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Love Bytes
Paige thought she could code her perfect match. Turns out love bytes back.
Paige Reynolds trusts logic far more than she trusts people. Which is why she secretly created CupidCode, her personal project meant to bring a little order to the messiness of dating. But when she tests it on herself and the screen flashes one infuriating name, her entire brain promptly short-circuits.
Alex Spencer.
Her office rival.
Her daily irritation.
Her perfect match.
Paige is determined to ignore whatever CupidCode thinks it sees and throws herself back into her work at NexGen Technologies. Just as she pushes the result out of her mind, her boss assigns her to a major new initiative called MindMeld. And of course, her partner on it is Alex. Charming, competitive, impossible to overlook Alex.
As late nights, sharp words, and reluctant teamwork shift into something warmer, Paige clings to her rules. She has boundaries. A plan. A carefully controlled world. Her heart has no interest in following any of it.
When a private mistake puts both her career and her almost-relationship with Alex at risk, Paige has to choose between her rules and her heart. Not even her cleanest code can solve this one for her.
Love Bytes is a modern, heartfelt rivals-to-lovers romantic comedy about two stubborn coworkers, one very inconvenient match result, and the surprising magic of letting someone past your firewall.
Paige Reynolds trusts logic far more than she trusts people. Which is why she secretly created CupidCode, her personal project meant to bring a little order to the messiness of dating. But when she tests it on herself and the screen flashes one infuriating name, her entire brain promptly short-circuits.
Alex Spencer.
Her office rival.
Her daily irritation.
Her perfect match.
Paige is determined to ignore whatever CupidCode thinks it sees and throws herself back into her work at NexGen Technologies. Just as she pushes the result out of her mind, her boss assigns her to a major new initiative called MindMeld. And of course, her partner on it is Alex. Charming, competitive, impossible to overlook Alex.
As late nights, sharp words, and reluctant teamwork shift into something warmer, Paige clings to her rules. She has boundaries. A plan. A carefully controlled world. Her heart has no interest in following any of it.
When a private mistake puts both her career and her almost-relationship with Alex at risk, Paige has to choose between her rules and her heart. Not even her cleanest code can solve this one for her.
Love Bytes is a modern, heartfelt rivals-to-lovers romantic comedy about two stubborn coworkers, one very inconvenient match result, and the surprising magic of letting someone past your firewall.
Unknown Binding
Published April 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 9, 2026
ARC REVIEW
Paige and Alex are like oil and water, but somehow they make it work. He's the life of the party and she's a total ice queen. They're proof that opposites attract, and then some. I'm right there with Paige, not trusting anyone, especially when it comes to love. But Alex is like a bad habit, he just wears her down. Their love is hotter than a July sidewalk. Check out this spicy page-turner.
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.
Paige and Alex are like oil and water, but somehow they make it work. He's the life of the party and she's a total ice queen. They're proof that opposites attract, and then some. I'm right there with Paige, not trusting anyone, especially when it comes to love. But Alex is like a bad habit, he just wears her down. Their love is hotter than a July sidewalk. Check out this spicy page-turner.
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review.
April 23, 2026
This was an absolutely adorable romance with fantastic character development and witty banter. The pacing of the switch from rivals to lovers, the war of words between two brilliant but stubborn colleagues who secretly adore each other, the spice that made me blush in a room by myself… as Gen Z is fond of saying, “chef’s kiss.” But after about 75% on my Kindle, the story began to drag on and on far past when it clearly should have ended. I loved seeing the richness of Paige and Alex’s life together and the growth of the love they shared, but it began to seem forced. Several lines were repeated, even during dirty talk. Had the last fourth or so of the book been left to my imagination, this would have been a 4.5- or even 5-star book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 23, 2026
Love Bytes was a refreshing romance, as the MMC played a unique role. Alex was the one who first professed his love to Paige, only to find that she was not in a place to receive it. He was the sensitive one. He was the one who got hurt and showed it. And Paige was known as a “robot” without feelings—unable to form emotional connections. Paige trusted logic more than she trusted people and emotions.
I loved how Alex didn’t give up, though, and he did figure out how to win her back. The other part of the story that I did not anticipate being incredibly emotional was the storyline with his mother. It ties well with Paige, as it’s a lesson she learns, and I liked that. But wow, it does pack a punch.
Thank you to Misfits Reads and Author Rory Quinn for the #gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved how Alex didn’t give up, though, and he did figure out how to win her back. The other part of the story that I did not anticipate being incredibly emotional was the storyline with his mother. It ties well with Paige, as it’s a lesson she learns, and I liked that. But wow, it does pack a punch.
Thank you to Misfits Reads and Author Rory Quinn for the #gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC!
From page one, Love Bytes comes in hot—fast‑paced, spicy, and absolutely crackling with banter. Rory Quinn blends wit, humor, and a surprising amount of tech‑savvy smarts into a rom‑com that I devoured in a single sitting.
At the heart of it all is Paige: brilliant, guarded, cat‑mom extraordinaire, and a coder whose emotional firewalls are set to maximum security. After too many disappointments in love, she channels her genius into creating an AI platform that can generate your perfect match based on your preferences. But the moment she tests it with her own data, the algorithm spits out the last person she expects—her office rival, Alex Spencer.
And honestly… the chaos that follows is delicious.
Paige and Alex have been verbally sparring for years—insults, puns, and that kind of tension you pretend not to notice but absolutely feel. But once they’re forced to work together, Paige starts seeing the cracks in Alex’s cocky façade. Beneath the charm is a man stretched thin: a dying mother, financial strain, and feelings for Paige that are hitting him like a freight train.
This is a fast‑burn romance, and it burns beautifully. The tension is thick, the chemistry is undeniable, and watching these two stubborn, wounded people slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) fall for each other is deeply satisfying. They challenge each other, steady each other, and understand each other in ways no one else has. Even when Paige’s logic tries to override her heart, it’s obvious she’s falling. And Alex? He’s down bad in the most endearing, earnest way.
That said, while I loved the momentum early on, the pacing toward the end wobbled a bit for me. Alex’s storyline with his mother takes a turn that deserved more space and tenderness. After that emotional shift, the relationship progression felt rushed, with a few repetitive beats that could have been trimmed to give the story a cleaner, more resonant landing.
Still, the heart of this book shines. The heat, the humor, the coding and tech realism, the emotional undercurrent—Paige and Alex’s story is one I genuinely enjoyed. It’s smart, sexy, and full of feeling, and fans of rivals‑to‑lovers with a techy twist will have a great time with it.
From page one, Love Bytes comes in hot—fast‑paced, spicy, and absolutely crackling with banter. Rory Quinn blends wit, humor, and a surprising amount of tech‑savvy smarts into a rom‑com that I devoured in a single sitting.
At the heart of it all is Paige: brilliant, guarded, cat‑mom extraordinaire, and a coder whose emotional firewalls are set to maximum security. After too many disappointments in love, she channels her genius into creating an AI platform that can generate your perfect match based on your preferences. But the moment she tests it with her own data, the algorithm spits out the last person she expects—her office rival, Alex Spencer.
And honestly… the chaos that follows is delicious.
Paige and Alex have been verbally sparring for years—insults, puns, and that kind of tension you pretend not to notice but absolutely feel. But once they’re forced to work together, Paige starts seeing the cracks in Alex’s cocky façade. Beneath the charm is a man stretched thin: a dying mother, financial strain, and feelings for Paige that are hitting him like a freight train.
This is a fast‑burn romance, and it burns beautifully. The tension is thick, the chemistry is undeniable, and watching these two stubborn, wounded people slowly (and sometimes not so slowly) fall for each other is deeply satisfying. They challenge each other, steady each other, and understand each other in ways no one else has. Even when Paige’s logic tries to override her heart, it’s obvious she’s falling. And Alex? He’s down bad in the most endearing, earnest way.
That said, while I loved the momentum early on, the pacing toward the end wobbled a bit for me. Alex’s storyline with his mother takes a turn that deserved more space and tenderness. After that emotional shift, the relationship progression felt rushed, with a few repetitive beats that could have been trimmed to give the story a cleaner, more resonant landing.
Still, the heart of this book shines. The heat, the humor, the coding and tech realism, the emotional undercurrent—Paige and Alex’s story is one I genuinely enjoyed. It’s smart, sexy, and full of feeling, and fans of rivals‑to‑lovers with a techy twist will have a great time with it.
Review of advance copy
The Heart of the Story
Love Bytes starts with a premise that hooked me immediately. It features one of my favourite dynamics: he falls first, and she is the relationship-phobic skeptic. The early banter is sharp, and the friction between the FMC and the "marketing guy" MMC provides a fun, office-romance foundation. If you’re looking for a comfy read that focuses on the long-game journey of a relationship, there is a lot to enjoy here.
The Turning Point
However, the reading experience felt a bit like a ship changing course mid-voyage. About halfway through, the FMC’s characterisation shifts significantly; she begins exhibiting neurodiverse traits that weren't established in the opening chapters. While I would have loved to see this representation fully integrated, the late arrival made it feel like the author changed their plan for her character halfway through the writing process.
Structure & Pace
The book suffers from what I call "Web Novel Syndrome"—it feels as though it was originally written in serialised chapters that were later stitched together into a novel. This led to a few frustrations:
Dropped Threads: We see the MMC planning two "big win her back" gestures, yet we never actually get to see the execution.
Pacing: The story drags in the middle, and while the spicy scenes are well-written, some felt unnecessary to the actual plot.
Character Dynamics: The FMC often paints the MMC as the problem, even when she is the one being reluctant or difficult. This made it hard to fully root for her at times as there was a lack of backstory for her that could have explained her relationship-phobia.
Final Verdict
Love Bytes is an entertaining, cosy journey, but it lacks the tight "road map" that i need for a novel to truly shine. There are great moments of connection and genuine chemistry, but they are occasionally buried under a plot that feels a bit unplanned.
3.5⭐
Recommended for: Readers who love the "he fell first" trope and don't mind a wandering, character-driven pace.
I received an advance review copy, thanks BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Love Bytes starts with a premise that hooked me immediately. It features one of my favourite dynamics: he falls first, and she is the relationship-phobic skeptic. The early banter is sharp, and the friction between the FMC and the "marketing guy" MMC provides a fun, office-romance foundation. If you’re looking for a comfy read that focuses on the long-game journey of a relationship, there is a lot to enjoy here.
The Turning Point
However, the reading experience felt a bit like a ship changing course mid-voyage. About halfway through, the FMC’s characterisation shifts significantly; she begins exhibiting neurodiverse traits that weren't established in the opening chapters. While I would have loved to see this representation fully integrated, the late arrival made it feel like the author changed their plan for her character halfway through the writing process.
Structure & Pace
The book suffers from what I call "Web Novel Syndrome"—it feels as though it was originally written in serialised chapters that were later stitched together into a novel. This led to a few frustrations:
Dropped Threads: We see the MMC planning two "big win her back" gestures, yet we never actually get to see the execution.
Pacing: The story drags in the middle, and while the spicy scenes are well-written, some felt unnecessary to the actual plot.
Character Dynamics: The FMC often paints the MMC as the problem, even when she is the one being reluctant or difficult. This made it hard to fully root for her at times as there was a lack of backstory for her that could have explained her relationship-phobia.
Final Verdict
Love Bytes is an entertaining, cosy journey, but it lacks the tight "road map" that i need for a novel to truly shine. There are great moments of connection and genuine chemistry, but they are occasionally buried under a plot that feels a bit unplanned.
3.5⭐
Recommended for: Readers who love the "he fell first" trope and don't mind a wandering, character-driven pace.
I received an advance review copy, thanks BookSirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Love Bytes by Rory Quinn is a quintessential rom-com novel about two co-workers who start out as enemies and end up lovers. Their story begins when they are tasked with an AI project titled, "MindMeld" and have to work alongside each other but in doing so, Alex and Paige kick off a rivalry slinging insults at each other and arguing about everything. They eventually put their differences aside to focus on the project and gradually become friends. Their relationship evolves into a romantic tryst yet their individual obstacles to finding happiness are thwarted when Alex and Paige do not find the fulfillment they each desire; Paige's concerns about getting hurt by becoming vulnerable and Alex's concerns about his ailing mother and the worry that Paige is only playing him, prevent them from coming together and an act of seeming betrayal on Alex's side drives Paige away. Eventually Alex sets up a scheme to win Paige back with help from his friend Sam using sophisticated computer programming codes to link with various places associated with their "couple-hood." The novel's ending has a satisfying conclusion with the resolution of their issues and both Paige and Alex come up stronger for it. There are moments of romantic longing and hapless desperation on both their sides but the introduction of Alex's mother, Karen, brings to the story a tearful yet poignant encounter brimming of familial love, new friendships, and hope for the future. I enjoyed reading "Love Bytes" for its potent themes on love, loss, hope, loneliness, friendship, and family togetherness, and the author did a swell job in weaving the above themes into the story. The novel was well written, and the pace was perfectly balanced (not fast but not slow). The narrative was descriptive in its layout of the ongoing drama and the dialogue was intriguingly charming. I congratulate Rory Quinn for a wonderful novel that was easy to read and a literary treat. Kudos! DISCLOSURE: This novel was an ARC I received in NetGalley from the publisher to read and review.
April 24, 2026
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC!
Love Byres doesn’t waste any time getting going. It jumps straight into the plot, which makes it a quick, easy read—if you’re in the mood for something fast and to the point, this might just be for you. That said, the pacing was a little too fast for me. Everything unfolds so quickly that there’s barely any time to sit with the story or build anticipation. One minute we’re at the start, getting to know the setting and suddenly the characters are already presenting a demo for the AI project that creates the proximity. There are mentions of meetings and testing along the way, but since we don’t really see those moments on page, it’s hard to tell how much time has actually passed. Days? Weeks? Months?
Because of that, some of the character and relationship development feels like it happens off-page instead of showing the reader how it unfolds . The dynamic between the main characters leans heavily on internal monologue—lots of replaying conversations and overanalyzing banter—which started to feel repetitive after a while.
The story is very focused on the central couple, and while that keeps things tight, it also means side characters son’t have any layers to them. They mostly pop in when needed to move the plot along, rather than adding much to the world.
As for the romance, it develops pretty quickly. The MMC realizes his feelings early on -which I usually enjoy - however, since we don’t get as many meaningful on-page interactions between them, the emotional connection didn’t fully land for me. There’s definitely attraction and tension, just not as much substance behind it as I would’ve liked.
Overall, Love Bytes is a light, fast-paced read with a fun premise and a strong focus on romance. It didn’t completely pull me in and felt a bit surface-level at times, but if you’re into quick romances with lots of internal reflection, this might still be worth picking up.
Love Byres doesn’t waste any time getting going. It jumps straight into the plot, which makes it a quick, easy read—if you’re in the mood for something fast and to the point, this might just be for you. That said, the pacing was a little too fast for me. Everything unfolds so quickly that there’s barely any time to sit with the story or build anticipation. One minute we’re at the start, getting to know the setting and suddenly the characters are already presenting a demo for the AI project that creates the proximity. There are mentions of meetings and testing along the way, but since we don’t really see those moments on page, it’s hard to tell how much time has actually passed. Days? Weeks? Months?
Because of that, some of the character and relationship development feels like it happens off-page instead of showing the reader how it unfolds . The dynamic between the main characters leans heavily on internal monologue—lots of replaying conversations and overanalyzing banter—which started to feel repetitive after a while.
The story is very focused on the central couple, and while that keeps things tight, it also means side characters son’t have any layers to them. They mostly pop in when needed to move the plot along, rather than adding much to the world.
As for the romance, it develops pretty quickly. The MMC realizes his feelings early on -which I usually enjoy - however, since we don’t get as many meaningful on-page interactions between them, the emotional connection didn’t fully land for me. There’s definitely attraction and tension, just not as much substance behind it as I would’ve liked.
Overall, Love Bytes is a light, fast-paced read with a fun premise and a strong focus on romance. It didn’t completely pull me in and felt a bit surface-level at times, but if you’re into quick romances with lots of internal reflection, this might still be worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
LOVE BYTES by RORY QUINN ⭐️⭐️⭐️
After a disastrous dating past,Paige Reynolds, coder extraordinaire, has designed CupidCode, her own dating program which is guaranteed to find her perfect man. When the program matches her with Alex Spencer, her infuriatingly irritating, if handsome coworker, she decides to ignore her codes advice. There is No Way they’re a match!
When the pair are assigned to a new project called MindMeld however, they are forced to work together and it’s not just code that is flying, but the sparks of chemistry….
————————————
I have read some of Rory’s work before so I was looking forward to this book but I have to say for me there was something missing in this read.
The premise is there, there is a decent idea but it felt rushed. I didn’t feel like I could connect with either of the MC’s at all. It kept swinging between them being enemies to falling in bed together, even when they seemed to despise each other then rinse and repeat.
There were plenty of things that could have been expanded on to make this a great read but it fell short. There were also a lot of open door spicy scenes that I felt were there to fill. I also felt like a couple of the plot points were repeated, almost instantly, like she ran out of ideas so just repeated herself.
All that said, this is a fun, spicy, quick read so if you’re looking for something light, and easy then this is for you.
I read an ebook copy of this book at around 110 pages, with a colourful, sketched couple cover and great editing.
With thanks to Rory Quinn and BookSirens for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
💻 Close Proximity
💻 Enemies- Lovers
💻 Romantic Comedy
💻 Opposites Attract
After a disastrous dating past,Paige Reynolds, coder extraordinaire, has designed CupidCode, her own dating program which is guaranteed to find her perfect man. When the program matches her with Alex Spencer, her infuriatingly irritating, if handsome coworker, she decides to ignore her codes advice. There is No Way they’re a match!
When the pair are assigned to a new project called MindMeld however, they are forced to work together and it’s not just code that is flying, but the sparks of chemistry….
————————————
I have read some of Rory’s work before so I was looking forward to this book but I have to say for me there was something missing in this read.
The premise is there, there is a decent idea but it felt rushed. I didn’t feel like I could connect with either of the MC’s at all. It kept swinging between them being enemies to falling in bed together, even when they seemed to despise each other then rinse and repeat.
There were plenty of things that could have been expanded on to make this a great read but it fell short. There were also a lot of open door spicy scenes that I felt were there to fill. I also felt like a couple of the plot points were repeated, almost instantly, like she ran out of ideas so just repeated herself.
All that said, this is a fun, spicy, quick read so if you’re looking for something light, and easy then this is for you.
I read an ebook copy of this book at around 110 pages, with a colourful, sketched couple cover and great editing.
With thanks to Rory Quinn and BookSirens for an early read of this book. All comments are my own honest, unbiased opinion.
💻 Close Proximity
💻 Enemies- Lovers
💻 Romantic Comedy
💻 Opposites Attract
Review of advance copy received from Author
Paige and Alex . . .
Paige Reynolds is working after hours on her pet project called CupidCode, an AI-driven algorithm attempting to make dating more reliable. Answering a few questions will let the AI deliver your perfect match to your inbox. It's 11 p.m. and she should be going home, but she's close to success and keeps on working. Her friend Jamie stops by and asks how this program is any different from all the rest. Paige tells her that this program focuses on compatibility, gathering data from a varielty of sources and building a comprehensive profile of who you are and what you're looking for in a partner/soulmate. Jamie compares it to a digital stalker! And she also thinks it may be an excuse for Paige to claim she is over her ex Brian, a programmer who lured her in then dumped her for a fashion model. But Paige insists that love is messy and unpredictable while code makes sense and is logical. Her new program will spare users tons of heartache... if it works.
Paige's first test is a huge disappointment. CupidCode selects Alex Spencer, an office rival who irritates her daily! He is certainly not a "perfect" choice for her and she puts her new program aside! So she is quite upset when her boss partners her with Alex on a new project named "MindMeld". More late nights and constant arguing are ahead for her. Their inability to fully trust each other keeps them both on edge. But a mistake will put everything at risk! Will she lose her job over this? And would she have to give Alex up since they sort of were attracted to each other? (I did feel the pacing was occasionally "off" a bit, but the story was still interesting enough to hold my attention.)
Paige Reynolds is working after hours on her pet project called CupidCode, an AI-driven algorithm attempting to make dating more reliable. Answering a few questions will let the AI deliver your perfect match to your inbox. It's 11 p.m. and she should be going home, but she's close to success and keeps on working. Her friend Jamie stops by and asks how this program is any different from all the rest. Paige tells her that this program focuses on compatibility, gathering data from a varielty of sources and building a comprehensive profile of who you are and what you're looking for in a partner/soulmate. Jamie compares it to a digital stalker! And she also thinks it may be an excuse for Paige to claim she is over her ex Brian, a programmer who lured her in then dumped her for a fashion model. But Paige insists that love is messy and unpredictable while code makes sense and is logical. Her new program will spare users tons of heartache... if it works.
Paige's first test is a huge disappointment. CupidCode selects Alex Spencer, an office rival who irritates her daily! He is certainly not a "perfect" choice for her and she puts her new program aside! So she is quite upset when her boss partners her with Alex on a new project named "MindMeld". More late nights and constant arguing are ahead for her. Their inability to fully trust each other keeps them both on edge. But a mistake will put everything at risk! Will she lose her job over this? And would she have to give Alex up since they sort of were attracted to each other? (I did feel the pacing was occasionally "off" a bit, but the story was still interesting enough to hold my attention.)
Review of advance copy received from Author
Paige is a logic-driven software engineer who believes code can solve just about anything, including dating. But when her matchmaking algorithm pairs her with her office rival, things get complicated fast. Forced to work closely together on a project with a tight deadline, professional tension slowly blurs into something much more personal, challenging everything Paige thought she could control.
If you enjoy workplace romances with a modern, tech-forward setting, this is a good choice. As someone with a background in Computer Science, I appreciated the coding elements and how they were woven into the story.
The chemistry between the main characters is strong, though the romance moved a bit faster than I expected early on, which made some of the emotional back and forth feel slightly rushed for me. I did find myself wishing a few moments, and some character back story, had more space to develop, but I still enjoyed the banter, tension, and overall dynamic between the two main characters.
There are multiple open-door scenes throughout the book, adding heat to the story without overpowering the romance. The ending was satisfying and left me happy with where the characters landed.
If you enjoy contemporary office romances with rivals-to-lovers energy and a tech/STEM theme, this one is worth picking up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
If you enjoy workplace romances with a modern, tech-forward setting, this is a good choice. As someone with a background in Computer Science, I appreciated the coding elements and how they were woven into the story.
The chemistry between the main characters is strong, though the romance moved a bit faster than I expected early on, which made some of the emotional back and forth feel slightly rushed for me. I did find myself wishing a few moments, and some character back story, had more space to develop, but I still enjoyed the banter, tension, and overall dynamic between the two main characters.
There are multiple open-door scenes throughout the book, adding heat to the story without overpowering the romance. The ending was satisfying and left me happy with where the characters landed.
If you enjoy contemporary office romances with rivals-to-lovers energy and a tech/STEM theme, this one is worth picking up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.
January 9, 2026
ARC Review let’s get into it!
4.8 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
This was a quick and fun read!
He calls her by her last name microtrope = endgame
Tropes:
Workplace romance
Enemies to Lovers
Enemies with Benefits
Paige Reynolds and Alex Spencer are PERFECT for each other no matter how much denying Paige is willing to do. The pacing in this book was perfect - getting you a taste into them as rivals and slowly shifting into more.
Their tension, the banter and Alex’s POV 👏👏
Quotes:
“more like an intuitive matchmaker”
“You wound me, Reynolds. And here I thought we were friends."
"For the record, Reynolds? I think you're brilliant. Whatever it is you're working on, I have no doubt it's going to change the world."
No, it's better to keep things strictly professional. To focus on the project at hand and try to ignore the persistent tug of attraction I feel whenever she's around.
"Look, Alex, I'm not blind. I see the way you look at her when you think no one's watching. The way your eyes follow her every move, like you can't bear to let her out of your sight."
One minute she's pushing me away, insisting that we keep things strictly professional. And the next, she's kissing me in her doorway and inviting me to stay for dinner.
Happy Reading! - Mona
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC
4.8 ⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
This was a quick and fun read!
He calls her by her last name microtrope = endgame
Tropes:
Workplace romance
Enemies to Lovers
Enemies with Benefits
Paige Reynolds and Alex Spencer are PERFECT for each other no matter how much denying Paige is willing to do. The pacing in this book was perfect - getting you a taste into them as rivals and slowly shifting into more.
Their tension, the banter and Alex’s POV 👏👏
Quotes:
“more like an intuitive matchmaker”
“You wound me, Reynolds. And here I thought we were friends."
"For the record, Reynolds? I think you're brilliant. Whatever it is you're working on, I have no doubt it's going to change the world."
No, it's better to keep things strictly professional. To focus on the project at hand and try to ignore the persistent tug of attraction I feel whenever she's around.
"Look, Alex, I'm not blind. I see the way you look at her when you think no one's watching. The way your eyes follow her every move, like you can't bear to let her out of your sight."
One minute she's pushing me away, insisting that we keep things strictly professional. And the next, she's kissing me in her doorway and inviting me to stay for dinner.
Happy Reading! - Mona
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC
Review of advance copy
As a general matter, I really enjoy workplace romances and STEM FMCs, but for me this one fell short. The general premise was easy enough to get behind (enemies to lovers, etc.), but the pacing was really challenging. Reading the book was like watching a movie on 4x speed: you can get the gist of what's going on, but it seems like there are big things missing in the story. And though the spice was well-written, I would have settled for half as many sex scenes in exchange for more substance in the narrative.
One big thing that is missing is character development, especially for the FMC. She's extremely cynical and closed-off, but there's no backstory to explain why she's this way. In the absence of an understandable explanation, her treatment of the MMC frequently just reads as cruel and gas-lighting (why is he always the one trying to fix things he didn't break?).
The other thing that presents a challenge is that some of the chapters seem like they may be in the wrong order. There are at least three instances of important plot points happening twice five chapters apart. I kept wondering whether that was intentional, but I don't think that it is.
I think there were some good ideas here, but this was a miss for me.
Thank you to BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
One big thing that is missing is character development, especially for the FMC. She's extremely cynical and closed-off, but there's no backstory to explain why she's this way. In the absence of an understandable explanation, her treatment of the MMC frequently just reads as cruel and gas-lighting (why is he always the one trying to fix things he didn't break?).
The other thing that presents a challenge is that some of the chapters seem like they may be in the wrong order. There are at least three instances of important plot points happening twice five chapters apart. I kept wondering whether that was intentional, but I don't think that it is.
I think there were some good ideas here, but this was a miss for me.
Thank you to BookSirens for an ARC in exchange for my honest assessment of this work.
Review of advance copy
I struggled to fully enjoy this book because it felt like it skipped a final editing pass. Several plot threads appeared briefly and then vanished, and there were continuity slips - at one point a character referenced saying something that, as readers, we hadn’t actually seen yet. Add in the occasional name mix-up or unclear dialogue tag, and some scenes became more confusing than immersive.
The emotional beats were also very on-the-nose. Nearly every chapter wrapped up with a neat little emotional conclusion, which left very little room for nuance or reader interpretation.
Paige, the main character, is written as stubborn, but without enough context to make that trait feel meaningful rather than frustrating. She tends to blame Alex for a lot of her own issues, and since we never really understand what drives her behaviour, it’s hard to root for her growth. As a couple, they didn’t always feel like they had the foundation to last beyond the final page.
The spicy scenes were well written in isolation, but they sometimes felt like they were filling space where more plot or character development could have gone.
By the last 15%, I found myself skimming. Once the couple got together, the story slipped into repetition, and the two epilogues felt excessive - one would have done the job, or better yet, leave a little something to the reader’s imagination.
The emotional beats were also very on-the-nose. Nearly every chapter wrapped up with a neat little emotional conclusion, which left very little room for nuance or reader interpretation.
Paige, the main character, is written as stubborn, but without enough context to make that trait feel meaningful rather than frustrating. She tends to blame Alex for a lot of her own issues, and since we never really understand what drives her behaviour, it’s hard to root for her growth. As a couple, they didn’t always feel like they had the foundation to last beyond the final page.
The spicy scenes were well written in isolation, but they sometimes felt like they were filling space where more plot or character development could have gone.
By the last 15%, I found myself skimming. Once the couple got together, the story slipped into repetition, and the two epilogues felt excessive - one would have done the job, or better yet, leave a little something to the reader’s imagination.
April 24, 2026
Love Bytes is a contemporary office romance built around a fun, tech-inspired idea. Paige, an analytical software engineer, builds a matchmaking tool, only for it to pair her with her workplace rival. When a demanding project forces them into close proximity, their constant friction gradually shifts into something more emotionally complicated.
If you enjoy modern romances with a workplace setting and rivals-to-lovers tension, this is an easy and enjoyable read. The tech elements are woven in naturally and support the story without taking away from the romance.
The dynamic between Paige and Alex is definitely a highlight. Their banter is quick, their chemistry is strong, and the “he falls first” angle adds an extra layer of charm. Once the story finds its rhythm, their relationship becomes engaging and easy to root for.
The beginning felt a little rushed, and I would have liked more time for the characters’ emotional depth and history to fully unfold. Even so, the romance is still fun, with a nice mix of tension, humor, and heat, and it wraps up on a satisfying, feel-good note.
Overall, Love Bytes is a light, entertaining romance with great chemistry, an interesting premise, and a central couple that works well together.
If you enjoy modern romances with a workplace setting and rivals-to-lovers tension, this is an easy and enjoyable read. The tech elements are woven in naturally and support the story without taking away from the romance.
The dynamic between Paige and Alex is definitely a highlight. Their banter is quick, their chemistry is strong, and the “he falls first” angle adds an extra layer of charm. Once the story finds its rhythm, their relationship becomes engaging and easy to root for.
The beginning felt a little rushed, and I would have liked more time for the characters’ emotional depth and history to fully unfold. Even so, the romance is still fun, with a nice mix of tension, humor, and heat, and it wraps up on a satisfying, feel-good note.
Overall, Love Bytes is a light, entertaining romance with great chemistry, an interesting premise, and a central couple that works well together.
Review of advance copy
This book was a fun read, telling the story of Paige and Alex who are two colleagues working on a joint project. To work colleagues they cannot stand each other, but really are secretly attracted to each other. There is tension throughout the first half of the book, however this was also frustrating at times. This was also in part because it appeared that the FMC had experienced some kind of trauma in her past, which led to her pushing Alex away, however this was never explained so it felt like she was doing this against her own best interests and her inability to communicate was annoying.
I enjoyed the early on scenes between Paige and Alex where they were building the tension. This had a satisfying conclusion, although I felt that some parts were rushed. Although I do like that it looks like this is a potential book 1 in a series.
I loved the cover on this one and was one of the reasons that I picked this book.
This book will appeal to people with a computer/coding/STEM background and anyone that likes a good enemies to lovers/workplace romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the early on scenes between Paige and Alex where they were building the tension. This had a satisfying conclusion, although I felt that some parts were rushed. Although I do like that it looks like this is a potential book 1 in a series.
I loved the cover on this one and was one of the reasons that I picked this book.
This book will appeal to people with a computer/coding/STEM background and anyone that likes a good enemies to lovers/workplace romance.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Brilliant but not especially confident coder Paige has been working in her spare time on a dating app to find not just compatible matches, but The One, the perfect soul mate. As she’s wrapping up the project, it indicates her perfect partner is none other than himbo (in her estimation) and marketing genius Alex. To her further dismay, the bickering she and Alex constantly engage in has drawn the attention of higher ups who make the two of them collaborate on an AI to perform conflict resolution and settle disputes.
As Paige and Alex spend long hours working together on the project, they realize that they’ve each been wrong about the other, and it’s not long before they begin a steamy, “strictly physical” relationship. Alex wants more than Paige is willing to give him, however, and he becomes hurt and frustrated by her lack of interest in trying to make a go of their relationship. A huge misunderstanding with a software developer leads to Paige withdrawing from Alex altogether, and he decides he must come up with a grand gesture or he risks losing her altogether.
I received an advance reader copy from Booksirens, and I’m sharing my honest review.
As Paige and Alex spend long hours working together on the project, they realize that they’ve each been wrong about the other, and it’s not long before they begin a steamy, “strictly physical” relationship. Alex wants more than Paige is willing to give him, however, and he becomes hurt and frustrated by her lack of interest in trying to make a go of their relationship. A huge misunderstanding with a software developer leads to Paige withdrawing from Alex altogether, and he decides he must come up with a grand gesture or he risks losing her altogether.
I received an advance reader copy from Booksirens, and I’m sharing my honest review.
January 17, 2026
I recieved the arc for free and I'm leaving my review voluntarily
Where to begin.... Miss Paige Reynolds is an independent, self aware and a damn smart coder. She knows what she wants and she is the one who does not give up until she has what she wants. Past trauma made her give up on feeling. Absolutely no L word ever words in her world.
Alex spencer is the type to hide his grief with sarcasm and flirting. Easy going and 'flirts with everything with a skirt' (not my words)
When her baby, her code, pairs her up with the notorious alex spencer, she is in denial. She is adamant that there's a glitch in her ' meticulously debugged the whole night ' code.
But one stuck elevation is all it took to send the sparks flying. Once ignited, their flame is not easy to distinguish.
What happens when alex spencer, who is a commitment kind of man falls for Paige who is looking for every possible excuse to divert her heart and his efforts into falling in love?
This is such a cute, short, funny and emotional read.
Where to begin.... Miss Paige Reynolds is an independent, self aware and a damn smart coder. She knows what she wants and she is the one who does not give up until she has what she wants. Past trauma made her give up on feeling. Absolutely no L word ever words in her world.
Alex spencer is the type to hide his grief with sarcasm and flirting. Easy going and 'flirts with everything with a skirt' (not my words)
When her baby, her code, pairs her up with the notorious alex spencer, she is in denial. She is adamant that there's a glitch in her ' meticulously debugged the whole night ' code.
But one stuck elevation is all it took to send the sparks flying. Once ignited, their flame is not easy to distinguish.
What happens when alex spencer, who is a commitment kind of man falls for Paige who is looking for every possible excuse to divert her heart and his efforts into falling in love?
This is such a cute, short, funny and emotional read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
4.5/5
This is an entertaining romantic comedy of two very opposite people who cannot deny the love that builds between them.
Paige is an introvert, in the neurodiverse scale, she is afraid ot trust, she is quiet, lonely. Alex is her opposite, he is fun, open, amable. When they are put together to work on a project, they clash, they banter, they fight the magnetic attraction, but her fear of being hurt and his family issues keeps them apart. But he will do the impossible to mend his mistakes, and pursuit her trying to make her understand that she is worth the love she is afraid of.
This is a steamy romantic love story that brings friendship, found family, understanding, hope and a sweet relationship to life!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an entertaining romantic comedy of two very opposite people who cannot deny the love that builds between them.
Paige is an introvert, in the neurodiverse scale, she is afraid ot trust, she is quiet, lonely. Alex is her opposite, he is fun, open, amable. When they are put together to work on a project, they clash, they banter, they fight the magnetic attraction, but her fear of being hurt and his family issues keeps them apart. But he will do the impossible to mend his mistakes, and pursuit her trying to make her understand that she is worth the love she is afraid of.
This is a steamy romantic love story that brings friendship, found family, understanding, hope and a sweet relationship to life!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2026
Love Bytes is an enemy to lovers rom-com, based in the tech world. I loved that Paige was written as such an intelligent character, who is amazing at her job. There is some good banter between the main characters and the AI responses were funny at times.
However, there are some significant plot holes and story lines that are just left blowing in the breeze. I also found the steamy scenes to be repetitive and the amount of them to be unnecessary. They didn't add to the story and it felt like they were filling gaps in the story that would have been better off being filled in with some back story and character development. A quick, relatively light read, but unfortunately not my favourite from this genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
However, there are some significant plot holes and story lines that are just left blowing in the breeze. I also found the steamy scenes to be repetitive and the amount of them to be unnecessary. They didn't add to the story and it felt like they were filling gaps in the story that would have been better off being filled in with some back story and character development. A quick, relatively light read, but unfortunately not my favourite from this genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
The entire book has quick and witty dialogue and great banter. All of the elements required to make a book a 5-star read are in these pages, but it reads as if all of the context and substance that ties all the witty dialogue together was cut out. A few chapters felt a little repetitive; as well as some lines. As a reader who loves dialogue heavy reads, I did find the dialogue extremely well written and fun… I just couldn't connect with either the FMC or the MMC without the context.
BUT - if you are looking for something quick, fun, and has some well written spice, say for a plane ride, then this would be a 4-star version of that.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
BUT - if you are looking for something quick, fun, and has some well written spice, say for a plane ride, then this would be a 4-star version of that.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
ARC REVIEW
2.5 / 5 stars.
I found the premise of this book intriguing and was really excited to dive in. Overall it wasn’t bad, but I don’t think this was for me.
I found the FMC really lacked character development. Her arms-length attitude wasn’t really flushed out so it made it harder to be empathetic.
Some of the chapters were hard to follow. At one point the FMC confides in her friend about wanting to stop things with the MMC and then in the next chapter asks what’s up with the main characters - like that conversation was erased?
This might be one of the only books where I felt more for the MMC than his female counterpart.
Thank you Book Sirens for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
2.5 / 5 stars.
I found the premise of this book intriguing and was really excited to dive in. Overall it wasn’t bad, but I don’t think this was for me.
I found the FMC really lacked character development. Her arms-length attitude wasn’t really flushed out so it made it harder to be empathetic.
Some of the chapters were hard to follow. At one point the FMC confides in her friend about wanting to stop things with the MMC and then in the next chapter asks what’s up with the main characters - like that conversation was erased?
This might be one of the only books where I felt more for the MMC than his female counterpart.
Thank you Book Sirens for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a bit of a mixed experience for me. The premise is cute, and as much as I hate to admit it, I'm a bit of a cover judger. I saw the cover, and it had Ali Hazelwood vibes, so I jumped in. There are definitely moments that shine, especially once the story gets going, but I had a hard time really getting interested at the beginning. The story felt rushed, and I didn't connect with either MC.
That said, it does pick up, and there’s a sweet, feel-good quality to the romance that makes it worth finishing. Overall, it was enjoyable, the premise is great, but it could be so much more.
I received an advance review copy for free (Thanks Book Sirens!), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That said, it does pick up, and there’s a sweet, feel-good quality to the romance that makes it worth finishing. Overall, it was enjoyable, the premise is great, but it could be so much more.
I received an advance review copy for free (Thanks Book Sirens!), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 15, 2026
I received an ARC of Love Bytes and leave this review voluntarily.
Love Bytes is a cute rom-com that follows a tech genius and her nemesis, a tech marketing genius. I really enjoyed bonding with the characters and learning how they think. I loved watching the enemies-to-lovers relationship flow. However, the pacing was off and the timeline felt like it was not linear. There were scenes that I believed should have happened sooner in order to make sense and the last 30%, for the most part, felt like it did not add to the story, which was disappointing because this was already on the shorter side. Despite this, I really enjoyed the plot while I was reading. Those scenes just had me a bit confused.
Love Bytes is a cute rom-com that follows a tech genius and her nemesis, a tech marketing genius. I really enjoyed bonding with the characters and learning how they think. I loved watching the enemies-to-lovers relationship flow. However, the pacing was off and the timeline felt like it was not linear. There were scenes that I believed should have happened sooner in order to make sense and the last 30%, for the most part, felt like it did not add to the story, which was disappointing because this was already on the shorter side. Despite this, I really enjoyed the plot while I was reading. Those scenes just had me a bit confused.
January 15, 2026
A new stem-inist book from Rory Quinn seemed too interesting to pass up. I was honored enough to get an ARC for my honest review.
This story starts with a very strong enemies plot. You can feel the contempt and loathing from the leads. Unsurprising the leap from hate to love interest is quick when the two are put into forced proximity.
My only issues with the plot were lack of clear consent and contraception when it leapt to a physical role. There were also a couple of confusing points where it eludes to one thing but then back tracks later.
It was an easy read with lots of romantic tension.
This story starts with a very strong enemies plot. You can feel the contempt and loathing from the leads. Unsurprising the leap from hate to love interest is quick when the two are put into forced proximity.
My only issues with the plot were lack of clear consent and contraception when it leapt to a physical role. There were also a couple of confusing points where it eludes to one thing but then back tracks later.
It was an easy read with lots of romantic tension.
Review of advance copy
I received an ARC copy from BookSirens in exchange for an honest review:
I was really excited for this book as I love reading anything involving women in STEM, especially with a touch of enemies to lovers! As much as this book seemed to be exactly my cup of tea, it fell flat for me personally. The pacing felt very rushed, there was virtually zero backstory or context behind character behaviour, and the dialogue was far too simplistic for my liking. I love romcoms but it still needs to have emotional depth and solid character development, so this just wasn’t it for me.
Thank you to BookSirens for the advanced copy!
I was really excited for this book as I love reading anything involving women in STEM, especially with a touch of enemies to lovers! As much as this book seemed to be exactly my cup of tea, it fell flat for me personally. The pacing felt very rushed, there was virtually zero backstory or context behind character behaviour, and the dialogue was far too simplistic for my liking. I love romcoms but it still needs to have emotional depth and solid character development, so this just wasn’t it for me.
Thank you to BookSirens for the advanced copy!
Review of advance copy
ARC Review - fast, quick and steamy
To be honest, I didn't really like reading this one so much. I had to put it down more often than not and it was kinda not what I was expecting it to be. I expected some workplace rivalry and banter and yearning, but it turns out this book is just insta-lust and co-workers with benefits that turn into lovers eventually.
I didn't even like the characters that much while reading it and finished it just to finish it. Although Alex is kinda funny and he grew on me. I can see people enjoy it tho it was just not for me.
Especially if you enjoy well written smut and chemistry between the two.
To be honest, I didn't really like reading this one so much. I had to put it down more often than not and it was kinda not what I was expecting it to be. I expected some workplace rivalry and banter and yearning, but it turns out this book is just insta-lust and co-workers with benefits that turn into lovers eventually.
I didn't even like the characters that much while reading it and finished it just to finish it. Although Alex is kinda funny and he grew on me. I can see people enjoy it tho it was just not for me.
Especially if you enjoy well written smut and chemistry between the two.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was elated that a WOMAN is a techie! Paige is definitely a left brain person putting more trust in numbers and what can be quantified. This story is very original and unexpected. I enjoyed how inquisitive Paige is to the point of questioning her own program. Alex is her office rival who she REFUSES to admit she is attracted to🤭. Their banter and push - pull is a very entertaining story .
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSieren, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSieren, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
I thought this books was very cute. I loved how the FMC was represented and that the MMC was a total softie. Sometimes the story felt a bit choppy but overall it was a wonderful story. I definitely think the addition of the side characters was crucial especially with Alex. Definitely read this if you are looking for a cute office romance!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Review of advance copy
The concept, and the adorable cover art are what initially drew me to Love Bytes. Tagline says they are work rivals to lovers, but the rival portion wasn’t pushed enough. The instalove kicked in, for both of them, too quickly for my tastes. I was expecting more of a slow burn, and was disappointed how quickly they coupled up. Overall a cute, low angst love story, good for a quick read.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC. My opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Definitely a black cat, enemy to lovers quick read.
I’ll admit the pacing was different which kept it interesting, but don’t you worry - no third act breakup!
I thought it was an interesting concept with the business roles somewhat reversed with Paige being a coder and Alex being in marketing.
The friends Jamie and Sam were a highlight for me, they added humour and sass at the perfect times.
Thank you to BookSirens and Rory for allowing me to read this book in advance 💜💜
I’ll admit the pacing was different which kept it interesting, but don’t you worry - no third act breakup!
I thought it was an interesting concept with the business roles somewhat reversed with Paige being a coder and Alex being in marketing.
The friends Jamie and Sam were a highlight for me, they added humour and sass at the perfect times.
Thank you to BookSirens and Rory for allowing me to read this book in advance 💜💜
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