What do you get when an entomologist spills coffee on an astronomer’s planet tie? Found family, grumpy x sunshine, and a beautifully crafted story with no third act breakup in sight! If you haven’t already, add this to your TBR! 📚

Set in a museum, this workplace romance follows the story of Finn and Millie, two lovably quirky main characters. Millie is a driven individual who is committed to paving her own path in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She is determined and willing to go the extra mile, despite finding herself fresh out of a toxic relationship. Finn’s tough exterior hides a heart of gold, especially when it comes to raising his adorable nieces and honoring his late sister’s wishes. Despite coming from an extremely toxic family, he is thoroughly dedicated to those girls and their well-being. This story is truly about the development of the main characters as they figure out how to rely on each other during difficult times.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Give Me Butterflies follows Millie as she tries to navigate interviewing for her dream job and falling in love with a member of her comittee. It was was cute, albeit a little predictable (not a bad thing in this case). If you're looking for a hallmark/lifetime movie style romcom with STEM characters, this is perfect. Just enough tension to keep you hooked, and if you don't love Eloise and Avery, you're lying to yourself!

To begin this review, I must say that this book is nearly flawless in my opinion. While I understand that reading preferences vary, this story stands out as exceptional in every aspect I can think of. The plot was captivating from start to finish, allowing readers to accompany the main characters on their journey from adversaries to lovers. The character development was outstanding, featuring a male lead who not only takes his nieces in as his own but is also handsome, intelligent, protective, and willing to grow from his mistakes. Additionally, the female protagonist is witty, clever, and experiences significant growth throughout the story. What I appreciated most was how the romance and steamy scenes felt organic and integral to the plot, rather than forced or hurried. I eagerly anticipate reading more from this series and this author.

This is a perfect fit for readers who adore slow-burn, single guardian romances with a healthy dose of humor, swoony moments, and emotional depth, particularly those who enjoy stories about overcoming grief, finding confidence, and the joy of workplace romances.

Millie and Finn

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

There are some trigger warnings that should be read. I think the author did a fantastic job handling the sensitivity of the issues that are discussed in the book.

I knew this book was going to be great because I had already listened to Wreck your Plans on audiobook before I got the ARC of this book.

I was able to listen to the audiobook and read along to the ebook and it’s so good.

I cried, I laughed and just plained loved this book.

Millie is working her way to being the Entomology Director of the museum she works for. She is striving for this position because she knows she will excel in that position that she has dreamed about. There is nothing and no one who can distract from her dream.

Well almost no one.

Finn is the director of the astronomy department of the museum and is set in his ways. He seems to always be in a foul mood and Millie sometimes gets some of his glowers her way for being well herself. Finn has taken on the responsibility of raising his nieces after his older sister passes from cancer and is dealing with his mother and father throwing that decision into his face more times than he can count.
Yet the sunshine of Millie attracts Finn so much he feels her pull from the moment he laid eyes on her.

The narrators are so good! If you can listen to the audiobook please do.

Definite recommend, if you want to swoon and laugh and maybe even tear up a bit. Please read this book.


🦋Grumpy/sunshine
🪐Found family.
🦋Stem FMC
🪐He fell first.

Yes to it all! Can’t wait for the next book! 😁

Would I recommend? Yep!
Would I re-read? Also yes esp whenever book 2 comes out.

I absolutely adored this book. The author gave strong backstories to both the FMC and MMC, and in addition to a sweet and steamy romance there was a really heartwarming theme of the role of found family. There was a bit of righteous justice that really scratched an itch for me, and I was bought fully into every part of the story.

4 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Fuck all the stars, baby, all I see is you." - Finneas Ashford

Where do I even start? LONG LIVE FINN AND MILLIE! ♥️

Give Me Butterflies is a grumpy x sunshine, slow-burn workplace romance set within the world of STEM careers. Millie and Finn work at the same museum, Millie being an entomology curator and Finn being the director of the astronomy department. While Millie is about all the small creatures of the earth, Finn has always been about the stars. Their two worlds seem so very opposite, yet their love blossoms into a supernova.

Yet, it's not just about their romance; there are also themes of family and healing. Finn is a full-time caregiver to his two young nieces, Avery and Eloise, and the way Millie bonds with them is nothing short of magical. She helps the girls explore their confidence and carefree sides while they unlock Millie's nurturing and maternal side.

TW: This book also deals with themes such as trauma from past relationships, loss, and self-doubt. All while maintaining a balance between emotional depth and lightness with humor.

This book completely melted my heart. The tension between Millie and Finn was so beautifully paced, and the workplace setting really added a unique dynamic. Being a museum lover, I adored their story 🫶 I'm already dreaming of the future Finn and Millie cameos... maybe even with a little one of their own?

Thank you so very much to the author, Avon, Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for the advance copy!

I have been very eager for this new pub release from Jillian Meadows! It’s a museum workplace romance between a bespectacled, single guardian (of twin girls!), Director of Astronomy and a bug-loving Entomologist…be still my STEM girlie heart!! Do I even need to say anything else?

Dr. Finn Ashford and Millie Oaks are just the cutest grumpy/sunshine pairing, and I was immediately pulled into their story. Both are on their own healing journeys, but when an unlikely friendship sparks between the two of them, I could do nothing more than stare with hearts in my eyes as their story unfolded. The twins, Avery and Eloise, were beyond precious, and I loved the way both Finn and Millie were with the girls. There were so many sweet and caring moments between all of them, and then Finn and Millie together…it just made my heart melt. I love them so much, and this book is seriously like a warm hug. There are some heavier moments involving grief, but it is beautifully done.

The secondary characters were so entertaining, and Millie’s family is absolutely delightful. I can’t wait to see more of them all!!

𝚝 𝚛 𝚘 𝚙 𝚎 𝚜:
🪐 grumpy x sunshine
🦋 single guardian (uncle)
🪐 workplace romance
🦋 found family
🪐 STEM rep!

If you're into:
STEM romance
Opposites attract
Grumpy/sunshine dynamic
Guardian MMC
This is the book for you.

This book was such a sweet surprise. Both of the main characters work in STEM at a science museum, which was a refreshing change of pace. The FMC works with butterfly curation, a detail I really enjoyed, and she’s aiming for a promotion. The MMC is in a higher position and, at first, serves on the hiring committee for her promotion. I really appreciated how broody, tall, and serious the MMC was, especially in contrast to the FMC, who was bright, outgoing, and full of energy. Their early interactions were fun and highlighted the "opposites attract" dynamic perfectly.
The MMC also takes on the role of guardian to his late sister’s kids, and his grief and backstory gave a lot of depth to his character and helped explain his reserved nature.
The slow-burn romance worked so well, giving them time to build a connection, bond with the kids, and let their feelings grow naturally before diving into anything. Once they finally gave in to the chemistry between them, the tension was palpable, and the steamy scenes were definitely worth the wait. The moments with the kids were incredibly heartwarming, and I loved seeing them form a little family. The mental health and therapy representation was also a thoughtful addition.
Overall, this was a really cute and touching romance. Big thanks to Avon for the eARC—the bonus scene in the new version was absolutely adorable!

I really enjoyed this book yall! It was definitely a noticed by the cover but stayed for the plot and characters. I LOVE when we have a misunderstood grump. And that's what Finn is yall- a misunderstood grump going through the literal wringer in his personal life. I absolutely loved the found family aspect in this one. I really liked our FMC Millie. She was on a mission to prove that she could do things that she set her mind to. She didn't need anyone's assistance. She was on the other side of a terrible relationship and still trying to get her confidence back. The meet cute in this one was hilariously terrible. And it just kept getting worse for them. It made me smile though when Finn reached out with an olive branch and their relationship evolved from there. Even though Finn wasn't really a grump, he had lost his dimmer. He had tragedy in his life that ended up with him being the sole person responsible for his nieces. Millie was definitely his sunshine. The build up between them was cute. The fake date to throw off that Millie like his made me laugh. I liked Millie's friends and how everyone could see where this thing between them was going but she couldn't- or really didn't want to. I feel like I was smiling throughout most of this book and at some points when Finn talked dirty a fan of the face was also happening haha.

Millie has her sights set on becoming director of the entomology department. She has earned it. But she has a few random things happen right before her interview that make her think certain things about her coworker Finn Ashford. UGH he is the worst. Why are the hot ones always the worst? AND he is on her interview committee to determine about this job. GREAT. But then her surprises her by extending an olive branch. Which turns into her realizing that he has custody of his two nieces and seems to be drowning in all the changes his life has had recently. So she does what her parents taught her and is neighborly. She comes over to make dinner with them. She has dance parties with his nieces. She has FUN. This dinner thing becomes a regular event. She is starting to look forward to it more and more. She is starting to notice the way that Finn is looking at her because it's how she is looking at him. But they can't be more. He is one of the people deciding her future at work. She will not let that taint what she has earned. So friends they shall be. But then he keeps pushing for more. He does all of these cute things no one has done for her before. He tells her he pulled off the committee because he wanted more. The more she learns the more she realizes she can't fight it anymore. And what they share is sooo hot and amazing and wonderful! All seems to be going well until things shift unexpectedly one night between them. Finn is giving her the cold shoulder without an explanation? She is trying go to give him space while also wondering are they ending before they really even got going?

Finn is in a bit of a rut. Not really a rut but more of an adjustment. He lost his sister several months ago and is adjusting to the fact that it is just him and his nieces now. His family was never involved and he has no ideas that they will be. He wants them to know nothing but love. Meanwhile at work he keeps having these horrible scenarios with his coworker Millie. A hit in the nose. A fender bender. He thinks she has the wrong impression of him so gets her a small gift and now things have shifted between them. Millie is working camp with his nieces and somehow ends up at their house for dinner, and man does it feel right. She helps them cook. She plays with his nieces. This becomes a regular thing. Everyone is getting used to her being around. Finn can't help but want more. She is perfect. But she has walls up. She is coming out of a bad relationship. She is working towards a promotion- he has already dropped out of the committee though. He won't take no for an answer. So she caves and what they share is nothing short of perfect. They go to her family's farm. His nieces are in love. It is all going great- but then the line of his responsibilities and Millie get crossed. And Finn gets freaked because he can't lose focus of his priorities now. Will he lose Millie before they really started? Or recognize that he can balance both.

This was a very cute intro to a new world with great characters. I can't WAIT to read Lena's book (Wreck My Plans) and LOVED the snippets we got about Theo and Fable (Millie's sister). I would definitely recommend this for a STEM romance with some nice spice that makes your heart flutter with happiness majority of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jillian for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

this book was absolutely amazing and i devoured it in less than 2 days. i loved the grumpy sunshine aspects, and we love to see women in STEM. millie and finn were just so sweet to each other. i couldn’t help but laugh and cry along with the characters. i definitely cannot wait to read more books by jillian meadows

Such a wholesome & beautiful story. 😭😭 I loved every minute. Finn and Millie were just amazing, and I wanted to just wrap myself up in their love.

We love Women in STEM & as a fellow bug girlie I LOVED this one 🦋 I wanna be Miss Millie when I grow up🪲🐝🐛 I think an entomologist & an astronomer together is such a cute couple pairing idk I’m obsessed with the nerdy workplace romance
🦋🌎🪲🌙🐝🪐🐛🌕🐞☄️🐌✨🕷️☀️
I love the chemistry between Millie & Finn, Finn’s relationship with his nieces, & how tender Millie is with the girls. The importance of family is really big here & I really enjoyed it.
Also, yessss short chaptersss

"Give Me Butterflies" was cute, wholesome, and packed a surprising emotional punch. I loved this books, and I can't wait to read what else Jillian Meadows writes.

First, it's worth noting that I love when romcom protagonists have fun professions. I loved getting glimpses into Millie and Finn's lives as museum curators/directors. Given that a big part of this book was Millie trying to get promoted to department head, I actually wish we got a little more about Finn and Millie doing their jobs in the book.

In general, I loved the chemistry between Millie and Finn and also both Millie and Finn's relationships with Finn's nieces. While this is generally a lighthearted book, and I wouldn't say this is a book about grief, I loved the way that healing after grief was a big part of this book. I appreciate when some books with a similar "suddenly a full time parent" trope really focus on the struggles that come with that, but I also really liked how "Give Me Butterflies" addressed those same themes in a way that was really hopeful and full of love.

This book is mainly about the romance, while it doesn't shy away from the personal struggles and areas of growth of the protagonists, the characters are pretty self-actualized by the time we meet them. I mean that as a compliment, I really enjoyed the wholesome energy of this book. Wholesome energy is feeling really needed in January 2025.

I do think that for a book basically advertised as enemies to lovers, Finn switched from the mildly annoyed/grumpy camp to completely head over heels camp really quickly. I wouldn't have hated a little bit more tension simmering before he realized his feelings. However, he was so down bad. And I do love a man who's down bad.

4.5 stars (May bump up to 5, we'll see).

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

TROPES
🥐 Workplace Romance
🥐 Found Family
🥐 Single Guardian
🥐 STEM Romance

As a museum lover, this was an instant add to my TBR. Millie and Finn work at the same museum, but in different departments. When their paths keep crossing, the two become friends, and then something more.

Millie is a great character to be in the head of. Her inner monologues are things I find myself saying, and her fears are real. She’s worked hard to find herself outside of a toxic relationship, and she doesn’t let herself fall back into it, even when her situation could encourage it. I think it’s important to see her experience documented, as she isn’t the first and won’t be the last woman to have to endure it. As someone who also doesn’t talk to their parents, I feel for Finn. It isn’t something he enjoys or likes, but he is protecting himself and his nieces, and I’m always happy and thankful to see that represented.

I love the ease at which Millie and Finn’s relationship blooms. They just steadily intertwin their lives until they realize they don’t want to undo it. While they’ve been surviving, they thrive with the help of the other, and it’s nice to see people come together like that. Finn may be one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read, simply because of how smooth he is, even when he’s sick.

Give Me Butterflies is a cute, GrumpyxSunshine, workplace romance where the two start out not initially getting along, but along the way, the relationship between the two changes to become very sweet and wholesome. There was so much support between the two, no matter what struggles they faced, including grief over the loss of a loved one, an ex who just won't leave, and familial problems. I also really appreciated that there was no third act break up, because both of our main characters were very mature and, for the most part, they knew how to communicate with each other, leading to a healthy relationship.

I didn't even realize that this book was a debut book, because it was so much better than most of the other debuts that I've read, and even better than other books that I've read by other authors who have been putting out books for years. This book is the first in the series, and the next book will be based around our FMC's sister, and the brother of her childhood friend, and considering how much I enjoyed this book, I will be keeping an eye out for that book.

Final Rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Jillian Michaels, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

I loved this book so much! It was such a sweet and swoon romance. I can’t wait to get a trophy copy for my shelves.

I had no idea what to expect from this one. But the idea of found family and rivals to lovers intrigued me.

This was almost a 5 star read for me. And it could be for any of you. The only reason I ended up giving this one 4 stars was because some of the spicy scenes were a tad too vivid for my taste.

Seriously though, it was a great pace, laugh out loud banter, single guardian and so many swoony lines..this read was like a warm hug.

Thank you.

Literally laugh out loud funny in so many parts. I absolutely fell in love with Finn and Millie. Their frenemies banter had me rolling. Don’t get it wrong though….this book definitely deals with some serious subjects but manages to handle them with large doses of friendship and humor. Nerds of the world rejoice! Board games, museum humor, books, and bugs!!’
It’ also got lots of spice…..which I can take or leave in my romantic comedies. The spicy aspects did not affect my rating.
The author was kind enough to leave trigger warnings in the beginning of the book. Which I always appreciate so I know going in I may or may not be able to handle some aspects of the book.
All in all was a quick and fun read for me and I can’t wait to read the rest of the Oaks Sisters stories.
I received and ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the dynamic and build up of the relationship from Millie and Finn. I love a protective man, and I really enjoyed men that are written that take care of children that aren't "theirs". Definitely didn't like Finns family, but Millies was phenomenal.