[3.5/5] GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES is a contemporary romance that appears to be the first in a series of standalones. Millie is an entomologist at a museum preparing to interview for her dream position, head of the entomology department. Nothing can distract her from her goal, including the attractive, grumpy curator Finn, the museum's astronomy director. That becomes more difficult when Finn becomes an interview panelist for the job she wants. But a series of awkward incidents lead Millie to learn more about Finn. Try as she might, she likes what she sees despite fighting against it to prove she can get the job on her own merit.

Described as a STEM romance, GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES is really more of a cutesy, heartfelt romance with light STEM elements. The reader doesn't really spend any time with Millie that centers around insects. And time spent including Finn's astronomy interests centers only around stargazing with Millie and in remembrance of a family member. The only reason to call it a STEM romance is because both characters are scientists and that's as deep as it gets. While I hoped for and expected more of the STEM component to come into play, I adjusted my expectations to enjoy this book for what it is.

Millie more or less embodies the sunny disposition trope. But she is not without her own troubles and anxieties, which the author sensitively portrays on the page. She is apparently passionate about bugs, but that passion is more evident when she gushes about her favorite almond croissants and interacts with Finn's nieces. Finn's grumpy exterior is all show and he is definitely a cinnamon bun kind of guy who has his own family pains to work through. Their ease with and adoration of each other is clear. And I appreciated that they communicate well, nixing the disliked miscommunication trope.

However, in addition to the lack of STEM elements, there are a couple other things that didn't quite work for me. There are a lot of interactions between coworkers that I thought would not actually happen in a contemporary work setting. For example, Millie platonically kisses her coworker on the cheek at work. Even though they're best friends, that's not really work appropriate. There's also a scene at work where Finn teases Millie about her choice of nicknames because they sound like stripper names. There are a few other interactions that occur at work that made me raise an eyebrow. These scenes add levity and depict Millie's friendliness, but it's unrealistic.

I also didn't care for the easy resolution of Millie's job interview progression, which is actually more of a background storyline relative to her courtship with Finn. I can't say too much because it's a spoiler. But suffice it to say Millie competes with one other candidate for the job. In the end, the museum panelists had an easy out to choose Millie. I suppose I wanted more conflict here, though it at least leads to a healing confrontation.

My nitpicking aside, GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES is an easy read for anyone who likes a cozy romance and happy endings. Science doesn't feature so much here, but Millie's bubbly personality and Finn's heartfelt confessions and adorable nieces steal the show.

I love Scowly and Smiley. It’s always been a favorite trope of mine and this elevated it by far! There’s just something about the trope and Give Me Butterflies is one of my top couples in this category.

Finn and Millie are so adorable together and the way they become a little family from the very beginning and the way they dance around each other though aggravating because I just want them to smash is also adorable as well.

Two adults able to communicate?!?? What did I do to deserve this pure gold book???

The dates that Finn Ashford creates are top tier, gold level, legendary

And they take care of each other and support each other. Their connection is so BEAUTIFUL.

God Finn loves her so much and she dreams of their life I CANNOT

The emotions omg so many that my stomach felt. It twisted, it turned, it gave me literal butterflies

And on top of it all, she blessed me with an EPILOGUE

Fin (the MMC) was impossible not to love. From the start, I had a soft spot for him—he’s such a devoted guardian to Avery and Eloise, always putting them first, which made my heart melt. Millie (the FMC) was perfect for him. She was relatable, caring, and seamlessly stepped into their little family, loving the girls just as much. The way they clicked together felt so right, and I loved watching their relationship unfold from colleagues to friends to more 🥹

Also, I couldn’t get enough of the group chat with Millie’s family. It had me cracking up every time!

All together, this was a sweet, heartwarming read and I’d high recommend it!

GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES – Jillian Meadows
Oaks Sisters, Book 1
Avon
ISBN: 978-0063416161
January 21, 2025
Contemporary Romance

Washington, DC – Present Day

Millie loves her job as a butterfly curator at a science museum and is hoping for an advancement at the center as the director of her department. Unfortunately, one of the people who will interview her for the position is none other than the man she always seems to run into—literally. Dr. Finn Ashford is a nerd with his head in the stars as he is the director of the astronomy department. He’s always grumpy with Millie and she always seems to do something disastrous around him. Why does he have to be one of the people to decide about her next career opportunity? Yet, while he continues to glare at her, Millie can’t help but fall under the spell of his blue eyes. She soon learns that Finn is carrying a lot on his shoulders. Besides working full-time, he also is the guardian of his late sister’s twin daughters. And Millie soon encounters them and falls in love with the girls—and their uncle.

Millie loved bugs as a child, leading her to pursue a degree in entomology and a job at the Wilhelmina Natural Science Museum where she gets to show visitors her beloved butterfly collection. The job is perfect but becoming the director would be even better. She tries not to run into Finn, but her luck always runs out. She has spilled coffee on him and accidentally ran into the back of his car, and he always glares at her as though she’s a nincompoop. After she learns about what is really going on with him, that he’s raising his nieces, she bends over backward to help him. After all, the girls are wonderful, and they come to adore Millie. Of course, this means spending time with their Uncle Finn…and growing closer to the man who will help decide her future. Is she playing with fire? The truth of the matter is that she has come to like Finn and of course, the girls.

Fans of steamy STEM romances will be in for a treat with GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES. Millie is an endearing character who loves what she does and will do just about anything for people. She recently came out of a bad relationship where her now ex criticized and controlled her. In this tale, her ex-boyfriend, Kyle, starts texting her again wanting to meet up and she tries to ignore him. No more will she let a man sabotage her self-esteem. After getting past Finn’s grumpiness, Mille discovers a different side to the man and comes to admire him. He is doing it alone, even though his parents live nearby. Turns out his parents are really awful people. In the meantime, Millie and Finn are creating a happy unit for the girls. Almost like they are a family. Of course, Finn and Millie’s relationship turns into a romance that lands them in bed. Will they achieve what they want? For Millie, the job of her dreams, and for Finn, peace and happiness after years of upheaval.

GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES is an engaging and entertaining romance that readers will surely love. We see in this tale what both Finn and Millie are thinking and watch them fall in love with each other. If you’re looking for a read that ends happily ever after for everyone, then don’t miss GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Giving me butterflies, indeed! My first full 5 star read of the year is here.

I utterly adored Give Me Butterflies. It was perfect to me. Just perfect.

Millie and Finn are coworkers who initially don't initially get along, yet constantly gravitate towards (even if that means walking into) one another. After some initial misconception and temporary grumpiness from him, Millie soon sees Finn past his grumpy mask into a man who carries the heavy burden of a loved one's loss and his absolute determination to provide the best life for his whole world-- his nieces from whom he is sole guardian. Breaking that initial wall down between is the first true step into wanting to be in each other's orbit. However, as Finn is part of a judging panel that will decide a potential promotion for Millie, she draws a line that seeks nothing past friendship. But gravity is gravity-- and the pull can't be helped. Nor can it be helped how the most beautiful love story can blossom when we just let ourselves fly.

Finn is doing his absolute best to take the best care of and raise his nieces with the love and dedication. After losing his sister (the girls' mother) to illness, Finn has taken the role of parent to his nieces. And he wants to ensure they remain his priority and he never lets them down, the way his cold parents did to him and his sister time and time again. The dedication is heartwarming, although the fear of a misstep in parenting does lead to misstep in his burgeoning romancing with Millie. However, this stumble is one that I believe will have the reader sympathize with Finn rather than be angry at him. He's a green flag man from beginning to ending.

Millie. Lovely Millie. It's no wonder Finn falls so easily in love with. She is empathetic, kind, warm, and a wonderful, contagious dreamer. After seeing the true Finn he slowly but steadily gets to know him better-- and his girls. Those Fridays at his place were the most fun to read. I also adored seeing the burgeoning relationship between Millie and the girls. Oh! how readily she became part of their world, and how welcoming she and her family were of the girls when they met. Finn takes such good care of them, but it's heartening watching those girls experience love from an extended family in a way they hadn't before.

It's also heartening to watch Millie learn to trust again. After surviving a toxic relationship, Millie has many good reasons to not want to cross any lines with Finn, but along the way his words and actions demonstrate to her that she should keep her heart open. That there are hands she can hold that are full of trust, of safety, of love.

And just as she learns to trust, Finn learns to live. To live fully. Millie becomes the sun he orbits, that his girls orbit. She lights their lives up with laughter, music, and some delicious food. She brings home and comfort with her and they fall into her open embrace oh so effortlessly. Like they were always meant to fit. I fell in love with the family they formed. The family they earned for themselves.

I also appreciated that amidst the beautiful love story and the bonding found family narrative, Finn doesn't forget his deceased sister and I loved how the narrative touched upon her character and I loved even more a very special way Millie chooses to honor her memory.

Love is the theme. Love of a good, healthy relationship. Love for self. Love for family. Love for true partners. It's a beautiful theme that teaches us our worth in having love in our lives, and how to always cherish it.

Millie and Finn are so deserving of their love and I'm thrilled to have read their story. It's a book I will be recommending to all!

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

Jillian Meadows writes some of the best romance that covers varying important topics in regards to insecurities, mental health, and relationships. She does this in a way that shows the importance and teaches you acceptance and understanding. This book was no different and add single dad(technically), workplace romance AND grumpy/sunshine. It’s quite literally my perfect romance book. Seeing the way Finn cares for his nieces after grief and grows with Millie is very heartwarming. Seeing Millie accept not only her worries about a relationship but his circumstances and not run away by accepting and loving those girls as her own, chefs kiss. The banter always hits with just the right amount of spice. I cannot wait for her next book.

Give Me Butterflies is a romance between a sunshine-y entomologist (FMC) and a grumpy astronomer (MMC) working in a science museum. I really enjoyed the workplace setting and rooting for the FMC going for a promotion. The MMC is the guardian of his deceased sister's twin daughters, which added a twist to this story - one I enjoyed mostly but also felt like I was getting an instruction on how to parent at times.

Although I liked both characters a lot, I felt distant from the characters, which I think has something to do with the writing. I also found the writing a bit awkward at times, but I admittedly struggle a lot with some writing other romance readers like (think 'you're the most exquisite thing I've ever laid eyes on').

One of the things I enjoyed a lot was the non-romantic relationships Millie had with her family and friends. It looks like this will be a series featuring Millie's sisters, and I am quite interested in the Fable/Theo story, so I anticipate reading what Meadows puts out next.

4.5 stars! What a wholesome and romantic read. I was not at all expecting to love the MMC so much, but here I am with a new book boyfriend.

The romance in Give Me Butterflies was incredible. Millie and Finn had amazing chemistry, and I loved the progression of their relationship from workplace "enemies" to friends to lovers. Finn was grumpy in the best way, where he was introverted and shy, rather than rude. And he was the sweetest uncle, and I loved how Millie fit perfectly into their family.

Based on the synopsis, I thought there would be more museum/workplace and science-y scenes, and I also expected Finn and Millie to be rivals for a longer period of time. But I'm 100% happy with the direction the author took. There were way more single uncle + kid scenes, which I loved but didn't expect. I liked how the author touched on emotional topics, but the book was mainly light-hearted. And low drama, low miscommunication? Love it. If you like the STEM aspect of Ali Hazelwood + the character development of Abby Jimenez, you will love Give Me Butterflies!

Thank you so much to Avon Books for sending me an ARC of Give Me Butterflies. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)

3.5 stars

I read Jillian Meadows holiday romance a few months ago, and when I saw you was releasing her first contemporary romance later this month, I was super excited.
This book, similarly to “Wreck My Plans” was a straightforward, heartfelt romance. Young children in romance stories can be tricky but Jillian did a great job incorporating the twins into the larger love story.

The good: both MCs were so sweet you couldn’t help but root for them to get together. They’re both dealing with stressful and somewhat traumatic experiences and desperately need someone to support and be supported by.

The bad: the dirty talk in this one wasn’t for me. Finn seems like such a gentle natured kind soul and I didn’t need him to turn into a foul mouthed fiend to enjoy their connection and chemistry.

If you like easy, breezy, heartfelt romances, put this one on your TBR!

DNF**

I really thought from the beginning of this book that it was going to be absolutely perfect for me. The main character works in a museum as an entomologist which I love I'm a big science museum nerd. The love interest is an astronomer which sang to my soul because I love astronomy, its one of my biggest passions. He wears space themed ties everyday, like hello how perfect. However, that's kind of where my enjoyment stops. I felt like each chapter or end of a scene was ended very abruptly and like the author didn't know how to end scenes. I also felt like the love interest being your typical "asshole, grumpy" character felt very forced. She kept calling him an asshole even though we were never shown any reasons why except for the fact that he constantly had a scowl on his face. I also felt like the attraction really started out of nowhere. The story went from her thinking he was an asshole to not liking him, then literally the next scene wondering how a romantic relationship would work, it truly came out of nowhere. Ultimately i just felt like it was a struggle to continue through this so I DNF'd it.

Give Me Butterflies is a solid romance. I loved the museum setting. I loved that both Finn and Millie were going through big things but also supporting and eventually communicating with each other. The side characters are all great. There was more insta love than I care for and it was at times slow. Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this eARC.

Give Me Butterflies is a sweet debut romance.

Millie is an entomologist hoping for a big promotion. Finn is an astronomy director -- a swoony, but grumpy co-worker.

After a series of run-ins, Finn can't help but fall for Millie's sunny disposition, and Millie can't stop trying to get Finn out of his grump default.

Through their friendship with each other and their support systems we see them work through their 'baggage' of grief, self doubt and life.

They are so cute in their 'nerd love' and it's fun to follow their story. The author creates a heartwarming cast of supporting characters and some fo the cutest kid characters!

There's some slight hiccups or side characters that are a little too much or too trite, but overall it's a really cute STEM romance.

Ugg…I am so sad to write this review. I had such high hopes for this one, but it just did not work for me. I think my issues started at the beginning. It just seemed like so many bad things kept happening and it felt so overdone. I get being clumsy, but there is one thing that happens in chapter 3 that was 100% avoidable and unbelievable for me. I did enjoy the whitty writing style, but I just couldn’t get past things just feeling forced.

This book was perfection for me! I was hooked from the first page to the last page and finished it in one day! All the characters were great! Finn and Millie were just made for each other. Finn was the perfect book boyfriend. Add in Millie's family and Finn's adorable nieces and it is the perfect book. We do have some sad moments but the good moments completely make up for that. I hope this author writes more. I am hoping we can get a story of the sisters. I think that would be great! I would definitely read this story again and again!

A fluttery STEM romance at a science museum featuring a sunshine-esque (maybe a little anxious) entomologist and a handsome (but grumpy) astronomer.

This book felt wholesome in a way - it had a tender growth to the love story. Sure, there's some slow burn (The cookie dough scene!) and spice - overall the love feels genuine and sweet. I really enjoyed the FMC's family and can already tell where the Oak Sisters book two would go. This story seemed to flow pretty nicely and kept me reading easily.

This book gives:
- grumpy/sunshine (obvi)
- colliding meet cute(s)
- nerdy references
- found family
- he falls first
- positive therapy rep

4/5 stars for me. The title and cover are adorable as well!

This is an arc review, thoughts and opinions are my own!

(4.5 stars)

First off thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

From the moment Millie and Finn locked eyes over spilled coffee, I was hooked!!

Get ready for:
Grumpy x Sunshines
He falls first
Found Family
Single Guardian
Work Place Romance
Nerdy Banter

So basically a bunch of my favorite tropes, rolled up into one, that made me just continuously smile and kick my feet.

I think Meadows did a wonderful job pacing the story, and their relationship, with a rather quick connection, but slow burn for them to get together. Finn's journey with grief, parental trauma, and the responsibility of raising his twin nieces felt realistic and well thought out. He has easily become a new favorite MMC of mine.

I was truly rooting for Finn and Millie the entire time.

Thank you Netgalley, thank you AVON HarperCollins Publshers and thank you Jillian Meadows for this ARC.
4.5 stars
This is one of those stories that feels like a big warm hug. It starts like an enemies to lovers and grumpy sunshine in a work place romance, but at the end it´s more a found famiy, love story.
Millie is an entomologist working her way up to get a promotion at the museum. Fin is the head of the astronomy department and is part of interview comitee. Despite of this “minor inconvenient”, they keep running into each other and son the dynamic between them changes. Their relationship starts to grow in a very respectfull way. They complement each other to face their personal problems.
Finn is all Green flags. The fact that his the guardian of his nieces is very touching.
I loved Millie´s family and friends.
The author talks about sensitive subjects, such as gaslighting, grief and emotionally distant parents, but in a very respectfull way.
I also loved the STEM representation.
Such a heartwarming (and spicy) love story.

I LOVE this book. I just love it. All of it.

The characters, the setting, the situations, the side characters, her family. Every. Single. Thing.

Finn and Millie both have such sad and difficult back stories. And while it’s enemies to lovers - I think it’s the best kind - they aren’t full of hate for each other and they aren’t made at each other forever. It’s almost natural and beautiful the way it all comes together.

I don’t want to spoil anything about this book. Just read it and enjoy every second. You will love Finn and Millie. You will adore Eloise and Avery. Her friends will make you smile and her family will have you laughing and wanting to a hug.

Read this. Love it. And wait with me (im)patiently for what I’m hoping is a book about one of her sisters. The Easter eggs she leaves in this book are delicious 😉

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins Publisher for this amazing opportunity to read and review this book.

I gave this book a 3.5 stars, it just didn’t quite reach four stars for me. Book was well written, but just a little wordy and some scenes dragged on a little bit too much for my liking.

So sweet and warm hearted, Millie and Finn just seemed to be there for each other, almost from the very beginning. This is technically an enemies to lovers trope in my opinion? But the enemy side went away way fast. I loved the relationship between Millie and her friends and family as they were always there for her and in the cutest way. My favorite part of the book was there text message threads. The one plot twist was a good one, but I will not give any spoilers here.

All in all, I highly recommend!

4.75⭐
2🌶️
Tropes/Themes: workplace romance, entomologist/astronomer, grumpy sunshine, “look at you”
Dual POV 1st person

Well the book Give Me Butterflies definitely gave me butterflies while I was reading it lol. I felt like I was so immersed in Finn and Millie’s relationship. It sucked me in so much that I sat down and read it in one sitting. It was SO GOOOOOOD. And ermagherd the way Finn was talking to her in the spicy scenes 🥵🥵🥵 I didn’t expect that from his character.

However….. I usually try not to be personally offended by what character’s do in a story but I absolutely disagree with the way Millie handles the third act drama and I will die on this hill lol. It genuinely felt like a moral issue to me. There was only one thing that could’ve happened to make me accept it and it did not happen.

I took off ¼ of a point because of the epilogues. I really dislike multiple epilogues.