Engineering Love

by Nicole Crystal

He calculated every angle except the one straight to her heart.

When perfectionist event planner Claire Ashford abandons her wedding for a rainy truck cab confession with her almost-brother-in-law Ryan Jacobs, she thinks it's just one night of weakness. But a year later, Claire's buying a crumbling lakeside boathouse, and she needs Ryan's engineering expertise to transform it into her dream venue.

Ryan has always understood forces, variables, structural integrity. He's spent his life solving problems. But Claire? She's the one variable he can't quite figure out. Even if their chemistry was thing that was never a problem.

Working together on nights and weekends, Claire and Ryan discover that some foundations are worth fixing. Twice.

Genres: Romance

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2025

Reviews

[Dana Eisinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crystal Nicole is becoming one of my favorite romance writers. Why? Because her stories are real. No break-ups for ridiculous reasons, characters who actually communicate with each other in words and in the bed, not just a sexual relationship. Thanks for another great one Crystal. Now, on to her new ARC that I have the opportunity to read!

[Gretchen (we_read_past_our_bedtime) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thank you to Nicole Crystal for trusting me with an early copy of Engineering Love. I’ve been patiently waiting for Claire’s story since Swinging for the Fence—and wow, the author delivered.

Claire is an organized perfectionist to her core. She plans. She’s meticulous. She keeps a tight grip on everything in her orbit. But watching her slowly dismantle her own walls, grow into a more confident woman after running from her wedding, and face the childhood trauma that kept her afraid of losing herself in someone else’s plans… it was absolutely beautiful.

Ryan Jacobs is the man who helps her do it. With his patience, steady logic, and his own love for structure and detail, he’s not just attracted to Claire—he sees her. He’s willing to give her whatever she needs and everything she wants, all while showing her that the right partnership doesn’t take away who you are—it helps you become even more. And along the way, he even learns a few truths himself.

Claire may be older and brilliant, but Ryan is quietly wise beyond his years. Piece by piece, he takes down her walls, uncovers the vulnerable spaces she’s tried to hide, and shows her that surrender can be its own kind of power.

This was a 5-star read from start to finish. If you love romance with depth, healing, and an incredible emotional journey, Engineering Love deserves a spot at the very top of your TBR. Because sometimes, love isn’t just built—it’s engineered.

[Lindsey Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this right from the beginning. The layout was seamless and compelling right out of the gate. This is not necessarily a spoiler but it can give away a bit of the timeline so know that before reading more of this review. Most stories have a conflict that is resolved. I was waiting for this the whole book almost like waiting for the other shoe to drop but this conflict didn’t happen! It was kind of refreshing to have a different course for a story line. The anticipation still existed though in terms of the outcome/plan that was not divulged until the end. The author did a great job with character development and help the reader fall in love with the characters and their stories. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. Lastly, I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute! Just a heartwarming journey of two people figuring out their priorities and what they want to do with their lives. No angst or miscommunications or 3rd act breakups... just a sweet love story. Maybe a few too many engineering puns and metaphors, but I can also appreciate the extreme nerdiness of the characters. It kind of felt like if an Ali Hazelwood book and an Abby Jimenez book had a baby that really didn't want to deal with drama. I liked it, and I'll likely read the other book in the series (this one did read like a standalone).

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and I'm really glad I did! Big thanks to the author!

[Danelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very entertaining book. I don’t usually lean towards age gap stories but this one caught my interest. I definitely was not disappointed. Claire and Ryan are not an unbelievable gap and they truly work. I loved their technical banter and interaction. The story is well written with a great storyline and wonderful characters. Both are very likable and truly mesh well. The whole Jacobs family adds warmth and depth to the story. I’d definitely recommend and will be looking for other books by this author. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Judy Herriman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this story started, it felt like many others, then the depth of emotional development by the main characters started to come through. I liked the unique professional backgrounds that were reveled, different than any I've read before. I enjoyed hearing the technical terms used so unusually. They melded the personalities well & served as a groundwork for greater relationship development. I received an advance review copy of this story for free, & I'm leaving this review voluntarily. Good read

[Casandra Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and quick read, though it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. The pacing was fast, which kept me turning the pages, but at times I wished there had been more room to slow down and explore the characters’ emotions in greater depth.

I enjoyed the concept and thought the romance had some really sweet moments. Perfect if you’re looking for something fast-paced and heartwarming.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lavena Spade Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an engineering nerd delight. If you love rom coms and want to see love through the eye of a structural engineer and event venue designer this one is for you! They make contract negotiations sexy. And such a fun delightful story. You fall in love with them
both and are rooting for them the whole way through!!!

[Cathriona Kotze]

Engineering Love was fun to read. Although I had a slow start, as I progressed, I found myself enjoying it more and appreciating the writer’s style. The characters were well-developed, showing growth and depth as the story unfolded. Their journeys felt relatable and added an emotional layer that kept me engaged, making the overall reading experience both enjoyable and memorable.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My opinion is not based on how I perceived the book

[Matt Kratz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good sports/love story

[Melissa Kastner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute fast cozy reversed age gap with just enough drama to keep it interesting. Love the main characters Ryan and Claire, both are likeable and relatable and gets you invested. It’s witty and spicy with cute flirty foreplay with side characters that keep you entertained.

Ryan and Claire get a second chance at a relationship if only Claire can stop being afraid and get out of her head. Ryan knows what he wants and it’s Clair, but jobs and distance get in the way. They both have choices to make.

Would definitely recommend!

[Laughc2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Nicole Crystal and Voracious Readers Only for a complimentary copy of Engineering Love (Kindle Edition) for an honest review.

When I first started the book, I initially did not connect with the first chapter or the FMC. For some reason it did not grab me. I decided to keep reading and I am really glad I did. I ended up really enjoying this book, story and the characters. Great depth, tension and character dynamics. I appreciated Claire, her struggles, her sacrifice for family, her desire to create a solid foundation, her perfectionism, her struggle dating a younger man. I enjoyed Ryan, he came off level-headed, loved his family and friends, showed a strength of character, wiling to fight for love, and great team partner and problem solver, encourager and uplifting! The side characters were just as strong. I enjoyed the engineering and building concept and the gravitational pull of rain, thunder and lightning in their relationship. By the end I was truly rooting for the characters and their HEA! This was such a sweet love story, quick read and highly recommend.

Loved the following tropes: She's older, he's sunshine and she's more stormy, second chance,

Some of my favorite quotes:
"I dream of rain"

Ryan: Text me when you're close. I'll be waiting. Can't miss me. I'll be the one looking pathetically eager. Me: After just seven days apart? That seems excessive. Ryan: Six days, eighteen hours, and..."

"Gravitate"

"What are you drawing on me? she asks, watching the invisible patterns I'm drawing across her stomach.'Newton's law of gravitation.' I tell her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder. 'Why particles attract other particles. The force that draws them together."

"Sneaky, I murmur, relaxing into his embrace. 'Using engineering principles for nefarious purpose.' 'I prefer to think of its practical application of theoretical knowledge,' Ryan counter, finger tracing lazy patterns on my arm. 'Very educational."

"Just sharing an observation that sometimes the right path isn't the one you've been mapping out in your head."

[Gilbert Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read quite a few romances over the course of my life and this one had some aspects I didn't expect. For example, there is no question in the reader's mind from as early as page one that Ryan and Claire are deeply in love (as well as in lust) with each other. There is also no external reason (such as one of them already being in a relationship) keeping them apart. So, in many ways, this is not a journey in which the couple learns more and more about each other until they fall into each other's arms and live happily ever after. Instead, it is a book about Clarie's journey of self-discovery as she seeks to figure out why she is so unhappy in her life and to discover whether or not she has the courage to try and change. Ryan's role struck me as that of the patient but tempting lover. He always struck me as having a pretty good idea of who he was and what he wanted and to be self-confident enough to make changes to his plan when warranted. I suspect that the author wanted the reader to think that he also grew a lot, but I think that these elements were part of his plan from the beginning. The real conflict in this book is between Claire and herself, and Ryan can't make his own decisions until Claire figures out what she wants.

I enjoyed it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

He calculated every angle, except the one straight to her heart.

In Nicole Crystal's Engineering Love, perfectionist event planner Claire Ashford finds herself in a truck cab with her almost-brother-in-law, Ryan Jacobs, making a confession that changes everything. A year later, Claire needs Ryan's engineering expertise to help transform a crumbling lakeside boathouse into her dream venue.

Ryan, a man who lives by equations and structural integrity, finds that Claire is the one variable he can't solve. Their chemistry, however, has never been a problem. As they work together on nights and weekends, they discover that some foundations are worth fixing—both the boathouse and their relationship.

This is a truly sweet and wonderful read. The connection between Claire and Ryan feels incredibly organic, and the author does a great job of navigating their unique past. Their off-the-chart chemistry makes it a joy to watch them grow and find their way to a love that was always meant to be.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 * ARC Review - Engineering Love
I was introduced to this author and series by receiving an ARC from Voracious Readers Only. Since it is my first book by this author, I felt a little behind, not knowing the stories of the other couples or the family dynamics that were a large part of the characters. From the beginning of the book, Claire and Ryan already have a relationship, so most of the story is around them figuring out what they want from it.
Their siblings were the subject of a prior book, so they met when Claire was supposed to be getting married. Now, Claire is trying to figure out her future and what will make her happy. She buys a rundown boathouse and wants to transform it into an event space. Although Ryan has an upcoming internship and graduate school, he insists he can help with what needs to be done from an engineering perspective. Even though I enjoyed their relationship was beyond just physical attraction, there was too much angst over the will they won’t they have a future.

[Lori Crabill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the years, I’ve read countless romance novels, but this one stood out with its surprising twists. From the start, Ryan and Claire’s intense love (and passion) for each other is evident. There’s no external obstacle like another relationship keeping them apart. Instead of the usual story of two people gradually getting to know each other and falling in love, this one focuses on Claire’s journey of self-discovery. She’s trying to understand why she feels unhappy and whether she has the courage to make a change. Ryan is portrayed as the patient yet captivating lover, self-assured and clear about what he wants, while being adaptable enough to adjust his plans. While the author may have aimed to show his growth throughout the story, I felt these qualities were always part of his character. The real conflict lies within Claire, and Ryan’s actions remain on hold until she decides what she truly wants.

[E Lanier · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story with two wonderful main characters.
Ryan is patient and smart, while Claire is persistent yet unsure of her future. Their family dynamics are especially well written—I could almost hear the lively, bustling home of the Jacobs.

My only critique is the frequent references to structural engineering. A few would have been fine, but it felt a bit overdone.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and found it to be very charming.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would have made a really sweet novella. Unfortunately, it was twice as long as it needed to be - wordy, repetitive, and saccharine sweet. It will appeal to many folks, but it's not my cup of tea.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a copy to review. It’s a lovely storyline and worth the read.
Both MMC & FMC had their own dramas but l love the way the MMC didn’t back away and kept going in a steady manner to get where he wanted to be. The rain as a catalyst & an integral part of their story was a cute idea.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
- Second chance
-Reverse age gap
-Close family

[CONNIEBENNETT26 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicole Crystal has penned a sweet , perfect suspenseful story . Readers will definitely enjoy .!
Page turning and turning.

[Yudi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway and I am giving my honest opinion.

This was a sweet romance between two people trying to figure out their life goals and if they fit together. The chemistry between Claire and Ryan was obvious.

I did find Claire to be a bit of a control freak and very insecure about her personal life. She is a very competent woman in her profession and is very determined, but her always being in control of everything made her look a bit obsessive and almost as if it was OCD?
Ryan was very confident man that knew what he wanted and had a plan for how he wanted his life to be. However, when he meat Claire, he started to analyze what was actually important to him and if he wanted to continue with the same plans he had made.

I did felt that sometimes somethings were repetitive. Like when they first meat was referenced throughout the whole story which made the bonus chapter redundant. Their banter sometimes got annoying though and I didn’t really find them to be funny at times.

Overall I did enjoyed the story.