Grumpy Sunshine

The Love Hypothesis | Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
Reluctant Ph.D. candidate Olive Smith fakes a relationship with notorious professor Adam Carlsen to appease her best friend. When Adam supports her at a chaotic science conference, unexpected attraction sparks between them. Olive navigates real feelings while balancing love and her academic dreams.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/3Wf0fe9

My Rating

I felt unsure about this book before picking it up. All I knew was that it had a lot of hype and centered around a STEM-based romance. Although I love reading adult romance, I hadn’t read one with a STEM focus before. But after the first ten chapters, I really got into it. So if you’re finding the beginning slow, try giving it at least until the halfway point.

The story follows Olive, a Ph.D. candidate who starts a fake-dating relationship with Adam Carlsen, a well-known young professor. It combines the fake-dating trope with a grumpy-sunshine dynamic. While everything kicks off a bit quickly—Olive practically jumps on Adam in the first chapter—I appreciated how the story eventually slowed down.

Olive’s character was likable, and I could understand why she struggled to let people in. That said, I’m not usually a fan of characters who miss what’s right in front of them. Adam, though, was an amazing love interest—and maybe I just have a thing for no-nonsense male characters. Their chemistry felt strong, with just the right amount of witty banter.

“That’s the thing with science. We’re drilled to believe that false positives are bad, but false negatives are just as terrifying.”

As for spiciness, I wouldn’t call it overly steamy, but it’s not a closed-door romance either. I’d give it a spicy rating of 2.5 out of 5. The one intimate scene the author included works well for readers who prefer a mostly clean romance with a hint of spice. In my opinion, it won’t make you blush, but it does offer a descriptive moment.

One of my favorite parts of the book focuses on how women in STEM get treated. The author highlights their struggles to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field, which sadly reflects reality. This added depth to the story and underscored the importance of having more women in STEM.

Overall, the writing style shines, and the plot keeps you engaged. If you don’t mind the third-act miscommunication trope when it’s executed well, you’ll enjoy this book. It serves as a fun read and a great palate cleanser between heavier books. I look forward to reading more from this author and believe this book absolutely lives up to the hype.

In the comments, let me know if you’ve read this book or any others by the author. Don’t forget to like and share this post with fellow book lovers. And if you enjoy book reviews, hit the follow button so you never miss a post!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny

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How To Plot A Payback | Book Review

- Bunny 1 Comment

About The Book
Finn Masters, a screenwriter, lands his dream job working on the sitcom Neighbors, but there’s a catch: he’ll be working alongside Lavender Rhodes, the show’s beloved star who inadvertently ruined his acting career and relationship. Determined to exact payback, Finn plots to sabotage Lavender’s character, but when all his plans backfire spectacularly, he starts to reconsider his feelings towards the women he’s blamed for all his misfortunes.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4d8QLHI

My Rating

The book is a fast-paced romcom that delivers on its promises. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood, it combines grumpy sunshine dynamics with the beloved enemies-to-lovers trope. Ferguson crafts a fun and engaging story that revolves around a writer and actress, bringing a touch of glamour to the narrative.

This is a dual narrative story, so we get the perspectives of both Finn and Lavender. It was interesting to view Lavender from Finn’s eyes knowing that he has held her accountable for most of his hardships in life. Especially since, in Lavender’s chapters we get to see her real personality shine through. The book is the perfect example of how people aren’t always who you think they are.

The strength of the book truly lies with Finn and Lavender, who drive the story forward with their chemistry and personal growth. Despite the lack of many side characters, the protagonists shine brightly, making the reader invested in their journey. Ferguson’s writing is fantastic, seamlessly weaving together humor, romance, and character development.

“You deserve someone who just wants to see you happy.”

Throughout the book, the connection between the main characters is palpable, and their evolving relationship keeps the reader hooked until the end. The miscommunication trope, often overused and usually irritating, is executed masterfully. The trope is used with such maturity that if more books handled it this way it wouldn’t be one of the most infuriating plot devices.

Overall, I believe that fans of Ali Hazelwood’s works will find much to enjoy in not only the storyline, but also the author’s writing style and storytelling. This is simply a delightful read from start to finish. However, this is a closed-door romance and if memory serves me, the book doesn’t go beyond kissing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and eagerly anticipate reading more from the author.

In the comments, please let me know if you have read the book. Also, I would like to thank Netgalley for letting me receive an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. Don’t forget to like and share this post with other readers. If you are a fan of book reviews, hit the follow button, so that you will never miss a post.

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny