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More Than Chemical
A college STEM student with a secret identity plus a playboy with a big reputation equals an explosion waiting to happen…
First year chemical engineering student Adriana “Ade” Blankin can’t possibly admit that her father is her college’s former men’s hockey coach. Not when at the end of last season he was arrested by the FBI for corruption, terminated, and publicly shunned due to his part in an athletic scandal.
Hiding her identity has led to a case of insomnia so bad her GPA is near failing. No natural remedy has worked, save for the last one to try. Oxytocin. If having sex releases large doses of the hormone, then all she needs is the perfect guy to access the chemicals stored inside her and she’ll be sleeping like a baby.
Unfortunately, real life isn’t like the formulas in her textbooks. Instead of a low-key solution, Ade pursues Dallas Reynolds, the dorm’s biggest playboy. His reputation mixed with Ade’s secret identity seems like an equation for disaster…but heartbreak might be the least of Ade’s problems. Because Dallas has a secret of his own, explosive enough to turn her world upside down all over again.
First year chemical engineering student Adriana “Ade” Blankin can’t possibly admit that her father is her college’s former men’s hockey coach. Not when at the end of last season he was arrested by the FBI for corruption, terminated, and publicly shunned due to his part in an athletic scandal.
Hiding her identity has led to a case of insomnia so bad her GPA is near failing. No natural remedy has worked, save for the last one to try. Oxytocin. If having sex releases large doses of the hormone, then all she needs is the perfect guy to access the chemicals stored inside her and she’ll be sleeping like a baby.
Unfortunately, real life isn’t like the formulas in her textbooks. Instead of a low-key solution, Ade pursues Dallas Reynolds, the dorm’s biggest playboy. His reputation mixed with Ade’s secret identity seems like an equation for disaster…but heartbreak might be the least of Ade’s problems. Because Dallas has a secret of his own, explosive enough to turn her world upside down all over again.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2025
About the author
Leanne Farella
1 book8 followersLeanne Farella lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her extreme do-it-yourselfer husband and two adventurous kids. She has always been a writer—from entering writing contests as a youth, keeping a diary, to becoming a persuasive writer as an intellectual property lawyer. But fiction writing is her true passion. It allows her to give the heroines in her head the love stories they deserve.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 21, 2025
Ade could be seen as just another college student trying to get through the semester. But beneath the surface, she’s harboring a secret identity. Keeping it hidden from everyone has taken a toll. The sleepless nights have led to insomnia, and now her grades are suffering. In her desperate search for rest, she figures that maybe sleeping with someone might finally help her sleep.
When her eyes land on a potential candidate, she has no idea that he’s hiding a secret of his own…
Not gonna lie, looking at the cover, I immediately thought, HOCKEY!! YAY!!
But sadly, no. While hockey does get mentioned, it’s not the main focus of the story. The pacing was okay, though at times the transitions felt a bit clunky. The writing style leaned more YA even though there’s adult content, but I did like how the college elements were portrayed. The characters genuinely felt like college students trying to figure life out. And I really enjoyed seeing Ade’s growth throughout the book.
I want to thank BookSirens and Leanne Farella for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
When her eyes land on a potential candidate, she has no idea that he’s hiding a secret of his own…
Not gonna lie, looking at the cover, I immediately thought, HOCKEY!! YAY!!
But sadly, no. While hockey does get mentioned, it’s not the main focus of the story. The pacing was okay, though at times the transitions felt a bit clunky. The writing style leaned more YA even though there’s adult content, but I did like how the college elements were portrayed. The characters genuinely felt like college students trying to figure life out. And I really enjoyed seeing Ade’s growth throughout the book.
I want to thank BookSirens and Leanne Farella for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
.5/5 [Spice 🌶️]
📚 Standalone
🏒 Hockey[ish]
🖤 M/F
I was a little surprised by this book. The writing and the thought process of the characters leans towards more of a YA book rather than a collage aged character, but there is spice so its a bit confusing. I also thought there would be more hockey since the MC is on the hockey team, but hockey is a minor mention in this book. So if you are looking for a true hockey romance, then this wouldnt be for you.
The book is a bit slow to start, but if you can push through it does get better, and while it is predictable regarding the web of lies that Ade is weaving, I still think there are good character reactions as those lies unravel. If you are looking for a quick and lite read, this might be good for you.
.5/5 [Spice 🌶️]
📚 Standalone
🏒 Hockey[ish]
🖤 M/F
I was a little surprised by this book. The writing and the thought process of the characters leans towards more of a YA book rather than a collage aged character, but there is spice so its a bit confusing. I also thought there would be more hockey since the MC is on the hockey team, but hockey is a minor mention in this book. So if you are looking for a true hockey romance, then this wouldnt be for you.
The book is a bit slow to start, but if you can push through it does get better, and while it is predictable regarding the web of lies that Ade is weaving, I still think there are good character reactions as those lies unravel. If you are looking for a quick and lite read, this might be good for you.
August 11, 2025
Overall I enjoyed More Than Chemical with its quirky narrator Ade Blankin, on her quest to cure her stress induced insomnia by way of sex. After trying all methods to sleep, Ade picks supposedly dormitory slut Dallas as her tribute, unbeknownst to him. Ade’s innocence came off through the writing which unfortunately made it read more YA than I like my MC’s, but with the secret she’s trying to hide and the fallout with her new friends, and Dallas, she definitely matured by story end.
Thanks to BookSirens I was able to read and leave my honest review.
Thanks to BookSirens I was able to read and leave my honest review.
September 10, 2025
This book was a decent read I guess. It had more potential to be a better book. The characters didn’t really have much chemistry and their meeting moment just felt very forced and rushed. Most of the time Dallas left me confused and wondering if he even cared about Ade at all. Where were the caring moments of him taking care of Ade? Where was the dates and spending time together? Where was the undeniable chemistry between them? Where was the moments when they couldn’t stay away from one another. Sadly their story felt rushed and before half of the book was done, I was just reading to finish it. Overall though I give it 3 stars for the cute ending. I’ll never give up a happy ending.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.
I received a free ARC copy of this book and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.
August 5, 2025
I know Grandmas are not the target audience for this book, but I thought it was well written with very likable, real characters. The storyline kept me interested, especially the importance of family and being honest with those close to you.
October 26, 2025
Hmmm… it’s so difficult to rate this book. It was a quick and fun read, but it wasn’t ideal. We meet our FMC, Ade, and MMC, Dallas, who start hanging out purely for sexual reasons on Ade’s side, and after some issues they face, they become a couple. However, the relationship felt a bit forced and too fast-paced. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them, and Dallas’s behavior sometimes confused me.
All in all, the story was quite predictable, unfortunately. It had a good premise but wasn’t delivered in the way it was supposed to.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
All in all, the story was quite predictable, unfortunately. It had a good premise but wasn’t delivered in the way it was supposed to.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing a free ARC from BookSirens! I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
A story about a chemical engineering student, written by a patent attorney, with a hockey subplot? It felt like this book was written specifically for me. But maybe that means I’m too close to this and can’t see the forest for the trees.
Overall, I think the writing style just isn’t for me. There were a lot of simple sentences and purposeful sentence fragments. It felt like it was written for a less sophisticated or young adult audience, which is totally fine (minus the sex if it’s YA), but I think I had different expectations. Once I got a little further in, it didn’t bother me as much, so I don’t know if the writing matured or if I got used to it.
I’m conflicted on how to rate this. I hate to say it, but I reaaaaaally didn’t enjoy the first 10% or so. I’m glad I kept pushing through because it got way better and I ended up enjoying the story overall. The author did a good job of describing the feeling of an all-consuming, young love crush. The constantly wanting to check your phone to see if they texted back and the crazy swing of emotions when it comes to that person are so true.
There were awkward description choices just to remind us this was a “STEM” book. “This attraction was like a covalent bond. I’d shared my electrons with him, and now I couldn’t figure out how or if I wanted them back.” And “My face heated to the temperature of a Bunsen burner.” Please, no.
But while there were some ridiculous lines, there were also some spot-on ones. The line “Engineering students form friendships. We have this instinct to help each other out because otherwise no one would survive our torturous classes” spoke to my soul. I’m still friends with my engineering friends because of those bonds.
There were a few references that felt like someone far removed from college was writing this. For example, I’m not sure many people in their late teens now would know what Debbie Does Dallas is anymore. I don’t often hear people vocalize “WTF.” It’s more just for in text form. There was also an EXTREME overuse of “omigod.” And constantly referring to Dallas as “Texas” even in internal monologues in the beginning was weird, especially for it to be immediately dropped once they started hanging out.
For the story itself, most of my issues with the book came in the beginning. The book started with regurgitating the “oh, everyone in my engineering classes but me is male!” that is in a lot of these STEM romance books, which made me roll my eyes. When I was in my own chemical engineering classes at a large university, half my class was female, and that was more than a decade ago. Sure, some engineering disciplines like electrical engineering/computer science were mostly male, but if all the engineering disciplines were together for the first year, there would likely be a lot of females in her program between chemical, mechanical, industrial, and biomedical in the real world.
I struggled a little bit with Ade immediately wanting to bang Dallas upon finding out he had such a high body count (or at least started running him through her checklist of bangability). She also apparently told EVERYONE in her circle about the sex article, so they all knew she was going to pursue him for the express purpose of sleeping with him to cure her insomnia. Gross. Actually, I think the story would have been stronger without the article/trying to use sex to sleep. She could have just seen him on the bus, still had her checklist of people she was willing to date or be with, and still could have struggled from insomnia, but it wouldn’t have felt so forced. There was plenty going on in the book that we didn’t need to have that.
It was also a little weird the way Emma was so insistent about the Dallas-is-a-manwhore rumors being true and so angry that Ade was hanging out with Dallas despite never talking to Dallas before. It felt beyond what a supportive friend would do and she felt more like an angry ex with an axe to grind (so I guess I expected HER to be what Sandra turned out to be based on how the story was initially told).
As the story went on, I liked watching Ade and Dallas study together, and I liked Ade’s conflicting emotions with her father. I could tell right away who was going to be a witness in the trial, but the author nailed Ade’s reaction and feelings and confusion.
This book majorly redeemed itself once I got into it. In the beginning, I wanted to not even rate it because I just didn’t jibe with it at all. As I kept going, it reached a point where I couldn’t put it down. While it was totally predictable, it ended up being an enjoyable story.
I was satisfied with how things wrapped up, but I would have liked an epilogue!
—
As to the structure of the book, each chapter has a name, not just a number. Each of the names almost felt a little spoilery or like they were the author’s initial outline, so I probably would have omitted them. But I do like books with a lot of shorter chapters, so I was glad this had those.
There were only a couple of minor errors.
In chapter 12, it says she pulled down her yoga pants but then pulled up her jeans.
There were very few typos, if any, but I questioned the word choice in “regulated to the back burner” in chapter 29; I think it should have been “relegated.”
A story about a chemical engineering student, written by a patent attorney, with a hockey subplot? It felt like this book was written specifically for me. But maybe that means I’m too close to this and can’t see the forest for the trees.
Overall, I think the writing style just isn’t for me. There were a lot of simple sentences and purposeful sentence fragments. It felt like it was written for a less sophisticated or young adult audience, which is totally fine (minus the sex if it’s YA), but I think I had different expectations. Once I got a little further in, it didn’t bother me as much, so I don’t know if the writing matured or if I got used to it.
I’m conflicted on how to rate this. I hate to say it, but I reaaaaaally didn’t enjoy the first 10% or so. I’m glad I kept pushing through because it got way better and I ended up enjoying the story overall. The author did a good job of describing the feeling of an all-consuming, young love crush. The constantly wanting to check your phone to see if they texted back and the crazy swing of emotions when it comes to that person are so true.
There were awkward description choices just to remind us this was a “STEM” book. “This attraction was like a covalent bond. I’d shared my electrons with him, and now I couldn’t figure out how or if I wanted them back.” And “My face heated to the temperature of a Bunsen burner.” Please, no.
But while there were some ridiculous lines, there were also some spot-on ones. The line “Engineering students form friendships. We have this instinct to help each other out because otherwise no one would survive our torturous classes” spoke to my soul. I’m still friends with my engineering friends because of those bonds.
There were a few references that felt like someone far removed from college was writing this. For example, I’m not sure many people in their late teens now would know what Debbie Does Dallas is anymore. I don’t often hear people vocalize “WTF.” It’s more just for in text form. There was also an EXTREME overuse of “omigod.” And constantly referring to Dallas as “Texas” even in internal monologues in the beginning was weird, especially for it to be immediately dropped once they started hanging out.
For the story itself, most of my issues with the book came in the beginning. The book started with regurgitating the “oh, everyone in my engineering classes but me is male!” that is in a lot of these STEM romance books, which made me roll my eyes. When I was in my own chemical engineering classes at a large university, half my class was female, and that was more than a decade ago. Sure, some engineering disciplines like electrical engineering/computer science were mostly male, but if all the engineering disciplines were together for the first year, there would likely be a lot of females in her program between chemical, mechanical, industrial, and biomedical in the real world.
I struggled a little bit with Ade immediately wanting to bang Dallas upon finding out he had such a high body count (or at least started running him through her checklist of bangability). She also apparently told EVERYONE in her circle about the sex article, so they all knew she was going to pursue him for the express purpose of sleeping with him to cure her insomnia. Gross. Actually, I think the story would have been stronger without the article/trying to use sex to sleep. She could have just seen him on the bus, still had her checklist of people she was willing to date or be with, and still could have struggled from insomnia, but it wouldn’t have felt so forced. There was plenty going on in the book that we didn’t need to have that.
It was also a little weird the way Emma was so insistent about the Dallas-is-a-manwhore rumors being true and so angry that Ade was hanging out with Dallas despite never talking to Dallas before. It felt beyond what a supportive friend would do and she felt more like an angry ex with an axe to grind (so I guess I expected HER to be what Sandra turned out to be based on how the story was initially told).
As the story went on, I liked watching Ade and Dallas study together, and I liked Ade’s conflicting emotions with her father. I could tell right away who was going to be a witness in the trial, but the author nailed Ade’s reaction and feelings and confusion.
This book majorly redeemed itself once I got into it. In the beginning, I wanted to not even rate it because I just didn’t jibe with it at all. As I kept going, it reached a point where I couldn’t put it down. While it was totally predictable, it ended up being an enjoyable story.
I was satisfied with how things wrapped up, but I would have liked an epilogue!
—
As to the structure of the book, each chapter has a name, not just a number. Each of the names almost felt a little spoilery or like they were the author’s initial outline, so I probably would have omitted them. But I do like books with a lot of shorter chapters, so I was glad this had those.
There were only a couple of minor errors.
In chapter 12, it says she pulled down her yoga pants but then pulled up her jeans.
There were very few typos, if any, but I questioned the word choice in “regulated to the back burner” in chapter 29; I think it should have been “relegated.”
August 23, 2025
Leanne Farella's "More than Chemical" is an exceptionally relatable college romance that goes beyond typical tropes by grounding its story in the authentic struggles of a STEM student. As a former STEM major who dealt with similar issues, I found the book's portrayal of Adriana's journey to be incredibly accurate and refreshing.
What truly sets this book apart is its honest depiction of the pressures within an engineering program. Adriana's anxiety about staying in her program is a central and very common struggle that many students face. It's not just about passing classes; it's about the constant stress of keeping up and fear of failure. Farella expertly weaves this academic pressure into the narrative, making Adriana's character feel deeply realistic. Her late nights, caffeine addiction, and academic worries are more than just background details; they are integral to who she is. This authenticity made me feel seen and understood in a way that few other college romance novels have.
The title, "More than Chemical", perfectly reflects how Adriana and Dallas' relationship develops. Their connection moves from purely physical to being supported by an emotional bond that is stronger than covalent ones. This is most evident as they navigate their connections to an NCAA hockey scandal. This brings them closer together deepening their relationship.
Beyond the central romance, another standout element is the book's focus on Adriana's support system of friends and her roommate. This group helps her navigate her academic and personal anxieties rather than trying to "fix" her. The story also beautifully illustrates the vital role of her friends. This emphasis on a multifaceted, positive support system is a powerful and empowering message that elevates the story beyond a simple romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What truly sets this book apart is its honest depiction of the pressures within an engineering program. Adriana's anxiety about staying in her program is a central and very common struggle that many students face. It's not just about passing classes; it's about the constant stress of keeping up and fear of failure. Farella expertly weaves this academic pressure into the narrative, making Adriana's character feel deeply realistic. Her late nights, caffeine addiction, and academic worries are more than just background details; they are integral to who she is. This authenticity made me feel seen and understood in a way that few other college romance novels have.
The title, "More than Chemical", perfectly reflects how Adriana and Dallas' relationship develops. Their connection moves from purely physical to being supported by an emotional bond that is stronger than covalent ones. This is most evident as they navigate their connections to an NCAA hockey scandal. This brings them closer together deepening their relationship.
Beyond the central romance, another standout element is the book's focus on Adriana's support system of friends and her roommate. This group helps her navigate her academic and personal anxieties rather than trying to "fix" her. The story also beautifully illustrates the vital role of her friends. This emphasis on a multifaceted, positive support system is a powerful and empowering message that elevates the story beyond a simple romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 10, 2026
I picked up this book, which immediately caught my eye for its intriguing premise about a STEM student embroiled in a whirlwind of love and secrets. It promised a classic “student vs. player” trope and a hidden identity that I couldn’t resist. But it was a bit of a mixed bag at first.
When I first dove into this story, I had to admit, it was a struggle knowing the characters were in college, but it read more like high school. However, as I pushed a little deeper into the story, the characters surprised me, and I found myself rooting for young love and a happy ending.
At first, Ade’s fascination with Dallas felt more like a plot device than a genuine interest. She wanted to use him, which is a shallow move, Ade. But as much as I cringed, the story took a turn for the better. When Ade finally opened up about her secret, her emotional strain added a layer that I didn’t expect. It was refreshing to see her maturity shine, especially when she stepped up to help Dallas reclaim his life amidst the chaos.
Dallas is more of an enigma. We see everything through Ade’s eyes, which makes him all the more interesting. He comes across as kind and respectful, but lurking beneath the surface is a secret that could topple their budding relationship. The tension kept me on my toes, and I was rooting for them every step of the way.
When the big reveal finally happened, I couldn’t help but appreciate how well everything panned out. The writing may have had its hiccups early on, but, oh boy, did it redeem itself. The twists and resolutions were both surprising and satisfying.
Overall, I’m glad I stuck with it. If you enjoy stories that mix young love with a dash of mystery, this one’s definitely worth a read. Sure, it’s got its ups and downs, but who doesn’t love a happy ending against all odds?
Thank you to Ms. Farella for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
When I first dove into this story, I had to admit, it was a struggle knowing the characters were in college, but it read more like high school. However, as I pushed a little deeper into the story, the characters surprised me, and I found myself rooting for young love and a happy ending.
At first, Ade’s fascination with Dallas felt more like a plot device than a genuine interest. She wanted to use him, which is a shallow move, Ade. But as much as I cringed, the story took a turn for the better. When Ade finally opened up about her secret, her emotional strain added a layer that I didn’t expect. It was refreshing to see her maturity shine, especially when she stepped up to help Dallas reclaim his life amidst the chaos.
Dallas is more of an enigma. We see everything through Ade’s eyes, which makes him all the more interesting. He comes across as kind and respectful, but lurking beneath the surface is a secret that could topple their budding relationship. The tension kept me on my toes, and I was rooting for them every step of the way.
When the big reveal finally happened, I couldn’t help but appreciate how well everything panned out. The writing may have had its hiccups early on, but, oh boy, did it redeem itself. The twists and resolutions were both surprising and satisfying.
Overall, I’m glad I stuck with it. If you enjoy stories that mix young love with a dash of mystery, this one’s definitely worth a read. Sure, it’s got its ups and downs, but who doesn’t love a happy ending against all odds?
Thank you to Ms. Farella for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
For more of my reviews, visit The Eclectic Review.
October 15, 2025
Leanne Farella’s More Than Chemical is a beautifully balanced fusion of intellect, vulnerability, and slow-burning emotional chaos. At its heart lies Adriana “Ade” Blankin a brilliant yet broken young woman navigating shame, identity, and the volatile chemistry of desire. Farella masterfully captures the aching dissonance between scientific logic and raw human emotion, pulling readers into a world where love becomes the most unpredictable variable of all.
What makes this story magnetic is its honesty: Ade’s insomnia isn’t just sleeplessness it’s the haunting echo of guilt, pressure, and self-erasure. Her pursuit of a chemical fix through intimacy sets the stage for a bold, contemporary exploration of what it means to reclaim control over one’s body and truth. Dallas, the so-called playboy, is far more than his façade their chemistry is not merely physical but transformational. More Than Chemical isn’t a romance; it’s an experiment in vulnerability and redemption, proving that even the most volatile reactions can yield something beautiful.
What makes this story magnetic is its honesty: Ade’s insomnia isn’t just sleeplessness it’s the haunting echo of guilt, pressure, and self-erasure. Her pursuit of a chemical fix through intimacy sets the stage for a bold, contemporary exploration of what it means to reclaim control over one’s body and truth. Dallas, the so-called playboy, is far more than his façade their chemistry is not merely physical but transformational. More Than Chemical isn’t a romance; it’s an experiment in vulnerability and redemption, proving that even the most volatile reactions can yield something beautiful.
November 13, 2025
College romance isn’t usually my thing, but this book grabbed me right away. I meant to read a chapter or two and ended up blowing through half the night because I kept telling myself one more.
The dialogue is quick and funny, the characters feel real, and Ade and Dallas have that kind of chemistry you can’t look away from. The sex scenes are written really well - confident, intimate, not cheesy at all.
What I didn’t expect was the suspense running through the story. There’s always something simmering under the surface, and every reveal nudges you straight into the next chapter. Total page-turner.
I also loved the wider world around them. Ade’s friends add so much warmth and humor, and the college sports setting gives the story a pulse - that whole campus-athletics pressure cooker. It all felt authentic without taking over the plot.
By the end, I was fully invested in these characters and already checking what else this author has written. I’m definitely reading more.
The dialogue is quick and funny, the characters feel real, and Ade and Dallas have that kind of chemistry you can’t look away from. The sex scenes are written really well - confident, intimate, not cheesy at all.
What I didn’t expect was the suspense running through the story. There’s always something simmering under the surface, and every reveal nudges you straight into the next chapter. Total page-turner.
I also loved the wider world around them. Ade’s friends add so much warmth and humor, and the college sports setting gives the story a pulse - that whole campus-athletics pressure cooker. It all felt authentic without taking over the plot.
By the end, I was fully invested in these characters and already checking what else this author has written. I’m definitely reading more.
March 9, 2026
(I received this book as an eARC) This book had the potential to be give the FMC and MMC more chemistry if it was a longer book. Overall it was a good book with character development towards the end. With that said, I do think it felt a bit rushed with the relationship and I wish their was more between the characters aside from being studying the same thing and their love for skating. As an adult reading this, Ade's character acts very juvenile trying to fix something about herself without confronting the issue head on. I had to pull myself from that thought process because it is a college romance so I guess the juvenile behavior does fit for this age group.
Something that stood out to me is that the way the story was written made it seem like Ade's dad did something worse than what he did. What he did wasn't good but I don't think what he did should warrant college students from also being so invested in his demise.
Something that stood out to me is that the way the story was written made it seem like Ade's dad did something worse than what he did. What he did wasn't good but I don't think what he did should warrant college students from also being so invested in his demise.
September 29, 2025
More Than Chemical is such a delightful read! I really loved how the author balanced the excitement and challenges of university life with the warmth and complexities of family drama. The characters felt authentic and relatable, making it easy to connect with their journeys.
The story flows beautifully and kept me engaged from start to finish — it truly made for a perfect quick summer read. I especially appreciated the emotional depth woven into the lighter moments, which gave the book a wonderful balance.
I would be thrilled to see a follow-up, as these characters still have so much more to share. Overall, this was an enjoyable, heartfelt book that I would gladly recommend to others.
I received a free copy from Vacarious Reader in exchange for my honest review, and I’m so grateful I had the chance to read it.
The story flows beautifully and kept me engaged from start to finish — it truly made for a perfect quick summer read. I especially appreciated the emotional depth woven into the lighter moments, which gave the book a wonderful balance.
I would be thrilled to see a follow-up, as these characters still have so much more to share. Overall, this was an enjoyable, heartfelt book that I would gladly recommend to others.
I received a free copy from Vacarious Reader in exchange for my honest review, and I’m so grateful I had the chance to read it.
October 4, 2025
"More Than Chemical" was a quick, light read with an interesting premise. Ade, the FMC, is experiencing insomnia and wants to try sleeping with someone to see if it helps since she read a paper about s*x aiding with sleep. She goes on pursuit of someone to partner up with, so to speak, and finds the MMC, Dallas. With several secrets between them, they begin their relationship. But those secrets do resurface.
I wish we had gotten to see Ade and Dallas's relationship grow. It felt a bit rushed, and there are several loose ends at the ending of the book. I was waiting for a prologue to wrap up some things, but there wasn't one. The book could have been longer and more fleshed out. I'd give it 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I wish we had gotten to see Ade and Dallas's relationship grow. It felt a bit rushed, and there are several loose ends at the ending of the book. I was waiting for a prologue to wrap up some things, but there wasn't one. The book could have been longer and more fleshed out. I'd give it 3.5 stars.
Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
August 19, 2025
Ade and Dallas are instantly likable characters who are easy to root for, and their relationship develops at just the right pace. The dialogue feels authentic, making their connection believable and engaging. Side characters blend seamlessly into the story without distracting from the main romance, and the Minnesota setting adds a crisp, icy backdrop that grounds the narrative.
The only letdown? No epilogue. After investing in their journey, I wanted that final glimpse—whether it’s them wrapping up the school year or tackling life beyond college. It’s a story that ends well, but leaves you wishing for just a little more light at the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The only letdown? No epilogue. After investing in their journey, I wanted that final glimpse—whether it’s them wrapping up the school year or tackling life beyond college. It’s a story that ends well, but leaves you wishing for just a little more light at the end.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 28, 2025
The title, "More than Chemical", perfectly reflects how Adriana and Dallas' relationship develops. Their connection moves from purely physical to being supported by an emotional bond You don't always have to be perfect to think that the person you like, may start to notice you.This book majorly redeemed itself once I got into it. In the beginning, I wanted to not even rate it because I just didn’t jibe with it at all. As I kept going, it reached a point where I couldn’t put it down. While it was totally predictable, it ended up being an enjoyable story.
I was satisfied with how things wrapped up, but I would have liked an epilogue!
I was satisfied with how things wrapped up, but I would have liked an epilogue!
September 19, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. this book was SO GOOD!! omg. First of all, I love when there’s a smart hot guy because those are so underrated. but I loved this book! I really connected with the characters and Ade and Dallas’s story was so beautiful. It was very in depth and not surface level at all. Their meet cure was so adorable, I loved it. The whole concept of getting laid to improve her insomnia was so funny to me but I love a girl for trying!! I found the court case subplot to be so interesting, it added layers to the storyline and plot, making it a fun and emotional read!
March 6, 2026
This was a quick, easy read for me. It grabbed my attention, and I was able to finish it in one day, so it's safe to say I didn't hate it. I was expecting this book to lean more towards hockey and towards Ade's life in STEM rather than just touching on those topics. I would have loved to see Ade overcome something within her classes/career. I wasn't the biggest fan of the miscommunication between Ade and Dallas. At times, I was confused by the misalignment of their words and behaviors, and chalked it up to them just being college kids. Overall, I think if you like college romance and are looking for something quick, this could be good for you!
October 14, 2025
More Than Chemical was a good book. It off slow and took me a few chapters to get into, but once the story finally kicked in, I was hooked. I really enjoyed how Dallas and Ade were similar, yet so different and how their pasts were intertwined without either of them knowing until it was almost too late for them. There were a few secrets between the two, that eventually came out adding to the drama of the story. While I feel the ending was a little abrupt, I really wanted an epilogue to expand in the final chapter, it was a great read.
October 8, 2025
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review so here goes.
This isn’t your usual university hockey spicy read, this story has more to it than just spice - a back story as to why Ade and Dallas are hiding who they are and not admitting the truth to each other.
I’m probably not the demographic for this book because I’m definitely older (my daughter is Ade’s age) but I really enjoyed the characters and the goings on in this book.
Give it a go, it will surprise you.
This isn’t your usual university hockey spicy read, this story has more to it than just spice - a back story as to why Ade and Dallas are hiding who they are and not admitting the truth to each other.
I’m probably not the demographic for this book because I’m definitely older (my daughter is Ade’s age) but I really enjoyed the characters and the goings on in this book.
Give it a go, it will surprise you.
December 20, 2025
More Than Chemical is a smart, emotionally grounded New Adult romance that balances brains, heart, and slow-burn chemistry beautifully. Ade’s struggle with shame, insomnia, and control feels painfully real, and her attempt to “solve” her life through logic makes her instantly relatable.
Dallas is far more than his reputation, and their connection unfolds with genuine tension and tenderness. This story does a wonderful job showing that some things trust, healing, love can’t be engineered.
Dallas is far more than his reputation, and their connection unfolds with genuine tension and tenderness. This story does a wonderful job showing that some things trust, healing, love can’t be engineered.
August 30, 2025
I love how this book starts just being realistically tired. The character
Dallas sounds hot Just by the heath ledger smile comparison. I Love how descriptive the writing is like I can picture everything so clearly.It's a cute, little book, that's an easy read. The third act breakup is not too bad. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dallas sounds hot Just by the heath ledger smile comparison. I Love how descriptive the writing is like I can picture everything so clearly.It's a cute, little book, that's an easy read. The third act breakup is not too bad. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 13, 2026
A smart, heartfelt New Adult romance with real emotional depth. Ade’s voice feels authentic, and the blend of academic pressure, family scandal, and slow burn chemistry is handled beautifully. Dallas is far more layered than he first appears, and their relationship develops in a way that feels earned. Thoughtful, sexy, and genuinely moving.
July 24, 2025
A refreshing distraction and great page turner that ai couldn’t put down. On the same lines as Abby Jiminez’s romance books. Would love to see follow-up with other characters with pop-ins from Dallas and Ade.
August 7, 2025
This was a fun, quick and satisfying summer read! I loved the balance of an exciting college romance intertwined with a complicated family drama. The storyline was smart and engaging - I couldn’t put it down. I’m already looking forward to the author’s next release!
August 10, 2025
I loved the book! It was definitely a page turner and written very fluently! The self-centered conflict grew into a change of heart…realizing the importance of family and friends. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next book release “More Than the Math”!
September 2, 2025
Overall Rating: (4/5)
More Than Chemical is a thoughtful yet steamy campus romance. It combines the spice of college attraction, the heart of character growth, and the brain of STEM academia, making it stand out from typical “bad boy dorm” stories.
More Than Chemical is a thoughtful yet steamy campus romance. It combines the spice of college attraction, the heart of character growth, and the brain of STEM academia, making it stand out from typical “bad boy dorm” stories.
October 9, 2025
Very cute, good storyline. I wasnt a fan of how elusive the mmc felt but could be because it isnt dual pov. Also it focused a lot of something that went down with her dad which felt like it lost the plot a little. all in all it was a cute read.
November 22, 2025
This was a fun and fast read. Hockey is the backdrop for the story and is key to the conflicts and character development. Although not mentioned, I am pretty sure that Dallas must be a forward. Loved the description of the goalie friend.
Can't wait to read "More than Math!"
Can't wait to read "More than Math!"
January 21, 2026
More Than Chemical is a clever, heartfelt college rom-com that blends sharp humor with real emotional depth and vulnerability. Ade and Dallas’s chemistry turns a scientific experiment into an unexpectedly powerful story about identity, trust, and choosing connection over fear.
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