Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager/Avon for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
There's something that draws me about books of women in STEM. It's the science, yes, but also the personalities you see from people who choose to make such areas of study their careers. I connect to it on a cellular level because of my medical occupation. When books come along and show strong women who make their way in science, it makes me truly happy. I feel not so alone in loving the geeky parts of my career.
Before I dive in, know there are trigger warnings that come with this book: abuse, loss of a loved one, grief, sexual content, anxiety.
The most interesting part of this story for me was the setting. I have not read STEM books that take place in a museum. And, at first, I wasn't so sure about how it truly fit in. But watching Millie do her thing and show her love of entomology was inspiring. My favorite museums to visit are science museums but I never truly thought about how this part of the science actually fits into that.
I enjoyed Millie's character. She was a bit timid and also at a point where she was more interested in who she was and how that fit into her career than love. But you never know when love will hit you from out of the blue, right? She's also a bit untrusting, understandable given her background with her ex (who I was ready to punch in the face, mind you). This also manifests as severe anxiety at times in the book and the author did a good job with showing this. There's one scene where is literally paralyzed by it and I think the author really understood how to relay this to the audience in a sensitive way.
Finn, oh Finn. I really liked his character so much. Even more than Millie. I love his loyalty to his nieces. How he revolves his world around them while still struggling to come to terms with his grief over his sister. He's so focused on them he doesn't think there is room for anything else. Or that he even deserves it. Of course, his background with his parents and their abusive behavior explains much of this. He doesn't want his sister's girls growing up in the environment he had to endure for so long. He and Ellie have much in common when it comes to having endured abuse and I think this is what gives them more of a connection than not. The only thing I had issue with was his instant attraction to Millie. It was a bit over the top for me since it happened right away. I do get that perhaps he had a thing for her to begin with but this wasn't shown as well as I would have liked considering they had been working together for a while.
The side characters were great. I loved El and Ave, Finn's nieces. And Millie's parents, they were just amazing. They incorporated Finn and his nieces so easily into their lives, opening their hearts and doors without need of an explanation why and giving Finn the found family he needed. I do wish Kyle, the abusive ex, would have gotten more of a comeuppence in this story. He made me so very angry and, while I can understand not all characters can easily break out of the abuse cycle (which makes the story more relatable), I felt like there needed to be more of a confrontation with him. I feel like that would have made Millie's load much lighter in the long run.
The pacing of the story is well done. I didn't feel like it was slow. The author wove into the story things that helped to move the plot along well. I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine vibe this book had going for it which was well done with the dual POV. While Mille's character had endured some life changing stuff, she's still happy and loves what she does and the life she has created. Meanwhile, Finn puts off a grumpy vibe right from the start. Though you can also see he has moments of sunshine peeking through which only become more prominent the more time he spends with Millie. The banter between the characters made the story fun at many moments.
Overall, I was impressed with how the author tackled the serious topics in this book while still infusing romance and character growth. There was good depth to the story and it showed the author understood her audience and the topics she chose to use, approaching them in a realistic and healthy way. This was a great first novel for this author and I can see she will quickly become a favorite of mine in the future. Fans of Ali Hazelwood will enjoy this story very much. I'm excited to see the future books of this series as they explore Millie's sisters.
3.5 stars rounded to 4

***Trigger Warning: Loss of a loved one***

This was cute. It reminded me of an Ali Hazelwood book. But I don't think I would want to reread this.

Give Me Butterflies is a dual POV grumpy/sunshine workplace romance. Millie loves her job as an entomologist and is up for a promotion, but the museum grump could stand between her and the job she wants! Finn has little time for anything besides work and raising his nieces, but Millie slowly finds her way into his life and heart. It’s a slow burn from coworkers, to friends, to lovers!

I loved this book and could hardly put it down (R.I.P. my attention span at work!) I loved Millie’s optimism and the depiction of her anxiety on page. I thought Finn was absolutely fantastic, the right amount of grumpy and a doting uncle. I liked the found family aspects and appreciated the authors use of CW/TW at the beginning.


Read dates: 12/15/2024- 12/16/2024
Goodreads review: 12/16/2024
Instagram review: 12/17/2024
Blog review: 01/21/2025

This was a wholesome and sweet STEM romance with a grump x sunshine pairing. The MMC is navigating through life after the recent death of his sister and parenting her two young children. the FMC is an entomologist curator at the same museum as the handsome astronomer. The banter was cute and fun and the book all in all was an enjoyable read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this eARC.

eARC Review: Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
Pub Date: January 21, 2025

Oh my HEAVENS this boooooook!!!! (What if that's all this review was?)

I was utterly charmed by the chemistry, banter, and depth of this book. This was my first read by Jillian Meadows but it absolutely convinced me to devour any and everything she has written and will write in the future.

My thoughts are so all over the place I don't even know what to say - just trust me and read this one, kay??

I adored Finn and his nieces that he's raising. I'm a pretty solid hater of kids in romance books but man these kids were written so well and I loved seeing how Millie bonded with them and Finn. Their found family just got my little heart. This book deals with some heavier emotions - grief, recovery from an abusive relationship - but still has incredibly sweet and spicy moments. It's the perfect blend for me, as someone who likes a little grit in their romances.

This was one of the easiest 5 star romances that I've given recently - special shoutout to MC who told me that I would love this one - she wasn't wrong!!

Thank you to Avon for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rating/Recommend
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Yes

Content Warning: Mature content. Multiple Open Door scenes and adult language.

My Thoughts

Loved this book. It was just so cute. I’ll be honest Finn threw me off in the beginning because he was giving major red flag vibes but he was quickly redeemed. Don’t even get me started on El and Av. Those girls are the sweetest. Also, I really wanted Finn to confront Kyle. Like Kyle deserved a bitter end. I wanted Millie to be more confrontational to him but her soul is too good!

If you like contemporary romance, mental health and grief/loss representation, and spice you’ll love this.
Grumpy x Sunshine. Found Family. Nerdy Banter.
The characters are in their upper 20’s and early 30’s which is a nice change from all the college romance.

I’m always a little skeptical when books are marketed as “perfect for fans of {insert popular author here}!” but I’m a huge Ali Hazelwood fan so decided to give it a shot and WOW I was not disappointed. Women in STEM, slightly steamy, a slight enemies-to-lovers vibe- this book checks all the boxes. Finn is an amazing male lead with that “grumpy on the outside but soft for her” personality we all LOVE. Millie is recovering and healing from an abusive relationship and anyone who has been there knows what a mind fuck that can be. This story managed to tackle some really heavy subjects in a realistic and healthy way while also delivering a light and easy to read romance. I flew through this in less than 24 hours and can’t wait to see what else Meadows has in store for us in the future!

Finn is navigating life upturned for him and his nieces, who he is unexpectedly raising on his own, Millie is bravely finding herself again after recently leaving an abusive relationship. They work at the same museum, even though they are in different departments. These two gave me all the feels and emotions. I just love them both so much, on their own and together, The little girls are written perfectly, and the family they all build together is just the sweetest. Finn and Millie start with a bit of non-communication which causes them to be wary of each other. But once they decide to be friends, the mutual feelings won’t be denied, They still have some issues to overcome, but they are all realistic and handled in mature ways, I can’t recommend this contemporary romance enough - grumpy/sunshine, workplace, STEM, found family, overcoming abuse, supportive friend group. Millie and Finn choose each other in spite of odds against them. I can’t wait to read more from this author. All the stars!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC to read and review, All opinions are my own ,

I really loved this book. I think I was expecting to get to know the characters a little better on their own before they were thrown into their first ‘date’, maybe. I thought I was going to struggle with pacing, but Jillian Meadows proved me way wrong. I loved it from this moment on. I loved the girls and the relationship Millie built with them. I loved the time Millie and Finn took to become friends before jumping into anything else. I love how they were there for each other and gave each other space to heal from their own traumas. I just would have loved to see a little more of Millie at work because it seemed like such a cool job! But I really really loved this book. I can’t wait til it comes out! Wreck My Plans is next!

Thank you for the early access!!

I just finished this book. It was very very good !

I was very surprised to learn that this is Jillian’s Meadows first book. It flowed very well and was so realistic that it was easy to travel to the world inside the book each time I opened to it’s pages.

There are some adult scenes, but if those were removed or made G-rated, it would be an even more excellent read and enjoyable for all those who love a good romance. I especially like the interactions of Millie with Avery & Eloise. The dialogue was easy and natural and made me laugh.

This book publishes Jan 21, 2025, so get in touch with your local library and ask them to hold it for you!

I LIKE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Can't I just review like this? 😳

I mean, almost all topic the writer brings on the book: women in science, trauma, love, etc. I also enjoy the romance—include the spiciness 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, ofc!!!! It's the main reason I read the book,

I'm sorry, I could express my excitement better than this BUT I LIKE THIS BOOK SO MUCH 😍 except the LGBT issue 🙏🏻

Give me all the Jillian Meadows stories! I feel like the books Jillian writes create the most tender and lovable characters that you want to wrap up in the biggest warmest hugs!

Read this for:
- Forced proximity
- Found family
- Grumpy/Sunshine
- He's gone for her
- Workplace

Millie finds herself colliding with her grumpy co-worker Finn on multiple occasions. He seems to have a permanent scowl and keeps ending up within some of her most horrible moments. She's the opposite of him in so many ways. She's up for a huge promotion at work and is not going to let anything stand in her way. She also has some deep wounds from her past relationship trauma.

Finn is still trying to navigate the loss of his sister and caring for his two nieces. He can't stop thinking about his co-worker that is all sunshine and butterflies.

The two find themselves unable to stop drifting towards one another. In the midst of doing that, they both end up receiving the love and devotion they deserve that helps to heal them and allow them to move on.

The way that they create such a bonded little family with the two girls is the sweetest thing. I enjoyed seeing how Finn and Millie could let their walls down and start allowing the other to be a support to them. They didn't need the other but they wanted the other to be part of their life and enhance it with so much more more.

This story had some deep emotional undertones, some adorable sweet caring moments with caretaking for the girls and for each other, and some amazing chemistry that heats up the pages. I loved how Finn was not really a grump with the people he loves. He falls so hard for Millie and you get to see how much he adores her as well as his nieces.

It was fun to see Millie's family who were hilarious in all the text messages. I also enjoyed the friend group Millie had with the game nights and the way they welcomed Finn and the girls with open arms.

I'm looking forward to the next books in this sister series!

Thank you to Avon for providing me with this ARC. All opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️ “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.”

Ugh, such a cozy little romance that matches the blurb to a T. Also, with a B.K. Borrison review on the cover, you know it’s to be a good read. It’s a STEM romance following two museum curators—Finn, a grumpy Uncle with full custody of his nieces and a PhD in Astronomy and Millie, a happy-go-lucky entomologist. Millie begins interviewing for a position as the Director of Entomology at the museum, where she gets to know Finn following some not-so-great previous encounters. Finn brings his two nieces to science camp, where they are captivated by Millie’s charm and knowledge. Next thing Millie and Finn know is they are spending more time together and Finn’s actually smiling and not brooding.

•Workplace romance
•Grumpy x Sunshine
•Found family

This is one of those kick your feet in the air, giggle like a school girl, make-you-feel-good type romances.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books and Harper-Collin’s Publishing for the ARC to read and review.

3.5 rounded up to 4

Millie is excited to interview for a new role at the museum. She won't let anything stand in her way of this opportunity, including Finn, the grumpy astronomer on her interview panel. The same coworker whose car she might have tapped with hers in the parking lot. When Millie learns that Finn is struggling with the loss of his sister and it taking care of his two nieces, she steps in to help with dinner. But soon she's spending time with Finn for more than just dinner.

Read if you like:
-We have to stop meeting like this
-Single Guardian
-Workplace Romance

Give Me Butterflies is super cute. Like tooth rotting fluff cute. I love how hard Finn is trying for this sister and her two little girls. He was simply adorable. And Millie's family group chat was laugh out loud funny.

I am not one that often picks up books with the single parent trope, but give me a devoted-uncle-permanent-caretaker any day 😍

My love for Finn, my love for Millie, my love for the girls, and my love for all them combined makes this book a five-star read for me. These characters!!! I couldn’t get enough. Finn is still navigating his new world less than a year after losing his sister. Millie is trying to find herself again after leaving an abusive relationship. Avery and Eloise have had their whole lives turned upside down after losing their mother at a young age. Reading about all of them finding some peace with each other and just downright falling in love with one another was so tender, emotional, and just feel-good.

The tropes in this novel just happen to be the perfect mashup for me and this book didn’t disappoint at all! If I had to be super picky, I’d say there felt like abrupt stopping points at the end of some sections and chapters, but it certainly didn’t bother me enough to drop it from a five star review 🙃

- Grumpy x Sunshine
- STEM / Workplace romance
- Slow burn
- Found family

I believe this was the first novel written by Jillian Meadows, but I can’t wait to read more from her!

I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley and super thankful to the author and publisher for a chance to read and review!

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 3/5

4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

Millie is used to her coworkers Finn’s scowling face and sarcasm. He’s an astronomer and she’s an entomologist at a museum. Millie is up for a promotion and she refuses to let him get to her, even if she does seem to have a lot of accidents around him. But Finn doesn’t mean to come off as a grump. On top of a full work load, he’s also managing the grief of losing his sister and raising her twin girls as a single parent now.
But Millie’s sunshine personality worms her way into his heart and their lives. She’s equally attached to the girls as she is to Finn. Despite her sunny disposition, trust doesn’t come easy to her after leaving her toxic ex.

This was SO cute. Finn and Millie truly brought out the best in each other despite major challenges in their lives. And there was some great LGBT rep too! I also loved how nerdy both of them were. Star Wars, Star Trek, Acotar, gaming etc

Give Me Butterflies had me intrigued by the cover (I know, I'm not supposed to judge, but have you seen it?!) and kept me wanting more with the heartwarming, sweet story, and characters.

The story follows Ellie, a high school senior who’s navigating her feelings for a charming new guy, but also struggling with her own insecurities and the pressure of upcoming life changes. Meadows does a wonderful job of capturing the intense emotions and vulnerabilities of the characters that makes them feel real and relatable. The romance is sweet and believable, and the book offers a fresh take on self-discovery. There wasn't any unnecessary drama, just enough to keep the story interesting, which I greatly appreciated. I loved her family and honestly I really enjoyed most, if not all, of the side characters, Overall, it's a charming, feel-good read for fans of YA contemporary romance and it definitely gave me the ooey gooey, warm hug-in-a-mug feeling that I so very much wanted.

Tropes to read for:
Workplace romance
Grumpy x sunshine
He falls first
Found family
Age gap
Dual POV

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Jillian Meadows for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this! Many laugh out loud moments and all the feels. I loved all the characters and banter between the two main characters. The extra recipe at the end was a treat!

I enjoyed the back stories of both Millie and Finn. Both have experience with manipulative relationships (hers ex bf, him his parents). If gave more to the story vs. just two people that work at the same place being thrust into each other’s lives. That said, the writing itself was a little lacking for me. It was too distracting and pulled me out of the story—sometimes it was too cliche and sometimes I wanted more.

I do love a good “single parent” trope (even if it’s single uncle in this case). And I appreciated the unique angle on found family this story provided. I liked the overlap of her loving butterflies and him obsessed with the butterfly constellation.

A simple, sweet and spicy delight.

The grumpy x sunshine books have been serving me well lately.

I adored Millie and Finn, as well as Finn’s nieces Eloise and Avery. They’re everything a family should be, loving, kind, and supportive.

I wish there was more of a plotline aside from the romance, but this isn’t that type of book and that’s okay.