What happens when the only way to get a job teaching at a college is to marry your archnemesis? An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister is a fun, witty rom-com featuring an arranged marriage and relatable sibling love. It’s the perfect choice for anyone who loves academic rivals-to-lovers stories.
4/5 stars ★★★★☆
From the publisher: "From the “masterly” (The New York Times) Jodi McAlister, a charming new romance about two English professors who embark on a fake relationship…only to discover that it may be harder to pretend than they realized."
Published on: November 11, 2025
To read more about the book: https://amzn.to/4pr3fjG
What I Liked About An Academic Affair:
For me, a good rom-com not only has witty banter, but it has a strong story line that is relatable. The story is told through the point-of-view of the two main characters. This really helped to move the story along. Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher have been academic rivals ever since they were young. The only difference is that Jonah fell for Sadie right from the beginning. Watching Sadie and Jonah navigate their fake marriage while dealing with their long-standing rivalry made for a satisfying slow-burn romance.
I also enjoyed the relationship between Sadie and her sister, Chess. Chess is fiercely protective as the older sister, almost in ways that are overwhelming for Sadie. Jonah’s relationship with his family is complex, especially with his father, who is also a college professor. McAlister did a great job of showing these relationships in realistic terms.
Of course, I also enjoyed the academic setting. It showed how cutthroat it can be to have a job at the college level. It didn’t always show it in the best light, and I felt that was realistic as well.
One thing that I wish was changed about the book were the footnotes throughout the story. I was reading it on my Kindle, and it was difficult to access them. I thought the numbers were just a mistake in my download. Ha. I wish they were included in the story. Jonah’s thoughts were amusing. They would have added more to the story. Is it possible to add them at the bottom of a page on a Kindle?
Where To Buy This Book and More:
- Purchase An Academic Affair: https://amzn.to/4py9wdu
- If you liked this book, and you might like these other rom-coms:
- The Love Haters by Katherine Center
- As A Last Resort by Kristin Wollett
- Falling Into Place by Allison Ashley
- Read more of my book reviews: https://judiholst.com/book-reviews/
- Missed my Top Books of 2024? Find them here: https://judiholst.com/top-20-books-that-i-loved-in-2024/
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Publishing, and Jodi McAlister for my free copy. This is my honest opinion.
To read more about Jodi McAlister: https://jodimcalister.com.au/
If you had to marry your archnemesis to get your dream job, would you do it? 🤔
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