Hallie Barrett’s life has officially imploded. Her hotshot ex was not only her boyfriend but also her coworker and the star of the online show she produced. With the company competition looming and no show to pitch, she’s desperate for inspiration. Enter Hayden Hargrove: cryptid expert, podcast star, and the very passionate (and very handsome) conspiracy theorist she stumbles across one late night on a docuseries.
Hayden might be a believer in Bigfoot and Mothman, but he’s no natural on camera. So when Hallie jumps into the spotlight to play the skeptical cohost, sparks fly. Together, they launch a web series that turns heads, builds chemistry, and maybe even heals old wounds.
I love a good conspiracy theory, not because I believe them, but because I want to believe in something magical. So a romance with a cryptid-hunting MMC? I was hooked. The story is well-paced and super entertaining, with just enough goofy charm to balance the more emotional subplots.
That said, I didn’t love the way the ex-boyfriend storyline was handled. He was the worst (truly), and I felt Hallie’s lingering issues with him didn’t quite match her otherwise spunky, grounded personality. Still, I did appreciate her character growth throughout, especially how she began to find her voice again through the project with Hayden. Their webshow was a definite highlight and gave the story a fun, creative edge.
Hayden and Hallie are both likable, and their banter was sweet, though at times a little forced or cheesy. I also really wish this had been told in dual POV because I would’ve loved a deeper look into Hayden’s perspective. The story is told entirely from Hallie’s side, and that limited how much I could connect with the relationship overall.
This was a cute, quirky romance with a unique hook and a lot of heart. Not an all-time fave, but still worth reading especially if you love cryptids, web shows, and watching characters rebuild their confidence.
AMAZON | GOODREADS | Bookshop | ★★★.5
Love and Other Conspiracies is out now. Huge thank you to Berkley for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books
