I really enjoyed this book! While I wasn’t a big fan of how the author writes smut, I commend her for writing a story about a man who takes in his nieces and puts them above everyone else. I also really liked Millie’s family dynamic & the lack of a third-act breakup. I fucking hate those haha. mostly, I'm excited for Fable’s story! I can already feel the tension.

I had such a fun time reading this book! I love a good grump x sunshine, workplace romance.

Millie was interviewing for her dream job. Mr. Grumpy Pants, Finn, was a part of the hiring committee. I loved following the development of their relationship. This might not be a popular opinion, but I enjoyed reading about the children in the story and their role in the relationship of Finn and Millie.

I loved the narrators, Jason Clarke and Victoria Connolly, who did a wonderful job! I did an immersive reading, and it was the way to go because I was able to hear Jason's voice.

🎧 Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (3.5 rounded to 4 stars)
🌶️🌶️/5

I really wanted to love this book, and while there were definitely parts that I enjoyed, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. First off, the family relationships and dynamic were great. The way the characters supported each other felt so real, and I loved that. The romance was sweet, albeit a little on the mushy side for my taste. It was cute, but the grumpy-to-sweet transition felt a little rushed, and I could have done with more of the initial tension. The “grumpy” part lasted all of five minutes, and then it was just straight-up sweetness.

However, despite the steamy moments, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the whole book was a bit anticlimactic. The big obstacle to their romance is removed so easily that the drive of the story sort of fizzled once that was done. There are emotional layers later on, but I just wasn’t as invested as I wanted to be. It felt like there were too many elements packed into the plot, and some of the important ones, like the STEM aspects, were really glossed over. A few random butterfly and constellation facts didn’t do it for me when I was hoping for more depth.

Finn’s character was probably the hardest for me to get a grip on. He went from being this huge grump to suddenly the sweetest guy, and I didn’t really feel like I got the “why” behind it. I was definitely into the sweet moments, though, especially his relationship with his nieces—it gave such a great sense of found family, and I loved that.

There were a couple of things that just didn’t quite land for me—like the whole hiring process at the museum. I didn’t fully buy into it. Also, the “villains” were a bit much. But, no third-act breakup, so that was a plus.

Overall, this book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t quite for me. It felt a little jumpy and lacked the deeper connections I was hoping for. It’s not a book I’ll be thinking about long after finishing it, but I do see a lot of potential in the author’s writing. I’ll be curious to see what’s next from her!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I adored this book! I read this one because I was in the mood for something sweet for Valentine’s Day. I got sweet, but I got spicy too… and I loved every minute of it!! This book was so sweet and fun, but had some more serious topics discussed too. There was so much I adored about it, but Millie's family group text messages were definitely one of my favorites! The banter between them was also fantastic! Once I picked this book up I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I recommend this for all romance readers, but especially if you like:
*Women in STEM
*Grumpy/Sunshine
*Fun Banter
*Workplace Romance
*Single Guardian
*Dual POV
*Spice

Jillian Meadows captivated me with these characters! The story was cozy and delightful. The conflict between the main characters was not as deep or drawn out as many romance books; I considered this both good and bad. I appreciated being along for the ride with this lovely story but at the same time would have been happy to have a little more of the "will they / won't they" arc.

The characters are lovable and the writing was cohesive. The male narrator on the audio had an intense and firm tone at times; almost making the MMC sound possessive when I didn't think that was necessary. Just a minor thing though!

After all, we're all here for the dorky science nerd who turns feral in the bedroom ;)

Full disclosure: I received this book via Audio but ended up purchasing the Kindle edition. The narrator for Finn just wasn’t doing it for me.

That being said… once I switched formats I really did enjoy this book! Finn and Millie’s story was the perfect balance of finding eachother yet still having outside forces to reckon with and problems to solve. I love a good romance book with side plots.

Give Me Butterflies Millie is an entomologist interviewing for a department director position at the museum where she works. Finn happens to be an astronomer working in the same museum as Millie. After the death of his sister, Finn gains custody of his two twin nieces. Finn is on the museum's hiring committee. Millie and Finn get off on the wrong foot. When Millie accidentally bumped into Finn's car. After that incident, Millie just thought of Finn as a very unfriendly and stoic person.

However, her opinion of him changes when she sees him interacting with his nieces at the museum. The children let it slip that Finn is a terrible cook. Millie's best friend happens to be there when this happens and volunteers to teach Millie how to cook.

Millie and Finn grow very attracted to each other, but both are nervous about taking the next step because they have hangups from past relationships. When Finn decides Millie is the one for him, he patiently waits for her. Millie lost her confidence because of a verbally abusive ex-boyfriend.
I love that he patiently waited for Millie to have a relationship with him and helped her regain her confidence. The tension in this book was off the charts. I gave it five stars. Trigger warnings for the death of a loved one. Verbally abusive ex-boyfriend, who is still in the picture. Neglectful parents.
Updated: I first read Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows when it was published independently. I had the pleasure of listening to the Audiobook from NetGalley. The narrators, Jason Clark and Victoria Connolly expressed Millie and Finn's emotions. I enjoyed re-reading this book on audio.

5 stars
Audiobook review

Ahhh, I loved this story! I was supposed to listen to at least 5 chapters and call it a night but I just had to keep going until I had to get some sleep lol.

I loved the chemistry, banter, and respect between the main characters. I loved how these two opposites were able to become colleagues to friends to lovers. The little girls were so cute too!

I appreciated that the author represented mental health and addressed toxic traits/relationships.

The narrators for this story were great voices to bring to life these two main characters.

I absolutely *loved* *Give Me Butterflies* by Julian Meadows! This book has everything—STEM, a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a devoted single guardian, witty banter, a determined FMC, and the kind of slow burn that keeps you hooked.

Finn’s love and dedication to his nieces are beautifully portrayed, and it’s impossible not to adore how deeply he cares for them. Millie, in turn, doesn’t just fall for Finn—she falls for the girls, loving them as if they were her own, even as she and Finn both try to resist their growing feelings. Their bond develops so naturally, and every scene with the four of them together is filled with warmth and joy.

The book also does a great job representing anxiety, especially through Millie’s experiences, though I wish it had delved even deeper into her emotions during her anxiety attack. Still, the author knows how to pull on heartstrings—Finn’s struggle to raise his nieces the way his late sister wanted, while dealing with his own grief and estranged parents, is both heartbreaking and touching. Meanwhile, Millie’s past toxic relationship adds another layer to the story, making her journey toward healing and trust even more compelling.

One of the things I appreciated most was how the book prioritized personal growth. Before Finn and Millie’s romance fully bloomed, we got to see them evolve as individuals, making their eventual relationship feel even more rewarding.

This book is filled with heart, depth, and swoon-worthy moments—I can’t recommend it enough! 💛

This was super cute, hopeful, sweet, and meaningful. I was a little worried at the beginning that I would end up finding this book to be boring, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved these characters and the girls. I loved the girls! I love how seamlessly our heroine was able to step into their lives. I really enjoyed the audiobook as well.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio

This one was cute, i loved the relationship that Millie developed with the girls and how that relationship helped Millie and Finn break down walls around them. Millies parents were also the best, well really her whole family was. I do wish that one of the end conflicts had been more fleshed out within the actual narrative. Over all the book was a good time and I am excited to read more by this author.

oh I am OBSESSED with Finn and Millie. This is my first book I've read by Jillian Meadows and it will not be the last. The way she writes these characters is just in a way that makes you root for them. You see the flaws and their growth throughout the book and I just can't wait to read more by her,

Super sweet workplace romance between the head of the museum's astrology dept and the museum's entomologist. Finn, the MMC, is described to be grumpy but he isn't really - he's just swamped navigating grief of losing his sister and taking on guardianship of his nieces. Millie, the FMC, is anticipating a promotion and keeps running into her broody coworker. Finn's nieces bring these two together and we watch them fall deeply in love and fall into a wonderful new normal.

The narrators Jason Clarke and Victoria Connolly knock the narration out of the park. Stellar audiobook.

This book was absolutely perfect. The story follows slightly older than usual (ie. not new adult) characters who are falling in love while juggling the big issues that sometimes accompany real life. Absolutely beautifully done.

I am torn about this rating somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars.

I didn't feel like the writing in this book was as strong as it could have been. The areas in which the book excelled the most were Millie's family and friend relationships. This is good, as this is the first book in a series centered around Millie's sisters. Additionally, the open-door aspects of the book were compelling. However, many of the other parts of the book verged on cheesy or over the top. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't something I really liked.

Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperAudio for the chance to listen to the audiobook.

A super cute office or workplace romances that had me kicking my feet and giggling! I love a book where he falls first and this one gave me just that! I love the grumpy sunshine trope! I love that their relationship seemed so healthy and built on trust! He really cared for her! Love this story!

OH MY GOSH! THIS AUDIOBOOK!!!!!

I am all up in my emotions right now. Legal Guardian and main characters in STEM? SWOON!

I absolutely loved this love story and the goofiness of the two main characters in the beginning. How she kept awkwardly hurting Finn.

Jacob Morgan nailed the characters voices including the two little girls!

I loved this book. The right amount of spice and emotions. Millie and Finn meet at work and its a classic grumpy vs sunshine romance. Finn is left to take care of his young twin nieces after his sister's death and Millie is getting out of an abusive relationship. They find each other at the right time and sparks fly.

I am 2 seconds in and this book is already speaking to me! "To the chronic apologizes. Let that shit go!...and definitely don't apologize for who you are" The pinning in this book is STRONG and I have here for it! I loved both these MC so much, they were both so broken and I loved how they supported each other through their healing. The bonus epilogue was so so sweet and made me love Millie even more!

This book started out right away with the spice! I am always a sucker for a romance with kids. They fell quickly but I love that they are perfect for each other.