Sam keeps sleepwalking . . . and waking up in the wrong bed.
Samantha Jarlston keeps telling herself she doesn’t want to get romantically involved with her former childhood best friend and current partner in crime, the very sexy chess grandmaster, Andreas Kristiansen. But despite her many, many, MANY protestations, Sam keeps waking up in Andreas’s bed. Even worse, he’s adorably flustered and shy about it. Every. Single. Time.
Sleepwalking into Andreas’s bedroom and his cute reactions aren’t complications Sam has time for, not when she needs to get back on track with her Ph.D., catch up with her part-time job while avoiding the inappropriate Dr. James Nieminen, not to mention juggling the demands of exacting revenge on the Kristiansens.
Basically, her social calendar is quite full.
Does her subconscious know something her conscious brain does not? Is Sam ready to give up on revenge once and for all and figure out how to make things work with her first love?
And what happens when Sam finally discovers adorable Andreas’s dirty little secret?
‘REPRODUCTION’ is book 2 in the ‘Fundamentals of Biology’ trilogy, ends on a cliffhanger, and cannot be read as a standalone. ‘Fundamentals of Biology’ is the third trilogy in a series of trilogies that begins with ‘Elements of Chemistry’ and ‘Laws of Physics.’ You do NOT need to read ‘Elements of Chemistry’ or ‘Laws of Physics’ before reading ‘Fundamentals of Biology.’
Penny Reid is the New York Times,Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.
NOW AVAILABLE This is not a drill, the wait is finally over! REPRODUCTION is available on all platforms! Go forth and read the nerdy goodness!
Tropes Fake Dating Plot with multiple twists Women in STEM She's morally grey He's morally grey too... Forced Proximity Former childhood friends to lovers
**Blurb** Sam keeps sleepwalking . . . and waking up in the wrong bed.
Samantha Jarlston keeps telling herself she doesn’t want to get romantically involved with her former childhood best friend and current partner in crime, the very sexy chess grandmaster, Andreas Kristiansen. But despite her many, many, MANY protestations, Sam keeps waking up in Andreas’s bed. Even worse, he’s adorably flustered and shy about it. Every. Single. Time.
Sleepwalking into Andreas’s bedroom and his cute reactions aren’t complications Sam has time for, not when she needs to get back on track with her Ph.D., catch up with her part-time job while avoiding the inappropriate Dr. James Nieminen, not to mention juggling the demands of exacting revenge on the Kristiansens.
Basically, her social calendar is quite full.
Does her subconscious know something her conscious brain does not? Is Sam ready to give up on revenge once and for all and figure out how to make things work with her first love?
And what happens when Sam finally discovers adorable Andreas’s dirty little secret?
‘REPRODUCTION’ is book 2 in the ‘Fundamentals of Biology’ trilogy, ends on a cliffhanger, and cannot be read as a standalone. ‘Fundamentals of Biology’ is the third trilogy in a series of trilogies that begins with ‘Elements of Chemistry’ and ‘Laws of Physics.’ You do NOT need to read ‘Elements of Chemistry’ or ‘Laws of Physics’ before reading ‘Fundamentals of Biology.
The second book leaned even more into Samantha’s quirks. Still no real growth in her—except that she finally started taking showers. Yeah.
For most of the book, it felt dragged out. Their endless back-and-forth about what was fake and what wasn’t left me with too many eye rolls. I might have been more patient if they were high schoolers, but she’s supposed to be 28, in STEM, and all that. I started skipping parts like: oh, he held my hand, what should I do and what does it mean? Or we woke up together, he had his morning… situation, and he looked at my mouth—must be my bad breath.
Finally, we got to the conflict at the end. To me, it felt too Penny Reid. Andreas got something from their deal that Samantha didn’t know about. So what?
Now I’m left with a dilemma—is it really worth paying another 5–6 EUR for the final 200 pages? I’m just starting to feel used.
I have some feelings... and they better be addressed in the next book. because if they aren’t.... I’m going to be seriously disappointed. dear Penny, I’m talking DISAPPOINTED.
Ooooof, this book killed me! I loved it so much. I love Andreas and Sam so much. But Andreas did Sam so dirty in the end, why not just tell her the truth so she wouldn’t get hurt. Yikes. So cold. Now it’s time for him to grovel because he has a lot to make up for. I don’t know how he will do it but I’m excited to see. This book was so so good. It’s exactly what I wanted to read and I can’t wait for the rest of their story! Sam deserves so much better and he has to do better for her. I hope Sam doesn’t go back to her old reclusive ways. I can’t wait to find out! Love this book and this series so much!
Book 2 picks up right where the first left off—and I was hooked from the very first page. I devoured it in a single day. I even woke up at 3 a.m. replaying scenes in my head, analyzing every interaction between Sam and Andreas like I was the main character, hunting for clues I might have missed. That’s how immersive this book is.
The twist this story takes? I did not see it coming—and I loved that. It kept me on edge, flipping pages with an urgency I haven’t felt in a while. The emotional pull and the intense attraction between Sam and Andreas were off the charts. Their chemistry? Absolutely electric—it smoked.
What I really appreciated was how the book balanced steam, suspense, and humor without losing the emotional depth. Sam is juggling so much: academic pressure, shady coworkers, revenge plots, and the infuriatingly sweet and sexy Andreas—who somehow manages to be both confident and adorably flustered. Watching her try to make sense of her sleepwalking (and waking up in the wrong bed... repeatedly) added such a clever, playful element to the romance.
And yes—this book ends on a cliffhanger. A brutal one. I will be impatiently awaiting Book 3 because I need to know what happens next.
If you love smart, spicy romance with mystery, slow-burn tension, and unforgettable characters, don’t miss this one. Just make sure you clear your schedule—you won’t want to put it down.
Lovely characters, zero spark. Their romance had all the charm of two strangers politely holding a door open for each other. That plot twist at the end, though, actually got me.
Going into this one I KNEW there was going to be a rough cliffhanger, and now I have to wait three weeks to find out what happens next?!
General thoughts on this one: • Spice (ALL THE SPICE!!) • Andreas really started to remind me of Quinn in this book (will discuss with other Sharks once they have read) • There was one twist I seriously did not see coming • I’m really enjoying the Andreas chapters at the end of each story, the longing, the guilt. His backstory is very interesting!
*slight spoilers* Penny Reid’s obsession with mid twenties+ male virgins strikes again 🫡 idk why I wasn’t expecting it, but duh. Anyway, this book was alright. It was obvious Andreas has some secret he’s holding back leading to an annoying miscommunication trope where they’re both so obviously in love with each other and misinterpreting everything and blah blah blah. The end was kind of interesting, I don’t feel like his secret had to be a secret. Samantha wouldn’t have cared, it might have even made her more willing so it kinda just pissed me off, but I also don’t think it’s a big deal lol. I am a bit surprised by Andreas’ POV (only last chapter of course even tho PR labeled each chapter as Samantha’s even tho duh that’s the default just let me know when it changes…) and how he’s been feeling this whole time/his initial motivations. Yeah, honestly a bit shocking. I will be reading the last book but I don’t love this series 🧐
It’s a good thing the sequels are released close together or I’d have to wait to read them all together! Just enough time in between to anticipate how this great story and relationships are going to resolve! Loved this 2nd book of the trilogy! I was not expecting that ending and I’m rarely surprised these days. Love both main characters and can’t wait to see their HEA!
The story continues, like a roller coaster with bunny hills that make your stomach lurch and roil. It was over so fast and has left me wondering how to get through the next couple of weeks without knowing what will happen. Why do I let this happen to myself??
Gah, why did Reid split these books into 3?!? If book one was all about the sexual tension and slow burn, book two is the explosion of that tension. Andreas and Sam finally give into that tension and wow, is she a lucky lady. The two continue to present themselves as the in-love engaged couple. You can tell, however, that feelings are growing for both of them. But then something unexpected happens and the chess game strategy comes more into view. This one ends on a sad note and leaving me with a feeling of desperation. With the intelligent humour expected from Penny Reid, Reproduction also brings the feels. As I anxiously await the finally of this series, giving this one 4.5 stars.
The back and forth in this one was a bit frustrating lol but this one was really about them slowly getting together and they were sweet. I didn't understand Andreas at all though. I kinda guessed he was suss a bit but his reactions still didn't made sense. The ending was of course dramatic but kinda expected.
Classic Penny Reid, especially after consuming Elements of Chemistry series. The plot thickened in this 2nd of three books. Very engaging and I wasn't surprised by Andreas's status prior to Samantha's decision to change the nature of their relationship. However, I didn't agree with how she made the decision to advance their relationship into something more involved. That seemed a little callous to me. Really interested in the direction of book 3.
I wrote one review for the series and am posting it for all three. Don't hate me, I'm being efficient, and in the wise words of the Doctor... no spoilers.
✦Series: Hypothesis, 7-9 • ♟️Fundamentals of Biology 1-3♟️ MF romcom with a heavy dose of suspense. The return of the Hypothesis series is smart, twisty, funny, and completely bingeable. I devoured the trilogy in two days.
1️⃣ Inheritance Andreas approaches Samantha with an unconventional way to take back her birthright and restore her late parents’ reputations.
2️⃣ Reproduction Their fake engagement doesn’t feel so fake once they move in together to make it look real; they’ve been crushing on each other since they were kids. It doesn’t help that Sam keeps sleepwalking into Andreas’ bed. Hello, one bed!
Aside: the twist at the end of this one made me want to scream. Well done, Penny! I did not see that coming.
3️⃣ Evolution Sam will take back what should always have been hers with or without Andreas, but Andreas has no intention of letting her go.
Here’s where it goes wild with drama and suspense. It’s thrilling, and the way Penny weaves the subplots together is straight-up wizardry.
✦POV: Single, first-person The books are told in Sam’s POV with Andreas as the last chapter in books 1+2. This was a brilliant idea. Understanding his struggles in the moment cranked the drama and kept me obsessively reading.
Sam is a STEM PhD candidate. She’s strong, funny, clever, and relatable. I loved reading her thoughts and how she navigated what the story threw at her.
Andreas is a young, billionaire, chess grandmaster who earned fame because he’s undefeated and wields stoicism like a weapon. His character arc was so unexpected! His hopeless devotion to Sam is tender and swoony.
✦Spice: Open door, explicit It’s a slooow burn, but it is worth every page to get there. The tension is achingly delicious. 😮💨🫠
♡ Eloquent, funny, clever- Penny’s books lock me in, I’m hooked every time. The stories her mind conjures are a gift! Enjoy with confidence. 👏
⚠️ Please check trigger warnings!
✨ Enjoyed thanks to Toronto Public Library and Libby.
I wrote one review for the series and am posting it for all three. Don't hate me, I'm being efficient, and in the wise words of the Doctor... no spoilers.
✦Series: Hypothesis, 7-9 • ♟️Fundamentals of Biology 1-3♟️ MF romcom with a heavy dose of suspense. The return of the Hypothesis series is smart, twisty, funny, and completely bingeable. I devoured the trilogy in two days.
1️⃣ Inheritance Andreas approaches Samantha with an unconventional way to take back her birthright and restore her late parents’ reputations.
2️⃣ Reproduction Their fake engagement doesn’t feel so fake once they move in together to make it look real; they’ve been crushing on each other since they were kids. It doesn’t help that Sam keeps sleepwalking into Andreas’ bed. Hello, one bed!
Aside: the twist at the end of this one made me want to scream. Well done, Penny! I did not see that coming.
3️⃣ Evolution Sam will take back what should always have been hers with or without Andreas, but Andreas has no intention of letting her go.
Here’s where it goes wild with drama and suspense. It’s thrilling, and the way Penny weaves the subplots together is straight-up wizardry.
✦POV: Single, first-person The books are told in Sam’s POV with Andreas as the last chapter in books 1+2. This was a brilliant idea. Understanding his struggles in the moment cranked the drama and kept me obsessively reading.
Sam is a STEM PhD candidate. She’s strong, funny, clever, and relatable. I loved reading her thoughts and how she navigated what the story threw at her.
Andreas is a young, billionaire, chess grandmaster who earned fame because he’s undefeated and wields stoicism like a weapon. His character arc was so unexpected! His hopeless devotion to Sam is tender and swoony.
✦Spice: Open door, explicit It’s a slooow burn, but it is worth every page to get there. The tension is achingly delicious. 😮💨🫠
♡ Eloquent, funny, clever- Penny’s books lock me in, I’m hooked every time. The stories her mind conjures are a gift! Enjoy with confidence. 👏
⚠️ Please check trigger warnings!
✨ Enjoyed thanks to Toronto Public Library and Libby.
When a novel is so good you read until 2 a.m. even though you have to get up four hours later for work, you know the feeling? That's what happened to me with Reproduction! And it was worth spending the next day in zombie mode! This second book in the trilogy is exceptional! Penny Reid moves her pieces very slowly on her chessboard, Andreas and Samantha's plan is working really well... except that the lines of the fake dating are becoming increasingly blurred. Which gestures are real? Which words? Which kisses? A real puzzle for Sam, who needs precise and reliable clues before forming a real opinion. And her sleepwalking doesn't make things any easier! How can she resist the wonderful Andreas when she wakes up every morning glued to him, and he's perfectly comfortable with it? Comfortable, maybe not so much, because for him too, the attraction is strong and the questions numerous. These two can't seem to understand what the other is feeling, which is both frustrating and entertaining for the reader. But even though we know their feelings better than they do, there are still quite a few mysteries surrounding Andreas. The author gives us some answers about his past and his personality, and yet, we sense that he's still hiding important things. Samantha is extremely respectful and patient. I'm growing to love our heroine more and more. I don't envy her lack of intuition, but I do envy her ability to analyze others, giving equal weight to both positive and negative aspects. I find her fairer to others because of this. She may seem a little detached, but in reality, she has a very big heart, and the proof is that she has several friends who adore her and whom she adores. Physically, she gets closer to Andreas, which gives us some rather steamy scenes, but in Penny Reid's signature style, always respectful, tender, and passionate. And Andreas? OMG, he's so adorable and hot! Their adversaries are also making their moves in this game of revenge and justice. This second book ends with a major surprise, a revelation, and, for me, tears. A truly poignant scene compelled me to read the three chapters of the next book! And even then, I had to force myself to stop! You see how addictive this story is!
Book Review: Reproduction (Book 2) Rating: 3.5/5 Stars We are back with Book 2, where the farce continues. Sam and Andreas are living together and selling the image of a happily engaged couple to the public. But the engagement is just a smokescreen for their actual, legally binding maneuver: Andreas is adopting Sam as his legal daughter so she can inherit shares of his father’s company. Naturally, because this is a romance novel, they are also harboring massive crushes on each other.
I was thoroughly devouring this book right up until the final stretch. The pacing was solid and the banter worked, but that ending pulled me right out of the immersion. The "big realization" wasn't surprising, nor was it malicious enough to warrant the nuclear reaction from Sam. The explanation was there, but logically, it didn't track. The outcome seemed perfectly fair. No one lost. No one was irreparably harmed. And didn't Andreas deserve to keep all of his mother's things? What's so bad about his keeping his dad's physical assets? Why the fury? I'd have been happy he got to keep things after being tortured by his family his whole life. I can understand being annoyed that information was withheld. Sure. I get that. But generating a dramatic Third Act Breakup over a reveal that ultimately benefited everyone feels forced. The conflict in Book 1 was arguably worse, yet it played second fiddle to this manufactured outrage. I am less excited for Book 3 now, mostly because I assume the characters will eventually arrive at said logical conclusion, and just kiss and make up.
But seriously, even with that out of the way, we need to address the elephant in the room. How do you explain to people that you are dating your legal daughter/father? If you cancel the adoption, the entire plot is defeated. I guess we'll see.
So I had my suspicions and sadly I was right, but I love him anyways! I’m so obsessed with them both and I just want to see them happy and together. All the things that he has done for her are just everything to me, buying her so much things, him making her moms cookies just the way her mom used to do them! Him never moving when ever she sleep walked to him to be honest, him going to meet her friends and making a list of all the things she loves, him going to her best friends house and doing such a good job taking care of the bff kid, him giving her guards to keep her safe! Him outside waiting for her after his brother almost attacked her, him taking her to so many dates, him taking care of her, him making breakfast for ever every day! Him being so gentle and always fulfilling her needs🥵 him taking everything slow because he knows that he is keeping secrets so he didn’t want to go fully in into she knows everything! I know that what he did is wrong but he did show her his love every day! And she he could have said the truth to be honest, it wasn’t something major and the company is hers anyways but he lied! I need to know how he is going to make up for it bye!