In my never ending search for the perfect romance novel, I came across An Academic Affair by Jodie McAlister just before leaving on a 10 day camping trip into the Canadian wilderness. Let me just say it was the perfect companion - I mean who doesn't love an enemies-to-lovers, fake marriage trope?
An Academic Affair follows Sadie and Jonah as they compete as academic rivals throughout their undergraduate degree all the way through to post- PhD life. McAlister takes her readers back throughout those formative fights between the two, allowing you as the reader to really get to know the two, and further flesh out their lives in academia. This book felt really smart, from the references to standard English novels taught in class, to the creation of their own syllabus and curriculum, you leave this novel having a newfound appreciation for the teachers in your life, and perhaps having learned a thing or two. Sadie and Jonah's slow, gentle and ultimately really heartfelt relationship grows with each page, and demonstrates that for some, love takes its time to grow. Be warned however - this is a slowww burn, and although we as the reader may find this frustrating (I know I was REALLY rooting for Sadie and Jonah throughout the book!), I think sometimes this is the most realistic depiction of a relationship. All in all, I found this a fabulous read around the campfire, and it is coming out just in time (next week!!) for all the cozy, wintery moments of cuddling up on the couch with a good book!
Spice Rating: 1.5/5
Book Information:
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.
Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher have been academic rivals since they first crossed paths as undergraduates in the literature department thirteen years ago. Now that a highly coveted teaching opportunity has come up, their rivalry hits epic proportions. Jonah needs the job to move closer to his recently divorced sister and her children, while Sadie needs the financial security and freedom of a full-time teaching position.
When Sadie notices that the job offers partner hire, however, she hatches a plot to get them both the job. All they must do is get legally married. It’s a simple win-win solution but when sparks begin to fly, it becomes clear that despite their education, these two may not have thought this whole thing through.
Perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood and Abby Jimenez, An Academic Affair pairs Jodi McAlister’s “smart, scorching, and emotionally resonant” (Freya Marske, author of A Restless Truth) writing and academic background to prove that she’s one of the smartest rom-com writers working today.
Publication date: November 11th, 2025
Format: NetGalley ARC
Pages: 384
Publisher: Atria Books
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, and let me know what you thought!
Mari
