This follows Millie who is an entomology curator at a museum and is up for a department director position. She tries not to get distracted by her grumpy co-worker, Finn. Finn does not mean to come off as grumpy but he is juggling quite a lot at the moment: his job, grief after losing his sister, and taking care of his young nieces. Millie realizes Finn is part of the promotion committee when she goes in to interview. Will Finn derail her promotion or make all her dreams come true.

This was such a cute, workplace, grumpy X sunshine romance read. I loved the STEM representation in this book. I really loved that Finn is a secret cinnamon roll hero. I loved how Finn would notice Millie's anxiety and help support her. I also really enjoyed Finn's nieces and Millie's relationship. Millie's family and friends were the best! I especially loved the text messages between Millie and her family. They made me laugh out loud!

Tropes: Grumpy X Sunshine, Cinnamon Roll Hero, Workplace, Single Guardian

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Thank you, netgalley, avon and harpervoyager for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had the opportunity to arc read this and throughly enjoyed this STEM romance. It was so beautiful and such a cute read! Millie and Finn were so perfect together. I am a sucker for found family so it was lovely to watch Millie become the completed piece for Finn and his nieces, Eloise and Avery, after grieving the loss of Clara, the girls mother and Finn's sister.
If you're looking for a sweet slow burn, grumpy sunshine, romcom this is for you!

Now I heavily crave almond croissants!!!!🥐

This book was a sweet office romance with memorable characters and a great storyline. Totally enjoyed the love and support Millie and Finn complete with one another. Totally a story full of butterfly feels as you read it.

I thought this was such a cute book and I absolutely loved it!! While it was marketed as an “enemies/rivals to lovers” I felt that it would have been better marketed as “grumpy/sunshine.” I loved the dynamic between Finn and Millie and Finn’s tragic back story will tug at your heartstrings! Thank you NetGalley for an arc in exchange for a review!

4.5 ⭐️
Thank you Atria for the review copy

This was such a cute feel good story! And while the cover is pretty and colorful, the story holds so much emotion, depth and inspiration. Overall, it felt like a warm hug at the end of a long day. Bonus points for the academic/museum setting and STEMinist vibe.

The little girls, sensitive subjects of loss and gradual growth of the characters and their relationship just sealed the deal for me. Loved Millie and Finn's dynamic and the way their relationship developed slowly and naturally. It felt so authentic! From the banter, to work tension, hanging out with the girls and growing feelings, it all pulled at my heart strings. They both go through a challenging time in their lives, Finn dealing with grief and being a new guardian to his nieces, Millie with work and finding her purpose. Seeing them grow both individually and together, healing, finding love ans hope felt so inspiring.

The writing pulled me in from the very beginning. Just look at this!

She’s glowing all the time, illuminating everything around her, and the blazing light feels like a third-degree sunburn for a man who has been in the dark for too long.

My chest tightens, as though someone has taken hold of it and squeezed. Something about watching them together is so . . . right that it leaves me breathless.

“What am I going to do with you, Millie?” Finn smirks as he stands me up straight.

“I don’t need the sun when you’re here, stella mia. You’re the brightest star in my universe, and I’ve been orbiting around you since you poured coffee all over me. I could spend the rest of my life watching you shine.”

Perfect for Romance book lovers who love like their characters feisty, STEMINIST heroines, banter, spice, emotional journeys, single dad/guardian trope and grumpy sunshine.

An office romance with great enemies/rivals to lovers and fantastic banter. Two museum professionals one girl focused on her bugs another guy focused on the stars, only to find that they may have been looking at the same butterfly that would guide them to their happily ever after. With two people dealing with the pain of their past, they begin to see each other in a new light. With late night cooking lessons and weekend adventures that turn into an unexpected family. Overcoming a narcissistic family, emotionally abusive ex-partner, and the grief of loss with the joy of two children simply needing to be loved I couldn't get enough of this amazing story. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Review: Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

If you love a story that’s more about the internal journeys of its characters than big, dramatic plot twists, this one will absolutely speak to you.

Millie is such a bright and likable heroine—she’s an anxious but determined entomologist who’s trying to balance her career goals with the emotional scars left behind by a toxic ex. I really appreciated how real she felt bold in some moments and unsure in others. It made her growth feel earned and honest.

And Finn. Whew. Finn is pure “grumpy single dad meets secret softie” perfection. He’s raising his two nieces after the death of his sister, and the weight of his grief was written with so much care. He’s trying so hard to be the kind of parent she would have wanted, even when he feels like he’s falling short. Watching him open up to Millie—and vice versa—was incredibly sweet. Their romance had this slow, gentle burn to it that felt true to who they were and the complications in their lives (co-workers, grief, trauma, etc.). And yes, once the steam kicked in, Finn’s dirty talk did *not* disappoint!

This book checks so many boxes I love in a romance:
✔️ Women in STEM
✔️ Nerdy, emotionally vulnerable MMC
✔️ Found family + amazing friend group
✔️ Adorable kiddos
✔️ Dancing to Disney music
✔️ Communication (!!)
✔️ No third act breakup

If I had one minor critique, it would be the pacing. It was slow-moving in the middle, and I found myself drifting a bit, so a little more tension might have helped keep the momentum stronger. Still, I found the emotional beats and the soft, lived-in feel of the story really rewarding.

Overall, this was a cozy, affirming read that gave me all the butterflies I hoped for. Looking forward to the next book (Fable and her best friend’s brother? Yes, please!).

This was DELIGHTFUL! I ate this up. Obsessed with the characters and the tropes. And anything with butterflies? Yes, please.

The characters were there, the storyline was there, but something about the writing didn't work for me. It just never fully clicked for me.

This is definitely for the nerds. And I loved it.

Millie is still regaining her footing since she left her emotionally abusive ex, and at the moment, there’s one goal on her mind: get the promotion to be the entomology director at the museum she work at. But life seemed to refuse to give her easy path, because on top of everything, she suddenly keeps crushing into her grumpy scowling coworker, Finn, who also happens to be someone on her interview panel. Several incidents later, Millie comes to Finn’s house every Friday to help him cook, because Finn’s 2 adorable nieces who’s-fully-under-his-care-now make it harder for Millie to refuse.

I enjoyed Millie & Finn’s dynamics. They have amazing chemistry, and the 2 little girls also add a delight to the story. Tho the interruption timings are too much sometimes lol. Way to built the anticipation i guess. And even though both carried trauma baggages that didn’t suddenly disappeared, they navigate it nicely while also trying to let each other in. All in all this is the classic grumpy x sunshine coworkers romance, reminded me of Ali Hazelwood’s STEMinist books. Can’t wait to read the other Oaks sisters story because Millie’s family group chat seemed very interesting lol.

✨ ARC Review✨

Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Oh my gosh, this book is everything—I can't even begin to tell you how much I adored it! The grumpy/sunshine dynamic is one of my favorite tropes, and Finn and Millie just nailed it.

From their very first interaction, I was hooked. Plus, the banter between them? HILARIOUS! Chef’s kiss! I laughed out loud more than once, especially with the text threads and the awkward, hilarious meet-cutes (spilling coffee, rear-ending cars—oops). Their chemistry is off the charts, and their story had me grinning the entire time.

While this is a slow burn, Finn and Millie fall so hard for each other and with their communication being so open and honest with no games made it felt so raw and real.

But both have their personal stuff to work through, Millie’s dealing with a promotion and trying to move past her toxic ex, while Finn’s dealing with some heavy grief and trying to figure out how to be the best guardian to his super cute twin nieces. Who kept stealing the show!

And let's talk about the family vibes! Millie just sliding into Finn's world with his nieces felt so natural and sweet🥹🫶🏽 Also, Millie's family welcomed Finn and girls like they belonged there and I just wanted to CRY!!

The relationship between Finn and Millie has so many swoon-worthy moments and the SPICE was Chef’s kiss. And don’t even get me started on the cookie dough scene. Ugh,(fire) IYKYK!!

I was so glad to pick this book up in New York so I could have it in my physical library!

Give Me Butterflies lives up to its name—soft, fluttery, and filled with warm, nerdy charm. It was cute, cozy, and emotionally thoughtful. I especially appreciated how the characters’ careers were woven into their growth and the relationship itself.

Millie was such a fun main character. As someone with a bug phobia, I was a little unsure going into a book about an entomologist, but Millie’s passion made it surprisingly enjoyable. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I loved that her anxiety was written with care and honesty—it wasn’t just a quirky trait, but something she actively worked through.

Finn, our emotionally walled-off astronomer, was the classic grump but had a depth that really stood out. His grief, his familial bonds, and his inner softness made him feel grounded and real. The dynamic between Millie and Finn was sweet and had plenty of tension and charm.

That said—yes, it was insta-love. Their connection happens fast, and while the chemistry is strong, I do wish there’d been a bit more slow burn to really let things breathe. The emotional beats landed, but some of the romance development felt rushed. I also just don't reach "cheeseball" romances like this often, so I might be a little biased. The pacing dipped a little in the middle, and again, the romance moved quickly, but the emotional payoff, relatable characters, and cozy vibes made up for it, mostly.

Give Me Butterflies was just the loveliest swoony romance! I loved the twist of the romance being between science colleagues and was pleasantly surprised that it didn't linger long on the office enemies trope. Finn was just the dreamiest boyfriends. I was delighted to see there was no third act break-up! This book simply swept me away. High recommend!

Give Me Butterflies is a slow burn, work place romance between two museum employees, Jillian and Finn. Jillian works in the Entomology department while Finn runs the Astronomy department. This was my first Jillian Meadows book and it for sure will not be my last. I fell in love with her writing and her characters who are so well rounded and beautifully flawed that they felt like real people to me. Finn, a grumpy single guardian to his two amazing nieces has a big cinnamon roll heart that is the perfect pair to Millie's sunshine personality with a beautifully kind soul.

Typically, I don't normally reach for office/workplace romances but as soon as I read that this was based in a museum I was immediately down. The massive nerd in me eats up stories with characters who work in STEM every time. And Give Me Butterflies hit every mark! I loved reading about a setting that I feel doesn't get a lot of attention in romance books.
While this story is technically a slow burn, the buildup is filled with the most tender, supportive, budding friendship between Millie and Finn. It was so heartwarming to witness their growth not only in their relationship, but also as individuals.

Give Me Butterflies not only feels like the epitome of a warm blanket, but also a pep talk to your heart. This story left me feeling so empowered and ready to take on whatever life was going to throw at me next.

Give Me Butterflies was a very swoony read! I loved the he falls first (and harder!!) trope in this. I really liked the character growth and romance in the story. From Finn's new reality of grieving his sister and raising her twins and Millie's career growth and past toxic relationship. It was just a sweet and happy read!! I am so shocked this was a debut and I look forward to reading more by this author!

Cute but not the read I was hoping for!

Wanted a workplace enemies romance and instead got an insta-love relationship where their respective jobs at the museum played a minor role. I thought the competition between the entomology and astrology at the museum was going to be a key feature but other than a few grumpy moments at shared department meetings this book could have been set literally anywhere. Not to mention the relationship between Finn and Mellie felt juvenile at times, despite the issues they faced in their personal lives. Sweet but probably a storyline I will forget easily.

I loved this romance so much. Millie and Finn are made for each other, and I loved seeing their relationship develop from coworkers who don’t get along to being the other’s everything. And the tension and banter between them was so good, it made me melt.

Such a fun slow build romance. The book opened up and read a lot like an Allie Hazlewood read with such a STEM female focus. I adored the complex stories behind both of the main characters. I also like a book that has both characters perspectives alternating. Super quick read once I opened it up and got going. Would suggest.

"He sounds boring, come out with me instead." – Finn Ashford, my new favorite book boyfriend.

This book had everything I could possibly want in a romance: grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, workplace tension, a hint of enemies-to-lovers, a found family dynamic, jealousy, pining, and even a touch of protective energy against a toxic ex. I loved every second of it.

The story follows Finn Ashford and Millie Oaks, colleagues at the same museum whose professional relationship is… let’s just say not the warmest. That tension only escalates when Millie interviews for the director position in her department—with Finn sitting on the interview committee. As fate (and their workplace) continue throwing them together, their dynamic begins to shift, revealing layers of chemistry, conflict, and unexpected connection.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its character development. Jillian writes with remarkable authenticity, making Finn and Millie feel like real, multifaceted individuals. I often struggle with miscommunication tropes or slow-burn romances as they can feel forced, but here, every interaction feels natural and well-paced. Their evolving relationship is not only believable but deeply compelling.

Overall, this novel delivers everything I look for in a contemporary romance—dynamic characters, a fresh and engaging plot, and some spice. If you're searching for a romance that is both heartfelt and entertaining, this one is well worth the read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Recommendation: Perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance, found family dynamics, and the grumpy x sunshine trope. With its own unique charm, this book delivers a captivating romance that will especially appeal to fans of Ali Hazelwood. If you love her books, this one is sure to be a hit!

Note: I received this book as an e-ARC on NetGalley and I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Jillian Meadows for the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for providing an e-copy to review!!

Sometimes you pick up a romance just to escape into a fictional world and Jillian Meadows built up an EXCELLENT world here. Beyond the main plot, there were numerous side characters I would love to see explored in future works and I would definitely pick up any work set in this world immediately. A lovely, cozy time.

That’s not to say the book didn’t veer into serious territory. There’s a list of CW to check out (I’ll include some major ones that come to mind at the end of this review), but they were handled well by the author such that the overall theme of the novel seems to be that we can heal from our trauma.

This book is for you if:
•You love a romance book that hits on all the tropes
•You love the idea of having a close family, born or built
•You enjoy being able to identify exactly what type of fanfiction a book started off as


This book may not be for you if:
•Any of the content warnings stand out to you as something you don’t want to read

Content warnings below:



CWs: Verbal domestic abuse, Cancer, Death of a parent/sister