I really enjoyed "Give Me Butterflies" by Jillian Meadows. I appreciated the smart and strong female lead. There was a good amount of chemistry in this book. I loved having the male leads nieces involved. Looking forward to more in this series.

Give Me Butterflies is an absolutely charming romance. Millie and Finn are sweet, smart, and absolutely made for other which makes it easy to root for their happily ever after.

Millie was once mentally battered down by an abusive boyfriend but now she’s standing strong and isn’t letting anyone mess with her sunny disposition. She’s a successful entomologist and is up for a director position at her museum – her dream job. But on the day of her first interview, she runs into the head of the astronomy department and things do not go well. Finn is grumpy, glowering, and her total opposite…or so she thinks. Finn may seem like a thundercloud at first, but actually he’s just a guy going through a really difficult time. He lost his sister and is now guardian to his nieces, who he loves with all his heart but is afraid of falling short as their new parent.

Jillian Meadows makes it easy to adore Millie, Finn, and the twins, Eloise and Avery. All of them are kind and loving people doing their best. The girls are absolutely sweet as can be and I loved how quickly Millie established a relationship with them separate from hers with Finn. For all that Give Me Butterflies deals with some heavy themes, Meadows makes the book feel light and airy. It’s a low-drama romance as Millie and Finn go from friends to lovers and sometimes you just need a solid love story without false drama in the third act. There’s tension, of course, but Meadows keeps things mostly organic as the story goes on.

Give Me Butterflies is the first book in the Oaks Sisters series and I cannot wait to see more of Millie’s family. I loved the Oaks and Millie’s friends, enjoyed how they welcomed Finn and the girls into their circle with open arms and hearts. All in all, Finn and Millie’s romance was a delight and I am very much looking forward to the next Oaks Sisters tale.

I thought this book was so cute!!! The romance between the two MC's were everything and it had all my favorite tropes I love and need more of!

The blurb for Give Me Butterflies truly captures what this story is about. There are also many wonderful scenes and character development strewn across the pages (this is a character-focused romance). There's women in STEM, nerdy guy, positive therapy rep, LGBTQ+ side characters, found family, some awesome biological family (and sadly some not so awesome family for contrast), adorable young children, dancing to Disney music, cute animals, learning to stand up for yourself, and some steam. That's just a taste of what I enjoyed.

This was absolutely incredible! This was so cute and watching her relationship develop with him and the kids was absolutely adorable. Truly just the cutest pairing and I have nothing but positive, wonderful things to say about this book.

𝑹𝑬𝑨𝑫 𝑰𝑭 𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑬:
♡ Workplace romance
♡ He falls first
♡ Found family
♡ Single (uncle)

𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑻𝑯𝑶𝑼𝑮𝑯𝑻𝑺:
What a stinking cute book! I listened to it on audio and I really loved it.

Finn is the kind of man that every woman would want 🥹 first off, he’s taking care of kids that aren’t his and he cares so much about them. MELTS MY HEART. He was also so supportive of Millie and even though it took some time to figure out that he can love his nieces and her at the same time, I’m so happy he found his HEA.

Millie, Millie, Millie. I wanted to give her a great big hug and tell her she deserved the world, except Finn did all that LOL. I applauded her for wanting to get her dream job “the right way,” and she never stopped fighting for it. Get it girl!

This book was filled with so many sweet moments outside of the romance plot and it gave me so many feel good feels. I highly recommend!

I went into this book blind and I don't regret it.

Book Vibes:
Book Vibes: This book is packed with heartfelt moments and truly adorable dialogue. The way the two main characters communicate is swoon-worthy, but what really stood out to me was how authentic and charming the children's dialogue felt — it was spot-on and added so much warmth.

One of the standout elements of Give Me Butterflies is how it explores the journey of healing from narcissistic parents and toxic exes. Seeing both main characters work through that trauma and find strength in themselves — and each other — was powerful. Jillian Meadows also does a fantastic job portraying therapy in a positive light, while also showing how it can be twisted by others as a weapon of blame. That nuance added depth to the story.

What I really appreciated was how both MCs stood firm in their boundaries and values throughout the book. The contrast between healthy and unhealthy family dynamics was really well done. The FMC's family was a beautiful example of love, support, and understanding, and I loved seeing that kind of representation.

Another thing I adored? The workplace setting. All the adult friends work at the same museum, which I know isn’t super realistic — but I didn’t care. It made for such a cozy, supportive vibe. There’s a particular moment when the museum’s HR person has the FMC’s back, both professionally and as a woman, and it gave me chills (in a good way). The way the author addresses workplace sexism — especially the harmful stereotype that women get ahead based on who they sleep with — was refreshing and necessary. The FMC wasn’t having any of that, and her determination to earn her place and protect her peace was empowering.
Spice: 3/5

I would have given this book a 5, but I noticed around the 64% the story started to lag a bit. Overall, this was an amazing book that could really show a lot of readers healthy emotions, and relationships.

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden Romance
Workplace romance
Single Parent
Contemporary
Protective partners

Oooo I loved how sweet this was! He falls first is always a favorite trope and it was something really worth experiencing in this story. I loved how it brought serious issues to light and dealt with the harshness of it all in a light hearted way.

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.