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Oaks Sisters #1
Give Me Butterflies
A swoony, steamy, STEM romance in which two curators at a science museum—a handsome but grumpy astronomer and an anxious but sunshine-y entomologist—realize they are the perfect match. Equal parts nerdy banter and fiery tension, it’s perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Tessa Bailey.
Millie was never one to take the expected path. She's an entomologist who loves her job as a natural science curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to take a larger role in the planning of her department, so when a director position opens up, she is determined not to let anything distract her from her goals. Especially her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and nerdy astronomy ties.
. . . Not that she’s spent much time noticing any of those things.
Finn doesn’t mean to glare at everyone, but he’s juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can't afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn't need anything more on his plate. Millie literally stumbling into him with her bright smile and sunny optimism, is the last thing he needs.
They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it's one thing when a job is on the line. It's quite another when it's her heart.
Millie was never one to take the expected path. She's an entomologist who loves her job as a natural science curator, inspiring museum visitors every day. It's her dream to take a larger role in the planning of her department, so when a director position opens up, she is determined not to let anything distract her from her goals. Especially her grumpy coworker with his permanent scowl, electric blue eyes, and nerdy astronomy ties.
. . . Not that she’s spent much time noticing any of those things.
Finn doesn’t mean to glare at everyone, but he’s juggling his role at the museum, navigating the grief of losing his sister, attempting to make his nieces smile, and trying not to ruin dinner for the fifth night in a row. He can't afford to let anything slip, and certainly doesn't need anything more on his plate. Millie literally stumbling into him with her bright smile and sunny optimism, is the last thing he needs.
They want nothing to do with each other. But with Finn on the interview committee, avoidance is impossible. And Millie soon realizes it's one thing when a job is on the line. It's quite another when it's her heart.
384 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2023
687 people are currently reading
31827 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Meadows
3 books837 followersJillian Meadows writes cozy love stories that make you swoon, smile, and squeal. She lives thirty miles past The Middle of Nowhere with her husband, four wild daughters, two unruly dogs, and her sparkling water addiction. When she’s not writing, you can find her devouring a romance novel, playing board games, or enjoying the outdoors with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,746 reviews
November 9, 2023
Give Me Butterflies is a sweet and wholesome workplace romance featuring found family, grumpy x sunshine, and he falls first. The story follows Millie, an entomologist up for a promotion at the museum she works at, and Finn, the grumpy astronomy head who is on the interview committee. When Millie and Finn keep running into each other, Millie learns that Finn may not be all that grumpy and is just struggling to keep up with his two nieces he is parenting after the death of his sister. When the two become fast friends and Millie learns how sweet and charming Finn is, she struggles to keep things platonic as he is on the hiring committee for her job.
This is such a sweet and endearing romance! The relationship that Millie and Finn forge is full of love and support, their relationship is so healthy and built on trust and care for each other. I love how Finn came off grumpy at first and then as Millie got to know him, she learned that it was a cover for how lonely and full of grief he is after losing his sister. The story was crafted beautifully around their romance and character growth by touching on their struggles, Finn with becoming a parent to his nieces after his sisters' death, and Millie on her anxiety and feeling like she will lose herself after her previous relationship. I cannot believe that this was Jillian Meadows's debut, the story blew me out of the water; I can't wait to read more from her.
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This was absolutely adorable!!! RTC tomorrow!
This is such a sweet and endearing romance! The relationship that Millie and Finn forge is full of love and support, their relationship is so healthy and built on trust and care for each other. I love how Finn came off grumpy at first and then as Millie got to know him, she learned that it was a cover for how lonely and full of grief he is after losing his sister. The story was crafted beautifully around their romance and character growth by touching on their struggles, Finn with becoming a parent to his nieces after his sisters' death, and Millie on her anxiety and feeling like she will lose herself after her previous relationship. I cannot believe that this was Jillian Meadows's debut, the story blew me out of the water; I can't wait to read more from her.
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This was absolutely adorable!!! RTC tomorrow!
October 16, 2025
"I don't need the sun when you're here,
stella mia. You're the brightest star in my universe, and I've been orbiting around you since you poured coffee all over me. I could spend the rest of my life watching you shine."
4.25 stars
This was such a cute, fun read with some nice nods to mental health and taking care of yourself.
I really enjoyed both characters. Millie was smart, compassionate, and had some quirkiness to her. Finn started out grumpy and dickish, though that lasted for like a couple chapters which was a little strange, but he was also a marshmallow and was giving me Clark Kent vibes 👀
I think the pacing was a little off here. Finn went from 0-100 pretty fast, which is still enjoyable to read, but I got halfway through and was wondering what else could possibly happen for the last half.
But even though it felt a little long I still really enjoyed it and I'm really excited to see Fable and Theo 😍
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
4.25 stars
This was such a cute, fun read with some nice nods to mental health and taking care of yourself.
I really enjoyed both characters. Millie was smart, compassionate, and had some quirkiness to her. Finn started out grumpy and dickish, though that lasted for like a couple chapters which was a little strange, but he was also a marshmallow and was giving me Clark Kent vibes 👀
I think the pacing was a little off here. Finn went from 0-100 pretty fast, which is still enjoyable to read, but I got halfway through and was wondering what else could possibly happen for the last half.
But even though it felt a little long I still really enjoyed it and I'm really excited to see Fable and Theo 😍
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
August 29, 2023
The blurb for Give Me Butterflies truly captures what this story is about. There are also many wonderful scenes and character development strewn across the pages (this is a character-focused romance). There's women in STEM, nerdy guy, positive therapy rep, LGBTQ+ side characters, found family, some awesome biological family (and sadly some not so awesome family for contrast), adorable young children, dancing to Disney music, cute animals, learning to stand up for yourself, and some steam. That's just a taste of what I enjoyed.
Millie (h) is a mostly positive, sometimes anxious, entomologist who's hoping to get a promotion to run her department. She's both attracted to and put off by a co-worker, Finn (H), who's head of the astronomy department and who she has a few negative run-ins with. Finn's scowly, but really he's just overwhelmed with grief and single parenting of his nieces. It's his nieces who provide an opportunity for Millie to start seeing the caring, wonderful, and supportive man behind the grumpiness. I loved the sweetness and romantic feel of their story, not to mention Finn and Millie were both likable and relatable. It does lean into Finn being a little too perfect at times (he's such a book boyfriend) and the slow pace did make my attention wander (I think the story could have been a smidge shorter to tighten things up), but I very much enjoyed details like the daily living scenes and text messages with Millie's family. There was so much to like about this book. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, tiny om drama from h's ex who's harassing her, and neither are virgins (both appeared to have been celibate for several months).
At times this story tugged on my heartstrings a little harder. Finn is trying to be the parent that his sister would have wanted for her girls and he's struggling. His grief is palpable. Millie brings a lot of light and joy to them and I loved the scenes of all four of them together. Millie is also putting herself back together after a toxic relationship and I found her mix of boldness at times and crushing anxiety at others, to be realistic in figuring out who she was and what she wanted. She does want to be the department head and also feels anxiety about whether she'll be chosen for her dream job. The steaminess is slower to come because they're co-workers, Finn's parenting, and they're figuring things out. But I did like the steamy scenes and Finn did break out some dirty talking.
Since this is focused on the characters' growth and story, there's no major action or villain. Finn's parents are awful and Millie's ex is just as terrible. I did feel like they sometimes veered into caricatures of awful parents and a toxic ex. I don't know if there needed to be more development there or some sort of stronger action. Both our main characters do get the chance to stand up to them on page, loved that. Millie's friend group are amazing though and Millie's family are OTT adorable and supportive and I thought it was wonderful that they became family to Finn and the girls too.
No third act breakup in this one, although each of the mains do need a moment at different times to regroup and refocus themselves. There's communication! Sometimes there's learning how to do it, but there's communication! The ending is more of a HFN, they're together and in love with a jump ahead a few months in the future. I wanted a further out epilogue because that's what I always want. There's a bonus epilogue available from signing up for the author’s newsletter and it’s a year after this book and has that HEA feel I was looking for. The next book in the series appears to be Millie's sister Fable's book and it's best friend's brother. Those two are on page briefly and alllllll the tension. I would definitely recommend this though, just keep in mind that it's slower and has a lot of details about day to day.
Millie (h) is a mostly positive, sometimes anxious, entomologist who's hoping to get a promotion to run her department. She's both attracted to and put off by a co-worker, Finn (H), who's head of the astronomy department and who she has a few negative run-ins with. Finn's scowly, but really he's just overwhelmed with grief and single parenting of his nieces. It's his nieces who provide an opportunity for Millie to start seeing the caring, wonderful, and supportive man behind the grumpiness. I loved the sweetness and romantic feel of their story, not to mention Finn and Millie were both likable and relatable. It does lean into Finn being a little too perfect at times (he's such a book boyfriend) and the slow pace did make my attention wander (I think the story could have been a smidge shorter to tighten things up), but I very much enjoyed details like the daily living scenes and text messages with Millie's family. There was so much to like about this book. Written in first person, dual POV. No ow drama, tiny om drama from h's ex who's harassing her, and neither are virgins (both appeared to have been celibate for several months).
At times this story tugged on my heartstrings a little harder. Finn is trying to be the parent that his sister would have wanted for her girls and he's struggling. His grief is palpable. Millie brings a lot of light and joy to them and I loved the scenes of all four of them together. Millie is also putting herself back together after a toxic relationship and I found her mix of boldness at times and crushing anxiety at others, to be realistic in figuring out who she was and what she wanted. She does want to be the department head and also feels anxiety about whether she'll be chosen for her dream job. The steaminess is slower to come because they're co-workers, Finn's parenting, and they're figuring things out. But I did like the steamy scenes and Finn did break out some dirty talking.
Since this is focused on the characters' growth and story, there's no major action or villain. Finn's parents are awful and Millie's ex is just as terrible. I did feel like they sometimes veered into caricatures of awful parents and a toxic ex. I don't know if there needed to be more development there or some sort of stronger action. Both our main characters do get the chance to stand up to them on page, loved that. Millie's friend group are amazing though and Millie's family are OTT adorable and supportive and I thought it was wonderful that they became family to Finn and the girls too.
No third act breakup in this one, although each of the mains do need a moment at different times to regroup and refocus themselves. There's communication! Sometimes there's learning how to do it, but there's communication! The ending is more of a HFN, they're together and in love with a jump ahead a few months in the future. I wanted a further out epilogue because that's what I always want. There's a bonus epilogue available from signing up for the author’s newsletter and it’s a year after this book and has that HEA feel I was looking for. The next book in the series appears to be Millie's sister Fable's book and it's best friend's brother. Those two are on page briefly and alllllll the tension. I would definitely recommend this though, just keep in mind that it's slower and has a lot of details about day to day.
February 14, 2025
"... everything in me wants to make you happy. Make you proud. Keep you safe. I may not know all the answers to everything in our relationship, but I know you can trust me to try. You can trust me to be respectful and kind.” He slides a hand through my hair. “You can trust me to work with you to solve anything that makes you uncomfortable.” He brings my fingers to his lips and kisses them softly. “I’m not here to stifle you or control you or shape you into something else. I’m here to help you shine.”
Pre-read: The audio was released on January 21st, 2025, and I took this as a sign to try it out.
Post-read: I loved it, can you believe it was a debut?
Pre-read: The audio was released on January 21st, 2025, and I took this as a sign to try it out.
Post-read: I loved it, can you believe it was a debut?
November 9, 2025
AHHHH 6 STARSSSS, RTC in the morning!! 🌠🦋
well now it’s the morning.. here’s a long and i mean LONG review!
𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬!
⭐️: 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬!
this cover is just doing it for me guys 🤭
my own personal age level 16+⚡️
my own personal spice level 4/5🌶️
🪐⋆⭒ Finneas
⋆ ☄︎.
·˚ * 🔭
as someone who's growing up in a toxic household, I felt like I could really connect to Finn! I love when main character’s are representing something you have/are going thru!!!
he now takes the crown for being my TOP FAVORITE book boyfriend. HE TAKES CARE OF HIS NIECES BECAUSE HIS SISTER DIED (I can't even), HE IS ONLY HIS REAL SELF AROUND HER (absolutely adorable). I'm sorry y'all, but he's just too good.
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ Millie
a bundle of literal sunshine.. except with him????
she’s sassy but her true rays of love are turned down because of her total clown of an ex (he would demean her, make her cry and say “i was just playing/experimenting” literally insult her in front of her friends/his parents/public.. literally anywhere)
so she’s not just ready for love but he GIVES HER TIME AND RESPECTS HER SAYING THAT SHES NOT READY YETTT!
they're so nerdy and perfect for each other i love it 😞
₊˚⊹ 𐦍༘⊹ 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴 <3
+ rivals to friends to lovers (😍)
+ stem rivalry
+ slow burn
+ insta lust
+ open door
+ found family (💕)
+ work romance
+ uncle and the kids LOVE HERR 💔
I IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT I RECOGNIZED THIS WRITINGGG!
THIS IS THE SAME AUTHOR WHO WROTE ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE 2025 READSSSSS (Wreck my plans)!!
the writing, the emotional connection I feel towards her prose, the characters! I plan on buying EVERY SINGLE one of her books!! also.. just a side note.. (the narrator) JASON CLARKE HAS MY HEARTTTTTT
trigger warnings! ⚠️
・ Loss of a close family member
・manipulation + gaslighting (not from a main character)
・ verbally abusive parents
・ Trauma
・ Anxiety + Anxiety attacks (in case that's something you don't want to read about!)
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he BUGS her! (🦋 she's an entomologist!! )
and she's too STARRY eyed for him! (he's an astronomer🪐)
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𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔!
“how are you, my Millie?.”
“i’m fine, vinn”
AGH THESE TWO AND THEIR NICKNAMES
“𝒉𝒆𝒚.. 𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕.”
“𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆."
the most healthy relationship i’ve ever read about
he adores her
and she trusts him more than anyone else.
“𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆.”
“𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆, 𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒏𝒐𝒕 ‘𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆..’ 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“toxic people will do that to you, your brain will completely shut down around them to protect itself from those awful memories.
you don’t owe him anything, not a text not a conversation or even a glance, he made you feel like you weren’t good enough, like you had to change for him.. but you don’t have to change for anyone.”
“𝙮𝙚𝙨, 𝙎𝙤𝙣.. 𝙞 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧.. 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩, 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙩 "𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣-𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨" 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙙𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚.
"𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 "𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨" 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙! 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨!"
"𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤." 𝙄 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨. "𝙒𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝."
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚.. 𝘼 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤, 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣." (THIS QUOTE WASN'T EVEN 5% IN 😟, I knew right there that I was going to LOVE this book.)
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AHHH THE BOOK DATEEE ON CHAP 32 HELP IM ACTUALLY GOING TO DIE THIS WAS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER
UPDATE!↓↓↓
HE BOUGHT ALL OF THE BOOKS SHE RECOMMENDED HIMM STOP IM SHAKING
AHHHHH FABLE AND LEO, i need to read their book ASAP!!!
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(5/5)⭐️🥐
6⭐️ IF I COULD.. “𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔”💖
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𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pre read:
JUST GOT ACCEPTED FOR THE ARC OF THE SECOND IN THE SERIESS!!
gotta start this one eventually, so why not let it be now?? happy reading all 💕💕⭐️
well now it’s the morning.. here’s a long and i mean LONG review!
𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬!
⭐️: 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬!
this cover is just doing it for me guys 🤭
my own personal age level 16+⚡️
my own personal spice level 4/5🌶️
🪐⋆⭒ Finneas
⋆ ☄︎.
·˚ * 🔭
as someone who's growing up in a toxic household, I felt like I could really connect to Finn! I love when main character’s are representing something you have/are going thru!!!
he now takes the crown for being my TOP FAVORITE book boyfriend. HE TAKES CARE OF HIS NIECES BECAUSE HIS SISTER DIED (I can't even), HE IS ONLY HIS REAL SELF AROUND HER (absolutely adorable). I'm sorry y'all, but he's just too good.
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ Millie
a bundle of literal sunshine.. except with him????
she’s sassy but her true rays of love are turned down because of her total clown of an ex (he would demean her, make her cry and say “i was just playing/experimenting” literally insult her in front of her friends/his parents/public.. literally anywhere)
so she’s not just ready for love but he GIVES HER TIME AND RESPECTS HER SAYING THAT SHES NOT READY YETTT!
they're so nerdy and perfect for each other i love it 😞
₊˚⊹ 𐦍༘⊹ 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴 <3
+ rivals to friends to lovers (😍)
+ stem rivalry
+ slow burn
+ insta lust
+ open door
+ found family (💕)
+ work romance
+ uncle and the kids LOVE HERR 💔
I IMMEDIATELY KNEW THAT I RECOGNIZED THIS WRITINGGG!
THIS IS THE SAME AUTHOR WHO WROTE ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE 2025 READSSSSS (Wreck my plans)!!
the writing, the emotional connection I feel towards her prose, the characters! I plan on buying EVERY SINGLE one of her books!! also.. just a side note.. (the narrator) JASON CLARKE HAS MY HEARTTTTTT
trigger warnings! ⚠️
・ Loss of a close family member
・manipulation + gaslighting (not from a main character)
・ verbally abusive parents
・ Trauma
・ Anxiety + Anxiety attacks (in case that's something you don't want to read about!)
————————————————————————————
he BUGS her! (🦋 she's an entomologist!! )
and she's too STARRY eyed for him! (he's an astronomer🪐)
————————————————————————————
𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒒𝒖𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒔!
“how are you, my Millie?.”
“i’m fine, vinn”
AGH THESE TWO AND THEIR NICKNAMES
“𝒉𝒆𝒚.. 𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒕.”
“𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆."
the most healthy relationship i’ve ever read about
he adores her
and she trusts him more than anyone else.
“𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆.”
“𝑴𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆, 𝒊 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒐 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝒏𝒐𝒕 ‘𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆..’ 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
“toxic people will do that to you, your brain will completely shut down around them to protect itself from those awful memories.
you don’t owe him anything, not a text not a conversation or even a glance, he made you feel like you weren’t good enough, like you had to change for him.. but you don’t have to change for anyone.”
“𝙮𝙚𝙨, 𝙎𝙤𝙣.. 𝙞 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧.. 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩, 𝙩𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙩 "𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣-𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨" 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮'𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙙𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙜𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚.
"𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 "𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨" 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙚'𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙧𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙙! 𝙄 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙖 𝙤𝙛 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙨!"
"𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤." 𝙄 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨. "𝙒𝙚 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙨 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝."
𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚'𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚.. 𝘼 𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙨𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤, 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣." (THIS QUOTE WASN'T EVEN 5% IN 😟, I knew right there that I was going to LOVE this book.)
————————————————————————————
AHHH THE BOOK DATEEE ON CHAP 32 HELP IM ACTUALLY GOING TO DIE THIS WAS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER
UPDATE!↓↓↓
HE BOUGHT ALL OF THE BOOKS SHE RECOMMENDED HIMM STOP IM SHAKING
AHHHHH FABLE AND LEO, i need to read their book ASAP!!!
————————————————————————————
(5/5)⭐️🥐
6⭐️ IF I COULD.. “𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔”💖
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𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 pre read:
JUST GOT ACCEPTED FOR THE ARC OF THE SECOND IN THE SERIESS!!
gotta start this one eventually, so why not let it be now?? happy reading all 💕💕⭐️
January 30, 2025
Sadly, DNF’ed at 49% because that is legitimately when this book could have ended. Between the Insta love, the one roadblock being solved nearly immediately, and the male narrator acting like he is in a mafia dark romance, instead of the head of the astronomy department at a museum in a romcom, this just was not for me
August 20, 2024
this book was like one big warm hug on the coldest of winter nights oh my god, so much ooey gooey mushy goodness 😭🥰🩷
this book first captivated me with the cover, then the synopsis and lastly by the end of the chapter when millie called our hot, grumpy, glasses wearing head director of the astronomy department “Dr. Black Hole”. i knew after all of these things that i was about to discover a new favorite book of mine and i was right!!!
there were so many aspects of this book that i just wasnt expecting and the biggest being that Finn is the sole guardian to his sisters twin daughters, how i missed this? i have no idea BUT OH MY GOD, avery and eloise were the stars of the show for me 🥹 everything about these two little girls and the way both finn and millie loved them was so heartmelting.
i absolutely LOVED the way there was no unnecessary drama in this book and only what was necessary for plot development. its been awhile since ive read something that was able to captivate and keep intrigue in their story with minimal drama and it was done to perfection honestly.
AND NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP *chefs kiss*!!!!
all of the side characters in this book were so damn lovable, i truly couldve read hundreds of more pages with every single one of them ESPECIALLY her family 🥹
there are so many things i wanna gush about but dont want to give too much more away but trust me if you love fluff, spice, minimal drama, found family and the best of friend groups, you will love 🤭
this book first captivated me with the cover, then the synopsis and lastly by the end of the chapter when millie called our hot, grumpy, glasses wearing head director of the astronomy department “Dr. Black Hole”. i knew after all of these things that i was about to discover a new favorite book of mine and i was right!!!
there were so many aspects of this book that i just wasnt expecting and the biggest being that Finn is the sole guardian to his sisters twin daughters, how i missed this? i have no idea BUT OH MY GOD, avery and eloise were the stars of the show for me 🥹 everything about these two little girls and the way both finn and millie loved them was so heartmelting.
i absolutely LOVED the way there was no unnecessary drama in this book and only what was necessary for plot development. its been awhile since ive read something that was able to captivate and keep intrigue in their story with minimal drama and it was done to perfection honestly.
AND NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP *chefs kiss*!!!!
all of the side characters in this book were so damn lovable, i truly couldve read hundreds of more pages with every single one of them ESPECIALLY her family 🥹
there are so many things i wanna gush about but dont want to give too much more away but trust me if you love fluff, spice, minimal drama, found family and the best of friend groups, you will love 🤭
August 15, 2024
not here for oatmeal raisin cookie slander!!
December 27, 2024
I think the book suffered from trying to be too much by throwing in all the tropes instead of focusing on a few and really fleshing them out (there’s workplace romance, grumpy vs. sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, male MC has kids (nieces), toxic ex, toxic parents…). Most had limited page time and I forgot they were a part of the story after they popped up.
This was more of a mushy romance and a little too sugary sweet for my taste, but if you enjoy those stories, then this one will be a great read for you.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This was more of a mushy romance and a little too sugary sweet for my taste, but if you enjoy those stories, then this one will be a great read for you.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
May 7, 2025
i have never giggled and kicked my feet so much while reading a book 🤭🤭 this was PERFECTION
FINN 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️
FINN 🧎♀️🧎♀️🧎♀️
May 28, 2025
ngl when couples have weird nicknames for each other i do want to throw up but like, I’m happy they’re happy xoxo
March 12, 2025
3.5 stars ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Give me Butterflies follows Millie, an entomologist-museum curator, who is trying to land her dream job as Director of Entomology. And who is on the hiring committee but Finn, the constantly scowling Director of Astronomy. A classic grumpy/sunshine set-up. She soon finds out that Finn is the guardian of his two 5-year-old nieces and mayyyybeee not as asshole-ish as he first appears.
Read this book if you like:
─ Dual-POV
─ Grumpy/sunshine
─ He-falls-first
─ Single dad/guardian
─ STEM romance à la Ali Hazelwood
Some of the best parts of the books were the scenes featuring Finn's nieces. Even before dating, Millie started coming over to teach Finn and the kids how to bake snickerdoodle cookies, make chicken Alfredo, etc. They were so cute. (A little too cute sometimes. It's like, kids can't be that perfect.) I'm a sucker for the single parent trope.
Give me Butterflies reminded me a lot of Ali Hazelwood's Love, Theoretically. Not just because it's a STEM-romance between an applicant and someone on their hiring committee, but also all the Kylo Ren/Leia references. Of course, two authors who are really into Star Wars.
My one ding against the book is that the transition between Millie and Finn being friends and having sex felt a little bit jarring. I would have liked a little more build-up. That brought it from more of a 4-star read to a 3.5.
I would recommend this to anyone who needs a little pick-me-up or an easy read to get them out of their slump. This was cute, fun, and relatively low stakes, so it's a perfect choice for any cozy romance readers!
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read:
A Goodreads Giveaway win!!!!
I have been wanting to read this for months since I won it back in October but unfortunately I made an oopsie and put in my address wrong. Special thanks to the publisher for sending me another copy after months of begging and pleading 😂 So excited to finally get into it!!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Give me Butterflies follows Millie, an entomologist-museum curator, who is trying to land her dream job as Director of Entomology. And who is on the hiring committee but Finn, the constantly scowling Director of Astronomy. A classic grumpy/sunshine set-up. She soon finds out that Finn is the guardian of his two 5-year-old nieces and mayyyybeee not as asshole-ish as he first appears.
Read this book if you like:
─ Dual-POV
─ Grumpy/sunshine
─ He-falls-first
─ Single dad/guardian
─ STEM romance à la Ali Hazelwood
Some of the best parts of the books were the scenes featuring Finn's nieces. Even before dating, Millie started coming over to teach Finn and the kids how to bake snickerdoodle cookies, make chicken Alfredo, etc. They were so cute. (A little too cute sometimes. It's like, kids can't be that perfect.) I'm a sucker for the single parent trope.
Give me Butterflies reminded me a lot of Ali Hazelwood's Love, Theoretically. Not just because it's a STEM-romance between an applicant and someone on their hiring committee, but also all the Kylo Ren/Leia references. Of course, two authors who are really into Star Wars.
My one ding against the book is that the transition between Millie and Finn being friends and having sex felt a little bit jarring. I would have liked a little more build-up. That brought it from more of a 4-star read to a 3.5.
I would recommend this to anyone who needs a little pick-me-up or an easy read to get them out of their slump. This was cute, fun, and relatively low stakes, so it's a perfect choice for any cozy romance readers!
Thank you William Morrow for providing me a copy of Give Me Butterflies in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Pre-read:
A Goodreads Giveaway win!!!!
I have been wanting to read this for months since I won it back in October but unfortunately I made an oopsie and put in my address wrong. Special thanks to the publisher for sending me another copy after months of begging and pleading 😂 So excited to finally get into it!!
January 20, 2025
Even better the second time 🦋🌌
————————————————————————
Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows 🦋
I adored this! Millie is an entomology (study of insects) curator working at her local museum. She has the opportunity for an interview for the department director position and is not going to let anything get in her way. That includes her grumpy co-worker Finn who is part of the astronomy department. Finn is all grumpy on the exterior but Mille gets to know him more and learns there's things hiding under his grumpy facade. He's dealing with grief from losing his sister, attempting to take care of his two nieces, and still take some time for himself. Things get a little complicated when it turns out Finn is on the committee to determine if Millie gets the job.
This was such a sweet story. Millie was so lovely. She's a very positive person who always wants to make sure those around her are comfortable and seen. I loved how she stood up for herself throughout the book and was confident that she was the perfect person for the department head job.
Finn is an outward facing grump, but really a softie for those he cares closely about. He was so sweet with his two nieces, Eloise and Avery, and I very much respected how much he dove into caring for them after losing his sister. Seeing him expand and outwardly show that love to Millie was so heartwarming. This man fell first and he fell hard.
Millie and Finn's relationship felt like it developed so authentically. Millie slowly gets to know him through some work events which leads to them doing activities outside of it. I loved how there was a perfect balance of just Millie and Finn moments and moments with Millie, Finn, Eloise, and Avery. The moments with all four of them was so sweet and wholesome.
There was no third act breakup which I think was perfect for them. They communicated well and knew when they need to take a moment to themselves.
I am super excited to read more from Jillian soon!
Tropes:
👨👧👧 single guardian
🤒 she takes care of him when he’s sick
👏🏼 no third act break up
❤️ he falls first
🥹 grump who is really a softie
🏛️ workplace romance
🦋 woman in STEM
🫶🏻 found family
📱 text messages
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
————————————————————————
Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows 🦋
I adored this! Millie is an entomology (study of insects) curator working at her local museum. She has the opportunity for an interview for the department director position and is not going to let anything get in her way. That includes her grumpy co-worker Finn who is part of the astronomy department. Finn is all grumpy on the exterior but Mille gets to know him more and learns there's things hiding under his grumpy facade. He's dealing with grief from losing his sister, attempting to take care of his two nieces, and still take some time for himself. Things get a little complicated when it turns out Finn is on the committee to determine if Millie gets the job.
This was such a sweet story. Millie was so lovely. She's a very positive person who always wants to make sure those around her are comfortable and seen. I loved how she stood up for herself throughout the book and was confident that she was the perfect person for the department head job.
Finn is an outward facing grump, but really a softie for those he cares closely about. He was so sweet with his two nieces, Eloise and Avery, and I very much respected how much he dove into caring for them after losing his sister. Seeing him expand and outwardly show that love to Millie was so heartwarming. This man fell first and he fell hard.
Millie and Finn's relationship felt like it developed so authentically. Millie slowly gets to know him through some work events which leads to them doing activities outside of it. I loved how there was a perfect balance of just Millie and Finn moments and moments with Millie, Finn, Eloise, and Avery. The moments with all four of them was so sweet and wholesome.
There was no third act breakup which I think was perfect for them. They communicated well and knew when they need to take a moment to themselves.
I am super excited to read more from Jillian soon!
Tropes:
👨👧👧 single guardian
🤒 she takes care of him when he’s sick
👏🏼 no third act break up
❤️ he falls first
🥹 grump who is really a softie
🏛️ workplace romance
🦋 woman in STEM
🫶🏻 found family
📱 text messages
dual POV
5/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️
February 1, 2025
— 4 stars . ۫ ꣑ৎ
This book felt like such a warm cozy hug. Going into this book I had no idea how comforting of a read it would be. I absolutely loved the scenes of Finn, Millie, Eloise, and Avery. All the characters in this book were extremely lovable 🥹❤️🩹. I loved the found family within this book and I was so happy with how the book came to an end. All the scenes in this book were super cute and heartwarming! There’s also no unnecessary drama + our two leads communication with each other is top tier.
I also loved the mental health representation that this book had within it. This book also has no unnecessary third act breakup which I highly appreciated. Also can we appreciate a man who goes to therapy 🙂↕️.
I would highly recommend this one if you’re looking for an easy relatively fluffy read (but do look up the triggers as this book deals with heavier topics 🤍).
Thank you to netgalley, for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
pre-review:
ahhh i got the arc!! this one looks so cute 🤭
This book felt like such a warm cozy hug. Going into this book I had no idea how comforting of a read it would be. I absolutely loved the scenes of Finn, Millie, Eloise, and Avery. All the characters in this book were extremely lovable 🥹❤️🩹. I loved the found family within this book and I was so happy with how the book came to an end. All the scenes in this book were super cute and heartwarming! There’s also no unnecessary drama + our two leads communication with each other is top tier.
I also loved the mental health representation that this book had within it. This book also has no unnecessary third act breakup which I highly appreciated. Also can we appreciate a man who goes to therapy 🙂↕️.
I would highly recommend this one if you’re looking for an easy relatively fluffy read (but do look up the triggers as this book deals with heavier topics 🤍).
Thank you to netgalley, for providing me with an ARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
pre-review:
ahhh i got the arc!! this one looks so cute 🤭
March 18, 2025
A few bumps but altogether very cute.
This is a pretty typical forbidden workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, single "dad" conglomeration. It ticks a lot of boxes and for the most part, it executes them pretty well. Finn is the grumpy tenured museum director who's become the guardian to his twin nieces after his sister's untimely death. He's still reeling. Sprinkle on top some gaslighting parents and he's one miserable MF'er.
Millie is recovering from her own gaslighter, in the form of her longtime boyfriend who made her feel like garbage. Instead of struggling to find a way through, Millie has adopted a perma-smile and happy mask to go with it.
When her boss decides to retire, Millie is primed and ready to take his place. There's one hurdle... Finn. Who is on the hiring committee.
It's clear from pretty early on that despite his crankiness, Finn is a sweetie just waiting to emerge from his depression cocoon. These two, at first, form a tenuous friendship due to the girls as Millie is voluntold to help Finn navigate the turbulent airs of the culinary arts. Millie, who loves to bake, begins to offer Finn cooking/baking tips to help his girls have more stable eating habits at home.
Normally I find kids in romance novels a bit distracting. It can go horribly wrong. Sometimes, however, it works. This is one of those instances. The girls are cute and there's just enough of them to add to the story without overwhelming it.
Interactions with Millie's family was sweet and endearing, also a setup for the next book(s) in the series. It was sweet to watch Finn feeling so overwhelmed by their generosity and kindness, a stark contrast to his own family. I wasn't a fan of how that weekend trip to the country ended but that's something I was able to look past.
That said, I had a few issues with Millie as a character. She was a little all over the place. In one instance she was self-assured and driven, in another she was easily undermined. It was a bit incongruous. I get mental abuse and how it can be debilitating, but I'd expect that to be more evident overall as opposed to being situational.
Also, the author's choice to reintroduce said gaslighter toward the end of the novel was unnecessary and actually detracted from the story. It was silly and on the heels of the gratuitous third act break up was overkill.
Altogether this was a sweet, fluffy read and I will move on to the second book in the series, focusing on Millie's sister.
This is a pretty typical forbidden workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, single "dad" conglomeration. It ticks a lot of boxes and for the most part, it executes them pretty well. Finn is the grumpy tenured museum director who's become the guardian to his twin nieces after his sister's untimely death. He's still reeling. Sprinkle on top some gaslighting parents and he's one miserable MF'er.
Millie is recovering from her own gaslighter, in the form of her longtime boyfriend who made her feel like garbage. Instead of struggling to find a way through, Millie has adopted a perma-smile and happy mask to go with it.
When her boss decides to retire, Millie is primed and ready to take his place. There's one hurdle... Finn. Who is on the hiring committee.
It's clear from pretty early on that despite his crankiness, Finn is a sweetie just waiting to emerge from his depression cocoon. These two, at first, form a tenuous friendship due to the girls as Millie is voluntold to help Finn navigate the turbulent airs of the culinary arts. Millie, who loves to bake, begins to offer Finn cooking/baking tips to help his girls have more stable eating habits at home.
Normally I find kids in romance novels a bit distracting. It can go horribly wrong. Sometimes, however, it works. This is one of those instances. The girls are cute and there's just enough of them to add to the story without overwhelming it.
Interactions with Millie's family was sweet and endearing, also a setup for the next book(s) in the series. It was sweet to watch Finn feeling so overwhelmed by their generosity and kindness, a stark contrast to his own family. I wasn't a fan of how that weekend trip to the country ended but that's something I was able to look past.
That said, I had a few issues with Millie as a character. She was a little all over the place. In one instance she was self-assured and driven, in another she was easily undermined. It was a bit incongruous. I get mental abuse and how it can be debilitating, but I'd expect that to be more evident overall as opposed to being situational.
Also, the author's choice to reintroduce said gaslighter toward the end of the novel was unnecessary and actually detracted from the story. It was silly and on the heels of the gratuitous third act break up was overkill.
Altogether this was a sweet, fluffy read and I will move on to the second book in the series, focusing on Millie's sister.
March 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️
September 16, 2023
Sign me up for anything this author writes in the future because this was SO good 💕
January 18, 2025
Giving me butterflies, indeed! My first full 5 star read of the year is here.
I utterly adored Give Me Butterflies. It was perfect to me. Just perfect.
Millie and Finn are coworkers who initially don't initially get along, yet constantly gravitate towards (even if that means walking into) one another. After some initial misconception and temporary grumpiness from him, Millie soon sees Finn past his grumpy mask into a man who carries the heavy burden of a loved one's loss and his absolute determination to provide the best life for his whole world-- his nieces from whom he is sole guardian. Breaking that initial wall down between is the first true step into wanting to be in each other's orbit. However, as Finn is part of a judging panel that will decide a potential promotion for Millie, she draws a line that seeks nothing past friendship. But gravity is gravity-- and the pull can't be helped. Nor can it be helped how the most beautiful love story can blossom when we just let ourselves fly.
Finn is doing his absolute best to take the best care of and raise his nieces with the love and dedication. After losing his sister (the girls' mother) to illness, Finn has taken the role of parent to his nieces. And he wants to ensure they remain his priority and he never lets them down, the way his cold parents did to him and his sister time and time again. The dedication is heartwarming, although the fear of a misstep in parenting does lead to misstep in his burgeoning romancing with Millie. However, this stumble is one that I believe will have the reader sympathize with Finn rather than be angry at him. He's a green flag man from beginning to ending.
Millie. Lovely Millie. It's no wonder Finn falls so easily in love with. She is empathetic, kind, warm, and a wonderful, contagious dreamer. After seeing the true Finn he slowly but steadily gets to know him better-- and his girls. Those Fridays at his place were the most fun to read. I also adored seeing the burgeoning relationship between Millie and the girls. Oh! how readily she became part of their world, and how welcoming she and her family were of the girls when they met. Finn takes such good care of them, but it's heartening watching those girls experience love from an extended family in a way they hadn't before.
It's also heartening to watch Millie learn to trust again. After surviving a toxic relationship, Millie has many good reasons to not want to cross any lines with Finn, but along the way his words and actions demonstrate to her that she should keep her heart open. That there are hands she can hold that are full of trust, of safety, of love.
And just as she learns to trust, Finn learns to live. To live fully. Millie becomes the sun he orbits, that his girls orbit. She lights their lives up with laughter, music, and some delicious food. She brings home and comfort with her and they fall into her open embrace oh so effortlessly. Like they were always meant to fit. I fell in love with the family they formed. The family they earned.
I also appreciated that amidst the beautiful love story and the bonding found family narrative, Finn doesn't forget his deceased sister and I loved how the narrative touched upon her character and I loved even more a very special way Millie chooses to honor her memory.
Love is the theme. Love of a good, healthy relationship. Love for self. Love for family. Love for true partners. It's a beautiful theme that teaches us our worth in having love in our lives, and how to always cherish it.
Millie and Finn are so deserving of their love and I'm thrilled to have read their story. It's a book I will be recommending to all!
Thank you Avon and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
I utterly adored Give Me Butterflies. It was perfect to me. Just perfect.
Millie and Finn are coworkers who initially don't initially get along, yet constantly gravitate towards (even if that means walking into) one another. After some initial misconception and temporary grumpiness from him, Millie soon sees Finn past his grumpy mask into a man who carries the heavy burden of a loved one's loss and his absolute determination to provide the best life for his whole world-- his nieces from whom he is sole guardian. Breaking that initial wall down between is the first true step into wanting to be in each other's orbit. However, as Finn is part of a judging panel that will decide a potential promotion for Millie, she draws a line that seeks nothing past friendship. But gravity is gravity-- and the pull can't be helped. Nor can it be helped how the most beautiful love story can blossom when we just let ourselves fly.
Finn is doing his absolute best to take the best care of and raise his nieces with the love and dedication. After losing his sister (the girls' mother) to illness, Finn has taken the role of parent to his nieces. And he wants to ensure they remain his priority and he never lets them down, the way his cold parents did to him and his sister time and time again. The dedication is heartwarming, although the fear of a misstep in parenting does lead to misstep in his burgeoning romancing with Millie. However, this stumble is one that I believe will have the reader sympathize with Finn rather than be angry at him. He's a green flag man from beginning to ending.
Millie. Lovely Millie. It's no wonder Finn falls so easily in love with. She is empathetic, kind, warm, and a wonderful, contagious dreamer. After seeing the true Finn he slowly but steadily gets to know him better-- and his girls. Those Fridays at his place were the most fun to read. I also adored seeing the burgeoning relationship between Millie and the girls. Oh! how readily she became part of their world, and how welcoming she and her family were of the girls when they met. Finn takes such good care of them, but it's heartening watching those girls experience love from an extended family in a way they hadn't before.
It's also heartening to watch Millie learn to trust again. After surviving a toxic relationship, Millie has many good reasons to not want to cross any lines with Finn, but along the way his words and actions demonstrate to her that she should keep her heart open. That there are hands she can hold that are full of trust, of safety, of love.
And just as she learns to trust, Finn learns to live. To live fully. Millie becomes the sun he orbits, that his girls orbit. She lights their lives up with laughter, music, and some delicious food. She brings home and comfort with her and they fall into her open embrace oh so effortlessly. Like they were always meant to fit. I fell in love with the family they formed. The family they earned.
I also appreciated that amidst the beautiful love story and the bonding found family narrative, Finn doesn't forget his deceased sister and I loved how the narrative touched upon her character and I loved even more a very special way Millie chooses to honor her memory.
Love is the theme. Love of a good, healthy relationship. Love for self. Love for family. Love for true partners. It's a beautiful theme that teaches us our worth in having love in our lives, and how to always cherish it.
Millie and Finn are so deserving of their love and I'm thrilled to have read their story. It's a book I will be recommending to all!
Thank you Avon and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
August 17, 2024
Sometimes you really can judge a book by its cover. I picked this one up just bc of the cover and randomly found my new favorite romance 😭 I feel like nothing I say will be enough for how much I loved it so I'm gonna say my favorite parts of the book instead:
1. There’s no unnecessary drama. They communicate so well, sometimes it took them a minute to talk but eventually they understood each other.
2. He hired the chef who makes her favorite croissant to teach them the recipe bc she could never get it right on her own.
3. Super cute kids. I always love kids in books but these two were out of this world.
4. She got a tattoo in honor of his sister who passed away bc she knew it had an extremely special meaning for all of them.
5. He cooks very badly but didn't think twice before calling her dad to ask for her favorite soup recipe when she got sick.
6. No 3rd act breakup (honestly that alone should be enough to convince you to read).
7. All the characters are extremely lovable (except for her ex and his parents, obviously). I finished the book with the feeling that if there’s a book for each character I’ll one hundred percent be reading them all.
I really hope this book gets the recognition it deserves ♡
Thank you Netgalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
1. There’s no unnecessary drama. They communicate so well, sometimes it took them a minute to talk but eventually they understood each other.
2. He hired the chef who makes her favorite croissant to teach them the recipe bc she could never get it right on her own.
3. Super cute kids. I always love kids in books but these two were out of this world.
4. She got a tattoo in honor of his sister who passed away bc she knew it had an extremely special meaning for all of them.
5. He cooks very badly but didn't think twice before calling her dad to ask for her favorite soup recipe when she got sick.
6. No 3rd act breakup (honestly that alone should be enough to convince you to read).
7. All the characters are extremely lovable (except for her ex and his parents, obviously). I finished the book with the feeling that if there’s a book for each character I’ll one hundred percent be reading them all.
I really hope this book gets the recognition it deserves ♡
Thank you Netgalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2023
Soft, wholesome romance novels are everything to me.
If you love grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, single parent, lonely hero, you will love this book so much. Now I'm so ready to read Jillian's holiday romance + it's about Lena and HAS AGE GAP AKA MY FAVORITE TROPE.
If you love grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, single parent, lonely hero, you will love this book so much. Now I'm so ready to read Jillian's holiday romance + it's about Lena and HAS AGE GAP AKA MY FAVORITE TROPE.
January 13, 2025
**𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘** 𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆 𝑩𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑱𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝑴𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒔
Release Date: January 21, 2025
5⭐️5🌶
I absolutely loved this Rom Com with all the feel goods and heart warming characters. Millie works at a Natural History Museum in the "Butterfly House" essentially and she's applying to become a Director within the Museum. The Director position has been her dream job for a while now, and she's doing everything in her power to do well with the interview process.
Finn also works at the Natural History museum, but in the Astronomy department. Millie accidentally runs into his car in the parking lot on the morning of her first interview. She sees him and this his a brooding dark lord straight out of the Star Wars franchise. She has a minor panic attack when she goes inside and realizes he's on the panel of people that are interviewing her for her dream job.
Millie meets the Kylo Ren double again when she finds out he has twin 5 year old girls in her Summer Camp program, Avery and Eloise. They're absolutely adorable, and she finds out that their mother died due to cancer and Finn is actually their uncle who adopted them.
Millie finds herself going to Finn's house every Friday to hang out with his girls to bake cooks, make pizza, and general teach Finn how to not burn the kitchen down. There friendship turns from grumpy and sunshine to sunshine and sunshine. But she doesn't want their relationship to be anything more than friends, so it doesn't put her dream job in jeopardy. They just can't seem to stay away from each other.
This is definitely in my top 5 rom coms ever! I'm going to be recommending this to every rom com reader I know!
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Nerd-nerd couple
🍁Enemies-to-lovers
🍁Boss-sub-employee relationship
🍁Grumpy-sunshine
TW:
✨Verbal abuse and gaslighting (past)
✨Loss of a parent
✨Loss of a sibling via cancer
✨Emotionally distant and manipulative parents
✨Anxiety symptoms and attacks
Release Date: January 21, 2025
5⭐️5🌶
I absolutely loved this Rom Com with all the feel goods and heart warming characters. Millie works at a Natural History Museum in the "Butterfly House" essentially and she's applying to become a Director within the Museum. The Director position has been her dream job for a while now, and she's doing everything in her power to do well with the interview process.
Finn also works at the Natural History museum, but in the Astronomy department. Millie accidentally runs into his car in the parking lot on the morning of her first interview. She sees him and this his a brooding dark lord straight out of the Star Wars franchise. She has a minor panic attack when she goes inside and realizes he's on the panel of people that are interviewing her for her dream job.
Millie meets the Kylo Ren double again when she finds out he has twin 5 year old girls in her Summer Camp program, Avery and Eloise. They're absolutely adorable, and she finds out that their mother died due to cancer and Finn is actually their uncle who adopted them.
Millie finds herself going to Finn's house every Friday to hang out with his girls to bake cooks, make pizza, and general teach Finn how to not burn the kitchen down. There friendship turns from grumpy and sunshine to sunshine and sunshine. But she doesn't want their relationship to be anything more than friends, so it doesn't put her dream job in jeopardy. They just can't seem to stay away from each other.
This is definitely in my top 5 rom coms ever! I'm going to be recommending this to every rom com reader I know!
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Nerd-nerd couple
🍁Enemies-to-lovers
🍁Boss-sub-employee relationship
🍁Grumpy-sunshine
TW:
✨Verbal abuse and gaslighting (past)
✨Loss of a parent
✨Loss of a sibling via cancer
✨Emotionally distant and manipulative parents
✨Anxiety symptoms and attacks
April 26, 2025
a woman in stem and a hot grumpy coworker?? kylo ren mention??? jason clarke narrating??? THIS ONE WAS MADE FOR ME. jillian meadows writes deliciously pathetic (non-derogatory) men and i can’t feel my knees
March 4, 2025
I went into it with high expectations—everyone seems to adore this book—but it ended up being just okay for me.
The setup had promise: a slow-burn workplace romance with a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, nerdy banter, and emotional depth. Finn, the brooding but lovable uncle struggling with grief, was easily the best part. His moments with his nieces were sweet.
Millie, on the other hand, didn’t work for me. As the main character, she felt more frustrating than endearing. She was written as anxious and passionate about her job, but instead of coming across as relatable, she often felt immature or self-sabotaging. Her internal monologues dragged, and her decisions didn’t always make sense.
Overall, it wasn’t bad, just underwhelming. If you love slow burns with workplace romance and found family, you might enjoy it more than I did. But for me, it didn’t live up to the hype.
🎶Enchanted – Taylor Swift
🎶Fix You – Coldplay
The setup had promise: a slow-burn workplace romance with a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, nerdy banter, and emotional depth. Finn, the brooding but lovable uncle struggling with grief, was easily the best part. His moments with his nieces were sweet.
Millie, on the other hand, didn’t work for me. As the main character, she felt more frustrating than endearing. She was written as anxious and passionate about her job, but instead of coming across as relatable, she often felt immature or self-sabotaging. Her internal monologues dragged, and her decisions didn’t always make sense.
Overall, it wasn’t bad, just underwhelming. If you love slow burns with workplace romance and found family, you might enjoy it more than I did. But for me, it didn’t live up to the hype.
🎶Enchanted – Taylor Swift
🎶Fix You – Coldplay
July 30, 2023
Great debut
When a debut gives me the swoons like this, I know I'm adding another author to my one-click list! This was soft, sweet, and spicy all in one, with a patient, loving, and nerdy hero. I loved the found family aspect and the open, honest communication. Our hero is understanding and attentive (he sees a therapist!), and it was such a breath of fresh air to have such a genuinely endearing lead. The moments spent with his adorable nieces were smile-inducing, which paired perfectly with the light yet emotional storyline. Add in the fact that our heroine works in STEM and she's prioritizing gaining her confidence back, and there was a whole lot that was working for me. It's an uplifting book with a tender, sexy storyline that gave me a serious case of the warm and fuzzies.
The story follows Millie, an entomologist who is up for a promotion. She's excited about the opportunity, but dismayed to discover that her grumpiest co-worker is on the hiring committee. An astronomer at the same museum, Finn always seems to have a thundercloud over his head. So when the two continue to bump into each other and tensions rise, they communicate more than they ever have in the past. When Millie learns that Finn recently became the guardian to his two young nieces, it changes things between them. Seeing the grump doing his best with two little girls makes it tough to be mad at him, and spending time with Millie makes Finn's moods lighter. It's not long before Millie and Finn are forming a friendship, but crossing any other lines is sure to cause complications.
While I really enjoyed Millie and the representation of a science-loving, professional heroine, it was Finn who stole the show for me. I was expecting him to be more of a grump, but it's more that he had his reasons for being moody. Finn's life changed completely after the loss of his sister, so it's easy to understand why he was constantly frowning. Watching him transform into the SWEETEST man ever was so fun, and I loved the way he was with Millie. I loved the playfulness and the spice, which brought a lightness to a book that has plenty of heavier components. If I have one complaint, it's that there were a few things that could've been explored further - between Finn's grief, navigating guardianship, Millie's gaslighting ex, and her anxiety, it felt like certain components were overshadowed. But I loved that it was such a multifaceted storyline, and the vibes reminded me of some of my favorite authors. So this was great debut for me, and one that definitely exceeded my expectations.
When a debut gives me the swoons like this, I know I'm adding another author to my one-click list! This was soft, sweet, and spicy all in one, with a patient, loving, and nerdy hero. I loved the found family aspect and the open, honest communication. Our hero is understanding and attentive (he sees a therapist!), and it was such a breath of fresh air to have such a genuinely endearing lead. The moments spent with his adorable nieces were smile-inducing, which paired perfectly with the light yet emotional storyline. Add in the fact that our heroine works in STEM and she's prioritizing gaining her confidence back, and there was a whole lot that was working for me. It's an uplifting book with a tender, sexy storyline that gave me a serious case of the warm and fuzzies.
The story follows Millie, an entomologist who is up for a promotion. She's excited about the opportunity, but dismayed to discover that her grumpiest co-worker is on the hiring committee. An astronomer at the same museum, Finn always seems to have a thundercloud over his head. So when the two continue to bump into each other and tensions rise, they communicate more than they ever have in the past. When Millie learns that Finn recently became the guardian to his two young nieces, it changes things between them. Seeing the grump doing his best with two little girls makes it tough to be mad at him, and spending time with Millie makes Finn's moods lighter. It's not long before Millie and Finn are forming a friendship, but crossing any other lines is sure to cause complications.
While I really enjoyed Millie and the representation of a science-loving, professional heroine, it was Finn who stole the show for me. I was expecting him to be more of a grump, but it's more that he had his reasons for being moody. Finn's life changed completely after the loss of his sister, so it's easy to understand why he was constantly frowning. Watching him transform into the SWEETEST man ever was so fun, and I loved the way he was with Millie. I loved the playfulness and the spice, which brought a lightness to a book that has plenty of heavier components. If I have one complaint, it's that there were a few things that could've been explored further - between Finn's grief, navigating guardianship, Millie's gaslighting ex, and her anxiety, it felt like certain components were overshadowed. But I loved that it was such a multifaceted storyline, and the vibes reminded me of some of my favorite authors. So this was great debut for me, and one that definitely exceeded my expectations.
October 10, 2024
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
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
February 4, 2025
First off this trad cover for Give Me Butterflies is so pretty! This book had been on my radar for a couple years since it was indie published and I finally got to it with the new audiobook (totally worth the wait)! This was so cozy, cute, and sweet and exactly what I needed.
“For you I’d make room for anything, everything.”
This is a grumpy x sunshine, workplace (two curators at a science museum), single guardian (his 2 nieces), with caretaking, found family, and anxiety rep. Finn is a grumpy astronomer x Millie is a sunshiny entomologist! And they were so cute together, I loved seeing his nieces (who he is guardian of) as part of the story as well and just how much he wants to be there for them and Millie as well. He’s a bit of a grump at first, but the kind that’s secretly a cinnamon roll and smitten. His parents are the worst and I loved seeing her parents immediately take in him and his nieces. Super sweet little tender moments and lots of cutesy nerdy moments between the 2 scientists! So glad I finally got to this one.
CW: grief from the loss of a sibling, mention of cancer, reference to past emotional and verbal abuse and gaslighting, emotionally distant and verbally abusive parents, on page anxiety symptoms and anxiety attack, brief mentions of alcohol and drugs
“For you I’d make room for anything, everything.”
This is a grumpy x sunshine, workplace (two curators at a science museum), single guardian (his 2 nieces), with caretaking, found family, and anxiety rep. Finn is a grumpy astronomer x Millie is a sunshiny entomologist! And they were so cute together, I loved seeing his nieces (who he is guardian of) as part of the story as well and just how much he wants to be there for them and Millie as well. He’s a bit of a grump at first, but the kind that’s secretly a cinnamon roll and smitten. His parents are the worst and I loved seeing her parents immediately take in him and his nieces. Super sweet little tender moments and lots of cutesy nerdy moments between the 2 scientists! So glad I finally got to this one.
CW: grief from the loss of a sibling, mention of cancer, reference to past emotional and verbal abuse and gaslighting, emotionally distant and verbally abusive parents, on page anxiety symptoms and anxiety attack, brief mentions of alcohol and drugs
September 7, 2025
FIVE✨ I seriously loved this book. It was such a refreshing read. It flowed so well and the characters were *chefs kiss*! Especially Finn 🤭
July 29, 2023
3.75 stars
this is such a fun and quick read with some spice and an absolutely adorable take on the found family trope. millie and finn have so much respect for one another and they actually communicate and trust one another with their vulnerabilities and it was super refreshing to read
not quite 4 stars cause i started to get a little bored halfway through - it felt like they got together super quickly so there was that moment of waiting for the second act conflict to hit for things to get more interesting (thankfully said conflict wasn’t the dreaded miscommunication trope)
overall, such a heartwarming book and i’m SO excited to read fable and theo’s story!!!
this is such a fun and quick read with some spice and an absolutely adorable take on the found family trope. millie and finn have so much respect for one another and they actually communicate and trust one another with their vulnerabilities and it was super refreshing to read
not quite 4 stars cause i started to get a little bored halfway through - it felt like they got together super quickly so there was that moment of waiting for the second act conflict to hit for things to get more interesting (thankfully said conflict wasn’t the dreaded miscommunication trope)
overall, such a heartwarming book and i’m SO excited to read fable and theo’s story!!!
May 22, 2025
⭐️4.25⭐️
This was cute and fun!!
This was cute and fun!!
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