⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Deep In Love by Nicole Cubba was everything I want in a romance: smart, funny, heartfelt, and ridiculously addictive. The “academic rivals forced into close quarters” trope is done so well here—it never feels gimmicky. Instead, Cubba layers the tension beautifully, making every argument, every stolen glance, every unspoken feeling between Charlie and Mateo feel electric.

Charlie is such a compelling heroine. She’s whip-smart and passionate about her work, but underneath her confidence is a woman still carrying wounds from her past. Watching her slowly let her guard down with Mateo was one of the most rewarding parts of this story. Mateo, on the other hand, is equal parts infuriating and irresistible—the kind of rival who knows how to push every button but also the only one who sees Charlie for who she truly is. Their dynamic is magnetic, and when the walls finally begin to crack, the payoff is perfection.

The STEM and marine biology aspects were such a refreshing backdrop. Life on the research vessel felt vivid and real, with just the right balance of scientific detail and romance. I loved how Cubba wove the science into the narrative—it wasn’t just window dressing, it shaped who Charlie and Mateo were and why their rivalry (and attraction) mattered so much. And the Darwin references sprinkled throughout were clever, charming, and gave the whole book a unique flavor.

Emotionally, this story dives deep (pun intended). It’s not just about rivals falling in love—it’s about healing, growth, and taking risks even when the future feels uncertain. Charlie’s struggle with opening up and Mateo’s persistence in breaking through her defenses gave their romance real heart. By the end, I wasn’t just rooting for them—I believed in them.

The spice? Slow-burn done right. The payoff is sizzling without ever overshadowing the emotional beats. Every kiss, every touch feels earned, and the intimacy is written with as much care as the banter and tension.

This book made me laugh, swoon, and even tear up a little. It’s the kind of romance that reminds you why rivals-to-lovers is such a beloved trope: because when done this well, the transformation from enemies to partners feels epic and unforgettable.

If you love Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation or Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis but wish they came with a little more spice and a lot more ocean adventure, Deep In Love is your next must-read. Nicole Cubba has written something truly special, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.

This story pulled me in with its clever mix of academic rivalry, emotional depth, and undeniable chemistry. Charlie is a brilliant but guarded scientist whose world revolves around her research and her best friend, while Mateo is the one person who always seems to challenge her at every turn. Being forced to live and work together at sea creates the perfect storm of tension, vulnerability, and slow-burning attraction. The ocean setting adds a unique sense of isolation and intimacy, and watching their relationship shift from prickly to tender felt both believable and incredibly satisfying.

What really stood out was how personal this journey felt. Charlie's internal struggle to protect herself while also confronting feelings she thought she had buried gave the romance so much weight. The emotional pacing is just right, allowing both characters the space to grow and reveal their true selves. It’s smart, a little spicy, and filled with heart. The story doesn't shy away from the messiness of connection, and by the end, I found myself truly rooting for Charlie and Mateo to find something real in the middle of all the uncertainty.

3,5⭐️ Thank you for the ARC!!! I really enjoyed reading this story. It was cute, funny and I loved the marine science!
Of course, there was only ONE bed 🙂‍↕️

For me it just lacked a bit of conflict on the third act which made the story a bit monotonous towards the end as the characters didn’t have any impediment to be together really.

This was seriously so good! I loved everything about! From the STEM characters, mental health rep and the AMAZING yearning?? Did I mention it's forced proximity? Sold. I was hooked immediately and avoided life until I was done 🫡

Thank you Nicole and Net Galley for the ARC 🥹🫶🏻

Thank you Nicole Cubba, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of *Deep in Love* in exchange for my honest review💙💚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 stars!

🗓️ Publish date: Sept 16, 2025

💚 STEM romance (Marine biology, too!)
💙 forced proximity
💚 emotional healing / overcoming trauma
💙 super smart FMC
💚 golden retriever MMC (oh, Mateo! Swoon!)
💙 witty banter
💚 dual POV
💙 no third act breakup👏🏼 (thank you, Nicole!)

Charlie and Mateo’s story tugs at every emotion - it's emotional, uplifting, funny and inspiring. What begins as academic rivalry evolves into a love that feels fated. From their witty banter and playful nicknames to their quiet, intimate moments, every step of their relationship was beautifully written.

The MCs are both PhDs students in the same lab. Charlie, a passionate Charles Darwin enthusiast, can’t stand Mateo - while he’s been quietly infatuated with her for more than two years. When they land a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the deep sea, they’re forced to spend three weeks in close quarters aboard a research vessel, including sharing a room with a single bed.

Their story had so many amazing parts but I especially loved seeing Charlie’s growth as she learned not only to open her heart to others but also to embrace self-love. Her past added so much depth. Mateo was everything you could hope for in a romantic lead (again, swoon!). He's sweet, patient, and just the right amount of obsessed. His steady presence - constantly reminding Charlie of her worth, brilliance, and beauty - was touching and made their love story all the more powerful.

This book delivered on every level: it was entertaining (laughing out loud funny), spicy, and deeply moving. The pacing was spot on, and the passion for science and Marine biology really came through. Fans of Ali Hazelwood and STEM romance will definitely enjoy *Deep in Love*💙💚

Ohhh I absoltely love the angst that comes in a good academic rivals to lovers rom com book!

Just had an absolute blast reading this book and it felt like watching a movie, something that I needed!

Mateo being so damn bad for Charlie was everything, reading from his pov with his pining for her, yeah it was absolutely beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

This book was just not for me. I was so excited for this ARC, and I'm dissapointed for myself for not liking it.
I couldn't get past the nickname; maybe because I'm mexican & if someone gets to call me (or anyone for that matter) 'bruja' it would 90% of the times be taken as an insult (Is as if the person is calling her a 'b¡tch'). Without that particular nickname, the characters felt a but inmature & I just couldn't connect with them or the story.
I ended up DNFing it.

I was so incredibly lucky to be blessed by the @netgalley Gods and was approved for an ARC copy of this lovely book.

As a scientist myself stem romances are some of my favourites. Understanding all the little quirky laboratory or science world things feels like being in on a secret and I adore it.

This story is a workplace stem romance, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, he falls first, two hyper intelligent idiots, with trauma healing and dorky science vibes.

Mateo and Charlie are up there with some of my favourite STEM romance couples. Mateo's yearning pov is one of my favourites, and the unexpected way his demeanor changes from soft to extremely direct when it counts was 🥵. An observant guy, who has a book club with his Abuela, notices the little things and is quick witted. Incredible. And Charlie is absolutely remarkable. To continue to push for a life filled with joy and purpose after such traumatic injury is inspiring. Pain chips away bit by bit, and to be able to persevere is something special.

Together they are just delightful. This book is just right in the feels. There's no third act breakup, they communicate through their issues, they are both super competitive, funny and complex. And when it came to the spice it really surprised me. I was expecting spicy but soft, but Mateo knows EXACTLY all the right things to say 🤣🌶️🥵

If you guys love stem romances and want something new that stands on its own in a completely unique way then I think you will love this book!

When Nicole Cubba said "spicy STEM romance" she absolutely delivered just that. I had gone into reading thinking it would be an enemies-to-lovers/rivals-to-lovers vibe but it was much more like a peer/coworker romance because they did not compete the entire book and truly were lovely and supportive of each other! I loved both Charlie and Mateo, and especially loved reading about Mateo's love and yearning for Charlie. The back-and-forth bantering between the two of them and his nickname for her...swoon! I was obsessed with their relationship and could not keep a smile off of my face reading this the entire time. And can we talk about how both Mateo and Charlie had incredible best friends?? I hate when the main characters of a book end up with best friends who are unsupportive or negative but Amy and Oliver were THE BEST. I just loved reading about their time exploring their connection and their incredible research trip as well! Thank you to Nicole Cubba, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the arc of Deep in Love. I am so so excited for its release on September 16th, 2025!

4.5/ 5 stars!!! I loved them!!!! First of all ocean nerds!!!! YES! 2. Latin MMC whose last name is Alvarez DOUBLE YES! Never read a MMC with the last name Alvarez that I didn’t absolutely just soon for! He’s now on the list! Cute nickname YES! He’s been pinning for her for yearssss and he just doesn’t know how to make her notice…. Golden retriever who is head over heels with a black cat… say less!!! And the FMC…. Well she is just a badas$ with a snarky internal monologue…. So relatable!!! But that doesn’t mean our characters don’t have struggles or obstacles that forces them to open up and grow. Even though there’s things that are hard in this book it’s done in such a fantastic way! If you’re a S.T.E.M. Lover like me this one I highly recommend! 2 PDH students, one bed, an odd dynamic and 3 weeks on a research boat…. What’s the worst (or best) thing that could happen?! Again I just adored them!

I was really excited to receive this arc because if there is one thing I love it’s an academic rivals to lovers plus add it to my love for the ocean. The only thing is I don’t know if I would really call them rivals. It’s was more of a she finds him extremely annoying and big headed and he’s been in love with her for years and notices everything about it.

I feel like it needed to be a little bit longer, it felt like everything happened between Mateo and Charlie so fast and it came off as a little instalove.

I loved the banter throughout the book and the side characters were really great too. The only thing I didn’t like was that it just seemed like he was more in love with her than she was with him. I also felt like they were kind of immature for what was supposed to be 26 year olds. I felt like I kept having to remind myself that they were not 18-19 even though they acted like it sometimes.



So I loved his Abuela and her love for trashy historical romances

Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for letting me read a free copy of this book in exchange for a review

4.5 stars: Charlie and Mateo are such a cute couple and ending up on the same boat for three weeks was meant to be. STEM romances are great, not only because they end up being great romances but you also learn a lot and I definitely learned a lot when reading this book.
Charlie goes on such a journey of growth, finding her love for herself again and starting to accept herself and her scars. She is a likeable character and you do route for her. Mateo has been in love with her since the first time he laid eyes on her but is patiently waiting for her to realise. He is a great character because of how patient he is with Charlie.I loved the other characters on the boat too and how they all become a little found family, cheering each other on. A great read!

I had a feeling I was going to like this book based on the premise, but I really wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did!

Reading this book brought me right back to my grad school days and really enjoyed the little moments that are so uniquely related to grad school, like the absolute panic when your supervisor emails you for a meeting, or stealing lab equipment because another lab has a slightly better model. Or, trying to explain your research to someone not in the field and forgetting not everyone knows what you're talking about. It really made the story for me.

Mateo was just an absolute ray of sunshine and him pining for Charlie for years just made him so much cuter. I also really resonated with Charlie and all her internal struggles, especially with chronic pain. I loved watching them navigate their journey together, along with the backdrop of marine biology exploration.

Overall this was a comfy, cosy STEM romance and I'm very much looking forward to reading more books by Nicole Cubba.

Thank you to Nicole Cubba, Victory Editing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

4.5 Stars Rounded up.

This book was very cute and sweet with so many scenes that had me smiling so much! Charlie and Mateo are sort of rivals but it was so nice to see that despite that ‘rivalry’ they worked together on this work trip while at sea. Mateo was a perfect mmc, he was so patient, caring, and reassuring with Charlie. Even the side characters were a great addition to the story, they added some comedy and everyone clearly saw that Charlie and Mateo were perfect for each other. This book did well in delivering their love story with some angst and comedy! I especially enjoyed seeing the dynamic of their work. I would definitely give this book a read if you like STEM romances with rivals to lovers. Thank you Netgalley for the arc, I really appreciate it!

Release date: September 16th

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I need to preface this review by saying I will not accept ANY slander on this book. 5 stars, no notes… This book completely stole my heart. I went into it expecting a fun academic rivals-to-lovers story set at sea, and what I got was a deeply emotional, thoughtful, and slow-burn romance that I couldn’t put down. It’s smart, it’s soft, it’s sexy—and it felt so real. Every page made me fall harder for Mateo.

Mateo was such a standout. He’s quiet, intense, and fiercely intelligent—but also incredibly gentle in ways that made my heart ache. His protectiveness shows up not through control, but through quiet support, careful listening and observation, and the way he gives Charlie space to grow and understand her feelings. Watching him wrestle with his own insecurities while still showing up for her over and over again? That hit so deeply. The “he falls first” energy was undeniable, and I loved how soft he became when it came to her. He’s the king of yearning, I fear no other MMC compares.

Their connection unfolded slowly, but with so much emotional payoff. The one-bed tension, the stolen glances, the soft touches—it all built into a romance that felt grounded and earned. And the best part? No third-act breakup!

I absolutely loved Charlie and Mateo. The academic rivals trope with one of them secretly harboring feeling for years was immaculate. I I really enjoyed that we had characters that were flawed, even though others may see them as perfect, and the two of them helped heal what they thought was broken in themselves. This was a very safe and trusting relationship that was very beautiful to watch unfold in a stem research background. I adored the side characters who brought levity and insight to Charlie and I really love when romances don’t have a third act break up which this delivered on.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😍😍😍Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC! All of these opinions are my own.

Charlie and Mateo’s story is an enemies to lovers, forced proximity story between two PHD students who find themselves on a research vessel deep in the ocean for 3 weeks.

Well, perhaps not all things are as they seem and a one Mateo Alvarez has never been an enemy to Miss Charlie Bowen

Mateo Alvarez is the definition of “If He Wanted To, He Would.”
This man would walk through fire for our girl and I was here for his years of pining and longing. This is a patient man, folks!! He was my favorite character and I loved getting his POV every few chapters so we could really get inside his head about how he felt about Charlie.
♥️When he had her saying her daily affirmations in an intimate moment…it sent me 🫠😍
♥️Also, way to go to the author for making a C-PAP machine adorable.

Charlie Bowen takes a long time to come around, but when she finally lets her guard down and lets Mateo in, the pay off is so, so sweet. She is stubborn, though, and there is a lot of push and pull. Which I understood in time, but i felt like her self image struggle was very, very drawn out. Witnessing Mateo’s words and patience and total adoration as she fought those inner demons made for a beautiful love story, though.

Overall I felt this story evoked a more cozy read, low stakes, nothing that got my heart beating fast (except for the spice which was 🔥). The plot was sweet and thorough, but I found myself hoping there would be some sort of trouble with the research vessel or a large, deep sea creature causing trouble. Something that kept me turning the pages a little faster, which was why I knocked it down a star.

Overall, this was such a sweet story with a good amount of heat! Definitely read if you like stories with:

🐳Women in STEM
♥️A man who years and pines for YEARS
🫶🏼Forced Proximity (there’s only 1 bed)
👌🏻Low stakes, cozy read
🥰Inner healing from a previous traumatic event (off page)
😍”Good girl”

This Sea Voyage Offers A Lot To Explore: Deep In Love By Nicole Cubba

"If you want to be seen, Mateo, then you need to stand in the spotlight, even if the light may burn your eyes."

There’s something very tasteful about bringing a romance plot to a STEM setting. Authors bring in the best of both worlds: their nerdy side feeds into the factual details of the setting, while their grasp of the romantic journey of their protagonists is just as scientific. The best STEM romances are a homage to the stability of science and the strength of love.

Deep In Love delivered on all the best promises of this sub-genre and elevated the usual tropes beyond just literary devices through delightfully veritable representations of chronic pain, trauma, and sleep disorders. The characters and contexts are so multi-dimensional and rich that you forget you’re reading a trope at all, and that, to me, is the best litmus test of a well-written romance. Did it make you forget about the tropes it is playing out?

The book opens up to a delightful setting for the reader. Hilarious, even. Not so much for our protagonist Charlie Bowen, who’s running low on caffeine and breaking a sweat as she fields juvenile questions about evolution from students right before breaking for summer recess at the University of Rhodes.

“A cold sweat breaks out across my brow as I stare at a sea of apathetic faces, each student counting down the minutes until the break between summer courses begins. A solitary hand rises, and my mouth turns chalky.”

Cubba has created some excellent characters. They have their unique quirks, longings, repressed emotions, outward brilliance, anxieties, and motivations. And we are introduced to all these facets gradually, in a motion of peeling layers, like tackling a corn on the cob. The process isn’t tidy; it’s a little messy, sometimes uneven, with those clingy silks that just won’t let go. But as each layer comes off, what’s revealed is a sharper, more vivid sense of who the character really is.

And the reward is delightful because what you get is not just a rich, juicy read, but characters you can’t help falling in love with. And it’s not just the leads, even the secondary characters are given this kind of textured, tender attention. It’s why I walked away from the last page in love with not just Mateo and Charlie, but equally caring about Amy, Oliver, Jet, Sophie, and others.

“Some aspects of the accident's aftermath have been easier to accept than others. I can handle aching joints before a treacherous rain and the uncomfortable pat down from TSA after I set off the metal detector. I've learned to manage my arthritis and banished my fear of driving, but I haven't overcome the hurdle of my image. The scars are a soft spot-an insecurity so raw, even a look or comment causes an ache in my chest.”

Charlie’s interior life and, by extension, her internal monologue, are very serious, tense environments: she has insecurities from the aftermath of her accident in a way that I understand (I have scars from surgeries I had in my early 20s, which bothered me a lot, and my inner monologue mirrored Charlie’s, so one might say I felt very seen in her character), the physical scars have percolated into her social and emotional fabric in that she avoids being “perceived” and seen in public. She has an acute awareness of how people react to her when they first lay their eyes on her.

And yet, very realistically, this hasn’t impacted her sense of humour at all. She’s so funny without even trying that its easy to see why Mateo fell for her so easily. Case in point, this is her inner monologue when she sits across from him:

“He's been gifted every trait required to survive and thrive in our world. His scientific work is inspired — even if it gives me an ulcer to admit it to myself — and he skates through life with a level of confidence I could never achieve. Charles Darwin would take one look at Mateo and scribble down ‘marvelous specimen of a man’ in his notebook.
Pisses me off.
On the flip side, I defy his idea of evolution. I was not adapted to survive, and yet, here I am, alive and kicking.
Not by choice.
I can't be an evolutionary biologist and disregard the idea of natural selection. That would be parallel to an assassin saying they don't believe in murder. The juxtaposition is otherworldly.”

She’s so oblivious to Mateo’s several gestures of affection and attention, but it doesn’t feel like a cliche at all, and that’s credit to Cubba’s mastery of her craft. She eases us into every scene and plot turn; everything feels organic. And of course, the romance genre loves a down-bad male lead.

“I've harbored the delusion that one day, Charlie will see me as more than her competitor or the guy who annoys her. Half the reason I still live in my world of ignorant bliss is I've never seen her with someone else. Never heard her speak of a boyfriend or date. No photos on her desk. No one dropping by, except for Amy.”

None of this took away from the rich tapestry of these well-rounded characters.

Cubba wasn’t afraid to strip her characters down to their most vulnerable selves. Mateo, with his sleep apnea and C-PAP machine, could easily have been written as unglamorous or even played for laughs. Charlie, with her chronic pain and the scars from her accident, could have been reduced to a tragic backstory. In the hands of another author, these details might have turned gimmicky. But Cubba humanised them. She leaned into their vulnerabilities without pitying them, and gave them a dynamic that pushed back against the often ableist norms of romance. That’s what made the story so believable. So when the slow burn finally tipped over into something steamy, it all felt earned, because it was built on a foundation of honesty.

Cubba’s writing is deeply affirming, and that’s what makes this book such a joyful reading experience. Everything, from the academic setting to the context of their careers and ambitions, is tastefully set up, without ever feeling heavy-handed. It reminded me a lot of 'Love on the Brain' by Ali Hazelwood: the friendly banter, the 'what would Darwin do' moments, and, most importantly, the genuine equality between the leads.

What stood out was how neither character slipped into that tired saviour complex that often sneaks into romance. Instead, their dynamic felt balanced and respectful, with their ambitions, goals, and even work styles shown as something pure rather than competitive or dismissive.

The secondary characters aren’t just there to prop up the main couple; they feel alive, with their own arcs and aspirations, even as they weave into the central story. The empathy Cubba extends to every character is striking and maybe even leaves the door open for future stories in this universe.

And that’s the real triumph of this book: a STEM-romance done with such taste, thoughtfulness, and reward that it feels like one of the superior examples of the genre.

4.5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and Nicole Cubba for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

Charlie and Mateo’s story was beautiful, rough, and emotional. I loved the vulnerability between the two and getting to see them both fall in love with each other was amazing.

Charlie Bowen has always lived by “What would Charles Darwin do?”—until she finds herself stuck on a research vessel with her sworn enemy, Mateo Alvarez. As scientific advisor on the SeaStar, Charlie’s dream job comes with challenges she never expected: cramped quarters, a documentary crew, and the growing tension with Mateo that feels more like chemistry than conflict. Out at sea, she’s rediscovering pieces of herself she thought were lost—but will their fragile bond survive once they’re back on shore?

Nicole Cubba knows how to write a devastating romance that somehow leaves you feeling sad but happy and fulfilled at the same time. Charlie and Mateo’s story stars as academic rivals but turns into a destined kind of love. The banter, nicknames, competitiveness, and all the secret moments that had them coming together were beautiful.

Charlie’s backstory was so interesting, and I felt so much sorrow for her with the way she had been treated. But Mateo continually showed up and reminded her just how important and smart and beautiful she is and that definitely strummed my heart strings.

As a woman also in STEM, I had a lot of fun reading this book and the moments they were in the lab, or doing their research with the crew made me giddy to actually understand most of what was going on! The research done for this was spot on and once again, I truly enjoyed this read!

This review will be posted on Goodreads and upon publication will be post on Amazon (Australia).

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Deep in Love was such a sweet, cozy romance that pulled me in right from the start. The first 60% absolutely delivered with banter, yearning, and that deliciously thin line between love and hate when it came to Charlie and Matteo.

Matteo, oh boy. He is the definition of downbad. A self-proclaimed expert in all things Charlie from her bucket list to her favourite treats, even knowing when she just needs quiet, steady support. He was swoony in every single way.

After the halfway point, I did feel the pacing falter a little, but the side characters kept me entertained.

Overall, this is a heartwarming, feel good romance without heavy angst or high stakes and honestly, isn’t that exactly what we all need sometimes.

Thank you Netgalley and Victoria Editing for this ARC