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Engineering a Love Story
It's the year 2000—dot-coms, Bush v. Gore, and sky-high San Francisco rents. But while the country swoons with irrational exuberance, Chelsea Lefevre's life is collapsing faster than a tech bubble.
She'd had everything she thought she was supposed to want: a house on Boston's North Shore, exquisite wedding china, a Waspy mother-in-law. A steady, safe marriage. But after a mortifying slip-up, Chelsea finds herself heading into the 21st century alone. Her lifeboat? A new job advising tech execs, taken to escape the misogyny she endured as a software engineer—only to discover she has a surprising knack for spotting the next hot thing.
In this heady new world, Chelsea meets Seth Murphy, a magnetic sales executive at one of the country’s hottest startups. Professional boundaries make Seth off-limits, but Chelsea is tired of steady and safe. What starts as a casual fling soon spirals into a secret and intense affair, jeopardizing Chelsea’s career, newfound independence—and heart.
But as the bubble bursts, Chelsea will have to decode the difference between good enough and too good to be true, and reckon with how much a smart woman can risk when she’s the only female in the room.
Warm and witty, Engineering a Love Story is about growing up after a decade of adulthood and refusing to settle for a life that's less than the one you're capable of living.
She'd had everything she thought she was supposed to want: a house on Boston's North Shore, exquisite wedding china, a Waspy mother-in-law. A steady, safe marriage. But after a mortifying slip-up, Chelsea finds herself heading into the 21st century alone. Her lifeboat? A new job advising tech execs, taken to escape the misogyny she endured as a software engineer—only to discover she has a surprising knack for spotting the next hot thing.
In this heady new world, Chelsea meets Seth Murphy, a magnetic sales executive at one of the country’s hottest startups. Professional boundaries make Seth off-limits, but Chelsea is tired of steady and safe. What starts as a casual fling soon spirals into a secret and intense affair, jeopardizing Chelsea’s career, newfound independence—and heart.
But as the bubble bursts, Chelsea will have to decode the difference between good enough and too good to be true, and reckon with how much a smart woman can risk when she’s the only female in the room.
Warm and witty, Engineering a Love Story is about growing up after a decade of adulthood and refusing to settle for a life that's less than the one you're capable of living.
372 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Kathleen Reidy
2 books41 followersKathleen is a writer and public librarian based in the Boston area. Her debut novel, Engineering a Love Story, will be published by Sibylline Press in October 2026. She holds a master’s degree in library science. Before returning to public library work, Kathleen spent more than a decade in the tech industry. Her short fiction has been published by Puddingstone Press and WayWords. She lives with her husband, daughters, and fluffy best friend.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
October 13, 2026
I am not sure what i think. The story flowed smoothly, which made it an easy and enjoyable read, and I liked the ending, too. However, I think I was expecting something different. For some reason, I expected more drama, and I even thought the story might have a more negative ending. I also thought it would focus more on the challenges of working in a male-dominated field and how different things were in the early 2000s compared to today. Instead, I think the main point was her journey toward financial independence and learning to make decisions for herself without constantly considering other people’s expectations. I can appreciate that message, but I guess I was expecting the book to explore these themes in a different way. I liked it, but it wasn’t quite what I had in mind.
October 21, 2026
2.75 stars
This is a character-driven book with Chelsea at the center who is rebuilding her life after her marriage ends while navigating a male-dominated tech industry during the dot-com boom. I enjoyed the early-2000s setting (#nostalgia) and Chelsea’s personal growth, especially as she learns to trust herself and consider what she actually wants from her career and relationships.
However, I had trouble connecting with the romance, since Chelsea and Seth’s dynamic often felt repetitive and made it difficult to root for them as a couple. The detailed tech and political discussions also slowed the pacing for me at times. Overall, this was a promising novel with an interesting premise and relatable themes of independence and self-discovery, but it was more general fiction than the romance I expected.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is a character-driven book with Chelsea at the center who is rebuilding her life after her marriage ends while navigating a male-dominated tech industry during the dot-com boom. I enjoyed the early-2000s setting (#nostalgia) and Chelsea’s personal growth, especially as she learns to trust herself and consider what she actually wants from her career and relationships.
However, I had trouble connecting with the romance, since Chelsea and Seth’s dynamic often felt repetitive and made it difficult to root for them as a couple. The detailed tech and political discussions also slowed the pacing for me at times. Overall, this was a promising novel with an interesting premise and relatable themes of independence and self-discovery, but it was more general fiction than the romance I expected.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2026
Engineering a Love Story by Kathleen Reidy is a wonderful, deeply resonant blend of a classic "woman coming into her own" narrative and a poignant, nostalgic look back at the world we grew up in. For me, it was a mix that spoke directly to my soul, bridging the gap between historical tech history and universal human emotion.
Set at the dawn of the new millennium in the year 2000, the story drops readers into a beautifully rendered era of the Gore v. Bush election, the rising dot-com tech bubble, dialup connections, desktop computers, and chunky cellphones. We follow Chelsea Lefevre, a software engineer who is forced to rebuild her life from scratch after her carefully constructed reality completely unravels. Leaving behind a safe but stifling marriage, she steps into a high-stakes role advising tech executives, where she must navigate a cutthroat, misogynistic "bro culture." Here, she discovers an unexpected talent for spotting the next big thing, gaining a front-row seat to the high-pressure world of early 21st-century tech.
What blew me away most about this book was the profound emotional reflection it triggered in me. Reading this story meant looking at all the hopes of a new millennium presented in hindsight. It sparked the exact feelings I have now as a mature woman, looking back and wondering: what steps on the path did I miss that kept me from getting the future I was promised? Was it me or was the promise never real to begin with? Chelsea Lefevre shows that exact struggle in a way that links her beautifully to other classic literary women who stood up to get what they wanted, shirked off societal expectations and rigid conventions, and took the leap to earn their own fate.
Kathleen Reidy—a genuine tech industry veteran and librarian—blends the realities of the physical world together into a smart, banter-filled, and forward-facing story. I found myself smiling with a proud smile at the sheer guts of the year 2000, sometimes with a sad smile at how we truly hoped we would change the world, and other times smiling ruefully at the innocence we possessed regarding what technology could and could not do back then. We often forget that before social media, we could actually escape the noise.
But at the heart of it all, this is a story about people. The title, Engineering a Love Story, plays beautifully on all those intricate threads that Reidy works to weave together, forcing us to look at what we really want versus what we will struggle to accomplish. Chelsea initially has it all in the pristine, "Martha Stewart / Town & Country Magazine" style world we lived in at the turn of the last century. But when she sees how fragile that perfection is, and how easily a single mistake can undo years of work, she makes the conscious choice to embrace the 21st century and build a life of her own defining.
Witty, warm, and emotionally resonant, this is a beautiful, grown-up love story for people who live in the real world. A magnificent debut that will linger with me for a long time.
Set at the dawn of the new millennium in the year 2000, the story drops readers into a beautifully rendered era of the Gore v. Bush election, the rising dot-com tech bubble, dialup connections, desktop computers, and chunky cellphones. We follow Chelsea Lefevre, a software engineer who is forced to rebuild her life from scratch after her carefully constructed reality completely unravels. Leaving behind a safe but stifling marriage, she steps into a high-stakes role advising tech executives, where she must navigate a cutthroat, misogynistic "bro culture." Here, she discovers an unexpected talent for spotting the next big thing, gaining a front-row seat to the high-pressure world of early 21st-century tech.
What blew me away most about this book was the profound emotional reflection it triggered in me. Reading this story meant looking at all the hopes of a new millennium presented in hindsight. It sparked the exact feelings I have now as a mature woman, looking back and wondering: what steps on the path did I miss that kept me from getting the future I was promised? Was it me or was the promise never real to begin with? Chelsea Lefevre shows that exact struggle in a way that links her beautifully to other classic literary women who stood up to get what they wanted, shirked off societal expectations and rigid conventions, and took the leap to earn their own fate.
Kathleen Reidy—a genuine tech industry veteran and librarian—blends the realities of the physical world together into a smart, banter-filled, and forward-facing story. I found myself smiling with a proud smile at the sheer guts of the year 2000, sometimes with a sad smile at how we truly hoped we would change the world, and other times smiling ruefully at the innocence we possessed regarding what technology could and could not do back then. We often forget that before social media, we could actually escape the noise.
But at the heart of it all, this is a story about people. The title, Engineering a Love Story, plays beautifully on all those intricate threads that Reidy works to weave together, forcing us to look at what we really want versus what we will struggle to accomplish. Chelsea initially has it all in the pristine, "Martha Stewart / Town & Country Magazine" style world we lived in at the turn of the last century. But when she sees how fragile that perfection is, and how easily a single mistake can undo years of work, she makes the conscious choice to embrace the 21st century and build a life of her own defining.
Witty, warm, and emotionally resonant, this is a beautiful, grown-up love story for people who live in the real world. A magnificent debut that will linger with me for a long time.
October 4, 2026
Engineering a Love Story follows Chelsea navigating the 2000s as her life implodes after she makes the decision to divorce her husband. The marriage wasn’t bad but Chelsea realizes that she deserves to be in a relationship full of passion. Ash felt more like a friend and roommate than a husband. She makes the hard decision of ending the marriage, which also ends her relationship with his family and leads to some financial difficulties. Chelsea throws herself into work, at Gilroy, where she writes up a report on companies who are developing online banking systems. She is determined to prove herself especially due to having a horrible past experience of being the only woman in the software engineering sector. Then she meets Seth, who is a sales executive of one of the hottest startups called Allurial. Chelsea is immediately drawn to him but knows he is off-limits due to the need to be professional. But she is tired of playing it safe and decides to have a fling with Seth. This eventually turns into a secretive and intense affair that involves sneaking around and lying to everyone and it also puts Chelsea’s career at risk if anyone finds out. This book covers what it is like being a woman in a male-dominated field, a journey of finding oneself, and taking a leap of faith despite the risks.
This book was interesting, and I like how it begins with Chelsea’s decision to end her marriage. And I liked how Chelsea stuck with decision even though it Brough stability the safety to her life. I would say that the pacing is a bit slow and does not pick up until the middle. Once it picked up, it was hard to put the book down! I did feel like the book does get technical about software engineering and tech advising, where I did get lost because I am not familiar with the industry. I was confused about what Chelsea actually did for her job, but then was able to understand it better with seeing Chelsea carry out her job responsibilities. I was not a fan of Chelsea and Seth’s relationship because it felt like it was more lust than love. But I felt like the author did that on purpose. I really enjoyed seeing the moments when Chelsea actually focuses on herself and doing things that makes her happy. I also admire her perseverance and never giving up despite when things do not go her way. Overall, this was such an interesting romance/women’s fiction book, and I am so happy to have received the chance to read it!
Thank you to Get Red Pr, Author Kathleen Reidy, and Sibylline Press for the gifted copy of Engineering a Love Story!
Christinas.Chapter
TikTok | Blog
This book was interesting, and I like how it begins with Chelsea’s decision to end her marriage. And I liked how Chelsea stuck with decision even though it Brough stability the safety to her life. I would say that the pacing is a bit slow and does not pick up until the middle. Once it picked up, it was hard to put the book down! I did feel like the book does get technical about software engineering and tech advising, where I did get lost because I am not familiar with the industry. I was confused about what Chelsea actually did for her job, but then was able to understand it better with seeing Chelsea carry out her job responsibilities. I was not a fan of Chelsea and Seth’s relationship because it felt like it was more lust than love. But I felt like the author did that on purpose. I really enjoyed seeing the moments when Chelsea actually focuses on herself and doing things that makes her happy. I also admire her perseverance and never giving up despite when things do not go her way. Overall, this was such an interesting romance/women’s fiction book, and I am so happy to have received the chance to read it!
Thank you to Get Red Pr, Author Kathleen Reidy, and Sibylline Press for the gifted copy of Engineering a Love Story!
Christinas.Chapter
TikTok | Blog
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange of a honest review!
Unfortunately this one was just not it for me. I felt no connection or buy in to the characters. It was incredibly slow for me and I felt like I was either at work, a presidential debate or in the midst of a very lackluster situationship. I applaud how very real it is, but ultimately it dragged for me.
Synopsis says warm and witty and I didn’t feel either 😬
Unfortunately this one was just not it for me. I felt no connection or buy in to the characters. It was incredibly slow for me and I felt like I was either at work, a presidential debate or in the midst of a very lackluster situationship. I applaud how very real it is, but ultimately it dragged for me.
Synopsis says warm and witty and I didn’t feel either 😬
October 9, 2026
Messy, need to organize my review
#ad much love for my finished copy @getredpr #partner
Engineering A Love Story
< @
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴡ
It's not easy to go forward blindly and with optimism…
One of my favorite reads of 2026! And I can’t believe I just said that because… 🫣 it’s a ROMANCE. (It’s so much more than that tho.) Haha. Yep, Reidy has done it, made the impossible possible. I wonder if she will ever cross over into thriller territory, cuz the girl can write!
Chelsea and Ash have had a pretty steady marriage, but Chelsea doesn’t want the same things she once did. Though it means she’ll have to scramble and figure things out on her own, she’s made her decision. It’s time to move on from this marriage and the things that no longer suit her. But when she takes a new job, everything changes, because she’s found someone she can’t walk away from.
Engineering a Love Story by Kathleen Reidy is a bingeable and incredibly fun read that you simply can’t look away from. A debut that is sure to put Reidy on the map! I absolutely loved Chelsea’s character. She’s got her head on her shoulders and is practical about almost everything she does.
Loved the early 2000s setting and how Chelsea navigated her new job and the booming tech world. I was geeking out over all of that! But it’s Reidy’s writing that really made this book stand out to me. There’s a certain quality to her storytelling that I’ve encountered only a handful of times throughout my reading journey. It’s effortless, immersive, and incredibly authentic. Every once in a while, a book comes along that reminds me exactly why I love reading so much, and Engineering a Love Story was one of those books for me.
This needs to be a movie! I loved how real and authentic the story felt, from the characters to their relationships and all the complicated decisions in between. I do wish we’d gotten more of the counseling side of things because I find that aspect of relationships and human behavior so intriguing, but that’s such a minor thing.
I also loved the underlying themes of self-discovery, reinvention, independence, and the complicated relationship between love and security. It’s one of those books that really makes you think, because sometimes taking the biggest risk of your life doesn’t mean leaving behind everything you’ve built, but rather staying in that space when it no longer suits you.
This would make a GREAT book club read! There’s so much to unpack and discuss, especially when it comes to marriage, happiness, ambition, women in a male-dominating field, and the expectations we place on ourselves.
This story also made me think of that quote about how the very reasons you fall in love with someone are often the same reasons you eventually leave them. And there’s something both heartbreaking and fascinating about that.
Easily one of my BEST reads of the year! An exceptional debut, and I cannot wait to read whatever Reidy writes next.
#ad much love for my finished copy @getredpr #partner
Engineering A Love Story
< @
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴡ
It's not easy to go forward blindly and with optimism…
One of my favorite reads of 2026! And I can’t believe I just said that because… 🫣 it’s a ROMANCE. (It’s so much more than that tho.) Haha. Yep, Reidy has done it, made the impossible possible. I wonder if she will ever cross over into thriller territory, cuz the girl can write!
Chelsea and Ash have had a pretty steady marriage, but Chelsea doesn’t want the same things she once did. Though it means she’ll have to scramble and figure things out on her own, she’s made her decision. It’s time to move on from this marriage and the things that no longer suit her. But when she takes a new job, everything changes, because she’s found someone she can’t walk away from.
Engineering a Love Story by Kathleen Reidy is a bingeable and incredibly fun read that you simply can’t look away from. A debut that is sure to put Reidy on the map! I absolutely loved Chelsea’s character. She’s got her head on her shoulders and is practical about almost everything she does.
Loved the early 2000s setting and how Chelsea navigated her new job and the booming tech world. I was geeking out over all of that! But it’s Reidy’s writing that really made this book stand out to me. There’s a certain quality to her storytelling that I’ve encountered only a handful of times throughout my reading journey. It’s effortless, immersive, and incredibly authentic. Every once in a while, a book comes along that reminds me exactly why I love reading so much, and Engineering a Love Story was one of those books for me.
This needs to be a movie! I loved how real and authentic the story felt, from the characters to their relationships and all the complicated decisions in between. I do wish we’d gotten more of the counseling side of things because I find that aspect of relationships and human behavior so intriguing, but that’s such a minor thing.
I also loved the underlying themes of self-discovery, reinvention, independence, and the complicated relationship between love and security. It’s one of those books that really makes you think, because sometimes taking the biggest risk of your life doesn’t mean leaving behind everything you’ve built, but rather staying in that space when it no longer suits you.
This would make a GREAT book club read! There’s so much to unpack and discuss, especially when it comes to marriage, happiness, ambition, women in a male-dominating field, and the expectations we place on ourselves.
This story also made me think of that quote about how the very reasons you fall in love with someone are often the same reasons you eventually leave them. And there’s something both heartbreaking and fascinating about that.
Easily one of my BEST reads of the year! An exceptional debut, and I cannot wait to read whatever Reidy writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
💻💔 What happens when the life you carefully engineered crashes & you finally decide to build one that actually belongs to you?
Engineering a Love Story took me straight back to the year 2000 & I loved how this smart, witty & nostalgic story blends romance, career ambition, technology & the complicated process of figuring out what you actually want.
Chelsea Lefevre thought she had checked all the boxes: a beautiful home, wedding china, a respectable marriage & the life she was supposed to want. But after a humiliating mistake blows everything apart, Chelsea finds herself heading into a new century & a completely new life on her own.
I really connected with Chelsea’s journey of rebuilding herself. She escapes the misogyny she experienced as a software engineer by taking a job advising tech executives, only to discover she has a natural talent for recognizing what’s about to become the next big thing. Watching her step into her own intelligence & capabilities was one of my favorite parts of the story.
Then there’s Seth Murphy. 👀
He’s charming, magnetic, completely off-limits & exactly the kind of complication Chelsea probably doesn’t need. Their casual fling quickly becomes something much more intense, forcing Chelsea to balance her career, independence, heart & some seriously complicated choices.
What I appreciated most was that this isn’t simply a romance. It’s also a story about women in male-dominated spaces, starting over, ambition, self-worth & learning the difference between a life that looks good on paper & a life that actually feels right.
Smart, nostalgic, empowering & wonderfully messy, Engineering a Love Story reminded me that sometimes the best thing you can do when your carefully constructed life falls apart is stop following the blueprint.
📚 Thank you to Get Red PR & Kathleen Reidy for sharing this story with me!
Engineering a Love Story took me straight back to the year 2000 & I loved how this smart, witty & nostalgic story blends romance, career ambition, technology & the complicated process of figuring out what you actually want.
Chelsea Lefevre thought she had checked all the boxes: a beautiful home, wedding china, a respectable marriage & the life she was supposed to want. But after a humiliating mistake blows everything apart, Chelsea finds herself heading into a new century & a completely new life on her own.
I really connected with Chelsea’s journey of rebuilding herself. She escapes the misogyny she experienced as a software engineer by taking a job advising tech executives, only to discover she has a natural talent for recognizing what’s about to become the next big thing. Watching her step into her own intelligence & capabilities was one of my favorite parts of the story.
Then there’s Seth Murphy. 👀
He’s charming, magnetic, completely off-limits & exactly the kind of complication Chelsea probably doesn’t need. Their casual fling quickly becomes something much more intense, forcing Chelsea to balance her career, independence, heart & some seriously complicated choices.
What I appreciated most was that this isn’t simply a romance. It’s also a story about women in male-dominated spaces, starting over, ambition, self-worth & learning the difference between a life that looks good on paper & a life that actually feels right.
Smart, nostalgic, empowering & wonderfully messy, Engineering a Love Story reminded me that sometimes the best thing you can do when your carefully constructed life falls apart is stop following the blueprint.
📚 Thank you to Get Red PR & Kathleen Reidy for sharing this story with me!
October 6, 2026
Chelsea comes to the conclusion that her marriage needs to end. This book follows her separation, divorce and messy romantic life thereafter (during and before). She starts a relationship with Seth, but it needs to be secret because of their working relationship. Is she willing to risk her hard-earned tech industry career over what might just be a fling?
I really liked the first half of this. While she was going through the disintegration of her marriage and figuring out her life, that was where things shined. I wish she found a bit more independence during this instead of constantly thinking of her value by men and a job she was sometimes lackluster about in motivation. However, she was a very realistic narrator and easy to identify with.
I did think it dragged a bit after she moved out and as things were developing more with Seth. Maybe because I wasn't a big Seth fan? There was also too much politic talk and it got a little repetitive. But I was glad for what happened with her career in the ending and her attitude regarding it.
I'm trying to figure out how to also express that this book was a good worthwhile read because of reading through Chelsea's struggles after her divorce. I haven't read as many real takes on it or the perspective she has, which although set in the Dot Com bustle era, was still a modern take on her divorce. She knew what she wanted for herself in that department and what she didn't and I responded to that as a reader and liked this take.
Thank-you so much to Kathleen Reidy and Get Red PR for my free reader copy. Happy publication day!
I really liked the first half of this. While she was going through the disintegration of her marriage and figuring out her life, that was where things shined. I wish she found a bit more independence during this instead of constantly thinking of her value by men and a job she was sometimes lackluster about in motivation. However, she was a very realistic narrator and easy to identify with.
I did think it dragged a bit after she moved out and as things were developing more with Seth. Maybe because I wasn't a big Seth fan? There was also too much politic talk and it got a little repetitive. But I was glad for what happened with her career in the ending and her attitude regarding it.
I'm trying to figure out how to also express that this book was a good worthwhile read because of reading through Chelsea's struggles after her divorce. I haven't read as many real takes on it or the perspective she has, which although set in the Dot Com bustle era, was still a modern take on her divorce. She knew what she wanted for herself in that department and what she didn't and I responded to that as a reader and liked this take.
Thank-you so much to Kathleen Reidy and Get Red PR for my free reader copy. Happy publication day!
August 11, 2026
Title: Engineering a Love Story
Author: Kathleen Reidy
Release Date: 10-06-2026
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars)
In the age of the dot com boom in early 2000, we follow Chelsea Lefevre, a software engineer who is simply trying to find her place in the world. After a work trip resulting in a scandalous encounter with a co-worker, Chelsea is left reeling about her own marriage to Ash Kelsey. A marriage that has been coated in familiarity and friendship rather than passion and yearning. After many realizations, Chelsea embarks on a journey of self discovery only to tumble her way into bed with an off-limits sales-executive, resulting in a high-stakes once in a lifetime romance.
While Chelsea fights her way through the collapse of her personal identity, closest relationships, and misogynistic workforce, she finds herself labeled as the very cliche she doesn’t want to be. She is determined to prove to herself and everyone around her that she is more than meets the eye and deserves so much more than she’s been offered.
Kathleen Reidy, drew me in by chapter three and had me spending every free moment cheering on Chelsea’s emotional journey of self love and discovery. I devoured every second of this book and I can’t wait to see what happens when it comes out into the world.
Thank you Kathleen Reidy, Sibylline Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC!
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book from Sibylline Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of Engineering a Love Story.
Author: Kathleen Reidy
Release Date: 10-06-2026
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars)
In the age of the dot com boom in early 2000, we follow Chelsea Lefevre, a software engineer who is simply trying to find her place in the world. After a work trip resulting in a scandalous encounter with a co-worker, Chelsea is left reeling about her own marriage to Ash Kelsey. A marriage that has been coated in familiarity and friendship rather than passion and yearning. After many realizations, Chelsea embarks on a journey of self discovery only to tumble her way into bed with an off-limits sales-executive, resulting in a high-stakes once in a lifetime romance.
While Chelsea fights her way through the collapse of her personal identity, closest relationships, and misogynistic workforce, she finds herself labeled as the very cliche she doesn’t want to be. She is determined to prove to herself and everyone around her that she is more than meets the eye and deserves so much more than she’s been offered.
Kathleen Reidy, drew me in by chapter three and had me spending every free moment cheering on Chelsea’s emotional journey of self love and discovery. I devoured every second of this book and I can’t wait to see what happens when it comes out into the world.
Thank you Kathleen Reidy, Sibylline Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this e-ARC!
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book from Sibylline Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of Engineering a Love Story.
November 11, 2026
📖 Engineering a Love Story by Kathleen Reidy
✨ Publisher: Sibylline Press
🗓️ Out Now? Y
💫 Format: 📱📖
🗣️ Quick(ish) Take: I definitely went into this book expecting a romance, and while it is there, I would say the story focuses more on the tech industry at the inception of online banking and the FMC’s life. Our girl Chelsea is very political, and she is really into the Bush v. Gore debate/election, so politics is a heavy theme throughout the book. I had a hard time rooting for her because I didn’t like her much for most of the book, but I also thought she redeemed herself by the end. I wish she had stood up for herself in her personal life instead of letting people walk all over her. Her crumbling marriage to Ash didn’t impress me either, since he was arguably even worse than she was at irritating me.
Now, I know that makes it sound like I didn’t like this book, but I did, and it held my attention the entire time I was reading it. There isn’t an audiobook for it, but I almost wonder if it would have been harder to follow along if it were available. After reading the author’s bio, I can completely understand why this was set in tech, and she made that part very interesting to me. This is Reidy’s debut novel, and I'm interested to see what she writes about next.
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: N/A
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: .5🌶️
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
✨ Publisher: Sibylline Press
🗓️ Out Now? Y
💫 Format: 📱📖
🗣️ Quick(ish) Take: I definitely went into this book expecting a romance, and while it is there, I would say the story focuses more on the tech industry at the inception of online banking and the FMC’s life. Our girl Chelsea is very political, and she is really into the Bush v. Gore debate/election, so politics is a heavy theme throughout the book. I had a hard time rooting for her because I didn’t like her much for most of the book, but I also thought she redeemed herself by the end. I wish she had stood up for herself in her personal life instead of letting people walk all over her. Her crumbling marriage to Ash didn’t impress me either, since he was arguably even worse than she was at irritating me.
Now, I know that makes it sound like I didn’t like this book, but I did, and it held my attention the entire time I was reading it. There isn’t an audiobook for it, but I almost wonder if it would have been harder to follow along if it were available. After reading the author’s bio, I can completely understand why this was set in tech, and she made that part very interesting to me. This is Reidy’s debut novel, and I'm interested to see what she writes about next.
𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: ⭐⭐⭐
𝙰𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚘𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: N/A
𝙼𝚢 𝚂𝚙𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: .5🌶️
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Engineering A Love Story
By: Kathleen Reidy
Pub Date: October 6, 2026
Publisher: Sibylline Press
Tour: Get Red PR
Excited for what is next for this author, because this is an impressive debut. The early 2000 of the dot com, and political climate of Bush v. Gore. All still very fresh in my mind.
Chelsea has the life she always wanted, but perhaps the status quo is a little boring. She has a chance encounter with a sales executive, which blurs the lines in more ways than one. Their chemistry is off the charts.
I loved the banter, and how they both changed to find out what they truly needed. Sometimes life happens in the least way you expect, but that does not always turn out to be a bad thing.
Thank you to the author and Gt Red Pr for the advanced copy and having me on tour.
By: Kathleen Reidy
Pub Date: October 6, 2026
Publisher: Sibylline Press
Tour: Get Red PR
Excited for what is next for this author, because this is an impressive debut. The early 2000 of the dot com, and political climate of Bush v. Gore. All still very fresh in my mind.
Chelsea has the life she always wanted, but perhaps the status quo is a little boring. She has a chance encounter with a sales executive, which blurs the lines in more ways than one. Their chemistry is off the charts.
I loved the banter, and how they both changed to find out what they truly needed. Sometimes life happens in the least way you expect, but that does not always turn out to be a bad thing.
Thank you to the author and Gt Red Pr for the advanced copy and having me on tour.
Review of advance copy
Engineering a Love Story has such an interesting premise, and I loved the year 2000 setting, from the dot-com boom to the challenges of being a woman working in tech at the time.
For me, though, I never fully connected with the characters or became emotionally invested in the story. I found myself wanting a little more depth and more moments that allowed me to experience what Chelsea was feeling.
That said, this is a debut with a lot of interesting ideas, and I can absolutely see it working for readers who enjoy stories about women finding their footing, complicated relationships, and navigating ambitious careers in male dominated spaces.
Thank you for the gifted copy.
For me, though, I never fully connected with the characters or became emotionally invested in the story. I found myself wanting a little more depth and more moments that allowed me to experience what Chelsea was feeling.
That said, this is a debut with a lot of interesting ideas, and I can absolutely see it working for readers who enjoy stories about women finding their footing, complicated relationships, and navigating ambitious careers in male dominated spaces.
Thank you for the gifted copy.
October 5, 2026
I enjoyed this book !
Chelsea was such an easy character to root for as she starts over, finds her confidence, and tries to navigate a male-dominated tech world.
I loved the mix of romance, humour, career challenges, and early-2000s nostalgia. Chelsea and Seth had great chemistry, and I liked that the story was about more than just the romance—it was also about taking risks and figuring out what you actually want from life.
A fun, warm, and easy read with plenty of heart. 💕
Chelsea was such an easy character to root for as she starts over, finds her confidence, and tries to navigate a male-dominated tech world.
I loved the mix of romance, humour, career challenges, and early-2000s nostalgia. Chelsea and Seth had great chemistry, and I liked that the story was about more than just the romance—it was also about taking risks and figuring out what you actually want from life.
A fun, warm, and easy read with plenty of heart. 💕
November 11, 2026
3.35 stars rounded up, loved the atmosphere of this, Chelsea’s choices sometimes less so (I’m looking at you Seth)
August 7, 2026
Engineering a Love Story was, for me, a refreshing take on contemporary women’s fiction, exploring themes of love, identity, and self discovery.
Set in the early 2000s, the novel follows Chelsea, who has just ended her year-long marriage to her husband, Ash. As she begins to rebuild her life, she realizes that she no longer feels connected to the person she once was or the future she had imagined for herself. The story follows her journey as she navigates her life as a woman in the male-dominated tech industry, with all the challenges, frustrations, and successes that come with it. A new colleague further complicates her love life, forcing Chelsea to confront the difficult question about what she truly wants.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was its unpredictability. Rather than making the outcome of Chelsea’s relationships obvious, the story keeps you guessing until the very end, reflecting her own uncertainty about what – and who – she truly wants.
The writing style is engaging and easy to immerse yourself in. It is witty and humorous when the moment calls for it, while never shying away from deeply personal and emotionally complex topics.
Overall, I had a great time reading Engineering a Love Story. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories about people realizing that the life they have built no longer fits them, finding the courage to leave behind what feels safe, and embracing uncertainty in order to grow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC.
Set in the early 2000s, the novel follows Chelsea, who has just ended her year-long marriage to her husband, Ash. As she begins to rebuild her life, she realizes that she no longer feels connected to the person she once was or the future she had imagined for herself. The story follows her journey as she navigates her life as a woman in the male-dominated tech industry, with all the challenges, frustrations, and successes that come with it. A new colleague further complicates her love life, forcing Chelsea to confront the difficult question about what she truly wants.
One of my favorite aspects of the novel was its unpredictability. Rather than making the outcome of Chelsea’s relationships obvious, the story keeps you guessing until the very end, reflecting her own uncertainty about what – and who – she truly wants.
The writing style is engaging and easy to immerse yourself in. It is witty and humorous when the moment calls for it, while never shying away from deeply personal and emotionally complex topics.
Overall, I had a great time reading Engineering a Love Story. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven stories about people realizing that the life they have built no longer fits them, finding the courage to leave behind what feels safe, and embracing uncertainty in order to grow.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing an ARC.
August 11, 2026
Thank you @sibyllinepress and Kathleen Reidy for the ARC of Engineering a Love Story! 👩💻
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was such an interesting read! I loved the setting of the tech world during the 2000s, with the dot com bubble and innovation. To me, this book read far more lit fic than romance. The FMC grapples with her career and love life, making choices that can be a hard read, yet you can’t put it down! I liked the niche industry — software advising in the 2000s — and that was the highlight more than the romance. I recommend this book but just thought it was different than I expected! Pub date 10/6/26.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was such an interesting read! I loved the setting of the tech world during the 2000s, with the dot com bubble and innovation. To me, this book read far more lit fic than romance. The FMC grapples with her career and love life, making choices that can be a hard read, yet you can’t put it down! I liked the niche industry — software advising in the 2000s — and that was the highlight more than the romance. I recommend this book but just thought it was different than I expected! Pub date 10/6/26.
September 10, 2026
While I absolutely guzzled this book down, I found myself annoyed at the oddly specific technical language, pushy political narrative, and FMC’s terrible decision making. I did love the early 2000’s setting, and that it really read more like a women’s fiction than romance. I could’ve been just as happy with it ending without love than with love! Thank you Net Galley for the eARC!
August 10, 2026
I got this as an early advance from NetGalley. So a thank you to them!
This book just wasn’t it for me. The work talk was a little too much and too in depth it was kinda boring. And the politic talk was just a no for me. The storyline wasn’t horrible though and I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if the work talk was as frequent as it was.
This book just wasn’t it for me. The work talk was a little too much and too in depth it was kinda boring. And the politic talk was just a no for me. The storyline wasn’t horrible though and I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if the work talk was as frequent as it was.
October 7, 2026
Congratulations to Kathleen Reidy on her debut novel. Engineering a Love Story follows Chelsea, who tells her unsuspecting husband that she wants a divorce and follows her thru her self discovery. She learns to navigate her life working in the male dominated tech industry, learning to become financially independent and exploring new relationships. This book was set in the early 2000 and the author focused on the dot com industry and the politics of the day vs. the music or clothing to set the tone. This character driven novel shows on Chelsea becoming aware of her wants and needs while dealing with some of tge the difficult choices facing single woman. Not the fast paced romance many readers might expect. I found the characters relatable watching them navigate their attraction and future. The frat boys/business leaders could be annoying at times, but gave an indication of the emerging tech business. This ending worked perfectly for the story. I look forward to reading this author again.
Thanks to Sibylline Press and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.
Thanks to Sibylline Press and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.
July 20, 2026
Book Rating: ⭐️
This was an advanced readers copy from NetGalley.
The description of this book, in my opinion, did not match the book that I read. I did not like how the narration was written or that back and forth of talking about past and present. And this book was written in first person. It got weirdly political at the most random moments. The author would also go into significant detail on things that I didn’t think were important to the story.
Also, there was a study guide at the end of the book.
This was an advanced readers copy from NetGalley.
The description of this book, in my opinion, did not match the book that I read. I did not like how the narration was written or that back and forth of talking about past and present. And this book was written in first person. It got weirdly political at the most random moments. The author would also go into significant detail on things that I didn’t think were important to the story.
Also, there was a study guide at the end of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What a captivating debut novel by Kathleen Reidy! I felt so connected to Chelsea from the very beginning. She represents so many experiences that women face at one point or another: discovering who they are, falling in love, navigating a career in a male dominated field, and finding their place in the world after realizing they're on the wrong path.
We meet Chelsea as she leaves a tech conference and heads home to her college sweetheart, Ash. She begins to realize that she may have rushed into marriage and that the life she envisioned for herself no longer feels right. In her new role at a tech company, advising executives in the post-Y2K era, she constantly finds herself as the only woman in the room. When she becomes swept up in a whirlwind affair with the sales executive at an emerging startup in her field, things quickly become complicated.
I really connected with Chelsea during this confusing period in her life. She tries so hard to appear like she has everything together while rediscovering her independence and fighting to be taken seriously in a male dominated industry. It was refreshing to watch her come to terms with the fact that her marriage wasn't right for her and that it was okay to choose a different path.
I also thought Seth made perfect sense for Chelsea. As the complete opposite of Ash, he offered her a new perspective on life that she desperately needed. While I didn't always agree with Seth's actions, I never doubted his feelings or the genuine connection they shared. I also appreciated the time period in which this story takes place. The emergence of new technology, the absence of social media, and the backdrop of politics all combined to make this a thoughtful and compelling romance.
If you love:
▪️ Self-discovery
▪️ Emotional growth
▪️ Workplace romance
▪️ Tech industry setting
▪️ Strong female protagonists
▪️ Early 2000s nostalgia
▪️ Second chances at happiness
I can't wait to read her next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We meet Chelsea as she leaves a tech conference and heads home to her college sweetheart, Ash. She begins to realize that she may have rushed into marriage and that the life she envisioned for herself no longer feels right. In her new role at a tech company, advising executives in the post-Y2K era, she constantly finds herself as the only woman in the room. When she becomes swept up in a whirlwind affair with the sales executive at an emerging startup in her field, things quickly become complicated.
I really connected with Chelsea during this confusing period in her life. She tries so hard to appear like she has everything together while rediscovering her independence and fighting to be taken seriously in a male dominated industry. It was refreshing to watch her come to terms with the fact that her marriage wasn't right for her and that it was okay to choose a different path.
I also thought Seth made perfect sense for Chelsea. As the complete opposite of Ash, he offered her a new perspective on life that she desperately needed. While I didn't always agree with Seth's actions, I never doubted his feelings or the genuine connection they shared. I also appreciated the time period in which this story takes place. The emergence of new technology, the absence of social media, and the backdrop of politics all combined to make this a thoughtful and compelling romance.
If you love:
▪️ Self-discovery
▪️ Emotional growth
▪️ Workplace romance
▪️ Tech industry setting
▪️ Strong female protagonists
▪️ Early 2000s nostalgia
▪️ Second chances at happiness
I can't wait to read her next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
Engineering a Love Story is a thoughtful, character-driven novel that takes a quieter, more introspective approach to romance. Rather than relying on sweeping gestures or idealized happily ever afters, it explores the complexities of love, ambition, timing, and the difficult questions that arise when you’ve found love but still wonder if there is something more.
Set in 2000 during the Gore-Bush presidential election, the story is woven together with references to the debates, election night, the recount, and the Supreme Court ruling. As someone who lived through that era, albeit as a high school student, I appreciated how these moments grounded the story in a very specific point in time. The historical references felt authentic without overwhelming the narrative and served as subtle markers of the characters’ lives unfolding alongside a pivotal moment in American history.
The writing itself is understated, literary, and emotionally restrained. It reminded me at times of My Year of Rest and Relaxation in its observational style and deliberate pacing. This is not a light, frilly romance. It is gritty, reflective, and populated by flawed, complex characters whose choices feel rooted in real life rather than genre conventions. The emotional payoff comes not from dramatic twists but from watching these characters slowly reveal themselves and navigate the uncertainty of adulthood, relationships, and the future.
Readers looking for a fast-paced romance or a fairy tale ending may find the pacing too measured. But if you enjoy literary fiction, nuanced character studies, and stories that acknowledge love is not always simple or neatly resolved, this book is well worth picking up. I think many readers who have experienced love while still questioning what they want from life will find something relatable within these pages.
Overall, I found this to be an engaging and memorable read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Engineering a Love Story is a thoughtful, character-driven novel that takes a quieter, more introspective approach to romance. Rather than relying on sweeping gestures or idealized happily ever afters, it explores the complexities of love, ambition, timing, and the difficult questions that arise when you’ve found love but still wonder if there is something more.
Set in 2000 during the Gore-Bush presidential election, the story is woven together with references to the debates, election night, the recount, and the Supreme Court ruling. As someone who lived through that era, albeit as a high school student, I appreciated how these moments grounded the story in a very specific point in time. The historical references felt authentic without overwhelming the narrative and served as subtle markers of the characters’ lives unfolding alongside a pivotal moment in American history.
The writing itself is understated, literary, and emotionally restrained. It reminded me at times of My Year of Rest and Relaxation in its observational style and deliberate pacing. This is not a light, frilly romance. It is gritty, reflective, and populated by flawed, complex characters whose choices feel rooted in real life rather than genre conventions. The emotional payoff comes not from dramatic twists but from watching these characters slowly reveal themselves and navigate the uncertainty of adulthood, relationships, and the future.
Readers looking for a fast-paced romance or a fairy tale ending may find the pacing too measured. But if you enjoy literary fiction, nuanced character studies, and stories that acknowledge love is not always simple or neatly resolved, this book is well worth picking up. I think many readers who have experienced love while still questioning what they want from life will find something relatable within these pages.
Overall, I found this to be an engaging and memorable read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for an ARC.
4 stars
There are two books I always recommend if you are struggling to figure out who you are and what you want in life, especially if you are in your mid to late 20s. Engineering a Love Story by Kathleen Reidy will now be the third.
Set in the early 2000s, Reidy accurately depicted the struggles of a working woman in a male dominated field, all while trying to navigate rocky interpersonal relationships. Chelsea is the epitome of what may be traditionally perceived as a flawed character, that is if you ignore the road to self-discovery she is on. Did she make questionable choices at times? Yes, but that’s the beauty (or ugliness, I should say) in life. It takes an immense amount of courage to leave something you deem safe and secure, especially not knowing if what’s to come will be worse. As a woman in my mid 20s, there are many times I found myself relating to what Chelsea was going through and, within those situations, how difficult it is to deal with the consequences and emotions they bring (AKA got flashbacks of an old situationship, yikessss!).
However, I will note that many characters within the story seem to normalize cheating in the name of "true love", which definitely rubbed me the wrong way, so keep that in mind when moving forward. There was also a lot more political talk than I expected, and as a Canadian who merely knows the basics of American Politics from the 2000s (I was barely born...), it did at times disrupt my flow.
Overall, I would read this book if you feel like you’re stagnant in life and are scared to take risks or leave your comfort zone, because in the end, life is what we make of it, not what is expected of us.
4 stars
There are two books I always recommend if you are struggling to figure out who you are and what you want in life, especially if you are in your mid to late 20s. Engineering a Love Story by Kathleen Reidy will now be the third.
Set in the early 2000s, Reidy accurately depicted the struggles of a working woman in a male dominated field, all while trying to navigate rocky interpersonal relationships. Chelsea is the epitome of what may be traditionally perceived as a flawed character, that is if you ignore the road to self-discovery she is on. Did she make questionable choices at times? Yes, but that’s the beauty (or ugliness, I should say) in life. It takes an immense amount of courage to leave something you deem safe and secure, especially not knowing if what’s to come will be worse. As a woman in my mid 20s, there are many times I found myself relating to what Chelsea was going through and, within those situations, how difficult it is to deal with the consequences and emotions they bring (AKA got flashbacks of an old situationship, yikessss!).
However, I will note that many characters within the story seem to normalize cheating in the name of "true love", which definitely rubbed me the wrong way, so keep that in mind when moving forward. There was also a lot more political talk than I expected, and as a Canadian who merely knows the basics of American Politics from the 2000s (I was barely born...), it did at times disrupt my flow.
Overall, I would read this book if you feel like you’re stagnant in life and are scared to take risks or leave your comfort zone, because in the end, life is what we make of it, not what is expected of us.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Chelsea Lefevre has everything she always thought she w0uld want: a good job, a house on Boston’s North Shore, a safe, steady marriage with a good, steady man. However, a mortifying slip-up, leaves her reeling, and wondering whether her life really is as perfect as it seems.
From the very beginning, this story hooked me, and it would not leave my mind. I loved every second I spent reading this book, and I wanted nothing more than to go back to it every time I had to put it down. The writing style played such a huge part in it, with how engaging it was, and easily it fl0wed. It perfectly balanced the more serious tone of the story with a great amount of humour.
Chelsea is such an interesting, lovely character to be following. As more and more of her life seems to collapse around her, you can't help but root for her, to see her succeed and be happy. There is never any certainty about how things are going to go down for her at any point, and that also worked wonders to keep you on your toes at all times.
We meet her at a point in her life where she is figuring herself out all over again, trying to understand what works, what is right for her and what isn't. All while trying to appear like she has it all together, and trying to make herself be heard and seen at work, where she has to fight to be taken seriously as, more often than not, the only woman in the room.
It genuinely is such an interesting, thought-provoking novel, that covers such important topics, and opens conversations that might not be so easy, but need to be had. I had the best time reading this, and I would absolutely recommend it.
Many thanks to Sibylline Press & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
From the very beginning, this story hooked me, and it would not leave my mind. I loved every second I spent reading this book, and I wanted nothing more than to go back to it every time I had to put it down. The writing style played such a huge part in it, with how engaging it was, and easily it fl0wed. It perfectly balanced the more serious tone of the story with a great amount of humour.
Chelsea is such an interesting, lovely character to be following. As more and more of her life seems to collapse around her, you can't help but root for her, to see her succeed and be happy. There is never any certainty about how things are going to go down for her at any point, and that also worked wonders to keep you on your toes at all times.
We meet her at a point in her life where she is figuring herself out all over again, trying to understand what works, what is right for her and what isn't. All while trying to appear like she has it all together, and trying to make herself be heard and seen at work, where she has to fight to be taken seriously as, more often than not, the only woman in the room.
It genuinely is such an interesting, thought-provoking novel, that covers such important topics, and opens conversations that might not be so easy, but need to be had. I had the best time reading this, and I would absolutely recommend it.
Many thanks to Sibylline Press & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Four stars because I loved the specificity of this story - the nineties, the dot coms and Silicon Valley wealth/excess/doom and despair, and the boldness of the author to talk about the presidential debates. My god, I was so impressed that she took this book and centered it in a very pivotal place of modern history, and she made it romance + cultural relevance with political drama. Well done, Kathleen Reidy.
Chelsea as a female main character is interestingly unfinished, moving through her nascent divorce unsure of how to trust her instincts. Her financial outlook post-divorce is a huge plot point, because she's living paycheck to paycheck in a new apartment and new life. Enter Seth, a software salesman that she works much too closely with and who really falls for her, seduces her, and then shows many unattractive, undesirable sides. Chelsea has to decide between what is moral, what works for her financially, and whether to trust Seth when he sometimes feels like the only right thing.
The slow burn and romance was very realistic, and Seth was such an interesting love interest because he was handsome, impulsive, and at times off-putting (more than just the Republican thing, but yes, the Republican thing). I was just very surprised at the ending, because I would have taken a different path, hence the review, but this was so truly enjoyable and well-paced. I just don't understand the choices at the end, but maybe that's more realistic.
My thanks to Kathleen Reidy, Sibylline Press, and NetGalley for the ARC to review early.
Chelsea as a female main character is interestingly unfinished, moving through her nascent divorce unsure of how to trust her instincts. Her financial outlook post-divorce is a huge plot point, because she's living paycheck to paycheck in a new apartment and new life. Enter Seth, a software salesman that she works much too closely with and who really falls for her, seduces her, and then shows many unattractive, undesirable sides. Chelsea has to decide between what is moral, what works for her financially, and whether to trust Seth when he sometimes feels like the only right thing.
The slow burn and romance was very realistic, and Seth was such an interesting love interest because he was handsome, impulsive, and at times off-putting (more than just the Republican thing, but yes, the Republican thing). I was just very surprised at the ending, because I would have taken a different path, hence the review, but this was so truly enjoyable and well-paced. I just don't understand the choices at the end, but maybe that's more realistic.
My thanks to Kathleen Reidy, Sibylline Press, and NetGalley for the ARC to review early.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Chelsea Lefevre has built the life she thought she was supposed to have, which includes a stable marriage, a beautiful home and all the trappings of a comfortable life. But after her marriage falls apart, she takes a job advising tech executives, hoping to escape the misogyny she experienced as a software engineer. Instead, she discovers she has a real talent for spotting which companies are likely to succeed. Seth Murphy is a charismatic sales executive that Chelsea meets through work. Their professional situation makes him very much off-limits, but the attraction between them is hard to ignore. What begins as a casual, secret relationship becomes increasingly complicated as Chelsea starts to realise that it could affect not only her career and newfound independence, but also her heart.
I really enjoyed watching Chelsea find her confidence and discover that she was capable of much more than she had previously given herself credit for. I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Seth even when their situation became frustrating. The dot-com boom and the world of San Francisco tech gave the story an interesting backdrop, particularly seeing Chelsea navigate an industry that was still very much a boys’ club while establishing herself on her own terms. Chelsea’s journey was my favourite part of the book. I liked seeing her move beyond the expectations she had placed on herself and work out what she wanted from her life. Overall, an enjoyable romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed watching Chelsea find her confidence and discover that she was capable of much more than she had previously given herself credit for. I enjoyed the chemistry between her and Seth even when their situation became frustrating. The dot-com boom and the world of San Francisco tech gave the story an interesting backdrop, particularly seeing Chelsea navigate an industry that was still very much a boys’ club while establishing herself on her own terms. Chelsea’s journey was my favourite part of the book. I liked seeing her move beyond the expectations she had placed on herself and work out what she wanted from her life. Overall, an enjoyable romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Kathleen Reidy dedicated her debut novel, 𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬, to "Anyone who fell in love in the days of dial-up," and I can see why: it's a nostalgic trip back to the year 2000. With chunky cell phones and pashmina wraps as accessories and Bush vs. Gore and the dot-com boom as the back drop, this novel isn't just a romance; it's a look at a woman navigating self-discovery in an uncertain world.
The story follows Chelsea, a tech analyst who walks away from her marriage after realizing she has traded passion for comfort. As she scrambles to rebuild her life, she collides with Seth, a charismatic sales executive for a hot startup her company covers. An affair crosses every professional line in the book, but their chemistry is undeniable, putting both Chelsea’s career and her heart on the line.
Chelsea is a complex protagonist. There were moments I wanted to scream at her choices, but I also understood why she was making them - moving straight from her father's house to college to marriage, this is her very first taste of rebellion, and you can't help but root for her. Reidy’s background in tech shines in the authenticity of the industry plot lines, and the love scenes are closed-door. This reads like women's fiction with a compelling quarter-life coming-of-age vibe that would be perfect for book club discussions.
Adding to the joy of this debut is the author's own story: Reidy wrote and published it after turning 50, which is incredibly inspiring.
Thanks to the author and Get Red PR for the copy to review.
The story follows Chelsea, a tech analyst who walks away from her marriage after realizing she has traded passion for comfort. As she scrambles to rebuild her life, she collides with Seth, a charismatic sales executive for a hot startup her company covers. An affair crosses every professional line in the book, but their chemistry is undeniable, putting both Chelsea’s career and her heart on the line.
Chelsea is a complex protagonist. There were moments I wanted to scream at her choices, but I also understood why she was making them - moving straight from her father's house to college to marriage, this is her very first taste of rebellion, and you can't help but root for her. Reidy’s background in tech shines in the authenticity of the industry plot lines, and the love scenes are closed-door. This reads like women's fiction with a compelling quarter-life coming-of-age vibe that would be perfect for book club discussions.
Adding to the joy of this debut is the author's own story: Reidy wrote and published it after turning 50, which is incredibly inspiring.
Thanks to the author and Get Red PR for the copy to review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This starts off strong, and is well written on a paragraph to paragraph basis, a main character with an interesting backstory making interesting life decisions. Unfortunately it slowly grinds its way through a lacklustre plot. Lots of focus is placed on Chelsea's job - she's an analyst for a company that makes recommendations to other companies on tech products. The only things she ever seemed to do for work was have meetings with tech companies and take their word for their products and listen to rumours. There is much talk of research, but no evidence of it. It seems like the most B-Ark job I've never heard of.
This book is aggressively set in the year 2000. Authors have different ways of doing this - mentioning fashion, music, or other popular culture. Kathleen Reidy does it through tech and politics. We get a detailed replay of the 2000 USA presidential election.
The other (and bigger) problem is the relationship at the heart of this book. We are given no reason to think it's good idea. It's a rebound situationship, not a tense and exciting affair. Seth is described as very beautiful. Everything else about him is negative. This is not a book about a woman "refusing to settle for a life that's less than the one you are capable of living" as the blurb text states, but the story of a dependent woman lurching from one unsuitable relationship to the next.
There is a study guide at the end of the book, which was an odd little addition.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is aggressively set in the year 2000. Authors have different ways of doing this - mentioning fashion, music, or other popular culture. Kathleen Reidy does it through tech and politics. We get a detailed replay of the 2000 USA presidential election.
The other (and bigger) problem is the relationship at the heart of this book. We are given no reason to think it's good idea. It's a rebound situationship, not a tense and exciting affair. Seth is described as very beautiful. Everything else about him is negative. This is not a book about a woman "refusing to settle for a life that's less than the one you are capable of living" as the blurb text states, but the story of a dependent woman lurching from one unsuitable relationship to the next.
There is a study guide at the end of the book, which was an odd little addition.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sibylline Press for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 13, 2026
I went into Engineering a Love Story expecting a swoony love story, and ended up getting almost everything but that.
Set in the year 2000, we follow Chelsea, a recently single woman who throws herself into a new career advising tech executives after leaving behind a life and a marriage that were supposed to be safe and steady. She quickly discovers she has a talent for spotting the next big thing, but things get a little more complicated when a work assignment brings her face-to-face with Seth, a magnetic sales executive who is very much off-limits.
And then there's the part of the book that surprised me: I expected romance. Instead, I got a story that seemed much more interested in everything behind love and figuring out what you actually want when the life you planned for yourself no longer fits.
The writing is captivating, although I'll admit it didn't pull me in right away. This was one of those books I had to put down, come back to, reread a few pages, rediscover, and then keep going. Somewhere along the way, I finally found myself really appreciating what it was doing.
I didn't go into this one expecting much, which probably is for the best and made the surprise even better. It's thoughtful, a little different, and maybe even a refreshing way of looking at the genre.
Set in the year 2000, we follow Chelsea, a recently single woman who throws herself into a new career advising tech executives after leaving behind a life and a marriage that were supposed to be safe and steady. She quickly discovers she has a talent for spotting the next big thing, but things get a little more complicated when a work assignment brings her face-to-face with Seth, a magnetic sales executive who is very much off-limits.
And then there's the part of the book that surprised me: I expected romance. Instead, I got a story that seemed much more interested in everything behind love and figuring out what you actually want when the life you planned for yourself no longer fits.
The writing is captivating, although I'll admit it didn't pull me in right away. This was one of those books I had to put down, come back to, reread a few pages, rediscover, and then keep going. Somewhere along the way, I finally found myself really appreciating what it was doing.
I didn't go into this one expecting much, which probably is for the best and made the surprise even better. It's thoughtful, a little different, and maybe even a refreshing way of looking at the genre.
October 23, 2026
This was a realistic story of a young woman losing and finding herself as she tries to live her life authentically. Chelsea, as complicated as you or me, has to learn to listen to her heart, and how to repair relationships.
She’s a software specialist trying to excel and climb the ranks of her firm, while quitting her lackluster marriage. When she finds the passion that was missing in her marriage, she screws it up a bit like a lot of people do. I thought she was more realistic than a lot of romance heroines, though this book is at the interface of women’s fiction. The love angle is so complicated it’s not clear to the reader how the couple will go forward. A bad workplace decision haunts her for a while, too. It’s the year 2000, and I found it interesting to peek into the work lives of Chelsea and Seth, who attend the messy birth of e-commerce, startup culture and the tech bubble.
The work parts of the story were will written in my opinion. The prose is clear and the action moves at a good pace. If I have a quibble, it’s the story thread of the Bush/Gore election. It was probably irresistible to include, given how the whole drama plays out over time with uncertainty, like Chelsea’s life, but it felt like it was written from a perspective of a quarter-century later, when conflicting politics is so much more a danger to relationships.
She’s a software specialist trying to excel and climb the ranks of her firm, while quitting her lackluster marriage. When she finds the passion that was missing in her marriage, she screws it up a bit like a lot of people do. I thought she was more realistic than a lot of romance heroines, though this book is at the interface of women’s fiction. The love angle is so complicated it’s not clear to the reader how the couple will go forward. A bad workplace decision haunts her for a while, too. It’s the year 2000, and I found it interesting to peek into the work lives of Chelsea and Seth, who attend the messy birth of e-commerce, startup culture and the tech bubble.
The work parts of the story were will written in my opinion. The prose is clear and the action moves at a good pace. If I have a quibble, it’s the story thread of the Bush/Gore election. It was probably irresistible to include, given how the whole drama plays out over time with uncertainty, like Chelsea’s life, but it felt like it was written from a perspective of a quarter-century later, when conflicting politics is so much more a danger to relationships.
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