The Girl and The Geek

The Big Hearted Billionaires #1

by Olivia M. Gray

My arch-nemesis is an infuriatingly hot, grumpy billionaire with the emotional range of a rock.

Too bad the tech titan is the only one who can fix my problem.

He wants a prime piece of land in Iceland for his next business venture. My climate change fighting startup needs that same land to—no big deal—help save the freaking planet.

He thinks my company is a joke. I think his opinion is a joke. Our first time meeting? He saved me from drowning, and I inadvertently insulted him. Now I’m chasing the grouchy giant up a dormant volcano (I’m terrified of heights, by the way) to convince him to do the right thing.

If I can’t change his mind, I’m screwed. (Not the good kind.) If I spend one more minute counting his washboard abs, I’m screwed. (The very good kind.) He’s the worst… until he’s the only thing I want (besides saving the world, of course).

Iceland is freezing, yet somehow, I’ve never felt more heated.

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Stem

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 6, 2025

About the author

Born and raised in California, Olivia M Gray began her fiction writing career in her mid-forties while caring for her young son and in the midst of perimenopause because, like her books, she is slightly unhinged.

Liberated from her former life as an advertising writer, where clients nitpicked every word she wrote, and with the encouragement of her 6’5″ tech-genius husband (sound familiar?), she now writes with reckless abandon. Since her childhood home burned down in an unstoppable wildfire, she weaves in issues she’s passionate about, such as climate change and preventing gun violence.

Her stories are unapologetically spicy, fiercely optimistic, occasionally wacky, emotionally moving, and completely sober-safe (no mention of alcohol or illicit drugs, ever). She lives in California with Mr. Gray, her six-year-old son, and, when he’s home from college, her stepson.

Reviews

[Kimberlylovesreadingbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and victory editing for this Earc.

When I requested this book I thought it'd be great. I mean who doesn't like a hot, rich man who wears glasses and is a tech genius 🤷🏾‍♀️

But then I found out that his company involves AI. 💀 Yeah that was a BIG NO from me. We're trying to eradicate AI not indulge it 😬.

The fmc is a big climate conservative but she just really pissed me off.😭 Just because someone doesn't want to give up THEIR land for a carbon sucking vacuum doesn't mean that they're heartless 🤷🏾‍♀️😬.

How naive can you be to join a company where the CEO had been accused of fraud!? 😭😂. Even a blind person wouldn't trust such a person.🤦🏾‍♀️

I wished I enjoyed this but I didn't. It was not my cup of tea 🥲.

[Kristin Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.


I'll start by saying that this could have been kind of a fun premise, but it was just done to death.

Emma is a 23 year old "influencer" who is obsessed with climate change. (Honestly, I'm pretty sure it's at least mentioned on every other page of the entire book. That alone almost made me dnf it.) She is tasked with going to Iceland to cover a story about a carbon vacuum that a climate start up is attempting to make. When she arrives, she's told that she needs to interview the guy that this start up is basically swindling land from.

Throughout the entire book, Emma is a hypocrite. I think she's the most annoying FMC I've ever read. To say I disliked her character is nowhere near strong enough language for how I really felt about her. She speaks so poorly of Mike (who is the MMC that the start up is pretty much stealing land and patents from), always talking about how he doesn't need a house as big as he has, and how his bedroom is so rich and snooty. In the next breath, she will see things he has or can do, and be all, "must be nice to be rich". She just covets what he worked hard to get, and she comes off as bratty, nasty, and self-centered. Even after he'd rescued her from drowning in his hot springs, she was still so gross to him. He had explained to her at least twice that he built his house for the family he expected to have with his ex, and in the next chapter, Emma acts again like she never heard him say it and keeps having all of these angry thoughts about why he needs a house that large. (This was honestly brought up multiple times as well, which is why I had to mention it at least twice.) I detest her character. Emma is a user who had no problem asking Mike for help all the time, and then she screams at him to get out when he shows up to surprise her and help her with her project that he wanted no part of to begin with. As soon as he tells her he will give up some of his land for her stupid project, she immediately jumps on him and everything is just fine with her again. She's manipulative and the worst!!!!!

[Anne Marko · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t really think I’ve hated a main female protagonist before quite like this. I should have known it was doomed when I first read she’s an “influencer”, but it got worse, she’s a bumbling idiot who, shocker, happens to fall a lot, and is an insufferable climate change advocate (her way or the highway ::eye roll::). Ugh, none of the characters in this book had any realistic personalities, they’d waffle their options from yes to no within two to three lines. There were never any stakes to their arguments which were incredibly short and surface level. The big reason for the third act breakup was so weak. Overall, the book is filled with one dimensional characters who have zero growth throughout the book.

[Angelica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this rom-com enemies-to-lovers between a climate change influencer (Emma) and a tech-genius (Miguel). Emma is brought onto a climate change project and tasked with getting to know billionaire Miguel (as he is opposed to the project and its use of land that was gifted to the project by a former partner). There's a lot of cute back and forth banter between both and a cheeky cat named Captain Butthole. Both have baggage (hers with some unfortunate events that almost "cancelled" her work and her absolute focus on being an influencer working to change the world & his with a past girlfriend who only loved him for his money). And that great blocker of love - miscommunication (or lack thereof). Thankfully, they work out their issues and we have a happily ever after.

The only area of improvement -- Emma was a smart and capable woman who was focused on her career, so putting Miguel into the "geek" category and Emma in just the "girl" (like, attractive, cute girl) category was one of those "man as the strong smart one and women not as much" tropes I never like.

I received this novel as an ARC through NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.

[Cheyenne Coup · Rating 4 out of 5]

-enemies to lovers
-he falls first
-forced proximity
-slow burn

I read this book in one sitting I couldn’t put it down! ! I thought this book was a sweet cute romance with a little bit of spice. I loved the banter and found myself laughing with some of the witty comebacks. (Also just wait until you find out the cats name)

I get how some reviews say that Emma came off as whiney but honestly who wouldn’t complain about having to face the fear of heights, or her mom changing out her luggage without informing her. I know I would!

I definitely enjoyed how Miguel’s character had lots of geeky elements and how Emma could compliment some of them it just added to how much I loved their chemistry that they shared, and I mean his thoughts the first time he saw her was just *swoon* as well as how funny their first face to face meet was.

However I do wish there was more in depth backstory on both characters and character development, and a little less feeling like a rush to the finish line; but all in all this book was a cute quick read that anyone who is a fan of romcom movies who don’t want a million twists and curve balls and just want a cozy read for an afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing and Olivia M. Gray for the eARC.

[Brittany selken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book.

My thoughts on this book it feels to me it like a second chance romance and a I hate you but falling in love in with you story. These characters were funny and cute together. They brought the best out of each other and she didn’t take anybody BS and she just wants to save the world . I feel bad for the male character because he loss his best friend and was trying to find a way to live when she walk into his life. I love the whole ending and how they both open up to each other and how they feel in love with each other again.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emma is a climate change influencer who heads to Iceland to promote a carbon-capturing vacuum powered by clean energy. The project, however, requires land owned by Miguel, a tech entrepreneur running a geothermal farm, and Emma is tasked with interviewing him to sway his decision. Cue the enemies-to-lovers setup.

While the premise sounded fun and intriguing, this one unfortunately didn’t work for me. The romance started with insta-lust without really deepening or developing, which made it hard to feel invested. I also struggled to connect with the FMC on any level. The writing style didn’t quite keep me engaged, though that may come down more to personal preference than anything else.

That said, I think the quirky setup and lighter tone may appeal to readers looking for an over-the-top, enemies-to-lovers romance without heavy emotional depth. This one just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Thank you to Olivia M. Gray and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Adri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the writing was good. I read some other reviews that didn’t like Emma, whilst I’m happy to save the world, I’m nowhere near an eco warrior like the FMC. I didn’t dislike her, I would have expected her reactions about the private jet vs eco warrior, a 23 year old and two people who hadn’t really done relationships. Miguel had just as many rash reactions at points.

There was enough going on in the story that it kept me reading.

I’d recommend to readers who like grumpy x sunshine or billionaire tropes, tech or eco conscious.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nathalie Najibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay guyss, let’s talk about The Girl and The Geek by Olivia M. Gray, a romcom that feels like a mashup of every nerdy-fangirl fantasy and every swoony, slow-burn love story you secretly daydream about while binge-watching your comfort shows. It’s sweet, funny, full of banter, and just messy enough to feel real.

The setup: We’ve got her, the girl, who’s grounded, sharp, and not exactly buying into the idea that life is a romcom waiting to happen. And then him, the geek, who’s charming in that slightly awkward, boy-next-door way that sneaks up on you. He’s smart, maybe a little too into his fandoms, and has this dorky confidence that makes you want to roll your eyes while also falling head over heels. Their worlds collide, and suddenly you’re pulled into a story full of inside jokes, late-night conversations, and the kind of chemistry that builds slowly until you’re practically begging them to kiss already.

What I loved? The banter. It’s sharp, witty, and loaded with that undercurrent of “I like you but I’m going to pretend I don’t (for now).” It gave me all the flirty, teasing vibes that make a romcom addictive. Also, the geekiness isn’t just slapped on as a trope, it’s genuinely celebrated. There are nods to nerd culture, fandoms, and quirky interests that make the book feel fun and immersive. If you’ve ever crushed on someone because they’re passionate about something “uncool,” you’ll get it.

Character-wise, the FMC is such a delight. She’s relatable in her insecurities but also strong in her own way, not afraid to call out nonsense and not willing to settle. The MMC, meanwhile, is the kind of geek who makes awkwardness look adorable, and when you peel back the layers, you see a guy who’s thoughtful, caring, and totally worth rooting for. Together, they’re a perfect “opposites attract but actually we’re the same deep down” kind of couple.

Now, why 4 stars instead of 5? There were a few moments where the pacing dragged, like the story lingered a little too long on certain conflicts or misunderstandings. And while the slow-burn was delicious, there were times I wanted them to just get on with it already. But to be fair, that tension is also what made the payoff feel so satisfying.

The romance itself? Adorable. The kind that makes you grin like an idiot, kick your feet under the blanket, and maybe text your best friend “OH MY GOD” when they finally stop pretending they don’t want each other. And it’s not just surface-level chemistry, there are real conversations about fears, dreams, and what it means to be truly seen by someone.

Final thoughts: The Girl and The Geek is nerdy, heartwarming, and swoony in equal measure. It’s a celebration of awkward flirting, passionate fandoms, and falling in love with someone who makes you laugh until your cheeks hurt. Four solid stars from me because while it wasn’t flawless, it gave me all the cozy romcom feels I was hoping for.

[Brianna (Briasbookishthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ // 🌶️🌶️

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book, it was a fun romance and it shocked me! I was a little sceptical about this going into it as I was worried that the climate change aspect was going to be forced too much and the book was going to feel a bit like a moral lesson, but I didn't find that at all.

The romance in this book was quite spice heavy as that is how their relationship is sparked, but it still felt like they had an emotional bond from quite early on. I also liked that when Miguel and Emma had teething problems they took accountability for their actions and recognised their flaws in a very critical and vulnerable way and that made the book feel more realistic.

This book is mostly set in Iceland and while setting isn't usually a main reason why I enjoy a book, in this one it really sold it to me. There were mountain hikes and treehouses and that was really fun. If you can't tell, this book is a perfect feel good fun little romance.

There were elements that I didn't like, such as a few cringy lines and nicknames that just made me want to crawl out of my skin, but hey that might be a little dramatic! My other (another small one) was that one of the characters is said to have 'stage 5' cancer. This confused me a little and after some research I found that there is only one type of cancer that has an official stage 5 and that is a cancer in children, of which this character is not, so I am a bit confused about that and it did create a little annoying thing in the back of my mind. However, these issues are small and did not really impact my reading experience.

The spice in this book is quite heavy, but I think that is only because the book is short so in proportion it is quite high, but it fits the characters, and who doesn't love the "You come first" trope. Okay, maybe just me. Anyway, the spice is romantic and represents their outside love life very well.

Overall I think this book is a great one to just curl up and read when you need a pick me up. Its not perfect, but that's okay, its still amazing. I would recommend this to anyone who likes diverse settings and a hot billionaire (who actually talks about the fact that being a billionaire doesn't mean you have 1 billion dollars in your bank account).

[Lottie Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Release Date: 6th October

Thank you Olivia M Gray and Booksprout for providing this ARC of The Girl and The Geek in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
Emma is trying to reinvent herself after online embarrassment, Miguel is the genius trying to save the world with tech, and together they stumble into lust, laughs, and a few questionable choices. Climate change, AI, influencers, and steamy hot springs all collide in this quick read.

Review (Spoilers ahead):
This was a wonderful 24-hour quick read, and I really appreciate that the author is so clearly passionate about climate change. That said, AI is rapidly becoming one of the biggest concerns in the climate crisis... so while Miguel is trying to create solutions, I wasn’t fully convinced by the almost glamorised portrayal.

Emma as a character, was a bit of a sticking point for me. Given her self-proclaimed “Emma 2.0” revamp, I struggled with how naïve she came across. If you’re reinventing yourself, surely doing your research on the too good to be true CEO Jim is a must? A journalist worth her salt would have dug deeper, and it felt odd that she didn’t. Maybe that’s the influencer angle at play, but still... trust your gut, girl.

There’s also the matter of lust versus communication. Lust? Plenty. Communication? Almost nonexistent. As you’d expect, this led to breakdowns that could have been avoided with a five-minute chat. If you’re a clarity-driven reader, be warned: there’s more heat than heart to heart.

On the positive side, the humour really landed. The first meeting between Miguel and Emma was absolute gold. I could see it playing out vividly, and honestly, it was one of the best meet-cutes I’ve read in a while. The open-door romance was as steamy as those hot springs, and while the ending was predictable, it left things on a hopeful note for both love and the planet.

Overall, a fun, flirty, and fast read with a meaningful message tucked under the humour and heat... even if I wanted just a little more substance from Emma’s choices and the central conflict.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: October 6 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

Just finished this book and I had a really good time with it! It was a super fun and engaging read that I flew through pretty quickly.

Emma is the kind of character you immediately want to be friends with. She's so passionate about saving the planet and has this awesome, fiery energy. I loved watching her go toe to toe with Miguel, who is your classic grumpy billionaire but, like, in the best way possible. At first, he's so closed off you wonder if he has a heart at all, but watching him slowly open up was just…chef's kiss. It was so satisfying to see those walls come down.

Their chemistry is off the charts amazing. The banter! The arguments! The tension! I found myself literally grinning at my Kindle like a fool during their scenes. The way they go from butting heads to understanding each other felt so real and earned. Every little glance and moment of vulnerability gave me all the feels.

Honestly, Olivia just gets it. She writes their relationship in a way that feels so authentic. I felt all their frustration, their annoyance, and then those little flickers of tenderness that just melt your heart.

The story moves at this perfect pace that makes it impossible to put down. I was constantly telling myself "just one more chapter" until it was 2 AM. I was so invested in their journey and was rooting for their happy ending with my whole heart.

A huge thank you to Olivia M. Gray and Netgalley for the free advanced copy! I'm so, so glad I got to read this gem early.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, forced proximity

[Erika Pollard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma lost everything once. Now she’s determined to save the planet—one viral post at a time. When her ex torpedoes her career with a corporate cover-up, Emma lands a second chance: a climate project in Iceland that could reignite her purpose—and her platform. But Iceland brings more than glacial winds. There’s the hideous full-body coat her mother insists she wear —and Miguel, the maddeningly gorgeous tech billionaire dead-set on shutting her down. Between sabotage, sparks, and second chances, Emma’s about to learn that saving the world might start with saving herself.

What I loved...
I enjoy a good romance, especially when it includes banter and mishaps. These two characters are definitely lovable with their baggage and motivations. And Captain Butthole - Miguel’s bossy cat - is a great addition. My favorite scene of the book is when Emma officially meets Miguel - I won’t say how it happens because I think everyone should experience that scene unexpectedly. I will just say I about died laughing!

What I didn’t love as much...
Although I loved the characters, their decision-making methods could have used a little work. One second they’re butting heads, and in the next they’re plotting their love story. I’m also not the biggest fan of billionaire romances, but at least this billionaire wasn’t an egotistical asshat.

Overall, I enjoyed the book - I read it in just a couple sittings! I would recommend this book to romance readers, especially those who are trying to break into the genre.

[Mini Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had potential but it flopped for me. I feel like this book would be really great for someone else, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

I think this book could have touched more about how we could do better to help climate change but I did enjoy the tidbits we did get. I haven't really thought about how my actions could affect climate change.

I really don't like the miscommunication trope and this one was just tons of miscommunications throughout the book. They never listened to each other (or really talked) and were only really lusting after each other. There was no personal growth from the FMC and the MMC just became a love sick teenage boy.

This story is about Emma and Miguel. Emma is a social media content creator who's content revolves around climate change. Miguel is a techy entrepreneur.

Emma was granted land in Iceland for a carbon vacuum. Unfortunately, this land is also Miguel's which he uses for his own start up. Emma is tasked with trying to convince Miguel to not take the land away. She's given three days to interview him and get him on board.

Emma somehow is unable to buy a new coat in Iceland. Her current coat is the reason for Emma and Miguel's relationship starting.

Emma and Miguel decide to work together but because they both have baggage and secrets, everything falls apart.


Tropes:
insta lust
miscommunications
the whole plot was about how the world was going to end because of climate change


Thank you NetGalley for this informative ARC.

[Maisie Wyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Enemies are fun. But expectations? That’s the trickier part.”

Avery, the climate-change activist with a startup she refuses to back down on, and Dax, the tech billionaire with a grumpy exterior and ambitions bigger than his own emotional range. She wants him to give up his plan to build on Iceland’s land. He thinks she’s idealistic and naive. They clash—and sometimes it’s electric. But sometimes the sparks fade.

I liked this book. The enemies-to-lovers framework works, and the banter between Avery and Dax is sharp and often entertaining. The setup (fighting for something greater than themselves, moral stakes, big personalities) gives weight beyond just romance. Avery is determined, principled. Dax slowly softens toward what matters. The setting (Iceland, the volcano trek, working toward shared ground) has a dramatic pull, especially when dealing with their differences in values.

What held it back from five stars: some predictability. A few scenes felt like they followed the familiar beats of billionaire romance tropes without doing much new with them. Occasionally the “forced proximity” felt a bit heavy-handed. Also, the character growth for the FMC (Avery) sometimes lagged behind the changes in Dax. I wanted a deeper dive into what motivated her beyond the external conflict.

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
Billionaire MMC
Forced Proximity
Moral / Cause-Driven Conflict
Slow Burn

NetGalley ARC Read

[Madi Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this book early.

This book had a lot of potential. I really enjoyed the idea of the book, a climate change influencer / activist is not something i’ve read about before and i do actually believe that aspect was quite well written.

The book as a whole however, felt quite rushed and a little unstructured in the writing. The writing itself was good and i enjoyed the story , I just feel it could’ve used a bit more reworking, structure, and depth. Everything happened very quickly which made it a little unbelievable for me.

I really enjoyed Emma and Miguel as characters and I believe had it had more development their relationship could be quite fun and enjoyable. It just felt like meet - talk - love with them , everything moving exceptionally fast.

There was also so much potential to add more depth to the Jim storyline and his misogynistic views / infatuation with Emma.

I did enjoy Olivia’s writing and will continue to read the books she produces as i believe with time she will figure out her own writing style and develop her books and I look forward to it.

This book is still worth the read as it is just a cute light romance to read with some funny banter and adorable link coats , but i will warn you…

you will never look at hot springs the same

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gets a good solid 4 stars from me. First off, I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was fun and easy to read. It's a story of girl (Emma) and a geek (Miguel/Mike). So she starts off as this environmental crusader who is going to Iceland to assist with showing people the good things this company is doing. She meets Miguel and tries to get an interview with him. She falls for him, he falls for her and a big pink puffy jacket along with a fantastic cat join the story. While the story was predictable, I found it cute and a fun read. And of course there has to be the villain and a hero. Like I said, predictable but still really cute. Some of the things that I felt would have made this a 5 star read is the way it was laid out. The paragraphs goes from one scene to the next. I think editing would have made this better to show that it's different. Also some of the scenes needed more details as it goes from one thing to the next without explanation. Overall this didn't take too much from the story but making these couple of changes, it would have made the book much better and easier to read in spots. Overall I really enjoyed this book and if you need a happy ending and 2 people falling for each other (with some spicy scenes) then this might be the book for you. Also I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Some of the editing may have been changed but unsure.

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

Emma es una influencer ambiental que vio su vida profesional desplomarse tras un escándalo en redes sociales, viaja a una remota isla de Islandia para relanzar su carrera cubriendo un ambicioso proyecto de captura de carbono. Su nuevo comienzo se complica desde el minuto uno Está decidida a demostrar que todavía puede ser tomada en serio, y su objetivo es conseguir una entrevista con Miguel Fuchs, el millonario y brillante ,pero huraño y dueño de un centro de datos alimentado por energía geotérmica que, además, amenaza con frenar el proyecto climático que ella ha venido a documentar.

Miguel es un genio tecnológico con cicatrices emocionales, sólo quiere proteger la herencia de su socio fallecido y mantener su negocio a salvo, aun si eso implica ganarse la fama de villano. Cuando el destino y una aparatosa caída en unas aguas termales los hace coincidir, ambos descubren que la atracción puede surgir incluso en medio de objetivos opuestos. Emma deberá decidir si vale la pena confiar en el hombre que puede salvar o hundir el proyecto que representa su última oportunidad de redención.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Lovelette · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a climate activist goes head-to-head with a billionaire over Icelandic land rights, neither expects a battle of ideals to turn into a battle of hearts 💚

📖 The Girl and the Geek by Olivia M. Gray
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️.5
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Emma is a climate change influencer fighting to save Icelandic land from Miguel’s corporate takeover. Her mission? Convince him to share half of the land for conservation. But softening a stubborn billionaire isn’t easy—especially when sparks start flying in unexpected directions.

This had a great premise, but I felt a big disconnect between them. It felt forced, and the chemistry wasn’t exactly flying off the page. Even though I liked the big gesture from Miguel, I couldn’t really feel how or when they fell in love. Emma’s passion for climate change was admirable, but it got repetitive and a bit overemphasized. Miguel’s personality also felt inconsistent—more told than shown, which made it hard to connect with their relationship.

That said, the meet-cute? Absolutely hilarious. I laughed out loud for minutes reading that part—it was pure comedy gold.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

Tropes:
💸 Billionaire romance
💼 Billionaire MMC x Influencer FMC
🏠 Forced proximity
😤 Loathe to love you

[Emirhan Korkmaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

On paper, this book sounds like every rom-com trope in one place: grumpy billionaire, idealistic heroine, unique setting, enemies-to-lovers banter. But what I appreciated is that underneath the humor and the heat, both Emma and Miguel feel like people who are actively dealing with their baggage instead of just using it as backstory. Emma’s passion for her eco-startup doesn’t feel like a gimmick, and Miguel’s guardedness makes sense once you understand what he’s carrying. Their attraction is obvious, but the emotional thaw between them was well done.

The Iceland backdrop is a nice bonus with volcano hikes, cold air, and wide, empty landscapes that mirror how isolated both of them feel at the start. The tone stays pretty playful overall, with some genuinely funny moments (the cat made me smile more than once), but there are quieter, more vulnerable scenes that give the story a bit of weight.

This isn’t a heavy or “serious” book, and it doesn’t pretend to be but it has more heart and thoughtfulness than the cover might suggest. If you’re in the mood for an enemies-to-lovers romance with good banter, a striking setting, and characters who actually try to grow up a little, this is a comforting, enjoyable read.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing and Olivia M. Gray for the eARC

I liked the overall premise of the story, but I felt that Emma's character was bratty and it was very apparent that she unintentionally would use others around her to justify the means to the end.

I did like Mike's character and his character progression through the story and how it leaned into the geek elements.

I would have liked to have seen more character development for Mike himself, while Emma's could have used more depth to hers. It seemed one of her personality traits was being gullible, yet she is supposed to be a smart woman but oftentimes finds herself in these situations where she herself is taken advantage of (her ex and Jim).

I also thought there were some pacing issues with the story towards the middle and it seemed like the tree farm was essentially just that. Plus another issue is the fact that Emma spends time with Mike and is supposed to leave in two days, but it seems like there's a day missing in there and we're not sure as readers whether that is due to her ghosting him or not.

I did think the romance portion was well-done and well-written. It didn't seem over the top and seemed believable. Overall, it's a feel-good read with a predictability that will allow reads to escape for a little bit.

Expected Publication Date: Oct 06 2025

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks netgalley for this eARC

This book is a rare mix: a witty rom-com with a surprisingly sophisticated undercurrent of responsible AI, climate tech and an insider look at start up culture.

Others will surely review the romance but what truly makes this book stand out is the hyper-realistic depiction of start up culture. The male lead is a relentless, driven tech CEO saving the world through pounding his vision into reality. There are inopportune Sevs (software incidents), insider tech jokes, board calls and more. The relationship is not the only thing in his world and sometimes that causes problems. For those of us in this world, it rings true. The author definitely did her homework!

So did the AI and the climate tech live happily ever after? How about the couple? I wont spoil it for you, its a fun quick read. Whether you are in to rom-coms, you love geeks or you've been woken up at 2 a.m. to save the world, there's something here for you!

[James Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished the book called ‘The Girl and The Geek’ that was written by Olivia M. Gray. It’s a fun and heartfelt story about Emma, a red-haired influencer who loves the planet and Miguel, a super smart tech billionaire. They meet in Iceland when they both want the same land for different reasons and things get off to a rocky start. Their arguments are funny, their chemistry is strong and underneath it all, both are trying to heal from broken hearts. What I liked most is how real the characters feel. Emma isn’t perfect-she’s brave but still figuring herself out. Miguel seems cold at first, but he’s just afraid to open up. Watching them slowly learn to trust each other is really sweet. The story has humor, emotion and even a cat that “talks” with buttons! This book made me laugh and smile and the Iceland setting was beautiful. It’s a light but meaningful read about love, trust and second chances. I think that there are people who will enjoy this book.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, modern enemies-to-lovers romance with great chemistry and solid banter. The Iceland setting adds a unique backdrop, and the contrast between the heroine’s environmental mission and the hero’s tech empire gives their conflict some real weight.
Emma is witty, determined, while Miguel is grumpy in a believable, not cartoonish, way. Their dynamic feels natural — prickly at first, then slowly warming as circumstances push them together. The volcano trek and near-disaster moments add just enough tension without overwhelming the romance.
The heat level is definitely there, but it’s balanced with humor and genuine emotional growth. Even the side characters (including the outspoken cat) bring a nice touch of charm.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable, well-paced rom-com with just the right amount of steam, humor, and heart. Perfect if you like grumpy-sunshine pairings and a scenic setting.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review. 

[Karen J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of the billionaire romance books I come across are serious, often dark stories. Maybe I haven't looked carefully enough for other offerings. But, I was excited to find a billionaire romance that was a true, bona-fide rom com, and the fact that there's a "geek" involved cinched the deal for me. I had to read it, and I'm so glad that I did. While the humor and heat delivered, I was especially impressed by how three-dimensional Emma and Miguel were written. A lot of the time, especially with this subgenre, the characters (in my experience) remain at face-value, with the author prioritizing drama and sex. But The Girl and the Geek offered generally real-feeling character arcs and the plot and themes had just-light-enough touches in what I sometimes feel is a tired subgenre. That and the added forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers tropes, which I love in romance, made the book hard not to like. Overall, I enjoyed the read and plan to be on the lookout for other Olivia Gray novels.

[Vanesa Gjolaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girl and the Geek by Olivia M Gray is a fun, witty romance that crackled with energy from the first page. Emma’s passion for her climate-startup is fierce and refreshing—she’s determined to make a difference while also navigating messy feelings. Miguel, tech-genius and billionaire, is brilliant, guarded, and unexpectedly kind beneath his sharp exterior. Their chemistry is sizzling—each encounter is full of tension, banter, and heart. I loved how Gray used their enemies-to-lovers setup to show growth, trust, and unexpected vulnerability. The Icelandic setting and high-stakes business backdrop gave the story both adventure and warmth. Emma and Miguel’s journey is filled with laughter, frustration, and moments that hit deep. The Girl and the Geek is a clever, heartwarming romance that left me smiling long after I finished.
- Vanesa Gjolaj, Author Of “The Enchanted Manuscript”

[Tavia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eco-influencer Emma has taken a job in Iceland to help promote a carbon vacuum that will help combat climate change. The land that the company operates on was acquired through the deceased partner of billionaire Miguel. MS job is to interview Miguel, but these enemies do not want the same things. Miguel wants his land back, and Emma wants to save the world ecologically. They fall for each other.

I found Emma to be extremely annoying and contradictory in what she wanted. Also some of the writing is very cheesy. I’ll be reading the book and it would be fine and then there would just be a line that would kill my Goodwill. The story is cute if you can get past some of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing and Olivia M. Gray for a copy of this book.

[R Mmm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma is deeply passionate about climate change, but when one of her major projects fails, she’s forced to start over—leading her to Miguel, a skeptic from the start. As they grow closer, Emma opens his eyes to technology that could change the world, while both work through past heartbreaks and personal growth.

I really liked Miguel—his determination to make things right was endearing. Emma’s passion was admirable, though at times a bit intense, especially when her environmental views clashed with his lifestyle.

Overall, this is a heartfelt story about love, redemption, and finding balance between conviction and connection.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily

[Desi Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma is an environmentalist social media influencer who hired to interview Miguel, a young tech CEO. In a world where they stand on supposedly opposite sides, they find common ground.

In this romance book set in Iceland, banter and instant attraction progress to deeper feelings.

The book’s setting and global warming concerns were unique. The banter was fun. The characters seemed to fit well together, with individual exploration to their past helping the reader understand where they were coming from.

It did see like they had some immature reactions to anger with some of their relationships (mother, best friend, each other at times), even though the reasoning behind their anger was legitimate.

Thank you for the voluntary arc, I enjoyed the book.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma is an influencer, passionate about climate change and anything that will make the environment better. She goes to Iceland to promote a vacuum that will capture carbon and runs on clean energy. The project needs additional land owned by Miguel. He is a tech guy and runs a farm using geothermal energy. Emma eventually wins him over, but their relationship has a lot of obstacles that make the book fun. I really liked this book. The setting in Iceland was very interesting and informative. I appreciated all the efforts Emma brought up that would improve our environment. Great characters and story, and the importance of doing what you are passionate about.