Review: Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

Love and Other Conspiracies is an irresistibly fun and refreshingly unique friends-to-lovers workplace romance. Mallory Marlowe has crafted a story that’s both sweet and engaging, bringing together Hallie, a web series producer, and Hayden, a tattooed and bearded podcast host, whose contrasting beliefs add depth and spark to their undeniable connection. Watching their relationship grow as they opened up and became best friends was delightful, especially as they embraced each other’s quirks despite their opposing views. Hayden is an absolute green flag with his healthy communication and vulnerability—a true standout as a romantic lead.

The romance is perfectly paced, striking a lovely balance between slow burn and open-door steam. It was easy to get wrapped up in the dynamic of Hallie and Hayden’s world, where workplace tensions and hilarious monster-hunting adventures are woven seamlessly with their budding romance. I loved how the story incorporated Bigfoot, Mothman, and conspiracy lore to break up the workplace drama, adding an exciting twist to the usual office romance setup.

What I loved:

• The “hurt and comfort” vibes, mutual pining, and forced proximity that add to the chemistry.
• The healthy contrast between Hayden and Hallie’s awful ex, and Hayden’s genuine openness.
• The way the book addresses modern online misogyny—timely and well-executed without taking over the story.

What didn’t quite hit the mark:

• The subplot of Hayden’s parental issues didn’t feel as impactful as expected; the final confrontation scene left me wanting a bit more depth.
• As a skeptic, I found the skeptic/believer dynamic challenging at times, though that’s more a personal quirk than a flaw in the story.

Honorable mention: I rarely enjoy first-person present tense and single POV romances, but Marlowe’s writing made it so smooth and engaging that I almost didn’t even notice—trust me, that’s high praise!

Overall, Love and Other Conspiracies is a refreshing, quick read perfect for fans of contemporary romance with a twist. I’m eagerly awaiting Mallory Marlowe’s next book and recommend this one to anyone who loves friends-to-lovers romance with a side of mystery and adventure!

Read if you like:
🛸 Single POV
🛸 Hurt and Comfort
🛸 Forced Proximity
🛸 Bigfoot, Mothman, and More
🛸 Friends to Lovers
🛸 Only One Bed
🛸 Tattooed & Bearded Heroes
🛸 Mutual Pining
🛸 Open Door Steam