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The Scientist
When an outgoing musical maven meets the enigmatic neuroscientist next door, will their worlds clash in a dramatic showdown of art versus science, or will they discover that love is the ultimate experiment worth conducting?
When celebrated Broadway composer Hadley Olivier’s best friend receives a life-threatening diagnosis, Hadley says goodbye to her beloved home in NYC and sets off to the West Coast to endure a life of sunny skies and an inexplicable obsession with quinoa. Her new life in California comes complete with old friends, a potentially disastrous career change, and a gorgeous but reticent new neighbor, Dr. Alexsander “Lex” Strovinski, whose PhD might actually be in scowling with a minor in silent treatments.
As a world-renowned neurobiologist, Lex has dedicated his life to the single-minded pursuit of scientific breakthroughs, avoiding distractions at all costs. But now, a relentlessly chirpy new neighbor with an emerald green gaze seems intent on sabotaging his focus.
As Hadley and Lex find themselves repeatedly thrown together, what begins as one-sided banter eventually gives way to a profound heart-to-heart connection. But when Hadley’s loved one takes a turn for the worse and Lex is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity overseas, will their newfound connection unravel? Or will they discover that when it comes to opposites attracting, some bonds can never be broken?
When celebrated Broadway composer Hadley Olivier’s best friend receives a life-threatening diagnosis, Hadley says goodbye to her beloved home in NYC and sets off to the West Coast to endure a life of sunny skies and an inexplicable obsession with quinoa. Her new life in California comes complete with old friends, a potentially disastrous career change, and a gorgeous but reticent new neighbor, Dr. Alexsander “Lex” Strovinski, whose PhD might actually be in scowling with a minor in silent treatments.
As a world-renowned neurobiologist, Lex has dedicated his life to the single-minded pursuit of scientific breakthroughs, avoiding distractions at all costs. But now, a relentlessly chirpy new neighbor with an emerald green gaze seems intent on sabotaging his focus.
As Hadley and Lex find themselves repeatedly thrown together, what begins as one-sided banter eventually gives way to a profound heart-to-heart connection. But when Hadley’s loved one takes a turn for the worse and Lex is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity overseas, will their newfound connection unravel? Or will they discover that when it comes to opposites attracting, some bonds can never be broken?
472 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 21, 2025
111 people are currently reading
3987 people want to read
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January 22, 2025
This opposites attract slowburn STEM romance was such a cute yet touching and inspiring read. It’s both impressive and incredible, especially for a debut. For fans of Ali Hazelwood.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
28-year-old Hadley Olivier is forced to move from New York to California so her widowed mother who has breast cancer can receive the best treatment for it. She becomes an adjunct musical composition professor at Stanford University – which may make or break her, seeing as she has never been one before. And she is not the only new teacher for the semester: 33-year-old Dr. Alexsander “Lex” Strovinski, world-renowned neurobiologist researching Alzheimer’s.
Seemingly to get off on the wrong foot, Hadley also discovers that Lex stays across the road from her. His roommate and best friend is Stuart Benowitz, also a professor of the biology department. After giving her a lift to school on the first day after her car breaks down, the three quickly become friends… or, well, Hadley and Stuart do, with Lex reluctantly joining in.
Little by little, from dinners to buying new cars to showing the sights to house parties, Hadley finds there is more to Lex than a grumpy introvert with whiskey-coloured eyes as his heart opens to her, and she falls for him more with each passing day. But with constant obstacles, like general insecurities, both their exes that are hanging around, Hadley’s mother taking a turn for the worse, and job opportunities that would make long-distance impossible, Hadley and Lex must risk everything for love or lose it all.
This is told from the first-person past-tense POV of Hadley.
OVERALL OPINIONS
This is Kristen B Cole’s first novel and the effort and research behind this work are evident quite early on. She expertly weaves the issues of the struggles with cancer and sexism in the workplace into the narrative, the former of which is very akin to The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.
Both cancer and Alzheimer’s (though the latter isn’t covered much) are topics very close to my heart: coincidentally, one of my grandmothers had breast cancer who passed away before I was born, and my other one had dementia. Usually, when we get older if it’s not mental problems it’s physical. It is absolutely devastating for a loved one to go through either and Cole captured the essence of this pain so well through a huge scope: the moments where we feel we are winning, the times we lose, the frustration and upset that it is happening to us, the helplessness, and the desire to do our own things but feeling we can’t in case we are needed. This was all handled with much care and sensitivity, and I loved Hadley’s mother’s enthusiasm and jokes throughout as she tries to forever remain optimistic about life.
When I saw the title of this book The Scientist, the song by Coldplay of the same name came to mind. I was pleasantly surprised that this is, in fact, a great reference to the song. I really like the idea that Hadley associates this song with Lex, of course, and that she subconsciously writes a version of the song:
I would say that the maturity level of the characters didn’t exactly match their age. More of this felt like how a student behaves rather than a professor. The drama between Nicky and Hadley, for example, was more like the pettiness from high school than a grown adult (not an impossible scenario though).
<< Positives >>
🠚Cute cover, reminds me a little of Elena Armas’ covers.
🠚A beautiful and healthy family bond, shown through Hadley and her mother.
🠚Hadley and Lex – Halex – were for the win! Love them so much! I couldn’t wait until they got together.
🠚The humour is great: like when Lex inspects the engine of the car and she looks at the “more important features” like the number of USB ports and cup holders. Sarah and Lionel are a hilarious duo. I’ve learned some more sassy insults from both them as well as Stuart and Nicky’s exchanges.
🠚Lots of fun tv references: like I Love Lucy, Narnia, Star Wars, Dead Poets Society, Lex with his Clark Kent syndrome. My favourite description is that Lex’s mask of indifference “I didn’t think Scooby Doo and the mystery gang could rip the mask off that one.”. And you can’t tell me the hand tendon flex isn’t a reference to our one and only Pride and Prejudice man Mr. Darcy!
🠚The epilogue is the sweetest thing ahh!
<< Negatives >>
🠚The amount of people in this story being like “Did Lex not tell you?” – never giving the man a chance to tell her sometimes haha, like I don’t know everyone seems all up in their business ALL the time. This gets repetitive.
🠚The men in this aside from Stuart and Lex were very… one-dimensional. They all throw themselves at her, she doesn’t know how to politely turn them down, they want to give her time to think it through.
🠚Some of the pacing felt too fast in terms of the plot. I think I would have preferred it if Hadley had taken much longer to find out Lex had been the one behind the treatment opportunity for her mother rather than like a page later.
🠚Some characters felt like they didn’t have much of a purpose when it felt like they would. Stanley from his early introduction and rude manners made me think he would cause trouble later – but he never appears again. Merrick, while he really helps flesh out Lex’s background and gives advice to Hadley, just disappears after that.
🠚Other characters were introduced rather late into the story when it might have been better to include them or mention them earlier (Louis, Jimmy, Logan, Stuart’s wife in the epilogue Jane Cohen). Unless there is a plan for upcoming books where Stuart and Jane are explored, this was a missed opportunity.
🠚I think Hadley’s music career could have been explored more. It is only really covered when she is in the classroom, singing songs with friends or producing them (specifically that one song near the end she helps write). And yet, as a video editor myself (mashing up clips with music), I’m constantly drumming beats, humming things or listening to music in the car. Just adding a few mannerisms might have helped.
🠚Minor thing: the epilogue is set 10 years later and I think it would be worth mentioning it underneath the epilogue title.
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Hadley꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ She is too relatable at times haha, take this example: “Nope, nuh-uh, definitely not. “Okay,” I heard myself say. Internal facepalm. Damn my pathological people-pleasing ways.”. I too am a people pleaser but I am getting better with every year. She is far too nice to Nicky after the hell she puts her through. I would have reacted more like Sarah haha!
🠚People tell her that she can pester them but she doesn’t want to always bother them – that is so me *gasp* how did you know? Haha!
🠚Misses the companionship, not the man – Me when I’m third-wheeling, for sure.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Lex꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ “He was probably holding a lot of people’s secrets in that giant brain of his.” Yup haha. Our tall dark handsome man is so fine – there’s something about nerds with glasses that they are always the freakiest under all their reserved countenance. That was certainly the case here. I blushed many times haha.
🠚I like that his name is akin to Stravinsky the composer, adds more of a link between Hadley and himself!
🠚I love how protective he is. There were some moments I didn’t like him, like when he shamed what she was wearing because he was both concerned and jealous.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Other characters꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I love Stuart, he is so funny. Lex couldn’t ask for a better or more loyal friend. Always looking out for Hadley. His back must hurt from carrying the Halex ship throughout haha. My favourite moment is when he asks Hadley to join them for dinner, and Lex “was looking at Stuart like he wanted to wrap one of the bags he was holding around his head”.
Sarah is lovely, it’s even more heartwarming when you know that Cole based her character on her own best friend Sarah. The way they talk to each other reminds me so much of me with my bestie.
FAV QUOTES
• Music’s the friend who knows your history, your dreams, and your fears—it never judges and is always ready to meet you wherever you are in life. Music knows all your soul’s secrets and somehow, reflects them back to you in perfect harmony.
• “A little education and a great amount of kindness is what is required if we are to secure harmony in this life and the lives of those who will come after us.”
• I leaned over, staring into the well for a few moments, thinking about what I should sing next before looking up into those whiskey-colored eyes. Inspiration hit in the span of a single breath. I chose “The Scientist” by Coldplay. I closed my eyes through the beginning, trying to focus on remembering the lyrics. When I was about midway through, I opened them to see Lex’s impenetrable gaze was still trained on me. I felt ensnared by those eyes as they burned brightly with an almost overwhelming intensity.
• Lex answered with a smile. It was a real, genuine smile that he seldom used. His happiness at the memory was contagious, and I realized I was smiling too. I wished I could bottle up that exact feeling I saw on his face.
• I felt like I was getting a rare insight into who he was. Despite his somewhat cold demeanor toward me in the past, I had still always suspected he was a good guy. Now, I was beginning to think he was one of the really good ones.
• He took my face in his hands before tilting my chin up toward him so that I was looking him squarely in the eyes as he said, “It feels like that’s all I do. From the moment I met you. It feels like all I do is spend my time wanting you. Every second of every fucking day. I’ve never wanted anything so badly in all my goddamn life.”
• The me of six months ago would have laughed in your face if you’d told her she’d one day be planting a garden in her spare time when she wasn’t in the classroom teaching. How quickly things could change. That was the wildness of life though, holding the beauty with the chaos.
• “Letting someone you love go isn’t as easy as everyone makes it seem.”
• A gentle pull and my senses came flooding back to me with a vivid intensity as I found the most beautiful pair of whiskey-colored eyes staring back at me. They had always been the most beautiful thing about him to me, a window to an extraordinary soul. I’d missed them more than I could ever have imagined.
• Time and distance kills even the best relationships. At one point in my life, I believed that to be true. But here I was staring at the one person who was capable of unraveling all my tightly held beliefs. As I looked up at him, I was struck by the undeniable truth that nothing could ever change the way I felt about this man.
• “I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you,” he murmured. “But I knew it with every fiber of my being that day at the well when you were singing that Coldplay song.” | I smiled. “It’s called The Scientist.” | “Is it really?” | “Yes. It’s about a man who’s consumed by his work, and he’s trying to find a way back to his love.” | He smiled back at me. “A perfect choice.”
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Kristen B. Cole and BookSirens for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
I was falling for him. I’d *been* falling. The time I’d spent pretending we were nothing more than friends had been a complete and utter waste of time. The truth had always been there, no matter how hard I tried not to see it. He was more than a neighbor, more than a friend, he was just… more. In every single way.
[ Contains some spoilers ]
PLOT SUMMARY
28-year-old Hadley Olivier is forced to move from New York to California so her widowed mother who has breast cancer can receive the best treatment for it. She becomes an adjunct musical composition professor at Stanford University – which may make or break her, seeing as she has never been one before. And she is not the only new teacher for the semester: 33-year-old Dr. Alexsander “Lex” Strovinski, world-renowned neurobiologist researching Alzheimer’s.
Seemingly to get off on the wrong foot, Hadley also discovers that Lex stays across the road from her. His roommate and best friend is Stuart Benowitz, also a professor of the biology department. After giving her a lift to school on the first day after her car breaks down, the three quickly become friends… or, well, Hadley and Stuart do, with Lex reluctantly joining in.
Little by little, from dinners to buying new cars to showing the sights to house parties, Hadley finds there is more to Lex than a grumpy introvert with whiskey-coloured eyes as his heart opens to her, and she falls for him more with each passing day. But with constant obstacles, like general insecurities, both their exes that are hanging around, Hadley’s mother taking a turn for the worse, and job opportunities that would make long-distance impossible, Hadley and Lex must risk everything for love or lose it all.
His name felt so natural on my lips, but I was at a loss for words. He always could shatter my heart in the best and worst ways. It was an unnerving realization to discover that one person held the potential to evoke my greatest joys while also igniting my most profound sorrows. A beautiful paradox.
This is told from the first-person past-tense POV of Hadley.
OVERALL OPINIONS
This is Kristen B Cole’s first novel and the effort and research behind this work are evident quite early on. She expertly weaves the issues of the struggles with cancer and sexism in the workplace into the narrative, the former of which is very akin to The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood.
Both cancer and Alzheimer’s (though the latter isn’t covered much) are topics very close to my heart: coincidentally, one of my grandmothers had breast cancer who passed away before I was born, and my other one had dementia. Usually, when we get older if it’s not mental problems it’s physical. It is absolutely devastating for a loved one to go through either and Cole captured the essence of this pain so well through a huge scope: the moments where we feel we are winning, the times we lose, the frustration and upset that it is happening to us, the helplessness, and the desire to do our own things but feeling we can’t in case we are needed. This was all handled with much care and sensitivity, and I loved Hadley’s mother’s enthusiasm and jokes throughout as she tries to forever remain optimistic about life.
When I saw the title of this book The Scientist, the song by Coldplay of the same name came to mind. I was pleasantly surprised that this is, in fact, a great reference to the song. I really like the idea that Hadley associates this song with Lex, of course, and that she subconsciously writes a version of the song:
I realized I’d inadvertently written the female perspective to “The Scientist.” In Coldplay’s version, we hear him trying to win her back after letting their relationship fall apart because of his work. In this version, we were hearing her side of the story—every heartache, every moment of doubt that they were ever going to make it.I thought this was so beautiful!
I would say that the maturity level of the characters didn’t exactly match their age. More of this felt like how a student behaves rather than a professor. The drama between Nicky and Hadley, for example, was more like the pettiness from high school than a grown adult (not an impossible scenario though).
<< Positives >>
🠚Cute cover, reminds me a little of Elena Armas’ covers.
🠚A beautiful and healthy family bond, shown through Hadley and her mother.
🠚Hadley and Lex – Halex – were for the win! Love them so much! I couldn’t wait until they got together.
🠚The humour is great: like when Lex inspects the engine of the car and she looks at the “more important features” like the number of USB ports and cup holders. Sarah and Lionel are a hilarious duo. I’ve learned some more sassy insults from both them as well as Stuart and Nicky’s exchanges.
🠚Lots of fun tv references: like I Love Lucy, Narnia, Star Wars, Dead Poets Society, Lex with his Clark Kent syndrome. My favourite description is that Lex’s mask of indifference “I didn’t think Scooby Doo and the mystery gang could rip the mask off that one.”. And you can’t tell me the hand tendon flex isn’t a reference to our one and only Pride and Prejudice man Mr. Darcy!
🠚The epilogue is the sweetest thing ahh!
<< Negatives >>
🠚The amount of people in this story being like “Did Lex not tell you?” – never giving the man a chance to tell her sometimes haha, like I don’t know everyone seems all up in their business ALL the time. This gets repetitive.
🠚The men in this aside from Stuart and Lex were very… one-dimensional. They all throw themselves at her, she doesn’t know how to politely turn them down, they want to give her time to think it through.
🠚Some of the pacing felt too fast in terms of the plot. I think I would have preferred it if Hadley had taken much longer to find out Lex had been the one behind the treatment opportunity for her mother rather than like a page later.
🠚Some characters felt like they didn’t have much of a purpose when it felt like they would. Stanley from his early introduction and rude manners made me think he would cause trouble later – but he never appears again. Merrick, while he really helps flesh out Lex’s background and gives advice to Hadley, just disappears after that.
🠚Other characters were introduced rather late into the story when it might have been better to include them or mention them earlier (Louis, Jimmy, Logan, Stuart’s wife in the epilogue Jane Cohen). Unless there is a plan for upcoming books where Stuart and Jane are explored, this was a missed opportunity.
🠚I think Hadley’s music career could have been explored more. It is only really covered when she is in the classroom, singing songs with friends or producing them (specifically that one song near the end she helps write). And yet, as a video editor myself (mashing up clips with music), I’m constantly drumming beats, humming things or listening to music in the car. Just adding a few mannerisms might have helped.
🠚Minor thing: the epilogue is set 10 years later and I think it would be worth mentioning it underneath the epilogue title.
CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Hadley꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ She is too relatable at times haha, take this example: “Nope, nuh-uh, definitely not. “Okay,” I heard myself say. Internal facepalm. Damn my pathological people-pleasing ways.”. I too am a people pleaser but I am getting better with every year. She is far too nice to Nicky after the hell she puts her through. I would have reacted more like Sarah haha!
🠚People tell her that she can pester them but she doesn’t want to always bother them – that is so me *gasp* how did you know? Haha!
🠚Misses the companionship, not the man – Me when I’m third-wheeling, for sure.
I learned a long time ago you can’t let these guys push you around or they’d walk all over you, especially if you’re a woman in the biz.
-ˋˏ ꒰ Lex꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ “He was probably holding a lot of people’s secrets in that giant brain of his.” Yup haha. Our tall dark handsome man is so fine – there’s something about nerds with glasses that they are always the freakiest under all their reserved countenance. That was certainly the case here. I blushed many times haha.
🠚I like that his name is akin to Stravinsky the composer, adds more of a link between Hadley and himself!
🠚I love how protective he is. There were some moments I didn’t like him, like when he shamed what she was wearing because he was both concerned and jealous.
“It used to keep me up at night,” he said as his hands moved continuously over my body, touching, teasing. “Thinking of all the things I want to do to you”
-ˋˏ ꒰ Other characters꒱ ˎˊ-
↳ I love Stuart, he is so funny. Lex couldn’t ask for a better or more loyal friend. Always looking out for Hadley. His back must hurt from carrying the Halex ship throughout haha. My favourite moment is when he asks Hadley to join them for dinner, and Lex “was looking at Stuart like he wanted to wrap one of the bags he was holding around his head”.
Sarah is lovely, it’s even more heartwarming when you know that Cole based her character on her own best friend Sarah. The way they talk to each other reminds me so much of me with my bestie.
FAV QUOTES
• Music’s the friend who knows your history, your dreams, and your fears—it never judges and is always ready to meet you wherever you are in life. Music knows all your soul’s secrets and somehow, reflects them back to you in perfect harmony.
• “A little education and a great amount of kindness is what is required if we are to secure harmony in this life and the lives of those who will come after us.”
• I leaned over, staring into the well for a few moments, thinking about what I should sing next before looking up into those whiskey-colored eyes. Inspiration hit in the span of a single breath. I chose “The Scientist” by Coldplay. I closed my eyes through the beginning, trying to focus on remembering the lyrics. When I was about midway through, I opened them to see Lex’s impenetrable gaze was still trained on me. I felt ensnared by those eyes as they burned brightly with an almost overwhelming intensity.
• Lex answered with a smile. It was a real, genuine smile that he seldom used. His happiness at the memory was contagious, and I realized I was smiling too. I wished I could bottle up that exact feeling I saw on his face.
• I felt like I was getting a rare insight into who he was. Despite his somewhat cold demeanor toward me in the past, I had still always suspected he was a good guy. Now, I was beginning to think he was one of the really good ones.
• He took my face in his hands before tilting my chin up toward him so that I was looking him squarely in the eyes as he said, “It feels like that’s all I do. From the moment I met you. It feels like all I do is spend my time wanting you. Every second of every fucking day. I’ve never wanted anything so badly in all my goddamn life.”
• The me of six months ago would have laughed in your face if you’d told her she’d one day be planting a garden in her spare time when she wasn’t in the classroom teaching. How quickly things could change. That was the wildness of life though, holding the beauty with the chaos.
• “Letting someone you love go isn’t as easy as everyone makes it seem.”
• A gentle pull and my senses came flooding back to me with a vivid intensity as I found the most beautiful pair of whiskey-colored eyes staring back at me. They had always been the most beautiful thing about him to me, a window to an extraordinary soul. I’d missed them more than I could ever have imagined.
• Time and distance kills even the best relationships. At one point in my life, I believed that to be true. But here I was staring at the one person who was capable of unraveling all my tightly held beliefs. As I looked up at him, I was struck by the undeniable truth that nothing could ever change the way I felt about this man.
• “I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you,” he murmured. “But I knew it with every fiber of my being that day at the well when you were singing that Coldplay song.” | I smiled. “It’s called The Scientist.” | “Is it really?” | “Yes. It’s about a man who’s consumed by his work, and he’s trying to find a way back to his love.” | He smiled back at me. “A perfect choice.”
══════════ ⋆★⋆ ══════════
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review and I’d like to thank Kristen B. Cole and BookSirens for the opportunity. This has not affected my opinion in any way.
December 19, 2024
4.5/5⭐️ ARC Read - releases January 2025! If you are a fan of the STEM romances from Ali Hazelwood this will be right up your alley! Socially awkward, intelligent, handsome wound up MMC with a heart of gold? Check. FMC is strong, incredibly funny, witty and loyal to a fault? Yeppers.
Hadley and her mother have just moved so that her mother can receive treatment for her rare cancer. Leaving her home of New York for California is a massive culture shock for Hadley, but she’s convinced once her mother recovers, they will go back. Hadley has taken a position at Stanford teaching music composition - being an accomplished writer and performer herself. On arriving to the campus, she meets another new professor - biologist Lex. The golden boy of science is the talk of the university, doing research on Alzheimer’s. When they first meet, Hadley is convinced Lex hates her - won’t talk to her, avoids her, etc. but with time she learns how wrong she is. But with their lives starting to head in different directions with different priorities, can their budding relationship survive?
The writing was so good, the flow and pace was perfect. One of those books that’s just comfortable, easy to get into and it hooks you! Exceeded my expectations! Would definitely read more from this author.
Hadley and her mother have just moved so that her mother can receive treatment for her rare cancer. Leaving her home of New York for California is a massive culture shock for Hadley, but she’s convinced once her mother recovers, they will go back. Hadley has taken a position at Stanford teaching music composition - being an accomplished writer and performer herself. On arriving to the campus, she meets another new professor - biologist Lex. The golden boy of science is the talk of the university, doing research on Alzheimer’s. When they first meet, Hadley is convinced Lex hates her - won’t talk to her, avoids her, etc. but with time she learns how wrong she is. But with their lives starting to head in different directions with different priorities, can their budding relationship survive?
The writing was so good, the flow and pace was perfect. One of those books that’s just comfortable, easy to get into and it hooks you! Exceeded my expectations! Would definitely read more from this author.
January 1, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Starting off 2025 with an amazing book! I can’t believe this book is the authors debut novel!!! 📕 thank you so much for considering me for this arc. Sign me up for whatever you write 🥰
I absolutely adored the story and the characters. I love a good rom com but sometimes find characters to be too quirky but this was the perfect level of humour for me. I loved the development of the relationship between Lex and Hadley. It felt so natural and genuine and really liked all the side characters
Fair warning don’t start this book before bed. I told myself I was going to read a few chapters to check it out. I stayed up way too late reading because I could not put it down!!!
I absolutely adored the story and the characters. I love a good rom com but sometimes find characters to be too quirky but this was the perfect level of humour for me. I loved the development of the relationship between Lex and Hadley. It felt so natural and genuine and really liked all the side characters
Fair warning don’t start this book before bed. I told myself I was going to read a few chapters to check it out. I stayed up way too late reading because I could not put it down!!!
November 30, 2024
WOW 😳 seriously RUN, do not walk, to get yourself a copy of this book!!! I am blown away. I literally devoured it in hours and am ready for more from this author!
I received this book as an ARC review. *No Spoilers*
This book had me giggling at the first line and kept me laughing throughout. I think the humor and banter is the shining star of this book. Uniquely making each characters’ relationship playful and fun. The FMC Hadley and her mom’s relationship gave me Gilmore girls vibes and sparkled in light of the serious subject matter they were navigating. Each character drew me in immediately and had me hooked. The MMC Lex was one of my favorite characters as you read his feelings developing from stoic and studious to passionate lover. Oooph Hadley and Lex’s relationship gave me all the feels, from their meet cute (which is really cute) to the funnily awkward interactions, until their relationship reaches the most beautiful steaminess. Also in some books I’ve previously read the supporting characters become throw-away characters as the main characters relationship grows, but not in this book. These supporting characters maintain their own presence and find their own way to add humor and light to so many scenes.
I was hoping for something light and endearing to read and for the most part, it is. There was one scene that had me bawling my eyes out and has since become one of my favorite scenes, but overall the author kept the humor and brightness going and I swear I was smiling the entire time I was reading it.
This book was the perfect balance of humor and lightness with a deeper authentic heart underneath.
This will definitely be in my reread rotation when I need a pick-me-up! This book is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face!
10/10 recommend!!!
I received this book as an ARC review. *No Spoilers*
This book had me giggling at the first line and kept me laughing throughout. I think the humor and banter is the shining star of this book. Uniquely making each characters’ relationship playful and fun. The FMC Hadley and her mom’s relationship gave me Gilmore girls vibes and sparkled in light of the serious subject matter they were navigating. Each character drew me in immediately and had me hooked. The MMC Lex was one of my favorite characters as you read his feelings developing from stoic and studious to passionate lover. Oooph Hadley and Lex’s relationship gave me all the feels, from their meet cute (which is really cute) to the funnily awkward interactions, until their relationship reaches the most beautiful steaminess. Also in some books I’ve previously read the supporting characters become throw-away characters as the main characters relationship grows, but not in this book. These supporting characters maintain their own presence and find their own way to add humor and light to so many scenes.
I was hoping for something light and endearing to read and for the most part, it is. There was one scene that had me bawling my eyes out and has since become one of my favorite scenes, but overall the author kept the humor and brightness going and I swear I was smiling the entire time I was reading it.
This book was the perfect balance of humor and lightness with a deeper authentic heart underneath.
This will definitely be in my reread rotation when I need a pick-me-up! This book is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face!
10/10 recommend!!!
January 26, 2025
My first ARC read! How fun to get to read an author’s first book - Kristen, I hope you write more! I’ll read them. Her writing style reminded me of Ali Hazelwood and maybe a little of Lynn painter? Overall great read
I giggled, I cheered, and I teared up and cried. The humor throughout was perfect and I loved the slow build up to their relationship. I love it when education and brilliance is attractive!
Update: came back and changed my rating to 5 ⭐️ because I keep thinking about the book and I’m sad I’m done reading it
I giggled, I cheered, and I teared up and cried. The humor throughout was perfect and I loved the slow build up to their relationship. I love it when education and brilliance is attractive!
Update: came back and changed my rating to 5 ⭐️ because I keep thinking about the book and I’m sad I’m done reading it
January 3, 2025
4.9
My first ARC read!!
This book is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and utterly heart wrenching. I truly loved every second of it and can’t wait to read other books by Kristen Cole!
If you’re looking for a sweet rom com with similar writing style of Ali Hazelwood, this is the book for you when it’s released on Jan 21!
Truly my only note is that it would be the astronomy department at Stanford, not the astrology
My first ARC read!!
This book is the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and utterly heart wrenching. I truly loved every second of it and can’t wait to read other books by Kristen Cole!
If you’re looking for a sweet rom com with similar writing style of Ali Hazelwood, this is the book for you when it’s released on Jan 21!
Truly my only note is that it would be the astronomy department at Stanford, not the astrology
January 12, 2025
The Scientist is a swoon-worthy rom-com told in a single POV, following Hadley as she trades NY for sunny, quinoa-filled California to support her mom. There, she crosses paths with Lex, a fellow professor, when they both start their new roles at Stanford University.
I was completely enamored by how effortlessly the story unfolded, with countless moments that had me grinning ear to ear. The chemistry between Hadley and Lex is off the charts, delivering all of the grumpy x sunshine vibes, witty banter, and heart-achingly sweet pining you could ask for.
What an incredible debut! Thank you for such a fantastic read - I can’t wait to see what else you have in store!
This book releases on January 21st 🩷🩷
I was completely enamored by how effortlessly the story unfolded, with countless moments that had me grinning ear to ear. The chemistry between Hadley and Lex is off the charts, delivering all of the grumpy x sunshine vibes, witty banter, and heart-achingly sweet pining you could ask for.
What an incredible debut! Thank you for such a fantastic read - I can’t wait to see what else you have in store!
This book releases on January 21st 🩷🩷
January 9, 2025
The Scientist by Kristen B Cole
Well I may have just found one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a very long time. Very easily a 5 star book from me. I have to say I am usually a fast reader, and unfortunately I think that's due to glossing over alot of words.... this book I couldn't. It was written so eloquently and poetic that the way in which Kristen wrote this book you could feel the passion and love for literature.
The love story, the ups and downs of life. Kristen had us feeling angst, anger, heartbreak, then on the other spectrum feeling love, relief, elation. It ended so beautifully, the epilogue really wrapped it up perfectly.
I also found it unique connecting and bringing together the arts and the science and highlighting the efforts and passion and beauty in both those fields. Romanticizing them if anything. Also educating us, the content in this book, I mean im not going to fact check hahaha, but wow intellegent and interesting. Kristen's writing could romanticize anything I think, but there was a profound depth to this book from her writing and the content. Cannot wait to read more of her future work.
Now there is open door spice to it, to so it really was the perfect romance book. The depth and the spice lol. 2/5 🌶
Well I may have just found one of the most beautifully written books I have read in a very long time. Very easily a 5 star book from me. I have to say I am usually a fast reader, and unfortunately I think that's due to glossing over alot of words.... this book I couldn't. It was written so eloquently and poetic that the way in which Kristen wrote this book you could feel the passion and love for literature.
The love story, the ups and downs of life. Kristen had us feeling angst, anger, heartbreak, then on the other spectrum feeling love, relief, elation. It ended so beautifully, the epilogue really wrapped it up perfectly.
I also found it unique connecting and bringing together the arts and the science and highlighting the efforts and passion and beauty in both those fields. Romanticizing them if anything. Also educating us, the content in this book, I mean im not going to fact check hahaha, but wow intellegent and interesting. Kristen's writing could romanticize anything I think, but there was a profound depth to this book from her writing and the content. Cannot wait to read more of her future work.
Now there is open door spice to it, to so it really was the perfect romance book. The depth and the spice lol. 2/5 🌶
January 9, 2025
'The Scientist' is a quirky romance with some fun moments but left me feeling mixed. The story starts strong—Hadley, our FMC, moves to California to support her mom through cancer treatment and meets Lex, our MMC, a socially awkward scientist. Their slow-burn romance has its cute moments, and side characters like Stuart totally steal the show with humor and heart.
But the pacing feels off—too rushed at first and really messy later on. Hadley’s immature decisions and Lex’s driven tendencies make their relationship feel more lustful than romantic. Certain tropes added to the frustration.
That said, the friendships and family moments were sweet, and the writing shows potential. If you’re into STEM-adjacent romances, The Big Bang Theory, and soap opera drama, this might work for you.
Rating: 3/5 stars
* Thank you, Kristen B. Cole and BookSirens for a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
But the pacing feels off—too rushed at first and really messy later on. Hadley’s immature decisions and Lex’s driven tendencies make their relationship feel more lustful than romantic. Certain tropes added to the frustration.
That said, the friendships and family moments were sweet, and the writing shows potential. If you’re into STEM-adjacent romances, The Big Bang Theory, and soap opera drama, this might work for you.
Rating: 3/5 stars
* Thank you, Kristen B. Cole and BookSirens for a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
December 30, 2024
I devoured this in one sitting and LOVED it! 📚
The prose was clear, well paced, smooth, hilarious, and oh so very witty!
Hadley is an independent, fiercely loyal, compelling, and creative person. I adored Hadley’s relationship and banter with her mother! I hope everyone is lucky enough to have a kind and caring friend like her in their lives that is loyal to a fault and will always have their back. She is wonderfully dynamic, quick witted, and full of moxie… and I want to be her when I grow up! 🎶
Lex is the gloriously intelligent, kind, and monosyllabic grumpy neurobiologist who embodies the sentiment that actions are louder than words. He is a subtly layered character you will find yourself more and more eager for his next appearance throughout the novel.🔬
Despite the instant attraction, the relationship is a slow burn as Lex and Hadley are pushed together by proximity, meddling friends, and circumstances. Their journey to finding each other makes the relationship feel earned. 🥰
As a side note, I also enjoyed Stuart’s comedic relief and juxtaposition to Lex in their friendship… even though he gave off some Howard Wolowitz vibes at times.
The story captures you from the first chapter and takes you on a journey that will have you laughing and crying as these characters and relationships make their way into your heart. ❤️
If you like Ali Hazelwood, then The Scientist should be on your TBR list. As for me, this is going on my favorites list and I am eager to see what Kristen B. Cole does next! 📚👏
—
🎼Debut novel
❤️STEM romantic comedy
🔬Academia
🎼Forced proximity
❤️Breast cancer
🔬Alzheimer’s disease
🎼Witty banter
❤️Grumpy/Sunshine
🔬Open door
🎼Single POV
📍Stanford University, CA
—
Thank you My Trope Productions and BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review! 📚
Publishers release date 1/21/2025
The prose was clear, well paced, smooth, hilarious, and oh so very witty!
Hadley is an independent, fiercely loyal, compelling, and creative person. I adored Hadley’s relationship and banter with her mother! I hope everyone is lucky enough to have a kind and caring friend like her in their lives that is loyal to a fault and will always have their back. She is wonderfully dynamic, quick witted, and full of moxie… and I want to be her when I grow up! 🎶
Lex is the gloriously intelligent, kind, and monosyllabic grumpy neurobiologist who embodies the sentiment that actions are louder than words. He is a subtly layered character you will find yourself more and more eager for his next appearance throughout the novel.🔬
Despite the instant attraction, the relationship is a slow burn as Lex and Hadley are pushed together by proximity, meddling friends, and circumstances. Their journey to finding each other makes the relationship feel earned. 🥰
As a side note, I also enjoyed Stuart’s comedic relief and juxtaposition to Lex in their friendship… even though he gave off some Howard Wolowitz vibes at times.
The story captures you from the first chapter and takes you on a journey that will have you laughing and crying as these characters and relationships make their way into your heart. ❤️
If you like Ali Hazelwood, then The Scientist should be on your TBR list. As for me, this is going on my favorites list and I am eager to see what Kristen B. Cole does next! 📚👏
—
🎼Debut novel
❤️STEM romantic comedy
🔬Academia
🎼Forced proximity
❤️Breast cancer
🔬Alzheimer’s disease
🎼Witty banter
❤️Grumpy/Sunshine
🔬Open door
🎼Single POV
📍Stanford University, CA
—
Thank you My Trope Productions and BookSirens for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review! 📚
Publishers release date 1/21/2025
December 21, 2024
(4.25⭐) This is an excellent debut from Kristen B. Cole and a fun, respectfully spicy romance I'd recommend for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Christina Lauren (although, I was bummed that "The Scientist" was only the MMC, because I love a STEM female main character).
Overall I enjoyed the story, and especially was impressed by how much personality we get from the cast of side characters. It's a pet peeve of mine when the mains have one or two token friends who feel like they exist only to serve the protagonist's story, but here we have several people - the mom, Sarah, Nicky, etc - who all have fleshed out and unique personalities. Special shout out to Stuart (who was giving Jonah Hill from Accepted vibes) and Lionel - I'd read another book just centered around one of those two.
Things I like:
- the cover! Honestly its so pretty and unique, I was instantly intrigued
- the mains development a friendship first. There is essentially no lusting or flirting between them until maybe 40% in. I appreciate when there's some build up before a relationship happens.
- Lex, our MMC, is fully *obsessed* with her. He simps, he pines, he flaunts. It's very cute.
- Hadley, our FMC, is snarky and clever, and constantly dishing out the goofiest jokes. I will admit, at first I found her humor sort of too cheesy and dad-jokey, but it grew on me.
Things not for me:
- the way every male has to flirt with and comment on Hadley (and every other woman's) appearance. It felt like high school boy behavior, not post-graduate men. And they just never stop. It would make me so uncomfortable to be around these guys if I were her.
- I'm personally not a fan of third act breakups, although it was clear that where this was heading for a while
- although I love how obsessed Lex is, I got the ick from how overly possessive and sensitive he got (esp with Hadley's ex). You can't love and respect your lady if you aren't going to trust her and communicate with her!
- the pacing in the second half. I wish the main conflict at the end was teased sooner so there was some suspense or thread pulling us through
Thank you so much NetGalley and My Trope Productions for the ARC! Definitely check this out when it comes out in January 2025.💙
Overall I enjoyed the story, and especially was impressed by how much personality we get from the cast of side characters. It's a pet peeve of mine when the mains have one or two token friends who feel like they exist only to serve the protagonist's story, but here we have several people - the mom, Sarah, Nicky, etc - who all have fleshed out and unique personalities. Special shout out to Stuart (who was giving Jonah Hill from Accepted vibes) and Lionel - I'd read another book just centered around one of those two.
Things I like:
- the cover! Honestly its so pretty and unique, I was instantly intrigued
- the mains development a friendship first. There is essentially no lusting or flirting between them until maybe 40% in. I appreciate when there's some build up before a relationship happens.
- Lex, our MMC, is fully *obsessed* with her. He simps, he pines, he flaunts. It's very cute.
- Hadley, our FMC, is snarky and clever, and constantly dishing out the goofiest jokes. I will admit, at first I found her humor sort of too cheesy and dad-jokey, but it grew on me.
Things not for me:
- the way every male has to flirt with and comment on Hadley (and every other woman's) appearance. It felt like high school boy behavior, not post-graduate men. And they just never stop. It would make me so uncomfortable to be around these guys if I were her.
- I'm personally not a fan of third act breakups, although it was clear that where this was heading for a while
- although I love how obsessed Lex is, I got the ick from how overly possessive and sensitive he got (esp with Hadley's ex). You can't love and respect your lady if you aren't going to trust her and communicate with her!
- the pacing in the second half. I wish the main conflict at the end was teased sooner so there was some suspense or thread pulling us through
Thank you so much NetGalley and My Trope Productions for the ARC! Definitely check this out when it comes out in January 2025.💙
January 19, 2025
This book got my attention as a woman working in STEM, for which I have to say, the science in the book is mostly realistic! I loved this book for the first half, where the love was slow-burn, friendly and funny. The dynamics of the friend group were giving good vibes. In my opinion, it would have been nicer if the MMC and the FMC got together later in the book, because it would give more tension towards the moment. An additional reason for this is that I found the smud in the book a bit too awkward/uncomfortable but especially too frequent in terms of the plot. Overall, I enjoyed this book, as the story is very realistic written with mature main characters. There was a solid main plot next to the romance, but one tip would be to keep this main plot going during periods of more smud.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 23, 2025
This book is the epitome of delightful banter. I found myself smiling and laughing throughout, a truly novel and welcoming experience.
The humor and witty dialogue were exceptional, captivating me from the first chapter.
It gave me all the feels, the topics were heavy, cancer, drug addiction, when I say it gave me all the feels, it gave me ALL the feels. @authorkristenbcole did an exceptional job with this book.
If you enjoy banter, slow-burn romance, grumpy/sunshine tropes, and wouldn't mind shedding a few tears, check out The Scientist.
It was a pleasure reading your book, Kristen 🫶🏼🩵
The humor and witty dialogue were exceptional, captivating me from the first chapter.
It gave me all the feels, the topics were heavy, cancer, drug addiction, when I say it gave me all the feels, it gave me ALL the feels. @authorkristenbcole did an exceptional job with this book.
If you enjoy banter, slow-burn romance, grumpy/sunshine tropes, and wouldn't mind shedding a few tears, check out The Scientist.
It was a pleasure reading your book, Kristen 🫶🏼🩵
January 21, 2025
ARC review. Thanks so much for this opportunity. The scientist is Gilmore girls meets the Big Bang theory. This novel was so damn cute and had me laughing out loud multiple times. Grumpy scientist with a heart of gold meets sunshine musician who’s going through a tough time. Banter, spice, humour, cute friendships. Everything you could want from a RomCom. Definitely recommend.
January 6, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author and My Trope Productions for the opportunity to read this arc!
Y’all. THIS. BOOK. To my core I am a romance lover, especially a STEM romance lover, and this is by far one of my favorite romances I’ve read in a while!
Hadley, a music composer who selflessly moves from New York to California to take care of her mom while she undergoes cancer treatment, and when she begins teaching music composition at Stanford, she meets Lex, a neurobiologist who’s work is his life. Before the long, the woman who’s life is framed in melodies and rhythms find a deep connection with the man who’s mind works in formulas and statistics. But can their lives intertwine to create a lasting romance?
This book was more than a romance novel. It was a story about life as a caretaker of a sick loved one. It was a story about the importance of having a life beyond a career. It was a story about what home really is. It was a story about friendship and finding support in life’s darkest times. It was a story with witty banter and wonderful side characters (can’t forget to mention Stuart!) and beautiful mother-daughter moments and romantic declarations. It was phenomenal!
Thank you to the author and My Trope Productions for the opportunity to read this arc!
Y’all. THIS. BOOK. To my core I am a romance lover, especially a STEM romance lover, and this is by far one of my favorite romances I’ve read in a while!
Hadley, a music composer who selflessly moves from New York to California to take care of her mom while she undergoes cancer treatment, and when she begins teaching music composition at Stanford, she meets Lex, a neurobiologist who’s work is his life. Before the long, the woman who’s life is framed in melodies and rhythms find a deep connection with the man who’s mind works in formulas and statistics. But can their lives intertwine to create a lasting romance?
This book was more than a romance novel. It was a story about life as a caretaker of a sick loved one. It was a story about the importance of having a life beyond a career. It was a story about what home really is. It was a story about friendship and finding support in life’s darkest times. It was a story with witty banter and wonderful side characters (can’t forget to mention Stuart!) and beautiful mother-daughter moments and romantic declarations. It was phenomenal!
December 7, 2024
2.5 Stars (Rounded up to 3)
I enjoy romance novels with witty repartee between characters. This debut novel more than met that criterion – at times I found myself chuckling aloud at some of the dialogue and circumstances. I also enjoyed the premise of the story with two sensitive, highly creative, intelligent people with vastly different talents falling in love.
Hadley, a successful composer, songwriter, and singer, moves from NYC to Stanford, California where her mother seeks specialized treatment for a rare type of breast cancer. While there to support her mother’s recovery, she accepts a teaching position at the University and lives in faculty housing where she meets Lex and his team of brilliant neurobiologists. After a rocky start, the two engage in a passionate relationship characterized by misunderstandings, jealousy, and mistrust.
I enjoyed the first half of the book that laid the foundation for character development. However, the second half deteriorated into immature behavior for characters in this age group. Lex has real personality issues despite his brilliance as a scientist. His all-or-nothing approach to his research and his commitment to Hadley bordered on obsession. I found it hard to believe that a scientist of his caliber would abandon his life’s work (and the impact it could have in saving lives) because he could not tolerate being away from her and then completely shut down communication. On Hadley’s part, she had her priorities straight, but her behavior often seemed adolescent as she explored her feelings for Lex.
Another issue was the emphasis on appearances. Their good looks took precedence over their respective talents. Which leads to my third problem with the book. I do not care for overly detailed descriptions of sexual relations. The relationship between Hadley and Lex begins with their physical attraction and evolves into pages of graphic lovemaking.
I am sure there is an audience for this book, it just was not a favorite for me.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
I enjoy romance novels with witty repartee between characters. This debut novel more than met that criterion – at times I found myself chuckling aloud at some of the dialogue and circumstances. I also enjoyed the premise of the story with two sensitive, highly creative, intelligent people with vastly different talents falling in love.
Hadley, a successful composer, songwriter, and singer, moves from NYC to Stanford, California where her mother seeks specialized treatment for a rare type of breast cancer. While there to support her mother’s recovery, she accepts a teaching position at the University and lives in faculty housing where she meets Lex and his team of brilliant neurobiologists. After a rocky start, the two engage in a passionate relationship characterized by misunderstandings, jealousy, and mistrust.
I enjoyed the first half of the book that laid the foundation for character development. However, the second half deteriorated into immature behavior for characters in this age group. Lex has real personality issues despite his brilliance as a scientist. His all-or-nothing approach to his research and his commitment to Hadley bordered on obsession. I found it hard to believe that a scientist of his caliber would abandon his life’s work (and the impact it could have in saving lives) because he could not tolerate being away from her and then completely shut down communication. On Hadley’s part, she had her priorities straight, but her behavior often seemed adolescent as she explored her feelings for Lex.
Another issue was the emphasis on appearances. Their good looks took precedence over their respective talents. Which leads to my third problem with the book. I do not care for overly detailed descriptions of sexual relations. The relationship between Hadley and Lex begins with their physical attraction and evolves into pages of graphic lovemaking.
I am sure there is an audience for this book, it just was not a favorite for me.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.
February 1, 2025
I went into this book with some hesitation knowing it was the author's debut novel, so I wasn't so sure what to expect.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. There was banter, and not just between the MCs, but with side characters too. Heck, some of the side characters stole my heart just as much as the MCs. There is an essence of found family that always makes me happy when reading a book.
And then the music. Hadley, the FMC, is a musical maven, therefore songs are mentioned often throughout the book. It was so nice knowing all the songs that were mentioned as well as fun pop culture references. Really, I just wanted to be able to sit at the table with all of them and enjoy an evening.
I usually prefer dual POV and was worried I would miss out on the MMC's POV, but it worked so well.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. Nerdy, grumpy MMC and a fun, sunshiney FMC was the perfect love story I didn't realize I was missing.
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I was so pleasantly surprised by this book. There was banter, and not just between the MCs, but with side characters too. Heck, some of the side characters stole my heart just as much as the MCs. There is an essence of found family that always makes me happy when reading a book.
And then the music. Hadley, the FMC, is a musical maven, therefore songs are mentioned often throughout the book. It was so nice knowing all the songs that were mentioned as well as fun pop culture references. Really, I just wanted to be able to sit at the table with all of them and enjoy an evening.
I usually prefer dual POV and was worried I would miss out on the MMC's POV, but it worked so well.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. Nerdy, grumpy MMC and a fun, sunshiney FMC was the perfect love story I didn't realize I was missing.
I received an ARC for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
January 24, 2025
Thank you to Kristen and BookSirens for letting me read the ARC!
Such a lovely debut! I really liked Hadley as our main character and the relationships she developed throughout the book. Especially with Stuart (he’s my fave)! I loved watching her fall for Lex and learning about each other's worlds.
A nice, heartwarming, open-doored romance! Such a great debut and I can’t wait to read what you write next!
Such a lovely debut! I really liked Hadley as our main character and the relationships she developed throughout the book. Especially with Stuart (he’s my fave)! I loved watching her fall for Lex and learning about each other's worlds.
A nice, heartwarming, open-doored romance! Such a great debut and I can’t wait to read what you write next!
January 10, 2025
I am in awe of this book. I'm almost speechless. Almost.
Hadley and Lex are beautiful. Thoroughly and whole heartedly amazing. I cannot accurately put into words how much I love their love. Hadley is strong, smart, loving, headstrong, and yet she's a little broken and perpetually sweet. Lex is reserved, polite, kind, and sexy as hell. He is alpha without the toxicity. The way he loves Hadley without the big productions is beautiful. It's not all flowers and big proclamations. Sometimes it's seeing your partner struggle and easing their pain. It's protecting them from their own insecurities without needing recognition.
Omg I love love loved this book. The only reason it's not a 5 is I wanted dual POV. I wanted to hear from Lex. Though the dialog gives us beautiful glimpses into his soul.
RUN do not walk. RUN to get this book. I seriously cannot stress its greatness.
Hadley and Lex are beautiful. Thoroughly and whole heartedly amazing. I cannot accurately put into words how much I love their love. Hadley is strong, smart, loving, headstrong, and yet she's a little broken and perpetually sweet. Lex is reserved, polite, kind, and sexy as hell. He is alpha without the toxicity. The way he loves Hadley without the big productions is beautiful. It's not all flowers and big proclamations. Sometimes it's seeing your partner struggle and easing their pain. It's protecting them from their own insecurities without needing recognition.
Omg I love love loved this book. The only reason it's not a 5 is I wanted dual POV. I wanted to hear from Lex. Though the dialog gives us beautiful glimpses into his soul.
RUN do not walk. RUN to get this book. I seriously cannot stress its greatness.
January 9, 2025
4.5 🫶
Hadley has uprooted her life and traveled to the opposite side of the country to help care for her ill mother. She's accepted a job at Standford in her field, trying her hand at teaching for the first time in her life. She unexpectedly crosses paths with another new hire, and science genius, Lex and his close friend, coworker, and roommate Stuart. From there, the three of them form an unlikely friendship, which eventually has Lex and Hadley growing closer in more ways than one.
*****
The fact that this is a debut novel is absolutely astounding. I was foregoing sleep just to latch onto the next chapter and see where these characters took us. Hadley was such a genuine and hilarious lead. Her relationship with her mom and her banter in general was very Gilmore Girls and had me immediately hooked. Her friendship with Stuart kind of gave Howard/Penny vibes from The Big Bang Theory and immediately had me loving his ridiculous character and the way they bounced off each other. Lex was such a solid, awkward, and passionate introvert, and him falling hard and only having eyes for her was perfection. Their love story was slow and steady, but it didn't feel overly drawn out like it could in a slower burn.
I was also pleasantly surprised by all of the surrounding characters. There were a lot of them, but they stood alone in their own right. No one really blended into the background or felt wholly unnecessary. Nor did they feel like accessories to the lead, or people dropped in just to create a second novel. The interactions were fun and intentional, and I loved that.
The only kind of odd spot was how often how attractive Hadley is, was pointed out. It didn't really draw away from the story, but it made you constantly aware she was stunning. Which was kind of comical in its own right, though that felt unintentional.
Either way, this was a great novel. It was fun, charming, sweet, and had solid spice. If you're looking for a touching book, with a few heavier topics settled into it, this one is for you!
*****
Thank you, Kristen Cole, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hadley has uprooted her life and traveled to the opposite side of the country to help care for her ill mother. She's accepted a job at Standford in her field, trying her hand at teaching for the first time in her life. She unexpectedly crosses paths with another new hire, and science genius, Lex and his close friend, coworker, and roommate Stuart. From there, the three of them form an unlikely friendship, which eventually has Lex and Hadley growing closer in more ways than one.
*****
The fact that this is a debut novel is absolutely astounding. I was foregoing sleep just to latch onto the next chapter and see where these characters took us. Hadley was such a genuine and hilarious lead. Her relationship with her mom and her banter in general was very Gilmore Girls and had me immediately hooked. Her friendship with Stuart kind of gave Howard/Penny vibes from The Big Bang Theory and immediately had me loving his ridiculous character and the way they bounced off each other. Lex was such a solid, awkward, and passionate introvert, and him falling hard and only having eyes for her was perfection. Their love story was slow and steady, but it didn't feel overly drawn out like it could in a slower burn.
I was also pleasantly surprised by all of the surrounding characters. There were a lot of them, but they stood alone in their own right. No one really blended into the background or felt wholly unnecessary. Nor did they feel like accessories to the lead, or people dropped in just to create a second novel. The interactions were fun and intentional, and I loved that.
The only kind of odd spot was how often how attractive Hadley is, was pointed out. It didn't really draw away from the story, but it made you constantly aware she was stunning. Which was kind of comical in its own right, though that felt unintentional.
Either way, this was a great novel. It was fun, charming, sweet, and had solid spice. If you're looking for a touching book, with a few heavier topics settled into it, this one is for you!
*****
Thank you, Kristen Cole, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 11, 2025
Thank you to Kristen B. Cole, for an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for my review!
I really loved this book! I think the pacing was a little choppy at times, but it didn't have any impact on the story itself.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, cried, got turned on, etc. The works!
I especially loved The Big Bang Theory reference.
I need Sarah and Jace's story now. Please 🙏 🤞😊
I really loved this book! I think the pacing was a little choppy at times, but it didn't have any impact on the story itself.
This book was an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed, cried, got turned on, etc. The works!
I especially loved The Big Bang Theory reference.
I need Sarah and Jace's story now. Please 🙏 🤞😊
January 5, 2025
I am so glad this was my first book of 2025! This was the easiest 5 star review!
I was provided an ARC copy for my honest review but honestly this book was outstanding!
I enjoyed everything about this book! The story, the characters, the details, everything!
I smiled throughout the book, I cried, I laughed and I felt every emotion as I read this book!
The book had me wanting to read all day! I kept thinking about the book and wanting to know what was going to happen.
Can't recommend this book enough!
I was provided an ARC copy for my honest review but honestly this book was outstanding!
I enjoyed everything about this book! The story, the characters, the details, everything!
I smiled throughout the book, I cried, I laughed and I felt every emotion as I read this book!
The book had me wanting to read all day! I kept thinking about the book and wanting to know what was going to happen.
Can't recommend this book enough!
January 2, 2025
Kristen Cole's debut novel is an endearing page-turner! I wasn't sure what to expect reading Kristen's work for the first time and I was completely blown away. This story gives Big Bang Theory vibes with a genius, neurobiologist MMC and an extremely talented singer and songwriter FMC. There is forced proximity, a golden-retriever best friend, and a little ex-OW/OM drama going on to keep things interesting. I certainly wasn't expecting to cry and yet here we are, with tears still drying in tracks on my cheeks as I write this review. The Scientist was so good, it pulled me in and had me emotionally invested within the first few chapters. I couldn't put it down!
The writing was superb and out of the hundreds of books I read each year, The Scientist felt much more refined and polished than I typically see. There were metaphors and similes galore that were oftentimes hilarious and also made it so easy to relate to the characters. They were unique and I frequently found myself thinking that it perfectly described the situation. I was insanely impressed with the variety and accuracy of these comparisons. There were pop-culture references that were super fun to stumble upon. Given that we're dealing with characters that fall into either the artist or nerd category, things were adorably awkward starting out. The quick-witted humor and banter and one-liners maintained my attention throughout and provided a thoroughly entertaining read.
Honestly, the only way this book could have been any better would have been if it was multiple POV. I wanted to be inside Lex's head so badly throughout this entire book, but alas, I had to just take his word on the thoughts and feelings he ended up sharing with Hadley. The Scientist did have on-page spicy scenes, but they were more respectable and less obscene and vulgar. I think it matched the RomCom dynamic of this novel and was perfectly balanced with the plot but if you're anything like me with a romance mantra of "the spicier, the better," this book may feel a little less spicy than you're used to. Never fear, I still think romance lovers will greatly enjoy this book and I highly recommend you add it to your TBR!
The writing was superb and out of the hundreds of books I read each year, The Scientist felt much more refined and polished than I typically see. There were metaphors and similes galore that were oftentimes hilarious and also made it so easy to relate to the characters. They were unique and I frequently found myself thinking that it perfectly described the situation. I was insanely impressed with the variety and accuracy of these comparisons. There were pop-culture references that were super fun to stumble upon. Given that we're dealing with characters that fall into either the artist or nerd category, things were adorably awkward starting out. The quick-witted humor and banter and one-liners maintained my attention throughout and provided a thoroughly entertaining read.
Honestly, the only way this book could have been any better would have been if it was multiple POV. I wanted to be inside Lex's head so badly throughout this entire book, but alas, I had to just take his word on the thoughts and feelings he ended up sharing with Hadley. The Scientist did have on-page spicy scenes, but they were more respectable and less obscene and vulgar. I think it matched the RomCom dynamic of this novel and was perfectly balanced with the plot but if you're anything like me with a romance mantra of "the spicier, the better," this book may feel a little less spicy than you're used to. Never fear, I still think romance lovers will greatly enjoy this book and I highly recommend you add it to your TBR!
January 9, 2025
This was a beautiful written story about love , hope and friendship. This book had me going through ranges of intense emotions. The author managed to create a romance book that included banter , witty comments and had the sweetest of moments … whilst sharing heartbreaks , loss of a loved one , and the struggles with changes due to a cancer diagnosis. All sensitive topics was approached so carefully and respectfully
I loved the awkwardness of Lex ,confident and passionate in his field of work but with Hadley he became nervous and reserved. They had great chemistry ( see what I did there?) I liked Hadley, she was passionate in her career , talented and she had so much love for her mother , she packed up her stuff to move hours away to support her with her treatment. The slow burn and angst was perfect ! Stuart was a great addition too!
I have shed tears . This novel definitely had a lot of laugh out loud moments ! This was more than a rom com this was a story about sacrifices, moving on with life after loss, taking leaps into the unknown with love and also a story of a beautiful relationship between a mother and daughter .
It’s clear that this author has put a lot of time , thought and research into this book and what an achievement! I cannot believe that this is Kristen’s debut novel.. I am in awe . I honestly couldn’t put this book down! The pacing , the writing , the characters , the plot - everything was just beautiful!
✨ Thank you Kristen B Cole for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review ✨
I loved the awkwardness of Lex ,confident and passionate in his field of work but with Hadley he became nervous and reserved. They had great chemistry ( see what I did there?) I liked Hadley, she was passionate in her career , talented and she had so much love for her mother , she packed up her stuff to move hours away to support her with her treatment. The slow burn and angst was perfect ! Stuart was a great addition too!
I have shed tears . This novel definitely had a lot of laugh out loud moments ! This was more than a rom com this was a story about sacrifices, moving on with life after loss, taking leaps into the unknown with love and also a story of a beautiful relationship between a mother and daughter .
It’s clear that this author has put a lot of time , thought and research into this book and what an achievement! I cannot believe that this is Kristen’s debut novel.. I am in awe . I honestly couldn’t put this book down! The pacing , the writing , the characters , the plot - everything was just beautiful!
✨ Thank you Kristen B Cole for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review ✨
January 9, 2025
4.5⭐️ ARC Review
First book of 2025 Done and it was a wonderful journey!!! Lex and Hadley are such an amazing couple and it was awesome to start off the year with their story.
Tropes: STEM romance; workplace romance, next door neighbor; slow burn (done excellent); open door romance; “I will do anything for you” romance 🥰
Hadley is a talented Music Composer and Lex is a very well known Scientist. I love that the author made them both very well known successful people in their fields. Lex thought he had no chance with Hadley, that she was way out of his league, but if he only knew what a wonderful love journey they would experience. 💞
Their love was beautiful, but did face so many obstacles. They have so many wonderful people around them that we learn to love so much as well. Even the “antagonist” which we are usually made to dislike, you end up feeling like you understood what she went through and why she did certain things. She was just a girl who fell in love with the wrong person so you end up feeling sorry for her and even wishing she gets her happy ending as well.
This book literally made me LOL 😆. The banter between Hadley and Lex, and overall all the characters, was awesome! I also knew as soon as Twilight and I love Lucy were mentioned, that this book would be a winner for me.
Give this debut novel a chance. You will not regret it.
First book of 2025 Done and it was a wonderful journey!!! Lex and Hadley are such an amazing couple and it was awesome to start off the year with their story.
Tropes: STEM romance; workplace romance, next door neighbor; slow burn (done excellent); open door romance; “I will do anything for you” romance 🥰
Hadley is a talented Music Composer and Lex is a very well known Scientist. I love that the author made them both very well known successful people in their fields. Lex thought he had no chance with Hadley, that she was way out of his league, but if he only knew what a wonderful love journey they would experience. 💞
Their love was beautiful, but did face so many obstacles. They have so many wonderful people around them that we learn to love so much as well. Even the “antagonist” which we are usually made to dislike, you end up feeling like you understood what she went through and why she did certain things. She was just a girl who fell in love with the wrong person so you end up feeling sorry for her and even wishing she gets her happy ending as well.
This book literally made me LOL 😆. The banter between Hadley and Lex, and overall all the characters, was awesome! I also knew as soon as Twilight and I love Lucy were mentioned, that this book would be a winner for me.
Give this debut novel a chance. You will not regret it.
January 31, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Hadley Olivier, a Broadway composer, loves living in New York City. But when her mother has to move to California for cancer treatment, she drops everything to go with her. Hadley takes a position as a music professor and moves into faculty housing, where she quickly meets her neuroscientist neighbors, including the grumpy, yet gorgeous, Dr. Alexsander “Lex” Strovinski. As Lex supports Hadley through adjusting to her new home and finding the best care for her mother, she realizes there is much more to him than his hard exterior. When their relationship reaches a crescendo and career opportunities arise, they must decide whether their song ends in joy or heartbreak.
I loved this book! It was funny, sweet, steamy, and smart. Fans of Ali Hazelwood should definitely pick this up. I was constantly smiling while reading the story and it even made me tear up a few times. Hadley is a great FMC and seeing the world through her eyes was a pleasure. I love a smart MMC and Lex goes above and beyond. He is also the biggest cinnamon roll and can talk science to me anytime. The side characters were amazing and really filled out the story. I highly recommend this book!
Follow me @smorebooksplease on Instagram for more bookish fun!
Hadley Olivier, a Broadway composer, loves living in New York City. But when her mother has to move to California for cancer treatment, she drops everything to go with her. Hadley takes a position as a music professor and moves into faculty housing, where she quickly meets her neuroscientist neighbors, including the grumpy, yet gorgeous, Dr. Alexsander “Lex” Strovinski. As Lex supports Hadley through adjusting to her new home and finding the best care for her mother, she realizes there is much more to him than his hard exterior. When their relationship reaches a crescendo and career opportunities arise, they must decide whether their song ends in joy or heartbreak.
I loved this book! It was funny, sweet, steamy, and smart. Fans of Ali Hazelwood should definitely pick this up. I was constantly smiling while reading the story and it even made me tear up a few times. Hadley is a great FMC and seeing the world through her eyes was a pleasure. I love a smart MMC and Lex goes above and beyond. He is also the biggest cinnamon roll and can talk science to me anytime. The side characters were amazing and really filled out the story. I highly recommend this book!
Follow me @smorebooksplease on Instagram for more bookish fun!
December 14, 2024
Things I love in books:
Meet cutes.
Nerdy boys who love science but are like- really hot.
Anything surrounding Broadway Musicals or the THEEE-AT-TER *the only way to pronounce it.
So when "The Scientist" became available on BookSirens, I snatched it up so. freaking. fast.
Hadley, a music professor, finds herself living in a shared faculty dorm with Lex. Lex, a driven neuroscientist has absolutely no time for creative thinking when there's facts and data to be reviewed- that is until he sets his eyes on Hadley.
The chemistry between these two and the fields they love is one heck of positively charged ion!
I also need to say kudos to the author- this is a DEBUT, and I feel like she might end up being an auto-buy author after this!!
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for a chance to read and review prior to release on January 21, 2025- I will looking to get a physical copy the second I can!
Meet cutes.
Nerdy boys who love science but are like- really hot.
Anything surrounding Broadway Musicals or the THEEE-AT-TER *the only way to pronounce it.
So when "The Scientist" became available on BookSirens, I snatched it up so. freaking. fast.
Hadley, a music professor, finds herself living in a shared faculty dorm with Lex. Lex, a driven neuroscientist has absolutely no time for creative thinking when there's facts and data to be reviewed- that is until he sets his eyes on Hadley.
The chemistry between these two and the fields they love is one heck of positively charged ion!
I also need to say kudos to the author- this is a DEBUT, and I feel like she might end up being an auto-buy author after this!!
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for a chance to read and review prior to release on January 21, 2025- I will looking to get a physical copy the second I can!
January 12, 2025
3-3.5 promising stars for this debut romance novel. First, let me commend Kristen B. Cole for writing and publishing a novel, period. I can tell that a lot of thought and heart and hard work went into this, and it takes a lot of courage to put your work out there.
The book started off in a very engaging way for me. I was immediately invested in Hadley’s relationship with her mom and the dedication she had to be there for her during her battle with cancer. Considering how long the book was, I actually expected there to be far more of their relationship in the story and wish there had been. Hadley’s transition from composing to teaching was also interesting to see how she developed in the classroom during those parts.
I had a hard time feeling as drawn into the relationship between Hadley and Lex. Something about their early interactions and the eventual shift felt disjointed and oddly paced for me, as did much of the second half of the book. I don’t know if it was because Hadley was portrayed as the “she’s so hot that everyone is immediately in love with her and she doesn’t realize it” or Lex’s drastic change in demeanor that had it feeling more surface level than anything for me. I feel like a lot of their ‘connection’ (outside of the intimacy) was told about rather than shown.
I do believe there is a lot of potential here in Kristen B. Cole’s writing and I hope others will give this book a chance when it comes out later this month. Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book started off in a very engaging way for me. I was immediately invested in Hadley’s relationship with her mom and the dedication she had to be there for her during her battle with cancer. Considering how long the book was, I actually expected there to be far more of their relationship in the story and wish there had been. Hadley’s transition from composing to teaching was also interesting to see how she developed in the classroom during those parts.
I had a hard time feeling as drawn into the relationship between Hadley and Lex. Something about their early interactions and the eventual shift felt disjointed and oddly paced for me, as did much of the second half of the book. I don’t know if it was because Hadley was portrayed as the “she’s so hot that everyone is immediately in love with her and she doesn’t realize it” or Lex’s drastic change in demeanor that had it feeling more surface level than anything for me. I feel like a lot of their ‘connection’ (outside of the intimacy) was told about rather than shown.
I do believe there is a lot of potential here in Kristen B. Cole’s writing and I hope others will give this book a chance when it comes out later this month. Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2025
4.5 rounded up! I absolutely love supporting indie authors. Over the last year, I have discovered so many amazing indie authors, and Kristen will now be added to that list. I am blown away that this is her debut novel. This love story about a musician and a scientist had me laughing one minute and crying the next. The emotions in this book were so beautifully written, and it made me feel so many things! Lex is a swoon worthy MMC and the love he had for Hadley was everything. The way Kristen could go between serious and heartfelt scenes to laugh out loud scenes, was incredible. I also loved all the supporting characters and how much they added to the story. My favorite was Stuart with his cringeworthy lines, but fierce loyalty to those he loves! This was a longer book, but it never felt long or that the story was dragging. I could have honestly read so much more of their story, and I love how the epilogue wrapped everything up beautifully!
January 30, 2025
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 ♥️
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 ♥️
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