✨Thank you to Nicole and NetGalley for the e-arc of this book! ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 spicy chillies!

🧬 Academic rivals
🧬 One bed cabin
🧬 STEM romance
🧬 Rivals to romance
🧬 Chronic illness rep

I absolutely loved this STEM romance by Nicole Cubba. Charlie and Mateo are both PhD students studying marine biology when they are given the chance for a once in a lifetime opportunity to be advisors on an ocean documentary.

The dynamic between Charlie and Mateo is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. As both of their walls come down, a romance evolves out of their previously rival fuelled relationship. The romance and humour in this book had me laughing out loud and squealing while kicking my feet in the air!

I’m so excited to add this a physical copy of this to my bookshelves!

This was such a sweet book! It was funny, emotional, spicy, and just so sweet!!

I enjoyed this book. Rivals to lovers (but he’s actually in love with her the whole time), only one bed, mental health rep, college adjacent romance (they’re phd students). Such a great set-up! Charlie was a fun character. After being in an accident that left her with visible and internal scars, she’s hiding herself and keeping her distance from others. Over the course of the book, she’s drawn out of her shell and finds beauty in herself and other people, most specifically, Mateo, her academic rival. Look, this rivalry is so one-sided, which is usually something I don’t like, but it worked here. Mateo is deep in love (lol see what I did there? Ok, I’ll see myself out) with Charlie but, typical man, he’s terrified to tell her so he chooses to aggravate her instead. Their banter really cracked me up! It was clear that they both liked each other, but because of their own personal beliefs they’re scared to admit it. Mateo’s understanding of Charlie’s history and current mental health struggles was beautifully supportive. I do wish we’d gotten a bit more of Charlie’s perspective and work to address her concerns, it was discussed but felt a bit surface level to me. That being said, it was still wonderfully portrayed. I enjoyed the side characters and development of relationships outside of our main couple. I think Cubba could pull from a few of these characters for additional books! The epilogue was so cute and so Charlie!

This was a great debut and I look forward to more from the author.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc. All opinions are my own.

While I really enjoyed the premise of this book (two academic rivals turned lovers aboard a research vessel), the character development and pacing fell a little flat to me.

Charlie and Mateo are meant to be PhD candidates, but they both felt significantly younger and less mature than I would have expected. The transition from rivals to lovers felt quite rushed to me and I just didn’t come away from the story with the same giggling smile I want from an easy romance book like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars rounded down

Deep In Love falls into one of my favourite categories; nerds falling in love. And while our main character Charlie was most definitely a nerd that fell in love, some aspects of this book just fell short for me.
The most prominent issue was the writing, I am usually a fast reader but it look me weeks to finish this... some of the writing and dialogue was awkward, it lacked the engagement and addictive quality that the romance genre is known for. Along with that the characters seemed a little underdeveloped, and aside from the love story the plot was just.... them being on a boat? I love that there wasn't a third act break up but it also resulted in no real narrative, the most exciting thing that happened were the smut scenes.
That is not to say it was completely unreadable! There were some hilarious moments, some heartfelt moments (many many confession scenes). And I loved the development of friendships with the side characters. Mateo was a simp with a capital S, which I also loved (always leaving the chocolates for her????? so sweet!), he had the patience and the care that Charlie needed and deserved!! All the characters in the book were almost too sweet they were all so lovable and we ended up with an almost found family vibe by the end of the trip. Oh and kinda spoiler (?) but her supervisor being a little schemer was so cute I loved her reaction when she saw that Charlie and Mateo are now together- totally unrealistic irl but I loved it regardless.
If you're looking for a quick romance read with low stakes and wholesome vibes this is the book for you!
But ultimately this fell a little flat for me... perhaps I have become a cynic and need to return to the fantasy genre.......

August 22, 2025. 5/5 stars!

Many thanks to Nicole Cubba and NetGally for this eARC (my first ARC read)!

This book hit every niche within me, I could show you my shelf and you would see the innumerable books on the ocean, especially the deep sea. The second I read the premise for this book I was *hooked*.

I adored the characters and how they navigated difficulties in their relationship with communication and understanding (and no third act break-up). I was enamoured with Mateo falling first and falling harder while Charlie found his mere presence annoying, it build for the perfect one-bed/forced proximity moments.

Mateo was a gift that kept on giving, literally, he was caring, transparent, and intelligent in ways that made every scene with him stand out. And as a person who experiences chronic pain, I see so much of myself in Charlie; she is the scientist that I dream of being. Cubba put incredible care in making the side characters stand out (I'm begging for an Oliver/Amy spinoff…), making each one integral to the story while still developing their own threads of plot.

Finally, this book was exemplary in the way that it draws you in with the tropes but doesn't rely on them to carry the story. This was a top tier STEM romance and I am so excited for my pre-order copy to arrive in September!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Deep In Love by Nicole Cubba was everything I want in a romance: smart, funny, heartfelt, and ridiculously addictive. The “academic rivals forced into close quarters” trope is done so well here—it never feels gimmicky. Instead, Cubba layers the tension beautifully, making every argument, every stolen glance, every unspoken feeling between Charlie and Mateo feel electric.

Charlie is such a compelling heroine. She’s whip-smart and passionate about her work, but underneath her confidence is a woman still carrying wounds from her past. Watching her slowly let her guard down with Mateo was one of the most rewarding parts of this story. Mateo, on the other hand, is equal parts infuriating and irresistible—the kind of rival who knows how to push every button but also the only one who sees Charlie for who she truly is. Their dynamic is magnetic, and when the walls finally begin to crack, the payoff is perfection.

The STEM and marine biology aspects were such a refreshing backdrop. Life on the research vessel felt vivid and real, with just the right balance of scientific detail and romance. I loved how Cubba wove the science into the narrative—it wasn’t just window dressing, it shaped who Charlie and Mateo were and why their rivalry (and attraction) mattered so much. And the Darwin references sprinkled throughout were clever, charming, and gave the whole book a unique flavor.

Emotionally, this story dives deep (pun intended). It’s not just about rivals falling in love—it’s about healing, growth, and taking risks even when the future feels uncertain. Charlie’s struggle with opening up and Mateo’s persistence in breaking through her defenses gave their romance real heart. By the end, I wasn’t just rooting for them—I believed in them.

The spice? Slow-burn done right. The payoff is sizzling without ever overshadowing the emotional beats. Every kiss, every touch feels earned, and the intimacy is written with as much care as the banter and tension.

This book made me laugh, swoon, and even tear up a little. It’s the kind of romance that reminds you why rivals-to-lovers is such a beloved trope: because when done this well, the transformation from enemies to partners feels epic and unforgettable.

If you love Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation or Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis but wish they came with a little more spice and a lot more ocean adventure, Deep In Love is your next must-read. Nicole Cubba has written something truly special, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

This story pulled me in with its clever mix of academic rivalry, emotional depth, and undeniable chemistry. Charlie is a brilliant but guarded scientist whose world revolves around her research and her best friend, while Mateo is the one person who always seems to challenge her at every turn. Being forced to live and work together at sea creates the perfect storm of tension, vulnerability, and slow-burning attraction. The ocean setting adds a unique sense of isolation and intimacy, and watching their relationship shift from prickly to tender felt both believable and incredibly satisfying.

What really stood out was how personal this journey felt. Charlie's internal struggle to protect herself while also confronting feelings she thought she had buried gave the romance so much weight. The emotional pacing is just right, allowing both characters the space to grow and reveal their true selves. It’s smart, a little spicy, and filled with heart. The story doesn't shy away from the messiness of connection, and by the end, I found myself truly rooting for Charlie and Mateo to find something real in the middle of all the uncertainty.

3,5⭐️ Thank you for the ARC!!! I really enjoyed reading this story. It was cute, funny and I loved the marine science!
Of course, there was only ONE bed 🙂‍↕️

For me it just lacked a bit of conflict on the third act which made the story a bit monotonous towards the end as the characters didn’t have any impediment to be together really.

This was seriously so good! I loved everything about! From the STEM characters, mental health rep and the AMAZING yearning?? Did I mention it's forced proximity? Sold. I was hooked immediately and avoided life until I was done 🫡

Thank you Nicole and Net Galley for the ARC 🥹🫶🏻

Ohhh I absoltely love the angst that comes in a good academic rivals to lovers rom com book!

Just had an absolute blast reading this book and it felt like watching a movie, something that I needed!

Mateo being so damn bad for Charlie was everything, reading from his pov with his pining for her, yeah it was absolutely beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

This book was just not for me. I was so excited for this ARC, and I'm dissapointed for myself for not liking it.
I couldn't get past the nickname; maybe because I'm mexican & if someone gets to call me (or anyone for that matter) 'bruja' it would 90% of the times be taken as an insult (Is as if the person is calling her a 'b¡tch'). Without that particular nickname, the characters felt a but inmature & I just couldn't connect with them or the story.
I ended up DNFing it.

I was so incredibly lucky to be blessed by the @netgalley Gods and was approved for an ARC copy of this lovely book.

As a scientist myself stem romances are some of my favourites. Understanding all the little quirky laboratory or science world things feels like being in on a secret and I adore it.

This story is a workplace stem romance, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, he falls first, two hyper intelligent idiots, with trauma healing and dorky science vibes.

Mateo and Charlie are up there with some of my favourite STEM romance couples. Mateo's yearning pov is one of my favourites, and the unexpected way his demeanor changes from soft to extremely direct when it counts was 🥵. An observant guy, who has a book club with his Abuela, notices the little things and is quick witted. Incredible. And Charlie is absolutely remarkable. To continue to push for a life filled with joy and purpose after such traumatic injury is inspiring. Pain chips away bit by bit, and to be able to persevere is something special.

Together they are just delightful. This book is just right in the feels. There's no third act breakup, they communicate through their issues, they are both super competitive, funny and complex. And when it came to the spice it really surprised me. I was expecting spicy but soft, but Mateo knows EXACTLY all the right things to say 🤣🌶️🥵

If you guys love stem romances and want something new that stands on its own in a completely unique way then I think you will love this book!

When Nicole Cubba said "spicy STEM romance" she absolutely delivered just that. I had gone into reading thinking it would be an enemies-to-lovers/rivals-to-lovers vibe but it was much more like a peer/coworker romance because they did not compete the entire book and truly were lovely and supportive of each other! I loved both Charlie and Mateo, and especially loved reading about Mateo's love and yearning for Charlie. The back-and-forth bantering between the two of them and his nickname for her...swoon! I was obsessed with their relationship and could not keep a smile off of my face reading this the entire time. And can we talk about how both Mateo and Charlie had incredible best friends?? I hate when the main characters of a book end up with best friends who are unsupportive or negative but Amy and Oliver were THE BEST. I just loved reading about their time exploring their connection and their incredible research trip as well! Thank you to Nicole Cubba, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the arc of Deep in Love. I am so so excited for its release on September 16th, 2025!

4.5/ 5 stars!!! I loved them!!!! First of all ocean nerds!!!! YES! 2. Latin MMC whose last name is Alvarez DOUBLE YES! Never read a MMC with the last name Alvarez that I didn’t absolutely just soon for! He’s now on the list! Cute nickname YES! He’s been pinning for her for yearssss and he just doesn’t know how to make her notice…. Golden retriever who is head over heels with a black cat… say less!!! And the FMC…. Well she is just a badas$ with a snarky internal monologue…. So relatable!!! But that doesn’t mean our characters don’t have struggles or obstacles that forces them to open up and grow. Even though there’s things that are hard in this book it’s done in such a fantastic way! If you’re a S.T.E.M. Lover like me this one I highly recommend! 2 PDH students, one bed, an odd dynamic and 3 weeks on a research boat…. What’s the worst (or best) thing that could happen?! Again I just adored them!

I was really excited to receive this arc because if there is one thing I love it’s an academic rivals to lovers plus add it to my love for the ocean. The only thing is I don’t know if I would really call them rivals. It’s was more of a she finds him extremely annoying and big headed and he’s been in love with her for years and notices everything about it.

I feel like it needed to be a little bit longer, it felt like everything happened between Mateo and Charlie so fast and it came off as a little instalove.

I loved the banter throughout the book and the side characters were really great too. The only thing I didn’t like was that it just seemed like he was more in love with her than she was with him. I also felt like they were kind of immature for what was supposed to be 26 year olds. I felt like I kept having to remind myself that they were not 18-19 even though they acted like it sometimes.



So I loved his Abuela and her love for trashy historical romances

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for letting me read a free copy of this book in exchange for a review

4.5 stars: Charlie and Mateo are such a cute couple and ending up on the same boat for three weeks was meant to be. STEM romances are great, not only because they end up being great romances but you also learn a lot and I definitely learned a lot when reading this book.
Charlie goes on such a journey of growth, finding her love for herself again and starting to accept herself and her scars. She is a likeable character and you do route for her. Mateo has been in love with her since the first time he laid eyes on her but is patiently waiting for her to realise. He is a great character because of how patient he is with Charlie.I loved the other characters on the boat too and how they all become a little found family, cheering each other on. A great read!

I had a feeling I was going to like this book based on the premise, but I really wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did!

Reading this book brought me right back to my grad school days and really enjoyed the little moments that are so uniquely related to grad school, like the absolute panic when your supervisor emails you for a meeting, or stealing lab equipment because another lab has a slightly better model. Or, trying to explain your research to someone not in the field and forgetting not everyone knows what you're talking about. It really made the story for me.

Mateo was just an absolute ray of sunshine and him pining for Charlie for years just made him so much cuter. I also really resonated with Charlie and all her internal struggles, especially with chronic pain. I loved watching them navigate their journey together, along with the backdrop of marine biology exploration.

Overall this was a comfy, cosy STEM romance and I'm very much looking forward to reading more books by Nicole Cubba.

Thank you to Nicole Cubba, Victory Editing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 Stars Rounded up.

This book was very cute and sweet with so many scenes that had me smiling so much! Charlie and Mateo are sort of rivals but it was so nice to see that despite that ‘rivalry’ they worked together on this work trip while at sea. Mateo was a perfect mmc, he was so patient, caring, and reassuring with Charlie. Even the side characters were a great addition to the story, they added some comedy and everyone clearly saw that Charlie and Mateo were perfect for each other. This book did well in delivering their love story with some angst and comedy! I especially enjoyed seeing the dynamic of their work. I would definitely give this book a read if you like STEM romances with rivals to lovers. Thank you Netgalley for the arc, I really appreciate it!

Release date: September 16th

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I need to preface this review by saying I will not accept ANY slander on this book. 5 stars, no notes… This book completely stole my heart. I went into it expecting a fun academic rivals-to-lovers story set at sea, and what I got was a deeply emotional, thoughtful, and slow-burn romance that I couldn’t put down. It’s smart, it’s soft, it’s sexy—and it felt so real. Every page made me fall harder for Mateo.

Mateo was such a standout. He’s quiet, intense, and fiercely intelligent—but also incredibly gentle in ways that made my heart ache. His protectiveness shows up not through control, but through quiet support, careful listening and observation, and the way he gives Charlie space to grow and understand her feelings. Watching him wrestle with his own insecurities while still showing up for her over and over again? That hit so deeply. The “he falls first” energy was undeniable, and I loved how soft he became when it came to her. He’s the king of yearning, I fear no other MMC compares.

Their connection unfolded slowly, but with so much emotional payoff. The one-bed tension, the stolen glances, the soft touches—it all built into a romance that felt grounded and earned. And the best part? No third-act breakup!

I absolutely loved Charlie and Mateo. The academic rivals trope with one of them secretly harboring feeling for years was immaculate. I I really enjoyed that we had characters that were flawed, even though others may see them as perfect, and the two of them helped heal what they thought was broken in themselves. This was a very safe and trusting relationship that was very beautiful to watch unfold in a stem research background. I adored the side characters who brought levity and insight to Charlie and I really love when romances don’t have a third act break up which this delivered on.