This is a pretty typical forbidden workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, single "dad" conglomeration. It ticks a lot of boxes and for the most part, it executes them pretty well. Finn is the grumpy tenured museum director who's become the guardian to his twin nieces after his sister's untimely death. He's still reeling. Sprinkle on top some gaslighting parents and he's one miserable MF'er.

Also, the author's choice to reintroduce said gaslighter toward the end of the novel was unnecessary and actually detracted from the story. It was silly and on the heels of the gratuitous third act break up was overkill.

Altogether this was a sweet, fluffy read and I will move on to the second book in the series, focusing on Millie's sister.

This was so soft and wholesome and amazing, I had such a great time reading it!

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

I wanted to love this one. I loved that it was dual POV my favorite rom coms are normally the ones that do that because I love watching the hero fall in love with the heroine while we get his point. I loved Finn and I loved being in his point of view. I just never warmed up to Millie.

This was a very sweet, emotional romance with interesting characters and a believable story. I like that Meadows doesn't include a typical third act breakup and instead focuses on the growth of the 2 characters. Eloise and Avery were a delight and I loved their relationship with Millie. The side characters were charming and I would read a book featuring any of them. This was truly a wonderful romance that I highly recommend.

This book was....fine. I was really excited to read a woman in STEM-centered romance, but I found that the plot and setting barely took place in the museum and was mostly focused on the FMC getting to know the MMC's nieces. It was adorable, but I think I went into this with the expectation of it being something other than it was.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for a review.


It took me forever to get to this one and what a mistake. I loved it! The plot of Finn and Millie’s work and romance was so delightful and I loved their characters and their community of friends and family.
The secondary storyline did feel a little shoehorned in but it was still a good conflict for a bit.

This book was such a cozy delight—it hit that perfect sweet spot of comfort without being boring. The cover reeled me in (yes, I do judge books by their cover) and the synopsis sealed the deal. Once I started reading, I found myself wanting more. I especially appreciated the thoughtful mental health representation and the warm, heart-hugging found family (because seriously, who can’t relate to building your own crew?). Bonus points for the lack of unnecessary drama and characters who actually communicate like functioning humans. Honestly, 10/10 for emotional maturity and good vibes.

Just finished Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows and… this was a 5-star swoon-fest 💕

If you love a grumpy academic MMC who flirts through arguments, gets adorably jealous, and secretly buys you coffee because he spilled yours DAYS ago—this is your book.

Finn and Millie have that chaotic, tension-filled, slow-burn chemistry that had me giggling and kicking my feet.

From fender benders to spider emails, pizza with nieces, and the “are you dating?” panic spiral—every scene was funny, flirty, and full of feels.

That first kiss dare? Perfection.

Plot twist? Emotional depth? Jealous meltdowns in kitchens? Yep.

Plus a sweet, wholesome ending that wrapped it all up like a warm hug.

I’m OBSESSED with this couple and already need more from Jillian Meadows! 🥹📚✨


IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKcdVu6sOFE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

GR: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7608886085

BLOG: https://beawritesandreads.substack.com/p/give-me-butterflies-by-jillian-meadows

Starting out, I want to say this is my first Jillian Meadows book. That being said, I did thoroughly enjoy this book and her as an author. Watching the chemistry build between the two main characters was enjoyable, and the mental health rep genuinely felt throughout and not overly done and sobby. I am also a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine trope.

I want to personally thank NetGalley, as well as the author, publisher, and anyone else involved in providing copies, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jillian is new to me but I really loved this sweet and swoony workplace love story. With a great blend of opposites attract dynamics, found family charm, and all of that he falls first energy, this was such a sweet and charming story. Give Me Butterflies definitely gave me some butterflies...sorry I had to do it.

Our heroine Millie is an entomologist (never read a romance with one before), and she's aspiring for a promotion in her role at her museum. Which means impressing Finn, the grumpy head of the astronomy department who is helping lead the hiring efforts. But as always, we know there is more under the surface when we have a grumpy hero, and as this two get to know each other more, we find out there is more to Finn's surly facade. Finn is coping with the loss of his sister, and the important role of raising his two nieces. Cue all the swoon.

I loved how we see these two form a meaningful friendship as they get to know each other. Finn becomes increasingly charming the more we (and Millie) get to know him. They have a beautiful dynamic- it's authentic, it's respectful, it's full of empathy and true connection. It's really a friends to lovers dynamic here - and i loved how their friendship helped both of them uncover more about each other, and in turn about themselves. There's a nice emotional tinge to the sweetness here- as both of these characters grow into a vulnerability. It's a sweet love story, tender and heartwarming and quite sincere and charming. There's a beautiful emotional resonance to their character arcs and their love story, and I found myself completely charmed. Can't wait to check out more from Jillian!

This was such a cute, fun read with some nice nods to mental health and taking care of yourself.

I really enjoyed both characters. Millie was smart, compassionate, and had some quirkiness to her. Finn started out grumpy and dickish, though that lasted for like a couple chapters which was a little strange, but he was also a marshmallow and was giving me Clark Kent vibes

This was a great book. I loved Millie and Finn’s relationship. I loved how determined Finn was to take care of his nieces and I appreciated his grief journey. I loved that they showed a man going to therapy, I always love seeing characters go to therapy. I also loved Millie’s character, I loved that she was a woman in STEM and I found her storyline really interesting. I loved that they worked at a science center, it was a really fun concept. I enjoyed Jillian Meadows’ writing and I’m excited to check out more of her books!

Millie is currently working her butt off to prove herself worthy of the entomology director position at the museum she works in. She has always wanted to move up and has always had a passion for inspiring visitors to learn and grow. She herself knows all about growing, she has moved on from a toxic relationship and is ready for something new. The only hold up on the hiring comity is Finn. Finn is good looking but grumpy and this astronomer might be the one she won't win over on the comity. Her anxieties all come out when she learns that there is a newcomer that is looking forward to getting the entomology director position. But surprisingly she finds herself drawn closer to Finn through two adorable little girls he brings to the museum's kids programming. Finn might have more going on than Millie ever realized and he also might be the one to help her overcome a lot of the obstacles she still faces from her past.
I love a woman in STEM romance and this one did not disappoint, there was so much feeling, and I loved both main characters.

Give Me Butterflies is a perfect blend of heart, humor, and heat that delivers on every single level. If you love grumpy x sunshine, STEM heroines, and slow-burn tension that builds into something breathtaking, this one is a must-read.

Millie is a delight—quirky, passionate, and endlessly endearing. Her love for bugs and her genuine excitement about science are infectious. Finn, on the other hand, is the kind of brooding, emotionally complex hero you can’t help but fall for. Watching these two opposites clash, connect, and slowly fall for each other is absolute magic.

Their chemistry is undeniable, their banter is witty and full of nerdy charm, and the emotional depth—especially surrounding Finn’s grief and Millie’s ambition—is handled beautifully. The museum setting adds a unique, cozy charm to the story, and the found family elements (especially Finn’s nieces!) add a whole other layer of warmth.

It’s open-door in the best way—intimate and meaningful without overpowering the emotional connection. By the end, you’re left smiling, swooning, and maybe even believing that love is a little bit scientific.

A sparkling, feel-good romance that absolutely gives you butterflies. 🦋

What a sweet, cute, heartwarming read. I really enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Millie and Finn unfolded and grew. I always love a good single guardian premise, so this definitely hit that on the head!

I do wish that the story focused in on two tropes at most - sometimes it can be a bit too much to have workplace AND single guardian AND grumpy/sunshine AND toxicity in previous relationships. I know that life can be messy and that people have layers, but I needed just a little less in the trope department.

BUT. That being said, I HIGHLY recommend this book!! So cute and sweet. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the copy of this book!

This was a good book! It moved on at the right pace, holding my attention from the first to the last page. I loved the tension and romance between Millie and Finn. Not many books with the characters (especially women!) in STEM jobs. Look forward to reading more books by this author!

This book was steamy, sweet, funny, and emotional. I'm not usually one for books with kids/single parents/guardians, but I loved the family these two built and their emotional intimacy. This book had me giggling, swooning, and overall having a great time. Can't wait to read more from this author.

4.5 Stars

Give Me Butterflies is a cute rom com, it follows Millie and Finn they are co-workers, she is sunshine, and he is a grump. The banter between the two had me giggling, Jillian Meadows has a way with words that had me hooked from page 1. I don't want to spoil this book but all the characters in this book had a significant impact, the plot was everything I expected and so much more. I loved everything about this book!! Can't wait to read Lena's story next!!!

This one was so good! LOVE that the FMC is a woman in STEM! She’s got a great life and the hot nerd only makes her life better. As a romance lover, this one FLEW! Overall, I’d definitely recommend this read.

Okay but I think this book gives Ali Hazelwood a run for her money as a fun STEM romance. This book is so wholesome and sweet. It was a very well done workplace romance. I swooned so hard and fall in love when the mmc falls first.