Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book. Unfortunately, this book was a no for me for many reasons. The dialogue was painfully basic, I disliked all the characters and I think it’s tasteless for the author to rip on other professions (“chiro is junk science”).

Three years ago, Melody and Jeremy's meet cute led to a one-night stand that Melody still thinks fondly of. When she arrives in Los Angeles she calls Jeremy and the two meet for coffee. As she settles into her new IT job, Melody's dreams of a reconnection die as she realizes that she and Jeremy have little in common, she works for his family's company and he has a girlfriend - and had one three years ago too.

I really like Melody - she is genuine, hardworking and mostly sensible. The repeated cheating makes Jeremy less than charming. I feel like his redemption arc is too behind the scenes to be noticeable. I think the reader could use from chapters from Jeremy's perspective to see him changing and growing as he and Melody become friends to make it more palatable. If the reader is not concerned about this aspect of his character, they will likely enjoy this lightly-STEM themed rom-com.

I appreciate receiving a copy of The Love Code by Susannah Nix for review! What drew me to the book initially was the cover art. That along with the description of the novel piqued my interest. I enjoyed the sort of "friends-to-lovers" trope between the two characters. I found myself very drawn to the story during the exposition and meeting between Jeremy and Melody. It was exciting and funny and I enjoyed the characters' banter. However, I didn't feel much chemistry between the characters much later on. I enjoyed Melody as an FMC. Her feelings of imposter syndrome are relatable and were enjoyable to read about. I did feel as though there were many unnecessary events throughout the story. I would have liked to have read a little more about Melody's job in STEM. It's a huge part of their love trope and I kind of felt like the fact that she had a job in MIT was the only identifying quality or detail that she worked in STEM.

I think that this novel would be great for anyone who wants to read a light, easy and quick rom-com with cute and multiple love tropes.

A novel for the STEM girlies. If you like Ali Hazelwood’s STEM rom-coms, you’ll love The Love Code. Filled with subtle puns, sly nerd references & moments where you think to yourself, “I’ve been there”. The perfect balance of drama, love triangles, 2SLGBTQ+ representation & a reminder that women can be both/and.

It’s so hard to get on board with a story when the main “heartthrob” character we’re supposed to love is not a good person. I don’t believe in the whole “he won’t cheat on me because I’m the right person” bologna out there. He’s a cheater. He’s not going to not cheat on you because you’re different. He has to be different in order to not cheat. Let’s stop letting men get away with this nonsense.

So, I’m a big Susannah Nix fan, and have read the majority of her catalogue. I once upon a time bought the entire series of Chemistry Lessons, both ebooks and audiobooks. When I saw she was re-title’ing, and re-covering the series with a modern update, I wanted to pick up the arc to see how much had been changed.

In all honesty… even though I had the whole original series, I only read a couple books in the middle - I hadn’t read this one, previously titled “Remedial Rocket Science.” I listened to the audio while I read along (audio from 2017, with the newly re-released ebook from 2024). Other than a word here and there, it was identical. A couple words are often different between ebooks and audiobooks anyway. If you’re rushing out to get a brand new, re-written book, you’re only going to be getting a different title and cover. The content has not changed.

The story, which as I mentioned is my first time reading/listening (great narration by a long-time fave Caitlin Kelly), was one that I’m sure went over fine in 2017, 7 years ago… but in this changing world of 2024, won’t go over as well with a character like Jeremy. When he saves Melody from a terrible guy hitting on her at a bar at the beginning and after a great evening of chatting, they have a one night thing… several years later they end up working together. She finds out from his current girlfriend that he was dating her sister at the time of the original meeting.

The cheating storyline and a serial cheating character these days doesn’t go over well with most audiences, but the rest of the story and Nix’s brilliant writing (which has gotten even better over the time since this one originally released), made up for that part of the plot, to me, and Jeremy redeems himself in so very many other things that he does throughout the book. Fantastic banter, great friendships, and perfect character growth.

Overall and aside from that character flaw (and a plot I try to avoid like the plague, the cheating), I can definitely recommend this book for all, because she’s one of my top go-to authors, a brilliant storyteller, this book is truly excellent - and perfectly steamy. Gotta love a woman in STEM!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Pan Macmillan, and this is my honest feedback.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute romance!! Melody and Jeremy had a one night stand because they live in different cities but still exchange numbers just in case one visits the others city in the future. Cut to Melody having an interview in Jeremy's city and she reaches out to see if he wants to grab coffee. They reconnect but Jeremy has a girlfriend so Melody settles for just being friends while growing close to his girlfriend and trying to create a life for herself in LA.

The chemistry between Melody and Jeremy is undeniable. They always had a flirty aspect to their friendship so when they were finally able to be together it was such a satisfying ending. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a quick romance.

Note: Melody is hesitant to enter into relationships because her last boyfriend committed suicide the previous year. If this is a trigger for you, be aware before going into this one.