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2026 Book 2 - An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister

I found the footnotes to be distracting and hard to follow, at least for the digital version. Also, the ending felt rushed. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book and flew through it.

Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher have been academic and professional rivals for over a decade. Jonah has grown up with a prestigious father who forced his three kids to debate everything, including why it makes sense to have a teddy bear for emotional support. Sadie’s mom died young and her father took off, so she’s had to be scrappy her whole life, with only her sister in her corner. 

When a teaching position comes up, it pits them against each other. Jonah needs the job so he can be near his sister as she navigates being ditched by her husband for his secret second family. Sadie needs the job for financial security, and because it’s one of the few positions that’s looking for her popular-romance specialty. Sadie notices that the position offers a “partner hire,” and she suggests they get married so they will both get a job. 

When Sadie tells her sister, Chess, about the marriage, Chess is unthrilled, and lets Sadie know it. Sadie snaps at Chess, and complains that Chess has been smothering her, and being loved by Chess is exhausting. This causes Chess to step away, and watching Sadie try to reach out to her sister to make amends, (and grieve the loss of their close relationship) was tough at times.

McAllister does a great job of showing their friendship and attraction growing. It looks like a sequel may be in the works, and I’d gladly read it. (8)

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