I loved the idea of this book so I immediately knew I had to read it.

I liked the idea of a web series revolving around conspiracy theories and the two main characters having opposite opinions. It reminded me of a web series I used to watch from Buzzfeed called Unsolved. I thought the author did a create job keeping the plot interesting and unique. I would totally watch the web show!

I also truly enjoyed the characters, Hayden and Hallie. I thought their dynamic was a lot of fun to read. They were also super cute! The gradual build of their romance was paced perfectly. I couldn't wait for them to just kiss already haha! They were two nerds in love and I couldn't get enough of it. Plus I also liked how respectful Hayden was of Hallie. Respect is always a turn on.

A fun light paranormal romcom that readers will devour!

She's a producer who's love life exploded and has left her with trust issues... and when her job is put in jeopardy and her ex is competing with her, who better than to make a new show with than the handsome conspiracy theorist? Hallie Barrett is a great producer too bad her job is on the line and her last show was taken over by her hotshot ex who not only destroyed her trust and confidence, but has left her so insecure and damaged that she's struggling to even stand up for herself. Yet she is determined to find a new project and then she stumbles upon Hayden Hargrove, a handsome cryptid expert with a hit podcast. Hallie knows that if she can just convince Hayden to let her produce his show to become a web series it'll be an instant hit. Yet Hayden can't do it alone and makes a deal with Hallie, if she cohosts with him for the competition they can make the show work. Now Hallie and Hayden begin investigating the unknown together and learning to fall in love again. I really wish this one grabbed me more but it just felt alright to me. It was a bit underwhelming and I just didn't care for Hallie all that much. Hayden was an alright love interest, but I guess I was just hoping for a bit more. The premise sounded cute and the cover is adorable... the plot and characters just felt a bit lackluster compared to what I was hoping I'd be getting. Hayden and Hallie were okay and the romance was just fine, but I just felt like I was missing something while reading it. Hallie is severely traumatized from her past relationship, she is so insecure about everything and projects it into everything. I get that that can happen to people but i was hoping she'd grow more and grow stronger and get more of a backbone after everything. Honestly, it's a me thing, but I do think that if you like podcast romances and finding love after a bad relationship, this book could be for you!

Release Date: August 20,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

What. A. Delight. The Scully + Mulder inspired romance of my dreams with a sprinkling of a Buzzfeed Unsolved-esque web show AND two sweethearts falling in love. Mallory Marlowe, the woman you are.

LAOC was just…FUN. Like Hayden and Hallie are running around chasing Bigfoot and looking for ghosts while having to oops share the single hotel bed while trying to keep hands and mouths off each other (unsuccessfully to my delight). BUT THEN Mallory hit me with a one two punch and threw in a toxic ex that verbally and emotionally abused Hallie and Hayden’s grief and difficult relationship with his mom following the death of his father to ALS. Which sounds so heavy but Mallory wrote about it in such a touching way that it doesn’t make the story feel *heavy*. It just grounds our MCs and makes this feel real and wonderfully relatable without taking away the fun of them chasing down the paranormal. I teared up reading about Hallie’s experience with her ex boyfriend because…been there, done that, bought the low self esteem and need for therapy t-shirt. (Also thanks Mallory for not making Hallie be the bigger person LOL I too would want my ex to suffer).

And like let’s kudos Hayden for being like “yeah some of these conspiracies are just super racist and harmful and I do my best to debunk them and stick to the fun cryptid stuff”. Man of my podcast listening dreams. He’s so sweet and a consent KING. If enthusiastic consent is your cup of reading tea, Hayden is your man. And if you wanted Scully and Mulder to kiss but didn’t want to read about FBI agents, these two ding dongs are perfect for your True Believer and Real Skeptic loving heart.

It’s funny, it’s sweet, it’s real and so lovely. 5/5 stars.

Thanks to Berkeley for an advanced reader copy!

5 stars. I can't get over how delightful this debut from Mallory Marlowe was. First, let me start off by saying that the title is absolute perfection. Love and Conspiracies is such a sweet romance between two somewhat broken people who end up reclaiming a bit of their life back, and in the process, find love.. and maybe Bigfoot. I really hope the Bigfoot aspect of this one does not keep readers away, because this is one of the best debut romances I've read in a while.

Hallie is a producer for a popular web show who's life is turned upside down when the star of the show, who also happens to be her boyfriend, fires her. Without a show (and now also down a boyfriend), she has to work her magic and come up with something else to produce, or she'll be fired. She comes across Hayden, who has a successful podcast discussing popular cryptids and conspiracy theories. She realizes that his podcast would be perfect for a web show, and manages to convince him to let her produce his show. There are only 2 problems: 1) she has to co-host it with him (and she's strictly a behind the scenes gal), and 2) she doesn't believe in any of this stuff.

Hallie and Hayden had the most delightful banter, and Hallie's humor in general was the witty/snarky type that I love. The sparks between both of them are instantaneous, but it takes them a little while to truly open up. Hayden is the sweetest most cinnamon-rolly, golden retriever type of character. He's exactly who Hallie deserved and needed. But to be fair, Hallie was also exactly who Hayden deserved and needed. I really had so much fun reading this book. I'm not a believer in Bigfoot, other cryptids or conspiracy theories. But after reading Love and Other Conspiracies, I can 100% say that I AM a believer in Mallory Marlowe. And I cannot wait to read whatever she publishes next!

Thank you so much to Marlowe, Berkley, and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fun sweet romance with a touch of spooky cryptids. This was a cute little romance that definitely should have been released in October ! Lots of fun and totally unique !

This book was super fun to read. I loved the relationship between Hallie and Hayden (more book-boyfriends like this please!). Marlowe perfectly captured the workplace bully, and the resulting trauma, without going overboard. A must read for anyone who had to watch the X-Files with the lights on.
4.5 stars

A paranormal conspiracy romcom Yes, please!!

This debut was so good! An opposites attract romance between a paranormal conspiracy theorist and a web series producer who find love while investigating phenomena like aliens, Big Foot, the Mothman, haunted hotels, Loch Ness Monster, the Yeti and more.

As a huge X-Files fan I was so excited by the premise of this book and friends let me tell you - it delivered. I loved the main characters and I loved how their series and investigations took center stage right along with their romance. It was just so entertaining, humorous and fun.

I wanted to like this so bad cause I loved the concept and premise of the book but it ended up being a huge miss for me. I really did not like the fmc Hallie, she’s the type of insecure that projects that into every situation with constant complaining and jumping to conclusions. I thought Hayden was a decent enough guy who wasn’t afraid to show his emotions which was nice, but nothing about him stood out really. I just felt like they had no chemistry and I wanted more of the actual paranormal stuff.. there’s barely any and when there is, it’s cut off. I wouldn’t say this is a bad book cause I can see others finding it to be cute, it just wasn’t for me at all unfortunately.

✨ Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ✨

✨ARC Review 4.5 Stars ✨
Publishing Date: August 20,2024

“Sometimes the truth is the real story. It’s all a matter of what you believe. Some people trust what they’re told, some of us don’t”

Brief Summary-
A fun and quirky debut rom com you follow two very different main characters. You have Hallie who is down bad and looking for promising new storyline for her job so she stumbles upon Hayden a big cinnamon roll conspiracy theorist. She sets up a meeting with Hayden to see if they would work together in a show based around finding, Bigfoot, aliens and all sorts if cryptids. Hayden agree only if Hallie will be his co-host. This book gives Ryan and Shane from Buzzfeed Unsolved but with romance and gender swap. If you remember and or are a fan of Fact or Faked, Destination Truth and Destination X then read this book!

What To Expect
👽Aliens
👽Spooky & Cryptid Hunting
👽A golden retriever attiude x black cat attiude
👽YouTube Web Series Co- Host
👽One Bed
👽Forced Proximity
👽Work Environment Romance
👽Conspiracy Theories

My Thoughts:
I personally agree with Hayden's thought process of the unnatural and unexplained being out their somewhere. So to watch the banter between these two over fact or faked is fun. The plot was so entertaining and paced really well. It was fun to read about Aliens and Bigfoot etc. This was a somewhat lighthearted read and certainly goofy, the subplot held some heavy weight. With that being said I really enjoyed this book and will read this author's future work as well!

Hayden & Hallie were such fun and likable characters. The banter between these two will have you blushing and kicking your feet in the air. I loved witnessing Hallie’s growth throughout the book 🥹

This story is told from Hallie’s POV and I really wish it was told in a Dual POV. I would have loved to have seen more from Hayden's POV

I definitely recommend this read, if you want a quick, quirky andlittle bit of spice this book is for you.

This was cute! Super fun & I loved the banter of Hallie & Hayden. I wish the spicy scenes were a little…spicer but other than that, it was good! Can’t wait to read more from Marlowe

I’m not sure why I requested a book about conspiracies when I don’t believe in a single one, but at least Hallie and I are on the same page.

The monster hunting was a bit silly, a bit fun. I didn’t love it or hate it, and while I enjoyed the banter between Hallie and Hayden there was just something missing for me with the romance. That little spark, that magic needed to have me fully invested in them.

There isn’t anything bad about this book per se. It just came off as very forgettable to me.

Nevertheless, this was a quick and relatively easy read, and for those who like wacky theories, this may be the book for you

Delightful premise that also gives a really thoughtful look at the aftermath of emotional abuse from a romantic partner in a way that lets Hallie come out on top without undermining or minimizing her experiences.

ʟᴏᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ ᴄᴏɴsᴘɪʀᴀᴄɪᴇs 👽🛸
✨Only one bed but make it haunted
✨Friends to lovers
✨A cat named Cthulu
✨A lizard named Lizzie Borden
“The dark and fuzzy corners of my brain know I won’t be alone forever, but it’s hard to convince myself of that sometimes. Sometimes I think of how much easier it’d be to be alone. I can’t fall for someone’s pretty words ever again. I learned the hard way that red flags are like quicksand—easy to miss unless you know what to look for, too hard to pull yourself out of when you’re in deep.”
Bigfoot? More like big thumbs up!! This quirky romcom about a conspiracy theorist and skeptic duo was equal parts funny, heartwarming, and knew when to make things real. Hayden and Hallie’s friends-to-lovers relationship was so cute, and friendly their banter was on point. From arguing about the Denver Airport conspiracy (please look it up if you haven’t fallen down that rabbit hole yet) to joking about Mothman’s juicy butt, every encounter with them was adorable. Hayden is so defensive of the paranormal and his nickname for Hallie (his little Nonbeliever) was so sweet and on-brand for the cinnamon roll nerd he really is. Just let people believe in whatever makes them happy dammit!
This could have easily been written off as a cheesy, quick little romance novel, but it made me really feel for these characters. There were moments where we dove into depression, loss of a parent, and trauma from a toxic relationship that I could really relate to. Hallie and Hayden instilled so much confidence and strength in one another, it really took this story a step up.
I can’t believe this was a debut??!!! Definitely running to grab my physical copy on August 20th so I can go through and highlight/tab the heck out of it 👏
Quotes I absolutely loved:
💚 “His smile is a bright but hidden secret, and when his gaze reaches mine, I feel like I’ve been let in on it.”
💚 “His smile is a bright but hidden secret, and when his gaze reaches mine, I feel like I’ve been let in on it.”
💚 “We should get high and watch Agent Cody Banks. Frankie Muniz really brings out my creativity.”

Read if you like:
👻 Supernatural Conspiracies
🎙️ Podcasts
🔀 Opposites Attract
🧠 Mental Health Rep

Omg, this was so fun, and it’s a debut?! I will definitely be reading more from Mallory once she releases her next book!

I loved how our MC’s were total opposites and that they came together so seemlessly and that the slow burn build up had so much tension between these two!

If you like supernatural conspiracy theories you will absolutely love Hayden, but if you are a skeptic like me, you will love Hallie and either way, I feel like this story just works with this fun aspect of chasing supernatural phenomena and their banter with having opposing beliefs on this topic!

And speaking of their banter! It was sooooo good!!!

TW for a toxic ex on page that is absolutely horrible to Hallie even after their breakup has settled.

Thank you so much to Berkley for my ARC and to PRHA for my gifted audiobook of this one in exchange for my review of this very fun debut!

This book was a blast! Legitimately funny and had me laughing out loud more than once. It was quite clever, with so many fun plays on words; "Close Encounters of the Shirtless Kind" = hilarious. I loved all the paranormal references (most of which I was familiar with, but I was tickled to learn a few more). And I totally would have listened to Hayden's podcast in my paranormal/cryptid podcast era.

On top of that, Hallie and Hayden's chemistry was instant and believable and they were so cute that they even had me almost weepy there for a minute.

While I did enjoy most of the book, there were a few things I didn't love. Some phrases felt a bid overused, like "Blue wave[s]", "ran his tongue along the inside of his lips", "the sounds he would make", "my eyes watered", etc. I also wish that we knew more about Cade, but instead he felt more like a one-dimensional plot device rather than a believable character.

Thank you to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of “Love and Other Conspiracies” by Mallory Marlowe in exchange for an honest review.

Hallie Barrett is in a bad spot. Her job as an internet content producer is in jeopardy after walking away from an abusive relationship with her company’s biggest star. Now she needs to come up with an Internet series popular enough to rival his if she wants to keep her job.

Desperate for something that she can develop into a full series, she scrambles for a likely subject. It seems hopeless until she tunes into a late-night conspiracy type show and watches a segment featuring cryptid expert Hayden Hargrove. She is immediately certain that this guy is the ticket to her success. Who cares if she doesn’t believe in any of his wild theories?

Hayden Hargrove has a podcast, an emotionally distant mother, and a whole lot of conspiracy theories. While initially uncertain about Hallie’s pitch, he agrees to work with her. It doesn’t seem promising when they first start filming – Hayden is lousy – but when Hallie joins him onscreen, they discover that their natural chemistry translates beautifully in front of the camera. It isn’t long before viewers pick up on that as well. Their popularity skyrockets as Hallie and Hayden debate and go tromping around, looking for Bigfoot. Their overt Mulder/Scully vibes have people shipping them from the start. Naturally, they fall in love.

The evil ex does make a number of appearances, made all the more awful because the author has a knack for replicating the kind of vile misogyny that infects every comments section of every social network. Fear not, Hallie will find the strength to persevere. You just have to get through that nausea-inducing crap first.

As unlikely as it may seem, this story of a skeptic and a conspiracy theorist falling in love is one of the sweetest love stories you will read this year. This story aptly demonstrates how two people with fundamentally different outlooks can bridge their differences and fall in love, all without compromising themselves to do it. It’s tender, inspiring, and lovely.

Hayden is a shining example of healthy masculinity. He loves her, supports her, and gives her the respect and credit she’s due. Hallie is a survivor, recovering an abusive relationship to succeed on her own terms, with a partner who values her. There’s a brief 3rd act breakup, but honestly, it results in such a singularly perfect moment with Hayden that it’s hard to be mad about it.

Recommended for readers who want a romance that’s based on mutual respect and admiration (in addition to naughty feelings), and anybody who thinks that maybe, just maybe, Bigfoot might really exist. If you love romance and have ever owned X-Files memorabilia, this story is for you.

What you’ll find:
✨ Unconventional Workplace Romance
👽 Mulder x Scully Vibes
✨ A lot of cryptid and conspiracy theory factoids
👽 Friends to Lovers
✨ Mutual Pining
👽 Hurt/Comfort
✨ Forced Proximity
👽 Only One Bed
✨ Acespec Rep (MC)
👽 Autistic-coded LI
😺 A cat named Cthulhu

Hallie is a web series producer desperate to prove herself at her company after a horrendous break up with a coworker. Hayden is a big, tattooed nerd/podcaster obsessed with cryptids and other conspiracy theories.

Right away, these two have incredible chemistry when Hallie proposes that Hayden work with her to turn his podcast about conspiracy theories into a web series. When they find out that he is not great in front of the camera, she steps in as his skeptical, quippy co-host and The Out There web series is born.

As Hallie and Hayden begin working side by side, a budding attraction blooms between them that is as obvious on-screen as it is off. While Hallie is hesitant to pursue anything, Hayden is supportive to a fault and these bickering co-host slowly become best friends (who definitely lust after one other.)

My Thoughts:

A little bit silly and oh-so sweet!! I adored these characters. Hallie is working on building her confidence back after her awful ex and she finds such comfort in this work with Hayden (despite her being a non-believer.) And Hayden is just this perfect combination of passionate nerd and understanding sweetheart. He and Hallie are total opposites in a way but manage to have a wonderfully balanced and supportive relationship. Despite their (adorable) banter, they have such genuine affection for one other. I love these nerds. They are the perfect match.

This is a delightful debut from author, Mallory Harlowe! I cannot wait to see what else she comes up with.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for an early E-ARC and thank you to PRH Audio for an copy of the audiobook!

- Friends To Lovers
- Conspiracy Theory Show
- Forced Proximity
- Bigfoot, Mothman, Nessie and More
- Only One Bed
- Slow Burn

Okay, I absolutely loved everything about this book. I am a total conspiracy theorist buff. I find all of the podcasts, documentaries, ghost hunting shows ect just so interesting. Then you add in some romance with a nerdy “hot guy” who gives off major golden retriever vibes and let me tell you I was HERE FOR IT ALL. The banter between Hayden and Hallie was so good too, literally had me kicking my feet and giggling. Hayden is just such a sweet guy, I couldn’t help but to love him immediately. And Hallie, oh Hallie, I loved the growth of her character the most. This is definitely more of a lighthearted romcom type of read, but it does have a heavier subplot surrounding loneliness and some self doubt. I am absolutely looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Hallie and Hayden’s romance was a joy to watch progress and their individual traumas were respectfully addressed and satisfyingly resolved. Hallie is able to grow her own confidence after years of being with her toxic and belittling ex-boyfriend. Hayden’s reactions to her ex-boyfriend never take away from the work she’s done on her own and only enhance her development. Same for Hayden dealing with the grief of losing his father and of having an unaccepting mother. The real-world, non-romantic conflicts they deal with ground the romance which is always my favorite thing. I never just want a romance story. I want to watch two people fall in love but also complement each other and help each other grow as individuals. The chemistry and banter is still there, though! X-files fans take note. The Mulder-Scully dynamic is *chef’s kiss.

I fell asleep twice while reading this in 27% and that tells me all I need to know: it isn’t for me.