This book, while cute, did not suit my interest. I found it difficult to connect to the main character. However, I loved that it explored women in STEM.

Here we go again with the YA novels.. I should know better by now! Cutesy, angsty romcom for the YA crowd. But I could NOT stand the fem hating in STEM. That’s something I really, really dislike in the real world, and I like to think is getting better, but let’s be honest - it’s probably not! So I’m glad to have a YA book that covers this serious, real topic for readers of all ages. Finally, love that Bel is in the robotics club to show that women have a place in that (traditionally male dominated) world, too! Breaking down barriers, one at a time! Thanks for the opportunity to read!

Debut YA romance. This was such a cute STEM romance! It was beyond sweet, wholesome, and surprisingly unique.

“What he and I have together is the best thing we’ve ever built.”

As a girl in STEM, I will simply eat up every single STEM girl romance, especially in the YA world. I think Alexene/Olivie is such an incredible, talented writer and manages to capture her characters so well while drawing you into the plot. I loved this!

I am enchanted by the delightful journey I found in *My Mechanical Romance*, written by the talented Alexene Farol Follmuth. Before I begin, I must thank NetGalley and Holiday House for providing me the opportunity to immerse myself in this incredible story. I discovered that the book has already been translated into Portuguese as "A Mecânica do Amor," and without a doubt, I will acquire a copy to reread this engaging narrative in my mother tongue.
The plot is a mix of young adult romance and romantic comedy, with elements that made me smile, sigh, and even reflect on important issues. The author, also known as Olivie Blake, gifts us with a story that goes beyond the cliché, exploring real challenges faced by girls of color in STEM fields.
The protagonist, Bel, is a character who immediately won my heart. Her initial disinterest in academic pressures and her journey to stand out in a predominantly male robotics club captivated me. When she accidentally reveals her talent, the irresistible club captain, Mateo Luna, steps into the scene, and the chemistry between Bel and Teo is palpable.
The dynamics between Bel and Teo are a delight to follow. The author has crafted multifaceted and authentic characters, giving voice to two perspectives in alternating points of view. The duality of views provides a deeper understanding of both their thoughts and emotions, enriching the narrative.
Follmuth addresses themes such as diversity and inclusion genuinely, without losing the romantic charm of the story. The plot highlights the importance of challenging gender stereotypes in fields traditionally dominated by men, such as STEM.
"My Mechanical Romance" is more than a charming love story; it is an inspiring reminder that girls can thrive in any field they choose. Follmuth's witty and engaging writing turns this narrative into a captivating and empowering read.

3.5 stars
A quick and cute read that takes the reader on a journey of growth as both an individual and as a team breaking down stereotypes one page at a time.

This was a short cutesy romance with which you can have a fun time with
I really liked the representation of girls in stem with being overlooked and suffering imposter syndrome in a field full of entitled men
There was also talk of not knowing what to do after high school and changing your mind about what you want to study
It had also a diverse cast with the fmc being half Filipino and the mmc being half Mexican
I think my favourite character was Jamie, who is the hopeless romantic. I also liked the main characters but I couldn’t see them as a couple. The only thing that really bothered me, was ofcourse the third act break up due to miscommunication, which could have been avoided from the beginning

i love giving tens when tens are due and this book a definitely a ten!!!!! I loved this book. this was so good as was definitely on my top 10 reads of 2022 5/5

Eu peguei o ARC desse livro pelo Netgalley e comecei a leitura imediata, a premissa da história parecia muito boa e eu tava animada... mas a narrativa tava tão lenta e eu não curti muito a escrita. Depois que o livro lançou eu peguei o audiobook e acompanhei com a leitura do digital. Apesar de ter gostado da história, ainda achei que o ritmo de leitura é bem ruinzinho e difícil de prender a atenção. A história em si é bem levinha e fofa, mas achei que muitas coisas se resolveram meio rápido e alguns conflitos foram até meio mal desenvolvidos. Eu na verdade dei 3,5 estrelas, mas acho que 3 seria pouco pra minha avaliação desse livro, por isso arredondei pra cima. É claro que eu esqueci de postar uma review sobre então aqui estou 10 meses depois.
É um romance adolescente de rivais acadêmicos, exceto que eles resolvem trabalhar juntos razoavelmente no começo do livro. Achei a Bel uma personagem pouco desenvolvida, considerando que ela é a personagem principal... já o Teo é um pouco mais interessante que ela, mas também é um personagem bem raso. Os dois precisam trabalhar juntos nesse clube de robótica que fazem parte e seria uma dinâmica muito legal de se desenvolver mais, porque os dois se desafiam bastante e são bem competitivos, mas sem faltar com o respeito. As lutas dos robôs foi bem legal de ler e também gostei bastante da conclusão e o caminho que cada um seguiu. Apesar dos incômodos, achei um bom livro, super recomendaria para adolescentes e até jovens adultos.

SO FREAKING CUTE.
This book was just 🥹🥹
I really enjoyed reading about this characters and their stories I'd like to read other books by this author

I ended up DNFing this book. While I enjoyed the characters, I think YA romance is just not for me. The writing style was great though.

this was so sweet and i really liked the discussions about women in STEM
plus we love a li who is a swiftie !! i think it also goes to show that since liking ts is seen as "girly" (whatever the heck that means, especially in terms of music) he wasn't afraid of being seen as "less masculine" and i really liked that.
i do think this book could've been slightly longer, the tension between the mcs could've lasted a bit more.
lastly, i think the decision to make this book dual POV was absolutely on point.

An unexpected YA academics rivals that i enjoyed. Bel and Teo were great characters and fleshed out. The lovers part was done real well. It’s a wholesome read but personally I wasn’t a fan of t e o name.

This was a sweet YA romance. I loved the dual POV's of Bel and Teo. Bel was a relatable character dealing with her parent's divorce and struggling with knowing what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. Their was some romance but their was also focus on family and friend dramas and the stuggles women face in the STEM world. It was a fun read and I loved the ending.

A bit of a cliché start and dynamic, but the story is definitely fun. I wasn't expecting the dual POV when I began reading which was a welcome surprise! I loved the way it fleshed out the story and characters. Teo and Bel had distinct voices and sharp wit that flowed smoothly. The meme references had me chuckling all the way through. I wanted to see more of the side characters because I felt that they would had more significance to the lives of the two leads from how they were set up? We mostly see Teo and Bel together, but I wanted to see more of their relationships with other people, to see that other side to them. Though this is a romance after all, so it makes sense.

A sweet high school romance with a STEM twist that hasn't been seen before!

A Massive Thank You to the Author, the Publisher and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book prior to its release date.
Oh my! It was a wonderful book!

so cute, i really enjoyed it!!
had such a fun time reading it and it flew by. wasn’t anything utterly life changing but it was an enjoyable couple of hours for sure!

This is actually amazing. I was a bit on the fence about it, due to its hype on tiktok and such, but it was such a lovely read. While the romance aspect might be the main thing, the book also deals with a lot of other issues, such as the struggles of women in STEM and various family/friend drama. Overall, a quick and entertaining read.

I can't resist a STEM romance book! Devoured this in one sitting, and enjoyed every minute of it. I definitely recommend this to anyone else who is an avid fan of a STEM romance trope

I would literally read anything from this author so there is no surprise that I loved this book. I can't believe I was approved for this arc. This is my first time reading from this author's YA work and I loved it so much!