After not fully connecting with JM’s Wreck My Plans, I was a bit hesitant to dive into this one — but I’m so glad I did. Give Me Butterflies is everything I want in a romcom. It's the perfect mix of sweetness and spice, but what really sets it apart is the depth of the story and the development of the main characters. I may have teared up a bit learning about their backstories, and we all know I can’t resist a down-bad hero! It’s a MUST READ for fans of Tarah Dewitt and BK Borison, but I think most romcom lovers will find something to enjoy here. Highly recommend!

4.5 stars rounded up

I enjoyed reading Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

Stinkin' Cute! You'll really like this book if you are into a slow-burn but they go after it once they get together ;) I really appreciate the mental health rep and absolutely love anything STEM related. This makes me want to read more from Jillian Meadows.

I want to thank the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this arc.

This book was sickeningly cute. The workplace romance was giving. The "he's a single guardian to his twin nieces" was serving. Overall, this book ATE. Finn Ashford is a grumpy, six foot something space nerd that works in the astronomy department at the museum. Millie Oaks is the human embodiment of a butterfly, which is perfect because she works in the entomology department of the same museum. Their interactions in the beginning of this book are so entertaining. There's this initially unexplained tension coming from Finn, and wait... is he flirting with her? Hmm weird...

The way this story unfolds will have you kicking your feet and giggling the entire time. I dont know what it is about a single dad, but it gets me every. single. time. There are some sensitive topics throughout the book, and the author handled them really well, in my opinion. There's grief, there's parent issues, ex relationships, all done with so much respect and written in such a way that really connects you to the characters.

Go out and buy this book so you can read it too!

Dual POV, Spicy, Workplace, Single Guardian, Cooking Lessons, Care Taking, Grumpy x Sunshine, Mental Health Rep, Toxic Ex, Jealous MMC, Care Taking

Absolutely everything about this book is perfection. From the leading MC's Millie, Finn, and his adorable twin nieces to the museum setting, the side characters, and all the tender little moments. Jillian Meadows has given readers not only a swoony workplace grumpy x sunshine romance but a story about grief, anxiety, and healing with blush inducing spice.

"Fuck the stars, baby. All I see is you."

What a fantastic story! I absolutely loved Millie, Finn, and the girls—they were such wonderful characters. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the Oak Sisters' stories!

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, fun, steamy and I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

4.25⭐
From the first page I was captivated by Millie, an entomologist, who's having a decidedly bad morning and planning to interview for the position of director of her section of the museum. Recently out of toxic relationship, she's rebuilding her confidence. And there's the astronomer on the hiring committee who she keeps running into, literally. Women in STEM setting. Cool friends and an amazing family make this just delightful! Cant wait for her sisters' stories.

Happy pub day to Jillian Meadows! I devoured Give Me Butterflies and can’t stop gushing about how much I loved it. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyagers for the e-ARC of this sweet story!

First, the banter. Every word crackled with wit and warmth that had me obsessed with every character. And let’s talk about the male main character—finally, a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t hesitate to go after it. Swoon-worthy isn’t even enough to describe him (not to mention I’ll never look at cookie dough the same way again).

The family group chat? Absolute gold. I was in stitches every time it popped up, and the adorable nieces? They stole my heart in every scene. Meadows balances the humor with such tender love and raw angst that, with a beautiful portrayal of anxiety and grief that felt so real.

Every piece of this story clicked perfectly—the humor, the heart, and the hopeful message. This is a romance that left me completely satisfied and wanting more of Jillian Meadows’ writing. Add this to your list for your next bookstore trip!

3.5 ⭐

LIKED:

- The relationship between Millie and her family. Their texts could have been annoying or invasive if done incorrectly, but they were really charming
- Avery & Eloise felt like real children. A lot of times in contemporary romance, children can be written as if someone has never interacted with a child that age, let alone a child at all
- Millie's friend group felt really genuine and added a good support to her character
- The setting of the Natural History Museum. That's not a setting you get a lot, so that was really fun to see
- Overall, Millie's POVs were much stronger to me. I liked being in her head, though sometimes she did feel a bit too flawless (she wasn't but I wish she'd had a bit more layers of *something* to her to make her feel a bit more well-rounded)

LOATHED:

- This is VERY much a taste thing but...I really didn't like Finn's POVs. Not that there was anything wrong with his side of the story - the loss of his sister, raising his nieces was all lovely. But...Finn's chapters felt very much like they were written by someone who doesn't identify as a man. Sometimes he just spoke or thought and I would be pulled out of the moment by thinking about how that was very much the writer speaking. It's hard to describe, but it distracted me. I do think his POV was necessary for the story, however (I don't always feel that way when I don't like one POV over the other)
- Again, very much a taste thing, but I always struggle when books like this are written in the present tense. In my experience there is always a level of it feeling like the character is speaking to some invisible camera like they're on a sitcom as opposed to living in the moment. There's a point early on where Finn exposits on the loss of his sister and it felt so...odd. That wasn't the only instance of that either, and I just really am not a fan
- Listen, I know people like this exist, but Finn's family was overly so imo. I just wish they had had a bit more realism injected into them instead of feeling cartoonishly evil. I think Millie's ex, Kyle, was a more successful execution of this
- Oh the epilogues. Why were there three?! We did not need that many. And we especially did not need one that was only a week later. I don't think that one added anything, and I am normally someone who absolutely adores epilogues, but I love them to be able to see into the characters' futures! To see where they are in a time and space that is just not feasible in the confines of the book

LONGED FOR:

- A bit more of an exploration as to why they didn't like each other to begin with? Or even really what drew them to each other initially besides mutual lust (which, is understandable, don't get me wrong)
- Honestly, I could have done with more science. I loved that she was an entomologist specializing in butterflies. That's cool! I wanted more of her endeavors with her scientific efforts. We got quite a bit of astronomy with Finn, especially with the constellation.
- I mentioned this previously, but there's some levels or depth to Millie that I was really longing for. She was a good, relatable character, don't get me wrong. But I wanted just a *bit* more from her that made her more...her? If that makes sense? I think this is a bit intrinsically linked to my above post as well.


Will I read the next one? : Initially I was a bit wish-washy as to whether or not I would, but that snippet from the next book was *really* enticing...though I'm a bit worried about some plot stuff from the epilogue, hm.

*Thank you to Avon & Netgalley for providing this ARC!

Solid 4 Stars!

This was such a sweet and adorable book. Millie, the FMC was so sweet and tender. I immediately fell in love with how much she loved Finn's (MMC) nieces. Finn was the most golden retriever cinnamon roll of a MMC (with the filthiest between the sheets mouth!) I've read lately! I appreciated the boundaries we saw Finn display with his family. Millie's family was such a sweet touch, everything Finn and the girls needed to heal their broken souls. I'm excited to read more of Jillian Meadows. Already downloaded Wreck my Plans to my kindle.

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows is such a sweet and quick read. I absolutely loved all of the nerdy references and nerdy banter between the fmc and mmc. Millie is a bubbly, hardworking, and incredibly smart fmc who is up for promotion. Finn is a grumpy coworker, who happens to be on the interview committee. Insert hilarious side characters, fabulously supportive friends and family, two adorable nieces who need extra love, a sumptuous slowburn, a dash of “who did this to you,” and dancing and cooking to Disney music. Yes, please! The pace and flow of this read was perfect. I definitely had a hard time putting it down.
Thank you, NetGalley, Jillian Meadows, Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing and ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Loved it!

4.5 stars

How can a novel hit so many tough topics yet still be full of joy and romance? Well this one does it. It tackles past controlling relationships, parents who are much less than nurturing, the death of a sibling from cancer, and orphaned children yet it never felt too heavy or overwhelming. I loved the whole thing and honestly this may have been the first time I was not expecting that twist! My only qualm is the grumpy/sunshine aspect changed so quick, he was only really grumpy for like 2 chapters in the beginning. Not a huge issue but I’d have liked to see it a bit more throughout just directed to people other than the FMC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is one of those stories where there were just a few too many plot complications - which is a good thing, in theory, because the author has plenty of ideas, but maybe there could have been two books instead of this one. Two scientists who work at a museum, Millie and Finn, keep crashing into each other, but it may be forces of nature pushing them together. Millie is up for a promotion and Finn is on the hiring committee. But then things turn romantic and while it could have been a cute enemy-to-lovers story, there is now grief, hints of abuse, and a woman who pretends to be strong and independent, but it just seems like Millie hides when things get tough. I wanted her to be stronger.

Overall, it is a solid book, but it has to be said - it is hard to swoon over a man who wears solar system ties.

Oh. My. Goodness. 🥰 do you ever have those books that just feel right? You can tell from basically the first chapter that this is going to be a good one. The writing is beautiful, the characters are relatable, the story is engaging, and you just feel like you are already best friends with the MCs. That is how this book felt!

Millie and Finn are absolutely perfect 😍 and they are relatable in a way that feels so human. They both are in STEM so it's not that we are similar in that way, more their vulnerabilities, their comfort, their teasing banter. Their chemistry is amazing from the beginning and I couldn't stop thinking about this book when put it down!

I will definitely be reading Wreck My Plans, book 2 immediately! I am in LOVE! The last book I liked like this was Out on a Limb and it was so fun to see in the acknowledgments that Jillian and Hannah are friends!

🦋 Review 🦋

Oh my gosh I absolutely adored Give Me Butterflies. It was so dang cute!!

Oh Millie I loved you with my whole heart. I loved her passion and growth throughout the book and just her caring nature.

Grumpy Astronomer + sunshine entomologist= PERFECTION and SWOON

And Finn!! Oh such a grumpy sexy man that you can’t help but love!!!

The banter between the two was top notch and phewwww that 🔥🔥 chemistry is off the charts!

This was a surprise romance that I just loved! I cant wait to see Theo and Fable!!

Thank you so much to the publisher for my copy.

4.5/5

This one started off so strong! Workplace romance with a sunshine FMC and grumpy but not really MMC. Millie is up for a promotion at the science museum and she’s a bumbling mess, Finn is on her hiring committee and gets hit with the brunt of her mess. Except it turns out he really enjoys being around her and seeing her smile, they go from workplace rivals to friends to lovers all while Finn raises his two nieces. It started off so strong watching them fall for each other was so special and watching Millie fall in love with raising the girls was also really sweet. However, the mid book plot twist was just a little jarring and unnecessary. Halfway in, I saw this being my second five of the year, but with the unrealistic plot twist and the unrealistic manner at which the situation was handled was off putting.

Workplace Romance
Toxic Ex
STEM Romance
Single Dad "uncle"
Spicy
Found Family
Sibling Loss

Give me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows was a very enjoyable reading experience. It was a sweet, swoon-worthy, slow burn between coworkers at a museum. Millie is an optimistic sunshiny Etymologist and Finn is a grumpy Astronomer. They keep bumping into each other and Finn is as grumpy as ever until Millie starts to see another side of Finn when he brings his nieces, Avery and Eloise to day camp at the museum. There is chemisty, tention and steamy scene as well as vulnerable and sweet interactions. You will love Millie and Finn and how their relationship develops despite real life challenges. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more from Jillian Meadows.

Thank you, Avon and Netgalley, for the free advanced copy.

Tenderhearted, passionate, and downright romantic, 𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘔𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 is a swoony, uplifting romance with two adults who are so amazingly open and communicating.

Millie Oaks finally finds herself after her last relationship left her a shell of her vibrant self. A chronic apologizer, a woman in an underrepresented field, it was easy to see a little bit of myself in Millie. She is funny and kind has a rambunctious family group text (their exchanges felt purposeful and added to the depth of her character), and is an amazing chef. Suddenly, Finn, her coworker, is constantly in her orbit, and she isn’t sure if falling for him and his girls is the right idea.

Finn Ashford is outwardly broody, but inside, he is grieving and anxiously adapting to his new role as guardian to his nieces. Where his childhood was cold and sterile, the world he crafts for his nieces and Millie is so tender and full of thoughtful gestures. He is the ultimate boyfriend material, and I could not help but fall for the tender way he loved and cared for his girls.

I spent the vast majority of this book holding back tears. Between the grief, Millie’s toxic ex, and the tender moments with Finn’s nieces, the emotional investment was easy and deep.

The love between Millie and Finn grows slowly. Filled with banter and tension, their relationship is touching, and it is clear that they are gone for each other. It was so swoony.

The writing is warm and humerus, but the near-constant open communication is where this book shines. I adored how Millie could admit she was scared and anxious about Finn and how w Finn was self-reflective enough to realize his grief journey was not linear. These raw, honest moments elevated the reading experience for me.

This book is heavy on steam, but it is so beautifully written. It was clear these two truly respected each other, and their connection felt so organic. The steam worked because the connection between these two was so strong!

Jillian Meadows swept away my heart with this one, and I cannot help but recommend it to all. I just loved it so much!

Ps. there is soup (2x)

This book is for the girlies who love the understated microtrope! Jillian has this gentle way of writing Finn doing what seems like mundane things, but they are EVERYTHING (he casually moves Millie so she’s walking on the inside of the sidewalk instead of near the street, or he hears something he doesn’t like about what her ex said to her and his hand tightens on the steering wheel but he keeps the hand on her thigh loose) It’s the little things that makes this book SO good!
I fell in love with the banter and tension that Millie and Finn had!! Millie had some of the funniest comebacks when Finn would be grumpy about anything. Finn and Millie quickly became one of my favorite book couples of all time.

Things I loved:
🦋 Millie’s Family Group Chat
🦋 THE MICROTROPES
🦋 Millie and the twins relationship
🦋 The cookie dough scene 🥵
🦋 Core friend group
🦋 Finn is all the love languages
🦋 When he made her chicken noodle soup
🦋 How they each took the broken pieces of each other lives and created something beautiful together

I hope this is a book you will immediately add to your TBR. It is a swoony, funny, heartwarming read you will be reaching for over and over.

The biggest thank you to @avonbooks and Jillian, and for the physical ARC, and @netgalley for the eARC