This is definitely a grumpy/sunshine romance that has pop culture references from Star Wars (Kyle Ren), and Star Trek (Spock). It had me smiling a decent amount of the times. I do recommend reading the “dear reader” portion in the front becuase it does mention some sensitive topics that might have you uneasy. Over all I really enjoyed the writing style and I am not going to lie if I had no idea when I picked this up it was a debut novel and I never would have guessed. The cover drew me in and the content made me stay! If you like the STEM type of books from Ali Hazelwood then definitely try this becuase it’s cute, sweet and spicy! Just what a book lover wants!

This was such a surprise fun read for me. I was super interested in the storyline when I read the blurb and boy did it not disappoint. It's such a cute, swoony and a little bit spicy office/workplace romance. This story revolves around Millie and Finn is the perfect grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Millie is applying for a promotion at the museum and Finn is part of the interview committee. They didnt have a good start with Finn being too much of a grump but eventually they become friends and then surprise! Lovers too. I like the relationship that Millie had with Finn's nieces. They're so cute on how they easily bonded with Millie. I also love Millie's family and their hilarious group text chain. Overall, it's just a good and too cute nerdy romance with a hint of spice. The whole time U was reading the book, I had a constant smile, giggling and kicking my feet. Definitely recommend it!

Really enjoyed this! Lighthearted while still juggling some heavier topics, but overall it was low angst and just very cute. Exactly what I was looking for.

My only real feedback was that the relationship felt a bit forced in the beginning and seemingly developed out of nowhere. I found Finn’s character to be a little confusing. He was seemingly the biggest grump ever, and then suddenly incredibly sweet. It was a bit like getting whiplash. But when he was being really sweet I was so in love. I loved the dynamic with his nieces and the sense of found family.

4ish stars. Give Me Butterflies is a grump/sunshine romance between museum curators (he's an astronomer, she's an entomologist), that had its serious moments, but all in all, had me smiling throughout the entire book. Even though Finn is a supreme grump, he falls first and falls hard. And who doesn't love that? But the main reason I enjoyed this book as much as I did is the kids! Finn is a single parent and every scene with his kids was pure platinum. And especially those scenes between his kids and Millie, the female lead. I loved watching their relationships develop. But truly, those adorable girls made this book for me.

If I had to choose one word to describe this book, it would be sweet. In fact, Give Me Butterflies is so sweet, you'll end up with a tooth ache (not really, but it is quite sweet). Honestly, this book reminded me of something Sarah Adams would write, except that it's open door, complete with several spicy scenes. This is Meadows's debut novel, and in some ways, I do think it reads like a debut novel. Parts of it felt a bit paint by numbers in the sense that tropes or scenes felt thrown in because they would be popular and not necessarily 100% organic to the story. That said, I think this is a really solid debut. So much so that I 100% want to continue with this series and read the future books (assuming the other Oak sisters get books of their own). Honestly, Give Me Butterflies was an enjoyable and easy read, and I cannot overstate how nice it is to read enjoyable and easily readable books. Truly, books like this are why I read the romance genre.

Thank you so much to Meadows, Avon, and netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

she had me at Darcy hand flex, y’all! 😍

this perfectly sweet & smart debut in two words is: delicious + delightful. I seriously could not stop grinning with giddiness as I read this one omg! Finn and Millie & Co have a whole heaping helping of my heart and soul. the quirkiness, the banter, the proximity of the museum moments, the twin girlies, the friend gang, the Oak fam texts, the finger licking baked goodness!!! 🤭🫠

y’all. it‘s a 𝗧𝗢𝗣 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 of the year for me. the evidence is in my scribbled love notes! go bless yourself with the butterflies in these words, but then come back so we can squeal and swoon together! 💚

“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘮𝘦. 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘺 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩.
𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘸𝘢𝘺.”

𝘁 𝗿 𝗼 𝗽 𝗲 𝘀 :
🪴 grumpy x sunshine
🦋 single guardian
🥐 smart workplace rom
🌌 forced proximity
🤍 found family

DNF @ 21%.

I don't dislike this book, it is just not what I was looking for at the moment - there are heavier topics that I was expecting for a romance read.

We drop into a story already in progress which I enjoyed, but I didn't really feel an instant connection to any of the characters.

I do look forward to picking this back up in the future, it is just not for me right now.

Projected rating 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this ARC.
"Give Me Butterflies" by Jillian Meadows offers a charming take on young love and self-discovery, but it doesn't fully hit the mark. The story follows a relatable protagonist as she navigates the ups and downs of adolescence, complete with first crushes and personal challenges.

Meadows' writing is engaging, and some moments are beautifully captured, particularly the protagonist's emotional journey. However, the plot can feel predictable at times, and certain character developments lack depth. While the supporting characters add some interest, they sometimes feel underdeveloped and could have benefited from more exploration.

3.75 ⭐️

This was such a fun debut book.

Millie is an entomologist and Finn is an astrologist. Millie thinks Finn is this grumpy guy that works in astrology, but he goes deeper than that. One fateful day at summer camp, opens Millies eyes into Finn's life. This is the beginning of their relationship.

The relationship that is created between Millie and Finn is a healthy one. They communicate well and it wasn't completely perfect - there were a few bobbles, but they worked through them together. There was great balance between Millie and Finn getting to know each other but also blending in Finn's two nieces. By the end of the book, we had a really well made family. There were quite a few characters but I never felt confused and enjoyed the way they were all woven into the story.

While there isn't a huge conflict or third act breakup, both Millie and Finn had their own issues to overcome. We have a toxic ex, who irritates you when he shows up. There is also a set of toxic AF parents, but the character is able to stand up to them and create those boundaries.

Pacing was a little bit slow at times. I think Finn was just a bit too perfect and too much book boyfriend, but I still ate it up.

*thank you Avon and NetGalley for the eArc. This review is my own thoughts and opinions*

I don’t even really know what to say about this book other than it’s simply amazing. The chemistry the two main characters have with one another is off the charts and the way that they build each other up and support one another is beautiful. The invisible string theory goes hard in this book and I cried no less than four times throughout it because the story was so beautiful and heartwarming. These characters were truly made and written to be each other’s soulmate in a way that is very hard to find in a lot of other romance books.

13/10 absolutely recommend. I will be shouting my love for this book from the rooftops for all to hear.

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon books for the E-ARC!

I loved this book. A perfect mix of grumpy x sunshine, single guardian, museum romance. I can’t wait for her next book!

I throughly enjoyed this read. I loved the dynamic between Millie and Finn’s nieces. The author did a great job keeping me interested and I ended up finishing the story in one sitting. I highly recommend to anyone who loves stem romance.

What a treat—- a romance of two nerds! Minus one star for pretty spiced up SMUT but plus one star for absolutely hysterical family group chat. Minus one star for oatmeal raisin cookie slander. Plus one star for realistic child dialogue.

Millie is up for a big promotion, spills coffee on a sexy astronomer coworker and they fall in love. Her specialty is bugs. Finn has two little nieces that are very cute, twins he was given custody of after his sisters untimely death from pancreatic cancer. I loved the scenes with the girls, the plot was unique but all the contemporary romcom tropes we know and love.

Thanks to @netgalley and @avonbooks for the ARC. Book to be published Jan 21,2025.

#booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #booklover #arcreview #booktok #netgalley #bookrecommendations #GiveMeButterflies

Give Me Butterflies is a delightful addition to the slow-burn romance genre, reminiscent of Ali Hazelwood's captivating style. The dual POV offers a rich and immersive experience, allowing us to delve into the minds of both Millie and Finn.

Millie, the dedicated entomology curator, is a relatable and inspiring protagonist. Her passion for her work and her unwavering determination to succeed are admirable. Finn, the grumpy astronomer, adds a layer of complexity to the story with his well-crafted character arc. His struggles with grief and his love for his nieces lend a depth to his personality that makes him both intriguing and sympathetic.

The relationship between Millie and the girls is heartwarming, to say the least. Their interactions are filled with genuine affection and humor, adding a touch of sweetness to the story. The decision to make Finn a single guardian rather than a parent is a unique and refreshing choice that adds a layer of realism and emotional depth to the narrative.

The novel's exploration of grief and trauma within the context of parenting is particularly poignant. The way Millie and Finn navigate their challenges is both heartwarming and inspiring. The supporting characters, including Millie's meddling friends and Finn's adorable nieces, add depth and humor to the story.

Give Me Butterflies is a beautifully written story that will leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. The characters are well-developed and relatable, the romance is slow-burn perfection, and the emotional depth is truly captivating. This book is perfect for STEM-enthusiasts and fans of slow-burn romance!

This was SO CUTE. We love STEM and space and butterflies!!

I'm not sure how I missed that this was single guardian story but oh the scream I scrumpt!!! And he has glasses! And a BEARD. With cheesy space ties and punny space shirts. He was made for me, frankly!!

Millie girl! So supportive and kind. Willing to fight tooth and nail for what she wants. Unknowingly brave.

I loved this story of grief and healing. Of humor and seeing your person for who they are and celebrating that. They were so supportive of each other in every way and I just loved the way they kept showing up for the other.

And those two little girls! I love them so much. I hope to see more of them in what I am hoping is Fables story next 👀

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I refuse to believe this is Jillian Meadow's first book, because it is absolute perfection!! I adored all of the characters and the banter was beautiful! This is a "he falls first," STEM romance with a twist on the "single dad" trope. The female main character embodies what it means to be a strong, independent woman who finally gets her happily ever after. This book left me giggly and happy at the end. I am already pre-ordering her next novel!!

This is a sweet and adorable romance set in the STEM world that follows Millie, a natural science curator, as she pursues a promotion at work! On her way to the interview she runs into the car of her grumpy coworker, Finn, and spills her favorite coffee (no 💔😭). So begins a 4 week trial period for Millie in the new position and spending more time with Finn, especially after meeting his twin nieces who he now has custody over after losing his sister to cancer.

Some of the themes in this novel are heavy such a grief/loss, misogyny, and emotional/mental abuse. However, I felt that Jillian Meadows depicted these heavy themes in a respectful and realistic way that also demonstrated good communication between the characters.

This is a slow burn romance and I didn't love the intimacy scenes. I also felt that the ending was really drawn out and could have been cut ~50 pages.

Thank you Avon and Harper Muse for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when an adorably nerdy entomologist crosses paths with a scowling astronomy buff, Give Me Butterflies is the answer—and it's everything you never knew you needed! Millie and Finn’s love story is like a delightful bug-and-constellation-themed rom-com, full of charm, humor, and a surprising number of accidental collisions in museum hallways. Seriously, these two are magnets for chaos and chemistry.

Millie is the kind of protagonist who just gets you: passionate about her work (bugs, obviously!), filled with dreams of museum-director glory, and determined not to let anything distract her. Except, of course, for Finn. He’s the grumpy guy with electric blue eyes, a collection of astronomy ties that would make Carl Sagan weep with joy, and a glare that could probably shoo away a swarm of bees. He’s also dealing with some serious life stuff, like grieving his sister and learning the delicate art of not burning dinner (he’s still working on it, bless his heart).

Their dynamic is a classic case of sunshine and storm cloud—Millie is all bright smiles and optimism, while Finn’s over here like, “Please stop being so cheerful, it’s ruining my scowl.” And yet, fate (or the museum’s interview committee) throws them together, and what follows is a slow-burn romance that’s both heartwarming and hilarious.

The museum setting adds a quirky, charming backdrop for their budding romance. Millie’s love for bugs is infectious (pun fully intended), and Finn’s journey from surly astronomer to soft-hearted uncle trying to win over his nieces is both sweet and relatable. I mean, how can you not root for a guy who’s trying to make his nieces smile while simultaneously fending off feelings for the human sunshine that is Millie?

Meadows strikes the perfect balance between humor, heart, and the kind of swoon-worthy moments that give you, well, butterflies. There’s just something about watching these two opposites attract while navigating grief, career ambitions, and their mutual (initial) annoyance with each other that makes this book so enjoyable.

Give Me Butterflies is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud romance that’ll have you rooting for Millie and Finn from the first page to the last awkward museum encounter. It’s cute, quirky, and leaves you grinning long after the final chapter. Highly recommended for anyone who’s ever found themselves falling for the person they least expected—or who simply loves a good nerdy romance with a side of bugs and stars.

Give Me Butterflies is a super cute & hilarous workplace romance that will tug at your heartstrings. I loved the museum setting and the hint of STEM - Finn is the director of the astronomy department, and Millie works in the entomology department and is applying to be the director.

All of the characters in this book are honestly precious. Finn absolutely made me swoon with his two nieces that he took custody of after their mother died. They’re still dealing with the grief from that, while Millie is dealing with some past trauma from her ex boyfriend. The two of them fit together so well and almost brought a tear to my eye many times.

This was an amazing debut from Jillian Meadows and I’m looking forward to reading more!

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

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows is a superlative STEMinist contemporary romance that will be perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood.

This story was hilarious filled with modern references that millennial readers will get a kick out of - I was a huge fan of the family group chat/texts, the relationship our MMC has with his nieces, and the character development our FMC goes through after getting out of an abusive relationship.

This book reminded me a bit of Ali Hazelwood's Bride without the paranormal aspects. I had such a fun time getting to know Millie Oaks and following her story as a woman in STEM hopeful to be promoted to the director of her department. Her office crush Finn gives us all the green flags, especially watching him take care of his nieces who he has custody over after his dear sister Clara loses her battle with cancer. The entire Oak family is a HOOT, and I look forward to reading more about what her sisters Fable and Tessa go through.

I highly recommend this book to those who love the STEMinist. This one is hilarious without being cheesy.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and Miss Jillian Meadows for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback - I look forward to reading more from this author!

A lovely workplace romance that deals with one overwhelmed hero Finn and a heroine who is sunshine but insecure Millie. What's starts as friendship soon develops into more as the couple learn to support each other through their various emotions. Not necessarily a light hearted read but very heartfelt.

#netgalley #GiveMeButterflies