The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole is a lighthearted romance about Hadley, a Broadway composer, and her grumpy neuroscientist neighbor, Lex. After moving to California, their initial tension turns into a deeper connection as they navigate personal challenges and career choices. While the romance is enjoyable, it feels a bit predictable, and the characters' emotional growth could have been explored more. Overall, it’s an entertaining, opposites-attract story, perfect for fans of light romantic comedies.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was into the opposites attract, the overall theme of a musician’s perspective and using Coldplay’s The Scientist as a parallel, and I liked the banter (though sometimes corny).

It was cute, quirky, heartfelt, and at times moving, but the timing threw me off. I really liked this book until about 70% through, and then it got a bit messy.

The FMC, Hadley, at times felt too immature and frankly, I was overwhelmed by the amount of times her beauty was mentioned. Aside from that, I loved her relationship with her mom and was at the edge of my seat through their journey together. Hadley seems like a professor I would have loved to learn from.

The MMC, Lex, vacillated between tender and sometimes perhaps a step too far past grumpy. But I loved how down bad he was for Hadley. But I feel like his ex’s story arc was mostly unnecessary.

I also am a sucker for the side characters. Stuart was a great comedic relief, as was Sarah and Lionel. You just know they would be fun to party with!

I can see the comparison to Ali Hazelwood. I also felt heavy Big Bang Theory vibes. But it was maybe too soapy for me at times. Still, I enjoyed stepping into this book and meeting these characters!

“It’s sort of been the story of my life –work coming between me and the person I’m dating.”

Unfortunately The Scientist wasn’t the right book for me. I truly believed it would, as the MCs are a musician and a scientist but if I absolutely loved some parts, it mostly left me bittersweet.
The book has its ups and downs, especially regarding pacing. I adored how the author talks about addiction and illness. That was the main success in the book (and it’s not nothing at all). Spice content has also a great balance IMO.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t connect with the characters (when I expected to) for different reasons (that are on me, and you might love them for these exact same reasons). First, I didn’t like the tone at the beginning of the book even though it got better as the book progressed. In addition, the characters acted as students when they were supposed to be adult professors and if it can be fun for a scene (or an unique character) I didn’t like it for the duration.
But my main trouble is that it felt like being immersed in a mix of Friends, Grey’s Anatomy and The Big Bang Theory, with scenes that truly reminded me of the shows a little bit too much (even though I like them all) without for the author to find her own voice. Again, it was probably just a personal feeling, but it prevented me to get invested in the story, as I constantly saw these shows in my mind, and not the book I was reading.
That truly left me mixed, because I loved some parts, truly, and I wish I could have unseen the rest.

Thank you NetGalley and to the author for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

The Scientist - Kristen B. Cole (arc)

5 stars

Wow. 5 Stars. No notes.

Hadley Olivier uproots her life and moves from New York to California with her mother. Hadley takes a teaching position at Stanford University as a musical composition professor, where she meets the dark and brooding neurobiologist/professor - Dr. Alexsander ‘Lex’ Strovinski. The ultimate love story of grumpy x sunshine.

As someone who is beyond obsessed with the grumpy x sunshine trope - I have very high expectations for it. I want broody, I want actual grumpy (not just “I haven’t had my coffee yet” vibes), I want short and sharp … and this book exceeded all those expectations. Lex was PERFECT. His character balanced with Hadley is the blueprint for the grumpy x sunshine trope.

I was (and still am) completely in awe of how easily the story unfolded. The way Lex went above and beyond for Hadley, the way Hadley finally gave Lex the time of day and love he deserved - it was all perfect and I will never stop thinking about this them. The chemistry between them was *chefs kiss* and the spicy scenes definitely added an extra layer of dazzle dazzle to the story. I sometimes find it hard to visualise appearances of characters and their demeanour, but the way Kristen described them - it’s like I already knew them and was there inside the story with them. No notes.

You can see how much research, thought and planning went into this novel as Kristen unpacks not only topics such as Alzheimer’s and cancer, but also addiction, grief, sexism in the workplace and nuances of career trajectory in different fields. She addressed each topic with such care and finesse which added a much more deeper meaning to the story.

For a debut novel - this was absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to see what Kristen writes next!!

Massive thank you to @netgalley for a copy of this arc!!

4.25 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for an exchange of my honest opinion!

Wow. I’ve always liked STEM romances so it was right up my alley! Science and music? Perfect combination!

I laughed, I cried and I couldn’t tear myself away from this book. The writing was so easy and it felt like flying through this book. The only flaw of this story for me were a little childish characters and jokes.

The Scientist is a heartfelt romance by Kristen B. Cole. Hadley’s best friend and mother receives a cancer diagnosis, so they travel from New York to California for her mom to receive treatment from the best specialists. She wrote hit songs and now is teaching music at a college. She reconnects with old friends and makes new friends in the science department including Lex. As their relationship develops, Hadley needs to figure out what she wants for her future.

I thought this was a beautiful story. I loved watching g Hadley and Lex’s relationship develop. The characters were well developed. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys romance novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for advanced access to a copy for n exchange for my honest review.

The Scientist- Kristen B Cole
4.5⭐️
1.5 🌶️
This STEM romance debut from Kristen B Cole was absolutely everything I needed to get me out of a reading slump.

Opposites attract, forced proximity, slow burn, grumpy & sunshine, quirky romance with the absolute best banter & mother daughter bond I have read in a really long time.

This book had me going from giggling to crying the entire ride, lex and Hadley were adorable & so meant for each other. I loved Hadley’s relationship with her mom & how they navigated her diagnosis without the book being overly gloomy. Their outlook on this was actually something I really appreciated, because it isn’t often a way you see it portrayed in books.

The side characters added so much to the story, and I felt like I wanted to be friends with all of them.

This was such a fun quick read, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Kristen B Cole and My Trope Productions LLC for allowing me to have An ARC ♥️

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this debut novel.


I think Kristen B Cole has a lot of potential as a romance writer. I love me some spice, and DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. Nicely done. (🌶️🌶️🌶️/5) open door spice scenes.


I liked the character development and the slow burn romance between Hadley and Lex. The side characters played well into the story. I loved the relationship with her mom.


I look forward to more for this author.

4.5 ⭐️

Omg why is this book so freaking cute???? I LOVE!!!!!! And did I finish this book in one day? YUP.

If you’re a fan of Ali Hazelwood - you will 100% want to read this book and you literally can’t fight me because I’m spitting facts🤷🏻‍♀️

One thing about me - I love a good nerdy science romance🤓 This book straight up blew me away, it was so cute I loved it so much🥹 A cutesy hot PhD doctor falls for the artsy music composition professor?! WHAT’S NOT LOVE?! EXACTLY!!! Struggling with a terminally ill mom while also falling in love AND all the hardships that come with that AND then overcoming it?! It’s truly both a heartbreaking and healing story 🥹

I giggled FREQUENTLY while I read this (and then SOBBED towards the end) and I felt so smart when I got the superhero references and honestly it made me want to rewatch The Big Bang Theory🌚

Definitely an author that I will be adding to my ‘automatic read’ list🤭

A sweet STEM romance that reminds you that you can find love when and where you least expect it. I loved Hadley. The way she chooses to stay positive in a tough situation and her willingness to uproot her life for her mom is just inspiring. Lex was a sweetheart, and I fell in love with him along with Hadley. All in all, a great romance pick.

This is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy heartwarming, humorous, and emotional stories about the transformative power of love, friendship, and resilience in the face of adversity, particularly those who appreciate tales of instant connections, family struggles, and the beauty of opposites attracting.

This was a struggle for me to get through but maybe I’m not the intended audience. Not a bad book, just not for me

Lovely slow burn romance, beautifully written characters and relationships, bit of spice, and a wide range of emotions you go through reading this book! Great chemistry between the main characters, Hadley and Lex, lots of banter, and friendship turning to romance, and an overall fab debut!

Perfect for my nerdy heart! I love it when the side-characters bring as much to the table as the MCs. The author did a wonderful job weaving cute and funny moments in with the heavier topics covered. Definitely recommend you give this one a try!

It sounded like such a fun concept, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The characters lacked chemistry, and I struggled to connect with their relationship. The humor didn't work for me either. Additionally, I really wish there had been a trigger warning for cancer, as it caught me off guard and made the reading experience a bit uncomfortable.

The Scientist by Kristen B. Cole is a charming and heartwarming rom-com that pairs the analytical world of neuroscience with the passionate energy of Broadway. Hadley Olivier, a vibrant composer, moves to California to support her friend during a health crisis, only to find herself in a battle of wits—and hearts—with her aloof, focused neighbor, Dr. Lex Strovinski. What starts as a clash between art and science slowly blooms into a touching and transformative romance. Cole masterfully weaves humor and emotional depth, exploring themes of love, career choices, and the complexities of connection. A delightful read for anyone who enjoys opposites-attract stories with heart.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Wow this book sucked me in! It gives Ali Hazelwood vibes in the best way possible. If you love Ali Hazelwood, I cannot recommend this book enough.

The one thing I really wish was included was a few chapters from Lex's perspective. I adore him and it's adorable how much he loves Hadley, but at times he didn't feel fully real? I think getting his perspective would help flesh him out a bit. The slides chapter 🥺 Where's my Lex?

Hadley was a complex main character and I loved that she wasn't perfect, that we get to watch her grow and find a new version of herself. I could have done with the almost constant reminders that she is beautiful though.

I was a bit confused with the blurb and during the first chapter when Hadley discussed how her best friend was sick and it turned out to be her mom. I think that is something the reader should know going in.

Characters: 4.5⭐
Plot: 4⭐
Spice: 🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️
Enjoyment factor: 4⭐

An amazing romance, loved the story, plot and caracters,

I was sucked in from the start, it was soooo an amazing book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I loved this book! It had characters that were so cute! I also liked how this book also helped me get out of a huge reading slump!! It is definitely worth it to grab yourself a copy!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me a copy of this amazing book!

From the very first page of this book, I was swept away into a world where opposites truly attract, Kristen B. Cole has written a delightful story, rich with emotion and warmth, that captures the essence of romance in the most unexpected ways.

What I loved most about this book is the way it beautifully intertwines the worlds of music and science. Hadley and Lex are two characters that are so distinct yet so irresistibly drawn to each other. Their chemistry is electric, and as they navigate their vastly different lives, I found myself rooting for them every step of the way. The tender moments feel so real, making it hard not to get swept up in their unfolding relationship.

Hadley’s vibrant spirit contrasted beautifully with Lex’s reserved nature, and watching their dynamic unfold was such a joy. You can't help but root for their relationship, even as obstacles seem to loom on the horizon. The emotional depth of their journey kept me turning the pages, eager to see how they would navigate their differences and embrace what truly matters.

The tension, the longing, and the hope shine through every page, leaving me both breathless and inspired.

I’m so glad I picked up this book, I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a romance that will tug at your heartstrings.