Give Me Butterflies is a heartwarming workplace romance that beautifully weaves together the themes of found family, the grumpy x sunshine dynamic, and a sweet “he falls first” love story. The plot centers on Millie, an entomologist vying for a promotion at her museum, and Finn, the head of the astronomy department who also happens to be on the interview panel. As their paths keep crossing, Millie discovers that Finn's gruff exterior hides a man overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for his two nieces after his sister’s passing. What starts as a friendly connection quickly deepens, leaving Millie torn between her growing feelings and the complications of Finn being on the committee deciding her career future.

This book is simply delightful! Millie and Finn’s relationship blossoms in the most heartwarming way, built on mutual support, respect, and genuine care. Their dynamic feels refreshingly healthy, as they navigate both personal and romantic challenges with understanding and trust. I loved how Finn, initially appearing grumpy and distant, is revealed to be dealing with loneliness and grief. The story does a fantastic job of exploring Finn’s struggle with becoming a guardian to his nieces, while also diving into Millie’s anxiety and fear of losing herself after a difficult past relationship.

Jillian Meadows has done an incredible job with her debut novel. The character development, emotional depth, and tender romance completely exceeded my expectations. I’m eagerly looking forward to more from her in the future!

I love reading about women in STEM, so when I came across this book in NetGalley, I immediately requested it, so before any review, thank you NetGalley and Avon · Harper Voyager for this arc!

There are definitely things I like about this book, however the list of things I don’t like about it is much longer.

The things I liked:
The idea the author had for the book was interesting, a good one
The FMC is an entomology curator, which I’ve never her of in a book
Finn being his nieces guardian was great—I love a good single uncle situation.

Starting with the fact that I could not connect with either MC, it made reading the book a massive struggle.

One thing that drew me to request this was the single uncle aspect of the book, but this man was the most incompetent person I’ve ever read about. How can a man with a PhD not know how to cook pasta? You just have to read the instructions.

The idea for the plot was good, but I don’t believe it was well executed, specially when it’s marketed as a slow burn but the pace was fast. On top of that I fear the author incorporated too many thing and most of them got lost in the way, like they weren’t getting properly resolved.

I’m sorry to say this but why make the issues with Millie’s ex a big part of the plot, when the way it was resolved was underwhelming to say the least—let that man fucking suffer!

The issue with Finn’s parents bothered me too, simply because after enduring months of abuse from them after his sister died, he just one day decides—after they insulted Millie—that he’s had enough, as if the last eight months have not been enough for him and his nieces.

I always believe the victim, and I will always position myself with the victim, but why, my dear Millie, did you not fucking block your abuser? Specially when she kept complaining about him bombarding her with messages that clearly distressed her to the point of panic attacks.

A note- Is he Italian, like is there a part in the book where it’s mentioned whether he’s Italian or not? because it gave me the ick anytime he said something in Italian.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley. The ARC was given in exchange for an honest review

The premise of this book was absolutely adorable, and as a fan of STEM romances, I was excited to dive in. While there were some sweet moments, I found it hard to fully connect with the characters. The dialogue at times felt a bit stilted, and the story leaned more toward telling rather than showing. However, the concept itself was delightful, and I'm sure others may enjoy it more than I did.

*Give Me Butterflies* is a heartwarming romance set against the backdrop of a natural history museum, featuring Finn’s guardianship of his nieces. The book truly shines when Finn reveals his feelings for Millie, especially in the memorable cookie dough scene. Despite its charm, the novel has some issues. The pacing feels uneven, with Finn's sudden shift from grumpy to affectionate coming off as abrupt. The subplot involving Millie's ex-boyfriend feels unnecessary and wraps up too easily.

Millie, an endearing entomologist, is both attracted to and frustrated by Finn, the head of the astronomy department. Finn’s gruff exterior hides his grief and the challenges of single parenting, and his nieces help Millie see the caring man beneath. Their romance is sweet and relatable, though Finn sometimes seems almost too perfect. The story's slower pace might feel dragging, but the everyday details and text exchanges add richness.

The novel doesn’t feature major action or a strong antagonist, and while Finn’s parents and Millie’s ex are portrayed as excessively negative, the book excels in character development and overcoming toxic relationships. The ending provides a hopeful glimpse into their future without a typical third-act breakup.

If you appreciate detailed character growth and a slow-burn romance with some steam, *Give Me Butterflies* is worth reading. The upcoming book in the series will focus on Millie’s sister, Fable, and her best friend's brother, promising more romantic tension.

A very cute grumpy/sunshine romance! There was great character development throughout and emotional depth to Finn and Millie. The back half of the book loses a little bit of momentum, but still an excellent debut and an author I'll be reading more from. If you enjoy Ali Hazelwood's writing, this book is for you.

ABSOLUTELY PRECIOUS. you guys this was utterly unputdownable!!!! im not entirely sure if this was her debut, but i hadn’t read from this author before and was immediately pulled in by the writing style! this was a precious romance filled to the brim with heart and i read it in, like, two solid sittings. will def be reading more from her!

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows literally gave me butterflies how sweet this story is!

There's nothing more that I love like a grump thats actually soft and caring and a sunshine character getting cherished by them.
Let me start with Dr. Finn Ashford, He's smart, thoughtful, wears glasses and speaks Italian and gives you sweet nicknames Italian? I love him.
I thought this story had so much whimsy, romance and cuteness overload. It has workplace romance, sunshine and grumpy and he's the guardian/single dad to his two adorable nieces. One thing I love is how it's clearly obvious how enamored he is by her and seeing them go from reluctant rivals to friends to falling in love and forming their own found family was the best. I loved how their romance progressed organically, seeing them do things for each other. The way he noticed little things and caretaking, etc. It's such a beautiful romance and will have you swooning. Jillian Meadows is an amazing author and I will read everything she writes. This has such a creative storyline and I loved learning about space, butterflies, science, etc. It has so much heart in this story that you cannot help but to fall in love with Finn and Millie. I really loved the epilogue. I was a puddle of mush and loved how their story ended. I couldn't think of a better happy ending for these two. I cannot recommend this book enough. It is romance perfection!

This book really hit beautifully. Millie and Finn are coworkers at the same museum, where Millie is up for a director position. She’s been through a lot, including an emotionally abusive relationship, and is feeling in her power to get this new role at the place she loves the most. Finn has also had a rough go, with emotionally abusive parents and suddenly becoming a guardian to his twin nieces after his sister passes. At first their is friction between the two, but that friction quickly turns into a mutual attraction and bond, as Millie starts bonding with the girls, opening Finn’s heart. I absolutely loved this book, Meadow’s created something special here, and I am always a sucker for a good museum romance. Yes to open communication and therapy! These MCs are adults and act like they are, which is such a breath of fresh air. The supporting cast is also great, especially Millie’s family. Looking forward to Fable and Theo’s story next! If your looking for a healing story, please check out give me butterflies!

STEM romance is it's own heartbeat and emotion bundle of butterflies that cannot be put into words! But I'm going to try! LOL give me butterflies definitely represents this story of two people, opposites, finding the beautiful colors in different shaped wings in each other's lives and embracing them! 💗

I've always had a thing for men in science LOL and I'm really glad the author created Finn as this character! Astronomy coming together with our other character who works in the butterfly department (is what I call it) creating a cosmic effect both worthy of nature and space! 📰

Millie is my new hero! So is Finn as well! I have met people in my life who are opposites who have been together for years and I knew when these two characters engaged it was going to be a great pairing! 🍨

I have been to butterfly museums where I live and the whole time I imaged these two characters either talking or engaging in any way I imaged butterflies flying around me! The next time I go back at the museum I'm going to bring this book with me when it comes out! 🎁

This book was everything aesthetically pleasing and romantic beyond measure! The author has a true gift everybody needs to read this book! 🧁

Bravo! 🎙️

Millie, a curator for the entomology department at a science museum, loves her job and is absolutely determined to earn the promotion of director of her department. Finn, the director of the astronomy department, has spent the last six months juggling work, the grief of losing his sister, and becoming the guardian of his young twin nieces. After multiple bad run ins with Finn at work, Millie was convinced he was nothing but a grump who didn’t like her. Millie soon realizes that her initial impression might be off, letting an unexpected friendship to bloom.

This book was such a heartwarming treat! Themes of grief, verbal abuse, and anxiety were dealt with well. Overall, it was an adorably hope-filled read.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book was so fun! Once I started the very first page, I did not want to stop until I was finished.



Give Me Butterflies follows Millie Oaks, a curator for the Wilhelmina Natural Science Museum, who is up for a promotion to the Director of the Entomology Department. The problem? Her workplace “nemesis,” Dr. Finn Ashford, is part of the interview committee. Finn, Director of the Astronomy Department and recently appointed guardian to his twin nieces, has been working through his grief and loneliness at the loss of his older sister. As Millie and Finn spend time together, both in and out of the museum - albeit reluctantly at first, they learn more about the other than they ever thought possible.



What a book! I didn’t think I’d enjoy this as much as I did. From the story, to the romance, to the most lovable cast of characters, Give Me Butterflies truly had it all. I love the museum world that Jillian created, but I especially loved the characters. Every single one of them felt so real and I could not help but laugh, cry, and swoon alongside them as I read.



If you’re looking for a cute, STEM romance that has the workplace romance, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, and single dad tropes, this book is the one for you. Please consider preordering or requesting from your library.



Many thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC!

this is the sweetest, loveliest, most wonderful story! I read & loved this story a year ago as an indie book and now I get to love it even more during its trad debut!!!! Millie & Finn are so absolutely amazing in every way, I love them & Eloise & Avery so so so freaking much 🥹💚

there are so many heartfelt moments in this story, focusing on mental health care, found families, endless & abundant love in all its forms. I loved seeing Finn come out of his protective shell to find friendship & love with Millie. and Millie is MY GIRLLL!!! she is so awesome & wonderful & authentic in every way, I really connected with her spirit & her drive to be happy in her life 🥰 this story deals with toxicity in relationships, romantic & parental, that feels very heartwarming & authentic to read as the characters take care & healing of themselves

Finn & Millie & Avery & Eloise make the cutest, sweetest, loveliest little family, & seeing them all get their happy ending with one another gave me all the butterflies 🦋🥰🤭

thank you for the arc :)

Do you like space? Like Star Trek? Do you like butterflies and almond croissants? I mean you have to have romance too! “Give me butterflies” is baked in a beautiful pie of workplace romance, found family and green flags.

I first read Give Me Butterflies right before its indie release--and I immediately fell in love with Millie and Finn. I slid into Jillian's DM's and I've hung out there ever since. I'm so so glad that it's getting a trad pub release because Jillian deserves the world!

Give Me Butterflies is a sunshine/grump, coworkers romance. Millie, an entomologist and the current natural science curator, has applied for the new director position at the museum, and unfortunately, Finn, the quiet, broody astronomer, is on the hiring committee. Since he glares at her whenever their paths cross, she's pretty sure he hates her. What she doesn't know is that he's navigating grief while learning how to be a good guardian of his two orphaned nieces. As Millie and Finn get to know each other, they realize that maybe they're actually perfect for each other--and maybe, just maybe, they can become their own little family unit, as long as work drama doesn't get in the way.

I love STEM romances, and Jillian's Give Me Butterflies deserves all the praise. I feel like it's perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood, Chloe Liese, or B.K. Borison. If you're just discovering Jillian, you're in for a treat, and if you've loved her all along, like I have, then you know her books are definite keepers, and they only get better with every re-read.

Think of the best, most warmest, gooiest chocolate chip cookie you’ve ever had in your entire life… now add STEM characters, grumpy male lead (with an incredibly mushy side), silently strong and resilient female lead, and a whole host of secondary characters and you’ve got this amazing book.

I cried, I laughed, I SWOONED. This was so good. I’m sorta at a loss for words.

so… I love a mmc who pursues the fmc. There’s something about a man who lays out his feelings and is secure enough to wait until the time is right for both of them. Finn was dream worthy. From the things he said to his actions, he was a fantastic male lead.

Millie!!! The character growth. Love to see it. She went through it and came out the other side stronger. My favorite quote was “Strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet power that isn’t so obvious to the world”. I think that will stick with me for a while.

I feel like that sums up this book perfectly. It wasn’t loud or flashy. There were just delicate moments between two characters who learned how to fit in each other lives! And they made what could be a complicated situation work because of LOVE.

The two little girlies were so cute and their personalities were perfect. Honorary mention for the cast of secondary characters who made this book. The friendships and family moments added to the story ten fold. Not every one has the support system like in this book and it was beautiful to see the connection between everyone.

I cannot wait to read whatever comes next from Jillian! If future books and characters are anything like Finn and Millie and the little family they have built, I know I’m just going to adore them.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have finished it and it was a decent read. I rarely read romcoms but when I do then I’m quite a picky romcom reader and this one just wasn’t for me, it just a case of being the wrong target audience. The writing was good, the characters good as well and the plot was good also. So overall a decent three star read that would definitely be a five star for someone else.

ARC Review-

This is a re-release of a previously published novel. I enjoyed reading this story. A charming, fast paced, work place romance that had me salivating for some almond croissants every chapter. Finn and Millie were such a sweet unit together, with their connection to each other as well as their support system surrounding them. Avery and Eloise were an adorable addition to the story and I loved the portrayal of their curiosity and innocence in the wake of a previous tragedy in their life. Where can I apply to be added to the Oaks Folks group chat? That family had me chuckling with their back and forth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

If Gilmore Girls met Ali Hazelwood Give Me Butterflies is delightfully what you would get. It is probably my favorite rom com of the year.

It is a light romance about two scientists who meet through their jobs at a museum through a series of unfortunate events.

Finn and Millie gently navigate through topics such as life after loss, sing parenting, and abuse. As they grow closer they slowly learn to trust and open up with each other.

There is so much to love about this story- the humor, the characters, the sweetest nerdy dates, all the nerd references. Millie was likable and Finn stole my heart- he had some of the best lines I’ve read all year. The character development was just right.

I would love to read more by Jillian Meadows !

3.5 ⭐️

This was super sweet, light heartened, and endearing! There was great character work and emotional depth to Finn and Millie. Child characters are pretty forgettable to me but Eloise and Avery were written SO well! All of the characters are lovable, however there isn’t much substance to most of the side characters. The author could’ve cut out several characters and it wouldn’t have made a difference to the plot. There was an interesting twist that I personally didn’t think was going to happen so I’m always impressed when I’m surprised in that regard. The minor conflicts the characters go through were truly only thrown in there to create bumps in the road towards their HEA. The biggest con of the story is that this is advertised as a stem love story and to me it doesn’t feel that way. All we know is that both characters work at a museum but otherwise we are never shown Millie and Finn’s talents and are rarely told them as well. Despite the cons, I loved this and binged it in one sitting. Give Me Butterflies is a perfect, low stakes palette cleanser.
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced copy of this book!

Get ready to be swept off your feet!

Millie, an entomologist with a passion for her work, is determined to rise in her department and take on a bigger role at the museum. The last thing she needs is a distraction, especially from Finn, her grumpy coworker with a permanent scowl and mesmerizing electric blue eyes. But Finn has his own struggles, trying to keep his nieces smiling, and desperately trying not to ruin dinner again.

They might bug each other, but with Finn on the interview committee for the director position, avoiding each other is impossible.

Oh, this was such a sweet story! Seriously, if you’re in the mood for a cozy, easy read, this book is amazing.

And can we talk about the recipe included at the end? How fun is that!

Finn ended up being so sweet, not only with Millie but also with the girls.

If you enjoy books that leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy, this is the read for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!