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A review by inevitablyreading
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐.25
Tropes: Rivals-to-lovers, fake marriage, workplace romance
Spice Level: 🔥🔥
Sadie and Jonah have been academic rivals for fifteen years—arguing with each other in class, comparing lecture styles, and fiercely competing at every turn. When a tenure-track job opens up, they are obviously pitted against each other, yet again. Jonah needs the job so he can move to be closer to his recently divorced sister and children, and Sadie needs the job for the financial security of a full-time position. When Sadie notices the job offers a partner hire, they decide to team up… by getting legally married. Totally genius, right? It is...until it isn't.
The enemies-to-lovers tension here is chef’s kiss. Their banter is snappy, witty, and filled with that delicious slow burn. I especially loved seeing Jonah’s secret pining play out in his internal footnotes (seriously—footnotes!). Their dynamic shifts beautifully from competition to genuine care as they face university politics, underpaid faculty struggles, and life’s curveballs together
That said, a few things didn’t land for me. The big fight and subsequent silence between them felt a bit out of proportion. They didn't speak for so long, and there was a lot of miscommunication and reading into words that weren't intended as such. The climax and epilogue did feel a little rushed and chunky compared to the rest of the story.
If you're craving a smart, tropey rom-com set inside the world of academia—with marriage-of-convenience, long-built enemies-to-lovers, and secret-keeping turned heartfelt communication—this book delivers in spades. Just be ready for some uni-heavy scenes and a hurry-up ending.
Many thanks to Atria Books for an advanced reader copy for my honest review.
Tropes: Rivals-to-lovers, fake marriage, workplace romance
Spice Level: 🔥🔥
Sadie and Jonah have been academic rivals for fifteen years—arguing with each other in class, comparing lecture styles, and fiercely competing at every turn. When a tenure-track job opens up, they are obviously pitted against each other, yet again. Jonah needs the job so he can move to be closer to his recently divorced sister and children, and Sadie needs the job for the financial security of a full-time position. When Sadie notices the job offers a partner hire, they decide to team up… by getting legally married. Totally genius, right? It is...until it isn't.
The enemies-to-lovers tension here is chef’s kiss. Their banter is snappy, witty, and filled with that delicious slow burn. I especially loved seeing Jonah’s secret pining play out in his internal footnotes (seriously—footnotes!). Their dynamic shifts beautifully from competition to genuine care as they face university politics, underpaid faculty struggles, and life’s curveballs together
That said, a few things didn’t land for me. The big fight and subsequent silence between them felt a bit out of proportion. They didn't speak for so long, and there was a lot of miscommunication and reading into words that weren't intended as such. The climax and epilogue did feel a little rushed and chunky compared to the rest of the story.
If you're craving a smart, tropey rom-com set inside the world of academia—with marriage-of-convenience, long-built enemies-to-lovers, and secret-keeping turned heartfelt communication—this book delivers in spades. Just be ready for some uni-heavy scenes and a hurry-up ending.
Many thanks to Atria Books for an advanced reader copy for my honest review.