Millie is your typical sunshine FMC, with goals to be the head of her department. She’s always been looked down on with her working with “bugs”, when all she wants is to do the job she loves without hassle. Battling with never thinking she is good enough, Millie goes through a lot of growth and I love to see it.
Finn is such a dork but I love him so much. I’m not good at talking too much about his character without giving spoilers sooooo just know I love him!
Her competition for the new role she’s applying for has some history with Millie (why is it always someone with that name being a dick iykyk), and wants her to know exactly how they feel about going against her. Also, those almond croissants must be damned good and now I want to see what the hype was about lol. Recipe please? 😂
Oh and the little nod to a popular series, HILARIOUS.

I enjoyed the book's premise, and how it showed that Millie deserved good things with someone who cared about her and didn’t put her down like in her previous relationship. However, I felt that the book seemed to linger too much in lust over love, which made it hard for me to appreciate the characters and feel more disconnected. It was also nice to read about Finn finding love after the grief of losing his sister. I felt like the disconnect between the characters and I was also due to the lack of chemistry I felt between them at times and some of the actions of both characters as well that in my opinion made them unlikeable during specific moments. The plot was also a bit unfocused at times, which made for a flimsy storyline. Overall it was a good book just not for me. Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for our honest review.

Give Me Butterflies 🦋 by Jillian Meadows
⭐️4.5/5
🌶️2.5/5

“I have plans with a guy who isn’t excessively irritable and rude.” His mouth twitches in amusement. “He sounds boring. Come out with me, instead.”

Give Me Butterflies is a heartwarming workplace romance that combines the charm of a found family, a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, and a "he falls first" storyline. The novel centers on Millie, an entomologist vying for a promotion at the museum where she works, and Finn, the gruff head of astronomy who sits on the interview committee. As Millie and Finn cross paths more often, she discovers that Finn’s grumpiness hides a deeper struggle—he’s been juggling the responsibility of raising his two nieces after the tragic loss of his sister. As their friendship blossoms and Millie sees Finn’s softer, more charming side, she finds it increasingly difficult to keep things strictly platonic, especially since he’s the one holding her future at the museum in his hands.

It’s only January and this book is one of my top reads! Millie and Finn have their own struggles, but seeing how healthy and supportive they were while their friendship/relationship grew had me swooning! Millie’s journey toward gaining confidence was really uplifting, and I found her personal growth inspiring. I loved the dorky banter with Star Trek/Star Wars references and game nights. The invisible string theory using the butterfly cluster constellation had me shedding tears. This is a wonderful, cozy STEM romance

Tropes:
🦋Dual POV
🦋Workplace romance/STEM
🦋Enemies to lovers
🦋Grumpy sunshine
🦋Found family

TW:
🚨Loss of sibling/cancer (off page)
🚨Traumatic previous relationship
🚨Emotionally, manipulative parents
🚨Anxiety Representation

"𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘔𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘯, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘱 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘹𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘺 𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘮 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘦."

No, but this literally gave me butterflies! 🥹🦋
The story was so sweet and so tender; it's one of those romances that just embraces you in the warmest of hugs.
I don't know what it says about me, but I find mmc's who are guardians much hotter than biological fathers... Is that weird?! Anyway...

What I loved the most about Millie and Finn's relationship is that there was a very natural progression of friendship first and emotional intimacy at its finest!
I adored how easily Millie took to Finn's nieces and how wholesome they were, and how Finn was willing to let Millie fight her own battles but would be there in a heartbeat if she needed him.
The author did such an amazing job of creating a balance between the lighthearted slowburn romantic progress while also delicately handling the topics of grief and toxic love/family relationships. The characters actually communicated about their feelings and emotions and hardships, and it wasn't just topics that were brushed over.

Such a soft and heartwarming romance about characters that deserve the absolute world! I'm still baffled that this is a debut because it's so beautifully well-written!

Read if you like:
🦋 workplace romance
🦋 grumpy x sunshine
🦋 single guardian mmc
🦋 found family
🦋 open door
🦋 slowburn
🦋 no 3rd act breakup

*𝘢 𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸*

Oh my gosh, this book! I was captivated by Millie and Finn's relationship and their little found family. So excited for the rest of the series!

This was such a sweet and lovely romance. I’m so glad I read it!

Millie is an entomologist who is vying to be head of her department at the museum she works at. She’s butted heads with Finn, the head of the astronomy department, more than once and lately it seems like she can’t stop running into him. Literally. As Millie gets to know Finn more, she realizes there may be more to the grumpy man she thought of as her work nemesis.

To be honest you had me at grumpy astronomer who wears space ties. Finn’s whole life changes when his sister passes away and he becomes the sole caretaker for his twin nieces. To say that his parents are less than awesome is an understatement. Avery and Eloise become his whole life and his struggle to find a balance between them and his dating life seemed very authentic. He gets help when he needs it and we love a man who goes to therapy! At the same time Millie is still struggling with the feelings of inadequacy from her last relationship. The way she integrates herself into Finn’s new family was so easy and it was like they were waiting for her this whole time. She brings the warmth and love that the girls and Finn need, along with an extended family and amazing friend group who is also like family.

This was just such a special book and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I NEED Fable and Theo’s story, please!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing the ARC.

This book was exceptionally sweet and adorable, but I feel like it fell flat in many areas.

This felt like there was a grumpy/sunshine trope building up or a rivals to lovers type situation that essentially fizzled out a few chapters in. There was hardly any tension between the two main characters before Finn was waxing poetic about how much he wanted Millie in his life. I just wanted a bit more from them before we moved headlong into the romance.

The inclusion of the emotionally abusive ex also felt very hamfisted into the story and the decision Millie makes to not tell her employer about her previous relationship with him when he is in the running to be her boss because of some perceived loss of merit and credibility was really strange and honestly, felt exceedingly dumb to me. It didn't make any sense at all.

Not a bad book by any means, but I felt it needed a lot more refinement before being a great one.

Thank you to NetGally, the author, and Avon/Harper Voyager for the gifted advanced review copy. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

Give Me Butterflies was a sweet and spicy STEM romance. It had all the light academia vibes you could ever want and definitely reminded me of something Ali Hazelwood would write. Millie is an entomologist that is vying for a promotion for the head of the entomology department at the museum that she works for. She is at odds with the head of the astronomy department, Finn, who also happens to be a chairperson for the hiring committee responsible for hiring the new department head for entomology. Finn and Millie constantly run into to each other despite being each other's office nemesis and hilarious misadventures ensue. Millie learns that Finn's grumpiness may have a lot to do with the fact that he is raising his two twin nieces after the death of his sister from cancer. With the reemergence of an emotionally abusive ex, Millie has to navigate forbidden feelings for Finn and past trauma from her ex. While Finn has to deal with the trauma of unfeeling parents from his childhood and balancing his new relationship with Millie and his responsibilities with his sweet nieces.

Their coming together in this story was beautiful and poignant. Obviously their ending is happy, but there are some trials and tribulations along the way. This was an emotional and heartfelt debut and I am looking forward to more titles from Jillian Meadows.

I just finished Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows, and let me tell you, it lived up to its name—I was absolutely fluttering with emotions the whole way through!

This book is the perfect balance of swoony romance and heartfelt moments. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the way Jillian Meadows crafts their story feels so fresh and genuine. I found myself smiling at the banter one moment and tearing up at the emotional depth the next.

It’s not just a love story—it’s about growth, taking chances, and finding the courage to embrace life’s unexpected twists. If you’re looking for a read that will make your heart race and leave you grinning like a fool, Give Me Butterflies is the one. Don’t miss it! 🦋

I don't know where to start with this book because I loved it so much.

The STEM representation was wonderful - both leads are nerds working at a museum and I was here for it. The grumpy x sunshine trope is one of my favorites and this one was perfect because the grump is actually a cinnamon roll. It handles loss of a family member, manipulative exes, and found family in ways that ripped my heart out and then put it back together again. It's pure and emotional and a book I'll surely be recommending.

Jillian Meadows’ Give Me Butterflies is a delightful and heartfelt romance that perfectly captures the fluttery excitement of falling in love. With charming characters, witty banter, and an undercurrent of emotional depth, Meadows delivers a story that is as sweet as it is satisfying. This uplifting read is perfect for fans of feel-good romances that leave you smiling long after the last page.

I loved this story!
The chemistry between the main characters is perfect.
The workplace romance is perfect.
The single guardian aspect is perfect.
The spice level is perfect.
Grumpy astronomer and sunshine entomologist….what can go wrong????
You need to read Give Me Butterflies to find out if they are a perfect match……!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rating: 🐇🐇🐇🐇🐇/5

Perfection. Jillian Meadows crafted a masterpiece, and I will never be the same.

Millie and Finn initially seem like the picture-perfect description of opposites attract. “We are microscopes versus telescopes. Smiles versus scowls. Warm versus frigid. Was there ever a chance for us to find common ground?” This quote perfectly foreshadows the discovery that our main characters have a lot more in common than we thought.

These characters are deeply complex. They have experienced previous trauma that has shaped them as individuals. Jillian’s ability to write about these serious topics with such a gentle, purposeful tone is so appreciated. I was completely emotionally invested in the beautiful, nurturing, and transformative love that Millie and Finn developed.

When I wasn’t on the verge of tears from such tender, real moments, I was blushing and kicking my feet.

This book has a healthy dose of astronomy and entomology weaved beautifully throughout the pages but, I have to say, the chemistry was off the charts (or the periodic table of elements, if you will). There is amazing banter. The plot is extremely well-paced. There are countless sweet moments but also plenty of spice. I will never forget the cookie dough scene so long as I live.

I am so inspired by Millie who is such a strong, intelligent woman. Finn may seem intimidating but is such a considerate, kind human. I really appreciated that he never diminishes Millie’s sparkle. He always wants to see her shine. Also, MEN THAT YEARN. Always here for that.

I do not like kids normally, ever. However, I really fell for Finn’s nieces, Avery and Eloise, they are such sweethearts. I really loved Millie’s amazing support system of friends and family, and especially Millie letting Finn into her world and having her support system embrace him when he so desperately needed that sense of community.

I truly hope I was able to convey how special this book was for me. This story felt like such a warm embrace. Now I need to make Millie’s snickerdoodles ASAP.

Many thanks for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

What do you get when an entomologist spills coffee on an astronomer’s planet tie? Found family, grumpy x sunshine, and a beautifully crafted story with no third act breakup in sight! If you haven’t already, add this to your TBR! 📚

Set in a museum, this workplace romance follows the story of Finn and Millie, two lovably quirky main characters. Millie is a driven individual who is committed to paving her own path in a traditionally male-dominated industry. She is determined and willing to go the extra mile, despite finding herself fresh out of a toxic relationship. Finn’s tough exterior hides a heart of gold, especially when it comes to raising his adorable nieces and honoring his late sister’s wishes. Despite coming from an extremely toxic family, he is thoroughly dedicated to those girls and their well-being. This story is truly about the development of the main characters as they figure out how to rely on each other during difficult times.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Give Me Butterflies follows Millie as she tries to navigate interviewing for her dream job and falling in love with a member of her comittee. It was was cute, albeit a little predictable (not a bad thing in this case). If you're looking for a hallmark/lifetime movie style romcom with STEM characters, this is perfect. Just enough tension to keep you hooked, and if you don't love Eloise and Avery, you're lying to yourself!

To begin this review, I must say that this book is nearly flawless in my opinion. While I understand that reading preferences vary, this story stands out as exceptional in every aspect I can think of. The plot was captivating from start to finish, allowing readers to accompany the main characters on their journey from adversaries to lovers. The character development was outstanding, featuring a male lead who not only takes his nieces in as his own but is also handsome, intelligent, protective, and willing to grow from his mistakes. Additionally, the female protagonist is witty, clever, and experiences significant growth throughout the story. What I appreciated most was how the romance and steamy scenes felt organic and integral to the plot, rather than forced or hurried. I eagerly anticipate reading more from this series and this author.

This is a perfect fit for readers who adore slow-burn, single guardian romances with a healthy dose of humor, swoony moments, and emotional depth, particularly those who enjoy stories about overcoming grief, finding confidence, and the joy of workplace romances.

Millie and Finn

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.

There are some trigger warnings that should be read. I think the author did a fantastic job handling the sensitivity of the issues that are discussed in the book.

I knew this book was going to be great because I had already listened to Wreck your Plans on audiobook before I got the ARC of this book.

I was able to listen to the audiobook and read along to the ebook and it’s so good.

I cried, I laughed and just plained loved this book.

Millie is working her way to being the Entomology Director of the museum she works for. She is striving for this position because she knows she will excel in that position that she has dreamed about. There is nothing and no one who can distract from her dream.

Well almost no one.

Finn is the director of the astronomy department of the museum and is set in his ways. He seems to always be in a foul mood and Millie sometimes gets some of his glowers her way for being well herself. Finn has taken on the responsibility of raising his nieces after his older sister passes from cancer and is dealing with his mother and father throwing that decision into his face more times than he can count.
Yet the sunshine of Millie attracts Finn so much he feels her pull from the moment he laid eyes on her.

The narrators are so good! If you can listen to the audiobook please do.

Definite recommend, if you want to swoon and laugh and maybe even tear up a bit. Please read this book.


🦋Grumpy/sunshine
🪐Found family.
🦋Stem FMC
🪐He fell first.

Yes to it all! Can’t wait for the next book! 😁

Would I recommend? Yep!
Would I re-read? Also yes esp whenever book 2 comes out.

I absolutely adored this book. The author gave strong backstories to both the FMC and MMC, and in addition to a sweet and steamy romance there was a really heartwarming theme of the role of found family. There was a bit of righteous justice that really scratched an itch for me, and I was bought fully into every part of the story.

4 stars

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Fuck all the stars, baby, all I see is you." - Finneas Ashford

Where do I even start? LONG LIVE FINN AND MILLIE! ♥️

Give Me Butterflies is a grumpy x sunshine, slow-burn workplace romance set within the world of STEM careers. Millie and Finn work at the same museum, Millie being an entomology curator and Finn being the director of the astronomy department. While Millie is about all the small creatures of the earth, Finn has always been about the stars. Their two worlds seem so very opposite, yet their love blossoms into a supernova.

Yet, it's not just about their romance; there are also themes of family and healing. Finn is a full-time caregiver to his two young nieces, Avery and Eloise, and the way Millie bonds with them is nothing short of magical. She helps the girls explore their confidence and carefree sides while they unlock Millie's nurturing and maternal side.

TW: This book also deals with themes such as trauma from past relationships, loss, and self-doubt. All while maintaining a balance between emotional depth and lightness with humor.

This book completely melted my heart. The tension between Millie and Finn was so beautifully paced, and the workplace setting really added a unique dynamic. Being a museum lover, I adored their story 🫶 I'm already dreaming of the future Finn and Millie cameos... maybe even with a little one of their own?