I found this one really hard and slow to get into and I just didn’t love it. It felt that the pace of it was really slow, not much went on and I just felt the main female character unfortunately annoyed me and I had to end up DNF’ing this one over half way through.

A fun, witty romance!! Adored the main characters. Highly recommend this fun romance.

Perfect for rom com lovers

Thank you to Panmacmillian and Susannah Nix for giving me the opportunity to review Dating and Other Theories. I've loved Susannah's Nix style of storytelling and her vivid characters in her other books, but I couldn't get into Dating and Other Theories. Three chapters in I wasn't hooked and got frustrated with the story that I maded the hard decision to DNF. I might try this book another time as it sounded right up my normal romance alley and should have been a perfect story for me.

A very believable romance between two imperfect people- hit all the right beats and was a lot of fun.'Dating Theory' is a delightful read if you're a fan of witty, sparky romantic comedies. I honestly adored this book! You should definitely check it out when you can.

The story follows the budding romance between Esther, a rocket scientist, and her neighbour (and opposite in every way) Jonathan, a would-be screenwriter, she absolutely cannot stand. Things take a turn when Esther's bestfriend Jinny mentions that Jonathan is cute and as a consequence Esther makes it her mission to get Jonathan to ask Jinny out, only to keep the latter out of a toxic relationship. Jonathan agrees but under the condition that Esther reviews his scripts and gives him feedback. This of course leads them to spend a lot of time together and as we know, opposites plus forced proximity equals attraction. (sorry I had to, if you read the book you'll get the context)

I have to start by saying that I initially found Esther super judgy and frustrating and almost DNFed the book because of this. But since I physically cannot DNF books, I pushed through and I'm so glad I did. The story actually develops so well, both in terms of character as well as romance. Although, Esther does still remain somewhat judgy, its the self awareness that makes it better and also her overall emotional growth which is written so well and realistically. The romance too was absolutely adorable and realistic. It developed so organically from a sort of forced proximity to friendship that evolves into making coffee for each other and watching movies casually and then eventually looking forward to doing these things together. I also loved Jinny's character and how her character grows as well.

All in all the book is worth a read and has super cute ending for everyone involved.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Pan Macmillan, and the Author, Susannah Nix, for the ARC.

Opposite attract indeed! Esther is a (literal) rocket scientist and Johnathon a would-be screenwriter. They are neighbours and through various romantic shenanigans they find themselves getting to know one another. Such a charming re-issue from Susannah Nix.

There’s a lovely slow burn evolution of these two opposites. Esther is very prickly and closed off, she has quite the journey of self awareness. Johnathon does too, but his awakening is less painful than Esther’s. I loved all the small moments: watching movies together, making coffee, smoking - or not, Sally Ride - the cat, not the astronaut, Jinny, Esther’s bestie and her work situation. We get to know Esther well and I could feel her pain as she navigates her own judgey-ness - so awkward and so good! The roadblocks for them are both a bit silly, and somehow very real.

This is such an easy read and it felt fresh and vivid. It’s not too long, not too angsty and really satisfying to see these two get together. Recommended!

Thank you NetGalley, Pan Macmillan and Susannah Nix for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Loved this one! Didn’t realize this was a reissue of a series I had already read, but really enjoyed the re-reading. Have yet to find a Susannah Nix book I haven’t loved!

Esther & Jonathan ❤️

🚀Esther is literally a rocket scientist. She moved to LA from Seattle after college and is working in a male dominated environment where she’s judged for her brutal honesty and abrupt nature.

🧶Her best friend Jinny works with her, and Esther is desperate that Jinny doesn’t take her cheating ex back. So mix so, she agrees to help her screenwriter neighbour Jonathan with the sci in his sci-fi work in exchange for going out with Jinny to distract her.

👙But when Esther and Jonathan get to know each other better, will Jinny be able to forgive Esther’s pushing them together?

📚I just Susannah Dix’s writing, and this latest release from her backlist doesn’t disappoint. I adore just how well Jonathan understands Esther, as a screenwriter, he had nailed down her kindness and her ability to withdraw when she’s in danger of getting emotionally involved. With a complicated family situation, I understand the conflict Esther faces, and how hard saying no can be. When the three men closest to her all understand and forgive her before she forgives herself 😢ahh. Loved it ❤️

Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Pub Date 21 Jun 2024

This was a very cute rom-com with a really interesting premise, however, I found myself unable to connect with Esther. I found her bluntness and overall attitude frustrating, even though I admired her drive and determination in the male dominated field of STEM. I did enjoy her dry sense of humour at times and the progression of Jonathan & Esther's was surprisingly sweet.

It's such a lovely romantic novel that plays with the idea of opposites attracting.

Look, the main character is Esther, a super brainy scientist who can't help but get wound up by her neighbor Jonathan, who's a hipster sci-fi screenwriter. They're like chalk and cheese! But it turns out they need each other's help, so they strike a deal: if Jonathan dates Esther's best mate, she'll help him with his script.

This is where it gets good. The more time they spend working together, the more sparks fly between them! At first, they clash because of their differences, but they gradually realise they actually complement each other really well.

What starts as a very unlikely romance becomes a lovely exploration of how love can sometimes blossom in the most unexpected places. The author handles the 'enemies-to-lovers' cliche really nicely and freshens it up with likeable characters and bloody hilarious banter.

Long story short, 'Dating Theory' is a delightful read if you're a fan of witty, sparky romantic comedies. I honestly adored this book! You should definitely check it out when you can.

Oh boy this had SO much potential
As soon as he made out with the BEST FRIEND I wanted to dnf
I understand it’s part of the whole plan - set MMC up with best friend - but I didn’t want them actually getting together 😭 it’s such an ick
How can you fall in love with him after that??

ANYWAYS I enjoyed seeing the progression from strangers (and her dislike for him) to friends, best friends, then more. I really liked their movie hangouts, and when they went to the party the chemistry between them was HOT 🥵 omg I was squealing over the little touches and glances

I felt bad for Jonathon. She was so emotionally unavailable and he was like a golden retriever 😭 she was so self sabotaging and IT HURT ME
I was honestly getting so so so angry with her, I just wanted to smack some sense into her.
Just as I got on board with their “relationship” after the whole getting with her best friend thing - she fks it up and is being stubborn about it. I didn’t like Esther as a character at all.

Overall this is a decent book, the pacing and writing is good. I liked her relationship with her brother and bat friend. But it’s down a few stars because I can’t get over how much I dislike Esther.
Maybe give this a a go if u like forced proximity, neighbours to lovers, opposites attract, stem romance

Giving us both romance and a women in stem this book has lots going for it. Cute characters with backbone who stick up for themselves.
Thank you for the arc

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I liked all the main characters and found them to be completely relatable. I really felt for Esther when she was frustrated with being underappreciated just because she was a woman in STEM. I loved how she was blunt and kind of bossy most times while being insecure in other areas. The storyline was fast-paced and entertaining and Jonathan turned out to be a perfect book-boyfriend.
I read the book in one day and I will definitely go on reading the rest of the series.

Title: Dating and Other Theories by Susannah Nix
Book 2 in the Chemistry Lessons Series

Release Date: June, 20th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

"Dating and Other Theories" by Susannah Nix is a delightful rom-com that explores the complexities of love and attraction in the most entertaining way possible.

Esther and Jonathan, seemingly opposites, find themselves drawn to each other in unexpected ways as they navigate a deal that leads to a deeper connection.

Nix crafts a believable and endearing romance between imperfect characters, hitting all the right beats while keeping the story fun and engaging.

The book is not just about romance; it's also a thoughtful exploration of human nature and the intricacies of relationships.

Filled with humour, wit, and heart, "Dating and Other Theories" will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately root for love in all its forms. It's a sparkly rom-com wrapped in a touching tale of friendship and self-discovery, leaving you wanting to read more.


Thank you to The Publisher Pan Macmillan | Pan, The Author Susannah Nix & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Esther, an aerospace engineer often overlooked by her peers, finds herself at odds with her neighbor Jonathon. Despite their differences, Esther strikes a deal with him: she'll assist with his science fiction screenplay if he takes Esther's best friend out to prevent her from rekindling with her toxic ex. As the dates progress and the script reviews unfold, Esther and Jonathon unexpectedly find themselves spending more time together. Yet, their personal insecurities hinder the development of their budding connection.

Delving deeper into the challenges faced by women in male-dominated STEM fields, the narrative sheds light on the subtle yet pervasive sexism that ostracizes individuals like Esther. However, amidst these trials, the story emphasizes the importance of support networks, even as Esther maintains her preference for independence.

With its authentic portrayal of women in technology, this series continues to captivate, offering insight into both the struggles and triumphs of navigating such environments.