Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Hello again, friends! I just recently finished The Code for Love by Anne Marsh, which was wonderfully narrated by Mooreghan Martin, and this book was a wonderful find for anyone who enjoys a romance with science, heart, and a smart heroine at its core. If your like me and love stories where women in STEM take the spotlight and mix that with some romantic tension, you’ll definitely want to put this one on your list.

The Code for Love is a true “STEMist” novel. It follows Pandora, a computer programmer who is passionate about her work and determined to succeed in a challenging environment. Right from the start, I was rooting for Pandora, but I also found myself wishing her character had a little more dimension beyond the familiar trope of the dorky, unseen woman in STEM. There are strong women in STEM too, and I know there is so much need for female representation in these fields that I was left hoping that we could see women who are confident and unapologetically assertive. I wish Pandora was not just brilliant but also brave enough to take up space. She let people walk all over her throughout the story, and while that made her relatable in some ways, I wanted her to stand up for herself more. Feeling unseen is, unfortunately, a relatable experience in this world, but it would have been even more satisfying if she had found her voice before hitting her breaking point.

Now, Ozzy is a definite highlight and steals the show if you ask me, and well, you’re here, so you kind of are asking. He is the kind of hero who doesn’t just swoop in to save the day, but helps Pandora see her own strengths and makes it clear he respects her choices. Ozzy has golden retriever energy, is supportive, encouraging Pandora to make her own decisions, and always reminding her of her value. I really appreciated that about him, and I honestly think he deserves more credit. He might be underrated by those around him as just a pretty face, and ex-surf god, but his softness, patience, and insight were just what Pandora needed.

Anne Marsh gives us all the nerdy love we could want, the STEM world feels authentic but never inaccessible, and Pandora’s internal struggles will resonate with anyone who has ever felt overlooked at work either in a STEM field or another field entirely. Mooreghan Martin’s narration adds an extra layer of warmth and relatability, pulling you right in.

My only real wish for this story is that the aftermath of Pandora’s actions in the professional setting had been fleshed out more. The resolution is a bit quick, and I would have loved to see even more growth for her, especially after finally making her voice heard.

So, If you are looking for a smart romance with a lovable but imperfect heroine, a wonderfully supportive love interest, and plenty of nerdy charm, The Code for Love is a read you will want to pick up. This releases at the end of this month on July 29, so pre-order now. Four stars from me. Until next time my friends, happy reading!