An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister
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, Abby Jimenez, and Kayla Olson, An Academic Affair brings Jodi McAlister’s “smart, scorching, and emotionally resonant” (Freya Marske, author of A Restless Truth) writing to the forefront and demonstrates her talent as one of today’s best rom-com authors.
Review: A huge thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher have been academic rivals since they were undergraduates. For years, they have sparred and debated and nursed an epic rivalry in the competitive world of academia. Now, they're both competing for the same coveted teaching opportunity. Jonah needs the job so he can move closer to his recently divorced sister and her children and Sadie needs the financial security that a full-time teaching job can offer her. But when Sadie notices a clause that says the job offers partner hire, she schemes up a way to get them both a job - one that requires they get legally married.
I have never read anything by this author and requested this ARC on a whim but when I tell you it exceeded all my expectations!! This is a slow burn book with lots of banter. The pair's whole relationship rotates on heated and spirited literary debates with one another. The tension and chemistry was so enjoyable.
My favorite thing about this book was how enjoyable it was even outside of the romance. The author works in academia in Australia, and her familiarity and intimate knowledge of the field shows. Jonah and Sadie are constantly sparring and referring to literature in a really fun way. For instance, the characters even discuss how they're entering in a marriage of convenience a la popular fiction. But Jonah astutely points out that just because their marriage isn't based on love doesn't mean it isn't real. After all, couples have gotten married for a variety of marriages throughout history. I loved this because it is such a valid and true point both in history and in this book. What starts as a companionate marriage for practical, financial, and professional reasons, just happens to turn into something more.
I also loved how this book essentially pokes fun at itself in a very meta twist. For instance, Sadie is constantly trying to find books to give her sister that she will like but despairs because her sister doesn't like fake dating or marriage or convenience. Unfortunately, that is exactly the scheme that Sadie finds herself in and, no surprise, her sister hates it in real life too.
Sisters are a big part of this book, as both Jonah and Sadie's sisters play pivotal roles in the plot and their lives. I did think the big fallout and repercussions between Sadie and her sister seemed over the top in an unnecessary way. But I did appreciate that Jonah and Said had lots of time to bond and navigate their marriage on their own terms without her interference.
Honestly, no other notes. LOVED this. One of my very top romances of the year.
Stars: 4.5
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