"He sounds boring, come out with me instead." – Finn Ashford, my new favorite book boyfriend.

This book had everything I could possibly want in a romance: grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, workplace tension, a hint of enemies-to-lovers, a found family dynamic, jealousy, pining, and even a touch of protective energy against a toxic ex. I loved every second of it.

The story follows Finn Ashford and Millie Oaks, colleagues at the same museum whose professional relationship is… let’s just say not the warmest. That tension only escalates when Millie interviews for the director position in her department—with Finn sitting on the interview committee. As fate (and their workplace) continue throwing them together, their dynamic begins to shift, revealing layers of chemistry, conflict, and unexpected connection.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character development. Jillian writes with remarkable authenticity, making Finn and Millie feel like real, multifaceted individuals. I often struggle with miscommunication tropes or slow-burn romances as they can feel forced, but here, every interaction feels natural and well-paced. Their evolving relationship is not only believable but deeply compelling.

Overall, this novel delivers everything I look for in a contemporary romance—dynamic characters, a fresh and engaging plot, and some spice. If you're searching for a romance that is both heartfelt and entertaining, this one is well worth the read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Recommendation: Perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, found family dynamics, and the grumpy x sunshine trope. With its own unique charm, this book delivers a captivating romance that will especially appeal to fans of Ali Hazelwood. If you love her books, this one is sure to be a hit!

Note: I received this book as an e-ARC on NetGalley and I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Jillian Meadows for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for providing an e-copy to review!!

Sometimes you pick up a romance just to escape into a fictional world and Jillian Meadows built up an EXCELLENT world here. Beyond the main plot, there were numerous side characters I would love to see explored in future works and I would definitely pick up any work set in this world immediately. A lovely, cozy time.

That’s not to say the book didn’t veer into serious territory. There’s a list of CW to check out (I’ll include some major ones that come to mind at the end of this review), but they were handled well by the author such that the overall theme of the novel seems to be that we can heal from our trauma.

This book is for you if:
•You love a romance book that hits on all the tropes
•You love the idea of having a close family, born or built
•You enjoy being able to identify exactly what type of fanfiction a book started off as


This book may not be for you if:
•Any of the content warnings stand out to you as something you don’t want to read

Content warnings below:



CWs: Verbal domestic abuse, Cancer, Death of a parent/sister

First thank you NetGalley for letting me have access to the e arc! Now this book is a darling steminist romance! Personally I didn’t get really into it until the 50% mark but for me that 50% was worth it! I love me a good scientist romance (which might seem odd but idk it’s just something I enjoy) and having a woman in entomology is fun because I used to know someone who worked in that field. But as a whole this is a really sweet romance where a woman is working hard to earn her place in her field and I admire that!

This is a must-read book I don't want to give any spoilers, but you won't regret getting this book, you won't put it down till you're done reading the whole this.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5

This is a very wholesome story with lots to love. There is workplace romance, but their careers are unique and interesting to read about. There is found family with endearing friends and family characters. There are adorable children that wiggle into your heart and steal the show. There is good communication between Millie and Finn with minimal drama!

But above all, the romance is very sweet and well-written. I was shocked when I learned that this is Meadows's debut novel. I'll definitely be coming back for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC copy!

This was a sweet, cute, cozy romance with him falling first, grumpy / sunshine and some found family. It was a very warm and snuggly vibe and sometimes, that’s just what you need.
Thank you to Netgalley, the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this prior to publication.

i absolutely LOVED this 🩷

i was sold by just the cover, then the story had me HOOKED.

i loved Finn SO MUCH, avery and eloise were also so cute🥹

i loooooved that there was no 3rd act breakup!!!

WOULD RECOMMEND IN A HEART BEAT.

I LOOOOVED THIS ONE!!!!! I heard a grumpy scientist in love with a sunshine scientist and I was sold but FINN? my dream man, my one true love, truly. He was so perfectly grumpy and sweet. and the way he is with his nieces???? I wanted to sob. I love how Millie fell in love with all three of them. Jillian Meadows is becoming a new favorite author of mine with these pathetically (non-derogatory) down bad men she keeps writing

Thank you Netgalley, Jillian Meadows, and Harper Collins Publishing for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book, and I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Ali Hazelwood’s style of STEM Romance! While this formula is a bit stereotypical if you have read those books, it is so unique from Ali Hazelwood’s books. Finn and Millie work at the same museum, and their backgrounds are both in STEM. I love the setting of the museum, this allows for so many interesting scenes and events throughout the book, especially the children’s camp that Millie helps to run!

Millie is such a sweet character, but she partially falls into the stereotype of many STEM romance heroines. She’s fiercely independent, but she’s a bit airheaded, nervous, and generally clumsy. While none of these things are bad, I think they have become a bit of a trope in STEM romances to make the heroine relatable and funny.

Finn is a great male protagonist, and is a great contrast from what we hear about Kyle and the finally see about him. He’s an amazing father to his sister’s daughters, and I love the way that he deals with the many feelings he has about the loss of his sister and the guilt surrounding relationships outside of his nieces. The issues that Millie and Finn have are actually reasonable, and I really appreciate the fact that there was an actual issue in the third act, and they didn’t just break up.

This book does such a good job of handling so many difficult and interesting topics, from abusive former relationships, sexism in STEM, and mental health following the loss of a loved one. It also has so many wonderful and cute aspects, from Millie’s sweet yet overbearing familly, and Finn’s nieces who he takes care of. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a cute STEM-themed romance!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book so much that I bought a physical copy of it so I could read it again!

3.75⭐️

Shame man , this was so cute and cozy! Way better than whatever Wreck My Plans was .

The pacing of Millie and Finns’s romance was pretty fast and changed without feeling earned and some of the humour didn’t always land for me but I enjoyed it regardless.

I liked the domesticity of Millie slowly integrating herself into Finn’s little family and Finn’s navigation of grief and parenthood. There were conflicts and hurdles both characters needed to overcome so while it was cozy , the characters weren’t completely stagnant .

I would’ve liked more STEM besides the promotion storyline because Millie’s job was interesting.

Cute but I’m not obsessed , liked the audiobook !

Big thanks to Avon for ARC , this book has BEEN out lol

Millie was never one to take the expected path. She's an entomologist who loves her job as a natural science curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to take a larger role in the planning of her department, so when a director position opens up, she is determined not to let anything distract her from her goals, especially her grumpy coworker, Finn...
However, when Millie and Finn keep running into each other, Millie learns that Finn may not be all that grumpy and is just struggling to keep up with his two nieces he is parenting after the death of his sister. *cue the TEARS* 😭

I really do love how Finn came off grumpy at first and then as Millie got to know him, she learned that he is just really lonely & full of A LOT of grief after losing his sister and taking care of his nieces. We also see the author touch on Millie's anxiety, and as someone who also suffers from anxiety, I love seeing this portrayed.

I ALSO cannot believe that this was Jillian Meadows' debut novel. So beautifully written.

Tropes Include:
Found family 🏡
Grumpy x sunshine ☀️
He falls first 1️⃣

HUGE thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so sweet. I loved Millie and Finn. It starts as a grumpy x sunshine romance.

Millie and Finn grow into friends as they spend time with each other. Their attraction grows and they finally give in.

I also loved the way Millie develops a relationship with Finn’s nieces. The way she supports them throughout the book and brings them into the fold of her own family.

This one was just fun and enjoyable.

I received the ARC after I already read this but I figured I would still thank NetGalley for allowing me to review the ARC!

Romantic comedies are my jam right now and this hit so good😭 This had me giggling like a little girl and made me want my own hot need that loves the stars as much as he loves me. I am such a sucker for the single dad trope and honestly at one point I wanted to be a part of their little family.

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows is a heartfelt contemporary romance that beautifully intertwines themes of love, personal growth, and the healing power of connection. Set within the engaging environment of a natural science museum, the novel offers readers a delightful blend of emotional depth and lighthearted moments.
The narrative centers on Millie Oaks, an entomologist passionate about her role as a curator at the Wilhelmina Natural Science Museum. With aspirations to lead her department, Millie is determined to secure the director position. However, her focus is challenged by Finn Ashford, the museum's astronomy director, who is known for his gruff demeanor and captivating blue eyes. Unbeknownst to many, Finn is grappling with the recent loss of his sister and the responsibility of caring for his twin five-year-old nieces. As Millie and Finn's paths cross more frequently, they discover shared vulnerabilities and a budding affection that neither anticipated.​
Meadows crafts her characters with authenticity and depth. Millie's journey reflects her struggle with anxiety and the remnants of a past toxic relationship, making her resilience and optimism all the more inspiring. Finn's evolution from a seemingly aloof colleague to a devoted guardian and compassionate partner is both touching and realistic. The inclusion of Finn's nieces adds warmth to the story, showcasing the challenges and joys of unexpected parenthood.​
Jillian Meadows' debut novel, Give Me Butterflies, offers a tender and nuanced exploration of love's capacity to heal and transform. With well-drawn characters and a compelling narrative, it stands as a commendable addition to contemporary romance literature, appealing to readers who appreciate stories of personal growth intertwined with heartfelt romance.

This was such a cute read. I loved that their eventual relationship wasn't made complicated or had any of those miscommunication tropes.

We love a good women in STEM plot mixed with grumpy/sunshine vibes. And while Finn starts off grumpy, he is a big softie by the end. There were a couple of things I wish were covered, like after working together for some time, why now? But I loved Millie and Finn together and the chemistry they had felt natural!

I'm not sure what more I can say about this except loved this story!! These characters are so adorable and love them together.

I read Wreck the Halls by Jillian Meadows back when it was indie published and fell SO deeply in love, and I’m so happy to find that Give Me Butterflies was similarly wonderful!

This struck a really perfect balance for me that I tend to be really picky about in rom-coms: it’s heartfelt, it’s sexy, it’s ACTUALLY funny, the conflicts are reasonable, the crux of the story keeps my attention and the ending was totally satisfying. I really enjoy Meadows’ writing style, it’s engaging and comical and the characters are distinct and lovable across the board. This also has an epilogue AND a bonus epilogue that were so perfectly emotional, satisfying, and spicy, and the couple never loses their tension and spark even though there’s also no big third act breakup (but there IS a plot conflict— this is my favorite approach to romance!)

I’m so excited to have another romance author to reach for that strikes this balance for me, and I think there’s another Oaks sister getting a story soon that already has my full attention!

Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager for this eArc!

Give Me Butterflies is an utterly charming and heartwarming romance that perfectly captures the giddy, fluttery feeling of falling in love. With relatable characters and sparkling chemistry, this story sweeps you up in its sweet, slow-burn tension and emotional depth. The author does a fantastic job of blending lighthearted, swoon-worthy moments with genuine emotional stakes, making the romance feel authentic and deeply satisfying.

What truly makes this book shine is its endearing characters and witty, heartfelt dialogue. The banter is playful and natural, while the emotional moments hit just the right notes of vulnerability. If you’re looking for a feel-good love story with plenty of heart and a dash of magic, Give Me Butterflies is an absolute must-read.

I love a good grumpy x sunshine. Loved watching their friendship grow & then into more. This book was just warm & cozy (even the harder parts were handled so well). The mental health rep was done well too! I loved their communication, the found family, the email banter, the group chat with her family, and the little family they created.

🦋 grumpy x sunshine
🦋 found family
🦋 email banter
🦋 single parent
🦋 workplace romance

Thank you Avon & Harper Voyager for an Arc! Opinions & review are honest and my own