! Hallie and Hayden made such a great team. Their on camera banter was hilarious, but they are equally entertaining as they go around searching for material for the show. And of course, the more time they spend together, they start to develop feelings for one another.

I also loved that even though this is a romcom, the story still has some emotional depth as. Hayden is dealing with the loss of a loved one, while Hallie still has to deal with her toxic ex. These situations make Hallie and Hayden come across as both vulnerable and relatable.

Love and Other Conspiracies is Marlowe’s debut and I can’t wait to read more from her! 4 1/2 stars

A light and entertaining read featuring a two strong and clever MCs. Well plotter, witty, and full of interesting remarks on the world of web media.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A clever, quick- witted rom-com all about undercovering conspiracies, and the biggest one of all - love! Hallie and Hayden are loveable, with so many human quirks that make you root for them in their most public (on-screen) and private moments. They also so naturally compliment, comfort, and lift one another up!

Mallory Marlowe's debut, "Love and Other Conspiracies," is a charming and quirky romantic comedy that takes the reader on a wild ride through the world of cryptids, conspiracy theories, and unexpected love. The story centers on Hallie Barrett, a web series producer whose career is on the brink after a disastrous breakup with her ex, who also happens to be her coworker. Desperate for a new show idea, Hallie stumbles upon Hayden Hargrove, a passionate cryptid expert with a less-than-stellar on-screen presence.

The novel also does a fantastic job weaving in the paranormal elements without overshadowing the romance. Marlowe balances the intrigue of cryptid hunting with the emotional depth of Hallie and Hayden's developing relationship, making for a well-rounded and engaging read.

"Love and Other Conspiracies" is perfect for fans of romantic comedies with a unique twist. It's a story about believing in the impossible, whether it's Bigfoot, aliens, or the idea that love can find you when you least expect it. Marlowe's debut is a delightful mix of humor, romance, and a touch of the paranormal, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a fresh and entertaining love story.

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own. I have purchased my own copy.

I loved everything about this book from the look into conspiracies and cryptids to the romance between these characters. I highly recommend it to all romance readers and can't wait to see what the author puts out next.

allory Marlowe's "Love and Other Conspiracies" is a compelling romance that intertwines personal growth with a captivating plot. The story centers around Hallie, whose journey is both enchanting and empowering. What stood out to me, particularly, was Hallie's transformation throughout the book. Her evolution from a woman struggling with self-doubt to someone who assertively stands up for herself by the end of the novel is both inspiring and gratifying. I truly appreciated how Hallie refused to let a man walk all over her, showcasing strength and self-respect that felt both authentic and empowering.

Additionally, on a personal note, it was a delight to see a female protagonist with the same name as mine. It’s not often that I come across a character who shares my name, and it added a special touch to my reading experience. Overall, Marlowe's novel is a heartwarming and engaging read that skillfully blends romance with a powerful message of self-empowerment.

Hayden is an expert in ghosts, monsters, and all things unexplained. Hallie is a skeptic. When the two start working together on a paranormal web series, will their undeniable chemistry give Hallie something to believe in? This one is a little more paranormal adjacent since the creatures our two lovebirds seek don't make an appearance, though I like to believe there is simply too much kissing going on for anyone to notice the Fresno Nightcrawler scurrying across the field. I just think this book is darling and has something to say about finding love after an abusive relationship which is always an empowering message.

https://www.themarysue.com/best-supernatural-romance-books/

This contemporary MF romance featuring a webseries producer (Hallie) who finds a hot podcast host (Hayden) to promote was a quick and easy read.

I liked:
The slowish burn
The contrast between Hayden and Hallie's awful ex
The topical take on online misogyny

I didn't love:
The emphasis on his fraught parental relationship (when the big confrontation scene came I was honestly a bit "this is it?!?")
The skeptic/believer relationship (I'm way too much of a skeptic to be with anyone who believes in conspiracy theories so this is probably a "me" problem)

Honorable mention: I usually despise reading in first person present tense/single POV romances and have to push myself into reading them. Here it was written so well that I almost didn't notice it until halfway through (this is HIGH PRAISE).

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

POV: Single FMC
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ .5

I really enjoyed the unique premise of this one, with Hallie and Hayden working on a conspiracy show together, and their banter was cute and funny, especially with Hallie being a “non-believer.” We get to see their relationship develop from co-workers to friends to lovers, and although this is an open door book the spicy scenes aren’t very descriptive and more on the sweet side. Hallie does grow as a character by the end of the book but I still would’ve liked to see her stand up for herself more, although I get that not everyone is going to be that way and the villain still gets what is coming to him. I really enjoyed Hayden’s character and I wish there was a real life show with him just like the one in the book!