This HaBO comes from Tiffany, who wants to find this romance:
I’m trying to track down a STEM romance that I meant to read but Iost track of.
I remember that the heroine is a lab manager who takes a lot of pride in running a tight ship and taking care of “her scientists” as she calls them. The hero is a wealthy tech mogul with a lot of media/pop culture buzz, but is tired of the “cool” factor overshadowing the seriousness of his work. There may or may not be a cybersecurity element to it. He is planning a big launch that will change all that and make a difference.
The hero and heroine are online pen pals, so only know each other through screen names, and first names maybe. They are comfortable joking and sharing their true selves online, since they’ll probably never meet in real life.
The hero’s business ends up partnering/consulting with the heroine’s lab for the new project. He is annoyed with the media and is very rude to the staff at the lab, but no one calls him on it because he is a “big deal.” Except our heroine of course, who comes to the rescue, telling him off and demanding respect for her team. Palpable sexual tension ensues. Not knowing this is actually his pen pal soulmate/BFF, he is snarky and rude to her as well.
Somehow he realizes later who she is and feels bad (maybe when they are ranting to each other in their latest pen pal exchange about having a horrible day at work). The author and/or heroine may have a Spanish/Hispanic name/background.
I feel like I remember so many details except the title. Can you HABO?
I know a few people who would love to read this one!
FOLLOWING!!!!
Not generally into contemporary romance (though there are exceptions), but this description has me hooked. Hope somebody know this which book this is! Please.
I don’t think it’s the same – but it has similar vibes to “The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl” by Annika Martin. The MMC character is the hyper-focused scientist – doesn’t want to deal with social media and other “fluff”. The FMC is working in a grunt admin job for his company and gets lots of flack and extra delegated tasks from her manager. The leads end up on the phone and he doesn’t know who the FMC is in real life. It was a fun read!!
Is it Love and Gravity by Rebel Carter?
following! Don’t think it’s Trade Me by Courtney Milan (tech CEO MMC, smart STEM FMC), but it sounds like it’s in the same neighborhood.
And, second to The Billionaire’s Wake-Up-Call Girl. Also reco the STEM FMC novels by Penny Reid (Elements of Chemistry & Laws of Physics series), and by Susannah Nix (Chemistry Lessons series).
I want to read this!
There is something familiar about the description, following.
The penpal plot sounds like Love on the Brain, but none of the other details fit.
II don’t think it’s Courtney Milan’s “Hold Me” (which i haven’t read yet) but I have to mention it to get it off my mind. They’re online pen pals who don’t recognize each other in person, she’s Latine, he’s a big-shot academic researcher who’s rude to her in person.
It also reminds me a bit of another HaBO about an olfactory scientist but that lacked the pen-pal element.
I don’t think this is quite right, but maybe THE CASANOVA by T.L. Swan? The MMC is a CEO of a media company, but the FMC is a software engineer. I haven’t read it, so I’m not sure.
For @Kolforin, Courtney Milan’s HOLD ME is a fabulous book! Yes, the penpal element fits but the other aspects don’t. Evidently lots of good pen pals out there.
OMG, this is driving me crazy. This is like a mashup of Hold Me (Courtney Milan), The Soulmate Equation (Christina Lauren) and Yours Truly (Abby Jiminez). Yours Truly is the closest, although it’s set in a hospital with doctors, not a lab with scientist.
Also following! This one game my brain niggles of a couple books, but it looks like they’ve all been mentioned above. Though none is a perfect fit!
+1 to @Kristin, completely agree that it’s Love and Gravity by Rebel Carter
Adding along that I’m likewise sure emmers and Kristin are right and it’s Love &Gravity. I have this is paperback on my shelf.
I love how sometimes HaBOs double as impromptu Rec Leagues. <3
Me, too – one of my favorite things!
Reminded me of Alisha Rai’s The Right Swipe but don’t think it is.
Tiffany (original requester) here, apologies for the late check in!
Thanks to everyone who took a look here, and so much thanks Kristin and emmers for confirming that it is Love and Gravity by Rebel Carter. That is exactly it! Off to purchase it right now.
You all have made my day and saved me from years of “tip of the tongue” syndrome. I salute you!
I also didn’t know there were so many similarly themed novels, so have added all of your other suggestions to my “to read” wishlist.
I loved the OG cover art, which is what originally caught my eye: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/716Tx4P1BXL._SL1360_.jpg
Thanks again for solving this HABO case!