The Unbalanced Equation cover art

The Unbalanced Equation

An Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy (Hot Mess Trilogy, Book 1)

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The Unbalanced Equation

By: H. L. Macfarlane
Narrated by: Broghanne Jessamine
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About this listen

What do a bad landlord, a family wedding and a rogue Bunsen burner all have in common?

After suffering four years of scrutiny from her PhD assessor, Elizabeth Maclean believes she's finally free of Dr Thomas Henderson's tyranny when she begins her postdoc. But when a fire goes off in Tom's lab (stupid undergrads) he ends up working in the same lab as Liz.

On the same bench, no less.

For three whole months.

To make matters worse (and much to their mutual surprise) Tom's mum and Liz's dad announce their impending marriage after a whirlwind romance. So when Liz's landlord tells her to move out, pronto, it tips her over the edge. Desperate for a place to stay and in need of a savior, the last person Liz expects to offer her a temporary home is Tom himself.

Now stuck working together, living together and planning their parents' Christmas wedding together, will Liz discover that Tom's attitude over the last four years was all a ruse to hide his true feelings? Or are the two doomed to fail in their co-existence experiment?

A smart, sexy enemies-to-lovers story perfect for fans of The Hating Game, Book Lovers and The Love Hypothesis, The Unbalanced Equation is H. L. Macfarlane's first foray into contemporary rom-com territory. She swears there are no faeries this time.

The Unbalanced Equation is the first book in the Hot Mess Trilogy: a series of standalone but connected rom-coms set in Glasgow. Happy Ever After guaranteed with no children, marriage or unexpected pregnancies involved!

©2022 Macfarlane Lantern Publishing (P)2024 Macfarlane Lantern Publishing Contemporary Romantic Comedy Enemies to Lovers

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Listener received this title free

Elizabeth Maclean and Dr Thomas Henderson have had a few hours in the past 4 years where they actually got on well together. The rest of the time she has hated him with a passion. Now their parents are getting married. they are going to be in close contact and Tom wants to act on the attraction he has felt for the last 4 years.
But it is not going to be all sunshine and roses for them.
This is a great slow burn romance with plenty of humor and a little sarcasm.
The narrator is great.

Great slow burn romance

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Listener received this title free

Over 12 hours of listening? Really?!?! It certainly did not feel like it! This book is fast paced with lots of twists and turns along the way. It starts out so sweetly with a possible meet cute and then...well... orange juice and dissertation assessing interfere. Forget meet cute, Liz and Tom are stuck in their very own unbalanced equation.

Four years later, enter the fairy godparents who are actually their previously single, but now not so much, parents. Let us not forget the enthusiastic boss/best friend. These two variables, Tom and Liz, find themselves in somewhat forced proximity trying to figure themselves and each other out. Of course there is the calm before the storm and then there is mayhem until, finally, the equation is resolved.

This is a quick, fun and easy book to listen to. It is set in a university environment, in a labratory to be precise. There is plenty of chemistry but also a very sweet story. My only (small) issue with it is that I don't know if I would have been as forgiving as Liz. But I love how family is central to the story and how loving, supportive, yet realistic they are of each other. loved it!!

This audiobook was given to me for free at my request and I am providing this voluntary review.

Fast paced, fun and full of chemistry!

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Listener received this title free

Loved the narration of Broghanne Jessamine


While at a department do, Liz finds herself drinking some mimosas, and finds herself attracted to. Who feels the same. It is the next day Tom becomes her phD assessor putting a stop of the two becoming involved.
For four years Liz puts up with Tom and him making her life a living hell. But staying goodbye to Tom is not easy. As a series of events leads entwined their o lives.

This book is full of angst, drama, steam and humour

balance

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Listener received this title free

A fast-paced listen with interesting characters, a lot of twists, and delightful witty banter.

A review copy was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

Fast-paced.

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Listener received this title free

The Unbalanced Equation (ALC)

If you love enemies-to-lovers with witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and a touch of chaos, The Unbalanced Equation is a must-listen!

The audiobook brings Elizabeth and Tom’s fiery dynamic to life, making their tension and humor even more enjoyable. The narration is engaging, with distinct voices that capture their personalities perfectly. The story itself is a fun mix of forced proximity, workplace romance, and slow-burn attraction, all wrapped in sharp, laugh-out-loud dialogue.

If you’re a fan of The Love Hypothesis or The Hating Game, you’ll love this one. Highly recommend for a light, entertaining listen!

Such a fun book!💗

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