DNF at 4% - didn't even make it through the first chapter. The MMC POV made my skin crawl, what an utter creep. I am flabbergasted at the positive reviews for this book, when I had to double-check the author was female because reading it was like stumbling upon the horny fanfiction of a teenage boy weeb. The vile objectification of the FMC was so gross I couldn't continue. Need to wash my brain after reading that.
Very disappointing after requesting this hoping for a smart, funny STEM romance similar to The Love Hypothesis.

The story of Tom and Liz was soooo cute! It’s mainly set in Glasgow, UK and I seriously can’t get enough! Talk about fall academia vibes!
If you like enemies to lovers, lots of angst, slow burns you’ll trusty like this book.
This book reminded me a lot of The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood so if you liked that book I’d recommend reading The Unbalanced Equation 😊

I enjoyed this book - I think sometimes the tension can be lost in a story with dual points of view, however this book would not have worked without it.

I really enjoyed the characters, even though I disagreed with their actions through the majority of the story I could see how they had come to them and at least sympathise!

Had so much fun reading this book! I had never read a book by the author, and didn't know anything about the plot beforehand, but my curiosity was peaked by the title and I decided to give it a go. I'm glad I did so, because I was unexpectadly surprised by its clever and charming narrative, and exceptionally relatable characters. While sometimes a bit over the top and cliché, the book is well balanced with originality and humour, that never makes it boring. Having a background in science myself, I found the author was able to capture the ambience of working in research, and the (good) nerdyness of the people that do it. This turned out a great book for escaping the stress of actual real-life research work! A definite recommendation within the genre!

The Unbalanced equation was hard to review because at points it read itself, but some little things bothered me as a reader.

First, it isn’t an enemies to lovers (imo), and I didn’t read it as such. It’s more a one-sided enemies-to-lovers, which means the dynamic is different, but it doesn’t mean it’s less enjoyable.

I truly liked the setting, in Glasgow that was more unusual compared to more famous cities or the States. I liked that vibe. It’s not a small town, but the crew around the characters gave that vibe and it was agreeable.
Now, for the two main characters, it was harder for me to root for them. The chemistry seems to be mostly physical through the book, (the spice scenes are well written). I personally prefer more emotional tension and engagement. Some themes bothered me too, especially from Tom’s pov. I enjoyed Liz more.

I can’t give half stars, but it would have been a 3,5. I rounded it up, because I still read it fast and enjoyed.

Me ha encantado! La química entre los protagonistas es maravillosa!
Si te ha gustado la hipótesis del amor, seguro que disfrutas con esta novela
Súper recomendado!

This was an absolute no for me. The fact that she was just supposed to get over him being terrible to her because he was attracted to her is gross. It give real Dan Harmon from Community vibes. She even acknowledges that he is minimizing her suffering but then its suddenly ok. Also the sabotage of her dates and housing situation... ugh.

Sadly, I was not able to finish this book. For some reason, I could feel this book putting me into a reading slump. The author's writing isn't bad, but I do find the multiple references to media jarring at times. I'm also not a fan of the trope of the love interests parents are a couple, it really weirds me out, and I did not know that was in this book when requesting. Overall, I would give Macflarlane's next novels a chance if I better connected with the romance tropes/summary.

Liz and Tom met when at a university mixer and sparks (and orange juice) flew. Then Tom became her PhD assessor and for some reason thought he had to be a jackass to her to avoid and stamp out his feelings. Cut to four years later and Liz rightfully hates his guts and he still has feelings for her. And then they find out their parents are getting married .. to each other. Not to be outdone, Liz's landlord kicks her out and she ends up moving in to Tom's townhouse. And how could I forget, Tom's lab goes up in flames and he ends up sharing the same bench in another lab with Liz. Talk about forced proximity! Can Tom win Liz over? Not by being honest (of course) but by further manipulating things to ensure she doesn't find another apartment or a good man to date. Overall, this gave The Love Hypothesis vibes with a second chance, sort of enemies to lovers flavor. It kept me reading and I enjoyed the banter and side characters. I did enjoy seeing their feelings develop and there is a bit of spice on the page.

I have mixed feelings about this read. On the one hand, I enjoyed the overall arc and I read it in a day. On the other hand, (spoiler alert) I really want to encourage the team to review the hotel scene. It is beyond sexual harassment when someone tells you "no" and "get out" at least three times and you don't listen, remove a blanket against their will, and hold their hands up. Consent could have been much clearer here (which I think was the intent) - he could have come in, she says "get out", he replies "do you really want me to" and she just stares at him as he comes closer and says "I'll leave if you tell me to leave" etc etc. Still could have gotten to the same reveals and tension without the brazen disregard for consent in such a vulnerable situation. Tom was a total immature, manipulative bastard, but I felt this crossed the line, even for him.

I'm going to give it three stars overall, but could be higher.

The antics/misunderstandings in enemies-to-lovers stories can get a bit ridiculous. Does that mean I'll stop reading them and loving them? NOPE!

This was a fun, flirty read with a touch of science, quite a few laughs, and a generous handful of spice, two MCs who unapologetically want something that goes against the status quo, and - of course - the ending everybody wants when they're reading a rom com.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t tell how how much I enjoyed this book. Ah this is just what I needed to read after being I a. Slump for a while. This book just shows the lengths some people will go for love while I’m like liz in a sense where I don’t even realise it or I’m in denial. I really really loved this book!

This was my first book by author Macfarlane and I was completely charmed and delighted. The story follows academics Tom and Liz who have instant sparks fly at a work mixer only to find out the next day that Tom is now the PhD assessor for Liz… for the next 4 years. The story begins at the end of Liz’s PhD when they must decide if the sparks that started their acquaintance were able to last.

Macfarlane creates two flawed and entirely human characters who I equally cheered for and shook my head at for their decision making skills. I could not put this book down. Often, I don’t feel like the reasons for the obligatory miscommunication in romance stories hold up to what would happen in real life. However, I completely understood why Liz and Tom were making the decisions they did which made the tension so much more enjoyable.

All in all, a delightful and charming book.

Book Review: The Unbalanced Equation by H.L. Macfarlane
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Rating: 4/5 stars
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Perfect for fans of the Love Hypothesis looking for another academic romance. Enemies to lovers with plenty of spice!
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Only negative things I have to say are that the book was a tad lengthy for my taste at 465 pages. And lastly, no matter how much I enjoyed the book I couldn't get over how manipulative Tom was. Personally I think he took it a little too far that it was hard to get over that as easily as Liz did.

Liz is so insanely relatable. The author saying a mix between Jennifer Connelly and Hayley Atwell? I can see her so clearly now. I loved her character.

I really also enjoyed the interchanging POVs between Tom and Liz. I found it rare to see both the LI’s perspectives so that was really fun.

Plus. I love banter!

*I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This is a perfect academic enemies-to-lovers with a twist! When a trio of impossibly unlucky events brings Liz and Tom into each other's lives again, the two don't want anything to do with each other. From attraction at first sight to mortal enemies, these two have the perfect coming together story. I loved this book, and between the plot, setting, and atmosphere I was engrossed until the last page. Plus, this has a healthy dose of spice! A must read for romcom lovers!

This book only mastered so many tropes and let me just say that it was amazing!

It looked at the age gap, enemies to lovers, stem workplace and forced proximity- all of which made for a fab read!

It’s perfect for fans of the kiss quotient, The brown sisters trilogy the love hypothesis and love on the brain.

The prologue was great, and I loved humor at first, but deeper I went into the book less I liked it. I stopped loving the author’s voice, and to be honest, there were a few things she said that just ticked me off. I barely could finish it. I’m sorry, but it wasn’t my favorite. I really hoped I’ll like it, but I didn’t.

Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this ARC.

The Unbalanced Equation is smart, funny, and oh so swoon worthy! I fell in love with both Liz and Tom,from the very first page, i was absolutely hooked and only felt more and more endeared throughout! This was a fantastic book and I already can’t wait for more from H. L. Macfarlane!

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was adorable! I loved the dialog, the sex was steamy without being awkward and the character growth felt genuine.
The pacing was great, I got sucked in and pulled along for the ride. Definitely want to read more from this author!

OMG
where do I even begin? This book was amazing. It really hit the spot when it comes to romance, cheese and all-around warmth.
This book is perfect for fans of the Kiss Quotient and the love hypothesis.
4.9/5 stars

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc