I am not one that often picks up books with the single parent trope, but give me a devoted-uncle-permanent-caretaker any day 😍

My love for Finn, my love for Millie, my love for the girls, and my love for all them combined makes this book a five-star read for me. These characters!!! I couldn’t get enough. Finn is still navigating his new world less than a year after losing his sister. Millie is trying to find herself again after leaving an abusive relationship. Avery and Eloise have had their whole lives turned upside down after losing their mother at a young age. Reading about all of them finding some peace with each other and just downright falling in love with one another was so tender, emotional, and just feel-good.

The tropes in this novel just happen to be the perfect mashup for me and this book didn’t disappoint at all! If I had to be super picky, I’d say there felt like abrupt stopping points at the end of some sections and chapters, but it certainly didn’t bother me enough to drop it from a five star review 🙃

- Grumpy x Sunshine
- STEM / Workplace romance
- Slow burn
- Found family

I believe this was the first novel written by Jillian Meadows, but I can’t wait to read more from her!

I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley and super thankful to the author and publisher for a chance to read and review!

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 3/5

4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

Millie is used to her coworkers Finn’s scowling face and sarcasm. He’s an astronomer and she’s an entomologist at a museum. Millie is up for a promotion and she refuses to let him get to her, even if she does seem to have a lot of accidents around him. But Finn doesn’t mean to come off as a grump. On top of a full work load, he’s also managing the grief of losing his sister and raising her twin girls as a single parent now.
But Millie’s sunshine personality worms her way into his heart and their lives. She’s equally attached to the girls as she is to Finn. Despite her sunny disposition, trust doesn’t come easy to her after leaving her toxic ex.

This was SO cute. Finn and Millie truly brought out the best in each other despite major challenges in their lives. And there was some great LGBT rep too! I also loved how nerdy both of them were. Star Wars, Star Trek, Acotar, gaming etc

Give Me Butterflies had me intrigued by the cover (I know, I'm not supposed to judge, but have you seen it?!) and kept me wanting more with the heartwarming, sweet story, and characters.

The story follows Ellie, a high school senior who’s navigating her feelings for a charming new guy, but also struggling with her own insecurities and the pressure of upcoming life changes. Meadows does a wonderful job of capturing the intense emotions and vulnerabilities of the characters that makes them feel real and relatable. The romance is sweet and believable, and the book offers a fresh take on self-discovery. There wasn't any unnecessary drama, just enough to keep the story interesting, which I greatly appreciated. I loved her family and honestly I really enjoyed most, if not all, of the side characters, Overall, it's a charming, feel-good read for fans of YA contemporary romance and it definitely gave me the ooey gooey, warm hug-in-a-mug feeling that I so very much wanted.

Tropes to read for:
Workplace romance
Grumpy x sunshine
He falls first
Found family
Age gap
Dual POV

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Jillian Meadows for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this! Many laugh out loud moments and all the feels. I loved all the characters and banter between the two main characters. The extra recipe at the end was a treat!

I enjoyed the back stories of both Millie and Finn. Both have experience with manipulative relationships (hers ex bf, him his parents). If gave more to the story vs. just two people that work at the same place being thrust into each other’s lives. That said, the writing itself was a little lacking for me. It was too distracting and pulled me out of the story—sometimes it was too cliche and sometimes I wanted more.

I do love a good “single parent” trope (even if it’s single uncle in this case). And I appreciated the unique angle on found family this story provided. I liked the overlap of her loving butterflies and him obsessed with the butterfly constellation.

A simple, sweet and spicy delight.

The grumpy x sunshine books have been serving me well lately.

I adored Millie and Finn, as well as Finn’s nieces Eloise and Avery. They’re everything a family should be, loving, kind, and supportive.

I wish there was more of a plotline aside from the romance, but this isn’t that type of book and that’s okay.

I first read this book when it was indie published and loved it so much. I felt (irrationally) proud when the publishing deal with Avon was announced because it felt so deserved and rewarding for a book that felt so special. Knowing it would find even more readers through Avon made me incredibly happy. To have the excuse/opportunity to (re)read this book was the easiest request to make. I’m not one to remember every detail of a book I read, so I can’t go over any changes that were made from indie to trad pub, but it was a 5-Star read then and it’s still a 5-Star read now. Maybe even more so because it felt like visiting old friends in a space of love.

To actually review the book, let me start by saying Dr. Finn Ashford is the brightest green flag in (fictional) existence. One of the themes of Millie’s character arc is learning that quiet strength is powerful, and it has meant so much to me. I love Millie with my whole heart, and there is no one I would trust with her more than Finn. On the flip side, there is no one I would trust to be everything Finn and Eloise and Avery need in their lives more than Millie. Their little family unit is incredibly special, and for those two young girls who have faced immense loss to be folded into Millie’s circle of family and found family is a goodness that can’t be understated. This book also has one of my favorite acts of service/caretaking scenes I’ve ever read. It’s so good.

Special shoutout to Micah, Emil, Lena (go read ‘Wreck My Plans’!), and the Oaks Folks family chat for being the best support group. I cannot wait for Fable and Theo’s book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a terrific romantic story. The story is funny, touching, sexy and a wonderful way for two people to get together and fall in love. I love the careers that the author pick for the characters, for some reason it add a touch of wonder to the characters. I also love the supporting characters who are funny and supportive especially when Millie starts getting bother by her ex. I love Millie's loving and supportive family who supports her but also supports Finn and his little girls. The story will make you smile while you read it.

I want to thank Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon and NetGalley for an advance copy of this terrific happily ever after.

Thank you SO MUCH to Avon and Harper Collins for giving me the great pleasure of reading this book early. All thoughts are my own!

I devoured this books in almost one sitting, same with Jillian’s other book Wreck My Plans! I actually finished both of them in less than 24 hours because I was deep obsessed with her writing. I adore these books with my whole heart, and I genuinely want to live in this world with these characters.

Millie is an extraordinary character. Following alongside her as she navigates through this book was so lovely and rewarding. She was already amazing at the beginning, but watching her journey as she grew into herself and found the strength to fight for her dream job on her own was amazing! I loved her very natural integration within Finn and the twins’ lives. She brought so much love with her as she built a bond with them all individually. The way she cared for Finn and supported him while he was adjusting to being the girls’ caregiver and the way she cared for those girls made me so emotional.

Finn is a that kind of MMC that makes me angry I’m single. He wears glasses and scowls COME ON. He’s an amazing guardian for the twins, and he pours so much love and care into their lives. He protects them with such a fierceness that I literally was crying. His journey dealing with the grief from his sister’s passing and transitioning into being his nieces’ parental figure was tender and real. That man loves Millie so much. He was so supportive of her throughout the whole book, and he loved her in big and small ways. The mixer?? The flowers?? The SOUP??

I loved the lack of a third act breakup so much. I genuinely think it was so good for this particular story and these characters to not have a conflict between Millie and Finn near the end. The conflict with Millie’s ex was more than enough for me. I loved how deep Millie and Finn’s connection was and how naturally it progressed. Their relationship is literally spectacular. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!

Jillian’s books are full of family and love and warmth!! She writes these stories that are deeply rooted in the love of family and friends. Her writing really grips my heart and keeps me so invested in these characters. I cannot wait to see what Jillian writes next.

I really enjoyed this woman in STEM romance from Jillian Meadows. It did start a little slow for me, but as it went on I realized that it was a single dad (well, Uncle, but who's counting) romance and I really started to fall in love with the characters. I enjoyed getting to know Finn and Millie and all of their friends. And Finn and Millie's romance was very swoon-worthy - it had all of the tropes I like (i.e. he falls first, he cooks for her, ooh - and cookie baking together!) and then some.

I very highly recommend this book by Jillian Meadows and I look forward to more!

I received an advanced copy of the rerelease of this book, this is my own opinion.

I love the new cover of this one!

Give Me Butterflies has
🦋annoying coworkers to lovers
🦋adorable children
🦋cute dates
🦋crappy family (his)
🦋crappy ex (hers)
🦋a handful of spicy scenes

I’m not sure what’s wrong with me, but I do love a grumpy man. Although, the real Finn isn’t as grumpy as Millie first believes. This book touches a bit on grief after the death of a sibling (off page) and a verbally abusive ex (who does reappear later) but is mostly likely and fluffy.

The Kylo Ren references and the way this is written gives me a sort of fanfic vibe (complimentary) so I think if you like Ali Hazelwood esque books, you’ll like this one.

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

Such a great first novel! The characters are engaging and have so much depth. The story flows very well and of course a beautiful Happily Ever After

Overall, I loved it. It seems like it’ll be a really sweet series to read.
Plus as the oldest of three daughters… I’m invested.
There has gotta be a slightly OCD veteran with PTSD and TBIs that needs Tess because she’s the only one who can handle him. Those men need older sisters, don’t know why, just a fact. 😂

Romance ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Laughing 😂
Crying ❌
Kicking Feet 🦶
Action ❌

3.5 ⭐️ | This is a really sweet romance with some emotional depth and a very swoon-worthy man. I very rarely say this but I think this could have been a little longer to spend more time in the pre-lust period when Millie thought Finn was a grumpy asshole. We moved so quickly past that phase that it felt like a trope for the sake of a trope. The relationship development was relatively fast for my taste.

Overall the writing was well done and Jillian knows how to write a hot nerd book boyfriend. This is a very solid, quick romance read so I would recommend it if you want something sweet (& a little spicy) with lower stakes. I enjoyed it enough that I will likely check out future books by this author. Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

📣 check this one out if you’re looking for a soft contemporary

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 do you call them lightning bugs or fireflies? I call them lightning bugs but my husband & my kids call them the latter.

Emotional heartstrings will likely get pulled with this one, people.

Jillian Meadows’ Give Me Butterflies gave me major Tarah DeWitt Savor It vibes—it’s funny, warm-hearted, soft, sweet, & sexy.

It’s apparently the author’s debut, which makes it particularly impressive, given that this book really comes out the gate firing on all contemporary romance cylinders.

There’s a grumpy astronomer, who’s actually a single dad of two nieces whose mother has just passed away. A cute & sunshine entomologist, who’s chasing her career goals after rescuing herself from a toxic ex. A couple of disastrous meet cutes. & some Tessa Bailey “he is absolutely wild for her” undertones.

Although I had a slight issue with the pacing, overall it’s a satisfying contemporary where the leads take the time to build a family together 🩷.

4.25 🩷. Out 01/21.

CWs: toxic ex & mom, grieving loss of sister.

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of a wall with a white, orange, & mint floral design.]

Cute and romantic, I loved how sweet of a romance this was, with some science involved. The heroine's job is a dream, and I love how she connects with the hero's two nieces. If you adore single dad/ single parent romance, then you'll love this one. A full review is coming to my Goodreads and Bookstagram.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for this arc!

super cute!

Thank you to Avon Books for sending me an e-ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

This book really warmed my heart and left me smiling! Millie and Finn’s story hit so many of my favorite tropes—grumpy x sunshine, found family, and even a "he falls first" dynamic. It had the perfect mix of depth and sweetness, making it a truly memorable read.

I adored Millie! She’s so strong in such a quiet, relatable way, recovering from an emotionally abusive relationship with the unwavering support of her friends and family. Her journey of healing felt authentic, and her determination to chase her dreams was inspiring. I couldn’t help but root for her the entire time.

And then there’s Finn. I absolutely loved him! Sure, he’s grumpy, but the love and care he shows his nieces melted my heart. He’s juggling so much—grief, responsibility, and his role at the museum—but underneath all that is a man who feels deeply and loves fiercely. Watching his walls come down as he let Millie in was such a treat.

I also loved how Millie and Finn balanced each other out. Their chemistry felt natural, and their banter was so much fun. The nieces added such a sweet touch to the story—it was adorable to see Millie and Finn work together to make a little family for those girls.

The book tackled some heavy topics, but it never felt overwhelming. The emotional moments were balanced beautifully with lighthearted ones, and it all came together in such a comforting, wholesome way. My only small complaint is that I wish we’d seen more of Millie’s professional journey and how she fought for the director position.

Overall, this was a heartwarming, emotional, and cozy read that left me feeling all the feels. Highly recommend it if you love sweet romances with depth and a bit of found family magic!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Millie and Finn were gorgeous together and the family they made with his nieces were sweet. For a debut novel I think Jillian Meadows should be proud of herself. However, I do think if this book has been picked up for a traditional publisher, then it needed a heavier edit. You could’ve cut 70 pages and the story would’ve been sharper.

The first 40% was a real slog as the pace dragged down, with the repetitious scenes of Millie coming over to Finn’s house to bake with the twins. Also, while I’m so glad we didn’t have to sit through endless chapters of ‘enemies’ and Millie quickly learned Finn wasn’t that grumpy nor hated her, the early lust/attraction meant there was nowhere to go so it dragged. Hurdles, such as the job stuff was dispensed with quickly so it just felt like being old repeatedly they’re lusting or yearning after each other. I really hated that Finn was useless to not learn to cook or deal with the household stuff that of course the sunshine-y woman comes in and fix for him and his nieces. It’s not that hard to follow a recipe or a video demo of cooking basic meals!

This book also delves into themes such as grief, domestic violence, but many of these threads were never quite fully realised or resolved in such a cartoonish matter (i.e. Millie’s ex-boyfriend). Perfectly fine and enjoyable but it really did lag in pace with plot threads never quite fully realised or put in to create tension but didn’t work. Despite it all I’d still be keen to read future books by this author to see how her writing develops with an editorial team behind her from the start.

Thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was such a beautiful story that I didn't know I needed. Millie is an entomologist and is working for a promotion at work. Finn is her grumpy coworker she she keeps accidentally running into in the most embarrassing situations. Including the fact that he's on the hiring committee.

Watching these two find their way to each other was such a heartwarming experience. It was so real and raw, and an emotional rollercoaster with every moment that brought them closer to being together. As Millie finds herself more comfortable with Finn and the girls, her past sneaks up on her. But this time, Finn is there, and she's more confident in herself too.