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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received an ARC from Netgalley and my fiancé won a free copy on a giveaway so felt like I was meant to read it. This book is so cute. I really enjoyed every part of it. The banter is wonderful. It’s an enemies to lovers story but it isn’t done in a cheesy way. I also really love the side stories about relationships with siblings. Would definitely recommend this if you’re looking for your next enjoyable rom com.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this book sooooo badly and, for the most part, I did.
An Academic Affair featured a believable enemies-to-lovers trope with hilarious banter. The main characters were both Doctors in the academic field and the vocabulary and quotes used throughout definitely supported it. And you all know I love a book with Dual POV.
Jonah, the MMCs, section featured footnotes throughout, which was okay with the digital version. I could click the footnote reference number and it would take me back and forth from where I was in the book and the footnote associated. I'm not sure how this feature would be in a physical version of the book. Probably not as convenient as the digital version.
The parts I wasn't fond of (without spoilers)
○ Chess was my least favorite character. I don't know what's going on with her and I'm disappointed that I didn't receive any answers.
○ The ending lacked for me and left me literally saying out loud, "That's it?"
○ I am not good with so much angst. This is a personal preference, but I was annoyed that the lovers part took so long to get to.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and kept finding myself drawn to it and always wanting to keep reading. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers in an academia environment.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.*
An Academic Affair featured a believable enemies-to-lovers trope with hilarious banter. The main characters were both Doctors in the academic field and the vocabulary and quotes used throughout definitely supported it. And you all know I love a book with Dual POV.
Jonah, the MMCs, section featured footnotes throughout, which was okay with the digital version. I could click the footnote reference number and it would take me back and forth from where I was in the book and the footnote associated. I'm not sure how this feature would be in a physical version of the book. Probably not as convenient as the digital version.
The parts I wasn't fond of (without spoilers)
○ Chess was my least favorite character. I don't know what's going on with her and I'm disappointed that I didn't receive any answers.
○ The ending lacked for me and left me literally saying out loud, "That's it?"
○ I am not good with so much angst. This is a personal preference, but I was annoyed that the lovers part took so long to get to.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and kept finding myself drawn to it and always wanting to keep reading. I would definitely recommend if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers in an academia environment.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.*
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The plot had a lot going on yet at the same time nothing at all. Typical of the cozy *insert genre* where there is a lot of telling rather than showing, I did not feel the usual angst and yearning that come with the enemies to lovers trope mainly because we were told they were academic rivals rather than being shown that. Both Sadie and her sister sucked and their feud took up at least 60% of the book which was exhausting. The dad felt comically misogynistic and evil which had no payoff whatsover other than for Sadie to have her girlboss pwnd moments. The guy was bland and uninteresting, the footnotes were cute though. I felt like we saw too much, if we only had one person's perspective there would have been more tension and angst. An easy enough read.
I’d like to thank the author and NetGalley for this ARC! All opinions are my own :)
This is a really cute story with some great characters. I liked the setting being academia as well as the realistic plot points of the struggle of finding a secure job. This is perfect for fans of rivals to lovers-fake dating-and he falls first! The banter between the two main characters is top notch.
I did not love Chess as a character though. I don’t love the way her relationship ends with Sadie at the conclusion of the book. It felt unnecessary.
I also didn’t realize until the end that the random numbers within the story were footnotes… so I totally missed that reading on my Kindle. That will be much easier to understand and read in a physical copy after it’s published!
This is a really cute story with some great characters. I liked the setting being academia as well as the realistic plot points of the struggle of finding a secure job. This is perfect for fans of rivals to lovers-fake dating-and he falls first! The banter between the two main characters is top notch.
I did not love Chess as a character though. I don’t love the way her relationship ends with Sadie at the conclusion of the book. It felt unnecessary.
I also didn’t realize until the end that the random numbers within the story were footnotes… so I totally missed that reading on my Kindle. That will be much easier to understand and read in a physical copy after it’s published!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I never really dreamed of having a husband," she said, "but if I had, I would have dreamed of one like you."
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
After spending years as academic rivals, Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher find themselves competing for the same permanent position. The stakes are high - Sadie needing the stability and freedom of a job, while Jonah needs the job to move closer to his recently-divorced sister. Sadie discovers a way that they can both get their way, through a partner clause in their contract. The only stipulation is.... - that they have to get married.
This book was gorgeous. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about them, and so eager to dive back in. There's so many details I appreciated - Sadie's love for romance novels (with winks to beloved books and authors I love as well), to Jonah's footnotes that I was always eager to flip to. I am such a fan of marriage of convenience novels and I feel like that's a difficult trope to pull off in a contemporary romance, but it was handled so so well and I was grinning the whole time as they were working out the details. The POVs were such a treat, getting to see each side's views on each other (forever in love with how head-over-heels Jonah is, and how Sadie is hit with her realization so suddenly and completely) - the flashbacks and years spent together truly flesh out their world and relationship and so draw you in.
Every character captured my attention as well - I loved the (heart-aching) conflict between Sadie and Chessie (and how Jonah accurately critiques it, that layer was so fun), and the relationships between everyone as ties were strained and bonded and forged stronger was so emotionally satisfying to read. It had me hoping for more (will Elias and Julia reconnect? What about Fi and Satoshi?? Did I sense a connection between Chess and Isamu?? If there was ever more of them & their world I would so inhale it!) but also just so happy to have shared this slice of their life with them.
This is theeee perfect read for anyone who's found a home in literature, who loves a soft romance, who loves sisters and family, who finds a sort of thrill in arguing, and those who love a happy ending. Right away I could tell how close to the heart this had to have been for the author, and there's so much love poured into every page - and I know you will love this, too.
Tropes & Tags:
📖rivals-to-lovers
💖fake-dating / marriage of convenience
📖 he falls first
💖doctor & doctor
📖 only one bed
💖 grumpy x grumpier
📖 fighting (arguing) as foreplay
💖 soft academia
📖 slow burn
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much NetGalley, Jodi McAlister and Atria Books! 📖]
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
After spending years as academic rivals, Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher find themselves competing for the same permanent position. The stakes are high - Sadie needing the stability and freedom of a job, while Jonah needs the job to move closer to his recently-divorced sister. Sadie discovers a way that they can both get their way, through a partner clause in their contract. The only stipulation is.... - that they have to get married.
This book was gorgeous. When I wasn't reading it I was thinking about them, and so eager to dive back in. There's so many details I appreciated - Sadie's love for romance novels (with winks to beloved books and authors I love as well), to Jonah's footnotes that I was always eager to flip to. I am such a fan of marriage of convenience novels and I feel like that's a difficult trope to pull off in a contemporary romance, but it was handled so so well and I was grinning the whole time as they were working out the details. The POVs were such a treat, getting to see each side's views on each other (forever in love with how head-over-heels Jonah is, and how Sadie is hit with her realization so suddenly and completely) - the flashbacks and years spent together truly flesh out their world and relationship and so draw you in.
Every character captured my attention as well - I loved the (heart-aching) conflict between Sadie and Chessie (and how Jonah accurately critiques it, that layer was so fun), and the relationships between everyone as ties were strained and bonded and forged stronger was so emotionally satisfying to read. It had me hoping for more (will Elias and Julia reconnect? What about Fi and Satoshi?? Did I sense a connection between Chess and Isamu?? If there was ever more of them & their world I would so inhale it!) but also just so happy to have shared this slice of their life with them.
This is theeee perfect read for anyone who's found a home in literature, who loves a soft romance, who loves sisters and family, who finds a sort of thrill in arguing, and those who love a happy ending. Right away I could tell how close to the heart this had to have been for the author, and there's so much love poured into every page - and I know you will love this, too.
Tropes & Tags:
📖rivals-to-lovers
💖fake-dating / marriage of convenience
📖 he falls first
💖doctor & doctor
📖 only one bed
💖 grumpy x grumpier
📖 fighting (arguing) as foreplay
💖 soft academia
📖 slow burn
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much NetGalley, Jodi McAlister and Atria Books! 📖]
I loved the chemistry between the 2 main characters and also the side storyline involving both of their sisters but in very different contexts. I feel we need a sequel to see if either of the sisters get together with the vineyard boys!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An Academic Affair was such a fun, clever read. Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher have been academic rivals for years, constantly butting heads over lectures, publications, and recognition. When a coveted tenure track job opens in Hobart, they both want it. Sadie realizes the contract includes a clause for partner hire and proposes to Jonah so they can both get jobs, and divorce later. What starts as a professional arrangement quickly becomes far more complicated in the best possible way.
I loved how this book managed to feel so smart while still being an easy, engaging read. The banter between Sadie and Jonah was sharp and funny, and their alternating perspectives gave so much depth to their relationship. The use of endnotes was a brilliant touch, adding humor and insight in such an academic way, and I’ve truly never read a romance that used them like this before.
This is a romance that delivers both brain and heart in equal measure!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was so fun! I’m a big fan of a romance that has a plot and conflict separate from the relationship, and this book does that really well. I found that the “banter” was stilted and a little unbelievable at times, but that didn’t stop me from falling in love with these characters. Mostly I think I mean that their arguments don’t super match their characterization via internal narration for me (this is true more of Sadie than of Jonah). Anyway, they both need so much therapy and I love them.
(I got this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley!)
(I got this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley!)
funny
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's a fun book! Not life changing but I enjoyed ready something not serious