STEM MCs: PhD candidates in marine biology! Y'all, this book is so freakin good! I was cackling half the time from the shenanigans: there's a dildo debacle that you have got to read, there's a whole thing about pavlov'ing a human, and the banter between the cast of characters is excellent... that even surprisingly includes their advisors! I don't know about you, but my PhD advisor was terrifying and definitely not my friend, so seeing a PI as not a bad guy was refreshing.
What I love most about STEM romance authors who write about their field of expertise is that I get to learn new things about a subject that I didn't study in school without getting overwhelmed with jargon. Marine biology is very clearly Nicole's passion outside of writing, and I loved learning about new creatures and the different layers within the ocean. The science does not overpower the story, and you really don't need to love science to enjoy this book, but it's a huge bonus for me as a fellow scientist and lover of nerdy things to read all of the goodies she sprinkled in here.
If you have read any of Nicole's previous books, I would say that this one compares a lot to Love on the Line, which is my favorite book of hers (although that's now tied with this one). You have a strong-willed, organized FMC with anxiety and low self-confidence who feels like a real flawed person, especially since she is so snack and praise motivated. She's paired with a high EQ king who falls first for her and does nothing but show her how beautiful and strong she is. Just like all of Nicole's books, there is no third act breakup, which is always appreciated, and it's a slow burn. The wait is so worth it though! Although it's a slow burn, once it catches fire, it just keeps on burning!
This book is a stand alone, so you don't need to have read any of her previous books to get into this one. It's well written, has a good plot, and has excellent spice.