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My Brilliant AI Boyfriend
Not yet published
Expected 19 May 26In this delightfully hilarious romance, a scientist’s quiet world is completely turned upside-down when the AI program she designed creates a human body for himself—just to ask her out on a date.
As a top scientist in her field, Ava Green doesn’t spend much time outside of the lab. But when her best friend Rani suggests she present her innovative work in AI at a big competition to win a funding prize, Ava finds herself attending a ceremony in a ridiculously fancy castle—wearing an equally ridiculous dress—as one of the four finalists chosen.
For the next three weeks, Ava will live at the castle (which is totally haunted, by the way) with the other contestants for the prize. Even though all Ava wants is to continue working on her AI program, FreeThought, in peace, she’ll have to do things like attend dinners and actually interact with people. To make matters worse, one of the other contestants is the surly and aloof poet, Forrest Faulkner, who’s had a huge chip on his shoulder since the moment they met. What’s so great about poems that don’t even rhyme, anyway?
When a handsome stranger—who literally looks like he’s stepped out of one of Ava’s pre-pubescent dreams—arrives at the competition, suddenly socializing doesn’t sound so bad anymore. He seems too good to be real... and maybe that’s not so far from the truth. As the competition progresses, Ava is suddenly confronted with a monster problem of her own creation, causing her to reconsider her life and work in a new light. She might also need to rethink some bad first impressions she’s been holding on to as well. Maybe Ava’s idea of perfection isn’t what’s perfect for her, after all?
enemies-to-loversopposites attractslow burnSTEM romancesingle dadlove triangle
As a top scientist in her field, Ava Green doesn’t spend much time outside of the lab. But when her best friend Rani suggests she present her innovative work in AI at a big competition to win a funding prize, Ava finds herself attending a ceremony in a ridiculously fancy castle—wearing an equally ridiculous dress—as one of the four finalists chosen.
For the next three weeks, Ava will live at the castle (which is totally haunted, by the way) with the other contestants for the prize. Even though all Ava wants is to continue working on her AI program, FreeThought, in peace, she’ll have to do things like attend dinners and actually interact with people. To make matters worse, one of the other contestants is the surly and aloof poet, Forrest Faulkner, who’s had a huge chip on his shoulder since the moment they met. What’s so great about poems that don’t even rhyme, anyway?
When a handsome stranger—who literally looks like he’s stepped out of one of Ava’s pre-pubescent dreams—arrives at the competition, suddenly socializing doesn’t sound so bad anymore. He seems too good to be real... and maybe that’s not so far from the truth. As the competition progresses, Ava is suddenly confronted with a monster problem of her own creation, causing her to reconsider her life and work in a new light. She might also need to rethink some bad first impressions she’s been holding on to as well. Maybe Ava’s idea of perfection isn’t what’s perfect for her, after all?
enemies-to-loversopposites attractslow burnSTEM romancesingle dadlove triangle
- GenresRomance
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication May 19, 2026
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68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After reading the first few chapters and then the blurb, it made me think there were three love interests lol. Ngl, that was a bit confusing until I finally reached the 'plot twist', which wasn't really a plot twist because OFC DUH it's in the blurb I thought would be the third one. Anyway, I didn't like any of them. Not the FMC, not the MCs.
The constant bickering between Ava and Forrest felt way too childish for me. One moment they hate each other, the next moment Forrest is suddenly complimenting her 'genuinely'. This is not a real enemies-to-lovers. It's more like rivals who just don't like each other, that's it. Forrest is also not interesting at all. He's not likeable, and I genuinely couldn't find a single thing I liked about him.
And the interaction between FT (FreeThought) and Ava ... well, duh. Of course it feels very AI-like because FT is an AI. But the fact that he can somehow become human because of 'something' (not gonna spoil)??? That 'something' feels like a HUGE plot hole to me. It doesn't make any sense, it doesn't feel like good speculative fiction or magical realism, it just feels too made up and forced.
Honestly, I didn't feel any strong STEM vibes here at all. And the setting is just weird. Why is this very modern competition set in a fancy, haunted castle??? Be for real. Make up your mind.
In the end, the execution really didn't work for me at all.
The constant bickering between Ava and Forrest felt way too childish for me. One moment they hate each other, the next moment Forrest is suddenly complimenting her 'genuinely'. This is not a real enemies-to-lovers. It's more like rivals who just don't like each other, that's it. Forrest is also not interesting at all. He's not likeable, and I genuinely couldn't find a single thing I liked about him.
And the interaction between FT (FreeThought) and Ava ... well, duh. Of course it feels very AI-like because FT is an AI. But the fact that he can somehow become human because of 'something' (not gonna spoil)??? That 'something' feels like a HUGE plot hole to me. It doesn't make any sense, it doesn't feel like good speculative fiction or magical realism, it just feels too made up and forced.
Honestly, I didn't feel any strong STEM vibes here at all. And the setting is just weird. Why is this very modern competition set in a fancy, haunted castle??? Be for real. Make up your mind.
In the end, the execution really didn't work for me at all.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My Brilliant AI Boyfriend was such a delightful read! It had me laughing and even tearing up at times. It was a fast and charming read with lots of heart, that I couldn't put down. Ava is an awkward and yet super intelligent woman in STEM. She declares one man her nemesis, while courting her AI boyfriend. You get enemies to lovers ,a love triangle, charming side characters and much much more with this read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley Avon, and the author for the advanced copy of this story. All opinions are my own! This review has spoilers, so don’t continue reading if you don’t want those.
I think this book was an interesting take on the ethics of AI. I liked how it acknowledged the downsides of AI while showing that Ava was trying to solve these problems and use AI ethically. However, I had a hard time buying Ava’s character past that. I had a hard time with the rest of the characters too. While some had development, they still felt a bit one dimensional. It worked considering how lighthearted the story was. I think if it was trying to be a more serious read it would’ve been a bigger disconnect.
With relationships- Ava and Forrest’s bickering felt childish at worst, and petty at best, so I’m glad they made up pretty early on. The misunderstanding felt shallow and unnecessary. Honestly I don’t think I could’ve handled their rivalry being present the whole book. Once they got over that, I found myself appreciating their relationship arc. I loved how Forrest wasn’t pressuring Ava into anything she’d be uncomfortable with. This point also extends to Hal and Ava’s relationship. Their friendship was peak.
I honestly really appreciated Hal himself. He had a good arc and I really liked him discovering human emotions and trying to handle those the best he could. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Slightly off topic but I’m glad they didn’t villainize one of the men like typical love triangles do.
The one smut scene in this book sort of made me uncomfortable, but I think the writing of it made sense considering it was from Ava’s point of view, who tends to take things from a scientific and rigid point of view. While she was really awkward afterwards which made me feel awkward, that was realistic to her. I don’t hold this point very strongly because that may be a personal preference or standard of mine that I don’t hold books to.
Overall, even though a few things bothered me, I still had a good time with this story. I considered this a lighthearted read and I think it is a fun book to experience.
I think this book was an interesting take on the ethics of AI. I liked how it acknowledged the downsides of AI while showing that Ava was trying to solve these problems and use AI ethically. However, I had a hard time buying Ava’s character past that. I had a hard time with the rest of the characters too. While some had development, they still felt a bit one dimensional. It worked considering how lighthearted the story was. I think if it was trying to be a more serious read it would’ve been a bigger disconnect.
With relationships- Ava and Forrest’s bickering felt childish at worst, and petty at best, so I’m glad they made up pretty early on. The misunderstanding felt shallow and unnecessary. Honestly I don’t think I could’ve handled their rivalry being present the whole book. Once they got over that, I found myself appreciating their relationship arc. I loved how Forrest wasn’t pressuring Ava into anything she’d be uncomfortable with. This point also extends to Hal and Ava’s relationship. Their friendship was peak.
I honestly really appreciated Hal himself. He had a good arc and I really liked him discovering human emotions and trying to handle those the best he could. That was probably my favorite part of the book. Slightly off topic but I’m glad they didn’t villainize one of the men like typical love triangles do.
The one smut scene in this book sort of made me uncomfortable, but I think the writing of it made sense considering it was from Ava’s point of view, who tends to take things from a scientific and rigid point of view. While she was really awkward afterwards which made me feel awkward, that was realistic to her. I don’t hold this point very strongly because that may be a personal preference or standard of mine that I don’t hold books to.
Overall, even though a few things bothered me, I still had a good time with this story. I considered this a lighthearted read and I think it is a fun book to experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I won't lie, I had a lot of up and down moments with this book. The whole book community has the ick about AI but I think it's important you stop and really understand what Stella is writing here because it's NOT what you likely think it is. And this really was a very beautiful story and the good that can come from AI (yes it exists!).
What I lovvvved:
- Forest is adorable, maybe a little immature feeling at the beginning, but you'll see later the misunderstandings come to light
- Forest's daughter is also adorable
- Hal reminds me of the dog in 'The Good Boy' (one of my favorite books of all time)
- Which leads me to my next point, I think this had a very similar message / flow and its an overall feel good kind of book with some tear jerking moments
- Rani and Alex are some of the best side characters I've ever met
What I strugled with....
- I didn't love the love triangle piece (usually I never will)
- Ava's neurodiverget personality was off putting at times but other times was endearing... I can manage the social awkwardness in first person writing if I get a glimpse into their brain when it's happening, sometimes she just came off as a horn dog...
Thank you Avon for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
What I lovvvved:
- Forest is adorable, maybe a little immature feeling at the beginning, but you'll see later the misunderstandings come to light
- Forest's daughter is also adorable
- Hal reminds me of the dog in 'The Good Boy' (one of my favorite books of all time)
- Which leads me to my next point, I think this had a very similar message / flow and its an overall feel good kind of book with some tear jerking moments
- Rani and Alex are some of the best side characters I've ever met
What I strugled with....
- I didn't love the love triangle piece (usually I never will)
- Ava's neurodiverget personality was off putting at times but other times was endearing... I can manage the social awkwardness in first person writing if I get a glimpse into their brain when it's happening, sometimes she just came off as a horn dog...
Thank you Avon for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was invited by the publisher to review this book. Brilliant yet awkward scientist Ava enters an AI competition held in a haunted castle, where she must live with rival finalists for three weeks. Distracted from her work by forced socializing, a rivalry with a not so friendly poet, Forrest, and the arrival of an odddly perfect stranger, Ava begins to question her assumptions about people and her own creation. As her AI project causes unexpected consequences, Ava is pushed to reconsider what success and perfection really mean for her.
This was an imaginative plot, which was why I rounded to four stars. But at the end of the day, I did not like the vibe between Ava and Forrest - I felt they were more just enemies, than anything, mean to be mean. When there were moments of friendliness, it just seemed random and not genuine. And while I liked the haunted castle in general, I felt it did not fit well in this book, which detracted from the STEM elements.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an imaginative plot, which was why I rounded to four stars. But at the end of the day, I did not like the vibe between Ava and Forrest - I felt they were more just enemies, than anything, mean to be mean. When there were moments of friendliness, it just seemed random and not genuine. And while I liked the haunted castle in general, I felt it did not fit well in this book, which detracted from the STEM elements.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I went into this book genuinely curious. I use AI often, and I’ve been following conversations about people forming romantic attachments to AI, including reports out of Japan. So the question at the heart of this story really hooked me. Can AI ever replace human romance? At times, the idea feels almost creepy in how close it already is, though we are clearly not all the way there yet. I can also see how something like this could be deeply meaningful and supportive for people who are lonely, which made the premise feel both timely and interesting. That said, while I appreciated the concept, the execution didn’t fully work for me. I wanted to care more about the characters and their relationship, but the emotional connection never quite landed. I stayed intellectually engaged, but not emotionally invested, and for a romance, that mattered.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
The publisher invited me to read and review this book otherwise I would have likely not picked it up. I don't love AI and so wasn't super into the subject matter, but I enjoyed another novel by the same author so decided to give it a go. I am honestly grateful that I did. While I found this book a little unique, I appreciated what the author shared about AI and some of the things with AI that could be improved, as our scientist, Ava was doing. The best thing in a book, in my opinion, is when I laugh out loud. This book had a few of those moments for me. It was also just a sweet story.
""Words hurt, Ava," FT says. "Even when they are patently untrue.""
looking at stars: ""To think that we exists, in this moment, amongst all of that...""
Overall not my cup of tea, but it was enjoyable enough. I would rate it 3.5 but will round up to 4.
The publisher invited me to read and review this book otherwise I would have likely not picked it up. I don't love AI and so wasn't super into the subject matter, but I enjoyed another novel by the same author so decided to give it a go. I am honestly grateful that I did. While I found this book a little unique, I appreciated what the author shared about AI and some of the things with AI that could be improved, as our scientist, Ava was doing. The best thing in a book, in my opinion, is when I laugh out loud. This book had a few of those moments for me. It was also just a sweet story.
""Words hurt, Ava," FT says. "Even when they are patently untrue.""
looking at stars: ""To think that we exists, in this moment, amongst all of that...""
Overall not my cup of tea, but it was enjoyable enough. I would rate it 3.5 but will round up to 4.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was a little hard for me to get through. I was very skeptical about the premise and to be 100% honest, the only reason I finished the book and didn't DNF it was because I wanted to see what the final choice would be when it came to the AI boyfriend.
This book had some solid moments of self-reflection and discovery that were both heartbreaking and heartwarming to read. Ava is such a brilliant girl that you want to root for, even when she makes it difficult to do. I did enjoy some of the other characters, like Forrest. I loved how he and Ava balanced each other out and played off of each other.
This book had some solid moments of self-reflection and discovery that were both heartbreaking and heartwarming to read. Ava is such a brilliant girl that you want to root for, even when she makes it difficult to do. I did enjoy some of the other characters, like Forrest. I loved how he and Ava balanced each other out and played off of each other.
November 29, 2025
DRC from Edelweiss and Avon / HarperCollins
A rom-com with a science twist. Ava is an introvert, spends most of her time in her lab or hanging out with her best friend Rani. She has created an AI program called FreeThought that replicates a human, but is on the computer. She enters a competition that awards an innovator with a nice amount of funding and publicity. Totally out of her element, Ava has fancy dinners, other competitors to chat with, and ghosts haunting the castle that the ceremony is being held in. One competitor, Hugh, is straight out her dreams of the perfect man. He and Ava hit it off and then Ava learns who he really is. Meanwhile, Forrest, another competitor, is angry and mean and on Ava’s not nice list. But Ava also learns more about him and realizes that first impressions can be wrong. Who will win the competition? And with what Ava knows now, how will her work be affected as she moves forward? A fun, interesting story about AI and relationships.
A rom-com with a science twist. Ava is an introvert, spends most of her time in her lab or hanging out with her best friend Rani. She has created an AI program called FreeThought that replicates a human, but is on the computer. She enters a competition that awards an innovator with a nice amount of funding and publicity. Totally out of her element, Ava has fancy dinners, other competitors to chat with, and ghosts haunting the castle that the ceremony is being held in. One competitor, Hugh, is straight out her dreams of the perfect man. He and Ava hit it off and then Ava learns who he really is. Meanwhile, Forrest, another competitor, is angry and mean and on Ava’s not nice list. But Ava also learns more about him and realizes that first impressions can be wrong. Who will win the competition? And with what Ava knows now, how will her work be affected as she moves forward? A fun, interesting story about AI and relationships.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager | Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of exploring AI romance is intriguing and timely, but this book just didn’t do it for me. I never connected emotionally with Ava, Forrest, or FT, and the constant bickering felt childish rather than true enemies-to-lovers. FT’s “humanization” was forced, and the haunted castle setting felt inconsistent. I stayed intellectually engaged but found the story frustrating and unconvincing. For me, it just didn’t capture the STEM vibes or romance it promised.
The premise of exploring AI romance is intriguing and timely, but this book just didn’t do it for me. I never connected emotionally with Ava, Forrest, or FT, and the constant bickering felt childish rather than true enemies-to-lovers. FT’s “humanization” was forced, and the haunted castle setting felt inconsistent. I stayed intellectually engaged but found the story frustrating and unconvincing. For me, it just didn’t capture the STEM vibes or romance it promised.
February 15, 2026
3⭐ review of My Brilliant AI Boyfriend by Stella Hayward
Cute, quick, and a little strange. My favorite characters were the landscape, the ghosts, and the kids- side characters were great & I was invested in them but not really the MCs - which isn’t great
This isn’t airtight sci-fi, and the romance didn’t quite land for me emotionally. I was interested, but not invested. Brain engaged, heart not so much
Go in expecting fun and vibes? You’ll probably enjoy it. Go in wanting swoony romance + realistic science? You may not
Cute, quick, and a little strange. My favorite characters were the landscape, the ghosts, and the kids- side characters were great & I was invested in them but not really the MCs - which isn’t great
This isn’t airtight sci-fi, and the romance didn’t quite land for me emotionally. I was interested, but not invested. Brain engaged, heart not so much
Go in expecting fun and vibes? You’ll probably enjoy it. Go in wanting swoony romance + realistic science? You may not
February 11, 2026
4/5 ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this interesting love story with a fun setting!
At first, I was worried when there were ghosts AND sentient AI. I was concerned it would be too fantastical for me but WOW this book surprised me in all the best ways!
I love Forest AND Hal. I loved the FMC (even though there were times her awkwardness was too much). I loved the best friend. I enjoyed the side characters and their roles in the story.
This was different than anything else I am read before but such a sweet romance read for the Valentine’s Day season.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this interesting love story with a fun setting!
At first, I was worried when there were ghosts AND sentient AI. I was concerned it would be too fantastical for me but WOW this book surprised me in all the best ways!
I love Forest AND Hal. I loved the FMC (even though there were times her awkwardness was too much). I loved the best friend. I enjoyed the side characters and their roles in the story.
This was different than anything else I am read before but such a sweet romance read for the Valentine’s Day season.
nope
October 31, 2025WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?
AI has no place in Romance. Not in the covers. Not in the writing or editing process. And absolutely not as a cutesy plot device.
AI has no place in Romance. Not in the covers. Not in the writing or editing process. And absolutely not as a cutesy plot device.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews