Give Me Butterflies
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I have some mixed feelings! Overall, I did enjoy this book, I liked Meadows writing and the story itself. I fell in love with all the characters and loved that it was dual POV, but there are some pros and cons with this one.
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This is a book for fans of AliH and I love her so I was excited! We have another amazing stem girlie and I enjoyed the butterfly and space aspect, but I do wish we would have dug deeper into the science. Along with dual POV we also get great chapter length, always a plus for me! There is some spice and I absolutely loved Millie’s family and all that they gave Finn, Ave, and El ♥️ I love the vulnerability that comes with raising kids, the questions, the fears, figuring out that it’s okay to put yourself first. I enjoyed how open Finn was and come on, a man in therapy *chefs kiss*. Finn also handled Millie’s anxiety so tenderly and he was always there to support her, but also knew that the support he needed to give may look different everyday and I really appreciated that. “Millie, don’t feel like you should have to go through life apologizing for things you didn’t do. Sometimes you don’t even need to apologize for things you did do.” Also, the mixer 🥹 you’ll see lol
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“Strength isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s a quiet power that isn’t so obvious to the world.”
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Here’s where it fell a little flat…I kinda felt like we jumped right in and I could have used a little more backstory or a little more build up, maybe a little insta love, but not enough to make me gag? Conversations would just stop abruptly and we would move on which took a minute to get used to. Like I said, overall I did enjoy it, but I think with a little more communication things could have gone more smoothly and moments felt a bit rushed. It kinda of reminded me of Just For The Summer where the romance came second. We worked through anxiety, past relationships, family issues, and grief with some romance and lovin mixed in lol I would recommend, but I don’t think it’ll stick with me forever, but I’ll definitely be reading the second! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Workplace, enemies-to-friend-zone-to-lovers, STEM MCs who are also quirky and nerdy in their own way, and – the clincher for me – a guardianship romance. Millie is up for a huge promotion at work, and the grumpy astronomer Finn is part of the hiring committee. After a meet-disaster, they slowly start spending more time together, building a friendship and realizing their first impressions of each other were both way off. Finn is struggling to parent his twin nieces following the loss of his sister, and Millie is recovering from a horrible toxic relationship, but even though they’re not looking for a relationship, they can’t deny the feelings they have for each other for long.

This book has all of the heart, humor, and steam I look for in a romance. I love watching MMCs be vulnerable and open about mental health, grief, and unexpected parenting/guardianship, so it’s no surprise I devoured this book in one day. Thank you to the author for initially sharing the review copy with me when self-publishing, and to Avon & Netgalley for the review copy for her traditional release.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Give me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows.

I appreciate that the author has a "Dear Reader" page in the beginning of the book. This page tells the reader that this book is intended for adult readers (18 years or older) as it contains explicit language and explicit, on page sexual content. This book also deals with grief of losing a sibling to cancer, emotional and verbal abuse, distant and verbally abusive parents, anxiety and brief moments of alcohol and drugs.

With that being said, I enjoyed seeing the main character blossom in the book. Millie is an entomology curator at a museum. Finn is a very grumpy single parent of his two nieces. This is a story about figuring out what is worth standing up for, moving forward from abusive relationships, and finding your core group of friends who will be there for you. Yes, there are a lot of heavy subjects, and it has quite a few steamy moments. But I did think it was worth reading even with all of those trigger warnings.

dnfed @ 8% which i really didn’t want to do because both characters had already seemed interesting and i was excited to see how their love would bloom but i noticed a part that felt pretty offensive.

here’s the part:
“Okay, sweetie. Don’t worry about anything and remember how special you are,” Mom reminds me.
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks. I’ll make sure to tell them you said I am special”.

with the word “special” being in intalics. as an autistic person, i find it quite offensive so i won’t be reading this any further. thank you for the arc read.

ARC Review

Give Me Butterflies is a cozy workplace romance. Finn is the Astronomy Director at the museum where he works and has recently become the guardian of two twin girls after his sister passes away. Millie is currently up for a promotion as the Entomology Director and is learning to love and find herself after a bad breakup.

There were so many things about this book I really enjoyed. I loved how initially Millie thought Finn was a big grump - but it just turned out he had a huge crush on her. It was giving very Ali Hazelwood Lite vibes. Finn ended up being a huge cinnamon roll and just the sweetest caregiver to his two nieces, Avery and Eloise.

I loved the passion Millie had for her work and her wonderful relationship with her family. The text messages were a fun detail and the scenes at her parents' house were some of my favorites. It made the story so warm and made me want to be an honorary Oaks family member.

This book did touch on some tough subjects, like grieving the death of a family member and overcoming a toxic past relationship. I thought the subjects were handled really well and helped the reader relate to Millie and Finn.

Finn's nieces were also so sweet. Writing children is TOUGH and I am always slightly hesitant when they're in romance books. But I think Avery and Eloise felt very age appropriate with their actions and dialogue. They were written very well and I loved them as characters.

While I enjoyed this book, it wasn't a huge wow for me. It felt like very standard without anything to hold it apart from other contemporary romances. Finn and Eloise had great tension but the spicy scenes felt a bit redundant at times.

If you like workplace romance with cinnamon roll heroes with glasses and endearing heroines, I think you'll enjoy this one!

This might have been the sweetest book I’ve read in 2024. It made me want to give the characters a great big hug.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: The Oaks Sisters character series. Book 1.

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book on Kindle. 🆓 on KU.

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Women in STEM, office romance, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, single dad.

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Millie thought Finn hated her - mostly because he was broody and rude every time they interacted. But after getting to know him, his moody exterior proves to be just a facade to hide a man struggling with parenting his nieces and letting people close.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This year is definitely the year of the nerdy, quiet MMC who steals my heart.

I have to say, I was pushed toward this book by its beautiful cover, and it didn’t disappoint. I loved every page - from the embarrassing meet cutes and continual run-ins to the way Finn fell so hard. I especially loved Finn’s nieces and their personalities.

The way this book was written felt real. Like two normal people falling in love. It was real and a little messy and overall felt like a great big hug.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶

4.5!
What an absolute fun giggly time ohmy aaah!! It also had me emotional!! I love when a romance book just takes you out from real life and gives you the best time ever!

I loved the sequencing of events and just everything made sense! I read this at the perfect time because who isn't a sucker for two nerds falling love <33

As a stem girly this just made me so happy and empowered!! I love how they communicated and worked things out!! Something so swoon worthy about them falling for each other and being honest about their feelings!!

Millie and Finn were just everything to me! Finn was the best and most wholesome uncle ever :( Millie fitting right in was just so heartwarming! It made my heart crack and feel so whole at the same time!! My first read from Jillian, and I can't wait to read Wreck My Plans!! :)) I highly recommend this book! A wholesome giggly romance, but it felt real at the same time! I can't wait to pick this up on release day and have it in my collection!!

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

The way I adore this book.

Every girl should be loved by a Finn(the main male character)

This tells the story of Millie and Finn. They work together at a museum. Millie is a ray of sunshine with a passion for insects and looking to advance to the Director of Entomology.

Then there is Finn, who is the handsome grump and nerdy astronomer. But behind that scowl, he is the single guardian of his sister's two little girls.

Millie and Finn crash into each other, literally a few times, and slowly get to really know one another. These two opposites end up putting each other together again.

I had happy tears through this whole book. It was so cute while touching on subjects such as anxiety, emotional abuse, and grief. But learning how to grow for yourself.

Like I said before, everyone deserves a Finn in their life 🖤

(Honestly, authors, please stop writing all these AMAZING book boyfriends. My standards are too high now!

Thank you Netgalley, publishers and Jillian Meadows for an ARC.

just wasn't for me and was not a book I personally enjoyed. I know there will be other readers out there that this will fit their style a lot better.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Give Me Butterflies might just be one of my favorite reads of the year. It is sweet and spicy workplace romance between an entomologist and astronomer at a museum. Reading this book was like being wrapped in a warm hug from your favorite person. Honestly, I could go on for pages and pages about all the things to love in this book.

Let’s start with the tropes. Inside Give Me Butterflies you will find: Workplace romance, Grumpy x Sunshine, he falls first, and found family. Bonus points for dual POV (my personal favorite way to read a romance), absolutely zero unnecessary drama or misunderstandings, and no third act break up (cue the confetti falling from the ceiling)!!

I loved every single one of the characters in this book (except for Kyle because he’s the worst). All the side characters seemed to have a purpose and actual standing in relation to the story and the main characters. Millie’s family and friends are so supportive and loving. Finn’s nieces were adorable and totally stole my heart from the beginning.

And now on to Millie and Finn. *sighs sweetly* These two were absolutely MADE FOR EACH OTHER! They each just fit so well into the other’s life without asking the other to have to bend to fit into theirs. Their relationship is fun and filled with flirty banter, cute nicknames, actual communication and conversation, and lots of chemistry and tension. When these two finally got together 🥵🔥🌶️

It was so refreshing to read a book depicting such a loving and supportive relationship that prioritizes mental health and self care. Especially when it is written so beautifully. The pacing of the story was excellent too. Nothing felt out of place. In fact, I could have read about these characters for even longer.

This was the debut novel from Jillian Meadows and I absolutely am adding her to my auto-buy list! 5 stars.

Give Me Butterflies was a sweet romance. It features some of my favorite tropes found family, grumpy sunshine. It was definitely a fluffier read that gave me butterflies

This Story literally has me smiling from ear to ear the whole time!

4% into this book and not even done with the first chapter and I’m cracking up at Millie’s & Fins banter. Literally highlighting everything , I have NEVER highlighted so much in my life! All the nerdy references are hilarious. This is such a beautiful story, relatable, heartwarming, absolutely steamy and so much pining and just all the things!!! I’m absolutely and utterly obsessed with there story! In the top favorites of the year!

The inner monologue *chefs kiss*!!!
-The Frozen scene with Millie, Avery & Elle so adorable!! Specially that specific chapter being from Fins point of view!
-The cookie dough!!!! Ahhhh!!!
-“You Feel Like Mine”
-The “date” he planned!!! Ahhhhh!!!
“The desk part!! Omygahhh

Sweet but a little light on substance for me. Would still recommend for patrons looking for a romcom with two STEM leads!

I really enjoyed the writing style of this particular novel. I enjoyed how there was different types of media included in the pages. I think the author did an excellent job at character building. I am adding Jillian Matthews to my list of authors to look out for in regards to more books in the future.

This was such a cutesy little story and I just haven’t been able to get over it! It’s a single guardian workplace romance where they both WORK IN A MUSEUM. She’s a sunshine-y entomologist and he’s a grumpy astronomer.

There were so many times while reading the banter, I just had to stop reading and stare into space while I picked my jaw off the floor and my blush faded. Finn falls HARDDDD and it’s just so swoon-worthy!

There were so many fantastic nicknames exchanged between Finn and Millie and I couldn’t get enough of them. I also loved the little email and text group chats between Finn and Millie and Millie and her family. They were so entertaining and cuteeee! Also there may or may not have been some ravishing happening in an aisle of a bookstore…..🤭

If you want a romance that will leave you kicking your feet squealing with found family, baking together, anxiety and grief reps, workplace romance, and realllyyyy cute little girls, go preorder Give Me Butterflies ASAP!

Thank you Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this wonderful e-ARC! I can’t wait to get my hands on this in January!

When her boss retires, Millie is up for a potential promotion to the Director of Entomology position at the museum where she works, but Finn the grumpy and hot Director of Astronomy is on the interview panel. She keeps having literal and figurative run ins with Finn and begins to catch feelings once she meets his sweet nieces who Finn has been raising since his sister died. Finn, meanwhile, fears a romance will distract him from his duties to his nieces.

There’s lots to love about this book. Finn and Millie make a cute couple who engage in great banter once their romance gets cooking. Finn’s nieces are adorable and it’s a pleasure seeing Millie integrate them into her life. The STEM aspects work well, and an entomologist heroine was super fun. Millie’s friends and family are interesting and supportive characters who help create a warm and welcoming story world. Millie’s baking and obsession with almond croissants creates a delicious motif. There’s even a cookie recipe in the back of the book. Multiple epilogues (one week, two months, and three years later) nicely cement Millie and Finn’s happily-ever-after. Spicy romance lovers are bound to appreciate the numerous love scenes.

Millie’s ex-boyfriend’s vendetta felt forced, especially how it played out. There’s a scene involving a tattoo that was poorly researched. As much as I liked watching Millie and Finn fall in love, some of date scenes and love scenes felt gratuitous as they didn’t significantly advance the plot. The interview process was unrealistically drawn out. For me, the book was a three and a half star read, rounded up to four.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Avon, an imprint of HarperCollins, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was cute! I appreciated having a female main character in STEM.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

I love this book!

It's so fun and quirky yet tackle enough emotional depth. I love our backdrop of working in a museum because it's so surreal to see people working there, and such a fun job.

I love Finn, he's so gentle and sweet and softie in the inside. How he handled the guardianship of the girls were such a remarkable thing to see in paper, and how he juggled everything in-between, he's so strong! Millie entered there life so seamlessly that she fit right in and added great balance to the dynamic. Let me tell you, the romance was good to the point that I was squeling and giggling, kicking my feet.

I'm a complete sucker for hot single guardian romance books and this indie-authored debut by Jillian Meadows was top notch!! Millie and Finn had the perfect forbidden workplace romance that I couldn't help wholeheartedly cheering for from the first page to the last! Huge kudos to the author for writing a highly relatable and important story about a woman in STEM dealing with a toxic relationship, gaslighting and feelings of inadequacy who despite all that still finds a man who thinks she hangs teh moon. This dual POV love story gave me all the feels and is perfect for fans of authors like Katie Golightly or Hannah Bonam-Young. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book gave me butterflies!! I don't remember the last time a romance had me actually squealing out of cuteness.

Right off the bat, I relate to Millie as I, too, require caffeine and an almond croissant to start my week off right. Our FMC was relatable and all the feelings she was experiencing were described so well I felt like i was actually her. So much of this book felt like it could have been something that happened to a friend of mine and it felt very comforting. Also, the pop culture references in this book were top-tier and I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Fav quote from Finn: " I want to meet your people so they can be my people, too"