I thought this book was cute! Slow burn, fake dating, closed door goodness that was a fun read over the holidays. The plot is fairly lighthearted and makes this a quick read.

Although I LOVE Sariah Wilson's books, I went into this one, not knowing if I'd love it or not...CHEMISTRY of Love? That was my worst subject in high school? Anna is a chemist for a make up company though...throw in a dreamy CEO Billionaire, a fake-dating trope and some intrigue and you have all the makings of one fabulous story! Sariah once again creates just a great tale with some unexpected twists and turns. I LOVED the fact that I didn't know everything about the world of cosmetics that they were dealing with, and the fact that there were some fun Sci-Fi and Star Wars references too? Even better. If you love great banter, fake dating or billionaire story lines, you really won't go wrong with this one. Although it's low on the spice meter, it's NOT on the build up!! Absolutely off the charts on the romance factor-always!

A funny rom com where the main character fake dates the half brother of her crush. Then the fake dates turn into something else that the main character didn’t expect. I loved it so much made me laugh out loud.

This one was not for me. I can appreciate that some readers don’t mind this, but I cannot connect with a “smart” character that is this oblivious. I was immediately frustrated.

Sariah Wilson, I don’t know how you do it, but I can binge every book you write and still want more. This book was no exception to that.
I adored the nerdy humor sprinkled throughout, I love when we have female characters in STEM related fields, it makes my heart happy to see that. It was so swoony and delicious. If you are wanting a sweet romance that kicks a punch of steam, this will be the one for you. If you’ve tried Sariah’s previous novels, you’ll love this one.

Also. If any author wants to write more boss/office romances, plleeeeeasssseess do! Thank you Sariah Wilson!!!! I need more.

Fake dating romance? Sure! STEM romance? Now we’re talking! A generous dose of science puns and dad jokes? SIGN ME UP.

Thank you, Sariah. This book was the perfect feel-good romance for those who cheer for nerdy heroines and hunks with hearts of gold 💛

Anna will suck you in with her awkward, shy nerdy girl ways. This laugh-out-loud rom com will have you up all night waiting to see the outcome of the young aspiring cosmetic chemist's love life as she agrees to fake date someone to get the attention of her long-time crush even though it is clear that he is no good for her. You will be rooting for the underdog and all her quirky ways as she navigates her feelings.

How can Anna Ellis, a geeky, brilliant, and hopelessly smitten cosmetic chemist possibly win over Craig Kimball, the man of her dreams–who also happens to be her boss? The answer is Craig’s empathetic (and handsome) CEO half brother, Marco. The makeup mogul knows Craig for the ridiculously competitive rival he is. Whatever Marco has, Craig wants. That can be Anna, if she’s game to play.

All Anna and Marco have to do is pretend they’re falling in love and let the rumors begin. If the experiment in attraction works, a jealous Craig will swoop in and give Anna her happily ever after–if it weren’t for one hitch in the plan. There’s more to Marco than meets the eye. With every fake date, Anna’s feelings are starting to become dizzyingly real.

Fake dating is always a trope that mkes me laugh! I love the nonsense that takes place!

Adorable, hilarious, and my new favorite Sariah Wilson book to date! This is full of deliciously nerdy Star Wars and Lord of the Rings references, steamy make outs, women in STEAM, and loads of bird puns. And the meet-puke (yep, you read that right) is ridiculously memorable and so wonderful.

Such a great new romantic comedy!!

*Innuendo, steamy make outs, mentions of arousal

Thank you to Netgalley for my complimentary e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

If I have said it once, I have said it a million times. Everything Sariah Wilson touches turns to gold. I have literally NEVER been disappointed by her books! The Chemistry of Love was no different!

Anna, reminded me so much of myself which I think is the only reason she irritated me at the beginning. 😂 She was very delusional at the beginning, which… again.. reminded me of myself! 🫣😂 But she was the sweetest and had my whole nerdy heart! I mean.. she understands that Ben Solo Deserved Better so…. 💅🏼 I really grew to love her, and how passionate and determined she was!

Marco!!! Goodness, I LOVE THIS MAN. He was smitten from the very beginning, and you could so obviously see that even though we only had one POV. I loved how, despite his growing feelings for Anna, he was still trying to help her get what she wanted to make sure she was happy! 🥹🥹 He was so supportive of her and would literally do ANYTHING to make sure she was happy! 😭😭 LOVED HIM!

Definitely one of my favorite books of Sariah’s that I have read. (even though her books are always favorites 🤔😂)

Extra things I loved:

💃 Dancing Practice
🍬 Marco bringing Anna gum 🥹
✨ Knuckle Cracking
💄Lipstick Testing 👀
🌌 Secret Star Wars Nerd


Content: Clean 🧼

Great swoon, unique characters, and a quick, fun read!

I've loved everything I've read by Sariah Wilson, and this was no exception. This is a closed door romance with a main female character who isn't afraid to be herself. Anna is a chemist for a makeup company who quits her job in a dramatic gesture of true love.......for a man she's barely held a conversation with, Craig, who is her boss's boss at Minx Cosmetics. The day she quits her job, she attends the company event where Craig announces his engagement, and to say Hannah is heartbroken would be an UNDERSTATEMENT. She ends up crying, in the men's restroom, and spills her guts to some man, who ends up being the CEO of her former company.

They strike a deal to fake date (one of the best tropes of all time), and let's just say, it takes the pressure off Anna to be the PERFECT match for Craig. In the meantime, Marco makes us all swoon, does everything right, and of course this goes completely unnoticed by Anna.

While they spend time together, Anna begins to pursue her dream of developing her own makeup company, and Marco supports her, encourages her, and helps her dream. Swoon.

There were so many great things about this novel - Anna's best friend Catalina is a great voice for the audience, her grandparents are caring in their own ways, their birds have THE BEST POP CULTURE NAMES IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, and the fact that Anna hides her pop culture stuff in her closet (along with her television) because her grandmother doesn't believe in entertainment just made the whole book that much better.

Read if you love laughing, cringey and second-hand embarrassment, he fell first, hilarious family drama, funny pop culture references, nerds, and romantic gestures.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this one, these are my honest thoughts!

The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson is a standalone book in the first-person point of view of our main character, Anna Ellis. Anna is a chemist who has an unrequited love for her boss, Craig Kimball. In a weird twist of events, she finds herself fake-dating Craig's half-brother, Marco, in an effort to make him hers.

I have mixed feelings about Anna as a character. She's fun and intelligent, yet pretty naive and far removed from reality for a chemist her age. I'm a little dumbfounded at some of her thoughts concerning her crush on a guy she barely even spoke with. She is still, in general, an amusing character whose heart is of pure intent and who has goals in life that I admire. As the book progresses and she finally opens up to listen without bias, I start rooting for her as a character. It just took a while to get there.

What kept me going reading this book were the scenes between Anna and Marco. They are cute together! I like how they enjoy each other's company, and most interactions don't feel forced. Marco is just as bright as Anna, and they genuinely feel most compatible together. I also like Anna's friend, Catalina. We all need a friend like her in our lives - when a friend tells you a guy is a walking red flag, you better listen!

I devoured this book--started it one day and finished it the next, which is usually what happens when I read Sariah Wilson's books.

Anna is a talented chemist but not the smartest when it comes to life and men. She's great in the lab with beakers and chemicals but around anyone other than her best friend she's really socially awkward. This leads to an embarrassing night but that leads to fake dating the swooniest man (aka Marco). I laughed out loud several times while reading which is always a good thing.

I loved Marco! I don't want to give the ending away but he what he did was THE BEST!!

Things I loved:
The female lead is a chemist
She's also nerdy--she loves Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, D&D and more
The bird names--Feather Locklear, Wil Tweeton, and others
The meet-cute is the best
The lipstick experiment
The chemistry between Anna and Marco

This is a clean romance with just kisses but there is some innuendo. I received a copy from Montlake via NetGalley. I also purchased a digital copy for my own library. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I always love Sariah Wilson's books and she proves herself again and again with varying plots. The Chemistry of Love is hilarious with the deceptively smart and witty banter between characters (see example below).

“It was fine. Tracie was interesting, but I’ve seen leeches that suck less. I’m surprised she had time to set up this party, what with her busy schedule of luring children into her gingerbread house.”

Since the basis for this plot is biochemistry, I didn't know if the author could sell me on this subject without "dumbing it down." I can report that she delivered in spades! She did her research, too. I don't know how the author does what she does. So I'll just say she creates magic!
5 stars

“Why is your face so symmetrical?”

And it’s one liners like that, I absolutely love Sariah Wilson’s writing and keep coming back for more.

Anna is a chemist in a male dominated world. She is working at a cosmetics company where her immediate boss does not like her, and she has a crush on his boss. In an unforgettable turn of events she meets a stranger who helps to show her love can be found in unexpected places with unexpected people.

I really enjoyed this one, the chemistry 😉between Anna and Marco was there from the start and I couldn’t stop reading to see where their story lead. This one was fully of delicious slow burn and brought the heat even with being a clean Romance. A perfect February and Valentine read!

I'm a huge fan of Sariah Wilson and always read her books the first chance I got.
This book has so much nerd/geek humor and I was all for it. I highlighted a ton of jokes because they were the kind that always makes me laugh then feel disappointed no one else gets them.
Besides the chemistry needed for her job, Anna and Craig had chemistry with each other in spades. There romance journey was entertaining, filled with a roller coaster of emotion, and in the end, left me smiling as Sariah Wilson always manages to do.

*I received a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required nor influenced to leave a review.

4.5/5 stars

The chemistry of Love is a contemporary romance/romantic comedy.

The narrator is 26 year old Anna Ellis. She is a cosmetic chemist who wants to start her own makeup company. She is inventing a lipstick that changes colors depending on your mood. And I absolutely loved this!

The book features two brothers. One who is perfect for Anna. And the other who is Anna's dream man.

The romance is spectacular. The friendship with her bestie Catalina is special. And there are birds named after famous people!

This book features a geeky scientist, women in STEM, and fake dating. It will make you smile. This book is charming and fun and I really loved it!

The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson.

A funny, laugh out loud, swoony romance! Full of quirky, witty banter with science references, and Star Wars a sizzling chemistry

Anna Ellis is very intelligent, she works in research and development branch of Minx cosmetics. She had fallen in love with the Vice President of Minx, Craig Kimball. And although she sees him as kind, funny, and charming he is nothing like that at all. It takes her quitting her job and going to the company party for her to see the real Craig. A man who is already engaged to his brothers ex-girlfriend. Devastated she ends up in the men’s bathroom, where Marco Kimball the CEO of the company finds her.

Marco is completely different than his brother. Nerdy, hot and very muscular. He takes Anna out to lunch the next day and not only hires her as a consultant but comes up with an idea for them to fake date. Since Craig has always wanted what Marco has if they are dating he will want Anna and will break up with his fiancé. But as these two go out on more dates… the more the lines blur from fake dating to feelings of more. Their kisses between them are arousing new feelings but will it be enough?

You do not want to miss this fantastic new romance. This is for all you hopeless romantics out there! Go! Get your copy today!!!!

Voluntarily requested an early copy and this is my honest review.

Who doesn’t love a fake romance trope? Usually, those are the books that really grab your heart and this one was no exception. The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson had the right formula to charge my inner nerd gal. As a fan of Sariah’s, this was so much fun to read. This was such a sweet, funny romantic comedy that will definitely swoon and charm its way into your heart.

We are introduced to Anna Ellis, a chemist. She is such a likable character who you just want to become besties with. She is smart, funny and in love with the wrong person. She feels he is the man of her dreams. Ever since he helped her one day, she has been completely smitten but guess who he is? None other than her boss, Craig Kimball. Her life mission is to grab his attention and ride off in the sunset but only one problem, she has no idea how that will happen until she stumbles upon his half brother, Marco and oh does he have a challenge for her.

Marco is cute, smart but has a bit of a mystery to him. He is CEO of the company and has a bit of a rival relationship with Craig. Marco has a lot going for him and with this competitive spirit, Craig tries to get everything Marco has, personally and professionally. So when Anna finds herself in a compromising situation, Marco offers her a solution to get what she wants and in exchange and him as well. He proposes the idea of a fake relationship that would make Craig jealous and give her what she wants. This sounds all nice until the lines of fake and real blur blend together. The heart knows what the heart wants. Sometimes, what’s meant to be might be standing right in front of you. Will this be the solution to their chemical equation?

As always, Sariah’s books are such a sweet treat. This is a standalone book that can be read without any of her other books. For all the introverts out there, this will really make you swoon. Besides the fun dialogue and chemistry between Anna and Marco, Catalina was so much fun and such a supportive friend. I always love to see great friendships. We can’t forget Anna’s grandparents. Their sense of humor and relationship with Anna was a nice addition to the book. Overall, this trope is always fun getting to the hea. If you are a fan of Sariah, then you will enjoy this one. If you’re looking for a fun, sweet nerdy rom-com, add this to your TBR list.

💫R E V I E W💫

The Chemistry of Love by Sariah Wilson

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a really fun rom com! I really enjoyed this story and many parts I was giggling. This is a perfect read for Valentine’s Day coming up!

Here are some things I enjoyed:
💕 Fake dating- I love fake dating in books.
💕Anna (the main character) is a cosmetic chemist!- I love makeup and this was really fun.
💕workplace romance 🥰
💕Marco- he was so sweet and cute!

Here are some things I didn’t enjoy as much:
💕lots of references to star wars and lord of the rings- I’ve never watched lord of rings so wasn’t sure what they were talking about.
💕Craig- ugh I didn’t like him from the beginning 😂

Overall, I recommend this book if you like a fun rom com! This is the second book I’ve read by this author and enjoyed both!

Thank you @netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Pub date: February 1, 2023