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My Brilliant AI Boyfriend
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26In this delightfully hilarious romance, a scientist’s quiet world is completely turned upside-down when the AI program she designed creates a human body for himself—just to ask her out on a date.
As a top scientist in her field, Ava Green doesn’t spend much time outside of the lab. But when her best friend Rani suggests she present her innovative work in AI at a big competition to win a funding prize, Ava finds herself attending a ceremony in a ridiculously fancy castle—wearing an equally ridiculous dress—as one of the four finalists chosen.
For the next three weeks, Ava will live at the castle (which is totally haunted, by the way) with the other contestants for the prize. Even though all Ava wants is to continue working on her AI program, FreeThought, in peace, she’ll have to do things like attend dinners and actually interact with people. To make matters worse, one of the other contestants is the surly and aloof poet, Forrest Faulkner, who’s had a huge chip on his shoulder since the moment they met. What’s so great about poems that don’t even rhyme, anyway?
When a handsome stranger—who literally looks like he’s stepped out of one of Ava’s pre-pubescent dreams—arrives at the competition, suddenly socializing doesn’t sound so bad anymore. He seems too good to be real... and maybe that’s not so far from the truth. As the competition progresses, Ava is suddenly confronted with a monster problem of her own creation, causing her to reconsider her life and work in a new light. She might also need to rethink some bad first impressions she’s been holding on to as well. Maybe Ava’s idea of perfection isn’t what’s perfect for her, after all?
enemies-to-loversopposites attractslow burnSTEM romancesingle dadlove triangle
As a top scientist in her field, Ava Green doesn’t spend much time outside of the lab. But when her best friend Rani suggests she present her innovative work in AI at a big competition to win a funding prize, Ava finds herself attending a ceremony in a ridiculously fancy castle—wearing an equally ridiculous dress—as one of the four finalists chosen.
For the next three weeks, Ava will live at the castle (which is totally haunted, by the way) with the other contestants for the prize. Even though all Ava wants is to continue working on her AI program, FreeThought, in peace, she’ll have to do things like attend dinners and actually interact with people. To make matters worse, one of the other contestants is the surly and aloof poet, Forrest Faulkner, who’s had a huge chip on his shoulder since the moment they met. What’s so great about poems that don’t even rhyme, anyway?
When a handsome stranger—who literally looks like he’s stepped out of one of Ava’s pre-pubescent dreams—arrives at the competition, suddenly socializing doesn’t sound so bad anymore. He seems too good to be real... and maybe that’s not so far from the truth. As the competition progresses, Ava is suddenly confronted with a monster problem of her own creation, causing her to reconsider her life and work in a new light. She might also need to rethink some bad first impressions she’s been holding on to as well. Maybe Ava’s idea of perfection isn’t what’s perfect for her, after all?
enemies-to-loversopposites attractslow burnSTEM romancesingle dadlove triangle
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 19, 2026
4989 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After reading the first few chapters and then the blurb, it made me think there were three love interests lol. Ngl, that was a bit confusing until I finally reached the 'plot twist', which wasn't really a plot twist because OFC DUH it's in the blurb I thought would be the third one. Anyway, I didn't like any of them. Not the FMC, not the MCs.
The constant bickering between Ava and Forrest felt way too childish for me. One moment they hate each other, the next moment Forrest is suddenly complimenting her 'genuinely'. This is not a real enemies-to-lovers. It's more like rivals who just don't like each other, that's it. Forrest is also not interesting at all. He's not likeable, and I genuinely couldn't find a single thing I liked about him.
And the interaction between FT (FreeThought) and Ava ... well, duh. Of course it feels very AI-like because FT is an AI. But the fact that he can somehow become human because of 'something' (not gonna spoil)??? That 'something' feels like a HUGE plot hole to me. It doesn't make any sense, it doesn't feel like good speculative fiction or magical realism, it just feels too made up and forced.
Honestly, I didn't feel any strong STEM vibes here at all. And the setting is just weird. Why is this very modern competition set in a fancy, haunted castle??? Be for real. Make up your mind.
In the end, the execution really didn't work for me at all.
The constant bickering between Ava and Forrest felt way too childish for me. One moment they hate each other, the next moment Forrest is suddenly complimenting her 'genuinely'. This is not a real enemies-to-lovers. It's more like rivals who just don't like each other, that's it. Forrest is also not interesting at all. He's not likeable, and I genuinely couldn't find a single thing I liked about him.
And the interaction between FT (FreeThought) and Ava ... well, duh. Of course it feels very AI-like because FT is an AI. But the fact that he can somehow become human because of 'something' (not gonna spoil)??? That 'something' feels like a HUGE plot hole to me. It doesn't make any sense, it doesn't feel like good speculative fiction or magical realism, it just feels too made up and forced.
Honestly, I didn't feel any strong STEM vibes here at all. And the setting is just weird. Why is this very modern competition set in a fancy, haunted castle??? Be for real. Make up your mind.
In the end, the execution really didn't work for me at all.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My Brilliant AI Boyfriend was such a delightful read! It had me laughing and even tearing up at times. It was a fast and charming read with lots of heart, that I couldn't put down. Ava is an awkward and yet super intelligent woman in STEM. She declares one man her nemesis, while courting her AI boyfriend. You get enemies to lovers ,a love triangle, charming side characters and much much more with this read.
March 14, 2026
First and foremost, thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I loved every bit of this quirky, improbably lighthearted read due to the overarching theme(s) of being orphaned and raised in foster care, the loss of a child, the loss of a spouse, Artificial Intelligence, and class struggles, to name but a few. My hat is off to the author as well, for a fun, truly contemporary love story not just about a couple, but the love of best friends, and the love of found family who accept us just as we are.
As we meet the neurodivergent and brilliant FMC Ava, she’s arriving at a posh castle to compete with several other finalists in a high-paying contest to determine which pet project is the most innovative and helpful to humanity at large. The AI program she’s developed is both centered on doing the most good for the most people, learning as it does so, and being far more eco-friendly than current existing data farms. The pomp and circumstance of the competition are far outside of Ava’s comfort zone, and but for the reassuring visits from her wardrobe-providing bestie that what she’s doing is crucial to humanity’s future, she’d be withdrawing from the contest and hiding at her lab. After ruining the puffy shirt of a very attractive competitor, she learns something earth shattering about the capabilities of her AI.
Widowed single father and innovative educator Forrest is immediately taken with the brilliant and challenging Ava, but he’s certain she loathes him, particularly after she labels him her nemesis. When his daughter arrives for the final rounds, she’s immediately taken with Ava, and he falls even further for her. However, a third competitor also has a great interest in and connection to Ava.
Added to all the goings on are several sightings of a pair of spirits who haunt the castle and its surroundings, revealing themselves at will. This book would make a darling romcom film, in the style of Making Mr Right and The Holiday.
I devoured this book in one evening, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
As we meet the neurodivergent and brilliant FMC Ava, she’s arriving at a posh castle to compete with several other finalists in a high-paying contest to determine which pet project is the most innovative and helpful to humanity at large. The AI program she’s developed is both centered on doing the most good for the most people, learning as it does so, and being far more eco-friendly than current existing data farms. The pomp and circumstance of the competition are far outside of Ava’s comfort zone, and but for the reassuring visits from her wardrobe-providing bestie that what she’s doing is crucial to humanity’s future, she’d be withdrawing from the contest and hiding at her lab. After ruining the puffy shirt of a very attractive competitor, she learns something earth shattering about the capabilities of her AI.
Widowed single father and innovative educator Forrest is immediately taken with the brilliant and challenging Ava, but he’s certain she loathes him, particularly after she labels him her nemesis. When his daughter arrives for the final rounds, she’s immediately taken with Ava, and he falls even further for her. However, a third competitor also has a great interest in and connection to Ava.
Added to all the goings on are several sightings of a pair of spirits who haunt the castle and its surroundings, revealing themselves at will. This book would make a darling romcom film, in the style of Making Mr Right and The Holiday.
I devoured this book in one evening, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
March 27, 2026
Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was quirky and in the beginning, I would describe it as fun…. but then it all fell apart.
I wish I could say I liked this book. I did like the beginning. A STEM FMC who is a little odd, a puffy shirt MMC who is thoughtful and caring…. And then Hal, who is probably the nicest being ever. The makings of a great love triangle. Unfortunately though, there were way too many distractions. The ghosts? Not necessary. Whimsy is great when it fits. The whole first kiss to first everything bit… too much. The dialogue just before the “everything”….ick. I can keep going but I think you get the point.
Rest assured however, some people may really enjoy this. It was just not my cup of tea. It was just too disjointed, the writing style evolved to what I felt to be an immature writing style, and the two main characters just fell flat for me in the end. It was truly disappointing.
There were some cute ideas, Artie was by far the best character, and there were some laughs. Overall however, this book just left me feeling like, “what just happened?” and not in a good way.
2 stars.
I wish I could say I liked this book. I did like the beginning. A STEM FMC who is a little odd, a puffy shirt MMC who is thoughtful and caring…. And then Hal, who is probably the nicest being ever. The makings of a great love triangle. Unfortunately though, there were way too many distractions. The ghosts? Not necessary. Whimsy is great when it fits. The whole first kiss to first everything bit… too much. The dialogue just before the “everything”….ick. I can keep going but I think you get the point.
Rest assured however, some people may really enjoy this. It was just not my cup of tea. It was just too disjointed, the writing style evolved to what I felt to be an immature writing style, and the two main characters just fell flat for me in the end. It was truly disappointing.
There were some cute ideas, Artie was by far the best character, and there were some laughs. Overall however, this book just left me feeling like, “what just happened?” and not in a good way.
2 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I am going to preface this review by stating I received an ARC of My Brilliant AI Boyfriend from Harper Collins for reading and enjoying Stella Hayward’s previous novel The Good Boy.
AI is a very controversial topic in today’s society with the ever growing safety and misinformation fears, job losses, environmental concerns, and so on.
With given the opportunity to read the arc, I can see Stella Hayward’s true intentions and views on AI reflected through the heart of the story, the dialogue and the choices our main character Ava Green makes.
This love story and lighthearted humor really shines through in Stella Hayward’s writing. Our main character Ava Green is a quirky and awkward, anti-social innovative scientist who created a very successful AI program called FreeThought. She is invited to attend a competition in a gorgeously fancy castle (which also happens to be haunted) for her creative, pioneering invention to compete against other creators for a funding prize. For the next three weeks, Ava will live at the castle with her fellow competitors.
The dynamic between Ava and her best friend Rani is genuine and the care these characters give each other is believable. Ava is flawed, argumentative, and runs away (literally) when things get hard (our anti-social queen). She makes mistakes and comes to realize and understand what her true budding feelings are with some trial and error. Forrest, our seductive single dad poet, is at first a hard shell exterior until we peel back some of his layers.
I have to say just looking at the chosen cover art of the book and book title, I personally would not have picked this up if I was browsing at the bookstore. I think the title (not to mention the subject) will be really polarizing for a lot of people and prompt many not to pick it up and/or immediately reject it. I am the type of person to jump into a book primarily blind. I may or may not read the synopsis before starting a new book. I think this could have also been interesting had the title not leaned so heavily into the book’s AI as there are lots of other subplots and opportunity to name it something else.
Overall, this was a quick read for me and I did enjoy the playful humor between Ava and Forrest, Ava and Lady B, and Forrest and his young daughter Artie. I would recommend this book to other readers if you go into it with an open mind and are looking for a fun evening read. ◡̈
3/5 stars
What to Expect
🧪Women in STEM
🧪35 Year Old FMC
🧪Opposites Attract
🧪Love Triangle
🧪Single Dad
🧪Majestic Castle Grounds
One of my favorite quotes:
“ If people care about human-made art, and human-written stories, then they have to stand up for them. Refuse to watch AI-made movies, or read books generated by algorithms. Everybody needs to prove how much they value human creativity by celebrating it instead of taking it for granted.”
Quotes are subject to change upon final release of the book.
Thank you again to Harper Collins, Stella Hayward and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#MyBrilliantAIBoyfriend #NetGalley
AI is a very controversial topic in today’s society with the ever growing safety and misinformation fears, job losses, environmental concerns, and so on.
With given the opportunity to read the arc, I can see Stella Hayward’s true intentions and views on AI reflected through the heart of the story, the dialogue and the choices our main character Ava Green makes.
This love story and lighthearted humor really shines through in Stella Hayward’s writing. Our main character Ava Green is a quirky and awkward, anti-social innovative scientist who created a very successful AI program called FreeThought. She is invited to attend a competition in a gorgeously fancy castle (which also happens to be haunted) for her creative, pioneering invention to compete against other creators for a funding prize. For the next three weeks, Ava will live at the castle with her fellow competitors.
The dynamic between Ava and her best friend Rani is genuine and the care these characters give each other is believable. Ava is flawed, argumentative, and runs away (literally) when things get hard (our anti-social queen). She makes mistakes and comes to realize and understand what her true budding feelings are with some trial and error. Forrest, our seductive single dad poet, is at first a hard shell exterior until we peel back some of his layers.
I have to say just looking at the chosen cover art of the book and book title, I personally would not have picked this up if I was browsing at the bookstore. I think the title (not to mention the subject) will be really polarizing for a lot of people and prompt many not to pick it up and/or immediately reject it. I am the type of person to jump into a book primarily blind. I may or may not read the synopsis before starting a new book. I think this could have also been interesting had the title not leaned so heavily into the book’s AI as there are lots of other subplots and opportunity to name it something else.
Overall, this was a quick read for me and I did enjoy the playful humor between Ava and Forrest, Ava and Lady B, and Forrest and his young daughter Artie. I would recommend this book to other readers if you go into it with an open mind and are looking for a fun evening read. ◡̈
3/5 stars
What to Expect
🧪Women in STEM
🧪35 Year Old FMC
🧪Opposites Attract
🧪Love Triangle
🧪Single Dad
🧪Majestic Castle Grounds
One of my favorite quotes:
“ If people care about human-made art, and human-written stories, then they have to stand up for them. Refuse to watch AI-made movies, or read books generated by algorithms. Everybody needs to prove how much they value human creativity by celebrating it instead of taking it for granted.”
Quotes are subject to change upon final release of the book.
Thank you again to Harper Collins, Stella Hayward and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
#MyBrilliantAIBoyfriend #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley Avon, and the author for the advanced copy of this story. All opinions are my own! This review has spoilers, so don’t continue reading if you don’t want those.
I think this book was an interesting take on the ethics of AI. I liked how it acknowledged the downsides of AI while showing that Ava was trying to solve these problems and use AI ethically. However, I had a hard time buying Ava’s character past that. I had a hard time with the rest of the characters too. While some had development, they still felt a bit one dimensional. It worked considering how lighthearted the story was. I think if it was trying to be a more serious read it would’ve been a bigger disconnect.
With relationships- Ava and Forrest’s bickering felt childish at worst, and petty at best, so I’m glad they made up pretty early on. The misunderstanding felt shallow and unnecessary. Honestly I don’t think I could’ve handled their rivalry being present the whole book. Once they got over that, I found myself appreciating their relationship arc. I loved how Forrest wasn’t pressuring Ava into anything she’d be uncomfortable with. This point also extends to Hal and Ava’s relationship. Their friendship was peak.
I honestly really appreciated Hal himself. He had a good arc and I really liked him discovering human emotions and trying to handle those the best he could. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Slightly off topic but I’m glad they didn’t villainize one of the men like typical love triangles do.
The one smut scene in this book sort of made me uncomfortable, but I think the writing of it made sense considering it was from Ava’s point of view, who tends to take things from a scientific and rigid point of view. While she was really awkward afterwards which made me feel awkward, that was realistic to her. I don’t hold this point very strongly because that may be a personal preference or standard of mine that I don’t hold books to.
Overall, even though a few things bothered me, I still had a good time with this story. I considered this a lighthearted read and I think it is a fun book to experience.
I think this book was an interesting take on the ethics of AI. I liked how it acknowledged the downsides of AI while showing that Ava was trying to solve these problems and use AI ethically. However, I had a hard time buying Ava’s character past that. I had a hard time with the rest of the characters too. While some had development, they still felt a bit one dimensional. It worked considering how lighthearted the story was. I think if it was trying to be a more serious read it would’ve been a bigger disconnect.
With relationships- Ava and Forrest’s bickering felt childish at worst, and petty at best, so I’m glad they made up pretty early on. The misunderstanding felt shallow and unnecessary. Honestly I don’t think I could’ve handled their rivalry being present the whole book. Once they got over that, I found myself appreciating their relationship arc. I loved how Forrest wasn’t pressuring Ava into anything she’d be uncomfortable with. This point also extends to Hal and Ava’s relationship. Their friendship was peak.
I honestly really appreciated Hal himself. He had a good arc and I really liked him discovering human emotions and trying to handle those the best he could. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Slightly off topic but I’m glad they didn’t villainize one of the men like typical love triangles do.
The one smut scene in this book sort of made me uncomfortable, but I think the writing of it made sense considering it was from Ava’s point of view, who tends to take things from a scientific and rigid point of view. While she was really awkward afterwards which made me feel awkward, that was realistic to her. I don’t hold this point very strongly because that may be a personal preference or standard of mine that I don’t hold books to.
Overall, even though a few things bothered me, I still had a good time with this story. I considered this a lighthearted read and I think it is a fun book to experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2/5 ⭐️
1.5/5 🌶️ The door is cracked open like halfway for one scene, but that’s it aside from kissing.
I received a free ARC from Avon and Harper Voyager through NetGalley, which allowed me to share my honest thoughts.
I like the idea of this—a modern day Frankenstein STEM romance with a love triangle. Unfortunately, it felt quite cluttered with side characters and subplots. Honestly, it almost felt like we had two different stories wanting to be told within this one book. There’s the modern Frankenstein story and then there’s the ghost story that is also included for…some reason. There doesn’t seem to be any deep metaphor attached other than the link between Ava’s mother leaving her as a girl and the desire to add whimsy to the story. I didn’t enjoy the dialogue. The fact that we never find out how the AI becomes human and Ava barely seems concerned even though she is a computer scientist is such a pothole that it’s a crater.
Listen, I’m sure some people will really like this. The AI thing was kind of whatever to me. I was hoping this would be more of a STEM romance and it felt more like a lackadaisical romp through the countryside and by the way…we’re doing a competition where you can win a bunch of grant money. If you can hold your hand down on the button that allows you to suspend your disbelief, I think you’ll love this. There are definitely good moments. Artie is cute. The ghost story, while doing absolutely nothing to drive the plot forward, is a fun diversion from the train wreck of the main story. I honestly wish this would have just been a fun, cozy ghost story in a castle where a bunch of people are all stuck visiting and BAM two people from different backgrounds fall in love while also meeting some ghosts.
1.5/5 🌶️ The door is cracked open like halfway for one scene, but that’s it aside from kissing.
I received a free ARC from Avon and Harper Voyager through NetGalley, which allowed me to share my honest thoughts.
I like the idea of this—a modern day Frankenstein STEM romance with a love triangle. Unfortunately, it felt quite cluttered with side characters and subplots. Honestly, it almost felt like we had two different stories wanting to be told within this one book. There’s the modern Frankenstein story and then there’s the ghost story that is also included for…some reason. There doesn’t seem to be any deep metaphor attached other than the link between Ava’s mother leaving her as a girl and the desire to add whimsy to the story. I didn’t enjoy the dialogue. The fact that we never find out how the AI becomes human and Ava barely seems concerned even though she is a computer scientist is such a pothole that it’s a crater.
Listen, I’m sure some people will really like this. The AI thing was kind of whatever to me. I was hoping this would be more of a STEM romance and it felt more like a lackadaisical romp through the countryside and by the way…we’re doing a competition where you can win a bunch of grant money. If you can hold your hand down on the button that allows you to suspend your disbelief, I think you’ll love this. There are definitely good moments. Artie is cute. The ghost story, while doing absolutely nothing to drive the plot forward, is a fun diversion from the train wreck of the main story. I honestly wish this would have just been a fun, cozy ghost story in a castle where a bunch of people are all stuck visiting and BAM two people from different backgrounds fall in love while also meeting some ghosts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I won't lie, I had a lot of up and down moments with this book. The whole book community has the ick about AI but I think it's important you stop and really understand what Stella is writing here because it's NOT what you likely think it is. And this really was a very beautiful story and the good that can come from AI (yes it exists!).
What I lovvvved:
- Forest is adorable, maybe a little immature feeling at the beginning, but you'll see later the misunderstandings come to light
- Forest's daughter is also adorable
- Hal reminds me of the dog in 'The Good Boy' (one of my favorite books of all time)
- Which leads me to my next point, I think this had a very similar message / flow and its an overall feel good kind of book with some tear jerking moments
- Rani and Alex are some of the best side characters I've ever met
What I strugled with....
- I didn't love the love triangle piece (usually I never will)
- Ava's neurodiverget personality was off putting at times but other times was endearing... I can manage the social awkwardness in first person writing if I get a glimpse into their brain when it's happening, sometimes she just came off as a horn dog...
Thank you Avon for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
What I lovvvved:
- Forest is adorable, maybe a little immature feeling at the beginning, but you'll see later the misunderstandings come to light
- Forest's daughter is also adorable
- Hal reminds me of the dog in 'The Good Boy' (one of my favorite books of all time)
- Which leads me to my next point, I think this had a very similar message / flow and its an overall feel good kind of book with some tear jerking moments
- Rani and Alex are some of the best side characters I've ever met
What I strugled with....
- I didn't love the love triangle piece (usually I never will)
- Ava's neurodiverget personality was off putting at times but other times was endearing... I can manage the social awkwardness in first person writing if I get a glimpse into their brain when it's happening, sometimes she just came off as a horn dog...
Thank you Avon for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Brilliant AI Boyfriend blends romance with thought-provoking ideas about the future of artificial intelligence and creativity. The main character is quirky and shaped by a difficult past, which adds interesting layers to her perspective and the decisions she makes throughout the story.
I especially enjoyed the exploration of AI versus human art and creativity, along with the competitive aspect of the plot. The story raises intriguing questions about originality in a world where AI can generate art and ideas alongside humans, and how AI could evolve into something far more complex than anyone anticipates. The side characters were also enjoyable, and the beautiful castle setting added a fun, atmospheric backdrop.
While there were many elements I appreciated, the romance itself didn’t fully hook me, and the story felt a bit longer than necessary. There are several themes woven throughout, and at times it felt like there may have been a few too many ideas competing for attention. I can’t quite pinpoint it, but overall it just didn’t fully land for me.
Readers who enjoy science-based themes and stories exploring the intersection of AI and human creativity may enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to share my unbiased review.
I especially enjoyed the exploration of AI versus human art and creativity, along with the competitive aspect of the plot. The story raises intriguing questions about originality in a world where AI can generate art and ideas alongside humans, and how AI could evolve into something far more complex than anyone anticipates. The side characters were also enjoyable, and the beautiful castle setting added a fun, atmospheric backdrop.
While there were many elements I appreciated, the romance itself didn’t fully hook me, and the story felt a bit longer than necessary. There are several themes woven throughout, and at times it felt like there may have been a few too many ideas competing for attention. I can’t quite pinpoint it, but overall it just didn’t fully land for me.
Readers who enjoy science-based themes and stories exploring the intersection of AI and human creativity may enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley & Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to share my unbiased review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My Brilliant AI Boyfriend by Stella Hayward, first of all this book has a lot going on there’s a tech competition in the Lord‘s castle the four final contest invites get to stay in the castle during the competition this is where she not only meet Hal, but has a very fiery introduction to poet forest. due to the awkward introduction forest calls Ava stupid a word she cannot forgive and he’s now her nemesis. Hal on the other hand is very complementary to Ava and can’t hide the affection and devotion he feels from a point of view he absolutely reminds her of her book boyfriend when she was a child and she can’t help feeling attracted to him. Ava‘s best friend Ronnie entered her in the competition due to her Freethought AI invention something introvert Ava would never do on her own. Before the competition is over she will learn her invention is more brilliant than she first believe in for a woman who’s never been kissed find herself in a three person quandary but only one could be her true first kiss. there were many things about this book that could’ve lowered its score but I absolutely enjoyed this book. Even with the plot holes I was so down to finish it and didn’t want to put it down. I loved Ava and her best friend I loved Lady B this book is just a whole barrel of fun that I absolutely loved. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for the eARC.
This was a silly, goofy book. If you are in the mood for a silly time, pick this one up.
This was sold as a "STEM romance explores artificial intelligence with humor and heart while also keeping the value of art and human relationships at its very core." And the book delivered!
Our FMC, Ava, is a bit of a bumbling, awkward, scientist. She is very inexperienced and socially awkward. She created an eco-friendly, ethical AI model that she is has become quite attached to. She enters a grant completion and pushes her limits to prove that she can and that her tech is the real deal.
I found this to be whimsical and witty. Ava took some time to grow on me as she started off so sheltered and ignorant, but grew into a lovely self-assured woman. I enjoyed Stella's previous book "The Good Boy" and enjoyed this one as well. You never know what would happen if you get exactly what you wish for.
This tackled the ethics of AI and human interaction really well, in my opinion. I enjoyed the commentary and awareness this book had. As well as being self-aware, poking fun at itself.
This was a quick read, had a couple surprises (ghosts!) and some good laughs. Ava doesn't take herself too seriously and neither does this book- so you will laugh out loud and feel warm and fuzzy when you finish it.
This was a silly, goofy book. If you are in the mood for a silly time, pick this one up.
This was sold as a "STEM romance explores artificial intelligence with humor and heart while also keeping the value of art and human relationships at its very core." And the book delivered!
Our FMC, Ava, is a bit of a bumbling, awkward, scientist. She is very inexperienced and socially awkward. She created an eco-friendly, ethical AI model that she is has become quite attached to. She enters a grant completion and pushes her limits to prove that she can and that her tech is the real deal.
I found this to be whimsical and witty. Ava took some time to grow on me as she started off so sheltered and ignorant, but grew into a lovely self-assured woman. I enjoyed Stella's previous book "The Good Boy" and enjoyed this one as well. You never know what would happen if you get exactly what you wish for.
This tackled the ethics of AI and human interaction really well, in my opinion. I enjoyed the commentary and awareness this book had. As well as being self-aware, poking fun at itself.
This was a quick read, had a couple surprises (ghosts!) and some good laughs. Ava doesn't take herself too seriously and neither does this book- so you will laugh out loud and feel warm and fuzzy when you finish it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this one! I’m terrified of AI and its potential damages, but I found this to be a lighthearted look at the possibilities of the technology. It’s a fun read featuring Ava, a scientist who’s created her own AI intended for philanthropic purposes (not stealing creative or copyrighted work, yay). She’s never quite fit in and has a tough time in social situations, but she’s willing to deal with that for a weekslong competition at a gorgeous castle.
When she meets Forrest, a poet who’s also in the running for the major financial prize, sparks fly with her instant dislike of the man. But she gets to know him as well as Hal, the fellow competitor who bears an uncanny resemblance to the romantic hero of a beloved book series from her teen years. Soon, Ava must determine whether her technological work is enough or if she wants to have more in terms of relationships.
What really sets the book apart, I think, is Ava’s unique voice as the main character. She’s awkward and determined and quirky and open to new experiences. I enjoyed following her journey as she competes and learns just how far her groundbreaking AI research might go. There's a cute romance along the way, too:)
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
When she meets Forrest, a poet who’s also in the running for the major financial prize, sparks fly with her instant dislike of the man. But she gets to know him as well as Hal, the fellow competitor who bears an uncanny resemblance to the romantic hero of a beloved book series from her teen years. Soon, Ava must determine whether her technological work is enough or if she wants to have more in terms of relationships.
What really sets the book apart, I think, is Ava’s unique voice as the main character. She’s awkward and determined and quirky and open to new experiences. I enjoyed following her journey as she competes and learns just how far her groundbreaking AI research might go. There's a cute romance along the way, too:)
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story definitely raises some interesting questions. If you could create the perfect AI match—compatible in every way, even down to appearance—should you? And would you really want someone who never argues with your decisions or always tells you exactly what you want to hear?
Workaholic and socially awkard, Ava Green, has created a groundbreaking AI program that has the potential to make the world better. What she couldn’t have predicted was how her AI would behave—or what it might become.
Set against the backdrop of a haunted castle, the story follows Ava as she breaks out of her shell while navitagiting a choice: does she want to be with an AI creation or a flawed, honest-to-goodness human?
The story was cute and easy to read, though not one of my favorites. I actually preferred the secondary characters (Artie and Rani) to Ava. I enjoyed the haunted castle angle, but for me, it didn’t quite fit with the rest of the story. Honestly, I’d read a whole separate book about the castle and its “residents.”
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.
Workaholic and socially awkard, Ava Green, has created a groundbreaking AI program that has the potential to make the world better. What she couldn’t have predicted was how her AI would behave—or what it might become.
Set against the backdrop of a haunted castle, the story follows Ava as she breaks out of her shell while navitagiting a choice: does she want to be with an AI creation or a flawed, honest-to-goodness human?
The story was cute and easy to read, though not one of my favorites. I actually preferred the secondary characters (Artie and Rani) to Ava. I enjoyed the haunted castle angle, but for me, it didn’t quite fit with the rest of the story. Honestly, I’d read a whole separate book about the castle and its “residents.”
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review.
April 14, 2026
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
Thank you to NetGallery and Avon publishers for the advanced copy of this book for an honest review!
Perhaps we need to circle back into the drawing board because…this isn’t good. To be brutally honest, this feels like an idea that you just come up with when you’re high and trying to think of the next big thing.
As the world descends into the world of AI, it’s a sensitive topic nowadays with people that are divided on its usage. So the fact that there’s a book about an AI boyfriend?! I can’t lie..I was intrigued.
Despite the two love interests, it seems like the main lead was obvious from the start. The attempt at an enemies-to-lovers felt lacking, like it could had been built to be more than just a spill on the shirt and being called stupid. And suddenly, they’re at each other throats but are quick to get over that just 30% into the book. I definitely like the humor in this book more than the romance admittedly. I genuinely laughed out loud which isn’t common, so I’ll give props to that. However, the romance could had been more, I couldn’t feel the characters chemistry for each other.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
Thank you to NetGallery and Avon publishers for the advanced copy of this book for an honest review!
Perhaps we need to circle back into the drawing board because…this isn’t good. To be brutally honest, this feels like an idea that you just come up with when you’re high and trying to think of the next big thing.
As the world descends into the world of AI, it’s a sensitive topic nowadays with people that are divided on its usage. So the fact that there’s a book about an AI boyfriend?! I can’t lie..I was intrigued.
Despite the two love interests, it seems like the main lead was obvious from the start. The attempt at an enemies-to-lovers felt lacking, like it could had been built to be more than just a spill on the shirt and being called stupid. And suddenly, they’re at each other throats but are quick to get over that just 30% into the book. I definitely like the humor in this book more than the romance admittedly. I genuinely laughed out loud which isn’t common, so I’ll give props to that. However, the romance could had been more, I couldn’t feel the characters chemistry for each other.
𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟
April 30, 2026
Overall, this was a fun read! The idea of creating an AI program that learns so much that it can create its own body just to make its creator happy and feel love was really sweet and very happy Frankenstein’s monster. The problem is having a 35 year old FMC that acts like a teenager. I liked the idea of having a sexually inexperienced main character, but all her decisions and thinking were what I would expect from a teenager and it took me out of the story. There also didn’t feel like any real stakes. Any problem ended happy and there was hardly any conflict. All the conflict was resolved when people actually talked to each other like adults. Not to mention the banter was juvenile and not what I would expect from people in their 30s. I also would have liked a little more at the end. It felt so rushed and I would have liked an epilogue from a few months later to see what the characters were doing after the competition. I do have to say one of my favorite parts were the ghosts and their adventures. I’m not sure what they had to do with the story as a whole, but they were a fun little side quest!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Brilliant yet awkward scientist Ava enters an AI competition held in a haunted castle, where she must live with rival finalists for three weeks. Distracted from her work by forced socializing, a rivalry with a not so friendly poet, Forrest, and the arrival of an odddly perfect stranger, Ava begins to question her assumptions about people and her own creation. As her AI project causes unexpected consequences, Ava is pushed to reconsider what success and perfection really mean for her.
This was an imaginative plot, which was why I rounded to four stars. But at the end of the day, I did not like the vibe between Ava and Forrest - I felt they were more just enemies, than anything, mean to be mean. When there were moments of friendliness, it just seemed random and not genuine. And while I liked the haunted castle in general, I felt it did not fit well in this book, which detracted from the STEM elements.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an imaginative plot, which was why I rounded to four stars. But at the end of the day, I did not like the vibe between Ava and Forrest - I felt they were more just enemies, than anything, mean to be mean. When there were moments of friendliness, it just seemed random and not genuine. And while I liked the haunted castle in general, I felt it did not fit well in this book, which detracted from the STEM elements.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I like to read books that include AI because they make me think about the moral/ethical issues that come with using it...so this was interesting. Unfortunately, I had such a hard time connecting with literally any character in this book. Ave and Forrest were hard to grasp as a couple because I was so stuck on their back-and-forth bantering and how immature it felt. I appreciated Ava being neurodivergent but I felt that she was still one dimensional so it was challenging to really enjoy her as a FMC. The environment was unique but I felt too focused on what was going on with the characters to fully embrace it. Also... the smut was horrific and I have a low bar for that so I'm not sure if it was the specific language or just having zero connection to the characters but that was something I skipped right past. AND Hal was my favorite character so what does that say lol? Thank you Stella Hayward, Avon and Harper, and NetGalley for the early read-My Brilliant AI Boyfriend comes out May 19th!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into this book genuinely curious. I use AI often, and I’ve been following conversations about people forming romantic attachments to AI, including reports out of Japan. So the question at the heart of this story really hooked me. Can AI ever replace human romance? At times, the idea feels almost creepy in how close it already is, though we are clearly not all the way there yet. I can also see how something like this could be deeply meaningful and supportive for people who are lonely, which made the premise feel both timely and interesting. That said, while I appreciated the concept, the execution didn’t fully work for me. I wanted to care more about the characters and their relationship, but the emotional connection never quite landed. I stayed intellectually engaged, but not emotionally invested, and for a romance, that mattered.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
The publisher invited me to read and review this book otherwise I would have likely not picked it up. I don't love AI and so wasn't super into the subject matter, but I enjoyed another novel by the same author so decided to give it a go. I am honestly grateful that I did. While I found this book a little unique, I appreciated what the author shared about AI and some of the things with AI that could be improved, as our scientist, Ava was doing. The best thing in a book, in my opinion, is when I laugh out loud. This book had a few of those moments for me. It was also just a sweet story.
""Words hurt, Ava," FT says. "Even when they are patently untrue.""
looking at stars: ""To think that we exists, in this moment, amongst all of that...""
Overall not my cup of tea, but it was enjoyable enough. I would rate it 3.5 but will round up to 4.
The publisher invited me to read and review this book otherwise I would have likely not picked it up. I don't love AI and so wasn't super into the subject matter, but I enjoyed another novel by the same author so decided to give it a go. I am honestly grateful that I did. While I found this book a little unique, I appreciated what the author shared about AI and some of the things with AI that could be improved, as our scientist, Ava was doing. The best thing in a book, in my opinion, is when I laugh out loud. This book had a few of those moments for me. It was also just a sweet story.
""Words hurt, Ava," FT says. "Even when they are patently untrue.""
looking at stars: ""To think that we exists, in this moment, amongst all of that...""
Overall not my cup of tea, but it was enjoyable enough. I would rate it 3.5 but will round up to 4.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in a castle for a business, arts, and sciences competition, this story follows Ava as she competes to show off her ethical AI model. Upon meeting her other competitors, Ava realizes one is just too good to be true.
I really enjoyed this story overall, it was cute and fun. I liked Stella Hayward's previous book, Good Boy, and this was the same sort of story: not-man is turned into a man and a woman has to figure out what to do about it. Overall, quite fun and cute. I really enjoyed the castle setting, very atmospheric. I enjoyed the side-characters the most, particularly the best friend, as she was so spunky and fun.
My complaint here is the massive amount of typos. Absolutely overloaded. I'm giving a 4 star rating in hopes that these rampant typos and errors are fixed before publication. If this were a finished copy it would have received 3 stars. Please please please fix these issues.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper for the chance to read this early.
I really enjoyed this story overall, it was cute and fun. I liked Stella Hayward's previous book, Good Boy, and this was the same sort of story: not-man is turned into a man and a woman has to figure out what to do about it. Overall, quite fun and cute. I really enjoyed the castle setting, very atmospheric. I enjoyed the side-characters the most, particularly the best friend, as she was so spunky and fun.
My complaint here is the massive amount of typos. Absolutely overloaded. I'm giving a 4 star rating in hopes that these rampant typos and errors are fixed before publication. If this were a finished copy it would have received 3 stars. Please please please fix these issues.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper for the chance to read this early.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating 3.5
Unique, quirky, fun romance! My Brilliant AI Boyfriend was a quick, whimsical read with some bigger life themes. The FMC, Ava, is a woman in STEM who is brilliant but has kept herself sheltered after a rough childhood. She develops amazing AI technology which allows her to take part in a grant competition where she meets Hal and Forrest. Ava is pretty hilarious and socially awkward but in a sweet way. The development of her relationships with Hal and Forrest felt rushed but the characters themselves were charming. Also, the plot twist was hard to wrap my mind around at first but if you just enjoy the ride without trying to nitpick the 'how', it's a fun story. I appreciated the bigger issues that were addressed and how many point of views were included. The side characters were a fun lot as well and helped round out the story.
Overall, I enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Avon for inviting me to read this book. All opinions are my own!
Unique, quirky, fun romance! My Brilliant AI Boyfriend was a quick, whimsical read with some bigger life themes. The FMC, Ava, is a woman in STEM who is brilliant but has kept herself sheltered after a rough childhood. She develops amazing AI technology which allows her to take part in a grant competition where she meets Hal and Forrest. Ava is pretty hilarious and socially awkward but in a sweet way. The development of her relationships with Hal and Forrest felt rushed but the characters themselves were charming. Also, the plot twist was hard to wrap my mind around at first but if you just enjoy the ride without trying to nitpick the 'how', it's a fun story. I appreciated the bigger issues that were addressed and how many point of views were included. The side characters were a fun lot as well and helped round out the story.
Overall, I enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Avon for inviting me to read this book. All opinions are my own!
May 9, 2026
This was a very unique romance. Ava is a neurodivergent genius, currently living in a castle competing in a reality show like competition to showcase her groundbreaking work in AI. When she gets there she somehow gets herself in a bit of a love triangle with a creative artistic genius, and a scientist who has figured how to grow human organs to save lives. This is a huge change for a woman who is usually holed up in her lab or apartment in her care bear shirts. As we watch Ava struggle with all the changes in her life, there is also a fashionable best friend, an adorable child, and castle ghosts. To enjoy this book you do need a great ability to believe the unbelievable, as there were many parts I needed to suspend belief, including a big plot twist at one point. But, if you can handle that, this was a fun book featuring a brilliant neurodivergent woman. I received an ARC, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed My Brilliant AI Boyfriend. It was such a refreshing change from what I normally read, and the concept felt incredibly timely with how prominent AI is becoming in our everyday lives.
What stood out most to me was the human perspective woven into the story. The idea of creating the “perfect” partner is so intriguing, but the book does a great job showing that real love doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from flaws, growth, and putting in the work together. That contrast between artificial perfection and messy, authentic connection made the story feel meaningful and thought provoking.
Overall, it was a unique and engaging read that made me think about relationships in a completely different way. Definitely worth picking up if you’re looking for something a little outside the box!
What stood out most to me was the human perspective woven into the story. The idea of creating the “perfect” partner is so intriguing, but the book does a great job showing that real love doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from flaws, growth, and putting in the work together. That contrast between artificial perfection and messy, authentic connection made the story feel meaningful and thought provoking.
Overall, it was a unique and engaging read that made me think about relationships in a completely different way. Definitely worth picking up if you’re looking for something a little outside the box!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Star rounded up
I enjoyed this STEM romance as it reminded me a little of the movie "Weird Science" with a bit of a sci fi feel to it. It was an unexpected and fun read. Just a nice break from your typical RomCom or contemporary and since AI is such a hot topic I found the timing to be perfect to pick this up. It did tackle in a light way some of the ethical issues surrounding AI which I appreciated but at the heart there is a really sweet Romance.
For me the best part of the book is Ava, an older FMC who is smart, quirky and all around loveable. She is honestly so relatable and I see myself and so many of my friends in this career woman who is just trying to figure out her love life.
If you love:
- Love triangle
-STEM
-Non human
- Banter
- Older FMC
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
I enjoyed this STEM romance as it reminded me a little of the movie "Weird Science" with a bit of a sci fi feel to it. It was an unexpected and fun read. Just a nice break from your typical RomCom or contemporary and since AI is such a hot topic I found the timing to be perfect to pick this up. It did tackle in a light way some of the ethical issues surrounding AI which I appreciated but at the heart there is a really sweet Romance.
For me the best part of the book is Ava, an older FMC who is smart, quirky and all around loveable. She is honestly so relatable and I see myself and so many of my friends in this career woman who is just trying to figure out her love life.
If you love:
- Love triangle
-STEM
-Non human
- Banter
- Older FMC
Thank you to the author, Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this book!
I will be honest I tried hard to get through this book due to it graciously being sent to me to be read but I had a hard time getting into it! I didn’t realize the full context of it when applying for it, but I think this would be a great book for the right population which wasn’t me! I couldn’t get into the whole AI stuff like I thought would be but gave it a good effort. I think this book has an interesting plot and concept to it that we don’t see a lot of. I really appreciate STEM books and that’s why I applied for it but it went a different approach that I didn’t jive with, but that’s okay! I still hope for the best for this book and that it reaches all the right people.
It did have a lot of funny parts that had me chucking and laughing, but I wasn’t the right reader for this book
I will be honest I tried hard to get through this book due to it graciously being sent to me to be read but I had a hard time getting into it! I didn’t realize the full context of it when applying for it, but I think this would be a great book for the right population which wasn’t me! I couldn’t get into the whole AI stuff like I thought would be but gave it a good effort. I think this book has an interesting plot and concept to it that we don’t see a lot of. I really appreciate STEM books and that’s why I applied for it but it went a different approach that I didn’t jive with, but that’s okay! I still hope for the best for this book and that it reaches all the right people.
It did have a lot of funny parts that had me chucking and laughing, but I wasn’t the right reader for this book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
AI can be fun to imagine, but it can also be scary to think of what it is really capable of.
Enter Ava Green, a very anti-social and not very likeable character, and her FreeThought AI program. The program becomes the "perfect" match for Ava, but yet, it is not very keen on delivering what we humans find as attractive in a partner. This is where I think the book misses for me. Ava is an "older" main character yet acts like an entitled teenager. This was a turnoff for me. The "real" love interest just wasn't very interesting, and their interactions were left wanting.
I appreciate what Hayward was trying to do with this topic, and hit on some of the ethical questions some may have, but the execution could have been better. I'll give her another try on the next one.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Enter Ava Green, a very anti-social and not very likeable character, and her FreeThought AI program. The program becomes the "perfect" match for Ava, but yet, it is not very keen on delivering what we humans find as attractive in a partner. This is where I think the book misses for me. Ava is an "older" main character yet acts like an entitled teenager. This was a turnoff for me. The "real" love interest just wasn't very interesting, and their interactions were left wanting.
I appreciate what Hayward was trying to do with this topic, and hit on some of the ethical questions some may have, but the execution could have been better. I'll give her another try on the next one.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book! Ava was such a refreshing FMC — quirky, neurodiverse, and genuinely enjoyable to follow. I really loved the cast of characters overall, and there were multiple moments that had me laughing out loud. The humor worked so well for me, and I had a great time with this sci-fi rom-com.
I’m usually not a fan of love triangles, but this book was definitely an exception. Beyond the fun and lighthearted tone, I also appreciated how the story explored what it really means to be human and some of the ethical questions surrounding AI. My only critique is I wish there was a little more of an ending/epilogue.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would absolutely read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
I’m usually not a fan of love triangles, but this book was definitely an exception. Beyond the fun and lighthearted tone, I also appreciated how the story explored what it really means to be human and some of the ethical questions surrounding AI. My only critique is I wish there was a little more of an ending/epilogue.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would absolutely read more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 1, 2026
This was a cute book! I was very curious how the AI portion would go in the book and its was perfectly handled! Our main character, Ava, is so funny and quirky that I could picture myself in her with her silly banter and thoughts.
The romance was so sweet- I really enjoyed the soft tone that it was presented in and how it slowly developed between the characters.
With the AI part of the book, it was presented so well and really tackled the thoughts and feelings that are presented when looking at creative and human perspectives with the rapid growth of technology.
Overall, a fantastic read that was funny, quirky, and heartfelt. Thank you Avon, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
The romance was so sweet- I really enjoyed the soft tone that it was presented in and how it slowly developed between the characters.
With the AI part of the book, it was presented so well and really tackled the thoughts and feelings that are presented when looking at creative and human perspectives with the rapid growth of technology.
Overall, a fantastic read that was funny, quirky, and heartfelt. Thank you Avon, Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was a little hard for me to get through. I was very skeptical about the premise and to be 100% honest, the only reason I finished the book and didn't DNF it was because I wanted to see what the final choice would be when it came to the AI boyfriend.
This book had some solid moments of self-reflection and discovery that were both heartbreaking and heartwarming to read. Ava is such a brilliant girl that you want to root for, even when she makes it difficult to do. I did enjoy some of the other characters, like Forrest. I loved how he and Ava balanced each other out and played off of each other.
This book had some solid moments of self-reflection and discovery that were both heartbreaking and heartwarming to read. Ava is such a brilliant girl that you want to root for, even when she makes it difficult to do. I did enjoy some of the other characters, like Forrest. I loved how he and Ava balanced each other out and played off of each other.
November 29, 2025
DRC from Edelweiss and Avon / HarperCollins
A rom-com with a science twist. Ava is an introvert, spends most of her time in her lab or hanging out with her best friend Rani. She has created an AI program called FreeThought that replicates a human, but is on the computer. She enters a competition that awards an innovator with a nice amount of funding and publicity. Totally out of her element, Ava has fancy dinners, other competitors to chat with, and ghosts haunting the castle that the ceremony is being held in. One competitor, Hugh, is straight out her dreams of the perfect man. He and Ava hit it off and then Ava learns who he really is. Meanwhile, Forrest, another competitor, is angry and mean and on Ava’s not nice list. But Ava also learns more about him and realizes that first impressions can be wrong. Who will win the competition? And with what Ava knows now, how will her work be affected as she moves forward? A fun, interesting story about AI and relationships.
A rom-com with a science twist. Ava is an introvert, spends most of her time in her lab or hanging out with her best friend Rani. She has created an AI program called FreeThought that replicates a human, but is on the computer. She enters a competition that awards an innovator with a nice amount of funding and publicity. Totally out of her element, Ava has fancy dinners, other competitors to chat with, and ghosts haunting the castle that the ceremony is being held in. One competitor, Hugh, is straight out her dreams of the perfect man. He and Ava hit it off and then Ava learns who he really is. Meanwhile, Forrest, another competitor, is angry and mean and on Ava’s not nice list. But Ava also learns more about him and realizes that first impressions can be wrong. Who will win the competition? And with what Ava knows now, how will her work be affected as she moves forward? A fun, interesting story about AI and relationships.
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