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The Love Code: A spicy secret-enemies-turned lovers STEM romance
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26Jenna, a talented web developer by day and a cyber vigilante by night, wages a covert cyberwar against Belmayer, a giant oil company she believes was responsible for her father's death while at work on a rig eight years ago.
But unbeknown to her, Kieran, her childhood friend and long-time secret crush, now heads up Belmayer's cybersecurity team.
When their paths collide at a family wedding, their old feelings are rekindled. However, Jenna's double life and relentless pursuit of justice put their relationship to the test, and she must face the fact that bringing down Belmayer makes her the secret enemy of the man she loves...
Fans of Ali Hazelwood and Helen Hoang will adore this spicy STEM romance, featuring the ultimate forbidden access love story.
But unbeknown to her, Kieran, her childhood friend and long-time secret crush, now heads up Belmayer's cybersecurity team.
When their paths collide at a family wedding, their old feelings are rekindled. However, Jenna's double life and relentless pursuit of justice put their relationship to the test, and she must face the fact that bringing down Belmayer makes her the secret enemy of the man she loves...
Fans of Ali Hazelwood and Helen Hoang will adore this spicy STEM romance, featuring the ultimate forbidden access love story.
- GenresRomance
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication November 17, 2026
About the author
Connie Kitson
1 bookConnie Kitson has worked alongside developers and within app teams as a digital marketing manager for over ten years, which has honed her ability to translate technical jargon into compelling narratives and provided the inspiration for The Love Code. Connie’s love for romance novels and films – the meet-cutes, the raw exploration of relationships, and that unmistakable fuzzy feeling – has inspired her to bring her own ideas to life, diving into the complexities of love with the same passion and excitement.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4,5/5
This is my first book by this author and it I loved it!
I am so glad I got an early copy from NetGalley..
This was a super adictive read. A love story that took years in the make and then add the STEM and suspense twist to it and you have a great romance. Jenna & Keiran have known each other since they were in their teens, their link is her brother Callum. There was an infatuation that slowly built into feelings that they kept quiet, until he left for the army and she suffered the loss of her father.
They reunite at her brother's wedding. and there is a recognition of feelings years in the making, but though they are still the young kids from the past, now they each hold secrets that could destroy what they have not built yet
Jenna was always smart.. she loved puzzles and patterns,math was something that came easily to her, so after a tragedy that broke her family and left her with severe anxiety, she decided to use her strengths to learn about coding and systems becoming a wiz, a hacker. And she has used her skills to find secrets, but her main reason is trying to find the truth behind her dad's death, I loved this character, she was a genius in disguised, and a very relatable one, she has low self esteem, she has crippling anxiety, she is quiet, she wears a mask, and comes alive behind a screen, she is loyal, she is painfully in need of peace the kind she had when her dad was alive and Keiran was around,.
Keiran is a man who left to fiind himself, he always had feelings for Jenna, but her brother was a sort of deal breaker/off limits situationship, He goes onto cyber security because he loves the details.. He sees his profession as a way to protect and keep his employers protected while punishing the hackers.
Together they are just perfect, he is the care to her absentmind, she is the color to his structured life, their love is sweet , passionate, caring, there is a hint of innocence from the past and memories, but also a tension about the secrets she holds and the part of her she keeps to herself. He is so sweet with her when she breaks down, but you also feel for him when he feels the sting of deceit.
I am not going to give much of the plot away (and trust me I could talk about this book with great extent), but there is a secret that can decimate not just their reunion, their relationship, but an entire reality that is built on a conspiracy and a lie.
A super entertaining read!!
This is my first book by this author and it I loved it!
I am so glad I got an early copy from NetGalley..
This was a super adictive read. A love story that took years in the make and then add the STEM and suspense twist to it and you have a great romance. Jenna & Keiran have known each other since they were in their teens, their link is her brother Callum. There was an infatuation that slowly built into feelings that they kept quiet, until he left for the army and she suffered the loss of her father.
They reunite at her brother's wedding. and there is a recognition of feelings years in the making, but though they are still the young kids from the past, now they each hold secrets that could destroy what they have not built yet
Jenna was always smart.. she loved puzzles and patterns,math was something that came easily to her, so after a tragedy that broke her family and left her with severe anxiety, she decided to use her strengths to learn about coding and systems becoming a wiz, a hacker. And she has used her skills to find secrets, but her main reason is trying to find the truth behind her dad's death, I loved this character, she was a genius in disguised, and a very relatable one, she has low self esteem, she has crippling anxiety, she is quiet, she wears a mask, and comes alive behind a screen, she is loyal, she is painfully in need of peace the kind she had when her dad was alive and Keiran was around,.
Keiran is a man who left to fiind himself, he always had feelings for Jenna, but her brother was a sort of deal breaker/off limits situationship, He goes onto cyber security because he loves the details.. He sees his profession as a way to protect and keep his employers protected while punishing the hackers.
Together they are just perfect, he is the care to her absentmind, she is the color to his structured life, their love is sweet , passionate, caring, there is a hint of innocence from the past and memories, but also a tension about the secrets she holds and the part of her she keeps to herself. He is so sweet with her when she breaks down, but you also feel for him when he feels the sting of deceit.
I am not going to give much of the plot away (and trust me I could talk about this book with great extent), but there is a secret that can decimate not just their reunion, their relationship, but an entire reality that is built on a conspiracy and a lie.
A super entertaining read!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In an attempt to get justice after her father's death, Jenna plunges into the dark underbelly of the web and hacks into a major corporation where her father once worked. Kieran works at that same company and is head of cybersecurity. Behind their screens, they are enemies, but in the real world, they've known each other nearly their entire lives, and the romantic tension between them has been simmering for years.
This is a wonderfully sweet story, but with a solid detective undercurrent that keeps the pacing tight. Jenna is an incredibly sharp, fiercely determined young woman, the kind of heroine you can't help but root for. The author does a remarkable job of describing the technical side of hacking; it's genuinely helps you sink into Jenna's mindset and feel the stakes of what she's doing.
What I also really appreciated was the character development. Both Jenna and Kieran grow throughout the story, they challenge each other's perspectives, evolve in subtle but meaningful ways, and yet neither loses the core of who they are. Their dynamic - enemies in the digital space, lovers in the private one - creates a compelling push-and-pull that keeps you invested.
A great debut, I wish the author every success.
Thanks Netgalley, DK and Connie Kitson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a wonderfully sweet story, but with a solid detective undercurrent that keeps the pacing tight. Jenna is an incredibly sharp, fiercely determined young woman, the kind of heroine you can't help but root for. The author does a remarkable job of describing the technical side of hacking; it's genuinely helps you sink into Jenna's mindset and feel the stakes of what she's doing.
What I also really appreciated was the character development. Both Jenna and Kieran grow throughout the story, they challenge each other's perspectives, evolve in subtle but meaningful ways, and yet neither loses the core of who they are. Their dynamic - enemies in the digital space, lovers in the private one - creates a compelling push-and-pull that keeps you invested.
A great debut, I wish the author every success.
Thanks Netgalley, DK and Connie Kitson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an arc of The Love Code in exchange for an honest review.
Jenna is a wizard at coding. She uses her skills for good, but to seek information and revenge for her father's death, she has been hacking and disturbing the deep dark web and the company who is responsible. At her brother's wedding, she is reunited with her brother's best friend and longtime crush, Kieran. Kieran has always been attracted and interested in Jenna, but after he left for the Army and her father's death, years have gone with no contact. Reconnecting, they fall for each other all over again, but when Jenna's secret late night activities surface, will their relationship survive?
I was really intrigued with the coding/hacking dialog. It was interesting and added a lot of depth to both Jenna's family relationships as well as her new relationship with Kieran. The mental health representation was handled with care and also how grief can alter our outlook and the time needed to heal. The ethical line of gathering information and realization of how it effects others was also handled extremely well. Serious matters weren't swept under the rug for love, but with time and care, they could come to a compromise and hold boundaries but also seek justice.
This is definitely a compelling story that keeps you invested!
Jenna is a wizard at coding. She uses her skills for good, but to seek information and revenge for her father's death, she has been hacking and disturbing the deep dark web and the company who is responsible. At her brother's wedding, she is reunited with her brother's best friend and longtime crush, Kieran. Kieran has always been attracted and interested in Jenna, but after he left for the Army and her father's death, years have gone with no contact. Reconnecting, they fall for each other all over again, but when Jenna's secret late night activities surface, will their relationship survive?
I was really intrigued with the coding/hacking dialog. It was interesting and added a lot of depth to both Jenna's family relationships as well as her new relationship with Kieran. The mental health representation was handled with care and also how grief can alter our outlook and the time needed to heal. The ethical line of gathering information and realization of how it effects others was also handled extremely well. Serious matters weren't swept under the rug for love, but with time and care, they could come to a compromise and hold boundaries but also seek justice.
This is definitely a compelling story that keeps you invested!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a fun combination of STEM romance, childhood friends-to-lovers, and secret enemies. Jenna and Kieran have a great foundation because there’s already so much history and unresolved feelings between them, but the fact that they’re unknowingly working against each other adds a really interesting layer to their relationship.
I liked Jenna’s character because she’s not just waiting around for things to happen. She’s smart, driven, and willing to take some pretty extreme risks because of what happened to her father. Her double life creates a lot of tension, especially when the person she’s falling for is literally the person standing in the way of everything she’s trying to accomplish.
Kieran was also really easy to like. The childhood connection and secret crush make their romance feel more personal, while his position at Belmayer puts him in a genuinely complicated situation. There’s something especially entertaining about knowing they’re falling for each other while their professional lives are heading toward a collision.
Overall, this was spicy, suspenseful, and surprisingly emotional. I really liked the tech/cybersecurity angle because it gave the romance something different, and the whole “I’m secretly fighting the company you’re trying to protect” situation kept the story moving.
I liked Jenna’s character because she’s not just waiting around for things to happen. She’s smart, driven, and willing to take some pretty extreme risks because of what happened to her father. Her double life creates a lot of tension, especially when the person she’s falling for is literally the person standing in the way of everything she’s trying to accomplish.
Kieran was also really easy to like. The childhood connection and secret crush make their romance feel more personal, while his position at Belmayer puts him in a genuinely complicated situation. There’s something especially entertaining about knowing they’re falling for each other while their professional lives are heading toward a collision.
Overall, this was spicy, suspenseful, and surprisingly emotional. I really liked the tech/cybersecurity angle because it gave the romance something different, and the whole “I’m secretly fighting the company you’re trying to protect” situation kept the story moving.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3,5⭐️
So I have mixed feeling about this story. Jenna is hacking into Belmayer to find proof that her dad’s death wasn’t an accident. Years later, she hasn’t found anything concrete yet, but this corporation is rotten and she gets a big thrill of exposing them anonymously and by passing their cybersecurity. At her brother’s wedding, she sees again Kieran, her brother best friend. As they are rekindling their connection, Jenna learns that Kieran is the head of cybersecurity at Belmayer. Their loyalties are then tested.
My big issue with this story is the conflict between Jenna and Kieran. Maybe it’s just my values and morals that are different but I don’t think I would’ve reacted that way ? And I wouldn’t have shut down knowing the reasons behind a person might want to hack a corporation? The guilt tripping really bothered me. Anyways, it was still an entertaining story that had a few plot twists, but yeah the conflict between the FMC and MMC was not handled the way I thought it would. This is a great book for people who like women in STEM and a big quest for justice.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
So I have mixed feeling about this story. Jenna is hacking into Belmayer to find proof that her dad’s death wasn’t an accident. Years later, she hasn’t found anything concrete yet, but this corporation is rotten and she gets a big thrill of exposing them anonymously and by passing their cybersecurity. At her brother’s wedding, she sees again Kieran, her brother best friend. As they are rekindling their connection, Jenna learns that Kieran is the head of cybersecurity at Belmayer. Their loyalties are then tested.
My big issue with this story is the conflict between Jenna and Kieran. Maybe it’s just my values and morals that are different but I don’t think I would’ve reacted that way ? And I wouldn’t have shut down knowing the reasons behind a person might want to hack a corporation? The guilt tripping really bothered me. Anyways, it was still an entertaining story that had a few plot twists, but yeah the conflict between the FMC and MMC was not handled the way I thought it would. This is a great book for people who like women in STEM and a big quest for justice.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
STEM FMC: hacker; STEM MMC: cybersecurity analyst
This was a really good debut! I enjoyed the romance and the storyline, but I will warn that the book is far more plot focused than romance focused. As I was reading, I kept thinking that the pacing of the romance felt a little rushed, but once I finished the book, it made sense because the plot takes over for a while. That means that some of the love story part of the book is front loaded. Because of that though, I felt a bit disconnected to the romance part of the story and that made this feel more like fiction with a side of spicy love story.
The nice part about this being a romance is that there is as complete of an HEA as you can get, the plot is well written, the character arcs were really nice for both MCs, and there's some good spice.
This was a really good debut! I enjoyed the romance and the storyline, but I will warn that the book is far more plot focused than romance focused. As I was reading, I kept thinking that the pacing of the romance felt a little rushed, but once I finished the book, it made sense because the plot takes over for a while. That means that some of the love story part of the book is front loaded. Because of that though, I felt a bit disconnected to the romance part of the story and that made this feel more like fiction with a side of spicy love story.
The nice part about this being a romance is that there is as complete of an HEA as you can get, the plot is well written, the character arcs were really nice for both MCs, and there's some good spice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.
Personally, I liked the description of this book and the book itself did not disappoint. There was a fair amount of romance between the two characters but my favorite part was undercovering the truth of what happened to Jenna's dad. I liked how she never gave up on learning the truth even if it made her go against her boyfriend since he works at the company her dad previously did. I also liked how Jenna is very resourceful and thinks outside the box to discovery the truth. The cybersecurity and hacking elements made me picture a high speed race against time and I liked the element of urgency trying to learn the truth. Overall, I liked this book and would definitely recommend if you are looking for a romance book with an interesting plot.
Personally, I liked the description of this book and the book itself did not disappoint. There was a fair amount of romance between the two characters but my favorite part was undercovering the truth of what happened to Jenna's dad. I liked how she never gave up on learning the truth even if it made her go against her boyfriend since he works at the company her dad previously did. I also liked how Jenna is very resourceful and thinks outside the box to discovery the truth. The cybersecurity and hacking elements made me picture a high speed race against time and I liked the element of urgency trying to learn the truth. Overall, I liked this book and would definitely recommend if you are looking for a romance book with an interesting plot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Connie Kitson’s knowledge of cybersecurity really shines through in The Love Code, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of hacking and digital security. It’s a refreshing STEM romance where the technical elements feel every bit as compelling as the love story.
The characters are relatable and the chemistry between them simmers from the very beginning. I especially enjoyed the mix of the brother’s-best-friend trope with a secret enemies-to-lovers romance.
Filled with escalating tension and emotional moments, this is an engaging debut that held my attention. If you enjoy romance with authentic STEM elements and plenty of swoon and suspense, this is well worth picking up.
The characters are relatable and the chemistry between them simmers from the very beginning. I especially enjoyed the mix of the brother’s-best-friend trope with a secret enemies-to-lovers romance.
Filled with escalating tension and emotional moments, this is an engaging debut that held my attention. If you enjoy romance with authentic STEM elements and plenty of swoon and suspense, this is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a programmer who adores the childhood-friends-to-lovers trope, this book had everything I wanted in a romance (and then some)! Smart FMC who's a super genius with computers/bad-ass hacker. i also liked that she wasn't labelled as a geek or a nerd (an overdone stereotype), and there was plenty of computer action detailing her hacking without it being too techy or boring. Lots of 90s nostalgia vibes with the flashbacks between Jenna and Kieran which were really cute. So much yearning! I died.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
From childhood crushes to secret rivals. Jenna is determined to get proof of corruption that led to her father's death. Even if it means getting that proof not so legally. Kieran, head of Belmayers cyber security team, is always a step behind the hacker known as The Shadow. When it turns out The Shadow is his best friend's sister and childhood crush, he doesn't know what to do.
This was an emotional rollercoaster. The yearning! My goodness, just kiss! 😭
This was an emotional rollercoaster. The yearning! My goodness, just kiss! 😭
Review of advance copy received from Author
Connie brilliantly pairs secret enemies-to-lovers with brothers’ best-friend childhood crush trope in her fantastic STEM debut.
The yearning between Jenna and Kieran leaps off the page, as does the tension building with Jenna’s alter cyberhacking identity.
The Love Code is for readers who love secret crushes, You’ve Got Mail-esque hidden identities, and stories grounded in the heartache of characters working through grief and loss.
The yearning between Jenna and Kieran leaps off the page, as does the tension building with Jenna’s alter cyberhacking identity.
The Love Code is for readers who love secret crushes, You’ve Got Mail-esque hidden identities, and stories grounded in the heartache of characters working through grief and loss.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a fun, spicy STEM romance with a great secret-enemies-to-lovers setup. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters and the tension as their relationship developed. The STEM elements added something different, and the romance kept me interested. The pacing slowed a little in parts, and I wanted more depth from some of the characters, but overall, this was an enjoyable and steamy read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
THE LOVE CODE integrates all the features I want in a romance novel. Secret identity, a plot focused on dismantling corruption, heavy doses of yearning, and a romance that made me happy-shimmy in my seat any time the characters so much as looked at each other. Kitson’s debut had me eagerly turning to the next page!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a cute read, that will leave you wanting more!
The modern day "You've got mail" with a little twist.
I would recommend this one to anyone that needs a feel good read, or to get out of a reading slump.
The modern day "You've got mail" with a little twist.
I would recommend this one to anyone that needs a feel good read, or to get out of a reading slump.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC PROVIDED BY PUBLISHER AND OPINIONS ARE COMPLETELY MY OWN
if you’re a tech nerd who loves romance you will really like the blend of the two! I personally found the story too predictable and the spice to be a bit left field to really fall into.
if you’re a tech nerd who loves romance you will really like the blend of the two! I personally found the story too predictable and the spice to be a bit left field to really fall into.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Love Code is a sweet STEM romance with a suspenseful cybercrime twist. It follows Jenna, a hacker who is working to uncover the truth behind her father's death from the company he used to work for, and Kieran, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend, who just happens to be the company’s head of cybersecurity. I really liked the contrast between them being secret enemies behind their screens while years of history, attraction, yearning build between them in real life. Jenna is such a smart, determined FMC and the hacking and cybersecurity elements added something really cool to the story, while the mystery around her father’s death added twists and tension.
Jenna and Kieran challenge each other and grow while still feeling true to themselves, and I enjoyed watching their complicated relationships evolve. There’s a good mix of romance, family dynamics, mystery, and technology, with emotional moments and swoony tension along the way. The brother’s best friend, childhood crush, and secret enemies-to-lovers combination was so fun. While I struggled with the pacing a bit at times, this is such a great debut from Connie Kitson, and I’m definitely curious to see what she writes next!
💻 Childhood crushes
⌨️ Brother’s best friend
💻 Secret enemies-to-lovers
⌨️ STEM romance
💻 Forced proximity
⌨️ Suspense
💻 Found family
⌨️ Third person dual POV
Thank you Connie Kitson, DK, Hera and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Jenna and Kieran challenge each other and grow while still feeling true to themselves, and I enjoyed watching their complicated relationships evolve. There’s a good mix of romance, family dynamics, mystery, and technology, with emotional moments and swoony tension along the way. The brother’s best friend, childhood crush, and secret enemies-to-lovers combination was so fun. While I struggled with the pacing a bit at times, this is such a great debut from Connie Kitson, and I’m definitely curious to see what she writes next!
💻 Childhood crushes
⌨️ Brother’s best friend
💻 Secret enemies-to-lovers
⌨️ STEM romance
💻 Forced proximity
⌨️ Suspense
💻 Found family
⌨️ Third person dual POV
Thank you Connie Kitson, DK, Hera and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read
June 23, 2026This book hacked my heart. Gripping, swoony, and heartwarming.
Secret rivals and mutual childhood crushes, I was hooked from page one.
Secret rivals and mutual childhood crushes, I was hooked from page one.
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