An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister is a cute rom com filled with passionate arguing, witty banter, and great tension - rounding up to 4.5 ⭐️!

Sadie and Jonah are academic rivals from the moment they cross paths in their undergrad literature program. Eventually they are competing against the same job, and when it’s discovered that the university offers a partner hire program, they team up in a marriage of convenience so they can both have permanent work. Sparks begin to fly and the two realize maybe they are more than just rivals.

This was such a fun read and I loved the added academic themed touch of the footnotes. Sadie and Jonah are perfect for each other and it was enjoyable to be along for the ride as their relationship developed.

This book is filled with wine talk and in her acknowledgments, McAlister mentions wine is very important to this book and even more important for what is coming next. Please let this mean we are getting Francesca’s story with a certain someone as her love interest!! 🤞🏻🤞🏻Either way, I’ll be reading more of Jodi McAlister very soon!

Thank you to Net Galley, Atria Books, and Jodi McAlister for the opportunity to read and review an ARC. Publishing on November 11th, you won’t want to miss this one!

The characters have depth and the side characters are vivid. Great chemistry. Enemies to lovers and fake dating! Every page is fascinating. Well written.

I LOVED this one. Jonah’s yearning, Sadie’s downright denial until she hits an apex? McAlister clearly spent a great deal of time flushing out these characters, their history, and just how to make them fall in love so naturally it felt perfectly real and normal.

I clearly adore Sadie and Jonah, but what I think I loved most about this book is the emphasis is placed on community and family ties in such a wild world. Fiona and Chess were key figures that added SO much to the story without being there 100% of the time. Jonah’s desire to be better for his sister and Sadie standing up for herself to Chess were absolutely necessary and beautiful parts of this story. I think that without these familal dicotomies presented for Jonah and Sadie, their story would not have felt as enduring, real, and beautiful as it did.

I will be thinking about Sadie and Jonah for quite some time, and I wholeheartedly think anyone who loves yearning, one sided enemies to lovers, and grumpy FMC and sunshine MMC will ADORE this story as much as I did. Thank you to NetGalley & Atria for early access in return for an honest review!

An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister is a smart, compelling romance that blends academic intrigue with emotional depth. Jonah was the perfect book boyfriend—kind, intelligent, and deeply supportive in all the right ways. The slow burn between the characters built tension beautifully, making every moment of connection feel earned. With high stakes both professionally and personally, the story kept me fully invested from start to finish. McAlister delivers a nuanced, heartfelt read that’s equal parts swoon-worthy and thought-provoking.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Jodi McAlister for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

An Academic Affair follows two rivals in the literary academia who have had an ongoing competition with one another for the last fifteen years. Unbeknownst to Sadie, Jonah has been smitten with her for all of that time. Based on their wildly different upbringings and family situations, Sadie writes Jonah off as the epitome of male privilege. It’s not until she gets the job he is desperate for in order to help support his sister that Sadie starts to see there’s more to Jonah than she initially thought.

I devoured this book in the span of an afternoon, so that should shed some light on my feelings on it. McAlister does a good job of discussing the cutthroat nature of academia, as well as the sexism that exists in the workplace. There were also side characters that I adored (Fiona and her kids, the brother of Bibliophile) and I hope she writes more surrounding them.

There were times with the romance that it felt like Sadie only liked Jonah because he was the only one around, and her desire to not be alone drove her relationship with him. While this isn’t the case by the end of the novel when we see their relationship evoke and grow, it was a bit rough for the first 2/3 of the book. However, the way that Jonah supported Sadie throughout the story was so heartwarming to see, especially when the reader finally got his declaration.

I also felt that some of the other character’s stories were left hanging (what happened between Julia and Elias? What happened when Matt showed up? Did Sadie and Chessie repair more of their relationship? Does Fiona find someone to treat her like a queen?) I suppose all of those questions shouldn’t be answered in a book centered around another couple, but answers to some of them eventually would be lovely!

Overall, this is a fun read that will tug on your heartstrings. I would recommend to readers who like an academy setting, rivals to lovers, and a deeper look at complex family dynamics.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

4 1/2 ⭐️

There are books that when you read them it’s like finding an old friend. An Academic Affair took me right back to that first time I read about Anne and Gilbert, and their “rivals to lovers, but secretly he yearns for her” in the Anne of Green Gables series. This was my first book by Jodi McAlister, and it’s obvious she has experienced the world of cutthroat academics. Sadie and Jonah are two very relatable characters, both having complicated family history which has led to trust issues, self doubt and that feeling that you’re never quite enough just as you are. The growth of their relationship was beautiful, and almost poetic, in the way McAlister writes not only the pining, but their realizations that they not only trust each other, but love each other for exactly who they are, fists and teeth, and flaws. The ending feels a little rushed, but also left me with hope that there will be more stories in this world, Fi’s, Chess’s and Elias’s.

Any book where the mmc has been yearning for a woman for years is an automatic must read for me. Add bantering and bickering to it then I need a front row seat! This book was so fun and an absolute delight to read!

This was a sweet and engaging book. A great, easy beach read.
Thank you to netgalley for an advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this book! Jonah and Sadie won me over completely! He was the sweetest MMC, and she had such great character growth. Their banter was perfect, the footnotes from Jonah’s POV were such a clever touch, and the academic rivals-to-lovers setup was executed so well. Honestly, the tropes in this story were done so well. It gave me everything I love in romance without falling into the traps I usually dread.

One thing that didn’t totally land for me was the fight between Sadie and her sister, it just felt way more blown out of proportion than it needed to be. But the Jonah bits made up for it and I LOVED that we didn’t get the dreaded third-act breakup. I hate when books throw in unnecessary problems at the end for no reason. The romance just unfolded so naturally, and the love confession was perfection.

The pacing toward the end was a bit rushed, and I wish the conflict with their college had more room to breathe, and that we got more of a fleshed out ending, but overall, this was such a fun and satisfying read. The family dynamics, the banter, the rivalry, the slow-burn tension, literally everything came together so beautifully. Also I hope we get a Fiona story because she deserves a happy ending! 4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Perfect for fans of an academic setting with rivals to lovers, marriage of convenience, a little spice and lots of heart and feeling. I thoroughly enjoyed this academic rivals to lovers look into the world of academia where two rivals want to same advancement but what they get is a live story instead.

If I’d read this a year ago, when I was finishing my dissertation, this book would’ve stressed me out. This year, it was less difficult to read, but the truths about working in academia don’t feel any better. The slow burn here was very pleasant, though I would say the rest of the story was a bit too slow for me. Thanks to Jodi McAlister for making the case for popular literature!

i’m so sad this didn’t stick the landing for me 😭

i really loved the setup of the characters and their relationship but as soon as the trope and plot actually kicked in it just really dragged for me. and not to be a woman hater but i loved jonah’s pov but absolutely could not stand sadie’s 😭 the whole plot with her sister just pissed me off like what do you mean you have a phd but can’t understand a letter… and trust that i understood the #trauma that they set up with her for it but it just didn’t pay off at all for me, it was just annoying. jonah best man ever though i will always love a simp… oh also the whole plot with the school at the end was really weirdly paced and the ending came so abruptly i literally had to check that i didn’t accidentally skip to the end somehow. i’m just sad about the potential on this one but alas.

Sadie Shaw and and Jonah Fisher have been academic rivals since their first started in undergrad. Now that a new job opening has opened they are both fighting for the role.

~Academic rivals to lovers
~Marriage of convenience
~Rivals to lovers
~Dual POV
~Slow burn

One thing about me--I love an academic rivals to lovers and this was a perfect example of why! I loved that these two had a longggg history that looked different throughout the years. This was also a slowwww burn but it didn't feel like it took forever. Overall, it was smart, funny, swoony--everything I want in a romance book ◡̈

Major thanks to NetGalley for the early copy!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5 stars)

An Academic Affair was a thoroughly enjoyable read that had me hooked from the beginning. Jodi McAlister's blending of academia (and it's misogyny), romance, and complex family relationships kept me engaged throughout the entire book. The plot felt well-paced, layered, and made me not want to put the book down.
All of the characters felt flawed in their own ways, which made them feel more authentic, compelling, and developed. I loved reading about Jonah's yearning for Sadie over the years, as well as Sadie's determination to thrive in a male-dominated field. Chess, Fiona, and even the Tsukamoto brothers all added another layer that helped keep me invested in the story. I also enjoyed the clever use of footnotes, which added humor and an extra narrative layer.
The only reason this isn't a five-star read for me is I wish there had been more between the final chapter and the epilogue. I feel like the end snuck up on me, and there were a few plot points that could have been elaborated on more to help make the ending feel more complete as the reader. However, I had so much fun reading this book and will definitely be recommending it to others!

I LOVED this book. As a woman in science, I could relate to Sadie's struggles to be recognized in a male dominated field. I loved Jonah's development, and how his chapters used footnotes to give asides. Both main characters' families were so interesting and complex. My favorite thing in a romance book is compelling side characters and this book hit it out of the park.

I really enjoyed the way the McAlister would have her characters point out that certain romance tropes are unrealistic then proceed to write the single more believable marriage of connivence trope ever.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to read this work ahead of publication. ❤️

The characters are truly captivating and the story is breathtaking. I appreciated how the narrative balanced the “academic rivals” dynamic with the undeniable chemistry and deep affection between the protagonists. The book beautifully explores themes of family, sisterhood, and friendship, while also delving into choices and authentic emotions. It prompted me to reflect on my own life and left me hopeful for a love as genuine as the one portrayed. I’m deeply impressed by the writing and profoundly attached to these characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was a fun way to understand what academic professors go through to earn respect.
Throw in the banter between the two main characters figuring out they are really in love and you have an easy to read romantic novel.

I’m typically not a romance book lover. Other than getting a little tired of the arguments between the characters I found it an enjoyable book.

Perfect for all the mom’s that are experiencing empty meter syndrome from kids going to college the first time.

Thumbs up for me.

This title took me a little effort getting into. I had super high expectations going into it. The premise just struck me as something that I would devour. I was not wrong. The author very accurately depicts the struggles of academia, the personalities that are present, the perceptions that come along with the academic setting and the chemistry that can evolve between two colleagues.

Once I got through the initial premise setup, the discontent, the frustration, I was consumed. This ended up being a really cute book that I thoughtfully enjoyed.

An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister 4.5/5 ⭐
Release date: November 11, 2025

I always can appreciate when reading a book with a niche topic when it is obvious that the author has either done extensive research and/or has first hand experience with said topic. In An Academic Affair, I could immediately tell that Jodi McAlister has researched and/or had experience with cutthroat academics. Writing the book with that knowledge provided a lot of insight to the reader that, I think, made the book feel more realistic.

Jodi McAlister very tactfully wrote about not only cutthroat academics, but also misogyny, privilege, family conflicts, etc. One of my favorite parts of the entire book was when Sadie and Jonah first moved and the hotel clerk addressed them as "Dr. and Mrs. Shaw" and Jonah said "I'm Mrs. Shaw". The moment was funny but it also displayed casual misogyny very well.

I loved Sadie and Jonah as individuals and as a coouple. I appreciated how they each had their own struggles and growth, but were able to come together to support one another. The marriage of convenience felt very realistic and the yearning was fantastic. Every character felt very well rounded in terms of plot and development. I was not expecting to shed a couple of tears when Sadie and Chess reconciled. I also loved the dynamic between Fiona and Satoshi (I would 100% read their book if they had one)!

I was expecting a few more chapters before I got to the epilogue about Fi and about the conflict they were facing, which I found confusing, but the epilogue tied the story up beautifully. The footnotes took me a while to get used to, but I really appreciated the extra commentary; it felt as if Sadie and Jonah were writing in the margins of their own story.

Overall this was a very enjoyable romance read and I would (and will) recommend others to read An Academic Affair.

Side note- when picturing Sadie Shaw, I couldn't picture anyone other than Rose Leslie (Ygritte from Game of Thrones).

* I received this book as an arc, and the opinions are my own