GIVE ME BUTTERFLIES

Two scientists find love and healing in this steamy, nerdy romance.

Entomologist Millie Oaks is a candidate for her dream job as director of the department where she works at the Wilhelmina Natural Science Museum. She’s flustered to find out that grumpy but annoyingly handsome astronomer Finn Ashford is on the hiring committee, since he seems to glower every time he sees her. At first, Finn tries to avoid bubbly and friendly Millie, but when they keep running into each other—literally—his barriers begin to come down. He recently became the guardian of his twin 5-year-old nieces after his sister died, and between that adjustment and dealing with his cold, manipulative parents, he seems to have little room for a new relationship. But he’s captivated by Millie, and when she starts teaching the girls at the museum’s summer camp, she fits seamlessly into their lives. Millie doesn’t want to jeopardize her chances at the job and is still working through issues after ending a toxic relationship, so she tries to think of Finn as just a friend—until that boundary becomes impossible to maintain. Some of the conflicts in this series kickoff feel contrived, but the focus is more on the low-angst, feel-good moments, anyway, with some physical passion sprinkled in to turn up the heat. The topics in this story aren’t all light—loss, grief, and emotional abuse play important roles—but the predominate takeaway is how wonderful it is to have the support of your loved ones. There are many beautifully tender and heartwarming scenes, especially when Finn’s nieces or Millie’s friends and family are involved.

A delectable blend of sugar and spice.